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 4 February 2015

WOYWW #296

Back again for our regular Wednesday meet up, at Julias, over at The Stamping Ground. First thing on my desk this week was a completely unexpected piece of Happy Mail, sent by Mrs D- Just Because! A lovely card, and such an amusing and sweet gift.




The little card explains the items in the bag:
Sorry if its slightly blurred, I was trying to get as close up as I could. Thank you Chris (Mrs D), this was a lovely surprise to get in the post.
 Thanks also to Janet (Fairythoughts) who managed to get me a copy of the Simply Homemade mag, that had the feather stamps to go with the die from a couple of weeks ago! Every time someone sends me something through the post/ comments or emails me, I am very, very touched. Everyone has busy lives, and things going on in their own life, its really quite a big thing to realise that people have thought about you!
So what else is about? I was looking at Rubberstamp Madness magazine back issues a couple of weeks ago, and saw a couple that looked interesting. They arrived today, and I'm looking forward to sitting down with them.




I spent a couple of hours at Pink Tulip crafts with Marg (Silvercrafter), on Tuesday afternoon. I took a few images I'd stamped to add colour to, these are the 'before'. The 'after' still need some work, especially as Versafine ink does not dry very quickly on Clarity Silk card!


Some bits got a bit smudgy.I'd stamped them on Monday late afternoon, and they had almost 24 hours, but another ink would have been better. To be truthful, I do now remember having this problem before- I'd forgotten.






 These were something I was doing earlier- a new Sweet Poppy stencil, which has the word 'Friends' around the top of the circle, but I masked that off. I was having a bit of a problem, I think my paste may be suffering from old age. Either that or I was being rubbish at it! I had a few disasters, with the paste going under the stencil. It did seem a bit thinner than I remember, so I've ordered another pot, to find out if its the paste, the stencil or user error, lol. I also saw a You Tube demo for a Dreamweaver paste applicator, which is much wider than the usual spatulas you use, so I've got one of those on its way. That was part of the problem I was having, It was hard to level the paste without scooping out the cats bodies, so then you end up overworking it. The new tool is about 6" wide, so maybe that will help. That's me done for this week, still no news on the appointment front,I really want to get it started, as the sooner started, the sooner its finished.

31 comments:

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ah doing a quick pop around Shaz while I can as my day is nearly done :D lvoely of Mrs D...

I adore the wee bag and sayings too, very clever!
.. and yes can relate to the problem with scooping paste out have done it too with come done hard not to overwork it sometimes, praying re treatment/ or an appointment asap!!

Every blessing dear Shaz,
Shaz in Oz.x no number yet.

{Shaz in Oz – my personal blog}

Helen said...

Sounds like you've had quite a creative week, even if your ink smudged! Hope the appointment comes through soon. Used to love RSM, haven't seen a copy for ages. Helen 8

Eliza said...

Shaz

Your pictures are just stunning you really do make scene stamping look easy when it is not. You can make your own paste and it is really easy, I part paint, I part talcum powder and 1/2 part glue just mix it all together to thicken up if you want it ticker just leave out some paint. It smells better to that the commercial stuff as the talc is nice. You can change the colour of your work with different colours of paints. Just make sure it is of a thick consistency, It stores really well. Love that stencil you have used.

Have a great WOYWW

Hugs Eliza & Yoda 21

Eliza said...

Oh I forgot you can also use an old credit card to spread your paste. If you have a spare CC then cut it into pieces on angles then you can have smaller and larger sizes to spread into those complicated spaces with better control. Who needs expensive stuff to craft.

Hugs Eliza

Di said...

Fingers crossed for the appointments coming through Shaz.

I have a fabulous wide levelling and scraping off tool that I bought at Newbury Art Fayre last year. It's currently doing a grand job helping me with skimming bedroom walls!

Hugs

Di xx

Neet said...

I a not the world's best when it comes to stencilling like that. I do like the effect though and these are lovely stencils.
How I wished closer and then I could come and have some tuition on those scenes that you do so well. I love those stamps but am not good with them. Sounds like I am a bit of a failure doesn't it?
Hope you are feeling well this week.
Hugs, Neet 29 xx

Queenie Jeannie said...

Happy Mail is always the best mail!! Love the little "love bag" you got! Those stamps are so intricate and stunning! Are you going to watercolor those? Have a great week & God bless!

Happy Crafting!
Jeannie #9

sandra de said...

Ohhh that happy bag is so sweet. Love the images you have stamped and isn't it amazing what a difference the right/wrong ink makes. Good luck with your dreamweaver paste applicator.
sandra de @13

Anne said...

Love your little bag. :-) Those scenes are gorgeous! Hope you get appointment soon!! Anne x #40

Anne said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cardarian said...

Hi Shaz!

