Handicrafts by Kate Perry and other ramblings

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

WOYWW196

I didn't make it to the Wednesday blog hop last week; busy, busy, busy. But I have managed to do some crafting since then, so here I am to show my messy work-desk once again.
Last Friday I posted a happy card on Annie's Friday smiles post, that I had received from a blogger friend, Shirley-Anne from Australia. Every week she features a Christmas card on her blog, and this week she chose to feature my Rudolph day scene, which was a nice surprise.
So to my desk. As you can see I have several of my really useful boxes open again, Arwen is as usual on her throne just keeping an eye on the proceedings, and just look at that overflowing waste-bin under the table. How disgraceful!

If we come in closer you will see the very necessary cup of tea which really shouldn't be resting on my new Splodge Away mat, even if it is on a mini-tray (I've eaten the biscuits!). I was actually having a session to try out the new mat but the jury is still out. I did make a better job than usual of brayering a background onto some plain card, but on glossy card I still had too many streaks. I haven't yet used it with distress inks and a sponge applicator, which is supposed to work really well and be economical with the ink.

I also wanted to try out a mask I bought some months ago, but I couldn't brayer enough ink through it for the effect I wanted, so I resorted to using a sponge and ink direct from the pad. You can see a tiny section of this peaking out from under the white paper. Under that is my box of Adirondak ink pads. To the back of the desk are three dylusions sprays that arrived this week, along with my jumbo roll of household paper, and the box that I still manage to keep my brayer in. The empty square is the back of a frame which I have just covered in 1mm sticky pads, ready to add it to my card.

As I later went on to finish the card I might as well show it on here too. The basic idea came from a card I saw on Glenda Waterworth's blog many months ago, though I have put my own twist on it. I was a bit taken aback when I realised how big the mask is. The smallest I could make my card was 8" x 8", far larger than I normally make. I shall have to make an envelope for it, but fortunately it will be hand-delivered to friend from the village, so Antonia won't throw a fit at the post office again!
The mask was inked with Adirondak cranberry, red pepper, and butterscotch inks, and the crane is from a clear plate of stamps by Chocolate Baroque. I felt it needed something to set it off, so I made the frame, inked the edges with a black permanent marker and stamped the cherry blossom from the same plate of stamps as the crane. The sentiment is an old one from Elusive Images.

Well that is quite enough waffle from me for this week. I shall link this up to Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground in the morning, and later I will be back to see what everyone else is busy making this week. Why not click on the link to follow me there and join in the fun.


23 comments:

JoZart Designs said...

Hang the mess, you've been so creative and couldn't have done so much without making the mess. The card is superb, really striking and very special.
love Jo x

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful card Kate, and I do love the waste paper basket - I use a medium sized carton for my waste - takes ages to fill that way, and it is hidden :-)
Blessings
Maxine

Annie said...

You really are a busy bee this week.....I'm having to keep mine tidy as I work now just incase of a viewing :-)
Hugs,
A x # 44

Julia Dunnit said...

I see no disgrace at all. And if the jury's still out, maybe it will be useful mug mat if nothing else! I prefer brayering over gloss to any other surface, I wonder if we do it differently. It's a beautiful card - and as you say, a size I don't make..in fact for me 8 x 8 is a small scrapbook page before I think of a card!

Helen said...

What a great desk!! Love the card, too! Happy WOYWW, Helen 8

Neil said...

Hi there, thanks for the peek into your creative world this week. Love the card you've made, very striking.
Neil #23

Heathers Inspiration said...

Such a Wonderful card x
Love your design Loads and at times do not think you can beat sponge and Ink on things.
This is really Inspiring :)
Happy WOYWW Heather #59

Marit said...

I love to see all those boxes in line on the shelves... great card!! HAppy woyww, Marit #94

ria gall said...

I tried to buy that mask on ebay but lost out to another bidder it looks fantastic inked up. A really lovely card great colours
Have a great WOYWW thank you for sharing your workspace today
Ria #39

Pallavi said...

