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 29 June 2016

WOYWW #369

Well Hello everyone. Here we go again, with another meet-up at LLJ's place, whilst Julia carries on her recovery. Sending lots of love and huge hugs to both of you.The desk, then, as thats what you're here for.
A longer shot this week,as you can see, some blended backgrounds and blending through stencils again.
 If you like using brushes for this sort of thing, please go have a look at the previous post. There are some great bargains to be had in brushes at The Works right now, and they work brilliantly as 'colour duster' type brushes.

These are the brushes, and at 2 for £3, a real bargain compared to most 'crafters' brushes.






You can see in the previous post how well they worked, and here's another example:







The eagle eyed may well spot a Gelli plate, front left. I'd said I would never buy one, as it wasn't really my thing, but this was amongst all the craft stuff I was gifted a while back. I watched a few YouTube videos, by Barbara Gray of Clarity Stamps- where would we be without YouTube now?- and gave it a go. The result was some very nice backgrounds through stencils, using ink rather than paint. I think it was the fact most people were using paint on them at first that put me off. These two below were done with a brayer, rather than brushes, the ones on the right are with the Brushes from The Works.


I have plans for these with some small stamps- I have some Clarity Wee Folk, some Lavinia stamps,and a load of Cardio that should work nicely. I may even see if I can get a Christmas card or two out of this technique.
Reasonably short, and hopefully sweet, this week.
Quick update, saw the Registrar from the Oncology team last Friday for the results of my CT scan. Sort of ok, there is something they wanted a better picture of, so wanted an MRI. I told him my own GP was already sending me for one, due to the sciatica, and got him to refer me back to our local hospital's Oncology team.Travelling to Birmingham and back is a bit of a nightmare for the traffic, it can easily take an hour each way, and a lot more at rush hour. Local hospital is 10 minutes away.
So, I have the MRI date, it's the 13th of July, and will be a couple of weeks after that that I get any results. Hopefully it's nothing, he said it may well just be how the bone is healing.

34 comments:

Helen said...

Hope the MRI reveals nothing to concern you and your specialists. will be thinking of you. Love those backgrounds, and look forward to seeing how they develop. Have a good week Helen #2

Nikki said...

Beautiful bgs you've made and the brushes seem like a steal it's hard to pass up a great sale on them when they are so expensive the rest of the days . I love to pick up some on discount when I can :)
Happy woyww hugs Nikki 1

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh Shaz, I'm sure the scan will be fine but it must be another unsettling time for you. Sending hugs, lovely gal.
I think your stencil work is absolutely beautiful, the colours are so soft and pretty and I love the graduated tones you achieve...so clever!
Hugs, LLJ xxx

Inside the artists shed said...

Now waiting to see what you do next with those tasty stencils. I use quite a few Royal brushes they are really good value. Sure the results of your scan will be fine but waiting for results is worrying. I'l put in a prayer for you. Have a happy week x Jackie 14

Neet said...

Ooh Shaz - I like your ink-gellies! Very very much! Much nicer than the efforts I have had with paint, so much so that I will have to have a go some time. Can't say when as the craft room is beginning to be a bit upside down, or will be totally on its head by next weekend when it becomes a kitchen.
Love your 'blending' and 'blending through stencils' and thank you so much for the tip off about brushes at The Works. Am into Bolton this afternoon so will call in as I need a hogs hair brush for Friday. They might just have them.
Hugs, Neet 7 xx

Kathyk said...

Fab desk, love those ombre WIP's. Hope all will go well with the MRI and trip

Happy WOYWW

Kathyk
#16

Annie said...

School run done. Milly taken out for wee. Coffee made. Time to visit my fav blogs before customers arrive....I hope :-)
I really love the effects you've got with the new brushes. Really hope your scan goes to plan and they find no real problems to worry about....send you lots of positive vibes.
Hugs,
Annie x #8

Lisca said...

