For once, Wednesday seems to have come around quite slowly this week - not sure why. Perhaps because there were so many things happening last week: Shaz's farewell on Friday (I didn't lose it until the very end of the ceremony when it was time to say goodbye), frantic revising for my son's mocks this week (even though they're not doing proper GCSEs, they still need to take exams and he needs all the help we can give him), getting my Covid jab on Saturday (I got my invite just after I posted on Wednesday, I didn't expect it to be so soon). So it was a busy week, and to use Julia's words, let's seize the day and make the most of it!
Here's my desk shot from yesterday afternoon. I didn't have as much time creating as I would have liked, but I still managed to keep up with the 100-day challenge and the prompt in the Mixed Media Emporium FB group, which was crackle. This one went a bit wrong, as you'll see, but I still had fun playing (note to self: do not put crackle paste over a still wet layer of texture paste on a canvas - it will just peel off)! I did meet the challenge though - if this does not "crackle" I don't know what does!
I've also finished my weekly batch on teabags for the 100-day challenge (featuring the whimsy houses I planned to do for last week before changing my mind). They're ok I guess, but I don't like them as much as I did the previous ones. I still have to decide what to do for next week. We're at the half-way point and this is where people usually give up - and I can see why. I'll just need to get through the hump and carry on!
Here's a closer look at one of them. I used gelli prints for the paper piecing and dug out my Caran D'ache watersoluables for the shading
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Spring has definitely sprung and clocks are going forward this Sunday! It won't be long before I start complaining about the heat - for now it's still quite chilly and we even had frost the other day. Don't you just love the blossom on the trees at this time of year!
We had a special visitor the other day - some of you will have seen this photo on my Facebook. He just wandered into our garden, stayed a while and then left. I wonder where he is now? I hope he's safe and will have a happy life. He could have stayed with us if he wanted! I took this photo through the glass - I didn't want to scare him away. He came very close to the house.
Hope everyone's safe and well! Happy
WOYWW! xx
I like the house a lot. They are very sweet. I have to admit, crackle paste is something I quite like, but haven't played with a lot, since I found virtually all my bottle of Distress Crackle paste dry as a bone, although well sealed (in one case factory sealed!) and only used a tiny bit once I managed to revive one of them. Ah well, a bit chipped off. No biggie - all adds to the texture right? Lovely buck- he looks very comfy, but yeah, he sensed you even if he couldn't see you.I've read a camera shutter can be sensed like the pull of another sort of trigger - did he dash away right after? I wonder....
ReplyDeleteslept in so
Mary Anne (6)
I love your little houses but sometimes even the happiest project can hit a bump in the road if it goes on for a long time, that’s why I don’t commit to any long term challenges!! (I’m so fickle). The crackle thing seems to work well, I didn’t understand the science behind your complaint but it seems very crackly to me so that counts as a win! I love Spring too, everything is starting to burst out all over, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 10 xxx
What's going on my far away friend? I am so certain that the memorial was a jab to the heart. I hate that I could not be a part, but so glad that many of you were there to represent our lovely crafty group! Although, I know that Doug knows we were ALL there in heart! I FINALLY get my jab tomorrow! I am NOT looking forward to it at all!! I have had reservations all along about it for MANY reasons, but one of the main ones is that I don't want to have any side effects from it. I have heard so many stories that are hard to ignore!! But like you said, I will seize the day!! Suck it up is more the tone for me! LOLOL You tickle me EVERY time I read your blog post! Your crackle is on point as far as I'm concerned! Gorge colors as always! I haven't used crackle paste in a hot minute. What I did have has all dried up, so that's a no go! LOL Get out those gelatos girl! I forgot how fun and easy to use they are. And YES, I do remember when they were the bees knees and I had to have them alllllll! Aren't we a sad lot???? LOL But back to you...I LOVE my Caran D'ache crayons as well and I think I will use them on my next project! Again, they are so easy to use! Yes, yes, I DO think we were on the same brain wave miles and miles apart! We seem to do that A LOT!! Which again, lets me know we would be brilliant friends should I live in your neighborhood!! Wouldn't that be fun!??? Let's say you'd probably be my only friend seeing I don't get out much and NOBODY I know (personally) crafts like we do!! One can dream! Here's to hoping your pollen allergies don't kick in with those beautiful budding trees in your yard! They are gorge! We have flowering pear trees here that just POUR out the pollen! They are so beautiful, but such a menace this time of year! And WOW at your yard visitor!!! Just gorgeous he was!! What a site to behold! Maybe he will make regular visits!! hee hee! Well have an AWESOME rest of your week and sending virtual hugs your way!! Blessings Felicia #25
ReplyDeleteYour crackle is simply gorgeous, and I love your colours - I have never used crackle without it either not crackling or it falls off the page in bits - I find it very temperamental!! The tea bag houses are delightful and I Love them, but I know what you mean about getting half way through things and hitting a little hump - that's why I don't often sign up for anything longer than 3 weeks!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you were to get such a lovely visitor to your garden - he looks very relaxed there, perhaps he'll visit again.
