I Made A Mini Stamping Platform!

 I am getting bored not having my reading glasses, but I have not been idle! (Another 3 days to go until I  get them... Woohoo!) I wanted a small stamping platform and couldn't find one online here in NZ. Being in a small country at the bottom of the world means finding the craft items I want or need can be challenging. The only small 6x6 inch platform  I could find here in NZ was out of stock:-( Typical and so frustrating. So this is what I did...I found and empty DVD case.

Below, I cut 3 squares of fun foam to fit in the case.

Trim off any of the foam that is too big because you need to dvd case to close.

In the photo below you can see on the right is the tag I was stamping on to, and on the left hand side of the dvd case is the tiny mouse stamp I was stamping on to the tag. All I did was ink up the mouse stamp and close the lid, which then stamped the mouse on to that casts head. I took did use low tack tape to hold the tag in the right place but had removed it before I took this photo.  This size stamping platform works well and I had no issues with it. The DVD case I used measures 5 1/2 inches by 4 3/4 inch. Depending on the depth of the case, you could add more fun foam if you needed to, or if the case was very flat you may only need 1-2 pieces of foam.

Let me know if you tried this idea, and how it worked (or not). I have a Tim Holtz stamping platform, but it's much bigger and so takes up more room on my desk. Because I was stamping tags (which I will show you in my next post), I wanted a smaller platform. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

K.Mart Aftercare.

My microwave recently conked out. Time for a new one, so I ordered it from K.Mart. Before I get into it, I apologize to anyone who may work at K.Mart. I love the place, but I don't love their aftercare. I also ordered a couple of other small items. So 3 days ago my order arrived just after 5 pm.  Two large very heavy looking boxes. "Wow" I thought, "there must be a lot of  packaging inside." One of the items was an Induction Plate. Upon opening one of the boxes I discovered there was 4 Induction Plates not one!

It was after 5 by now so no point trying to call K.Mart to sort out a return/refund as they close at 5 pm. So I have spent the 2 two days trying to sort it out. Unfortunately, no matter what I tried, I could only get and AI chatbot which didn't help at all. No matter what I did, or what phone number I rang, all I got was AI. Feeling soooo frustrated this morning, I called my local Citizens Advice for help. Eventually the lady was able to direct me to an email site where I could ask about a return/refund. I am partially sighted, which would be obvious if you met me. So I sent an email and explained I was partially sighted and told them my issue and asked how to return and get a refund for the 3 extra Induction Plates. I gave them my order number, my phone number and my email address. I am now waiting on a reply.

However, I am frustrated that the only "help" online is an AI chatbot, and there is no way to speak to a real live human being.  If I had a basic question the AI chatbot would have been fine. To not be able to speak with a real live person is not good enough K.Mart. I know AI is everywhere these days, but in this situation it's a waste of my time. Yes, I know it's my fault I ordered 4 of the Induction Plates, but K. Mart's  Aftercare is not up to standard. Ok, I've had my rant now! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE  day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

I Know What I Said, But...

 I cannot sit and do nothing! Even without my reading glasses I just have to do something crafty! I have these two stamps which were mounted on wooden blocks.  They measure 4 /14 x 4 inches and were always hard to create a nice solid image. 

So I put the stamps (1 at a tine) in the microwave and nuked it for about 14 seconds. This was enough to soften the sticky stuff that held the rubber stamp on to the wooden block, and I was able to carefully peel the rubber stamp off the wooden block. Does that make sense?! 

I attached the images to some foam cushion read to use as cling stamps. I will use my stamp platform to stamp the images when I am ready. Once u had done that I put the wooden blocks back in the microwave for about 10 seconds and was able to remove the stickers with the pictures on. While the stickers of Minnie and Mickey Mouse were still sticky, I put them on to a sheet of clear window plastic and carefully cut around each picture. This means it will be easy to see where I want to stamp each image.  There will be no guessing and oping that I have the image in the right place. I bought these stamps when I was in Sydney one time. Now I just need to make a card using them! (When I  get my new reading glasses...)

I'll tell you a funny story about Mickey Mouse...when I was at Disneyland I had my photo taken standing next to Mickey Mouse. "Now is my chance", I thought...

So I asked Mickey Mouse to marry me! He put one hand over his mouth and the other hand on the  side of his face, and the girl taking the photo quickly said, "Oh he can't marry you, Minnie Mouse would be so upset"! So that was it, Mickey Mouse and I did not get married! But I did get some nice photo's of me standing beside Mickey! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

I Discover Simon Hurley Solar Paste!

