woyww - continuing with the gardening theme

The title says it all ... gardening from morning till lunch and then I sneak into my room 

and paint or craft. 

At the moment I can't contemplate painting something large and found simple instructions

on instagram @lichingheng for dandelions.  A simple and effective way to whip up a few cards.

For my amusement Kitty helped me recreate Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam".

  

Social distancing is a struggle when claws are involved.

Stay safe woyww's.  

woyww -Chromatopia

The week has been a mix of gardening, walking and enjoying the sunshine.

Plus, some time at my desk painting simple cards using my watercolours and

reading up on how colours have been made throughout history.

Hope your week in isolation has been peaceful.

woyww - from desk to garden

Lockdown has certainly inspired me to get into the garden and tidy up.  

Happy to see the Solanato tomatoes and chillies coming along nicely and inspired me to plant lettuce, radish and rocket.  

Time will tell if it was all for naught.

Hubby now interested in growing mushrooms, which led to a dark corner section

 of the garden being weeded and prepared for the mushroom spores.  

Little action on my desk this week as gardening has taken up all my time. Feel like I have run a marathon and completed a pilates class in one setting.  Can barely lift a paint brush.

Have a good week.  

woyww - To mask or not to mask

Needless to say I never got around to making a face mask.  

Even before I had made any move to rummage around the sewing drawer quite a lot of controversy arose on the web about whether you can use HEPA vacuum bags safely. 

It all became too hard and too confusing.  

Instead I bought a lapel pin

and a second one to warn off family members 

who keep interrupting me while crafting.

Finally to all the WOYWW's  a painting I did many years ago.   

Wishing you all Happy Easter in the year we won't forget in a hurry.

woyww - doodles and the steps to making handmade watercolours.

Todays desk includes a bit of doodling I started while trying a few of the handmade watercolours.  Top right corner is the new palette which contains all the colours made so far.  The lovely palette of gold and silver watercolours are called "Pearl Colors" made by Coliro.  Lots of different brands for sale but these were a good price in Australia.  

To the left of my desk you will find a mask and a vacuum bag.  Whenever I crush/grind rocks suitable for mulling into watercolour I always wear a mask to ensure I am not inhaling rock dust.  Masks have to be the N95 filtration grade just like the ones recommended for COVID 19.  I had planned to make my own and searched where I could find the filtration fabric.  Guess what it was in the storeroom.  The vacuum cleaner bags are guaranteed to filter out 99.5% of airborne particles.  Look for the term HEAP on the bag or box to see if they are suitable.  

May try to make my own mask as youTube offers a squillion different ways.  

But, then again I could get distracted and do something else like "stay home".

A few too many photos showing steps to making watercolour from rocks. Stop now if it's not your thing. But, a few WOYWW did show some interest!

1. Find ochre rocks.

2. Smash them with a hammer while wearing appropriate face mask.

3. Grind small pebbles in a mortar and pestle to a fine consistency.

4. Mix ground rock powder with water and stir.

5. Filter the water mix through coffee filters. 

6. Let sediment on the coffee filter dry.

7.  Grind sediment and mix in water and filter again (x3 then I got bored).

8. When you have an extra fine pigment powder it is ready to mull. Or you could buy pigment powder from a manufacturer and start here!

9. Mull pigment powder with a binder. I use gum arabic, honey, glycerin, oil of clove and distilled water.

Apologies for the long post but if anyone shows some interest I can't help sharing the love.

Stay safe and keep crafting.