black and white playing time

 We are back from our wonderful long weekend in Wellington aka Wellie - good flight all the way back - and absolutely perfect weather - took these heavy clothes and carted them back again. Been pretty busy since we landed - I am still counting and ordering and plenty of parcels of new stuff to excite me. The Derwent metallic pencils arrived - I have had them for ages and have never got around to ordering them until now and I also got the XL Graphite and Charcoal blocks but haven't had time to play with them yet. Love the Derwent products.

Instead I have been sneaking bits and pieces of a couple of dvds I bought ages back but haven't been watching any because my lap top was stolen and I don't usually like watching dvds on the main computer but as I still don't have a new laptop thought I had better. I bought Anne Bagby's two dvds because I read somewhere that she does exciting things with papers and collage and she sure does. My head is spinning with new ideas. I would like a book to accompany it - I do like the hard copy stuff to pore over. Anyway she talks about papers we don't have down under so I pulled out Tissutex which I reckon is same or similar as it is conservation paper and because I haven't seen it, i am not sure what US deli paper is really like but I found some waxed paper at the supermarket and I think it will do nicely. Waxed paper is non porous and this is.  I really believe that if you can't get a product in your own country you should find something you think will work - that's what it is all about surely?

 I painted both papers with black and white paint - I used Opulent paints which have mica - Blanche and Triesse (this has gold in it and reacted differently on each type) - then I applied the other colour through a stencil. Anne does mountains more - cuts stamps and applies stamps and stencils but I am only allowing myself a quick intro to this whole new area of play. There is so much on these dvds that I can see myself returning again and again.

 If I had time I would create a heap of different papers - using the gelli plate - stencils - stamps etc

When I get a moment I shall tear them or cut them up or whatever and reapply - collage? Maybe - maybe weave them. The what if factor grows. I will post when I move onto  stage two of this activity. Check out Anne Bagby  www.annebagby.com if it appeals to you. i would personally attend a hands on although I might be exhausted afterwards. She moves at rocket speed in the dvds.

I have written my share of the newsletter and am now back to working on the e-mag - I have finishing touches to my articles -I really should stop and remember that each bit of writing is an article and not a book.

All sorts of things appeared this week - more sea urchin spines but they are half gone so I ordered another lot straight away. They seem to take quite a while. Plus the latest Cloth Paper Scissors arrived - issue 50 - i do remember when issue 1 was getting ready to appear. this particular issue is very good - wonderful interview with Louise O'Hara and a few other excitements. I can't remember what else came....
Last night we watched the final part of Broadchurch. A little drawn out but very well done. David Tennant was excellent - you kept wondering if he was going to drop dead at any point.