WOYWW 604

Good morning all, my last post of 2020 is linking up with the best blog hop on the block, courtesy of Julia at The Stamping Ground. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and are enjoying the break before we charge headlong into 2021 and Brexit (for the Brits!)

Crafting has been quite sporadic this week - a little bit here and there between Zoom calls, Christmas celebrations and a little bit of work.  One card made for my son-in-law's birthday, not quite finished yet - but will be in the post today.  I've added a few rows to each of the 4 crochet blankets I have on the go.  Nothing of interest on my desk this week, but here is the shot - I'm sorting through my collection of old magazines and taking out articles of interest, glue gun, heat gun, and that's about it!

Here are our Christmas Day outfits!  Father Christmas, Mrs Claus, the Grinch, two elves and a snowman piggyback, with a big carrot nose!

We wanted to make the day special as we haven't been together all year, apart from Nic's wedding.

Lots of Christmas carols, a few magic tricks courtesy of Mrs Claus (me), and end result 6 tired adults and 3 happy children!

A make shift Santa Express - the cardboard box is the 'carriage window' and there is a projector with sounds/picture of a steam train journey.  

Santa visited, much to the delight of my grandchildren.

Emily was most anxious to protect her food, rather than her present from the Grinch!  George and David were considering taking him on - as they both got their first martial art belts a couple of weeks ago.

Have a lovely week, and I look forward to seeing you all next year.  I am working today, but will visit as many desks as I can, and catch up on some more tomorrow.  Take care, and best wishes for 2021, Heather xx

WOYWW 603

Good morning all ... I am mightily impressed with myself that despite these chaotic times (Covid, Brexit and Christmas) that I have remembered to join in our weekly desk hop around the globe.  If you want to take part and snoop around some workspaces then head on over to The Stamping Ground.

Since last week, Father Christmas arrived early with quite a delivery from Lavinia Stamps, courtesy of Mr M.  

So I was busy making cards for my daughters yesterday.  They are still on my desk, as I took a pic of them for FB group.  Just at the right of the picture are some gift tags I had to make as I realised I don't have any!  My work laptop has been put away till next week, so plenty of room for crafting.

The cards are quite sparkly - Daughter and sentiment embossed in midnight blue - it just doesn't show up too well on the photos.

My side desk is quite a mess - it's been used as a dumping ground.  Top left is a journal- just in case I manage to start using one in 2021!!  Then my paper trimmer, my box of embossing powders, balanced on top of some stencils.  A box of typewriter alphabet stamps- just in case I manage to start a journal in 2021!!  There are 3 cards for my grandchildren- I just need to colour in the gnomes.  The Lavinia goodies just arrived this morning- this was everything I forgot to order on the main order!  

 I wish you all the very best for Christmas, and I will do my visiting today and finish off tomorrow - inbetween making another stollen cake, mince pies, wrapping presents, and crocheting.  Oooh I suppose I had better make Mr M a card too!!  

Stay safe and well, Heather xx

WOYWW 602

Good morning all from wet and windy Lancashire.

Time for a visit to The Stamping Ground and a good old snoop round a lot of desks from crafters not afraid to bare all for the world to see (I am referring to their workdesks of course).

That said, mine is not a shot of a workdesk - as there is only real life, bona fide work on my desk (the variety you get paid for).  I therefore offer you shots of the quilts I have been finishing, yet another baby blanket I have started (I haven't finished any of them yet, I just keep watching YouTube and think ... oooh  I could do that stitch), and lastly a lonely Christmas card.  I made the topper weeks ago, and have turned it into my third card of the season finished (the other two are winging their way to relatives in Canada).

Tadaa- the quilts

Another crochet blanket work in progress 

And the lonely Christmas card ... but it sparkles ...  the ones at the back are last year's leftovers!!

Have a lovely week and I will visit desks today/tomorrow, after work.  I could not leave a comment or see Ali Wade's post last week ... not sure with what went wrong, but I did get a camera/microphone from Amazon for my PC as she advised, so future Zoom Crops will be fun!  Take care, Heather xx

WOYWW 601

 Good morning all,

Wednesday once more means time to pop over to The Stamping Ground to link up for WOYWW.

