Friday 28 September 2012

A First....

...guess what???  I have just completed my very first commission!  Oh yesh indeedily.  A few months ago, lovely Joanne spotted a piece on my blog and asked if I would make her something similar... and she was commissioning me!  Get that!  A commission... am still grinning like a loon about it now!  Anyways... I have just handed my finished effort to Joanne... and I think it is safe to say that she likes it. (either that or she deserves an Oscar rofl)




Anyways, the base is an 8" square canvas, this is a shallow edge one, I would prefer a deeper one (ooherrrmissus) but for the life of me I can't find any unless I want to buy a box of 193 and pay through the schnozzle for 'em.  So, this here shallow edge canvas was painted with acrylic paints... a mix of Decoart and Dabbers, all applied with Cut & Dry foam so I could get some nice blending going on.  I painted the edges with Black Dabber (I have to say, I lurves Dabber's because they are matt when dry... I no like that they are in ickle bottles though... I always want bigger ones ...another oooerrr, but I am sure you know what I mean *snort*)   




As I have been heavily influenced by the artist genius that is Ania Dabrowska (click her name to be whizzed off to her blog on the back of a Prima Flower) it is time to admit that I have turned into a bit of a squirrel.  I have always been a bit of a hoarder (as my wardrobe, loft, garage, Room of Stash, shed, dining room... you get the picture... will confirm) and when I saw these new Prima embellies, I started my latest craze... hoarding bits and bobs that will go really well onto canvases and big projects.  The Prima lightbulbs are a fantastic idea... and they are really substantial too.  Oh and the Prima Gears too... mahooosive ones and ickle ones alike.  Check out Sam Poole's Creative Studio's for deets on these babies.




Whilst at Ally Pally last Saturday I did a spot of speed stash-shopping... literally 5 mins from the end I dashed to Paper Artsy (always a fave shop) and did one of those highspeed, gasping for breath dashes around the new Artemio embellishment range... those ickle studs on the canvas are actually brads, I just chopped their legs off!  And the metal butterfly is from Graphic 45... I am lurrrving those... wishing I had got two packs of them now too!  The flowers are again from my stash of paper flowers... I added to it recently, visiting Wild Orchid Crafts and nabbing some new paper roses and some plain white blooms, as well as the cute brass dragonflies.  The metal leaves are new from Creative Expressions (and you can get these in Sam's store too)  Finally, the words... the Imagine is an Artistic Stamper word, gotta be my fave ever word stamp, I love the grunginess of it... and the wooden "remember" is another Prima embellishment.  I guess all in all I wanted to make this piece a bit special... well, being as it is for a very special lady, I wanted to add a bit of lurve into it too... so a lot of my fave things are included on it.  Now I just need to figure out how to add some Studio 490 into the mix and I will be complete!




Anyways... I shall away... I am in my hotel room in Preston... scheduling this post because I am fair pooped.  I had a bit of a journey down here... setting off with plenty, plenty time to get to Inspirations to drop all my kit off and then have a moozie about the shop.  Best laid plans and all that.  There was an accident on the M6 - I was hoping it would be clear by the time I got to the site... nope, there was another accident in the accident bit so it meant the motorway was closed.  A quick (handsfree, Blue & Me) call to Grim asking which exit should I take to avoid the closure... and onwards I goes.  Until the exit I needed and there was a Police car there, closing the slip road.  Another accident had happened there!  I finally made it to Inspirations about 5.15pm so it literally was a quick hello, drop off the stuff, back in the car and onto the hotel.  Where I made a complete burk of myself.  So, I needs to use the facilities.  And the bathroom light won't work.  Grrr.. weeing in the dark is not the best fun right?  Anyways, I decides to pop the telly on to get the radio (tis freeview jobbywotsits) and I had a "no signal" thingy show up.  So, off I sets to reception to ask if I could get a light fixed and a telly that works.  The lovely lass on reception was most apologetic and offered to move my room... nope, I just unpacked, can't be bothered with all that... so she offers me free internet... I just paid for it.. and then she offered me a free breakfast.  Thank you very much, don't mind if I do.  And then she said "you did put your door key card into the slot on the wall?"  Errrm... "nope"  *I had the grace to blush*  She tells me that to get the power and lights in the room you need to insert card into said slot.  "Oh and btw" she says... "is the aeriel in the back of the telly?"   Turns out the aeriel wasn't in the back of the telly and yes, key card in slot on wall means I can wee with the lights on rofl   With that delightful image I shall say... thanks for looking... if you are in Preston today please do pop in to Inspirations and say hi, I will be the one with the red face and inky paws!  TTFN!

Hels x

27 comments:

Unknown said...

What are you like Hels... can't take you anywhere... I'm glad you didn't you'd wee'd on your shoes or feet or something - and blamed the dark!!!

Your first commission - I cannot believe that no-one has ever commissioned you before now!!! Anyway, that is definitely one heck of a project! So pretty and arty and likeable and gorgeous....

I'm going to follow that linked you supplied - I'm always nosey so need to see where it leads.

Big hugs

Paula x x x

Krisha said...

Well now I read that congrats are in order for you. Can't believe it is your first commission, where have these peps been? Congrats to you and it really is a lovely piece of art.
Krisha giving you a shout from California

Jane said...

