Two more pages and two more books.

This is the Vipers Bugloss page. The colours are not accurate -as usual - and the background seems to dominate these pictures. The pressed plant material is from the garden and I suddenly remembered I had some Grungeboard scrolls which I painted with gold acrylic and before the paint dried I sprinkled on some gold embossing powder and then heated it. It gives a rather nice metallic look with lovely uneven texture. A finer powder would result in a smooth finish but I like the heavier result for this project.

This is the page for Betony. Again I have used the scroll shapes to add decoration. Looking at it now it would have been good to integrate that little drawing into the background by overlapping some tinted tissue paper round the edges, but I have only just this minute thought of it!

A close up of one of the scroll shapes which I stitched directly on to the page. Grungeboard is amazing stuff - it wont tear, can be painted, stuck, stitched, takes heat and comes in various packs of shapes or just plain sheets. There is also Grungepaper and both are available from good craft suppliers.

A close-up of the capital. I splodged (a technical term) on some acrylic medium round the edge of the canvas before dipping it into gold embossing powder and heating with a heat tool to activate the powder. Again, it gives the appearance of a metallic edging.

" Art days can be so boring but Missus gave me a cuddle which was very nice".

"Dog Granny was particularly boring today as the postman brought her two books and she had her nose stuck in one or other of them for ages"

Sara Lechner's book 'Faces' is delightful - it's like a fairy story picture book for grown-ups. She works with fine felt, lace, other fabrics and many techniques to create charming and magical scenes and motifs. There is usually a little face (or several) somewhere and a story seems to unfold. The text is in German and English and the photographs of her work are excellent. Her studio is a converted hayloft and her blog is fascinating. I can't be sure of the exact title of it right now but will try to remember to post it next time so you can see for yourself.

Maggie Grey's new book is full of inspiring ideas and good advice as usual - this time she has produced it with Isobel Hall. It is such a treat to have someone to try out all the new products and then tell me how to use them! I've only had time to skim through them so far but know I shall have hours of enjoyment to come.

I must do a bit of gardening today - there are bulbs to put in and I want to plant up a couple of pots and the half barrel with something pretty to look at during the winter. My reward for any hard work will be feet up, cuppa and my two new books.

I forgot to say on yesterday's post, that at the end of the Heart Felt exhibition the hearts will be sold in aid of charity and if anyone would like to take part I'm sure Jan will be delighted. If you leave me a comment and an email address we can work out a way of getting the hearts to her.