Gale's Gallery XIII: Our Get-Away To Stampaway USA!

Hello everyone!

I bet your last weekend wasn't like mine... Friday night I discovered my hen Sylvia Scarlett had a prolapsed uterus (some of her innards coming out her rear.) So at 6:30 a.m. Saturday my friends Wanda, Elesa, Karen pulled into my driveway and found me sticking Preparation H up a chicken's butt (with a glove.)  I repeated this several times over the weekend and Sunday night tried to vet-wrap her rear shut for the night.  It took three of us to do this and it still didn't work.  I found Sylvia in her crate with vet-wrap wound around her ankles LOL!  Things aren't always as easy as they appear on the Internet....It looks like today though she is "normal."

So off we went early Saturday morning to northern Cincinnati to the 2014 Stampaway Convention   If you are a crafter, you really ought to go as the choices are endless and everything is in one place!  There are conventions dotted all over the nation, so look up one near you.

Anyway, a nice uneventful drive there landed us about 15 mins. early.  We got in line to enter thinking there wasn't much of a crowd.  Soon, the line went down and around the back of the convention center and once in the building, it was overwhelming!  If there is a problem with the economy, it wasn't apparent because there were lines to pay at all the booths.

I had a modest list of things I wanted to add to my "collection" and I pretty much stuck to it, not spending a lot.  But I was in the minority, perhaps because I already have a "craft store" in my basement.  I wasn't buying anything that I could get locally with a coupon.

We only stayed until around 12:30 p.m., but we were "spent" both financially and physically.  I will get into different techniques in other posts as I really just wanted to give you a brief photo tour... I think if you click on them, you can get a larger version.

Just For Fun Studios:  I got a neat rooster stamp there.

So many Fall cards, so little time (or reason to send them...)

Lots of booths had "make 'n takes" reasonably priced, but none of us took the time.

These feature acetate butterflies that are glittered from the back.  Fun and easy peasy...

more of the same

This booth featured more "artsy" sort of things-wish I could recall which booth!

This one featured die cuts...

Nearly every booth was packed with people, making it hard to see.

A popular booth!

Die cuts come in all shapes and sizes and are made to fit most cutters.  They are very handy for making multiple or quick cards.

I have a three dimensional stamp from this company.  With cutting patience, you can make lovely things.  It's the same stamp with different sections cut out and placed on top of each other.

More of the dimensional booth...

Of course we are all taught not to "rock" our stamps, but this clever handle is great for large images that don't always get enough pressure in the middle.  I bought the smaller version--it was on my list, but wasn't going to get due to price of $25.   Then I saw the smaller version which really is a more usable size...yeah!

Craft celebrity Donna Kato was giving demos for Judi-kins.  I first watched her on the Carol Duvall show nearly 20 years ago!

Some patriotic ideas from Our Daily Bread.

I think this is the Stamper's Anonymous booth.  This for the more avant garde artist.

More Fall cards, I love the colors!

We bought the last of these from Impression Obsession.  It was well worth $5 with 40 unmounted stamps inside!  Most of them I could use...

My haul-  The mini-mount clear handle, apple and rooster stamps, snow globe die cut, Staz-on black re-inker (can't get them at stores), a stipple brush, mini roller,  ticket stamp, binder that turns powders into paint and a clear glitter marker (made sense to buy clear as it could be used on things colored by other products--why get a bunch of colors?)

Waste not, want not!  I got all of these stamps mounted from just one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of E-Z mount with the little bit in upper right left over!

We were so tired when we got home, none of us played with our new stuff.  (I, of course, had to re-visit Sylvia's rear....)  I will be spending quite a bit of time mounting all those teeny, tiny stamps!

That's all for now.  Stay tuned for info on techniques and some samples of what was done with this pile of stuff.  

Until next time, keep crafting!

Gale

Appliance Shopping 101: Part III- Dishwashers, Washers & Dryers

Greetings!

The wait is over!  As promised, here is the final post in our appliance series.  I am now working in the so-far, kinder/gentler world of kitchen designing.  I have a lot to learn, but working in appliances has helped me have a bit of a jump start.  Please look in the Index in the upper right corner for the other posts on this and other topics!

Enough about me---

I have sold 100s of dishwashers.  It tends to be the first appliance that wears out.  There are just a few things to keep in mind.  If noise is an issue, be sure to read the db rating on the sign.  A rating of 50db or less is pretty quiet, under 46 is nearly silent.  Every 3 db higher is twice as loud.  So a 53db is twice as loud as a 50db.  When you get up to 60db you will be nearing freight train loud.

Many issues are solved simply by getting a stainless interior.  At that level you will automatically get nylon racks (rubber-coated metal ones rust and break off and it's not worth replacing the racks.)  Also, stainless is quieter, more leak proof, easier to keep clean (detergent/food particles etch plastic tubs, but I can take a Magic Eraser and wipe my stainless one down.)  Stainless also helps draw moisture away in the drying process.

If you are going to the trouble and expense of putting in a new dishwasher, why get the "el cheapo?" Wait until there is a sale and then you can get a good one for around $500.  You don't need a lot of extra cycles and such, so spending more isn't necessary.  I see no reason why anyone would need a grinder in their dishwasher.  To me, that is lipstick on a pig:) They aren't garbage disposals and nobody should be putting large chunks of food in there anyway!  

You can choose between front and top controls, which is mostly for looks unless you have small kids who push buttons.  Top controls are a little more money (get metal or glass buttons) and no, you don't push them with the door closed... you can't believe how many people ask that.  They are afraid their fingers won't fit!  It's hard for me to keep a straight face.

Clothes washers are one of the most time consuming things to sell because most folks don't understand what they aren't used to having.  HE washers save 40-60% in water and electric.  Top loaders operate sorta like a front loader flipped up.  It weighs the clothes and then you set your preferences.  The clothes tumble through the water and are never all immersed.  The absolute stupidest thing manufacturers have done is adding a glass top.  This freaks people out and they are just sure their clothes aren't getting clean because the agitator isn't there to beat them up (twist bras up) and they aren't drowning in water.  Granted, sometimes one needs to lie to the machine to add more water for say, pillows, etc.  Just tell it the load is really dirty.

People say "I don't need anything big because it's just the two of us"...yadda yadda.  Folks, it's not how many people, but what is the biggest thing you wash???  A king size comforter??  BTW, agitator washers are leaving in 2015.

Dryers are probably the longest lasting appliance if not abused.  Problem is, if you get just a new washer, it may not be compatible with your washer's load size.  If you have to run the dryer twice, it doesn't save time or energy.  So you might as well get the set and give the dryer away.  If you like fluffing up or de-wrinkling, steam is a nice option.  I just use a damp towel though...

No matter what your budget, get a washer and dryer.  I can't believe how much laundromats charge!  They are time consuming and expensive.  You could pay off your own set in no time with what you pay at the laundromat!

I have some more funny stories about customer's conversations, but I will save for another time.

The girls and I are going to a art/craft convention in Cincinnati next week, so guess what I will be writing about?  All the latest supplies and techniques!

Until then,

Gale