WOYWW 616

 UPS AND DOWNS, HIGHS AND LOWS....

It was an odd experience attending a virtual funeral but I wouldn't have missed the chance to say farewell to our dear Shaz Silverwolf. Doug did a brilliant job, everything was perfect for his dear wifelet and it was an amazing tribute to a kick ass woman. RIP dear friend.

Shaz would be the first to say it's time to get back on the crafting wagon though, wouldn't she?

More watercolours and cards have been made....

I'm starting to do my own thing now rather than copying tutorials and have found that my Arteza brush pens are excellent for just adding in a bit of detail without being too in-your-face about it.

A friend had a birthday so I drew these characters (from inspiration online) and put them on foam pads (which I took off the sheet in an orderly fashion Julia, lol!)

I ordered some stuff from eBay for the WI project! Swing those tassels......

My friend Kim is also working on the team and has been experimenting making jewels with glittery hot glue, don't they work well? I'd never have thought of that in a million years - she's a clever gal!


And finally, just so's Twiglet can have a snigger:
There was a man with a big chopper up my tree a couple of days ago *grin*  The Silver Birch had just grown too big and was affecting our roof, the streetlight and the foundations of our wall, so it had to come down. I feel bad about it but there you go, I'll make a donation to the Woodland Trust and get some others planted but in a better place. The jackdaws are not going to be happy....... :-D

I had my first jab yesterday, hooray, onwards and upwards!
Have a good week xxxxxx






34 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Jan, It was a good send off for Shaz.

Your watercolours are lovely and ideal for cards. The card for your friend is fab.

Intrigued by the foam head and tassels.

Those glue dots are a great idea.

Shame about the tree, but you have to protect your house.



Happy WOYWW
Sue

Helen said...

it was a slightly strange experience watching the funeral online but so glad I was able to, to pay my respects.
Shame about your tree, but if it is affecting property the best thing to do... hope Twiglet enjoyed the giggle too.
Great drawings, Jan, you should design stamps!! Take care and well done on the jab! Helen #?

Sarah Brennan said...

Yay for your first jab Jan! Looking forward to seeing the finished WI character. Sorry the tree had to go but sometimes needs must. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #?

Mary Anne said...

Well I hope you are happy. I am watching CeeCee as I treadmill and have had a bit of a go at some of the tutorials. I am not very good, but I am enjoying the process for sure! Love that you are branching out into your own designs and they are looking fab. I got side-tracked a bit by her "pretties" tutorial as I think they can be made from other stuff I have hanging about. Another rabbit hole thanks to WOYWW. Dear me. Man with a chopper up your tree? Sounds like...wasn't there an old movie about a window washer? a bit smutty? Seems like I have seen it referenced before...

slept in so
Mary Anne (6)

Lynnecrafts said...

Ooh er missus, that’s a big chopper! Your Betty is going to look great, too.
You’re becoming a real paper crafter Jan, those are great cards.
I’m glad you were able to zoom into Shaz’s funeral, I was thinking of you all.
And I’m so glad you’ve had your first jab.
Take care, stay safe and happy WOYWW
Love
Lynnecrafts 17

Lisa-Jane said...

Hope you're feeling okay after your jab! DH had his yesterday and is feeling rotten today. I absolutely LOVE your illustration with the high kicking ladies - I thought it was a stamp! It jolly well should be. You could scan it to use as a digi stamp? Lovely watercolours too - you really are so talented. Shame about the tree but needs must. Are you keeping the wood? Sending Spring blessings, Lisa-Jane #7

Twiglet said...

Oh Jan - you know me so well. I love a..... No! I won't go there. Suffice it to say that we had a tree surgeon taking down a tree near our school. I took all my class out to watch him working - really fascinating. (He asked my HT if I was unattached!!) Lol always make a good impression.
Hope your jab is Ok and you feel no side effects. Love those watercolours - you have really got the knack. xx Jo

glitterandglue said...

