WOYWW 570: Busier than Ever

Welcome to a very short addition to What's On your Workdesk Wednesday this week (join in with the fun HERE).

My desk photo was taken yesterday morning as I have nothing that I can show you today. Between working from home and getting some samples finished to catch the post later, it will be a long and hectic day.  I was just starting some tags yesterday (surprise, surprise) and had sorted out my chosen stamps and some inky copy paper ready to start.  Tom and Peter are still keeping me company and you can see my shed organiser which was a Christmas present from a crafty friend.

These are the finished tags which I will be sharing in more detail tomorrow.  The blog post is already written as I will be in school.  I may therefore not get round to visiting until the weekend.  A shout out to Y7 and Y8 pupils as usual and happy WOYWW to all!

Favourite Projects of 2019

I decided that today was a good day to look back over my favourite projects of 2019.  Once again I have managed to keep up my daily blog, helped tremendously this year by the over 200 projects completed as a design team member for Claritystamp.  I am so grateful that Barbara Gray asked me to join such a prestigious team.

This is my January favourite (see HERE for details).  It was also my first project to make it onto one of the Clarity sample boards that are used for shows.

A Clarity Day Oop Norf

Last Saturday I finally made it to a Clarity Open Day, the one 'oop norf' in Leyburn, North Yorkshire at the Tennant Auction House.  What a day out it was as well!

WOYWW 502: Sorting Out My Stamps

Well that week flew by.  It didn't take long to get back into a routine now that school has started again.  Up early, get work done, early night, repeat.  I have been working on lots of projects this week, many of which I can't share yet.  I did get all the new boxes filled with my smallest stamps.  I focused on grouping similar stamps together, so one box now has all my Wee Africa stamps in it as well as the Safari Animals and larger African stamps.  Everything is labelled and ready to grab when needed for a class or a project in the shed.

It had the added benefit of freeing up some space in my large Clarity stamp folders, ready to be filled again no doubt lol.  No project today, because I am sharing with the gang over on The Stamping Ground who follow What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW).  You don't have to take part, but if you want to see what's happening on desks all over the world then it is a great place to be every Wednesday.

Eva popped over to craft yesterday and last Thursday.  As you can see, she brought everything but the kitchen sink with her once again and is also a fan of Claritystamp.  She was working on her first ever set of ATCs for a swap.  Have a great day everyone, I'll be over to visit as many desks as I can after work.

Milestones, Memories and Moving Forward

This is my 900th blog post and coincides with the last one of 2018.  This is the first calendar year that I have blogged every day, the year that my first DT samples were shown on Hochanda by Lou Withers (Royal Talens), the year I was asked to join the Clarity design team and have participated in too many challenges to count.  My second weekly art journal is only three pages away from completion and I have made many creative friends.   I have decided to pick a project from each month this year which shows my continuing journey.  All captions link to my original post.

January

WOYWW 495: Secret Squirrel

My desk is a little short on detail this week.  Between working on samples for Lou Withers' Royal Talens shows that I needed to get ready to give her tomorrow, and making a start on my first Clarity samples which need to be posted in plenty of time for January, there is not much I can show you.  I am also trying to keep up with a project a day (except Wednesdays) to share on my blog.

My desk shows the start of a sample using the Ecoline pens to create a mop up background.  It is one of my favourite techniques, so I never throw my inky paper towels away.  You'll have to wait until the 9th or 10th December to see the finished piece on my blog as that is when Lou has her One Day Special shows on Hochanda.

I actually have something to show on the other side of the desk.  Eva made it over for a crafty day's play last Thursday so I took a photo while I had the chance.  We are going up to the JJAMMMA (Junk Journals and Mindful Mixed Media Art) monthly meet up in Stockport tomorrow.  I am looking forward to it as we haven't both managed to go together for ages.  She was very productive and finished lots of Christmas card toppers.

For more crafty fun and desks from around the world, please visit The Stamping Ground, where Julia keeps us all in line and lists all the links!