Those brushes certainly are a bargain! Well done for finding those. The results are stunning!
It's good you're having your problem investigated. Even though that will mean a few tense weeks waiting for results. And it probably is nothing.
Happy WOYWW,
Lisca#12

Chidkid said...

You areso talented..I love these.Thanks for the headsupon the brushes. Elaine no. 20

Tilly Tea Dance said...

I love the shades you've used with the stencils. It's rewarding when you take a technique you didn't really think you'd like and make it your own. Hope all goes well with the scan. Best wishes, Max #23 :-)

Magic Maggie said...

Dear Shaz
you don't even need to use brushes for stuff like suns, moons or corners - use a dry baby wipe (a la Wend-io from Card-io) they work a treat (try 'em through stencils too) I'll await your report on their efficacy with interest!
Love
Maggie (Yorkite)

BJ said...

Some great blending going on there. As for the MRI I'd advise taking all jewellery off before you go, much easier and you won't have to worry about losing it. Thanks for visiting BJ#24

Marit said...

I haven't used my gelli-plate in quite some time now.. I shall take it out soon as I'm almost out of 'backgrounds'... I use it with paint though and here's a lovely post I came across last week about printing with vegatables. http://gelliarts.blogspot.nl/ There may be more inspiring things on that blog if you scroll, I haven't checked it out further... and MRI-scans... my mom had one a couple of weeks ago and my beloved had one yesterday: it seems the whole world is visiting hospitals these days. I do hope everything is and/or will be ok with you! Love from Holland, Marit #27

Kelly said...

Good morning, Shaz! Ooo, I do like those brushes. Will have to keep these in mind when I get to the art supply store next. the backgrounds came out very pretty. thanks for stopping by my place earlier. The confetti in the Christmas cards made me smile. I can see snowflake confetti coming out of a snow scene card... Hmm now I'm thinking :-D Sending healing blessings and positive energy for the MRI. Creative Blessings Kelly #32

Unknown said...

Hello Shaz. I love your backgrounds and wow using a gelli plate they look fabulous, I don't have one and as you don't think I would ever but thinking it might be fun to make some background pages and with in and stencils. May wait still as not sure. Hope all goes well with your MRI I had one years ago and things went pretty good for me and wish you all the best on the up coming tests. Thanks for visiting my blog earlier and have a fantastic week hugs ~Anne L#4

Unknown said...

Hope your MRI shows healthy and no problems!!! And I just LOVE those stenciled projects!!! Great blending! Thanks for the visit and hope you have a wonder rest of the week! God bless!
Carol N #28

Diana Taylor said...

Your stencils are so beautiful I love the softness you achieve. I find gelli printing addictive but I like doing it in a more controlled way than a lot of prints I see, perhaps it's my obsessive neatness but I don't like things too splodgy! Yours are just fantastic, I can't believe you achieved that effect with a brayer.
Hope all goes well with your scan - it's good they are on the ball but still a worrying time for you - sending lots of good wishes,
Diana x #25

pearshapedcrafting said...

I hope your scan is as they imagine - still another waiting game though! I love using ink on my Gelli plate - Adirondaks seem to be better for me! Love what you have done with the brushes - may have to go into Morecambe at the weekend! Hugs, Chrisx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Those brushes look like a real bargain. I often pop into the works as they have good offers on glue and the like and it seems to work as good as any. Loving your art work today, beautiful blending. Thanks for the visit to mine and have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 15

Sue said...

Hi Shaz, I so like your stencils.

I will be thinking of you on 13th July and sending heaps of positive calming thoughts. Hope that they don't find anything and you get good news when you get the results.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #10

Twiglet said...

Those brushes look brilliant Shaz -The works have some fab bargains don't they. Good luck with the scan - not so long to wait so that's good. x Jo

Christine said...

I was too busy spending a fortune at Hobbycraft to have any cash left .... might just pop into Works though and have a look, thanks for the tip.
Have a good week
Christine
aka Bishopsmate #34

Julia Dunnit said...

