Handicrafts by Kate Perry and other ramblings

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

WOYWW 208 - Happy 4th Anniversary!

Yes it is four whole years since Julie invited us to use her blog as a launching pad to visit other folks work-spaces, world-wide. And what a happy family of crafters we have grown into. I try to join in the fun every week, but when other issues get in the way, I really miss it. Now, after a very hectic month, I am finally back and I even have some craft going on, which makes a change.

At the start of April I treated myself to some of the lovely Heartfelt Creations dies and stamps from the Bella Rose range, and I have been waiting for the opportunity to put them through their paces. I have a sister who will be 85 at the end of the month, and I thought they would be ideal for a card for her.


So here on my desk you can see the dies and stamps, all my copic pens with the colour chart I made to help me choose my colours, a couple of my snippets boxes, a selection of memento ink pads - chosen because they work so well with copic markers - and my box of ink dusters, sponges etc.





Swinging round to the left a bit you can see my little green bug, a pot of gesso and my stickles storage tower, my box of white paper offcuts, and, of course, the ever present Arwen keeping her eye on the proceedings.
I was very impressed with the largest collage stamp. I never have much success with stamps of this size, but I used the recently purchased large rocker-block, and I got a perfect print every time. Whether this is due to the rocker-block or the quality of the stamp I don't know, but it was a good result either way. You will have to wait to see the finished card as it is just possible that my sister may see this blog, so I will wait until after her birthday to show it.
Before I go I will just share a few of my holiday photos with those who are interested. I mentioned in an earlier post that I returned from my week in Seville and Cordoba with almost 1,500 photos so I have been trying to sort them out. This little slide show is just some of the wonderful art and craft inspiration that I saw. As an ex-maths teacher, I love pattern and order, so all the tiles were a delight. Many will end up as BP overlays, stencils or embellishment cutting files. So here are a few of the floor patterns I saw, followed by some motifs that I spotted on shop signs, paper place mats etc. Then there are tile patterns from ceilings and walls (many of these could be printed as backing papers just as they are), a lovely piece of wrought-iron scroll work and finally a great piece of 'grafiti'/wall art that we passed each time we went to our hotel. To view them, just click on this link and then on the first photo and the slideshow button above it.
We are, of course, having a little bit of fun to celebrate our anniversary, but you will have to follow me over to Julia's blog, Stamping ground, to find out all about it.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gosh that is alot of copic pens...jealous!
Kaitlynne #46

sara j said...

Good Morning Kate-
What amazing pictures!! Some of those patterns are amazingly complicated. Just the thing to appeal to an ex-math teacher I'm sure. Your desk appears to be covered in sunshine and beautiful colors. I'm glad to hear the larger stamp worked so well for you...I've read about the rocker application and so it's good to know it really works!

I have an ATC already to send to you, but of course need your address. If you would like to leave it on my blog, that's fine, or feel free to email me at sjansenak@hotmail.com.

Hope you have a great week!

Sara j #42

Lunch Lady Jan said...

You're right...sugared almonds it is!! I've had such fun doing them...in fact I think I might almost prefer crochet to knitting! Gasp, horror, never thought I'd gear myself saying that! I think it may be the way it grows so quickly!!
I laughed at the thought of your giving the nursery kids a nice green leaf!!!! After all the sweet stuff, I wonder how they appreciated that...... ;-)
And I am a pattern aholic too! I love Celtic knot work and Moorish tiles. Going to the Alhambra is definitely on my bucket list!
Happy 4th WOYWW!
Hugs, LLJ 9 xx

Annie said...

Love the photos Kate.
I have emailed you :-)
Happy 4th Birthday celebrations and here's to many more.
Hugs,
Annie x # 5

Helen said...

What a packed desk you share today - looks familiar!! Helen, 39

Twiglet said...

Stunning tile photos Kate - I bet the mathmetician in you was working overtime taking all those intricate tessilations in!!! He he I can't even spell it!!! Happy 4th WOYWW! x Jo

JoZart Designs said...

Looks like you've been having a super time on and off your desk! Happy 4th WOYWW anniversary! I'll pop over for a snoop at your photos later. Never been to Seville or Cordoba so it will be interesting. You relly should add your name to Neet's list to host Flat Susan... she still has a few spaces to fill and it's such good fun. FS is a good guest and doesn't eat much but she does get you "in" with so many people on your travels as everyone is interested in this tiny lady!
Jo x

House of Bears said...

