What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (week 70)

I'd love to see what's on yours and if you're playing along with Julia at her Stamping Ground hopefully I'll get around to having a look.

Here's what's on my desk today

Well, this was last night actually and I've since finished the tag which was for the challenge on Linda's Studio L3 blog where each week she sets a challenge from Tim Holtz 'Compendium of Curiosities' book.

As you can see I was working on a craft mat which is rather grungy with old alcohol ink stains that I've never cleaned off properly!

Here's a large plastic container (I can't remember what it had in it originally) that I keep my ink blending tools (I only have the two 'proper' ones) and foams in.  There's also a lot of make up wedges (sponges) in there too which are quite good for blending - although they're a bit on the soft side and there's a few shaving brushes for stippling in there too.

That's about it really, short and sweet this week (just like me!)

You'll notice there's not a matchbox in sight (thank goodness!!) - mine have now been posted off to the hostess of the swap.  If you'd like to see the finished 25 matchboxes in all their glory click here.

I'd better finish this post now so I can start my tour around all those wonderful workdesks linked to Julia's blog.

Happy Crafting one and all!

Doll Designer - aged 10

I recently made a birthday card for my niece Chloe's tenth birthday with a paper doll attached to it.  You can see it here.

When I saw her last weekend she produced the sheet of paper above showing the specifications of the next doll she'd like - and I don't think she wanted to wait until her next birthday - LOL! 

Here's what I made following her specific requests!

Brown eyes and pink lips weren't a problem - I had watercolour pencils in those colours.

Red hair - that was ok, I used some wool I had. 

Tights and sparkly shoes - I think they're ok too, but onto the purple dress ....

I sorted through all my fabrics but couldn't find any purple, then onto my ribbon stash - and yes, I had a little bag of assorted shades of purple?  Well, I thought it was purple, but now realise it's probably lilac - doh!

Will she notice, will she mind?  Will she give me another piece of paper next time?  Most probably - will I mind?  Of course not!

Thanks for looking and any comments will of course be passed on directly to the designer!

Autumn Leaves - Altered Coaster Book

The current theme on the Art 'n' Soul Flickr group is to alter a coaster or beer mat to the theme of 'Autumn/fall or nature'.

Here are the two coasters I used which I changed into covers for a little book which holds a mini sized post it note pad.

I cut the coasters into rectangles measuring approximately 3 inches wide by 2 and half inches long.  I then coloured them on both sides with brown acrylic paint.  Once dry, I rubber stamped a pretty floral garland on and then embossed it with three autumnal colours.

I attached the two covers by punching holes into the top and threading and knotting some garden twine through for a rough and rustic look. 

Then came the bit I enjoyed the most - making autumn leaves with scraps of leather which I first ran though some embossing folders to give added texture, then cut to shape using the 'Tattered Leaves' sizzix die from the Tim Holtz Alterations range.  I stuck one of the leaves on the front cover (with E6000 adhesive) and tied the other two onto the side of the book with more of the garden twine.

On the back cover instead of using one of the leather leaves, I stuck on a metal one left over from the ATC I made the other day (waste not, want not!)

I kept the inside plain - and of course stuck in the mini post it note pad!

I may just have to make another one now to keep for myself!

Self Healing Art Course - for free!

I'd seen this button on a few blogs recently so thought I'd go take a look and am so glad I did.  This is an art course which starts on 18th October and lasts for 4 weeks run by a very talented and generous lady called Tam who is offering this to "anyone and everyone for no money at all" and in return she just wants us to spread the word for her.

She has a video explaining what the course is all about here.

Her Ning site, where you need to sign up is here.

Basically, the theme of the course is self healing through art and aimed to help those of us with low self esteem and confidence and who are very harsh on ourselves (well, that's definitely me). 

Over the four weeks, Tam will be sharing art techniques such as backgrounds, layering, journalling, portrait painting, altering a child's board book with photo collages and transfers and creating a whimsy character.  She'll be showing us how to make an empathy monster (puppet) who will become our support system (friend!) and finally creating a painting with an angel or goddess in to focus on our un-met needs.

Most of all, it looks like it's going to be a whole of fun!

Will you join me there?  I hope so.

Many thanks Tam for your wonderful generosity and caring nature.

 

Autumn Romance ATC

The current theme on the Artful Ideas Flickr group is to create an ATC with 'Autumn Romance' as the theme.

This gave me the opportunity to use my new 'Falling Leaves' stamp set from Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz collection).

  I used some sticky back silver tape (the type used by electricans I believe) and stuck it to some card.  I then coloured the silver side with three colours of alcohol ink - Terracotta, Pesto and Raisin.  Once dry, I stamped on a few of the leaves using Stazon.  I'm not sure if this is the right sort of ink to use as the image wasn't very clear.  It was however just about clear enough for me to cut the leaf shapes out.

I cut out a piece of card measuring three and half inches down (usual ATC size) and five inches across.  Once the two sides were folded, the little doors were formed and it folds up to the usual ATC size of two and half inches across.

I coloured the card with several colours of Distress Ink - Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Antique Linen and Walnut Stain.  I splattered a little water over the top to create the white dots.  Once dry, I stuck the leaves onto the doors with E6000 adhesive.

Inside, I coloured with Scattered Straw first, then applied a mask with leaf shapes on and inked over the top with the darker colours.  I stuck on the images and added a couple of the metal leaves.

That's about it really.  I toyed with the idea of putting some text on the inside door and a couple of handles on the outside, but left it as it was.

I wish I could say we've had a lovely Autumn day here today, but I can't as it been pouring down with rain for most of it!  At least it's a nice day for crafting anyway.