WOYWW 522: Deja Vu

I am starting with a desk shot as this post will be photo heavy.  You may already have seen lots of photos from the WOYWW 10th anniversary crop last weekend, but I am sharing mine today.

I could barely fit the richness of generosity from the swaps at the crop on my desk when I got home.  What a fabulous day was had by all.  So many friends, some meeting face to face for the first time, some who go way back!  Annie (Whipso) and Jo (Twiglet) who organised everything did us all proud.  Who would have thought that an idea cooked up by Julia (The Stamping Ground - please join us) and encouraged by Jan (LLJ) so many years ago would have brought us all together.  Such an array of crafting on display, some achieved more than others...  Cake, cake and yet more cake with a magnificent buffet lunch and over £200 raised for charity too.  So on with the photos.  Eva couldn't make it, so guesting on the other side of the desk...

I met Helen (Stamping by H) for the first time face to face, she even gave up her usual Saturday visit to Kew to join us. We discovered a second mutual interest in football and radio 5live.

Chris (Mrs D) was determined to do some crafting, even if only one armed at the moment.

Margaret (Glitterandglue), Caro and Camilla chatted and crafted at the same time.  I was meeting Caro face to face for the first time too.

Elizabeth (Silver Scrapper), Christine (Bishopsmate) and Catriona got on like a house on fire.

I surprised Anne (Copper Beech) and Neet!

Heather was checking out Maggie (Silvercrafter) and her amazing parching skills.

Even Zsuzsa (InkyDinkyDoodle) managed to make it for an hour, having persuaded her family to have a day out in the area.  It was great to finally get a chance to meet face to face for the first time.

Jan (LLJ) made sure that plenty of socialising took place as well as helping with the photography.

And of course it wouldn't have been a WOYWW crop without cake.  Julia cut the cake (with Annie watching on) and later wore the tiara as was right and fitting for the queen of deskers.

As usual the menfolk were very supportive.  Gordon and Doug had to try out the new photo corner.

The first raffle prize that I chose, 5 tickets and all drawn out of the hat.  I passed on one and passed another choice to a less fortunate desker.  Thank you Debbie (Tattered Rocks) for the amazing art work, I was so glad to have a chance to claim it as my own!

And finally, the traditional group portrait (Gordon and Doug were so patient with everyone's cameras and phones).  Back: Shaz (Silverwolf), Christine, Chris (Pearshaped), myself, Camilla, Zsuzsa, Annie, Heather, Jo, Margaret, PJ (hiding), Anne, Caro, Elizabeth, Catriona and Neet.  Front: Helen, Chris, Julia, Jan, Dolores and Maggie.  I am already looking forward to next year!

WOYWW 521: Packing for the Crop

For once I am packing light for the up coming WOYWW anniversary crop on Saturday.  Thanks to the leadership of Julia, ably assisted by LLJ, we will be celebrating 10 years of desk sharing via The Stamping Ground this time.  I have decided that, other than a load of tags for swapping and a decent raffle prize, I will only be taking a colouring book, coloured pencils and my pencil blending pens.  For those who don't believe it possible, I have taken a photo of my bag packed and ready to go. 

My actual desk is once again full of projects that cannot yet be shared.  I can show you two of the colours that I am working with for one of the projects though.  The two colours together create a close approximation to Peacock Feathers distress ink.

I can also share some sneaky peeks of my samples for Leonie's shows on Friday at 8am and 12pm.

Looking forward to catching up with lots of fellow deskers on Saturday and of course, cake!

WOYWW 519: It's Getting Closer

Only one week to go until the 10th anniversary edition of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (or Whizzday as it is starting to be known as the weeks seem to come round so quickly).  Julia started this chance to link up our desks each week back in 2009.  Whether it's your first visit, you've been with the blog hop since the start, arrived mid way through or dip in and out, all are welcome: just visit The Stamping Ground to join in.

My desk this week shows the haul that I acquired at Port Sunlight on Saturday.  I dropped my samples off for Dee and Barbara's shows on Hochanda that will be on on Friday and Saturday and managed to pick up the dies, stamps and stencils that I wanted from the Clarity stall.  I also stocked up on some glue, envelopes  and some chipboard shapes (not shown).

I bumped into lots of crafty friends including fellow WOYWWers.  Doug kindly took a photo of me with Shaz and Chris, there will be another version of this on Shaz's blog today I'm sure, but I have no evidence of meeting Neet and Heather lol.  I'll be round to visit after work tonight and look forward to seeing many of you at the 10th anniversary crop on 1st June.

