Craft Market

It was beautiful weather today for the book and craft fair.

There were loads of people around the market square.

We met some interesting people again-as we always do when we are on the craft markets.

It was a lovely atmosphere in the square-there was a medieval busker playing a variety of instuments amoung other things. We also met up with some of the other people who will be with us in the craft marquee at the Shobdon Food and Drink Festival later this month.

Its a lovely venue-always friendly and a good laugh.Lets hope for good weather! Although its only a few miles from home we might take the caravan as they have some great live bands there on the Saturday night playing 60's music.If the forcast is ok we will stop over and enjoy the atmosphere there with some wine and music!

Helen and Jack

Michelle couldn't come to class last Saturday, she has had a nasty flu bug and hadn't got over it, so Helen and Jack came home to do their painting. Its over 2 years since Helen has been to me , but she soon got the hang of it again!

Jack had some competition for the messiest palette--Helen easily beat him this time!There wasn't a spare inch left on her palette--ended up using mine towards the end.

The mornings painting was constantly interrupted by comments from our latest baby--Jake the african grey parrot. Both of the students couldn't help but laugh at the wolf whistles, coughing and Hello Jake etc that were coming from the patio where both Jake and Paddy were .

Paddy and Jake

In this beautiful weather we have had the past few days, we have put Paddy and Jake outside in the shade of the sun blind and given them both a spray of water to cool them down and help them to preen themselves.

They are getting on well together-although we let them out separately at the moment.

We take Jake into the kitchen in his cage and let Paddy out to have his usual fly- about in the front room, then we swap them.

Jake has settled down remarkably well-I cant believe we have only had him 9 days! Already he has both mine and Bills voices off perfectly!

He coughs for attention--sounds completely human when he does it--and the more I say "poor jakes got a cough" the more he does it. Then he starts laughing just like me!

You just cant fail to have smile on your face when you have birds--yes they make an incredible amount of mess -but boy they are worth it!

Jake doesn't shut up when the phone rings-he keeps chattering on and wolf whistling and you have to take the call in the kitchen where he cant be heard so much!

I wouldnt be without either of them, it really is a laugh a minute!

Next Years Demos

I had forgotten that all the WI's and clubs book up at least a year in advance!!.
I had a call last night to book me for a demo next 2nd June 2009.

Its difficult to think so far ahead but decided on early June rather than July to go to , Leighton,Eaton and Constantine WI, as July tends to be a busy time of year for me.
Good job my diary has a forward planner in it!

Bills Garden

We have had a a busy few days. We wanted something unusual for a little pathway through the newly laid out garden- we found just the thing in the form of these slabs with ammonites detail on them, they fit in the colour scheme beautifully.

Now that the plants have started going in ,its really taking shape.

We have got a new patio set to go on the stone circle-cant wait for it to be finished and sit out there with a glass of wine or two!

We saw the giant fish ornament yesterday when we went searching the various garden centres and just had to go back for it today. Its going to live next to the fish pond.

The top of the garden , the patio area next to the house is looking a bit tatty and neglected after the transformation on the other 2 levels of the garden-its going to be the last bit to be finished by the look of things-Bill has got his tomatoes and beans in containers and grow bags on the patio and also some of the plants waiting to go in down the bottom end.The project is nearing the end--its been a lot of work but so worth it.

It will be a minimum amount of work to keep it looking good because of the special membrane that was put down under the gravel.

The summer house is almost ready for the first BBQ to celebrate the new look garden--most of the things stored in there have gone onto Freecycle and have all been collected-all that needs to be done in there now is de-spidering (Defiantly Bills job!)and plugging in the fridge in Bills Bar!!

Bills Garden--coming along nicely!!!

We went off yesterday to have a look for some bits and pieces to finish off the garden.

He had lots of vouchers for his birthday so he has put them to good use--the beautiful Mexican plants are something we have looked at and admired for a long time-the trunks are plaited together and then they have grown and matured in these lovely pots.

Its very nearly finished now, both levels have been covered with a special membrane and some lovely Cotswold stone put down, along with the lovely stone circle that came from our dear friends Jan and John .

