Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday???

Well, organised chaos a.k.a. my messy desk. 'Tis the mid week moment for confession, waffle and arty gossip combined with a flash of your desk - au naturel. Join in by heading over to Supreme Hostess Julia's... I'm on a hunt for that ever elusive perfect button and have just dumped my new stash.
On Monday I trekked way down South to LB Crafts for a Master Class with Linda Elbourne. Kicking The Dirty Habit has done wonders for Linda. She looks just fab, healthy and O, so fair-faced! We did a million techniques in a minute. Well, forty in four hours...the little box of tricks is on my desk ready for action in a Mojoless moment. Okay, lots of pics and blurb now... stroll or whizz at pleasure...

In October, I did a workshop with the fabulous Lynne Perrella. Here is the inspiring lady herself doing some PR and modelling! I had a great time. She's a true coach. She just makes you dive in and then spends quality time with everyone, challenging you to really ponder, discover and 'audition' your creative thoughts. At last, I can show you 'My Lady' who has been waiting very patiently...
It's the largest piece I've done at 32x42cm. At the start you're given a white photo-copied image and that's it! Just start. I decided on two roads. I'm a big vintage fan and wanted some familiar ground but decided to add a quirky element with unusual colours and details. Hence the purple swirly hair. And why not I say! 
I started by painting the face, bringing out her features especially her eyes. She is a very alluring woman I must say... For some reason I decided on a blue tone of skin under that slight blush. Who says it has to make rational sense, as long as it works for you! Then I moved onto her clothing, hat and hair playing with layers of paint and stencilling, giving myself the freedom to be spontaneous and open to whatever whim I had.
I would never have chosen these colours if I'd have sat down and thought it all through. I'm normally terrible at workshops, start faffing around and get overwhelmed by all the other creativity. This time I stayed in my own space and thought zone and didn't walk around wondering if I was artistically 'up to scratch'. At one point I just snipped her hat off, set it at a jaunty angle and pushed her ladyship to the right. I'm liking the go with the flow thing!
Lynne's sample had a great painted background but I went with my signature layering! I had already used lots of painted detail and felt this was a better companion. There was oodles of materials and ephemera to hand, floods of the stuff and it was so great to rummage through such 'riches'.

Old books, ledger pages, fabrics, lace, doilies, flowers, feathers, ribbons and  papers galore, to name but a few. Really, Lin and Leandra sure know how to put on a fine workshop. You want for nothing. I took bags of my own stuff too and by the end of the day my 'zone' was one major bomb site. Hubby walked in and said, "This must be your spot..."
I got so carried away with the playful vibe I added a 'Brussel Sprout Bag' veil for a touch of elegance before loading up the florals and vintage buttons. I even painted the shadow box in a soft dusky pink! (1980's bathroom flashbacks...) She will soon be behind glass which really finishes everything off and adds to the mystery. But just for the pics she's having an open air moment. I had such a fabulous day and came away feeling very tired yet also creatively refreshed and proud of my damsel.
She's full on feminine, a little eccentric but still very much my style, so all in all, two happy ladies.
So, an uber-long post. Is it still 2011?! I did really want to share about the whole experience! I suppose the moral of the story is to just be and trust yourself now and again... Thanks for hanging in there, even if you just like looking at the piccies! 
Two weeks ago I was giving away some bags and I'm pleased to say they're off to Lee from Crafty Loops! Now I really am done and need to knock my Wednesday into shape. Have a good WOYWW! Sarah.

48 comments:

peggy aplSEEDS said...

"My Lady" is absolutely wonderful! love the layers in the background, the flowers, the patterns, the veil, the feather! no wonder you are pleased!

Cathy said...

Fabulous creation ... love those colours and the layers. Great details too, definitely something to be proud of!
Happy WOYWW
Cathy #6

jude said...

Absolutely stunning ,love the hair just l;ove the vintage feel .You should be proud fab piece of art!
Have great creative wednesday and fab week
hugs Judex5

Inkypinkycraft said...

She is fab, and the desk is so exciting, full of crafty goodies!!happy woyww, fab fab piece, trace x

Franka Benjaminsen said...

