I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Tim and Finn

Hello all!  I've been having the most amazing few days of inspiration, first with the one and only Tim Holtz in Coventry on Thursday, and then the one and only Anna Dabrowska (a.k.a. Finnabair) in Swindon on Saturday and Sunday... oh, yes, it's glamorous locations all the way here!

But who cares about the towns when the crafting and the company is this good?!  I got to meet so many friends from Craftyblogland, most of them for the first time: Brenda, Astrid, Annie and Rita, Jenny, Emma, Chris, Alison, Gillian, Neet, VonLesley, Minxy/Nicky as well as lots of lovely new people too.  

And I had a wonderful, wonderful time in the classes.

Both Tim and Anna are brilliant teachers - enabling and inspiring - and, interestingly, both played the "don't overthink it" card very strongly... right up my non-planning street!  We got to play with some lovely crafty goodies; and it's amazing what we got done in the time.

In one afternoon with Tim - just as enthusiastic, generous, and passionate about the crafting in real life as he is in all those youtube videos - we created virtually a whole tag book.  Most of us went away with some embellishing still to be done, including me, so I'll share that creation soon, once I've had time to do the finishing touches.

But I can share some quick pictures of what I got up to in Anna's classes over the weekend... These are just shots from the craft table - I'm looking forward to getting some close-ups when the sun comes out.  So we have...

... a layout, 12x12 ...


... a dimensional canvas, 6x6...


... journal covers, back and front...


... and we even started a couple of journalling pages for the inside too...


I'd somehow managed to arrive at a Finnabair workshop without any photos to use, so this last one depended on a card bought at the supermarket on the first evening, hence the - for me - slightly unusual subject matter!


If you get a chance to go on one of Anna's workshops, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.  I feel so lucky to have been on the receiving end of so many ideas and techniques, so much inspiration...  Now all I need is the time to sit down and play!  

I also want to do some catching up with you all to see what you've been up to in the meantime, so I won't stay long now.  Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you out there in Craftyblogland soon.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward

71 comments:

brenda said...

Now your just trying to make us all envious Alison, but what a fabulous collection of artwork you have to show for your days with you know who.

B x (not in the least green)

Baroque duJour said...

you did some amazing work, and lots of it. I am so excited as I will be going on a course with Anna in September here in Ireland. Thank you so much for inspiring me and yes envy, Tim as well, oooh you are a lucky girl. love your blog.

Rita said...

Fabulous time with Tim and I was so pleased to meet you Alison. I still have lots of happy memories. Your class with Finn looks amazing. Annie and I are going to Anna's class in Glasgow on the 5th October. Take Care. Hugs Rita xxxxxx

Sophie said...

Meine Güte, ich bin eben fast vor Staunen vom Stuhl gefallen... :-)
Was für Werke, was für eine Kunst!
Ich bewundere dein Können, es ist einfach unglaublich.
CHAPEAU!

Von said...

It was lovely to meet you too Alison :)and I love your journal pages !
Von ♥

Astrid Maclean said...

First of all, it was wonderful sitting right next to you and out of the corner of my eye observing how these pieces slowly (or actually quite speedily) came together! They all look fabulous and even better in the flesh! It was wonderful meeting you Alison and I really hope there will be another chance soon!!

toni said...

Creative fun all the way! The work you did with Finnabair looks absolutely fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing what you did on your Tim day too x

Dorthe said...

OH you very lucky people, I would have loved being there with you and Astrid...and surely all the others ,too- being teached from Tim, and Anna- Envy is not nice...but I do !!!!
What you came home with looks stunning- and so beautiful- I love what Anna does, and the art from her class, is fabolous Alison.
xo, Dorthe

Carol Q said...

wow Alison, your pages are to die for! I really wish I'd hopped in the car and driven down the road to say hi to everyone as I don't live far away. next time ..... lol

Julie Lee said...

This is terrific, Alison! I so love Anna's work, which I've pored over often on her blog and her YouTube videos; it would be a dream come true to attend one of her classes. I love what you did in these images - wonderful colours and superb textures. I love those wistful ladies on the first couple of images. Thanks for sharing. Julie Ann xx

Annie said...

Wow! Love this style..... Your work is amazing Alison..can't wait to take the classes in October and November.

You must be exhausted x

Crafty hugs
Annie x

Chrissy said...

Each and every one is stunning Alison... love the layouts, the flowers and colours and textures...just gorgeous.I even love the golfer..lol..the journaling covers and pages are just beautiful..gorgeous work.

luv CHRISSYxx

Jenny Marples said...

Most impressed with the amount of stunning artwork you completed in that short space of time! Clearly you've soaked in a whole heap of information and technique to add to your already awesome collection. So good to get a too brief catch up on Thursday. Must do it again soon. Hugs, Jenny x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow you lucky thing, what an amazing time you have had. Love your samples, all gorgeous. The dimension and colours are amazing. Tracy x

May said...

O my word Alison...sounds as though you have had a fantastic time... these creations are Amazing...Can't wait to see what you got up to in Timmie's class... Hugs May x x

Brenda Brown said...

