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Friday 8 August 2014

PaperArtsy Playtime

Hello all!  Okay, you've had some hints, so here it is - the reason I've been missing in action lately...  The most amazing work opportunity has come up.  I'm heading to New York at the end of August to work on a show with my favourite director, and I'm going to be there for weeks at a time, and I'm going to get to meet up with the fabulous Marjie Kemper into the bargain (and if you're in the NY area and up for a rendezvous then do get in touch!) and it's all altogether beyond exciting.

I've been bouncing off the walls with the thrill of it... and also dealing with transatlantic negotiations and visa applications, trying to work out how to keep up with DT commitments (or not), not to mention an already busy August schedule.  It's been pretty full-on.

So when I was creating my piece for PaperArtsy this month, I went for some gentle, fun playtime... a little bit of whimsy and a little bit of watercolouring (with Fresco paints and Distress Stains at least) to calm my beating heart.


  
So hop over to the PaperArtsy blog if you'd like to see the results of that playtime in more detail.  I hope it'll leave you smiling too.  Somewhere in there is the desire for the quiet life and that orchard where the trees grow in straight lines... though obviously I don't want to retire just yet - the next few months are going to be too much fun!

New York does mean I have to take a break from some of my DT duties over the autumn, and it'll be quieter here at Words and Pictures for a while, but I won't be disappearing altogether, and there's plenty more still to come in August first...

I want to see an orchard where the trees grow in straight lines
And the yellow fox finds shelter between the navy-blue trunks,
Where it gets dark early in summer
And the apple-blossom is allowed to wither on the bough.

From Swineherd by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin


53 comments:

  1. Wow! Congratulations Alison - what a wonderful opportunity.

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  2. Wow!! Amazing opportunity - I am thrilled for you- congratulations! (and just think, not only Marjie, but all those wonderful American craft stores to check out...) xx

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  3. What a fabulous opportunity - congratulations! (think of all those fabulous American craft stores you can hunt out too...)

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  4. This looks lovely Alison , off for a closer look. Huge congratulations on your new opportunity and meeting Marjie too! you lucky lady. Enjoy every minute. Tracy x

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  5. Love your piece & I'm stunned at your wonderful news! Look forward to following the further adventures of Brenda :-)

    Sally

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  6. Oops not sure where the "Brenda" came from! I'm on the phone & typing and eating all at the same time :-(

    Sally

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  7. Congratulations Alison. No wonder you are doing the happy dance. Enjoy every single minute of it too. Love the pretty card you have produced while all this excitement was going on. Hugs Rita xxx

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  8. That is fantastic news Alison...huge congratulations...and I love your pages...gorgeous colours..

    luv CHRISSYxx

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  9. So thrilled for you Alison - what a fabulous and fun 'journey'. The Americans will love you! Looking forward to hearing more... Nicola x

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  10. Congratulations, these are fantastic news. Hope you'll enjoy the time :)

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  11. Many congratulations on your uber exciting news Alison and it sounds like such a fabulous opportunity you lucky thing!
    A really beautiful looking creation too.
    Fliss xx
    PS: Sorry to be MIA lately, difficult family troubles to deal with.

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  12. Congratulations Alison,you deserve this wonderful opportunity. Although sad for us we won't have you around as much feeding us eye candy :)

    Big hugs

    Donna xx

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  13. Big congrats on this opportunity and do say hi to Marjie!!
    This looks fun and playful!

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  14. Wow Alison new adventures on the horizon, no wonder you are excited. We will all still be here waiting for your posts and hoping you are having a fantastic time.

    Have fun over the pond, blessings and congratulations to you.

    Hugs:-) xxx

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  15. Congratulations Alison, what wonderful news you've shared.
    The pages you make look magical.
    Yvonne

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  16. Congratulations! Hope you have lots of fun over in New York, you will be missed. Dee x

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  17. Congratulations! Hope you have lots of fun over in New York, you will be missed. Dee x

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  18. Lovely to hear some happy news, a big congrats to you. Enjoy.
    Julie x

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  19. I need to add my congratulations - I am thrilled and excited for you, that this amazing opportunity has come your way and if that were not excitement enough, to meet with the wonderful (and lovely) Marjie.
    I am sure you are counting the sleeps!
    I shall pop on over to view your complete project.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  20. I can totally understand your excitement, it is a wonderful opportunity and I am really thrilled for you! New York is such a vibrant city and then to get to meet the wonderful Marjie too..... fabulous. Off to see your creation now.. Anne xx

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  21. wonderful Alison - so pleased for you! great pages too! Hugs Alison xx

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  22. oh wow Alison thats amazing news, huge congratulations. Love the page am seeing. Enjoy your journey, hugs Annette x



    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. Ohhhhhhhhhhh!! What incredible news! I'm so thrilled for you with this new opportunity in New York. If you will be around at the beginning of December, let me know. I'll be in NY to visit my neurosurgeon and would love to catch up with you. I will miss having your lovely presence frequently here in craftyblogland but we will glad you share your sunshine and talent with others. Spread your wings my dear butterfly and fly!! Hugs -- Mary Elizabeth

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  24. Congratulations! What a neat opportunity...and how I love NY. I am new to the blogging community and have loved your creations. Thanks for all your inspiration.

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  25. Just getting back to catching up on blogs I follow after a lonngggg hiatus and saw your wonderful news! Congratulations! I live in Pennslylvania, about 4 hours West of NYC! Sure wish it would work out to meet. But at any rate enjoy!!! So happy for you. Off to check out the details of your delightful journal page and thanks for stopping by my blog! Hugs, Yvonne

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  26. Congratulations Alison - what a fantastic opportunity - I know you'll enjoy it. Your book pages really "sing" to me, I love the whimsical house. Margie x

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  27. Such a wonderful post Alison I can feel your excitement just by reading it. All well deserved and I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

    The pages are fun and beautiful and so are the words today though 'Navy Blue Trunks' brought a different image to mind for me----then I got back on track :)

    Love Chrissie x

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  28. Well in the coming months you can be pretty sure that the conversation won't be mainly about the weather!

