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!

Just Some Questions!

Over the years I've been crafting, I've collected different embossing folders. However when I use the I am not happy with the results. They emboss ok, it's just that I don't like how to that card looks, if you know what I mean? I need some help/advice/idea's on using them.

I would love to use them more so if anyone has any tips I would love to hear them! Or maybe you know of a website I could go to for some help. Just let me know in the comments!

My second question/dilemma is, using square or oblong dies to add pieces of DSP to my cards. Mine never look right. How do you get the card the right size to put the DSP on? Do you cut the DSP first, then cut the card to the right size? I see other peoples cards using DSP and it looks great. For some reason I have 'issues' getting the card the right size. Once again, if anyone has any ideas, feel free to let me know!

My third and final question is, embossing with embossing powder. I'd like to use my embossing powders more, but I'm not keen on the results I get.

Oh woe is me, what to do?! Those are issues I have with my crafting. I just need some guidance and some advice, so if anyone has any ideas, as I said, please message me and point me in the right direction!

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day!

Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

A Little Bit of Crafting

 It feels like a long time since I have done any crafting. I have been in hospital for 2 weeks, very unwell with a stomach infection. It totally knocked me off my feet and I was vomiting for 6 days and unable to keep any food down. I had multiple fluid replacement and became very week. I am home again and need to use a walker on wheels to move around the house. I've (once again) lost a lot of weight, and struggle to do things. However I haven done a tiny bit of crafting.

Above is a very simple bookmark I made the other day. It took all my energy to get it done!  Below is a 'tube' of some kind of yummy paste that cats like (my two won't touch it though!) and I made a simple sort of long 'pocket thing to hold it. The snail is from Su Snailed It" stamp set. I get the tubes of paste free, each time I order cat food. I have another 6- 7 tubes of paste and will create some more simple pockets to put them in. I intend to drop them off at my Vet for anyone who wnats one. 

The stamp set below is one I got recently. Someone had it for sale and I liked it so bought it. However I cannot find anything on using it on the internet. Nothing on Pinterest at all. It's called "A Cute Christmas". I was trying to find some ideas for using it, but came up with nothing. Does anyone have this set? I like the simple 'line' drawings. It must be a very old set to not be able to find anything on Pinterest.

Ok, that's it for now, I am very tired. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!

Just a Tiny 5x5cm Card!

I created this wee card the other day - yes, I am still here and still crafting (slowly!). I used a small patterned card that I got from Lavinia Stamps last year sometime. I think there are about four different patterns, some with the Moon, others abstract like this one.

Once I had stamped it I backed it on to a piece of white card. The stamps I used are some I bought maybe 8 weeks ago, from one of Tracey's new release's. This is the first time I have used any of the stamps from that release! "Things", life and other stuff got in the way and I never got round to using them. I can hardly believe they sat untouched on my desk for so long, lol!

And now....there is another new release which should be on my desk any day! I am in love with this latest release and can 'bearly' (there's a hint...) contain my excitement about them!

I just hope I am  home when they arrive! I have an appointment at the hospital on Wednesday, and I'll be gone for most o the day, due to having to catch public transport which takes time. I spend more time waiting for public transport, and being on public transport,  than I do at the actual appointment! 

Below, Autumn (Fall) has arrived. The tree's are starting to drop their leaves and some are looking a tad bare like this one. 

This is a quick post to check in and let you know I am still here! Once my new LS haul arrives I hope to be posting more creations etc - keep your fingers crossed!

I've also make some more rocks to paint, watch this space!

Thanks for dropping by, have a SUNSHINE day!

Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

Mis Diagnosed For Ten Years!

Ten years ago - 2015 - I had some blood tests done, which came back saying I had Coeliac Disease.

I didn't know much about CD, but I have a close relative that has it, and I knew if she ate "normal" bread that had gluten in it,  she could become very unwell. 

I came home the day I was diagnose and cleaned  out all food in my pantry, fridge, freezer etc that contained gluten. It was a lot of food thrown out, which amounted to many dollars worth of food.

I went on a gluten free diet, and I lost several kgs in weight. I was not overweight to begin with, I am a very petite person who had no extra weight to lose.

Six months later I had to go back to see the dietician who had diagnosed me. She got angry with me because I had lost too much weight and was now under-weight. She gave me a booklet and told me I  had to learn to read food labels so I knew what food was gluten free (GF). I found it very hard to understand and had trouble reading the tiny print on the labels. I did my best and failed miserably to stay on a GF diet. I hated the taste of GF bread, to me it tasted like eating cardboard. I was always hungry due to not being able to find GF food. I stopped the GF diet and went back to eating "normal" food. Ove the years I tried going back to a GF diet, but always stopped after a month or so because I was always hungry and wasn't able to buy GF food as easily as I could buy "normal" food.

Some of you who have been following my blog may recal a few posts I did about being Coeliac.

I had several more blood tests for gluten and strangely enough they come back negative for gluten. (This is how we here in NZ test for gluten intolerance/Coeliac Disease. The next step to check 100% is a biopsy.

Fast forward to 2022 the doctors said I need to have a biopsy. They put a tube down your throat into you stomach and take a small piece of your intestine, which they then do a biopsy to see if you really do have Coeliac Disease.

I wasn't happy to consent to a biopsy, stating that having Addison's Disease (an autoimmune Disease) I would not be able to tolerate having it done because of how stress affects me, and that I could easily go into an Adrenal Crisis. I said I would have it done if they could  do it under a general anesthetic. They said they cannot do it under general anesthetic.

