Wednesday 4 July 2018

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 474

Hello Everyone

It's Wednesday again and that means only one thing, it's time to drop in on Head Desker Julia's Stamping Ground to reveal what's on our desk today.
Yet another scrapbook layout in progress. I've been experimenting with paint and been none too successful so far - only the most eagle-eyed could detect the brushstrokes of Blue Hawaiian paint under the photo so far. A bit more work needed there. That container of stamps is out because, shock surprise, there are the beginnings of two card toppers on the desk today. They're accidental rather than intentional though. I was experimenting with the Mr Huey Heirloom Blue mist - looking for the best colour for the layout - and the result seemed too good to waste. I've no idea why the stapler is out except that I should have put it away when I'd done with it last. The layout is lying on top of the really useful box I use to store the papers, embellishments, etc., for scrapbooking. Truth is, it's one of a few and part of my organisation strategy - an ongoing struggle!

It's rose season here in our garden and, as many of you know, I love my garden and love to have it full of roses. It could be seen as an obsession by some - up until recently I could count 26 rose bushes spread around the garden - but now, thanks to three wonderful WOYWW ladies, there are two more.
Thanks to Julia (our revered Head Desker) and Jan (aka LLJ) who, after I lost my beloved brother, sent me this appropriately named Douglas rose. It's stunning and this photo does not do it justice - red is a difficult colour for my camera to deal with. I wish, too, that we had smelly vision as there's nothing quite like the scent of a rose.
Here's the other scented rose - another stunner - this one from Annie (aka Wipso), together with her husband, who, kind friends that they are, traveled all the way up to Scotland to spend some time with us and brought this fabulous rose, Eternity. Also red, but very different in shape from Douglas - you could not mistake one for the other. Annie had a favourite seat in our garden, now forever referred to as Annie's seat, so we've placed Eternity there to remind us of the truly lovely time we had together.

Two caring gestures from three lovely ladies, not forgetting Annie's lovely hubby, and all because of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. Without it I would never have met and struck up a very special friendship with them, first online and then for real. Some say we shouldn't trust friendships made in cyber world but my experience is that you certainly can and it doesn't always have to remain 'virtual' - Julia, Jan, Annie and I are proof of that!

It's a few weeks since I shared any of the books I've been listening to recently and, indeed, there are far too many for me to write about today but here's a wee roundup.
Most of it is light listening - it's summer after all - but all were fun and kept me interested right to the end. The Hating Game came highly recommended, as did The Stolen Marriage but the others were just chosen because I like book shops, camper vans and genealogy.

And that is that for me today. I'd like to say that, like everyone else here, I'm off out into the sun now but it wouldn't be so ... I wilt in the heat and I'm covered in freckles! Instead, I'll stay cool indoors and check out the desks on the Stamping Ground.

Thanks for popping by and take care everyone - oh, and happy Independence Day to all of you in the USA!

19 comments:

Annie said...

I’m just grabbing a bit of lunch having sewn like crazy all morning....and it’s going well so far thankfully.
What a lovely post you’ve written today. I’m so glad your roses are bringing you a lot of smiles. Our friendships are very special aren’t they? I consider myself really blessed to have met such lovely people thanks to our Wednesday fun.
Hugs,
Annie x #13

Marit said...

I, too, spend the day in my cool atelier visiting all the desk. Now that there's finally some shade on my balcony I plan to sit there with a well deserved cool glass of wine later - I don't have an 'Annie's seat' but will laze back in my own old and rusty chair (but covered with the 'bomian granny sqare blanket' I chrocheted last year) to enjoy the evening sun. I love all the roses you have in your garden, I can almost smell them! Happy woyww and a hug from Holland, Marit #22

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, you are so right, we've all made some wonderful friendships through WOYWW. Love the roses, I'll have to look out for that, be a present for Hubby! Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #2 XxX

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your layout is looking lovely. You have more stamps out than I probably own. You are the third person today who mentioned "card topper." I have no idea what that is, but I sure love that scrapbook page.

Your roses are lovely, and I really enjoyed reading about Annie's seat, too. Happy WOYWW from #1.

glitterandglue said...

Hi Elizabeth. Lots of lovely things happening there in your part of the world today. The roses are beautiful and the lay out really nice. I've just picked up the Ali McNamara book from my local library. Having read several of her books I thought this promised to be as much fun.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #4

Caro said...

Gorgeous roses and I really like the looks of that scrapbook layout - the design adn the colours are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Caro x (#38)

Helen said...

what a wonderful thoughtful gift... I've hardly read anything for weeks, am partway through a book I am not really getting into which is putting me off. I hate to abandon a read! hey ho... have a lovely week Helen #3

Elizabeth said...

I've looked for the rose in all our garden centres and I have yet to find it - I'd love to give one to my dear SIL in memory of Douglas. So far I think the only way to get it is online but I'll keep looking. xx

Elizabeth said...

A 'card topper' is simply the part of a card created separately and eventually be attached to a card base. Glad you like the scrap page and reading about Annie's seat.xx

Elizabeth said...

I'm sure you'll enjoy the book, Margaret. It's not my usual kind of book but I did find it fun to read. xx

Elizabeth said...

Now that I'm so much older and don't know just how much future I have ahead of me I have given myself permission to give up on a book if it hasn't grabbed me after a few chapters. So many books and so little time and besides Audible, where I get my audio books, has a deal that if you don't like a book you can 'return' it and swap for another. I've only taken them up on it once so far but it's a great deal. xx

Hazel said...

What gorgeous roses. As for the LO, it's coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing - Hazel WOYWW #15 x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth, gorgeous photos. Loving the Roses. I didn't realise you have so many. Have a great woywww and happy crafting, Angela x10x

Dorlene Durham said...

I love your desk this week. Great looking layout. I love your shot of the books too. My daughter and I have a summer reading marathon challenge every year so I am always looking for good books. Thanks Dorlene #40

Neet said...

Isn't it wonderful what friendships have been made via WOYWW. I don't think Julia had a clue when she started it just how it would evolve and carry on for so long.
Beautiful roses, a lasting tribute to friendships brought about from a few clicks of a keyboard and some photos.
Hugs & Thanks for visiting me, Neet 6 xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I love playing and experimenting with colour, remember there are never any mistakes within art, it's just another mark!
So touching and thoughtful, it is amazing how friendships can develop. Your special Douglas Rose will bring you so much peace, it is truly beautiful.
Thank you for sharing WOYWW.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, sorry I am late to visit. Take Care Tracey #5

Sharon Madson said...

Lovely desk. I love to scrapbook, and am always glad to see a layout on others' desks. A wonderful expression of sympathy to send a rose for the loss of your brother. What a wonderful way to express sympathy for a friend, and how nice that you can think of your brother every time you see the beautiful Douglas rose. Thanks for the peek; sorry I am so late. #36

Twiglet said...

Your roses are beautiful - even more so because of the lovely sentiments they hold - enjoy. xx Jo

Lindart said...

Beautiful roses, and how nice that they represent memories as well! WE have 2 roses, and one is dying. . .we really don't have much sun in our garden, but I like the idea of growing them in containers - but what about winter? Have a lovely week, you seem to be keeping yourself nice and busy! Thanks for your visit, Lindart #41