Have a great week
Diana xx #24
So much to see as always. Love, love that crackle!! Mine usually falls off a bit as well, though I haven't used it in ages. The tea bag houses are super cute. You were lucky to get such a great photo of your 'visitor' - how cool is that!! Thanks for your visit, yeah the mojo will be back, just as I get busy!! Happy WOYWW, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs, Cindy #27
ReplyDeleteSometimes weeks are just like that rather like buses you wait for ages and then several arrive at the same time. If you have never used Grunge paste you really need to get some it's quite different from other pastes. I love crackle paste and it varies so much depending on what type you use. I usually put a layer of gel over mine as this stops it from breaking up as there is often a bit that escapes. The tea bags look lovely and I'm happy to see your visitor again he's lovely. Take care my friend and have a happy woyww, Angela x19x
ReplyDeleteOooh Zsuzsa, love the crackle effect - really crackly and almost good enough to eat! I love your teabags with the adorable little houses too, and I think they are quite as good as previous ones. Your colours are always so gorgeous too. Beautiful blossom - I haven't seen any yet but then I haven't been out much. Our apple tree is still dormant - we'll have to wait a bit longer for that. Best time of the year for me! Your garden visitor is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit - I had to laugh at your remark about Ruby being covered in cat bums! When I took the photo I thought it was somewhat surreal. She was blissfully asleep throughout. It sounds as if Oreo fell on his feet OK, joining your family, just as ours did. Ours don't know the meaning of hardship, though - they came from a loving family in a beautiful house in the country. It's always nice having little siblings who have always been together, even in the womb. They are incredibly close and I think they look on each other as the other side of themselves. Home-made hummus is best because you know exactly what's gone in it. Most of the bought stuff has added oil - quite unnecessary. I've had great success with my new method of producing the almond pulp, even if I do have to dry it a bit and then grind it. The hummus is fabulous. Also the chickpea one is very good too. It's great fun experimenting in the kitchen - just like in the studio.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #22
Hi Zsuzsa. That crackled picture is something else. Well done! The little teabag houses are so sweet - I like them. Sorry you are not so happy with them. Thank you for the photos of that blossom - glorious! Fancy being able to have a deer in the garden - that's so lovely. He has obviously worked out how to get in and out safely..
ReplyDeleteTake care. God bless.
Margaret #2
that was such a special treat to visit in your garden! love this week's artwork - I should try and do the 100 day project next year, might get me making more often!! we'll see! Helen #1
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a busy day for me so I’m late doing my visits...better late than never eh?
ReplyDeleteI rather like the crackly page and your latest batch of tea bags is gorgeous.
Hugs,
Annie x #13
Woahhhh now that's what I call crackle, that is mega, fabulous colour choice.
