WOYWW #181

Well now Julia, wonderful leader of the weekly desk snoop, I have a little surprise for you this morning. Known generally for having a tidy desk, look at it now:

It's completely cluttered and I can't move.
I've been busy decorating papier mache boxes, making a little gift card wallet courtesy of Hels tutorial, making my DT ATCs and challenge entries and generally having to do more work on the computer than when I actually went to work!!!
I now have another Xmas project which is just visible in the photo above. A red tree inside a box. It's going to be a little Xmas scene and will replace a card for my hairdresser who now expects something exciting each year. I made her a star card some years ago and she still brings it out each Xmas. Warms your heart to know you made something that bring pleasure like that. Whilst using some distress stains though, I now find that the dusty concorde one is now a lovely green colour. I've already had 4 bottles replaced by Ranger and now it looks like I will have to contact them again after I've gone through every one this time that is. Just ordered the 12 new ones so I hope they will be ok.
Well today should have seen my little car have it's MOT, but last night the rear n/s wheel ceased up so we had to cancel it. I need to get it done because I don't know whether this will be the decision time for it to carry on or be scrapped. It's now 15yrs old but still lovable. Just hope that my DH can get it done within the week so I know whether to cash in the tax disc, renew my insurance or whether to just sit and cry.......
Ok, see you next week.

A JOLLY GOOD DAY

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bill one of my neighbours:

Bill is an octogenarian+ who still continues his passion with gardening, his own being a picture of perfection and glorious colour every summer. He has a greenhouse specifically for his phaleanopsis, moth orchid to you and me, and attends his orchid club regularly, winning prizes for  his amazing blooms. So, have a good day Bill.
Yesterday was a day out for the girls, my SD Paula and myself. We trundled down the M6, (actually we went in style in Paula's gorgeous new mini) only to make great time 'til the very end when we joined the miles of cars queueing to leave the motorway and actually  reach the car park. That bit took us just over half an hour!! They then made us buy a car park ticket - £10 - the robbing *******s.
Nothing was going to spoil our day however, so we just got on with it, as you do. Straight into the craft hall we went and straight into millions of fellow crafters (I kid you not) with the same intent, gorging on the array of crafty delights at every stall.
I found some Tim stash which I wanted  sorry I mean needed, really needed, then I found some beads, then some metal charms, then some clear embossing powder, then some embellishments, then .........

Oh, tell you what, just look at the photo instead.
Paula bought loads of goodies too, buttons, material, charms etc. She makes incredible soft furnishings, felt animals, decorations etc and is one of most neat sewers (does that say sew-ers and not the smelly things down a hole??) that I know. The alpaca stall had us both left with mouths open though. The things on there were just adorable, but so pricey.
I had a very quick catch up with the uber talented Hels saw Leonie on the C&C stand, met David from Craft Obsessions, (one of best on-line shops we have), got a hug from Amy Shaw and saw Leandra working her usual magic. The crafts for Christmas was a bit different than we both expected. Being a craft show, we thought there would be Christmassy things to buy and make, but instead, there was a stall selling garden loppers/shears, one with meat pies, another selling sausages, a man making willow trays etc. plus several clothes and bag stalls. That part was somewhat disappointing.
So after several hours that seemed to pass in a flash, we walked and hobbled (guess who did what) back to the car to sit (AT LAST) and have our butties before facing the dreaded M6 northwards through the traffic jams. Actually, being in a posh little car made even that journey a pleasure, for me at least, who just sat there and enjoyed every single minute of being chauffered - rubbing my blisters most of the way!!!!!!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Paula for taking me. I had a blast. Mwah xx

MY HELS WORKSHOP PIECE

I knew I'd taken a couple of photos but they weren't on my camera or computer, then I realised, I'd used my phone. A bit of bluetoothing later and here they are:

We began with a 12"x12" page from one of Tim's stash and cut and folded it before decorating it with distress inks and masks. We used 3 techniques to decorate 3 tags and then made up our own decoration for a 4th tag using any of the techniques that Hels had shown us. I managed to stick to the colour combinations on the paper for all of mine and used the 4th tag to help decorated the outside middle of my sample.

