WOYWW 236

Thought I had better show willing and show you the other canvasses that I did for the Oyster Retreat over the weekend before last.  After all I had been showing bits along the way for weeks whilst stressing about what I was doing.

Left undecorated for them to do to own sizes
Tree loops through so it stands like that

 Ali decorated the front of this one using Graphic 45 papers and the inside had papers, that were left over, forming the backdrop for a collection of Christmas items to go on one side as above.

Here's a lighter coloured one I did for Tracey (with added 'bling' as she and Martine love their BLING)

This one had compartments on the inside which I managed to decorate with a tree (from a very old mold I had back in my days working for someone else), a tiny canvas, a bottle cap and (sorry, a TH diecut) lamp-post.

Stamps and dies available from Oyster Stamps but paper is some I had left over from a year or so ago.  Canvas painted with Aqua Dabber.

As well as decorating the canvasses with me, Ali wanted me to use the other papers up and so I came up with this tag book

which opened up to reveal little pockets in which to put the tags.  The tags took me ages to do initially and I just hope the ladies manage to finish theirs for Christmas - they took pictures home with them to help see where I had cut the various bits from.

Odd numbered tags above

Even numbered tags below

Now where is my desk?

This is how it is - some stuff from Oyster Retreat
Some Christmas Decorations

Striped bag of goodies from Twisted Threads (yes really)
Brown/Turquoise bag from Oyster Retreat with
Ink pads etc to be put away

 After the Oyster Retreat
(brown box full of Oyster stuff for putting away)
Yes, another canvas to do

Sorry I have not got around to loading the Munich pictures, will try to do it this week.  Have had to go to doctors with this breathing problem.  No idea what it is, doubled up on heart tablets.  Not a single C Card made yet, well one for the doctor.

WOYWW 235

or should it be WOYWF in this case as I am two days late.  Hope it does not matter.  Could have uploaded on my iPad but I did not have the photo of my desk on there - doh!  Now realised why - I didn't have a photo of it at all.

Anyway, I hope Julia can forgive me by my uploading a photograph of one of the canvasses.  The poll as to which paper to use came out with the yellowish one on top - so here it is

this is the outside

Maybe I should explain, Ali wanted to decorate two canvasses which had been hinged together by another piece of canvas.  I wanted to decorate the outside as well as I thought it was like a card and would be sitting in a window somewhere therefore the outside needed something on it.

this is the inside

I used my "little things" up on the one I did for Oyster Stamps so this one is for me.  Our tree (if it goes up) is decorated in terra cotta, cream and gold hence the rusty look.  All dies are from Oyster Stamps, the background picture is from a catalogue from Italy that we buy the most gorgeous Balsamic Vinegar from.

Right, I will leave it there, will put the other two canvasses I did up next week when I know some WOYWW'ers will be looking. 

Got a bad chest at the moment so not sure when I will be blogging my adventures in Munich.  Watch this space.

WOYWW 234 (numbers please)

Thank you for all the numbers last week, was in a rush trying to get back to everyone because of the visit to the Textile Show (see post below) and numbers certainly did help. 

Well this week sees most of the canvasses in a state of near finish.  I am even letting you see what the back of them looks like

This pale blue one is an extra sample but there is not much given away is there.  You can see the images I have used as well if you peer closely.

Below is another one - now I want to enlist your help.  Should I use papers "red and green" or should I use the "yellow and brown" on this canvas?  Please help me as we have a difference of opinion in this household, and no suggestions for something else please as I am working to a tight budget (ie what I have handy).  It's an extra one as well - the actual is not here at the moment.  Heck, where did I put it?

Well, that's it from me today.  Hop along to the stamping-ground now and see what others have in store.  Bet there are some nice "C" cards around.  Lots of super ideas - I am still at the number two one - must get some sticking done - oh heck - it is my son's birthday next week - not got a card for that either.  Asda?  

Hallmark if I have time!

ps off to Munich for the Christmas Market next Monday so hopefully will blog from there but if you don't see me around I will be blogging Friday of next week.  Oh Heck!

Artful Times Challenge & Twisted Threads

Well, I didn't get chance to put my card I made for the Artful Times Challenge on Friday here which was to make something in Lilac, Silver and using a Wintry Image.  The reason?  I was away at Twisted Threads in Harrogate with a friend who had come along to enjoy the experience with me.

We went last year but just for the day so this time we decided to stay over and enjoy the delights of Harrogate as well.  Anyway, first of all here is the card I made for my challenge piece

The image is by Impression Obsession which I stamped in black then went over the snowy bits with Liquid Applique and then when dry with some glitter.  The Poinsettia is by Spellbinders and the Holly is a Cheery Lynn die - both cut out in silver mirri card.  All available from Oyster Stamps.  Background coloured with Distress Ink.

