WOYWW #303

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday”  blog hop created by Julia at the StampingGround,

  so hop over there to join the fun.

The last few weeks have been hectic…if not downright out of control...and my desk this morning shows it!  I’m was trying to, if not keep up daily, at least finish the Online Card Class “Stretch Your Dies” while it’s still open.  I managed 4 of the 7 days, and have tonight to see if I can do the rest…while packing up for our first Stamp Club Meeting tomorrow...ironically with the theme being Dies and Punches…

So things have been shrewn about everywhere in my existence, not just this desk! LOL! You are looking down on 3 cards I’ve made for the class; some left over die cuts, inks that didn’t make it back to their cubbies, my ink applicators are floating around everywhere, and don’t even ask me what I last used the Distress Stains for; oh, they are waiting for labels to be put on the tops; so those are the two new Monthly colors…as well as some paper that needs to get put back in its pad before it gets ruined.  I used it on the top butterfly card; and it’s growing on me.  It was from an old 6 x 6 Basic Gray pad, I believe…maybe 3 years ago? Hoarder? Me?  LOL!

Here's a close-up of the top card, and you can see my others from the class on my previous 2 posts.   

Now go say Hello to Julia and see what this WOYWW phenom is all about!  Have a great week everyone!

Online Card Classes Day 3-5.

I’m trying real hard to keep up with the Online CardClass “Stretch Your Dies” so I can at least try all the techniques and post to the gallery before it closes on Thursday.  Oh, and take advantage of the shopping discounts once I see all the cool dies I’ll need once class is done! 

 Day 3 was using basic shape dies.  I couldn't immediately think of a way to use my die inventory on the first 2 techniques, but did manage to work on the 3^rd one: Window Flaps.  Of course, not thinking things through, it wasn't until I was at the Vagabond when I realized that I’m using the Tim Holtz Mini Heart die, which is a Mover/Shaper style die; needing the base tray; and really hard to manipulate an on the edge cutting plate to get the flap….Oye!  So, a few tries there, but finally succeeded.   And then as they are not nesting dies, I had to hand cut an outline, because it really did need it.  So while my card is literally thrown together, I do like the technique, and there are some shape dies on “the list” specifically for this style.

Day 4 was using mini-dies, which I don’t have, so I’m filing the techniques away in the back of my mind if I ever get some. 

Day 5 was using Coordinating Dies; these are the dies with the matching stamp sets.  I have a few of these; 2 sets by Tim Holtz and a few by Our Daily Bread. Again with 3 techniques, I went with the 3^rd one, the stamped window.  I used the TH set French Flight, with those awesome butterflies. I wasn't sure of the papers when I was done last night, but I liked it this morning when I took a quick picture.  With planning, this technique could be a lot of fun!

I’m hoping to get Day 6 and 7 done Tuesday: I just downloaded the day 7 class videos, and the only alphabet dies I have are the TH Inside Out and Typeset ones…so I have 2 days to think of a plan. 

Thanks for stopping by…and if any of these techniques look interesting, go check out the Online Card Classes site; their classes are offered even if not “live”, where you can access the content forever…and there have been some fantastic tips on how to extend the  dies you have.

OCC: Stretching Your Dies Class

Well, I‘ve done it again; I keep thinking I have somehow solved the time conflict/hours in a day equation.  And have once again found a gross error on the white board; there are only 24 hours a day…work and commute takes up 11 of them; it is a finite number. Blah!

But before I came to this revelation, I signed up for the Online Card Class “Stretch Your Dies” that I was bound and determined to do “Live”.  Today is day 5…yesterday after taking the day off for a dental procedure I actually got to do days 1 & 2…I am so happy that you have life-time access to these classes!  This actually makes the 7^th I've taken with them, of which only the two Creative Chemistry ones by Tim Holtz did I even come close to keeping up.

This class appealed to me as while I found I am using my die cutting machines more than I ever thought I would, it would be nice to find more creative ways to maximize their potential…and , ahem, better justify the expense!  I mostly have the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alteration’s line of dies, with a few spellbinder and Our Daily Bread ones thrown in.  So of course the first classes techniques where a push for me to find ones that fit.  I picked one technique (they usually have 3 a day) to work on, so for Day One; Word Dies, I went with the only set I had; from Tim’s Holiday set, and then chose the most frustrating technique, a take on the Inlay Design! Lot’s of little bit! Took 3 tries, but I do like how this came out.  It will not, however, be one of my mass-produced designs! LOL!

For Day 2; Flower Dies,  I went with the Die Cuts within larger die technique.  This was fun, and gave a surprising 3D effect, maybe because I had larger dies to the edges it looks global.  

I will finish all 7 days; just probably not by Sunday! So stay tuned for more creative die ideas!

CC3C #23; Collection Folio Pg.34

Welcome to another installment of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, Vol. 3, hosted by Linda at Studio L3.  This is the Twenty-third challenge in where we work through the techniques of Tim Holtz from, you guessed it…his 3^rd Volume of the Compendium of Curiosities!!  As in the past challenges, we can’t give details on the challenge, so don’t ask, but do go get your own copy of Tim’s fabulous book.  Also, Inspiration Emporium has offered an extremely generous $50 Gift Certificate for all the odd numbered Challenges! So grab a copy, and join in to play!!  All the deets are here, at Linda’s blog!

I am very annoyed with myself this challenge.  I acquired the folio near the start of the challenge, and then kept it in my “compendium Stash” pile awaiting it’s turn; never peaking at the challenges in advance.  Therefore I did not think ahead to collect goodies to put inside.  Normally this would not have been an issue; we do have 2 weeks, except I just didn’t have craft room time…so I only got as far as the cover, and I'll have a few embellishments to add once it's all set.. To see if I could pull it off (and figure out how to actually place/use the cascading insert) I went ahead to peruse the Curiosity Crew’s project.  My only defense “I’m not worthy…” In my best Mike Myers/ Dana Carvey impression…

 So, here is the cover: Done with Distress paints, some papers from the Tattered and Worn paper pack from The Paper Studio (If you look really close, it has shamrocks and music staves.. and then I have embossed some of my Celtic stamps. My theme will be the Ancient Celts, and I will be gathering my photos and various info sheets on various pre-Christianity sites we’ve visited in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.(Bucket list: Newgrange, Check! Stonehenge, check!) Unfortunately I no longer have my darkroom; and half the images are still in negative format; time to remedy that!  I promise to post the finished folio as soon as it’s done!

So please go visit the Curiosity Crew’s sites…where they show you all those possibilities these Folio’s possess!  They are amazing!!!

WOYWW #300!!!

Welcome to WOYWW…the “What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday” blog hop.  Here it is…the 300^th posting of this amazing phenomenon inspired by Julia at the Stamping Ground!  Congratulation Julia!!  You have found such a fun way for Crafters of all mediums from all over the world to get together, share, and support each other.  So thank you so very much!

So, to the purpose of the post…the workdesk…mine as it was left late Sunday night as after I finished making and photographing samples for our first Stamp Club meeting announcement (still need a catchy name)  This month it’s all about the dies, punches and embossing folders.  Peeking under my background sheet is the new Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink…Love It! can’t wait for the new Abandoned Coral..hope it arrives soon!  And of course ink pads, tools and all other bits of destruction floating around as well; looks like Saturday will be mostly clean up! LOL!

Now go say Hello to Julia and see what this WOYWW phenom is all about!  Have a great week everyone!