Over at Banana Frog...

.... yesterday was my day for 'project of the day', and I made this:

Its a mini (and I mean mini - only 4x7.5cm!) for more info and photo's head over to Banana Frog's blog

"...abilities"

I had a great couple of days teaching at Card Inspirations last week (hopefully will get around to posting some photos soon). NB - The new class listing is out now - contact the shop for details (my classes are listed on the right).

aaaayhoo they've recently received their stock of Spellbinders '...abilities' - you know: the nestabilities, impressabilities etc etc etc and they were FLYING off the shelves!
I managed to get one of the impressabilities - I wanted to try it out and see what could be done with it. These are basically thin dye cut metal sheet used for embossing - bit like a brass stencil but with daintier designs. I picked up the 'flowers' design.
Right, now, I know that putting these embossinging plates through a Cuttlebug issn't easy... but seriously! A person could do themselves (or their machine!)(or both) damage trying to do this!!!!! roflmao

So this is how it went :
its all set up: A plate, B plate, tan embossing mat, card stock, impressability die, C plate (I can't remember in what order I had those stacked up) - all nicely staggered (thats important - STAGGER THE PLATES)... and wind the handle....go on: more pressure, WIIIIIIND the handle.... OK move Cuttlebug to floor. kneel over it for more pressure and..TURN the handle.... ooooh ooh its moving (not very fast and not very easily but its going!).. TUUUUUURRRN the handle... and rest....................................... ok and again ... oooohh its moving and STOP! Make sure nothing breakable is in front of the Cuttlebug (the white plate has a tendancy to leave the Cuttlebug AT SPEED when embossing with these stencils!).. exit route is clear.. and resume turning....... ............. and YAY!!
Phew! Everything has come through and the embossing is really good - well worth the effort! lol
The nice thing about these embossing plates is that they can be cut apart - you don't have to use the whole 4x5in(approx) sheet - its possible to cut them up and just use elements of the sheet- but the stencil is so nice you won't want to do that!

I wiped ink pads over the surface to highlight the effect - v nice!! and cut out the shapes with Nestabilities dies (love those!!)

(I'm now looking at my Habitat lamp 'shade' in a whole new way - basically the same die-cut metal idea - different application...)

Crochet

I've been trying to attend classes to learn to crochet recently but so far have only been to about half because something always seems to clash with the timing! But, I've persevered, bought a couple of books and worked at home on bits and pieces - lots of test pieces to see how different yarns turn out etc... and I've made quite a few flowers... but finally, while have a VERY lazy few hours over this (seemingly-never-ending) bank holiday weekend, I've completed a project. Tada! Of which I'm quite proud! Its a small-ish pouch/bag (about 10x15cm). It's simple I know but I 'designed it' myself, got all my edges and rows nice n straight, added a scallop trim (particularly proud of that bit), crocheted all the flowers (had to use some of my trial flowers on something! lol), lined it and, most importantly FINISHED IT! Yeay for me! (helped along a little by Living TV repeating ALL of the current series of Gray Anatomy today so I had something to park myself infront of! lol)(and hindered slightly by Lola taking up residence on my lap and taking a bit of an interest in the wool!)

How lush are these shoes!!!!!!! MUST HAVE THESE SHOES! I have absolutely NO idea where I would wear them but look at them!? aren't they fabulous! lol (this is why I try not to websurf too much because this is what I find and then a person could obssess about where/ how to get them! lol) (m thought they were a little, and I quote, 'pole-dancery' but I said NO - they have rounded toes so absolutely not! lol I knew what I meant - not sure it made much sense to m though)

(they are from an American company called 'Oh Deer' btw - take a look at the piccies and check out the lining!)

I realise I stand very little chance of owning these shoes so maybe I could just use the picture as an inspiration for pieces of work... (houndstooth very trendy apparently....)