Tuesday 14 May 2013

Circa 2007...

...I have been a-rummaging in the old Room of Stashly Goodies (like the new name? Bit better than the boring Room of Stash....)  Anyways... I was rummaging last night, looking for a bag of found metal stuff that I have hoarded for yonks... and I found something I made on April 15th... 2007!!!  I know... SIX years ago!  Before I had a blog... which means that there is a fair chance this has never seen the light of yonder t'internet.  So I thought, being as I have nothing else ready to blog, I would show you my first forays into the World of Distress.  And here it is:



My very first exploding box... I won't point out that the lid is mahoosively too big for the boxy bit... maths has never been my strong point, as Miss Egar, my Maths teacher would concur, she spent a very long year of lunch breaks giving me the benefit of her mathly cleverness... I am sure that she was probably thinking "dear God, what did I do to deserve this child..."  Anyways... maths, measuring and all that stuff ain't going on in my old brain, hence we had an overlarge lid.  I made up the measurements as I went along, see, planning and preparations aren't a strong point either lol   



So.  A chance phone call from my friend Andrea, who said "here, guess what?  Guess who is coming to Puffin Crafts to demo!"   And I said "go on, who...." And she said "Tim Holtz"   After which, there was several minutes of squealing and breathless excitement.  Well, the day arrived and our "gang" all headed to old Londinium to see the Maestro at work.  It was February 2007 and I had just discovered rubber stamping and all things Distress.  After standing, all agog, at the marvelous things that Tim was doing with Distress Inks and his new cling mounted stamps (yes, it was that long ago... some of the sets I used on this box are from the first release and bear in mind the number of sets is now in excess of 100... and the words were all woodies)  Anyways... I bought myself a few Distress Ink pads... and started my obsession collection.  At the time there were only 24 colours in the range too!  And I can still name them all... but I shalln't cos that would be waaaay too boring for you (although it would be impressive being as I have trouble remembering my own name these days)  In fact, I can name all 48 now and I know what the colours are too... teehee...



I know this creation is pretty simples but you have to remember I was a beginner... and I was still driving trains full time too so this was just a hobby and sometimes, if I had long shifts, I would go a week without getting inky fingers!  Imagine!   And I remember the Sunday afternoon I made it too... I was soooo chuffed with my creation that I took it work with me the next day and was showing it off and I kept looking at it... because all of a sudden my crafty world had changed, forever and for the better.



Anyways, forgive me for my little trip down Memory Lane... and just pray I never find my scrapbooks (oh yesh, I used to scrapbook like a demon... I have very lots of them... somewhere... maybe in the loft... or in that safe place I keep forgetting about lol)   I shall away now... for today we are setting off for a little break in North Wales and I needs to get some sleep (it is gone midnight now... ) and we have an early start so we don't end up getting caught in traffic.   Thanks for all your lovely comments about poor old Grim's toe.   The bruising has really come out now... it resembles a big old mouldy black grape... as does the toe next to it.  I was going to get a photo of it and share it with you but then I remembered that you could well be eating your Weetabix as you read this and I don't want to be responsible for stomachs being turned.  And with that delightful thought, I shall bid you a very goodly day!  Thanks for looking (and indulging an old dear a spot of reminiscing)  TTFN

Hels x

25 comments:

Karen Petitt said...

Well I never, from little acorns does the mighty talented and lovely Hels Sheridan come from.

I still have those wood mounted stamps! I remember the wonder of Tim's work and the magic inks! Hope you all have a wonderful break and little feet pinkies get better soon Karen x

Helen said...

Wow, I've never made an exploding box even now... it still looks good though. Hope the poor toe recovers soon for Grim - is he off work? Glad you didn't share pictures..!!

Barb Cady said...

What a wonderful little box so full of memories. Even at the beginning I can see your obvious talent! I do hope you have a lovely break, I love Wales, I hope dear Grim is walking ok.
Lots love barb xx

TDQ Karen said...

Never tried an exploding box, it looks great xx

rachel said...

I can't imagine when the whole TH thing started - its so good to hear your memories and see an early piece Hels - wonderful piece I should add - thanks so much for sharing xx

Aquarius said...

Thanks for sharing this with us - it is a while since I saw an exploding box. The words are quite apt too because look what has come out of your chance attendance at a TH workshop. Can't imagine going a whole week without getting inky!!

