Wednesday 1 November 2017

WOYWW 439

That was a quicker week than ever!  Here we are reporting for desk duty with Julia - and it's November!
I'm really starting to sound like my Mum - or my Grandmother!

I don' t have much to share today, my floor space has gone untouched ..
although I did manage to stamp out the skulls ... after spending some time looking for a long acrylic block I was convinced I had that would fit the stamp (it's nearly 12 inches long) - I'm still not 100% sure I don't have one... I tried it without a block (not bad but not perfect) and with two smaller ones - that worked ok, by inking the stamp and putting it onto the card, then laying the first block on top of the stamp and lining up a second one next to it, and pressing down.... the hardest bit was removing the block without wobbling the stamp (till I realised all I needed to do was lift the blocks together and the stamp would come with them - doh!!)

I had planned to use them in a journal page but so far haven't got any further...
Something tells me instead I really ought to be starting my Christmas cards very very soon!!

I'll leave you with a picture from Kew last Saturday in the sunshine - more here
I loved these little guys - part of a special Artful Autumn event (finished now, sadly) - tai chi practicing willow men - called the Treelings


Have a great week!

29 comments:

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Loving that skull stamp Helen, It's the second time I have seen this before that I didn't even know it existed. Didn't realise it was that size, amazing detail. The panic starts to creep in regarding Christmas cards as soon as it hits November. I thought I was on the ball with it but it's slow going.
Super Kew photos btw.. Have a great week. Best Wishes Tracey x

BJ said...

Love the treelings and glad you found a way to stamp that rather large stamp. BJ#1 (no I can't believe I am #1 either)

Shoshi said...

I didn’t know you could get an acrylic block that big, Helen! I know the feeling when you’ve got so much stuff that you are no longer exactly sure what you do own lol! Love the autumn colours of the trees.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #5

Annie said...

It always makes me chuckle to read instructions of how to do these clever paper crafter procedures....cos I really have no idea at all. It all sounds so tricky so well done you.
Hugs,
Annie x #10

Neet said...

Love your treelings!
You reminded me I have all kinds of stamps that would have been suitable for yesterday - now I think I will have to do another Halloween page in my journal - this time with skulls as the central images. Thanks for the reminder.
Hugs, Neet 12 xx
btw have you not got a ruler broad enough for that stamp?

glitterandglue said...

Morning Helen. Goodness - a 12inch long stamp! Didn't realise some came that long - haven't ever seen a block that long either. Loved the autumn colours - they have been really gorgeous this year.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh, you and me both..I'm sounding more like my mum every day :-D Still, that's not a bad thing really, she was a fab woman! I loved your Kew pics of the Treelings, that sort of outdoor art is right up my alley :-D
Hugs LLJ 13 xxx

sandra de said...

Loved the treelings and your skull stamp looks amazing.
sandra de

Diana Taylor said...

Oh Helen I know so well the feeling of not quite knowing if you have a certain craft item - in fact several times I've doubled up on ink pads or rubber stamps because I couldn't find them initially - so annoying!
I love the skulls stamp and well done for being ingenious at printing it with two blocks.
The treelings are amazing and a little bit spooky too, until you know they are doing tai-chi!
Hope you have a great week,
Diana x #14

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Helen, do you by any chance have a set of narrow long cutting plates for the long sizzix dies? One of those would be great for that stamp or you could try the back of one of the long dies themselves if you're careful. I must look out for those skulls; I was tempted when you showed them last week too. Happy WOYWW Sarah #23

craftyani said...

Never mind sounding like mum folk are telling me I even look like her!! Make do and mend us crafters are good at that.
Love your Kew photos. Anickoana

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Helen, have you tried using a ruler to put the stamp on? Would be about the right length. I think you have the only one of those stamps in the country! I searched, and everyone was out of stock, but found out that Carabelle are in France, and she will ship to the UK, so problem solved. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #6 XxX

lisa said...

