PwC Panto - Treasure Island

That’s my involvement in PwC Panto done for another year so I’m awaiting the inevitable Panto Blues. This is the third year that I have been involved and I’m still blown away by the sheer talent and dedication of 200 PwC staff and alumni. It really is an amazing production with staff creating all aspects of the show - script, directing,choreography, sets, wardrobe, acting, props and of course, my favourite, makeup! I believe we also need to recognise the impact that it has on our families. Without Cliff running the show at home there’s no way that I could be involved. 😘

Every year #pwcpanto gives away over 8000 tickets to inner city schools and communitity groups, who otherwise would not have a chance to see live theatre. I’m delighted to have been part of the hair and make up team again this year and leave you with a few images of my involvement - Billy Bones (with an amazing East Kilbride accent 😂), Pew, Sandra (and Barb 🤣), Island Chief and of course Cedric the Octopus.  What an absolute honour and privilege to be involved in bringing the octopus in the costume design of our school competition winners to life.

For those of you on tour to Nottingham, have fun and break a leg! I’m off to sort out my hundreds of photos and videos…

https://www.pwc.co.uk/who-we-are/pantomime.html

Completed Art Studio

I arrived home tonight, following a week in London, to a finished art studio - yipppppeeeee! To say I’m excited doesn’t really cover it. Cliff has worked his wee bottom off to get it finished and I’m delighted with the result. The floor and workbench are recycled Junkers Beech from Heriot Watt University which was rescued by Hargreaves Reclaimed Flooring following a flood in the gym. I love the quality of the wood and the random patterns and colours created by the various court lines. Now all I need to do is move in, have a studio warming party and get creating! Thanks Cliff. 😘

https://www.hargreavesreclaimedflooring.co.uk

Needlefelting class

I held my first ever needlefelting class this month and I am so impressed with what everyone produced in a 3 hour slot of time. They made it look easy and I really enjoyed advising them. As usual, I learnt a thing or two as well. In my opinion, the class was a success. I wonder if any of the attendees have caught the needlefelting bug?!

Art Studio here I come!

Yippeeeeeeeee! Building Control have approved the plans for my art studio! Bi-fold doors have now been sourced and ordered. I am ridiculously excited and can’t wait to get started.

Isle of May National Nature Reserve - 6 July 2019

I had the honour of seeing the wildlife on the Isle of May with my friends. I think that the last time that I saw a Puffin was at my history class school trip to Shetland which was a very long time ago! I had forgotten what beautiful creatures Puffins are and how small they are. We were really lucky to be able to see 2 rescued Pufflings up close as SNH set them free. I proved I can run as I scampered from dive bombing Terns protecting their chicks! We saw a few grey seals bobbing about in the water but none up close. The baby gulls were so fluffy that I just wanted to give them all a cuddle. I suspect their parents wouldn’t have approved! 😂 I sat on the rocks for ages watching the Shags regurgitate food for their babies and just absorbing all the birds flying around and the rabbits hopping about with their babies. What a fantastic way to spend the day. It was just what I needed to clear my head of noise and nonsense. Needless to say, I have many ideas for my art work now and was delighted to capture such a good image of a Puffin. Oh - if you are looking for somewhere to eat go to the East Pier Smokehouse at St Monans. The food is fabulous - so fresh and really delicious.

Inaugural Made in Midlothian event - 23 June 2019

Today marks the day of the inaugural “Made in Midlothian” event (10am - 4pm, Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith) showcasing products made by people based in Midlothian.  Clifford Lough and I will be there selling our bottle lamps, garden sculptures, needlefelting and prints. Dtacos Taco Van will also be there selling his mouthwatering tacos. I am running a needlefelting demonstration.  We believe we have supplied something for everyone with a variety of stalls (pottery, wood turning, lamp shades, cake, art, crafts, reflexology etc.), free demonstrations, free live music, food, workshops (for adults and kids), massage.  Who doesn’t like food, art, music, free textile mending?!  There are many very talented people in Midlothian who would be delighted to have your support. I hope to see you there for a blether if nothing else!

https://etsy.me/2Ouh3HV 

https://etsy.me/2Ols2YP

What is a Tomte?

Many of you have been asking me “What on earth is a Tomte?”. This was exactly the question I asked when the one and only, Dave Walters, introduced them to me.  A few years ago I discovered the delights of Dave’s “Gnominations”.  These are awards given to people for, erm..., various degrees of stupidity - much like the Darwin Awards.  That year the prizes were Tomtes and I immediately fell in love with these wee guys.  Those of you who know me well may not believe this, but, I didn’t win a Tomte! I was gutted!  So much so,  that I found out where Dave ordered them from and bought my own (see photo).  I love Tomtes so much that I started making them myself 😍.

Now, I know you are thinking, that’s all very well but you still haven’t actually told me what a Tomte is!  So, A Tomte or Nisse is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore, today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. They are generally described as being no taller than 90 cm (35 in), having a long white beard, and wearing a conical or knit cap in a bright colour. They often have an appearance somewhat similar to that of a garden gnome.

Visit my Etsy shop to see my Tomtes:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MariaCampbellCrafts

Dalkeith Arts Committee Member

Today I had a meeting with Mary Blair, Dalkeith Arts Chairwoman. She asked if I would join the committee. I am so flattered to be asked, but more importantly, delighted to get back to the art world properly. I have agreed to a 3 month trial from January. Dalkeith Arts is a community arts group for Dalkeith and the surrounding district. They are not a profit making company but a local community arts group promoting, supporting and providing a forum/outlet for artists and crafters in the Dalkeith area. They provide events for the enjoyment of local people. I’m proud to be involved. ☺️

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=261131700670189&ref=content_filter

My new Etsy site

I am delighted to say that I managed to get my Etsy site built yesterday in order to sell my crafts. At the moment it is all needle felting. Please have a look if you have a spare minute. Feedback is welcome!

Dalkeith Arts Autumn Exhibition 2018

Tonight I handed in my paintings and needlefelting to Riccio Gallery in Dalkeith for the Dalkeith Arts Autumn Exhibition. I was very excited about the variety and quality of work that has been submitted. It is well worth a visit to Riccio’s over the next two weeks. I was delighted to see work from artists that I know - pottery from Yellow Door Studio and some lovely soaps made by the children at The Art Club. I also fell in love with some beautiful autumn glass work and a portrait by Newton. Cliff has offered me a deal - sell one of my paintings and I can buy some art. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Dalkeith Arts - The Big Draw

The Big Draw is an event run by Dalkeith Arts where an image of a popular painting is divided into equal portions, painted by 16 artists over 2 hours, then reassembled to reveal the image as a whole. I was delighted to participate in the challenge. The painting chosen for dissection was The Harbour (1934) by Sir William George Gillies. I love that the artist selected was local. He was born in Haddington, lived in Gorebridge and trained and taught at Edinburgh College of Art. I hope I did my section justice!