Meanwhile, I’ve been at my desk for several sessions this week already. A lovely long screen chat with LLJ on Monday gave me time for cutting out, and in between things yesterday I managed some sticking, trimming and inking. So far so good!
All of this activity is secret though. Last Wednesday you lot set of the panic train in my brain, so I just had to start on my ATCs, especially as I had a vague idea! What you can see on my desk is the arc of pushback, it’s amazing how I can make it look tidy but the back and edges are a bit precarious! Great ATC backs made by Mary Anne are printed and ready to be cut up. My lovely blank ATC storage box back on centre stage - made for me by the beautiful and missed Debbie Rock, such a pleasure to own. You can just see two rulers in the foreground - funny, I used one, pushed it to the side, and then when I needed to use it again, I reached up to where I should have put it back, and used the spare. And then pushed that to the side as well. And that black and grey thing right in the front of the pic is a Fiskars scissor sharpener. Useful bit of plastic and metal, actually. That’s me then, now you please! Put WOYWW in your post title please, then link here as usual! See you later!
The lettering was stamped just as a size gauge, so when it came to painting, I kept it simple and used it as a guide for spacing etc. thank goodness, the stamped ink burned off in the kiln! I was left with a gap at the foot of the plate which I really didn’t like, so asked for a delay in glazing to gimme a chance to think of something to add. Naturally, I was about a mile from the studio when it occurred to me that EIIR would be the most appropriate addition. I didn’t quite do a handbrake turn and go back to save the day. Instead I did the grown up thing and waited till I next had some time booked. I know, surprised me too.
The detail! I’m a heavy handed painter as ably illustrated on the Jubilee plates. And, I don’t think I have the patience to trace, let alone paint this image, twice. Because Miss Dunnit must have her souvenir too, whether she wants it or not. I may have been whining to the ceramic studio lady about the labour involved. I was whining, you have no trouble believing that. Ceramic Gal clapped her hands, rushed into her office and came back with a sheet of special carbon paper for using on unglazed bisque. I had to hug her. So, because today is the deadline, yesterday, I traced onto the first plate. Now, this is where I have to be very humble. I mean, you never know who’s reading, huh. I’ve erm, adapted the pattern slightly your Majesty. I’m using the Crown centre piece and will attempt the font for my lettering…but forgive me sir, the symbols in red that repeat the representations of England Scotland Ireland and Wales are beyond my finesse in painting on a side plate. 
I haven’t spent more than about an hour at my desk since last Wednesday and I don’t like it. But, yesterday I did something to quell my rising panic about a couple of deadlines that are approaching. I finished a very tricky theme of an ATC for a swap. It’s a steampunk theme. I had to literally rake through all of my stash. I‘ll try to remember to photograph it once it’s dry…I had to use silicone and real old fashioned wet glue to stick some bits of metal on it. That’s why there’s a small herd of alcohol inks on the desk. My word, they haven’t been used for years. They coloured the bits of metal a bit though, so they still do their job which is impressive. Also, of course, and slightly unmissable is the lumpy badge maker. I had a couple of cards that needed rude badges, and of course, I haven’t put it away yet…I will later today though, I will be needing the space. I’ve actually had an idea for my anniversary ATCs which I think may work! 
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I finished the LOs that were erm, laying about last week. Filed ‘em. There’s a story to it, I’ll tell you about it at some point…flicking through my current album to file newly completed LOs isn’t always a joy of memories preserved! Anyway, I’ve moved on to starting an ATC challenge with a theme that frankly, scares me. Which is why you can see my ephemera boxes making an appearance, namely the ‘metals’ and ‘wooden’s’ at this point. There’s an air pump mica spray at right (above the pink highlighter). The Ida is that it doesn’t block up with mica and sprays a fine mist to the last drop. It does, but not until it’s dribbled and squirted all over everything to start with. Sheesh, I need to remember that - and to remember that the trajectory of the ‘mist’ is really unfathomably, disproportionately enormous. Also at last, I’ve found a pot to put the cut up foam tape in. It has a lid, a wide base and is heavier than the paper cup; it’s centre of gravity significantly reduces the chances of having to pick up a kerjillion foam pads. Result! 
They are a mess and I don’t like them. They are slightly saved by the beautiful crystal bowl which is on a semi-permanent loan from my Lunch Lady Jan. I would show you how the sun bounces off the faceted sides and makes the ‘eggs’ look much better. But I can’t because the sun just won’t shine, and it’s all made me petulant and childish. You could hold a party on my bottom lip it sticks out so far when I look at these eggs.
Ah well, I’ll be ahead of the curve for next year, and using decent acrylics, and repainting the big ‘uns and doing a proper job, I might actually have learned from my comeuppance. Hmm, do ya think?
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