A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

June 25, 2013

WOYWW #212 ~ Show and Tell; Printer Survey Results

Happy Wednesday!  It is time once again for a desk hop through the impossibly fun What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (WOYWW), hosted by the one and the only Julia Dunnit!  I hope to see your desk linked up!

I have so much love on my desk today to share with you lovely desk hoppers! 
I received a thank you card from Kim of Cupcakes, Cards and Kim, and a thank you notebook from Hazel, of Play As U Go.  From Annie, for my (early, it's next week) birthday, came a stamp, a hummingbird purse pad and pen, an exquisite summer wall hanging, and one of her stunning accordion cards!  I also received early beautiful birthday cards from Donna and from Mamie.  I'm so spoilt rotten and so appreciative!
The awesome ATCs are from Janet of Fairy Thoughts, Sarn of Stamping With Pleasure (who also sent a card shown today), Bridget of Me & My Photography, Kay of 505 Whimsy Girl (who also sent a photo card shown today), and Annie of Redanne.  Thank you all so much!
 
~~~
 
Here is a close-up of Mamie's card.  She printed a picture from my blog that I had posted of my backyard and put it behind the window frame on the card.  So clever and so sir real to sit here and look at it and then look up and out that very window! 
~~~

Here is a close-up of Annie's fantastic accordion card!  It is unbelievably magnificent in real life!  If you'd like more information on this type of card, you can visit her site where there are details about her brilliant works of art.
~~~
 

Printer Survey Results


I'm sorry to report that there was no clear consensus from my printer survey, but I do thank you all so much for taking the time to participate.  Here is a rough breakdown by reverse popularity: 
 
Sony:  1 ~ (Laser) Used for foiling.
 
Samsung: 1 ~ "Great."  (Need to get model number.)  
 
Xerox:  1 ~ Phaser 6280.  Heavy paper curls; vellum has to be fed one-at-a-time.
 
Kodak:  2 ~ (All-In-One)  Will take heavy paper if fed from the back.
 
Brother:  2 ~ (one All-In-One, one laser)  "Amazing."  "Love."
 
Lexmark:  3 ~ Will take paper "not too thick" and it works "fine-ish."
 
Canon:  10 ~ Overall, good comments.  Will take heavy paper if fed from the back.   The "Pixma" model "does everything."
 
Epson:  12 ~ The comments ranged from "works fine" to "don't like" and "hate."  The "Artisan 837" takes heavy paper and is great for colored digis.
 
HP:  28 ~  The comments varied widely from "love," "no trouble," "prints heavy paper if fed from the back," "doesn't bleed when coloring" to "rubbish," and "don't like." 
 
Model numbers were all over the place, when they were given at all, most likely because the ages of the printers were all different. 
 
Bottom line:
  • Get a printer that feeds from the back and it will probably take heavy card stock, with the exception of very heavy water color paper. 
  • Buy a printer that holds separate cartridges which can be replaced one-by-one as needed.  The companies make their money off the cartridges, often selling the printers very cheaply or giving them away for free when you buy a computer.
~~~

One of the benefits of living in an urban area is the availability of brick-and-mortar stores.  I think I will find a store or stores and go personally to check out these:  HP Officejet Pro 8500, the Brother all-in-one, the Samsung, the Canon Pixma, and the Epson Artisan 837.  I will take a stack of my various heavier card stock with me and run them through the floor models to see for myself how well they print.

