Over at,Cardmaking Paradise,the theme for

 this month's Members swap was another of Sara's brilliant ideas,'Mail Art' envelopes.  Although I had seen and heard of Mail Art, I had yet to try it out.I had a wonderful time creating my envelopes, so much so that I made quite a few extras.  Members from around the world joined in with this swap and I'm sure it made the 'Posties' smile. I know that the ladies at my local Post Office were very curious about them. 

 Here are three of the envelopes that I made for my swaps.

Front view of my "Sunflower Collage" envelope

Back view of my "Sunflower Collage" envelope

Front view of my "Get Happy" envelope

Back view of my "Get Happy" envelope

Front view of my "Vintage Keyhole" envelope

Back view of my "Vintage Keyhole" envelope

 I had such a fun making my swaps, and see how they could could easily become an addiction,that I'm hoping we will do another one next year.

I am always looking at new and lovely blogs and found

 Astrids Artistic Efforts 

one a while ago, but hadn't put a link on my blog yet, so here you are - make yourself a drink and settle yourself down to enjoy Astrid’s beautiful blog and her gorgeous creations.

Faux Leather Notebook Covers

Recently I held a workshop for one of my ladies and her two charming granddaughters, who were visiting with Grandma for the half term holidays. It was such an enjoyable afternoon spend in  delightful,keen and enthusiastic company. 

Comparing work so far

Working on drying out some colourful inking

Having a giggle with Grandma

Concentrating hard while drying out some layers
of paint for extra texture

The three finished works of art

After some careful cutting out, strengthening with iron on stiffening and finally some machine sewing, you can see their amazing faux leather notebook covers. I am sure you will see why all three were extremely proud and delighted with their beautiful creations.

Metal Tape Technique ATC's

At our last ATC class we made our ATC's using the 'Metal Tape Technique'. For our Metal Tape Technique we started by covering our mount boards with aluminium foil,that had been backed with wide double sided tape. Our ATC's were then popped into various embossing folders and run through a Big Shot Machine, painted with black acrylic paint, which was then left to dry for a few minutes then rubbed off in places with a baby wipe and finally colourised using alcohol inks.  Here are some photos of the results, they all worked out so well.

Suzie's Metal Tape Technique ATC's

Marie-Pascaline's Metal Tape Technique

Sue G's  Metal Tape TechniqueATC's

Su's Metal Tape Technique ATC's

There are some very good tutorials on You Tube and websites with details of how to do this fun technique here is one You Tube video that I've watched, enjoyed and recommend watching too:-

RachO113
There's a  photo tutorial over on  www.cardmakingparadise.com

  I think it's accessible for members only, but  but I can certainly recommend joining  because it's a brilliant website with loads of great  templates, tutorials, and  projects which are free, as well as a selection of lovely challanges, swaps,  and a friendly forum  to join in with too. You can choose from monthly membership or register for a whole year.

A delightful afternoon with two very dear friends

My daughter and I spend a delightful afternoon recently with two very dear friends, Suzanne and Michael. Suzanne had cut some lavender stems, from her garden earlier in the morning, so that we could make some darling Lavender Wands, under her kind and careful instruction.

Here our Lavender Wands
simple to make and delightfully scented

We were then treated to a delicious and
 beautifully presented summer's afternoon tea.
Suzanne's special recipe Raspberry Tiramisu,
served with a lovely chilled apple and raspberry
 fruit juice followed by fresh plums from her garden.

I love this little poem she has displayed on her veranda
Translated it means :-
"If you wish you garden to flower - 
first prepare it in your heart "
How beautiful is that?

The amount of  love and care spent tending to their plants is certainly evident here, in these photos of their beautiful garden. 

Sometimes we are lucky enough to share very special times

 with very dear friends  - this was one of those days 

 and one which will stay with me always.

Recent ATC Swaps

I am sure many people already know about  Artist Trading Cards (ATC's for short)but for those who have not heard of them, an ATC is a tiny,original piece of art created with the intention of swapping or trading it with another artist. Here at Studio Susanne we have started to hold monthly ATC swaps and  we have held two swaps so far. For the theme our first month's swap we used the 'Serendipity Technique' and as you will see from the picture below, even though we all used the same technique, once they were completed, they  totally different.  

For our second month's swap, Marie-Pascaline choose 'Blanc et Noir' for the theme.

We all had relaxing time creating our Black and White ATC's that were inspired by the amazing Zentangle® method of pattern drawing,created by Rick Roberts & Maria Thomas

To learn more visit them at www.zentangle.com.

If you would like to come to our ATC group next month, please contact me for more details.

Needle Felted Brooches and Bookmarks

Today has been such a great day.  Not only has it been a bright, warm and sunny Spring day, three lovely ladies, Pammie, Ruth and Pat, came along for their first workshop here at Studio Susanne.   Never having needle felted before they all  made gorgeous
 brooches and bookmarks too. 

  

Here are their gorgeous creations.

 Pammie's 
Brooch & Bookmark

Ruth's
Brooch and Bookmark

                                                  

 And here are Pat's
 Brooch & Bookmark

             

The ladies said that they had enjoyed their day and would like to  come back and learn how to make a few more things including Fabric Journals.