Happy New Year 2016!

Hello everyone!

I want to thank you for your kindness, patience, encouragement and understanding through 2015 - all of which has been a blessing. I would like to send you all my love and heartiest good wishes for a wonderful new year; I hope it brings happiness, good health and fulfilment to all. Oh - and no hangovers! Err...oh - and plentiful - P*L*E*N*T*I*F*U*L - art supplies so we can all make some awesome pretty stuff!  Love and hugs from Shroo :) xxx

Sharing the Smiles xxx

Hello Sunshine!

I hope your day's been a good one? We've had weird weather here today - everything from hailstones and gusty winds, to cracking sunshine and almost summer heat! It's like the Earth is playing 'weather roulette' and having a whale of a time while she's at it!

Soooooo..I've managed to get Gertie (my little scanner) to follow the scanning instructions, but she's a tad on the over enthusiastic side....I think she's making up for her few temperamental days, and who can blame her?! I have, regardless, scanned in the lovely cards that my mum made for me when I was a little girl,rediscovered the other day while clearing her house. The scans are a bit over-bleached out so the actual cards look a LOT nicer and brighter in real life, but this is the best I can manage for now. Mum worked a long time as a commercial artist and had a lot of work published in newspapers and magazines, but would never ever send her wonderful little people off to a publisher -  she only made them for family and friends. So I'm sharing them with you - my blogging family and friends. I hope you like them.

That's little cartoon me in the piccies! I'm so incredibly glad that I found these. For the moment they're safe in a portfolio, but at some point I may go ahead and frame them so that I can see them every day, smiling at me!

Anyhoo - that's my offering for today! May tomorrow bring you sunshine and sparkles - love and hugs from Shroo :) xxx

An Arty Ramble Through My Heart

Hey there, lovely!

First - before the general ramble begins - a special big thank you to those of you who made me feel SOOOOOOOOOOO much better by commenting on my last post, or by emailing. I meant the world to me and I'm so grateful that you'd take the time to gimme hugs and support - I promise that I have kicked myself up the behind a bit this week and have done useful things like tidying, cleaning, dusting etc - although the vacuum cleaner is still growling at me resentfully (and inactively) from the cupboard under the stairs...I swear I hear the damn thing muttering when I walk past. I'll drag it out this week at some point and give the carpet a coronary! 

So - aside from actually doing normal human things that normal human beings do to NOT live in a complete mess (I actually loathe mess! And yet....my studio....yeah....go figure!), I've actually had quite a good amount of arty time. I've been working on some new stock for my Etsy shop - sneak peek:

 More on those when I list them - which, all being well, should be in the next day or so. 

I've been doodling again. There seems to be a lot of half finished doodly doodleness - mainly because I do them to relax before sleep (if I get sleep) so they cease to progress the moment I nod off, and inevitably I'll begin a new one the next evening, showing callous disregard for the abandoned scratchings that languish on earlier pages. There's nothing so annoying as half-done doodles so I've determined to finish some off this week, beginning with Mr Fishy -

 I know, I know, another sea-based doodle, but I'll always freely admit it's my happy plaice! (sorry....bad joke....I should be 'pun'ished. Oh ye gads.....shoot me!) Fishies, mermaids, jellyfishies, octopuseseseses and lighthouses all make me happy! Apart from anything else, finishing a few of these will get me motivated to finish the enormous wildlife pen & ink piece based on Australia's flora and fauna that I started.....oooo.... in about 1200BC or something.....I'll finish it, oh yes I will! Do you think attention span might be an issue? Do ya? DO YA? ...huh....

I also made a return to my main art journal, which has been a bit of an arty obstacle since the Yuletide season. I'd made a collage spread for Valentine's Day - collage is a great go-to technique when Miss Arty Muse is being a right old cow and not playing. She's lured in by colourful snippings. Fickle creature. I took some process photos at the time so here ya go:

I started with a thin, relatively neutral base coat covered with a second coat of blended yellow & orange acrylic paint and then used an old voucher card as a scraper to add some fairly random bright colours that made me happy:

I cut out some photos of flowers from my Uncle's and Granparents' gardens, along with one of my mum when she was a little girl - something to represent each of the people who mean so much and who are now partying on down like crazy over that rainbow bridge. Once I'd figured out how I wanted them placed on the page I adhered them using a matte gel medium. 

