Wednesday, November 3, 2010

WOYWW, Random Ramblings and Simon Says/Embellish Challenge.

Well hello All, hello Wednesday and hello November...
Yes, indeed, both Wednesday and November have arrived. Okay - so now I am officially allowed to start feeling a trifle Christmassy. Can't quite do that in October and now the clocks have changed here and it is sooooooo dark, even at 4pm, I can just start to sense some Festive quivers in my toes. Haven't blogged since last week. I have lots of projects on the go and I had decided to buckle down and not to blog until at least something was finished. So the aftermath upstairs is as such - which I still need to clear up.
 I am still working on the collage course which is really great but quite a challenge at times. The whole composition changes when working with paper images and layers rather than stamps and ink. I am also challenging myself to try the "less can be more" approach and see how simple I can keep things. Mmmmm. I don't want to smother things by over-embellishing, but let the image hold it's own.

I have just finished a hanging which I am also going to enter into the Shabby Challenge over at Simon Says and the Vintage Challenge at Embellish Magazine. I have used an old book cover for the base as it had a nice green canvas covering. I aged a background paper using DI and then stamped some details with Archival ink. I added a floral strip, a doily and then layers of music and pages from a Vintage carol book. I used gesso on the music papers to tone them down and added some vintage lace and gold thread...

 For the main image I used a scan from my vintage postcard collection and tinted the image by painting with watered down Distress inks. I also added some Viva gold to the edges to give it some warmth. I love the subdued tones with the splash of colour from the holly. I finished off by adding some old buttons, a crochet scrap and some handmade (by me!) ribbon and lace flowers.
 I used two brass eyelets and some gold and green ribbon to make the hanging cord. It was quite hard to photograph and capture the true tones and details as the colours are quite subtle, but all in all, I am quite pleased. She looks very seasonal and snug in real life!

I also said I would show the pieces I made at the Artsy Crafty weekend after just a sneaky look last week. Now both weekends ore over, we are free to tell all. I ran out of gold metal whilst finishing off my main project, so for now I will just share the Shadow box.
This one really grew on me and I would like to have a go at another one using my own design. There was a lot of jiggery-pokery involved but as you can see - worth the effort.
 So - a busy time and lots more yet to do. But I a woman on a mission - determined to finish off all those half-done, almost there, very nearly pieces.

Next week I am also teaching my first ever craft workshop - so that is quite a major leap. I have taught a over a thousand dance classes in my time but this will be quite a knee-knocker for me...but I embracing both the opportunity and challenge! Will give you the gossip next time.
Hoping to tippy-toe through your arty spaces again - have a good one and thanks for taking the time to be here.
Sarah

36 comments:

cheryl said...

oh great desk and wow what wonderful makes,really love vintage and these really are so beautiful hugs cheryl x
20

Terry said...

Hiya Sasa, thank you for joining us again on Simon Says Stamp and Show with your georgous piece of art. Love the colors and all the fabulous detaills. Thanks for sharing Hope to see you soon for another challenge. Hugs Terry xxxx

Helen said...

What a gorgeous hanging! Not done anything for that challenge yet, fingers crossed! Your work is beautiful.

Unknown said...

Wonderful work area and such wonderful creations so adorable. Hugs Jo x

akilli melek said...

very busy desk this week, love your shabby hanging. caroline #16

Morti said...

Fabby work this week m'dear - and your desk looks like someone is actually doing something on it, unlike my own! Happy WOYWW to you....

Sue said...

Hi Sasa
wow a very busy desk, gorgeous creations, luv the box card, have great day, happy WOYWW, sue,(17)x

Nicks said...

you have some gorgeous stuff on your blog and a very creative space, Great post thanks for sharing your workspace

donnalouiserodgers said...

Hi Sarah - I am mightily impressed with your shadow box - and I adore the sentiment,

fab rummage in your messy desk tooo,

Collage is much harder to do than most people give credit for - I personally think when it is done well it is one of the best forms of mixed media art, and the real twist is to make it Look Simple - which is a complicated thing to do...check out Mike Bernard's collage work - Colour and Texture in Painting - I think amazon do a page turner view so you can get a feel rather than having to buy the book straight off...not sure if he has you tubed his work...

Hels Sheridan said...

Beautiful art hun - and loving your shadow box, so pretty :O))

Zue said...

