Not keen on the way the "Fabriano" stamp turned out, might try that one again. Or learn to accept the imperfection.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Stamp Carving
Doing a little practice carving:
Not keen on the way the "Fabriano" stamp turned out, might try that one again. Or learn to accept the imperfection.
Not keen on the way the "Fabriano" stamp turned out, might try that one again. Or learn to accept the imperfection.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
A Busy One
It has been one of those non-stop busy days where nothing seems to have been finished but lots got done. I am hoping that by this time tomorrow, everything will have magically come together in a more complete fashion, but in the meantime, I definitely feel like progress was made.
I decorated the cover of my daily journal and pasted in some images that have been lying around for a while waiting to find their place. Cats have been fed, watered, brushed and cuddled. I tidied up and put away all the rest of the kitchen stuff that got shuffled about last night. More stuff was collected for the Goodwill box. Online class notes were sorted into binders, labelled and put on an easy to reach shelf for quick reference.
The biggest job today was cleaning off my desk and rearranging the computer, printer and storage compartment that sit on it, as well as dusting and reorganizing the top 3 shelves of the bookcase beside it. It doesn't look all that exciting and it seems rather too linear or something at the moment with everything lined up along the wall like that but practically speaking, it will be more efficient, because the cables have all been rearranged (who knew that would be so time consuming?) and I'll be able to reach the printer more easily on the right hand side now that the filing cabinet on the left isn't blocking my access.
That Paris picture? Finally hung it today, after leaning it against the wall for the past year since I bought it. Wasn't sure the table would support my weight, finally brave enough today to try it and no problem!
Notice the phone is raised up on top of the little storage compartment? That's because there have been a couple of instances in recent weeks where a cat has knocked the phone off the hook and then stepped on a speed dial button. Usually I just hear that annoying dial tone beeping noise but there was one occasion when my brother in Jasper wanted to know why I called him in the middle of a weekday from home when I should have been at work (he doesn't have voicemail, just saw my number on the call display). I had to explain that I didn't call him, the cat did! :)
I'm weary now though. I was tired when I woke up this morning, after a week of not getting to bed early enough, last night included, but I've been ignoring it all day. It's starting to catch up to me now though and my back is telling me that all that clambering about on top of and under the desk was a bit much. Think I'll watch a bit of TV and then head to bed. There's more organizing, cleaning and pre-packing preparation to be done tomorrow!
I decorated the cover of my daily journal and pasted in some images that have been lying around for a while waiting to find their place. Cats have been fed, watered, brushed and cuddled. I tidied up and put away all the rest of the kitchen stuff that got shuffled about last night. More stuff was collected for the Goodwill box. Online class notes were sorted into binders, labelled and put on an easy to reach shelf for quick reference.
The biggest job today was cleaning off my desk and rearranging the computer, printer and storage compartment that sit on it, as well as dusting and reorganizing the top 3 shelves of the bookcase beside it. It doesn't look all that exciting and it seems rather too linear or something at the moment with everything lined up along the wall like that but practically speaking, it will be more efficient, because the cables have all been rearranged (who knew that would be so time consuming?) and I'll be able to reach the printer more easily on the right hand side now that the filing cabinet on the left isn't blocking my access.
That Paris picture? Finally hung it today, after leaning it against the wall for the past year since I bought it. Wasn't sure the table would support my weight, finally brave enough today to try it and no problem!
Notice the phone is raised up on top of the little storage compartment? That's because there have been a couple of instances in recent weeks where a cat has knocked the phone off the hook and then stepped on a speed dial button. Usually I just hear that annoying dial tone beeping noise but there was one occasion when my brother in Jasper wanted to know why I called him in the middle of a weekday from home when I should have been at work (he doesn't have voicemail, just saw my number on the call display). I had to explain that I didn't call him, the cat did! :)
I'm weary now though. I was tired when I woke up this morning, after a week of not getting to bed early enough, last night included, but I've been ignoring it all day. It's starting to catch up to me now though and my back is telling me that all that clambering about on top of and under the desk was a bit much. Think I'll watch a bit of TV and then head to bed. There's more organizing, cleaning and pre-packing preparation to be done tomorrow!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Things To Be Done
You know how it is when a vacation trip approaches, there is always so much to be done. I've been making lists and collecting things I plan to take with me into piles, shopping for sunscreen, travel sized toothpaste and art supplies, considering what clothes to take, making arrangements for accommodations and cat sitting, that sort of thing. Which is why I had to spend some time tonight sorting out the bookcase in my kitchen...
