Tuesday, June 18, 2013

WOYWW!

Wow! The weeks are flying past so quickly! Which means that our LIVES are flying past quickly. Which begs the question, am I ready for what comes after this? Yes, I do wax philosophical sometimes when I stop and really think about how the days are speeding on.  I love to see my workday speed by, but I'd like the home time to SLOW DOWN.

Anyway, here are my two desks today.


I'm working on a new swap which has a honeybee theme. Since I learn by trial and error I'm trying out various combos on the slick paper I'm gluing to my ATC. I took a sample piece of the slick paper and applied some Gesso to it... (well, actually this is the side without Gesso)


I asked many questions. Does watercolor work on it? Nope. Does pen? Yes. Does the pen work on Gesso? Yes. Does the pen work on top of colored pencil? Not so much. Etc, ad nauseum until I had copious notes on each combination. Now this is elementary stuff to all you collagers out there, but to me, one who almost exclusively does watercolor on watercolor paper, it's a mystery how all of these materials act with one another. So...I'm learning! (See copious notes below.)

 
And something you'll rarely see on my desk...a large jar of Gesso. Maybe I'll use it more often after this.
 
 
So, I have lots of ideas dealing with bees. I'll keep you posted!  If you want to visit more exciting desks like mine (cough) go to Julia's Stamping Ground blog and hit the links!

Happy summer and much shalom to each of you!

23 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing what you are learning. As someone who is just beginning to collage this was very helpful. Hope you have a great week. (Ginny #9)

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  2. I like that you keep notes so you can learn from the experience, I tend to forget to do that and have to relearn every time!! Annette #9

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  3. Hi Lisa! I have a big jar of Gesso on my desk and yes I do use it a lot!! I have been experimenting using different mediums, ink, paints, gelatos etc and sometimes all together just to see how they work together and what I can do. I am looking forward to seeing your finished project :-). Yes the days are going to quickly, it feels that Xmas is just around the corner...ahhhhh. Happy WOYWW.
    Janene #12

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  4. love the leaning! and we're all learning which is a good thing given how quickly time does fly. :) good luck with the ATCs and bees. Hope to see them when they're finished. Happy WOYWW! Nan G #3

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  5. That's such a good idea to keep notes....I'm more of a chuck it on the paper and see type! Wish I could be more organised but it's too late now! Love Gesso, you'll have a lot of fun with it. Hugs. Pam#38

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  6. I'm not bright enough to keep notes, hence I keep repeating the same mistakes... but hey, it keeps me happy :)
    Can't wait to see your bee-autiful creations...
    Happy WOYWW and have a great week :)
    no. 32

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  7. I never knew any of that information regarding gesso, so thank you
    Bridget #1

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  8. wow, you are so detailed in your plans! hope the swap goes well. Helen 31

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  9. Very impressed by those notes! I have a little notebook I sometimes (!) remember to jot things down in!!! I'm learning about all sorts too and - yes - help - time is moving too fast! Julie Ann xxx #65

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  10. Hi Lisa
    you are so good keeping all your notes on what works and what doesn't as sometimes we expect certain things to work and that is not always the case.
    I never have my Gesso too far away it is just a question of which make I will use
    Have a great WOYWW and enjoy the rest of your week
    Ria #47

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  11. Ah Lisa, your research does you huge credit. I stick it down, whack on whatever it is I intend to use and suffer the consequences. And you can tell that, every day, just by seeing my desk!

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  12. Hi Lisa - my sister is just getting into mediums as well - I am happy tinkering with my papers and stamps... Happy WOYWW Mxx #110

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  13. I'm still getting over how many pencils you have. You can never have enough gesso.
    Sandra @105

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  14. Excuse my ignorance but what is slick paper? I love the idea of making notes...I NEED to do this!!!! I spend most of my crafting time redoing things to see what works and then run out of crafting time...derrr! TFS! Lovely blog and I love your header!
    #40

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  15. Gotta love gesso =), it'll make evrything better and prepared for whatever you want to do =)

    Have wonderful week, Happy WOYWW. xx

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  16. that's just perfect - your notes on all those little experiments! I love it. I wish I'd take the time to do this more often... I'm usually to impatient and want to draw/paint NOW ;)
    Cheers!
    Jana #100

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  17. It's good to learn something new everyday.
    Happy Wednesday, Karin 137

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  18. I love bees! They are great material for artists!

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  19. I keep a blog just for that reason. To keep notes. I can't get pens to write over gesso. I've ruined at least THREE good (expensive) pens that way. So, I wish you luck. Have a super WOYWW from #17.

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  20. Happy WOYWW! Great idea trying it all and making notes. I have a HUGE tub of gesso now, nearly used my smaller one which looks the size of yours!

    Cazzy x #147

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  21. Hi Lisa,

    All that experimenting will pay off in the long run. Gesso is very useful as an undercoat for almost anything (except watercolour). And two thin coats are better than one thick coat. And don't use a heat gun to dry gesso as it can "bubble". Just my two cents worth :)
    And, no, I don't imagine you will ever see a kookaburra on your clothesline :) Next WOYWW I'll try and remember to show one of the many photos I have of this happening.
    Thanks for visiting, have a good week,
    RosA # 24

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  22. You are so meticulous in recoding your investigations! How I wish I was like that!! I just seem to launch myself into projects with no planning and I certainly never analyse afterwards...it's a big failing of mine.....ah well, too late to change now ;-)
    Have fun with the swap!
    Hugs, LLJ 43 xxxx

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  23. Lisa I am the same way when I color with my Copics. I write notes on colors I use. Because I hate trying to guess how to recreate good color combos.

    You know I have a jar of gesso from a few years ago and I forgot I had it and bought another one and I only used it once so far. I do have some projects in mind. That might be the problem they are in my mind not on my table!!

    Have a blessed day and thanks for the earlier visit.

    Belinda (105)

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Thanks for dropping by! I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)