WOYWW - Journal 52

Well another week of wild wet & windy weather !
And this morning at 6am an ice-storm - when we checked outside the curtains the whole street was thickly white with huge hailstones - it was like walking over a gravel drive !
Saturday was another huddle in the nest day - so I had a chance to have a little play at the desk !
I started a page in my Documented Life book - this week we were asked to "add a doodled border" - and I am going to try some of the techniques from this Zentangle Border book !


I am also enjoying playing along with Journal 52 - I did a couple of pages this weekend.

First was "construct a character" - as you can see drawing is not my forte (don't laugh at my efforts !) but rather than duck out from the challenge I did give it a go - and it was rather fun ! !

Secondly was "create a piece of abstract art" - we were advised that the piece wasn't to include anything naturalistic or representational.
This was really a new concept for me - I didn't realise it but I can't remember ever creating something like this before !
I wasn't really sure where to start - so I pulled out a couple of sheets of some Gelli-prints I had made back in the Autumn - these had patterns rather than anything of a "real" picture.
It was quite a strange experience - creating with abstract patterns - and the weirdest thing was that as I worked on it, something in my head was saying "that's right" or t"hat's wrong". I mean if its abstract how can there be a right & a wrong ? But something in my brain was telling me to change & tweak, cut & layer up - it was an enjoyable new experience !!
With Valentine's day looming I am working on some hearts !
I have been playing with these hearts for weeks - painting & crackling but nothing looked interesting - so I am trying them Finnabair style ! This is them part way through !

I am loving using the Luminarte Silk Paints - they are quite expensive so I have been saving the pennies in my craft piggy bank (a plump ceramic Percy Pig piggy bank which Much Beloved bought me from M&S for Christmas !) and ordered some yummy new colours from the guys at The Artist's Trading Post in Derbyshire - they have a great range and a brilliantly prompt overnight delivery service !

I am so looking forward to playing with them !
Red for the hearts is so predictable I know -but I will be starting with it anyway !


So that's it from the desk this week but I wanted to share a couple more things with you !
On Sunday the rain & gales abated long enough for an hour's walk in the National Botanic Gardens of Wales close by where we live. It was my annual "heart-lift" visit to see the snowdrops - it makes me keep the faith that spring must surely come soon !

This sign made me laugh !

And the gallery had an exhibition of stitched patchwork squares - called Project Patchwork Meadow - they were all of plants and nature scenes. I really enjoyed the display & thought you might too !

Have a great crafty week ! Ali x