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Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday 14 September 2016

WOYWW #380

....And I'm back! Good job I had no intention of doing a post last week, the internet/wifi in Tenerife was diabolical. Really, like being back in the dark ages.  I will also admit this weeks desk is a bit staged, as I've not actually crafted anything yet- too busy with the washing mountain! But I do have a few goodies that had dropped through the letterbox while we were away, so I'll share those with you instead. Now, when I first started getting into stamping, I freely admit that sentiment stamps just weren't high on my priority list. Unmounted/polymer stamps were only just starting to appear, and wood mounts were darned expensive.


  So, it was all about the images. I bought loads of peeloff sentiments, which seemed the better bargain. But nowadays, I'd like some sentiments I can stamp. And the choice is huge, so it's now a case of looking for sets that I will use most, if not all, of. Which is not necessarily an easy thing. I see loads of sets, especially Christmas ones, with sentiments I know I'll never use. Which is all leading up to some smashing sets I've seen lately, and have acquired a few of. Everyday ones as well as Christmas ones.They are all in a range from a guy called Phill Martin, and the first two are a sentiment set and a border sentiment set. The border one is repeatable too, which is a double bonus.
Another pair of Christmas ones, corner greetings with snowflakes, and the second set, also with snowflakes, are great for either inside the card, or on the front, again, double bonus.







These two are both Christmas Greetings, one with Holly, and one with Snowflakes.





These sets of scribbled sentiments, sort of handwriting font, are brilliant too. And I think with a bit of masking, or just plain cutting through the corners, the corner sentiments could be arranged in any orientation you like.




 As well as stamps, dies have become a firm favourite, but blimey they are not cheap are they? Well, I may be able to help there. I don't know if any of you have seen dies from China on E-bay?
 I did, and one in particular I'd been looking for, but I suspect it's not available over here any longer. It's a Memory Box die, Stitched Happy Birthday Frame.

I can only find it in the USA, and the currency conversion works out to £13.50, plus postage.
 Size of the die is 3.6" diameter.
 Then I found this one on E-Bay.
 Very slightly smaller, at roughly 3" diameter.
 And it cuts perfectly.
 Best of all, it was £3.50, with free postage!








So I started looking at a few others. This Butterfly border die is the same design as a Joycraft one, again it's slightly smaller than the original.
The original is approximately 133mm, this one is just under 100. Again, cuts perfectly, and was only £2.80, free postage from China.
Well, I assume I've sufficiently enabled enough people to get me sent to the naughty step!
 I'll just leave you with a couple of holiday pics you can skip over if you want to get back to more interesting desks over at Julia's place, The Stamping Ground.



Lovely sunset selfie- it's a beautiful place, but blimey it was hot! Took me till mid week to acclimatise.




Hotel was nice, but air con as standard, instead of  having to rent a mobile unit would have been better.



Doug's favourite tipple was a Black Russian, and a number of them came with Parrots  on a stick stuck into the fruit garnish. He ended up with a whole flock on his hat!












I'm quite fond of a G&T, and when this bar brought my first one out, I kid you not the glass was three parts full of Gin. Second time round they left me the bottle to help myself. That was a bad mistake, on their part, and mine!
 Saw Julia's post yesterday about the date move for the crop.  The Oct 8th date was looking dubious for us, I admit. Still no news on the surgery front, and as I have to have a couple of lung function tests, as well as see him again in clinic after the MDT have looked at the results, I think the early part of October is looking more likely than the end of September. I've also bought tickets for the Happy Stampers in Port Sunlight on October 1st, so I'm really keeping my fingers crossed he doesn't want me in till after that. Was a great show when we went earlier in the year, and as almost all the stands are from stamping companies, a great way to spend the day. And only £2.50 a ticket, which you have to buy in advance, no ticket sales at the door. Also means we'll get to meet up with the lovely Neet again, so can't be bad! Talking of tickets, I've got ours for the NEC Hobbycrafts , Nov 03-06. We're going on the Sunday, as I've also booked a mobility scooter, given that the surgeon said I'd be very breathless for a while after this op, and I well remember last years almost fainting episodes!







35 comments:

Helen said...

still can't believe the size of that Gin... glad you had a good holiday, and I am sure you'll use those parrots for something.. if you can get them off Doug!
You'll see me too at Port Sunny, as I am going again with my mates this year. Great set of sentiment stamps and dies. Good buys indeed. Helen #??

okienurse said...

Great looking lot of stamps and dies. I was like you in the beginning and didn't have the sentiment stamps. G+T is a favorite of mine also but never had the good fortune of them leaving the bottle with me. Thanks for sharing the pics. Vickie #10

Kathyk said...

Fab post today, lots of sentiments on the market and loving the look of some of the ones you've popped in to the post.

Looks like a fab break - love those parrots too!

Best of luck with the lung function tests and your upcoming op

Happy WOYWW

Kathyk
#7

misteejay said...

