Busy few weeks

It seems that this summer is whizzing by. I can't believe that we are towards the last couple of weeks of July already. Its been a busy week as last Tuesday I had another job interview, this time with success. I start work on the 1st September and after 12 months of not working due to redundancy, I'm finding it difficult to accept that my days at home are coming to a close. So I need to make sure that all my crafting projects are up to date as well as the washing, ironing etc. I have enjoyed the break even though it has been a strange year.

The first few months were ok. but following a misunderstanding from a local craft shop where I had been going to classes and crops since they first opened 4 years ago (not counting what I spent in the shop itself or help I gave) I was asked not to attend anymore. At first I was devastated but in some strange way it has done me a favour. I have linked into a number of challenges, and applied to go onto a few design teams as well as finding other shops and classes to go to. I have remained friends with a number of people I met during my time there. I realise that if I hadn't started going to them I wouldn't have found and developed my creative niche. Recently I was asked to help teach scrapbooking at a charity event and there is also a possibility of teaching altered art on a regular basis. It does seem a pity though that the more successful people become the more they tend to hurt others in order to achieve their own goals.

On a positive note I have managed to be on hand to look after my Grandaughter, either due to her or her Mummy being poorly or just to give Brad and Esther a chance to have time to themselves, mainly for the odd weekend but recently I had Kaity for a whole week while they went to Scotland. I have also managed to get the garden under control, plus complete all the decorating. I have also met with friends regularly for coffee, shopping and a good old gossip.

Now for my pictures, the first is a double layout I have completed for Inspired Blueprints
sketch challenge 26.

I have really enjoyed taking part in these and now they have a new design team it will be interesting to see what they have in store next.

The second layout is one that I completed at Pickleberry Papercrafts this one is definately out of my comfort zone as I'm not a fan of white space, having said that I feel that this does lend itself to enhancing this picture of Kaity with my friend John and shows the closeness that they have.

Body Clock

A couple of weeks ago. I purchased a manikin from a boot fair, to the amazement of a friend of mine who wondered what I was going to do with it. I had this sudden wave of inspiration that I could use her as a piece of altered art.

My first attempts didn't go quite as I had first planned, so I took it all apart to start again. I covered her with torn book pages, and then used flowers cut from paper serviettes, once this was completed, I left her alone for a few days to see if I could come up with something else to do with her.

A crafting friend came yesterday and remarked on what I had done I mentioned that I wasn't sure what to do next. I was considering incorporating a clock but was reluctant to try, so we decided to take the bull by the horns and give it a go and it worked We played with Glimmer mist sprays, UTEE in the melt pot, alcohol inks, Stazon ink pads, peel offs, flowers, Stickles, you name it we used it. The final touch I completed last night, using some clock stamps and words which I think finishes her off nicely.

I'm very pleased with the finished result, I'd like to know what you all think.

By the way she is a working clock.