A warm welcome to all my visitors,

Thank you for taking the time to come and look at my blog, I really do appreciate it. I would love you to leave me a comment, even if it’s just to say Hi. It means I can come visit you!

All my designs are original, so copyrighted to me. If I have been inspired by someone elses work, I have named them in the post, and where able, I have provided a link.

Please feel free to use my designs for inspiration, I just ask you to credit me, and provide a link back to my blog.

Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday 24 July 2013

WOYWW #216- a bit of magic

Good Morning all! Anyone just dropping by and wonders what this is all about, hop over to Julia's  at The Stamping Ground, and join in our world-wide blog hop.  Display your desk, messy or tidy, in all its glory. I have actually done something this week- working on my eldest sons Birthday card, with the Poe stamp. A technique I tried out is the bit of magic in the title. Heated lemon juice.
 As always, I couldn't do just one! I remembered seeing it used before, and thought it looked interesting, and have been meaning to try it for a while.You get a similar result to sponging with Distress Inks, but its a lot more random, and controlled only by how much heat you apply. The more heat, the more the lemon juice burns.
 Spritzed it all over with lemon juice, just the sort you get in a plastic bottle to squeeze on your pancakes-then set loose with the heat gun.
I could never get that much random by inking, I don't think.
So its coming along nicely.












Working nights, we've found it simpler to stick to the same pattern over the weekend, and Saturday night I was happily crafting away, it was so warm I opened my window wide to try to get any air that might be moving around in. Bad mistake. Every moth within a 3 mile radius decided it wanted to visit my craft room and barrel about bouncing off the lights, the walls, and me! Very distracting. Especially when you get one the size of a small bat popping in.
                                                                                                  Meet my new friend:




He settled up in a corner overnight, and I called Beloved Hubby to come see him the next day.




 He retrieved him to put him back outside.


He's a Poplar Hawkmoth, if you're interested. The moth, that is, not Beloved Hubby.

I'm typing this on Tuesday afternoon, so I can schedule it for Wednesday morning- we had an awesome amount of rain & thunderstorms this morning. Yay for the Met office! Got it right this time. For those around the world surprised by this, we are rather used to getting the exact opposite of what they forecast- it actually comes as quite a shock when they get it right.

Last thing, anyone else seen this on Facebook? The newest way to empty our purses by Tim Holtz- Distress Glitter. I have to admit, I like the look of some of the colours, especially the browns/yellows/oranges. Not common glitter colours.

37 comments:

Helen said...

Love that trick with the lemon juice! Not sure about the moth though - I don't much like flying things at night... even though they won't hurt! Have a good week. Helen, 7

BJ said...

Yeah - love the lemon juice technique. WOW what a huge moth and great piccys too. Thanks for visiting me, I need a small operation and hope it will help with my monthly debilitating condition. BJ#74

Unknown said...

That Raven stamp is awesome. Who is the stamp made by?? I've done a lemon juice thing where you leave your paper in the sun to bake, I'll have to try it this way. Can I just say that the size of that moth is a bit freaky. It's like a 747. It's huge. I've never seen one like that. I know what my daughters next Nature study is going to be on though. (We homeschool) Thanks for a great post. Can't wait to see what you do with your Raven. (((HUGS)))
Kim
WOYWW #44

jill said...

How lucky finding that moth & glad you popped it back out side.
Happy woyww Jill #63

Uniflame said...

I really like those pages!! I don't have any distress inks yet, and I am going to pretend I didn't see that glittery ones ;)

Uniflame - 82

House of Bears said...

Distress glitter? Must not buy must not.... Still, we can try the lemon juice trick without spending pennies.

Waving hi from the bears @#90 this week

CraftygasheadZo said...

Loving the lemon juice trick. Eeek that's one big moth too. Take care Zo xx 91

Bridget Larsen said...

I have never seen a moth that big, you are lucky he visited. Dont show me any more new crafting stuff, My craft room cant handle it
Bridget #23

ike said...

Great cards - I LUV the burnt lemon juice look :-)
Super Moth...... I get giant Hawk Moths out here - they can be pretty scary coz they are soooooo big :-D

Happy WOYWW

IKE in Greece xx #13

Eliza said...

