WOYWW 613

Hi hi!

The days are just whizzing past, I can’t believe it is Wednesday again! If it’s Wednesday, it must be time for What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday, our weekly hop around the desks hosted by the lovely Julia.

So what have I been up to this week? Well, the rolled flowers that I was making during my scrappy video call went… okay. Much trickier than the Youtube videos made it look I can tell you! But as expected, I did run out of glue. Glue guns are able to take one of two sizes of glue stick. Mine takes the large ones and I have eleventy billion skinny ones. It was cheaper to buy another glue gun, so everything paused while I waited for it to arrive. The other one will be donated to the local scout group, who, I know, have the right size of glue stick.

The other disaster that befell me was that I couldn’t find my lovely sprig of leaves die – I imagine it has run away in someone else’s crop bag somewhere. I didn’t have anything else suitable, I don’t have any leaves at all, so I purchased a set. More waiting. This is me trying them here – they are awful. Apparently the thinner plate for the Cuttlebug has also left home so I was having to use the Diamond instead – that’s how small they are, which is probably my fault for not checking. Also they are not cutting through well at all and this was very thin paper, not even scrapbook paper, let alone cardstock. Sigh. I will get this project finished – I’ve had to swap it over with another article (to be released on Sunday on The Artistry!)

What else can you see here? The green woodgrain, and brown underneath it, are for another project for the same article which also involves the little bird on the bottom left. Top right we have the new classes that have just been released for the Go Go Getaway March retreat which obviously can’t take place in person. Boo!! This is the second one I’ve personally missed now but this time we are still getting a kit and classes. Huzzah! Just FYI, this definitely doesn’t count as breaking my stash diet. Nor do the supplies I needed for my article. So there.

Last week’s throwback Thursday was from 2013. I was taking part in Shimelle’s Return to the Collection – a fabulous class indeed, and I was using Echo Park’s For The Record to document some holiday pics from Greece (edited to add – this was on Nyssiros), including this one about standing in the bottom of a volcano. I still love the placement but I probably wouldn’t use the curly glittery bit now!

So go on, grab a cuppa, have a little journey around the desks and if you link up, we’ll head over and see you too.

Stay safe and keep smiling x

26 Comments

  1. Helen Lindfield on 3 March 2021 at 7:22 am

    Oh no- one thing after another! I’ve never used a glue gun, I use matte medium or glue sticks or double sided tape depending on the project….. I hope you findyour leafy die somewhere! Have a creative week. Helen #5

  2. Julia on 3 March 2021 at 8:22 am

    I like the volcano story and LO, but it doesn’t say where it was and so..asked and answered!! The flowers are fiddly aren’t they, but always, I find, worth the effort, so keep on! I know what you mean about the glue sticks, I was using Bart’s workshop glue gun which practically needs a candle sized stick, but it was so wasteful. So I bought a Bosch cordless one and I’m not thrilled with it, to be honest. Luckily, I don’t have to use it too often! As for the leaf dies, how disappointing, if there’s anything worse than dodgy cutting dies I’ve yet to find it. I even got a few leaf dies…if you would like a zoom browse through mine I’d be happy to lend them to you. Hope you enjoy the Go Go anyway, I agree totally about the stash diet. After all, the Getaway was pre-planned which is the same as saying ‘ before stash diet’. For sure.

  3. Mary Anne on 3 March 2021 at 8:32 am

    One thing about lockdown – it makes me shop with a ruler nearby! I am constantly saying “Well that is not what I expected” as I open packages. And the sellers are at least partly to blame – taking photos of a tiny thing on a huge white expanse, with nothing to offer perspective is a little tricksy, dont’cha think? And yeah, totally with you there on the rolled flowers! They are not as easy as they look. You’ll crack it. Hope your die and plate return home soon!

    Happy desk hopping’ day!
    Mary Anne (1)

  4. Lynn Holland on 3 March 2021 at 8:41 am

    Don’t mention glue in my presence, you’ll have my hubby running a mile. I end up with it all over the place and the evidence can be found all round the house. He’ still cringes and take cover when I appear with a hammer or screwdriver haha.
    Have a good week
    Lynn x 15

  5. Susan Renshaw on 3 March 2021 at 9:05 am

    I too have had issues with those rolled flowers – and glue guns…
    Very brave to go down into the volcano!!
    Happy WOYWW!
    Susan #2

  6. glitterandglue on 3 March 2021 at 9:18 am

    Morning Lisa Jane. Oh my – what a week you have had. No, you are quite right. Those purchases certainly didn’t break your no-buy principle. You weren’t buying – simply replacing!!!
    Goodness – you went right into the centre of a volcano. No wonder you were determined to make a page to celebrate that! Well one you.
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #4

