WOYWW 817

 Hi, deskers.  It's another non-productive week here, but I'm linking at Sarah's again for WOYWW.. hardly anything for me, again!

I have made a birthday card for a friend, using some of Alison Bomber's grasses stamps for Paperartsy, 

I didn't photograph the card in very good light, but the background is sprayed with bundled sage distress oxide spray, and stamped with the avocado and nocturne versafine clair inks. 

maybe next week there'll be more.....

Kew last Saturday was great - sunshine AND blue skies... which made a lovely change

inside the palm house, on the viewing platform...

there was action at the lake - some of it chasing after food

and some a bit more frisky!  

Next Saturday sees the start of the 2025 Orchid Festival, so watch out for lots and lots of orchids!!

Can't believe (even though we say this every month!) that it's the end of January already...

Happy WOYWW.  I hope you've all had a good week .

WOYWW 816

 Sarah has the latest link for this week's WOYWW once more - we'd love to see your crafty spaces and tales of tidying and sorting (MaryAnne!) 

Not a lot of either going on here....

I added some more layers to the journal page, with stamping and collage.  

I did also scribble a border round the page after I thought 

I'd finished as it didn't look finished!

Saturday's trip to Kew was back to being dull and grey (though luckily dry) 

so I photographed things (this is a teasel) from different angles

and was pleased to see some of my favourites back in flower.... the Temperate House used to label this Silver Daisy Bush and I loved it (still do) although that label now seems to be attached to something else...

however, it's a beauty!

I think we are in for a wet and windy visit to Kew this week (hoping that the forthcoming named storm doesn't strike too badly in the South of England and I can still go to Kew!   

Happy WOYWW and see you soon.  

WOYWW 815

 Another Wednesday, another WOYWW...  head to Sarah's for the link - come join in and share your desk.. 

I was prevaricating at the weekend with a journal page 

I love this stencil (one of Dina's) - a huge swirl.  

I didn't get as far as finishing it though.

I was prevaricating from researching and ordering a new washing machine so I am still without... 

being careful about wearing things that might need washing after!  

Several of you mentioned Euronics centres.

there isn't one near here any more - the current machine came from one before it closed down, but I wasn't happy with them - it was due to be delivered and fitted one new year's eve - they were running late and brought it in and upstairs to my kitchen, and left it..... luckily my brother was on hand to come to the rescue to plumb it in for  me!  

anyhow I shall get round to it this weekend (I can never summon up the energy for things like that after a long day at work) 

I did have a beautiful, if VERY cold trip to Kew on Saturday - it was very frosty, but the sun was out and in the end I didn't feel cold (but I did have lots of layers on!)

the sky was so blue, and everything was frozen..

it really was spectacular.  

thanks for looking - catch you soon.  

WOYWW 814

Well, here we are,  time for WOYWW again - I was about to wish you all happy new year then realised we'd done that already.... no matter, Sarah will have the linky details for you to join in.

I used the new stamps for my brother's birthday card. 

I did intend to spend some time at the weekend crafting, but after I got home from Kew on Saturday I realised I was getting a cold, then on Sunday my washing machine packed up and I had to rinse out the clothes by hand and try and get them dry...

(It's the heating element apparently when I googled the fault code,  but at least the door opened and I could get the washing out....)

I haven't researched or ordered a new machine yet, so that is a job for this weekend and then trying to persuade someone to deliver it and plumb it in bearing in mind I am in an upstairs maisonette... 

I do hope everyone is surviving the cold/wet spell and not affected badly by the snow/ice or floods.. 

Kew on Saturday was cold, but not unbearably so.

the pond was frozen

there were lots of frosty leaves

but the witch hazel provided some much needed colour

Thanks for looking and happy WOYWW . see you soon.  

WOYWW 813

 Welcome back deskers, happy WOYWW and a very happy New Year to you all.   I hope you all had a good Christmas. 

Well, 2024 absolutely flew by I think we can all agree.  We've all been through a lot this year, good and bad, but we have been here for each other as always and I know 2025 will be the same.

I was watching Alison Bomber on You Tube the Sunday before Christmas and tracked down some Tim Holtz stamps she'd used... they came the day after Boxing Day, which is pretty good (thanks Buddly Crafts) 

I haven't got to play with them yet properly (my intentions stayed on the sofa where I have been chilling...)  but I did at least stamp them all out..

I did get in a bonus trip to Kew so there was Saturday's normal trip  (here)  

where about the only colour came from Goldie...

and on Monday where it was a bit brighter

both inside and out.

I am writing this on New Year's Eve and it sounds as if it is raining; (glad I only ever watch the fireworks from the sofa);  and the wind is picking up too... I hope you are all keeping safe .  

(it isn't raining, it's just windy) 

I have to make a birthday card for my brother; so I will do that in between visiting desks later.  Happy WOYWW. 

WOYWW 812 It's Chrisssstmmmaaaaaassssss!

 I'm getting this ready early as I am off to my brother's for the day so I'll be round to visit over the next day or so ...  

I did a fresh food (salad) run to M&S early on Christmas Eve morning (though didn't get there for opening at 6 am!) but I was home by 8.30  so had the rest of the day to myself.  Time for Christmas TV and Carol's from King's which I never miss. 

Wishing all deskers a very Happy Christmas WOYWW....  

I still don't have room for a Christmas tree, but do have wide window sills, so decorate them each year - this is part of my living room one.  the card at the front is from Kim, it's  like a snow globe, very clever. 

so my desk... 

not much any more  but this was after the wrapping session... 

they're now in a bag ready to go with me...

I'm  hoping to get an extra visit in to Kew whilst I am off work (not back till 2 January, and we finished early on Monday so it's going to be a nice break.

This is the link for last Saturday when it was grey and dreary...

oh... baubles!!  

the dogwood in the Winter Garden was gorgeous though

see you all next year - hopefully 2025 will be happy and healthy for everyone, and if anyone has the pause app to slow time down a bit that would be helpful!  Happy Christmas One and All !  

WOYWW 811

Hello fellow deskers.  Time for WOYWW again, where we meet up to share our crafty spaces. 

I was really sad to see on Facebook this week that our lovely Christine passed away in November.  Sadly I didn't hear about it until after FB told me it was her birthday last week and I wished her a happy birthday... oops.  We will miss her and her pink hair.   

this is from the crop a couple of years ago. 

rest in peace, Christine.  

so.  who's ready for Christmas...?  Not me that's for sure... 

I was watching You Tube on Sunday and saw an idea from Alison Bomber for livening up some cash envelopes for presents for my niece and nephew. 

I also made a card for my brother and his wife.  

my Kew buddy Kim and I were able to meet up at Kew this week with there being no storms and it was good to get out in the fresh air again.

They lost about 8 trees during the previous week's storm, we saw the remnants of one on our walk round.

there was even some sunshine!

the office party was good fun, it was held at Epsom Downs Race Course (same place we went last year) 

sorry, Neet, no photos.  I can't work out how to lift the group photo off our company FB page..

I'm not sure if there'll be a link up next week or if I'll be here to join in (still not sure of my Christmas Day plans)  so I'll wish you all a very Happy Christmas now, in case!