My desk does not look much different to last week - the joys of working at home are definitely encroaching on my crafting space.  Over the Christmas break, I feel a little re-orgainsation may be in order.  

At the left is the 95% finished quilt for David, I just have the binding around the edges to add.  Behind that is a journal notebook - I'm using one section for crochet notes!  Under the journal is my work of art in progress, another canvas for my craft room.  

On top of David's quilt, are the beginnings of another crochet blanket - I just keep starting a new blanket when I find a stitch I want to try.  The lemon (it's definitely lemon and not yellow, the light has changed the colour) and pink blankets are well underway.  Sewing machine at the back ready to finish the quilt.  I should do that ASAP, and that will free up some space!   At the right my magnifying lamp, a blue roll and a Christmas card balancing on top! 

I also made my Christmas cake and finished my Christmas gift buying.  So apart from making cards, I'm all set!  

It was lovely to see those that took part in the Zoom Crop on Saturday.  My tablet battery died during the morning session, and we lost our internet at the later one.  It was also difficult on a tablet to keep up, as I had to keep scrolling through several screens to see people.  Too many people talking was also confusing, when I could only see one person at once.  I will need to try on my PC for next time, but without a camera, not sure how that works.  The main thing is, it worked - all hail technology!!  It would definitely be fun to craftalong in smaller groups using Zoom!   Let me know 🙂

Have a lovely week, hugs Heather xx

WOYWW 600

Yay, I made it! WOYWW 600 - if you want to join this weekly escape to blogs around the world - click here 》》》》》WOYWW .

Crafting has been hit and miss during the last two weeks, and my desk is still my sewing station whilst I finish off David's quilt - which I am totally confident I will do.  It was a pile of squares two weeks ago, and now it's 75% finished!  

I've also been progressing with a baby blanket, but ran out of the wool, so I ordered some more.  Weirdly I thought one ball = one blanket!  And, erm, well .... I think I might have to sell my house, and buy one with a bigger craft room, as I obviously now need tons of yarn/wool, as I hone my skills as a master crocheter!  I have already started my purchases .... it was a flip of a coin between yarn and scenic stamps.  Yarn won this time - and my word, it was packed in beautiful gauze bags!  Next month's crafty budget will be the stamps, as Mr M may file for divorce if I buy more yarn, as I really do have nowhere to store it!!  Although, that would then give me his man cave as a second craft room .... hmm, let me consider this .... 

Stollen cake has been 80% made - I thought I had ordered some marzipan with the weekly shop, but after I had practically finished making the stollen, I realised I hadn't bought any!  Mr M picked some up yesterday, so I'll finish making it tonight.  I'm taking it into the office on Thursday to share with some colleagues, and I will decide whether to make another when I watch their faces as they eat it.  Fruit for the Christmas cake is soaking in whisky, ready to be turned into a masterpiece at weekend.  The truffle making and mince pies will have to wait for another weekend!  

Desk photo below - ok I tidied my desk before taking the photo, or you wouldn't have seen a thing.  David's quilt is half hidden under my first crochet project - a baby blanket.  Unless I count the 3 granny squares as my first project? No, they were just making sure I could learn crocheting!

Now, the corner you NEVER see.  Sofa bed hidden under tubs of cards, George's quilt, carrier bag full of material, work files/folders, box of packaging for all my dies and stamps, 3 lots of Christmas PJs for the little ones for their Christmas Eve boxes, some material scraps - I fancy making a cushion with that stag!,  my laptop bag, above that is the left over quilt batting, and above that a painting by one of my friends.  I have two that I bought about 10 years ago - I'm hoping once he pops his clogs, his talent is recognised, and my paintings become worth thousands!  Next to the painting are the 3 teddies for the little ones, and a Meerkat photo bombing!  On the floor in front is my yarn collection so far!

A close up of the lovely shimmery bags the yarn came in.  I'll re-use these for baby blankets.

Last but not least, a close up of the baby blanket.  I need another 2 balls of yarn to finish it, and they should be with me early next week.  I'm having fun learning the stitches!

