WOO HOO FOR WEDNESDAY

Welcome WOYWWERS (that's Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at Julia's! It's time to reveal the contents of my desk again, and this time it's something a bit different. As you know I've been bitten by the art journalling bug, in the course of which I've hankered after some different kinds of collage sheets, rather than the vintage photos which form the greater part of my collection - although I have a few Teesha Moore sheets too. In the end it occurred to me to make my own, so this is my first attempt at doing so ... haven't a clue how I ought to be doing it, or even whether to photograph the result or scan it or what, so any hints gratefully received. My journal is also open on the desk to give me inspiration for the kinds of elements I wanted to produce.

A lot of collage sheets are simply beautiful but are already complete works of art in their own right. I don't want to just cut something out and stick it down, I'd rather have distinct elements that I can use, or cut up if the fancy takes me, so that was my guiding principle.

And it wouldn't be fair not to show you the completed effort, so yer tis. Some things are coloured but I've deliberately left others black and white so they can be coloured at need. Every element is an original drawn by me, so that I can't infringe anyone's copyright. Feedback much appreciated - negative or otherwise - and I hope to make this available as a freebie when I've figured out the best way to reproduce it ...

ANOTHER JOURNAL PAGE

Making this art journal is not only pressing every creative button I have but proving to be deeply therapeutic. It's quite new to me but seems to bring together all the elements I most enjoy about making art - painting/colouring, collage, doodling and most of all writing and recording. I'm still learning of course, and can't wait to work on a larger page, but for now this small size will do to explore the possibilities, and is getting me through a dark time in my life.

I made the background on watercolour paper with Distress Inks, Victorian Velvet and Rose and added a framework of strips cut from patterned paper scraps. Doodled and coloured my way around the edges, added the girl and gradually worked my way through the writing, filling in the gaps with more doodling.

And for those who care to know .... things already look better.

AND ON MY WORKDESK THIS WEEK ....

YEE HAW I'm back! Don't ask about last week I really don't want to go through that again. Anyway here I am with the WOYWW inspired by the wondrous Julia and on my desk this week is my gorgeous new pink mat, which sort of fell into my trolley when I went to the Range to buy PVA glue. In my defence I have to say that it lifts my spirits summat wonderful, so was a complete snip at the price. You may notice a slight fondness for pink here and there if you look around ...

And having taken to art journalling like a duck to water, as you can see I was working on another entry here - but it can't be revealed because it's not finished. Don't know if I've ever mentioned that the "hutch" at the back of my desk is an Ikea CD shelf which I turned upside down, so that it gives me a shelf and those little cubby holes. Works for me and is great for ink storage, although this is far from being my entire ink pad collection, just my most used.
Anyway, thought I'd do a bit of a swing for you this week, so this is the left side of my bay window desk, which offers a view of my Homebase cake stand, sprayed pink by me. I really really wanted one of these, but since I've had it am not sure if I've found the perfect use for it yet. I do keep my Distress ink knobs (applicators) in the top, but otherwise it's a bit of a dumping ground. Suggestions for using the lower portions welcome!

And last of all, here is another journal layout - don't read it if you are of a nervous disposition, it wasn't a good day. Am happy to report that a more positive one followed ... Distress ink background, some bits punched out of scrap paper, a stamped face (I forget whose) and LOTS of doodling, which is my favourite bit.
Will be back to look at other desks later - I never get to all of them and have stopped even trying, I just dip in and out at random because that's the best I can do. Sorry if that bugs you.

MORE JOURNALLING

Decided I didn't like the journal cover made from fabric - and anyway bits had dropped off it - so set to making another. I wanted a loose leaf format (not sure why) so this is the result, made in my new favourite duck-egg blue colour (the bathroom is gonna get the same treatment shortly)! These papers are from Basic Grey's Marrakesh range - absolutely delicious. I added metal corners and one of the Tim Holtz frames I've been saving for something special ... well they're too expensive to just waste aren't they??

And this is the inside with my first page in place - working on another one now, which I will be putting up soon. I still like this one and feel I've discovered something really important in my new enthusiasm for keeping an art journal ... have already decided that the next one will be BIGGER! At 4.5 x 6" these pages are already feeling much too small.

I made the book below as a gift for our American friends who were our hosts for part of our trip to Virginia in May. I had a lot of fun making it, and it celebrates their ancient links with the "mother country" and its aristocracy, and has all sorts of Royal paraphernalia inside ... hence the brass crown on the front which I antiqued with chalk inks, and the key which got the treatment with mixed metallic embossing powders.

BELATED WEDNESDAY

I'm back from Italy and this is what's on my desk today ... inspired by this blog, I've been planning to start an art journal for some time. Something is going on in my life which got me starting work on it, because there was something I really wanted to say. I've used this cover that I made some time ago to hold loose leaf water-colour papers, which is a sewn project of fabric around pelmet stiffener.

