What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #655

Well hello there deskers, hope you are all well. Thought I'd pop in and say hello and - if you've missed me, the weeks go by so fast!! - let you know I've had a bit of a time of it. When I was last here I was about to kick off my birthday celebrations with a pamper day. Unfortunately, my plans went a bit awry as having gone into Charing Cross as a day patient to attend a routine scan, mum took a sudden turn for the worse, was admitted that night and sadly slipped away a week later from heart failure and pneumonia.

Was a surprise/wasn't a surprise. She was 89, had been poorly, so we had been gently preparing ourselves but hoping, always hoping. Accelerating in a week from OK, could do better to really, really not OK? More of a surprise. I for one wasn't ready it turns out.

Gwendoline Ivy Souster
1932 - 2021

Despite Covid the hospital were brilliant about visiting. All four daughters were with her and all close family got a chance to come in. All in all in this current climate it was as good as it could be for which I am very grateful, other families I know have not fared so well.

My desk is clear as I have tidied in anticipation of Christmas which will now be here at mine, not mum's as planned to spare her travelling.  Instead of a picture of my desk I hope you will indulge me as I post a picture of my lovely mum just after her pacemaker op in July. 

The funeral is  tomorrow, Thursday,  so not sure I will make it round many desks today, a tad distracted. Bear with. Virtual hugs and prayers always accepted however. 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Christmas. 

Hold your loved ones close!! 

Stay well, stay safe,

Love n hugs

Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 651

Really quick post from me today as I have some pamper appointments to get to! Hair and nails are the order today after a lovely deep tissue massage to help my shoulder problems.

Here's the desk. The main activity this week will be Christmas card writing. Love seeing them ready to go but hate the job. Christmas tunes will be on and maybe a movie in the background.

I may have to forego the sherry and mince pie accompaniment as I am gonna try and do these during the day before I get tired ..... or maybe not lol.

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. Have a good week whatever you are up to.

Stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #650

Well that didn't go so well last week, I didn't get round to everyone and of course I didn't get those bottles finished in one day. In fact I was still putting finishing touches this morning. Pics at end of post for those who asked. Where did  the week go? Had mum's birthday, with a little tea party in her room as she couldn't get out of her chair, went to my niece's 22nd - she missed her 21st, and yesterday went in to town for the immersive Van Gogh experience. I enjoyed it very much and came away thinking that many of his works really don't get the attention they deserve. It was lovely to have things to do and a day out but most of my friends IRL can do that in a day - that was spread out over a week and it absolutely exhausted me!!

Still, to the main event, my desk:- 

Not very impressive. But I am intending to be home barring emergency phone calls, my son is at work so the internet band width is mine, all mine. I am thinking of making Christmas cards today. Trees and snowflake dies are out, as are the christmas foiling dies. and a magazine for inspiration. Wish me luck!

The sleigh needs a little repair, the light chain has come off the other side. Quick glue gun fix coming up. 

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx. 

As promised here are the bottles but I can't get

them to display nicely and 

they keep disappearing. There should be 6. Giving up LOL

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #649

Morning deskers! Thought it was about time I showed my face around here or you would have all forgotten me. Had a serious case of life over the last three months, mum has been very poorly, in and out of hospital, endless secondary infections and of course restricted visiting due to Covid - it's been a tad stressful. Still, home now, slowly improving - onwards and upwards!!

To the main event - my desk: 

I have weirdly been crafting quite a bit, grabbing every second I can for myself but not been up to social media. Christmas cards are currently over 100 and I thought I'd take a day to make a few more bottle lights in case I am asked up to 'The Farm's' Christmas event. I'm not that fussed about doing any other fairs this year. I have a whole day to myself today and will get these finished for sure. (Famous last words).

I am considering re-starting my card making group from January, but would really like to make it more of a crop. Any ideas for a snappy name along the lines of knit and natter for papercrafters? 

