Tuesday, November 3, 2015

WOYWW: A beautiful mess!

Ever been in the throes of creating when reality draws you back and you awaken to a beautiful, creative mess before you?  This happened while I was creating fall tags for a swap I am hosting.  My desk is littered with beautiful spools of ribbon, yards of yummy Sari silk ribbon, my favorite glue, silk leaves, a newly found over sized pad of tags, and a Halloween mug full of gingerbread flavored coffee.  Bliss… 

About the latest transfer: My boxes are moved and I have a temporary classroom.  I will be moved into a permanent room in December. My new students are not happy about losing their beloved teacher and have already tested me.  These are students who cannot function in a traditional classroom and have been removed from the mainstream students.  I have had zero training in dealing with their needs or behavior problems and I won't get any:  sink or swim!   Your encouraging comments and prayers from last week were so appreciated and needed!  I tried to get around to all of you who left comments but the need to catch up on my sleep got the better of me.  

Swapping

Let's Build a Tag Journal #3: Fall Theme:
No. 5 shipping tag: front


New 3.5" x 8.5" watercolor paper tags:
 The background was created using a dictionary page sprayed with Walnut inks in walnut, terra cotta, and jave.  After it dried I zigzagged stitched the paper to the tag then pushed modeling paste through a stencil.  Once dried I used various Adirondack inks to stain the modeling paste then splattered the tag with black gesso.  I then glued a strip of olive green offray along the left side.

 I created this portion by wrinkling brown craft paper, distressing the edges with VersaMagic ink in jumbo lava.  Sprayed a strip of cheese cloth with Walnut inks in walnut, terra cotta, and jave.  Once dried I sewed it to the bottom layer of craft paper. Glued the magazine photo to the top layer of craft paper which I then glued to the bottom layer.

I used the same leaf found in the photo, painted it with Martha Stewart's geranium.  I tied a bit of the inked cheese cloth to the stem then glued it to the tag.  This photo gives you a better view of the background.

Second tag:
I originally thought this would be the one I would send to my partner as this is one of my favorite photos taken on a road trip last fall.  I added the sprigs of dried Sweet Annie to represent the weeds that were growing around the old barn.

After looking at both of the completed tags I opted to send her the orange leaf tag as it was more fallish, not as dark as this one.  Instead, it will go into my Fall art journal.  

About these new tags: I was disappointed that they could not handle the added weight of the modeling paste and ephemera.  They need to be reinforced either by gluing two of them together or cutting and gluing on a piece of card stock.  Live and learn.  

I look at these tags and I love seeing my style evolving; finding a way to incorporate my photographs with my love of texture and sewing.

Go HERE to see my creative process for this Shutter Memo Holder I altered over the weekend.


So, what beautiful mess have you made this week?  

Joining up with What’s onYour Workdesk? Wednesday where desk snooping is not only allowed but all part of the fun!  Won’t you join us!

19 comments:

  1. oh yes but look at the lovely stuff you created? I love halloween colours
    Bridget #1

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  2. a mess? no a glorious workspace! Love the tags!! good luck with the classroom! Helen 5

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  3. such yummy tags and good luck with those students , butterfliecrafter #12

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  4. beautifull tags and I love your desk!
    Happy WOYWW!
    Francisca

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  5. The tags you made are really beautiful! I wish I could make something like that!

    Greetings, Sofie #11
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

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  6. Gorgeous collection of tags and love the memo holder. All the best with your new class.
    sandra de @19

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  7. These are beautiful, Diane. Well done - being creative when stressed in other areas can surely only help. John and I have been praying for you this week - for peace in a very difficult situation, for rest and sleep, and for ability. Thanks for your update - we will continue to pray, knowing a little more of the situation means we can pray directly into the whole event.
    Take care. God bless and keep you.
    Margaret #2

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  8. Your autumn tags are really beautiful - all so different but in the same theme..very clever! And the coffee sounds gorgeous too :-)
    I'm thinking of you with the challenging students...I've worked with kids like that and it is not easy. Take care of yourself....
    Hugs, LLJ 18 xx

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  9. Hi Diane, your tags are glorious, so much cōlour and texture in them. Love the golden autumn leaf. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #7 xx

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  10. Hi Diane, gorgeous Autumn colours and lovely tags. I am rather shocked by what this school are expecting of you. As an retired teacher, Head of Year, I would have been asking questions if my special needs pupils were given a teacher without any training regarding their needs. You should be getting some support staff to help you and if not you need to ask why. I hope things are sorted for you and the pupils. Take care, Angela x 23

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  11. These are absolutely stunning tags, Diane! So full of fall colours and textures! I love sari ribbons too! I will continue to send positive thoughts to you at this challenging time in your life. I certainly wouldn't be able to cope well, but you must be stronger than me! Everything happens for a reason - maybe some good will come out of this in the end, we just don't know what it is yet! zsuzsa #31

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  12. I just love how you used the wide ribbon to make those tags so luscious! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #40

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  13. Your desk is a picture in itself with all those gorgeous fall colours! Even the scissors are orange to match the mood.
    Of course your tags are stunning!
    Have a good week,
    Lisca

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  14. Your tags are gorgeous Diane. You "new" job sounds similar to mine - I work in the inclusion centre- along with counselling pupils and pastoral care, they also send the " poor behaviour" to me or they have to come to me if they are sent out of a lesson. Are your pupils SEN or Pru type ? I lobve my job but it is very challenging . Take care darling , thanks for the earlier visit xx Soojay

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  15. Hi Diane, I am loving all your projects.

    Good luck with the new job.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sue #17

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  16. Hi Diane, wonderful tags, just love the colours and textures and that you use your photos. Have a great week Cheers RobynO#28

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  17. WOW Fab !!! beautiful fall colours.
    darlene # 45

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  18. What beautiful tags. Hope you get your classroom sorted. Take care Zo xx 32

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