  7. Tracey on 3 March 2021 at 9:29 am

    Morning.. if one thing goes wrong there’s bound to follow another, doesn’t it always happen. I hope you can find some way of getting those dies to cut, i’ve had some dodgy ones in my time but leaves are something i’m never short of I have way too many and probably doubles along the way.
    The Volcano LO is fab, as Julia asks where is it taken? Hope you have success with the new glue gun & that the old one can find it’s forever home soon.
    Happy WoywW Tracey #14 x

  8. Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith on 3 March 2021 at 11:46 am

    Oh don’t you just hate dies that don’t cut properly. Perhaps it’s not even the die’s fault but the fact that there are so many cutting systems – I almost broke my Big Shot forcing through a Crafter’s Companion die – not realising that they’re not compatible – of course, you can always try to adjust the sandwich, but who has time for experimenting with that? Loving your 2013 layout – I know what you mean about the swirly, but I think it still looks good – we need to embrace our past design decisions and not judge them through our eyes in the present. Enjoy your week! xx zsuzsa #22

  9. LLJ on 3 March 2021 at 12:23 pm

    I need thicker larger sticks too! (Oooo-eerrrr missus!) In fact, I need some refills, where did you send off to for yours? It’s weird how some projects just trip you up at very step and others just work from the get-go….there are definitely Crafting Goddesses out there whose whims affect what we do. Goodness I’m rambling….sorry. The Volcano LO is fab and I like the curly glittery bit!
    Roll on cuppas in the garden, say I!
    Hugs LLJ 8 xxx

  10. Cindy Ashplant on 3 March 2021 at 1:18 pm

    hmmm, feel like there’s a bit of rationalising going on there vis a vis craft purchases. I made it through Feb and am trying for another month… March is longer so not sure how I’ll do. So annoying when you can’t find a favourite die or stamp – mine usually go awol because I am constantly revising my storage system and just can’t recall where I’ve put it. Even more annoying when new dies don’t cut from the get go. I’m sure you’ll get it sorted in the end. Have a great week, stay well stay safe, love n hugs, Cindy x #18

  11. BJ on 3 March 2021 at 2:22 pm

    Oh it’s a right pickle when dies don’t work properly, cutting plates disappear and glue sticks are the wrong size!
    I also can’t see the handle on your Cuttlebug so that’s really getting to me too. Super LO.
    Thanks for the visit BJ#13

  12. Diana Taylor on 3 March 2021 at 2:56 pm

    Oh I’ve had my share of glue gun problems too! I ordered a vast quantity of the wrong size glue sticks and ended up having to buy a second glue gun to use them with – but I like having the two sizes now – it’s finding the space to store them that’s the problem! I love your layout – blue and yellow is a lovely colour combo.
    I hope you find your leaf die , have a good week,
    Diana xx #20

  13. Sarah Brennan on 3 March 2021 at 3:49 pm

    Let’s hope that’s all your crafty problems come at once Lisa-Jane and that the new glue gun turns up soon and the leaves work better with the Cuttlebug sandwich. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #3

    • Heather Marshall on 4 March 2021 at 10:28 pm

      Hi Lisa-Jane, oh you have had quite a frustrating time of it! I hope you do manage to get some decent leave dies that will cut! I love the scrapbook layout- I really must get much more adventurous with my layouts. Of course the glue gun doesn’t count as stash – it’s a charitable replacement. Have a lovely week, Heather xx #25

  14. Carol N on 3 March 2021 at 3:57 pm

    Hope you get your needed glue gun soon! I think I have 3, probably all the same size. And sad that your dies didn’t work. Do you not have a handle on your Cuttlebug? Great layout! Thanks for popping by and have a wonderful week!
    Carol N #24

  15. Felicia A Aaron on 3 March 2021 at 4:56 pm

    Lisa-Jane…..can we just say that your crafter’s woes sound suspiciously like something I go through on a regular basis!! My friend, it’s a sickness that I don’t know you will be able to get rid of!!! LOLOL Your post was so cute!! Your throwback with the volcano…WOW! I would have loved to see that in person! Right up my alley! Well, I hope all your lovelies get to you quickly and you can resume your crafters’ position! LOL Take care and stay healthy! Felicia #26

  16. spyder on 3 March 2021 at 5:06 pm

    Hope you find your leaf-die. I hated it when at last I could afford this lovely flower with swirls and things only to quickly cut it out to see how lovely is was…then, to only find the little bag in came in in my storage box when I came to use it! Never saw it again…(still have the bag though!) Well, I’ve never stood at the bottom or in a volcano and am not likely to now! But what a picture to remember! Take care, stay safe. Keep on Crafting! Happy WOYWW ((Lyn)) #16

