A Boy And His Toys – Marc Tries Out His New Be Creative! Wonder Stamp Press

While I was staying with Marc he was also keen to try out his new Be Creative! Wonder Press which had only just arrived to great excitement.

For the purposes of this post I  have been a bit lazy, but rather than make any mistakes with what it does/can do, I have taken the quote below directly from website http://www.onceuponastamp.co.uk/be-creative-wonder-stamp-press/

(Marc used another grid under the Wonder Press solely for the purpose of having a flat, firm surface on the table where we were working)

“The new Wonder Stamp Press makes stamping so easy with its large platform. The grid markings along all four edges make lining up stamps very simple giving you the perfect placement of your image every time.
When your stamp is mounted on to the Stamp Press you have time to ink your stamps up and line up with your project before you press down to stamp your image. Little pressure is required for a perfect stamp image every time.
Can take stamps up to around 12 x 20 cm in size. PRESS IT ...STAMP IT ...now everyone can stamp !”

Now, though I love stamps, I am always wary/reluctant to stamp directly onto a card or tag for fear of it not being perfectly centred or level, or smudged, which is why I always stamp on a piece of card, which I then trim, before mat and layering it, before putting it on to a card, often losing a lot of the simplicity of the style of stamps I prefer and the “less is more” effect I always try to aim for.

Let’s just say Marc was very impressed and, equally, so was I, so much so that I think I will also be investing in a Wonder Press myself in the next little while, and at £7.99 that’s less than a lot of stamps sets.   http://www.onceuponastamp.co.uk/be-creative-wonder-stamp-press/

Marc was all about the playing and experimenting, so I was allowed to colour in his stamping, of which I am no great whiz, but it was all very relaxing as we nattered with erm ….. the odd voddie and coke!

A Boy And His Toys – Marc Tries Out His We R Memory Keepers Alphabet Punch Board

While I was at Marc’s he had bought his We R Memory Keepers Alphabet Boards out to try.  I “think” he has both the regular and mini size, plus a couple of the extras.

Now, what Marc will always tell you about me is that I am the most impatient crafter ever ………

…….. which is why this tool just doesn’t appeal to me, there is no way I could patiently go through the instruction manual to find out how each letter is made, all that punching, turning and slicing ……. ewwwwwwww, just the thought of it makes my gums itch.

Marc, on the other hand, is the most patient crafter I have ever met, he really does put me to shame!  Had I not been there, no doubt he would have worked slowly through the book, producing a whole alphabet, plus a whole string of bunting, but I think my continual chattering put him off ….. just a bit …… but I think he would beg to differ and say I put him off a whole lot!

However, I think Marc was very impressed and pleased with the letters he did manage to punch while trying to shut my din out!!!

However, while Marc and I may differ greatly in our levels of patience, in the neat and tidy stakes, it’s a draw……..

…….. when we craft the mess just spreads wider and wider, like ripples in a pond, as the ideas just keep on coming, it’s fun at the time ……. but flipping heck, it takes soooooooooooooooooooo long to tidy up afterwards!

Christmas Snowflake Hinged Clear Glass Frame – Window Picture Frame

This was a bit of a festive experiment that I took to play with when I  stayed with Marc just before Christmas.  I used a hinged, clear, copper and glass picture/window frame that I have had for ages and really didn’t have a clue what to do with.

I decided to keep things simple for this Christmas using some self adhesive snowflake stickers I found in Lldl before Christmas for 99p per pack …..

…….. and some old glittery silver and blue Docraft stickers Marc had got that I thought could work well together.I stuck the white snowflakes onto the inside of the frame first and then added the smaller metallic stickers over the top of them, in the centre, to add a bit of extra depth and texture.

The final touches were made by adding three dots here and there, using a white chalkola chalk pen.

It’s nothing really special, I was just playing. None of the embellishments are permanent, so everything can be taken off and a new design added when I get a better idea. I am already thinking along the lines of a snowman scene ……..

Marc’s Christmas Wreath Using Tim Holtz Rosette Die

Marc gave me this Christmas wreath when I stayed with him just before Christmas.  He used his Tim Holtz’s rosette die. I have to be honest, when I  first saw it I felt a slight twinge as I thought I had sold my own die before the “big move”, but when I was doing some sorting in my craft boxes I found it ….. huge sigh of relief!  I know in time I am going to regret selling/giving away a few bits and pieces, but I am so glad I kept this one.

