What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 496

Hello Everyone,

Another Wednesday, another WOYWW.  I hope you are all well and enjoying yourself whatever you're doing. It's back to normal for me this week ... late! And sorry Julia, it's another long and photo-heavy post.

Here's my desk. Still, as last week, tidy - the new trolley is still working its magic - but it's looking a lot like Christmas. Yep! I've finally pulled out everything Christmas related. Not that I intend to document the festivities daily, I just know I couldn't keep it up every day, but I am hoping to make a few 12x12 layouts throughout December.

This tray is full of bits and bobs left over from Christmases past. I hope, probably a vain hope, to use up as many as possible ... still aiming for thriftiness. Under the tray is another full of patterned paper from previous years too.

Then there's this container, also full of supplies, some old and some, I have to admit, new. With the best will in the world, even I can't resist all the new goodies on sale! Together these containers are what I'll be working with for the rest of the month, and probably well into the new year too ... all those winter photos to scrap.

As I've mentioned before I've been working through my pile of UFOs and making progress too.

This is the most recent - a cushion made from a patchwork square, one of three made originally for the craft group quilt. This one was not needed after all so lay in my UFO box waiting for inspiration. With the addition of strips of the same fabric as used for the butterflies for edging, quilting and backing I now have a very pretty little cushion cover.

The book bit and this week I thought I'd show you something different from the audio books I've been listening too - I'm still bingeing on crime thrillers which are not to everyone's taste. (I'm saving the Christmas themed reads mentioned last week for nearer the big day.) Instead, I thought, as Christmas is approaching and you may want to treat someone - yourself perhaps - you might like to see a few of my favourite crafty books. Not only do these books have instructions for beautiful projects but they are also great reads.

Kelly McCants' 'At Home with Modern June' is a joy. It's full of fun projects, great retro ideas and inspirational illustrations. And, as is explained in the foreword, it was inspired by the necessary makeover the author's home needed after Hurricane Irene felled a great oak onto the back of her home! 

'Sewing Happiness' by Sanae Ishida. When the author was 'diagnosed with a chronic illness and lost her corporate job, she thought her life was over. But these challenges ended up being the best thing that ever happened to her because they forced her to take stock of her life and focus on the important things, and enabled her to rediscover sewing - her true passion'. So, another inspiring read and for anyone interested in sashiko this would be a good one to start with.

Tiff Fussell & Rachelle Blondel's Granny Chic is perfect for those of us who, like me, enjoy a little trip down memory lane. This book contains instructions for 20 projects, from handmade notebooks, lace lampshades to aprons made from tea towels, all intended to bring some granny chic to your life. Some of the projects are crocheted or knitted, so it's not all sewing.

As usual, if you haven't participated in What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday before but fancy joining in the fun do pop over to the Stamping Ground where you can find all the information you need here. It's really too easy, post a photo of your desk, tidy or messy it doesn't matter, and add your link to all the others. It's fun, you'll see.