What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW #550

' Twas a week before Christmas..........

and for once I am not tearing my hair out!! Apologies for being MIA but the last two weeks I didn't realise it was Wednesday until Thursday. But calm prevails this week - well, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop but so far so good.

Here is my desk this week.

Been dabbling with alcohol ink 'painting' on tiles - I use the term loosely. Originally a class project,  I decided to stamp and emboss using some fairly simple Christmas images to give everyone lines to work too rather than attempt freehand. Went down a treat and I am just in the process of finishing a couple of my samples off. Haven't sealed any of them yet as every day I have the time ot's been too windy to attempt but I think if  they aren't handled too much they will be fine.

Why am I telling you this? Well Wednesday is the day we do our tour of work desks to see what everyone is up to. and exchange a few words, feel smug (never), or glad we aren't the only one. Pop on over to the Stamping Ground and find out more.

Right, must get on, don't want to get behind when I am doing so well up to now. I have one final class to prep for Friday and a couple of things to get in the post. then it's time for wrapping and house tidying in preparation for the big day. We are 10 for lunch, how about you?

Finally just to say Merry Christmas and all that jazz to all who stop by as I doubt I shall be about next week. Have a good one, love n hugs Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #546

So today is Wednesday (AGAIN!) when we scoot round various desks courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground to see what everyone is up to. Hop on over and join in why don't you?

Aah winter. Already laid me low with a 2 week virus and set me up nicely with a cough that will probably last till next summer, hence MIA last week. But enough of my ills, here's my desk this week.

Centre stage is my pop up card using some gorgeous Laurel Burch stamps. Totally inspired (enabled) by the lovely Neet as I had never really registered these images before. Thanks Neet!! Otherwise just a complete mess. In the interest of full disclosure, here is the view from the doorway:-

No excuse really. I really hate it like this, especially at Christmas time when I am often working on multiple projects at once and consequently I have to make use of my lowest shelving options (the floor) increasing the amount of bending I have to do (How does Helen do it?) and making free movement around the room rather difficult. There is a little bit of residual stuff to go away after class yesterday but not too much. I'm basically stuck like this till 2020.

My dining room is in a similar state - we had new furniture delivered yesterday. There is so much packaging to get rid of (by volume larger than a double wardrobe). I really hadn't considered this consequence of buying ready made furniture rather than flat pack. I am quite in shock as to how much there is to get rid of. (Hubby almost goes into cardiac arrest putting flat pack furniture together so I have vetoed it for the future. However he was halfway there just getting the new stuff out of the packaging so I doubt I've gained much. I thought they did it for you. My bad, didn't read the small print). So will have to sort this afternoon as I can't put everything back in the new cupboards as there is no room to move there either until I get rid of it. First world problems I guess.

How I hate decorating/home improvement/change.....how you coping Julia?

 Happy WOYWW!!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW #544

Well I am very late on parade today. I have a cold and not much going on in my brain. I swear I just sat and stared into space for an hour this morning while drinking my first cuppa. Or maybe I just glazed over - hubby likes to watch an hour of news first thing. He likes to keep up to date, I just get more depressed!!

So today is Wednesday (AGAIN!) when we scoot round various desks courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground to see what everyone is up to. Well here's my desk, undoctored (although I did remove all the 'litter' so you didn't just get a picture of a pile of scraps).

At the front,  a card I am just finishing off using a Michael Powell image from ages ago. Also a small pile of stamped images I am working through - they go on a card or in the bin. To the right a couple of toppers recycled from last year's received cards that I may use or 'file'. A glue pot that I am trying to get the last bit out of.... At the back - well, don't look there... Crimbo cards continuing apace - see that black basket? Well that was completely stuffed with Christmas UFO's from last year but it is 3/4 empty - yay! Might crack it today if the brain fog lifts. I am being very disciplined, I have some lovely new dies and stamps from last year that haven't seen ink but I refuse to open anything else until I clear some of  this 'old' stuff. Go me.

Other than that not much else to report. Last week of Stoptober (we were on holiday first week Oct so started late!) so will probably go out this w/e. Hasn't made me feel any better, (in fact I feel terrible at the mo but that's not lack of alcohol) though perhaps my liver is grateful. Haven't lost any weight either so that's not the problem! Have a happy WOYWW one and all.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW #543

Gosh Wednesday again, I can hardly believe it. Slow start for me today, I'm posting this just before midday. Well here's the desk!!:

I'm planning on a bit of a production line for my little christmas exploding boxes. They went down well yesterday at class but thought I'd use up the remains before I put it all away. Had hoped to be done by lunchtime but starting so late I doubt that will happen.

