Eraser Carving with Sandy Allnock

As I go down the rabbit hole of eraser carving with Sandy Allnock, I've started investing in the tools needed. 

I first started out with the kid's craft set by Kiwi Crate Inc. I found the kit at the thrift store so I did't have to break the bank gathering up the supplies. Didn't know this is a local company in town! Have to say the blade in the kit was really sharp and just a little different than the Speedball blades. With this kit it at least got me started to see if this was something I would like to keep doing without breaking the bank. 

I liked the project enough to invest in the supplies Sandy suggested. The Speedball blades were very dull compared to the one in the Kiwi kit for kids so that is being sent back. Now do I spring for the more expensive set that Sandy recommend? Still not to sure about the sharper but that is a learning curve thing. Sandy said to read the directions first which of course I did not. :)  

 

Sandy Allnock Eraser Carving Jig

 

First Practice Round

When I saw the jig that Sandy Allnock (Google her, she's easy to find) made for her upcoming eraser carving class, I knew I had the right materials to make one!

I've been collecting thick chip board from old 3 ring binders for months. I pull apart the binders, which I find for free at the thrift store. I have plans to do a book binding workshop for FabMo (I donate my time to teach) so needed to find inexpensive chipboard. 

Made the jig and it's working out great. Now I just have to decide which set of blades to get! :)

Sandy Allnock's Erasers Printing Making Class

Sandy Allnock, an artist that I have followed for years is doing a class on carving and printing with erasers. If I knew how to link her YouTube I would but I don't. She's easy to find if you Google her name. Since by crafty luck I came across some carving tools specifically for making stamps. Not only that but when I stopped my local  Staples store the erasers were on sale for .75!!!  Do I need 36 erasers? I know I will make a lot of mistakes and at this price, (it's a seasonal school item) why not! Now off to make Sandy's jig so I don't slice my fingers!

The crafting stars are just lining up for me.

 

Visited the ReStore in San Jose

I finally made it to the ReStore store in downtown San Jose. It's been on my list of places to check out since I shopped a lot at the one in Oakland for the Thrifty Kitty. I was in the area dropping off and picking up things from friends so decided to hop on over. 

It is a very clean and modern store (solar parking lot etc..) but much smaller than the other ReStore stores. Prices were way better than Oakland by a lot, which was a surprise. Didn't have a big variety of things for someone building a home. More furniture (most of which looked new) than anything else. I can only guess the location is new or newly rebuilt. I think there is a work program, help find a job section to this location as well. There was part of the building looked like a business center. I didn't check to out as it looked like some people were getting help. 

So unless you're looking for furniture or doors (had a lot of those) it's not worth the drive. 

RIP - Chocolate Oat Milk.

RIP

Another sad day in my food world. Trader Joe's discontinued my favorite chocolate oat milk. I've used it for years as my stomach can't tolerate straight milk. I like the smell of coffee in the morning but drinking it is another thing. I have to mix it with something and I found oat milk or beverage as TJ calls it, works. I'm now on the search for a replacement that doesn't break the bank. 

I'm trying out the regular oat milk but it's not as tasty. 

Space Planning 101

I've been at my place for 6 months now and I always knew that I would move my furniture around. Nothing was in its forever place. I learned a long time ago to live in your space (home and work) to get the feel of what will work for you. 

There are several big pieces of furniture that came with my place. Since it was originally designed to be a man cave everything is very dark. I wouldn't have picked black armoires (there's no built in closets) or black bookcases but that is what I have to work with.  The super sized TV (which I never use) fills one wall and it's solid black. I'm thinking of set up a DVD player (yes very old school) to at least have something playing to light up the wall.  Being a night owl, I decided last night to move both the armoires into my bedroom space. That means emptying both out of everything I've squirreled away. Take the artwork off the walls and move the bed. It's going to take all day and fingers crossed I'm making the right move. 

Update: the move went well and I'm very happy with the results. I'm now researching how to add removable wall paper to the armories doors to lighten up the room. 

