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This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday 28 August 2013

WOYWW 221

This is definitely the best crafting blog and should get an award, if there were justice in the world.  If you agree with me, then go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CMVZM9C  and vote for it.  You just have to put the Stamping Ground link into the "Other" box to register your vote.  If you are confused about what WOYWW is all about, I can do no better than to direct you to Julia's blog site at Stamping Ground, where you will find all the info you could desire.   Julia does like us to be brief in these posts, so I have posted each project in a separate post throughout the week.

I had to miss out last week, being away on my long awaited Clarity Workshop with Barbara Gray, a really genuinely lovely lady, even better "in the flesh" than on the TV.  Her assistant for this workshop was Maria Simms, so patient and helpful.  We had four separate projects to complete, as I said in my earlier post this week.  Number 1 was in yesterday's post, and the others will follow throughout the rest of the week.

Having the Clarity shop on site meant that my credit card took a heavy beating, like everyone else there.  Stamps, stencils, masks, inks, paints and Perfect Pearls were just some of my purchases that you can see on my desk in my last photo.
All my new stash together

Alcohol inks and a free pack of superb tracing paper

My lovely new Gelli plate and the acrylic paints to go with it

Stuff to use with the Gelli plate - Clarity stencils and sequin waste

I resisted the urge to buy every stamp in the shop, limiting myself to one set and two separate stamps, together with two Adirondack in pads, which I truly NEEDED to practice a couple of the projects
These photos were taken on Tuesday afternoon, after which I did manage an hour to play a little with the Gelli plate.  The first print was total rubbish so I had to just sit and think for a minute about all the tips that Barbara had given us, and the next couple were just what I was aiming at.

Anyone who is dithering about getting a Gelli plate, go for it, but try to watch Barbara Gray first - her Classroom videos are available to watch on Create and Craft, and are well worth the time.  I now have so many ideas buzzing round in my head that I want to play with, there are not enough hours in the day.

Now I must apologise to Julia for such a long post this week, but I just could not leave anything out.  Sorry, Julia.  I will send everyone over to you now to continue their visiting.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, I love all those crafting goodies. Happy crafting #3

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Looks like you have also jumped on the Gelli Plate bandwagon. You got a LOT of great stash, including those AIs. Glad you had fun at the workshop and came away with a positive experience. Happy WOYWW from # 2.

Unknown said...

WOW oh wow what a great haul of stuff that you got Maggie!! I am drooling lol!! You are going to have so much fun playing with your goodies and the Gelli plate is just fantastic. I love being able to make an art journal background up so quickly :-). Happy WOYWW.
Janene #20

HeARTworks said...

Oh it's dangerous for me to go visit a craft shop so I go very seldom. There should be a sign at the door of every craft shop: Dangerous to your pocketbook! ha ha! patsy

Eliza said...

Goodness me you really did give the credit card a beating, what an awesome stash of stuff, looooovvvveee those stencils and the gelli plate the best thing to come into art-ing of recent times, I love my gelli so much. You are going to have so much fun playing with it.

Thanks for sharing, oh love the former project especially lifts it with the border, nice touch.

Happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 30

Helen said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time - Barbara is great to watch and listen to, I love her! Then all those goodies - well, why not, it would have been rude not to (impossible either!) Helen, 23

Ann B said...

Sounds like a good time was had by all, except your bank balance I guess. Love the stencils and stamps, get crafting girl and show us what you make.
Quick visit this week as I'm trying to visit a few more desks this week.
Ann B
46

Ann B said...

Sounds like a good time was had by all, except your bank balance I guess. Love the stencils and stamps, get crafting girl and show us what you make.
Quick visit this week as I'm trying to visit a few more desks this week.
Ann B
46

Claire said...

wow, that's a wonderful stash you have there! i'd love a gelli plate - the effects folks get are amazing! but I fear it's not a one-handed process *sigh*
happy WOYWW and have a great week :)
no. 38

Julie Lee said...

Lovely, lovely stash! Mmmn, gelli plate or not to gelli plate - I am still dithering! Have lots of fun playing and putting into practice all you learned! Julie Ann xx #42

The Taming of the Glue said...

I'm really going to try and get to a Clarity workshop next year. I love Barbara's style but until then I'll have to make do with C&C!
Probably safer for the bank balance!! Hugs. Pam#36

Anne said...

Hello Maggie wow what wonderful goodies. Your day sounds great. Am ummmmming and aaahhhhhing re the gelli plate. I'm not really a natural artist as such and at moment doubting all I do and thinking it's maybe a waste for me. We will see :-)Happy WOYWW Anne x #71

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh am horribly flattered at your comments and instructions to go vote for my blog..good grief, I didn't know such a thing even existed!
Absolutely loving your Clarity workshop reports, I know you spent a bucket load but really, what marvellous value you've had from the day. I have an unused Gelli in my possession..it's just a matter of time, promise!

House of Bears said...

Wow, what fabulous purchases you have there. Ŵe always display ours on the desk for a while before using.

The bears @#90

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

What fun finds. I would love to play with all those toys. I agree about the Gelli. Love mine.#108

Linda Simpson said...

Loving your new goodies Maggie, I love my Gelli plate and those acrylics are fabulous. Thank you for sharing your desk today.

Hugs
Linda xxxx

fairy thoughts said...

Wow that is some stash bash and your first card is lovely it has a clarice cliff feel to it.
I look forward to seeing your next makes
janet #47

MaryH said...

How wonderful you got to go enjoy some fun crafting & learning time. I hear you about the credit card beating. I'm finally getting mine back to normal monthly billing after all my shop visits in July! (I paid it off on time, so no interest, but it hindered me from gathering in more 'schtuff'. One of my purchases then was a gelli plate, which still hasn't seen the light of day, as I got sidetracked with Dylusions sprays. I will zip back over to vote for WOYWW. Haven't had a chance to play in a while, but I buzz by to look when time allows. TFS & Hugs.so glad you got to have a good time.

ddazzled71 said...

WOW what a fabulous assortment of new play things you have acquired. I am sure you are going to love your Gelli Plate, I can't get enough of mine. I will have to go and look at Clarity Stencils as they look wonderful and I am always on the hunt for new ones. Have a great week! Danie #62

VonnyK said...

By the look of all those goodies, you had an excellent time. Have fun playing with your new gelli plate.
Enjoy your week.
Von #41

shazsilverwolf said...

Morning Marg, you came home with a lovely selection of stuff, I see. we will see you tomorrow afternoon, Love Shaz xx

glitterandglue said...

Have just spent time looking at all your blogs from this one up to today.... you really have been having a lot of fun this week, haven't you?! Hope you are enjoying all those new goodies - my word, what a HUGE stash!
Sorry it's so late in the week....life just gets busier...
Margaret #37