Friday 31 July 2020

Quarantine Quickies #83 & #84: Sunrise, Sunset / Winging It

Another two pages in my tag journal of Quarantine Quickies, following the first 100 prompts over on Mission Inspiration.  Probably the quickest pair of tags I have made in the series so far, thanks to my inky backgrounds pile.

Wednesday 29 July 2020

WOYWW 582: Normal Crafting Service has been Resumed

The school holidays have settled down to a crafting rhythm now.  Blog first thing, craft for the morning, followed by Netflix or back inside for TV catch up in the afternoon.  I am slowly making my way through box sets that have been recorded on my Sky box for years.
Tuesdays are the exception, when Eva pops in to craft on the other side of the desk.  Door and window open and plenty of sanitiser and alcohol wipes available.  I have been working on some new tags as you can see (just about to start 88/100 as the photo was taken).  I also found a photo of the Dalek costume that #1 son insisted on me making for him (for the Nursery fancy dress competition at the Parish and school summer fair), when he first started school.
On the other side of the desk, Eva travels relatively light these days, as she tends to work on Groovi projects when she visits.  These do not require as much equipment as getting inky.  She also brings her own mug.  I did pass on everyone's regards from last week.  We are both very relieved to be getting back to some crafting normalcy.  We should also be able to continue when school restarts, as we both have a day off on a Tuesday (restrictions and guidelines permitting).  Happy WOYWW everyone, I'll be round to visit at some point today or early tomorrow.  Don't forget to pop over to Julia's to see more desks.

Monday 27 July 2020

Quarantine Quickies #81 & #82: Made to Measure / Doggy Bag

I am still having a lot of fun finishing the Quarantine Quickie tags following Mike's prompts over on Mission Inspiration.  I shall be stopping at #100 although the prompts are continuing.  The first tag this time was inspired by a YouTube video by Maria Moorhouse.

Sunday 26 July 2020

Saturday 25 July 2020

Christmas Poppet with Fluffy Fur

The Pergamano Christmas Poppets stamps designed by Marina Fedotova are so lovely to colour in and make a beautiful festive card.  I added some fluffy stuff to the fur on this card to create a dimensional finish.

Friday 24 July 2020

Deckchairs All in a Row: A Summer Card

I felt honoured that Barbara Gray chose this sample that I made, to use as one of her demos, when these In the Garden stamps by Linda Williams were introduced.  In case you missed it, here's the step by step.

Wednesday 22 July 2020

WOYWW 581: School's Out for Summer

Welcome to the first WOYWW of the school holidays.  I must admit that I was ready to break up last Friday.  The classrooms are ready for September, with tape around the teachers' desks and pupils' desks taped in half as well.  I made sure that the departmental digital shared area was populated for the coming school year with resources, schemes of work, knowledge organisers and everything required for catch up and new teaching.
As you can see from my desk, I have finally had some time to work on some more of my tags.  I have been making samples too, but can't share those yet. 
As you can also see, I had some socially distanced crafty company yesterday for the first time in over four months.  Lots of cleaning cloths, sprays and sanitiser available and the door and window remained open.  Peter and Tom acted as a barrier between us so we decided under the circumstances not to wear masks, although they were available if the weather was poor and we had to close the door.  
Look forward to visiting later today.  If you'd like to take part too, please join us via chief desker Julia at Stamping Ground.  Stay safe and happy WOYWW.

Thursday 16 July 2020

Ideas for the Clarity Dandelion Stamps and Stencil

The Dandelion stamps, stencil and die were first introduced for a Craft-along with Barbara Gray on Hochanda.  As they were revisited yesterday, I thought I'd share some ideas for their use.

Wednesday 15 July 2020

WOYWW 580: Last Week of the School Year

Hooray, for this time next week I will be on holiday from school and sharing my weekly desk photos in a state of relaxation.  Today is the start of my last three days in school for this academic year.  If you'd like to see more desks then please visit Julia's Stamping Ground, where she keeps all the links to and details of WOYWW.
My desk is totally staged.  I can't show you anything of what I was working on for the last two days as they are embargoed until the shows on 25th July.  The last thing I did that I can share are the last four tags in my Quarantine Quickie journal, which is now on its third book ring as the first two are full.  So far this one runs from #73 up to #82, so I only have 18 more to make to complete the 100. 
I can't remember if I have shared my little gallery before, which sits on the shelf behind me.  These are all gifts from crafters that I treasure.  I shall be round for some early morning visiting tomorrow and Friday as I will be up early for work anyway.  A last shout out of the year to Y7 and Y8.  Stay safe and Happy WOYWW everyone. 