Okay, dealing with a slightly damaged bookcase wasn't originally on my list of things to do before my trip (did I mention I'm going to Italy?!) but last night I noticed, really became aware, that this particular bookcase was coming apart on one side. So naturally, it had to be fixed. Tonight. As soon as I came home from work.
It was a simple job - I would just need to take everything out, push or hammer the pieces back into place and put the contents back onto the shelves. I gave myself an hour to do it. In the end, it only took an hour and a half, and the extra time was needed only because I decided once I'd emptied the bookcase and put it back together properly that maybe I'd rearrange the furniture a little bit, try something different. Which involved moving around the contents of the bookcase and some things from my dining room, so it took a little bit longer.
But I'm glad I did it, because I'm quite pleased with how everything turned out. My recipe books are now tucked into the top shelf of one of my kitchen cupboards for when I need them (which is rarely, I don't cook from a recipe that often).
I have a small pile of very large, heavy, never referred to in the past 20 years cookbooks by the front door, ready to be taken to Goodwill in the next day or two. Why I'd kept them all these years, I don't know but I'm ready to let them go now.
I moved my $2.00 worth of bookcases to the space previously occupied by the falling apart bookcase, where they seem quite happy to be side by side instead of sitting apart as they were previously. They fit into the space by the stove perfectly, with just enough room left over to tuck the broom. They are holding several of my art supplies, including last week's antique show treasures, the rubber stamps in their holder and the cheque writing machine.
I put the now holding together quite nicely bookcase against the opposite wall and filled it with more art supplies, so they are close at hand for when I need them but not cluttering up the table when not being used. There is also lots of room for some of the books from the bookcases in the dining room, which will then clear some much needed space in that room for other things to be tucked neatly into place (but that's a job for another day).
Man, it feels good when things are organized and in the place where they belong! And I'll be able to enjoy Italy that much more just knowing my bookcase back home isn't falling apart while I'm gone! ;)
Okay, dealing with a slightly damaged bookcase wasn't originally on my list of things to do before my trip (did I mention I'm going to Italy?!) but last night I noticed, really became aware, that this particular bookcase was coming apart on one side. So naturally, it had to be fixed. Tonight. As soon as I came home from work.
It was a simple job - I would just need to take everything out, push or hammer the pieces back into place and put the contents back onto the shelves. I gave myself an hour to do it. In the end, it only took an hour and a half, and the extra time was needed only because I decided once I'd emptied the bookcase and put it back together properly that maybe I'd rearrange the furniture a little bit, try something different. Which involved moving around the contents of the bookcase and some things from my dining room, so it took a little bit longer.
But I'm glad I did it, because I'm quite pleased with how everything turned out. My recipe books are now tucked into the top shelf of one of my kitchen cupboards for when I need them (which is rarely, I don't cook from a recipe that often).
I have a small pile of very large, heavy, never referred to in the past 20 years cookbooks by the front door, ready to be taken to Goodwill in the next day or two. Why I'd kept them all these years, I don't know but I'm ready to let them go now.
I moved my $2.00 worth of bookcases to the space previously occupied by the falling apart bookcase, where they seem quite happy to be side by side instead of sitting apart as they were previously. They fit into the space by the stove perfectly, with just enough room left over to tuck the broom. They are holding several of my art supplies, including last week's antique show treasures, the rubber stamps in their holder and the cheque writing machine.
I put the now holding together quite nicely bookcase against the opposite wall and filled it with more art supplies, so they are close at hand for when I need them but not cluttering up the table when not being used. There is also lots of room for some of the books from the bookcases in the dining room, which will then clear some much needed space in that room for other things to be tucked neatly into place (but that's a job for another day).
Man, it feels good when things are organized and in the place where they belong! And I'll be able to enjoy Italy that much more just knowing my bookcase back home isn't falling apart while I'm gone! ;)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Speaking of Decorative Tape
I got this idea from Michelle Geller's blog, even before I knew she was sending me 12 rolls of the stuff from Target. She had posted here about a cute little cassette case she'd picked up at Goodwill. I liked her idea so much (and because I totally loved that floral pattern she found!), I went looking for the same thing on my next trip to Value Village.
For the same $1.99 that she spent, I found something the same but different, with 3 drawers and a dark brown, "faux wood" style. With a few stickers added just for the heck of it (clearly "Deb" didn't believe in overdoing it when it came to decoration).
But that's okay. The drawers went in the dishwasher and came out perfectly clean. The case wiped off and out easily enough, followed by a little Mod Podge, some dictionary pages and Tim Holtz tape for the top and now it looks completely different.
I put a little dish of cat litter inside for a day or two to take away the dusty, unused smell. Worked like a charm.