Nope not seen the new products and you are right they do empty our purses. That moth is huge, I hate bugs buzzing around thank heavens for screens on the windows.

Happy WOYWW
Eliza & Yoda 55

Winnie said...

I am chomping at the bit to want to go home and try that lemon spritzing! It is one thing I always have at home (as I go through 8 lemons a week with my tea and my cooking...!) Love that Poe stamp you used. I didn't see that piece with the glitter, but saw a tiny bit of a video of Tim using it..Oh my word. My room looks like a Ranger shop already. I will try a few colors for sure! Enjoy the day! Winnie#82

Unknown said...

oh yes, the lemon juice tags looked great.
LOL @ you with the moths, its even hotter in my art space at night - but if I saw a moth like a bat that would be the end, I can cope with moths but bit of a phobia with bats, similar to my mouse one.
I am very happy to say I have not met one like that.
We didn't get much in the way of storms, but forcast more rain for tonight.

Lynda #1

Krisha said...

Hi Shaz,
Love the lemon juice effect much better than distressed ink, will definitely be trying THAT!
Krisha #22

Anonymous said...

That moth is FAB. I keep getting them in from the garden, at night, where I am iPad-ing in the otherwise dark. The screen attracts them (not THAT sort of moth, but the normal ones) and I suspect I've injured a few as I swat them away from my face :) But that guy - man he is sooooo cooool. I crave a stamp of him.....

Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (41)

Unknown said...

I've never heard of the lemon juice technique before now, but I love the look of it. That moth would have scared me. Happy crafting #11

JoelMcBride said...

Gotta try that lemon juice technique! And, yes, more "Distress" means more "distress" on my wallet!

ria gall said...

the lemon juice technique sounds amazing and I think I saw Ali Reeve do it once. I do like the randomness that it gives you.

As nice as the Tim Holtz glitters are I do not think they will be on my wish list just yet as I am not much of a glitter girl
Sending hugs on WOYWW and hope you have a great week
Ria #44

Rossella said...

Hi Shaz,
I'm liking the look of the lemon juice,
Happy WOYWW
Rosie x

Christine said...

How did you know I have just bought some lemon Juice? Are you in collusion with PJ who did not want any pancakes tonight?
now I will have to try the spritzing method so Lemon Juice .......... upstairs to the Craft Room....... now!

Bishopsmate #76

glitterandglue said...

Is the lemon juice in code??? Remember years ago doing invisible writing with lemon juice - a bit Secret seven!! But then, you are probably FAR too young to remember such things.
have a great week.
Margaret #32

My name is Cindy said...

Love the lemon juice and that moth is amazing! But I bet it was distracting when he was bumbling around. Happy WOYWW Cindy #36

ddazzled71 said...

I haven't seen the lemon juice technique before so I may just have to give this one a try for myself. And my word what a huge and delightful looking moth. Happy WOYWW! Danie #72

Julia Dunnit said...

Yikes Shaz...your gorgeous hubby is POPULAR hawkmoth catcher now..I couldn't have handled that!! Brilliant way to distress, how on earth you come up with these things is beyond me - I love how random it becomes...random can be so difficult. Now I have to rummage in the 'underused and out of date' section of the kitchen cupboard!! I'm glad you've managed to work some sort of routine through this weather..it must be hard to sleep in the day.

Heathers Inspiration said...

Love your designs and the Moth is wonderful. We had a butterfly settle indoors yesterday - so had to rescue it and pop it back in the garden x
Have a Great week - Heather #100

Deb's Pen Pot said...

Loving the Poe stamp and the lemon juice trick! I'd love to see the finished card :0) Thanks for visiting me on WOYWW #209 - I'm terribly late once again! Best, Deb's Pen Pot #115

sandra de said...

Fantastic lemon technique, I must try it and eat some pancakes while I am crafting. Love the moth and pleased to hear your DH moved it back outside.
Sandra @87

akilli melek said...

ugh, think i would have run away from that moth.
You are right, don't think I've ever seen brown glitter.
caroline (akilli melek) #39

Queen Lightwell said...