Wednesday 8 July 2020

WOYWW 579: Two More Weeks

Well my mojo has come back with a vengeance.  In comparison to the previous week, two tags in four days, I have made four samples, two tags, three prom invites for a private event and seven cards.  Of course I can't show you many of the pieces as they are for work colleagues.
In my desk photo I was working on the second of four cards from Maria Moorhouse's third virtual stamp class.  I thought I'd better get on with it as I've just paid for the fourth one lol.
The class was based round working with mica powders and palettes, although each project could be done with both.  I made two versions of the last card and thoroughly enjoyed myself.



I am joining in as usual with the long running blog hop hosted by Julia at the Stamping Ground: WOYWW.  Please visit if you like looking round people's desks and crafty spaces.  I'll be round to visit everyone and should manage by the weekend as I am in school for the rest of this week.  A shout out to the majority of Y7 and Y8 who aren't in school at the moment.  Last, but not least, a big thank you to LLJ who sent me happy mail last week which was very much appreciated.  Stay safe and Happy WOYWW fellow deskers.

Tuesday 7 July 2020

Quarantine Quickies #71 & #72: Picture Perfect / Desert Island

These two were probably the quickest tags to come together in my Quarantine Quickies journal.  They also completed my second book ring of pages.  Following the prompts on Mission Inspiration and using Clarity stamps, dies and stencils as always.

Monday 6 July 2020

In the Garden - Garden Swing Card with Large Frame

The 'In the Garden' Groovi plates, designed by Linda Williams, have been made into stamps.  I was lucky enough to have a chance to play with some of the new sets.  This is the sample I made with the Garden Swing stamps and mask.

Sunday 5 July 2020

Fusible Fibre Corset Birthday Card

These newly configured and extended Corset stamps from Clarity were crying out to be used with fusible fibres.  I also had some shaving foam marbled backgrounds that I thought would combine well with them.  This is the result.

Saturday 4 July 2020

Uplifting Card using Ocean Swirls Texture Stamps

Sometimes you just want an uplifting card to send to someone to cheer them up or to show support.  I simply used the Ocean Swirls Texture stamps to create a backdrop to Barbara's motivational word stickers from Claritystamp.

Friday 3 July 2020

Watercolour Flower Wreath With Love & Best Wishes

When I want to create a watercolour effect, but still use a stamp as a starting point, I use a Distress Oxide for the stamping, usually Antique Linen or Tattered Rose.  I used this technique to create the delicate wreath of flowers on this card.

Wednesday 1 July 2020

WOYWW 578: Three Weeks To Go

Wednesdays seem to come round quickly, yet the week seems to have crawled by as well.  Welcome to my weekly desk share in accordance with WOYWW (What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday). I shall be linking up with Julia and everyone else at the Stamping Ground as usual.
When I took this photo yesterday, I had lots of good intentions.  I have the materials pack for stamp class 3 from Maria Moorhouse out as I hadn't started any of the four projects this month and also some tags, as I haven't added to my latest ring journal since last week.  However, apart from watching Barbara Gray in the SHAC shack, I did little crafting yesterday and in fact haven't done much in a week.  Somehow, being in school seems to have drained my mojo.  Luckily, I have enough blog projects to keep me posting until the end of term.
I should have been in Berlin this week with Y8 pupils and sharing photos of the zoo and other places.  Perhaps that's why I feel so flat.  A shout out to all the Y7 and Y8 who aren't in school at the moment.
I'll leave you with some photos from last year's trip and the one set of tags which represent the only crafting that I have managed this week.
A Berlin bear at the Ritter-Sport shop


A View from the TV Tower

The Cathedral

The Olympic Stadium
#75 & #76
Stay safe everyone.  Happy WOYWW to you all.  I shall get round to visiting by the weekend I am sure, I managed it last week.