WOYWW 399

Bonjour! I am joining in WOYWW, (What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday) over at the Stamping Ground! This is a weekly post hosted by Julia to showcase what you are currently crafting on your workdesk.
I use a small desk, (it only cost €10 new!) covered in bubbles - yes it is my hubby's choice. The desk top was originally covered in woodgrain paper, (hence the price), so I asked hubby if he would choose a roll of self-adhesive vinyl, (sticky back plastic to us former Blue Peter fans), - and now I live with the consequences.....  I don't craft often, making around 80 or so cards a year and I like to clear my table top up after every use, which makes me a rotten candidate for WOYWW!  I have been trying to make a couple of cards for a few days but life, and son with a cold, just got in the way. The best laid plans and all that stuff! 😉 When I want to use a different shape of card I make a template out of scrap card first. Here I am trying out different sizes of 'book' cards to fit my image.Yeah I know I should choose an image to fit my book template and not vice-versa but a lack of chocolate does things to a gal, you know? I'll post a picture of my card when I do get it made..... it WILL work out....

How about an update on my homemade Ikea frame 'misti'? Have you just heard about Ranger's new stamping tool? Boy it is well designed! My Ikea hack and CD case work just dandy for me, BUT I had a problem. My magnetic sheet just wasn't working. The magnets didn't really want to know, they were just interested in swimming all over the page. I guess I got short-changed with wonky polarities or some such. Hubby told me to buy new magnetic sheets, I didn't want to run the risk of wasting money on something that may not work again. Then whilst in SuperU, we found a really cheap magnetic board. Once home we removed the thin metal sheet and cut it to size. Enough for two A4 frames, 3 CD disc cases and two strips to make mini magnetic reminder boards!  Jennifer McGuire recommends using a bar magnet instead of two smaller magnets and laminated grid sheets for the base. I like both those ideas! My homemade 'misti's work really well now. Here is a photo of my CD case tool. Ideal for sentiment and small stamps. Take out the tabs, cut out the raised end of the case base, (I sellotaped the edge to avoid any sharp parts), place some fun foam as a pad and if you desire, a magnetic sheet/metal sheet with a magnet. Otherwise just use poster tape or line your card up to the edge to ensure perfect alignment. Simples!
I am looking forward to hopping over to a few blogs and not feeling guilty that the housework hasn't been done....after all, I have just come down with my son's cold....c'est la vie!
Enjoy your WOYWW viewing and thanks for taking a peek at my non-blogging blog 😀
I just want to add my friend's link to her blog, Les Folies de Coco. She has an exhibition of her work on at her local library PLUS she has just got published in Stampers Sampler Magazine! Way out Coco! You rock mon amie!
God bless you all, enjoy your day!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year for 2017 one and all!

I would like to start this New Year by showing you how to make a simple, cheap stamp positioner similar to the 'Misti'. There are plenty of ideas on the internet but I chose to make mine using a €4.50 frame from Ikea called the 'Hemmingsbo', Further instructions can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYK0XWqZZw
This magnetic opening A4 frame is all ready to use as your positioner. Tape the strut on the back of the frame to the base to prevent it from opening, peel off the protective layer on the acrylic front and voila! You are ready to go! I upgraded mine by taking off the 4 plastic tabs inside, doubling them up and re-attaching them to the inside of the front frame to make opening easier. An A4 magnetic sheet taped inside provides a base on which to use a couple of neodymium magnets to hold down your project. I happened to have a few  overhead projector sheets, so I printed a grid on them, one for the base and the other for the top to provide guidelines to position my stamps. You could always use a thicker A4 acrylic sheet in place of the thin one provided if you wish but the original works just fine.  You can also make a mini positioner using a CD case and some 'fun foam' as a base.  Simply take off the tabs and cut away the end of the base to provide a flat surface. This home-make is very handy for using with sentiments and small stamps.

2016 was a strange year for our family, a real mix of emotions and events which included three bereavements, health issues, school problems and other personal challenges. A year in which I learned a few things about myself and life in general. You can look at the negatives of a year or you can look at how God has provided, taught and blessed you. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 vs 13-14: But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
May you be richly blessed this year and come to faith in Christ Jesus who died for your sins so that you may be at peace with God.