Memory Boxes

 

These Memory Boxes were brought to the meeting in June.  Thank you to those who paint for this program.  As at the beginning of March Queensland distributed 2156 boxes, 1384 from the DFAQ.  Well done members!

 

This delightful rabbit was painted by Jenny Mayes



The next three images are from Deirdre.  She has such a lovely touch with the brush

 

Vi's cheeky little rabbit.  Don't you just love the hat.

This box was already decorated with flowers so Vi add some beautiful butterflies.

Member's Projects

Deirdre (our wonderful Treasurer) sent in these images of some of her favourite projects. 

 

Deirdre's husband is in the Police Force and she painted this box for him

Back view



Deirdre painted these 10" x 8" canvasses as 2 parts of a triptych painted in a class by Penny Morgan.
Cowrie Shell



Nautilus Shell

These images will go into the Member's Gallery and when I have a few more images in there the Gallery will be opened, so please send in your photos.

JUNE MEETING

Another good meeting this month.  Not very many of us there but we had good discussions and our AGM.  The Committee renominated and were voted back in.  We still need a Newsletter Editor and an assistant for Gail with workshops and projects.

 

We also brought in lunch which was lovely fish and chips...yum!  Not good for the waist but comfort food in this weather.  Gail was away caravanning so we didn't get an Event's Report but we are definitely having Lore Barratt in August, we just have to confirm the project.

 

 

Donna, Jenny and Penny deep in discussion

 

Faye and Trish busy painting decorations for our October Show.

 

Vi and Gillian considering the lunch menu??

 

Faye giving us a wonderful 'Show and Tell'.  See all pics below

 

Faye painted these little fairies on cardstock, cut them out, then sealed them between laminating sheets.  She then drew in the wings using glitter and adhering bling, then cut around the wings.  A great effect. 



 

For these little angels, Faye cut the shapes out of styrene foam trays and painted them in.  This is going to be our project in July.  See Coming Projects in ribbon across top of page for details.

Again Faye has surprised us with her recycling skills.  This is a spice bottle with a circle of calico (spritzed with paint to colour) attached under the lid.  The lid is coloured and a foam ball added for the head.  The wings are butterfly wings Faye bought in a shop.  Flowers, ribbon and glitter are added to finish the project.

Back view of bottle fairy.

This was a circle of fabric painted with a Christmas theme and attached to a small bottle with ribbon.  Great to fill with sweets as a gift.

This was a kit Faye had bought.  The star is cut from several pieces of fabric and bonded together.  The Santa face was an MDF cut-out painted to a pattern 

Faye suggested the star or Santa could be cut from one of these trays.
 

  So that was our meeting for June.  Please come along if you can as we do have some good discussions and little projects each month.


Donna May's workshop in May

We had ten members for this workshop with Donna a nice number.  The Peacock was painted on a matt gold cardstock using a black gouache in outline to reveal the image.  I am looking forward to seeing the finished project frame by all.

 

Faye, Gillian, Carolyn, and Vi hard at work



Judy overseeing Deirdre's work?

Judith (from north Queensland) was in town so joined the workshop too.

Nice to see Jenny back on Saturday.  Mary is concentrating on her fine work.

This image gives you an idea of our workshop area.  There is a covered area outside the doors, where we sit in the warmth during the winter months, to have our lunch.

Wendy D's Craft Group

Just to let you all know what we do down here on the Clarence River for fun! We now have been meeting for around 4 years every Friday at our craft group in an old dairy converted into craft and an entertainment area overlooking the mighty Clarence.  My heart was to begin a craft group with the women from the outskirts of Grafton that live on properties on the outskirts of our town.  There are many innovative girls out there who just love to come together and share with each other our love of the arts. We have heaps of fun laughter (at each other) and actually do some awesome art and other crafts. One of our sayings is that we have to get at least 20,000 words out on a Friday and we are nicer people!!! As many live on the outskirts of Grafton on properties which are at least 30 k away and more!!!

If any of our members are coming past this way just call in and if any teachers are driving past I am sure we could rally a class or two.
I am looking forward to hearing other member’s stories for our DFAQ group who work so hard to keep our association going. So I challenge you all to 'tell your story ' about how you keep motivated.

This year we have decided to step out and around each month we will go to be inspired and seek out an art gallery or two, we are going to Coffs Harbour and then will head to the botanic gardens to see some amazing plants and flowers to paint. So come on girls!!! I will be waiting to hear what you all have to help us in the country.
Wendy Donoghue

Out on the deck playing with watercolou​rs for a couple of 1 st timers in this area . The word is LOOSEN up baby !!!!

Sounds as though these ladies have a wonderful time on Fridays.  A great way to build friendships and gain a few skills.  Do any other members meet with friends?  Let us know.

.......Penny

 

Memory Boxes

Recently when we had a call on boxes I was a bit short on supply so had to paint a few quickly.  I chose this simple pattern of the same bear dressed differently onto nesting boxes.  It is good to have a few quick patterns on hand for this very occasion.

Don't Forget - May Workshop

Just a reminder, Donna May is giving us a Brush in a Rush on the first Saturday in May.  Check the requirements list if you are coming and if you would like to book in, see details under 'Projects'.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Below is the Khokhloma project painted on gold card using guoache which is an opaque water colour.

Wendy D's. Craft Group

 Wendy Donoghue and friends meet each Friday for a craft day.  They each do something different and enjoy the friendship of the day.  These are some of the projects they have worked on.

This is a card coloured with inks.

Beautiful Canvases using No More Gaps as a resist and coloured with inks.  The colours are very vibrant!

 

 



Another cute card using the inks.


Wendy's groups is obviously very productive!  I am sure their time together is very rewarding in many ways. 

If you belong to a friendship group or meet with a friend or two to paint, send in some information and pictures so we all can see what you accomplish.  Thanks Wendy for this article.
 

Member's Project

 

 

This is a canvas using Daley Rowney inks on autumn leaves outlined with gold metallic fine pen.  From us gals down on the Clarence.  Love from Wendy Donoghue.

Yes this is just what we want Wendy, thanks.



 

Memory Box Photos

I have managed to upload as many photos as I have taken over the time as convenor of the Memory Box Program.  If you go to the button at the top of the page for MB's you will now find you can click into the Photobucket library. 

 

I am hoping that I will be able to do the same for a member's gallery.  I just need content now so members please send me photos of your projects so we can all see.