School Days

This morning I decided to have some crafting time, spent ages on the computer commenting on blogs, admiring work etc and then disappeared into my room after lunch.  I had been looking around and thought it about time I support those lovely ladies on Out of a Hat Creations.  Oh heck, a spinner.  No time to print this out and make it up so with eyes closed I wizzled around in what I thought was the perimeter of the spinning top.  And clicked!  All I ended up with was an enlarged spinning top.

Second go I knew not to click and I ended up off the spinner but pointing at School Days.  That was it. I was hoping for Steampunk or Vintage so I could use my new stamps (for the Vintage).  A challenge is a challenge though so I mentally flicked through my stamp collection.

Well I produced two cards, both black and white as I decided I didn't want any colour for a change and here they are

  No surprise for those who know me

PaperArtsy images!

Older ones too but I do like them.  Both stamped with Archival Ink, the attachments are then embossed with clear ep and attached, not with sticky foam but direct to the card.  Can't be too careful these days with the way Royal Mail is.  Don't want anyone having to pay excess postage do we?

So here you are ladies, two entries for your challenge and an enjoyable couple of hours for me.  What have you got up your sleeves for tomorrow?

WOYWW 199 (Please Leave Your Number)

Oops!  Didn't cross the last bit off from last week - sorry about the "Sorry" folks.

I know, I know, some times when you post the Mr Linky has not come up but if it has please will you leave your number when commenting.  No, don't rush away, I am not shouting, just a plea from the heart.  I try to get around as many of you as possible but make certain I comment on those who leave me one and once or twice there is no number and I can't find you on the list.  I then click on your name and it gives me on of those pages that says I am not in your circle or you have lots of blogs listed and I inevitably leave 'the one' until the last.

If that sounds gibberish to you you obviously don't play the game on a Wednesday.  Pop over to see Ms Julia and you will find out what I am on about.  In the meantime, this is my desk.  Well as it was left last night.

and to the side

This might not look a mess but I assure you I have nowhere to work, my GC fills up my only available space.

Prior to that mess that is there (die cutting for England) I had staged this little cameo as I had been cleaning and sorting and come across these treasures from last year's ATC swap.  Do any of you out there in blogland recognise a card, an envelope or something else (banners Helen)?  Katy Koala is there too, as a reminder for me on this photo, of my dear friend Shaz in Oz.  She usually sits high on a box with the Australian flag and my WOYWW calligraphy looking down and keeping an eye on me.  (Katy that is, not Shaz  LOL).

At the back you can see my rushed Easter cards.  I always forget to make them and then get some through the post.  These were made quite hurriedly as you can tell.  I have two big workshops to prep for and am working at the Leigh Show on the 6th & 7th April so time spent on card making is limited.  Luckily I don't think I have many April birthdays to worry about.

Right I had better get off and do some prep when I have cleared the worktop AGAIN!  You tootle off for a snoop at other desks, grab a cuppa first (and a chocolate biscuit) and sit back and enjoy!

30 Pairs of Socks

Still in my drawer and 38 pairs bagged up ready for the Salvation Army Hostel!  This morning I decided to tidy (and downsize) my bottom two drawers - socks and undies.  Won't go into the number of undies going; and remaining - too shocking!  Need to begin on my clothes that are bagged up and in my wardrobe but not going there today.  About time I went in my craft room, been threatening ages.

This is a card I made the other day for Cath's birthday.  It is made using the Prima Stencil 560898 and Distress Inks.  Used with the Dreamweaver Stencil Brush of course - I love doing DIs that way.  Ali-Crafts got me into those brushes and I really do enjoy swishing away with my stencils.  Does take a bit more time but I like the way you can build the colour up and, of course, it is a much gentler way of using DIs with your stencils.

Incidentally, does anyone know where this particular stencil can be bought?  My friend Wendy really wants one and neither of us can find one anywhere, I even searched around whilst in California to no avail.  Anyway, here is the card - sorry do not know who the sentiment is by.

I remember using Tea Dye, Walnut Ink and Aged Mahogany but think there might be a bit of Wild Honey in there too.

Hope Cath liked it, I love that stencil.

WOYWW 198

Yes it's that time of the week again!  Pop over to the Stamping Ground to see more desks or join in the fun and upload your own.

First of all - "Welcome" to my new followers, lovely to have you on board.  Secondly "sorry" if I did not get back to you because your WOYWW comment was a bit late but I was working at weekend so things got a bit left.  Will try to see you this week to make up for it.

So what is on my desk?  Need to get some birthday cards made so this is work in progress with some die cuts on my PP's journal.