WOYWW 493: All Over the Place

A quick post today as I have had a bit of a bug which knocked me for six on Monday.  I am feeling better now, although I have a rather irritating cough which tends to get worse when I talk.  Luckily I only have to teach three lessons today before going to a meeting, so will manage somehow.  My desk is rather staged, as I can't show what I was working on yesterday.  It was a tag for a swap and I can't share it, or the other one which I sent, as they won't have arrived yet. If you'd like to pop back tomorrow though, I will be sharing them then.

Instead I'll share some of the Christmas card toppers that I made at the Workshop with Maria Moorhouse on Sunday.  I'm only sharing the ones which I came up with myself, not any that were Maria's designs, although I did copy a few of them.  I made four more which were direct copies of Maria's samples and I've already made a second one my Three Ships topper (see HERE).  I just need to mat them and attach them to suitably sized cards and I will have doubled my Christmas output so far this year lol.
Nothing to show on the other side of the desk today, as Eva was on a course in Birmingham yesterday.  However there are plenty more desks to see over on The Stamping Ground, where we all link up our blogs every Wednesday, thanks to our hostess Julia.

WOYWW 491: Ups and Downs

For once I am actually writing this post on the day itself, although I must admit that the pictures were taken earlier.  It was our friend's funeral yesterday so I did think ahead ready for this morning, otherwise there would have been nothing but a tidy, empty desk to look at.  Check out what WOYWW is all about via the Stamping Ground, where Julia keeps us all in order.

My side of the desk is staged, but it does show the results of some actual crafting (posted yesterday if you are interested).  I have one more day of drawing to do for Inktober then I will have completed the challenge for the first time.
Although yesterday was difficult, the past week has not been all sad.  On Sunday Christine (Bishopsmate) and her husband Peter came over to the shed for a mini WOYWW meet up.  Peter brought his train with him that he was working on at the crop and takes Eva's place on the other side of the desk this week, as she is away for half term.

Christine brought some water colouring and stamping with her and there was also cake!

I hope to be making this Midlands Meet Up an annual event for the first Sunday of half term each October, so if you are within travelling distance, you will be welcome next year.
The specialist I saw at my hospital appointment yesterday morning assures me that the nerve studies that they have done on my left arm and hand show no problems so I am being discharged for the moment.  I did get to see some of my art work displayed rather prominently on Hochanda yesterday in the 4pm show with Louise Withers, when I watched the recording later. Charlie seemed particularly taken with the mask that I had made and decorated using the Amsterdam acrylic paints (see HERE).

As you can tell, an up and down day yesterday.  I am off to the NEC on Friday, thanks to winning tickets from Claritystamp.  If anyone is going to be there, I will be watching the live Clarity hour at 12pm at the HOCHANDA pavillion.  I'll take plenty of pictures!

WOYWW 458: A Busy Weekend

Another week has flown by and Wednesday has come round once more.  Time to share desks with the WOYWW crew and chief desker Julia (check out the Stamping Ground for more).  Last weekend was a busy one.  On Saturday, Eva and I went to an all day class with Maria Moorhouse from Claritystamp.  We had a thoroughly fabulous time, working with a two colour palette, paid for as a Mother's Day gift.  Sunday was Mother's Day of course, so I was thoroughly spoilt.  We can't make Maria's April class but will be back in May!

My side of the desk shows a new ink storage rack from Inkylicious.  The instructions were really easy to follow, although there was one stubborn piece which didn't want to go into the slot initially.  I got there in the end though.  It now sits next to my workspace with all my Oxides (and room for the rest when they come out) and my Dylusions paints close to hand.

The finished shelves.

On the other side of the desk, Eva was practising some of the techniques that we used in Maria's class last Saturday, but in different colour ways.

 I will be looking out to see if my samples made it to Hochanda for the Ecoline shows with Lou Withers.  The shows are on at 9am, 1pm and 5pm today.  In case they got lost in the post, here are two of the samples I made with the rice paper and Ecoline pens.

