The Party!

We had a lovely time on Wednesday evening at mums 70th birthday party.! Poor mum didnt have clue about the extra people who were there, she thought it was just going to be us children, partners and grandchildren!

The rest of the relatives were all in on the secret and everyone was seated when she walked in! There were some tears of joy from her, when she came round the corner and spotted everyone.

We all had a beautiful meal at The Queens, can highly reccommend the sirloin steak with herb butter.

There was another surprise when they bought out her birthday cake-again she had a few tears!

The cake tasted lovely and everyone enjoyed themselves chatting after.

Mums 70th Birthday

We had a busy day yesterday making a birthday for mum who is 70 years old today!

We had a real game with the cake, because we made a big sponge the timing was out for cooking times so we were guessing-we got there in the end.

I then spent the evening decorating it for her-she likes a game of bingo so the bingo card ws the obvious choice of decoration.I added a bingo dobber pen.All of the numbers on the card are important ones, birthdays, etc.

We are all off out for a meal soon-she thinks its only us three children and partners etc but she is in for a surprise as all the aunties, uncles , friends etc will be there waiting!

e should get some good photos when she walks in and realises whats going on!

Im looking forward to a slap up meal-in between the cake making we were busy shampooing all the carpets with a machine hired from the supermarket--hard work but boy hasnt it made a difference! They look like new. We finished this afternoon, so have earned a good meal tonight!

Right Im off to do my hair now, will post the pics tomorrow!

Class of 26th July--Private class

We have a private class today--one very lucky little girls birthday pressie!

Bills Surprise 60th Birthday Party!

Well I managed to pull it off!!!

Ive been planing a surprise 60th birthday party for Bill over the past couple of months now.

Its been a nightmare keeping it secret from him-especially the past couple of weeks! I'm sure Bill was starting to think I was having an affair or something.

My mobile hasn't left my side-even taken it to the loo with me in case a message about some of the arrangements came through! There have been some close shaves at times and a lot of deceit going on! Ive had to make excuses to get out of the house to make phone calls and things. Keeping something like this is very difficult when you are with someone practically 24/7 !!

Bill thought he was going to a charity quiz night.

I had arranged with my daughter Becki to ask us to join her team as someone had dropped out! She came to class in the morning and casually asked if we were doing anything last night, even pretended to phone and book a taxi for us-it was already booked.!!
Bill had already got the steak out for tea-had to tell him there was food on at the charity do so he went home and put it back in freezer! I had been convinced that he would find out about it-even when his son rang my phone at 7 '30 last night to see how long we would be, he didn't click! I thought that he would recognise the cars in the car park and realise what was happening-but he only noticed one and says he just thought that he hadn't realised that Jeff was in to quizzes!

I think there is a lot of things falling into place now with him!

We actually got Bill to the top of the stairs and he heard everyone start singing Happy Birthday,and spotted some familiar faces.

He was stunned to say the least!

I have to say a big Thank You to everyone who helped with the surprise--the main one being Bills sister Maureen who had all the replies to deal with and also sent all the invites to Bills side of the family.

She also made some beautiful trifles and shopped for the gateaux too.

I hope she liked the flowers I got her.

Thanks also to my sister who went down to decorate the room at the club-and to Bills sons for what they did too.

It was a wonderful night until the very end when the taxi failed to come for us! Bills eldest lad Carl walked home with us and our 2 friends.

Unfortunately Bill took a tumble a short distance from home and ended up coming home by ambulance-a grazed face and blood everywhere!

He is fine now, and was well enough for us to go out to a beautiful lunch with his youngest son and family. We have had a quiet time since lunch with a few visitors this evening.

Its actually his birthday today-so a big Happy Birthday to my darling hubby!

A big thank you to everyone who came and made it such a special night for Bill-also a big thanks for all the cards and gifts-they were all brilliant.

Birthday

I had a lovely birthday yesterday, I received lots of lovely cards (and emails) and pressies from family and friends.
Bill bought me some Armani Code perfume and I also had a lovely surprise when I opened the front door to find a beautiful bouquet being delivered from him too, they are absolutely beautiful.
I had more lovely flowers off my sister and daughter too, so have run out of vases now!
I have been thoroughly spoiled by everyone.!!!
Bill cooked a delicious meal in the evening for us to round off the perfect day!

Bets Commission

At last Bets painting will be on its way to her! She commissioned this painting ages ago, I painted it straight away, and added some daisies detail to the bottom of it a short time after.
It refused to dry!!!I got it off the wall to pack and send last week only to find that the daises were still not quite dry, so a quick email to Bet to apologise and tell her it would be this week instead.
Well its dry at last and Bill has packed it up ready to be sent by special delivery in the morning.
Its a special gift for her hubbys birthday at the weekend.