I'm doing well at the Christmas cards - there are over 100 in those boxes. Still plenty more to plough through though, there are papers, stamps and dies still to come out the packet!! I'm rarely this organised and I'm not entirely sure how it happened.

These are a few of my favourites this year so far (with a nod to pinterest for some of them). I particularly like how the peel off one turned out, especially as I rarely use them but these came with my Christmas demo pack from docrafts. Also my new Craft Stamper mag  - something to browse with a cuppa later I hope.

I should be in the garden, it's a beautiful day but just not in the mood today. This picture does not give a true representation of how beautiful all the autumn colours are in the sunshine. My wider view is even better. Sadly it won't last long. 

Why am I telling you this? Well, pop on over to the Stamping Ground and find out all about this weekly desk hop

Me? I'm off for a nosy and I sincerely hope I get further than last week!!

Happy WOYWW Cindy

Job update: My son started work yesterday after a complete fiasco Monday when admin asked him to attend but had no one there to deal with him. You couldn't make it up. Came home from his first day with  a temp and tonsillitis which has plagued him since he was 8.  Still he's off to work suitably dosed up and armed with a ton of throat sweets etc. Hasn't been ill for a year. He really can't catch a break!!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW ~542

Not a lot going on apart from endlessly crafting, prepping and doing laundry. Doing stoptober so no alcohol which frankly, makes life a little boring. Or perhaps its just I'm not looking through my humdrum days through gin coloured specs. (Only joking). Good news, son has snagged a job but I'm not celebrating, we've been here before more than once this year and then they suddenly stop answering emails and phones.... As an ex personnel peep I am horrified by the way people are treated these days. Recruitment should be easier (and cheaper, but they all use agencies so probably not) than in my day because everything is done on online but they are appalling!! No standards at all. This time its a big national company so I'm hoping this one pans out.

Oh dear I seem to have gone on a rant. So here's the desk.  It is tidy as is my other desk but you don't need another photo of an empty space. Have that Christmas card to prep for a class (Pinterest, can't take credit for initial idea) and had an early morning request for an emergency 18th and have pulled out that topper and papers to do that. Plus I have to find a birthday card for someone I am having coffee with later.

My 'home and family' to do list is enormous and I'm trying not to feel overwhelmed. I'm not sure I'll even get round today. Trying to find an hour to garden or walk as well. Sometimes I think it was easier to be at work! Still, one thing at a time....
Why am I telling you this? Well today is the day we snoop around our fellow crafter's desks to see what they are up to. All courtesy of the wonderful Julia Budd at Stamping Ground. So pop on over and join in, why don't ya.

Happy Wednesday,

Cindy xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #541

Morning all! How these weeks fly by, I was in Norfolk last week and it already seems like a lifetime ago. Managed to miss the rain and had fairly good weather, perfect for walking.











Here's my desk. Not v inspiring as I kind just sorted one of the mounds and pushed the rest out to the edge so I could  take a photo. I AM going to do something with that pile of felt at the back. If only I could find the one needlecase I already made... For some reason I can't seem to move forward until I do, but I am absolutely stumped as to where I have put it. The whole craft room is in borderline panic mode as Christmas is well and truly out which means there is NO ROOM TO MOVE. (You may find I get slightly more hysterical from here on in as the weeks progress).

The exploding box is a project for class in a couple of weeks. Rather cute but not entirely sure what its for. Well, if you have to ask......


So you know the drill. It's Wednesday, we nose around other crafter's desks to see what's what. All courtesy of the lovely Julia Dunnit of Stamping Ground. Pop on over, link up and join in why don't ya?

(The bedroom still isn't finished)

Happy WOYWW

Cindy x

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW #539

Morning Deskers.

Well, I don't know about you but I'm already having one of those days. One of those not quite ready for it all, feel a bit fragile, one step at a time, taking it easy kinda days. Nothing wrong, very happy, just feel a bit - slow LOL. Hubby, fairly newly retired and frustrated by the rain preventing him pursuing projects in the garden is up uncharacteristically early and already painting the bedroom. It's not that a big deal, the 'new' duvet I bought in trendy grey and mustard is 3 years old this month, that's how long I have been waiting. Still, think the colour scheme is still fashionable... Typical male, didn't think I might need anything in the bedroom so I barely managed to grab a few items of clothing as he started moving and covering the furniture - in my befuddled 'I've only had one cuppa so far today' state I appear to have made some strange choices. It appears that today I am going commando. Still, I'm not expecting visitors.

