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 19 March 2014

WOYWW #250

Hi folks, wasn't that a glorious weekend we just had? I think we can be fairly certain that spring is here now.Our Headmistress of Desks, Julia, is waiting for your link over at The Stamping Ground, so don't disappoint, go link up now. Show us what you got!
 So what have I got? Well, there's another Clean and Simple masked card a couple of posts back,and the previous post is my almost-disaster, a stamped image that went horribly wrong right at the end. But I saved it- so proof that never bin anything till you're sure it can't be saved is the way to go.
 So, on my desk right now-these Paper Mache dress forms.
I put the Tim ruler next to them so you can see the size- just over 7" tall. Some of you might remember I mentioned a company called Creativity Direct a while back, and how they had the most amazing selection of alterable stuff. I had in my mind buying a Jewellery Stand for my Granddaughter Merlins  birthday later this year, but hadn't been able to find one suitably gothy for her. Then I remembered seeing these, and thought I would make one instead. So thats one project for the next few months. They were great value too- £3.20 each, inc VAT. Whilst browsing the site, I also thought about a jewellery box, and found this one:
This one cost me £13.99, and they have masses of wooden boxes, of all types, sizes and shapes.
This one opens up like this:
And I have plenty of suitably gothic/halloween/fairy stamps to alter it to suit her perfectly.
 If you like this sort of thing to alter, I recommend giving their site a look,they have  almost every shape/type of Paper Mache or wooden item you can name.













 Last thing on my desk, well they were before I moved them to show you these, is some stamps from Designs by Ryn, the lady behind my much used Water Droplets stamp. A different set of Water Droplets, Rising Bubbles, Raindrops and some Starfish.The Starfish are currently at 50% off. Ryn doesn't have a UK/Europe supplier yet, so you have to order from Canada, but the exchange rate is great, and  her shipping is so fast- I got these in under 7 days from ordering, I've waited longer for orders within the UK! Nice deep red rubber stamps, they come mounted on foam. Speaking of exchange rates, and ordering from abroad, I had been looking around the UK for a refill bottle for my Versafine Onyx Black pad. No-one at all seems to have any, and I know they say you should never have to re-ink, because they last for ages, but mine is getting a bit dry, after about 6 years, and I object to having to throw a pad away and buy another, on environmental grounds, as well as cost. So, I found refill bottles on Amazon.com, for the Black, and got two bottles, plus shipping, for £11.98. I also ordered a refill for my Sepia pad while I was at it, as it doesn't need re-inking yet, but I thought I may as well save on the postage. That is the only two colours of inkpad they make refills for, by the way. Have a good week everyone, and I hope the weather is suitably spring like wherever you are.


30 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Thankfully, I made it here sooner this week than I did from last week's entry. Your paper mache dress forms sure are begging to be altered, aren't they?

And I have to say, the weatherman is forecasting snow for us today. So I don't think spring is coming to my neck of the woods in time for the spring equinox. But I bet you get that jewelry box finished before Halloween (grin).

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

A very informative post as usual Shaz ... actually did not know Ryn was in Canada somehow thought she was UK!

I get here posts and saw some lovely ones of yours on her last post well done you.. and saw you on Splitcoasters last week too :D great shopping/ sharing. happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #32

okienurse said...

Awesome lot of loot you bought there! I love the dress form. I made year or so ago when I did the design team for Ten Seconds Studio. It was so much fun. Check it out. http://okienurse.blogspot.com/2012/04/ten-second-studio-guest-designer-for.html
http://okienurse.blogspot.com/2012/04/ten-second-studio-guest-designer-for.html

My name is Cindy said...

Those little mannekins are so sweet, and the boxes too - thanks for the link. Have a Happy WOYWW Wednesday, Cindy #57

House of Bears said...

Those stamps look fabulous. Happy playing.

The house of bears @64

BJ said...

Great sites and items you have got but if I keep looking at the links people leave I won't be getting round many desks today - LOL BJ#62

fairy thoughts said...

Hi Shaz
great stuff on your desk this week, I look forward to seeing the Goth type jewellery form, keeping up the family traditions is she?
I must have another look at the catalogue for the wooden stuff although I have enough at the moment because I brought from the MDF man at Make it.
happy WOYWW day
janet #29

Andrea said...

what great purchases thqt box is ace cant wait to see what you create im on a self inflicted spending freeze and im resisting lots an lots of temptation.thanks for the advice and handy hints on ordering and those stamps look ace must check out the website thanks for visiting earlier and your suggestion will try waiting longer next time have a great week Andrea#8

Princess Judy Palmer said...

For the longest time they didn't even sell reinkers for Versafine that is how sure they were that you'd never have to reink them.

Great selection of stamps you bought there. I really like those water droplet stamps. I wouldn't know what to do with them but I admire them whenever I see them shown somewhere in blogland.

Great jewelry box and torsos. That's neat that you can alter them up in a goth style because for sure all you'll find for sale is girly girl styles. Judy #89

Kim said...

Spring..not likely! More snow coming in tonight. Have fun with the mannequins and jewelry box. And I love those stamps...gonna check them out now!
Kim #91

pearshapedcrafting said...

OOH! Lovely, nothing like seeing a crafty spend! Love those dress forms. Been looking at the gorgeous things you've been doing this week - love that cat especially! Chris93

Christine said...

