Discussion point: Controversy or Sour Grapes...

I've enlarged this card so that you can see the amount of detail and the fact that the detail isn't great.  It was an unmounted plate sent to me as part of the 'test' run for joining a Design Team (DT). Before I started on the stamps that I was sent, I spent about an hour surfing the shop's site, checking what products they sold against what I owned so as not to use anything that would compromise the 'product loading'.  And then I rubbed my hands together with glee and started to stamp.

It caused me great stress.  Despite my twenty years' experience, I could not get this plate to reproduce a decent, or whole image.  This is the only image I managed to turn into a card.... I used a black fine-liner pen to fill in the principal figure legs and face - and note, loads of background is missing.  Frankly, I didn't want to waste expensive mount foam on it - it's not the sort of stamp I'd use again, but I used re-useable cling mount on it, so there was cushioning. For the first time ever, I even stood on the stamp to see if I could distribute my weight evenly enough to get a whole image.  Nope.  

Many, many ruined images and a couple hours of frustration later, I realised that my time was more valuable, my paid for stock was being wasted and I was considering spending more money on EZ Mount - all to create a retail advantage for somebody who doesn't want to pay for this sort of effort.  Way to suddenly remove the pressure - work out that you don't have to do it!  This was an epiphany for me,  my time and precious stash is better spent crafting for my pleasure! 

I sent an email, tactfully explaining my difficulty, and pointing out that it was just the sort of stamp that people bring into a workshop and ask me what they're doing wrong over, and then I put this and a couple of cards I made using other stamps that had been sent for the 'trial' into the post.  Needless to say, I had an email a couple of weeks later saying that I hadn't got a place on the DT.  

What really jiggers me about this experience is that the business concerned has a reputation for selling really great quality stamps, world famous brands.  But the rubber I was sent is clearly not designed by the Brands, and worse, the artwork hasn't been cleaned up enough before being committed to rubber. Even on these cute bees, the width of the line drawings was inconsistent; the heart as you can see, is a much broader line than the bees. In many many cases, I want to scream 'clip art', but that is unproven, so I can't.  Perfectly acceptable if you're using separate stamps or combining brands, but clearly they were on the same 'plate' to be sold as a set.  

Am I nit picking?  Of course I don't think so. I really think that these businesses ride the reputations established by the big brands that they (usually) have exclusive distribution rights for, to produce their own ranges which are in every respect, cheaper.  Maybe because I've been stamping for so long I have become very critical of poor quality and attention to detail on rubber.  I complained and explained to DO Crafts over the same point about 18 months ago.  Happy to say that they acknowledged and listened.  It's clearly not just me, changes come when the manufacturers hear what the consumers do and don't like.

And so to offer some balance - here's a card I made from the same cute bees set, which I think is lovely.  Nice sharp clean image, the detail hasn't filled in, the line work is more or less even and it makes a good image.  Result!

Now I know this post will come across as sour grapes, and there will be loads of people who feel the need to defend their Design Team positions.  No need, I take my hat off to you, time, deadlines and stash - good for you.  It's ME that doesn't need it.  And the rest of the post was about stamp quality..remember that before you get all inflamed, huh!

WOYWW? (What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday) 206

My life, it's getting close to the fourth anniversary, which is week 208. Check out the sidebar links to pages that explain the what and the why about WOYWW and the anniversary if you want to join in.  Are you ready?  No, nor me.  But it's OK, there's loads of time.  Unless you have some tidying up to do..then it may be a good idea to start on that....check me out:-

Untidy.  Oh yeah.  That's untidy.  I had made two cards.  The second is really what caused all the mess, and I actually will be tidying before I start again at some stage today...this is too much, even for me.  Mostly because I'm down to two pairs of scissors in the little basket at top left, which means I've 'lost' five pairs on my desk already...so enough is enough!!   The strange black and white photo is of my brother in law and chum (unknown) when they were in their 20s and in a deeply heavy rock phase. We found it whilst clearing out some stuff in the Joinery the other day.  It's very damaged, but I'm going to do something with it for him.  At some stage.  Really.  Apart from rapid onset weeds visible on the patio, I don't think there's much that's new there.  You eagle eyed will spot something, no doubt!