Bill has planted his beautiful magnolia tree that he had for his birthday, and is now just waiting to get the summer house emptied of the garage shelves on freecycle so he cant get a giant plant he has spotted on the local market--it looks like a giant rhubarb plant, grows very big and likes a moist soil.

Ideal for the spot next to the summer house next to the wildlife pond that leaks a little constantly.

We had some lovely planters this morning off freecycle-terracotta ones, they will look lovely planted up with some trailing strawberries along the wall onto the 2nd level of the garden.

I expect we will end up with lots of plants from the boot sale tomorrow!

Blimey!!!!!!

As I was making the last post about the pigeon, Bill yelled up the stairs to me ''come down quick''when I rushed down I saw that a sparrow hawk had flown under the net that covers the fish pond.

It had obviously been chasing something (not Bills friendly pigeon I hope!) and got under the one end of the net that has been raised up by the one big plant that lives in the corner of the pond.

It was just hanging off the net, so I grabbed the camera and got these couple of shots of it.The fish all dived to the bottom, thinking it was a heron maybe.

Bill just lifted the net at one end a bit more and off he flew down the field.

he was a beautiful bird and I expect he has a young family to feed as well-nature is cruel sometimes but everything has its place and you just have to accept it.

Another New Bird

It would seem that word has got around in the bird community that we love birds at home!

We have had this pigeon hanging around for the past 4 days now.It came down in the recent storms and seems very reluctant to leave!

Its a racer and has rings on both legs but its decided it likes living here better than its loft-wherever that is.

Hes very tame and follows Bill around like a dog, he was outside the bedroom window this morning waiting for us to get up!

Todays Class

We had a real laugh as usual today in class, everyone except Wendy (2nd on left in pic) had been before.

Wendy is 'mad Michelles' friend!!!. When I said to her ''no-one will belive you have painted that painting first time in less than 4 hours''she replied ''I cant belive Ive painted it myself!!''

She seemed to find it really easy and got on with it all with no visable nerves!!

Michelle was presented with her 'advanced students brooch' today.

All students that attend my classes 6 times receive an appropriate brooch-the gents get a palette one complete with little brushes and little tubes of paint hanging from it and the ladies get a charming little lady painting away on her easel.

Chris and Pauline have been 3 times now and really love the relaxed atmosphere, they went away with joining forms to join the SAA and also a full kit of artists materials-including a table easel, paints, brushes and palette knives.

The few things that I haven't in stock at the moment they can order from the SAA and will be delivered on Monday.

I also gave them a copy of the Painting My Way techniques that I have printed off for all my students to give them a helping hand when starting to paint at home.

Michelle was also going home to do some more paintings too, will be interesting to see how she does.

We will see Michelle again next week, maybe she will bring along some of her work that she has done at home.

Jake

As you can see Jake has settled in very well with us.

He really is a laugh a minute-the sounds he does are crazy--fire engines,telephones etc.

He whistles the Mc Donalds theme tune perfectly.

When he coughs and sneezes its so realistic its unreal. He does a real smokers cough!!

He says lots of things too-''get down Jake'' ''good boy Jake'' and all sorts of thing.

At the moment he doesn't say much when we are in the room but as soon as we go out into the hall or kitchen he starts off. Yesterday we were stood in the hall listening to him, Bill started laughing and immediately Jake copied his laugh perfectly-its a bit spooky when you hear it.

Paddy is a bit miffed that Jake can produce so many sounds-maybe he will learn some of the things from him!

Its going to be a long job introducing them to each other--it has to be done very slowly so they dont get stressed.

At the moment they are at different ends of the sofa in their cages so they can both see each other but at a safe distance.

I think life is going to non stop fun with this new addition!!

This Saturdays Class

This is the subject for this Saturdays class-very mystical subject.

This painting is suitable for all students even first timers.

I have 2 places left for the class-if you are interested in joining us please get in touch via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Jake

Here is the latest addition to the Jennings family.

Meet Jake the african grey parrot who came to live with us today.

