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 8 July 2020

WOYWW #579- The MINC Edition

So, back in the craft room for our regular Wednesday met up of desk around the world, commonly known as Whats on your Workdesk Wednesday, courtesy of our much loved leader, she of the recent birthday, Julia, at home in The Stamping Ground.
On my desk, is evidence I've been playing with the new toy I bought myself months ago, a MINC. I went for the 12" version- there's also a 6" one- as I often find myself working on 7" square cardstock, so I have some leeway.

The reason I bought the MINC is that I want to be able to use my stamps with foil, and I wasn't haven't a huge amount of success with my laminator. But to be fair, it's a really basic one- an on off switch and thats it. One speed, one heat. Works fine for it's original function, and is usually quite successful with  foiling over stencil paste, but was having no luck with stamping.
 As you can see, notes jotted on various experiments so far, just trying to find the perfect combo of ink/powder/heat for repeatable good results.
 So that's going to be an ongoing thing  for a few more days, a blog post will appear when I get the results I'm looking for.


The weekends Christmas cards were done with the tree stamps and various embossing powders.
The stamps are all quite old now, made by a company called Butterfly Kisses, but they seem to have faded away, can't find any reference to them or their stamps any more.


One thing about the MINC I do want to mention, is for anyone thinking of getting one, be very careful if you go through Amazon. Looking at reviews, I saw that a number of people had ones with the wrong plug delivered- now that could just be errors in ordering, as there are EU, UK and US plugs available, maybe the buyers didn't notice that- one person got a 6" one instead of a 12", and someone else had things missing from the box. So I ended up ordering mine via Hobbycraft for safety. I don't know if the sales pages have been changed since those comments were made, as now you get a separate page for each plug type, perhaps it was a 'tick box' system before? Like I say,most could  have been buyer error, but I wasn't taking the chance.
 And so I'm done for this week, nice and short & sweet.
Good news for Dougs family, Tim, Lyndsay & Curtis are all ready to be released, the council have found them a bungalow as a temporary solution until they can all safely manage stairs, when they'll move them to a 3/4 bed house. Friends & family have been in since the weekend painting & decorating, and furniture is being delivered tomorrow, so they should be home by the weekend. Livvy isn't ready for release yet, but she's doing tremendously well, I honestly think far better than was anticipated when she was admitted.
To all my crafting friends who shared the GoFundMe page, and to everyone who donated, a huge thank you from us, and from Tim & Lyndsay too, it is so appreciated.💓
Which brings us round to ......And Finally.......





...and that would be a catastrophe!

27 comments:

Helen said...

I've never heard of a MINC but I can see it is something you would get a lot of use/fun with! Your cards look great! Great news about Doug's family; I hope it isn't too long before they get moved into their long term new home. Helen #?

Sarah Brennan said...

Great news about Doug's family, Shaz. The cards look cool. I found an old blog for Butterfly Kisses but it doesn't seem to have been updated since 2012 so I assume they are no longer making stamps (it was a one woman band). I have a Minc and find it great as we also have a laser printer. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #1

glitterandglue said...

Morning Shaz. I'm so pleased Doug's family are beginning to recover - physically, if not mentally and emotionally. That will take so long! I wish them every blessing. How are the pair of you doing through all this? Traumatic isn't the word!!
I love the Christmas cards - obviously must investigate a Minc - whatever it is...
Take care of yourselves. Stay safe. God bless you both.
Margaret #3

Susan Renshaw said...

Love those tree stamps and the cards you have made!
I had a foiling machine but decided not to bring it to Australia - it was basically just a laminator. I still have a todo which works better but I really wanted something that would be more versatile. Keep posting your thoughts on the MINC!
Happy crafting!
Susan #8

Mrs.D said...

Morning Shaz, pleased to hear Doug's family seem to be on the way to recovery, you can relax a little now.
I love the idea of foiling but couldn't decide which machine to buy, you seemed to have done it successfully, love that glittery Christmas card.
Oh, cardboard boxes!! We have so many, some belonging to the cat!! Some in cupboards, some with stuff in, they are so useful, and you might just need it just after you have throw it away!
Thanks for sharing
Chris #7

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Hi Shaz, I must have missed what happened regarding Dougs Family, maybe with my month of absence glad to hear some positive news though and wishing all the best.
Your foil cards look so sophisticated, lovely shape you chose to use. Good heads up about the plugs it's not the first time this has happened with plugged goods. Hope you are keeping well..?? Thanks for sharing WoywW Tracey #12

Lunch Lady Jan said...