Marc used an MDF ring as the base to his wreath.

But, as we were in a crafty mood and Marc was showing me all  his beautiful shiny bits and pieces (oooow’er matron), it seemed rude and ungracious not to avail myself of a few of them ……….

…….. to embellish the wreath just a little bit more, there was no way I wanted Marc to think I was turning my nose up at his lovely glittery baubles  ……

So …… on top of the various plain buttons more diamonds, pearls and shiny things were added, with Marc’s approval.

When I got home the wreath was added to my festive shelves (then put away safely), and will now be a much loved treasure holding so many happy memories coming out for many years to come.

Large Chalkboard Fridge Magnet (?) Using Chalkola Premium Wet Wipe Markers

This idea was a bit of an experiment following on from an idea I had after being asked to review Chalkola Premium Wet Wipe Markers at the end of November.

The idea was to make an interchangeable display of children’s artwork/drawings, using the Chalkola pens on inexpensive chalkboards, so off I trolled to Poundland and found exactly what I was looking for http://www.poundland.co.uk/chalk-board-29-x-21-cm.

The framed board measures 29cm x 21cm. The chalkboard surface appears to be a coated mdf (but I could be wrong), but, the whole thing weighs very little, which I hoped that the self adhesive magnet discs I planned to use on the back would support.

Once the pens were “activated” by a little shaking and then gently pressing the nibs up and down on a spare piece of paper several times, the chalk ink flowed easily and my able assistant, Iris, could get on with the task in hand, to wit creating a wonderful, colourful masterpiece.

I have to admit that I am VERY, VERY, VERY careful when arming Miss Iris with any felt pen, but with these chalk pens I really can relax, as any stray scribble can be removed easily with a wet wipe  (although I did still put a mat under the board just in case), and no inky stained fingers for Iris either, again, a wet wipe is all you need.

With all colours used and Madam happy with her work and a the board was turned over and self adhesive magnet discs evenly placed round the edges of the frame.Et voila, it held to the side of my fridge freezer like a dream (see first picture)

Now I know that my idea worked, I shall be buying a few more chalkboards and looking for some similar framed whiteboards (as the chalk pens will also work on them too) to create a mini art display.  Boards can be displayed in all sorts of portrait/landscape combinations and when the chalk fades or a change is needed, they can all be wiped clean with minimum effort, ready to create a totally new series of pictures.

New Years Day 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I ended 2016 and started 2017 in the most perfect way possible …….

……. with Iris, Bertie and my daughter Lu for a New Year Sleepover.  The little ones came over to play on Saturday, to give Mum and Dad a chance to get the house straight and have five minutes to themselves. 

Bertie is too young for a sleepover, but he tried his best during the day, bless him.  I really could eat him!

But Iris is quite a dab hand at a girlie night and she stayed over!  In the afternoon I let her look at the treasures in my jewellery box.

We had our favourite lunch and tea, a very splashy bath, watched Room On The Broom, all together and then Lu and I drew lots for who would tell Iris a bedtime story (or two or three).  It was heaven!

And then, there she was all bright eyed and bushy tailed to wake Auntie LuLu and I up on the first morning of a brand new year …………and, it don’t get any better than that! 

So, no New Years Resolutions for 2017, after 2016 all I want are 365 normal, humdrum days, where nothing comes to bite me on the bum …………… BUT if anything dares, I promise I will bite it back with gnashers so sharp it really won’t know what bit it!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A Little More Stickybeaking - My En-Suite Shower Room

When Tom, Laura and I went to view my flat for the first time I think we were all taken aback when we found that the master bedroom (mine), also had a en-suite shower room! 

So, no more trudging across the hall for a wee in the middle of the night.  It’s certainly plenty big enough and there wasn’t really a lot that needed doing, however, I have to admit to finding it a bit bland, though on the other hand scope is limited physically.

The original light fitting was quickly changed to a right old silver and clear jewelled confection from The Range, which does caste a lovely shadow, but I think, perhaps, I might eventually change it for a bathroom chandelier, if I see one I like ……. I don’t know, there’s something a little too brash about it, I think I would prefer something a little more delicate and dangly, we shall see!

