Monday, April 23, 2012

Monday-10:30am: T

TED, Timers, and Tons of pictures.
****
If you have not yet heard of TED, I hope you will go here and listen to a talk or two. 
**** 
TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.  It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design.  Since then its scope has become even broader.
****
 I had a terrible time picking a video because I love them all, so I closed my eyes and randomly picked one.  And she was fascinating!  The talks run about 18-20 minutes usually.  If you don't want to listen to this young lady, pick something that would interest you more and give TED a listen. Maybe, like myself, you will sign up to be notified of new video talks.  Whether they are talking about science, inventions, philosophy, new gadgets...I always find myself riveted.

Yes, tons of pictures today.
The dark sky...
...that would break up...
...to give us glimpses of blue sky this weekend. 
Timers.  You know how I have to set my timers for an hour so I don't overdo...well, timers were going off all weekend--LOL!  I have one by the loveseat, one on the art table, and one on the craft table.  I was going to dive back into Cathy Johnson's watercolor workshop again but nothing was working right.  I was trying to just copy her hanging bell example (because I couldn't think of anything different to do on my own--sad, but true).
You know how sometimes you go to do something and your hands don't work right and everything misses the mark?  Awk!
The timer went off.  Whew!  Done with that exercise.  So I went to sit and rest my back...thinking about the next thing to play with--watercolor pencils.  
****
Timer went off.  Rest time over.  Back to art.  
****
I gathered up my watercolor pencils and crayons--and, since my hands didn't seem to be cooperating, I thought--maybe I'll make color charts!  I've wanted to do that.  My hands don't have to be having a good day...so that was the plan.
****
The front stack are the three watercolor pencil sets and the back stack are the three watercolor crayon sets.
You may remember that this Cretacolor set was the big set of 72 I got on sale about ten years ago and was afraid to use until this year.
I sat and organized these by the color number on the pencils.
Then my Staedtler Karat Aquarell set of 24 I've had maybe around 20 years.
When you only use them for coloring in small areas on cards they last a long time.
The Caran D'Ache set of 12 metallic pencils.
Not much of a shimmer, so have barely used these at all.
Then the watercolor crayons.  Another big set of 84 Caran D'Ache Neocolor II that I got on sale about the same time as the big set of watercolor pencils...and was afraid to use because they were too nice.
I think I finally broke them out, too, a couple years ago.  Note: you have to keep in mind that I was buying up supplies for decades when I had no time to use them.  I just knew some day I would finally be able to get to them and be thrilled I had them.  I was right.  ;)  Not in the way I expected, but I am thrilled to have them and so glad I have been collecting these goodies for so long.
My older set of 24 Lyra Aquacolors I've had so long I don't remember when I bought them...
...and the wrappers started to fall off so I striped them all clean of paper.  I know it doesn't look like it from the picture but I have used these a lot!  I would color in rubber stamps with a waterbrush.  You just rub the waterbrush on the crayon and then paint away. 
I had picked this small set of 10 Caran D'Ache metallic Neocolor I crayons years ago at a Michael's, I believe.  
The small tin got stuck away and I never used them.  
All day Saturday timers were going off and I was working on making charts of rectangles...
...and coloring in about a third on the left side.
Timers and rulers and pencils and a Micron pen and white eraser...I got the watercolor pencils set charts done and colored: Cretacolor...
...Staedtler and Caran D'Ache metallic.
Timers and breaks and watercolor crayons: Caran D'Ache Neocolor II...
...Lyra and Caran D'Ache Neocolor I metallics.
The timers were beeping...the breaks got longer...until I finally stopped about 11:30pm.
****
Sunday was the fun part!  Adding the water.  I moved to the craft table and dug in! 
Cretacolor.  The big set of watercolor pencils didn't melt as easily with the application of the wet brush...
...as the smaller old Staedtler set did.  The Caran D'Ache metallics were about like the Cretacolors.  Okay, but didn't dissolve quickly.  
We did get some sunshine on Sunday.  Karma soaked up some rays on the porch...but it was too chilly to sprawl.  ;)
Timers and even longer breaks on Sunday.  (After doing so much on Saturday my back and shoulders weren't in the best mood--LOL!)  Moved on to the watercolor crayons.  Caran D'Ache Neocolor IIs--some dissolved quicker than others, but they were not as creamy as...
...my old Lyras!  And do you notice anything?  ROFL!  Never assume and read the packaging.  The Caran D'Ache Neocolor I metallic crayons...well, I went to wet them and nothing happened at all.  Ahem.  They are wax pastels!!  LOLOL!  So funny!  Just because they were the same company and in crayon form...never assume.  Still makes me giggle.
Anyways, that's it for today.  But I did finish the color charts this weekend.  At least I did something and got to play, even if I didn't do much with Cathy's class...still!  LOL!
****
May this be a special week!!  :):)
****
"Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."
Michelangelo

