Happy New Year

I've had a break for Christmas - too much family stuff going on .... not much creating !
Although I have managed a few new tags and thank you's.

I have been busy with my BIG Project for this year and will detail over next few weeks. Its been in the back of my mind but I have put it to paper now.

Almost 2011 - as usual I'm fighting to get everything done - the normal routine is out at the moment but soon as school goes back I will be in there agaain. Until next week - lots of ideas will evolve.

Christmas Preparations

Hi - Christmas is now very close and I'm in a state of minor panic as is usual this close to Christmas ! Have I got everything ? NO, is the answer - weather is so cold and shopping not an option until tomorrow as the kids still not well. Lets hope it does'nt snow again tonight.

Been doing a little wrapping and using more home made tags - these are little recycle jobs again - am quite pleased with them.

Have been looking at character faces for The Big Project - need to come up with a name (for the project) before tomorrow - can't keep calling it 'The Big Project'.

Not sure what the next mini make is ? If I do more shopping may need some more tags. Perhaps the house decorations need some attention. Will let youy know tomorrow.

Bye for now

Lapsed again !

Hi missed my blog yesterday - I'm blaming elements of flu and just living .......

I've struggled getting my phone software going today and can only seem to get the pictures to go into my husbands files - not easy to then upload here !! No doubt there is a simple solution but have tried several ways to change file desitnations without success. Trials of life ...

Also done some tags from my art pictures (hence photos to show - now not in my folders) - will get them on if it kills me.
As you see finally tag is up !!

Have also got an idea for my BIG (annual)PROJECT. Its based on a series of paintings which will take the whole year to produce. Each month (starting in Jan 2011) I create a new character painting using a single basic face. Each individual month/character will have unique characteristics eg hair, clothes etc. so will look like a different individual - some will be larger than others. I hope to use recycled materials for all the clothes each with a theme reflected by the month.When I have all 12, I will assemble them into a single large piece of art. I am really excited about this project. I hope to produce individual items (something 3D) from each month which link to each character - not sure about exactly what they will be yet but I'm jotting down ideas.

Thats it for today - other than the tag photos ! x

Mini Project

Hi again
this is becoming the habit I was aiming for ....

However, a last min. change to the project - will do the art thing tomorrow.

Todays idea is using last years cards that did'nt get used. This is a bit of a theme with all my work - I do like to re-cycle stuff. The original card was bought in a box of 20 from Tesco (very cheap and not very nice cards )but I needed to write some cards last min. in the car before going to a party (very near to Christmas so there was'nt much left, so .... say no more !
Anyway, looking this year at my card stock and calculating how long I had to get the job done as well as not liking to chuck anything ever ! I came up with the idea I would do a re-cycle job. This is what I did, simply die cut all or part of image on the original and stuck it on a piece of very nice crisp white card (cut and folded to compliment my picture size) and added a greeting. The greeting on my card was helpfully printed on the inside of the original but it would have been easy to produce an appropriate one from the computer. I stamped a statement message, cut out and stuck at an angle. I also managed to use the original envelope. Doing the mini project gave me quite a good feeling and yesterday I wrote the cards - I only have one picture of the batch (there were 4 designs)as they have gone to post. I will definetely do it again. I'm going to re-cycle some cards that have been sent to me this year.
Hope you like the idea, its not new but the simplicity and the quality (post recycle)is fantastic - its a great way to improve on very cheap cards - if they have a good design.
Bye for now x

Day 3

Hi for today .....
Its a challenge getting going - I have a very severe cold/flu style virus - temp. and the lot so functioning is slow !
Did'nt manage to get the card pics up yesterday but probably a good thing as they have developed and are much better. My technology is letting me down - I need to find a way to get the phone downloading direct - just need to add software, I think ? Thats my task for today.
The cards (pics which did'nt materialise) and a few mini presents also need to be delivered today (its last day at school)or I will miss those I'm sending to !!