So join in won't you.  Read the 'about' page and if it's clear, link here!  Look forward to seeing you!  And don't be surprised if you get the odd visit from people who don't yet have blogs....there are lots of browsers out there - you certainly don't need a blog to be a desk watcher!

Men. Cards. Difficulty.

For my Valentine, I made a card that wasn't particularly cute, but perfectly apt and I put a personal message across the front, painstakingly stamped with an alphabet set because there are no commercial stamps available that have the sort of nonsense we say to each other.  On the day, I watched him open it.  He ripped the envelope open, took the card out, opened it and stepped to the window to read what I'd written inside. The he kissed my forehead, thanked me, stood the card on the bookcase and went to work.

And that is how you now understand why I have trouble making cards for men.

They are ever so slightly under appreciated.  What? You say.  He opened it didn't he?  He put it on display didn't he?  Yes and Yes.  But he didn't look at the front at all.  I know this because first of all he definitely should have had something to say about the stupid phrase stamped on it, and (here's the clincher) to fit the phrase on the card, I used a landscape format. He stood it up in portrait format without so much as a second glance.  And there it stayed, the wrong way around until a month later I gave it to him for our anniversary.  He gave me a slightly quizzical look, but did not question it, and believe it or not, stood it on the same bookcase the wrong way around again.  

This is not a bitter and venom filled report, I think it's hilarious really, but also really...no wonder I'd rather buy a card for a chap.  So this Thursday's Cards for Men workshop will be delivered more in hope than expectation that other girls have erm, other types of men!

(some) People asked....

You know don't you that my biggest life skill is making any situation all about me.  And you know that having done that, I'm going to write about it here so that you can reinforce my skill by being lovely about me. You didn't know that?  You'll notice it a lot now I've pointed it out.  Lots of you have been incredibly kind about my decision to become an Apprentice in my husband's Joinery.  Yep.  Me and him and lots of work.  

First you plane rough sawn planks till they're smoooooth.  I wear gloves..the edges become pretty sharp.

These are smooth, five metres long and very heavy.....

Then you use the spindle moulder to add a profile to another 5m length that you've previously cut and planed. Not so heavy, but bendy.....

150 metres of the two 'things' produces 8 bags of sawdust from the extractor.  These are 4 feet high and when full, I cannot carry them.  Told you there was a lot of dust!  

So then you have metres and metres of moulding and you join them to the metres and metres of smooth planks.  With glue and a bench vice.  

 I hold the end and take the weight and we feed it into the vice about a foot at a time.  He clamps it tight to the count of three and we move to the next section.  So you see what I mean when I say some of this is repetitive!

Now in the best traditions, I need you to understand that this Apprenticeship is entirely an  act of selfishness.  We are lucky enough to have a lot of work.  When this happens, Mr Dunnit gets a panic on and works seven days a week.  I don't see him, he's shattered all the time and there seems no end to it.  So I figure if I can help with it, I'll see more of him in the day time, and he'll be able to have at least one day off each weekend.  So far so good.  Win win. For ME.  See?  I rest MY case.  And feel free to ask me if you need advice to manipulate the attention in any situation.  As I said, it's my best skill. 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 205

Only 3 weeks till the anniversary WOYWW!  Ridiculous.  Here's how to join in with WOYWW and here's how to join in on the anniversary week.

This means too that it's only 3-and-a-half weeks to the WOYWW Crop.  We are arriving at that moment when we need to think about numbers for food planning.  We'd be very grateful if you would now commit...if you're definitely coming, please let us know.  We already know that including lunch the charge will not be more than £10 per head.  There's an information page here.