This is absolutely beautiful. I love the soft colours you used for her and all the other vintage items. And I understand that your hubby picks the right one... this is so Sarah.
Have a happy WOYWW. xFranka

Annie said...

Number 51 here :-) I’m doing a quick dash round as many as I can this week to see what you’ve all been up to. So much fab creativity going on everywhere I go. It’s really brilliant. Keep doing what you do best and have a great week
Hugs,
Annie x

Helen said...

Hi, from #1. Great post today - and fab work too, you obviously had a really great time (both times!)

Neil said...

Hi there. Thanks for sharing your creative space with us this week. I hope the rest of the week goes well and creative too! Your lady is amazing, such lovely details!
Neil #57

l00pyscraftcreations said...

Now see I have a crafty friend and I keep telling her to go with the flow! So glad that you just went with it as its a fabulous creation, you must be so proud of her, and Frame her and keep her as a reminder of what going with the flow can accomplish.

Well done!!

Happy WOYWW

Lou #46

Juls said...

fab to see your workspace ... it looks a fab space of crafty wonder!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE your card, its just amazing!!

Hugs juls

lisa said...

I think the purple swirly hair is great and works brilliantly with your blue tones. It's so interesting to hear why you went with what you did. It all works brilliantly and is a true work of art.
I envy you your layering skills, something I find difficult but would love to achieve.
Thanks so much for sharing her with us.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #74

Ann B said...

Stunning Sarah, so wished I had done this workshop. Thanks for the peep at your desk.
Ann B #65

Twiglet said...

What a fab project from your workshop - well worth all the effort and concentration. x Jo

Vicky Hayes said...

Her ladyship is fabulous Sarah! She's wearing what I'll be wearing when I'm old. (Older I mean!) Vx

Gunn (MsPlum) said...

What a gorgeous lady! Even with blue skin and purple hair - I would not have noticed if you had not told me :) Great piece - thanks for sharing!

Happy WOYWW!

MsPlum #77

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love your desk Sarah, especially those new goodies, art parts and die. What is the Lyons Coffee container for, storage? LOL. Your Lynne piece is fabulous, I love the use of the "brussel sprout bag" for a veil and your use of flowers and lace. You definitely stayed true to your layered style, I love it. It will look great behind glass. Tracy x

Shoshi said...

Sarah, that's a work of art! Absolutely beautiful! I know what you mean about getting distracted at workshops - I've always had that problem - and have to look at everyone else's work to see if mine in any way measures up! Thanks for your comment on my blog. Happy WOYWW, Shoshi #67

Hels Sheridan said...

your lady looks FAB! loving her veil! You should have said you were going to LB... I live about 20mins away, we could have gone for cwoffee :O)) Anyways... your desk is... a mess.. hurrah, makes me feel better about my mess lol Hels #57

April said...

Lots squeezed onto your desk as always! love your vintage creation, she looks great! x

Elizabeth said...

The workshop sounds like great fun and so is the result - 'my lady' is gorgeous with her purple hair. My gran used to get a lilac rinse put through her grey hair when she was going somewhere special, like a wedding. She thought she looked fabulous too. I think I'd feel much the same at a workshop - Oops! I just switched on my overhead light and it exploded - showers of glass everywhere - thank goodness the EM was here to come to my rescue :) Loved your Nanny piece - a beautiful vintage composition tha suited her lovely photographs perfectly. Elizabeth x #76

Crafty Loops said...

Wow, sounds like you had an awesome time at the workshop and your beautiful lady is a stunner. I love the brussel sprout veil, what a wonderful bit of upcycling. Yeah....thanks so much for the beautiful bags, they will be lovingly filled with my handmade flowers. Lee xx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

The blue tones in the skin worked brilliantly as did the lace and brooch at her throat. There were so many layers and lovely details to gaze upon - I honestly would not know where to start on something like that. She is really lovely!
Hugs, LLJ #42 xx

Unknown said...

What a stunning damsel.

The Crafty Elf said...