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - #637

Morning deskers!! Am writing this late Tuesday in the hope that I will be able to get online tomorrow - I have missed weeks due to my flaky internet. I believe I now know what the problem is - even though hubby says I'm being ridiculous - but it seems that our new-upgraded-reaches everywhere-with superfast speed-set up works perfectly as long as I am the only one here. As soon as my son turns on his pc everything (and I mean everything) remotely wifi or internet enabled in my room just stops and I lose speed and connection. I have now proved this happens on several occasions but am getting patronising looks and 'well your pc is rather old'. In light of the fact I have no idea how to fix it and nobody believes there is a problem (and also to look after my blood pressure) the only thing I can do is to only attempt to use the internet when he is at work or asleep.  Problem solved. No stress. However, attendance may be slower and/or more sporadic than normal!! Please bear with.

Here's my desk. My DD is 30 next Monday (how did that happen?) and I have yet to make a card. I also glibly planned a scrapbook spanning her 30 years. So I shall be busy. 

 I can tell you now, I should have started earlier. 

Have made a couple of commission cards for an 80th birthday. Quite pleased with both of them and they didn't take me long as I used digis. 

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

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Pouf! and Pouf again!! WOYWW #635

Somehow I missed 3 weeks, a combination of health, home, weather and wifi problems conspired to keep me away.  Hey ho, time sure does go quick when you are dealing with stuff. 

The desk is empty as you can see, but I do recommend this series of books - The Rosie Project - by Graeme Simsion. The first two had me smiling and groaning all the way through. (If you are a fan of the Sheldon character in Big Bang Theory you will appreciate these). Yes I've also been reading too much to be productive. I did manage to squeeze out this card for a friend. I was sort of following another Sam Calcott tutorial. 

I'm still trying to exercise but there have been a few missed days. I am getting on well with my hula hooping though and I'm sure it is making a difference to my back and my general bendiness round the middle. I wouldn't like to get too good at it though as once you aren't picking it up off the floor all the time it's pretty boring, I do between 5 and 10 mins a day. As promised I have a video, I just can't figure out how to post it here. Try to refrain from laughing. This was a couple of weeks ago though I don't think my technique has improved much. 

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #632 - Pouf!!

 and the week was gone again. Julia was so right.

Morning deskers, gonna have to be quick because I'm writing this quite late Tuesday and my bed is calling. This last week has gone so fast, I feel like I'm running to stay still!! I am going to have to re-consider how I fill my days because nothing is getting done. I'm still walking my 10B410 as often as I can and that alone takes at least 2 hours when you factor in getting ready to go out, and collapsing in a heap when I get home. Another hour or two to have breakfast, tidy up the kitchen, do a few chores, shower, get dressed, put the washing out on the line (bringing it back in wet after it gets caught in the rain), putting the Tesco delivery away, emptying the dishwasher, filling the dishwasher, visiting mum (that's at least two hours) ...... before you know it it's mid afternoon and it's a wonder anything other than maintenance gets done at all. 

In all fairness I do probably read rather too much in the course of a day but it's my favourite thing to do apart from crafting!!

Anyhow, here's my desk, I took the photo last night.

Aha, didn't expect to see me sitting at it did you? I have a very clever new selfie stick with a stand and a blue tooth controller. It's rather fun!! I was trying to practice with it as if you don't know what you are doing it kinda removes all the spontaneity doesn't it? (Yes I am such a technophobe I can get confused by a selfie stick).

Craftwise, I was asked for some wedding cards last week and thought I would make some new ones - you can see I've been colouring in some digi images ready to make toppers. There's an anniversary card to the right ready to be photographed - I use a 12 x 12 paper pad to make my backdrop.

I've actually had a couple of commissions and have made a huge bunch of cards this week. Here's a few favourites.

Not too happy about the wholesale lifting of restrictions next week - I shall probably continue doing much the same as now but the figures are not good and seem only set to get worse. I really do think sometimes that Mother Nature is trying to tell us something...

