I treated myself to a few new goodies recently, and did a bit of fiddling around with them. I bought the Sizzix Bigz Tags #3 die, and the shape of this tag is one of the shapes it cuts. The other tag shape in the die is a bit more traditional, with the diagonal corners at the top of the tag. I like using the Bigz dies, becuase unlike thin metal dies, the Bigz dies cut the weight of chipboard I like making projects out of. I also bought the Primitive Stars Bigz die as well, and look forward to using it on my holiday projects. Also on this tag I used my Potted Sunflower stamp from Whipper Snapper.
I also recently purchased the large Making Memories self healing work surface, which you can see in the above photo. It's 17x23, and significantly larger than the version offered in the Stampin' Up catalog. I had been using the 12x12 self healing mat on my Score-Pal, but wanted a little more elbow room. The new mat is working out perfectly, and is actually helping me keep my work table more organized, and tidy!
Have you picked up anything new recently?
Unrelated....
I thought I would share this photo, as some of you have mentioned missing Dad's comments (DK Wight) here on the blog! This is my Dad, on a recent fishing trip on the Snake River. Fishing = no blog commenting. And sometimes he is at a loss of words when I post crafty projects, rather than farm and garden posts.
Say hello, fishy fishy! *grin*
Dad is a very active member of the local flyfishing club, and coordinates trips for the club members to take. Great fun is had by all!
Happy weekend!
That tag is adorable!
Your dad looks like he's having fun! Good for him!
Posted by: Danielle | October 19, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I have a "wish" list with Nestabilities on it, but since I just bought this rather large and expensive house to put my studio in, I am actually planning to use my stuff once I get settled. NEATO tag, btw. So happy to see your Dad and his fishy. Thanks for letting us know he's doing fine. I wonder if he has more "fans" on the blog than say Bad Boxcar Betty or Butthead or Mister Farley or Tiny Tim or Alan??!
Posted by: nise | October 18, 2010 at 04:38 PM
Your tag is beautiful - love the colors. What haven't I bought lately? This time of year is really hard on the debit card with Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas goodies luring us at every turn! Great pic of your Dad on the Snake - sounds like a trip my husband would really like. Hugs.
Posted by: Troy Louise | October 18, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Your tag is just adorable! I love the colors, and the other elements. That flower is SO cute! and it's great to see a pic of your Dad. He is surely enjoying his catch! What a neat trip he took, and I'm sure your Mom loved the quilt show. I remember going to one when I was in college, decades ago. I stood in awe of the beautiful works of art. The quilts just took my breath away! There's nothing more beautiful (IMO) than a well made quilt! :D
Have a great week, Anna!
Posted by: diane mcvey | October 18, 2010 at 09:44 AM
Love the tag Anna. Nice to see your Dad enjoying himself. Now we need to hear how Allan is doing, it's been awhile. have a great week.
Posted by: Sally | October 18, 2010 at 07:57 AM
Bad enabler, BAD! I am so wanting that primitive star die now! Your tag is sooo cute!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | October 17, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Paper and more paper!! That's what I buy!! I will never use it all! Not in 10 lifetimes!
Fabulous tag Anna and I have the primitive stars and am anxious to see what you do with them.
NICE fish!! I have been fishing ever since I was three... Love it!!
Posted by: Janine | October 17, 2010 at 03:42 PM
On trips of this length it is not advisable to keep fish unfortuanately. This one has a funny story attached to it. It is a,pardon my french, Squawfish, a highly predatory "undesirable" that desimates the salmon and steelhead populations. Caught on a dry fly it was great sport and the photographer is a local celeb. She too was impressed with the size and fun.
Posted by: DK Wight | October 17, 2010 at 10:23 AM
I use an OLFA rotary mat on my work area. It is a great self healing mat and they come in so many sizes. had it in the closet with the quilting stuff. would not trade it for the world. love your cards, recipies, family tidbits and of course the critters. thanks for everything....
Posted by: MaryAnn Grove | October 17, 2010 at 07:04 AM
I can't imagine that you would ever NOT be organized, Anna! That sunflower in the pot is so meticulously cut out that it looks like it was done with a die or punch.
