WOYWW 558

It's enabling time again - head to the Stamping-Ground where Julia has the link for the desks to visit.

so, the enabling -  some new releases from Paperartsy that arrived in a little over 24 hours from  Stampers Grove in Scotland.
First time I've used them, very impressive!











stamped the images out - then noticed some of the sheets of card have creases in them (they're from the middle of a pack so must have been a fault somewhere in production)

I need to buy some more card, I'm running out - I am thinking (weather and trains permitting) of going to the Stamperama craft show on Sunday in Stevenage.

(edit.  have seen the weather forecast, Storm Dennis on the way... and trains...  don't talk about trains.. may revise that plan to go!)

In the meantime I should be turning some of these images into 2 birthday cards I need for my SIL and niece at the weekend....stand by for live-crafting!

I did have time to do some stencilling before I went to work this morning (Tuesday, prepping this post as usual )


used Fresco paints..

next step for the live crafting at time of writing is some JoFY stamps from an earlier release (not sure when exactly but they haven't made it into the JoFY  box yet...)


Now, what colour shall we use.

yellow and orange to go with the paint in the background

(stabilo felt tipped pens)

one down, one to go... that will be tomorrow now


Happy WOYWW !


(Julia is up and running early, so linking tonight)

forgot the link to Kew from last weekend - orchid time!

WOYWW 529

Happy Wednesday to you all - it's already time to gather for another desk sharing meet up at Julia's 
I enjoyed the rest of my week off work, and am mighty glad that it wasn't as hot as it is going to be for the rest of this week!

 I finished the journal page I'd started last week, using some of the new Paperartsy stamps that came

I nearly forgot to show you!




then I got an email to say the Tim Holtz transparent wings I'd been waiting for, were back in stock.....

and put an order in...


oops!

about the only other crafting I did on my week off was a bit more of a play in my journal.



I'll be late home to visit your desks as I have a hair appointment (not ideal on one of the hottest days of the year!)  but will find you soon..

WOYWW 483 - happy mail

Hurrah, lots of happy mail in fact!   Before I enable you though, let me tell you why you're here.. it's Wednesday, so it's WOYWW   (what's on your workdesk? wednesday)  week 483... brain child of our beloved leader Julia. 

so.  happy mail...

 this one arrived on Tuesday....
the Dina Wakley collage papers are mixed in the packets, the Dina stencil looks great in action (it's called ladders) - I saw it on you tube somewhere, it makes a fab background...  and I loved the Aall & Create one with the little squares..

they came from Artist Trading Post and I only ordered them on Sunday!


these ones arrived last week - the ones I was waiting for


the Dina stamps and the stencil came from That's Crafty and the paper dolls (Christmas edition) and trees from Country View Craft - Sue had a bank holiday weekend sale....

I finished another delayed  page for France's facebook group challenge.


this one was the one that was entitled "self talk" or how do you talk to yourself...
and was from week 30.  we're on week 36 now.. so I have a few to catch up on (although I've done week 31, that I shared last week)

Don't blame me if you now go shopping...!  enjoy your WOYWW.. 

WOYWW 475 semi final time!

Here we are again... writing this watching football.. and Wednesday sees England facing Croatia in the World Cup semi final... eek..    first though, it's WOYWW  with Julia and chums..
I won't be visiting between the hours of 7pm (UK time)  and ... the end!  I'll be watching through my fingers... 

some crafty goodies came to stay this week....

you can see last week's journal page still exactly where it was, still untouched from then...


maybe after the weekend when the football and the tennis is finished I'll get back to creating!





Neet wanted to see a close up of the gin box too
(the box the bottle came in, for someone who queried what a gin box was last week)  so just for you...

and the inside is as pretty as the out...





In case you missed it, last's week's Kew visit (a short one - in length of visit not number of photos) is here and Sunday's visit to Hampton Court flower show is here (even longer in terms of photos)


so for now... COME ON ENGLAND!!

see you soon. 

WOYWW 433 - post show haul

My week off went in a flash of days out, lots of walking and photograph taking... and back to work now; starting to feel like I was never off!   if you want to see what I got up to there are 4 posts on my "photosbyh" blog - click the fountain picture which will take you to the final one, and work your way back (it may take a while!)