Absolutely stunning! I love the colours too! Well done on your first commission although it is hard to believe its is your first!!! Heres hoping its the first of many! xx

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, Your first commission is absolutely stunning, I love it and I bet the recipient was over the moon when she received it. You have made a fantastic compilation, I'm loving every part of your project.
Your trip to Preston was truly eventful, in a bad way, I can sympathise with the lights and tv thingymabob, that is something that I would have done ha ha, it's so embarrassing, they obviously need to put up some 'signs' in their hotel rooms, hopefully you could 'hold on' that long ha ha !!
I would have been catching a train to Preston today to see you demo, alas I have an appointment at the eye hospital for at least 3 hours this morning and won't be able to see properly afterwards for approx 6/7 hours, congrats to your workshops tomorrow being booked up, those lucky ladies.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Val in Spain xxx said...

Hi Hels. Made me laugh your experience with the card in the slot as i have done a very similar thing myself. The receptionist explained the procdure with gritted teeth as i gather this happens 20 times a day. Love the commission very proud of you.

Marleine said...

Morning Hels,
A beautiful canvas , I am loving the composition and colours.
What an exiting life you lead. Enjoy your week end. X

Gerrina said...

Thanks for your comment on my entry and yess I am feeling better and ready to get inky again! What a rare day you had... Think about all things come in threesomes and you had your share of bad luck, so you're up to three times luck now! Have a great day (red head and all) and enjoy the time there! Hugs, Gerrina

Redanne said...

Hi Hels, your first commission! I feel even more honoured to have one of your pieces now (the round flower piece that I won a few months ago). Love the canvas you made for Joanne, it is a real beauty, such gorgeous colours and embellies. Did have a chuckle about the room, have done that myself.....hope today goes well, take care of your back too. Crafty hugs, Anne x

rachel said...

beautiful work Hels - I'm sure the lady who commissioned it was happy - its stunning!! Hugs Rachel xx

Joanne said...

Just wanted to pop on here to tell everyone that I am not just happy with my canvas, I AM THRILLED TO LITTLE MINT BALLS.
Your pictures of it are wonderful but in real life it's the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen (apart from you of course), so a big THANK YOU lovely lady. I'm saving up for another now.
Mwah xxxxxxxxxxx
Joanne

Julia S-W said...

This is so funny and I could just imagine this as a comedy sketch - 'Only Fools and Horses' perhaps!! (I've been secretly watching the reruns and laughing on the sofa in the afternoons - shame on me!!).
I should add here that your canvas is drop dead gorgeous and totally inspirational. I had a go at a canvas recently and threw everything at it - it was kindly pointed out that the lovely Finnabair tends to group her 'stuff' in one place - my mojo mojoed off at that point even though it was well meant!! Anyway, onwards and upwards and hope your journey home is less eventful and you use your key to get in and not call the fire brigade. . . . although hunks in uniform and all that. . . .
Best go on that last point!
Jxxx

EmmaT said...

morning Hels, well have to say i would be the same not knowing to put key card into the slot on wall for lights!! Technology!!
A lovely project for your first commission, congrats, 10 yrs of commissions and i still get a buzz when asked to do a painting.
Love the layout, colours and embellishments.
Emma

Astrid Maclean said...

Can see why she loved it! Gorgeous piece!! I have one lovely lady that keeps ordering stuff from me and it's great, totally understand your excitement and may you get many more!!!

Sheilagh said...

Whew!!! Wow that was a whirlwind of a post, I need to get my breath back... Things are never dull with you Hels ;o)

Fabulous work of art!!

Wish I lived closer to Preston and had a day off...ah well...better get ready for work.

Hope you are having fun

Sheilagh xx

Helen said...

Well, firstly, the commissioned piece is wonderful, I am sure Joanne will love it.
Secondly - what are you like! Mind you, I haven't stayed in a hotel for totally yonks so I would probably have thought the same... Hope it gets better in the light..... have fun"

Andrea said...

just stunning and who wouldnt be pleased with that piece of artwork, just amazing Hels and I did laugh reading your hotel issues, thats just soooooooo funny, enjoy today and chat soon xx

Dee in N.H. said...

ROTFL! You are a GEM! Love your beautiful piece!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

AH!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! Lucky her to have this beauty! I love every inch!!!

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely beautiful! Perfect arrangement against your gorgeous background!
Alison x

Planetsusie said...

Oh burger - and you didn't get your free brekky either! Had to laugh at your story about the power - I was at a workshop and in the hotel on my own without hubby (lethal) and I had them running around to find an electrician to sort out the TV for me and I hadn't switched it on at the side! His look said it all!

I love your commission as well - it is totally gorgeous with lots of lovely touchy feely things on it.

Hugs to you Sue Pxxx

Pat said...

Loved your demos at Inspirations today - your work is stunning! x

Miriam said...

Gorgeous work Hels.

Though I laughed so much at your electricity issue Dan asked what was wrong and I needed my inhaler!!!!

Carole Z said...

Hels, you do make me laugh! I'm fair tickled!!!! Can't believe you've never been commissioned before..fabulous canvas, Carole Z X

Unknown said...

What a commissioned work of art you have created - and your story telling always gives me such a huge smile and makes my day!

You don't just produce a work of art with all your stamps and materials - but each post is a wordy work of art too! Priceless

craftimamma said...

Wow Hels, no wonder Joanne loved this, it's stunning! Beautiful shading of the acrylic paints and fab arrangement of all those gorgeous embellies. Love the shape of that lightbulb! Off to check out Sam's place now (which might put my plastic friend in danger, lol).

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Shazza said...

lol Hels, you crazy lady. How could lady not love your canvas it is fabulous!!! You deserve every commission you get. x

Sarah said...

Joanne - you are a very lucky girl! I know you ADORE your canvas after having a good old chin-wag with you today at the Preston workshop.

Hels - hope your drive home wasn't too horrific (mine was a nightmare; apparently Manchester United were playing and it took me 4 times as long to get home as it did to go to Preston in the morning ...).

Sarah & the Honey Monsters xx

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