I love your Tai Chi willowmen, they look like they're having a great time don't they?
Well done for sorting out your skull stamping, it's so frustrating when you can't find things.
Have a good week
Hugs Lisax #18

Words and Pictures said...

I'm definitely very taken with your skulls - I bet you have got a long stamp block somewhere, but you did brilliantly with your improvisations I think. Love the Kew photos too.
Alison x

Felicia said...

Helen you are too funny about those blocks! Been there done that! LOL I really love those photos you took, I am so envious! I would love to see those Tai Chi characters and sit in that lovely green space area! Just gorgeous! Have a wonderful rest of the week! Felicia, 330

Ellie said...

Good evening!

I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has problems misplacing crafty bits I am think I own, but am not completely sure. The pictures from Kew are lovely, I absolutely love Autumn.
Have a great week

Ellie xx #35

Stacy Sheldon said...

hi, Helen you know what might else work is try it upside down. put the blocks down, then the rubber then the ink then the paper and use your fingers to "walk/press" the paper into the inked stamp?
Just a thought, ~Stacy #29

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great photos Helen. Love the stamp but it sounds like you are in need of a stamp positioner, don't know where I would be without mine now. Thanks for the visit to mine, have a great week and happy woyww, Angela x11x

Anne said...

That's a big un as they say. I've never come across a stamp that big!! Kew looks gorgeous - I love the Autumn colours. Thanks for popping by. Anne x #16

Lindart said...

The tree men at Kew look so creepy! This is a place I must visit if I'm ever out your way! That is such an awesome skull stamp! I have a very long stamp as well, of ocean waves from Stampscapes. I'm not sure about unmounting that one yet! Dressing for work was fun, and my costume made the best jingly noise when I walked! Thanks for your earlier visit, have a great week! Lindart #36

Shoshi said...

Thank you for your return visit, Helen, and your nice comment. No news of an appointment yet but I hope it comes soon!

Shoshi #5

Heather M said...

Hi Helen, that certainly is a big stamp! If you have one of the sturdy plastic boxes for storing sheets of peel offs then that might be big enough to use instead of an acrylic block. I love the Treelings - very creative! Thanks for stopping by, I may have used the brayer by next week ... got a couple of ideas floating round my head! Have a lovely week, Heather #7

Sue said...

Hi Helen, I love the willow men.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #15

Twiglet said...

Fab photos and yes I think the week flew by and of course, I get more like my mother everyday!! xx Jo

CraftygasheadZo said...

Those skulls are interesting! I can see why there's a block issue. I too need to sort Christmas cards though I am not making as many and being all 'digital' and will design a few that I can post on people's social media. Much easier and quicker but still thoughtful I hope!! Thanks for yoour kind words - yes my friend is progressing and has come a long way. The Rovers stuff is of course very me and I am good at what I'm doing even if I say so myself!! Take care Zo xx 26

pearshapedcrafting said...

Well done for stamping those skulls! I will come back to see your Kew photos - it's way past my bedtime! Hugs, Chrisx

Julia Dunnit said...

I've got a sizzix plate that's 12 x 3 for a couple of border dies, perfect for the two very long stamps I own! Love the way you overcame the lack of - and the doh! moment with lifting the blocks. Totally get that! Yes Missus, time to get on with Christmas. Well, I would say that wouldn't I, I am STILL doing it!

Monica said...

The sculptures at Kew are magnificent. Christmas is getting close so you will be busy. Have fun and thanks for visiting. Suddenly my life is very full and I am always catching up
Monica #2

Kelly said...

Loved the Treelings. I had to call my husband in to look at the pictures. When he worked for a boat company in Chicago, he went by China Town along the river every morning and would see them doing Tai Chi. Thanks for stopping by my place this week. Yes, that black/ purple rose had my heart. No wonder I used so many of them in that hat! Fall hanger shows up tomorrow. Creative Blessings!
Kelly @27