I'm not sure when I'll get them all looked at.  I already feel a bit like Prince Charming.  I will let you know when I find a shoe that fits!  Thank you again for your valuable input!!
 
~~~
 
I leave you today with a picture collage of the new little baby Kite learning how to fly under mama's watchful eye!
 
Happy WOYWW!!  Enjoy your day!  As always, thank you for stopping by to visit the Playhouse!  Please let me know you came by so I can be sure to return the flavor! 
 

*Life Is Too Short!   

46 comments:

Unknown said...

Love all the cards and ATCs you rec'd. They are works of art. happy crafting #5

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Happy birthday for early in week Darnell and and love all the wonderful gifts, cards, atc's etc..

..and re printer have ultra cheap Canon Pixma and does really good all around job on various papers cards etc.

.. key to research is make sure your has cheapish ink this one you can buy large and regular refills.
Curiously the local shops only sell the small size refills.
I buy the three and for times size ones on eBay from reputable seller..

happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #16
PS. a texture paste recipe this week.

Jackie said...


Happy birthday for next week. What a nice selection of ATC you have. Hope you get your printer sorted out soon
Jackie 29

Silvia said...

More lovely ATC.
DO enjoy your Birthday next week and the run up to it:)
Happy WOYWW
Silvia #50

The Taming of the Glue said...

What beautiful birthday cards. I love the idea of using your garden as the view from the window. Happy birthday for next week. Hugs. Pam#28

Sue - said...

Lovely cards and ATCs. Good luck with finding a good printer! I do enjoy seeing your bird photos so please keep them coming!

Julie Lee said...

Oh lucky you! Those cards and ATCs are gorgeous - each one a mini work of art. I love the way the butterflies just seem to flutter in space on the accordion one and that view of the backyard is just inspired! I told my son (22yrs) about the Playhouse and he thought the idea was so cute. Maybe, when our kitchen is all done, his mum can save up for one like yours! Julie Ann #64

Helen said...

Gorgeous cards and atc's. well done on your printer survey! Helen, 7

Candace said...

great cards and love the atc's too

Thanks for sharing and have a great week

Candace #43

Karen said...

Happy Belated Birthday to you!!!! Lots of lovely cards and presents I see on your workdesk. Love the kite learning to fly with Mum. Happy WOYWW! ♥ Karen ♥ 84 x

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab makes and ATC's plus super printer research. I swear by my Canon Pixma does everything I want and is pretty good with ink too. Take care Zo xx 75

Monique said...

Happy birthday for next week.
Great printer research. I just purchased a tiny polaroid printer for on the go, so now, next to printing at home, I can print the photo's taken on holliday and put them in my journal when I'm on location...looking forward to that.

Happy WOYWW and I wish you a wonderful week.
xx

glitterandglue said...

Happy nearly birthday, Darnell. Lovely desk of gifts for you to enjoy. Yes, HP are great printers - we have had ours for 13 years - never a mite of trouble. Does great photographic printing - won't get rid of it until it actually dies!!!!
Lovely pictures of the birds.
Have a great week.
Margaret #61

Bonnie said...

What a great idea to put your window view on a card! I'm off to check the accordion card.

Kara Lynne said...

So many thoughtful and creative cards on your desk! That's b/c you are a true friend. Interesting results from the printer survey.

roffeycreations said...

Hi Darnell - birthday - what birthday LOL - hope you have a fabulous day full of fun and relaxation - Happy WOYWW - Mxx #99

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hope you have a great birthday, I think treating yourself to some crafty stash has got to be high on your priority list! Thanks for sharing the kite pics - stunning shots. MMx #56

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, not joining in today as we are still away. So glad everything arrived safely, albeit early. Will send photos of Evie when I get home. We have decided to go for a new Kodak printer, love the HP but want cheaper cartridges. Have fun doing your testing.... Hugs, Annie xx

Dainty Diva said...

The cards and atc's are all beautiful.

lisa said...

You certainly have received a haul of beautiful things there, Darnell. A very Happy Birthday for next week.
I had to smile at your printer survey, it's so hard to find the right one isn't it. Good Luck with your search.
Hugs Lisax #76

Sian Ridley said...

Firstly, that's a whole bunch of birthday goodies!! Surely you're supposed to wait until your birthday to open them though?! My mother would tell you off!! Ha ha! ;) Seriously though, those are some gorgeous cards and gifts and I hope it's made you realised how loved you are ;)

Secondly, Happy Birthday for whichever day next week your birthday happens to fall on, I hope you have a fabulous day and get spoiled rotten ;)

I wish you luck in your printer mission too and I don't envy you one iota! I spent a long time searching for a printer when I was at Uni - it is old hat now but I can't face another printer mission! :)

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous,
Happy birthday next week
I wish you health-and lucky
hugs Tamara

Shannon J said...

Thank you so much for all the survey info, Darnell. I actually don't own a printer...well, that's not entirely true - the one I own broke about three years ago, and it's still here, collecting dust (does that reveal too much about myself - ha ha!!). I really do need to get one thought - thank you for helping to narrow it down!!

Happy Dance said...

Love your work space. Looks like it's filled with love. Gorgeous cards and such, and I'm betting next week's WOYWW will have multiple layers of birthday cards!! So....exactly which day?...just wondering....Later dudette! Bev

Nan G said...

Beautiful cards and ATCs! Thanks for the printer survey. Sounds about right on the some do some don't aspects. Happy WOYWW! Nan G #108

Nan G said...

p.s. I'm trying to CASe you. :)

janelle said...

Thanks for all you shared in your post. I've been anxious to see your printer results. Personal note: I've had Brother products and I was constantly replacing ink. Never again will I buy a Brother printer. Good luck! & happy early birthday!

