I’ve got one mention I think… as Vice Captain in high school. But that’s about it. I’m not really the sporty type, so I don’t have a mantle for trophies or medals.

But you know what, it feels good to be recognised, so I started an Honour Board for my Shiny Happy Art Graduates on the whiteboard near the sink in the studio.

They’re printed and laminated and because I’m trying not to let “perfect be the enemy of the good”, I stuck them up with tape – couldn’t find my stash of magnets!

I’m very proud of my ever-growing collection of Graduates-next-to-the-sink. By the end of the year I will have wallpapered the whole wall! A year ago I really would never had guessed that this would be happening in the studio right now – and it’s quite wonderful!

It’ll be “Winter Tulips” in blue or gold. Here’s a little animation of how the blue version will be painted…

Amazingly, after only two days, over half the fifty places for the month have been sold. One session has only one spot left! So if you’re a local and would like to come be quick and click here to book your place.

If you’re not a local, I’m developing a series of videos that might interest you, so watch this space!

Either way, on the way to doing my big videos, I’m practicing with a few little videos – and here’s today’s effort. Hope it gives you a little bit of insight into one of the finishing touches I often use on my paintings.

Add a bit of glimmer…

(Looking a lot tired-er in this video than the last one. Better start getting some earlier nights before the big filming sessions… might even brush my hair! Ah, welcome to my real world!)

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If you’re not, here’s a little step-by-step to an accordion style Mother’s Day card that might inspire you before Mother’s Day this coming Sunday (in Australia!).

Here’s what you’ll need - photos printed on glossy photo paper, laminator & sheets, scissors/stanley knife, double sided tape, small envelopes and small notecards.

Firstly, take photos of your kids with a message for the mother in your life. We’ve used heart shaped blackboards from The Blackboard Boy (no surprises there), and I photographed all the kids in the one spot. I like the busy-ness of the ivy background… what is actually four photos looks like it actually joins together a bit… if you haven’t got four kids to include, you could do multiple pics of your one child with different messages, or just one word in each photo – lots of scope here…

(I have professional photos of my kids coming for Mother’s Day from Mia Mia Photography with blackboard messages – but once I booked them, the rest was done in total secrecy, although I’m assured they didn’t use the words ‘bum’ or ‘fart’ which is promising. Looking forward seeing how the very talented pro has done it!)

Once you’ve taken the photos, print them out on photo paper, two to a page, butting them both together if possible, then laminate each page. The lamination makes them a great weight for display purposes, and protects them nicely.

Carefully cut the pairs of photos out, leaving a tab at the end of the first pair (and a tab on the second pair if you’re joining more photos than four). Then gently fold the photos at the joins (use your fingers to fold the edges, then use a bone folder or the side of a pen or something to make a hard crease between the photos). Then attach the first pair of photos to the next pair. I used two strips of double sided tape (too impatient for glue!).

Then flip your accordion over and use more double sided tape to attach a small envelope or bag to the back of each photo.

Have each child do a drawing or write a message to be included in the envelope behind their picture.

I cut pieces of card that were slightly longer than the envelopes so they were easy to get out.

And voila! A card/gift that is uber personalised, very special, and ready to display.

Would love to know if you decide to use this idea with your kids. And remember that it’s also good to include Mum’s favourite colour. My mum’s is Sauvignon Blanc (or G&T!). And if my kids are reading this, I’m partial to the colour Merlot.

Here’s cheers ladies!

I particularly like it because these brownies are not sickly sweet, and they use cocoa instead of actual chocolate (which can not be kept in my house because it doesn’t seem to last long enough to be cooked with – mysterious!).

Click on the pic for a printable version. You’re welcome!

Lots of people ask me if I take kids’ art classes. And the short answer is, I don’t. Probably because I have enough kids at my place and it’s nice to hang with grown ups for a change. And there are quite a few local people doing kids’ classes already.

But I do LOVE kids art. The ideas they have, the colours they choose, the stories about their artworks. Yep. Love it.

And while I really do believe that kids art doesn’t need to be ‘neat’ to be hung on the wall – I really like this way of making art WITH really little kids, so it compliments your home, and they beam with pride when you hang their painting in a prominent position. (Thanks Annie for the idea, all those years ago!)

Firstly, give your kids a canvas and a thick Sharpie marker. I’ve used 30 x 30cm, thick edged canvases. Let them draw whatever they like – or if they need a little guidance, a drawing of the family is always terrific.

Then talk about their drawing with them, and have them point out what colours they want where.