I'm wittering because there isn't much on my desk. Here's the photo to prove it. And look at that sunshine. Will be outside a bit later I hope.

I'm very pleased with the tuxedo style card we did at craft class yesterday - yes I staged that. I think I'm going to repeat with my other group, even though we probably won't get to it till the new year. Also very pleased with that tidy backdrop on the windowsill.

I'll tell you why. I am an inveterate retainer of small pieces of card. I always think - oh that's too big to throw away (1.5 x 1.5 is about my limit) I could die cut a flower, stamp a sentiment ....... do I ever? Arriving home from class yesterday I was inexplicably depressed about the overflowing mess that was my scrap box and, despite many other more pressing concerns, sat and tidied it up, cutting things into sensibly sized rectangles and squares and ruthlessly discarding the rest (hubby will have a fit when he sees the recycling bin). But oh the fulfillment!! Am I the only one who finds mundane tasks like this to restore order so rewarding? I hate housework, but I do like my 'stuff' to be tidy. Shame I don't possess the gene (or discipline) to keep it that way.

Anyhoo, enough of that, why am I even here? Because it's Wednesday, when we snoop around crafty desks and catch up with their latest projects (and purchases - you know who you are). All this comes courtesy of the wonderful Julia Dunnit of Stamping Ground. Pop in and have a nose why don't ya.

Happy WOYWW.
Cindy

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #538

Mornin' deskers, grizzly and grey here in NW London. But I don't intend going far, this is a rest day - after a full-on day yesterday 9.00 am/9.30 pm frankly I'm pooped.

Here is my desk today.

Various remains from yesterday's class to go away plus the prep for Friday's class which is the Rubik-cube style never ending card you can see at the front.  I think it's such a fun card, as addictive as a Rubik's cube as well. Easy prep for me, and it's a small class Friday so today I shall be mainly cutting out coloured squares. Towards the back/RHS a pile of things I have turfed out from my various WIP storage that need doing for craft fairs - they will probably still be there next week!! Pleased to report WIP now down to 2 rather than 3 boxes - but it's slow going.

So why am I telling you this? Well it's WOYWW, the weekly celebration of (mostly) crafty desks from around the world hosted by the amazing Julia Dunnit of Stamping Ground. Pop on over and join in, we don't bite.

Happy WOYWW everyone.

What's On Your Work Desk? Wednesday #(a very big one)

Some desker I am, haven't made it since the big anniversary!! Have given myself a 3 week holiday from classes and commissions and need to get at least one WOYWW in before life and commitments catch up with me.

Here's today's desk -


Pretty tidy for me I must say. I am prepping (in a low key kinda way) cutting out flowers ready to make that flower girl card at class next week. Over at the back I have a load of almost there boxes and books (I get easily distracted) that need to be finished ready for my next craft sale. I had my best ever sale at the w/e (I won't be retiring to the bahamas so don't get too excited - just significantly better than the last one when the 'profit' after table money was £1.50) and stock levels are looking a bit thin.



One of my 'holiday' treats was to get to a workshop with Eileen Hull at That's Crafty. I made this. Thought I would never willingly pick up a needle again but this was quite fun and relaxing. (Big stitches, big needles LOL).


Well of course I went a bit mad. Several new dies later and a big pile of felt I am going to have to make a few more. (Justification being of course that I would usually be spending a fortune at Ally Pally this weekend). And if further justification were needed I am going to be in Nerja for 4 weeks in February so this could be a nice light and portable project to take with me.

(If that last para appears on the blog blue and  underlined I have no idea why)

Anyhoo, why am I telling you this? Well that's because it's wednesday, the best day for desk snooping courtesy of Julia Budd at Stamping ground. Hop on over and join in. Right then, I'm off to visit a few myself.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #520

Wow.
Or WOYWW.

That's a big number, congratulations everyone on the 10th anniversary of WOYWW.

My desk this week is empty apart from the actual ATCs I have made for the anniversary swap. When prepping for yesterday's craft class I was playing with wreath stamping and fell in love with some of the trial pieces I made. So they have been cut down into ATCs. Not my usual thing at all, but I love the colours.

I decided I would use my teeny block stamp set to add the number 10 - anyone who has these will know they are virtually impossible to stamp without catching the edges of the rubber so I just did on-purpose-very-bad-stamping. Kind of works.

