|
Post by joblackford on Aug 22, 2024 14:47:56 GMT
Yesterday I had a rare day of no crafting at all. I barely got in a little crochet time right before bed, but the rest of the day was a bust. We went over to FIL’s to celebrate his birthday a little early - he fed us a massive bowl of red rock and Dungeness crab he had caught! This huge bowl for 4 people. I love crab but it was a LOT: Crab! by jo.blackford, on Flickr After that I loaded up two more boxes of random Delftware, china, glass, and collectibles guides to find new homes for, which always leaves me a little exhausted (and sneezy). Today I get to wash them all and figure out how to sell them. Add onto that a few eBay auctions ending and buyers not reading the messages and listings properly, sigh… but 6 more Hummels are out the door today. We’re having a false fall this week, very gloomy. I need to make my own sunshine!
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 22, 2024 1:31:48 GMT
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 21, 2024 15:54:28 GMT
Linda it took me a minute to remember the lobster die - I think I got it with a howdy die I sent to grammadee so random! But glad you could make use of it. Way to go figuring out how to use that large background design. Looking at the page I would’ve guessed that you added the coral/weed design yourself in that spot - works really well.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 21, 2024 15:49:04 GMT
grammadee that comic/superhero layout is so fun! It’s so dynamic I was surprised that it was just strips. Even though I don’t paper scrap I really enjoy seeing Allison Davis sketches and the different looks you can get from them. And your day out was very productive and creative Great pages full of active, busy kiddos!
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 21, 2024 15:39:17 GMT
I am feeling well enough that we are forging ahead with the troll plan. I’m sorry the results were so disappointing, Linda. That’s good news! At least it’s an outdoor activity so you don’t have to worry about contagion… Sorry to hear the nasty 🦠 got you. Hope you have a fun day and feel OK.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 21, 2024 15:34:31 GMT
Oh, barbarac and AussieMeg , I've never heard of Biscoff cookies. I'll have to look for them next time I go to a larger grocery than my small Kroger. My local Kroger has a Biscoff display in the weirdest spot, in a gap between the meat, fish and bakery sections. It’s a low display with the cookies and the cookie butter, maybe a couple of other products. I don’t think they have them in the cookie aisle at all. We had Biscoff for the first time on a flight like mikklynn mentioned, and there was a little boy who was obsessed with them sitting behind us. I think we got stuck on the runway for a while and listened to him talking about Biscoff for a loooong time. They were tasty
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 21, 2024 1:40:02 GMT
joblackford , for me your link goes to a cookie monster GIF. cookies!!! I have several packages of the Yoseng brushes from Amazon and love them. They've been going strong in my craft room for about two years now. I also see Jo's link goes to a Cookie Monster gif! I love it, though pinklady good to know you like those mini-brushes. They're in my cart now so I may have to hit order. Good thing it was Cookie Monster and not something more random I’ve updated the link and checked it and fixed it again… sigh… so hopefully it goes to amazon now… Link here
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:56:04 GMT
The brands will argue that they have sourced the good ones and what you buy on amazon might be good or it might not be. I am not a hardcore ink blender but the Yoseng ones I bought on amazon have been great and to my inexpert eye they're no different than the branded ones I've gotten in kits. My only regret is that I bought a multi size pack first instead of buying a bigger pack of one size. I prefer the medium sized ones I linked. The only brush I've had shedding problem with was the original Tim Holtz Distress retractable brush. ETA: fixed the link, hopefully!
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:42:40 GMT
I don’t like to buy much in the way of new plastic storage but I just got a couple of little organizer boxes to hold my ink blending foams. It’s got perfectly sized little compartments and I plan to add a color sample and name. Last year I watched someone on YT use round bead containers with lids, which were then contained in another clear container. I really like the idea, but knew I would not want to be opening up the round containers, so I bought just the clear divided bead box. They hold my blender foams so well, I like it so much! I used to use clear snack bags. Oh yeah, no, I definitely wouldn't want to fuss with containers within containers either! It sounds like you got something similar to what I got. I was going to ask here for recommendations and then realized that amazon would be full of divided bead containers that would work. I don't use foam blenders much anyway so I didn't need anything fancy.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:35:04 GMT
The company used to be based in Tacoma WA but I think their sale of the brand coincided roughly with the owner moving out of state. There was an underdesk cart I saw years ago that I really wanted but they never restocked it and I've not found anything quite the same
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:14:12 GMT
mmmm, me like cookies...