Using acrylic paints, you then paint in the colours where they want them. Ideally they’d do this themselves, and older kids certainly can, but for 3 and 4 year olds, often their brush skills let them down and they end up unhappy with the end result. Or you do. It’s certainly not a ‘purists’ approach to kids art, but when we’ve done it, everyone’s been happy. Me included. (Yes, I need about 116 hours more sleep.)

NOTE – Annie often coloured using sample pots she already had, so the end result looked seriously good – the colours were more subtle and interesting than the brights that I used today.

Then, when it’s dry, carefully redraw any lines that got painted over. Stay true to their drawing and don’t try to ‘neaten it up’. You’ve done enough!

Then string the canvas, and write the title on the back, as well as their name, date and age. Important stuff in twenty years time.

A coat of shiny varnish (you know how much I love varnish) and you’re done.

Three kids and one mum/aunty who couldn’t be happier.

And up on the wall they go, alongside the paintings their brothers’ did with me, back in 2007. (No, I don’t have six kids! The boys have done two each.)

Not a bad afternoon’s work. Hope you’ve got a kid or two you can do this with. It’s a smiley thing to do.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response the Paint Alongs have had (look at all those professional looking easels), and I can honestly say that I would have happily hung any of my student’s paintings on my own wall. They were all so wonderful. Even the absolute beginners who initially worried about their brush strokes were able to pull it together at the very end (I cajole these poor people right through the three hours, begging them to trust me because it will all come together in the end) and even hesitant painters ended up with a distinct style. I’ve been inspired by the approaches many people have taken. Really, it’s been just wonderful.

An aside – have you seen the “Marigold Hotel” movie yet? I loved it – especially this quote - ”Everything will be alright in the end. If its not, then it’s not the end”. That is a terrific way of thinking about painting!

So what’s been happening in the studio this week?

Well, after about six bird canvases, I decided on the composition for the May Paint Along sessions – this is the diptych sample for the Mother/Child sessions (it’s Mother’s Day month, after all). And I’m sure we’ll be able to complete this subject and have it strung, varnished and ready to hang in the three hour session, without me getting too bossy… fingers crossed for that anyway.

And I’ve decided we’ll be painting Tulips next month so I got into the swing of them with this new painting yesterday morning (it’ll be for sale in our local Murray’s Art & Framing studio during the month of May). It’s a bit of a process from now, figuring out how to teach things, and what things are actually teachable, and how the final composition should look. But I can’t tell you how great it feels when I know it’s ready to share. Honestly, I’m excited about that bit already. It’s the curse of being a ‘big picture’ person.

I’ve been pre-painting packages to send things out in – I don’t often send an undecorated envelope – it seems like a missed opportunity, really. But those Express Post Bags stump me a bit – I don’t want to do anything to them that might slow them down! Anyway, there were heaps of sales made in the Facebook sale the week before last, so plenty of parcels to send out. It felt like Christmas!

I also won a ticket last week to attend a workshop in Brisbane and become a (cue Chinese accent) “Facebook Master”. So I dressed up and spent the day ‘undercover’ (dressed like a city person – although I did have to borrow shoes and a bag). It was a brilliant day. Thanks Bluewire Media! Facebook has been terrific for my business and I learned ways to make my little piece of it work even harder, by including offers and competitions and building a community. I’ve always loved blogging, but I’m also loving the IMMEDIACY of Facebook, and the opportunity to interact with people who are interested in Shiny Happy stuff.

So, tonight I’ve written my first mini e-book about arty stuff – will be taking the photos for that tomorrow. I’m a big believer in karma, and so many internetty people have been so generous with me, it’s time to be generous right back. And I’ve surprised myself a little by having plenty to say. Will let you know when it’s ready.

It’s sort of a ‘special report’ and I’m calling it “How to be a Shiny Happy Artist (inside and out)”.  It’ll be a complimentary downloadable file when people sign up for my mailing list (and the ones already on it will have access too). But calling it a ‘special report’ sounds like I’m a finance reporter… which I’m most definitely not… any ideas, my dear, neglected blog readers? You know I listen to you!

Last year I started a series of Art Tips – they were a weekly blog post, and mainly aimed at beginner artists and art appreciators (hi MMMC!). Those post are all still available on their own page of the website here.

You may remember my previous forays into the world of youtube (with the blockbusters “PART ONE – Sewing piping onto a cushion” and “PART TWO – Zip and Finish” which have amazingly enough been viewed over 1000 times each now) and I’m doing it again – and loving using my iPhone to do it.

