• New business Soak.com based in Nuneaton organised a launch of the business which deemed to be very popular with customers coming from Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. We all had a fabulous day, I made stencils of the logo which went down well. Owen Jones the well known Mancunian photographer also attended with his fantastic flair in the modelling world, he was an asset to the day making everyone comfortable. There were videographers taking great shoots of the day with testimonies of the day. Let’s wish Soak.com many years of bathroom selling.

Well now I can feel a blog coming on, I have had a nice weekend as my life is a little bit glass half full rather than half empty. I’d like to think I’m a happy person, but on occasions I have to dig very deep.

This last three days I’ve been at a fun packed Christmas festival the entertainment has been second to none, the organisers have had everything covered I’ve had Street entertainment coming to me to make me laugh, at first I was quite scared as they had mistletoe in their hands. The older one that looked like a Victorian chimney sweep with a real cockney accent to match, had a small piece of mistletoe saying you wanna kiss with his black face and teeth! Then the younger one comes along with his large bunch because he is younger, very funny. They popped by all the time to keep us all entertained.

As I’d found out Monday I’d be doing this event, which I was very excited about all week making lots of Christmas stencils and also plaques as I make them too, to help as gifts for people for stocking fillers. So all week have been painting constantly, putting pictures together for the event, finding my flask for hot water and my Starbucks drink flask, my granddaughters Micky mouse flask. Then there’s the matter of my hot water bottle as when outside it’s nice to have just in case. Putting food together for the weekend as your so tired when home you cannot do anything. I also do lucky dips for the children so I have to go out to buy some to top up what I already have, so when in I’m almost wrapping myself up there’s that much paper, keep loosing the scissors oh not the cello tape has got stuck again get the nails on it.

So that’s sorted the lucky dip yes I think I’ve enough boys and girls too yes happy with that, food sorted, flasks, hot water bottle, bags to put it into, and condensed everything down to make less trips when I’m there. Oh then there is the matter of the weather, so I keep checking, on the Monday when I found out I was working, we had 6”-7” of snow so obviously it’s cold, all week below degrees. Friday -1 clothes are an issue to keep as warm as possible. So let me prepare so I don’t have to worry about this in the morning, right pants tick skins top and bottom tick, a nice sports top that is tight on waist and wrists, to top off nice thick jumper that always keeps me toasty. A pair of tights thick jeans then a pair of thick socks with fur on the inside, great all sorted oh hang on scarf gloves and my Uncle Teds flouresant coat bright yellow cannot miss me now. I’ve popped them on my radiator so they will be toasty when I put on in the morning. As I’m getting all these jobs done to prepare for my big weekend I’m getting excited now, then Thursday is here so shower and straighten hair to look as nice as possible. Load up car with all bags boxes tinsel Christmas lights, so until morning I’m ready to rock and roll.

Alarm set yep all good, until my brain realised I have to be up early and won’t sleep just in case I don’t wake up for my alarm, so it decided I didn’t need my sleep that night, great thanks for that. Hence to say up before alarm goes off.

Up I get ready fast not messing brush teeth hair shoes coat on and off I go, oh my life, out to car there’s almost an inch of frost to scrap off really? So get engine on then go around every window to be able to see, I still have my sticker on Coventry City Of Culture 2021 on the inside, we won last week so it made me smile. Well I managed to get in car drive very slowly out of Street once on main roads not to bad but people driving extremely carefully so took ages to get there. Go to drop off my bag boxes etc, all people great so far Ady is there so at least there is a Face I know which makes me feel better. I get a ticket for the parking, put all my items in the gazebo drive to car park then take the walk back as fast as I can to the market. Wonderful I’ve a lovely lady next to me we looked after each other all weekend if we need the loo etc.

My day is setting up putting tinsel up around to make it look visually nice. Checking everything to make sure it all looks appealing for my customers, yep all good. I generally sit down as I’ve arthritis in both my knees, so I let people read my plaques laugh then I ask which one they are reading so it then gets the conversation started rather than jumping on them as soon as they step inside.