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:10:38 GMT
Bummer of an election, Linda . joblackford , I am so happy you mentioned your troll adventure in a prior quarter chat thread. We are about an hour and a half south of Boothbay Harbor and our plan AS SOON AS THE WEATHER COOPERATES is absolutely to go see two or three of those trolls! woohooooo! Bring on some decent weather
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 21:10:13 GMT
Shakti - lovely Lego build! DH has been working on an Architecture White House set lately Today is primary election day here - there's only two races on my ballot - sheriff and county commissioner - and both will be decided today so perhaps primary isn't the right word, maybe local election day? So I've been reading their websites and FB pages to firm up my choices. Commissioner is non-partisan (although it's obvious all 3 belong to a single political party) and there are only 2 candidates (from the same political party) for sheriff. My area is 70+% aligned to that party and I'm an independent who leans the other way. Sigh. I don't know where it will stream (currently a limited theater release) but the documentary Majority Rules might interest you. It's about how Alaska changed its election system to allow for open primaries and ranked choice voting, which helps independents have more of a voice in state and local elections. It's also pretty entertaining
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 15:40:06 GMT
joblackford , those sentiments are indeed awesome. I would get the dies to increase both flexibility and resale value. I guess I have developed a bit of sort of FOMO-based FSS where I figure I’ll probably be struck by an inspiration involving die-cutting the leaves the instant the bundle is retired. But you are generally less silly than I. If I use up all my fun there’s a craft shop (though probably a tourist-trappy one) a 10-minute drive or 20-minute trolley ride away in Old Orchard Beach. Even more exciting — a crafty reuse store a 20-minute drive away! Forgot to mention we did manage a 2.5 mile walk on the beach Sunday morning just before the rain started. Hope grammadee is rockin’ the ski lodge craftiness while DGS rocks survival camp and that everyone else’s weeks are going well! I don't know anything about how Maine to know if it's close to where you are, but I would love to go to their coastal botanical gardens to see the Thomas Dambo trolls www.mainegardens.org/events-exhibits/giant-trolls/
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 4:06:03 GMT
I don’t like to buy much in the way of new plastic storage but I just got a couple of little organizer boxes to hold my ink blending foams. It’s got perfectly sized little compartments and I plan to add a color sample and name.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 3:49:37 GMT
joblackford - the class sounds interesting and something I could use. I hope it does for you what you need it to do. Are you leaning one way or the other with the stamps? I really want these sentiments. I really don’t have any good autumnal sentiment stamps and I think these are much better than any others I’ve seen. Bonus for the way the second example combined two together. The leaves are really nice too, so even though I don’t really need them I’m not bothered to get them. Probably shouldn’t get the leaf outline dies. I got distracted by another set but when I look again the sentiments on this one are better for me.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 1:12:09 GMT
Shakti hope the weather improves! I follow a Vermonter who was vacationing in Maine the last couple of weeks and it did seem rather dismal at times. grammadee hope you and dgs have some good adventures tomorrow Survival camp sounds like fun (for him!) I signed myself up for a new online class today that should help me finish my online watercolor class. It's a getting shtuff done type of class for those of us who have trouble staying focused. If I decide to make finishing the class and creating x number of watercolor bookmarks my goal I could have the added motivation of earning crafty points as well as the class's "Blocks" towards my goal. I did a very small amount of yardwork and a little mass-production stamping, as well as reading the intro for the class. I also clicked on a shopping link from Catherine Pooler and need to have a good think before I click BUY. Is anyone else a sucker for fall leaf designs?