  17. Angela on 3 March 2021 at 5:58 pm

    I do hope you find your leaf die, it’s so frustrating when things disappear. Your layout is great, not sure I would like to stand near a volcano! Have a great week Angela #17

  18. Angela Radford on 3 March 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Glue guns…..love them but then I must have glue for every possible requirement! I started with the cheapest one and ended up with a Bosch cordless and it’s brilliant and not only are they good for sticking stuff but you can be creative with them too so it’s a no-brainer you have to have one but you know this only too well. Very brave to stand at the bottom of the volcano, I have a friend who found herself in a very difficult position when one they were visiting started to erupt but luckily they managed to get away. Have a very creative week and a happy woyww, Angela x19x

  19. Carolyn Staton on 3 March 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Love your layout. Thank you for visiting! Sorry I’m missing in action again this week – we have building work at ours and every evening I am having to move things round the house to make way for the next thing! I hope to be back next week. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. Caro xx

  20. Neet Hickson on 3 March 2021 at 10:19 pm

    Oh No! What a time you have had of it. One of those weeks you want to put behind you. Hope the bad luck runs out and something nice happens soon.
    Great LO so that was good!
    Hugs, Neet xx

  21. Shoshi on 3 March 2021 at 11:16 pm

    It sounds as if you’ve had a really frustrating week, Lisa Jane! These things are sent to try us… It’s amazing how quickly one uses up glue sticks, isn’t it. I’ve made oodles of flowers in my time. I’ve got a lot of leaf dies, and also cutting files for the cutting machine. I love making them, and embossing them with veins afterwards.

    Thank you for visiting – I’m glad you found the blocking exercise interesting. It serves to flatten the piece, and also to set the stitches, and you get a much better result. It’s great for knitted garments too, so that you can get the measurements exactly right. After many, many years of blocking things on the floor (you DON’T want to walk over it in bare feet, believe me – full of pins!!) the discovery of the blocking mats was a revelation – wish I’d had them years ago! The kitties like to help with blocking, and if it’s on the floor they will usually lie on it, which helps flatten it, too!

    Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with the NHS. It’s a common theme, isn’t it. A lot of the problem is poor communication between departments.

    I’m so glad you liked my Celtic card! Last year I made a whole lot of Celtic drawings and treated them in different ways. They are all scanned and saved and can be printed out and painted etc. I’ve got quite a stack of them ready to be made into cards, and also quite a few different mandala designs, too. It would be fun to translate some of the Celtic ones into cross stitch charts – thanks for the idea! Since finishing my Tiny Carpets project, I am rather missing my cross stitching at the moment, but it’s all crochet at present! I do find crochet pretty addictive.

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi x #21

  22. Jo Betts on 4 March 2021 at 11:34 am

    I found your blog at last ( I can’t link to Julia’s any more). I hate having frustrating crafty days like that – it spoils what should be a fun time. I don’t use a glue gun much but I did by a cheap one from Argos and its been fine for small tasks. I love the LO -it really makes the photos zing and draws your eye in to see what’s going on! My latest twiddler is looking good – complete with snow leopard as star feature! xx Jo

  23. Lindart on 4 March 2021 at 4:29 pm

    You certainly have had your frustrations this week! Hopefully all will go well from now on! Your volcano LO looks great – I’ve never been to or been in a volcano! I see you have had you run-ins with snoring as well. I can’t get hubby to do anything about it, he doesn’t see the problem! But he is at some point soon (I hope) going for sleep testing. If he has to have a C-Pap machine I will still probably need earplugs! Can’t win…LOL! Thanks for your visit, have a wonderful week, Lindart #29

  24. Stacy on 4 March 2021 at 7:15 pm

    awww, I have no advice about the glue gun but, that is lucky you know someone who can find a use for the old one.
    about those dies. ( do you have anything for a shim?) I have some that are such work to cut out, where I tape waxed paper to the die between it and the paper I want to cut and use say a metal cutting plate too sometimes. it helps me sometimes to spin them around on the cut surface too. ( so, if one corner is in the center of the plate try turning it without lifting it on the plate and or closer to the edges of the plate more than the center. the machines I have seem to have more pressure on the edges than in the center.

    hopefully you can get some useable pieces to make it work. ~Stacy #28

  25. Kelly on 8 March 2021 at 10:04 pm

    Hi Lisa-Jane

    You might need to shim that scrapbook paper with a piece of cardstock. The problem might be that it’s too thing. Trust me – that’s a thing
    Thanks for stopping by my blog last week.
    Hugs! Creative Blessings! Kelly #27

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