If you do take the 5 mins to watch it, you may also notice that I’m the cameraman too. I just want you to know I’m looking for some sort of iPhone tripod to make things easier (the blutac stuck to an easel didn’t quite cut it) and that it’s quite hard to do a painting while looking at the camera screen and not the canvas. I’ve got a whole new appreciation for those doctors who operate via camera (which I’ve seen on Grey’s Anatomy of course).

So here we go – my first video Art Tip! If you’ve been to one of my Paint Alongs, you’ll no doubt remember all this! If you’re a beginner painter, you might see something interesting, and if you’re an experienced artist, you might have something to add… either way, I’d love to know. Thanks!

(If, for some reason, this hasn’t embedded properly – click here for the link! Thanks!)

She’s cute and she’s quick.

I have wonderful blog posts planned for you, but am running around at the moment, finishing copywriting jobs (not that interesting to photograph) and running the first of my Anzac Poppy Paint Alongs – the nine ladies who joined me on Sunday did an excellent job – just beware when I suggest sitting on the front step for a group photo…

Oh, you’re sweet little things, Angela, Kath, Erin and Loz! (The first time I saw this photo I had tears rolling down my cheeks!) The next group rock up tomorrow, including my most enthusiastic and delightful graduate, Deb. It’s going to be great.

And tonight I’m having a Market Night on my Facebook Page. I’m making more room in the studio for Paint Alongs, so am hoping to sell my display stock of cushions and a lot of small original paintings that are ready to find their way to their destined owners. There’ll be a few freebies (to people who buy something else) sprinkled in there at the last minute too. If you haven’t participated in a Facebook Market Night before, you simply have to be the first to type SOLD under the photo of the item of your choice, and we can arrange payment and it’ll be yours! Easy peasy. And I didn’t have to pack a tent and go to the markets, and you didn’t have to drive/fly/telecommute all the way to foggy Toowoomba. So it’s win/win really.

You do need to have a facebook account to be able to comment though.

Here are a few of the things you’ll find on sale at 7pm tonight in this Facebook Photo Album -

“Proud As” cushion and insert $35 + postage

Sturdy canvas tote bag with designer outside pocket $20 + postage

“Teacup Blooms” original acrylic painting on canvas, 30 x 30cm $45 + postage

Hope there’s a little bargain in there that you might like!

Right now I’m heading back up to the studio to see what else I can add to make you smile. Might see you tonight!

And if you’re keen to join in, but doubt your abilities, watch and you’ll see my 15 step process in action… even absolute beginners will be just fine – and I’m a brilliant teacher, in case you’re wondering.

You get to wear an apron and use great paints – I supply everything but the drinks. It’s great fun and there are still a few places available in the following Paint Along sessions:

Monday 23rd April, 6-9pm

Tuesday 24th April, 9-12 noon

Wed 2 May, 9-12 noon

Would love to see you – let’s paint this town POPPY RED!

And like any huge event, it’s suddenly weird to go back to do anything ‘normal’… like blogging about art and family. But the older you get, the more you know that’s just how it goes, and just as Annie’s blog won’t become a totally cancer blog, I’m going to attempt to do the balancing act too.

Since we last spoke there’s been a lovely weekend at the beach with school friends (what would I do without girlfriends?) – it’s been three years since our last night away -

and an island adventure with friends who cope beautifully with the fact that there’s a lot of us (although we were minus one poor gastro-stricken husband) -

there’s been the making of an Adriano Zumbo “Sticky Tape the Date” cake – which, if his V8 cake is the Everest of cakes, this may be a Kosciuszko – check out this first pic that shows the strips of chewy caramel and the piped line of date gel that is inside the cake – I’ve never cooked anything with so many steps – so Whitney was called in to help…

Conveniently it makes two and there were two birthdays to celebrate last week – and luckily, after all that effort, it tasted GOOD. Despite quite a few ingredients I had never heard of before, those logs on top are simply fresh dates and coconut put in the blender, chopped to a paste, and then rolled in coconut. Major yum. Will definitely do that bit again.

There has been Vader Jousting (that mask scares the 2 year old out of her wits) and more photos of rainbow toes than I ever could have imagined (thank you so much to everyone who’s sent theirs in – please keep sending them!)

And of course there’s been Easter – a wonderful family weekend of egg hunts, bonfires, Wivenhoe Dam swimming and lots of laughs – the kids are already counting down the days until next year, and we only got home 12 hours ago…

Hope you and yours had a wonderful weekend…

because tomorrow I’m kicking the chocolate habit and getting back to work. There could be major withdrawals (and I thought this year would be different – but that’s what I thought last year too). Honestly, how old do you have to be before chocolate eggs don’t call your name?