WOYWW 432 - I now have Distress Oxides in my life

Good morning to everyone.  I was missing last week, as when it came to Wednesday morning I just didn't have the energy to sit down and type a post.  I have had a stressful few weeks - and last Monday 4th September my two ponies were put to sleep.  They were both struggling with health issues and I knew that none of us could cope with another winter.  Now that I am not having to go out on the yard for mucking out/lifting heavy hay etc, I cannot imagine how I coped for so long.

Here they are (my last photo of them; taken earlier in the summer) -

I am not one to sit about and be bored, so I have filled my extra time with more seriously concentrating on learning Spanish (ready for our planned purchase of a property there) and getting our house in order.  There is still lots of decluttering/spring cleaning to be done, but slowly I can see progress.

Crafting is still my main way of distracting myself and I went to another workshop last week.  This one was an Introduction to Mixed Media, and we made a tag using Distress Oxides.  I had been thinking of trying some for a while, but had been resisting making any purchases until I knew that I would really use them.  I enjoyed the class so much that I came home with two of my favourite colours!

In the photo (taken quickly this morning whilst it is still dark - and we have the heating on now, so it is definitely autumn!) you can see the finished tag (although I want to add some more vivid colour to the butterflies, and perhaps some sparkle), the Distress Oxides ready for some action, a paperbag that an ATC came in, along with an ATC-sized diecut (thought I could make an ATC out of both of those), some A3 collages that I made from magazine cuttings at an art group a couple of years ago, which I have folded to make covers for future journal projects, and some Etsy shopping (washi tapes and a truly gorgeous planner charm, which I hope to attach to my new Journaling Bible when I have it).

Looking out of the window as it gets lighter slowly, it looks like the worst of Storm Aileen has passed over Pembrokeshire.  We went to Barry yesterday to visit family and had lovely sunshine there.  It started raining just as we got home at 5 pm, and by the evening it was very windy.  Will venture out later and see how many branches are down in the roads.

I hope that everyone is safe after all of the horrible global weather we have had in the past few weeks.

If you want to join in with the mid-week tour of crafty workspaces, trot along to Julia's Stamping Ground.

Ali x

WOYWW 430 - a bit of shopping

Good morning to you all - and Happy Wednesday.  Nearly another month has gone by.  A difficult month for me approaches (difficult stuff with animals and learning to live with that), but all I can do is live moment by moment - and it will pass.

What do us crafters do when we are stressed?  Go shopping of course!  In the UK that normally includes a visit to The Works, because at least we can save money whilst treating ourselves.

I did actually go there to look for a specific mixed media book that had been spotted at other branches around the UK.  Did not find it in our small branch, but a few other items caught my eye and ended up in my shopping bag.

Just a small book on abstract art - but lots of interesting stuff in it.  Cheap 3D paints, which were worth trying at that price.  A cute crochet kit.  I cannot crochet.  Therefore, I may give that away as a present.

I also bought some Skittles whilst in the supermarket.

The dark fairy digital designs were for a specific ATC swap, so one has been coloured and cut out.  I bought them from Etsy as a digital download.

The palette has some left-over Pixie Powder in a small amount of water.  You only need a tiny amount, so I leave the rest for another day (it is easily refreshed with a bit of water).

I have lots of projects to complete/start, but I really need to tackle some housework/gardening today (the amount of white hair from cat & dog, and cobwebs/dust, are threatening to take over the house) before I can sit down in my craft room again.

Ali x

We all need to find joy in our lives

I was super-excited and proud to be selected as a member of the Launch Team for Candace Payne's first book, Laugh It Up.  Click HERE to pre-order.

Haven't we all been a fan of hers since 'that' video?!  Click HERE if you either haven't seen it, or just need to cry with laughter all over again.  I watch it often, always with tissues ready.

I am not as good with words or positivity as she is, so I suggest that you at least go and view her trailer on her official Facebook page - Candace Payne Official

There are fab bonuses if you pre-order - including a Bible Journaling Tutorial video, The Simple Joys ebook and a taco recipe!

I will share more details about the book, including my review, upto the release date of 7th November.

Ali x

Do you go back and read old blog posts?

I do fairly often.

It is interesting to see how my crafting has progressed - or not!