You have been busy, love those body forms - looking forward to seeing the results.
have a good week
Bishopsmate #60

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I think I'm losing it, Shaz...I saw we were next door numbers first thing this morning and I was convinced I'd been and left a comment....but I hadn't.... What sort of parallel universe did that happen in. I'm sorry! Age is catching up!
Anyhow, I love that box, I just know you're going to vamp it up brilliantly. Merlin will love it!
Hugs, LLJ 39 xx

Helen said...

Oooh, great enabling here,lol!! Love those dress forms, I did one a while back and have another waiting to be "done"! May have to check the site out though.. Helen 8

Angie said...

Holy Crow that's a lot of fun in one post! All the projects and all the new rubber.. Yep, lots of fun!
Thanks for the visit
Angie #88

Annie Claxton said...

OH wow! she's gonna love that - what a cool idea, hope we'll get to seee the finished project?! Happy WOYWW :o) Annie #78

glitterandglue said...

Hello Shaz. Some great stuff on your desk this week - have fun with everything!!
Margaret #35

Lorraine said...

lots of goodies

April said...

I have seen those water droplet stamps used on some cards - just lovely. I'm glad to know where I can find them and that they are good quality. I can't wait to see your finished jewelry box and dress forms. Thanks for visiting me earlier. April #18

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Shaz, love the jewelry box, that'll look fabulous when you're finished and cool stamps too Cheers and have a great week RobynO#38

Unknown said...

Hi Shaz
Thanks for popping by my blog....love your stamps, very different and will check our Creativity Direct, thanks. Have a great week.
Dawn #41

Stacy Sheldon said...

oooh I have benchmarked the stamp store ;) looks like a very fun site. thanks for sharing! :) ~Stacy #84

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I really love the dress forms, Indigo Blu sell them too.
The stamps with the raindrops are lovely, must have a look at those.
Thanks for visiting me earlier.
Happy crafting, Angela #33

Carmen said...

Lovely weekend indeed though it's a bit chillier here in Kent today. Ooh I am so going to check out that website - those boxes are gorgeous... quite reasonable too! Hmmm - ideas already! Heading straight over there! Thanks lovely lady! Also for already visiting my shedio.

Carmen x #80

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Hi! What a great price for that jewelry box. What fun to alter it!! Thanks for stopping by my blog as well. And yes, we are FINALLY getting some spring weather here in the southern US.
Cathy #68 WOYWDW

Shoshi said...

Thanks for the info about Creativity Direct - I've now bookmarked this site as it looks good for all sorts of supplies. I've not seen papier mache dress forms before, and in fact small dress forms seem almost impossible to obtain in the UK. So - very useful - thanks!

Another week when I haven't been able to be involved with WOYWW proper (ill health, not helped by continuous coughing from my recent throat infection). Yesterday I did manage to get in my ARTHaven but spent the whole time trying to fix my sewing machine - without success. It's now had to go in for repairs.

Hopefully it will be a better week next week!

Have a great week.
Shoshi

Unknown said...

I like how your near-disaster card from your last post turned out! The fence looks like it belongs there (to me, anyway). And I like Amazon! I look at the reviews before any larger purchases like printers, cameras... Anyway, enjoyed looking at your desk and all your goodies! Thanks for popping by and happy belated WOYWW!
Carol N #13

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

I now need to sit down and follow your example with Evernote. I managed not to duplicate anything yesterday, apart from things I intended to duplicate. I did start with a list, until Dave nicked it when I was paying for my first lot of purchases. Fortunately, that was the bulk of what I wanted, and I could remember all the rest. It was a good stamping show, even if you did not want Clarity things. Most of the others were there and it was quiet enough to get round most of the show without feeling too stressed. I think I probably upset Mel Heaton, who was demoing the dratted Brother Scan and Cut, when I asked her to tell me what that expensive machine could do that my Cameo could not. The only thing she could come up with was a definite disadvantage to me, in that you don't use a computer. Talking to a number of others later, I did hear that it is not performing as well as it should and there are a lot of complaints about it. I now have to put all my things away tidily. I have to say that a lot of it was storage for other things to keep them tidy. I am sure that Merlin will love that box - just up her street. I like those droplet stamps and do have a couple of them myself. How is your leak going? xx Maggie

Eliza said...

Wow so much happening in your life and those stamps you have are fantastic. I am with you on the throwing away the pads, I have been re-inking my versafine pad for years, pity they don't have refills for the other colours too. They are such great ink pads, one of my favourites. Have a great week.

Hugs Eliza & Yoda 14
Thanks for visiting.

Shoshi said...

Thanks for your return visit, Shaz - and I am feeling a lot better today (although still coughing!) - we visited our sister in law today and had a nice relaxing time with her, keeping her company while her hubby is away this week. I find that if I am too poorly to do art, at least I can be on the computer keeping in touch with friends, watching Youtube vids and learning etc. etc.!!

As for the teabag art combined with Zentangle, I can see great potential in this and am looking forward to exploring some more. I really wanted to get onto the stitching side of teabag art but my poor machine is likely to be in hospital for a fortnight... I do hope they can fix it, but I think it is a simple problem, with a broken spring or something - the feed dogs are permanently down, and while this means I could do free machine embroidery to my heart's content, I do want to do other stuff as well!

I love how we can share so much on the Internet - I would never have found those dress forms, and sharing about them as you did, helps lots of us "out there" - I have learnt so much from people on WOYWW, not to mention making new friends! Awesome, isn't it.

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Shoshi x

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