My apologies for not getting back to peeps last week, my Weds afternoon/eve went completely off track - but in a nice way, my daughter in law to be and my daughter both turned up unexpectedly and we had a bit of an impromptu wedding planning event. It's going to be LOTR themed. Anyhow, I never got back to the pc (there may have been prosecco involved). Today hasn't been much better as I had to take the car into the garage so lost my morning and early afternoon faffing about and only just now getting on the pc. (Again, how did I manage when I was working?)

Anyhow, I have sufficient ATCs to send to my swap partner, Angela, Shaz and Neet. Which leaves one more if interested. Now it only remains for me to link to Julia at Stamping Ground, the wonderful host who has made it all happen and wish everyone a very happy anniversary. Happy Wednesday all, I look forward to many more......

What's On Your Work Desk? Wednesday #???

Been AWOL again for a few weeks and  no idea where we are in the scheme of things but I know we are getting close to the 10th anniversary so I have been working on my swaps, which will be ATCs. I shall have about 4 extra if anyone is interested. Meanwhile I have been sorting out the previous swaps and putting them into an album. Recognise any of them? I believe I have got up to number 6, and I may pop out and sit in the garden to do the rest as it's a lovely afternoon here in London. (Mind you won't get much desking done if I do that.

Picture's up the wrong way but don't time have time to sort (for which read can't be bothered) as I am late posting due to hairdressers this am. At least I look presentable again. Had to ask again for my over 60s discount.... guys, its been 2 1/2 years, I don't look THAT good!!

Why am I telling you this? Well, it's Wednesday, time to snoop around the desks of fellow crafters and see what's up. Courtesy of the lovely Julia at Stamping Ground. Pop on over and join in why don't ya?

Happy WOYWW one and all. 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday - WOYWW#513

Morning all!! 

My desk(s) this morning are pretty tidy as I was on a mission last night into the wee hours to unpack, put away and make-up after craft class. We did faux watercolour/stamping and it left me with a few toppers to be made into cards. I find if I don't finish making up any bits the same day I might as well chuck them because it'll never get done. The WIP boxes are full enough already. 

My task for today is to make a dent in this pile of stash for my demos at the weekend. I am attending a new store opening in Hemel Hempstead and I'm hoping they actually have the new stock on  the shelves. I have some pretty paper pads in there. And in  case you are wondering, yes, in my opinion this is tidy, its just a pile of stash, not a pile of projects!!

So why am I telling you this? Well Wednesday is deskhop day, courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground. Pop on over and join in, I dare ya!! Happy Wednesday folks.

What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday #512

 Morning deskers. Welcome to all and sundry taking part in the weekly blog hop at Stamping Ground. Pop on over for details, post a photo of your desk and join in!

Tuesday tidyup didn't get finished as I had to go out early eve, so this week you get treated to a really messy space. At Tuesday classes I never really get my 'sample' card finished as I end up helping people individually. So what you see here are the 'bits' I demo'd that I will now make up into cards or whatever. The actual card we made is the one towards the back of the desk with a frame - the pegged one is one I am finishing up!! There are a lot of stamps about on the desk - I like to store my stamps by company but I have lots of individual stamps that defy that classification or didn't come as a set and increasingly it would be useful if they were somehow catalogued and stored by genre, ie splodge stamps, butterfly stamps etc. It's kind of done like that but I haven't maintained it over the years. That's gonna be a big job.

Inexplicably both wrists and elbows are giving me a lot of grief today and I have a lot to do - I wanted to do some housework (well that's a lie, I never WANT to do housework but the bathrooms are minging) and I have docrafts demos weekend after next and I have yet to look properly at my kit and start making samples. Plus classes to prep for. Anyhow, must be off, have a good Wednesday.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday

Morning all. It's time for our weekly bloghop to see what everyone is up to courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground. Pop on over and check it out, join in why don't ya? 

Actually writing this late Tues afternoon. Have been on holiday in Tenerife, and had my first class today with my ladies since getting back. I noticed that the scissors were getting a bit icky so resolved that this afternoon I would go through all the packs and give them a good clean. While I was at it, I picked up all those laying around the craft room. This is the result.

Mind you, it doesn't include the scissors in my docraft demo kit, the trio I have in pretty much every room in the house, the hidden dressmaking scissors, and the selection of left and right children's scissors I use when doing kid's crafts.

I think I might have a serious scissor addiction.

And just for something pretty, this is the card we made at class.  
This is my sample and also  for my mum so shhh don't tell her.

Happy Wednesday guys. 