Every time  I was in hospital they always insisted on giving me GF food. (The GF toast they gave me was so hard that if I had thrown it at the window I am sure it would have smashed the window. They also kept pushing me to have the biopsy. I always said 'no'. I was even bullied by 2 of the Doctors, who snapped at me and said, "obviously you don't care about your health, we'll take you off the waiting list and give the appointment (for the biopsy I hadn't consented to) to someone who does care about their health', and they marched off out of room and left. I swore I would never see both those Doctors again. Little did I know I would see one of them again, 12 weeks ago when I was last in hospital. She was still talking about me having a biopsy! She is also the Doctor who said I had a twisted bowel and needed urgent surgery and would be taken off to another hospital that night to fix it or I would die! An x-ray showed there was no twisted bowel...

Okay (sorry this is a lengthy post) so last week I had and appointment to see a Gastroenterologist at the local hospital.

Fast forward again to March 2026, a few days ago, when I recently had an appointment with a Gastro Doctor at the hospital. He had read through my files, which are quite extensive, and said to me...I had been mis-diagnosed in 2015 and I did NOT have Coeliac Disease!! They had got it wrong back in 2015, and there was absolutely NO need for me to eat a gluten free diet. I was stunned. For ten years I have been harassed, bullied, and tormented by the threat of becoming very unwell and doing untold damage to my gut because of not eating GF food. 

He had checked my blood tests I'd had done since 2015, and NONE of them came back positive for gluten. Once he said I had been mis-diagnosed, I asked him to remove the diagnosis of Coeliac Disease from my files to make sure that any time I am in hospital that I am given NORMAL food. The amount of times I have told them I am NOT Coeliac, and can they please give me normal food. I never believed for a second that I had CD. I was right...

Ok so I have hand my rant for the day - thanks for sticking with it and reading this to the end! 

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

Just Dropping By!

 I haven't got anything to post because I haven't done any crafting lately. My health is good, and I haven't been in hospital for almost 12 weeks, which is great! My only 'health' issue I have at the moment is, a very painful left hip. Nine years ago I had a THJR - total hip joint replacement, on that hip. A few days ago that hip joint became very painful to the point I couldn't sleep because of the pain. Today, Saturday, it is still very painful, and has kept me off my feet for the last 3 days. I am hoping that the joint is just bruised and time and rest will heal it. In all honesty I should have gone to hospital to have an x-ray done to make sure things are ok. But I wasn't keen on having to  go back to the hospital having been there so many times before. Fingers crossed that the pain settles soon!

My laptop is doing weird things and keeps telling me it has a virus:-( I will hopefully get that sorted out today. It says I had gone to a dangerous and illegal website...at the time I was watching a funny cats video on You Tube! I don't think that was a dangerous and illegal video so I have no idea what's going on.

I am waiting (not so patiently) for a stamp and die set from Whimsy Stamps in USA to arrive. I paid for it Feb 24th, and it has only just (2 days ago) been sent. I am really disappointed it is taking so long. I was unable to track it as it said 'incorrect tracking number', so sent an email to Whimsy asking them where the items were. They replied that it had been sent. (It hadn't) Yesterday I checked and it had finally left USA. I have no idea when the items will arrive but it seems to be taking a long time. 

Anyway I am still here, and just wanted to check in with you! 

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

Make Your Own Stencil Paste!

 

I mixed some acrylic paint in a small container, added some Baking Soda and mixed well. I spread the mixture over a stencil, then left it to dry. This is the result. Next time I use this technique I will sieve the Baking Soda so the mixture is more smooth. Lots of fun!

These are the little (cardboard) containers I mixed the paint and BS in. I get them from the hospital each time I am in. They bring my medications to me in them. I have dozens of them and they are very handy for all kinds of craft stuff!

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

Quirky Creatures Rubber Stamps.

 

I'm looking for these rubber stamps. The photo is not good quality because I took it off the internet. At first I thought they might be some of Tim Holtz's stamps, but having searched the 'net I cannot find them. Does anyone know whose stamps they are? I really like them and would love to make some cards using them!

I know my friend Robyn D from Queensland has some similar stamps, so if you are reading this Robyn, please let me know whose stamps/brand they are! Thank you!

I'm in the process of making some Halloween cards at the moment. I will post them here once they're finished. I don't usually celebrate Halloween, and these cards, plus the Christmas ones in the post before this, are all going to be donated to the my local Vet free for anyone who wants a card. So far they have loved the cards I've given them. Ok I will end this here as I am a little tired and am running out of energy. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!

New Christmas Cards!

I made all these cards using Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlit dies 

666330. I've had a lot of fun creating these and deciding what colour cardstock to use. This is the first crafting I have done for over a month. I've had a lot of health issues to deal with, plus helping 2 close friends with  health challenges. 

It's very hot and humid here right now, and it drains what little energy  have. 

On some of the cards, such as these two, above and below, I have glued a strip of glittery card behind the words. It's the smooth glitter card, not the chunky/rough one. I bought a pad of it some time ago for only $2. 

These next two cards (there's a double up) both have a die cut snowflake (another TH Sizzix Thinlit die set) behind the J and the N. I used some vellum paper for those. 

Below is the first card I made using this die set. I have to say, I am so pleased I have the Bigshot Switch and not the old one I had where you had to crank the handle manually. The Switch is so much easier and quicker, especially when die cutting multiple dies. 

I was disappointed with the Postal service this Christmas, cards I had made did not arrive at their destination. Very disappointing, especially as some had hand made bookmarks inside. I have no idea where thy went to, but I do know the recipients did not get them.

Thanks for dropping by, have a SUNSHINE day!

Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!