What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
I’m continuing to work on my die storage. We went to the Range last week and I bought some nice plastic baskets to store things in. The next question was, where do I store the baskets that I bought to store things in?
I really like the design of these baskets. Several years ago, I designed a Zentangle pattern based on this, which I called Y-Ful Power.
This is the Zentangle-Inspired Art (ZIA) piece that I did as a commission for a Zentangle book, depicting my bowel cancer journey back in 2015. The author wanted a piece that featured Y-Ful Power with its variations, and she encouraged me to share my inspirational story with others. The piece is called “Rising Towards the Light.”
As you can imagine, every time I come across this woven pattern, it catches my attention! The Range had baskets with different designs, but I had to go for this one!
Anyway, after that digression, here are some pictures of the progress I am making with my die storage. I began by cutting pieces of thick cardstock to fit in my new Avery Elle pouches, and added strips of self-adhesive magnetic tape to hold the dies.
I put the label from the original packaging into the pouch on the other side of the card.
Adding the pouches of dies to the basket.
I also put the baggies containing the die cuts into the pouches, so that they are ready for use. This picture shows some of the unbranded dies I got from Ebay recently. I really like the way I can now see exactly which dies I have, and can select them at a glance. At the moment, they are in no particular order, but once I get the dividers made, they will be sorted according to category.
I’ve also moved my embossing folders out of their scruffy cardboard box and put them in one of the new baskets. This also holds my Cuttlebug plates, and a notebook giving details of all the sandwiches, where I’ve recenty started adding ToDo details too.
After a further session, until I ran out of magnetic tape:
The completed pouches of dies are at the back, and the materials I need for creating the storage at the front of the basket.
I have moved the ToDo machine forward a bit, and put three of the baskets behind it, ready for easy access: the dies on the left, the embossing folders in the middle, and card blanks and mats on the right. My hubby suggested I made up batches of envelopes for the cards, too, and I think this is a good idea – I’ll store them unglued so I can add stamping/inking/liners as necessary. I’ll cut some liner pieces too, to have in reserve.
All this advance preparation should make my card making a much less laborious process, and as a result, more enjoyable than it’s been hitherto!
I think this is going to work very well.
I have rearranged things a bit on the shelf above the main work area. The hanging system for stamps ceased to work when I got too many to fit on it. I’ve now taken down the remaining ones, and put them temporarily in another of the baskets. Two baskets are now on the shelf under the hanging rail but this probably won’t be eough space for all my stamps. I’m not quite sure yet what I am going to do, but this will have to suffice for now. I may end up putting another shelf under the hanging unit one.
Eventually I shall make dividers to sort the dies, embossing folders and stamps into categories, which will make things a lot easier to find.
Laminator
I have ordered a laminator. I am going to use it to create the dividers for my new storage system, and I’ve recently seen some absolutely amazing YouTube videos of people showing awesome things they are doing with laminating – I’d thought its only craft use was for foiling, so I was quite surprised. If anyone has a laminator that they are pleased with, I’d be very interested to hear which brand they’ve got, and whether they do anything else other than foiling. I shan’t be using mine for foiling (I haven’t got a laser printer, and anyway I can do it with the ToDo machine now) but I can see it’s going to be very useful for all sorts of things.
“Thinking of You” card
I have made a card using one of the backgrounds I made last week. I cut the window in the card topper using a square frame die on the ToDo machine, and chose a couple of the Ebay die cuts I made last week. The sentiment is a Stampin’ Up one, stamped with Speckled Egg Distress Oxide. Simple, but quite effective, I think.
No further progress on the Persian Tiles throw this week.
Food
My friend on the stoma forum has kindly given me permission to share the two recipes she gave me recently – recipes of the week.
Anyark’s Worcester Sauce
(Half the original quantity – makes 250 ml)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/6 cup dark molasses
1/6 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/8 cup water
1 1/2 tabs lemon juice
3/8 tsp salt (less if using salty soy sauce)
3/4 tsp powdered mustard
1/2 tsp onion powder
3/8 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/16 tsp (pinch) ground cloves or allspice
1/16 tsp (pinch) ground cardamom
Blend everything together and refrigerate.
Anyark’s Crunchy Gazpacho
1 can tomato soup (I used tinned tomatoes)
1 cup diced cucumber
2 tabs onion (I used 1/2 red onion)
1/2 cup green pepper
1/2 cup celery
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 tab lemon juice
3 tabs wine vinegar
2 tabs olive oil
1/2 cup water
Tabasco (I omitted this as I haven’t got any, but added a little harissa paste for heat)
2 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt to taste
Combine the 1st 6 ingredients in blender. Blend until chunky. (I used my food processor – done in seconds.) Add remaining ingredients. (I made this up to 2 pints by adding a little more water. This way it made 4 good servings.)