Love the background on your card! Great job and happy WOYWW :)

Jean said...

I love your card Kate, the mask looks great inked up and the frame you made for it is just right too.
Jean x

Unknown said...

Sounds as if you've been having a great time with your crafting stash. Gorgeous card too.

Linda #157

Unknown said...

I love the card, and what a fab time you've been having playing! Thanks for sharing and Happy Woyww Liz at 147 x

Karen said...

I have a similar problem with a stamp, it is huge! No doubt it will be used. Happy WOYWW.Karen 87x

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

A lovely card and a great desk. I have two carrier bags hung on hooks under my desk for my rubbish, one for recycling and one for the non recycling. Keep going with the Splodge Mat. One of the secrets is to only ink the centre of the beater initially and really work it well into the mat to get rid of all stripes. The ink that is left at the end of a session will still be fit to use the next day. I love mine. xx Maggie #37

Unknown said...

Great work desk and storage!! The card is beautiful, I love seeing all the art/craft that people do all over the world :-). Happy WOYWW.
Janene #47

Di said...

Wow, beautiful card Kate!!

Have you checked out Shaz from Oz's blog - she did a really useful tutorial about brayering a little while ago, It's the closest I got to be happy with a result :)

Oh, and how right you are about storing pens away from heat and sun - that's one reason I keep my rack in a shaded part of the craft room here. Ha, NOT that we get that much heat and sun in the UK of course :(
Belated Happy WOYWW, hugs, Di xx #42

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated WOYWW. Fab card. I will move my pen storage rack to a shady part of my craft room, as I did notice a couple of pens were a big dry. Ali x #22, with candy

okienurse said...

busy looking desk this week! My cats have decided to start sitting on the printer also...whats up with that? I am just happy it is there and not my work mat! Love the card...good job with the mask! Little late getting around this week but better a little late then never! Hope you have a great week. Vickie #11

April said...

I never can get my brayering to look right. I just use the sponge applicator and distress inks to cover a page. Your card is excellent. How did you keep the bird from getting the red - is is cut out?
April #145

JoZart Designs said...

I meant to tell you Kate that I printed off your pic of the lovely lady quilters and took it to the hospital when I delivered the batch of quilts and to say they were amazed was an understatement! They were thrilled!
Jo x

Shoshi said...

Lovely busy desk, Kate. I haven't done much with brayering - it looks as if it would be quite difficult to get it even! Your beautiful birthday card with the mask is absolutely stunning... what a fabulous design the mask makes. It's the sort of shape you could use just part of, if you wanted to work smaller. It's really lovely.

Great to see your beautiful kitty in pride of place too!

Thank you for your lovely comment. Actually, we are moving into the new house as soon as it is ready, and my hubby will commute back here, using this house as an office until he retires next year. It won't be ideal, but it's bearable! There's still a lot to do, but not too much more at Mum's I think, and soon my sister will scoop her up, leaving us to deal with what's left.

The problem with the roof on the new house seems to be resolved now with an agreement reached, and it's great to know we can go ahead with the house we both love. I can't wait to get my new ARTHaven set up, and enjoy my new kitchen (note priorities here lol!!), and also explore the neighbourhood and start making new friends.

I've been very good at pacing myself and am actually feeling pretty good at the moment, and determined to stay that way. As for my hubby, it's quite impossible to get him to look after himself and not overdo things! His back is bad again and I'm afraid I don't have a lot of sympathy this time round... At least he's unable to overdo things until he feels better again...

I'm feeling generally very upbeat and positive, and enjoying the experience of preparing for life in our new home.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #84

JoZart Designs said...

Hi Kate
Can you please let me know how many entries to put in for the blog candy prizes on LillyBo as I don't know how many of the quilt makers are stampers. Shall I just put them all in for a chance. Anyhow, just let me know how many lovely ladies are involved!
Jo x