Sorry I am so late in showing you!

The reason is we had visitors, now I am not blaming them, please understand, but I just forgot I had to upload the card to my own blog. I have just been so busy of late but it is all coming to an end and relaxation time is close by.

Friends came on the Wednesday, stayed overnight and then we went on to Harrogate for the Twisted Threads Show where we unloaded our cash laden purses in short order.  Cannot begin to list what I bought as I have put it all away and have forgotten (deliberately) but I bought some of that beautiful enamel jewellery from Janna Hodgson.  If you are a fan of her work please get some now as she may be stopping making it - if not - why not?  Investigate please, she has the most beautiful work for sale and she is such a lovely lady to talk to.

Here are one or two samples of the delightful work on show

And what about these collars?

 On to some work by students

Ascot anyone?

and the great concert hall in the building

all set out for everyone to sit and eat lunch.  Nobody could complain there was not enough seating.  A splendid venue, a splendid show.

233 rd WOYWW (numbers plase)

Thoughts and prayers must first of all go out to those people in the Phillipines who are suffering terribly as a result of the typhoon.  One cannot begin to imagine what those poor people are going through, it has been heartbreaking to see the scenes of devastation on television and hear the heart rendering stories.  We can only hope and pray that sufficient aid is getting to them now.  I am so glad to read of our wonderful NHS doctors who have flown out there to help.  God Bless them and all the other aid workers.
(http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/typhoon-haiyan-nhs-doctors-hit-2806655)
( http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/102929/Kelowna-to-Phillipines-help-on-the-way)
Just two of the heartbreaking stories I read last night on the internet.


Another week has gone by - and my desk is no better looking and there are no "C" cards made (well two actually but they were for a challenge).

I did make a birthday card however, for my friend who had a birthday on Sunday (Happy Birthday Lorraine).

Am a bit busy with lots of things happening, friends coming to stay today and then the two ladies are off to the Stitching Show in Harrogate on Thursday.  Staying over for a couple of nights and then coming back to ours for the rest of the week.  After that it is off to the Oyster Retreat and then Munich for the Christmas Market.  Phew!  Then I can settle down and maybe make a "C" card or two. 

Anyway, here is my room

paper clay faces

still got poinsettias there

and that is it!

Now pop along to see Julia and look at what others have on their desks.  Toodle Oo!

ps Oh no, just remembered, food to get for the Vicky Stampers end of year party.  Just seen the Morrisons brochure, must get the party food ordered.

pps please remember to include your number as I will be on my iPad trying to comment whilst away.  No good asking the stay at home men to do it!

WOYWW 232

I am busy - and I have been wasting time!  Got myself in a pickle about something I am trying to make so took a few days off - today has gone much as yesterday in a whirl of nothing.  Sunday was spent stripping the bed from visitors and tidying up, then flopping and watching tv (I think).  Tomorrow I had better get to some serious thinking and working.

This is my desk - nothing exciting on it, I see there are still a couple of things left over from Friday's post about Alcohol Inks and there are two canvasses which have finally been Gesso'ed.  Oh, and my favourite die - Memory Box from Oyster Stamps.

It's really boring seeing that shot of my desk week in week out so I thought I would show you some of my books for a change

These sit on top of a cupboard and across a filing cabinet.  In case you wonder what is on top of them it is a plastic mask I once painted and am still waiting to decorate.  Typical!  The orange things to the side are some canes in tins for slicing.  Junk at the bottom.

This is a shelf in my cupboard

and below it on the 'ground floor'

 Some very old magazines in the black cases

Of course my book fetish is not solely for craft books, I have a thing for buying novels - especially about life in China.

Behind my little clay oven begins a long line of paperbacks which stretches over three cupboards.  I'd say the Chinese novels only come up to the coffee machine and somehow there are more magazines in the blue carrier.  Oh dear, I must find time to sort them all out.  Now you know why I have been Kindled.

Now what have you to tell us about YOUR desk.  Visit Julia and let us all know and then have a look at what others have to offer.  See you around!

ps Perhaps, before I go you will all join me in wishing Anne R, who has had a nasty fall, a speedy and safe recovery.  God Bless Anne!  Also our friends in the Phillipines who have suffered with this terrible tragedy that has hit the islands.

This just came through in my mail - please read and think about it:

 Day of prayer for the Philippines:

Don't have a day to spare to pray for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan?
As you go about your daily routine, why not make the most of your times of business to pray.