Latest news on mum is that she is scheduled for her stent op on 5th August. Thanks again for your best wishes. One day at a time. 

Despite all my walking, I find my 'middle' remains stubbornly stiff and inflexible. So I've ordered a hula hoop to see if I can get it to improve. There may have to be a video, but I'm not making any promises. 

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #631

Morning Deskers!! My desk is pretty busy this week as I've picked up a few commissions and I'm in the mood to mass produce - one for client one (or two) for my stash. This is the horror of my desk when I am actually being productive. 

Every surface in the craft room is covered as I search for a daisy die that I think will be just the thing for that card you can see. (Never mind I probably have 20 similar dies that would work just as well). Can't find it, the new filing system has failed me. 

Does anyone else do this? Time to move on but I'm still uncomfortable I don't know where that die is, it will bother me at a low level all day. I didn't know yesterday, what's the difference?

Anyhoo to prove I've been busy here's what I've been up to earlier this week. I asked for this stamp set at Christmas as I have a friend who I make a 'cow' card for every  year so I'm always on the lookout for a new image. Well, the birthday is in July so I thought I'd better get these out the packet pdq.

Scrolling on Pinterest (my bad) I came across the images pencil coloured & embossed onto Kraft card. Of course I can't find the pin now, but I rather liked the look, & followed the suggestion in the post to stamp, colour & then stamp again and emboss over the top. 

I must have known this mustn't I? With a stamping platform it's a complete game changer.

So I stamped a huge load of the images, first directly on to some kraft cards and then onto white card. I was going for productivity more than creativity as Macmillan is not that far off now and I wanted some fresh new stock. The kraft ones were coloured with pencil and came out pretty good. I really do like the images, though I'm not too sure about the 'good cluck' and 'silly goose' sentiments. It does mean however I didn't waste any time looking for sentiments. (But in fact I later cut those two off). 

I decided to mask the ones on white card and stencil a background. I then coloured in the image with alcohol pens.

I cut some white frames to anchor them on the card and made them up very simply and flat, almost a one layer card. They are basically all pretty much the same (and deliberately off centre). 

Another NBU successfully integrated into the fold. 

I wanted the set for the cow but I think all the images are super cute. 

But the pig is definitely my favourite. Hogs and kisses!! (snort)

Can't go without thanking everyone for their kind wishes for Mum. She came home at the weekend, and is very happy to be home. She is well in herself, though still rather 'chesty' and a final decision on the stent is yet to be made - provisionally booked for the end of August but we've been here before. I'm significantly less freaked than last week - the problem isn't resolved but she's home. Small mercies eh?

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday WOYWW #630

Hello WOYWWERS, looking forward to seeing your desks as I have been absent for a few weeks - well, that's June gone then!!

I should be in Great Yarmouth at the mo but we decided to cancel as mum went in to hospital following a mild heart attack/episode last Tuesday (we aren't totally sure what happenned). She needs to have a repair and/or stent to her enlarged aorta but although this is considered fairly routine they want to do a general anaesthetic and there are complications due to her spine, lung and heart problems and the fact she developed a chest infection the third day she was there. She had a pacemaker put in on Monday to try and regulate her heartbeat, but they still aren't happy so until the cardiologist and anaesthetist have had their say we are all in limbo. She is well in herself (full of antibiotics and oxygen) but fed up of being poked and prodded and being attached to so many machines!! And also frightened and lonely. Covid means only one visit of one hour a day - we pushed it a bit the first few days but are having to conform now. There are four daughters, plus sons in law and grandchildren who want to visit so it's very hard to div up the visiting slots! Not being able to see her whenever we want really brings home how tough people have had it during Covid - a couple of months ago we wouldn't have been allowed in at all. One day at a time.

Well all this excitement hasn't really helped my non-existent mojo but I do have something to show you on my desk. When in the doldrums I follow a demo or utube video and the one I watched 2 weeks ago was this Interlocking Panel design by Sam Calcott of Mixed Up Crafts which had me reaching for my 12 x 12s and some paper pads. (Yes it's taken me since then to finish them). 