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 20, 2024 1:00:52 GMT
I’m thinking that “dreams are like fireflies” really needs its innie (“chase a few and they’ll light up the darkness”), but I think the other three scan fine. Thoughts? I can list the other innies if it helps (and I’d probably trim them closer and definitely skip the other inner decor). I like them! Very good for cards for cubs IMO. I agree that the dreams one could use an innie otherwise it might not read as inspirational.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 18, 2024 22:40:51 GMT
Silly autocorrect doesn't know Japanese Glad you were able to take back that space. It's hard to get rid of a whole category of things. I have some good quality washi tape (mostly Japanese) that has held up really well over the years, but I got rid of (almost) all the ones that aren't sticky or that tear. I use what I have for a couple of specific purposes, but I don't need much variety now that I don't use it in planners or journals. I could probably toss a few more almost used-up 10+yo rolls, now that I come to think of it.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 18, 2024 13:52:14 GMT
Were your tomatoes ripe, joblackford ? So far, we have had only one red tomato this year. But we have quite a few green ones on the vines. I hope the damage from the hail storm last week doesn't cause them to rot before they ripen. We did an assessment on our garden today, picked some berries and cukes, a few beans and peas. And I cut out four big cauliflowers. There are six more out there, just not so big. Next weekend I will definitely be making a big batch of mustard relish. We all love it on its own, or as a major ingredient in spaghetti sauce and lasagna. I haven’t had a great yield so far but some, and I only took fruit that had started to change color. I have one cherry tomato plant that only just started to ripen in the past week or two, and one Better Bush tomato that is determinate but acts more like an indeterminate. I’ve had a few ripe tomatoes from it and picked whatever showed signs of ripening, but I had to chop off a bunch of foliage yesterday to find the fruit it was hiding. I’m growing in a new spot this year, not sure that it’s ideal. I’ve never heard of mustard relish, unless we call it something different. I love a good tomato relish though Hope your hail storm didn’t damage your toms. We had a couple of hours of thunderstorms, quite uncommon in this region, and a good downpour. It was cool! http://instagram.com/p/C-yDWCxyfVC
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 18, 2024 2:35:09 GMT
I used up all my energy gardening today. We’re supposed to have some rain, possibly thunderstorms, after months of very dry weather so I harvested lavender and tomatoes.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 17, 2024 2:33:57 GMT
My goal this month is to get the cards I've made ready to donate. Most need some kind of internal sentiment stamped and a handwritten message. Some might also need a sentiment on the front. Once they're all the way ready to go I need to bundle them so I can have them truly ready to go in a box. I tend to leave all the final finishing steps until I'm ready to mail the box which makes the whole proccess far more time consuming. I've started by stamping "seasons greetings" in 61 just-finished cards, and now I'm second guessing whether to handwrite or stamp another greeting. doh! I think I'm going to write it to make it more personal, but copy one of my stamps for the actual wording. ETA: I got through those 61 cards this afternoon with a handwritten sentiment, signature, and a little decorative banner inside each. 6 bundles ready! Next goal is to locate other cards that need the same treatment, choose a stamp, write, bundle, rinse and repeat. I made really good progress on my goal! I got 249 cards stamped with an inside sentiment, written in, bundled, and sent off to Bring Smiles to Seniors + I sent them one blank card - couldn’t figure out what to write in one patriotic card. I moved all of the remaining cards intended for seniors into my storage bin after I got all those older ones out. They also need stamping and signing so that’s my next goal after a creative interlude. Now I have a better idea of which sentiments I can stamp and a bunch of written messages to copy so there’s less overthinking to do. Ideally I’m going to try to keep up with the insides as I go, but there’s still some catch up to do. I have a separate box for Cards for Cubs. I’d like to get those a bit better organized too, and I should bundle them by theme now so they’re ready for next spring.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 17, 2024 2:16:10 GMT
I got my donation box out the door today so I can get back to craftiness.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 16, 2024 0:55:06 GMT
National Cherry Popsicle Day is Aug 26th. So specific! You’ve just missed National Creamsicle Day and National Ice Cream Day for this year. Hopefully you don’t need an excuse to buy a sweet treat so you can use that bothersome card though. We like Helados Mexican ice cream sandwiches (churro!) and their mini popsicles.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 16, 2024 0:43:18 GMT
I admire people who can think ahead and get stuff done weeks early! (You might think that I’m doing the same with the donation cards I’m talking about but some of them really need to go out in September (late summer/early fall cards) so I’m actually cutting it pretty fine.)
I stamped inside the last couple of cards I plan to add to my donation box. I’ve included all the older repurposed cards, all the cards for fall, Christmas, Hanukkah, and winter, and in the process I made space in my storage for all the general hello cards I’ve made this year. They will be a good start for the next donation box. I’m glad to be done with insides of cards for a while, ready to do some crafting!