I've admired Kate's work for some time, and hope my page is only inspired by and not copied from her ideas. Working on watercolour paper I coloured it with Distress Inks and then added some spray inks, collage items, the heading, and the stamped Madonna. The pages are only 4 1/2 by 6" so its a relatively small space to work in.

This is the finished page - a combination 0f doodling, collage and stamping - all the elements I love. It's very personal, but I guess that's how it should be ... I wouldn't share it if I didn't want to.

If you want to see other (even more interesting) desks, which are boldly displayed every Wednesday, get on over to the WOYWW Queen Julia to find out more ...

THAT CAME AROUND QUICK!

Here we are again revealing all for the benefit of the WOYWW crowd - only this time it's my desk rather than my workdesk if you see what I mean, because this is where I'm working at the moment. Things are flowing rather nicely with Bestseller No.2 (and no, thanks for asking Bestseller no.1 hasn't attracted a bidding war just yet)!

It's a lovely big desk - I got a joiner to build me two drawer pedestals and the top is a flush door, £11.99 from B & Q! How's that for money saving, and I've had it donkeys' years. I've got a few art postcards on the wall that I like to look at, and some of my smaller altered pieces on a shelf above with reference/inspiration books. The pink letter trays were a gift from a friend who knows I am partial to such things, and you can also see one of my two noticeboards - the other is mainly for notices and photos, but this one contains lots of pieces of art, many of which were from friends.

A closer view below shows you the precious little things which live on the monitor stand - gifts from friends, a fossil I found, that sort of stuff. And this gorgeous girl perched on the edge is Lizzie, my best friend and sternest critic. If what I'm writing is utter b******s she gives me this look, and I know it's time to hit the delete button. If you're interested to know such things she's an Obitsu jointed doll and completely poseable - they arrive bare, without even a face, so I painted her features and gave her this wig. I think she deserves a better one really but they're a bit expensive. This is actually her winter outfit - I've got a more summery one somewhere, but forgot to change her into it. She's not bothered either - it's not like its tropical out there is it? How do you like her nifty pink trainers?

So anyway, the reason I'm working here is that I'm well into chapter two of next Bestseller, and you can have a sneak preview below. Made a good start by getting my heroine away from dull, bankrupt and unfaithful husband and off to start a new life ... she's about to go to Tesco for some cushions. Blimey I know how to tell a rattling good yarn don't I??

Usual disclaimer - I'm afraid that I already know I won't get around all the other desks - my enfeebled physical condition doesn't allow it now WOYWW has got so big, but I will drop in and out randomly of as many desks as I can get to. Go on over to Julia's place if you want to know more ...

HAPPY WEDNESDAY

It's so nice to be back with the WOYWW crowd again after our holiday - which is what you find me scrapping here, trying to capture the memories of our favourite place. And here's a closer view if like me you're nosey and want to see more.

Yes I DID buy all sorts of stash goodies in the USA, including a new camera, and now that the lead I needed has arrived I will be uploading the photo I took of it all! Oh happy days, all I have to do now is find homes for everything. The one thing I really REALLY want to show you is THIS!!

You probably already know my great love for all things pink and spotty, and a few months back I managed to buy (second hand) the trolley and bag which match the above, but had looked everywhere for the round and round tote thingy (what ARE they called anyway?). Having discovered that this is a discontinued colourway I had given up hope, so imagine my delight when browsing the aisles of KMart I came across this!! Embarrassed my dearly beloved by snatching it up and doing a happy dance - I think he got the impression that I was pleased about something. So now it is sitting on my desk looking gorgeous and this weekend I'll be off to the crop with my Matching Luggage!! Obviously I don't care about material things like this at all ..... but if you want to see more go on over to Julia's Place where other desks await. I apologise in advance that I really won't be able to leave comments on more than about 40 desks, after which I'm afraid I wilt ... so am planning to drop in on various WOYWWers at random. This really isn't just a pathetic excuse for not bothering - I suffer from Fibromyalgia and can't concentrate very well or sit at the pooter for too long.

I'M BACK!!

Returned from Virginia USA earlier in the week and the brain fog caused by jet-lag is clearing nicely. Sadly it hadn't done so in time for me to take part in the WOYWW anniversary on Wednesday - I even made the project specially before I went away, so that all I had to do was upload it when we got back. Duh, completely failed to remember until today ... so better late than never, here it is.

In case you're not a "Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday" afficionado, Julia asked us to celebrate the first anniversary by making something decorate which incorporated the WOYWW initials. My effort was this chunky ATC made from a wood block ...