• Breakfast - as you eat your breakfast, pray about the crops that have been damaged, leaving families and individuals without an income and without food. Pray for those who are desperate enough to try and steal from people who have supplies. Pray for their safety and that they get food without resorting to violence.

• Drink - as you drink your morning coffee or tea, pray that people have enough clean water to drink. Pray that there is no more damage from excess water.

• Wash - as you have your wash or shower, pray about hygiene, illness due to poor hygiene and the spread of infection due to dead bodies. Pray that medicines might get to where they are most needed.

• Car - As you get in the car or on the bus, or set out to walk pray for transport, that it might get through to where it is needed. That people stay safe as they transport aid.

• People - the first person you see today, pray for all those people who have lost members of their family and friends.

• The school run - pray for the children who have been left orphaned

• Home - As you go home, pray for those who no longer have homes. Pray that the tents that are being sent from the UK get there safely. Thank God that our country, despite struggling for cash itself, can give so generously to the people of the Philippines.

• Bedtime - pray for clothing and comfort for those affected. Pray for rest.

• Sleep - As you fall asleep thank God for all the blessings He has given you.

A Bit of Alcohol for Christmas - Artful Times Challenge (Long Post - lots of samples)

Phew!  It was a rush to get these things done for the challenge this week, somehow my feet have been dragging (or should that be my hands?) and I have two poorly arms to boost.  The left one (thank goodness I am right handed) is really painful - I had the flu jab in my right arm and the pneumonia one in the left.  Whinge over!  Here's what I made for the ALCOHOL INK Challenge (yes, not Brandy/Whisky or Mother's Ruin ie Gin)

Here is my Alcohol Inking:

The bottom left is a piece of mirri card that has been covered in rust shades after embossing - the same has been done with the diecut clock.  Between them you see a Microscope Slide - how many of you remember the craze for doing those a few years ago?  There are another two at the bottom right.  Both of these were covered in AI's and then a circle stamped on them using Archival Ink.  This was then wiped off and it gets rid of the AI so you can then stamp something in the circle.  Those Hero Arts stamps work perfectly with Black Stazon.

You may wonder what on earth that green thing is - well it is AI's on clear plastic.  I have a little stand which I am going to make into a calendar next year so I can record just briefly, maybe one word, what I did that day.

The top line is just AI's on Glossy Card - it needs to be a slick surface.  Now for some makes:

This is the cuckoo clock cut on Mirri Card.  I love the metallic effect you get when you do this.

This colour combo gave me this

Which turned into a trifold card

I used a JustRite stamp set I bought from Oyster Stamps last summer.  I must say these do stamp out awfully well.

This colour combo produced a bookmark

This was my desk in preparation for the calendar I am making and that is the calendar base with a sheet of paper behind so you can see the colour - the other side had the blue tone in and came out more turquoise.

The slides and the colours I used

When you use AI's on your slides you can put a backing sheet behind them and depending on what colour of sheet you use it changes the colour of the slide - sometimes quite dramatically.  Why don't you try some?  Try cream, purple, gold, silver, light and dark blue etc.  It's fun to see them come alive.

As you can see I have just pounced my blending tool on the various things I have done but you can make a checkered pattern too by dragging your tool across the card one way and then at right angles again.  Here's a quick one I just did for you - you can spend more time and get your lines much better than I have.

You can also paint with your AI's.

The background for this atc was made by simply putting some Blending Fluid on the mat I was working on, to kind of start the cleaning up, and then the card dragged and swirled through the resulting colour.  I then stamped the fairy and painted with AI's some parts of his wings and the flowers.  You can see one of my Erte stamps waiting to be coloured also.  I bought this palette a while ago from Ali-Craft at one of the shows.  It has a lid and I just put a squirt of AI in the various sections and they dry, then when I want to use the colour I just add a little of the Blending Fluid and use a brush.

Some of the things I still have that I did quite some time ago but showing different mediums:

Remember my cut down milk carton (plastic)

and the metal flowers (as shown by Linda Brown)

Glass test tubes from a car boot sale

Shrink Plastic Jewellery

I would wear this jewellery as I still like it and find it wearable.  Just random cut shapes of clear SP coloured with AI's and then shrunk.  Gold Krylon around the edges finishes each 'shard' off.  In fact - I need to find some more Shrink Plastic, not used it in a long time.

If you have stayed through this mammoth post - Thank You!  You deserve a medal - but if you have I hope you will try some of the AI's on different "slick" surfaces and show us what you made.  Any queries just email me (see pretty child picture on right hand side, near the top, for email addie).

Bye for now!