I did the boring part of the next project today - getting white scraps die cut and ready to stamp using a borrowed stamp set. Happy to get my white scraps back under control.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 14, 2024 16:47:18 GMT
ugh. Dust is the bane of my existence! No tips though - we live in an old house, carpeted, with windows open and no AC and I despise both vacuuming and dusting so I don't do it very regularly. So there is always dust.
Getting all the stuff put away I can do though. I make a mess but I clear away everything I possibly can on at least a daily basis. I have a small "clean" trash can for paper scraps so I can throw scraps in there and fish them out again if I decide I need them. That cuts down on some of the bits lying around.
Having places for everything (wherever you would look for them first, not necessarily the ideal places, just where you can find them) and building the habit of putting the stuff away back in those places, and most crucially not having more stuff than you can easily fit are my top tips.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 14, 2024 16:31:55 GMT
At least I have started working on my first sketch and layout for Sketchtember. Thanks for the nudge - I also need to get moving on this! I'm currently nose to the grindstone on my Florida photos. This trip is going to need 3 albums the way I'm printing. Last night I printed out day 7 (of 11) and it's over 100 photos for that 1 day alone at Magic Kingdom. **question: How do peas manage photo numbers when it's a big experience with a lot of good memories and a lot of great pictures? Do you scrap them all or do you say "enough already"? Like - if you went on a multi-day hike, and have 500 amazing view photos, what would you do? I'm doing a combo 12x12 + pocket pages for this trip, so I won't actually "scrap" each photo, but it's so much! That's a really tough question and most of the answer revolves around what kind of album you and your family would value most. And how you enjoy creating. My first thought is that energy and time are limited so I would prioritize the things that I love the most, and that reflect what I value the most. I'd start with the pictures that have the family in them. The view pictures represent fleeting experiences in the moment and they have a really strong pull on me soon afterwards, wishing I could still be there and showing everyone what I saw... but in the long run (like if great-grandchildren picked up the album) would they be very meaningful? I'm not saying that you shouldn't put them in your album if they make you happy, but I'd focus on the people and core stories first and add the amazing views later. Your question reminds me of Shimelle's Disney albums. They are a huge ongoing project and never really done. She seems to get the basics in there first and then comes back over and over to fill in more details and stories. I don't know if that suits your way of working though. It would drive me bonkers! I like finishing.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 14, 2024 1:37:17 GMT
I need to tally up my * time crafting with others * (double points!) from this morning, before I forget! I made it to the crafty meet up at the library, and no drama on the way this time I treated myself to lunch out, sitting outside in a waterfront park, and then, after a little digesting/decompressing and writing cards for upcoming birthdays, I went to a local historic theater and watched a documentary about Alaska’s change to ranked choice voting. An enjoyable day supporting local businesses and orgs.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 13, 2024 1:25:48 GMT
Good info here. Thanks for sharing, Jo. I've mentioned before that I was the custodian of my families photo box (one of the big rubbermaid containers). I separated into "family" groups and non-family. I shredded the blurry and duplicate photos. I kept "my" photos and scanned what I wanted of the general family photos, then gave the general to the next family to sort through. And so on. It was very freeing to pass them on to the next person. (I may or may not have shredded some the photos of the non-family people ) DH has all the photos from his parents. We're planning on going through them this fall and winter. I like the idea of putting them in size order first and going from there. He does have full photo albums (8.5 x 11). I plan on scanning those in their pages. The only thing I would add is to keep it manageable. Do you really need 14 shots of someone sitting on the shore at the lake? Pick the one you like the best and shred the rest. Agreed! Being able to share with the other family members is a huge gift. I'd rather have a selection of precious photos I can make sense of than a whole room of random photos and albums (which is what one branch of our family is going to be dealing with). I loved the shortcut of sorting the totally random photos by size, shape, and style. Just having somewhere to start, to break the task into chunks.
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Aug 12, 2024 21:17:22 GMT
I came across this video with good tips for how to handle inherited family photos, especially when you get a huge collection that are completely unsorted and random. She had some good ideas for how to break the task down into manageable steps.
I also agree with her advice about dictating journals instead of typing them - dictation software is built into most devices now and you can save the text wherever you like, but having it searchable is so helpful, and it serves as a digital backup too. I did that with my own journals from many years ago.
|
|