Have a lovely week, and if the Crop is still on for Dec 5th - I hope to be able to join in and see you there!  Heather xx

WOYWW 598

Good morning all, 

On the one hand I'll be glad to see the back of 2020, as many of us will I'm sure, on the other hand I need to put the brakes on - Christmas is fast hurtling towards us and I have so much to do!  Since I made Emily's quilt 2 years ago (I can't believe it was 2 years but it was), I have neglected to make the boys' quilts... so I decided I should start and finish 2 quilts before Christmas.  My daughters do not like Christmas Cake, but they do like Stollen, so I have committed myself to making both ... and I have had requests to make more truffles, so I am trying to think of some Christmas truffle ideas.  Put myself under pressure ... not!  Not forgetting the cards I need to make ...

But we are here with the well-established WOYWW blog hop to share our desks.  First is a long shot of my crafting emporium/guest room/ironing room/now office as well!!  Please forgive the mess - this is very much a working room.  I will tidy, one day ....

This gives some idea of how my little space gets cramped so easily - at the other side of the room is a sofa bed!  

George's quilt is finished, washed, dried and waiting to be wrapped up.   I really do love the little Made with love by Grandma patches.

David's quilt is underway.  One strip sewn, many to go.  The little pile of squares will become a gorgeous cuddly quilt.  I hand cut all the squares - definitely a labour of love!

Next shot is my other desk - aka my office work space.  It's easy enough to pack up at the weekend so I can spread out with my sewing/crafting.

Last shot is a source of amusement for Mr M.  As some of you may be aware, I decided to learn how to crochet, and promptly ordered crochet hooks, yarn/wool, etc and settled down to watching a few you tube videos.  I have found some quite good ones.  However, I don't like to waste anything, so I have been practising, unravelling, starting over, as I learn the various different stitches/techniques.  One lady in particular has very good videos and I am keen to get going with Tunisian crochet.  Whilst I await the arrival of my new hooks, I have unravelled my practice piece and start practicing a smock stitch.  Not perfect by any means, but my main achievement was keeping the same number of stitches from start to finish.  Now I just need to find some nice dark pink, light pink and white yarn/wool to crack on with a baby blanket.  It's hard work shopping on line, as the colours aren't true reflections.  Can anyone recommend a yarn/wool for a baby blanket?

Have a lovely week, and I'll visit after work as usual.  Take care, Heather xx

WOYWW 596

Hello, I hope everyone is well.  I was determined to take part this week, in the longest running desk hop, so here's my pre-prepared contribution to WOYWW 

Apologies for missing last week, I was fully occupied by my gorgeous 4 year old granddaughter, whilst her parents enjoyed a few days honeymoon in the Lake District.

A staged shot of my desk, as I've just packed away my laptop ready to go into the office tomorrow as I'm interviewing.  But it shows I have done some crafting ... inspired by various YouTube videos.  From left to right, some Christmas cards which I had fun making, still have to finish most of them off; a canvas - not sure what will end up on there, but something else for my craft room wall, and two more Christmas card toppers.  Bottom one, I slightly messed up with not paying attention to ink types and promarkers - it will be hidden by a sentiment - lesson learned!  Top one needs a sentiment and i think santa and his reindeer...

Close up shots for those interested, hope you can see the shiny bits!!

My daughter's wedding was small, but wonderful.  Really rather cosy, and everyone had a lovely time.  I had the honour of giving her away, it was quite an emotional time for all of us.  Link to some photos for those interested here, courtesy of Mr M, whilst we await the official photos.  My truffles were a hit, although I spent every evening before the wedding making them, and finishing off the favours boxes, and place cards ... definitely worth it though.  

I also finished off the slate hearts that I showed a few weeks ago.  Thank you all for the suggestions.  I painted them with acrylic paint, and then heat embossed the stamps on.  When it stops raining, I shall make my way to my potting shed and hang them up.

I will do my visiting after work, and hope to catch up with as many of you as I can!  

Take care, and have a lovely week, Heather xx

WOYWW 594

So much for my blogging good intentions.  Such a busy 3 weeks, but I thought I had better put in a quick appearance, before you think I have vanished off the face of the planet.   It's all systems go on the wedding front - 3 days and counting until my daughter's wedding, and I am now a mad crazy woman in the evenings, making handmade truffles, and finishing off place cards, etc.  I also decided to make made to measure boxes for the truffles!  The good news is I went shopping and both Mr M and I got our outfits on our first trip.  No photos of those yet.  My hydropod I featured in my last post is coming along nicely - about half a dozen of the cuttings have roots now ready to be planted up.  My bumper scrapbooking delivery arrived from Craftelier.  