But it's time for WOYWW and our weekly desk share... Julia is in charge here

Saturday saw me at the Ally Pally show.. like so many of these things, it ain't what it used to be, as they say!  Write up here though if you're interested (although I know a lot of you saw it)

But I did manage to do a little shopping...
less than normal, but enough!

















I did manage to make a couple of birthday cards last week, for my boss and another girl at work - both used one of the new Dina Wakley stamps I showed you last week  

This one for my boss was using Fresco paint brayered over a piece of patterned paper and some texture paste mixed with Caribbean Sea Fresco to stencil the numbers

 Oxides on tissue paper

 I decided at the weekend my brayers were disgustingly filthy - I managed to chip away at the paint and got one back to the red rubber, the other one is a bit more damaged and still has paint stuck fast... I'm just going to call it a texture brayer


So, that's me this week...
Hoping that getting these cards done will finally kick start me back to getting some more crafting done... I'll probably start a new journal to celebrate!!

WOYWW 406

Welcome back for another Wednesday (already, really?!)
Stuff got in the way of many visits last week, - will try harder this week, but it won't be today as I'm out after work for a birthday curry for one of the lads from work.

My Country View order did arrive (today - er, Tuesday!) - delay was waiting for Paperartsy to supply the stock...

 4 new sets of Paperartsy stamps...
and some extra goodies - some Scrapinec chipboard pieces (Noor designs, saw them at Stevenage, great prices, if very thin chipboard) and speedy service - ordered these on Sunday!

The pack of cheesecloth was a snap purchase, been watching some You Tube videos and somebody was using it... hope I can find it again now!  but it'll come in handy for mixed media, so not a waste!


close up of the chipboard pieces.

 and under it all, lurks yet another WIP journal page with these fab Tracy Scott (for Paperartsy, of course!) stamps!


Just realised I haven't reminded you why you are here looking at this.   it's WOYWW day.. head to Julia's for the link - and I'll see you when I can!

WOYWW 398

Hello and welcome back to another Wednesday.. Julia is hosting WOYWW again and I see when I popped over to check the week number, that she's updated her blog - looking good, Missus!

Anyhow, my desk  floor awaits your inspection.

 3rd desk of the year, and new stuff!!
I was killing time before my haircut on Saturday and found myself in Rymans stationers.. dangerous... very dangerous.

not 1 not 2 but 3 new journals.. although one to be fair is just a thin sketchbook (I liked the weight of the paper, will probably use it for the pages)
and some stamps.  a new Paperartsy set for the new year of Wanderlust classes.. had to be done!
Incidentally, Paperartsy have released a whole HEAP of new stamps/stencils/infusions and re-issued some discontinued paints... I am  broke already - hopefully by next week's instalment there will be loads to show you!! (one order on the way, another one being processed....and I am sitting on my hands to stop myself putting in another one tonight!)

this is the final WIP from last week (the other two are finished and full details available here  - in the post below this one)

This is the one that was going to be a Finnabair inspired canvas.  got a bit out of hand with the colour (prima colourbloom spray mostly) over what was there already.   so now I am not sure...
I had got as far as picking out some metal embellies to use on it.. but have put them away for now.
I may as you see, just go flowery instead, I have about a gazillion paper flowers I could use!
(and if I use up a load, I can buy more, right?!) the pack to the left of the canvas that is reflecting the light so badly so you can't really see it, is a pack of feathers.  just the right colour for what I was thinking.. so they may feature, too.

That's it for me today, will catch you all soon.. failed to get round the list last week what with one thing and another!

WOYWW 396 - Happy New Year!

So, Happy New Year, we made it!  All that hard work, shopping and baking (well some of you anyway!) and feasting....Time for the first desk hop of the year... Link up at Julia's as usual...



I forgot to share this pic last week of the last goodies I bought from the Country View Craft advent sale

another couple of dies and a stamp (Seth Apter






there isn't very much on my desk - Tuesday was my first day back at work, and I really didn't make the most of my time off, doing very little crafting - I did get a journal page finished  (see the post before this one) - although I did get ahead with my January birthday cards but I can't share them yet!

