A Hand Painted Christmas

I'm getting into the spirit of Christmas slowly. I have made Christmassy my blog and I have some hand painted decorations to show you including some Gingerbread Men.

They are lovely hanging from a tree to give a more natural primitive style......

.......or you could wrap a parcel with brown paper and ribbon and use one as a gift tag. The tag could then be used on the tree.

I have also painted snowflakes, snowmen and Christmas bauble shapes.

Take a peek at my Colourart Christmas Shop www.colourart.co.uk/Christmas_Shop.htm to see these designs and few more I'll be adding soon.

Amanda

xx

Technorati Tags: Christmas,decorations,tag,gift tag,xmas,hand made,hand painted,gingerbread man,shabby style

More Paintings and a few thank yous

I've been a quiet blogger, but after being a featured blog on the WAHM site I am inspired to write a new post. So thanks for featuring me WAHM and for giving me the push to write this post.

I exhibited my work at the Designer Baby Show earlier this month and I was pleased with how my nursery canvasses were displayed. I usually have them on a table but this time I hung the paintings so they could be seen as they are meant to be.

The collection included a few new paintings which I would like to share with you.

I love Russian Dolls, and I thought that my collection needed a Russian Doll canvas. Cue another thank you, as Mrs Jelly at Jellybelly-Jellybrain suggested that it would be a good idea to paint a Russian Doll, so I did just that.

www.colourart.co.uk/Russian_Doll_Enlarged_Canvas.htm

Here she is:

I also painted a new version of the Teddy Bear painting which I think is great for new babies especially as its neutral tones mean it could be an ideal gift for a boy or girl. I think it would be great personalised. You can find Teddy Bear here: www.colourart.co.uk/Teddy_Bear_Enlarged_Canvas.htm

If you want an original Christmas present which is can be personalised there is still plenty of time to order in time for Christmas www.colourart.co.uk

Back soon

Amanda

xx

Technorati Tags: nursery art,canvas art,wall art for children,kids wall art,teddy bear art,Russian Doll painting,hand painted

Designer Baby Show is here

This Sunday I will be exhibiting my nursery paintings collection at the Designer Baby Show in Berkshire. I will have over twenty original nursery paintings exhibiting, where I will be offering a 10% discount. I will also be offering a free mystery gift with online purchases between 16th and 30th November 2009. Please enter 'Designer Baby' in the special instructions at the checkout. Please come and visit us at stand C80 on Sunday and if you can't make it then check out my online store at www.colourart.co.uk

I look forward to seeing you at The Designer Baby Show this Sunday, 15th November 2009

Ballerina Canvas Art

This design is inspired by the some of the meadows in France, they were stunning, full of flowers and butterflies, and dotted between the sunflower and maise fields. Having travelled 1800 miles through France during the summer we saw a few of the meadows, so what better way to record them than by putting paint to canvas.

Ballerinas in Meadow is my latest design and celebrates dance. I have never painted Ballerinas before so this enhances my existing range. Its available in both of my stores.

Ballerinas in Meadow is available to buy now in my art store Colourart

I hope you enjoy the painting, I will be back soon with more Colourart news.

Yo! Ho! Hand Painted Pirate Canvas

In honour of National Talk Like a Pirate Day, I wanted to show my hand painted pirate canvas.

Perfect for little boys who'd love life on the ocean. It comes in various sizes and can be personalised with name and date.

He can be found here or for the personalised version here

Cupcake Paintings for National Cupcake Week

It National Cupcake week - how exciting. Here at Colourart we have made plenty of cupcakes over time, and not just yummy ones to eat. I have painted some too! These two cupcake paintings are available to buy here and here

To celebrate the cupcake or fairy cake why not buy a slimming one to decorate your kitchen, dining room or child's bedroom. They are hand painted, and very gorgeous. The soft sweetie colours make these mouth watering cupcake paintings a lovely gift idea. There are two designs which work well as a pair or on their own. Hand painted onto gallery wrapped artist canvas, these original pieces of artwork wont add to you waistline but they will add a touch of style to your home.

I hope you enjoy National Cupcake week no matter how you chose to celebrate it.