Normally I don’t drink much so I don’t have to leave my stand but it was unbearably cold I had to have hot drinks to keep me warm on my hands and to keep my body warm too. So then the worst thing happens then oh nooo have to go the loo, so I head off as a friend of mine came to see me which is very much appreciated and I run to the loo. Well this is a feat in itself, off I go to Starbucks forgetting I’ve three layers on, I go to get in the loo, oh my it’s one of the smallest I’ve ever been in, I had to put one foot in swing on the door and swing in the other leg!  Just before me is a guy whom pissed on the loo first brilliant start, so as I’ve a cold fab I have a tissue I wiped the loo seat. Then get underneath my coat unzip Jeans pull everything down then slump onto the loo heaven go as much as I can look for loo roll oh god none, and I’ve used my tissue already ugh??? Well ladies it’s shake shake shake, flipping great we then there’s another issue I pull up pants then go to get jeans which aren’t going anywhere why what’s happening underneath this massive coat and tops I have on! Oh god yes the tights and skins too get them up first tuck them in so I get comfy. Wash the hands and go swinging both legs out the door to get back out and trying not to look like a fool on the way out.

I get back apologising for taking a while, but relieved I’d been. As the day goes by people watching enjoying entertainment selling a couple of plaques, no face painting though today, trying to stay warm, the cold was creeping through my ugg boots then three pairs of socks, to my toes, cold attcking my legs back nose fingers every part of my body, I thought at one time someone will find me frozen on my chair in a sitting position. It was unbearably cold, with a bitterness in the air.

lucky on of the stallholders was very kind and filled my flask so I could keep warm by having warm drinks, wow thank you very much! Wonderful people stallholders all the people involved Steve and Roy helped me with my gazebo and information too, so helpful thank you guys.

Jacobs 4th Birthday and Francesca’s 18th both fantastic

Fabulous day at Holbrooks Community Care Centre although weather was doing its own thing, the turn out was fantastic for us we all had a great day. People were warm friendly and patient here some pics of the great kids I had pleasure in painting.

imageUnique Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos

Taylor made for your requirements

Welcome to Unique,
Face Painting & Glitter tattoos, in and around Warwickshire and Leicestershire.
Brighten up your next Party or event with Unique Face Painting. We really do love adding sparkle and colour wherever we go, children, and adults can not resist getting in on the action!

I am a Professional painter, with plenty of experience, are able to create unique designs, using professional quality paints and glitters (for every fairy and princess) designed to be safe on the skin. Owned locally within the Midlands, quality is guaranteed.

From our Fast and Fabulous painting for busy events to one of custom designs, there is something for everyone…..
Birthday Parties, Hen Parties, Baby Showers, Parties, Corporate events, Business Promotions/ Launches, Charity Events, Fun Days, Festivals, School Fetes Community Events…. I will do it all for you!!

My job is all about making children smile, a memory that will last a lifetime, the chance to be what ever you want to be and reenact that make believe for today!

Well as having six grown children yes six! I know a bit about school holidays, and believe me it’s not all happy days I understand that but really mothers are going mental these days.

Being at a local event at the weekend lots of families in a beautiful village in Warwickshire having the most wonderful time face painting and having great fun with the children and parents too, until a lovely dad came along……….

He waited patiently with his daughters, no problem smiling chatting watching me paint some children, unfortunately in front of him came two separate families whom both boys wanted full face paints which obviously takes longer. Now this is where the fun starts Mum decided to pop over and literally have a pop at dad for being so long! I’m not waiting look at the time, we need dinner, I need to go to the shop, I’m not going on my own!!! I’m sitting painting my stomach starts to turn feeling a bit sick like I should be apologetic in doing my job because she’s not happy, I do my best to be professional and not look at her as I also see another mum roll her eyes at her too eeekkkk.

She goes away and as she goes away she starts shouting, and getting louder the further she gets, how embarrassed oh gosh I’m still painting just, dad just stands his ground and does not move very calmly standing still by his children not flinching. Wow I thought what a great guy to hold his ground with his wife who is very bossy.

You bet where is she, well she’s back again creating loudly again!!! Oh my goodness life as a face painter, this lady is doing my head in its bad enough concentrating without having a woman getting irate about dinner and going to the shop. Now I’m on the little girl in front of them thinking they would leave to get dinner, no husband is still here strong in his conviction that he will stay with his daughters no matter what she throws at him he decided his daughter would have her face painted because she wanted to, no matter what mum wants he is making sure his daughter has want SHE wants. Good on you dad.