Morning Jan. Oh my - your painting is so lovely - well done you! As for those ladies.... just great! This WI project is certainly getting the old grey cells churning wondering whatever you can be up to! Silver birch trees are so beautiful - a shame it had been planted too near to the house when it was built - whatever was the builder thinking of. Your man with a chopper seemed to be enjoying himself anyway!
Glad jab #1 is now under the belt... nearly there.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #2

De serendipity said...

Hope your jab goes well and keep away from any surgeon even ones in trees. Love how your watercolours are coming along. I actually thought the 3 young ladies was a stamp. Very impressed that you drew it. You may have a new career in designing stamps
Sandra de @23

Susan Renshaw said...

Well done on getting your first jab!
So much to see on your page - l love your water coloured flowers.
Also the card for your friend - both the images and the sentiment. That made me smile!
Happy WOYWW!
Susan #15

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

You're getting so good at the watercolours! Did you really drew those characters by hand - I thought it was a stamp! I'm well impressed! The hot glue jewels sound interesting - and such a shame about the tree! We had to cut down a tree as well as it was getting hazardous - 50+ years of growing gone in just a few minutes. But you're right, so new ones will be planted instead in a better place. When people plant trees, they don't always consider the size of the tree when it grows up! Have a lovely week, Jan! xx zsuzsa #28

Diana Taylor said...

Your water colour is beautiful, and I love the little characters you painted for the fab card - your friend is going to love that. You've taken me back to the seventies when I used to have a polystyrene head like that (but a female one) - it held a large floaty hat with a chiffon scarf wrapped round the brim - that head was my most treasured possession for some reason!
I love the gems your friend made, how very clever, and I had to snigger at the man up the tree, although it's always sad to see a tree go.
Congratulations on getting your jab, I had mine last week - light at the end of the tunnel at last!
Have a great week,
Diana xx #24

Catriona said...

What a lot of interesting photos today Jan although my favourite one is the painting. Good idea to have the tree removed if it’s damaging your house. Happy making.

Eva said...

Hi Jan! I'm impressed, your water colour is something special! The poppies are great!! Just do it your way....this is the right way.
The cool Birthday Card shows a lot of humor! Great Job!
I hope you miss the Silver Birch not too much! We had a big one (bigger than yours) in our garden. We sacrificed them to our neighbor. (Translated with Google). Me and my Mum were so sad. And on the top of the tree was a nest from a squirrel. So sad, it hurts me after years ago...
Congrats to your fist jab!!
Eva from Austria

Felicia said...

Jan, I'm still loving your watercolors! And glad that you are finding your own niche with it all! That card is gorgeous! I know it's hard to break from the tutorials (from experience....hee hee) because it's safe. I think we are just a wee bit worried we won't do something right, when ALL ALONG, it will be "our" expression and THAT'S OK and JUST RIGHT!!! Proof in your card! I will be getting back to some of my watercolors this week. I miss them when I'm away too long! The 'old lady" card had me snickering! That will be my motto til I go down!! Heck, I still think I'm sixteen! LOLOL What a brilliant idea with the glittery hot glue! Love it!! I saw some the other day when I went to get refills and thought, now what would I use that for?????? Now I know! LOL Bless that poor tree! Trees are my ultimate favorite of God's creation for so many reasons, so I totally get you! But.....you are adding back to life, so hats off to you! The tree gods will forgive you! LOLOL Thanks for stopping by my desk and have an awesome rest of your week! Blessings Felicia #25

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jan, I so agree that Doug did Shaz proud and admire the way he has continued with the blog - altogether a brilliant job.

I love your watercolours - they are simply beautiful. And they will make card toppers that are truly one of a kind. As are the ladies you've drawn for the birthday card - love it!

I believe I have some sticks of glitter glue tucked away in my not inconsiderable stash. I would never have thought of making jewels with them but it's a very clever idea.

