WOYWW - 98

Not quite my work desk, but I had to show you these two trees.  They are just glorious in full blossom, and are even better than usual this year after the hard winter.  I am really looking forward to driving through the lanes around Evesham this weekend and seeing all the fruit trees in full bloom on the Blossom Trail.  If we don't have any more frosts, then we should have a great year for fruit.

Having finished my target of getting all the cards I need for May done before Easter, I am now allowing myself to play.  Hopefully, most of the things I am playing with will end up on cards later in the year.  As you may notice, most of the things on my desk are related to stamping and water colouring, with a bit of mica painting slipping in to add a bit of sparkle and fun.  I do have rather a lot of water colour boxes/tins.  I treated myself to a nice new one from Daler Rowney last year, but that is still pristine and unused.  At the moment, I am still using my old Reeves paintbox which I had as a child - probably counts as an antique now.  In some ways, I prefer the old one to the new stuff, the colours are stronger and easier to blend to get the right shade, even if some of them are now banned.  All the chrome colours are not allowed these days, but I survived using them as a child and I do not intend to eat them, so I shall carry on.  

A true water colourist (is that the right word) would probably have a fit at my technique, but who cares.  I am learning and enjoying it.  I shall never have a canvas hung in the National Gallery or anywhere else, but it is FUN!!!!  My brush is a Kuretake water brush, you know, the ones with water in the barrel, with a fairly fine tip.  I must have done a lot of blending years ago, looking at the state of my white, which is almost non-existent. 

I have done a lot of stamping of small images this week, just the right size to take in the caravan and play with, either inside or out in the awning on a lap tray.  I also want to tackle sketching again, to try to produce my own images.  Not sure whether to use the cheap ratty old water colour paper for the attempts or whether to risk the beautiful new stuff (which is double the price).  Any suggestions from all you lovely people out there.

Anyway, I am going to stop rattling on and leave to to visit Julia, our hostess with the mostest,  at

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/  who has the links to hundreds (well, nearly) of other peoples' desks for you to look at, while I go and make my lunch - a big omelette with cheese, onions and chopped new potatoes - do you feel hungry yet?

I will try to get round to as many people as possible this week, and will definitely get back to anyone who is kind enough to visit me and leave a comment.  I treasure all you have to offer.  Good hunting, and Happy Easter.

PS Still problems with Blogger and photographs this week.  My lovely trees seem to be missing, although they were there when I started.