Its a busy month for birthdays in March.I have sold 2 paintings for birthday presents this month, both are a complete surprise-one more so than the other-I will let you into the secret after the event!

Its my birthday and our wedding anniversary on Friday and still got to sort out a present for Bill yet.
Cant belive its 7 years since we got married!.
They say life begins at 40 and in my case it did. I got married on my 40th birthday-and they have been the happiest 7 years of my life!

WELL DONE JIMBO

I havent had the finishing results yet but my son Jim finished the rally at WEston Park today. The car ran brilliant, a previous over heating problem he had was sorted out and he was chuffed to bits with his performance today.
He is out celebrating with all his rallying mates tonight!

Todays Craft Fair

The weather was very kind to us today on the craft market.We got down there at 7.40am to get set up.
Bill had been busy for a few hours the day before making new bubble wrap bags for some of the paintings.
We soon got into the swing of things and the paintings were hung in no time.
The morning was pretty quiet, which was good as it gave us the chance to catch up on all the gossip from the regular stall holders.
It would seem we made the right decision not to do the craft fairs during the winter months-it has been cold and wet and windy up there, and haven't missed anything!
As soon as lunchtime came it got busy and we had a great time.One of the stall holders bought a gift voucher for her father as a surprise 60th birthday pressie.
His birthday is just after my Bills in May, so we will see him sometime after that.
One customer was really happy to see us-she had been going up to the craft market looking for us every month since Oct.!!! She had picked up a leaflet from me previously and had mislaid it-couldn't remember the name and wasn't on the Internet.
She has gone away with a business card and a leaflet this time, we will be hearing from her soon.
We went for a great meal tonight -well recommend it.The Traveller's Rest near Craven Arms.They do a special deal of 3 courses for just £10 each Mon --Thursday.
We couldn't fault it at all.Great choice of starters-we both had prawn cocktail followed by roast beef for bill and Roast pork for me.I had some of the best stuffing Ive ever tasted with mine-it really was tasty.
There was about 10 veg's to choose from and homemade Yorkshire puddings too.
We really did struggle to eat it all.
But when the waitress bought the dessert menu we just had to try to fit a pudding in!
Bread and butter pudding with cream ws lovely-I couldn't finish mine-but I tryed really hard to-Bill just about managed his.
Back on the diets tomorrow--I think being out in the fresh air all day gave us an appetite today.

Oliver's Birthday Party

We had a lovely time today at Olivers birthday party.
We met Oliver a while ago at one of the craft fairs here in Ludlow. He came along to the first oil painting class of the year and is booked in to do the "African Dream" one on March 8th.
All six of the children had great fun using the encaustic irons,wax, and special tools. Their imagination ran riot with all sorts of wonderful things being spotted in the finished pictures.We had polar bears, foxes,dogs, people, fishes--you name it we had it!!
Everyone really enjoyed themselves, and apart from Oliver who had one go at it previously at the craft fair-no one had come accross this unusual way of creating art before!
Oliver was very pleased with his birthday present of a frame big enough to put his big picture into that he created today!

class of may 10th--"Mellow Moods"

Mellow Moods is painted using acrylic and oil paint. Its an interesting one to paint and is suitable for all abilities including first timers!

Please get in touch via the website if you would like to join the class.
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
Check out my 'snaps' pages on my site to see all my happy students with their paintings---you will see that many of my students come back time after time--my classes get booked up very quickly and I have a waiting list for some subjects.

The classes are very friendly,laid back and informative at the same time- great fun and a beautiful painting to take home as well!
Take a look at the guest book to see what some of the students have said about the classes as well!

I have kept my prices the same for the past 4 years--£35 which includes all materials used in class. We paint on a high quality box canvas which does not need framing-although if you wish to do so we supply a lovely frame to match your painting for just £12. Great Value!

Carole's Paintings

Carole has been painting by herself at home and bought along the 3 paintings shown above to show everyone in the class.She has made a beautiful job of them and Bill framed the one seaside scene for her in a matching frame.It set it off beautifully.
It has taken Carole a little while to get enough self confidence to have go at home, but she said coming to the advanced class helped her a lot.
I have only one place left now in the advanced class on April 12th and no other spaces in other classes other than the Winter Wonderland one on Easter Saturday March 22nd.

Finished Painting

I have emailed Bet, who commissioned the latest Summer Day ,the image of the finished painting and she loves it!!!!
As you can see on the close up, I have added the ladybird she requested.
Its only a rough draft of the ladybird, will have to wait for the paint to dry a bit more and add more colour and detail to it in a couple of days.
I have really enjoyed doing this painting, I think the addition of both the daisies and cornflowers as well as the normal poppies really adds to the tranquil feel.
It will be around 3 weeks before I can post it to her, so it will in time for the birthday she commissioned it for.

