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 11 January 2017

WOYWW #397

Good Morning allπŸ˜€. Julia, over at The Stamping Ground is hosting our regular worldwide desk stalk, snoop as usual. Well, the Squirrel of Judgement certainly got me creating,πŸ˜€. It all happened in a bit of a round about way, but creating nevertheless.
 It started out as me putting away some spare die-cuts, and while I was at it reminding myself what was already in there. Stored in a box, it's very much a case of out of sight, out of mind.
I also decided to do something I'd seen elsewhere- don't ask me where, I have enough trouble remembering what I came into the room for- which was making use of the wallets that Tim Holtz Framelits/mixed media dies come in, after you've taken them out to store on magnetic sheets. Someone was using them to store die cuts in, and that seemed an eminently suitable way to use them.
 Anyway, while I was sorting, I came across a number that I thought might be useful for the covers of that Birthday Book. No, I hadn't forgotten about it, just had no clue where I was going with it.


I had a number of each die cut- dressforms, hinges,cogs etc, so I stuck 3 or 4 of each together, to make them a little thicker.



There are  quite a few, and I shan't use them all, but at least I have a little choice.



Now they were stuck, so they all got a coat of black gesso, as well as a few wooden shapes I'd picked out.


And this is as far as I've got.The front is almost done, embellishment wise. Just maybe the key to the lock to go on yet, but I'm thinking about that. Now, when the glue is dry, it will get another coat of gesso. The back has the hinges in place, and I've yet to figure out what's going on there next.

So this is what the desk looks like right now. Bits I haven't used yet, glue, glasses, gesso,box of brads- there's a thing. I glued the hinges down on the front, then thought after I should have put brads in them for the nails. I hadn't stuck the back ones down then, so I added the brads. I was going to  poke a hole through the front cover to add the brads to the hinges, then had a thought. Maybe, black acrylic half pearls would be about the same size as the brads? And they were, so there's a cheat on the front cover.πŸ˜‡



 People who do a lot of this make it look so easy- I watch videos where they do this in an hour or so- even if it was sped up, they probably took maybe 3 hours. So, far, I'm at 3 weeks, lol.
 And just for a giggle, there's this:


 By the way, those Avery Elle pockets? I emailed Avery Elle, to try to find out if they were being discontinued, as I couldn't get them anywhere.  I got the reply that the packaging was in the process of being changed, but were available from them, and would be shipped to retailers soon. From a member on SCS, who also asked them what was going on, they said the new packaging would read 5 1/2 x7 1/4",whereas the older ones read 5 5/8 x 7 3/8". Just measured mine, which are old stock, and it looks like nothing has actually changed, it's just that the new measurement reflects the actual usable area of the pouch, rather than the overall dimensions.
Quick Edit to this:
Just had a look on Amazon, and the new pockets are on sale there now. Link HERE to them, the LARGE size, which is what I've been using, and just a tad smaller than our A5.

38 comments:

Helen said...

I love what you've done so far.. I've been getting creative too. no cleaning though!! Helen #?

Neet said...

My goodness, you have been busy.
I love the quote you have on your blog - so true - it is quite a thrill sometimes when I come across something I had forgotten about. Like getting 'new' again. Well, almost!
I like the look of the cover you are making and look forward to seeing it complete, good idea with the half pearls btw.
Take care, guess there is no date as yet. Bah humbug on that one!
Lots of Hugs to you both
Neet 4 xxx

SumBunneh said...

Oooooooooo love the progress on your covers and how clever we Crafters can be (half pearls for brads... honestly a revelation!)

Have a great week xx
Erika #9 - if my link works.. sigh!

glitterandglue said...

Hi Shaz. How are you doing? Looks like you are being exceedingly busy - and the results so far are great. Well done.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3

Kathyk said...

Well, this is all looking terribly productive and organised - hope you will share as the projects progress. Thanks for the update on those pockets too

Happy WOYWW

Kathyk
#15

cuilliesocks said...

A very busy desk Shaz, your birthday book has the beginning of awesomeness about it, looking forward to seeing more progress, Kate x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi Shaz am guessing no news on your blog means you have no news. Praying on. Love your desky share, well done on finding things again and actually using them is even better!!! Will be interesting to see which way things go. Smiles re the dimension change in the wee bags. Curious indeed.
Happy WOYWW
Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x #6

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Annie said...

Really love what you've been working on this week Shaz. I wouldn't know where to start to I'm easily impressed lol.
Hope you have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x #16

Sarah Brennan said...

I don't think you're unusual taking your time over things. When I'm putting together cards for my classes it always takes me ages to decide on colour, placement, papers etc. If a card takes me 3-4 hours to make, I know that my ladies will manage it in the 2 hour session. I really like how the cover is developing. Happy WOYWW #25

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Super diecuts! I really like the dreamcatcher! Good idea to sick them together for added dimension. Desk stalking LOL. Thanks so much for popping over earlier - you beat me to it! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #20

Sharon said...