Nothing especially demanding, quite an easy 6 x 6 card to make, but check your envelope sizes - I shall probably try 140cm x 140cm if I make any more to end up with a slightly smaller card. They are quite impressive though - a real 'mantelpleaser' as Sam says. 

One was intended to go to a poorly friend but I see on FB she's already got better - good job I didn't put get well soon on it!! 

On a plus note the craft room is pretty tidy!!

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

Wha's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #627

Oh dear AWOL again, a combination of Bank Holiday confusion and a bad back meant I completely missed Wednesday last week. But no matter, I'm back again, and here's my desk.

Not much crafting to show but a plethora of craft machines. This was me finally getting round to checking my todo machine works OK in anticipation of getting rid of it and also checking my brand new - in the sense of never having been used rather than recently purchased - Go Press and Foil machine works. I really only bought the todo for the foiling and then hardly ever used it because it was always covered in 'stuff' as a makeshift filing space. I feel I am much more likely to use the GPnF. Mind you it was a pre-lockdown purchase so no guarantees there but they both work fine and I was very impressed with my first attempts on the new machine. I was even more impressed that I managed to sit it centrally on that piece of card!!

Other than that, life just plods on, getting increasingly busy with catch ups and the odd meal out but mainly consists of walking, gardening and household chores but very little crafting!!

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW #625

Well hello there deskers, I trust you have had a good week.

As you may recall, this weekend my son had the second part of his wedding celebrations so we were pretty busy - I have added photos to the post below for those that are interested. It was a lovely day, despite the wind and rain of the day before. (Note to Julia and Jan: I didn't wear my lovely new heels in the end - I thought they might be a bit much for the walk down to 'the dell' and I didn't want to risk ruining them in the rain. But I will wear them soon!!)

My desk has been pretty empty of crafting but not of lovely happy mail as I made several swaps for the WOYWW anniversary last week. Here they are, with special thanks to Neet, Zsusza, MaryAnne, Diana, Annie, Jan, Helen and Jo - I'm afraid I rather lost the plot toward the end of the week so if anyone was expecting an ATC from me do let me know. 

And on my ATC display thingy, (I don't keep it here but was easiest place for photo)

I have to confess I had forgotten that we did not trade last year - I had to go back to last year's post to be reminded that we were challenged to finish something - I was looking everywhere for those ATCs lol!! The challenge I chose for last year was to finish my WOYWW album, and this is where this year's ATCs will finally end up.

Why am I showing you this? Well it's our weekly Wednesday Blog Hop - WOYWW. Here's the link to the one responsible, the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground - pop on over and join in, see what it's all about and have a go yourself. 

Have a great week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy xx

Wedding Photos

Today's post is highly indulgent with lots of photos. My son has just got married, and because Covid played havoc with our plans, there were 2 ceremonies, a church service for immediate family and then a hand-tying ceremony again with immediate family, bridesmaids, groomsmen and partners.  I have totally lost track of which photos I have posted where so apologies for repeats. This is just a handful, we haven't even started with the professional ones yet. They had their own photographer at each event plus the venue threw in a photographer for the day as well. No idea how they will choose.

The Church -  15th May 

My son Ryan and his new wife Annabel

Parents and bridal couple

Annie & my daughter Chelsey, the bridesmaid

With the aunties!!

Kevin & me with his sister and BIL

 

The Ashplants

Brother and sister

Chelsey and Shae

The beautiful bride

Pizza time!!

The Forest - 22nd May 

Photos set out on the walk to the 'dell'

Decorated beautifully

The skies cleared for us

Gorgeous bridesmaids

Maid of Honour

Father of the bride

Ready to say their declarations

They signed a copy of LOTR!!

The bouquets were gorgeous

Me with a well deserved glass of fizz

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

Me and my girl

My girl with her dad

The Siblings

We ended up outside

The cake - LOTR of course.

A very happy groom