If serving cold, chill for 4 hours.
This is absolutely delicious! We had it chilled in the traditional fashion. Highly recommended. A very easy recipe to make, too. I’ve just made another batch – this time double quantity! I froze what we didn’t have on the first occasion, and I’ve frozen the latest lot too. I haven’t sampled it yet and suspect that it will be somewhat less crunchy than the fresh version as it contains quite a lot of raw cucumber, but I don’t think that will matter.
Kitties
A full-length video this week of the two of them coming in for their tea, including Ruby’s latest favourite game, playing with the water in the sink.
Thank you, Zsuzsa, for your video last week that gave details of DanoSongs free music for videos – a great resource. I’ve downloaded quite a few of them. I thought the title of the one I chose for this video was appropriate! It was only after I’d completed this video that I re-watched yours, and realised I’d chosen the same piece of music! (It shows what good taste we both have!)
Health update
Oncology appointment later this morning at 10.30, after which we will know more. I’ve made a crib sheet of questions, mostly relating to the information contained in the referral letter from my surgeon to the oncologist. I’ve more or less decided to refuse chemo, whatever he says, unless the score on the Oncotype test (the only one we have no results for as yet) is abnormally high, which I think will be unlikely, given my other results. Anyway, we shall see. More news later.
This week I received a charming letter from the surgeon, thanking me very much for the card I made for him – he thought it was beautiful, and was obviously impressed I’d made it myself! I am so glad he likes it.
That Thinking of You card is quite wonderful, I love the white design on abstract background a lot – must have a go myself. Those baskets from the Range are brilliant and perfect for your storage, it’s looking good already and the link to the Zentangle is fun, your published piece is quite amazing!
Hugs LLJ 6 xx
Wishing you well for your oncology appointment this morning Shoshi. Loved the video of Lily and Ruby coming in from the garden. Of my parents three rescue cats only the mum will go outside and only when my parents are in the garden. She always races back in to use the cat litter though. The Thinking of You card looks great, I always appreciate a clean and simple card. What a fabulous zentangle design, I shall have to look out for that book. Meow to the kitties. Stay safe, happy WOYWW. Sarah #5
I’ve got lots of those baskets, they are so useful and yours look like they’ve come in very handy. It’s years since I did any zen tangling I’m bound to see patterns everywhere now you’ve brought it back to my attention.
I’m wishing you well for your appointment and smiling at the card you gave the surgeon. I can imagine it made his day. What a lovely thing to do.
Take care
Lynn xx 13
Hi Shoshi, I hope your oncology results are good. Fingers crossed.
Loved the peacock card you made for your surgeon.
The video of Lily and Ruby was sweet. The high sided litter tray looks a good idea; they do flirt litter everywhere.
Miaow to Lily and Ruby from Bella and Gracie
Take care and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 4
Happy WOYWW. Will be waiting to hear what your oncologist says. Definitely going to try that gazpacho recipe, although not sure about eating it cold. Your card is gorgeous. Loving the new organisation in trays. Your diecutting area is fantastic. Thank you for the Ruby & Lily video. I only feed Milky ‘wet food’ in the morning – she has free access to dried food all the time – mainly so we don’t feel the need to rush home when having a day or afternoon out. She still hunts most days – pigeons are her current favourite, which are literally nearly the size of her. Not bad for a 14 year old cat! I do have a laminator – just a cheap one from Wilko, I think – had it years. I have also watched some YouTube videos and have plans to use it more in my crafting, but not tried anything yet. Ali x #12
Your consultant was rightly pleased with that card, it was a beauty after all.
Loved the video of the kitties, a real treat to see them for such a long time (as opposed to usual) and delighted to see the water play. So funny.
Lovely card you made and such a tidy craft area. I was impressed by the die storage you have decided upon. Now why did I not think of just adding a strip instead of a whole sheet of magnetic paper for my die storage. I will have much more magnetic paper left if `i now do my storage a little differently. Thanks.
Good luck with the appointment this morning, will be thinking of you – right now as it so happens.
Take care
hugs, neet 10 xx
Lovely video of the kitties, especially the playing with water bit! Of course the surgeon loved your card – how could he not? You are so multitalented. Love your zen piece. I know pride is not a good thing, but it must be wonderful to see your own work in a book.
I have just started having Kefir yoghurt. It is one with all the good cultures. It tastes lovely too. It is made by The Collective, I love their raspberry yoghurt.
