woyww - techniques and journals

I have signed up for Andy Skinner's online "Timeworn Techniques" workshop and what you see is the base coat on one of the techniques.  I plan to try a few of the techniques and make lots of backgrounds for future ATC's.

My attempt at chipped and rusty key holes.  Not bad when I think they started out as orange cardstock which were run through the cuttlebag with one of TH diecuts.

Another art journal page. I am starting to use text that I cut out of a book and rearrange the words until they say something!!  Not bad for someone who freezes when I try put my thoughts to paper.

Finally a beautiful ATC from Sylvia.  Thank you.

Off to visit Julia's wonderful world of woyww.

woyww - post and projects

I apologies in advance for all the photo's but I have had such lovely gifts arrive in the post.  Beautiful bunting from Lunch Lady Jan.  Thank you Jan,  it now adorns my workroom window.

A gorgeous ATC and minature fan from Shoshi.  The detail in both is just gorgeous.

Since last woyww I have been to two workshops.  Not a lot of work has happened at my desk but I did the finishing bits at home so I feel that I can post them for woyww.  First pic is the cover of the project I did with Paula Cheyne from 7Gypsies.   A really enjoyable project and great teacher.  A peak inside of all the shabby goodness with a touch of butterflies.  Just how I like it.

Finally a pic of the "Artful Flight" project that I did at Tim Holtz's Sydney workshop.  Which I have to say was wonderful and no I didn't squeal because a lot of other women seemed to have that covered!  But, I have to say he was a great teacher, shared a wealth of information and very giving with his time.  Best of all was attending the workshop with a friend.  Thank you RosA it is always lovely to meet up and do something crafty together.

The finished project and there is a definite theme happening with workshops in Sydney. Final pic is of moi and the King of Distress.  My DH stressed not a good idea to post pics of me with other men on the internet and the teenagers warned me once I go cyber I have no control.  What the heck I only get one good photo a decade so it's being posted.   Now I am off to visit all the other woyww ......

woyww - LO & ATC's

Currently working on some LO from last years holiday.  With so many photos I am aiming for  an uncomplicated spread of photos and simple embellishments.  You might notice the beautiful card and atc from Kay (505 whimsygirl) which arrived while I was at my desk.  But there is more ....

I now feel like I have some of the Jubilee spirit with the gorgeous card that arrived from Helen.   Plus the cute little owl ATC from Vicki and last but not least ...

the ATC that arrived today from Kay (incy craftyspider).  Thank you everyone for agreeing to the swap it has been lovely to get post almost on a daily basis and admire everyone's beautiful detailed work and lovely notes.  

woyww - ATC's from across the seas

A new journaling and collage book is competing with the latest kindle e-book.  Most of the crafty stuff has been put away as I mailed off a few ATC's for the woyww swap.  Waiting for Doone to email her address and then the final swap will be postal.

But, look what has already arrived from Annie, Jo and Trish.  Gorgeous soft dumfling atc's and a beautiful "smile" atc.  Thanks to everyone who has agreed to swap with me and I hope mine arrive soon.  The biggest thanks goes to Julia who without fail posts woyww.....

woyww - portrait of a cat

Not the best light but I did get up early to try and post before the rush.  Why rush? Work deadlines plus getting teenager to school on time!!

My desk is almost tidy as I hide away the woyww anniversary gift but you can  still see bits and pieces laying around on the desk.  ATC stamp, ink,  a peg (no idea why, a bit like the hammer last week) and a stamped image on a book page which will be joining the altered book. A background page which I discovered under my mat.

But my pride and joy is the pencil sketch of kitty.  A gift from the teenager who organised a school friend to draw kitty as she slept on my bed.  A very talented school friend ....

Off to visit woyww and see lots of desks from really talented crafters all over the globe.

woyww- altered book and art journal pages

Slowly working my way through the altered book class with Elisabeth.  The slow and steady pace is perfect.  On the right hand side is a watercolour book which I am enjoying and on the left a hammer.  No idea why it is sitting under my altered book.  But, I do know why there is a chocolate near my light.  I continue to potter away on my art journal pages which are considerably less stressful since I have moved to working in a small book.

I know I have mentioned the portfolio oil pastels in previous posts and I am still using them on a regular basis.  Love how they blend over anything, paint, canvas, inks or straight onto cardstock.  I love how inexpensive they are and must admit I have a preference for the brights.   

They can be heat set which means no more fixative fumes in my little room. Once I have finished a page I hit it with the heat gun and watch it melt.  I owe Leandra a big thanks for putting me onto the oil pastels, she had a great tute posted on her blog Paper Artsy in January of this year.  

Also working on an ATC for a particular swap this month.  But, I can't show you just yet.....

woyww - class stuff

My desk is covered with left over bits and pieces from the weekend workshops I attended. Bright and colourful art journal pages surrounded by lots of baking paper in an attempt to stop pages sticking together and paint seeping through the journal.  Loving the portfolio pastels .. they would have to be the cheapest and best thing on my desk at the moment.

The class with Donna Downey was interesting and I definitely had a light bulb moment when I heard numerous people talk about not writing a lot of stuff in their journal.  I just can't pour emotions into a journal.  I go blank and it doesn't help when DH sings Sid or Johnny's lyrics "pretty vacant ..." when ever he sees me trying to journal.

Another journal page using string and canvas and then coloured with acrylic paint and babywipes.

 The final workshop was a canvas which incorporated a lot of the techniques we learnt in the art journal workshop. I was really happy how it came together.  I used an old pic of my mother and her friend taken sometime in the late 50's.  They looked so elegant and happy sitting in the sun smiling at the camera.


So all in all a great weekend of workshops.  Hope your week has been creative.   I also hope blogger behaves and stops removing my blog as it updates, improves and does what it does in the name of progress.

Off to visit Julia and her addictive world of WOYWW.