Wednesday, April 21, 2010

WOYWW (What's on your workspace Wednesday)

I was so excited about WOYWW that I nearly didn't sleep. Last week I visited all 81 sites, including Julia Dunnit, our host. Stop by and say hi, then visit all these other wonderful artists who let you nose around their work spaces. You'll have a ton of fun.

Before I begin: all you WOYWW participants, I will be out of the house today, so don't know how many of you I'll visit before I have to leave around 9 am (my time), and since tomorrow is my bEARTHday, I'll be celebrating and out of the house. If you are far down on the list, it might take me till the weekend, but I promise to visit everyone.


This is what I awoke to this morning when I stumbled into my main floor craft studio around 3:15 am (did I mention I hardly slept?).


I was not fully awake when I took this photo. Projects include (on the dresser under the window) drying some flowers in my handmade (phone book and paper towels) press sitting under the tape dispenser. That desk serves as my mailing center and I have all my mailing supplies within handy reach.

On the table are projects I have recently completed or am still working on.


This is the piece I've worked on (well, more OFF than ON) since April 10, when I started it as a gift for my friend's April 11 birthday. It is now finished except for knocking some of the shine off those embellishments at the top. I'll use a dark rub-n-buff to get the patina I want.

For those of you who don't know about the above piece, it is made from a KFC dinner lid covered with dress pattern tissue, then layered with painted corrugated cardboard, cheesecloth, an image, sheet music, and the definition of birthday. To complete the piece and hide the protrusion at the top, I added two gold covered ornaments Kathy gave me. She'll get a kick out of the fact I used them in her gift! It's an Earth Day special.


Here's a lousy photo of the book I made and demoed on Monday. To see the tutorial of how I made it, click here.


This is a better picture from this morning,

This is the best photo of all, but I didn't take it this morning. It belongs with Monday's tut. Again, all recycled materials.


The circle is a piece of plastic with a hand drawn tea cup glued on that I demoed yesterday. The object is to make a stencil.

For those of you who were here yesterday, I glued the drawing to the lid. You can see where I marked the "hump" and show where it will be part of the design to be removed. Since I have no tools out, it means I'm probably not going to be working on it much before next Tuesday.
This is my only pending project. Definitely recycled material for a recycled project.


Right before I got out the rub-n-buff to tone down those things at the top, I took one final photo. Then I applied copper, black, and green rub-n-buff all over the embellishments on top. After that, it was gift wrapped and ready for Kathy.


I have done nothing in my sewing area for most of this month. I have been busy ripping fabric apart from clothes I bought at the thrift store, creating green crafts, and working on that copper book. So this area really is in the dark right now!

Since I had already chosen my blog of the day last week, I am honoring Julia Dunnit as my blog choice of the day, today. Julia works hard at her job of being a good hostess to WOYWW. She is not only sweet, kind, and makes you feel welcome as soon as you write her, she is also a great rubber stamper. I have to admit, when someone told me about this a few months ago, most of the people on WOYWW seem to be rubber stampers and scrapbookers. I didn't feel like I would fit in. But last week, I found more and more artists who are working on mixed media projects and Julia makes everyone feel right at home, no matter what medium you work in . Those of you coming from WOYWW already know Julia. The rest of you, my dear readers, should visit her site and see what this whole thing is all about. She welcomed me with open arms. I bet she would you, too!

52 thoughtful remarks:

Kate said...

Interesting projects!

** Kate **

Diane said...

I love your finished collage for Kathy, Elizabeth!! I love that you're so organized too! You're my inspiration.

Healing Woman said...

Happy Birthday in advance. Hope you'll share your day with us tomorrow.

You definitely are organized!

Unknown said...

Happy B-EARTH-DAY :0) Fab look round your stash ... so much to see ... and this whole WOYWW thing is great fun is n't it??? Not fitting in indeed ... you don't even have to be crafty ... the only qualification is pure nosiness *LOL*
Have a super day X

ooglebloops said...

Love your creations- How did you find the time, and visit 81 sites too!!! wow!!

ooglebloops said...

PS- did you etch the word "heart" or do you have a stamp/embosser?

Unknown said...

Happy B"earth"day for tomorrow - have a great day - sounds like you're quite a busy bee... some great projects here and love the heart.

Paula x x x

Mandy said...

happy birthday!!!! have a lovely day out and about! I am in awwwww at your work, amazingly beautiful!

hugs mandyxx

Annie said...

Some really fab projects here. Happy B'earth'day for tomorrow.
A x

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Better rest up for your bEARTHday Ms E!
How did I miss that it's on Earth Day, very fitting indeed!
Enjoy * Enjoy your birthday/month/year ... I realize I am a day early ;)
oxo

Create With Joy said...

Dear Elizabeth,

I've been under the weather the past few weeks so I haven't had a chance to stop by, but I wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful comments you've left that have put a smile on my face!

I love your current project and am amazed that you created it out of a KFC lid! How fitting for Earth Day! :-)

Have a wonderful birthday and give your beautiful Bluebeard a hug for me!

Hugs
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

Lothian Crafts said...

Your creations are lovely. Hope you have a great birthday

Tracey said...

At first glance I thought the tray had your Bearthday cake in it, that's until I got a closer look.
Love the copper book, fabulous.
x

Pam said...

Interesting project. If I got up so early I wouldn't be able to focus for the whole day. Hugs Pam x

Minxy said...

Have a fabby day whatever you get up to, love your projects, and i'm sure your friend wont mind the wait, you cant rush a piece made from the heart :)

Lynn Cohen said...

