Merry Christmas!

Last week's DesignMatters TV video was perfect inspiration to get going on making some really quick and very effective festive cards - thank you for the demo. Laura!

www.lindakemshall.com is where to look 

for DMTV (DesignMatters Television). You'll discover wonderful video demos - a new one every week plus at least 30 videos at any one time to watch as many times as you wish once you've subscribed.  There are some freebies to have a look at to give an idea of what it's all about.  

A subscription to DMTV would make a great Christmas pressie for someone special!

I like this technique so much this is my second batch!
It's really quick to print once you've carved the printing block which doesn't take long at all either.  I've used red acrylic paint and gold glitter.

I made a linocut heart shape too & used it to decorate the envelope backs.  Great fun!

Just had to share this photo of the wonderful African masks and figures on the market last week in La Place du Capitol in Toulouse centre.  The vendor is from Nigeria.  What a selection!

On my day out in Toulouse last week I visited the Musée des Augustins and was very excited by the whole experience especially as there is at the moment a temporary exhibition of works by Benjamin-Constant, a Toulousain who was fascinated by the amazing Moroccan landscape and culture.  He painted many scenes featuring romantic settings and sumptuous textiles and carpets.

The exhibition is on until Jan. 4th 2015 and is really worth a visit.

His choice of very ornate frames is amazing.  Many of them feature lovely Arabic symbols.

I had great fun trying on the Arabic costumes in the Riyad which the museum had created in a corner of one of the galleries.

The museum itself is set in a former monastery, a fascinating piece of architecture in the heart of Toulouse. 

At every turn there are statues and sculptures, 

decorative ironwork and
more amazing statues.

I didn't get to look around all of the galleries but those I did see housed breathtaking artwork. 

This nature morte/still life by Louise Moillon was one of many stunning paintings.