Lots of lovely new things to play with Shaz and lovely photos of the hols.
Toni xx

Anne said...

I don't like buying sentiment sets with some I know I won't use !!! Love dies as well but as you say they are pricey. Love the photo of you and Doug - glad you had a good holiday. I'm partial to a G&T :-) We just celebrated out 45th Anniversary, apparently that's Sapphire - said I didn't want any jewellry! DH was inspired - bought me a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin !!! Brilliant :-)
( Just been catching up with news re your proposed surgery- you are in my thoughts)
Anne x #17

Annie said...

Glad to see/hear you had a good holiday and recharged those batteries [with gin!]. Really hope they sort out your op soon but that they fit it into your busy schedule too ;-)
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x # 16

Neet said...

Looking forward to October 1st so much. Had to cancel our holiday so this is something I am aiming for.
Oh dear Shaz, your enabling is going to cost me I can see. Thanks though as it is unbelievable how much difference in price you can get things.
Lovely photos from your holiday, so glad you got one before your surgery.
Hoping to see you soon
Hugs, Neet 22 xx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Nothing like coming back from holiday to find some goodies in the post! As long as they fit through the slot! Sometimes I order things thinking it should fit but they end up sending it in a huge box! Once Amazon sent me a single stencil in a great big box - I couldn't believe it! Looks like you had a great time in Tenerife! Lovely photos! zsuzsa #28

buterfliecrafter said...

Looks like you had a fab holiday. Some good bargains with the dies, I know when you say expensive, that is one of the reasons why I invested last year in a silhouette, now I can cut whatever I want without having to buy expensive dies. Thx for visiting, Vicky

LisaDV said...

Glad you had a good holiday even if it was hot. You also got a great deal on those dies and they are so darn cute. Fantastic stamp sets also. Hope you catch up on your laundry and can get creating soon. Love your cards in the previous posts. (Had to go catch up on what I've missed for the last week and a half.) Happy Wednesday. LisaDV #37

Sharon said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
Good deal on that die. When I was first into stamps I liked the images too and now, like you, seem to be more into the sentiments. There is a lot you can do with them and some are so funny and cute.

Hope you get caught up on the washing! I know how that can be.

Have a great week
Sharon K #40

Morti said...

I'm not going to look, I'm not going to look, I'm not going to look....

Glad you had a fabby time in Tenerife - can you believe the weather you brought back with you though?! 28 degrees here in Salisbury today! OMG...

Yes, I knew you'd like that fabric - it's by Michael Miller and you can get it on ebay for about £7 for a fat quarter. There's also an awesome one which I think is called spiked skulls.... gotta love a gothic print...

I'm sad you have continued health troubles but it's good you're so upbeat, at least to us. Sending you warm and slightly spiky hugs (Liv is always wearing spiked everything these days) from the Bromilows.

Morti xx

Stacy Sheldon said...

So many thoughts I am trying to organize them in a coherent manner so, its a readable comment. ( haha) but, the most coolest thing in the front of my brain is oh cool, I had no idea you could rent a scooter during recovery for trips out. ( so that is neat to know) love the sentiments and had a chuckle over the vacation shots. ah well, you have partially tempted me with the enabling but, no time to look right now so, I will most likely forget and that will save me a small bundle I am sure. :)
~Stacy #43

Caz said...

Thanks for the visit...I'm late doing the rounds today!
I did the peel off route too and am moving over to stamps...love your selection, will check them out ...and the China dies
Happy WOYWW
Caz #36
xxx

Chidkid said...

Wow.. you packed a lot in. I'd have had those parrots for my scrapbooking! Lol. Fab stamps too. Stay well. Happy WOYWW. Elaine no. 20

Robyn said...

just looking gat all you do makes we need a nap!
If you are every out my way- take some ribbon with you!!!
robyn 6

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. Well, firstly, I have to tell you I just LOVE those parrots!!! Fantastic. As for that G&T - well... as one who is virtually tee-total because I am allergic to fruit - I haven't a clue - but it did look just a tad on the large side...
Good find on E-bay - those dies are lovely.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. If I tell you I have around 12 of those glorious scraperboard pictures - all different... plus the pyrography place mats John made for our own use, plus his oil paintings - well, you know I'm going to find him everywhere I look. You are SO right - my church friends are being amazing - one is even coming round this evening so we can watch Bake Off together - and bringing CAKE!!!
I know you never met John, but he often looked at your work, and loved so much of it - particularly the scenes.
Take care, dear girl. God bless.
Margaret #2

Felicia said...

Shaz, thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and your thoughts on that confounded glue gun! LOLOL Looks like I'll be going back to the "cheapo!" I do hope you are feeling better and will continue to be on the upswing so we can see MORE goodies on your workspace!! Great holiday pix! G&T is probably my ultimate fave, so good for you!!! I would have head a head basher for sure after all that! LOL!!! Blessings for your upcoming weekend!:) Felicia #42

Unknown said...