So sorry for the birch but we had to do similar with a sycamore. We've made up for it by planting several elsewhere in the garden since.

Alan is home from the district nurse, patched up again and going back on Friday. She did as hoped and told him to rest!!!

Have a great week and happy painting. Hugs, Elizabeth x #31

Shoshi said...

Your watercolouring skills are going from strength to strength, Jan. I can't get over how stunning those flowers are... Love the can-canning ladies card too - what fun!

Thank you for visiting - I laughed at what you said about your kitty on the litter tray! It made me think that perhaps I ought to make one of those "peeking cats" actually doing a poo (brown French knots?) - and see if my hubby notices! Or is that a step of grossness too far... We had a cake making competition at one of our ileostomy meetings once, and I made a plateful of stoma cakes (buns with appropriate icing decorations on them!) - I didn't win, but everybody had a good laugh! I consider that was more of a victory than winning a chocolate bar.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #22

Caro said...

I love your watercolour this week, but the ladies are fantastic! So much fun! Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#17)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Hi Jan, i'm glad to see you have not stopped with your watercolour once your brain gets the gist of it it's surprising how we can put image to paper. Nice touch with the Watercolour pens, they can be very handy.
I really love the sketched card, it's a personal touch..
Have to say I sniggered about the big chopper and those enormous tassels.. i'm sniggering again *Stoppit*!!
Good job with that 1st jab YAY!! Happy WoywW Hugs Tracey x

Annie said...

It’s been a busy day for me so I’m late doing my visits...better late than never eh?
You’ve had one man with a big chopper and today I’ve had 2 fitting us new facia boards and guttering....just a shame about the 2 metre gap eh? Your watercolours really are going from strength to strength...I love them.
Hugs,
Annie x #13

Kathryn Frantz said...

Hi, Jan!

Sorry to be so late getting around. I had an early doctor's appointment which interfered with my morning coffee!

Be sure to point me in the right direction when Doug posts the memorial. I will pay my respects also. It is hard to explain how a "virtual friendship" can feel so real, and the loss also. What a vacancy she leaves for you and the deskers who really met and crafted with Shaz. It is obvious that she was one of a kind, so dear, so loved!

Stay well, Happy Wednesday!

Kathryn

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Jan, saw you question about the TH watercolour card. I've only just got it and not used it before but I'll let you know what it's like when I've had chance to try it out. I must say you watercolour looks great and the card is so much fun too. The jewels are gorgeous too. Hot glue is great for all kinds of crafting, I often use it in moulds and creating texture on canvas too. I shouldn't feel too sorry for the Silver Birch as they don't have a very long life span like most trees and I'm sure you will find something else to replace it. Take care my friend and have a happy woyww, Angela x19x

Crafting With Jack said...

Well done on that first jab. Beautiful watercolour flowers. I really hate trees being cut down although I know it is necessary sometimes. Your ladies are such a fun image. Have a great week and happy WOYWW Angela #3

Stacy Sheldon said...

I am totally impressed you are doing your own thing with the painting Jan, they look gorgeous. Sorry about the tree, but that is interesting you can donate the wood? Yay for your first one too. :) I am so totally looking forward to hearing there has been a corner turned everywhere soon. ~Stacy #31

Julia Dunnit said...

Sooo glad about the jab. The blame for the silver birch lies entirely with the b@*#&y builders who seem incapable of actually hiring landscapers with foresight at the build point. Makes me mad, can you tell! The guys that sorted our tree out in the autumn were scathing about putting such a plant in a small garden. Meanwhile, am loving the jewels, brilliant idea. This project is beginning to take on a ‘life’ of its own now. Have you erm, stuffed an arm?!!

Anne said...