The final design favours box

The favours boxes that got rejected, and the final place card

My messy side desk

My scrapbooks and inserts on the floor, and one on the desk - no room for them until I tidy my craft room

Head on over to Julia's place at The Stamping Ground if you want to take part in WOYWW

I did see my spine consultant 3 weeks ago, who will refer me to a pain specialist, but first I had to see a lung specialist as the CT scan of my spine and chest area showed up a lesion in my right lung.  So - I had a Zoom consultation last Wednesday, and I will need CT scans during the next 2 years to monitor the lesion and make sure it doesn't grow or change shape, or become anything sinister.  It really is all go at the moment - I even forget it's my birthday tomorrow!  

That's all for me - please do leave a comment if you stop by, I do visit as many desks as I can between Wednesday and Thursday, and if I miss you this week, amidst the wedding preparations, I will definitely catch it next week as I have a week off to recover, plus our granddaughter is coming to stay for a couple of days.

Take care, Heather xx

WOYWW 591

If anyone has found any 'hours' then please can I have them - I seem to be constantly chasing my tail, and running out of time.  I'm therefore preparing this post on Tuesday evening for a number of reasons: 1) to ensure I join in WOYWW 2) nothing will change on my desk overnight 3) I don't have a deskshot this week 4) I am at the GP's in the morning for a flu jab.

So I thought I would share with you what I have been up to.  Kind of crafting with a difference to my normal pastimes.  To save you scrolling through lots of photos, I've created a GIF for them, with details underneath of each photo

Crocheter, gardener and truffle maker! 

First up, some wool, and then my first ever attempt at crochet.

My potting shed, with my pretty new oil cloth, not yet fitted but I was keen to see it in place!  

A couple of close ups of new fun planters.

Some plants awaiting their new home on the embankment, and the latest stage of the waterfall in the background

A few pots with some lovely lavender and other plants.

A present from Mr M - a Hydropod that allows you to grow new plants from cuttings ... watch this space!

A present from me to me - a small greenhouse that fits just in front of the potting shed.

Some sample truffles - practice run for wedding favours.  I've never made them before but they didn't turn out too badly.  The white chocolate and raspberry ones are a hit apparently.

I also made the place cards for Nic's wedding.  Only 15 are needed now, as they have been forced to reduce the numbers even further!  Such a shame, but in the greater scheme of things, far worse things are happening to people.  We will still have a wonderful day I'm sure.  Three weeks to go - I think I need to go and buy my outfit! 

I had my appointment with the spinal consultant.  Followed by CT scans, followed by a callback for more CT scans, and now awaiting a follow up appointment.  No dancing for me for a little while!

Next week I might have a desk full of goodies to share, as I got carried away with a bit of retail therapy!  Predominantly scrapbooking albums, and inserts.  I think I ordered enough to scrapbook my entire life!

Have a lovely week, and please leave a comment if you stop by.  I will visit as many desks as I can, although it may take a day or two!  Take care, Heather

WOYWW 589

I've made it to WOYWW ... 2 weeks on the bounce as the say, or on the run, depending which part of the country you hold from!   

It's a short and sweet post - my logic being short and sweet is better than none at all.  My daughter was visiting last night to collect her wedding invites, so I couldn't prepare my post as I would have liked to have done.

Main desk is full of work clutter, as we have been banished to work from home again until a colleague gets the result of her Covid-19 test!  Side desk has a new item ... oooh exciting- it's a crochet set - inspired by Jan, Shoshi and a few other deskers I have decided to teach myself to crochet!  Just awaiting the arrival of some wool!  The chosen wedding invite is next- that was a bit faffy - Nic wanted gold lettering, and so they were all patiently foiled up and fed through the laminator!  