Julia S-W said...

The first box I ever made like this was after seeing one of yours in Craft Stamper so that puts you up there with TH. a picture of my box was later published in CS and it's all thanks to YOU! I haven't looked back (or had spare money) since then!! Thank you Hels. Juliax

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, Wow, this is fantastic, no-one would ever think that this is your first attempt, the distressing is beautiful. I have never made an exploding box ha ha.
Have a great time away, and hope Graham's toe gets better soon.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Marleine said...


Hi Hels,

A trip down memory lane is such a good pastime.

Your box is great. Those distress inks have stood time. Have a freak break. X

EmmaT said...

Morning Hels, gorgeous box and always think its good to look back on old projects to see how we've progressed. Emma

nattyboots said...

Hi hels

Looks a great box ,i have never tried to do one myself ,but have always admired others .

Elaine H X

Artyjen said...

Have a lovely break away.
xoxo Sioux

Caroline said...

Hope you are having a well deserved break Hels..
Wonderfully inspiring to see where you began, wish my 1st creations were this impressive! I think if I saw this without name, I'd know it was a "Hels Sheridan original"!! Okay, if you don't see me commenting (unlikely but..), I have a week to get 2 projects done (I know, you said 1 a week & be disciplined about when to do. Just hasn't worked out that way..). Glad you didn't show toe, I HATE feet!! Just the word/thought makes me all unnecessary, yukky yukky! Take care... :)))

Unknown said...

Morning Hels, A lovely box, just show's how talented you have always been. ..
Good to hear the bruising has come out on Grim's toes, hope his not in too much pain. Have a lovely time away.

Happy crafting
Chrissie, x x x

Gail said...

What a fab exploding box and to say you made all that time ago it still looks 'on trend' - enjoy your break xx GailT xx

Unknown said...

Hi Hels, Wow wow wow you did this all that time ago, it's faaab! It has stood up to the test of time, just goes to show how good TH products are! Like you Hels maths is definitely not my strong point either, the over sized lid gives it character and dimension!! I have never made an exploding box, but I'm thinking maybe I should. Ah, just having a light bulb moment Hels, why don't you recreate a new exploding box! Just to see what you would come up with now, how cool would that be? Anyway, poor Grim's toe, glad you didn't share it, just thinking about it make me grimace ooh!!! Hope you have a well earned break enjoy yourselves. Crafty hugs Debbie R xx

Emma said...

I love your box!! It's always so interesting to see how people progress over the years. Measuring isn't my strong point either, which is why I'm so glad I discovered distress...no worrying over pesky matting and layering! ;)

Have a great holiday and hope Grim's toes are soon back to normal x

ps. thanks for not sharing a pic I'm eating a bit of cake!!

Gerrina said...

Great exploding box! Love the "old look" and the great combination of stamps you used! Hugs, Gerrina

Kezzy said...

Out of curiosity did you find the metal lol. Love thisI can remember doing my first exploding box, my mum still has it, it was made of papers etc as I hadn't discovered stamping yet. To make you feel better as an accountant I completely measured everything but still the lid was too big lol. I tend not to bother too much now with measuring as I never get it right. Looking at your box I can't believe you was just beginning I'm about at that stage 7 years later lol. Hope grims toe doesn't bother him too much on your day out. Happy Crafting :-) hugs Kezzy xxx

nannapat said...

What a brilliant first attempt! Enjoy your trip to Wales and have a lovely break. Pat x

Redanne said...

Hi Hels, I too was wondering if you found the metal.....great to see one of your first crafty makes, it is brilliant! Hope you have a lovely break and that Grim's toe improves so you can do some walking maybe... Hugs, Anne x

Linda Simpson said...

A fabulous exploding box Hels, love the distressing and the lovely stamps you have used.

Hugs
Linda xxx

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels thanks for sharing your first crafty project.I like exploding boxes as they can be filled with memories. Have a nice break with Grim

SamsHomeCookedDesigns.com said...

Hi Hels, I enjoyed this read I am into exploding boxes at the moment, I have only made 3 buy am proud of them all, especially the round ones. Anyway I just thought it was a co-incidence. I would love to hear the rest of the story of how you went from train driver to a fabulous influential crafter.? Have a good holiday. Sam

Carole Z said...

Whoops I missed a day this week! What fabulous exploding box, I love making these and will take inspiration from this one! Carole Z X

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