Alcohol Inks and WOYWW

In my tidying and re-organising frenzy over the last few weeks I have been discovering stash that I had thought lost or had completely forgotten about. Having unexpectedly come across a packet of Yupo paper I remembered how enjoyable Alcohol Inks can be, so decided to have a little play with them. 

I know they are usually beautifully vibrant and rich in colour but I am still in a 'muted' frame of mind and enjoying late evenings in my garden - so my tags are along this theme.

I accidentally discovered that if I add blending solution to the stamped image and then rub it off gently I get a wonderfully faded image, so I was able to layer them and achieve more of a feel of insects at dusk.   

I'm linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday this week.

More Studio Organizing

I have been doing some gentle sorting in my studio, continuing on from last week - just a little bit here and there in the hot weather - and believe it or not this cupboard has been completely sorted and is looking a whole lot tidier!  When I sit at my desk this is on the far side of the room to my left.   

In the cupboard are treasures such as old bones, dead insects, half a crab, surplus teacups and milk jugs, antique baby shoes and many other precious bits that can't possibly be thrown away.  To the right of the cupboard you can just see my Grandma's carpet beater and some sewing machine drawers stuffed behind a pile of old suitcases (I'm a sucker for a vintage suitcase!)

At right angles to the cupboard I have three small shelves with lots more little precious bits and pieces including my collection of old teacups and saucers.  The individual shelves are generally grouped in colour order and my justification for collecting more treasures is that I often use them in photography!

As you can see I have a strong hoarding instinct but it's coupled with a strong desire to live with no clutter - it's a constant battle!!

I'm linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday.  Why not pop over there and have a nosey around other people's work spaces!

Studio De-Stash and WOYWW

Cooler weather - what a relief - and so much more energy to do things!  I have been having a clutter clear and reorganisation in my studio this week and although the changes aren't big, it feels nicer!

Only the most necessary yarns have been kept (!) and they fitted neatly into four large wicker baskets - at the start my plan was that they would all fit into one, but I think I was being unrealistically optimistic!

More organising on the other side of the room - my large trunk of fabric, sitting at the end of my desk, was sorted out but instead of reducing it I found that once all the fabric was out it wouldn't all fit back in - hence the basket on top is now stuffed with overflow bits and I managed to send one small bundle of fabric to charity!  

This really has to be the ideal lazy-persons desk, as all I have to do is swivel my chair around and everything is within easy reach! My desk is empty as usual, as I can't stand having anything on it, but the pile of A4 boxes in the pictures is where the clutter is kept. Each box is for a different project/subject and the pile is getting taller and wobblier.

I'm joining in with Julia over at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday this week.