Hello Shaz. Do hope all works out for you and looks like you had a great time on vacation,loving all the pictures you have posted. No worries enable away.... Loving seeing all the new goodies you post. I have been shopping lots just always forget to post it up. Those are some great stamps you have picked up just loving them. Thanks for visiting me earlier and have a splendid week. Hugs ~Anne L#5

Unknown said...

Peel off sentiments and word books are the best! Love all the dies you posted too--I'm always looking for dies on sale when I go to JoAnns and Michaels. I'm afraid if you put a big bottle of gin in front of me it would just sit there...I'm just a tea and coffee girl. Although I try to remember to drink one glass of red wine a week...but I forget to do it! Happy Wednesday! Sandy Leigh #44

Sue said...

Hi Shaz, I have loads of peel offs, but forget to use them.

Glad you enjoyed your holiday.

Hope everything hospital related goes ok and you get to go to the things you have planned.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #12

lisa said...

Hi Shaz. I'm so glad you had a great holiday, those drinks look and sound amazing. I'd be under the table!!!!
I've got tickets to Happy Stampers too. It's my first time and I'm really looking forward to it.
Thanks for stopping by earlier. It was great to finally meet the LLJ household and it was when Jan showed me her beautiful ribbon collection that you'd organised for her that made me think I needed to do something about mine!
Hugs Lisax #25

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

That's my favourite thing when I get home from a holiday, finding new stash has arrived, stops you getting that slump that sometimes arrives when you realise you have all the washing and unpacking to do Lol! Thanks for the lovely comment over at mine and happy woyww, Angela x 19

StampedbyChris said...

I usually by a stamp set based on the sentiments in it. You are so very right about dies, one of my favorite things. I keep wanting to by more..then I remember all the money I spent on my Cricut. I need a second job!
Hugs,
Chris P #34

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love that butterfly die, which reminds me of a Fiskars border punch I have. It looks and sounds like you had a grand old time during your holiday - I love the little parrots that came with the Black Russians too. Blessings!

April said...

Glad you got to post. Looks like you had fun. :-) Thanks for stopping by earlier.
April #33

RosA said...

Looks like you had a good holiday! (I would certainly want air/con at any holiday destination, here in OZ, especially during summer!)
That's a lot of stamps there! I almost deliberately avoid sentiment stamps and only have the basics, although even those seem to have multiplied, accidentally, of course :)
I'm thinking that my little shopping haul is very restrained and really, I could have done a LOT more damage!
Thanks for dropping by earlier too.

Annie Claxton said...

HI Shaz, welcome home! That looks like a very useful haul of stamps - my favourites are the corner ones, I haven't seen that idea before. I love dies too, but yes they are very expensive - I've been buying some from China through Ali Express, cos they're cheap,they work and free postage. Down side is that you sometimes have to wait several weeks for them to get here, but it's a lovely surprise when they arrive and you've forgotten all about them, like a little present to myself hehehe. Have a fab week :o) Annie C #21

sandra de said...

Good to hear you had a lovely holiday and I do like a sentiment stamp. But, I always feel like I haven't got the one I need. Looks like you should have most situations covered. :)
sandra de

Monica said...

Shaz thanks for that link on the stamps. I hate it when you buy a stamp you want and end up with a bunch of unrelated and not what you want. Hope you get a date and FIX soon. The waiting is often the worse part of medical procedures. well have to go Mammogram time of year.
Thanks for visiting. Love about the Tenerife visit and parrots!!!
Monica #41

Julia Dunnit said...

Enabling. E N A B L I N G! you said it. And I haven't made any cards for god knows how long and now I want to rush off to eBay!! I'm overflowing with 'sediment' stamps, and now am frustrated by sets that have one stamp that I really want and the others are so so. Happy the change of crop date may well be positive, anxious for them to make a start on you!!!

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I'm soooo late in replying this week - sorry! Been viewing houses and looking at cars and not buying anything! It's weird, we've got the most amount of money ever sitting in our bank/savings and we don't want to touch any of it...just call us Smaug!!!
I loved the shot of you and the Gin, made me smile all over!! I'm glad you had a good holiday but those temps would have been too much for me.
Seeing Julia's comment above, I just KNEW she'd fall for all those lovely calligraphy sentiments...I can see some spending coming up!!
Hugs, LLJ 14 xxx

lisa said...

Hi again Shaz. Thanks so much for your lovely comments and tips for car parking, that's really handy to know. I really hope you can make it, it would be great to meet up. Hope to see you soon.
Take care
Hugs Lisaxx

Nikki said...

Those dies from china are such a sweet deal I have the birthday one on order just waiting on it to arrive glad to see your so happy with them hugs Nikki 4

Kelly said...

Looks as if you guys had a fab time on your trip. Keeping you in prayers and blessings for the upcoming surgery and that your crafty travel plans run smoothly. Creative Blessings! Kelly #39

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...