Love the tutorial will come again to read more carefully...like how this is turning /turned out.
Lovely art here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

voodoo vixen said...

LOL... of course you fit right in!! You are just as nosey as we all are!! Love the project on the desk, its beautiful and I love recycled stuff, your friend is very lucky.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

When I saw it was a KFC lid I remembered, you're the Goddess of Recycling ;) wonderful project. I've just been browing your 'labels' so will have to become a follower as there are loads of things I want to check out ;)
Anne xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh my, you were up early. For us it was a very worthwhile photo shoot! Your work area is lovely - I love the seperate desk concept, and I hope Kathy oves the gift - it's totally amazing - now that sort of thing I wouldn't be too scared to try.....see how WOYWW is such a cross inspirer! And thanks for featuring my blog; I'd invite you to read some non WOYWW post but warn you that they truly illustrate my capacity for opinion and blather!

Handmade with Love said...

Your book looks lovely, I love your craft room you have so much going on in there! I hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow! Tracey x

Helen said...

The first couple of weeks I WOYWW'd I couldn't sleep either... great look round your place. Have a great day tomorrow.

Chrissie said...

I think your kind of creation is SO clever!I love those projects which end up looking as though they were made in Granny's day.
Great craft space too!I enjoyed my snoop, thanks.
Chrissie

Unknown said...

I love the KFC Project I know she will love it loads (I do) and so many other things to see as well

Love Dawn xx

Jan Hennings said...

Holy Moly! You've been busy! Love your cat :)

Joey said...

Hiya

your creations are gorgeous!!! great craft area

Joeyxxx

Penni said...

Wow gorgeous projects.

Hugs
Penni
X

Foil Play said...

Really interesting and beautiful projects :-)

Linby said...

Had to reread it was a KFC lid!
Linbyx

Lori Saul said...

It is so wonderful to see all of your amazing projects going- I hope you get some sleep though! The big day is coming up and I want to thank you for your wonderful inspiration to recycle (KFC lids!) in our art and life in general . You are a true steward of the green movement. May we all take time to honor our beautiful home 'earth' tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Can't believe you got up at 3:15am! That sucks! Lovely projects though.

Brenda

A Hovel to Home said...

Lovely project.

Hugs
Kay

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

Happy B"earth"day and what lovely projects.!!xx

Cardarian said...

Wow very interesting projects!
Cardarian

ikki said...

You are quite right, all types of crafters are welcome at WOYWW - we are learning that there is more and more to learn. Thanks for sharing, great crafting. ikki

Spyder said...

ohoooo there's sooo much going on, where do I start! and yes, there's all sorts on here, there's even me...you have been bussy and I willhave a go at what you do, just haven't yet, but I will!!
(lyn))

Spyder said...

sorry about bad spelling!! So many of us to visit!! and I for got to wish you happy B'earthday!! and yes, I'm very lucky to have my lovely hubby, It was our anniversary late week (I blogged about it) he doesn't only mind my mess, he even cooks! But I must say, he did ask what colour the carpet was today, as he hadn't seen it all week...(cheeky!)

Marlynn said...

WOW...... you go girl. Happy B'earthday! Thanks for the spelling of "xanadu" - finally got that ATC done! Take care, my friend, hugs

Dana said...

Love the copper book. When you got that block I never thought you'd be able to make a book with it! You constantly amaze me with your imagination. Love, Dana

Angie said...

I love seeing what everyone creates no matter what their craft ...it also adds to the experience and inspiration one gains

CathyC said...

WOW - your projects have so much work in them.
thanks for visiting my workdesk
Regards, Cathy

Unknown said...

happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!
I love that recycled lid piece, it is amazing..........

Sue from Oregon said...

Oh hope you are sleeping like a baby after such a busy and exciting day! Your copper book is outstanding. Thanks for the tour and enjoyed your KFC story!

flutterbycrafter said...

Happy birthday. Love all those different projects going on here.

Dana said...

Liz, Happy bEARTHday! I'll never be awake at 11:30! Its 2:30 now. Richard cleaned that toilet! see ya, Dana

Twiglet said...

Happy bEARTHday! Lovely to see a mixed media and recycling WOYWWer!! Love your work.

Unknown said...

Happy bEARTHday! I love your handmade press! Mine consists of a REALLY thick daily art masters calendar from a couple of years ago that I haven't had the heart to up yet, plus some river stones that I keep lined up on my desk....ah the pleasure of finding alternate uses for things.....Hope you have a great time celebrating!

Bettythebaglady said...

My own style is not a bit like yours and although I am interested in the idea of making books I love what I do so much that I will stick to marvelling at yours. Thanks for dropping in -you are very dedicated-WOYWW visiting everyone. Will look forward to glimpsing that beautiful pusscat in your pictures. Love Betty

Deb said...

wow, what an amazing project and so green too, very impressive! happy belated bearthday! hugs debx

Anonymous said...

Brilliant recycling & such a beautiful gift for your friend! x

Angela Toucan said...

the copper book is beautiful

Gez Butterworth said...

Oooh everything looks inspiring. :) Hope you had a great B'day. Sorry I'm calling so late! Enjoy your weekend. Gez.

Renee said...

Love your art!! What talent!! I have been going through our lovely woyww participants. I have loved visiting each one. Thank you for the warm welcome! I too am making sure I stop by, but like you have to visit a few each day. I subscribed to your blog, and know I will enjoy visiting you regularly!