So now their turn beautiful young lady sitting in front of me no mum in sight, I’m apologising about the wait dad said it’s ok the boys had big ones didn’t they. So we get on with a funky face paint a quick one using beautiful colours, chatting as we went she was a lovely girl, she had glitter too, I asked if I could take a photo because she looked so good, Mum comes back as I’m just finished and said that was well worth the wait!!!!

Did she realise how this made me feel let alone her children husband other customers, I could only smile thinking a least I did a good job imagine if I were a new face painter what would she of said then.

Well I’m having a great time looking after my granddaughter for two weeks we’ve had fun doing things like shopping everyone likes to shop, Face Painting, practicing gym, flying a kite, going to the playground, painting, colouring feeding the ducks, blackberry picking, sewing, knitting, gardening, cleaning, she asked me if she could mop the floors today!!! Oh bless her she is six, she came with me to a four hour business meeting and was as good as gold the whole time although I think the cakes someone bought helped a nice chocolate one. We have visited a castle of which she loved so much but what I’m trying to say is most things can be done for free yes we’ve paid a bit, but a tickle and a hug is free, time is what is nice for children, I try to give that in bucket loads. Kindness to our future will bear goodness for us when we are old.

The Godiva Festival free entertainment for Coventry.
First of all I would like to thank Coventry council for putting this event on every year. My family and I have enjoyed this wonderful weekend for years. But my outlook now is OMG it’s March I need to get sorted!!!!

Yes it’s the run up to the festival I’m running out of time, so much to do like sorting marketing, branding, signage, pictures to tell everyone which designs there are. Sorting two kits, so two lots of everything paints stencils glitter brushes, glue, brush off brush, water container, hair glitter, hair chalk, cosmetic glitter, cleanser, wipes, money bags, books to make and laminate, check last years signs find them first!!!! making bling for children which takes two days to make. Cutting stencils out finding designs I like, also cutting the Godiva Festival logo out people love it a designer logo at the festival in a glitter tattoo. Buying lucky dips and then wrapping up, some things I make so again more time needed to keep on track of July. 
Everything is in twos as I have my wonderful dream team buddy face paint buddy Sophie who helps me every year as she is so mature helpful and trustworthy I just love working with her. As I’m old I can mess around as I’ve nothing to loose and she looks at me in disgust which is really funny, she’s the young one that should be doing what I do!!! 
Sophie works really hard to help everyone around her she surprised me this year by making me some really cool leaflets for parents to fill out so we can get the children onto the social media to help with ratings all good she’s amazing. She also got Noel her fantastic boyfriend to come and help me, he too is amazing.
Coventry’s Godiva Festival has won another top award – just days before thousands are set to flock to the War Memorial Park for three days of big-names in the music and entertainment world. All for us folks in Coventry.

I pray for weeks to have good weather again another box ticked, thank goodness, that’s one we cannot control we have to hope for the best it can be.
So two weeks before the event I’m now checking to see if we have enough stock, well I think so but I will buy some more just in case we run out, I make more pics so it shows that glitter is now for teens Mums and Dads, it’s for everyone, then decided we need more bling so make plenty more takes hours upon hours, but look fantastic when finished for that festival look.
Coventry’s Godiva Festival is set for a Sunday circus spectacular, thanks to the team behind the bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021 the Godiva Festival has this year taken part in a European exchange programme, sharing the region’s home grown talent with one of Coventry’s original twin Kiel Germany also the worldwide Bhangra sensation, Panjabi MC, my friend Parm saw this and loved it she was surprised to see him here with us. Whoop. 
Coventry Godiva Festival is billed as the UK’s biggest free family music festival and has been going for 19 years. Based in the city’s historic War Memorial Park, for three days the event offers great live music, entertainment for everyone, food and drink, craft stalls, and children’s fun fair, face painting by the dream team, plus lots more community based partners. All coming out for this amazing event, to enjoy that spirit of Coventry that grips family and friends into the vortex of summer and the Godiva weekend that people so look forward to for weeks.

Organised by Coventry City Council with the support of partners, the festival prides itself on offering the best of Coventry and Warwickshire backed up by top national artists and performers. 