Blogged yesterday (see HERE)

Step by step tomorrow

So that's it for now; hugs to Shaz who hasn't been too well this week and Happy WOYWW to you all.

WOYWW 455: Enjoying a Break from Work

I can't believe it's Wednesday already!  What a difference a week makes; as you will see I had company again yesterday for the first time in three weeks.  Eva has still not completely recovered, but was well enough to come and do some crafting with me.  To find out more about What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday! (WOYWW) and to find more desks to ogle, visit Julia at The Stamping Ground!

I was working on an art journal page for Nina Ribena's Art Journal Prompts and More.  The prompt for February is Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, so I had my file of magazine clippings and book pages out.  As you can see, I had made a start on the page with a piece of paper towel mop up.  It was left over from some of my DT work using Gouache paints for the Royal Talens shows on Hochanda (tomorrow at 7am and 11am GMT).

Eva had brought over her collection of Distress Oxides, Pixie Powders and new Clarity Art Deco stencils and it was great fun seeing her making her usual colourful, creative mess.  I have been passing on your well wishes; she says that she feels as if she's back in the land of the living and asked me to say thank you on her behalf.  As it's half term week she won't be working  today for a change and hopes to visit a few desks herself for the first time.

WOYWW 452: Full Shed!

After a hectic week last week, I started with a dodgy stomach on Sunday night and spent Monday in bed.  I was feeling a lot better by yesterday, which was just as well as I was expecting, not only Eva for a day's crafting, but also a former school and university friend of mine who was visiting the shed for the morning.  As she brought some knitting and appliqué work with her I will be sharing three sides of the desk today for a change.  To see more desks, don't forget to visit our chief desker Julia over on the Stamping Ground.

My side of the desk shows the start of some more home made washi tape for an art journal challenge.  I'll be sharing the finished project tomorrow.  You can see the choice of inks that I would be using and the masking tape stuck to the glass mat ready for stamping onto.

My school friend was working on a piece of appliqué which she is intending to turn into a cushion cover.  It is a representation of her pet rabbit, Richard.

On the other side of the desk, Eva was in in a messy mood and brought everything plus the kitchen sink to work with.  This is the neat version of the desk; you really don't want to see what happened later.  
Wishing all my fellow deskers a good week, I'll be off to start visiting shortly.

WOYWW 451: Hurry Up and Craft!

I can't believe the week has gone by so quickly.  I wrote this post on Tuesday afternoon as I will just about have time to publish and share the link today before carrying on with my reports.  I have 107 comments to finish writing before heading into school for a twilight training session (it never rains but it pours).  So, many apologies, but I doubt that I will get to visit many of your desks until the weekend.  Please do visit our hostess Julia at the Stamping Ground to see what is on offer on other desks around the world!  I have had to come up with some quick projects in the last week so as not to miss my daily blog post.

My side of the desk shows the start of the only longer project that I have completed this week (for lesson 3 of Wanderlust 2018) which I will share tomorrow if anyone wants to pop back and see the finished piece.  I was just starting to create the background in my Moleskine journal which is the one I am finally using for Wanderlust 2018.  The tag was a very quick project completed after school on Monday night for sharing yesterday (see HERE).  I was rather tired, so didn't want to spend too long on the project.

On the other side of the desk you can see the finished pieces that Eva started working on last week.  She was continuing with some Groovi projects (parchment) yesterday that she also started last week and left with me for safekeeping.  Have a great week everyone, hopefully things will be calmer by the weekend and I'll have a little more time to visit.

WOYWW 450: I Could Never Resist A Bargain!

I can't believe the week has gone by so quickly and that it is already Wednesday again!  Time to share my desk (as well as 'the other side') with all my crafty friends on What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday! via the link on our leader Julia's page 'The Stamping Ground.'
I can't resist a bargain and having heard all about Hobbycraft selling off some of the DecoArt products in the clearance section, decided to check out the Stockport branch while at the monthly journal meet up with friends from Junk Journal Junkies and Mindful Art.  Eva joins me there most months and we enjoy a pleasant afternoon creating art and chatting on the third Tuesday of each month.