Technorati Tags: cup cake,national cupcake week,hand painted,art,design,acrylic,painting,fairy cake,sweet

Errr WHY??

Don't ask me what I did at school pleeeassseeee.

I sometimes wonder why I take an interest in my kids school days, although sometimes other than the standard, learnt at birth, phrase of 'I've forgotten' I do get a laugh out of asking.

The conversation with my youngest after her day at school went a little like this:

Me: So tell one good thing that you did at school today.

Little Miss: I held a snake.

Me: O..K

Little Miss: It bit me.

Me: R..i..g..h..t

Little Miss: It was pink and white stripes

Me: of course it was

Little Miss: Oh and I held a lizard too.

Will I ask again? yes probably and will Little Miss tell me.....well probably not, but its always worth asking.

Just for those of you that are still with me.....

Here they are first day back.

Amanda

xx

Buy Unique Art Gifts

I have opened a new store with an online boutique called Zazzle.com I have created a new store of my own www.zazzle.co.uk/colourart where you can buy gifts and accessories made using my own artwork.

I have a small selection of items at the moment, including magnets, cute vests for babies and mousemats.

Here's a taste of what is happening in the new store.

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Please pop over and check it out.

Handmade Teachers Gifts

Both of my kids are moving classes this year, so it was time for them to say goodbye to their teachers. As a special 'thank you' I made each teacher a shopping list clipboard each.

I designed the paper, laminated it, decorated the front and then stuck them to boards I had painted. Finished of with a bulldog clip and a note pad. I hope they liked them.

They also gave them a bookmark from Paperchase and some choccies of course..........

.......and Evans teacher told him she liked GOGO's so he drew her some on the envelope of her card.

Recession Busting Pictures for Children's Spaces

If you still want to still treat your kids to a new stylish room in this recession then these are just the thing. I have developed these few ideas, watch this space though there are more coming. So to start with. The Jungle Bunch, based on the ever popular Jungle Animals on canvas (see here

for those) they are a printed version which can be framed any way you like. They will come mounted or unmounted and in varying sizes. A bright set of animal designs exclusive to the Colourart and Colourartjunior

Jungle Bunch Monkey

Jungle Bunch Lion

Jungle Bunch Elephant

Jungle Bunch Giraffe

Photo size: 12.5 cm x 12.5cm

Mount size: 23cm x 23cm

Price with mount £4.50

Price without mount £3.00

Other sizes will follow, this is just to start.

Oh and just a final note the frame came from Ikea so at just £11.50 this picture could be brightening up your little ones room.

Keep checking back to www.colourart.co.uk and www.colourartjunior.com as they will added very soon.

Colourart Junior is here

Finally it is live!!

A new site showcasing all my children's art collection.

www.colourartjunior.com

Its all divided into categories, so whatever your child is into you can find it quickly and easily. So whether it might be fairies....

...or maybe cars...

....it is so easy to find.

I have a new name to....

colourartjunior

......a new logo....

and some new business cards from moo.com

So we're all new and shiny here at Colourart, so keep checking back as new designs will be added soon.

Honest Scrap Award

Ok, so it's been half term and well now I'm here for a rest as we've had lots of celebrating going on. How come a 7 year old can stretch a birthday right across 3 whole days? Still back to blogging land.

I've been awarded this Honest Scrap award by http://aviyaglass.blogspot.com which is great - thank you. Now what do I have to do.

I must list 10 honest things about myself and put a Logo on my blog (this bit t'is done)

Honest Things List

1. I talk far too much

2. I trained as a textile designer, but left my textile job to be with my kids more.

3. I spend far too much time shopping for things I don't really need, but hey a girl has to shop

4. I'm a dreadful speller, I needed a dictionary just to do this.

5. I need to go on holiday every year.

6. My favourite place in the world is Florence, Italy (so far not been everywhere).

7. If I had a pot of gold it would be for a home in Tuscany.

8. I am big Lily Allen fan.

9. I believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden (well why not?)

10. I set up my business as I have a big passion for design.

Now I just have to send this award to 7 other bloggers.