Nice trick about the lemon spritzing, will have to try it...but I'm not sure about putting lemon on my pancakes! Doesn't that make them tarty? Is it an English thing? :) That moth is seriously huge and creepy looking, hate to say I probably would have freaked out and gone after it with a flyswatter! No DH to rescue it in my house! lol :)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a sweet comment already, glad you got the ATC and liked it...sorry it took for-ev-er. Stupid gallbladder. :)
Enjoy the rest of WOYWW dear! ~Deeyll

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful Hawkmoth, recognised it as a hawkmoth but didn't know which one. Love the variations of the moths, think my favourite is the delicate ghost moth.
Love the lemon juice 'trick', it makes beautifully random patterns. Have never tried it but will have to give it a go - lemon juice on my shopping list :)
Lynn xx

Nikki said...

Huge Moth but really pretty my kitty would be going nuts for it seeing he's scared of all mice and big birds lol and your ATC's are so kewl love the idea of using lemon juice and the tattered edges
hugs Nikki 31

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

I was just thinking there weren't many moths around this year and then I see your giant. I think I might have a fit if I was visited by that one. I would probably have two dogs bouncing round like lunatics trying to catch it. Are you trying to get me to spend more money with those glitters? I am resisting as I still have years worth of the Martha Stewart Glitters. I still cannot believe that not one jar or glass was damaged in any way by the avalanche in my kitchen. I am glad I am not the only one who lost the plot this week. I had two Fridays. I was convinced that it was Friday on Wednesday, if you know what I mean. Have fun with your moths and lemon juice. xx Maggie #38

Shoshi said...

What an interesting post, Shaz, full of variety! I NEVER have the windows open after dark, however hot it is - I'm terrified of flying insects!!! That moth was massive.

Lemon juice is the original Invisible Ink! Write with it and you can't see it. Heat it, and abracadabra, it appears! Love the random effect you got with it, and the beautiful swirly text background of your card. Very effective.

TH distress glitter? Oh dear... TH certainly does know how to empty our purses (and fill his!!) doesn't he! He must be a multi-billionaire by now, I should think. Some things I can definitely live without, but I shall have to think seriously about the glitters!

Thank you for your lovely comment, and I'm so glad you're enjoying following the continuing progress on our house renovation. Old houses do have a habit of throwing up various nasties once you start digging below the surface, don't they. Ours is later than Victorian (1925 to be precise) and yesterday they found a load of lead pipes that had to be replaced.

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #112

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Ooh clever, I've not seen that done before. That moth is awesome!
Thanks for your kind comments on my blog xx

voodoo vixen said...

Sorry I am so late visiting... things just got in the way this week! I have never heard of the lemon juice trick... and I love the way it has turned out with the poe stamp so will be giving that a go very soon! Annette #17

ANNETTE HUSBAND said...

G'day Shaz
thanks for dropping by my blog. Oh wow I used to love to use lemon juice on cards. I haven't done that for ages LOL. Looks lovely. Not keen on glitter LOL
hugs
Annette In Oz #60

trisha too said...

That technique is perfect for the Poe image, what a great stamp. And thank you for sharing the moth, I've never seen one like that, but we do have some large ones here, too.

Newest way to empty our purses--that made me lol!

Thank you for stopping by this woyww!
:)trisha
#63 this week

Shoshi said...

Lol at your comment Shaz - how very unfortunate about the chimney breast!!! Whenever I hear about funny stains coming through the wallpaper I think "I bet there's a body walled up behind there" ROFL!! (Shoshi's been watching too many films like 10 Rillington Place!!)

In my first house, a little Victorian cottage, when I took down the false ceilings that had been put up in the 1960s to cover up the original beams, there were lead pipes for the gas lights. They were quite redundant, of course, but I left them there as a feature of the original house.

The pipes coming out of our house were water pipes - not so good now we know that lead is poisonous.

Funny really - since lead has given its name to the whole industry of plumbing - plumbum being Latin for lead! Now we're all doing our level best to exclude lead from our plumbing.

Shoshi

An End of an era

An end of an era

I write this with a broken heart, that only time can heal My beautiful, wonderful wifelet Shaz (Silverwolf) passed away peacefully in the ea...