Katts

Michael deMeng - Here in Melbourne Soon

2009-08-22T18:42:00.007+10:00

Great news, Michael is coming to Melbourne 21 and 22 November to teach for two days. For full details join our Yahoo Group SisterArts or email Marg Byrne byrnemargaretm@yahoo.com or me kathyata@yahoo.com.au

Keith Lo Bue Workshops in Melbourne

2009-05-18T21:28:00.012+10:00

Marg and I are very excited to announce we have Keith Lo Bue coming to Melbourne to teach two workshops, they will be on the weekend of 25 and 26 July. For more information join our Yahoo Group SisterArts or email me kathyata@yahoo.com.au

Family Photos

2009-04-09T13:09:00.001+10:00

My family surprised me for my 50th last year with a gift voucher to have our photos done. Well we finaly did it. It was the best present they could have given me, the last ones we had done was when the kids were in primary school and as you can see that was a long time ago.

From left Lauren, me, Mark, Jess, Lisa and Stu.

I love this photo.

Catching Up

2009-04-08T11:47:00.000+10:00

I have been feeling guilty about not blogging more regularly but I've never been one to keep a diary or journal; I figure I do this for my own enjoyment so why worry. A lot has happened since my last post. Everything is back to normal after the fires, I have unpacked our evacuation cases and put away all the papers and important bits and pieces I'd been carry around in my car. It's great to be able to relax again.

It's been just over four weeks since Creative Soul Retreat but it seems so much longer. I had an absolutely wonderful time, it was so nice to catch up ladies I hadn't seen since previous retreats and to meet others that I had only know online. I spent my two days there doing workshops with the lovely Stephanie Lee , it was fantastic. She is a great teacher and we had a lot of fun. Congratulations to Bevlea, she and her helpers did a fantastic job and I can't wait for CSR 2010. Here's some pictures of what I did in the classes.

This is the start of a necklace, still more to do yet.

Some bezels, I really enjoyed this but I need to practice a lot more. Marg and I have had a get together since to play around with what we learnt and we do plan to do its on a regular basis so hopefully I will improve. The cover of the soldered book. I loved this class, flooding with the solder was great fun and I love the plaster pages; the feel of them and the noise they make when you open and closed the book. I still have to decorate the spine.

And here's a pic of what I did with the little houses from the swap. It doesn't show up very well as it's leaning on a wood bench but they are mounted onto an old fence paling. I've added some houses that I've received in other swaps as well. It makes quite a good village I think.

Upwey Fire

2009-02-24T09:22:00.006+11:00

It seems strange reading my last post when the death toll from the bushfires was only 84......how can I say ONLY 84.....it's tragic whether it's 1 life lost or 200. I feel so sorry for everyone who's lost family and friends, it's terribly sad.

I don't know exactly what's happening here at the moment, the fire siren has gone off a couple of times this morning and there's been helicopters flying around. There's no longer a threat in our area but there still seems to be a fair bit of activity. I live just off Glenfern Rd in Upwey and we actually left our house yesterday after the police were going door to door warning residents. Fortunately we were able to return last night. This has been the second fire close to us in 8 days, it's been pretty stressful. Friday is expected to be problematic so fingers crossed.

Victoria's Bushfires

2009-02-08T22:22:00.006+11:00

I knew that the dreadful conditions on Saturday could mean more bushfires but I didn't imagine it would end up being Australia’s deadliest bushfire disaster. The death toll is at 84 and likely to increase and there have been over 750 homes lost.......devastating.

Michael deMeng Melbourne Workshop

2009-01-27T23:25:00.008+11:00

Great news, Michael is coming to Melbourne 21 and 22 November to teach a two day workshop. For full details join our Yahoo Group SisterArts or email Marg Byrne byrnemargaretm@yahoo.com or me kathyata@yahoo.com.au

SisterArts

2009-01-24T18:48:00.007+11:00

Marg and I have set up a Yahoo Group called SisterArts, which we will use to make announcements about workshops we organise and for students to share their art, inspiration and resources. We prefer to remain small, organising only a couple of workshops a year, ones we really want to do ourselves! So if you'd like to keep up with what we're doing you can join by using the Yahoo button in the side bar. Hope to see you there.

