Wednesday 5 September 2012

WOYWW #170

Good Morning; after my busy summer where my studio was to all intents and purposes covered in dust sheets and closed up; I'm back!
I've been busy catching up on deadlines and getting back into creative mode as my desk will show!
Here it is
Stuff all over! so what's what? On the left there are these new stamps
 I'm not big on Halloween but I like old vintage and steampunk stuff and I like this skull as it's not freaky, it looks more like an old engraving (Probably is!) and the script stamp is wonderful too so I can see a lot of use out of it all year round. Not to mention the labels too.
 Then, after I mentioned to a friend that you never see cigar boxes here in this country; look what
Mark Gould brought back as a gift for me from Vegas; two fab boxes as well as these Tim Holtz fractured dolls!
Thank you very much, I can't wait to get going on these!


 Then some fab postcards from London while we were taking visitors around.

Lastly, I had an aha moment the other day. I missed out on getting the Autumn distress inks when they came out last year but saw the re inkers and picked them up thinking I'll get those so when the pads come out again I at least already have the re inkers. Then while I was sitting in the studio over the weekend I looked at them and had a lightbulb moment - I have a sheet of custom stamp pad; these small tubs...... perhaps I can make a temporary set? Yes I can!      

I cut felt to fit the lids and stuck down with double sided tape and used the re inkers to make my own. When not in use the lids keep everything nice and safe. Brilliant; I was well chuffed with myself I must say and don't know why I didn't think of it earlier.

So there's my desk; Julia over at Stamping Ground is the host if you want to pop on by and see more.
Have yourselves a great day.

35 comments:

Inkypinkycraft said...

i love those distress colours, the orange is yummy!!! and they are great for halloween..fab light bulb moment..love the stamsp too! have a creative week trace x #61

BJ said...

Well if the Autumn colour distress inkpads aren't out again this year, I think I'll be copying your idea and making my own. Of course I'll have to get the re-inkers first though and after seeing this idea they'll be in short supply too methinks. BJ#63

Kyla said...

What a fantastic idea with the reinkers (though I find the felt impossible to get down here in the west country), and a lovely surprise from Mark, looking forward to seeing what you make with the cigar box.

Kyla

Kyla said...

Oops, for got to say I am #74 this week!
Kyla #74

Neesie said...

Welcome back...I was just holding my breath looking at your desk from that angle...where we teetering on a chair for that shot?
Great idea and can't wait to see what happens to the cigar box.
Have a great creative week!
Happy WOYWW Neesie #13

Helen said...

Good to see you back! I think your light bulb moment is just inspired, well done! Helen 52

Paul B said...

Love those stamps and the ink pad idea is inspired :) You have a wonderful collection of new goodies to play with. looking forward to seeing your projects with them. Px

okienurse said...

Awesome idea making your own pad up! Are they selling them again this year. My friend that I am helping has several sets so if you would like a set let me know and I will go get it tomorrow when I go to help her. Love that stamp set and the boxes...look forward to seeing what you do with them! Vickie #66

JoZart Designs said...

Amazingly I have a cigar box exactly the same as your's! There's an old fashioned tobacconist in LA we visited when we were at CHA and they had shelves on sale for a song. Trouble was space in our cases!
Your desk certainly looks like you are back in the depths of crafting already.
will email you re Mon. Good luck to you DD, she'll have fun in the "Pool" ( and hopefully do WELL!!)
JoZarty x

Anonymous said...

Excellent idea on the re-inkers. I only just got a couple of the seasonal sets (having thought I really didn't need them I found I NEEDED them :)) so looking for the reinkers is a great solution.

Loving the stamps too....

MA (29)

MrsC.x said...

ingenious!!
tfs
i need to tidy my desk and de clutter to make room for new stash but hey im sitting on sofa on here lol all good intentions and all that! lol
happy WOYWW love Mrs.C.xx #95

Francesca said...

Spotted the cigsrbox on the first pic and was envious....I'm still in two minds re the Skull stamp from Tim, but its growing on me. Good idea with the reinkers, they are great colours... Love Fracnesca #111

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there Neil, Thanks so much for popping over, and yes am not big on Halloween too! and love those light bulb moments myself - great idea - well done might just have go at it myself. Did you use ordinary felt? Ah you said something about a sheet of custom stamp pad so guess it is not ordinary felt, der! and thanks for sharing ~ happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #48

House of Bears said...

