Monday, 16 December 2013

PartyTime!

My art students have worked so hard this term it was definitely time to PARTAY!
Look, Hannah even baked shortbread!
You just have to have a cheesy sausagey hedgehog on such occasions!
Hungry students!
My lovely second years.
Yes, this is what they're really like!
Now the first years have crashed the party!
(No, of course you're invited me dears!)

So have a happy Christmas you all! I'm very proud of you all.
(Right, get back to work you lot! Bah! Humbug!)

Sunday, 15 December 2013

A Wig Shopping We Shall Go!

A couple of weeks ago my Mum and myself set off on an intrepid adventure to hunt out a wiglet for my poor old bonce, which is now starting to shiver in the cold.
A good friend of mine had suggested 'Trends', a little shop in Sheffield.
So, to start the day off in style we enjoyed a lovely coffee and student magazine,ahh... takes me back to the old days!
I'll tell you about the my wig-tastic time a bit later on, but let me share the joys of the city with you.

We had a fab time exploring the studenty part of Sheffield and I can't wait to go back, there are so many cool vintage and quirky shops there!
This one was my favourite, and I even tracked down the dungarees of my dreams here!
Look, Christmas cardis!
What's me Mum after?

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A few snapshots from the day...

Now, you don't see that every day!
It really had a Camden- type vibe (but is a lot cheaper!)
Hope you enjoyed our little shopping trip!

Saturday, 14 December 2013

The Find Of the Year!


This was all thanks to my eagle eyed and nimble fingered daughter.
From the bottom of a huge tub of tacky Christmas decorations she pulled out this most treasured of finds.
It is the most fragile glass toad stool (complete with baby toad stool- ette).
I have no idea how it stayed in one piece at the bottom of the tub but am I glad it did!
Daughter, I salute you!

Friday, 13 December 2013

Can You Hear Those Distant Bells?

Even plastic reindeer get a stirring in their antlers at this time of year you know...

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Sketchings And Plottings!


I fancy starting a project that I could really get my teeth into, maybe a wall hanging.
So I spent the day sketching away, scribbling and pondering.
Will let you know how it goes!

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

A Trip Down Fashion Memory Lane:

Many, many moons ago, before Mrs Bertimus was even a twinkle in my sewing box, a young northern lass packed up her chattels and ventured to London to study fashion.
She loved the whole fantasy of the fashion world and the hollow promises that Madame Fashion whispered in her ear.
After many adventures she waved goodbye to the big, bad city and pottled along a different path.
Any how...back to the present day, and a good friend of mine asked if I could paint a fashion- y type illustration as a Christmas present.
Well, I found many cobwebs in the fashion section of my little frazzled brain and my first attempt was truly dreadful. I think because I knew it was a present for someone, it turned out all stiff and unnatural,and was just too neat and tidy.
So last Saturday I gave it another go.
I tried not to think too much, splashed a load of paint on the paper before I even began, and had a slushy Christmas film on in the background.
Well, let me just tell you about the slushy film first of all.
It involved three little orphan boys who had to live with a childless couple who ran a toy factory, as the orphanage was being fixed up.
Need I say any more, apart from the last line of said film was:
'Boys, we're not adopting one of you this Christmas.
We're adopting all of you.'
(Honestly, I'm welling up again just writing this!)
So, there I was, cup of tea in one hand, paint brush in t'other and big, fat tears rolling down my face.
I had a whale of a time, and because I forgot that I was painting for someone else, I think that this attempt looks a little looser.
It's by no means perfect, and I'm sure that Madame Fashion would have many a criticism to send my way, but I really enjoyed painting it.
Hope it's a nice surprise on Christmas morning...

Sunday, 8 December 2013

Mama Wolf and Baba Wolf:


Unfortunately hubby wouldn't be seen dead in a hat with ears on it,
so there is no Papa Wolf!