Dilwyn Show

Well its been a very busy time with one thing and another! Last time I tried to do my blog it played up and had not realised that it had not published--We had a lovely, very busy time at Dilywn show at the start of May-- a great space as always!

Lots of sales and looking forward to seeing some of the folk we met there in the future workshops..

Celebrations

Well I'm all behind doing my blog as we have been away to celebrate my 52nd birthday and our 12th wedding anniversary! We decided to return to Tenby where we had our honeymoon all those years ago! We stayed in a little guest house called Southside...our room was right up in the top of the house...and while the bed looked lovely--boy was it hard! Since Ive had the polymyalgia I suffer a lot of pain in all my body and need a softer bed so I can sleep---it was also one of the noisiest bed we have ever slept in....which did make us laugh a lot!

it did have a little seating area to watch the TV from...

and a little desk/wardrobe area--unfortunately the wifi didn't work there--so we ended up really having a complete break from everything--work,family and friends!

The weather was kind to us as it usually...and we were able to get about and mooch around Tenby without brollies..

such a pretty place..

After 2 nights we moved on to The Cliff Hotel and Spa at Cardigan....a bit more luxury there and a quite super king size bed that was completely quiet! The only drawback was---absolutely  no mobile phone signal or Internet acces at all! If you want to get away from it all--The Cliff is the place to go!

And just look at the view we had from our window...it couldn't have been better...

We watched the sun going down

and you could have been anywhere in the world...

The Cliff...

fantastic views from the back of the hotel..

We had a meal included in our deal....chicken pate to start..

and rib eye steak with garlic and pepper sauce and garlic potatoes...not sure what if any of these things caused poor Bill to be ill that night but he was certainly  ill! We both ate exactly the same food while we were away,,and I was OK..Thankfully he was OK in the morning and managed to put away a decent breakfast! In fact it was one of the best breakfasts we have had anywhere....

the huge conservatory that looks out over the bay..

We woke up to this beautiful day the first morning...

We went for a drive around the coast....

found a lovely little pub near here where we had lunch..

These 2 cheeky bugger were obviously used to being fed and kept coming up to our window and looking for food---they didn't get any!

We did quite a bit of celebrating while we were away!

Looked like the hotel had a refurb over the winter,,,,everywhere was sparkling and new..

We stopped off on the way home...some beautiful views in the area..

It was starting to snow on the mountains on our way home..

We saw loads of Kite in the area too...shame it was too cold to hang about to see them fed....all in all we had a wonderful time...apart from the bed and the food poisoning! But as always me and Bill laughed our way through it all...and that is one of the secrets of a happy marriage--keep smiling and laughing together!!!

Dilwyn Show Cancelled

We had a phone call this morning from the organisers of Dilwyn show this morning--as we had sort of expected the show is cancelled due to the awful weather....a real shame as its one of the loveliest little shows we do --and is also the first of the season too....
but the field is soaking wet and its not going to happen...
We will be spending the time with our 2 little granddaughters instead as they are down here from Sunderland!

Dilwyn Show

Tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) we will be up early to get to Dilwyn show.Its a lovely show with lots going on for all the family--
I have 3 spaces/tables so lots of room to display all the paintings and room to demonstrate as well http://www.dilwyn-show.co.uk/

The Colour Of My Love

In an attempt at romance--after finding there was no time to sort out renewing our vows for our 10th wedding anniversary last week--I found these readings to do at our party 50th birthday/10th wedding anniversary. Mine was quite apt--and Bills had everyone in fits of laughter!  

The Colour Of My Love

I'll paint a sun to warm your heart
Knowing that we'll never part.
I'll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn, so much to try.

I'll paint my mood in shadow blue,
Paint my soul to be with you.
I'll sketch your lips in shaded tones,
Draw your mouth to my own.

I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears
And trace a look to calm your fears.
A silhouette of dark and light
To hold each other oh so tight.

I'll paint the stars in the evening sky,
Draw the light into your eyes,
A touch of love, a touch of grace,
To softly fall on your moonlit face.

And with this ring our lives did start,
Let nothing keep our love apart.
I'll take your hand to hold in mine,
And be together through all time.

         Bill........

To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you're wrong admit it;
Whenever you're right shut up.

Debbie and Mick

I just had to share these pics with you--we know Debbie and Mick from doing the craft markets in Ludlow.

Mick always helps Bill to take our stall apart and put it together again bless him!

They arrive on the motorbike and sidecar in all weathers and it never fails to amaze us just how much stuff they manage to carry on there--its like a tardis!

Yesterday they had the addition of a gazebo as well as everything else as they were setting up outside!
Mick had a good write up in the local paper last week, after the journalist saw him unloading his bike at the market. Mick makes bracelets and door handles out of spoons and forks and other interesting things-all unique. I love having a look at what he has new every time he comes!

