WOYWW (Christmas creeping in)

Bird's Eye view for a change. Card Candy as usual-sorry Elizabeth you'll just have to imagine it. To the left there's a pile of poinsettias I've been making with a Marianne designs die. Never knew there were so many ways to put a paper poinsettia together. (Those of you who don't like poinsettias should skip this bit). Finally settled on one I like. A box of Stampin' Up stamps open. I don't go on about them much but I love love love them and am building a collection with the help of Jeannette. The box you can see open is Tiny Tags. I am a tiny things fanatic. Think it is a short sighted girly thing. Anyway I put a tiny tag in the middle of the poinsettia. I've moved my laptop and- abracadabra -reception has improved by leaps and bounds-just no room on my worktop so hey ho another reorganisation looms.Opened a box today. This is my most important box-it contains a large collection of adhesives. There's two reels of the really strong stuff, ATG refill, glue dots, sheet adhesive, heat 'n'bond, spare refillable fine tip applicator for PVA (and any other adhesive you think might work in it). These little applicators are works of genius and you should not be without one. I discovered the other day that if you apply a thin line of PVA with it and let it dry then place foil on it and heat with a heat tool you get a great adhesion-much better than foil adhesive-why?-BECAUSE PVA IS HEAT ACTIVATED.

I could bore for England on the subject of adhesives.


Here is the card I was making with the stuff on my desk. Stamp is from SU Fun and Fast Notes set stamped with versafine onto some pearl card from Payper box and coloured with perfect pearls, SU rich razzleberry and old olive then PVA applied with fine tip applicator and topped with glamour dust.

Base card is washed cream colourway of new Pink Petticoat Vintage Roses download printed directly onto a Craftwork Cards scalloped card which was attached to a sheet of good quality paper with Scotch magic tape to run it through printer and hey presto a fancy insert.
Hop over to Julia's and you will be able to browse dozens of desks all over the world. I arm myself with a pad of paper and a pen 'cos you never know what ideas and inspiration you might come across. I've still got a long list to follow up on. If that sounds too hard it's just a great way to drop in on you crafty mates and say "Hi".

Now I've just got to make another wedding card 'cos little sis asked me to make TWO for tomorrow. Give me five minutes then and I'll knock one together!

Reports of a death were greatly exaggerated.......by

me.

If you read least week's blog you will know I thought I had killed my Wizard. Now I cannot live without die cutting as I have a goodly few die cutting shapes in my tiny!!!!!!!! stash and embossing folders, so I got a Bigshot.

Some people buy pairs of shoes but as my feet are unable to wear those beauteous creations I would like to wear I indulge myself in other directions.

I have to say I do like the Bigshot (it didn't exist when I got my Wizard) so I'm happy.

This morning my lovely DH who is my resident consultant engineer applied himself to pondering my personal die cutting crisis and said I really only needed a shim as it was just worn bearings. I tried shims and they didn't work I sighed. Paper would be no good because it just gives-why not try foil was his answer. Now I saw his point but foil didn't appeal to me and I realised that acetate would be a better bet as it was hard wearing and came in different thicknesses (and I had different thicknesses).

FANTASTIC.

Labelled and in my drawer with my other cutting platforms. It is a huge help on the Bigshot too with the lovely detailed dies that I had just purchased.

I will be keeping my Wizard for embossing so I can spread out the wear and tear.

Back later to tell you more news and some piccies.

WOYWW my number14

SUPERHEROES ARE IN THE BUILDING............

...........and on my desk. Julia might call this real crafting because I did use my ATG gun and my scalpel and metal ruler. Scalpel is a Swan Morton cutting knife-replacement blades are seriously cheap and seriously sharp too. Card at back is for my stepson and must be finished today. He will be 46 tomorrow. I've used the Hougie board to create the stepper-incredibly easy-and Craftwork Cards cardstock. The Superheroes are from my local craft shop Crafty by Nature and if you've ever thought about buying them I would recommend them-the colour and card quality is top notch.

Here is a delighted recipient holding his card last night. I know he doesn't look delighted. I took a delighted shot and he deleted it as not for public consumption and got his little sister to take this one. Yes, my grandson Jamie was 20 yesterday TWENTY!!!!!!!! Where did that go then?

When I was his age I remember I hated smiley shots and always wanted to look serious and cool when photographed.

Head over to Julia's place if you want to join in with us-you won't be disappointed. I'll be back later when I've finished latest creation to check out your desk. Don't tidy up-it's disturbing.

Popped back to apologise for shot quality-not my work you understand-the photographer is still learning.

Mashed another die cutting machine

OOPS!

Have forced too much through my wizard and it has suddenly refused to cut any more except the edges. Even multiple shims etc. will not persuade it. The pressure on the rollers has just died. This is the third small die cutting machine I've managed to destroy. I got the wizard because I stupidly believed that made of metal it could survive the pounding and multiple mistake making that goes on in my craft world. Ah well. Suddenly I NEEEEEEEED a die cutting machine to cut all the lovely dies I've got. I know there are plenty of other cards I can make but all I want to do now is cut cut cut.

WATCH THIS SPACE

PS I have discovered that a special adapter exists for my very big friend who lurks in the corner and am taking steps to obtain it but it is like swimming up a treacle waterfall and I do wonder why I bother.

Don't do blog candy ---BUT........get this!

You know me-I don't do complicated blog thingies too wearying and time consuming but oh heck I would love some of these to try so I just had to post this link so that you can have a go too. It's Imagination Crafts. Now you needn't bother to click really 'cos it gives me more chance to win. Tee hee hee.

WOYWW My 12A(Don't want to attract any negative Karma)

Ok-Spydie has shamed me into posting. Wasn't going to do it today as time is just eating itself at the mo but I found my camera and took a shot. Not been highly creative recently but have managed to spend some money-hey we're not totally on the scrapheap yet y'know.Here we have one of my latest buys-the Vintage Rose collection from Craftwork Cards. When I'm challenged in the idea department I like to make the cards pictured with the kit and sometimes that's enough to set my mind going in other directions. A few thoughts have sprung to mind.

Am off to a demo on Saturday at my local craft shop-Crafty by Nature. It's a fabulous place but doesn't have a website. There's all your favourite stuff in there-Tim Holz, Paper Artsy, Debbie Moore, Embossing folders, Cutting dies-a dangerous place to be with a credit card. If you are near Bolton go for a look -it's at 11 Bolton Road Kearsley,BL4 8DB. Demos are £5.00 but limited to 10 people for 1 1/2 hours-in a separate room and if you spend over £5 you get your entrance fee refunded. On Saturday it's Creative Expressions new stamp range with TH and nestabilities. If you fancy the demo you need to book as places get snapped up quickly.

For anyone who is asking my DH is much more positive now about his health since we visited the Heart Failure nurse last Wednesday and she put him on different drugs to attempt to get rid of the fluid build up which has made his life almost unbearable.

I haven't been able to do much hopping lately but the knitting is still progressing. Love to you all and hope to drop in.

If anyone is reading this and hasn't joined in yet with WOYWW- that's" What's on your worktop Wednesday?"- get over to Julia's place where she will explain it all.

Hugs to everybody- Betty.