Check this out

I was fumbling about....as you do and come across this site Paper Friendly by Nancy Ward. It has a huge amount of links with loads of inspirational stuff to get your creative juices flowing.
Enjoy!

For the Glitter sisters

No I haven't left the country...but I am busy with Wedding Portfolios.....so something to keep you smiling in the meantime!

I recieved this email and thought that the Glitter Sisters amongst you would appreciate it.

the WASH CLOTH [APPARENTLY, A TRUE STORY!]
There is not a woman alive today who won't crack up over this!"I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30am.I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare.As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in "that area" to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a littlesurprised when the doctor said, "My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?" I didn't respond.After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal... some shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.After school when my six year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?"I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it!!!!!

Stars and Strokes

This message is taken from my dear friend Kai's blog and thought it was worth posting to mine...It COULD save a life...so please cut and paste it onto your blog and pass the wprds around.
Bright Blessings,
Sue

The following is from Kai...

In November of 2006, I posted a note to this blog on Strokes as my Grandmother and recently, my mother had suffered one.Please to honour Claire and other stroke victims, learn STARS.If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 999 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. It might be nothing, but if it is a stroke, 3 hours is the threshold of time to save their life. Please learn these simple signs?STARS: S *SMILE. Ask the person to smile, it they can't or if it's deformed. Call 999 T *TALK . Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) if they cant. Call 999 A *ALERT. Ask them to follow your hand. If they cant. Call 999 R *RAISE BOTH ARMS. If they can only raise one, call 999. S *STICK OUT THEIR TONGUE. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.These are simple things to know, that could save a life. Please print them up and keep them with you.. learn the signs..Thank you!! Peace, Kai

Lettering Art On Canvas

What a way to start the day! A package arrived and I could hardly contain my excitement. Had I won the pools? Lottery? Well I might as well have! Some time ago…a few months in fact…I dropped my 2 favourite nibs on the floor beside my drawing board. Did they fall on the carpet that was put there to save breakages? Oh no! They fell onto the hard lino smashing one and bending almost double the other.
These nibs can only be bought in America and added to that I’m afflicted with being Left Handed so they have to be cut by hand. An email from the company told me that they were not in stock and would be some time…so I have been struggling on for months with substandard nibs and getting more and more frustrated by the day. I have only done calligraphy when absolutely necessary. Anyway, I’m happy to say that they are installed in my pen holders.

Mrs N. called me last night and suggested I do a piece of work to take down to Claire (Anna). Great idea! On the evening before Claire’s stroke she put on her blog a poem that she had written in her new journal. A poem called Why I wake early by Mary Oliver her favourite poet.First I thought about doing this in book form, but I wanted to do something that she could glance at often and would remind her of all the love that has been sent from around the world….so here it is! So my first job with my new nibs is for Claire!


The canvas is painted in Acrylics and the writing is also. I just HAD to add some sparkle and glitter and some sequins for added shine. I did it in wonderful bright sunny colours to light up her day every time she looks at it.
Below is a close up detail shot....can you see the sparkles!

The Artists Survival Kit 100 Ideas Keri Smith

I think this was written especially for me! But Keri Smith has offered this free download for the times when the going gets tough! See and download the survival kit here. And thanks Keri!
Also check out her 100 ideas here

Rag and Bone Bindery Link

For all you Bookbinders out there...I've added this link Rag and Bone Blog to my side bar. It's worth a browse.

Eden Valley Scribes Blog

Some friends of mine are in the process of creating a new calligraphy blog....you can see it at Eden Velley Scribes. There's not much on there at the moment but it will grow in time. Well done Alison for creating this! I first met Alison many years ago....we have worked it out that it was about 16 years ago. Alison came to a 2 day workshop I ran on beginning calligraphy when she was only about 13! now a married woman living in Cumbria, she's an avid member of Eden Valley Scribes and I'm really proud that I inspired her so much that she's still doing it. Thanks Alison for the 'Feel Good Factor' you've given me today!

Hand Crafted, Made To Order, Wedding Album

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to make a Wedding Album for a couple getting married in Costa Rica. The client asked for something to do with the sea as they will be spending time scuba diving. This is the finished album.
The colours I chose are sea greens...not the murky waters from here in the UK but the azure colours of the mediteranian. It is bound in a Japanese style by sewing the spine.


This is a photo of the opening page....not a very good one but the best I could take when the sun was shinning through the studio window!


A close up of the front inscription


And one of the lovely crystal beads and hearts.

Hand Made Wedding Invitations

1 down and 1 to go! I've completed 2 small wedding orders and have another yet to do. I thought I'd share the proofs with you. What's not clear from the photos is the first 2 have embossed hearts on the front....very time consuming but very effective! The reason for the 4 proofs is that each of the 2 designs have 2 different insides, one plain white laid paper and the other is transtrace. The lettering is in brown to match the bridesmaids dresses. Now I just have to sit back and wait for them to contact me with their choice.