WOYWW 52: First Anniversary

WOYWW or What's on your work-desk Wednesday turns ONE today. Congratulations go to Julia of Stamping Ground for this monumental event. I felt like a WOYWWAT (what's on your work-desk Wednesday anniversary tribute) was in order. The concept (and all these acronyms) began with Julia. In the beginning, there were no Mr. Linky links, and ONLY 11 comments (yep, I'm also a researcher and statistician, too). By October, Julia had attracted 20 plus participants each week. By November, over 30 played each week. The first WOYWW post this year attracted nearly 40 players. The word was getting out, because by the end of January, there were nearly 60 players willing to show their work spaces, then nearly 70 by the end of February. Then came the first week in March, 2010, and Mr. Linky was born, which became a weekly event that made it easier (and quicker) to click on WOYWW participants. By the end of April, I had joined and Julia had begun counting each week by number. At Week 47, she proposed the WOYWWAC (anniversary challenge). Weeks 48 through 51 saw an unprecedented EXPLOSION of new players, over 120 each week, with week 51 weighing in with 130 blogs, all of whom were not afraid to show their messes or neatness each week.

So Happy first WOYWWA, Julia. Out of fairness and with full disclosure in mind, this anniversary candle photo was actually taken last year on my birthday. The gifts are long gone and greedily sadly the cupcake has been eaten. Today's work-desk and craft room look much different.

For one thing, there's something new in the sewing area. I don't sew, not real sewing anyway. So when I mentioned I'd like to make a sewing machine dust cover, my art buddy Dana suggested a pillow case. All I had to do was cut off the bottom, sew a seam, and decorate. And decorate I did, in true Julia and WOYWW fashion. Supplies for the project: stencils and stencil cream for the letters, stamps and fabric paint for the decorations, and of course, the slightly too small diameter pillow case.

So what's on my work desk, then? Well a completed project, a failed project, and a partial project. The gesso, craft sheet, and revolving tool caddy (not shown) are always there.

I got the idea to decorate a bunch of these clothes pins with WOYWW, but I didn't have enough. My plan is to string a "clothes line" above my windows and hang pieces I've received from art friends. This is a WIP and I'll be showing the finished project soon (or whenever I get more clothes pins).

This is a failed project. I had a project in mind, but my orange Day glow spray paint actually fizzled and drizzled all over my fingers, which in turn made sticky messes all over my camera and keyboard. To make matters worse, it then refused to even spittle. At some point after that, I abandoned the project.

Who is this? Why it's Whats On Your Work-desk WENDY! Wendy is similar to a "Flat Stanley," that wildly popular (about five years ago) take-along doll many people decorated with their own faces and sent to others. She's truly my alter ego, right down to her flat less-than-voluptuous chest and her bangs that hang down past her eyebrows.

Her skirt is made of hand dyed fabric, her blouse from a piece of commercial fabric my friend Dana gave me. Her face is from the same recycled pillow case as the sewing machine cover, but I cheated and STAMPED her face. Julia will be so proud! The hands and feet were some my friend Kathy was going to throw away. She offered them to me, and what else could the Queen of Free do, but take them to be used in a future project.

Wendy's already started exploring. Here she's waving to everyone to join in and visit the WOYWW participants today, and be sure to check out the blog pick, chosen specifically for WOYWW participants.

Today's blog is dedicated to all WOYWW participants who love copic markers. Lisa (from Washington state in the US), the brains and art behind GOBEAGIRL, uses her copic markers daily. Not only does she use them, she shows you every marker she uses in that day's entry. I've never seen anyone else do that! Color me impressed. In addition to her stamping and coloring, she talks about her life. She is a real wordsmith. There's plenty at GOBEAGIRL to keep you entertained all day. Be aware. Lisa's blog is fun, but it is not the usual art you see on a daily basis. However, I know many of those who come here from a WOYWW link, will really love her coloring skills, art, and talent as much as I do.

Now I'm off to get some sleep, shop for groceries, then visit all of you (in that order, I might add). Thanks for sticking with me throughout this post, too. Although I actually shot the photos for this post yesterday, nothing has changed, except possibly Wendy, who could be anywhere now.

UPDATE: I've not been to sleep, gone grocery shopping, but as of 1:30 pm my time, I have been to every blog Mr. Linky had. I may never recover (grin), but thanks Julia for putting this all together today. Many of the projects were simply incredible.