Next up is a wallet with journals - untouched, but again all good intentions inspired by Helen & Caro.  On top of it is a slate loveheart.  I bought a few to decorate - wildlife and flowers, for my potting shed.  I embossed a squirrel, realised you couldn't see it against the grey slate, and then coloured the slate with distress oxides ... and it's still wet - from Sunday!  Ah well, I shall have to rethink that one!  The lovehearts at the front were to go on the wrap round the invites - but we both thought it looked better without.

That's it for me.  Good to be back!  Have a lovely week, and take care, Heather xx

WOYWW 588

Oh dear!  By my maths reckoning I have been AWOL for 9 weeks.  It would be rather a long post to update you on what has kept me from blogging, and what has been on my desk for the last 9 weeks, so I'll run through a quick synopsis with the odd photo ...

Work - busy as ever, and I'm still working from home part-time, but now back in the office 2 days per week.  So, I'm sharing my craft room with my office set up, and they are encroaching on one another!

Side desk shows a jigsaw I am working on, basket of card blanks, a cute Robin die cut, and heart die cut, a canvas because I wanted to do some wall art for my craftcroom, some slate love hearts destined for my potting shed, in the shadows above is a wooden sign that Mr M is going to 'do something with', and some scattered paperwork.

Potting shed is finished, and in use.  Garden fencing has been delivered.  Waterfall is half built.  I had two volunteers to help paint the shed.  There was an awful lot of paint on their overalls when they had finished, so I've used the 'before' photo.

Fingers crossed the wedding is going ahead!  I got carried away with the wedding invites!  Nic found it quite difficult to choose ...

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long.  I've had a lot of problems with my back, so have an appointment with an orthopaedic spine consultant on Friday, who I hope can sort me out!

I've also been enjoying the garden, whilst the weather has been lovely.  Spending all day in my 'office' puts me off crafting in the evenings!  On the plus side, the garden is coming along nicely.  

If you would like to join in this blog hop, please click this link WOYWW to visit our Head desker, Julia.

Have a lovely week, and please leave a comment if you stop by, I love to read them. Heather x

WOYWW 578

Good morning all,

I had to double check this morning that it was Wednesday - normally I have been preparing my post on a Tuesday evening so I dont miss it ... but ... once again i have lost track of time, but I am determined to take part in WOYWW.  If you want to join in the fun, click the link and pop over to our Head Desker, Julia.

I had an IT breakdown during the week.  The monitor I had hooked up to my work laptop, just packed up completely, so I have had to rethink my work from home set up.  Plus the boys want to come for a sleepover so I have to be able to pack away my side desk, which I couldn't whilst it was my work desk.  I have now hooked my work laptop up to my PC monitor, keyboard and mouse, so I have changed desks.  It means the side one is free for crafting, yay.

Main desk has a few bits of cards I  was playing with last night, just trying out the blending brushes.  They will not be made into cards, I just wanted to see them in action.

Side desk shows a few scrapbooks I have on the go at the moment.  The adventure one is spiral bound .... we dont get on.  It's my fault, there is so much in it, it has bowed slightly, so it will have to go.  I also have some screw post ones, the one under the sheet of alphabet stickers.  These are a little better but don't open flat, as I would like.  I have been looking at some D ring ones, but they all seem rather pricey!  What do all the scrapbookers amongst us prefer?  My morning coffee has also sneaked in on this shot.  I had switched on for work before I realised it was Wednesday ... 

Have a lovely week, and I hope you have better weather than we are having at the moment.  I had hoped to show my new potting shed, but it is only half assembled, as the rains came down before Mr M had finished building it!  It then turned into a swimming pool, as the tarpaulin came off, and he hadn't added the windows yet .... maybe next week.

Stay safe and well, Heather xx

WOYWW 577

Good morning all,

I hope you are having lovely weather - last few days have been gorgeous!  Crafting has taken place in the last 7 days, but oh my goodness - so has crafty shopping!  Best of all - I've remembered its Wednesday and time to take part in WOYWW.  First exhibit is my UFO box to the left, and the cards I have finished to the right of it.   I have ordered a couple of new dies which will hopefully be perfect size for the card that had "something" missing from a previous post.  You can't see it too well but I foiled the 40, 50 and 60 through the laminator.  I also had a 70 and a brand new roll of rose gold foil which I want to use for Nic's wedding invitations .... so I foiled that too - only the entire square of foil fused to the card!  Very annoying as I specifically checked it was suitable and clearly it wasn't. I have a back up 70 card, peeking out from the UFO box.

