Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I'M BACK

Wow it's been a long time since I have updated this BLOG. I have been dealing with some health issues and though they are not yet all resolved I have resolved that I need to get back into life. I've missed posting here and also missed spending time in my craft room.

My fingers aren't yet pain free and still are pretty swollen and stiff, but I can't wait for that to change because it just may not ever do so. (For those who do not know, I have been diagnosed with active and severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.) So it is time to stop feeling sorry for myself and move on to my "new normal" life.

GinaK's new video on StampTV was just the exciting kick in the pants I needed today. IT was on stamping tile coasters and how to do so without having to do any extra work to make them waterproof. Wow....they are so easy when you know how....if you want to make wonderful coasters for gifts you MUST watch this video!

Here is my tile.


I'm not sure if it will be used as a coaster or as a home dec. accessory tile propped on an easel. The tiles I found in my stash are a bit large I think for coasters. But the are waterproof and so certainly could be.

I followed GinaK's instructions pretty closely. Except that since the stamp I used, which is from her set Elegant Flowers which is available in the Floral Frenzy kit, is a solid image and I wanted to use several colors I colored the stamp using ink picked up on ends of Q-tips. I had to work pretty fast so the ink didn't dry in the stamp before I could stamp the tile. I wasn't sure it would work but it did.

I made a second tile using a Stampin' Up stamp, but haven't photographed it yet. It was a outlined image so I colored it in using daubers like Gina did on the video. I will try to get a photo of it in the next day or so. I also like how it turned out.

Now I just need to get some more tiles and padded feet for the bottom as well as more colors of Stazon! I see Christmas presents for everyone.......give them a try.

3 comments:

Diane Noble said...

This is beautiful, Suzanne! I'm soooo sorry to hear about your diagnosis...and to know that you are in pain. I will be lifting you in prayer. Interesting...just felt led to check in on you. Perhaps this is why...I needed to be praying for you.

Your coaster is just gorgeous. I'll check out the video.

Lee said...

I love the tile!!! These are really fun to make for gifts!!

And I have been meaning to let you know that I'm sending hugs and prayers!! A "new normal" is difficult to get to used to and you're friends are only a click away while you're sailing these new waters!!

peggysue said...

Sorry to hear about your news . . . there might be moments of denial, moments of frustration at your 'new normal' but you'll get there. Big hugs.