Better Late Than Never

2009-01-23T23:14:00.005+11:00

It's a couple of months since Judy Wilkenfeld came to Melbourne to teach a workshop for us and I've been very remiss in not blogging about it sooner; I just want to say what a fantastic weekend it was and to post some photos. We had a great time, Judy's a wonderful teacher and we learnt such a lot from her. If you haven’t done a class with her and the opportunity arises, do it, you will be so glad you did! I've added a slideshow on the side with some photos from the weekend. Abracardabra is a second hand bookshop that Judy took us to on the Friday, an amazing shop. Thanks Judy!!!!!!

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T12:56:00.002+11:00

It's been quite a while since I last blogged and I don't quite know where to start. So for the time being this is all it's going to be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

I will get back into the swing of things and be back soon.

Cheers

Judy Wilkenfield of Red Velvet Visual Anthologies - Melbourne Workshop

2008-10-20T15:35:00.011+11:00

Don't miss this great opportunity, we only have a couple of places left in Judy's workshop.

If you've been thinking about it, time is running out, book now.

Dates: Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, 2008
Venue: U3A Knox Inc. Parkhills Campus, Park Boulevard, Ferntree Gully
Times: 9.00am – 4.30pm daily
Cost: $395 including morning and afternoon teas, and lunches

For more info or to book contact:
Kathy kathyata@yahoo.com.au

Skinny Calendar

2008-10-05T11:41:00.003+11:00

Another swap completed.....yay!!!

About Time

2008-09-26T19:13:00.005+10:00

I thought it about time I posted, doesn't time get away. This is the page I did for the ArtyOz collaborative book for this year. I took this photo and then decided it neaded something more so I cropped and printed out the stamp on the top left hand corner and glued it back slightly offset. The background is from one of the Paper Whimsey digi sheets and splodged (is that a word)matte gel medium over the top to give it texture and then stippled paint using punchinella.

Judy Wilkenfeld teaching in Melbourne

2008-08-03T20:29:00.011+10:00

My sister Marg and I have invited internationally recognised, Aussie artist, Judy Wilkenfeld to Melbourne to teach a two day workshop "Book of Memories" .

Preserving our precious memories, photo’s and memorabilia in a book form is the theme for our workshop. We will spend 2 days creating a book starting from 2 antique book covers. It will be very dimensional. The inner book will be made accordion style especially good for newbie’s to mixed media books.

We all have our favourite photos and memorabilia of/from family and or those closest to us. My experience with documenting people’s life stories reveals that we only need a few photos and or items to preserve the memories. You will learn how to use symbolism, colour, texture, found objects and your memorabilia to tell the story of those nearest and dearest to you – WITHOUT WORDS.

Techniques you will learn to apply:

Binding a book from cover boards
The ageing of fabrics, papers, images and metals
The adhering of dimensional mixed media items
The use and application of mica and acrylics
The use of symbolism
Working with wire
The creation of a shadow box
Layering of mixed media objects

Dates: Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, 2008

Venue: U3A Knox Inc. Parkhills Campus, Park Boulevard, Ferntree Gully

Times: 9.00am – 4.30pm daily

Cost: $395 including morning and afternoon teas, and lunches

For more info or to book contact:
Kathy kathyata@yahoo.com.au OR
Marg byrnemargaretm@yahoo.com

You can see more pictures of this beautiful book on Judy's blog under the heading Fair Maid of Perth

More Swaps

2008-07-29T17:05:00.005+10:00

I finished off a couple swaps today...woo hoo...they're in the mail on their way to Greta. And no it's not a giant house LOL..it just looks that way because I scanned the whole page of ATCs instead of a single one.

Ro Bruhn Workshop

2008-07-16T20:54:00.009+10:00

We had a great day at Ro's altered book workshop last Sunday. She's a great teacher, very warm and giving, thanks Ro. These are a couple of the background pages I did.

Ro showing us a thing or two.

Some of the girls.

Ro has some pics of the girls and their work on her blog, pop across and have a look.

Gothica

2008-06-21T20:15:00.002+10:00

My ATC for a swap I'm part of, the theme being Gothica. The image is from The Lady's Closet and the background stamp is from Lost Coast Designs. I've used soot distress embossing powder and black german scrap. I feel that maybe it needs something else but I'm not sure what so I've decided to leave well enough alone before I mess it up.

Art Journey Retreat

2008-05-27T18:03:00.017+10:00

What a great time we had the weekend before last at Art Journey Retreat. It was so good to do classes with such wonderful tutors and to spend time with some lovely like minded women.