 In addition to finishing some cards, I also made new labels for my bits n pieces drawers.

To the right of my cards, are the first of my crafty purchases. I'm going to have a lot of fun when everything else arrives!  I've saved a small fortune over the last few months, reflexology, hair appointments and facials at the spa, have all been sadly lacking, so I had a splurge.  Mr M is on holiday this week, so he's doubling up quite well as my delivery boy - from front door to craft room! 

I saw a STAY-tion on a you tube video, and thought that looks very handy.  On top of that are some toothstyle make up brushes as featured by our favourite enabler, a new honeydoo stamp, a distress oxide, some low tack tape behind that, some ATG refills, and some cutting channels for my woodware trimmer ... and that is just yesterday's deliveries!  I might have to invest in one of those under desk trolleys as I am quickly running out of storage space.  Or I could just have a thorough spring clean, which would no doubt clear some space!  At the back is my journey so far on my family tree - it's very time consuming, but also very interesting. 

Have a lovely week, and stay safe and well, Heather xx

WOYWW 576

Good morning all,

Things look much brighter this week.  I have seen my daughters, my grandchildren, and one of my brothers. 

Nothing much to report on my desk this morning.  It is Mr M's birthday tomorrow - and boy, is he having a mid life crisis.  As usual I asked what he wanted for his birthday.  To my amazement he passed me his tablet, with a picture of ... an electric guitar!  He'll be growing his hair long and wanting a motorbike next!  So he is now the proud owner of a green electric guitar.  Hence my desk shows his birthday card - where I half followed a YouTube video, and I used distress Oxides on the crafting mat, I stencilled some brick pattern on the sides and some musical notes, I stamped the guitars and the sentiment and heat embossed them, and added some white outline to Husband.  Next to them are a few of the bird pics I did weeks ago, I stamped and heat embossed them ready to layer up into cards.

The reason I am sharing this on my blog - to follow my leader on WOYWW.  Click the link if you want to see far more interesting desks than mine.

Have a lovely week, Heather xx

WOYWW 575

Good morning all,

I am so sorry to have missed the 11th anniversary - a lot happening at the moment, I won't bore you with the details, but life is clearly not normal right now, and I seem to be struggling with it more than I thought I would.  So I'm writing this on Tuesday evening, as my crafting desk won't change between now and the morning, and this way I have a fighting chance of taking part in the best desk hop blog around.... WOYWW of course.  Click the link if you want to take part and have a poke around lots of desks from fellow crafters.  

As my side desk is now my work desk, and I doubt you would be very interested in that, I only have one desk to show, so I've taken a distance shot first.

My desk tidy to the left, and a basket of stickles/3D effects , etc.  Behind that is a basket with embossing folders, and my MDF organiser for dies.  Then a pack of toppers (more about that later) 3 card layouts I am playing with for 40th/50th birthdays, some lovely new colouring pens and markers - beautiful colours and blend very nicely, my Family Tree album which is progressing nicely - back to the 1600/1700s so far with not much research from myself, just checking out other people's family trees - not always correct, I can tell you.  Random people have claimed my grandparents and my mother!!  Next to that is my Gemini.  At the top of the photo are all the shelves that I recall saying to Mr M "I will never fill" when he first built my craft room.  Not an inch of space left now!  I slimmed down the stamp folders to fit more on the shelf, and repurpose the large binders for two copies of my family tree - one for each daughter.

Below is a close up of the card layouts.  Nothing stuck down yet, just wanted to play about with colouring and die cuts.  What really frustrates me is I have no idea what to add sometimes, and the 50th card clearly needs something - probably a large "Celebrate" down the side or a stencil or some other focal  point.  I will no doubt consult pinterest to look for inspiration.  All being well, these may be finished cards by next week!

The last photo is the Toppers I mentioned earlier.  Beautiful metallic butterfly toppers that were in a Hunkydory Goody Box I bought a few months ago.  They are gorgeous, the photo doesn't do them justice .... but once again I am clueless as to what to do with them.  Ideas on a postcard please, or maybe just a comment on my blog will do.