 

I know I said i wasn't going to be posting anything for 2 weeks because I am waiting to get my new reading glasses but...I just had to post this! I embossed a piece of black card using one of my embossing folders. 

Then I used some Simon Hurley Solar Paste (Golden Hour is the colour) to 'colour in' the flowers/leaves. To apply the paste  I used a thing that looks like a paint brush, but instead of a brush it has a very small sponge tip. I also used Solar Paste in the colour of Cross My Heart, which is a pink colour. These are so shiny when they catch the light! I love them! You only need such a small amount as it goes a long way. I did all this before my glasses broke. I really can't see up close without them, and if only you could see how many mistakes I have made typing this! It's taking me ages to get this typed. I added a small bit of the Gold to the center of each flower. You really need to see it in the sun, it shines so nicely! To finish the card I will die cut a Butterfly to add on it. (When I can see properly!) Ok that's it for now! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!

Frustrating!

Just letting you know I won't be posting anything for a couple of weeks. While I was in the shopping mall recently, I dropped my reading glasses. What I didn't know at the time was, one of the lenses had fallen out. Which means I can't read or do anenlarge stuff on here, whcih helps byI can thing that needs reading glasses. I have a new pair on order, but they won't be here for another 2 weeks. And yes, I am having trouble typing this! It's so frustrating because I have projects half finished, that I want to get done. (And something new!) As soon as I get my new glasses I will be back posting. Until then, thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!

 

I Made A Card!

Here's my firsts card I made using the embossing method I've been practicing for the last few days.  I lightly sprayed a piece of SU Soft Suede cardstock with some water. Once that was dry, I went and embossed it using a Lisa Horton embossing folder. (I can't remember what it's called.) I then used a Brilliance Moonlight White Archival Pigment ink pad to lightly 'tap' ink all over the raised embossed image. Then I sat the card in the sun for s short time to dry the ink. Once the ink was dry, I used some little 'sponge' brush things and added EYE SHADOWS - yes, eye shadows, to colour the images. Eye shadows are just miniature pan pastels and work really well on most cardstock, so I discovered! The green and yellow are both Pan Pastels. The pink/purple flowers have some glitter on because one of the eye shadows was glittery. I added the at and sentiment, and lastly added a few drops of white Nuvo Drops. Once those were dry I adhered the panel to a white folded card and it was done! I'm so happy how this turned out and will definitely be making some more using this method. I will try to capture another photo so you can see the sparkly bits.

Here's what I have learned about creating these types of cards.

1.Make sure you are using a well inked white ink pad, otherwise you don't get a good result.

2. Spray your cardstock with water before embossing. This will ensure you get a nice crisp, well defined image.

3. Use quality cardstock. I used Stampin' Up! cardstock for the embossing, and Neena for the white cardstock.

4. Don't be scared of experimenting with eye shadows for colouring!

4. Have fun and don't give up when things don't work.

There's probably more tips, but that's just a few off the top of my head. 

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

I've Been Practicing!

 These are some of the results of trying to 'colour' embossed images. They are by no means perfect, I'm just experimenting. I have ordered some new embossing fodlers, which I hope arrive in a few days. I've been watching some videos by a lady called Jo Simons, who does a fabulous job colouring embossed images. I used a white ink pad (Hero Arts Unicorn White) on this, then a gold ink pad.

This is another attempt I did, once again using a white inkpad and then gold on top. I used a tapping motion to get the ink on to the embossed area, and I've used black cardstock on each sample. My white ink pad needs re inking so I get better coverage. As I said, these samples are just me playing around with the technique of colouring. I've used embossing ink pads so far.

Ooops! This photo is round the wrong way! I used  a white embossing pad first, then a green dye based one. The green one is brand new and very juicy. I've watched several of Jo Simons videos and she has a very relaxed way of demonstrating. I hope to improve my coloring, and actually make a card with my efforts! At the moment I'm just getting the feel of how to add colour to the embossed card. The most important thing is, I am having fun with it, and learning along the way. Before  forget thank you to Andrea B for your encouraging comments! I'm glad I'm not the only one who is challenged by some card making techniques! To be honest, I have always liked using embossing folders, but had never really been shown this colouring technique. Some of my ink pads need re inking, so I need to sort that out so I get better results.

I am still very fatigued and get tired easily. My walking is improving slowly. We've had some seriously cold days last week, down to 8c degrees in the morning, and my heating isn't working:-( Romeo is ok, he has a nice soft warm bed he climbs in to! That's him below! He has another bed the same, on my bed and he either sleeps on top of me, or in his bed at night!

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!