WOYWW #162 - Good Stuff v Bad Stuff

Morning, evening, night, afternoon wherever you are in the WOYWW world... what a dreary, miserable, wet, dull, rainy, disappointing (tennis!!) painful, depressive, dark, dismal, galling and breakdown (horse lorry) week it has been... bad stuff eh??

Good stuff - Thank goodness for my weekly snoopy dodge around your fab blogs, and for your WONDERFULLY supportive comments on my own... last week was particularly nice that so many of you were glad for me winning my fight!!! and a plus, my dear readers... the whole new prescription arrived in Friday, so no struggling on until August !!! Yippee from me and mum...

Bad stuff - Tried to take the big mare to her first jumping show of the year, what with one thing and another... all set, picnic packed, horse loaded, boys on board, my mother safely left behind!!, everybody happy.... few miles travelled, then lumpy engine and no go!!! Horse was on for hours and we never did get there... we were brought home in a pick up and Freddie waited with the mare and was towed home... anyone know of a mobile lorry mechanic????

What's that you are shouting ???? Pest - oh no, I hear you now it's DESK isn't it?? Well here goes

Not half bad, eh?? Those of you who know it well, will see that most of the same stuff is out but there is a new occupant!! Yep, I finally had to resort to my SADlight or get further down in the dumps!!! Had it on a couple of days now, and hope it helps...

So how did the TIO tag turn out??

I am really leased with it, as it has lots going on and it's fun... it's a great recipe this week so why not have a look see and do it yourself!! We are starting a feature called DreamBoat3 where we choose our faves and pick 'em out for a mention... no prizes unfortunately, but a bit of pride for the shout out!!

Next few things are sneaky previews of stuff made for my good friend, back saviour and one-time-Taiji teacher, Peta... but can't show the whole cards as she reads here and has not seen them yet!!! Stuff for her family...

for her nephew

for her niece

for her sister

for herself for displaying her soaps at the fayres she does - a vintage suitcase like those I made for myself, but in different papers... woo, it's SO pretty!! 

Anyways, that's all folks... the good stuff is all the art I have made this week... I am just feeling so creative, even though in pain, so I craft to forget it... just in my own ickle world - are YOU like that I wonder?? with a time warp in your crafty space doorway!!?? Well I am away now to try to sleep - that's a hoot, but I have to try. Thanks for ALL your support, it means SO MUCH to me.

Love and light

Frankie

xx

WOYWW #156 - A Commision!! and an Anniversary

Well, here we are again, as the song goes, sun shining and happy as can be?? don't know about that LAST bit, because I find my blood pressure is elevated ... ah well, they do say you only have given to you what you can bear and someone out there thinks I have extreme tolerance and the broadest of shoulders... perhaps I have, so I will roll with each new punch!! - oh DO get on and show what you have made!!

Last week, I was honoured to accept a commission from LLJan, to make a piece, somewhat like my suitcase inside thingy... so that's what's been on my desk. Strictly speaking, it is parcelled up and sent, but when did that ever stop her showing you stuff??? tee hee...

 Desk all set for playing... tidy huh!! Bet you never thought to see that again this year!!!

 Lots of bits out for inspiration and possible inclusion. I knew what I wanted to create, but not in fine detail at this stage...

 So here is the beginning of the pocket to which I will attach the tyvek strap and goodies... this was the bit LunchLady Jan particularly wanted for her son, Rhys... gosh I do hope he likes it... they should get it today!!!

 Anyway, here is said strap all attached and mostly filled. The large bottle is supposed to be ink and there are some nibs... I also made a quill pen but forgot to attached it for the photo!!!

 Now the pocket is mounted on it's backing with the cogs and gears for steampunk I was asked for... ooo it was SO interesting to have a make that was free rein but directed!!- well that don't make sense now do it??!!

So now here follow some close ups of the various sections, including the ickle notebook...

Here are some of the bits and pieces inside the pocket - tags, notebook and...

a "compass" - actually made from a TH round fragment, sticker, spinner and brad, all encased in a Vintaj filigree piece... I really love how this turned out!!

These are the tags and tickets etc

and this is the cover of the ickle notebook, with steampunk imagery inside...

These are some of the bis and pieces in the strap roll - I am particularly pleased with the "glasses", again made from fragments and Vintaj brass elements...

 This ickle bottle is so yummy, filled with teeny tiny watch parts, ickle gears and such... awww!!

 and this is the back... those of you who know my work well, know that I ALWAYS decorate the backs of my stuff... LLJ and I were calling this a hanging, but I suspect it might be better propped on a plate stand!!!

And this is the "thing" full frontal, mounted on a gears background from the DCWV Tattered Time stack, which is totally yummylicious!! Well that was a marathon, eh??glad you made it through this far!!! And just in case you wondered why I should be showing you my desk and stuff, it's all down to the wandering Julia at the Stamping Ground, cos she gives us ALL permission to snoop and stare at each others' desks all around the world!!! Happy Third Anniversary, Mrs. D.

Thanks for popping over and leaving your lovely comments... hope you enjoyed the tour!! - tour de force, you mean, woman... I shall be hopping over to see you as soon as I can, mother duties allowing!!!!! tee hee.