ReplyDeleteI love your wee houses, you have the vision of spring to bring topics to mind now, new growth of flowers and buds, green leaves that would keep me going all year hee hee.
The stag looks very handsome, when my Daughter was in Sweden Deer would visit most days from the forest, must have been a lovely sight to see. I'm glad you managed to catch him on camera.
Good luck with the vaccine sending Hugs Tracey xx
P.S Mona's face is a stamp but yes the rest is all mine, I've done a few reworks of old masters I really enjoy introducing my own twist ;))
Love, love, love the crackle painting and the house project is sooo cute. Keep going it will be such a treat when you look back and see what you have achieved. Stay safe and keep creating.
ReplyDeletesandra de @23
Your crackle is divine. Is it on a canvas? Will you add anything to it or just enjoy as is? I am having a frantic but fun week with a book fair at my school. I am wishing that our daylight savings wasn't so close to ending...nights definitely darkening earlier but we are still having lovely sunshine days in the main. I love spring but less so Autumn when I know we are heading to more dark. Hope your coming week has more fabulous art play.
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow!! The visitor is so handsome! And the blossom is beautiful indeed. And I love your houses of course. But that crackle project is AWESOME!! I started watching her videos the other day while I was tinkering with tidying. I really want to give the tea bags a go but ours are pyramids! I'm going to ask on a local FB site. Strange things us crafters want! Spring blessings, Lisa-Jane #7
ReplyDeleteI really like the houses Zsuzsa - good luck with coming up with ideas for the other side of the hump. That crackle is spectacular. Hope the jab has minimal side effects. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #4
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I am drooling over the keyboard as I view that crackle piece. It is waaaaaaay beyond delicious and moving out into the stratosphere! Well done, Zsuzsa!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful crackle and I like your little houses. I think doing the challenge in lots of 10 is a great idea. Have a great week Angela #3
ReplyDeleteThe crackle looks really crackly! My daughter and i had similar problems with some of our string pulls peeling off. I think it was because we used different base papers. The watercolour paper worked the best.
ReplyDeleteLove the mixed media whimsy houses.
Happy WOYWW!
Susan #15
The crackle is incredible beautiful and the little houses are so sweet too! I wish I could get my jab as quick as well (I am not looking forward to it, but would like to able able to live normally again...). It will last much longer here though (they are busy with people over 80 at the moment). Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat crackle is A-MAY-ZING and love the little houses, glad you got round to them this week.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm a bit late this week but I was digging a pond Wednesday then food shopping and trying to source some plants yesterday whilst the boys replaced some fence panels then I had to go clear up the garden AGAIN. Thanks for the visit BJ#9
Omg that canvas is divine! It worked perfectly! Reminds me of sun drenched wooden doors and tiles in hot countries. Beautiful stuff Zsu!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did see your photo on FB and I share your sentiments, I hope he is safe and well wherever he went to, wasn't that a wonderful moment? You were very lucky. I get excited if a jay drops into our back lawn, and once we had a woodpecker I was over the moon.
ReplyDeleteLove your blossom too.
Well, your crackle did crackle - I would say that is a good crackle you got. Fabulous!
I love your house teabags. Not sure what you want to do next. Something to do with 'celestial', stencils, faces, animals, things that fly, Alice in Wonderland or Wizard of Oz, Travel spring to mind but then you might not like any of them. Just trying to help.
Sorry I am so late but back is really bad plus I have had 267 spam comments to delete since Wednesday. So time consuming, especially when you don't feel like bothering. Someone obviously is targeting me. Wish I knew how to delete a block of them but I don't.
Anyway, stay safe and well
Hugs, Neet 5 xx
Oh My giddy aunt! I am, as above, dooling over that crackle paint, I think it's the best example I've seen! That's it, crackle paint is on my list! (actually, its been on there before, this time...as soon as the shop opens agai...n I'm in there!) Houses look brillaint, love their colours! Stay Safe, Keep on Crafting, Happy WOYWW!? ((Lyn))#21
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