Such an amazing weekend, I loved every minute of it and had to keep pinching myself I was really making these projects. Love the outcomes of your hard work, beautifully designed and put together and it was lovely to meet you irl and spend time with you. Looking forward to doing it again sometime in the future.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Helen said...

Fantastic looking workshops - I was following on twitter from Emma and Gillian but didn't realise you were there too - I had so wanted to go, but at the time of booking it wasn't possible financially.... hope to make it to one or more of Finn's classes soon!

Debi said...

I loved my Finn workshops, she's so lovely and so inspiring :-)
lovely creations, Debi x

Netty said...

thank you for sharing all these beautiful creations Alison, your enthusiasm radiates. Annette x

Claudia N. said...

Hah, I was already (impatiently) waiting for a report, Alison,

but your projects images are more than enough of a proof: you had an awesome time there and a lot of fun! They are fantastic!

Can't wait to see the finished TH goodness ;)

Hugs,
Claudia x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, I'm missing words. Lucky you :) I'm sure that these days were wonderful. All of your creations are fantastic.

froebelsternchen said...

What you did with Fin looks just genius... I am curios about your Tim Tag book...also

Alison.. I can imagine how exciting and inspiring this was... fantastic!

xxx Susi

Tincan Crafter said...

Alison that is just gorgeous! Love the blue page with the metal filigree flowers the best!

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, you must still be on Cloud 9 after so much inspiration! Love what you did with Finn (can't wait til November when I get to do a day with her), she is so inspiring and your work is stunning.

Thanks for all you tried to do on my behalf, you are a real gem and I truly appreciate it! Hugs, Anne x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oh wow !!!!! What fabulous pieces. So pleased for you all but terribly envious. Just trying to work out whether I can get to Glasgow for Anna d's next visit.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

You had lots of inspiration Alison...what a great results...they are all special! Chapeau :-)

Ozawa said...

Wow, ganz große Kunst!

Und die Eindrücke, die man auf solchen unweigerlich gewinnt, sind natürlich auch nicht zu verachten!

Terry said...

I have met Brenda and it is the most amazing feeling to share time with a friend IRL! What a wonderful time you all must have had. These products are so inspiring and as gorgeous as can be! Enjoy the week!

Julia said...

Wow! What a lot of beautiful things. So glad you had such a good time. X

sam21ski said...

Well I know you all had a fab time from all the tweets over the weekend from your fellow class mates - lol

Great projects and looks like you all had loads of goodies to play with.

Sam xxx

Almo said...

Hi Alison, I am blown away by this beautiful work you have done with Finnabair, the detail and content is amazing - lucky you 2 workshops with two amazing tutors in one week glad you enjoyed them. Hugs Mo x

The House of Bears said...

Oh,wow, what beautiful projects, and you are so lucky to get to the classes and meet crafty friends too. We can't wait to see your TH piece too,

Evil Edna said...

oh wow.EE

Anonymous said...

What a creative time you have been having those past few days. It must be amazing to meet up with blogging friends and to immerse yourself in such inspiration. I've never managed to attend classes or workshops and have this wonderful view of what it must be like.
Alison how I absolutely adore your creations and the fact you managed to squeeze Lily Elsie into your art makes it all the more worthy of a ladylike swoon from me.
Wishes
Lynne

Chris said...

Sounds like a fabulous few days Alison and I'm so glad you had a great time at the classes and meeting up with friends....soul food!! Love what you made, so productive and such gorgeous pieces of art. Chris xx

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous projects, sounds like you had an amazing creative few days.
Yvonne x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh! I do hope you find time to play! These really look amazing - the journal cover especially! I can see clearly this was such a fabulous workshop! You lucky girl!!
It was really great to meet you on Thursday - looking forward to seeing what you do with your TH tags! I'm taking mine to our caravan but if it's dry I think finishing the decking will be the priority - booooo!!
Chrisxx

Smile_Art said...

Wooooow! Your works are amazing! I miss the words. You're so talented! Love it!! :)

Sandy said...

I am pea green with envy! Alison your makes are just beautiful - gorgeous!! You are so lucky to be able to attend both of these workshops.
Sandy

Nan G said...

Wow! Amazing work in such a short time! I'll say it I'm 'green'.... Guess I will be saving up to take some classes if either TH or Finn comes close to me! Can't wait to see your TH tag book.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow, Alison sooo beautifull I really , really like all your beautifull work, and lucky me, I will have a workshop wit finnebair next monthe to, but unlucky for me I took only one workshop and not the whole weekend, but at your blog and Astrids blog I can see that it will be wonderfull!!

Greetings
Maria

chrissie said...

So pleased you enjoyed both of the workshops and the work you have showed us today is just stunning.So many different colours and ideas Alison I will be coming back again and again to this post to take everything in

Love Chrissie x

Deborah said...

I'm not envious (much!) Alison :-)I can see you got so much from the class - every one is lush and lovely and I LOVE the vivid greens on the last one. Looking forward to seeing your TH book.

Unknown said...

Beautiful work! The colours are so lovely, how wonderful to get to to work with such an inspirational artist.
I'll have my eyes peeled for classes next year, fingers crossed!!