Also interesting to see how other aspects of my life have effected me (never sure whether it should be affected or effected!).

I should be getting on with a sketching project, but seem to have found myself going through the Blogger archives.

I will have more to blog about later, but for now here is a short video from my earlier walk with Buzz the dog.

WOYWW 429 - Just waiting for creativity

Happy WOYWW to you all (What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday - click HERE to join in).

There is lots going on in my life and I am struggling to keep my brain still enough to actually sit down and do some crafting.  Therefore, my desk has some random stuff on it.

Firstly - does anyone else have as many craft mats/cutting boards etc etc?  There is definitely room for a couple more on that table.

The tiny alphabet stamps from my new WeR Memory Keepers Precision Press+ set waiting to be cut up and put into the storage box.  (Read my initial review HERE.)

Alphabet stencils that are sticky on the back and I use all the time.

Some embellishments and ATC backgrounds (I am still trying to finish off an Alphabet ATC set).

Box of pens.

Book of toppers/papers from a magazine.

Mat gel, foam brush and stamp cleaning spray.

You can just see some completed ATCs.

The day is rapidly disappearing and soon it will be lunch.  This afternoon I plan a trip into town - post office, Aldi and hopefully a few balls at the golf driving range.

Perhaps I will sit down and do some Zentangle this evening - or not!

Ali x

My latest We R Memory Keepers purchase

I haven't done any stamping for a long time, but with a constant stream of ATCs to make and also planning to make more time for my journaling, I seem to have taken up the 'dark art' again.  I also found myself watching Create & Craft (any show title with We R Memory Keepers attracts me - I love my Envelope Board, Tag Punch and more), and the Precision Press+ sold itself to me (as well as the great demo's and DT makes).

I will update this post once I have played with it more (and tried out the fab selection of stencils), but here is my first attempt at using one of the layered stamp set that also fell into my basket (they were at a literally give-away price!).  I must admit it was the camera stamp that I really wanted (got a thing about illustration-style stamps).  I also got a floral set and will show that tomorrow.

It turned out really well.  I haven't got many inkpads now (stupidly sold my collection of TH Distress Inkpads a few years back), but the brown and grey looks very good.  I remembered that I can use my old Marvy LePlume pens to colour on the stamps, so going to try some bright colours tomorrow.  It also fits on an ATC.

Easy to use - and just works, like all WRMK stuff.

I mentioned the stencils, but it also has a typesetting board.  I am going to use this a lot, as I love to use words in my crafting.  It was simple once I worked out having it upside down.

Look - it comes out the right way up!

I need to cut all of the tiny alphabet stamps now - and put them in the included storage box.

Here are the stamps that also came with this bundle.  They are going to be well used.

I will be back tomorrow with more details/prices/photos.

Ali x

WOYWW 428 - stash haul and the Patchwork board game

Good morning and Happy WOYWW to you all.  WOYWW is 'What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday' and you can join in at Stamping Ground.

I staged these photos on Monday night, as we were off to our local agricultural show, Pembrokeshire County Show yesterday - and I knew that I would be exhausted this morning (and I was right - despite going to bed early I feel like a truck has run over me twice!).  We had a great time at the show, and plan to return tomorrow as well (we are Members, as it works out cheaper if you go for at least 2 days - and you get closer parking to the entrance and a very nice Members' restaurant/bar - so we can have a sit-down lunch and rest our weary limbs).

Stamps ordered from Create & Craft - with my £10 renewal of membership voucher and their various discounts, they almost had to pay me to have these!  My latest crafty bargains from TK Maxx - washi tape, napkins (it seems that they are 'thing' in crafting - will search Pinterest for instructions) and some modelling clay.

The washi tape set in closer detail - doesn't really show how glittery they are.

We enjoy playing board games in this household, and I always buy a couple of new ones every Christmas.  Yes, I know it is only August - but I started my festive shopping early, as usual - and could not resist buying this one as well.  Not had a chance to give it a go yet, but the reviews on Amazon are excellent.  I can imagine hubby's reaction, but he will enjoy it once he gets over the fact it is craft-themed!

I plan to visit as many blogs as possible this week, and also write some new blog posts (our visit to the Pembrokeshire County Show, ATC trading, starting a new embroidery project, Encaustic Art).

Ali x