Hi Jan. Sorry I'm late, especially after you linking me up. I got sidetracked. We had to have two beautiful Copper Beech trees removed from side of the drive. The roots were going into drains. Causing flooding into next door. It was so sad to see them go. An elderly neighbour came and told us off, we had got permission from the council. I was upset anyway and devastated that someone thought we were doing it for sake of it. Our house is also called Copper Beeches, after the trees. It is built in whst was the orchard of a big house at the back. The trees had been there a long, long time.
The flowers are gorgeous. Great cards.
Had two young men in repairing cooker and had it professionally cleaned, I find it hard to do now.

I was honoured to be able to 'attend' Shaz's funeral. Take care, stay safe. X Anne 26 :-)

Lindart said...

Congratulations for your jab!! I'm glad you were able to say your goodbye's to Shaz, such a loss. You have really grown with your watercolours, you did just what you are supposed to do, copy a technique until you can go out on your own. And you did so beautifully! I love the girls, you have more confidence than I do! Thanks for your visit, have a great week, Lindart #30

My name is Cindy said...

Is there no end to this woman's talents? 'so I drew these characters'...pfff.
I'm only jealous, that's a great card. Glad to hear were using your pads in an orderly fashion. I am very late this week, going backwards.... Happy WOYWW, stay safe, stay well, Cindy #27

BJ said...

Oh my life the pink poppies are to die for!!!! and deckled edged to boot! Your drawing skills are superb too, I could never do that! Shame about the silver Birch but understandable. We have one in the garden which self seeded in one of my pots many years ago. I planted it out and it is now very big. I had it "trimmed" along with the Magnolia and Red Robin Autumn 2019. The guys had to make sure I meant what I said as taking it back to where I had it before literally cut it in half but it looks lovely and much more suited to a small garden. We have them done every 3 years or so.
Sorry I'm a bit late this week but I was digging a pond Wednesday then food shopping and trying to source some plants yesterday whilst the boys replaced some fence panels then I had to go clear up the garden AGAIN. Thanks for the visit BJ#9

Dorlene Durham said...

I’ve been hearing such great comments about Shaz’ funeral and I’m happy hear it. Your post has some interesting photos. I love the glitter glue jewels and your hand drawn card, come on! that’s amazing. Sorry for the late visit. I hope you have a great rest of the week. Dorlene #33

Angela Drake said...

Wait.... you draw! Those ladies are fabulous! There is no end to your talents, dear friend. Hot glue jewels? Hadn't heard of that one either. Your blog is full of surprises this week. LOL I understand the tree needing to come down. Good plan to donate and replant in better places. Mother Nature will bless you well for this one. Creative Blessings! ~ Kelly #29

Neet said...

Hope you are still not experiencing anything since the jab. One step nearer so it has to be worth it.
We once had some trees taken down, it was unbelievable the way the young lad (gorgeous looker) shinned up and down with his chopper. I spent all morning watching him.
Well, I am so impressed with your watercolouring. You will have to teach me at the next crop - this latest card is beautiful and I am saving my birthday card as I love it. Also with your trio of ladies - you drew them yourself? Wow, is there no end to your talent?
Good idea with the hot glue, would never have thought it.
Just watch Betty with those tassels! Keep well away from her during the night or you don't know what she will get up to.
Hugs, Neet 5 xx
ps sorry I am so late but back is really bad plus I have had 267 spam comments to delete since Wednesday.

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

That Shaz, she's watching, and enjoying. Jan you have done great with the watercolor. Love the flowers. It's on my bucketlist and my smile is from the cute dancing ladies ! Adorable. I just read another article on hot glue for the envelope stamping. Great ideas. A little late with the visit, but between 2 days of router issues and time away I'm still trying to get printers in sync. Thanks for your visit. Enjoy the weekend.

Spyder said...

Better late than never! I think I type something and then press the cancel button instead! All your desks this week and last week look like you've been very busy! The picture above with your tulips in the garden, look lovely. My poor tulips are out too, even though I forgot to plant them, so its a wonder they grew at all, let along flowered!! Stay safe, keep crafting! Happy very Late last weeks WOYWW!? ((Lyn))#6

WOYWW 769

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