Nothing much else to report.  We are clinging to the hope my daughter's wedding will still go ahead in October.  Our August holiday to Trinidad has been cancelled ... but I have booked the most gorgeous house in Anglesey for summer 2021 for our biennial family holiday.  Something to look forward to, which is what I need right now.  Oh, and my potting shed should arrive in 3 weeks - simple things are pleasing me, as you can see.  I also finished painting my summer house on the inside - just need to get the paint for the outside now.

Please leave a comment, so I know you stopped by.  Take care, and have a lovely week, Heather xx.

WOYWW 570

Happy Wednesday to the world.  Ok, I know the whole world does not read this blog, so happy Wednesday to my fellow WOYWW deskers.

No work for me this week, I would say a week of rest and relaxation, but I spent the day yesterday clearing out the summerhouse, cleaning it, and started painting it.  The painting will continue each day, weather permitting, until I have finished it.  I shall do as much or as little as I please - no rush, we do not have any visitors planned.  In between painting, I shall endeavour to do some crafting.

Main desk has a clue as to what I am currently working on - although the format is still a rough idea in my head.

My family tree, although with my parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents all long since passed away, there is no one left to interrogate, apart from a few cousins that I haven't seen in decades.  My father was born in Cardiff, so I'll start the search there.  On the right is a birthday card I made with a Gorjuss stamp.  I'm with Shaz (Silverwolf) on these stamps - love them!  I stencilled  (woohoo I felt like a proper crafter) a background, stamped and fussy cut the girl, and used a punch to cut the balloons, and stamped a sentiment - I should have embossed it, as it doesn't stand out too well, but the recipient won't mind, I'm sure.

My second desk has some scrapbooking sentiments and paper, and another Gorjuss coloured image, with a background paper I found  in my stash, I will make that into another card.  There are also albums full of photographs to go through.  Apologies for the darkness of the photos, my craft room does not get the sun until mid afternoon.  

Have a lovely week and stay safe and well, Heather xx

WOYWW 568

Good morning all,

No excuse for missing last week, other than I got my days completely muddled up!  I hope everyone is staying safe and well, and best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those affected by Covid-19.

I have done some crafting - but not much.  Lack of space, although I realised if I tidied up my main desk, I would actually have a decent amount of worktop space.  So ... I thought maybe having all my stamps and dies in baskets is not such a good idea!  Exhibit A your honour:

I have two ways of storing dies and two ways of storing stamps (3 if you include my minimal wood stamp collection, which are in a box).  It's handy to grab what I need, just takes up a lot of space.

I have A4 plastic wallets in a large plastic box for large stamp sets, and A5 plastic wallets in smaller plastic boxes for dies, as well as the MDF tray storage for dies.

You can see the dies I have not yet put away on it, just to the right.  Also sneaking in on the pic is my new pink tape gun.  I gave in and treated myself.

My other stamps are in folders, right above my desk.  I had great fun doing all the covers.

I am tempted to put all my clear stamps in folders and get them all off  the desk.  I have even started an index - as I can never find the sentiment I know I have ... more of that next week.

The folder on the far right is labelled Die Cuts and is where I keep any extra die cuts, ready to colour in or add to a card or a layout.  If my mojo has deserted me, I can always cut out and colour in, whilst awaiting inspiration!

I think I like the organizing just as much as I like the crafting!   Am I alone in that, or does everyone get some pleasure out of organising?

Anyway on to the desk shots, which is why we are all here at WOYWW

Main desk is a mess.  No other words for it.  I did dump a lot of stuff on the floor so I could crack on with my daughter's  wedding invitation samples (fingers crossed it still goes ahead).  I love the little white die cut leaf - I received it in the last ATC exchange but don't know who from.  If anyone knows what the die is called, please let me know, as I think it is perfect for the invites!

Nic has now decided on a rose gold and dusky pink boho theme, so I'll order some more supplies before I make the next samples.  I'm having fun though, so can't complain.  

Have a lovely week, stay safe and well, and keep crafting.  Please leave a comment so I know you stopped by, Heather xx