Wednesday, October 14, 2015

WOYWW: Ushering in Autumn (a little late)

The first day of fall arrived several weeks ago but I simply wasn’t “ready”.  With the leaves changing and falling I thought I better get myself in gear before I find fall gone and winter arriving!  This messiness is my way of  getting some semblance of organization.  There are "piles" of ephemera, scrapbook paper, ribbon, stickers, stamps, and washi tape.  My goal is to use it all up in the fall journal I started last year.  At this pint I have enough for two!

Since starting on this journey of being a mixed media artist, I have been trying to find a way to combine my love for painting and texture with photography.  While I haven’t found that illusive style of my own, I discovered fulfillment while creating this thank you card over the weekend.  Sewing the various layers together then gluing on finishing touches gave me a sense of joy and accomplishment.  I'm feeling rather giddy as it is on its way to a popular mixed media artist who I admire and follow.
I think about all you fellow deskers and the gorgeous cards you design each week.  While I admire them they aren't me.  I love unfinished edges, threads hanging out, combining paper and ribbon with chunky bits.  In sharing this I realize what holds me back is this style is only understood by those of us who create it.  If I sent this to one of my relatives they wouldn't understand why I made a card using torn paper and material cut haphazardly. "Has she lost her mind?"  For now, I keep the circle I share with small.  Even my boys have no idea what I do because I doubt they would understand.

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!

15 comments:

  1. I LOVE your way of working with torn paper and loose threads... it is what I like but there are indeed some (a lot?) people who don't understand... remember to just create in a way that makes YOU happy, that's the most important thing! Happy woyww and a hug from Holland, Marit #29

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  2. Oh wow, well hugs to you Diane...I love your art and style...I make those crazy 'plain' cards and so admire those like yourself who have a true talent to 'mix it all up'. I love your card and fabulous photo...well done. Enjoy your week Cheers RobynO#25

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  3. Hi Diane, I too am not a neat artist - if I stamp it is a home made one and I love unfinished tatty edges and a bit of fraying - well everyone knows it is unique. Carry on - great. Jackie #21

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  4. There is something about unfinished edges, threads and torn edges that makes the project complete. Have a lovely week.
    sandra de @9

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  5. Your desk is looking very Autumnal. Thanks for your visit last week and for your lovely comment. Happy WOYWW!

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  6. Loving your autumnal desk and great card! Take care Zo xx 32

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  7. Your page looks very exciting. I like your loose threads and the leaves at the top look great. Have a lovely week. Barbx #34

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  8. Love your card - such a lovely combination of textures and ephemera. Great peak at your work space as well - so many wonderful tools.

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  9. Great advice from Marit there! The only thing that matters is that it makes you happy. We create for ourselves, not for other people. The messier the better! Love your page and it's a fantastic idea to have a "fall journal" - you could have one for each season! I love fall/autumn with it's colours and the cooler temperatures. Have you discovered Finnabair yet? She uses photos in her projects, as well as a lot of assemblage. I'd like to be able to incorporate photos with mixed media like she does. Hope you have a good week! zsuzsa #36

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  10. I adore the shabby, not quite finished look of your crafting too! I wish it was something I could do but am afraid that my inner OCD kicks in and then everything has to be neat :-) I didn't realise that I had such tendencies until I started crafting 5 years ago!!
    Hugs, LLJ 10 xx

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  11. who wants to be the same as everyone else- lovely to have your own style and it works really well too.Have a great week. Soojay xx 18

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  12. I love your mixed media art! I wished I could make something like that!

    Greetings, Sofie #46
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be

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  13. I loved Mixed Media Art but when making cards I try to use techniques that I am sure will be appreciated by the recipient. Some people will love grungy styles while others might wonder what it's all about. I must say I do prefer to know the people I make cards for that way I am less likely to get it wrong. When making things for me that's a different matter. Have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 26

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  14. It's funny that you think you haven't found your style yet, it's like feeling grown up, I think!
    Seems that you may have hit something though, an epiphany of discovery in that single card - which is lovely by the way.And of course your recipient will like it - because there are no rules, you work without parameters and then wonder if it's OK. It is. Enjoy.

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  15. Love your autumnal desk, Diane, and your card is great. I do agree with Angela, though - that the card should be something the recipient will appreciate. I tend to be a bit of a neat freak with my work, but this is something I am gradually breaking away from, and Brushos are certainly not neat freak stuff - the unpredictability is somewhat scary but I do feel my style is freeing up a bit. I love the discipline of Zentangle, and precise colouring and intricate drawing too, but using spray inks and blending acrylics and working with stencils and Polyfilla... all delicious stuff and I adore texture! I think I have many styles and I enjoy them all!

    Thank you for your visit and your lovely comment. I am glad you like my creative space. I really love that room and can't wait to be spending more time in there. I agree - sail over any time and share a smoothie with me lol!!! I shall have to post some photos once I get going! You can share the experience vicariously then lol! I am soooo happy that my chemo is all finished, and I am still pinching myself and scarcely believing it because the past couple of months have passed so quickly. I am now looking forward big time to my New Life!!

    Happy belated WOYWW,
    Shoshi #27

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