About Me

I'm a freelance artist, designer and demonstrator and have been involved in arts and craft my whole life in one way or another. I design stamps for top British company Personal Impressions, under the "Lindsay Mason Designs" brand, as well as papers, templates and other crafting products. I'm a certified Ranger Educator and my first book,"Stamping", was published in 2009. I also design regular projects for Crafts Beautiful magazine and have made guest appearances from time to time on QVC. I've recently joined You Tube under the name of LindsayMason1000 where I'm posting short technique videos and you can buy my paintings and hand crafted pieces from my Etsy shop. My work takes me all around the country demonstrating stamping, papercrafts and general inkiness! When I'm not working, I love gardening, church & community activities, nature watching, journalling, music and theatre and just relaxing at home. Email me at: ljm.design1@virginmedia.com

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Kaput!

The pesky washing machine that's been messing me about for so long has finally decided to give up completely and my washing is now lovely and clean but trapped inside for eternity unless I can force the door open! It finally gave up yesterday evening after I'd been trying all afternoon to unlock the door by restarting the cycle, spinning, draining, you name it. Now the lights are on but there's just a sinister low humming that says to me that the motor has gone. I figured I'd be able to prise the door open with a few "big tools" (after unplugging first of course) but it will not budge!
It's going to have to be a new washer, so I'm not worried about breaking it now....I just want to get my clothes out! Typical for it to happen the week before I'll be going to the Stitches trade show for a few days and need to get my outfits laundered! Oh well, it's a call to the plumber after all then. Oh I really do miss David all the more at times like this...he could fix anything and he'd certainly have been able to use his "Superdave" strength to break that door.
As promised, here is a picture of the new puppet that I was working on Sunday.....
 ....he's got rather grand facial hair! It was lovely to hear the children chuckling as he (and the female character) popped up above the screen. Thankfully, I got through it with no arm aches at all as I decided that I would risk standing on a rather wobbly hassock again, even though I had to move around more than last time. It did the trick and that extra few inches of height made all the difference.  By the way, you can see my twiggy lights in the background...they really have brightened the corner of the room after taking the Christmas tree down.
I did fluff one of my lines and I interrupted poor Lynne, halfway through one of her sentences by mistake, but nobody noticed, so I got away with it. The screen also decided to try and fall apart as we were lifting it to the the front of the church too but Martin, our vicar, came to the rescue so it didn't completely collapse! The perils of being a performer...LOL!
After the service it was the parish lunch which was very enjoyable and it was good to sit down and share it with friends. So I had a pretty full day one way and another. Yesterday I finished prepping the workshops for Stitches, so I can now concentrate on getting lots more samples made for my demonstration stand...well, it's not really "mine" as I'll be sharing it with the wonderful Rachel Greig from Darkroom Door and we'll be taking turns.....I must try and keep tidy!
No more pictures of my recent makes yet I'm afraid, but I'll try and share some tomorrow. As I said, I have to keep things back for the show. I'll have lots of piccies when I come back of course!
The demonstration at High Legh garden centre, near Knutsford, on 2nd March is now confirmed (see my demo list in the sidebar) so I'll add more details of what I'll be doing there tomorrow. 
Right, time to get some dinner made now...veggie stir fry with rice noodles.... and I will try to avert my eyes from the bloomin' washing machine whilst I'm in the kitchen!

8 comments:

Lynn said...

Lindsay, have you drained the water out? If not, that's probably why you can't open the door. Try turning the dial (if you have one) to off then unplug and release the hose at the back, put the end of the hose into a bucket to drain the water out of the machine. When empty of water you should be able to open the door and rescue your clothes. Sorry if you've already tried all this!

Lynn x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh! No! Hope you can rescue your clothes! Love the puppet and glad you didn't wobble off your hassock!
At least now you can tick one thing off your list now too!
Look forward to seeing you at High Legh!
Love Chrisx

Artyjen said...

Oh dear, how frustrating....I would have been shouting and cursing Pip for not being there if I had been in the same position!!! Hopw it gets sorted for you soon.
xoxo Sioux

Lindsay Mason said...

Thanks folks - Yep Lynn....I tried all of that. It's been misbehaving for ages now but the motor has obviously gone too now, so it's headed for the tip! The plumber will have to get the clothes out of it first though...even if he has to use a hatchet! Lindsay x x x

Paul B said...

I would have offered same advice as Lynn. I had the same problem and needed to drain all the water out before the door would open. Glad the puppet show went okay (with minor glitches but you'll always have them, that's showbiz dahling) Sounds like it was a hoot. Can't wait to catch up at Stitches :) Pxx

Joanne said...

I can't believe it's Stitches time again, where have 12 months gone? I hate washers mainly as mine takes so much space in my tiny craft room. Keep threatening to put it back in the kitchen which may be a job for this year. Bromilows in Cleveleys are the best to sort the machine and they sell excellent re-conditioned ones too. We had one for over 16 years from them - if they are still there of course, back St Georges Ave. Going to the Manchester show tomorrow and catching up with Sonia, will say hello for you. Hope you are warmer now the insulation is done. Enjoy Brum.
xx

Gez Butterworth said...

Goodness Lindsay!!! I hope you have managed to rescue your clothes xxxx Enjoy the show, can't wait to see photos.. Take care, hugss xxx

Gez Butterworth said...

btw.. loving your puppet. Glad it was a success xxxx

I've just seen.. as Smudge the cat sat in the wayy of the screen and I couldn't see to type.. you're coming to Burnley!! Woohoo!!!!