Birthday Party Feb 23rd

I am doing a private birthday party on this date using the encaustic waxes.

It will be a fantastic day for all concerned producing wonderful paintings like the ones shown!

If you would like me to host a birthday party or any other sort of party for that matter , please contact me via www.paintingmyway.co.uk

for all details including prices.

New Year

Well its here, we are starting to get back to normal at last.
I have really enjoyed the break but cant wait to get started again.
I have my first private student coming this Saturday--she dosent know anything about it and wont until she dropped at my doorstep!!
Her friend Ally has done this several times-she just tells them to wear old clothes and she will take them for their Christmas present-they dont have a clue whats happening until I open the door and invite them in-its great fun to see their faces when they realise they are going to be painting a picture!
So watch this space to see what she does on Saturday!!

Im off to wrap up my sisters birthday pressie now----Happy Birthday for tomorrow Sharon xxxx--its not that bad being 37--honestly!!

Birthday Cake!!

Bill has been busy in the kitchen all day making a chocolate birthday cake for my nephew's 12th birthday.Of course we had to try it, just to make sure it was ok---Bill trimmed off the top so that it would ice better and of course we cleaned out the bowl after he made the filling and topping- oh boy ---its beautiful and we delivered it to his home earlier this evening.

I hope they dont eat it all, we will be round for a slice tomorrow!!!!!

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY JIM!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cant believe my son Jim is 30 today.

As usual I had some problems for him to sort out on the lap top!!!

He called round last night with his girlfriend Kerry and then my daughter Beckie and her boyfriend Wayne called by too, so it was great to have everyone together and have a chat!

Paddy loved it cos he could terrorise poor Beckie who's scared of him!!

ON A SADDER NOTE------

Today we had another funeral to attend, this time at Hereford crematorium-funny until Rita's cremation just over a week ago I had never been to a cremation, now Ive been to 2 in less than 2 weeks.

Fred the husband of my old friend Gladys passed away suddenly last week, so we went to say our goodbyes.

We called back via Leominster to drop off some posters and invites to the private viewing for Carole who has attended 10 painting sessions along with daughter Hayley.

We met her new puppy, a beautiful pattendale x jack russell puppy.

Sharleen- another of my students had given her some advice about training her and it had worked really well, she no longer nips at Caroles nose!!

Todays Class -Sat 10th Nov

We had a lovely laid back class today- ''Mrs Subtle'' and Chris from Hadnall Wi came along with Mrs Subtle's (Jean) daughter in law Joe. We had met Jean and Chris a few months ago when we did a class in Chris's conservatory!!!

It was a tad cooler than when we had met before---I swear I lost several lb's that day!!!

Anyway, we got stuck in to 'tropical summer day'' and it wasn't long before we had some exciting skies going on !

Joe (pictured above signing her first masterpiece) who was a first timer told me she had done a fine arts degree, but found this more fun and she was learning how to actually paint a picture, she really enjoyed her day.

The time flew by and before we knew it we were finished.The palm trees went very well, everyone was surprised at how easy they were with the fan brush.

Sharleen got chatting to the other ladies and found they had mutual friends via her dog training classes--it sure is a small world.

Sharleen has also kindly offered us the use of her business premises for classes in the Telford area. Straight away the 3 ladies booked up for a class, which means that with Sharleen there are only 2 places left for ''The Birch Trees'' on Feb 9th.

The students went away with canvas's and brushes to carry on at home,

I am going to sit down tomorrow and get the dates sorted out for next year-after going to the boot sale that is!!!

From Small Acorns

While we were doing the class this morning, one of my old students called by with her paintings to put into the 'From Small Acorns'exhibition.The lucky thing is going on holiday for a month and wont be here for the private view so she dropped them with me today.

The top 2 paintings she has done in classes, the bottom one she has done at home using the method I taught her.

Its very effective.

I have encouraged students to paint at home and to enter the paintings done without my instruction, into the exhibition-It will make very interesting viewing for everyone.This student has done very well-she has sold 3 of her paintings done in class with me--the last one sold for £180 --she had priced it high as she didnt really want to sell it-but someone liked it so much they paid the money for it--a great buzz for her!!

Day and Night

Day and Night has gone to live in its new home--I was beginning to think this work would never sell--it aways had many comments about it, everyone seemed to love it-but it waited until today to get the right new owners!

They have told me where it will be hung and have promised me to email me a pic of it in situ-I am looking forward to seeing it!

Little Stars !!

As Promised --Kate and Sarah who both had a go at encaustic art and really enjoyed them selves--Its been very busy today with everyone wanting to try it out!