He is 18 months old and talks ,sings and whistles tunes.

Its funny how things come about-I happened to see him mentioned last night on one of the forums that I go on --his owners have had a change in their circumstances and can no longer keep him.

After an email and a few phone calls Rich said he would bring him all the way from Southampton to make sure he settled in.

We had to do some furniture moving in the front room to fit his cage in, but got everything sorted just in time as they all arrived.

Paddy didn't think much of being kept in his cage while we settled Jake in , but I'm sure he will soon get to be friends given time.

He really is a character and whistles the Mcdonalds tune.

I know Rich and Nat will miss him a lot, but Im going to keep them informed of how he is with emails and phone calls.

He will be spoiled rotton like Paddy Bird is-as I speak he is tucking in to grapes and red peppers!

Hope Bagot

We had a great day at Hope Bagot yesterday-although it didnt stop raining all day!

There was a constant stream of people through the door of the vilage hall where we were.

The children all loved having a go at the encaustic art and some beautiful paintings were produced during the day.

Hope Bagot Festival this Sunday

We are going to a new venue this Sunday. Its in a beautiful setting underneath the Clee Hill at Hope Bagot, nr knowbury.
Its an annual event and its got all sorts going on there-a dog show among other things.Also a flower festival in the church. http://www.hopebagot.org.uk/ the website will tell you more.
We will be situated in the village hall, but there are things going on outside in marquees and the church too.
I will be displaying my work as well as demonstrating my oil painting techniques. I will have lots of materials for sale too-oil, acrylics and encaustic materials.
You will be able to have a go at the encaustic painting as well.
It promises to be a lovely day and we are looking forward to it very much.
There is a a park and ride as the road will be closed to traffic as the roads are very narrow.

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.

Class Of May 17th

We had a great class yesterday. All seven students produced beautiful Tropical Evening paintings.

It was the first time for Ian, Becky and 11 year old Dora.Though you would not know that from looking at their paintings.

Dora got a painted face as well as a painting!

Everyones painting was different to each other, although we all used the same colours.

Some were quite subtle and a couple of the others turned out lovely and bold.

Everyone was a bit nervous about doing the palm trees, so they all had a practise on my canvas first.

Everone laughed when I told them to turn the canvas upside down to do the reflections of the trees in the water, but everyone agreed that it was a really easy way of doing them.

May 17th class

Droitwich Spa Art Society

I have been asked to travel all the way to Droitwich Spa Art Society to do my Painting My Way Demonstration. Its quite a distance from us , but we will make a day of it and travel there in the morning have a look round Droitwich and have the demo in the evening.

Its a large group of over 6o members, it will make a change to have 2 hours to do the demo in--usually at the WI's I only have around an hour to do the 2 paintings!

Usually I get asked many more questions when I'm at the art society/club do's so the extra time will be useful.
Its not until November but the way the time is flying by it will soon be here!

Tomorrows Class

We have a full class tomorrow to paint Tropical Evening.

This is a tranquil scene and it will be interesting to see just how different they all turn out.

We have a special student tomorrow--my daughter Becki is joining in after a bit of persuasion.

She is kindly paying for a 12 year daughter of a friend of hers to come and as she was going to wait anyway for her, said she may as well join in!

To say she is nervous is an understatement!

Well Id better go and get the box done for tomorrow-got brushes to put in the individual boxes that each student has to keep everything together.

Also I have to make up some more of the undercoat that we use on the canvas.

Its lucky the room we use is just a few hundred yards away from home-Bill usually ends up coming home to pick up one or two things that have been requested by students and Ive forgotten to pack!!!

Soooo Busy

I haven't had chance to update here properly all week.Ive been working on one of the 2 commissions all week, I'm very happy with how its going and so is Paul who commissioned it.I have kept him updated with each stage. Swallow Falls is very near completion now.I just need the rocks to dry off a little more so I can put the little ripples of water dripping off them.And I will soften the spray too.

Swallow Falls has long been an inspiration for me, I painted my en suite bathroom doors after visiting the falls a few years ago.

Makes a change from just pine doors.