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