What a lot of lovely craft goodies, so many pens, lucky you.

Waving hi from the bears @#101 this week

ria gall said...

Hi Kate
loving your desk today just look at all the colour you have there with your pens.
I keep telling myself I need that large background stamp thanks for the heads up of using the rocker block with it
Wishing you and everyone a Very Happy WOYWW today
Ria #49

voodoo vixen said...

I always think that Copics when stored like that become an colourful adornment to a desk in their own right... I have three of them!! LOL ;) Love your cat sitting overseeing the goings on... and such a pretty quilt she sits on too! Happy 4th WOYWW Anniversary! Annette #2

Anne said...

Great photos I love patterns as well! Look forward to seeing the completed card. Happy WOYWW Anne x

SueH said...

It’s amazing that the internet can bring together so many likeminded people and I’m grateful that WOYWW has also brought along so many new friends, thanks to Julia.

Great space this week

Enjoy your Wednesday snooping on this very special Day
Happy Crafting!
Sue @82
x

The Taming of the Glue said...

Glad you had a good time away. I love that range of stamps as well. They do give a lovely clear impression. Happy 4th WOYWW. Pam#33

susibee said...

Your cat looks to have pride of place! I'm glad you managed to get on with a rocker block, I'm afraid I couldn't get a decent image using them. Love that collage stamp.

Happy WOYWW 4th anniversary. Susi #74

Laura said...

Super busy desk - love it!
Happy WOYWW
Laura
94

Julia Dunnit said...

The pictures are wonderful Kate, a real visual feast. Looks like you've got some lovely light in your room, lucky you. I think the stamp and the rocker block combine to creat a good image - it certainly gives you faith for buying the larger stamps doesn't it. Hope your sister has a happy birthday!

Minxy said...

For 4 years now i've been dropping by,
To view your desk and see what I can spy,
Will it be a card, some stash or ATC,
whatever it is, thanks for sharing it,
Have a Happy WOYWW 4th Anniversary

Hugz Minxy #60

Serendipity Stamping said...

An amazing desk! All those markers, wow. I sent you my address as I am your ATC partner and I am not sure it went through. Let me know if you didn't receive it. Will check our your pics tomorrow. #47

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have more ink pads on your desk than I own! And as far as those Copics are concerned, I've never had the fortune (good or otherwise) to own even one.

Bleubeard is jealous of your "baby," because he's not allowed in my craft spaces.

Happy WOYWW4 from #17.

Sarn said...

Hi Kate . . . I love how light and airy your craft room looks. Not too much clutter going on on that desk is there - especially considering you're in the middle of creating something!

Thank you for making the family connection regarding Rudolph Day.

Happy WOYWW 4th Anniversary and thanks for visiting me.

Hugs
Sarn xxx #57ish

Eliza said...

Those rocker stamp thingys are great a friend has one and it works everytime for her too, probably a good investment. Great desk shoot too, I do like that box filled with beautiful colors of copic I have been looking at getting one of those boxes. We should gang up on your post office and everyone on WOYWW send you an envelope decorated or with color just to annoy them. LOL or do you think they would refuse to send them. Here in Australia they love the different ones but they never charge more it is based on weight and size.

Happy 4th Birthday WOYWW greetings

Eliza 75

Neet said...

Well Kate, now I know your name as I see you smiling out at me each time I go on my blog.
What a busy post - I can't wait to see the card you are making. Wish your sister Happy Birthday from me.
I thought I was someone who took a lot of photos but 1500 in a week! Wow! I can see Flat Susan is in for a treat when she visits you.
Thanks for visiting me earlier - Hugs, Neet xx (and for hosting FS later)

kiwimeskreations said...

What a wonderful set of photographs Kate - I loved the one of the iron work on the balcony!
Your desk looks fabulous - as does Arwin!
Blessings
Maxine

Diane said...

beautiful image on that stamp! and at last I have found someone with more pens than me!!!
Diane 53

roffeycreations said...

Hi - what a gorgeous desk - Happy 4th WOYWW Birthday... Mxx #137

scrappymo! said...

The freshly stamped image looks beautiful...loving all your copic colours too. The cat looks like he knows who's boss!

I will pop back to catch up on posts I have missed lately and to view the slide show.
Grandkids will be arriving any minute...have to get the supper on!

Nikki said...

Nice perch your kitty has looking out at all you do and that stamp is impressive to work so wonderful everytime and the rocker block love it :) Happy Late WOYWW4 hugs Nikki #145