You did get a lovely card and a really amazing idea for a gift! I would love to send you a card but I don't have your address - I think you have my email so if you send me your address I can send you a card!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

House of Bears said...

Rubber stamp madness mag sounds fun. Our texture paste dries up on the sides so at least a quarter of the tub gets wasted, it's annoying as it's not the cheapest product. I hope you get your appointment through soonest, it must be very frustrating having to wait. X

Horace at no.47

Carmen said...

Those stamped images are glorious - so detailed! I admire anyone who can get a clear crisp image of a basic stamp so those - wow!

Sounds like you've been busy - lovely happy mail and meeting up with a friend - lovely! :)

Carmen x #53

glitterandglue said...

What lovely surprises, Shaz. A great gift from Chris - love the poem!!Your ability to stamp those scenes is fabulous - they are just great. Can't wait to see them all coloured and ready to go - and I do rather like those cuddly cats. They would make a great valentine.
Trust you get your appointment through soon.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #7

Lisca said...

I love that little 'Happy bag'. So thoughtful! I'd never heard of them but it's such a nice touch.
Yes, those magazines look really interesting, especially the left one which is a Christmassy one I guess.
Ooo, that Sweet Poppy stencil is sooo cute! Was it the spatula or does the new paste help?
Have a good week, hope the weather isn't too bad,
Lisca#41

Lunch Lady Jan said...

People are lovely, aren't they? Just small but personal touches that make you feel special. I love that bag of bits that Mrs D sent you..I'll try and remember that and use it myself some day! And that Janet Fairythoughts is a good gal too, very thoughtful indeed.
Hope you're doing ok, sending big squishies :-)
Hugs, LLJ 26
PS. Can't you suggest a different day to Doug's sister??? lol xx

Nikki said...

Your happy mail I'd just such a sweet thought and love that tag you got with it. If you need a bigger free scraper I know some hardware big box kind have free samples of vinyl tiles for the outside of your house. They are perfect scrapers I find plus they clean up easy to and you can pick from a variety of colors lol happy woyww hugs Nikki 14

Christine said...

I love shopping!!!
That happiness bag is something else!!! A Blessing indeed.
Have a good week
Christine aka Bishopsmate #73

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

What a lovely, thoughtful present! Love all those stamps cards - they're simply amazing! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDodle #34

Belinda Basson said...

How annoying that the ink still smudged. I only use Ranger archival for that reason. It dries relatively fast. Keep us posted on the appointment front.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a nifty bag of goodies and how good to have a marble on hand for when you've lost yours. I just subscribed to RubberStampMadness. Our club got a good deal so I thought I could get it, peruse it and then share it at the meetings. I just got my first issue in the mail last night but haven't sat down to check it out yet. Love the Stampscapes images. Versafine is great ink on the right paper and not with Copics. Judy #79

Morti said...

Cool blog as always Shaz! Hope you're having a good week healthwise....

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today.

Morti @30

Anonymous said...

Oh I love Rubber Stamp Madness magazine! I enjoy the unique card designs they feature that are like little pieces of art in and of themselves! Happy reading!:D
Hugs,
Beth P
#76 WOYWW

Robyn said...

lovely new bits on your desk this week- and happy signs to see you busily messing about!
Robyn 54

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a lovely surprise! Love your cat stencil - I must say I have varying successes with pastes - Maybe I should try the "stand on one leg, close one eye and stick my tongue out' - it sometimes works to get connection on my phone!!! Sorry to hear you are still waiting for an appointment (I did read about your slightly encouraging news last week but couldn't comment!) Hugs, Chrisx 43

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh that's a shame that the ink won't dry. Your scenes are lovely. What a sweet and thoughtful thing to send you. Hope you get that appt date soon x

Fiona #70

fairy thoughts said...

Hi Shaz
That little bag is brilliant i can think of several people I could give a bag like that to. I haven't heard of stamping madness magazine ..... Looks interesting. It's funny how crafting goes around and around ....... I'm not stamping as much at the moment...... Painting and using stencils more .... I have a bit of trouble with the dream weaver paste too. My trouble is I'm too impatient.
Thanks for your visit
Janet @18

VonnyK said...

What a wonderful idea that bag is, really sweet. I love your stamped scene. I can never do a stamp without smudging, drives me crazy.
Have a great week.
Von #42

Anonymous said...

Been thinking about you this week. Sending you positive thoughts.
What lovely mail you received.
Thanks for sharing!
catiecuddles aka Catherine
#87

Chrysalis said...

What lovely gifts - and that poem is great. Your art work looks fab and I'd have never guessed you'd had a problem if you didn't say. Hope the appt comes through soon. Love for now, Chris # 11

Magic Maggie said...

Hi from old York - love anything cat, which is how I found you. Will be popping back as I like how you think and work.
love
Magic Maggie

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