Wednesday 3 January 2018

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 448

Happy New Year!

I hope the last week has been, if not a crafty one, an enjoyable one. Here in Scotland, because we have an additional Bank Holiday, it's only just back to work for many which makes it fitting that it is also the first WOYWW of the year too. Not that, as you can see, there's much going on the workdesk. .
I've been very lazy since Christmas Eve. Oh, I've sometimes wandered into the craftroom, done little and wandered out again. Too many distractions elsewhere and, as I've said many times, I'm very easily distracted. After the build up to Christmas, when I went into overdrive making cards and presents, the room was a mess ... a mahoosive and complete mess! And that's because, I've had to conclude, there's far too much stuff. Given that I've been blogging for over seven years and, more to the point I think, reading other folk's blogs a year or so longer I've accumulated a lot of stuff demonstrated by a lot of talented crafters. But, what is a crafter's 'must have' one year eventually becomes forgotten 'has been' tucked away on a shelf where it takes up valuable space. Oh, I've tidied up and tossed before but only taking a half-hearted approach to what can go and what should stay. Now it's different. This room isn't a Tardis. So time to be ruthless! Which is why there's the leftovers of a couple of Kanban cardmaking packs lying out. Bought when I thought that they were perfect for making cards, before I discovered the real joys of stamping and die-cutting ... you can see where this is going. Whatever made me think these were a good idea for someone who does not make cards to sell? I have a couple of quick cards to make but I think what's left will have to go. Also on view, because I'm so delighted with it, is a little set of drawers my daughter found for me for my sewing stuff. Love the Scandi decoration. As instructed, the drawers are full of sewing related bits and bobs and will in future be kept on the sewing table. 

One of two winter birthday cards made for December birthdays. I always feel for people with birthdays at this time of the year - they can be so overlooked/forgotten because of the festivities. The snowy scene was more than a little optimistic ... we've still not seen any snow here. A bit of frost, a storm or two (Dylan & Eleanor) but no snow! I'd be feeling so deprived if it wasn't that I know the EM truly hates the snow.

That's my desk for this week but before I go I thought I'd reveal something that could be called my guilty pleasure - well, one of them at least. I love listening to books while I'm up here in my eyrie and have quite a selection on CDs.  However, these can be very pricey - a lot more expensive than buying an actual book, so recently I bit the bullet and joined an online supplier where I'm able to download books much more inexpensively.  Seriously, my listening pleasure has doubled, trebled even. And, in fact, I've been tapping away at the keyboard to the dulcet tones of Monty Don as he reads Nigel: My Family And Other Dogs. It's been a particularly lovely way to start the year.

Hope your year has started equally well.

Take care and happy WOYWW.

18 comments:

craftyani said...

I love listening to books have some of Gervase Phinn the Yorkshire school inspector, and find myself laughing out loud. Sorry you haven't had any snow, personally I am glad we don't have snow round here I never like the stuff when I lived in the UK. Wishing you a healthy 2018. Anickoana #7 & #14 (7 doesn't link up)

Annie said...

Hello my lovely friend. Firstly let me wish you and your special man a very happy New Year . Here’s wishing you lots of wonderful times spent together enjoying life.
Next I have to answer your question by saying I have no idea how long the jigsaw took us but we worked together doing it and as always we enjoyed our time together having many a giggle over the pieces....Doddy always likes to be the one to put the last piece in so of course I let him so he didn’t sulk 😂😂😂😂
So you have guilty pleasures too do you?....mine is buying fabric and even though I have lots and lots of boxes full here as you can imagine (I hope to actually show you just how much when you pay us a visit) I have just ordered yet more to make my dolly clothes out of because, of course, I just didn’t have what I was looking for to make them with 😂😂😂😂
Hugs,
Annie x #13

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, love that sewing box of drawers, so cool. Great winter birthday card too. We've had a couple of bursts of snow down here, but not too much. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #5 XxX

glitterandglue said...

Happy New Year Elizabeth. Not too bad a guilty secret really, is it? Could be a whole heap worse.... I love to have music on while crafting - so have been working my way through all our CDs, playing them all, and sending to a charity shop any that don't inspire me. John's taste in music was very different to mine, so the pile is getting smaller as I sort. I also have to do some sorting in my craft areas - but have discovered that the hotel needs around 60 cards by the second week in February - oh well... tidying and sorting will just have to wait...
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #1

Helen said...

