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Wednesday 14 December 2011

WOYWW #132 - Metal Wonderfulness (cheating again!!!)

Hi all, and welcome to the phenomenon that is WOYWW, brought to us bloggers all over the world by the wondrous Mrs. Dunnit - sounds magical, rather like Father Christmas eh???

 I have given up on declaring time is rapidly running away with me, or that I am not ready for the festive season, or that I have absolutely NO IDEA where we will put 1 tree this year, let alone the usual 2!!! My mother's new chest of drawers is where one usually goes, and our much reduced and diminished eating arrangements leave much to be desired, being a smallish table in my (cold) conservatory!!!! So no room in there then either - rather like at the inn!!! Well, where's the crafty stuff I hear you cry, so here is a ickle bit of past history and nostalgia, otherwise known as Lin's last class at the Olney shop!!!! And here is the lovely lady herself...

 The very last class was destined to be the metal stuff I have been trying to do with her for ages but operations and holidays have always got in the way...

 So here IS my desk, just not at home!!! sorry... we have puffed out some images then filled, and left them to dry.

 This is what we were aiming for... lots of different techniques and ideas - 11 in total, apparently... this is Lin's piece, of course!!!

 I will share a couple of ideas with you... this is a die cut shape, in thin card, covered with the metal, then embossed -

 and scribbled to get this fabulous texture. The colour comes from painting over with marvellous Fresco paints from Paperartsy...

 This is Lin's piece, in situ on her canvas... distressed with some black paint and distress inks... Thanks for this great idea, Lin...


 And another FABULOUSLY simple technique is to crumple up humble tinfoil, then alcohol ink it!!! Brilliant, and so easy... it's just mounted on to some card to keep it rigid!!! Thanks for this one too, Lin...


 And her amazing flowers... how great are they... I have decided to curl over the bottom petals, and roll the top ones, instead of the way round I have it here... look back at Lin's piece to see how much better it sits like that!!!

 This beauty was done through the Big Shot - I MUST tell you at this point that my 3rd - yes no. three VAGABOND IS DEAD DEFUNCT and is NO MORE! What a pain that is, eh!! Must be a bad batch or it is just NOT fit for purpose... I wonder if Sir Tim knows that so many are rubbish???!!! So I am in the market for a new machine - any suggestions??


Anyhow, here are a few more pieces we did. They look so much better when they have been grunged eh?? So now I have to finish and put it all together... twill be easier said than done, as I am getting NO me-time to speak of just now... mum is quite a handful, and time just slips away seeing to her needs. I MUST be better at looking after me in the new year... the fragrant Freddie and I are still hoping to slip away for a couple of weeks to Gran Canaria to see his family for their crimble... that's if the care home comes up trumps!!! Cross everything you can, dear reader!!! I REALLY need the break...

Have a fabulous week and don't work too hard on those preparations... it will all come good in the end... Thanks for stopping by, and commenting, you KNOW I LOVE to hear from you all...
Love and Light
Frankie
xx
PS ... WOOO I was top three AGAIN at Simon Says Stamp and Show... I am THRILLED, probably even more than the first time, cos there are so many wonderful entries each week!!! Thanks everyone for your support!!

23 comments:

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

The metal things are fabulous. I was so right to be sus of the Vagabond!
I hope you get your break and get to enjoy it.

Aj. said...

WOW !! I bought a stash of metal sheets but not had any time to play with them yet.

Re- die cutter.. Go with the big shot hun and it will never ever let you down, I have both the standard and the pro versions and believe me, they are worth every penny.

I recently bought a grand caliber for my girls to use thinking it might be a good idea, but omg hun what a piece of cheap plastic crap it is indeed, im not surprised they have also started to aquire a reputation for kaputness after just a few months use, built of cheap plastic and it looks like it was assembled in a kindergarten classroom.

Aj.

Neil said...

Hi there, just popping in to say Hi. Hope you have a great week and thanks for sharing a snippit of your creative life with us today. Your metal stuff is fabulous and so very very stylish! Bet you enjoyed making them too. Sorry to hear your vagabond woes; hope you get something that works for you soon.
Neil #13

Shirley Pumpkin said...

Love you stuff, it is beautiful! I just have the regular old big shot, no problems yet with it. I did hear that other people were having the same trouble with the Tim One! Good luck!

Hugs
Shirley Pumpkin#63

Zoechaos said...

Looks like you had a fabulous time lucky lady. Sorry to hear about the Vagbond, my friend who also has arthritis in both her wrists and hands uses the electric bigshot and has never complained about it after about 2 years. she uses it a lot as she makes cards and things for sale at craft fairs etc. BTW she also speaks highly of rockablock. Happy Christmas you'll find somewhere for the tree XOXO Zoe

Helen said...

