Dream Country Chat

SMALL HORSES

Martin was back from France over the weekend (Blair visit etc) and he brought back the sculptures I had done this summer in France for me to re-varnish.

When I used to do horse sculptures years ago I always sprayed them with a matt varnish to protect the paintwork and give them a nice realistic finish.

Well I couldn't get the brand I used to use so bought an artists matt varnish. Imagine my horror when I sprayed these horses and saw them get shinier and shinier before my eyes. Eeeeek, not what should happen at all.

I contacted a friend with an art shop and asked her to get the spray I used to use years ago. She had the varnish in stock for me this weekend, so I asked Martin to bring all 3 sculptures back from France for a respray.

So after my visit to Blair, I rushed to Edinburgh, collected the spray, drove back across country to Ayrshire. Sprayed the horses and took these snaps, then drove off again to meet up with Martin and Ralph in the horsebox on their way back from Blair. We all must have looked a tad suspect parked in a lay-by with me dashing about in the pouring rain clutching my box of horses.

Worth all the dashing about etc, I now feel much happier with them. Hated them shiny, now they look real. Just hope their owners think the same. I wait with baited breath............

Karon x

PAINTING CHRISTMAS

Aha, bet you thought this was yet another Frenchy posting, oh no, this is merely my paint box.

Here is the paintbox open and in action. Whilst you have been taking a leisurely stroll through rural France with my photos for the past week, I have been beavering away on  stock for Christmas. Oh dear the dreaded 'C' word.

After lots and lots of trial and error I have decided to just go for one simple card design this year. Working on the American 'Kiss' system (Keep it Simple stupid) I have gone for a cut out gingham heart to match all the other goodies I do and the little holly and Joy stamp with hand painting.

Will it sell? I don't know, but I like the mix of the fabric and the painting. The texture and the lightness of the water colour. Do let me know your views, I love to get feedback when I'm working on something new.

It is dry today for the first time since I got home over a week ago. at last I can get out and harvest some of the herbs. The garden looks like a tangled woodland and wouldn't be out of place in your average fairy tail. See elves skipping through the dark deep forrest of mint and fairies sleeping in the chamomile. Smells gorgeous but really has to be harvested very soon.

Hey ho, to the garden I go.....

Karon x

ADAPT AND BLOSSOM

Funny how things grow, alter, adapt and blossom. I have found this with my little range of cards.

I loved the idea of using my photos on cards, but just wasn't happy with how they looked. Think l had the photos too small. They needed more oomph!

So l did a bit of a rethink. I have made the photos bigger and added some extras, a pretty ribbon bow here, some stamping doodles there.

Now l am happy with them. I feel they have grown into themselves. I know that sounds a bit strange but it does feel like that. Now l think they are 'there' and l can at last say l'm happy with them. So far there are only 8 cards, but they are 8 that are very much complete stories. I'll be adding more as and when l can link up my photos to finish off the look.

So there you are, not been sitting here only in Christmas mode, oh no, l now have a stock of cards to hand and haven't even done a Christmas card yet!

Karon  x

THE WEB SITE HAS LANDED

My web site    www.dreamacres.co.uk  is up and open. All those months of work are finished. The concept of the new theme, designs, prototypes, trials, site ideas, everything, it has all come to   THIS!

I have to say a huge thanks to Lisa of CSS Web Design for all her hard work. For the fact that she got my dream, could see through all my ramblings and put it together as it was in my mind. She has been patient beyond belief and put up with my techno fears and incompetence with a calmness unknown to the likes of me.

Today l feel very OVER

over excited
overwhelmed
over-the-top
overjoyed

I am overflowing with excitement and joy, just hope people like the site and my new goodies. Do have a look and let me know what you think.

over and out!

Karon  x

CHANGING COLOUR

Colours, these were very much my inspirations in all my past works. Just look at the Country Carrots, Spiced Apples, Boat Bags etc. All very much featuring colours. Even the Faded Dreams and hearts all had colour, tho in a more muted form.

I have been collecting colour for years, in threads, buttons, fabrics, you name it. Well as many of you will know, l lost most of my fabrics etc at the end  last year. So what to do. I thught, l thought, and l thught again. Okay lose the colour. Pick just one colour  (or almost) and go with that. One fabric (nearly) and one look.

This has not been easy. l am by nature drawn to the colour and life in many things. I love collections of colourful things. My boxes of thread reels, jars of buttons and pots of pencils. I surround myself with a rainbow in so many ways. However, when l looked at my stand at the fairs at Christmas time, l really felt l had gone just a wee bit poverboard. Not just with my colour scheme (or lack of), but by having so many diverse items. I needed to tone down, pull things in and get more of a 'look'.

Tomorrow l will shw you my inspirations for 2009.

Karon  x

ps  still freezing and holed up by stpve instead of running.