Happy New Year! Please don't wish for snow... or at least if you get some keep it there! I have lots of bits I need to get rid of too, (we all do!) but not sure when I will actually start doing so.... Helen #3

Anne said...

Hello Elizabeth. popping by to wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy 2018. I love the little drawers. I too have far too much stuff. Trying to decide what I should do with some of it. Finding everything a bit overwhelming at the moment if truth be told. Anne x #17

Sharon Madson said...

What fun things on your desk. Are you working on a scrapbook? I, too have a lot of stuff! And my hubby wants me to hone it down some! LOL Like that will ever happen! Happy New Year! #34

Heather M said...

Hello Elizabeth. Happy New year. Cute set of drawers! I love boxes and drawers, then I have to find stuff to put in them, or buy more stuff. I think I buy more than I will ever use, but it might come in handy. I had shelves of books and CDs, mountains of them gathering dust and I sent them all to the charity shop, along with boxes full of DVDs. I just have a Kindle and an IPod now. Takes up no space at all. Have a lovely week Heather #11

Ellie said...

Ooh that does sound like a good way to start the year. Have a great week.
Ellie #24

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth, you're not the only one to be distracted. I just gave up in the end and decided to have a rest from the crafting in the hope I would be more in the mood after a rest. Loving the card, very pretty. Finally I would like to wish you a great woyww and a very Happy and creative New Year, Angela x15x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi dear Elizabeth... thank you ever so very much for your card ... it arrived today and is on today's post ... I am very sorry I did not send you one ... sigh.. missed a few this year..
so agree with your musing on stash.. I have to sort through mine .. an attempt is being made to categorise better, as have so many half made things that are really lovely and too good to throw out.
And what great pressie some drawers for sewing things... happy Hogmanay for few days back!
hugs and thanks again,
Shaz in oz.x

Neet said...

Talking books sound good to me and something I have been pondering on. Enjoy!
Love all that you said about accumulating all that stuff, being persuaded (is that the right word?) to buy stuff from recommendations etc etc. I can equate with all that you said.
Saying that ...
Happy New Year, Neet 2 xx

sandra de said...

I'm with you Elizabeth, we all have way too much stuff. After taking 2 full days to clean out and reorganise a pantry/storeroom I was ashamed at how much stuff we had that was no longer needed. Love your little set of drawers and I know they will be put to great use. Have a lovely week.
sandra de @10

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Happy New Year to you and the EM, hope it's a wonderful one for you both! I know what you mean about having so much stuff, having a good sort out brings so many positive results, have fun and enjoy rediscovering old favourites! I love those new sewing drawers, so pretty - I love having all my sewing paraphernalia to hand, it saves so much time searching for stuff. I bet you'll wonder how you managed without them!
Hugs LLJ 8 xxxx

Twiglet said...

Hi Elizabeth - Happy New Year! I have just had a good look at my craft room and I really do need to clear the clutter! It doesn't help that Max has most of her frames/mounting/packing/posting stuff here for her Tilly Tea Dance work. I don't mind really as it means that we have lots of time together here BUT I never seem to have enough room for everything! We are never satisfied are we!! So, maybe I need to get my act together and get rid of all the stuff I don't use so I can make better use of the stuff that I do use! Listening to books sounds like a great idea - I love the radio when I am crafting and I love to read when I have the time. Annie showed me the lovely little quilty cushion/clippy holder that you made - it's really lovely. xxx Jo

Lindart said...

I'm glad you found a way to increase your guilty pleasure! I have dedicated my morning first hour to reading and sipping coffee and listening to classical music - heaven! Then real life has to start! My craft room is also splitting at the seams, I even have piles of old ink pads that are literally falling apart! I have to bite the bullet and purge! So I am with you on that one! Have a wonderful 2018! Lindart #28

Julia Dunnit said...

Happy New Year to you both, it was so great to see you in Llandudno last year! I love the Scandinavian drawers, lovely style and....an instant use. I like that because otherwise the little drawers get filled with ‘bits n bobs’ and no real,purpose. See, I’m in de clutter and be sensible mode too. You are so right about the trends. I’m a huge fan of talking books, audible gave me my listening stats for last year - 72 books last year. loved every minute! I shall think of you, crafting away to a ripping yarn!

Christine said...

Love those audio books - my confession ... I still use a walkman!!! Cos of this my range is a bit limited but Charity shops are very good for me. lol
Don't worry about the snow, I think we have had your allocation!
I love your pretty drawers - in the best possible way!
Enjoy the filling of black sacks
Christine #28