15 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

something about art supplies in tins just thrills me. :) you need to use those 'new' things more often, dearie!

Dana said...

I always feel so inspired after reading your posts! :)

AliceKay said...

I've never heard of TED, but maybe when I have some time to listen, I'll go check it out.

Lots of different colored objects
in your post today. I'm glad you had fun "playing" with all of those art supplies. Kinda boggles my mind. :)

Toriz said...

Looks like someone had a fun weekend. ;)

Glad you remembered to set your timers!

Beth said...

You make me want to start crafting again!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

It is good to read that I am not the only person who will buy something and think it looks too good to use.......lol

Doesn't it such when our hands seem to not want to work the way we want them to...

betty said...

I like how you do the timers, Rita; good idea to not get too engrossed in an activity that it can cause you to get tight, etc. You sure have a lot of great supplies to be creative with!

betty

DJan said...

Wow! Look at all the pictures you inserted in this one. I guess it's fixed enough now for you to use it well. (The Blogger interface)

And the pretty colors, Rita. You have outdone yourself this time. :-)

Intense Guy said...

Someday, I'll be 1/10th as organized as you.

I bet that sort of thinking isn't good for a guy that has other sorts of OCD...

:)

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

oh i love ALL the colors...the FUN you can have using the NEW...yet...old...art stuff!!
i can already feel the excitement in me...rise...as i think about trying everything out!

you are SO organized...with your charts...and everything in it's place! it's always inspiring to see what you're up to!

love the cloud shots too!!
meow to karma!

Serena Lewis said...

When I saw the name, Chimamanda Adichie, I knew that I had purchased a book by her in recent months so I went to check. Sure enough, the book title is - Half of a Yellow Sun - and I haven't read it yet but certainly plan to. I'll watch her interview after I comment here. Btw, I've enjoyed watching many of the TED videos too...always inspiring.

I envy the watercolour pencil and crayon sets you have. The colour charts are a great idea. I did that for my set of Inktense water-soluble pencils as it's hard to tell what the true colour is by looking at the pencils.

I think you did a lovely job on the hanging bell. I still have to make a start on her classes. lol

Enjoy the rest of your week ~ xo

Far Side of Fifty said...

Great charts..you had fun "coloring" !! I am sad that the Grands are past coloring..perhaps I should buy me some watercolors..I will read the package first:)

Anonymous said...

lady you put me to shame at the amount of things you can get done! Whew!
I like the idea of a timer....I should do that.
you are amazing.

Desiree said...

I love TED I just recently discovered through a class I am taking from Rhomany! haha me and my classes I know BUT anyway! loving TED I have only seen two but working on more, I saw one from Susan Cain and Elizabeth Gilbert! I will watch this one too!

AND omg you have oodles of crayons and yummieness I had no idea you had that much for color!! And all that work you did to organize and such, love it!

And I got your mail! thank you soooo much you send me beautiful envelopes made from some wonderful appears!!! TY

I have not finished yours yet lol I will work on it and then want to add more and then have another great idea and that has put me behind plus I have swimmers ear, have you had that? I have never until now, and no I have not swam! But it hurts and I cussed and cried and i have a high tolerance but that seriously hurts!!!!

Karen Smithey said...

Looks like you had fun! That's exactly the kind of thing I get all wrapped up in--lots of little boxes, neatly labeled, each color in it's own little nook!

The Neocolor I crayons will smudge with your finger and are great for a touch of color/gleam along the edge of something...They also are soft enough to write on acrylic paint, which is what I love about them...