They are:

http://www.heartfelthandmade.com/

http://katianmosaics.blogspot.com/

http://raspberrycupcakewithacherryontop.blogspot.com

http://buffyscharms.blogspot.com/

http://tiptoptoppers.blogspot.com

http://jasmijnpaauwe.blogspot.com/

http://thechildrensjewellerycompany.blogspot.com/

Colourart Junior Collection at The Designer Baby Show

I am fortunate enough to be showing my paintings at The Designer Baby show in November. This is a very exciting opportunity to show my nursery collection of paintings at this very special event. So to see a great spectrum of designer baby products including my Colourart Junior collection, circle 15th November on your calendar. See you there.

Personalised Childrens Garden Canvas

Just completed this commission for a personalised painting, just adds a personal touch, great for a christening or new baby gift. Many more of my paintings can be personalised and I'm happy to do it for no extra charge.

Here are some others to show you.

Kim Smith (SRAJD) Charm Bracelets

If you love jewellery and are looking for something special and beautifully handmade then pop over to etsy to find Kim Smiths Charm Bracelets

Kim's shop is filled with the most beautiful handmade charm bracelets in all sorts of juicy colours. The bracelets are made with lots of details, different beads and charms. I have two of my own and have recently commissioned a childrens one for my daughter Shelley.

These bracelets are all about the detail, this one for Shelley has flowers and fairies.

Here are some of my favourites from Kims Etsy store.

Zest for Life - a summery mix of citrus colours

Cherry Blossom - fresh turquoise and pink

Summer Romance - summer berry tones reminiscent of a summers evening

Bracelets come really well packaged, great for giving as a gift although you may want to keep it all for yourself.

Please take a look at Kims shop, there are many more.

Amanda xx

Owl Nursery Canvas for Childrens Room

I love birds, and there are all sorts of birds in design around at the moment. In homage to gorgeous birds I have had fun designing this little Owl canvas. She's very cute, in soft pastel colours and is looking for a new home. She has been decorated with soft patterns with some silver outlining. She will be available to buy from my on-line store, Colourart very soon, but I just wanted to show her off as soon as I could. **Just a quick update Owl is available to buy now at www.colourartjunior.com **

Handmade Felt Birds For Easter

Let me introduce my tweet family. I saw some lovely felt birds on Flickr a few weeks ago and wanted to make my own, to give to family at Easter, so...

......I took a few sheets of felt…

.......some buttons……

.........some ribbon………

........a sewing box and sewing machine…..

………and here ……..

are my little family of felt birds.

Happy Easter xx

Technorati Tags: felt,handmade,birds,colourart,sewing,ribbon,easter gift

Nowton Park, bury St Edmunds and Homemade Cakes

Daffodils out at Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds. We went a few weeks ago and none of them where out. They are now and they are stunning, a sea of yellow lines the walk, so I wanted to share them.

and in a few free moments this weekend, we made some cupcakes and enjoyed decorating them with some great pastel colours.

Yum Yum!!
xx

Spring Colours

What Colour brings Spring to mind?

These are my mine, what are yours.......

"I see a green tree. And to me it is green. And you would call the tree green also. And we would agree on this. But is the colour you see as green the same colour I see as green?" - Carson McCullers - Author, Novelist, Short Story writer

Spring Green, with a touch of cerise.

Yellow - Nature, fun, sunshine, warmth.....and those cute little chicks.

Green - Nature, earthiness, warmth

Pastels - Pink, Blue, Green.........

A new Colourart print coming soon

...........evoking the joy and subtlety of Spring,

and don't forget the Easter Bunny xx

Handmade Crafts Directory and Gift Wrapping

I've decided on doing a spot of advertising on handmade-crafts.co.uk and have put togther this logo. Handmade-crafts is a free directory of artists and crafters. I've shown my support for buying handmade on there, so pop over and have a look if you get the chance.

Also, I have just finished this painting, I was asked to add a message to it before I sent it as it is a gift for a new baby. So I made a special gift tag which includes an element from the design.

I hope the new owner of this piece of artwork enjoys it for a long time to come.

I'm always happy to gift wrap a painting for someone if they so wish. Just go to show its always worth asking.