The tags were placed in little pockets on the inside, held in place by 3 tickets on which we stamped various sayings.  I loved the use of several masks (stencils) on one tag, building up the decoration with different colours. I also adored the effect that the new metallic stains give, although I am still to open mine at home.
The whole project took all day so you can judge how many techniques we were shown.
Some samples were simply stunning especially the tickets made by Lou who had used a diamond mask inked through with red/white/blue. It looked amazing.
I hope Hels gets invited back to take more workshops because the day was fantastic.

IS THIS RECYCLING?

I had to buy 4 papier mache boxes to make my apothecary but didn't need the lids:

so I am left with them cluttering the minuscule bit of storage space I have.
A certain time of year is fast approaching which means making and buying presents for nearest and dearest. I thought I would have a go at making. So, spurred on by my unbelievable canvas which Hels made for me on commission, I decided to bite the bullet and 'attack' a lid.
I didn't want to 'copy' Hels' design - not that I stand a cat in hells job of doing that - but it wouldn't be right and darn right rude, but I did want to - shall I say - have a go and follow the information I tried to glean from just looking and admiring it, if that makes sense. I hope it looks ok 'cos it does to me:

This is destined for a very dear friend and even though I know she sees my blog, I hope she likes it when she finally sees it at that 'special' time of year.

PLAY DAY

I played all day long yesterday and got very inky indeed. Had a jolly good laugh, saw some fabulous art, caught up on the goss' from the girls, learnt loads of new techniques, played with some wonderful stencils/masks, tried out various combinations of distress and all in all, had a ball.
I didn't finish my workshop project probably due to all of the above, but it is near completion and I'll show you when it is.
However, I took all my special crafty bits and bobs with me, made by my pal Sylvia, and boy oh boy did they make a difference, especially the cushion, plus they were admired by the girls who told me I was very lucky and that Sylvia is one clever lady. I took this to show them all in their glory at their first workshop -

The tote bag was amazing because it just expanded and held all I needed yesterday.
So, Hels took off back down the M6 after a successful demo day at Inspirations on Friday and then yesterday's workshop. We all just hope that she is invited back very soon indeed.

WE WINED AND DINED.......

Actually, we drank diet coke and coffee but we did dine and very tasty it was too. Above all, we nattered and nattered all the time we were together, except of course when we were chewing!!
So good to have a proper catch up made even more special by the most AMAZING canvas in the whole wide world - and it's all mine.
See what I mean -

Is this not THE most beautiful art ever? Who made it for me then, only the very talented HELS SHERIDAN.
I asked Hels some time ago if she would make me a canvas on the lines of some of the fabulous creations she has been producing this year. I was prepared to wait because I just knew that whatever she made for me would be spectacular. Not wrong there then.

Just look at the detail and the careful use of so many exciting embellishments. I am on cloud nine with this so THANK YOU lovely lady so very much.
I am off to see Hels at Inspirations as soon as the washer has done it's bit to get more of her inky talent. Tomorrow is a full day workshop which I am so looking forward to. Not much action on the big crafty project for me for a couple of days, but I did take a photo of it so far to show Hels and she - being a very polite lass - was in awe at it. I won't tempt you with a 'naughty' photo today because I want you to enjoy the 2 pictures above.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #51 - BASED ON A STORY CHARACTER

I won a $10 voucher in week 49 from the Graphics Shoppe. There were so many images to pick from that it took me hours to choose. So thank you once more to WW for entering me into the random org.
This week has so many themes to pick from. I had a little freebie image from Whiff of Joy that has been sitting in my image file for ages and ages. Time to bring him out:

Watch out it's SPIDERMOUSE.
He's a cutie eh? I just used some Whispers pens to colour him before carefully 'fussy' cutting him out. There was a picture of Spiderman in next weeks What's On tv paper so I used that for my background on top of red card. The spider charm is covering some wording and Spidermouse is on 3D foam for added depth.
My big crafty project is coming along nicely and won't take much longer to complete. However, I am out on the town tonight with the one and only Hels Sheridan who is coming up north to Inspirations to demo tomorrow and then run a whole day's workshop on Saturday. Of course I am booked on that - first in the queue actually, so not much time for the project over the next few days. Want another little peek -----

Bye for now.