Your hanging is amazing and good luck with your first class.You will be fine!
Sue xx 73

Anonymous said...

Honestly Sasa, your work is amazing. Your collage is so gorgeous with so many vintage characteristics and I love all the lace. Very beautiful! Good luck with the class, I am very shy but I still manage to teach a class once a week with no problems so I'll bet you'll be awesome!
~Shari #94

Chrissie said...

What a tiny picture, it's a good job I could zoom in for a gander! Lovely projects were made at that there desk too!
Chrissie #3

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

I can't even stress how much I LOVE metallic accents!! It could be that they're shiny, but my eye is always drawn to them and they add so much!

Thanks so much for entering the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge!!!

-Sarah

Kym's Crafty Cards said...

A very busy looking desk. You have produced some gorgeous artwork. Thanks for sharing your workspace. Best wishes, Kym xxx (WOYWW No 36)

Anonymous said...

I love your art: not just beautiful but inspiring as well. As to the desk, well it feels like home! Creative and messy and fabulous.

Thanks for sharing.
rachel #34

Spyder said...

Lovely amazing stuff going on here, great snoop!
Happy WOYWW #31 & #33
((Lyn))

Ashley Cannon Newell said...

Very pretty design! Thanks for joining the Embellish vintage color challenge.

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

Love your 'Shabby' project, it's really pretty and your Artsy crafts project is gorgeous, looking forward to seeing what else you made there.

A.xx(14)

Unknown said...

I love your hanging. Thanks for dropping by.
Have a great weekend
Carol

Neet said...

Good luck with your workshop. Love the project you are doing - beautiful work.
Nice to see the AC weekend work - how coincidental that we were both on it at different times.

Kaz Hall said...

Beautiful as always your work just blows me away ...love it. I am a lot calmer today, still missing the recorder!! good luck with the workshop, you have nothing to worry about. What is it on?/ lots of luck and enjoy xx

Joey said...

Hiya

wow your desk is looking busy! mine should resemble business rather than messiness shortly lol, I am so glad I am not the only big kid :O)

Joey.xx

Carol D said...

Love your art work, might have to have a nosey around your desk, lots going on there.

Hugs Carol xx

HeARTworks said...

Hi Sasa, It was nice having a peek at your space, and seeing your new artwork. Good for you that you're so productive!
Patsy from
HeARTworks

Debs said...

My kind of workspace! Lurve your work xx

Anonymous said...

That's a really good kind of aftermath, the kind where you can feel you've achieved something and not just a mess! Finishing projects is good, very good, I should try that on that blinking scarf of mine!! Fingers crossed for the class, hope all goes well.

Hugs
Brenda 88

karen said...

I love your desk! There is so much going on and looks ready for any kind of crafting you could imagine!
Your work here is amazing! Well done you!
thanks for the peek!

JoZart Designs said...

I love your work space... lovely creative mess just suits me. The hanging is really classy and the shadow box just stunning. I saw Neet's, who went to the Warrington W/end and how I wish I had gone too. Thanks for sharing and also for popping by my desk too.
JoZarty x

Jingle said...

These are lovely pieces!

Unknown said...

Wow Sarah - what a lovely hanging - your desk is certainly evidence that a lot of crafting has been taking place!... good luck with your crafting class - i really hope it goes smoothly for you - there's always that element of self doubt isn't there - but i'm sure you'll pull it off - the dance teacher in you will see to that.

I'm with you on the unfinished projects - although mine are all in my head and haven't been started so you're ahead of me at least.

good luck with everything. let us know how it all went.

Paula x x x

Maile Belles said...

How pretty! So glad you could join us in the Embellish challenge.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow Sasa,

Love both these projects. Metal always is a favorite of mine. Finished always feels so good, and these beauties are both stunning. Happy belated from #1 at WOYWW.

Theresa Plas said...

Your work is lovely Sasa! Best of luck in your contests and workshop!

Anonymous said...

sarah:

thanks for coming to my blog!
my first craft fair went well.. so im super excited! thanks for the good wishes!

wow that is one of the most amazing shadowboxes i've seen..thank you for the inspiration!

xoxo
Peggy

Katharine Steff said...

I love how you tinted the image with Distress Inks, and the gold adds a lovely detail! Thanks for joining us over at Simon Says Stamp and Show! xxx