Sometimes, you just cant tell

Honestly, I spent a happy four hours at my desk last weekend, and came up with one card. I was trying too hard, to keep it at to reproduce but somehow amazingly different as well. I started as I always do with white card. I was going to do a grey ink base image and a really colourful window image with a darker outline to accentuate the detail. And of course, I go straight to a pre-folded card because I now it's an idea that will work first time.

Grim. Too white, too small, not enough detail. Hmmm, start again. It's Ok though, because the painty part is very soothing. So I graduated to black card, for the sake of the paints really, H2Os and Perfect pearls, all look better on dark card, I think.

 So I decided to change the shape of the painted area as well, and make these little windows. They looked ridiculous cut out and stuck on top of the much large whole pattern, so then I thought to use the cut out piece as a stencil. Cue more embossing, painting and at this stage, some cursing. Why on earth couldn't I get it to go right?

You can just see above where the stripes were. I painted the whole image after I realised that the stripes were ridiculous!

So then I cut into another sheet of black card, embossed another whole image and cut a scalloped oval from another piece of scrap. I painted through that. By now, the light was fading and I'm using one eye to see properly, and controlling the almost imperceptible tremor in my right hand by using the most ridiculously fine paintbrush. I wasn't unimpressed with the idea, but the execution was sloppy. Nice photo of the shine on the paints though!

So I lay in bed that night, thinking about the options I've already explored, and the starting point. And decided to go back to that starting point. Cut out a die shape to create a coloured window to stick on top of the bigger, whole uncoloured image. And I did. It's OK, but for four hours? Two things come from it. I had a nice time. And keep it simple. Although I still think it's a little lacking. Maybe its the wrong image? Spare me.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 399

Three hundred and ninety nine. Seriously that's a lot of weeks and I've really only just realised. How many times you've witnessed the mess and read of the  excuses. Oh my word. Well if nothing else, I'm incredibly consistent.

Taken just before 4.30 yesterday, after a sort of tidy. You can still see the precarious piles at right, but at least they aren't just piles of same old. This time they speak of work that has been carried out. I wonder how long it will be before I move that little pot of water. Away from the table edge would be good, if not into the kitchen! So you see the detritus of workshop sample making, and I've cleared a bit so I can now cut and prepare the cardstock etc. There's a small canvas at left that I made for a sweet friend years ago. It needs some attention to the photo and I'm now at the stage of not wanting responsibility for it any more, so it shall be on my to do list this week!
Last week's comment box problem was fixed for me by Leelou Blogs, who designed this new look. I love it, hope you enjoy its lack of clutter as much as I do. Show me how it's going on your desk then...put WOYWW in your blog post title and link it here, fab.

Whats On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 398

I've made a fine mess and a reasonably productive mess too - cards for workshops are on my agenda. The angle of the smaller guillotine suggests a landslide. It's a correct suggestion but luckily I was sitting at the desk and so was able to put my hand out to stop everything - and by some force of inertia, everything did stop and so I left it like that!
Even though I've used it and finished with it, the Visible Image stamp that's lying face up there in the centre is clean. I cleaned it. Now of course I need to put it away, but goodness, if I do all that in the same sitting, even I'll start worrying about me!
The box of coffee pods at right is a box of coffee pods, waiting to be wrapped, with the other box as a gift. Nothing on this desk is waiting to be altered into a coloured version of itself!

The plastic boxes under the coffee pods  are filled with clear and cling stamps. I don't use these often, but am dissatisfied with the storage, so of course, I haven't put them away..the idea being that them being in my way will prompt me to do something....ha!
Forgive me for not visiting at all last week, I was full of snot and sore and now I have a wonky half head of tubes, it knocked me sideways by overwhelming all my working tubes! And also this week, you'll miss LLJ...the next two or three weeks are too full and haphazard in the internet stakes for her whilst she shifts West, so only expect her when you see her, wont you.
So if you got through all of that, take this as an invitation please, to show us your desk. Put WOYWW in your post title and ink it here. Thank you. Oh and put the kettle on... this is meant to be fun..!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 397

Well well, I have something to report! It's slow, painful and utterly predictable at this stage, but I was really enjoying it! Dark and cold here when I took this photo, late last night. I had to give up on it because I couldn't find a colour that worked for me. I will. I hate to abandon an idea, they're so rare!

Looks pretty tidy huh? Stuff was largely swept aside, but that's OK, I'll be inviting back as I get into it...it was all stuff I need, so it wont be too long. I'm using vellum (feels like I'm bringing back the 70's or something!) and have in mind to colour the reverse and layer it one or oother image over TH's clock die. Wine O'clock, see? Well, so far..... As I type this, I'm thinking I may have to go back to bed...I have the shivers and shakes and think I'm coming down with something. I may be a little light on visiting today, depends how effective the paracetomol are going to be! Do what you always do please, inspire, educate and enable, it wouldn't be the same without you!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 396

I don't know about you, I think the Wednesdays surrounding Christmas and New Year are in a sort of space time continuum, and they actually appear 35 light years faster than we're expecting them to.  Or...I'm caught out again...! I offer a twofer today, because my real desk is a little on the disinteresting side. To say the least.

I think the most interesting part is the doodled margin in my notebook. Naturally, I was on the phone, on hold. I don't forsee this week being one for crafting, there's paperwork of all varieties to do, good grief, being a grown up is so administratively time consuming.

Then of course, there's the horror of tidying up to be done.........

This is the floor at the right hand of my chair. Shocking ain't it. Been like it for a while now, so am all geared up to sort it out. You see...calm and controlled-ish on top, pedalling like fury underneath. Tip of the iceberg...and so on.

So, no doubt some of you are making the year's birthday cards, some are already making Valentine's and even...gasp, Easter! Shopkeeper Gal revealed her first Easter card on Facebook today. Gasp. On that basis, please, inspire us with your new year works;  it may be just the motivation required for some!

Checking in...

Well, happy new year gentle reader.
The holiday came and went in a magical blur and in facing the grand clear up and inevitable clear out, I hope that you will find masses to enjoy about your life in 2017.
I managed on crafty gift this year, a photo of a dear friend's granddaughter that I just loved when it popped up on Facebook - so I lifted it and made them a canvas.

It isn't a huge artwork, but given the number of times I sat down to 'just do it' and couldn't, it's a triumph!

As regular visitors will  know, I'm not one for resolutions, targets and the looking back thing. But I must recommend to you some of the Desker's blogs; there are some fascinating round-ups of 2016 or a post about their favourite makes. Hugely impressive planning!
Elizabeth calls herself to account and sets some new goals. Scarey, but fascinating!
Shaz rounded up her favourite 2016 Christmas cards..and in a previous post her favourite non Christmas cards...very inspiring.
Princess Judy showcases her favourite card make of the year..good grief, I couldn't possibly choose!
Dorlene showcases her top 5 craft moments; I'm grateful to have had any!
Shoshi has a 'picture rich' rich blog post as a round up.
And if you're after a bit of an interactive , participatory blog post, check out Marit's Top 2000 Blog party, it's amazing. Specially for you mixed media and journal junkies!

So this blog will go on in its usual ad hoc, sometimes crafty, other times domestic way. Hope that's OK with you. I'm too old to change my spots, see. If I ever was a leopard. Indeed, I'm even too old to be a cougar!