Dianne said...

Hello Darnell, I can feel the love from here, all the way from Canada, the cards and ATC are gorgeous, the house looking out your window is brillian, and the floating butterflies fabulous. and the hummingbird purse pase and pen, love that.The pics of the little baby kite is the best, lucky you to have them around, it's been a pleasure to visit you and thanks for yours ^-^, have a wonderful day...
Dianne #97

Mrs.D said...

Super crop of ATC's there.
Hope you get your printer issue sorted soon. Couldn't comment last week about my printer, working on a 7" tablet was just a bit difficult.
Sounds like a good idea taking teh card with you if the shop will allow you to play.

canadian_liner said...

Thanks for your kind comment today, Darnell! Just popping by your blog and looked "in" your Playhouse for the first time! Lucky you to have that space, I'm jelly. Great job collating the info on printers. I'll have to try loading cardstock from the back...

Claire Grantham said...

Happy Birthday for next week. Love all the beautiful cards you got, so clever and very inspirational..The baby Kite collage is cool, we have Bluejays here where I am living in NYC and I spend so much time watching them and feeding them :) Cx #126

Kim Heggins said...

Love the look of your desk today, so many beautiful cards, how fun! Your photos are just stunning too, you are an amazing photographer.

Anonymous said...

Ooh Darnell, what a beautiful and inspiring desk! Amazing cards and atc's and happy birthday in readiness for next week! The whole country will be having a party in your honour!

Interesting printer survey and results, I meant to take part but forgot!! Another Canon Pixma user here, my Rudolph Day card I posted today had ALL elements printed on the Canon as it's all digital. I find for digi papers I buy a pack of best quality medium weight printer paper (currently got a pack of Office Max Premium inkjet paper bright white) and set the printer setting to high, and I keep the pack in my craft room so it can't be randomly used. My GinaK Luxury white card stock goes through with no problems, but I do sometimes get an ink smear around the edge, and I've put water colour card through too, but from the back like others have said. And I have a confession to make.... if I want something to look really good I print it at work on their laser printer!!

Hugs
Brenda 2

Krisha said...

Great post Darnell,
Lots of beautiful ATCs you received.
Thanks for your input on the printers, can't wait to see which "shoe" fits...LOL
Krisha #12

Bobby said...

One more comment on printers. I always google "best printers" and read the sites that do reviews (not forums). You can always get a copy of Consumer Reports from the library and read what they have to say.

Tigriswillreign said...

Wow, that pink card looks amazing! I had to stare at it for some time to figure out how you did it!
Thanks for your thoughtful comments on my blog! ;)
P.S. I use the Canon Pixma which prints cardstock quite nicely from the back. I find that I have to replace color ink cartridges even when I rarely use color!!

Tigriswillreign said...

Oops, that was a RAK card, not your own. Still fabulous. ;)

voodoo vixen said...

Happy Birthday greeting for next week! What a lot of love you have on your desk today, the cards are wonderful, the view out of your window was inspired indeed!! Hope you find a printer than does what you want... I was always an HP girl because of the printing of photos and they used to handle cardstock well too... then they didn't anymore! I now have a Kodak that is cheaper to run, prints photos well and will, if it feels like it, print on cardstock too! Annette #6

trisha too said...

Beautiful lot of mail your received, thank you so much for sharing with us!

:)trisha
#144 this week with
a mess and a love apple

Geri said...

Awesome post Darnell! Thanks for the 'puter info, thanks for the baby birds first flight pics and thanks for sharing the beautiful cards that you received!

Off to a family reunion in Saskatchewan, then to visit Brady in Calgary. Will be MIA for about a week!

aworkofheart said...

Hi Sweet Lady, you are so loved! I was just reading over my blog comments from 3 weeks ago, since I haven't posted, and wanted you to know that I am doing well. Have found a new med that is giving me energy to boot, better than in years...so am catching up with things I haven't been able to do. It is a strange experience being in this new head space...a miracle really. I can only live one day at a time, enjoying each moment soaking in this beautiful life...I do so appreciate all of your support through my months of blogging, and I will probably get back to it in time, We have a son getting married early in July, and so much Joy to experience, which is so different than just a month ago. You have been a true inspiration and I appreciate it ever so much. I light in my darkness. Thanks, and hope you have a very Happy Birthday girl!!

Marit said...

Ohh, that is indeed a lovely desk and so much sweetness that you received! LOVE the folded (harmonica) card... makes my fingers itch to start a little project like that. Happy - early - birthday to you and happy ~ belated ~ woyww Hug from Holland. Marit #91

Cathy said...

Hi Darnell, Happy birthday for next week, although I'm sure I'll be "talking" to you again before then :) Gorgeous pressies! Thank you for the hard slog on the printer. I'm keeping notes for specs when I next buy one Cathy xx

Neet said...

Thanks for the bird pictures, it must have been fascinating to watch.
Some great artwork there and I love Annie's card.
Happy Birthday for next week - hope it is a good one.

Hugs, Neet (who is late again - too busy cleaning cupboards and crystal-ware - just got carried away) xx 13

cm said...

Early Happy Birthday wishes - with some 'real' ones coming on the actual day - when you tell us!! Please do, so all of us who love you, your fabulous posts and your awesome cards can come by! What delightful gifts you've received; the ATC's have certainly piqued my interest! Such stunning beauty on little canvases! I need to explore these, since 'mini' creations are so darling! Accordian card is stunning! And, as always, your post is pure delight! When your comments appear on my site, 'tis an occasion of joy!
c

Unknown said...

gorgeous cards...and awesome photos!! love the baby bird flying!