Love and light

Frankie

xx

PS - I would like to share this piece at the following challenge blogs

Simon Says Stamp and Show - one for the boys

Fairy tale Challenge Blog - boys and men

ABC challenge blog - pockets

2Sisters Challenge Blog - bring on the boys

WOYWW #155 - And Then There Were Two

Goodly mornington to you, and how lovely it is to see that strange orb in the sky!!!! But what... where has my week gone??? I am sure someone turns the hands on my personal clock when I am not looking!!! - OMG she is completely ga ga today!!! - so it is that bloggly hopping day when we all snoop look at each others' desks - well she was right the first time... she could be in the Olympics for it!!!!! - and from where cometh the permision to do this deed?? Why, it is Julia who say "yes" at the Stamping Ground...

 Strictly speaking, this was Tuesday afternoon, cos I don't do much later in the evening, and that sun is streaming in. The windows were wide open and I was thoroughly enjoying myself... So what is going on?? Another suitcase ?? I hear you cry, and yes, it is, so that's what's on my desk this week... along with all the rest of the grolly you untidy wretch!!!

 And then there were two!! I used the same outer paper, but decided to use a few different features and materials... The first case has grunge paper straps and holders, and handle. They look good, but with use, the fastening holes are getting very raggy and the creases are cracking somewhat...

Whilst watching Kathy Orta a few weeks ago, she demonstrated the use of this stuff called "Tyvek" I have never really heard of it before, so I was intrigued. I sent for a packet of the envelopes she suggested, from Staples, and cut them as directed by Kathy.. well it's FAB stuff. It is strong to the point of indestruction, you can easily cut it, fold it, glue and colour it, it is lightweight, you can sew it etc etc... and I love it...

 So here, I am making a strap for the pocket of my suitcase. I have cut a 2" strip from one of the envelopes and stuck half inch scor tape down the middle... simply fold then stick the second half down

 and voila!!! A VERY strong strap, binding etc etc... the diagonal thingy is my new bone folder and it too is FAB!!!! All the way from America, courtesy of Scapadabadoo  ... my but I do show you exciting piccies eh??!!

 Anyway, you can colour this stuff with distress inks and I used gathered twigs and rusty hinge. You can dry it with a heat gun, but be careful not to scrumple it with too much heat!!! You also need to rub off / in the excess ink. So in the end, it stops coming off.

Here is the strap in situ, all pinned down and holding pen nibs, vials, scissors and a key. I have also made a pretend magnifying glass - to no particular purpose, but heyho!! I am loving the shine on the Tyvek. It really looks like a well worn leather strap... So now it only remains to settle that pocket into the lid of my suitcase and a couple of other ickle jobs, then it will be finished. I intend to use it for more Egyptian memorabilia and photos, so it will be a matched pair of luggage, teehee!!!

Thanks for the visit again this week... I love reading your comments and got to many more of you last week... aiming for a record this time

Love and light

Frankie

xx

WOYWW #153 - Walk like an Egyptian +350

Hi everyone... that time again when all is stripped bare for our art's sake - opps!! careful!!! - or for mere snooping... - that's more like it in your case, lady!!! If you have just landed from an alien planet, I am talking about our lovely weekly trip around the desks of the world, courtesy of our lovely Julia and her admirably funny blog, Stamping Ground...
So what's goin' on here, chez moi???

 Well, here's the desk, fairly tidy, with my usual tools kicking around, and THAT suitcase again... Why?? because I finally made the mini to go inside...

 And talking of the inside, here it is, complete with top pocket and leather straps. The mini scrapbook is beneath this gorgeous creature...

 And these are some treasures to go inside - all our wonderfully beautiful tickets from the various sites and places we visited... here is the one for the Carter house, for instance, where we saw Howard's suitcases, stove, camera and typwriter, to name but a few... see here

 So I finally popped them into the places I had made for them... just right - not that she's big-headed or anything folks!!!

 And the book sits waiting to be taken out and looked through...

 whilst, underneath is a set of wonderful postcards from the Valley of the Kings, 'cos you can't take any photos there... it almost looks as if this suitcase is made to measure!!!

 Front inside cover has a deep pocket to hold 6x4 cards for journaling and a photo. The storage is a set of pockets on each page, for several small photos to sit, almost like tickets themselves... -oops, she's waxing lyrical again folk, somebody stop her!!!

More pages and pockets to house the small photos. I distressed round the edges. Just look at that blue sky!!!

 Many, if not all of the pages contain paper/ cardstock from the matte stack of The Trade Winds by DCWV... useful ickle pages and you don't have to cut the big ones!!!  - oh dear! she is Frankie and she is an addict!!!

 Many of the other papers are KanBan and Sue Smith, that I have had for a zillion and two light years - she is exaggerating again, of course, it was only a gazillion and one!!! tee hee...

That's it then. I used many of the design features for it, from Laura Denison of The Paper Trail, and expect I shall make a larger version for bigger photos and souvenirs. I am really VERY pleased with how it turned out and look forward to mounting all my pictures and photos to slot into the pockets.  It's nice, finally, to internalise that holiday, last September. Mum, Miranda and myself all had problems, and those days finished up changing our lives here, forever... all whilst I glided peaefully along that beautiful, iconic river Nile....

All that, and this is my 350th post!!! Woo, I must talk a lot - what???? what??? talk?? you!!! surely not!!!?? I just hope some of you find it a bit entertaining, and arty!!! Have a great week
Love and light
Frankie
xx