That is awesome news re Tim and the family, I hope that the bungalow is the first step to their recovery xx I do love those tall elegant Christmas trees, they'd be the cards I'd go for in the shops. I hope your having fun with your MINC (sorry, but I just read that in a Clouseau voice!), sounds like you're having fun with it!
And the Cardboard box And Finally made me hoot - I do that ALL the time!!!
Hugs LLJ 6 xxxx

Julia Dunnit said...

Good news for the family, have had them very much on my mind and particularly happy to hear that Livy is responding well to her treatment. And how marvellous that you’ve all been able to coordinate so much help in getting the bungalow ready. What a weight off for Tim.
Now Missus, meantime, you seem determined to make me feel guilty for not doing any Christmas cards. It’s working! I’m supposed to be planning a Christmas workshop which is why I’m in a bit of a hurry to use up those girly images...one thing at a time! I think you’ll get a lot of use from the Minc, a really good buy for you.

Diana Taylor said...

I love the cards you've been making - I'd love a MINC but for the cost I don't know I'd get enough use out of it - it's tempting though! I love the results you're getting and it will certainly add an even more professional look to your already very professional and classy looking cards!
I'm so glad there's such good news about Doug's family, and it must be a huge relief to you all that things are moving forward in such a positive way for them.
Hope you have a good week,
Hugs, Diana xx #14

Lisa-Jane said...

I'm so glad the family are on the mend physically and that they are starting to make the move back to a home again. I love the tree images - clean and un-fussy but still really interesting. Of course they look stunning with the foiling too! Have a great week, Lisa-Jane #16

lisa said...

Morning Shaz.
Such an interesting post as always. You put me to shame with your Christmas cards. I might make a start while the weather is keeping us indoors instead of being last minute this year.
Had to scroll back through your posts to catch up on what's been happening with you and goodness, that much have been stressful and traumatic for you all. It's good to know that the family are recovering and being rehoused, what a relief. Good Luck to them.
Take care of yourselves
Hugs Lisax #17

Mariane said...

Thanks for the warning of buying it on Amazon. Sometimes things happen when it suppose not to do it.

You have been very busy with the Christmas card, wow. That is amazing. I love the stylish trees.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Happy WOYWW
Mariane #18
http://art.cordes.re

Annie said...

Well done for Dougs family. Hope they all continue to improve daily.
Love your latest Christmas cards....I can't think that far ahead yet.
Now when it comes to having a nice box...that really made me chuckle cos we had a huge parcel delivered yesterday and I made Doddy put the box in the shed cos it was just too good to throw it away....but actually far too big to ever find a job for lol.
Hugs,
Annie x #10

Sue Jones said...

What great news for Doug's family.
The only gilding i have done is the one with flakes , which looks nice but so messy to do. This looks a lot better - enjoy your new toy. I would cry if it was Gin !!
Have a lovely week . Soojay #19

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Shaz, the cards are great. My Christmas card project seems to have stopped at the moment but at least I made a start. I saw the box funny but do you know what! it's not funny! I am obsessed with boxes and I think it's getting worse. Since moving stuff from the loft to the new cabin I have found myself with all these cardboard boxes and I'm sure they will be useful but which ones to keep and which ones to throw away!!!!! it's madness for sure. I need help I'm going box crazy! Have a lovely and productive WOYWW, Angela x15x

Twiglet said...

I save all my "good boxes" - my craft room gets a bit crowded at times but Max can always find a use for them and big ones are fun for Ben to create with. Your cards look fab Shaz - not sure what that MINC does but it looks very clever to this bear of little brain! So glad the family are recovering well and wonderful that all friends and family can help out to get them home and comfy. xx Jo

Christine said...

So pleased to hear about Doug's family. Will be loverly when they are all back together again.
Interesting info about the MINC, thanks for that.
Take care and have a good week
Christine #26

Crafting With Jack said...

Hi Shaz, so pleased the family is recovering after such a terrible experience. I do worry about buying expensive items via Amazon, in case things need to be returned. The cardboard box funny made me smile. There 9s no debate in our house, if I want to keep a box I have to hide it 🤣. Angela #25

Neet said...