My Friday class was Graffiti Bouquet with Traci Bautista. This was really hard for me, I was so far out of my comfort zone but I'm so glad I did take this class. I'm not use to using bright colours but I'm going to try to do so more in the future. We spent the morning making background paper using several different techniques and then in the afternoon we collaged using these papers. I don't like my bouquet picture but I'm happy with the way the girl is turning out; I still have a little to do on her yet.

On Saturday it was Atlered Ego with Misty Mawn. We did self portraits using gel transfers of ourselves and painting over them. Mine doesn't look anything like me, but it was fun doing it. I loved this class and will be practicing lots to try to improve my technique.

And Sunday it was Stone Soup with the wonderful Nina Bagley. Poor Nina had a dreadful cold virus thingy but soldiered on and did a fabulous job instructing us. I took workshops with Nina last year in Freemantle and couldn't miss the opportunity of doing another with her this time. My necklace isn't finished yet but I will get it done, I just need to search out a few interesting bits to add to it.

It was fantastic attending workshops with such great tutors and I thank them for their help and encouragement, they really were wonderful.

Concertina House

2008-05-04T17:27:00.010+10:00

I did a Concertina House class with Marg Buhagiar at Heaven Scent a week or so ago and this is how mine turned out. Marg was great, a very relaxed and generous teacher; we all had a terrific time. I've started another one since but haven't finished it yet.

Moo Cards

2008-04-29T22:23:00.008+10:00

I really enjoyed doing these moo cards for a couple of swaps I was in. Fun to do and very addictive.

Ro Bruhn Workshop - Melbourne - 13 July

2008-04-17T19:03:00.002+10:00

Marg and I had such fun with the Michael Demeng workshops that we've decided to run something else. This time we're offering an altered book workshop with internationally applauded, local resident Ro Bruhn. You can see some of her work here http://robruhn.blogspot.com The workshop will be held at the premises of U3A Knox in Ferntree Gully on Sunday, July 13th. Email me kathyata@yahoo.com.au or Marg byrnemargaretm@yahoo.com for further details or a registration form.

I've Been Tagged.

2008-03-29T20:15:00.003+11:00

It seems I've been tagged twice, by Teresa and also Gail

Here's what you do:
* link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours
* post the rules on your blog
* share 7 random facts about yourself at the bottom of your post
* tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog

Ok here's seven random facts about me:

1. Mark and I have 4 children between us, 2 each. The youngest, my daughter Lauren turned 21 today.
2. We are empty nesters...yahhhhh except for the dogs....
3. I have terrible hand writing and I hate writting anything.
4. I've been going to the gym 5 days a week for the last 2 months.
5. I love brussel sprouts.
6. I can't do any freaky things with any of my body parts (well some people can)
7. I'm not tagging 7 people because they'd be the same ones who've already been tagged. Sorry.

Altered Board Book

2008-03-17T22:09:00.009+11:00

I made this as a present for Debbie Larcombe. It started out as a children's board book which I then altered using Michael deMeng transparency and painting techniques. The hinges are grunge board, I love the way they've turned out. The photography is not too flash; the colours aren't very accurate. Debbie now has the book but I'll see if she can take some better photos and I'll change these over. I've had my camera for about 6 months now; I really should learn how to use it properly.

Mermaid Tales

2008-03-01T19:43:00.005+11:00

Mermaid Tales is a collaborative book that's been organised by Bevlea in Paper Queens, this is my page. I've painted the front and back cover in the same colours and technique but haven't decorated them yet. I have to hand them over tomorrow at VicStampers but will finish them off properly when I get my book back.

Play Day At Teresa's

2008-02-25T09:25:00.004+11:00

Yesterday we had a play day at Teresa's, it was such fun. I love getting together with the girls, we always have a laugh and it's great to get their input on whatever project you are working on at the time. Gail and Jo printed these deMengie Fever aprons for us as a reminder of our workshops with Michael, thank you both they are just great.

In the back row is Liz, me, Marg and Gail, and posed so nicely in the front is Teresa and Joanne. Thank you Teresa (and Sam) for your hospitality.

My new bloke

2008-02-07T17:30:00.000+11:00

We did a fair bit of tripping around while Julian was here and of course we did a bit of shopping. I managed to pick up this fellow when we visited the Reverse Art Truck in Ringwood. What do you think, he's pretty hot? I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with him but ideas are starting to form.

