Finishing up!

What have I been up to lately...... Well, let me tell you! 

It feel's like I've been gone forever!

Before we left for vacation, my daughter Rachael was asked to paint four paintings for our church.

She finished two of them and started the other two. I didn't realize I didn't have a photo of one of them complete, I will get another photo soon. 

The smaller two were 24"x48" and the larger two are 48"x60" and you guessed it she managed to finish the smaller of the two paintings. Packing and getting ready to move half way back across the pond was quite overwhelming for her.

She managed to paint the outlines before she left and told us to take them to church for

 someone else to finish them as our church is blessed by many artists. 

My dear husband who can draw and paint a little decided that we would finish 

them ourselves. I might add I am NOT a painter and have trouble 

drawing a straight line. So for me this was quite a challenge.

Now these rather large canvas's have been sitting in my family room for quite some time, Since the beginning of July in fact. So I wanted them done, so I could reclaim my living area again.

So I started painting what I call a glorified paint by Rachael (instead of numbers)! Many text messages, emailing of photo's and Skyping...... thank goodness for good ole' Skype, and trying to hold the computer at odd angles, Rachael was able to tell me where and what colors she wanted me to paint.

I also got lessons on how to mix certain paints to get the colors needed.

Jesus remained faceless for quite some time. I wished she had, had time to finish all the black lines.

 Hubby was busy at work and picked up overtime, but did manage to help out a few times.

I really thought painting was relaxing...... trust me.... IT'S NOT!!!

Especially when it's someone else's painting.

I was feeling very overwhelmed as time was going on and now the beginning of October.

So my dear friend Anna came over to help me out and painted the background areas for me of the crucifixion and fixing some of the detailing.

It was such a huge help and inspired me to carry on.

All that was left to finish was Jesus's face and the lantern in the nativity.

Both of which required so much detail that I didn't want to risk taking a chance on.

Bryn could have finished it, but has been working 

so much that at the end of the day is too tired.

So close to finishing, I called our friend Ray who came over on 

one of his days off to help me out!

 He spent a good couple of hours painting the face and painting the lantern and helping me figure out the background of the nativity and how to do the stars so that they would stand out at a distance.

RESULT!!!!

FINISHED!!!!! 

Not too shabby for a person who doesn't paint!

Feeling quite accomplished if I do say so myself.

Will I take up painting as a hobby......... Probably NOT! :D

I would like to say I was inspired by Jesus to get them finished, but alas 

I was inspired by returning the art studio back into my family room.

Rachael has done other canvas's for our church a year ago 6 24"x24" but

 I will have to find the photo's to post so that you can see them some other time.


I had to change to heading. I was having a lot of comments in my spam, from lots of different sources trying to sell different products.... Has anyone else experienced this on their blogs?

UK Trip Day 12 and 13

August 12th.

We left early in two cars and drove from Cardiff to Cornwall and eventually arrived at Honicombe Manor in the village of Saint Anne's Chapel, Callington, which is on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

The front entrance which is down a very small country lane.

The manor house, which had a lovely restaurant and bar.

Our Holiday Home for the week.

Our view....most of the time it was raining.

August 13th

We drove to Looe. It has been more than 30 years since we've all been to Looe. It's not at all as I remembered it. Very quaint fishing town.

We were all pretty hungry so we found this really old restaurant to eat lunch at.

Scampi and Chips for Bryn!

Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pud for me!

Roast Chicken Dinner for my Mum!

Ham Egg and Chips for Abbey!

I didn't manage to get photo's of my Dad's meal and Rachael's, my whole family think I'm weird taking photo's of meals as it is. 

Saw this sign and thought how appropriate this was, 

as seagulls and myself do not get along. 

One stole my ice cream right out of my cone back in 1997 while we were visiting St. Ives. 

I didn't even had the chance to taste it before it was gone. Cheeky Seagull. :D

After walking around Looe for a while, we drove on to Polperro.

On the way down from the car park I found this lovely little wool shop. The lady inside was so sweet I just had to buy some wool from her..... how could I not?

It's such lovely colors and so so soft.... how could I resist? Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

But I will let you know when I do.

So quaint and so many nooks and crannies to explore I wish we could have stayed there all week.

Maybe next time we go back.

Do you see the little place with the colorful picket fence and the umbrella's?? 

Thats where we sat and had delicious, freshly baked Scones with Strawberry Jam, Fresh Cornish Clotted Cream and Tea. Well, coffee for me because I'm a rebel Brit apparently, and I don't like tea.

Right by the car park is this lovely pub, but it was so crowded with coach loads of tourists, I thought I'd  just take a photo for you all to see.

Even though it was raining back at Honicombe Manor when we left, as you can see we ended up with a lovely sun shiny day.