This was my haul for the princely sum of £7.  Three fluid acrylics, four fluid interference colours, 4 plain permanent misters and 1 mica mister.  They also had Pebeo Moon, Vitrail and Prisme paints, but as I stocked up on those last time there was a half price sale on I managed to resist.

My before picture shows what I was working on before Eva and I left for the meet up.  I usually stamp out my ATCs ready for the JJJAMA swap before I go and take colouring media and inks with me to create the backgrounds.  Can you guess the prompt letter for January?  I will share the finished ATCs once they are finished and have been received by my swap partner.

Eva was working on using stencils and inks to create backgrounds ready to make into cards at a later date.  We had a great time as always and send everyone Happy WOYWW wishes for a great week.

WOYWW 446: I'll Never Be Ready

Last WOYWW before Christmas and I have the feeling that I'll never be ready.  My desk is empty as all the projects that I'm working on at present are either swaps or gifts so I have nothing to show!  Yesterday was the last full craft day that I am allowing myself before Christmas, although I still have Hubby's birthday card (Christmas Eve) and my Mum's birthday card (27th) to finish as well as a couple of other projects to tie up. 

WOYWW 432: Normal Service Has Been Resumed

Hello to all my fellow participants and lurkers on 'What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday'.  For those wondering what on earth I'm on about, you can find out more at The Stamping Ground, where our hostess Julia is the keeper of the links.  You'll be pleased to know that normal service has been resumed and that, now school is fully back in the swing of things, my crafty friend will be back with me, sharing her side of the desk too.  What is more, we will both be coming to the crop in just over two weeks, and we are both looking forward to meeting many of you there.

My side of the desk shows the start of a set of three ATCs for a swap; can you guess the theme?  All the stamps that I used for them are by Claritystamp and I will share details and the finished versions on my blog tomorrow (in case anyone is curious).  As usual when crafting, I either have a full mug of cold Coconut Latte next to me (as I forget to drink it), or an empty cup (as I get so engrossed that I forget to make myself a drink).  As you can see, the mug (a Moorland design celebrating Stoke's promotion to the Premiership in 2008) is empty!

My friend's side of the desk is far more busy, as she brings two or three large bags of supplies with her whenever she comes.  Here she is working on a card for the September Claritystamp Challenge in memory of Jayne Nestorenko.  See you all next week; last WOYWW before the crop!

WOYWW #411: Crafty Pals Again

Hello and welcome to yet another look at my desk; if you want to know why I do this every Wednesday hop over to our hostess Julia's blog to find out more. For the first time in weeks, I am crafting with my usual crafty friend, so I will be sharing her side of the desk too.
My side (photo taken on a Tuesday as usual) shows the start of another art journal page in response to the prompt Step Into Spring.  I will be sharing the step by step for this tomorrow.  In the background are my Brushos and I have already die cut the Tim Holtz Wildflowers out of black card.  As usual my sentiments are by Claritystamp.  In the foreground you can see the art journal page that I completed on Monday; my first ever attempt at free painting an image.  You can see the step by step HERE.

As usual my friend brought plenty with her to keep herself occupied for a full day's crafting.  Here you can see her busy die cutting bits from her bit box to create toppers, and she has also brought a selection of colouring media so she can move onto making her colourful background papers when she is ready.
 










The final picture today is a view I don't have from my desk, although if I lean back and look through the window in the photo, I can just about see some of the magnificent blossom on the tree behind my shed.

WOYWW #403: Yay, It's Half Term

Hello and welcome to the weekly sharing of the workdesk!  To find out more about this blog hop hosted by Julia, visit The Stamping Ground.  It's half term this week, so I have had a little more time to craft and share.  This week I have also made sure to include my friend's side of the desk; although our weekly get together was on Monday this week rather than the usual Tuesday.