The room was repainted from white to calico and the fitted cream carpet (?) taken up and a cream, nondescript vinyl floor laid down.The extra twiddly bits included putting a large corner caddy in the shower, as I can’t bear having bottles etc., all round the edges.  All I have allowed, of an ornamental nature are an Elvis and Princess Duck in the corner, presents from Marc, I think they are supposed to be us!!!

A set of three glass shelves (packs of 2 from Argos) were also put up, along with a rack for towels.  Perhaps I would swop the hooks for something a little bit more erm …… glamorous, but that’s being extremely, extremely picky!

As you can see my first ever jewelled mirror followed me too, how could I leave it behind?

It’s all perfectly lovely, but, I’ve only been here for six months and there’s always room to twiddle a bit more.  I think it’s a bit cold and not half girly enough, however, as I said, there isn’t a lot I can physically change. I know the picture over the radiator will eventually be replaced by something I think I might make, at the moment I am thinking a large mermaid and shell mirror.

And …… if I go down the slightly mermaidy theme, I think that I can certainly find a few “choice” pieces in Evesham’s charity shops and antiques centres over time to make the shelves look a little less functional.

https://uk.pinterest.com/source/myheartsease.blogspot.com

I think the towels and bathmat (brought from the Castle and which could easily be used in the main bathroom), will also eventually be changed  to something brighter, more colourful and warmer, Next have some lovely ones, but that can wait a little longer until I see exactly what I want……….

Or perhaps, I just have too much time on my hands at the moment, believe me, that will all change in March when I resume my “Nanny Duties” and then, I will probably be too knackered for such whimsical and fanciful ideas!!!!

My China Cabinet and Royal Doulton Minden.

You can tell it’s that period between Christmas and New Year, I have no crafts to show you, so I am desperately trying to fill a few posts to cover it!

Over the past few weeks I have told you the story of how my flat has come together over the past six months, now I thought I would bore you even more with the minutiae of what I have actually put in my cupboards!

Once The Castle was sold I made the decision that I wouldn’t take any of my day to day Ikea tableware with me, instead I offered it all to Lu, as she was moving at the same time with virtually nothing and it was gratefully accepted,  however there was a rhyme and reason to my madness.

About ten or so years ago my Mother In Law gave me what was left of her “old” tableware.  It’s Royal Doulton, Minden design, Art Deco and dates back to the 1930’s. I had always loved it as the pattern reminded me of Mabel Lucie Attwell for some reason, but Shelia hated it!  She had inherited it from her family when she was a young housewife and dreamed of having a modern 50’s/60s design, but found herself stuck with old fashioned Royal Doulton, and so did her level best to break it, in the hope of one day eventually “needing” that new set!!!

That day came, and what was left was put in the back of the cupboard, not to see the light of day again until I came along.  When she asked if I would like it, there was no way I was going to say no, but though I loved it, I was frightened to use it, so it only came out for Christmas Day!!!!

But, when I moved I decided that it was stupid to have something I never used, especially as storage was of a premium, so I was now going to use it on a daily basis, come what may.  At the time I had a quite a few dinner plates of varying sizes,  three oval platters, two cups and saucers and three vegetable tureens.  Then I got two Ikea cabinets that needed filling …… and that, was my downfall!!!!

I started looking on e-bay to see if there were any pieces for sale, and I started collecting!  An awful lot of pieces were right out of my price range, but slowly and surely a few things started to appear that I felt I could bid on and so my collection grew.  I have tried to collect eight each of the basics, cups, saucers, plates and bowls, and then added serving bowls, tea plates, teapots, jugs and soup bowls. 

The teapots and cups and saucers are (were) the hardest items to find, in particular, the teapots proved to be the most expensive to buy, in fact I had to go to Etsy for the largest teapot. I have been very careful with my bidding, setting a limit, only getting carried away with one small teapot, and as a result had a few real bargains. I don’t think I need anything else, but as the original range was huge, I still look, but have found that the rarer, more unusual pieces are usually well out of my price range.

I can now to set a table for all occasions and with friends coming over from Wolverhampton I am also slowly perfecting my Evesham cream tea.
It’s lovely to have beautiful things, but what’s the point if they are never used?