**Helpful tip #1: If you ARE going to try this with photos and you plan to coat the top of the collage as well as pasting the underside of each image, test your product on an unimportant photo corner to make sure that the medium won't affect the print. It SHOULD be ok, but as with all things it's best to check. I know that polaroids, for example, can go a bit iffy with some products - just be careful. **

**Helpful tip #2: Photos can be quite a thick collage element - it makes layering awkward. However, you can usually separate the surface image from the backing sheet relatively easily - as long as you're careful. I tend to start at the corner and use a fingernail to split the layers and peel gently. You may have to work inwards from more than one corner - just take your time, and you should be left with a nice thin photo image which layers beautifully onto your page. It's like peeling apart a napkin, just a bit more long-winded.**

I gave my mum butterfly wings by using a Brenda Walton (I think) sticker from K&Co, cutting it in half and layering the photo image over the stickers

I used my Uni ball Impact 1.0 gel pen to make a smudgy outline and added details and doodles with the white gel version of the same pen and some bright yellow fluid acrylic:

Then I added some lyrics as a kind of 'sentiment' - they seemed apt - and dated the page

This weekend was Mother's Day - the first one without mum. I found it hard going - much moreso than I'd expected and I was pretty sad. I wanted to journal the day and use mycolourful art journal again, but my mind was a blank. I took out my box of photos and picked up one of me when I was a little girl, taken on a flower-picking trip with my mum and my Grandma. It made me happy and sad at the same time, and I decided that I'd use it as the inspiration for my page. 

I collaged some wrapping paper I'd been hoarding and smooshed some acrylic paints onto the page with my fingers. I wanted the flowers on the paper to show through the paint so using my fingers was a good way to control where the colour went. When I was happy, I added some splashes of watery Cosmic Shimmer paint in blue and gold (Cosmic Shimmer watercolours are kind of like the sparkling H2Os - I love them). This page was more about capturing a feeling than anything else. I used my brush and some buff coloured acrylic to block in the outlines of the figure-

I decided to update the figure and add red hair and the colours I always seem to use when I paint a representation of myself , splodging the colours in loosely. I wanted this to represent me then as well as me now and didn't want to overthink it at all.

When I was done adding colour I used my gel pen (trusty thing) to scribble in a bit of definition and a touch of shading then splodged in the buttercups, just hinting at stems and leaves-

Finally I added the last few scribbly lines with first the black gel pen, then with the white, just to lift the page a bit-

It's a page that reflects how I felt exactly at that moment. I do think it's good to allow your art to reflect something of who you are inside, how you feel....what makes you YOU. It's not all about technique - at least that's what I think.

Anyway, whilst rummaging through that photo box I found some old pics of me with my mum and my Grandma and was reminded again of the importance of recording memories. I have a little book that mum gave me YEARS ago called "Wishing You Happiness", written by Pam Brown:

Reading through this little book I could hear mum's voice - her laugh. This and the photos made me feel like I'd spent time with my mum and Grandma again and it made me so much happier. I thought I'd share some of the book with you, along with a few of the pictures that I found - I hope you like them. I hope something beautiful and remarkable happens for you this week that makes you smile and that you enjoy the warmth of family and friends. This I wish for you. See you soon - hugs and sunshine from Shroo :) xxx

Wishing You Happiness

...adventures with happy endings.

...mornings of glad anticipation.

...quiet sleep and glad awakening.

My Wishes For You

I wish you the joy of always having someone to share things with.

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My wish for you is that sometimes, just sometimes, you can afford the thing you long for, rather than the thing that will do.

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I wish you enough good memories to see you through the bad times.

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I wish you one of the best of small happinesses, the opening of a well-remembered book, the smoothing of the page, the first familiar words...

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I wish you the happiness of finding the perfect present for someone you love.

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I wish you spring - the amazement that is always better than you dared expect.

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I wish you the happiness of a gift from a child;

- a bunch of dandelions

- a fluff-coated toffee

- a frog

- a kiss

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Strength and Courage

If I had the power to make one wish for you, I would find it very hard to decide what gift to give - what gift would help you to happiness. Beauty is dangerous, wisdom must be earned, love is of your own choosing.

But in the end, I am certain that I would choose the best gift of all - and that is courage.

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May you never purchase "love" at the price of becoming a doormat.

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May you always find exactly the right words to put bullies in their place - and enough strength in your knees to walk out with dignity.

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May you have a loving heart - and shrewd judgment.

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There is great happiness to be found in giving. but giving endlessly can drain the mind and heart. Learn to take a little  - even if it is a moment in the garden, a gallery, a cafe. 

Appreciate it.

Let the birds and frogs and pictures, music and books and undemanding friends restore you. 

People need nourishment.

* * *

I Wish You The Joy Of:

Seeing your luggage come safely round the carousel.

A letter from someone whose address you have lost.

Seeing someone's face light up at the sight of you.

Knowing you are needed.

Finding the perfect present.