Well done on your top 3 - I saw that this morning. I am so happy you got to do the metal class, would that I could have attended one - especially with all you have going on!! Hope you find room for your tree.... I don't even try these days (turning over a new leaf in January - tidy/decluttered Helen here I come...........!!!!)

Kyla #61 said...

ooh lovely TSS stuff. My box from LB Crafts arrived this week....SO many nice things!! As to the vagabond, I am SO pleased I chose the big shot over the vagabond, I have rheumatoid arthritis and can still use it fine, even cutting leather or metal through it (I have ABUSED it over the past 9 months or so I have owned it).

Have you tried emailing Tim? I am sure he would be interested to know that 3 of his machines have all been sub standard, they should have both a complaints procedure and a reject rate at Ranger they should aim to be below-I would let them know...after all its SUCH a big investment (my bigshot was £55 at the NEC, much better value.

Spyder said...

Love your 'Tim' makes no wonder you were top three fabulous! Have a great crafty week! HaPPy WOyWw!
((Lyn)) #40

jude said...

Absolutely fabulous creations and techniques.Do hope you manage to make the break and have rest,will keep my fingers crossed for you
hugs judex10

Janet said...

Fabulous pieces! You obviously had a marvellous time. So glad I did not indulge in the Vagabond, I very nearly did too. I presume they will replace this one as well. What a pain. Love your work. Have a good Christmas and wish you all the luck for 2012.

Janet xx

Ann B said...

Lovely piece of work there Elizabeth and lucky you getting to do Lin's last class (I did her Artsy Crafty workshop at Warrington a month or so ago). I bought metal sheet, a roll of silver metal, tools and some of the moulds in her sale, all I need now is the time to experiment and a bit of inspiration. Bit of a pig having three Vagabonds go on you, I know some have been troublesome but three!!!
Hope you are able to get away for a break, you deserve it after the upset of the past weeks, so will cross everything (including my eyes LOL).
Ann B
#27

JoZart Designs said...

lovely interesting post on all those metal treasures with Lin. A nice little tribute to her skills.
You seem to keep cheerful despite all the extra pressure just now and I'm sure it will pay off long term.
Keep smiling!
Love joZarty x
Thanks for your comment too.

ScrappnBee said...

Bless you as always for taking on your mom. I barely survived my 9 months as family hostess, and probably would have taken to being inebriated 24 -7 if it went on much longer! LOL! The Tree will find a place (and unfortunately, your guest will probably remark on said place...that is what guests are for).

Glad that I have yet to save for my Vagabond, and will probably go with the Big Shot Pro myself. If you are feeling down, remember The Grinch, and that Christmas still came to the Whoos and it was all OK in the end :) -Amanda 29

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Those metal pieces are gorgeous - I love them! Some look so steampunky which I adore. They are really wonderful..
It must be very hard work looking after your mum, here's hoping you manage to get away on holiday. You deserve it.
Hugs, LLJ #34 xx

505whimsygirl said...

The metal items are amazing. Thanks for sharing!!

I don't have a die cut machine and have been wondering what I should go with..... sounds like I need to do some research.

WOYWW #82

May said...

WOW, these are Fantastic, I need to buy some of this metal, wow really wow, thanks for sharing, Hugs May x x x x x

okienurse said...

Beautiful metal works! I love all the techniques you demonstrated. I am like you wondering if TH knows what trash a lot of the Vagabonds are turning out to be. I have another friend who has gone through 3 so far also and this last time the Sizzix folks asked her what she was doing to the machines. I hope it was a joke. DID you know you aren't suppose to cut Grungeboard with the movers and shapers dies? Me either cause Tim does it all the time but the Sizzix folks told her that it was only meant to be used with light cardstock. Oh well enough gripes. Do love your metal though! Have a great week and Happy Holidays! Thanks for sharing. Vickie #35

Pam said...

Always something thrilling going on on your desk!
Hmmmm....your post explains why I have been seeing Vagabonds around here on deep DEEP discount. Namaste. #1 :D

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Congrats to your Top 3 at SSSS :) Thanks for sharing the metal ideas.

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

Beautiful project
Lindsay xx

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful work! :)

Julia Dunnit said...

Lovely stuff, you were lucky to catch Lin's last class. Am liking the metal, no doubt as you're going about the chores that keep you from your desk, the ideas are popping into your head like mad! Will be fingers crossed for news that you're off to GC! Xx

PsyPenguin said...

Wow! Love that metalwork - such stunning effects.
Can't believe how many people are have having vagabond troubles. I hope that 2012 brings you better luck in all aspects of life. xx