Wednesday 18 November 2020

WOYWW 598

 I can't believe we're here again for another week's WOYWW  - week 598 .  Nearly time for the week 600 virtual crop.  (note to self... download Zoom and check you can use it...)  

Had a bit of a weird weekend, had something on my mind and Saturday I couldn't settle to anything - would have loved a walk at Kew!  But Sunday I pulled myself together and -   shock!  started some Christmas cards!!

Of course it's only the fronts done, no insides stamped (and some of them may need inserts this year (I never ever do inserts) as the base layers are a bit dark for writing on)


however, it's a start

I also dug out some embossing powder, which I haven't used for years, to find it not working - although it turned out it was largely the cardstock I was using that was to blame
I did find my Paperartsy smoothy card worked fine though








Needless to say I soon got bored and had to swap to journalling... I'd watched a lot of You Tube on Saturday and had a play on a loose piece of mixed media paper (from Cass Art, I love this paper it takes all sorts of wet media.  

the actual page is a little darker in reality and will probably need a little bit of gesso or something to lighten it back up a tad.  I've used my  Dina Wakley paints, which I  haven't had long and love already and want more colours, although of course I have hundreds of different paints.... but hey ho!
Anyhow, this is just a start and I will probably add some more stencilling and some of Dina's figure stamps.  Watch this space!  
Happy Wednesday and I'll come visiting later.  
Hope you are all staying safe and surviving whatever level of lockdown or restrictions you're subject to.  


28 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

You can never have too many paints Helen lol. Well done for starting the Christmas cards, I haven't many done at all. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #?

craftyani said...

Well done on starting your Christmas cards, everyone is bringing Christmas forward this year but not me! Have a good week and stay safe. Ani #5

brenda said...

Morning Helen, just popping in to say hello and check you are OK (as can be right now).

B x

Chrissie said...

It's surprising how different cardstock affects the end result of heat embossing, sometimes I'm so disappointed with the result and all because the cardstock is too absorbent!
Have a great day!
Chrissie #6

Julia Dunnit said...

I’m sorry you’ve got something so unsettling on your mind, it’s definitely stifling to the ‘to do’ part of the mind, so I think you did well to get anything done. Lovely Christmas cards, that 🐧 is great. I know what you mean about inserts, me too...in fact, I rarely even stamp the inside let alone paper it! But, yep, like you, a dark base layer requires it, although ‘it’ is generally a mount size piece stuck on the inside face, not a folded insert per se. I love the journal page already, my goodness, it puts master boards back in my mind. And hey, isn’t shopping for a few tubs of paint good for you? Pretty sure it is. Xx

Neet said...

Now you know what was on your ind on Saturday - Christmas cards! Glad you have done some.
Hugs, Neet 10 xx

Spyder said...

Morning Helen, the cards look great, I must admit to being sightly behind as always, on my Christmas cards. I'm sure I'm going to have a go at a bit of mixed inks and stamping, I have a few PaperArtsy papers and Stamps thatwill double up as Christmas themes, even though I know the rest of the family will think... Huh? Caught up watching Tim Holts video last night, such amazing work from his band of people who craft for him!
It's nice to see in the comments all the 'old' names still here, I remember them even if they don't remember me!
Have a great week Stay safe and Happy WOYWW ((Lyn)) #12

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Helen, like you I have lots of paints and I've realised it's better to get them used because they are the thing that dries up. Every time I get them out I spray the inside with water before putting the lid back on which seems to help though obviously you can't do that if it's a tube but they seem to be less of a problem. So get in their girl and use them up. That's a good enough excuse to do more I hope. Hugs and happy woyww, Angela x14x

Lillianb said...

Hello Helen, I love making Christmas cards and have more to make, Great looking fronts to the cards and love the page it takes the eye all over it

Stay well and safe

Lilian B #15

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I think we all have days like that when we can’t settle to anything and lockdown doesn’t help - a walk at Kew would have been just the thing to blow the cobwebs away, you’ll be there again soon. Love the results of your crafting, I didn’t realise that different papers could affect embossing!
Hugs LLJ 7 xxx

Mary Anne said...

I know what you mean - I crave the outdoors, and more than our actually quite small garden, given the size of the house. I long walk to stretch my legs and blow away the cobwebs would be lovely. It's madness that a trip up to the hospital next week will feel like an adventure! Liking your .. would I be right calling it a Masterboard? I am tempted always by Dina's...everything really. Have a look on YouTube for the large number of Make It Artsy videos they seem to have released. It is an art show on TV in the USA and I have seen a ton of them show up (treadmill watching fodder that I seem to forget as soon as I step off if I don't go right to my desk and try LOL!) Anyway, a few by Dina have been really interesting.
sorry, gone on too long....

Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (3)

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Well done on the Christmas cards and I love that colourful background with all those stencilled patterns. I know what you mean - when there's something on your mind that's bothering you, it's difficult to concentrate on anything else. Hope whatever it was has now resolved itself - storm in a teacup and all that! Have a happy week, Helen! xx zsuzsa #20

Ellie said...

Beautiful Christmas cards, I have made a start now as well. Aww wow I love the inky background, that will look amazing with a stamped imaged as a focal point. Have a lovely week
Ellie #8

Lynnecrafts said...

Hi Helen, maybe it’s you missing Kew? I loved your Penguins on little scarves. I’ve just finished reading Away with the penguins by Hazel Prior - brilliant book.
And I agree with Sarah, you can never have too many paints.
Take care, stay safe and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 21

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW. I love that penguin stamp. My Christmas cards will probably be charity ones again this year. I have made 2 so far, but no inclination to get crafting any more. Ali x #25

Twiglet said...

Any walk helps to clear the mind a bit doesn't it - you will soon be back at Kew, I hope. It's good to have something like your journal pages to get totally absorbed in. Thank goodness for crafting - I don't know how I would have got through these lockdowns without it! I hope you are inspired to get your cards done - mine is slow progress. Keep safe. xx Jo

StampinCarol said...

Nice start on the Christmas cards! I usually make card fronts then adhere them to a white folded base. Saves having to do inserts.
Hopefully your lockdown will end soon and you can get back to Kew.
Have a wonderful week!
Carol N #26

Felicia said...

Helen, you are too funny!! It would be a major shocker if I didn't Christmas cards. I may do one or two, but a stash would be a miracle! Like you, I would get bored real quick (love them, but they are not my strong suit) and move on to journaling or some other "get your hands sticky" crafting!! LOL Loved your journal page, by the way! Yummy colors! Have a great Wednesday and rest of your week! Blessings, Felicia #32

Caro said...

The cards look great, but I don't blame you for getting side tracked and moving onto the journalling - looking great so far. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#13)

Shoshi said...

Your pages are all stunning, Helen, and this latest one is no exception! I love how you use colour and all the layers - just great. Thank you for your visit - I agree that my new glasses aren't too different from the other ones, and I'd have been surprised if my hubby had noticed actually, but he is incredibly unobservant about everything, which gives me absolutely loads to tease him about!! Glad you like the final carpet.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #19

Dorlene Durham said...

Great start to the Christmas cards. I love the mixed media sheet! These are always fun to make. Enjoy your week. Dorlene #31

Heather M said...

Hi Helen, late visit for me - happy WOYWW. Ahh, I've had a few 'moments' over the last few months. Kew was a good focal point for you, and I can fully understand the impact of not getting your regular 'fix'. Hopefully not too long before you can get back and update is with a new batch of photos! I love the pe guin o your Christmas cards! I'm really looking forward to seeing you and everyone at the Zoom crop. I've only used Zoom once, for a medical consultation- the consultant was very patient whilst I figured it out lol. Have a lovely week, Heather xx # 22

Anne said...

Hello Helen I hope that whatever has unsettled you can soon be resolved. Take care. Anne x 16

Crafting With Jack said...

Hi Helen, you must be missing Kew, it is so soothing to be in the midst of nature. Good job starting the Christmas cards half way through November already! Have fun with you journaling Angela #33

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hee hee I am thinking there is always room for more paint, just like pencils :) Love the colors of the page Helen. ~Stacy #29

Words and Pictures said...

Good work on the C-cards... nice to get started, and glad that your embossing powder is at least partly working! Love the earthy tropical tones of the journal page - like a jungle at sunset...

Zoom is a piece of cake - you'll be fine.
Alison x

Lindart said...

Lovely cards! I always use inserts in my cards, even white on white, because I inevitably screw up the inside, and this way I can just turn it over and do it again before gluing it into the card! Thanks for your visit, sorry I'm so late! My computer was acting up, today she seems to be OK. Stay Safe, Lindart #29

Susan Renshaw said...

Love that penguin!
Will be interested to see how the journal page goes!
Sorry I am late again...
Happy WOYWW!
Susan Renshaw #23
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!