It’s another What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday and before I get into this post I just want to say a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who leaves comments on my blog. It’s fun and inspiring reading about your experiences and I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment.
So . . . another week has passed with not much to show for it – at least in the arty craft sense.
I’ve been busy with other things though – lovely friends visiting for a long weekend, a trip the to the hair dressers which pretty much wiped out a whole afternoon and a ‘Get It Done Fun Day’ on Friday. So all in all it’s been an excellent week just not much making going on. That’s about to change . . .
My workdesk is now set up for the great Citra Solv experiment.
I came across the technique a few weeks ago and then found some National Geographic magazines (a vital ingredient) at the market on Sunday so I knew I just had to give it a go. If you don’t know what I’m talking about you can view some examples of it on my Citra Solv Art Pinterest board. Basically you use the Citra Solv, which is an eco friendly cleaner, to alter the pages of National Geographic magazines.
Yesterday I tried out the method with a similar cleaning product I happen to have called ‘Zest It’. That’s what you can see in the picture. It didn’t work, however, so last night I ordered some Citra Solv from the net and I’m now eagerly waiting for it to arrive.
I’m so excited in fact that I couldn’t sleep last night. At 2.00 a.m. I gave up trying and instead watched every video I could find on the technique (at least the altered paper part of it). Armed with that knowledge I’m ready to go and for round 1 I’m going to experiment with:
- bubble wrap
- cling film
- string
- masks
- stencils
- keys
. . . and anything else I think might “work”.
Now I need to find something fun to do while I’m waiting for the great Citra Solv experiment to begin!
Oh, have fun with your Citra Solv experiments – and make sure you post your results!! Happy WOYWW, Evelyn # 54
Ah yes, I was quite interested in this technique when I first saw an article in CPS about it, but it’s still on my “to do” list. I’ll be interested to see how it turns out.
Thanks for dropping by too.
Have a good week.
Cool! I hadn’t heard about the Citra Solv technique, but the projects on Pinterest look beautiful and your brief description of the process sounds fun. Happy WOYWW and Blessings!
https://arnoldolromero.blogspot.com/2014/07/im-back-home.html
Oh I see how it is! This post is just a teaser to get us hooked into the Great Citra-Solv Experiment of Twenty-Fourteen. We’ll have to stay tuned to see how it goes. The Pinterest photos look very interesting and beautiful so I’m definitely curious to see it in action. Judy #72
Like you I was taken with the technique but after looking at stuff, researching on the net and considering other possible substitutes I sort of gave up on it. I’ll really be interested to see how it works. I think ANY very heavy quality magazine might work, I’m sure I saw a list someplace that gave NG alternatives but I am going back a few years now so no idea if it is still around….from what I recall calendars work too, but you can drip a bit on, and see what happens.
Do share – I know CPS has a forum for citrasolv play so maybe check that out too. Or a pinterest board if there is one.
Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (2)
This technique seems to be getting quite popular, must give it a go.
Do let us know how you get on with it.
Thanks for visiting me earlier, happy crafting, Angela x #42
Hadn’t heard of the technique – so have just spent 15minutes watching the tutorial. Goodness me!! Well, you have your solvent on order – so do tell how you get on when it arrives…
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #13
Hi Gillian I’m afraid I have no idea about this technique. I will go and find out though and look forward to seeing what you do. Thanks for popping by. Anne x #20
I keep coming across this, Gillian, but have no idea what it’s all about. After this I’ll hop over to Pinterest and have a look! Is CitraSolv something we can get in the UK? What is so special about NG magazines?
Thanks for your visit and your nice comment. Mum is progressing well, but isn’t quite as good as before the TIA.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #30
I’ve seen this technique on a few desks now and it seems to work incredibly well….though it does tickle my (admittedly random) sense of humour that it only seems to work with the highbrow National Geographic! The good people at that fine magazine will wonder at the sudden interest 🙂 Good luck!!
Gillian, I hadn’t heard of this yet. I will go investigate, because you make it sound so intriging. I learn so many new things on this Blog hop! 😉 Thanks for your earlier visit. #34
Well, this is new to me, so thanks for sharing, Gillian! I am most intrigued to see how you get on with it and I hope you have found something fun and stimulating to do while you wait for the magic juice to arrive!! Happy WOYWW and have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by the Playhouse! It’s a pleasure to meet you! Hugs, Darnell #18
Hi Gillian….happy WOYWW and thanks for visiting my desk….wow that’s sounds like a grand experiment, so hope it all goes well. Cheers, have fun RobynO#41
Look forward to seeing what you create with it when it arrives hugs Nikki 7
Looks like Citra Solv has suddenly ‘taken off’ – I am so pleased with the results I got – I ended up with a pile of papers that are so vastly different to each other – you just don’t know what you are going to get. Hope you have lots of fun with this, and many thanks for stopping by my blog.
Have a great week, Diana #35
This technique is on my summer to do list. Looking forward to your pages for inspiration. Diane #78
Hi Gillian,
Can’t wait to see your experimentation! I can’t imagine getting up at 2:00 a.m. and watching videos. I just roll over and try to get back to sleep!
You asked what I’m going to do with the cow. It’s a photo I took and am planning to make them into cards. I think I’d like to have one stretched on a canvas also. I would like to open my etsy shop and sell them — we’ll see. I get so many positive comments on my photography, which I love (both the comments AND taking photos).
Thank you for visiting me already!
Happy WOYWW
Peace, Kay (22)
I can see why the potential kept you awake…your Pinterest board is fascinating! not a product I’ve seen in the UK, although I expect there’s some clever person out there already finding the equivalent!
Enjoy your Citra Solv when it arrives!
thanks for spreading the word on Poetry Journal Monthly!
I’m curious to see how the CS plays out!
thanks for visiting and the snoop around!
Robyn 9?
A friend and I decided to try this ourselves a few years ago but it was so difficult to get the product we left it. Now I cannot wait to see what you achieve.
Enjoy!
Hugs, & thanks for visiting me earlier – sorry I am so late.
Neet xx
Looking forward to hearing more of your results and playing on my own soon. Creative Blessings! Kelly #75
Hi Gillian,
I tried to find citrasolv here in the netherlands but it is not here. I bought the zest it and gave it a try. It did not work either. The feums were pretty strong though. I did not go on with it. How did you do with it?
Hi Leslie. I wrote about my experiences with Citrasolv here: Citra Solv. I had a very similar experience to you. Can’t get it in the UK. Didn’t work with Zest It and the fumes were really strong. Basically, I said that I’d give it another go until I used up my bottle but then someone left some really helpful tips on that post so I’ve more of an open mind now. So many things to try. So little time!
Hi, long shot I know… but has anyone had an luck with an alternative to Citrasolv in the Uk? Thanks! Dawn