WE WANTED TO STAY BUT WE COULD'NT

So we had no choice but to come home after 4 weeks of bliss in Devon, Dorset and Guernsey accompanied by some fabulous sunshine and breathtaking scenery.
The journey back was not one we made by choice. M5 and M6 on a Friday with the worse weather forecast ever. Normally it would take around 5hrs from Poole, but on Friday it took us 8.5hrs!!! The volume of traffic was horrendous, made worse by signs warning of holdups at the next junction. Hey! they made the darn traffic jams:

The rain on the M5 was so frightening. Just like driving in fog but wetter. With a 4.5 tonne vehicle towing a car, that was something I care not to do again. Anyway, we made it safe and sound although totally tired out.
We had amazing weather most of the time. Devon was special, as always. I got to see my pal Sylvia and Reg her lovely hubby together with Asa and Kobe their stunning doggies, again after about 3 years since our last get together. I managed to blog photos of the unbelievable pressies that Sylvia made for me and you will see them in my future blogs because each piece has been found a place in my little craft room. When we opened the mountain of mail I also found this:

Sylvia and Reg have invested in a wonderful embroidery machine which they showed me. I was intrigued by it and said some of the samples they had made would make wonderful cards. So look what I got. It's finished off by peel offs, carefully placed by the Queen of peel offs herself. Thank you so much.
Well after our time in Devon, saddened by the fact that my pal  Sioux was not at home during our stay but miles away in Italy, we finally left for a further 2 weeks in Dorset.
Now Dorset is a wonderful place, especially Poole:

Where else can you dream to your heart's content of being any where in the world at any given time on something as wonderful as this beauty.  Unfortunately, someone owned this one, equally as unfortunately, it's not me!! I'm waiting for 2014 when Sunseeker launch their new 144' yacht. I saw it being started on in one of their hangars. Perhaps if I wish long and hard enough I may just win that Euro lottery and own one.
I've always wanted to take one of the boat trips from Poole, most of which go around Brownsea Island. However, we ventured into the T.I. one day and I took the plunge (not literally) and booked us one on the Condor Vitesse  Ferry to Guernsey a week last Friday. What a good choice of days because the Channel was like a mill pond and the sky was void of any cloud plus the temperature reached at leat 85degF.

I don't do sailing, but honestly, I had the time of my life. It did however, teach me that I doubt I can fly (never been in a plane) because at least I could get up and go outside when I wanted, not sure that would happen in a plane!!!!!! Claustrophobic you see.

What a beautiful place - and we got to see most of it for a £1 bus ride!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of our time away was taken up by the olympics. Now I am a fanatic having been an athlete in my youth, but my DH hates it. Guess what - he loved and watched nearly every minute. Whoohoo!
I had another wonderful surprise when I got home:

This amazing card is from my pal Barb as a thank you for making her this for her brand new log cabin craft room:

I missed a Hels Sheridan workshop due to losing a very dear friend at the time of it and this was one of the projects. I didn't have a clue how Hels made it, so did my own thing. Barb was pleased and that's all that mattered. Well, back to reality I suppose made clear by the 5 lots of washing I've already done with more to do. The last 4 weeks have been lovely but I'm now ready for some crafting. All the blog posts that included challenge pieces were in draft, having already made or sourced the entries. My phone connection has been virtually non existent and my mobile web very intermittent. It has proved that, even though I'm an oldie, I need modern technology in my life, but I also need my crafty pals............

SUNDAY STAMPER WK 210 - SILVER

I saw the challenge over at Sunday Stampers and the gorgeous tag that Hels had made and immediately fell in love with the colour combination., so much so that I just spent the whole day in my little craft room having fun.