Have a great week Angela #9
Great to see the kitties looking so well and enjoying life. That card is gorgeous too and the die storage is looking good too. Hope the appointment goes well. Wishing you a very happy woyww, Angela x14x
Hi there, I’m making a comeback to WOYWW after an 8 year break!! Loving all the new storage, it’s nice to get organised! I definately need to treat myself to some new dies, I’ve got a few unbranded ones that I got on ebay a few years back, I find they’re not quite as sharp as some of the brands but they are sooooo much more affordable, so may head for a look to see what I can find, you’ve got some lovely ones there. I’m trying to get my crafting mojo back so new goodies is always helpful. It sounds like you’re having a tough time healthwise, hope everything goes well for you with your appointment.
Have a great week.
April #17
Hope the appointment went well. the video was fun! The baskets look great, very useful and you’ve put them to organised use already (of course it would be organised!) Who knew you were a published zentangle designer (if that’s the right term) Take care and have a good week Helen #2
Those baskets look very useful and I wouldn’t have noticed the Y pattern without you pointing it out! That is a wonderful Zentangle piece you did back in 2015 – I don’t remember that one, or that you were published! It was probably when I was on my 6-month sabbatical and stopped blogging and making art. So a very belated congratulations on being published! Laminators: my advice, buy the bog standard, cheapest one, around £20. The Range sells one, I think it’s called Textet, and it has good reviews. Mine’s no longer being sold, but it’s a simple one with just two rollers. I originally bought a more expensive one with four rollers and it jammed the paper on my first try, so I had to send it back. I bought mine for foiling and it works really well with laser prints (you know you can always take your prints to a copy shop to have them copied – that will act like a laser print – or have them printed online.) Apart from foiling, I only experimented with laminating artwork with a matte pouch, which produces nice results, not so plasticky. If you know of any other ways to use a laminator, let me know! Danosong: isn’t he generous sharing his music for free? I always make sure I credit him, so other people can discover him. Funny we picked the same song! You were probably subconsciously influenced by having heard it before – though I have used most of his songs in that genre before. They work so well with flip-throughs. The kitties tearing up the carpet – hilarious, though it made me cringe – I was like ‘no, not the carpet!’ Oreo knows damn well he mustn’t do that and still does it – almost like he can’t help himself. He gets a good telling off every time. Of course, we don’t know what he does when we’re not here! Perhaps it’s better that we don’t know. I’m glad you didn’t film Ruby getting sick! Oreo does it spectacularly! Lovely that your surgeon sent you a letter to thank you for the thank you card – you could make another thank you card to thank him for the the thank you letter – just kidding! He must have really appreciated the personal touch. In Hungary, where healthcare was supposedly free under socialism, you were supposed to tip the doctors and surgeons with an amount of your choosing to show your gratitude in an envelope discreetly slipped into their pocket. Preferably before the procedure, so they take extra care. Not only in a medical setting, but in an official setting as well – for example when you were talking to the council. I guess it’s more like a bribe to give you preferential treatment. Something like this would be unthinkable within the NHS! I’m not sure if they still do this in Hungary. It was called gratitude payment and it was expected. Tax free, of course. Have a lovely week, Shoshi – I hope you got good news today! Fingers crossed (that’s my way of praying – goes to the same place!) xx
Hi Shoshi, I hope you’re enjoying your new laminator! I’ll get mine out too! I visited the lady you recommended – she has a video about matte lamination – I have some of those pouches, they work great – what I didn’t know is that you can put napkins inside and it will make it look like vellum. Defo something for me to try! In fact, I’m going to try that right now!
Well now I shall think of you when I see my Y basket! It’s a big one that I have managed to empty in my clearing up and putting away program, so I’m going to try very hard not let it back into the work room!
Meanwhile, I have confirmation from Norton that my blog isn’t dangerous and they accept it as a Society/Daily Living category (!), so I hope that within 24 hours you’ll have normal access again. Extraordinary categorisation, I wonder if it’s the blog name that caused it to be wrongly categorised.
I knew your surgeon would love the card, and it made me smile that you’ve had a thank you letter about a thank you card. It could be a never ending circle!!
Hope your hub’s feeling better Shoshi! Just popped back to say how much fun I’m having with my laminator thanks to you! Been experimenting – so much fun! Will probbaly report back next week! xx
Well you have been very industrious this week with all your organisational supplies! I had to laugh when you said where to store the baskets that you bought to store things in lol. Isn’t that always the way! I keep meaning to take photos of my stamp and die storage and then forgetting by the time Wednesday comes around. I will try and do it for next time. I have a couple of laminators, I don’t know why, but I have an A4 and an A3 size. I got them for office purposes rather than craft purposes, but I do use them for foiling sometimes.