Great quote about cleaning the craft room! What a wonderful lot of die cuts. Like how they turned out. Seeing them reminded me that I have a stack of odd paper I need to use up!

Happy WOYWW
Sharon K #38

Tertia said...

I love that page you are working on and I agree, they make it look so easy on You Tube. I keep trying, but I really suck at it!
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #8

Lindart said...

Your Birthday Book cover looks awesome! Great creative thinking! Thanks for sharing, Lindart #39

Twiglet said...

Busy bee! Yes and I really think I need to clear some of my cupboards - I forget what I have and where I have put it in a safe place!! x Jo

Sue said...

Hi Shaz, I love your birthday book cover.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #17

Patio Postcards said...

Well your squirrel friend would certainly be amazed & pleased without judgement about what you are creating. I really like sorting through stuff in my scrap area because I always find a sticker or die cut that would be perfect on "that" future layout. ... Mary-Lou #32

Unknown said...

Speed isn't everything Shaz, look at the quality of your work and not a moment is wasted eh? Donna #45

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Thanks for the visit. WOW you have been so creative. Love all the fun things you have shared. Hope your creative MOJO stays and you will send some my way. I've a LONG list of things to get done. Enjoy a fun week.

RosA said...

Hi Shaz
Cover is looking super! Great idea to stick die cuts together for dimension!
BTW, I'm very pleased with those CCDs. They cut really well and the price is right :)

Christine said...

Thanks for your visit earlier, looks like the weather has settled down again here.
Love the storage ideas you come up with
Have a good week
Christine #19

Dorlene Durham said...

Hi Shaz! Your cover is looking good. I love your comment about the amount of time it takes compared to videos. LOL. Have a wonderful week! Dorlene #44

Anne said...

Your cover is brilliant Shaz - clever you! If I get round to tidying everything up I'm sure I will have some lovely surprises :-) Thank you for visiting and your kind words. Anne x #18

Stacy Sheldon said...

bwahahaha love the quote and the cover under construction Shaz.
I would guess pearls are nearly the same size as brads?

~Stacy #40

Melissa said...

It looks like you had some great creative time inspired by putting away a few die cuts!! :)I moved my craft room to a different space last year & it was so FUN to see all the things I'd "forgotten" about.

Shoshi said...

Love what you are doing Shaz - all that steampunky gorgeousness! Looking forward to seeing the finished result. Thank you for your visit and comment - my tooth is pretty awful still and I dread the thought of having it out... We shall have to see what the dentist says when I see him. I am so, so glad you've got a date at last - I was beginning to wonder what on earth they were playing at! I hope all will be well on the other side - you've been through more than enough. We will be thinking of yu and praying.

Loads of love to you both,
Shoshi (and happy WOYWW!) #30

Annie Claxton said...

hehhee I can totally relate to that quote,Shaz!! Lovethe way you're using those die cuts for your book cover, they always make it looks so easy on You Tube don't they? But it will be fabulous when you're done!! :o)xxx Annie C #21

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

That's looking great so far. Doesn't matter how long it takes. It's time well spent doing something you love.

Fiona #46 (I think!)

Unknown said...

It looks fab Shaz! Can't wait to see it finished. Sez x #51

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Looks like you've been pretty busy there. I am trying to visit everyone that's visited me but the connection is awful here so will have to be quick. Have a great week and happy woyww, Angela x 14

pearshapedcrafting said...

Didn't manage to get to show my desk again!!!! Couldn't resist a peek at what you have been up to though! Loved that squirrel! I need something to get me around to actually cutting down on the stuff I have hidden in boxes - it's out of sight - out of mind, and it means I could use the storage for some things that have found homes in piles on the floor! I love what you are doing with the little wallets! Have a good week, Hugs, Chrisx

Robyn said...

enjoyed my visit here today- It's not that I forget things- it's just that I don't remember!
thanks for visiting!
Robyn 1

sandra de said...

Loving how your project is coming along. Often my tutorial says I can complete a painting in 1 day!!! Like never ... it takes me weeks and all because of interruptions and distractions. A bit like the cat darting off to see the next shiny thing. Have a lovely week.
sandra de @22

misteejay said...

Very busy desk Shaz. The book cover is coming together beautifully.
Toni xx

buterfliecrafter said...

your bookcover looks awesome already, and I know what you mean timewise, it takes me ages to finish books. thx for your visit Vicky

Brave Heart Faith Warrior said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog!! I appreciate it so much. Your work is inspiring. Looking forward to seeing more of it!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated WOYWW. I actually bought some shaving foam last year after seeing it demo'd on one of the tv craft channels. Good idea to do it on top of foil. Ali x #29

Marit said...

You seem well on the way with the covers, love it so far! Enjoy your weekend, big hug from Holland, Marit #24

Creative Cardiology said...

Bit late in getting around, but better late than never right?
I love the look of your book and you are right, whenever you watch a video the person makes it looks so easy. When I finally get down to doing it, I end up using a full pack of paper and things and it still doesn't look like it's supposed to! :-)
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Michelle #27

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