Birthday

2008-02-07T15:49:00.000+11:00

As you can see by the card, I've just turned 50......and I don't feel a day over 49. This beautiful card was made for me by Greta, isn't it gorgeous?

and open

And this fabulous piece came from Julian who stayed with me for a couple of days after Michael's workshops, I just love it.

A close up of the lense.

A wonderful deMeng weekend.

2008-02-05T23:51:00.000+11:00

Such an awesome weekend, I had a wonderful time which was made even better by having some of my ArtyOz buddies there. Everyone turned out fantastic work, Michael really is an inspiring teacher, very giving and so humerous. I learned so much and I can't wait to do more. The weekend was a long time in the planing, and now sadly it's over. Marg and I were over the moon when Michael agreed to come to Melbourne, we were so excited to be able to organise the workshops, it was a lot of work but it was fun, we really enjoyed doing it.

Thank you Caro and Con for your hospitality, we're so glad you offered the use of Ancient Echoes, it's a terrific venue and you're great hosts. We'd also like to thank Jen Crossley, Power Tool Queen, for bringing along her tools for everyone to use, it was very generous of you Jen. And of course Michael, what can I say other than a huge THANK YOU, we had an absolute ball. I'm thinking a trip to Mexico might be on the cards for next year....

My Soda Pop Icon

and the Tranparency Collage-ssemblage

One Spot avail in Michael deMeng Transparency Collage-ssemblage Workshop

2008-01-28T21:15:00.000+11:00

We've had a spot become available in the Transparency Collage-ssemblage class on Sunday, so if anyone is interested please email me asap kathyata@yahoo.com.au . There are still a couple of places available in the Soda Pop Icon class on Saturday.

Finishing some projects

2008-01-22T19:43:00.000+11:00

So much for trying to paint faces. I thought I'd start by sketching but didn't get very far as I put the sketch pad down somewhere and that's the last I saw of it; I still haven't found it. Anyway I did have a good day trying to finish off a couple of projects. These are swaps I've been part of and I hadn't got around to doing anything with them. It's nice to have a way to display what you receive.
This is the first, two more to go. A little houses swap organised by Greta on ArtyOz. The background paper and rub ons are Basic Grey. The door I made from card which I embossed using my trusty Cuttlebug, I then rusted it with Metal Effects; I love rust. The key hole is Collections and the metal house is a buckle part I bought from Julie H in her etsy store, very cool I think.

10 more sleeps till MDM.........

Michael deMeng Melbourne Workshops

2008-01-20T13:06:00.000+11:00

The count down is on, only 13 sleeps until Michael's workshops in Melbourne. The Sun class is full but there are still a couple of places available in the Soda Pop Icons class on Sat 2 Feb. For information please email kathyata@yahoo.com.au . This is such a great opportunity to learn from the international master of assemblage art, check out his work here.

Little House Swap

2008-01-20T12:19:00.000+11:00

I finished these last night, thank goodness, that's one swap out of the way.

Today I hope to have a bit of a play. I'm working on an idea I have for a swap on Paper Queens and I'd like to paint or draw an image, the only problem is I can't do either. So I have to face my fear and have a go. This could be a total disaster, we'll see.

Christmas Swap

2007-12-31T13:05:00.000+11:00

I made this for Elaine Hannam in a Christmas swap. Elaine and I got each other which was really fun.

Christmas Swap

2007-12-31T11:44:00.000+11:00

This is the house book I was so lucky to receive from Elaine. It's gorgeous don't you think?

Michael deMeng Workshops in Melbourne

2007-12-28T07:52:00.000+11:00

Michael is going to be teaching two workshops at Ancient Echoes in February. The first, Soda Pop Icons is on Sat 2nd and the second, Transparency Collage-ssemblage is on Sun 3rd. To enquire please email me kathyata@yahoo.com.au or Marg Byrne byrnemargaretm@yahoo.com These are going to absolutely fantastic don't miss this great opportunity.

The Rain

2007-12-21T23:06:00.000+11:00

With all the rain we've had in the last couple of days the creek that runs through the front of our place has turned from a trickle into a raging torrent (well nearly). It's been up over the bridge twice and the last time it happened my daughter Lisa was on an a early shift and had to wake Mark up to fix the bridge so she could drive out. The sleepers had lifted and moved, luckily they didn't float away. It's really good to be getting this beautiful rain though.

Christmas Cards

2007-12-19T20:56:00.000+11:00

A sample of the Christmas cards I made this year, mind you I didn't make too many.