I began by making some roses. I used the beige papers from the Vintage Shabby stash and coloured them with wild honey DI. I know how to make these little beauties because I've been to a Hels workshop and been shown properly.... haha.

Out came a bit more stash -

My project started to take shape -

I made a couple of butterflies -

and made acetate wings dabbed with silver acrylic and added a twisted silver bugle bead to each for their body.

I sprayed the roses with perfect pearls to make them glimmer and then put everything together -

This is how it turned out - a little bird in a silver cage.
Off to enter it into the challenge now but it's going with me to Devon so, Sylvia,  this is made with love for you....

WOYWW #147

Hooray, it's glorious Wednesday WOYWW again. To see what I mean, fly over to Julia's for a good 'ol nosey around and all will be explained.
I have a bit of craft on my desk just now -

a tag made from the 3 techniques Tim taught us on day 5 of Creative Chemistry 101. I've been keeping up with the lessons on a daily basis but made a pledge to myself to make just 1 tag  using everything learnt that day. I managed up to Thursday but then was soooo tired on Friday (lack of sleep and excitement) that I have fallen behind. However, I caught up a bit last night and made 2 and have day 6 planned. Will have to get a wiggle on today me thinks.
So you can see a tag, some 3D foam in a lock & lock box, a mini multi matt medium, duly re-filled following instructions at the weekend from Hels, (thanks again for 2 days of fantastic workshops, roll on the next in May), a gorgeous background on a bit of card made when I used a stencil and spray inks and then turned the stencil over to use up the residue. There's bits and bobs of other stuff, but mainly it's reasonably clear ready for today's lesson.
A busy 2 weeks for me which are just so enjoyable I can't let you know in words just how much fun I am having. All this and glorious weather to boot. Enjoy your woyww, I'll be round to some of you so don't tidy up!!!

A COUPLE MORE PHOTOS

My weekend of fun has given me a great lift. Sometimes it's hard crafting alone, as a lady and I were only saying yesterday, so workshops are a way of getting more out of it all.
I showed a photo of the wall hanging that Hels made for the class on Saturday, now here is mine:

Turned out really well.
Also, the lovely Chris gave me a little hand-made pressie. I showed you the box now here is what was inside:

A lovely flower brooch made of different materials. Thank you again Chris.

WHAT A WEEKEND

To round off the first week of Creative Chemistry 101 with Tim, I had a wonderful double dose of more Ranger loveliness with Hels Sheridan.

Hels came up north - ok, it was to the west of the Pennines not her native east side - but she enjoyed the visit all the same. The sun shone, crafters came out in their numbers and many travelled miles to experience her magic. 4 workshops over 2 days was so much fun, something I have missed for over a year now so was determined to enjoy every single minute - and I did.

This was the first project, a tag inside a t'pouch. I'm afraid that my big flower was the worse I have ever made but I know what I did differently so know not to do it again.

This little hanging canvas shows different techniques achieved with distress inks, stains etc.
So, that was Saturday.

Here are just a few of the 'thousands' of samples that Hels brought with her. Every one different and absolutely magical.
I had a grin on my face from ear to ear on the drive home and just couldn't wait to repeat the fun today. Oh b****r the clocks go forward so I have to get up earlier. Never mind, I haven't been able to sleep anyway.
I set off in good time for the drive to Dawn's for Hels next 2 worshops, but forgot how quiet it is on the road on a Sunday thereby arriving before anyone else. The gates were locked so I parked on the road and waited for someone to arrive which they did 20 minutes later. Must get this travelling time sorted!!  Never mind, I was happy.
The morning workshop was intense and we made this gorgeous piece of craft.