The holder itself works perfectly.
I was worried I wouldn't be able to fit in all my tapes but as it happens, I even have room for one or two more rolls. Then again, maybe I should keep my eyes open for another one like this, just in case I have the urge to buy more tape at any time in the future (like when Mary Ann Moss blogs about new tape she has ordered). It could happen. ;)
For the same $1.99 that she spent, I found something the same but different, with 3 drawers and a dark brown, "faux wood" style. With a few stickers added just for the heck of it (clearly "Deb" didn't believe in overdoing it when it came to decoration).
But that's okay. The drawers went in the dishwasher and came out perfectly clean. The case wiped off and out easily enough, followed by a little Mod Podge, some dictionary pages and Tim Holtz tape for the top and now it looks completely different.
I put a little dish of cat litter inside for a day or two to take away the dusty, unused smell. Worked like a charm.
The holder itself works perfectly.
I was worried I wouldn't be able to fit in all my tapes but as it happens, I even have room for one or two more rolls. Then again, maybe I should keep my eyes open for another one like this, just in case I have the urge to buy more tape at any time in the future (like when Mary Ann Moss blogs about new tape she has ordered). It could happen. ;)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I Got Mail
First, the invitation from the post office, inviting me to attend a nearby location to pick up a parcel but not until the next day after 1 p.m. In the meantime, the anticipation builds, the excitement is palpable.
Then, a small cardboard box, decorated with polka dots.
Inside, a brown paper package tied up with string. One of my favourite things.
Once opened, a treasure trove is revealed, including (and perhaps most exciting, judging by the way my heart skipped a beat), the recently introduced decorative tapes from Target:
This adorable little bingo journal:
and a whole package of ephemera delights of every size and shape:
some of which went immediately into my journal:
A very generous gift from my friend and adopted sister, Michelle Geller, who knows how much I love vintage paper goodies.
Then, a small cardboard box, decorated with polka dots.
Inside, a brown paper package tied up with string. One of my favourite things.
 |
| 3 colour combos - squeee! |
This adorable little bingo journal:
and a whole package of ephemera delights of every size and shape:
 |
| Love the calligraphy! |
some of which went immediately into my journal:
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
So Cute When She's Asleep
It's hard to believe this sweet looking, sleepy creature
is such a bundle of energy (and Katrina's eternal nemesis) when she's awake!
is such a bundle of energy (and Katrina's eternal nemesis) when she's awake!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Shopping at Christie
Okay, time's up! For those of you who guessed the cheque writing machine, you were right! My mom thought maybe I had bought everything from the last post but the buffalo head and I can't say I wasn't tempted (especially by that leaded window pane, wasn't it lovely?). I really didn't get that much but what I got, I love.
I had seen an older style of cheque writing machine earlier in the day for $40 that only printed even numbers (10, 20, 30, etc.) and only printed out the full word in capitals (i.e. "TEN") but it chewed up the edge of the paper, so I wasn't too keen. When I saw this one, I first asked if it worked, which surprised the vendor because she hadn't thought to try it out and hadn't realized what it was (her partner had brought it). We tried it and it worked like a charm, complete with the sort of text you would normally see on a certified cheque. I asked the price, she went to ask her partner, came back and told me I could have it for $20. I said that couldn't be right, but she assured me her partner said it was too heavy to carry home, she wanted to sell it. How could I not buy it?! (It was darned heavy though, many thanks to Barb for carrying it back to the car for me. Although it is working well when I want to flatten anything out, like journal pages that curl as they dry).
I might use it for a date stamp. Here's how my birth date (November 28, 1961) looks:
It only goes up to $100,000 so I can't write myself a cheque for a million dollars, but I could write 10 of them for 100G's, couldn't I?
No, Heidi, it wasn't the vintage album with the mirror on the cover. The vendors wanted $95 a piece for each of those albums and they were both rather ugly (it has to be said), in very poor condition, one was empty and the other had very few photos inside. So not worth it.
In fact, many of the items at this sale seemed hugely overpriced, especially compared to the antique market I'd been to just 2 weeks before. My friend Barb overheard one of the vendors talking about how they jacked the prices up for the Toronto shoppers, who didn't know the real value of what was on offer. Needless to say, she didn't buy anything in their booth!
Notwithstanding that comment and luckily for me, I found several items that I thought were being given away for outrageously low prices and I snatched them up! Only after asking, "Are you sure? That price seems awfully low to me." One gentleman told me it depends what he paid for it. As long as he was still making a profit, he didn't mind if the price was too low. (Thank you, sir, for the vintage postcard books of Rome and Florence that you sold me for only $5 a piece.)