Kept a box only yesterday and for that very reason!! Say no more.
Glad the family are going to be back together at last, not sure who Livvy is or what her injuries are but hope it is not long before she joins the rest of the family.
Lovely trees, great advice but I don't think I will be buying at my age.
Hugs, Neet 11 xx

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW. I have heard of a MINC, but never seen one being demonstrated. Obviously I am now off to look at it in more detail! I used to have a hot foiling machine (just a fancy laminator really, which you needed to use a laser printer to print off the design). Did a good job, but then a friend wanted one and I agreed to sell it to her (complete with the printer). I have been foiling with a simple glue pen/cold foil, which is ok for small/simple designs. Then I found out about the Foil Quill and bought one to use with my old Silhouette Cameo. Not even got it out of the box yet, but a member of a Facebook group and they get fantastic results. I do love foiling, but it needs to be relatively simple for me to bother! So glad that Doug's family are recovering and will be in a new home soon. By the way - all your Christmas cards are fantastic. Ali x #29

Kathryn Frantz said...

Hi, Shaz!
I have a Minc too, two! I bought the large one used. I use it primarily for foiling the inside sentiments for my cards, using a toner printer. Works marvelously! I’ve also purchased those toner sheets and used to foil die cuts.
Tried the stencil paste a bit, bit not really the stamping. Tell me more, please. Are you embossing the stamped image then foiling over that?
Sounds like it works.
Then I purchased a hot foiling machine. Love the Glimmer by Spellbinders. I found the other brand, one with the attached lid to be cumbersome and awkward to use. And I’ve read that the Foilpress is so “fiddly” needing different times and temperatures depending on card or substrate.
Happy Foiling, Shaz! Oh, and Happy Wednesday! Stay well!

Kathryn#31


Catriona said...

Super news about the family and it’s lovely that people have rallied round to help get their temporary home ready. Love the cards-I use that tree shape in preference to all the others I have-the clean lines appeal to me.

Shoshi said...

Good news about Doug's brother's family, Shaz. It was such a devastating thing to happen, and I hope the emotional wounds don't take too long to heal, on top of the physical injuries. It is good news that they have somewhere lined up to live and that everyone has been so helpful getting things ready for them. I can well understand that Doug hasn't had much time for your garden lately, and it must be such a comfort for his brother to have him around. Sending big hugs all round.

I've never heard of a MINC - I'll have to look that one up! Good advice about the problems buying on Amazon. It's not the sort of thing you might know about unless someone tells you. I shall be very interested to see what your experiments come up with, when you have perfected the technique. I haven't got a laminator and haven't had much success at all with different methods of foiling. It doesn't help, not having a laser printer of course. It is something I'd like to be able to do sometime in the future.

Thank you for visiting. I knew you had a catheter when you left hospital but I hadn't realised it was permanent. You really did have a rough time all round, didn't you. Although I've had all the trouble with recurrent hernias since, and that awful infection I had in 2018, I reckon I got off pretty lightly, all told. As they say, there's always someone worse off than oneself and I'm very grateful that I am as well as I am. It definitely seems as if they can do something to improve my bladder situation, anyway, which is more of an irritation than anything else, but she did say that if it wasn't dealt with, it would get worse if I allowed my bladder to stretch too much. I've always managed to avoid catheterisation which is good.

It's a busy week this week but I managed to achieve everything I set out to do in the kitchen today, ready for our adventure tomorrow! We've got a relatively early start to get to Dorset in time for lunch and I've got a few last minute preparations to do with the food before we go.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #9

Stacy Sheldon said...

I wonder if the people who got the wrong plugs could just use adapter things? ( for people in the US who travel out they sell plug in things you plug your what ever appliance into hair dryer for instance and then that plugs into the slot on the wall in the UK?) at any rate I just love the shape of those trees and ( its probably just as well they do not make them anymore like I really need more right? ( but, there is always room for one more good one) just like boxes. ha.
That is great that they are getting released, I hope the insurance is being helpful and working on a plan for rebuilding for them too. ~Stacy #28

BJ said...

First time for MINC for me, hope you've found the best formulation now.
Great news about Dougs family. And yes the cardboard box conundrum! BJ#24

Marit said...

I hope you get the tool working in a way you like, I know nothing about these things but when I buy stuff, I always read reviews and try to find things about the dealer/store before I order - there's so much crap sold via the internet, you better be sure, like you say! Thanks for your visit to my blog, have a great week dear one, stay safe! Big hug from the Netherlands! Marit #20

Anne said...

Just wanted to pop in and say hello. Thanks for your kind words. It is good to hear that Doug's family are progressing well. I hope that Livvy will continue to make good progress. Graham and I have been thinking of you all. Take care. Anne X 25

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