Chinese New Year - Chinese Flag

Red is the traditional colour of China, and yellow is said to be lucky! The large yellow star symbolises the communist ideology and the four small stars the regions of China, the total number, five, being important in Chinese philosophy.

This stamp collage is made up entirely of Chinese stamps depicting many aspects of China's history, landscape, political leaderships and culture.

Kylie Minogue on a stamp

Found these in a heap of Australian stamps - They're part of a set of 10 issued in 2001 celebrating great Australian contemporary music. Australia Day is 26th January 2012 so thought I'd go on an Australian theme! Down Under by Men at Work was a hit in 1981 and Kylie Minogue's hit, Confide in Me came out in 1994.

People collect all sorts of stamps and Music themed stamps are always popular. There are several others with Kylie Minogue on, but haven't yet come across them in the heap!

Stamp Collage Christmas tree card

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I recently made this Christmas tree from postage stamps. The idea came initially from US Greetings stamps featuring a Christmas tree bauble. I thought they would look lovely hanging from the tree along with other "stamps" including a Christmas stocking, bell, angels and toys.

Merry Christmas!

These are available in Made in Stroud Shop, Stroud, Gloucestershire and also in the pop up shop in Beechwood Shopping centre, Cheltenham which is called Artshop run by the disabilities charity Artshape. They have a great range of reasonably priced artwork made by students, tutors and supporters of Artshape. A great place to purchase unusual and individual gifts.

The shop will be open until 24th December.

Open Studio - I Saw three ships

News of my exhibition, I Saw Three Ships, has appeared in both Stroud newspapers, The Stroud News and Journal and Stroud Life, in the What's On pages. Hopefully with leaflets also having been distributed in shops such as Made in Stroud, Stroud Art Shop, Pegasus art shop, Stroud Subscription rooms and via e mail and post to known contacts, should have a few visitors this week-end.
All is now ready and the mince pies are in the oven! Just hoping for a good day, weatherwise.
Park in Bisley road by the cemetery and walk short distance along to the studio. Plenty of signs to help visitors find the way.
I'm really pleased with new work including a Christmas tree, made entirely from stamps from all over the world, and particularly love the Christmas tree baubles and Christmas stockings which are made from US Christmas stamps!