Paper Profusion said...

All are absolutely glorious Alison! Will study in detail later. You continue to outdo yourself! Nicola x

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh my goodness!!! These projects are incredible. Beautiful work -- I can't believe you did these in a couple of days. They look like you worked on them for weeks. Loved the quote at the end of the blog -- looks like you had some *great* teachers last week :) How fun to be inspired and then turned loose to be yourself and create. -- Mary Elizabeth

Lucy Edmondson said...

Looks like you had an amazing time! I absolutely love what you have made. I had a feeling Finnabair's style would be just right for you!

Lucy x

Candy C said...

Alison...absolutely gorgeous pieces that you've created using the Finnabair style. Your colors and composition are so elegant and vintage at the same time. LOVE THEM! You obviously have such an artistic eye and can just "see" how something should be created. <3 Candy

Ellie Knol said...

They all look fabulous!

cathylynn said...

Luck you Alison!!! These pieces are totally awesome and gorgeous and what a grand time you must of had among all of those creators. That would be like a dream come true.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

It was so lovely to see you again Alison. What a fabulous, fun weekend we all had in sunny Swindon!
Your projects all look amazing!
Hope to see you soon,
Alison x

Cocofolies said...

Wow, wow, wow, wow !!!! What can I say more ?... Thank you for sharing Alison, that's really fabulous. Coco x

sara j said...

I am - well - there's just no getting around it. I'm jealous. I would love to take a class from Finnabair...your work is just wonderful...great job. How fun to meet people from Blogland. Sometimes I am sad I am so far from everything (but then I look out me window and I'm rminded why I live here). Your blog today is a shot of much need inspiration. Thank you Alison - it's a good thing you are doing here!! And I appreciate it. Love the words...

Minxy said...

You met me too, was a lovely weekend with great company xo All your projects look great xo

Hettie said...

Wow! What a lucky girl you were. Fabulous projects. Wish I was there.
Hugs
xx

Kath Stewart said...

stunning projects Alison...can't wait now for my class with Finn in Glasgow...hugs kath xxx

Andrea Small said...

oooh - so TEXTURAL! Want to touch...
A x

Dianne said...

Well first off THANK YOU for posting all those links to the FABULOUS artist, I had a awe inspiring journey looking at all ther blogs. WOW that workshop jam packed with all that talent, A DREAM WORKSHOP.... Those 2 layouts are FINTASTIC, I loooooove the 12x12 layout,the journal cover goooooorgeous, your not the only one to have forgotten photos :), those 2 pages are sooooo beautiful,the inspiration you got is singing all over this post, thanks so much for sharing it...

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What grand projects! I hope someday to take a class with Ania.

Bärbel said...

Liebe Alison, um diesen Workshop sind Sie zu beneiden, die Ergebnisse sind atemberaubend schön und ich kann mich gar nicht satt sehen an diesen Layouts.

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Whaaaaaaa, I wasn't there, more wha wha wha. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful art, wow and more wow! Each project is so different, and fabulous!

Kelly said...

I am on the wrong side of the earth! I love Finnibairs style and you were in her class and Tim's , lucky person and then I see some people I visit on your list, what a great time you all must of had!! I am happy for you and so glad you are sharing what you made with us. Bravo on the canvas and 12x12 pages. I love the stunning journal covers and the pages are very nice. You already had talent in this style and now you should go on and make your own line of papers, embellies, I will buy them!!
Hugs Kelly

Unknown said...

Your projects are amazing!!!!!!! I bet you had a blast!

Anna-Karin said...

You have had lots of fun lately Alison! And how great to meet up with all those crafty friends! I bet you must have had a wonderful time.

Kezzy said...

Oh wow, I have took a class with Tim before buttthis time I was going to be on holiday, he is an amazing teacher. I would love to take Finnabairs class but yet to see one where I can travel to with my bad back, maybe one day. Loved the stuff you made :-) Kezzy xxx

craftimamma said...

What an amazing weekend of inspirational teaching we had from Anna! Added to that privilege was the getting to meet so many friends from Blogland both old and new. It was really great to meet you at last even if we were too busy to do more than touch base as it were, lol!

I think a lot of us fell in love with those colours for our journal covers because I've used very similar, lol! I wish it was easier to capture the lovely mica sparkle.

All your creations are wonderful Alison and well done on getting so far with your journal pages. Mine are still not finished but I will do them before very long.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous layout and pages Alison, have seen lots of photos, looks like a wonderful weekend was had by all!
Avril xx

Kasia said...

WOW! Alison, you did so amazing creations! I am so impressed with your work. I have no words to express my admiration for your creativity :)

Margaret said...

I haven't had a chance to stop by for a while. You have been quite busy and I love all of the gorgeous projects you posted here! So much texture and I love the vintage photos too!

Marjie Kemper said...

Oooooh lah lah! These are just totally scrumptious. I was able to take these classes with Ania here in July and I know just how excited you must have been. A real treat!

Bonnie Irvine said...

Ahhh! These creations are gorgeous. I love how you have managed to put your own Butterfly spin on Anna's process and materials. You have inspired me anew.