PS. Maria Moorhouse is on Hochanda at 12pm and 4pm today with some old stamps, new dies and new stencils.  Here are sneak peeks of my samples for the shows.

WOYWW 518: Two Weeks and Counting

Only two weeks until the 10th anniversary of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (or Whizzday as Julia has taken to calling it).  I am so looking forward to the anniversary crop on 1st June (for details see HERE).  I will be getting to meet a few more WOYWW friends face to face for the first time as well as catching up with those I've met before.

My desk shows some stamping ready for a project.  When I use water colour pens or paints for colouring, I stamp in Antique Linen Distress Oxide so that the stamped lines blend into the colouring rather than standing out.  It gives more of a hand drawn and coloured effect.  I have been very busy making samples over the last week.  I posted one set yesterday and will be handing over two lots at the weekend in person, at Happy Stampers' Port Sunlight on Saturday and at Maria Moorhouse's workshop on Sunday.
Talking of Port Sunlight, I will be there early as I am meeting up with the Clarity crowd for breakfast across the road.  I know that Shaz and Doug are going to be there on Saturday but is there anyone else that I should be looking out for?  Maybe we could meet up for a coffee at a prearranged time.  How about 1pm in the cafe?  Suggestions and shout outs gratefully received.
I'll be along to visit you all after work this evening.  Please check out other desks via The Stamping Ground; see you there!

WOYWW 517: Back in The Swing of things

That week went round quickly again.  I am back to writing my post on a Tuesday as the new term has started and I work on Wednesdays.  Only three weeks to the 10th anniversary of WOYWW.  Please visit our leader Julia over on The Stamping Ground to find out more about this long standing weekly tradition and the annual crop.

I was busy colouring some ribbon for a sample that I was working on.  The shows aren't for a couple of weeks so can't show any more than that yet.  In the background are my completed weekly art journals for 2017 and 2018.  I am way behind this year but will probably catch up over the summer holidays.
#1 son's move went well last Thursday with a few minor hitches.  He and his girlfriend are slowly getting sorted, although they had a bit of drama with the rain on Sunday.  Sorted now thank goodness.  We are invited over on Friday evening for a get together with Tina's family, who are helping them out this week, as they are heading home on Saturday.

See HERE for step by step

See HERE for step by step

See HERE for step by step

Will be on blog tomorrow

All four of the samples which I made for Leonie's shows last Friday were shown on air.  It is the first time this has happened, so I was really chuffed.  I finally got round to blogging the piece with the shell from last week's desk share yesterday (see HERE if you are interested).

WOYWW 513: Short and Speedy

Short and Speedy: the last week and my blog post today.  I spent yesterday morning finishing samples ready for the launch of some new stamps and stencils on Sunday afternoon (2pm-4pm on Hochanda if you are interested).

I can show you how I started my last sample as I used an older stamp set with the new ones, so can't get into trouble for this shot lol.  If you want to see how it turned out, you will have to wait until Sunday when I will share the step by step.

Eva and I managed a crafty session together last Thursday.  She was busy getting into the groove with parchment.  Exam season is starting now, so it is unlikely that we will manage another get together any time soon.
Please visit The Stamping Ground, where you will find out more about WOYWW and the annual crop which takes place this year in Shrewsbury on 1st June.  In 7 weeks this blog link up will be celebrating its 10th birthday! Thank you Julia and all my desking friends.

WOYWW 512: Fitting a Quart into a Pint Pot

I must admit to feeling very tired this week.  I have been burning the candle at both ends for the last week trying to fit everything in.   I can finally ease off a little as the inspection at school is over, my samples are all posted, data is nearly all entered (to be finished at school this afternoon) and instead I can look forward to a day crafting with Eva tomorrow.  Today is her birthday so I'd like to wish her many happy returns!

My desk today shows the background that I created in my leather bound journal while at the JJAMMMA (Junk Journals and Mindful Mixed Media Art) meet up last Thursday in Stockport.  I got some inks out while considering where to go next, but must admit that it doesn't look any different this morning.

The crocheted flower was a gift from my Great Niece at the family meal we went to over the weekend.  She is only 7 but has developed quite a passion for crocheting and using up all sorts of odds and ends of wool. 

#2 son, who flies back to his girlfriend on Saturday, took pity on me at the weekend and dragged me out of the house.  I thought we were just going for a short drive: nearly two hours later we arrived at this amazing waterfall in Wales (don't ask me where lol), where we enjoyed the view for 20 minutes before heading home again.  It was good to spend some time with him away from school work.
Please head over to Julia at The Stamping Ground to visit more desks.  I have just confirmed that I will be attending the 10th anniversary crop on 1st June and I would love to meet as many as possible face to face.