Flutter by Butterfly

I felt very inspired this weekend by an exhibition that is currently being held at the 'Rostra' gallery in Bath.  Entitled 'Papercuts' it features the work of 5 talented ladies who all create their artworks out of paper.  I've been a fan of Helen Ward's aka 'Birdface' work for a while and have wanted to have a go at creating my very own butterfly art since seeing her beautiful pieces on her blog.   I'm really pleased with my finished result and I have the perfect spot for it in 'The Green room'...all I have to do now is sand and paint the frame!!

Art Auction

My Collegue and friend Rebecca McCulloch is organising an Art exhibition to raise money for Freshford Pre-school.  Here is my contribution to a very good cause (Poppies 12x12 inch Acrylic on canvas).    Find out more information on Beccy's Blog  or visit  Freshford preschool's website where you can bid on a variety of beautiful artwork.

 

Twit!!

This is 'Twit', my first sewing attempt of 2010....I think he's quite cute in a retro kind of way.  I definitely need lots of practice, my sewing skills are really very basic.  Here's hoping that practice does make perfect, otherwise I'll be surrounded by lots of little misfit Owls....watch this space for 'Twit Two' ;o)

Tape measure...check, Scissors..check, Material....check

I like to think I am a sewing genious waiting to happen.  I am completely ready for it to happen.  My house is filled with craft supplies....buttons, pins and needles, ribbon, stuffing, bits of material, threads, sequins, more material!!  

A few of my supplies!

I was given a fabulous Cath Kidston sewing tin for Christmas filled with wonderful vintage sewing equipment.  So it seems it's not just me who thinks I have this potential.

This is my sewing box.  I bought it from a reclamation centre in Honiton for £2.50.  I could see it's potential straight away.  With a few coats of paint and a recovered cushion (material from a car boot sale) I reinvented the sad little box in to a sewing box that I believe I'll be using for years to come.  

The clever people around me!

I live with my partner Jim Farrant and my puppy Rocket.

Jim is a very talented artist.  He produces beautiful oil paintings which he sells through galleries in Beer and London.

 One of Jim's masterpieces featuring Rocket!!

Check out his other works at

http://www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk/catalog/artist.php?artistid=163&galleryid=17

Rocket is our very cheeky Cocker Spaniel.  He enjoys eating and chewing anything and everything and we recently discovered he can stand on his back legs for a considerable length of time when encouraged by a spoon with gravy on (this makes him worthy of featuring on my blog) He is also my biggest distraction from my crafty projects!

I also have to mention my clever sister Jenny aka 'The Cheltenham Cake Fairy'.  She makes the most scrumptious and amazing cakes for every occasion.  Art can take on many forms and Jenny's cakes are a perfect example of this.

www.thecheltenhamcakefairy.co.uk

A little bit about ME!

My name is Susie. I work as an In house Artist at 'Paperclip Cards', a greetings card publishers with a lovely bright studio in Bath, South West England.  I have worked here for almost 4 years.

Here of two of my designs from the ranges 'Perfect Elegance' and 'Cherry Blossom'.

I studied General Illustration in Swansea and graduated with a First class BA hons in 2003.  During my course I developed a real interest and passion for Children's picture books.  Since graduating I have had two books published.

The 'Illustrate' part of this blog is mainly going to be children's picture books.  I am currently working on a story I wrote called 'Fly Away Flamingo'.  It's taken over a year of the odd evening and weekend but I am almost at the stage of having a finished dummy book.

Once again this blog will work its magical powers and help motivate me to finish this book...watch this space!!

A sneaky peek at a page from my dummy book for 'Fly Away Flamingo'.

New Year, New Blog!

I've been developing blog jealousy for quite some time now and it's finally got to the point where I thought it was about time I had a go, so here it is, my first post!

I'm a creative Gemini and I definitely live up to the traits of my star sign.  I tend to start lots of little projects but never quite get around to completing them.

This blog is going to be my motivator to get me to finish all those projects so I can show off (yes, this is all about showing off!) my results to whoever might stumble across 'Make, Create & Illustrate'

So, Happy New Year....here is where I turn over my new creative leaf!