I showed my 'restrained' stash yesterday that I brought back from Harrogate but on emptying my bag I found this Spellbinders die and the book at the back with the tag on it.  That was my bargain of the day - Tracey put some stuff in the sale box and I grabbed this.  There were two and oh how I regret not having got them both.  Not sure what to use it for - art journal or photo album/journal.  By the time I realised I wanted both the other had gone, bet it went as soon as she put it in the box.

Whilst on the subject of birthday cards I got another two on Saturday when Kath came and gave me one from her and one from her sister Susan.  Two lovely cards.

Kath

Susan

If you look back at yesterday's post you will see that I posted a couple of photos from Harrogate but I left this one out for a reason.  I was so happy to see Redanne and she was not a bit like I imagined.  I thought she would be small, around 5'2" but as you can see she is similar in height to me.

and she brought me this lovely Poppy Tag.  Anne, I love it, so once again a big Thank You from me and it was so nice of you to come over.  Had to save this for today and WOYWW.  There's Spencer with us and my badge was worn but I can't see it on this photo.

Had another Blog visitor on Saturday too.  Big apologies for not getting time to chat but I had to deal with a customer at the same time and so when I turned around she had gone.  Next time!

Harrogate

Didn't get time to blog over the weekend and yesterday had to make a start on the housework (yes I said the "H" word) so no time then either.

Well, here is my stash in all it's glory from the show in Harrogate. Just as I have unpacked my goody bag (shopping).  Was I circumspect or what?  There was lots more I wanted to buy from our own stand but I had a bad back this weekend and so shopping from others went on hold and we were so busy that I didn't get much from Oyster either.

Those Glue pens are magic for die cuts.  You will find them under "Everyday Crafting Needs" on the website.  Just trying to be an enabler here.  Now I will have no problem with that lattice die you can see there.  Hope there are enough to take to Leigh Show in 3 weeks time as I am sure a lot of my friends will want them.

Love those glitter pens and that gilding paint which is like the Krylon pens but in pots and much better value, if not as easy to put on as the pen for edging but i dipped my old pen in the pot and find it just the same without the hassle of the pen keep refusing to send the paint out.

I always take my camera and forget/never get around to use it. Managed to take one on Sunday just down the aisle from us

and here is Pam (facing the camera) who makes the most fabulous cards for Oyster Stamps.  Check out her cards on the website.

I'll leave it there with this photograph taken on our drive to the show, a lovely village, Kirk Deighton,  we always pass through and a lovely church.

Toodle Oo for now!

Artful Times Challenge 25 - Alcohol Inks

As I have pointed out on the Artful Times Blog I seem to have had an obsession with 'techniques' these last two challenges.  First it was colour and now Alcohol Inks.  I am sure most of you will not need any introduction to those tiny bottles introduced by Tim Holtz

or to what you can use them on.  The above is a piece of Shrink Plastic which I coloured in with Alcohol Inks.  Here's a better view of her I just wanted to show you how tiny she is (above).

She was stamped with Stazon on transparent Shrink Plastic.  Hint:  if doing this colour from the back to stop your ink moving.

Love using AI's on boxes - love the colour on these - the flower is on White Shrink Plastic and the butterfly on Transluscent.  I used Pool, Clover and Aqua for these boxes.

Thought I would show you one way of using up small pieces.  Alcohol Inks for colour and stamping with black and gold (Brilliance is another good ink to use) and you can make jewellery as below.  The necklaces are designed to be worn together to give two strands.

This is a very loaded bracelet and a pair of ear-rings for which you might need asbestos fingers.

Sorry the photos are dark, we seem to have had such poor light that I couldn't get them any better.

Well, considering I was intending colouring a large box that held a gift for my birthday I think you could say I got carried away with my Shrink Plastic.  What will you make?  Pop over to Artful Times and join in the challenge and see what Von has for you - exciting stuff I can tell you.

Last Three Cards

Well, the postie has been kept busy as I got another two cards yesterday.  Love how this birthday has lasted for the past few days. The cards are all amazing.  Here are the two that arrived yesterday

Freyja who always does beautiful cards

and Janice with fantastic brayering

and an apology to Linda S for not uploading this sooner

Sorry Linda, it is a large Easel card with lots on it and it was towards the back and needed me to photograph it.  So sorry I missed you out earlier Linda.

I rarely get stamping/crafting things as gifts from the family but look what my crafting friends sent me

Mary, Alison, Wendy, Chezzie and Dot - thank you so much - will have fun with these.  And also

Linda for the fab ATC kit and Lorraine for the books.

All the good wishes (e cards, emails, blog comments), love and friendship and the beautiful cards have made this a special birthday. Thank you everyone.