Those kitties! I laughed when I saw one of them scratching up the carpet! One of mine does that on the stair carpet and she refuses to use proper cat scratchers. My poor carpet! Glad you are doing ok and keeping busy, take care. Happy WOYWW! Elle #21, EOTC
btw have you changed something on your comment form recently as the the text that says POST COMMENT is almost invisible. It is white text but hard to see against the background, then when you hover over it, a black box appears around the white text, making it easier to see, but only if you hover. Happy WOYWW! Elle #21, EOTC
What a great idea for storing your craft things and wish I had the room to do the same thing, I love you cats they are so sweet and love the way they wait to come in, The Zentangle you did in 2015 is stunning,
Take care and stay safe,
Lilian B #22
Goodmorning Soshi, I just read your comment on my blog (thanks for stopping by!) and what a relief to hear you don’t need chemo. I thought of you the other week wondering how you were doing, so glad to learn that the surgery went well (and what a beautiful card you gave him, no wonder he was impressed!) I hope the healing goes well too… having new storing baskets and filling them will absolutely be good for your well-being on all fronts! It looks so neat and effective… you will love the system I’m sure! I hope you have a lovely day/weekend, enjoy whatever you are doing. Big hug from Holland. Marit #7
I just remembered, I meant to say something about the cats being sick, I can’t remember which one it was, but did you mention it in the video or in another post that one eats too fast, Ruby maybe? Anyway, have you seen those bowls that are elevated/angled so the cat’s head is in the right position and puts less pressure on their neck and makes it less likely that they will be sick? Or those other feeding types that slow them down when they are eating, it’s more like hunting or a game, so they can’t just wolf it down all at once? I don’t have the fancy elevated bowls, but I have put their normal bowls on top of cat food boxes to make them the right height and it seems to help. Elle xx
Hi Shoshi, thanks for visiting. Yes you have definitely fixed the POST COMMENT button so now it can be seen 🙂 About the cat bowls, here is an example of what they look like. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedy-Panther-Plastic-Transparent-Vomiting/dp/B08HSHMDY8/ or the slow feeders I mentioned https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=cat+bowl+slow+feeder&i=pets&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
About the handmade stamps on wood, I’m not too bothered about whether they line up or not as I use them for journalling and don’t mind if they are not precise. If I was using them for cardmaking I would probably want to be more accurate. Before putting the big ones on wooden tiles, I had them on small acrylic blocks so I could see what I was doing, as I was using those for cards. Elle xx
Thanks for your visit earlier, we had a super, although exhausting, day. i found the picture on Facebook so turned it into a screensaver.
Hope your results come through as you wish and all is ok.
Take care and God bless you and yours.
Christine #16
As usual so much to read and be impressed by!
First the Y-Ful zentangling and book page. Brilliant!
Then your storage solutions…
The Thinking of You card is beautiful.
Happy WOYWW!
Stay safe and keep well!
Susan #27
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!
Love the card, they always are special when made in white I think. I have a cat, that live in the garden at the bottom of my garden and the owners only feed her in the evening when she get home, (if she does) so evn though she hisses and growls she still comes to the door and does the same at your pussy cat, and meows so loudly for food, I’ve seen her eat the bird food. Mr Jinx, insists that I feed her, so I do. Will try the Worchestershire sauce! Sorry I’m so late, I kept getting ‘try again later’ on Julia’s blog so couldn’t call round sooner. I’m now house sitting two dogs, I took my laptop with me. (A puppy and a grown up dog, wish me luck…I might not have any fingers left by tonight! Stay safe, Have a happy very late woyww and keep on crafting! ((Lyn)) #26
Just a flyng visit – the card is stunning so OF COURSE he loved it LOL! And whatever the weird issues with the blog for the past couple of weeks have sorted themselves out. Hoping for good news from your follow-up!
Happy so very late WOYWW.
Mary Anne (1)
Hi Mary Anne, I still can’t comment on your blog. When I try to post the comment it takes me to a WordPress login page where it won’t recognise my WordPress password. Sorry – you’ll just have to keep popping over here to receive my pearls of wisdom. Love your ATCs. So sorry to hear about your health issues and the pain you’ve been suffering this week. I hope it will soon ease and you will be feeling better again. Thank you for your visit. Good news from the oncology appointment – I don’t need chemo. We’ve had a horrendous few days – can’t go into details here but all news on Wednesday.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #11
I’m so happy that you don’t need chemo! Such weight off your mind! The video of Ruby and Lily was fun, so nice to see cats in other environments! I’ve never seen a littler box quite so deep, great idea, I have a few of those boxes lying around. Sometimes the cats miss the box and pee on the wall, so I have puppy pads taped up behind the litter boxes. I wonder how they would take to the deep box…Your storage is coming along very well, and I love your zentangle patterns. I used to do zentangle several years ago, but haven’t for quite awhile now. Very time consuming! The gazpacho recipe looks lovely, I may just have to try it! Thanks for your visit, have a great week, Lindart #23