Spotting your missing cat plodding up the path.

The smell of land, far out to sea.

A skein of geese passing low overhead, calling.

Biplanes stunting on a summer's day.

Sun-dried linen.

Donkeys.

Dawn, mid ocean.

The right one realising just who you really are inside - 

and loving you for it.

Taking off your smart shoes.

The sight of the one you love at the end of the platform.

Pistachio nuts.

Renoir.

Discovering that you have not, after all, thrown your friend's letter on the fire with the birthday wrappings.

Walking in the rain.

Pigs.

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I wish you the happiness of love, that does not change with change, that shines as surely in age as in youth.

* * * 

I hope you always have room in your life for another friend.

* * * 

I wish you letters:

in handwriting that you recognise at once;

in handwriting that you have not seen for years;

in handwriting totally unknown.

I wish you letters full of praise,

full of encouragement;

letters of thanks and love.

* * *

I wish you happiness

but not the happiness which is purchased by shutting out the world.

Nor that of denying your dream for comfort's sake.

I wish you the happiness of doing what you do as best you can.

Of taking the risk of trying

of taking the risk of giving

of taking the risk of loving

* * *

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Why I Journal: That Special Day...

Hello Gorgeous!

I hope the weather is bright and clear for you today... if it's not, then you just snuggle in and treat yourself to something yummy and just be AWESOME!

As I mentioned earlier this week, I've had a bit of a break from splishy-splashy art supplies for a couple of weeks. It does me good to remind myself that there are other aspects of creativity that bring me joy and allow them some time. I did manage a couple of scribbly pen & ink doodles in my journal, but lost interest when the textiles and yarns made a colourful appearance....and that's ok. Playing with all that lovely STUFF made me happy!

I doodle when I can't sleep - the pen strokes quiet my mind. Every journal I keep is distinctly different - individual. It's not planned, rather it just happens. This one is full of these scratchy doodles all of which feature fairy folk, fantasy creatures, stars and light. It seemed natural that I should celebrate Imbolc with some doodles that represent my happiness at welcoming the arrival of longer daylight hours and the renewal of Spring! I didn't feel like writing so this was a happy and mind-calming option, with my candles aglow and crocuses sprouting in the plant pots outside my front door.

Calendar events and special celebrations are a good reason to journal. You can write - your thoughts, a record of the day's events, feelings, comparisons with other years past, your hopes for the coming weeks and months... or you can be a little more abstract, recording the day with a quote, song lyrics or a poem. You can save special items, ephemera, keepsakes or photographs. You can paint, sketch or draw, or collage - anything, as long as it records the day. It's a good EXCUSE to journal and a great PROMPT. Don't be afraid to use sources like Google, Pinterest, Flickr or Instagram to find inspiration, or words to copy that can speak for you if your tongue (or pen-)tied.

It doesn't matter if your journaling is a bit 'out there' or abstract - it's not intended for anyone else, really, is it? It's there so that next week, next month, next year, you can look at that page and remember the moment, the day, the place and the people. Record your smiles - they'll never be lost and be there when you need them the most, stored safely just for you.

Sometimes when I want to make a pretty page, I draw a loose and loopy spiral shape and I write poetry - favourite cherished lines - around the curls and curves. It bonds you with your page as you turn it round and round, following the lines and taking time to finish what, upon completion, is a work of art in itself. You don't have to be the next Rembrandt to make something beautiful!

My black and white doodles are useful when I need a reboot - they're an excellent colouring book!

Sometimes it's fun to just play!  Is there a day that you can journal about? How about remembering what you were doing this time last month, or year? Have a think - I bet there's something there.....

Hope you liked this post - and I hope you're enjoying your own journaling, whatever style you follow. I'll see you soon with a process tutorial journaly pagey type thingummy doo-dah (do forgive the use of such technical terms! ) In the meantime, stay awesome and show the world you much you totally rock! Love and hugs all round from Shroo :) xxx

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Additional add-on bit! - 

 I'm so honoured to be invited to link to ART JOURNAL JOURNEY and MOO-MANIA AND MORE ! Thank you so much to Valerie with her beautiful blog at BASTELMANIA and Susi with her bundle of loveliness at FROEBELSTERNCHEN for your invitations!

I always look with longing at link up sites but rarely seem to have a post that fits a challenge. I am completely missing the point of a challenge of course, which is to actively CREATE something that answers it! Useless woman I am!!  I should kick myself up the backside and pay more attention! I'd recommend visiting these exceptional sites - they're jam-packed with beauty and inspiration.

