Take some advice....apparently I don’t need it...

I went to a workshop at Kraft Crazy about three weeks ago, and made 4 cards that I will happily use and repeat. I even bought some of the lovely Spectrum Noir Sparkle paints. I don’t mind telling you that as a person who conducts the odd workshop, I find being an attendee can be a bit nerve wracking. You kinda feel that you should remember every top tip you’ve ever given anyone as well as retaining every last word of the instructions given in the ‘run through’. 

Well let me tell you, there were a lot of solemn warnings in the run through on this particular workshop. Angie (conducting) and Shopkeeper Gal (host) were in total accord about the potential mess one could make with the paints. Mostly because of course, finger prints make a card look really home made (and we’re all striving at least for extremely well hand made). Then there was the warning that Sparkle paint doesn’t come off the skin too easily. According to Leonie off the telly and Shaz from WOYWW, Imperial Leather soap is the best remover. There were even some erm, surgical type gloves provided. But we attendees felt that gloves were unnecessary, after all, we were all relatively experienced, and we all bragged that we were crafting on the edge because none of us had any of that particular soap to rescue us.

Well, of course, I followed all the tips. I swirled the bottles to get a good mix. I didn’t turn them upside down and shake them like crackers. I swirled until the ball bearing was gliding quietly. Then I carefully placed the bottle and opened it up. Oh beautiful, glorious strong colours full of pearly shine. Love. I used teeny amounts as necessary, kept the paint on the brush, not the finial. Didn’t dribble any. And yet........

I swirled and clearly failed to notice a dribble from the lid, or a loose lid or something designed to catch me out. I only realised that my finger was wet when I wiped it across my cheek. Oh for heavens sake! You learn a lot about a friend when this sort of thing happens. Some rush to help. Some laugh whilst rushing to help. Some laugh so hard that they are incapable. And others grab their phones for pictures whilst laughing so hard they can’t breathe. I don’t know, all those warnings. I didn’t try wiping it off at the workshop - I was worried that it would make it worse. We talked about using gritty facial cleansers and I had visions of a very sore cheek on the non wonky side. How unjust. 

I did something else out of character that evening too....I called in at the chip shop on the way home. Two people serving and one other waiting. No one blinked or commented. When I went to bed I washed my face with my daily facial cleanser and fortunately, it came off. But it was a few of days before my more heavily stained fingers and nails were completely clean. Apparently this wasn’t traumatic enough an experience though, I’ve been shopping at least twice since and forgotten to pick up the Imperial Leather for next time. As there will surely be!