And ... that is one happy looking fisherman!
Posted by: bonnie weiss | October 17, 2010 at 05:32 AM
Hey dad! Fine fish you got there! Very cute tag too!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | October 17, 2010 at 04:58 AM
That is one darling tag, Anna--a present in itself! I love how you've layered the DP and used the scalloped border punch both directions. I also think you paper-pieced the sunflower center and the bird's wing (maybe?).
Go Mr. Wight! That's one large, healthy fish you caught!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | October 16, 2010 at 08:20 PM
I'm relieved to know that DKW is alright - better than alright if he's been fishing. Nuthin' better than sleeping under the stars (in his luxury wheeled accommodations). That's quite a big one he's caught in that photo. Is it a German Brown? Either way, I hope he fried it up in a little butter. The tails are nice and crunchy that way.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | October 16, 2010 at 06:30 PM
Great tag. Elbow room! What's that? I make such a mess no matter how much space I start with ! hee hee.
Posted by: Carol Dee | October 16, 2010 at 06:02 PM
I love your tag - it's awesome! I love the photo of your Dad with that fishy-fishy too - and the way you wrote that made me giggle! Thanks for the treat.
Hugs!
Posted by: Sharli | October 16, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Adore the tag! the shape is cool but the flower... so totally Anna Wight and I love it!
Posted by: Carol | October 16, 2010 at 05:40 PM
CUTE tag - love that sunflower stamp! I haven't bought new stuff in a while, but got some in the mail yesterday ;o). Yippee, my blog candy I won from you arrived- THANK YOU, THANK YOU soooo much!!! Now I just have to find some time to sit and play. Maybe tomorrow.
Great picture of your dad. The landscape looks so pretty and peaceful.
Posted by: Anette Eakins | October 16, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Awesome tag, Anna, just the cutest rustic craftiness we've come to love so well. I just got the Bigz primitive stars too, but they are on the way because they were backordered!! In the rest of my order, I also got the Bigz holly. These dies always come in larger than I expect and I'm never sure what I should do with them so I'll just play around and watch what you are up to as well!! I've been on a buying binge, so I have a new little bit of everything. I LOVE the BG jovial pad and I got a mini cosmo cricket Wanted pad too. I love that paper!!
As for DKW Dad (sounds like a designer label) You Go Wilderness man!! My DH wants to get a little fly in cabin in retirement, but I have my limits. I've managed to do life on the farm (and I love it), but fly in wilderness...NO CAN DO!! I've recently tried to give up my high heels for more sensible, arch supporting flats--but, that's not workin' real well for me either!!! I guess we each have our "thing"!
Posted by: Michele Ghent | October 16, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Thanks for posting the picture of your Dad. He says I have to rely on you for photos! Wish I was there, Dan, but it looks like you have your one-man craft out. ;)
Anna, I got some new stuff! On clearance, yet! :) Made some cards that I think are very pretty with a tulip and a bee over script blocks. Also, my younger son offered me some glow-in-the dark liquid to use on Halloween cards. Fun!
GO BIG RED!
Posted by: Shala | October 16, 2010 at 12:26 PM
This was a "wilderness trip" into a roadless canyon near Hells Canyon of the Snake River. Wildlife galore and few people. A 4 day trip. Sunflowers are my favorite flower, so much detail on a lovely project. And one at a time too!..... Love Dad..... Oh, Lori is at the HUGE stupendous quilt show in Spokane today! ..... just me an the cats
Posted by: DK Wight | October 16, 2010 at 12:21 PM
this is gorgeous! I love it when your blog turns crafty but I still faithfully follow even in "farming" times 'cause I don't want to miss anything!
My most recent purchase was new patterned paper - Basic Grey, Crate Paper, some MME and Cosmo Cricket...so addictive. The mat sounds interesting. I'm using an Olfa Rotary mat that measures 11X17" - I've had it for 20 years and I remember cringing at the $20 price tag at the time...guess I got my money's worth. It does the job but a bigger mat sounds good - I still do most of my cutting using a quilting ruler and Xacto knife. I only cut larger paper with my tonic trimmer.
Posted by: Kelly Bee | October 16, 2010 at 11:27 AM