Godiva Festival is always in July each year. There are five stages in total across the Main Arena and Family Field:
Main Stage – A mixture of big names and local talent! 
Rock/Rhythm Tent – On Friday night, the tent becomes the Rock Tent, full of rock and metal, and by Saturday, rap, grime and acoustic sets take to the stage. 

Paradise Tent – Family comedy, street theatre and young entertainers, plus a silent disco!

Acoustic Stage – Acoustic sets. 

Community Stage – A stage for community groups to perform, including local dance troupes, choirs and youth theatre

The Urban Youth Tent features music and general advice for young people in the city. We had the wonderful Laura from the Coventry Telegraph come and asked the parents how they were enjoying the festival and taking pictures of the children which went onto the webpage. Laura came to speak to us on both days of the event she had the glitter festival look and looked amazing too.

So did I or did I not that’s the question? Well yes we managed to pack away walk back up the hill to the entertainment field a watch The Darkness, they were on fire fantastic it was still very sunny he also wore a foil suit!!!! Which he had to strip to waist pretty quick, the whole show was packed with energy and just brilliant. People started to throw the usual in paper cups so we decided to make our way home. We popped into the ska tent I managed a bit of body wriggling I had to control the bingo wings though. Then a nice ice cream as I’d lost my voice, ugh, then realised I had to drive home great, after a long day but I loved it all and Sophie and I make a Pact same time same place next year we high five and have the same smile as last year.

On Monday to my surprise I had a call from Liv, from Coventry and Warwickshire BBC Radio asking if I’d have a chat to Jo Tidman about The Godiva Festival STUNNED is the word but yes please. So I chatted to Jo and I just have a magical bubble every year, of that happy feeling everyone has.

Wow such a lot of organisation to get ready for my weekend, although joe public do not see the side to face painting, just five minutes while painting their little cherub. I’ve got the will want sometimes the energy, as I’m a big organiser having six children and twelve grandchildren my life has followed that path on many days and nights, sorting things has been my job for a very long time.

I don’t think many painters blog I hate to say this but there is some moaning, some beautiful stories of cute children, horrendous descriptions of awful parents, funny things that happened, and sad oh so sad nippets of information or OMG this happened to me today stories, all of which I love to read.

I think on average we sort ourselves out pretty good, we are all good with google maps and google earth so we know where we are going!!! I prepare pictures to show which designs I will be doing, so have to paint on a board, it’s see through just like a chopping board but it’s not. Made by a very lovely friend Sally-Ann and an amazing artist too. Well quite a few hours sorting that job out, and who just loves ironing and putting the shopping away, cleaning brushes for me is the same, so after every paint job comes the cleaning of the brushes wonderful NOT.  Once the pics are done I print off, haha yes once I’ve managed to find the picture and send via a wireless world to my printer ( which is new) and takes ages to connect with each other to print!!!

Then there’s the kit sorting, please be aware of clean face painters, my bug bear is dirty face painters equipment yuc, then us clean ones get a bad name. I use a j cloth wandering around and around cleaning my paints yes the edge with my finger nails to get in all the little grooves, and the lids also, making sure no paint or sticky fingered sweetie holding children that decided to touch my precious paints in the beginning when I’m talking with gritted teeth! Oh my then there is the water pot mine is grey, I hate grey by the way, they get grubby because of the paint, most are great until you use the black oh hell black it wrecks the whole pot, but I’m patient and take my time I clean a few times then I get the ear buds out and go inbetween the grooves to clean the whole pot could someone invent something self cleaning please. Pretty please. Now your all going to love this part of my great job GLITTER whoop I get to play with glitter, so I sort out my pots, to make sure they are all full, if not order some more online here we go another job to do. Well I feel like the GLITTER FAIRY in my house there is always some glitter on someone’s face in your dinner! Pants, in my bed as granddaughter always has on or in her hair. I make my own stencils for tattoos this takes a least half a day just to fill up where I need to be, and once again it’s this wireless world again, when it works it’s amazing when it doesn’t well lets not talk about that. Arrrrr the glue something to be reckoned with yes it has to be sticky I know that, but why oh why do I manage to get on my clothes always. Hair grips in, glitter hair gel in, brushes in, straw in in case of Darth Vader around. Monster stencils in, Vaseline in don’t ask!

Well all sorted off to work we go happy, another day I will tell you more………..