Friday, April 17, 2020

Testing .......One, Two, Three, Four

When you're home bound, can't go anywhere, quarantined, have the "stay at home" order not only from the Governor but also from your children - you find things to do.  Let's see.....I've read a lot, watched a couple of movies on the iPad (love technology), cleaned very little, played with Rambo, tried to exercise (LOL!), and piddled.  Mainly I've piddled!  Now if you don't know what piddling is, let me tell you - it's the greatest thing ever.  You appear to be so busy but you're really not doing a single thing and certainly don't accomplish anything either.    I learned that when I was working.  The object was to look busy when you weren't!  

Anyway, I was piddling around with this image the other day.  It's from MFT and such a pretty flower. So, I got out my colored pencils, watercolors, and Zigs.  I'm bound and determined to learn out to do this watercolor bit and also make something look good with the Zigs. 

First I started off with my pencils though.  The top card on the left with the multi colored flowers was done on Neenah paper using the colored pencils.  The bottom one on the left was also using colored pencils but I used some Strathmore colored pencil paper.  I really liked using them on the Neenah better.  

Next up was using some Koi watercolors that have been gathering dust now for a couple of years. I used those on the top card on the right.  No matter what I'm just not a watercolor person I don't guess.  The bottom right card was done using the Zigs and water.  Still a learning process on those but maybe getting a tiny bit better. 

Anyway, there you have it and it was a fun way to piddle.

Thanks for stopping by.....and have a nice weekend.
Lynn

22 comments:

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

Lynn, I love the different ways you colored the beautiful flowers!

Monica said...

Oh Lynn, your story was so funny, it made me laugh and Zeenya read it as well. Your cards are awesome and I love them all.

Love,

Monica

Brenda in IN said...

I can piddle with the best of them and your piddling paid off big time. These are so pretty, both with pencils and watercolor. There is a learning curve to watercolor that I haven't quite mastered yet but yours came out lovely. You mastered the shading and it looks great.

Diane said...

Greetings Lynn, you just make me laugh, gosh I haven't heard the word piddling in years. Love the coloring and fun flowers. Never hear of Zigs I am guessing they are a watercolor pen.

Hugs Diane

Linda Simpson said...

I have had a piddling kind of day today too. Love these they looks beautiful and so fresh looking.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Carol L said...

I'd say your piddling really paid off, because this is a beautiful foursome of cards! I like the unique look of each one however and could not easily pick a favorite. Congratulations on giving watercoloring your best shot! You did good!!

Tammy said...

All of these are gorgeous Lynn! I love that image and the different techniques you used. It's hard to choose a favorite but I think my favorite is the one you colored with Zig markers, the yellow and blue together looks beautiful!

Liz said...

OMGosh Lynn, I fell about laughing when I read your post! Piddling has a totally different meaning in the UK! Your cards are beautiful and I love the effect of the different ways you've coloured the flowers. xx

Susan Goetter said...

Love the cards! I totally understand the piddling...I’m doing a lot of that too!😂

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Lynn, your post gave me a giggle.
Although I have heard the term piddling, it's generally used as "piddling around" here. To just plain piddle well, here it's a slang term for pee...
Loving your experimenting with the different mediums and paper - all the results are lovely. Love your top left pencil one the most though :)
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

nwilliams6 said...

Gorgeous coloring, Lynn. Love the different look on each card. Fabulously done. Piddling is an art for sure - so are your cards. Hugz

NanaConnie said...

I've been piddling all these years and never knew it had a name. Thanks for letting me know, Lynn. Anything that has a name has to be important, right? I think your piddling produced fabulous results! 😁

JoAnn said...

Love the pretty flowers and your coloring. They will make lovely cards. Loved reading your post and I guess we all have been piddling around a bit. :) I have enjoyed crafting, making cards, and mini albums.
Have a good weekend.

Bonnie said...

You got four awesome cards with your piddling, Lynn! It's nice to know you like the Neenah better than special pencil paper. Saved me some $$ there! I have better luck with the Zigs than the Koi too but I love your flowers both ways!

Chrissy said...

Gorgeous colouring on your flowers Lynn a lovely collection of cards..now Piddling..I never knew that and to think I have piddled for years and didn't know it..lol..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

I think most of us are piddling these days! That flower image is one of my favorites. One year I planted Cosmos seeds under my bay window and they grew tall, with abundant blooms. They sway in the breeze and are favorites of the gold finches! I had a glorious summer of watching the birds feed on the centers as they danced! As for your cards, they are just lovely. We can be our own worst critics!

Shelly Schmidt said...

I love your piddling : ) You always put a smile on my face! Do you use different cardstock for your water coloring? That may make a difference- but, as I see your cards, they are all looking very nice!!! The only difference I see are the colors you used! All beautifully done!!!

EmmaT said...

Haha well im glad you explained 'piddling'! Your cards are beautiful, such a lovely image. Stay safe. Emmax

Anne Temple said...

Love all of these. Great idea to test the various papers and mediums.

Lynn McAuley said...

Your piddly blossoms are awesome, Lynn!!

Karen @ Misplaced Mojo said...

Don't give up yet Lynn! We all start off rough, but honestly these look pretty good... especially for piddling! Stick to just one medium and color this stamp multiple times and I promise you will get better because you will learn how the medium responds. I like adding intense pigment where I want it darkest, plain water where I want it lightest, then use a barely damp brush to bring the water to the pigment. That keeps me from spreading all the color over the whole section. I'm better at watercoloring with markers, but I just need more practice with my traditional watercolors to get the same results. I find if I color with one medium for a couple weeks I get better at that medium and a little rusty on all the others, but its the only way for me to get better. 2 steps forward, 1 step back... but its progress!

Karen Howard said...

I tried water coloring with a $5 set of watercolors and all I accomplished was warping my paper so bad it wouldn't stick down flat no matter how much tape I used. I just ordered a nice set of water colors from AltENew, hoping I like them. Keep trying though, maybe watch some videos, it'll give you something to do. I work from home now and my days and nights all blur together. I think these all look lovely.