Hello. Thanks to support strength and wise words of your experience, I am en route to being well, I can't tell you how much your love and support has kept me pushing forward. I'm cross to read that you're back in a waiting pattern now... I will be willing the time away for you.
I have an unused gelli plate..I think part of my reluctance was the uncontrollability (?) and the mess, my god, I don't need wet and painty mess as well as all the other mess I make!! Great enabling with the brushes missus....may have to take a practice drive out !

sandra de said...

You are making some beautifully soft images and thank for sharing the technique. Went back and read previous post and it was an Ahhh moment. Have always struggled with the blender sponges. Wishing,praying and hoping all is well with the MRI.
sandra de @21

April said...

Those backgrounds are awesome! I am loving the spheres - so much dimension even though they are flat.
April #26

Sofie V said...

I love the backgrounds you made! And I also love the picture in the header of your blog (with the big stones)! Where what this taken?
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Greetings, Sofie #5
http://sofie-s-world.blogspot.be

Con said...

Hi,

I visit your blog occasionally and admire your work. I would just like to say thank you for your 'heads up' about the brushes at the Works. I went there yesterday and unfortunately they only had two of the smaller brushes is not - however they do so they expect more stock so I will be back.

I really have a problem with blending and have tried a number of different tools but with limited success, but these brushes certainly seem to work as well at the more expensive brands. I presume the fault is more with me that the equipment I am using - but I will persevere and hopefully get there eventually!

Thanks, Con

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Mm, praying for you Shaz, that it is indeed just how the bone is healing good to be sure.
Wow what great dusters they are so agree with you, have read the post below too..
We dont have WORX but we do have some cheap shops so must peek around though will be honest rarely see quality things like those brushes there. Mind you am on total buying ban for few weeks :D teeth are expensive. It will do me good.
I love the subtle tones you have achieved, and look forward to seeing the finished results.
Happy belated WOYWW! Shaz in Oz.x #52

{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

Shoshi said...

I love what you are doing with your ink blending, Shaz - as you know I've done a fair bit of this myself, using the Inkylicious Ink Dusters. I looked at your other post as well, and I think it's a great idea to get some smaller brushes for more detailed work - I haven't done a lot through stencils. I've got a lot of these Royal & Langnickel brushes and love them, but hadn't thought of using them for ink blending! A gelli plate is something on my wish list and again, hadn't thought of using it with ink. I always get good ideas when I visit your blog!!

Hope your MRI goes OK - will you be going in the open scanner this time? Hope you are not too worried about the procedure, and above all, that the results are good! We haven't had much contact lately so I don't know how you are getting on with your recovery, but it sounds as if you are progressing well if you are able to walk to the shops. I still get times when I'm completely overtaken by fatigue but hey, it's a small price to pay, isn't it - and I still have PN esp. in my feet.

Thank you for your lovely comment, and I'm glad you like my new baby card. As for cancer support, I keep coming across this sad lack in the USA on the forum I am on - they don't automatically get assigned a stoma nurse and are left pretty much fending for themselves. Anything we can do from this end, where we are so well privided for, has to be a good thing, so I'm happy to pass on any and all information that comes my way!

Take care of yourself, and have a great week.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #38

Susanne said...

I had never heard of color duster brushes, but then I'm not really into messier mediums. But loved having a peek around your desk all the same. Glad I popped by. Susanne #33

Cara said...

Lovely looking backgrounds. Hope the MRI goes well and that the results are the least nasty that they can be for you. Cara x

RosA said...

Hi Shaz,
Once again, those brushes look very useful. Love what you are doing with them. The muted colour changes are gorgeous!
Thanks for your kind words on my (very basic) watercolour attempt. (Sandra de gave me a nice set of watercolours, surplus to her requirements.)
Hoping that next MRI all goes ok.
RosA xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fabulous inky backgrounds. Those brushes work a treat. Will be thinking of you and hope MRI goes well. Sorry I'm late, not been so good, now dashing round and catching up! Take care Zo xx 29

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