Dilwyn Show

We had a lovely time at Dilwyn show yesterday.The sun shone down on us and the rain stayed away!
We saw lots of old friends there as usual.
We had a huge space in the marquee-and got every single painting hung that we took with us-although Bill thought we had taken too many!
I took along a couple of paintings that needed finishing off and I managed to start a new one as well in between chatting to everyone interested in learning to paint!

For some reason people were wanting to buy rigger brushes--I have never sold so many as I did yesterday--I need to order some more now as I have only 3 left for students who may want some!
The cards went well too and I must get in touch with Lin to make some more for me!
We stopped on the way home at The Salway Arms and had a lovely meal-can really recommend the food there.

Todays Class "Forest Pool"

Gary and Elaine come over from Stourbridge to paint with me.
Due to illness there were only these two today.I quite like to have these small classes occasionally--it gives us chance to get to know people a bit better!
They were both amazed at how quiet and beautiful it is here-when they went out the back the birds were singing away and the fish were mooching around the pond for some food!

We got down to painting eventualy-and before long we had got lovely things going on!
The light shining through the trees onto the water was very effective-and they both got the hang of the different techniques we used in this one.
We used a lot of different brushes and a knife to get the effects.
Elaine put more trees in than Gary-and I put a load more in than them both as well!
They have booked for the Serenity class and also the Birch tree class as well, and also went away with new tickling, flat , fan and bush brushes. they have also got the SAA catalogue and joining up forms so they will be able to buy other art materials from them too.

Cheesecake

We have been invited to Bev and Johns home tomorrow night for a meal-we met Bev when she came to class a while ago.
We have become close friends over time-although we haven't yet met Bevs hubby John-he shares my birthday so I'm sure we will get on fine !
I offered to take along the pudding and decided to make my lemon and lime cheesecake that has always gone down well at dinner parties in the past.
I couldnt find the recipe which is on a bit of paper somewhere but managed to remember it ok and the kitchen was filled with lovely smells all afternoon as I prepared it!
Its in the fridge chilling now-all I have to do tomorrow is add some more zest to the top to decorate it!
We are really looking forward to tomorrow night!

Emails--fly away home

It would appear that some peoples spam filters are set too high--Ive had an enquiry about a painting that has already been sold--Joanne K has asked if I have another one like it--Its called fly Away Home
I have replyed to her twice but havent heard back so imagine that she hasnt recieved my emails.
I do state in several places on my site to always include a phone number when you contact me--at least then I can follow up any enquiries--so Joanne if you read this-please give me a ring or email me your number!

Mystical Moon class -April 17th acrylic

I have a few places left for this popular class-we use acrylic paint on a 12in x 24in chunky canvas.
The sides can be painted in class and its dry for you to take home.
We use a special metallic paint to highlight the foliage and the moon.
A choice of colours in class-purple, blue or grey.

for more details or to book please check out the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Wellington Wi Demo

We had a great night in Wellinton tonight--the run up there was not too bad-around an hour or so.

I painted Winter Wonderland and Summer Day for the ladies in just under an hour-the ladies loved it!

They bought lots of cards after the demo-so many that I'm going to be a bit short on stock for this Sundays Craft market!
I will have to ring Lin who does the cards for me and ask her to do some more for me when she has a minute!

More money was raised for Breakthrough Breast cancer with sales of the Boob-tiful cards too!

Two of the ladies have booked up for the Birch Tree class in May--just 3 places left in that class now.
I have also been asked if 12 of the ladies can come as a group and do a painting too.

Jean won the raffle and chose the Summer Day painting--I have donated the Winter Wonderland painting to the WI to use for fundraising.

All in all a great night was had by all--we really enjoyed meeting the ladies and the lovely goodies we had with our tea and coffee were just so tasty!

Market

After an early start the weather wasnt as bad as forcast and we managed to get set up in the dry!
It wasnt very busy most of the time, but we met some lovely people there-earlly on a couple called by the stall-Ding Li Hua just loved my work-she came into the stall and looked at every painting-she paints herself using chines brush technique but have used nothing like I do.
We had a long chat and off they went to look around Ludlow--a short time later she was back--I had to come and see you again she said! Her partner came and found her and she insisted on having her photograph taken with me on her camera , so got one on mine as well! She enjoyed seeing the encaustic art being done, and wants a kit when I get some more irons, she left me with her name address and phone number to stay in touch with her-she lives in Llandudno in Wales and they have a camper van, so will be looking at the sites I have got on my website with the view of coming to classes!
Paula who has the stall opposite selling beautiful shawls and wraps has a 50th birthday today, so she had a suprise when she turned up to find a balloon and a beautiful flower arrangment off some of the girls on market.