I've also been THRILLED to link up to the amazing INSPIRATION AVENUE - a site I haunt regularly and am always impressed by the wonderful artists who post there. Lou Anne from MISPLACED MERMAID allowed for it by hosting a 'Show & Tell' - awesome! Thank you, fellow mermaid-obsessive!

Sending out mahoosive hugs to you all for making my day bright and wonderful! I'm off now to gaze at your blogs for a while and marvel at the lovely! See you soon - Shroo :) xxx

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New Year Catch-Up & Mum's Stuff & A Foxy Journal!

Well!

We're a few days into 2014...almost time for those Christmas decorations to be boxed away for another year. Did you add any decorations to your collection this Christmas? As previously blogged, the decorations that mum and I have tend to find a way to stay out on display SOMEWHERE! And surely festive fairy lights are an all-year-round bright and cheerful addition to ANY room?!

I'm in the process of making some new journals - some for my newly re-opened Etsy shop, and one for me. I've not filled LAST year's monster of a journal yet, but that's not a bother really, as I will be finding bits and pieces round the house for a while that still need to be added ... I'll keep you updated with the journals as they're completed.

I did make a lovely one (one of my favourites ever, actually) for my awesome friend. I included pages from favourite story books, bright and colourful to encourage him to experiment with the awesome artistic ability that I KNOW he has. Can you tell that I know he's reading this post? Ha. I made the book using coptic stitch, with sturdy covers, with a good selection of papers. I hope he's inspired - everything he's made so far is bloomin' awesome!  I didn't have a lot of time to take photos before I posted the finished item, but I took a couple to give you an idea:

 

The book is roughly A5 size and really quite chunky. The fox was sketched out and painted with neocolor II pastels then cut out and pasted down with tacky glue. I added some shading and detail, as well as the star, and then gave it several layers of lacquer, allowing each one to dry before adding the next.

The fastening is made with two sturdy waxed cotton bows (or knots - whatever's preferable), finsished with hand-painted porcelain fox beads. We both love foxes - all animals really - so I enjoyed hunting down these little treasures to add that perfect touch. NOW ALL HE HAS TO DO IS USE IT!!!! *grins*

For new year, mum and I exchanged pictures - we're both going to run out of wall space VERY soon at this rate! I wanted you to see the GORGEOUS piccies that she gave me... here's the first one:

AWWW!!!! How lovely is that?! I see some similarities between mum's art and mine - things that I've picked up subconsciously over the years. The spirals, for example. I LOVE adding spirals to my work - lots of swirly lines, and I think I've developed that from loving the way mum decorates her art. I also VERY much like making lollipop flowers and looking at this I am struck by a couple of journal pages I did a couple of years (ish) ago -

See? I think it's funny and cool that things like this sink into the brain all by themselves.  I like that my art has part of my mum's influence and arty gifts wrapped up in it.

The second AWESOME piece that she made for me is a gift from my three cats - two of whom are chasing angel mice and stealing heavenly bacon in the afterlife now.

This is my mantra - the Green Lantern creed. Did I mention I have no life?! Ha. It reads:

"In brightest day, in blackest night

No evil shall escape my sight;

Let those who worship evil's might

Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"

Well....it means something to me anyway!! If I ever get a tattoo it'll be the Lantern Creed, spiraled round Hal Jordan's (favourite Lantern... shush....) lantern logo. Shush again!  It meant so much to me that mum went out and found this and made it into this awesome art for me. I'll ba hammering more nails into the wall this week. Not sure, but it's just possible that my home is held up solely by picture nails!

The piccy I painted for mum is in lieu of the Christmas/New Year/next bloody millennium gift that I STILL haven't finished, due to artistic brain-freeze. ***Pthlll**(*blows raspberry*):

 

 This is little Daisy Shroo, wishing on her star. Sorry it's a bit blurry - the scanner appears to be angry at me! Mum's very fond of Daisy.

SO that's today's bundle of catch-up! Hope you've enjoyed it. Is there anything you'd like me to talk about or show you in my blog (keep it clean!!!) ? If so, just leave me a comment and I'll do my best to accommodate. I'll be back soon with the first instalment of the '12 Books Of Christmas', the anthology I put together for mum for the big festive day. Sneak peek -

Sending out love and hugs to everyone in blogland  - Shroo :) xxx

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***Additional: After loooooooong hard thought, I've decided to add this post to the Inspiration Avenue challenge to show work that expresses joy through art. Specifically, I want to enter my mum's 'hug' picture - it's so beautiful to me, and as I've said in the post, I see now how much her joyous style has influenced me, for which I am unutterably grateful. Head on over to INSPIRATION AVENUE and have a look at some of the beautiful work exhibited on the blogs that are linked there. ***