 I did start another journal page..  a mix of frescos, infusions and gesso, some colourburst sprays, and there we stopped....






just in the corner of the picture is a book I purchased from Julie Kirk (notesonpaper) I love her blog, and her style of writing...I am sure some of you know her too.  I loved the way it was wrapped up with paper (book pages of course) which of course I have saved!

It's available from her Etsy shop - snipped tales is a great title for the contents.

 needless to say I didn't get any clearing up started either...


so,that's me for the first week of January...
Looking forward to catching up with you all soon.
I'd better go and take the decorations and cards down....

WOYWW 394 but EEEK Who's ready?

Hello deskers..  It's Wednesday.  perilously close to Christmas.  Hands up who's ready?    (I don't really want to know, it will just depress me...)    But before that we have another date with Julia and WOYWW
I did decide to add a bit more to the journal page - so far, a bit more outlining of the shiny green stencilled letters,  and some white splatters. (love splatters!)
I'll probably "faff" a bit more with this still yet.....

So, who's been enjoying the annual CountryView Crafts Advent calendar sale then??? I am sure it's not just me!  (I know Shaz has been keeping an eye on it as she tipped me off one day for some Paperartsy goodies... which I ignored as I DID have most of them that were on offer...!

I have been fairly good so far,just two orders ......


one of which has arrived so far - some Sizzix dies - I love flourishes, and have wanted a really big one for ages... and the Tim Holtz scribbly Christmas (especially the tree) grabbed my eye a year or so ago... so they fell into the basket one day.

and here is a close up of the desk... a tartan ribbbon that came on a parcel that was sent to work, and I was offered first refusal, a tartan wrapped present from my cousin,  waiting for the big day..
and when I was at Kew last week I bought a book "London's secret places" with the idea of finding somewhere different to visit.

  But don't hold your breath.... I went to Kew last Saturday in the thick fog - it was amazingly atmospheric - see here if you have time -I know some of you saw the link on facebook

I'd better call it a day, this is not very short and sweet -   I will be attempting once again, after work, to try and get the last two gifts... yes, running seriously out of time.. and no ideas either!! so your desks will be visited later on.  Promise!

It leaves it to me to wish you all, a very Happy, and Healthy (we can hope!) Christmas and New Year  - keeeep WOYWWing!!  

WOYWW 375 from one extreme to the other..

well what can I say??  Wednesday again (already) time to link with Julia at the Stamping Ground
.. but lots more to show today! (Paperartsy keep releasing new stuff!)

 so this was what I was waiting for last week!
have even had a play with some of the stamps - finished the journal page from last week (didn't paint over it!

some of you saw it when I linked it for the Paperartsy challenge.

 I didn't go outside the front door at the weekend, no trip to Kew this week, just binge-Olympics... but did do a bit of clearing/moving/cleaning ( yes, I know...)
Opened the big storage boxes I got from the Works a few weeks ago (quite disappointed actually, they "pop" together with press-studs but both boxes have one that is a little out of alignment so don't click shut properly... hey ho!

Anyway I have put the to use with my Paperartsy A5 plates in stead of the previous boxes, and moved a few things around... devotees of my room may spot what's changed!







let me see if I can find an old photo, hang on...

well this sort of show shows it looked ...

and then on Saturday Paperartsy released some new JoFY stamps - oh me oh my!

8 new minis and 2 large sets (see, I was restrained,I only got 6 of the minis!!!!)

they arrived today (oops, Tuesday) at work and in time for their debut on the desk today!
now to log them in the catalogue and hopefully ink them up!

(you can also see my little (A6) journal in which I've been playing with my Stampotiques I got a few weeks ago - who says I don't use my stuff!!)

sorry I kept you so long, will let you go and desk hop some more now.

WOYWW 347 - new stuff!

Morning and welcome to another What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday snoop.. pop over to Julia's the Stamping Ground for the link/info.