Wow...she is gorgeous! It's just so creative it blows my mind! Have a fantastic week!

Marjo said...

So many great projects. Thanks for the peek and sharing. Hope you are having a wonderful WOYWW.

xoxo Marjo

My name is Cindy said...

What a great project, sounds like you really got your creative juices flowing! I also am a bit pants at Workshops - I tend to go into 'rabbit in headlights' mode and can't make a single decision as to what to do. Thannks for popping by to see me at ~70.
Cindy

Tracey FK said...

I really love the vintage feel and textures... I love the spurt along you get from workshops and it sounds as though you have your creative juices flowing xx

Hettie said...

That sure is one lovely lady you have there. And as for the button problem, I have the same problem, either I have used it somewhere else or have not got it!
Thanks for your visit. I couldn't do a Highland Fling on my craft mat as I would bang my head on the ceiling!! LOL! And if I tried the sword dance it would cut the mat!

Art By Wanda said...

She's fabulous, Sarah!!! Sounds like a fantastic time!!!

Deb said...

wow, amazing artwork!
have a great day Debx #125

Hazel said...

Oh wow such beautiful artwork. And I'm quite jealous of you having a crafting time with Linda (Hazel WOYWW #89) x

Angie said...

Again a busy desk with loads to look at. Your lady is fantastic ...even more so when one gets in for a close-up. So much going on ...love the collage work.

Electra said...

My (your) lady is truly stunning-I adore the brussel sprout bag veil!

Bubbles said...

Loving the desk, the artwork (FABBY!) and the buttons.... oh how I love buttons *lol*

sandra de said...

Love your creation and I think you are right stick to your signature layering it always makes such an impact.

Belinda Basson said...

Wow, 40 techniques in 4 hours! That's 10 an hour! I would love to become a Certified Ranger Educator, but that will have to wait 12 years or so till my son is out of school and varsity and I can afford to travel!

SueH said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day at your workshop Sarah and your lady has turned out beautifully. Mind you to me in my safe and comfy corner of craft land it all sounded a little bit, (I actually mean a lot) scary. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start if I was faced with a task like that, Lol!

Hope you found the button you were looking for.

Thanks for stopping by this week and…….
Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Anonymous said...

What an amazing piece Sarah, the workshop must has been truly inspiring. Shame LB Crafts is closing too.

Hugs
Brenda 88

Kim Dellow said...

Sounds and looks like you had a fabulous time! Love the busy desk :) Kim

Spyder said...

Fabulous work, as always, love that vintage look. Happy late WOYWW!
Lyn #66

RosA said...

Sorry, I'm a bit late. Love your vintage lady and I love that you've sort of gone outside the box by using those colours. Thanks for your kind comments re my canvas. Much appreciated!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Two workshops and the one with Lynne is amazing. I love what you did with the lady. I have always admired your art, and for you to think any different shows we are our own worst critic. Thanks for dropping by my place, too. I might just have to start that builder's magazine (grin). Happy belated WOYWW from #4.

Neet said...

Thanks for the walk through what you did with LP. I was so miffed at not being able to go (I had already got a three day (expensive) workshop booked which I had paid for months ahead). And I would have got to meet up with you!!
Love your picture - a fabulous memory of a great weekend and great tutors. Hugs, Neet #11

Morti said...

That's a post and half! How fabulous that picture looks. I've been up to LB Crafts- used to live not too far from there, so it's a real treat to go nowadays. I'd love to do a technique workshop like that. Maybe one day! (sigh).

Thanks for stopping by!

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! Looks like you had a good time. I haven't been on many workshops but when I have, I feel completely self-conscious and much slower than everyone else, so I can relate,

Lucy x

HeARTworks said...

Thanks for sharing your fabulous day! I always love stories of workshops, and wish i could join one! I like the touch of the veil. Very nice project! Patsy from
HeARTworks

okienurse said...

Great workspace and awesome projects! Sorry I am so late getting around but DH left for China yesterday and I had to spend the past week getting him ready to go. Have a great week. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #56

2amscrapper said...

stunning--so many wonderful details!