For example, I got this ledger book for - are you sitting down for this, my journaling pals? - a mere six dollars! That's right, I said $6.00)!
I asked the guy, "Are you sure there isn't a zero missing?" He just shrugged and smiled.
It's a beauty, although rather tall. As you see from the photo, it's a full 17 inches high! The exterior is a little beat up but the inside is in mint condition, all of the numbered pages are intact and completely blank inside. Not sure what I'll do with it (Lori, I definitely like your suggestion about sharing ideas!) but I knew I had to have it.
I was most excited about this set of number stamps. Look how beautifully they were packaged, with ribbon and a handmade tag.
The seller told me it was a full set but alas, there is no zero. I shall persevere. I've already tested them out in my journal (suddenly with the numbers and the background stripes, this little face is starting to look like a mug shot...)
I was so excited, I had to buy a twirly stand to hang them on (from the same vendor, a lovely woman with two tween-aged daughters helping in her booth)!
I've since been regretting that I didn't get the double-tiered stamp holder, especially when I realized this holder would be completely filled up and I'd still have one stamp left over. Oh well, next time.
I have been looking at both of these types of items on eBay in the past few months so I knew they were reasonably priced ($22 and $25, respectively, my biggest purchases of the day) and I didn't have to pay shipping charges - bonus!
All in all, it was a great day.
I had seen an older style of cheque writing machine earlier in the day for $40 that only printed even numbers (10, 20, 30, etc.) and only printed out the full word in capitals (i.e. "TEN") but it chewed up the edge of the paper, so I wasn't too keen. When I saw this one, I first asked if it worked, which surprised the vendor because she hadn't thought to try it out and hadn't realized what it was (her partner had brought it). We tried it and it worked like a charm, complete with the sort of text you would normally see on a certified cheque. I asked the price, she went to ask her partner, came back and told me I could have it for $20. I said that couldn't be right, but she assured me her partner said it was too heavy to carry home, she wanted to sell it. How could I not buy it?! (It was darned heavy though, many thanks to Barb for carrying it back to the car for me. Although it is working well when I want to flatten anything out, like journal pages that curl as they dry).
I might use it for a date stamp. Here's how my birth date (November 28, 1961) looks:
It only goes up to $100,000 so I can't write myself a cheque for a million dollars, but I could write 10 of them for 100G's, couldn't I?
No, Heidi, it wasn't the vintage album with the mirror on the cover. The vendors wanted $95 a piece for each of those albums and they were both rather ugly (it has to be said), in very poor condition, one was empty and the other had very few photos inside. So not worth it.
In fact, many of the items at this sale seemed hugely overpriced, especially compared to the antique market I'd been to just 2 weeks before. My friend Barb overheard one of the vendors talking about how they jacked the prices up for the Toronto shoppers, who didn't know the real value of what was on offer. Needless to say, she didn't buy anything in their booth!
Notwithstanding that comment and luckily for me, I found several items that I thought were being given away for outrageously low prices and I snatched them up! Only after asking, "Are you sure? That price seems awfully low to me." One gentleman told me it depends what he paid for it. As long as he was still making a profit, he didn't mind if the price was too low. (Thank you, sir, for the vintage postcard books of Rome and Florence that you sold me for only $5 a piece.)
For example, I got this ledger book for - are you sitting down for this, my journaling pals? - a mere six dollars! That's right, I said $6.00)!
I asked the guy, "Are you sure there isn't a zero missing?" He just shrugged and smiled.
It's a beauty, although rather tall. As you see from the photo, it's a full 17 inches high! The exterior is a little beat up but the inside is in mint condition, all of the numbered pages are intact and completely blank inside. Not sure what I'll do with it (Lori, I definitely like your suggestion about sharing ideas!) but I knew I had to have it.
I was most excited about this set of number stamps. Look how beautifully they were packaged, with ribbon and a handmade tag.
The seller told me it was a full set but alas, there is no zero. I shall persevere. I've already tested them out in my journal (suddenly with the numbers and the background stripes, this little face is starting to look like a mug shot...)
I was so excited, I had to buy a twirly stand to hang them on (from the same vendor, a lovely woman with two tween-aged daughters helping in her booth)!
I've since been regretting that I didn't get the double-tiered stamp holder, especially when I realized this holder would be completely filled up and I'd still have one stamp left over. Oh well, next time.
I have been looking at both of these types of items on eBay in the past few months so I knew they were reasonably priced ($22 and $25, respectively, my biggest purchases of the day) and I didn't have to pay shipping charges - bonus!
All in all, it was a great day.
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