Meanwhile, despite my new job (!), I have at least got as far as unpacking a little casual shopping.   When I say casual, I mean guilt-laden-but-that-didn't-stop-me and when I say little, I haven't bothered photographing the pile of 39 sheets of 12 x12 Core'dinations and papers that also came home with me.  Yikes.  But these stamps and papers were there and I was frightened that someone else would buy them and then I'd want them even more.  This may only make sense to you if you are the middle child.  It's the only excuse I can muster.  Oh my life, I uploaded the photo and it reminded me about the buttons too!  Ah well, I needed them, I'm perfectly sure.  And look, my mini Xyron came out to play!  Naturally I was looking for something else, but this now sits in my 'sticky' arsenal.  At least till the cartridge runs out!
Show us do what you're up to at your current workdesk.  We're interested.  Upload to a post with WOYWW in the title on your blog and link your blog here, we want to visit. I thank you.

The Apprentice

You read, don't you, about people who experience a change in their circumstances that utterly alters their lives.  well, here's a brief tale....
Whilst on holiday, and because we are self employed, Mr Dunnit and I talked a lot about business, costing and production.  It has always been apparent to me that I have the sweet side of the Partnership - sales, book keeping, fun deliveries in the big white van...sitting on my butt looking busy. 
We talked about hiring a semi skilled operative.  Loads of pro, loads more cons.  The workshop is in a farm building on his parent's land.  There are problems like no rest room...(alright for him, he uses his Mum and Dad's home for tea breaks and rest breaks...but we can't ask them to accomodate others, huh!).  So I had a life changing idea.  Anything I could do?  I know that it's physically strenuous and very very skilled, so you'll understand that I was a bit nervous.  Well.  Colour me surprised.  He took me up on the offer and we've 'worked together' for about seven days out of the last ten or so. From his point of view, it's another body to help with the repetitive and mundane parts of the job.  From my point of view, it's exercise and a lot of it!  Oh, and dust and not a small amount of it.  I've got safety goggles, ear defenders, gloves and a mask.  Glamorous it ain't.

 But so far, I'm loving it.  The noise is amazing..we don't talk once the extractor is turned on.  There's some hand signalling if I make a mistake or don't understand...but there's no point talking (shouting).  With a mask on and ear defenders, no chance of hearing or lip reading.  I like using the mega big band saw and the very frightening circular saw.  Last week I used the spindle moulder to help make mouldings to pin around glazed panels on loads of doors that we had made earlier!  It's like big time crafting with a genuine result.  No procrastinating in his workshop I can tell you.  I might be allowed to take a few photos next week.  Actually I was allowed last week, but I was so damn tired I kept forgetting.  I'm going to assume that I'll be fractionally less tired this week on the basis that I'm getting used to it.  Ask me on Wednesday; if my desk remains untouched, we know there's a problem!

Facts of Life: Laundry

I was a bit surprised by the amount of interest over the tins on my desk on Wednesday.  Then I remembered that it was because you thought I was going to alter them.  Aha. No. 
I covered up the printed bit that said coffee and sugar on each respectively.  As you can see, I had already done the same on a larger one that was originally printed 'dishwasher tablets' that I got as a total bargain.   And then I felt a bit guilty about the lack of effort and thought you'd probably want a little more from me.  So I cheered them up a bit.  They are still tins for use in my laundry room  And indeed, they are already in use.  My 'room' is the width of the washing machine and sits between the bedroom and bathroom upstairs.  It is not grand, but I do have to look at it every day, so I decided to do away with ugly. And I do love the retro tinware that's suddenly so available.  After all, as a crafter, storage is the next hobby!

 I'm pretty sure you weren't expecting this sort of detail though.  I know that over time, I will get used to knowing exactly what is in which tin.  But what about that glorious day Lord, when persons other than me put a load on to wash?  How confusing will they find it, and worse, will they have to ask or ring me?  Or even worse, guess?!  So, I labelled them..coupla buttons, Stazon and a mini alphabet.  Sorted. And my blood pressure returns to normal control freak levels.

Now, I just need to sort out the liquids.....and get my life back!  I'm linking this to Annie's Friday Smile...because frankly, it's the sort of thing that makes me smile about other people.  I'm turning into Suzy Home-maker!

Have a lovely weekend!