I painted most of the wood cream, and then stamped on the block itself first before adding a coat of sealant over everything. I used all sorts of new stuff on this - some Paper Artsy stamps which I cut out and watercoloured, and the remains of some script tissue paper. The key on the side is made using a Tim Holtz die to which I added lots of layers of embossing powder until it looked really 3D. I also included some watch parts I've had for ages, and the quote just seemed to fit seeing as the block is a "box" which doesn't open! (I know what I mean).

As you can see the WOYWW logo is down there at the bottom, and the final detail was a clock face before adding another coat of sealant to finish off. Yes it's my usual cream/brown vintage thing ... I seem to keep coming back to it whatever.

I did manage just a teensy weensy bit of stash shopping while in the USA, but until I can find the lead for my camera can't upload the picture to show you - watch this space!

Goodbye for Now

I made this for Hel's challenge but, while I don't mind adding a quick link, instructions about putting stuff in the sidebar etc just feels like too much effort, so I didn't actually enter. However, the challenge was to include gold, and as you can see it's there! This is made using a small wooden frame about 5" tall - they were only 99p per pack and are meant for children to decorate (!) with felt tips etc and I bought them in packs of four and threw away the cheapie felt tips. That left me with nice wooden frame shapes for altering, how's that for thrifty crafting?

I coloured the background with Distress Inks then stamped over it and added the gold bits. The sentiment is also a stamp and a message I rather like ... so this will find a home somewhere in my studio, unless I decide to give it to a friend.

Won't be posting for a couple of weeks because we're off on holiday tomorrow, ash clouds permitting .....

WOYWW time ...

Wednesday again ... although to be 100% truthful (which I do TRY to be) this is actually a desk from slightly earlier. You wouldn't like it at the moment - bare, clear, tidy - no, I don't like it either.

So anyway, I was card-making for a Stampin Up project with some new colours. Pot of water is out again (but clean this time) as I was only doing some shading work on that there flower. I do love water-colouring, paint brush in one hand and stamp in the other seems to be my natural habitat!

And in case you're interested, here's a close up of what I was working on.

And this is the other card you can see which I'd just finished - inspired by an article in the Craft Stamper magazine you can see open on the desk. I was messing about creating backgrounds on a sheet of watercolour paper, stamped butterflies with a bleach stamp pad, and you then iron it with a hot iron and it bleaches out the background colour where you've stamped. Simples!

So if you're interested in seeing more desks get on over to Julia's place and join in the fun! I apologise in advance that I won't be able to get around everyone's desk - I literally physically can't sit at the computer that long. I just about managed it when we got to 50 desks but now there's so many it's just impossible. I do love seeing as many as I can get to, and really really appreciate the comments you're kind enough to leave.

MADE AN ATC!

GOOD NEWS! The magnetic stuff turned up! The phone however is still missing ... if you see it, it's pink (well what other colour would it be?).

Sat down the other afternoon and made an ATC, just because I could and because I LIKE doing it. Am just a hopeless case where these lil fellas are concerned. Apparently, I was in romantic mode too because this is the theme I chose - real lace, gorgeous vintage bride, my lovely church window stamp etc etc. Actually I think I did it again - made it for a challenge and then forgot which one it was for. That happens a lot, it drives me crazy. Did I mention that I used to be quite clever?

WHERE DID I LEAVE MY POOR BRAIN...?

Maybe you've seen it - small wrinkly grey-ish thingy ... no, not ME the brain! OK very small indeed and practically moribund. I've just lost something again which must be here somewhere, and despite being an organisation freak, all the places where I should have filed it aren't where it is!

First off I lost my phone - can you tell I don't use it much? Well I hardly ever go anywhere these days so don't need my mobile like I did when I was driving all over the country. I put it somewhere because it was taking up space in my bag (very small bags now, which have to go across my body, owing to needing hands for crutches etc etc). Then I found it again (the phone that is, keep up) and thought "oh there it is!" and promptly forgot again where I'd seen it. This probably wouldn't have mattered except that yesterday the land line developed a fault, and it would have helped if I could have found the mobile. Still haven't.

Then a couple of weeks ago I reported on the idea of mounting nestabilities on magnetic sheet inside CD cases - such a good plan that I bought plenty of magnetic stuff because I planned to buy more nesties. Of course I put the sheets somewhere safe, and then this morning a new set of nesties arrive ... and can I find the magnetic sheet, can I HECKASLIKE!! Ggggrrrrrr .... I know where I should have put it, I looked there first, then I looked in a lot of other places it wasn't. It's inevitable of course that eventually it will turn up again, after all its here somewhere (like the phone) but it's just SO maddening! I used to be quite clever before being hit with a double whammy of menopausal brain death and Fibromyalgia Fog. All this AND a hung parliament and I'm feeling very very cross ....

Oh and I did make a couple of cards I was quite pleased with .... bin painting with distress inks again.