Happy EVERY Australian Day!!

Whatever your birthplace,heritage,your religious, cultural, sexual or political persuasion,  Heres' to wishing every Australian Citizen a Happy Safe and healthy Australia day- where ideally, the right to be who you are is uniquely yours.
..and here's a warm welcome to those who are becoming Australian Citizens all over the country today. Welcome!!
..and for everyone else  who calls Australia home..Happy Australia Day!!
Happy Aussie day!!
Debxxoo

A Little White Rabbit Told me.....

About a fabulous new shop in Tamworth called the "White Rabbit Store".

 It is all kinds of wonderful..
yummy altered vintage fashions, beautiful pottery, handmade jewellery and art pieces, soy candles and vintage bric a brac and every other kind of retro yumminess to browse.
Let me take you on a little tour:

I am also excited to say I have been asked to contribute some of my art to the wee shop. Mostly paintings and jewellery.
So if youre visiting Tamworth ..go check it out!! Its super cute!!
More Soon, Debxxoo

Using PanPastels to create an art journal page background_

Hi Guys!! just thought I'd share a quick technique with you for the basis of mixed media art journal pages using PanPastels-  if youve never used them they're so versatile-  and can replace inks in  scrapbooking, as well as for their obvious fine art applications.Ive coloured photos with them as well!!
So..
Step 1: apply a light application of a few colours using the Softtools....(some toolsbcome with the pans)

Step 2: take a wet paintbrush and wipe it across your PanPastel... paint a design onto your page..then, do it again with different colours...

Ok..so NOT the Mona Lisa- but you can see where I'm headed right??

Step 3: Squirt your page with a water spray- so this lots!! The, tip your page so the colours run,or for a more dramatic result, blow on it directionally  with a straw in your mouth .

Can you see how the colours start to run, and the pigment breaks up on the page creating depth and texture??

Step 4: Using your Softtools, dab dry PanPastels back onto the wet page, the colour will pool ..its an awesome effect!!

So...heres' what the page is looking like now... I think it needs spraying again to make those pools run, then letting dry, and doing the whole process all over again!! Remember Mixed Media is about layers- the more the better. Follow this with some imagery, some text...maybe some more PanPastels brushed acroos the page..and youve got yourself a great technique for starting any Mixed Media piece!!!
Dont forget to visit PanPastels on Facebook- theyre running a great competition to win some PanPastels for yourself!!!
More soon....Happy Creating!!!
Debxxoo

A wee tot of assemblage for the junkies....

 

So, here is my first art piece to share with you for 2012.

It started out life as a broken doll head and a  sardine can....now, an 'Angel of the Apocalypse'.

 

Do you see the  wee 7 horsemen of the apocalypse??

The script is actually a verse from Revelations- "The Angel with the tiny scroll.... ".

Sometimes art just happens all by itself. Just like this piece did.

Heres hoping you are having a great creative start to 2012.

More love to you!!xxoo Debxxoo

The Lunatics' wrap up...

Yep friends, the last blog post..For 2011.
I have been a BAD blogger...BAD!!! This year.
So if there is anyone left on the planet who actually reads my rare drivel...here goes.
 The Lunatics' 2011 wrap up......

In 2011, I made the conscious decision to take a step back from scrapbooking for a while, to finally pick up on a dream Ive had for over 20 years- to study Art at University level.

Because I am a "first year"..we do a lot of exercises...but i am enjoying them.The practical work is my thing, totally, but I'm shocked to find out how much i still love theory and writing an essay or two. I'm thinking I might do a couple of creative writing/literature units for electives this coming study period..I forgot how much I really do love to write.
I really am going back to basics- learning how to see things again, and now look at my Archibald prize entry and understand why it never got a look in.(even though i still love my entry).

...Work has been great this year. You know that saying "You've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find Prince Charming"?..well, that sure applies here. After  20 years in the hairdressing industry..with all the crap that goes on in salons-this place feels like home. Its a nice place to be.

And then...Of course, there were some road trips with my Bestie, Maree.....

We hit Camp Mojo in the Hunter Valley and met the BEST bunch of women ever!!! (no dampened spirits even though it pithed down the WHOLE time)..(hence our smurf outfits)..LOL
 We did a scrap retreat to DAG station at Nundle with our Tamworth pals...(the most freezing but relaxing camp ever!!)
We hit the old frog and toad to Port Macquarie a few  times too..and we ALWAYS have a blast. Every person should be blessed with a bestie gal buddy like Mine..shes the best!!
Of course, I cannot not mention I officially became the Mother of a teenager this year too..AAARGGH.
So proud of how shes growing up....fingers crossed it stays that way!! LOL...

..and then of course there is Master H.....a chip off the 'ol block if there ever was one....for him its been a year of trying really really hard to be good for the teacher and not talk too much in class......LOL..yeah..well..he tries.LOL
Talk too much?? Dont know where that comes from??? LOL..
I had a health scare this year- after many episodes of racing heart and severe palpitations a suspected heart attack. I was too heavy. Plain and simple. I want to see my Children grow up and have kids of their own. So..
I started the health kick thing.
Thanks to the Dukan diet....

I'm down 12 kilos, and well on my way to my goal of dropping 20 kilos by the time I hit 40.
Its really not just a diet- its a complete lifestyle overhaul, and I feel all the better for it.
Even better?? No more heart turns.At all.
Damn straight.
There has been so much that has happened this year- ups and some major downs- but all in all, I think it turned out a pretty great year.
A year of dreams come true, with some bloody hard work thrown in.
Best of all???
I have had my soul mate and best friend beside me the whole way. Sure, we may not be the most grown up people in the world- but what the hell, right??

So...thank you for reading my final post for 2011- and from me and mine to you and yours- Have a blessed and Happy New Year- may 2012 be the year of dreams for you too- and if 2011 has been sucky- may it all be forgotten by this time next year.
Love to you all xxooDebxxoo

A homemade Christmas..

This is something I truly believe in.
 Gifts made with the hands and heart mean more than any diamond ring, (well, at least to me).
However this year time has been VERY short.
So..my homemade Christmas gift list has been shortened somewhat.But it is one I was super excited to give.
So..the ONLY (*blush*) home-made gift i have given this year was to Mr H 's Godmother-who had eyed off a work I have hanging in my house.
So, I made her a version of- (and she loves it!!) :

All the papers are hand rusted and dyed- stitching, found objects and a little Collections image and  a few Darkroom door images.
Making this was a gift for me too. Making things that I want to make is gloriously good for the soul.
So, I wish all of you a little of something gloriously good too.
More soon, Debxxoo

Creating........

So..the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.

T.S.Eliot

More soon, Debxxoo