I thought I could add my first little project from my original paintings - so will get that up tomorrow - it should be good for last min. tags or cards for unexpected moments when you need to pull out a gift.

Bye for now.

Day 2 - good start !

Hi - managed day 2 Ok - need to make a mental note of the time - 11.30am - good time to submit.

Today I'm completing some card designs using an original picture (santa) - will post them later to share.

My little tribe (2 boys) are both ill with flu/sickness bugs - me too !! but I'm soldiering on. Work will be limited.

Be back later with pics of the cards.
Bye for now

I'm back .... eventually !

Hi, all the best plans etc..........

Now down to business - I'm newly enthused by a number of things this time :

• lots more work produced (to show)
  
• I've also joined into the Twitter thing - I did try it a few months ago and did'nt really get it - I've kind of got it now but not sure my phone is up to the job !
• loads of new ideas (thats not strickly a new thing)

I also came across someone who is also using the 'From Scratch' name - Emma from Red Velvet fame. I love Elsie's work (Red Velvet) and follow her blog every day. It was only today that I saw 'From Scratch' in their new shop (Emma is using it as a name for her cookie/cupcake area in the shop). I guess it shows great minds collide sometimes ? I see it as a compliment.

The point of my blog today is to yet again start as I mean to go on.... nothing new there ! I will crack the habit one day. Apparantly to develop the habit, I need to do something for 21 days. Tough challenge.

I'm posting some Christmas pictures and am still looking for the first person to visit - please come and see (anyone other than relatives will do). Hopefully the Twitter thing will help generate some callers.

Bye for now. (day 1 and counting)

Its better late than never !

Hi anyone ..............
here we are again - later than I had hoped. Anyway we are up and running 'ish'. My plans have changed so many times but thats what this is about.
I have lots of paintings and am very much going with the 'From Scratch' thing - I think I now have the philosophy. Its all about doing whatever from scratch , so anything I produce I'm trying to start from basics. I will explore this idea again tomorrow and see if I can do my daily blog - just a short thing.
I need some people in here with me so am going to try and spread the word. My new idea for this will also be revealed tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Something to add .....

Better late than never ......... only four months since my last blog. I've been very busy doing lots of drawings and have lots more to finish beore they become pictures. Will add some initial sketches later next week. The big moment is almost here.
The Miss Mitchell stuff is eventually coming together and I think I now have a collection - the selection will be in my shop on Etsy soon. I hope to have some pictures to preview.
Summer holidays are here so I'm busy with the kids - still aiming to complete my every other month deadline for a new range of stuff. Pictures next ...... come back and check out next week. I aim to post each week. Is it possible ? Fingers crossed. Bye for now.

Just do it !

Getting there - more ideas and thoughts about my direction - I'll try and update every few days for a while and then review. Much of the time its about making a decision and going with it !!! My head keeps saying -' just get on and do something !' - so eventually, I'm going with that ...........

My first collection is under way - I'm calling it a SET - Miss Mitchell is the title. There will be a story behind Miss Mitchell, eventually this will be a chapter of a book (no title yet). I have 5 items/products in the SET. Each product is inspired by a painting, this one is Miss Mitchell. All products are linked in some way - probably colours or more likely images within the painting, for this one it will be butterflies and jewel type colours. I will post the list of items in my next message and will hope to have pictures. All products will be available for sale and I'm producing some kits and some download instructions - also available for sale.

More to come ..... x

Hi from me !

Welcome to my little world - 'thepapersac'.
This is a place for inspiration (for all as well as me) and a way to encourage others to share a version of ART in the very widest sense (and not be embarrassed about calling it Art) as I am !!
I'm starting out on a journey to make my skills grow and devlop my stuff (mainly 'from scratch' - hence the name of the blog. Please come along.
This is Miss Mitchell - she is my first inspiration - the little caption says 'All will be well' - she has been the initial inspiration for my new collection . I will be posting pics as I produce stuff- come back and share often. x