Wednesday 19 January 2011

What's on your workdesk Wednesday - A MESS!

My desk is a shameful mess this morning - and why? 
Because last night after my visitors had gone I decided to have a go at the first exercise of 'Your Vintage Gluebook' course. 

I know what you are going to say - namely that I have signed up for a few courses and haven't followed them through - and you are quite right!  
There are many reasons for this - hence my trying this collage course.  I am hoping it will help with my other areas of art work.

This is my first attempt.
It is a bit darker tham it appears on here - the colours being vintage, using mainly vintage ephemera.

Mary of Greenpaper said that 'you will not like your first attempt'.  Well last night I did - I thought it was rather good for a first attempt - but this morning I didn't and picked 'holes' in it for all sorts of reasons.

The size of the book is 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches - so it's a bit small and having big arthritic hands and fingers I do tend to avoid small things as they are a struggle.

(Notice all the excuses!)

I have laid the page on a frame which helps to focus on the 'dislikes'.

The title of the backing book page, which is a vintage pale coffee colour - is off centre (wish I had used a frame last night!).

I tend to tear everything as I have trouble cutting out images, which is OK in straight lines but not so clever with the child and dog - old newspaper images, which were a bit thin.

I like the overlaid vintage rose drawing over the green vintage paper strip.  I also like the torn at an angle, vertical vintage strip on the left hand side.

The vintage perfume bottle label, I thought looked nice last night as the colours matched - but now I realise that it is 'top heavy' and should have been smaller.

But I guess for a first effort - it's not bad!

I have spent the rest of this morning clearing up all the mess!

Lunch is 'calling' so just off to cook it, and I'll be paying a visit to other WOYWW participants

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I couldnt pick holes with this piece at all but then we're are own worse critics - honestly,I think it looks good.

imperfectly natural mama said...

You are definitely being too hard on yourself. I think it is really lovely and the composition is very well balanced.

Linda said...

Hi Lottie...thanks for stopping by my blog. I love this gluebook page! The torn edges and the muted colors are such a nice touch. I loved this class and I know you will too!

Ati said...

I like your first page very much!

Motherkitty said...

I see nothing wrong with your first page. I think it looks very nice, indeed. You're far too hard on yourself.

themessycraftroom said...

Hi Lottie as usual your being to hard on your self. I think it's lovely and the composition looks fine to me. Honest I would tell you if I didn't like it. Hugs x ChrisB

sandra de said...

Hi lottie, thanks for dropping by and visiting my desk. I Know what you mean about the vintage collage course. I signed up for a course and after 3 pages I have closed the book and put all the bits and pieces in the box. I am finding it really hard and plan to come back to it !!!!! I personally think your page is beautiful. We can be so hard on ourselves.
Sandra #66

Lorraine said...

what a lovely collage..I tear things as they merge better on the page too. You are too critical of yourself sometimes I think as this is a lovely collage

Shairon said...

Have to say I think it is just a perfectly lovely composition, Lottie. Well done, everything you attempt turns out so well. xx

Jewels said...

Heh for a first timer I think you did awesome. I was not as adventurous my first time out and I copied a couple of Mary's pages to the letter so I could get the hang of it - good on you to just go for it. The nice thing is you can share with the rest of the world what you want to and hold back the stuff you think "ehh, not so good". Cheers

Neet said...

Oh Lottie - when I saw your heading on my sidebar I thought "Lottie cannot make a mess" but your desk is a wee bit cluttered but that is a sign of creativity.
I love the collage you have done, where did you find all those gorgeous images? Please do not look so critically at your work - you are so good at everything you do and I admire you.

hazel said...

Lottie, I think your page is lovely.
xxx Hazel

LazyKay said...

Mess, what mess???

LOVE all the stuff you've done, altho' not stopped to comment on each one - you know how inspiring I find your work.

It's great that you've signed up for, completed and enjoyed your courses and I really do love reading how you're getting on and your thoughts as you go thru' them.

TFS

Love
xxxx

imperfectly natural mama said...

I have passed on 'The stylish blog' award to you, details are on my latest post.
Hels
x

Anonymous said...

Wow Lottie, you did brilliant, this is a fabulous collage that you created and i can see you will a amazing collage artist.Hope you are well my friend.
Also i wanted to let you know there is a freebie on my dezinaworld blog today. its just for one day.
have a wonderful week
hugs June

Joanna said...

Wow, this is a super GB page. I love how those sweet faces are tucked in the gorgeous vintage papers and images. And this is your FIRST attempt?! Well done!

Zuzu's Blog said...

so .. just wanted to ask.. lol...
you seriously think that desk is a mess????? LOL.. I am obviously a complete slob.. best i dont show you mine EVER hehe...

the project is looking great though.. well done