I went shopping on Saturday, with a desire to spend some money... in which I was only partly successful... always the way, you go with an intention to buy new clothes etc, and you don't see anything you want/like...  Anyhow, I digress - I was also intending to pop into the art shops, (a small firm with just a couple of branches, and also Cass Art of which there are several throughout the UK. The Kingston one however, is not very big...)  Cass Art have a sale on... although it may be nearly over, I think it's been going a while now.

 I managed to grab a few bargains..

 "one or two" new journals... the little square one was just too cute to leave behind, even though I don't often work this small... the kraft covered one and the landscape orientated one, are intended just to use for the paper they were quite cheap...

At the back is a Prima journal which a friend gave me... and the A4 spiral bound one is another good size... a spare!

I also got... a pad of mixed media paper and some thick cartridge paper, think these will come in handy for the Wanderlust course I'm doing (and very slowly catching up with)

The paints were a bargain, and the pastels - well, also on offer, but I just fancied trying them!

The tub of paste is fibre paste, so textured, and will be used for... whatever!!

Probably just a well I didn't see much in the clothing area as these bags were heavy!!
I got home and immediately started to play..

 the mixed media pad and the pastels were put straight into action on this piece for the Paperartsy blog challenge...

and I did a bit more to the journal page I was playing with the other week...

So, finally I seem to have got the "bug" back - shame I have to keep going to work- I just want to play now!!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you had a good visit - leave me your desk number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Glasgow - SECC - Stitching Sewing and Papercraft show

So, you may have seen the other post from Glasgow, if not it's here  Lin, Emma Sam and I decided to try this show as (obviously) we'd never been before.  Took a fair old while on the train, but it was worth all the hassle.

Once we had finished with the art shops (we had to take Sam on Saturday morning as owing to her delightfully extended journey she arrived too late to go on Friday) we got the train to the SECC and the show.

 I've never been to the NEC in Birmingham, which is apparently much bigger.. anyhow, this is the gang

 let's start shopping!

 Knitted sock Christmas tree, it was huge!

 we stopped to watch a Pebeo paint demo and had lunch - we'd all got separated and I only found them again by accident.


I'd previously passed the Powertex stand, and seen some great textural items being demonstrated

 I promise I didn't see the "no photographs" sign (did see the "no videos" - oops!) but I've got them so I'm sharing them!

 we Sat and watched a demo (workshops had filled up fast) after lunch, and all ended up buying some to have a go!

 time for another sit down, tea and twitter catch up!!

 Sam guarding the bags while we had a loo break before going back to the hotel... yes, a successful trip I think you'll agree..

I only had "bunches of fibres" on my list... ahem...

 back at the hotel, we went to Sam and Emma's room for a show and tell.. the things we go to, to get the pictures for our blogs!  Sam has already posted hers here 

I think this was Lin's pile..

 

 Emma decided to share some of her sari ribbons... where's the end, Emma?!  Actually, where's Emma?!!

 my haul from the show. See, I did get my fibres!

I got a bundle of the sari ribbons too, in the purple/blue combi - should probably have got the orangey/red one too, they were £2.99 for a 100 metre bundle..  At this time my bundle was still neatly stored..

 Sam taking my haul.

 I promise this isn't as dodgy as it looks.  We got a tub of 3d flex powder to mix up with the Powertex product, and were going to share it out between us...

 Sam then tried (and eventually succeeded) in blogging her story.

 once home (at 11.30 on Sunday night) I quickly unpacked, only to make sure none of the powders or liquids had leaked in transit... oh what a mess!

my total haul, including the purchases from the art shops (if you're in Glasgow, we all recommend the Art Store in Queen Street, it's fabulous!!) The Cass-Art store in the same street, is also good, much bigger than my nearest one in Kingston.

 the pens and pencils came from the art shops we visited

 some close ups

sari ribbons still neatly rolled as you see.. they aren't any more.. I think that may have been a mistake!

Yes, another journal (the green spiral bound book) but this one's got black pages so that's ok!!

 and yes, it all went in the case on the way home..

and this was my little box of goodies I took on the train for some journalling - we did on the way up but not home. See, I can travel light crafty sometimes!