Tomahawk Steaks

As you can see my son was super happy with the two tomahawk steaks he got for his birthday. His friends asked what he wanted and it's always these steaks. He does ask me but knows it's not going to happen. I think he needs better bath towels and sheets but that's just me being practical. 
 

Bird Theme Friday

This was an impulse buy at FabMo on Friday. Do I really need 5 yards of fun fabric, no but I just couldn't resist. What do I plan to so with it, I have no idea. 

What started my path down the road of no return was this embroidery sample. Last week I made the mistake of putting a sharpie pen in my shirt pocket without a cap. Yes, it made a hot mess and the stain didn't come out. So my first thought was to put a patch over it. Didn't find any I liked so then I thought of asking a friend if she could embroider something over it. Wasn't too crazy about that idea because it would be big and may weaken the shirt fabric. Then I saw this sample at Fabmo, which was right on top of the pile. I think it was meant to be. The plan is to use fusible interfacing and cut the parrot out. I'll then stitch it on to the shirt. I'll lose the use of the pocket but I'm not good at remembering to put the caps back on my pens anyways. I'm also looking to find a  thin pocket protector, which are very hard to find now days. 

Wildberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Is Back.

I only really shop at two stores, Trader Joe's and Costco. Thankful they're not on the boycott list! 

TJ does seasonally items and this was one ice cream I really liked. When this one went out of stock, they came in with all these alternative flavors that were just down right weird. It was like what can we mix together that really has nothing to do with traditional ice ingredients and still try calling it ice cream. Now the dilemma is do I stock up on it because it's a seasonal thing? 

 

Security Cameras Everywhere

Today at the store we got one of those "Karen" types during closing. I don't know what was happening but one of the volunteer who loves everyone and never has a bad word to say about anything came back to warn us not to go out to the front. So you know it had to be really bad. When the store is getting ready to close the manager will announce please head to the counter to check out about 10 minutes before closing. The Karen was upset about how slow the check out process was and that she was being rushed etc... I only walked out there to make sure the manager was not going to get hurt.  Of course the usual, "I'm going to call and complain" comment was made. The manager said here's the number and you can talk directly to the security cameras which are recording everything. The Karen got very quiet after that. I'm surprised that she didn't realize security cameras, especially at the cash registers would be recording. 

I posted this Lego Shakespeare book on Facebook market place today.  When it came in, I thought it was funny enough to post. I'm sure it won't sell but it's worth the shot. I mean who thought to put lego figures and Shakespeare together! 

Anthropologie - 2023 Faye Plate

 

I thought this plate was interesting. It's from Anthropologie, the 2023 Faye collection. That of course sent me down the rabbit hole to see what else was in the collection. No, I won't be collecting them all, I just liked this one. It was interesting what the artist or artists decided to combine together. A bee and a radish, snail with a scallion, butterfly with sweet peas and a lemon with strawberries. Looks like there maybe a cherries, blossoms with a long tail butterfly but it's not as 3D as the rest of the collection. I think it was the usual pairing that caught my eye. I know this type of plate won't last long if used. I was surprised the wings were still in one piece. 

Thrifting in Reno 2025

Line to pick up Aki's pink guava cake

Drove to Incline Village this weekend to celebrate my son's birthday with one of his favorite cakes, Aki's pink guava cake. They sent out a confirmation email and said to make sure to pick up on time because they had another engagement to attend so will close at 2:00. The line went fast as everything is preordered. The only downsize for me was having to leave so late (10:30) to make the drive to Tahoe. Traffic was bad all the way up but I didn't have to deal with semi trucks like I did on the way home on Monday. That was super scary!

Since I didn't want to go mountain biking we went thrifting in Reno. It was a treat to get chauffeured around and not be too concerned when we went to some sketchy area where most thrift stores are. Didn't find much but that was no surprise. I picked up a few puzzles and this small glass basket. It glows green so is vintage but doesn't really have a high resell value. Paid $2.99 (no tax in Nevada on non profits) and will tag it for $12.99 

Next trip we're going to visit the pawn shops!

Vinatage Duncan & Miller Basket