I now have another idea of how to 'do' steampunk. This is gorgeous and will work well in Xmas mode.
Today saw me getting together with folk I haven't seen in over a year as the workshops we enjoyed finished then. Gez made me a Stampotique ATC -she knows how much I love those images -

Thank you lovely lady for this and the hugs and catch up. Also, Chris gave me a special parcel -

I'm going to keep you guessing on the contents of this save to say, I wore it all afternoon and will wear it to every single workshop I attend in the future too. Thank you Chris. We had a lovely time eh? I promise not to mention 'it wasn't me that broke the blending tool' 'cos we all know differently!!
Can I also say a big thank you to Barbara, Sarah, Joan and Lou who made me laugh so much throughout the weekend. We have all booked for the next workshop weekend at the end of May and know for sure the fun we will have.

RIGHT  down to the horrid bit. I hope that the SCUMBAG(S) that thought it was their right to STEAL around £80s worth of distress ink pads, stains etc from our Hels, trip over and land face down on the ink side thus ending up with a multi coloured face. Because believe me, you will not get away with taking anything else. I hope you realise what you have done and that someone steals from you so you know how it feels. You are thoroughly hated by all the honest crafters in this world.

WOYWW #146 and 2 WEEKS OF CREATIVE HAPPINESS

My work space is overflowing this morning because I am in the middle of gathering the supplies for today's lesson with Tim. This is day 3 of 2 weeks crafting fun, well that's the week days not the weekend, that's another story. I had thought I would be able to pop around to yours courtesy of our creative genius Julia, but I may be very late. Will you wait please?
So, here is the latest picture:

I haven't watched the videos yet so I'm not too sure how today's samples have been made, I just searched out some stamps and my alcohol inks in readiness. Need some texture fades I think.
I don't have any of Tim's background stamps because I already have a good supply of them from the Artistic Stamper. They will do the trick. Right, I must get cracking because I have to keep up with these daily lessons or I will never make it to the workshops with Hels at the weekend. Can't wait for those either because some of the 'old gang' from Lindsay's workshops will be there on Sunday. Watch out Hels, I did warn you!!!!

TUESDAY'S FIRST FLOW OF TEARS

My DH caused the second flow of tears last Tuesday when he bought me a Vagabond, but they came after I had already been reduced to tears when I received this from Hels.

No, it wasn't her suitcase full of her craft goodies, but a mini case altered by her own fair hand and looking not dissimilar to my lovely Vagabond. Inside was another treasure:

Just look at the magic as I unfold this piece:

I so adore that dangly bead:

When I opened it up and saw the inside, I gasped:

Then the tears really fell when I read the little message:

I will treasure this forever.
I am so very lucky to know some amazing crafters out there and be able to say that they are my friends. the craft world can be a 'bitchy' place and I just feel sorry for those who cannot accept it for what it is - the BEST hobby in the world.
Right then, I suppose I should make tracks. I have to go and have a couple of parts of my body squashed between 2 very cold sheets of metal in a vice-like grip. Oh the joys eh girls??

WOYWW #143

Well, Julia, today I thought I would show you what's in my cupboard rather than the clear space on my desk.
I have been busy making cards etc but as I always  try to clear away after one ready for the next, and as I have completed cards for the next few weeks, my space is tidy. So, here is my cupboard - plus the reason for one episode of tears yesterday:

Do you see the suitcase - alias - Vagabond?????
I went to see Hels Sheridan demo-ing at my local craft store yesterday, and my DH (somewhat embarrassingly) plonked this on my knee! Now I very rarely wear any makeup apart from a bit of mascara and lippy, but yesterday decided to go the whole hog and slap a bit of face paint on. Needless to say, I probably ended up with white lines down my cheeks. What a sight.
So, you can guess what I will be doing today, making use of all those dies on the shelf above. I must point out here that I generally ask for craft vouchers for my birthday and Xmas, so my wonderful Sizzix collection is growing thanks to my lovely family.
I wonder whether Tim will use a die cut on his tag for March or the catch-up one for January. I do hope so, hehe.
And - A VERY HAPPY LEAP YEAR TO YOU ALL

HELS CAME TO MY TOWN

That's right crafters, Hels Sheridan came to Inspirations in Preston today to demo at their 2nd birthday celebrations.
She brought some of her gorgeous tags with her and made more whilst we sat 'agog' watching.

