WOYWW 697

 Here we are again, gathering for another week's desk sharing extravaganza with Julia at the Stamping-Ground.  As usual the week seems to have flown by...

I've got a part -done journal page this week -  just haven't found the right quote or words to go on it.. to be honest not even given it a thought since Sunday when i made it.. that's what you get when you shut the journal before the page is done!

it's on the cotton rag watercolour paper in the original Dina journal

which holds up to paint and sprays really well.

Last Saturday, the late entry to Kew felt odd after so many weeks of 5am alarm calls, but the weather was glorious and the gardens looked stunning 

although the new display to celebrate Mexico was a bit.... not really sure about it!!  

the Day of the Dead area was however very moving.

but autumn is being gathered in... 

and the sun on "my" fountain was spectacular.

thanks for looking, see you soon,  

Editing.   Just seen the terribly sad news on Julia and Jan's posts about the lovely Debbie Rock's passing.  She was such a kind, generous lady and the WOYWW community and her much loved family, husband Phil and nephews. will all miss her terribly.  Rest easy, gorgeous lady.  

WOYWW 696 - didn't we have a lovely time the day we went......

to Bangor.. no, no, Radbrook. (showing my age there with the song reference)     ok so I will start with an apology as this will be a very photo heavy post as I haven't had time since I got home to write a separate post for these photos.   Julia was kind enough to drive Cindy and I there (we got the train down to Andover where we set off on Friday afternoon. A long wet journey but we settled into a very nice Air BnB that Julia found

in the morning we headed to the hall to help Jo and Annie set up

the cake table...

crafting tables set up

can't forget the banner

once all was ready there was time for a cuppa and early cake before the deskers arrived.

Annie's hubby Doddy chatting to Julia 

Sarah (in the black) Angela (Felix the Crafty Cat) with her back to me, Dee (who drove Christine)  Angela and Eva (the other side of the desk)

Cindy and Neet

Caro, Annie and Julia

and a better one!

some opening announcements from Jo 

being carefully listened to!

then it was time to get on although still lots of milling and chatting!  

I did a journal page for everyone to sign again, this is the third time I've done it now (creature of habit)

and took it round the tables for people to write in

waiting for inspiration!  

even Annie and Jo had some time to craft

you can't mistake Christine with her pink hair

Eva - Sarah is trying to get her to start a blog.  

towards lunchtime, Jo's daughter Maxine (Tilly Tea Dance, needle felter extraordinaire) popped in , it was lovely to meet her

Pear Shaped Chris's turn to sign...

and when everyone had finished...

it's a lovely way to remember a great day.

time to get lunch laid out

before the gannets pounce! 

afterward sit was time for more chatting

then some group photos - with Jan and Gordon away celebrating their ruby wedding in Scotland, we got Chris's husband Tony to take some of all of us but I grabbed some too

there will be one somewhere with me in! 

a bit later I was astounded to see Julia doing some stitching,  she said it's the first time she's ever sat down and crafted at our crop!

so had to record it...

after we drank a toast to dear departed friends, but especially our lovely Shaz, it was time for more chatting.  we had a raffle too and raised some money for a great local charity 

to finish off the afternoon I managed another journal page!

phew, if you've made it this far, well done!  

Once again, thanks to Annie and Jo for organising, sorting the food,  to Julia for the driving, every desker newbies and regulars, for making the journey, for a great day!

Happy WOYWW  

just realised I haven't linked why we're here and where you can find us... head to Julia's for more stories of the crop 

edit

forgot to add the lovely atcs, tags and items other deskers had taken - I failed miserably

so thanks,one and all 

WOYWW 695

 Welcome back for another Wednesday's WOYWW  - the pre-crop edition. Have managed to book train tickets now just need to decide what I am going to bring to craft with at the crop!   Will be trying to travel light for once....ha ha!  

I spent some time at the weekend trying to get my Dina gloss sprays to  er-  spray -  and created a few backgrounds that may or may not make an appearance on Saturday depending on what makes the suitcase!  

I was rummaging through the box of pre-stamped Dina images and collaged a journal page together,  as I was determined to have something to share this week for a change!

Last Saturday was the final Kew early opening of the season (well it runs to the 30th )  and of course I was there for that 

will really miss the gorgeous low light in future weeks

I'll be really busy at work today (partly because of having a couple of days off but mostly because of the crazy things happening in the mortgage market at present meaning we are madly busy)  so won't be visiting until after I get home,  but happy WOYWW and see you then!  

Really looking forward to the crop, too, and catching up with those of you able to make it.  

WOYWW 694

 Morning deskers.  Happy WOYWW to you all.  

I feel since last week all I have done is watch TV - I certainly haven't been crafting!  

I found myself watching the live stream of the Lying in State for ages, on and off.  I didn't manage to catch sight of Sarah though!  I hope your feet have stopped aching Sarah!  

The coverage of our wonderful Queen's funeral was just perfect and all the people who took part and organised it should be very proud of the show they put on.  Britain really does do pageantry and pomp well.  I barely moved all day.  

so, I don't really have a desk for you this week, it's another staged one

I bought another paper today  (Tuesday as I write this) which was as you'd expect, full of photographs from the day.  

the pall bearers who carried the coffin at various stages were amazing

but perhaps the most impressive were the sailors of the Royal Navy who pulled the Gun Carriage Perfectly in time, not a foot out of place. 

I still have the funeral march music in my head as I look at this picture.

this is an image I borrowed from the official press photos.

Saturday morning was Kew 

thanks for looking - I will try and having some crafting to show by next week!!