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