Hels used Ranger products in the main, but she also made a gorgeous piece using the pocket watch Art Parts by Wendy Vecchi. I had a tremendous morning which brought me tears, not once but twice. More about that tomorrow when I show you whats on my workdesk. 'til then I'm playing happily.

MY STITCHES TREAT

Well after a very wet journey down the dreaded M6 to Birmingham on Saturday, we finally arrived at the guest house I found at the last minute. It happened to be on the A45 right across from Birmingham airport! I never expected those planes to be so quiet which came as a big surprise to me. After all, I live over the road from BAE where they manufacture the Typhoon and believe me when I tell you, that darn thing is noisy. The down side was the room, it was disgusting. Oh well, we were only staying for 2 nights so were prepared to put up with it.
Sunday dawned bright and crumbs!! it had snowed in the night, turned to ice and the car park was now a skating rink. My little car was no longer green but white! Poor 'T' had to go and defrost it then take me the 1.4 miles to the NEC. That car park was a million miles away from Hall 12 so after at least a 2 mile hike (me in new shoes - ok I know, but actually they are the most comfy shoes I have ever had) we finally parted and I set off into oblivion. Where to start this amazing day.
You may be wondering how come I got to go to a trade show when I am not in the craft business. It all came about through being a part time member of Lindsay's design team, and this year neither David nor Heather could go so the thrill fell to me. Thank you so very much once again. I had a ball.
Ok, let's cut to the core. Some stands prohibited photos, some I couldn't get near and some were so 'gob smacking' that I forgot I had the ability to take photos. Let's start with the main stand of the show, that's our Lindsay's of course:

This is the wall of tags showing Lindsay's wonderful quirky new stamps that I really adore. They looked amazing on the black background and she hopes to make more throughout the show hence the space below the ones you see. You can see Tim on the other side of the PI stand.

The other side. Just look at the rich colours on those canvases. You can see the wall of  new stamps too.

Isn't this photo super? Lindsay is holding up her art journal, open at pages that have been coloured with the new Martha Stewart paints (which are lush) and depicting one of her new quirky stamps. Most enquiries of the day were about her new 'on the shelf' designs. These stamps used to be wooden mounted but are now being produced in clear and include new designs of kitchen, garden shed and boy's stuff or office as that one has things like computers, lava lamp, headphones etc on it. All in all, a fantastic display and one she can be very proud of.
You all know I am a Tim Holtz fan and Tim was right next to Lindsay. What a day being able to 'hop' between my most favourite guys.

I just loved his shirt! Black with sparkly shoulders.

Oooh! Sizzix squeals of happiness.

What a lovely display.

I got to hold a complete container of the new Distress Markers AND I had a go with 3 of the colours. Tim was demo-ing with them and believe me, they are fantastic. I also got to see every page of his new book and Tim said he hopes to publish one every 2 years. Also, watch QVC at midnight because it may just be the TSV. There will be markers on too and if you can't wait for them, jump in because even the US don't have any. The first batch have been sold out and the next shipping won't be for a couple of months.

The Stamp n Cut display. Far too expensive I'm afraid.

This was a general Sizzix display. It is just fabulous.

Look who else I found, Hels Sheridan together with all her wonderful and amazing Studio 490 samples which I got to both see and touch. She had also been given a full set of Distress Markers to play with at the show. I offered to look after them for her but unfortunately she had to give them back.
Well, I saw crafters I recognised, crafters I know and now some I have had the pleasure to have a photo taken with. Lindsay has on her camera photos of me with Mario and photos of me with Rachel Greig. I've met the highly talented Andy Skinner, some of the lovely Personal Impressions crew, I've seen Stephanie Weightman, Paula Pasqual, Sheena Douglas, Joanna Sheen, I had a cuddle from our Leonie a short conversation with Tim, oh it goes on.
After the most marvellous day I've had in a very long time, we decided that another day in that awful guest house was not on so we packed up and drove home. It's raining again today but the great big grin on my face makes everything ok.
WOW.