    Can one steal a poem, or indeed a leitmotif (in its original sense)?

    Lovely book page so I forgive you xxx

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  29. Hi Alison....this is such a wonderful opportunity and how fabulous to be in NY. Please give my best wishes to Marjie.....you will have a great time, with lots of flea markets and Michael's.
    Have a ball

    Annie x

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  30. Wow wow wow truly awesome journal pages. I so love Darcy's stamps, they are amazingly fun. I have also put your ATC ready for you, whenever your ready, I would be honoured to swap with you, maybe it will be sent all the way to New York lol. Completely caught up at last, truly enjoyed it, lots of awesome creations as always. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxxxx

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  31. Congratulations, Alison!Enjoy this opportunity!
    It's A very nice and fresh art journal page.

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  32. Alison!!! How absolutely wonderful for you!!!! You must be over the moon! And to get together with Marjie!! Yay- for you two!
    So, you will be right in the city area? I am in upstate NY-how long will you be here in the states? I'll have to put my mind bending cap on and figure something out! teehee
    Beautiful relaxing piece by the way- yes, the orchards are now in full fruit here and really quite beautiful!! xoxoxo

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  33. I am so excited for you! Congratulations and welcome to the USA!! You deserve this adventure and I will look forward to hearing about it! Your journal page is beautiful and the colors are very pretty, I must try watercoloring with the Fresco Paints too. Have a wonderful time in NYC!
    Hugs Kelly

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  34. First of all: Big, big (Apple) congratulations, dear Alison, what a phenomenal break in your life! You will enjoy evereything for sure!
    Your journal page shouts out your happy news :)
    I hope, we´ll see some news although you are over at NY!
    Hugs
    Evelyn

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  35. What fantastic news Alison!!!! I' visited NY a few times some years ago and I loved it! If only I could just fit in your suitcase !! The added bonus of meeting up with Marjie will be the icing on an already fabulous cake ! Have a wonderful inspiring time lots of love Toni xx

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  36. PS: of course I love your playful pages ! X

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  37. So glad you have some time to play and relax - nothing like a bit of journaling! This page really does look like the calm before the ….well, no, not storm, but exciting times ahead! Meeting Marge will be treat too! Hugs, Chrisx

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  38. Congratulations Alison, Wonderful news... you sound sooooo Happy enjoy!!!!Your pages are simply amazing as always....Hugs May x x

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  39. This is an absolutely gorgeous piece! I adore the whimsy of it along with that deliciously soft color palette. Beautiful work! And a huge congrats to you on all of the new exciting adventures that await you! I am not surprised in the least-- you are truly a gifted artist and I can't wait to see what the future holds!

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  40. Congratulations! What wonderful news.

    How I wish I lived on the east coast of Canada as New York is not all that far from there...but sadly i am on the far West coast.

    Now if you get an opportunity to work for a director in Vancouver, please let me know. I can show you all the sights!

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  41. Congrats on the job opportunity, sounds so exciting, no wonder you needed to make something soft and whimsy!
    Avril xx

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  42. Well, of course you're going to NY to go work on a show and meet with Marjie Kemper!! You are just an awesome artist like that, Alison!! I'm not surprised and wish you the BEST of LUCK with getting your affairs in order (you don't want to come over illegally now--you speak English, so they'd kick you out before your feet even hit the ground--) ;) Looking forward to hearing about your NY adventures in the future!! WAY TO GO ALISON!! XOXO-Shari T.

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  43. Huge congratulations Alison, what an opportunity - no wonder you are bouncing! Your pages are fabulous, maybe you'll be able to do more journaling while you're over there xx

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  44. Congratulations, Alison! Such a great and wonderfuful news!

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  45. Oh Alison... I'm so happy for you, that's looks very exciting and joyful news indeed!!! Have in great time in NY, your DTs will wait for you doubtlessly. I'm off to see your pages now, they look so adorable! :) Love and hugs in friendship, Coco xxx

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  46. Oh Miss Alison what a magical place your orchard is, love the white high lite all over, you have show cased those stamps beautifully on your pages. Hoot hoot good on you with the job, how exciting, you will be a great asset to them, would love to see you there, my bucket list of course :O), take care of your self in the Big Apple, you deserve it...

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  47. So beautiful Alison! Your trip sounds like to much fun! What a great opportunity! I hope all goes well! Best wishes!

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  48. Alison...these art journal pages are amazing! As I commented on the Paper Artsy blog, you have taken these stamps and made them your own with your choice of colors and your fabulous design. I love it! Congrats again on your amazing opportunity in NYC. I hope all goes perfectly for you. <3 Candy

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  49. Congratulations! So happy for you Alison. I love your bit of whimsy and I'd say it's just what the doctor ordered. :) Have a safe flight and enjoy the Big Apple! xx

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  50. Congrats Alison! Your page is fabulous, delicate and full of happiness!BArbarayaya

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  51. So pleased and excited for you, Alison. I know you will make the most of this wonderful opportunity! I love your page for paper artsy. Say hi to lovely Marnie!

    Lucy x

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  52. What a great opportunity! I hope you'll enjoy your time there and come back with lots of inspiration for more wonderful artpieces we can admire! :)

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  53. I am a little late coming to the party but you did tell me about your new adventure in a previous email.
    I love these journal pages - fantasy world are so much fun to live in.
    Sandy xx

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Thank so much for taking the time to stop by. It's lovely to hear what you think - every comment is so much appreciated.