EDIT: 10.25 PM.  PC went a bit crazy this evening so I have NOT managed to get round. After much mucking about it transpires my control key had got stuck so my key strokes were doing all sort of crazy commands!! I have sorted that now but am left with a screen view that is so small it is almost impossible to read. So I'm bailing out for now, apologies to any that come after. I'm out of ideas so it will be handed over to the resident IT expert tomorrow. Computers!!!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #508

Morning all. As usual for a Weds am, my desk is a bit bereft, because Tuesday after craft class is my tidy up and put it all away before starting to make a great big mess again day. (Yeah, I know I should take the photo before I begin but can't seem to get into that routine). But, as part of an attempt to gradually go through all my piles of stuff, I emptied my box of 'not used yet' stuff on to the desk and that is what you can see in the photo.

Not used yet is a fairly loose description. As you can see that little stamp set at the front has had the sentiments used, but 95% of this has not even been opened. Out of interest, I counted and there are 36 stamp sets and 9 die sets. And there is probably more around.... Please don't do the math. What I need to know is - am I the only one?

Why am I showing you my desk? Well it's Wednesday and that's when we look around the craft desks of the great and good courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground. Pop on over and check us out.

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

What's On Your desk? Wednesday. WOYWW # 506

Wednesday again? Truly it nearly passed me by again. Well they aren't on the desk but I've just taken piccies of what I've been doing this morning. I have all day (yes all day) kids make n takes on Saturday. So have been busy making up kits and samples. Obviously I am working to a strict palette of materials that I have to make last all day so nothing too fancy!! Still we'll have fun I'm sure.

We have a nice bit of sunshine today here in London and I'm just about to pop out and get some fresh air. Hope everyone is happily crafting this hump day.

Why am I telling you this? It's weekly bloghop day!! Pop on over to Julia's Stamping Ground to find out more. Happy Wednesday all!!

Step away from the pencils....

It's so hard to know when to stop. But I think it's done.

This was from a photo. Scroll down and you can probably see the original.

Now, if only I could do this straight out of my head.. She actually has a smile. (Been sadly lacking so far lol). 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #505

And I was going to be so organised this week....

Anyhow 3 quick picks of stuff on my desk that I'm trying to get to this week.

First up, for Christmas I asked for (and received) Jane Davenport's 'Drawing and Painting beautiful faces', so this week I have started working through the book (early days). I'm still attempting to achieve some kind of consistency with the placement of the various bits of a face - eyes, ears, mouth, nose, neck etc in terms of balance and proportion. I don't particularly want to them to look 'human' (haha) just, well, believable. I feel it's gonna be a while....You can see a couple of pages on my desk. They are supposed to be quick, repetitive, practice pieces but when I think one of them has legs I take them a bit further and do some colour and shading because I'm also trying to get the hang of using pencils. At the age of 62 I have discovered I don't know how to colour, so practice, practice, practice. I try and do a page before bed, it calms me down although some nights I go on a bit longer than I intended. The big thing I have learnt is you can't hurry if you want it to work. Slapdash Annie here finds that very hard but its probably good for me.

I'm also going to do something with this, a favourite handbag of min from from a couple of decades ago. It will be black by the end of the day then - who knows?

You may guess I have been going through my WIP box. It is now reduced to the actual box, plus one (rather large I admit) carrier bag. I have managed to eliminate the pile on the floor that was getting ridiculous and the xmas pile.
But it's still rather a lot.

Found this amongst it all. Not going to tell you what this was destined for but it certainly will take you back a few years if I ever manage to get it done.
Hope you are intrigued.



So why am I telling you all this? It's desk hop day, pop on over to Julia's Stamping Ground and join in.

Have a great Wednesday guys!! 

Don't faint - it's me again.....

For once I managed to do what I said I was going to. My completed paper cuts all framed and fancy.

What's On Your Workdesk #502

Well at least I think that's the one lol. I've been absent a lot longer than Julia!!

A day in the craft room today, although its already past noon and all I've done is tidy up and a few chores. That 'To Do' list never gets any shorter. On Saturday I went to a craft session with some friends and we did some paper cutting. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and didn't quite finish my 'bird on a branch' so going to get that done today and hopefully get both in a frame.

Later I plan to have a play at some napkin art as I want to do it with my craft club ladies next week. I've seen a couple of novel techniques that I want to try out.

Yesterday we tried out what I call a spotlight technique - they turned out really well but as usual I forgot to take photos of their makes. Here are my samples.

Well, that's it from me, hope you are all well, I won't promise to visit everyone but will try to get round as many as possible. Happy Wednesday!! For any who wonder why I'm sharing my desk, here's the link to WOYWW, hop on over to Stamping Ground and join in.