Friday, October 12, 2012

Nothing keeps me down for long!

I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone left while my computer was in the shop.  I thought I would explain what happened.  A photo of the accomplice seems to be in order.



Does anyone remember when I showed my office during WOYWW one week?  Note my monitor that  I love so much, I chose to keep it over a larger one that had internal speakers, rather than external ones.  I don't like sound unless I am watching a video.  What you can't see is the cord that connected the monitor to the computer.  It was a replacement cord I purchased when my external video card died.  It never fit properly, but now I have a new one.  This one is smaller and fits perfectly behind the speakers.  I'm such a lucky gal, since all my computer woes could be traced to a monitor CORD of all things!

 

While waiting for the verdict on my computer, I tried to keep busy.  I started a few affirmation flags.  I need lace or something to add dimension to these, then I'll be on my way to making lots of flags. Well, six at least!  And while I was making them, I was able to use the last of two spools of ribbon and one piece of fabric.

 
Do you remember when I got my inks out?  I was SURE I took photos of the pages I made using my watercolor paper.  But looking through what was on my camera, and what I had already uploaded to Photoshop, proved my memory of taking photos of the process must have been merely a figment of my imagination.


However, I worked on the back sides of several pages, two of which I dried outside.  The wind that day was intense, and whipped the pages around while the ink was still wet.  I hope they don't show too badly when I cut them.



Next (and I apologize for the low resolution of these images, but I refuse to pay Blogger for space), I began finishing a few of my many nearly completed journal pages by adding the final touch: stamping.  I'm not a very good stamper, so I have no idea why this has to be the final step, but it does.
 

This is but a small number of the pages I have finished, but it took me over three hours to stamp these pages.  One thing about it, when I'm stamping, time flies.



Instead of putting my supplies away (SHOCK of SHOCKS), I decided to cut my now painted and sprayed watercolor paper into book sized pieces.  I was originally going to make them 3 inches by 4 inches, but decided that was too small.  I ended up cutting them 4 inches by 6 inches, which is postcard size.  I had enough for two books, minus the covers.  Although I was anxious to stamp these, then put the stamps away, I realized they were quite rippled, so decided to press them overnight under a heavy book.  The strips in the back (behind the stamps) are what was left (1 inch by 4 inches) after I cut the 9 X 12 pages to size.

Oh wait!! Did you notice that dark blob in the upper left of the photo?  Nope, it's not the black floorboard trim.


He really wants to be in the room with me.  I guess I'm going to have to learn to live with pet dander and fur, because he sneaks in when I'm not looking.  It just goes to show how engrossed in painting and stamping I get.

Again, thanks to all who stopped by and wished me well.  I so appreciate all of you.  Now I must get my homework assignment finished, because I still have several steps to complete.  I'll stop by your place soon, and I'll see you here on Sunday morning.

____________________

18 thoughtful remarks:

Caterina Giglio said...

so glad you are back and all is well and you have been very busy... good for you... love seeing all your 4 x 6 pieces, just yummy

Craftymoose Crafts said...

So happy your computer problem was just a cable! Sure beats having to buy a whole new machine. I think if my computer "broke" down once in a while, I would get a lot more crafting done, too!

Bluebeard really looks quite cozy!

(Quietly running off to work on my AB since I thought I was going to have an extra week!) :)

Dianne said...

O YAY! So glad you're back and it was something easily fixed! Wow...you got a lot done in a few days. Love the pages...are you getting ready for a swap? Love those colorful watercolor pages...and the flags look promising too. Waiting for the next installment...

Dawn said...

Awe its delightful to have you back in cyberspace my lovely, have missed your posts dreadfully.
Sooooo pleased for you that it was nothing drastic with your PC, lol I bet you were relieved!!
Huge hugs x x x x

elle said...

Hi, Elizabeth. Here I thought you were lolling about like Bleubeard! What are those orange stamps? I've not seen ones like that.

Clare with paint in her hair said...

So glad you are back!

Julia Dunnit said...

Double relief! You're back safe and sound and it was a cable...wow, what a lot of trouble it caused, crickey. Love the new pages, postcard size they are sooo useable. See, the stamping comes first for me...but I see why it's a ritual as the last part for you...and it does indeed make the time go and if it takes time, you naturally tend to leave it to the end, huh. I think it's right really, that Bleubeard wants to be around you..I did spot him straight away, unusual for him to be in the frame of a 'working' shot!

Healing Woman said...

You lucked out! Only a cable. Wonderful for you. Prayer flags are interesting looking. Naturally Bluebeard wants to be by you while you are working. He loves you.

voodoo vixen said...

Yay! So glad your problems were easily solved once you figured out what the cause was!! (Chris managed to blow mine up because he forgot to turn the switch from 110 volts to 220 volts once we got home)!!!
I am keeping busy... have been visiting the kids and grandkids, had Christopher up for a few days and now have my Mum staying... the days are disappearing fast!!

Rebeca Trevino said...

Whew! that was something! glad you are back and in full swing. i never doubted for a minute that this little 'bump' in the road would slow YOU down.

Halle said...

Hooray you are back! You certainly have been busy while the computer was down.

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back! Love all those colorful book pages everywhere!! xox

Carolyn Dube said...

A cord?! How blessed that is was a cord and not something more expensive! I love your book pages- they will make fun books!

Darla said...

Happy to see you up and running again. I see you have been very busy while off line. The book pages look great.

Darla

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BJ said...

Hi Elizabeth, so glad you got to the bottom of the computer mystery and are up and running again, sure did miss you.

If you are going to do your "round up" of the AB course next week now, will the cover section be the following week as planned (29th) or moved back also? I just need to do my cover now but thought I'd wait until after your lesson on covers incase there are words of wisdom I need to listen to before, if you see what I mean.

Thanks for your comments on my latest Autumnal creations, I might need to used some of the techniques for my book cover.

And please, please send me your address as I have found the cutest little - oh I won't spoil the surprise, just send me your address please.

I love my altered book thanks SO much for inspiring me.
BJ

Rita said...

That was so cool! It's so exciting when computer problems can be fixed simply and easily--even if it isn't always easy to find the easy solution--LOL! Love the art work and really enjoyed seeing Bleubeard!!! :):)

Margaret said...

Love your tutorials Elizabeth, your energy inspires me. I love the stamped pages even if it took you ages, so worth it for the end result. Mx