We love those stamps. We're not keen on Halloween either but also bought some Halloween type stamps as the images were interesting.

The bears @#110

VonnyK said...

Very clever to think of a way to use your re-inkers. The stamps look fab can't wait to see what you do with the cigar box, always love looking at your projects. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Hae a great week.
Von #58

Minxy said...

nice job on the temp inkpads, and lucky you with the new tim stamps, have fun playing
Happy Wednesday
Hugz Minxy #9

Danielle said...

Good to see you back! The skull stamp looks so detailed and not so halloweeny/skeletony. I know, not real words. I might have to look into that set. I can't wait to see what you come up with for those cigar boxes. I am sure it will be all Tim Holtz/steampunk goodness! dani 137

J said...

Great idea making your own stamp pads, Ive been hankering after those colours too, looks a pretty busy work desk, so what are you using the cigar boxes for???
Jan S 129

jill said...

Fab idea you had making your own ink pads , & can't wait to see what you do with the cigar box. happy crafting jill#78

lisa said...

Love your homemade DI's Neil, that's inspirational.
Have fun with your new stamps.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax 105

Brenda Brown said...

Looks like a very creative space Neil and I am sure the ideas are buzzing. I bet you are raring to go too.
Thanks for visiting and leaving me a lovely comment.
Take care.
hugs {brenda} xox

CraftygasheadZo said...

Now that is genius! Great desk shot too. Take care Zo xx 98

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...gosh Neil you have no space left to work, it's all creeping in!, loVe the look of the halloween set & look forward to your creations with it, great gifts from Mark, great things will happen with those! and genius idea with the inks, weel done...thanks for sharing and popping by me...Melxx :)

May said...

Welcome back Neil, we missed your fabulous posts.. Love that idea with the re-inkers.. love your desk shot..cant wait to see what you will do with the cigar boxes... Hugs May x x x

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous - so glad to hear that works, as I've been planning the same thing myself, but was a bit nervous about investing in the re-inkers if it wasn't going to! Thanks for sharing your lightbulb moment, and your lovely busy desk. (Have also just got that skull stamp set... great minds?!)
Alison x
#92

Belinda Basson said...

Nothing short of genius you are!

505whimsygirl said...

Welcome back Neil! I was wondering if I was becoming blind and just not finding your name.....

I'm not much on Halloween either but can see why that stamp set caught your eye.

You are one smart man - making your own pads! Well done. And lucky you, getting a cigar box and other goodies from Mark.

Thanks for visiting me already. Work has taken the front seat today and I'm not happy about it!

Happy WOYWW
Hugs, Kay #15

Gillian .... said...

Hi Neil good to see you back, that's an awesome idea re the distress pads, just purchased that stamp set myself, look forward to seeing what your light bulb moment project! Gillian #89

Ali H said...

Home grown ink pads ! What next in your repertoire ! And love that skull as you say almost anatomical rather than Hallowe'en so very useful ! Could of done with it when I was doing a Day of the Dead style skull art journal page last Sunday ! Ali #57

Elizabeth said...

Hi Neil, good to see you back and good to see what you have out on your desk. Like what came out of the light bulb moment - such a clever idea and one you'll get a lot of use from. Happy WOYWW, hope you have a lovely week. Elizabeth #90

Tertia said...

Great idea to make your own stamp pads.
I really find all skulls a bit creepy, but the script and tags, now that I would use.
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #70

Scattychick said...

Fa idea making your own stamp pads :) I love the stamp set too and can see lots of uses for it :D

mark gould said...

great idea for the re inkers Neil, Love the reverse image of the owl above as well.
Ill be looking forward to seeing what you do with the cigar boxes. I have not started on any of mine yet, to scared lol.
Nice to see you embracing the skull's ;)

Tamika said...

Amazing way to make stamp pads!Mika #146

Spyder said...

Grrrr.... Sorry I'm late getting round keep getting Error... and still getting it today! It's nice to see that I'm not the only one who colloects twigs and things, they alway look so useful! Must also hunt out a skull I drew many years ago...You've given me ideas!
Right...paste and copy...just incase it goes to error again!!
Happy Late woyww
((Lyn))