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

Time Flies!!

Morning all... - coo, you sound like Dixon of Dock Green!! - it's a special one today because it's my daughter's 40th birthday... where did the time go I wonder?? She was an emergency C-section, in the end, and they ran down the corridor!! They even asked my Pete if they should save mother or child!! He valiently chose mother, or so he always said!!! She was born on Friday lunchtime and I did not see her again until Sunday morning... but what a thrill. She was, and still is a beautiful girl, and everything a mother could want in a daughter...

So here is a card I made for her and a little plaque to keep, without the 40 on!!!!

 Papers are from my precious Tattered Time stack by DCWV, slightly altered with distress inks in worn lippy and the NEW peacock, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! What a vibrant colour and a wonderful match with the Vintaj Patina verdigris...

 This closer view shows my steampunk elements with little touches of the VP.

 This is the part of the card that gives me the title "Time Flies"... well it has flown since she was born. Positively my BEST ever gift... The clock stamps are all from The Artistic Stamper, as is the butterfly.You last saw it used on my polymer clay piece for their team blog...

 Better views of the other clocks and the cogs etc are from the lady who does ECO paints, but I can't remember her name, unfortunately...

 This is the matching wall hanging. Roughly 8"x8", I used the same Tattered Time papers but from the matte stack... I made more flowers like the ones for my TIO tag and some more TH elements to punk it up!! There is a central pont where the time swirls round and round...

 Vintaj Patinas played a large part here for the colour, and the ickle metal flowers are theirs too...

All these flowers are cousins of the ones I made for the last TIO tag... I must admit to recycling the book plate piece, but have mounted it onto a Wendy Vecci watch part, to continue the time theme...

One good piece of news to report - well for me anyway!!! - is that I can start the process for getting my right knee sorted, as soon as next Thursday... let's hope they get on with it quickly!!! Then both hips and both knees will be fully bionic, tee hee...

Thanks for coming along and looking nad Happy Birthday, Miranda
Love and Light
Frankie
xx

WOYWW #154 - A Symphony of Flowers Recipe for TIO

Hello yet another quick-fire, lightening fast week has zipped past me!!! If I don't hold on to my hat, I might fall off the world, it's spinning me so much!!! Go to Julia's at the Stamping Ground if you want to snoop and oggle, like me!!! She has all the answers right there. Actually, she made my week, last week, with her lovely comment, so thanks, Julia, much appreciated!!

Well, I have had some bad and some worse news again this week!! (1)The big mare had an abscess and was hobbling - clearing up now though, thanks to the vet!!!..(2) The doctor says I will prolly need an op on my right knee later in the year cos I did for it on those two falls in Feb/Mar - oh goodie, as if we didn't have enough metal bits already!!! (3) a whole load of regular carers have vamooshed, so we are back to muddle again!! - yippee, you know you didn't have enough to worry about!!! (4) I need a new boiler cos my old, reliable, goodly working one has a screw loose - not the only one around here girlie!!!! - and they can't get parts...  only had it for 35 years!!! and (5) my paws are DREADFUL in this damp, changeable weather - quite a litany, so shut up now please and show 'em what you got!!!

Same old same old at the back of the desk...do you do that, I wonder?? Have a load of stuff out all the time in roughly the same spot!! Frankly, if I move stuff, I generally can't find it again, so it's safest on the desk!!! - well, that's YOUR excuse anyway, lazy girl!!

This week's recipe at TIO, is a symphony of flowers, so I did lots of metal and paper ones, with Timmie tape for the symphonic background.... the special ingredients had to be a pinch of greenery, buttons and a butterfly or two... so that's what I offer!!

I used Graphic 45 paper and metal flowers, some Timmie buttons and some metallic, square brads.

The stamp is from Wendie Rhodes, when she had her own range... this one is more unusual because the flowers are more spikey and stylised... colour bits courtesy of my distress markers, which show up better than I thought on this kraft card tag.

A different angle shows how dimentional and textured it all is...

Now, I can hear you shouting at the screen "where is your pinch of greenery??!!" Well.... I have taken licence with the flowers, so I decided to do so with the "greenery" and I used my new-to-me flourish die with black cardstock, to represent the greenery...

The metallic flower is curled with pliers.

Oh, and those butterflies?? Well they are from an  MS punch, but could not be colourful in this setting, so they are nade from black cardstock, like the flourishes.. The ribbon was dyed using frayed burlap and black soot. So that's this time's offering. I hope Helen feels it fits the bill. BTW, I did not get a place on the Artist Stamper Creative team... never mind, my heart will mend eventually!!! I will be along to see you soon.... Have a great week.

Love and light

Frankie

xx

I have looked around and decided I would like to enter this creation into a couple of other challenge.

Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - blossoms and butterflies

The Crafter's Cafe - handmade flowers and butterflies

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - butterflies kisses

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