Wednesday 7 August 2019

What's On Your Workdesk - Week 531

Hello Everyone,

After taking an unscheduled break from this blog last week - due to nothing more than plain old exhaustion - over the weekend I've managed to get back into it again. This is good for me because I really didn't like missing WOYWW last week. Desk-snooping is addictive so a week without was very dull indeed. So to all you lovely desk snoopers, here's my desk as it looked this morning.
Not a mess. Really! Just busy. Over the last few days there's been lots of scrapbooking going on hence the piles of paper strips, tub of die-cuts, boxes of pretty patterned paper, and thats a folder of stencils teetering on the pile at the back. And, as you can see, I've been making more use of the Carved Flowers stencil mentioned in one of the weekend's post. It's the basis for a page featuring the photos just off to the left.

And harking back again to a previous post, here, I have a mini report on the Moxy glue stamp pad and a star shaped stamp the postie had just delivered.
In this photo the result does look good - better than it really is, as can be seen from these close-ups.
I'm afraid I found it a bit hit and miss. There's a lot of messing about spreading, as directed, the glue on the pad and, even following the instructions to the letter, stamp coverage was bad. I did use very fine glitter but still didn't always obtain a satisfactory finish. So, it's not for me. I did, however, make the best of a bad job and, after fussy cutting out the best impressions, created this card with one of the stars.


And talking of the postie, here's some happy mail received today.
After watching a great many, probably too many, YouTube demos, I decided I really needed, not just wanted but needed, a stamping platform. I daresay I'll be reporting on how I find this one in due course, but I'm hoping that my stamping will improve and there will be less stamping disasters to toss in the bin. The Plaid stamp is another to add to my growing collection from Darkroom Door. I've become a real fan of this Australian company's stamps and stencils so was pleased to discover a source here in Scotland - The Mad Scrapper.

And finally, the book bit. As you can imagine, I've listened to a lot of books recently, mostly whodunits, but this one stands out as very different from my usual holiday reading.
Kerry Hudson's 'Lowborn' is a very thought-provoking read. It's the author's exploration of where she came from, revisiting the towns she grew up in to try to discover what being poor really means in Britain today and whether anything has changed. I can't say I enjoyed this book, it's too unsettling in the way that it reminded me of the poverty my family experienced in post-war Britain, but I did enjoy reading how Kerry struggled out of poverty and how the life she has now is totally unrecognizable from her appalling beginnings.

Well, that's quite enough for today - Julia will be after me for such a long post.

Take care and have a great WOYWW.

15 comments:

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Does us good to take a break Elizabeth but it is amazing how we feel when we don't get to see what's on the desks of our WoywW friends. Glad to see you back. Not heard of Moxy glue well at least I do not think I have. Don't give up on it some times things need to soak or be used in a slightly different way.. I'm intrigued now. Nice little C Card, my heart races when I see people with their Christmas makes. We all NEED a stamping platform in our lives.. they are great for mass production days.
Thanks for sharing WoywW even though you have so much on the go your desk still appears tidy to me. Hugs Tracey #8 x
P.S Loving that DRD Plaid stamp!

Rita said...

Hi Elizabeth. A very productive desk from you this morning. Not heard of Moxy glue before so will have to look it up. It really is crafting weather just now although today is much nicer with lots of Sunshine. I visit Janine at the Mad Scrapper often as Carolyn my youngest daughter is just beside her shop. It really is a fabulous shop with a lovely atmosphere too. I am always tempted by the beautiful papers and end up with loads. See you on Tuesday. Hugs Rita xx

Sarah Brennan said...

I quite like the grungy look with the stars Elizabeth but if it is not the look you were after then it is a pain. Have fun with the stamping platform. I like Darkroom Door stamps as well but only have a very small collection. Hope you are feeling more rested this week. Happy WOYWW. Sarah #10

Dorlene Durham said...

Enjoyed your post. Have a wonderful week. Dorlene #24

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I'm pleased to hear that you're feeling better and are able to join in this week - you take care of yourself, lovely gal. A little bit of crafting and new stash is good for the soul, I reckon. Those stars are lovely and are the perfect embellishment for the card.
HUgs LLJ 5 xxx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Of course you need a stamping platform and once you start using it you'll wonder how you managed without it! Loving the Christmas card, just my sort of style. Wishing you a happy woyww, Angela x15x

Caro said...

The flower is stunning and I am sure the page will look wonderful with your photos. The end card is gorgeous despite your frustrations with creating the stars. It is always frustrating when things don't work as well as advertised. Take care and have a good week. With love & God Bless, Caro x #12

Belinda said...

Hello Elizabeth! I like the flower. They are some of my favorites. Not to mention the pretty colors.
I hope you like your happy mail. I have a MISTI and never looked back. It makes life so much easier and mass producing cards so much faster. Here is a link to it
https://youtu.be/baDyOIPhlHA
Have a blessed day!
Belinda #25

Catriona said...

Glad you are feeling better, Elizabeth and returned to creativity. A friend has a stamping platform and she loves it. Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

Helen said...

I would take a break from lots of things in life, but Kew and WOYWW are two I wouldn't miss!! I did think about not sharing today but at the last minute got a bit done to let me join in without complete staging of a desk!! I love that pink flower.
Have a good week. Helen #2

Mrs.D said...

Hi Elizabeth, I had never heard of a glue stamp pad, I have used Tonic Studios large Glue Pen with stamps with good results. However your finished card is great,thanks for sharing
Bless you
Chris #6

Neet said...

I adore my Misti and all the bits that go with it. If you go to Mysweetpetunia you will find lots of idea for using it to do various things. Not only does it give perfect images but it also allows you to link stamps up (eg put something directly in someone's hand), do that triple layer stamping, great for Christmas cards when you want to do line production, just to name a few.
Am out of touch since I stopped demonstrating at shows so have not heard of that pad. Sorry you were disappointed. Maybe there is something else you can use in its place.
Hugs, Neet xx 1

Twiglet said...

I haven't managed to post for WOYWW this week - life just got in the way - outings with friends and Ben time etc. Will do better next week!! I love the flower stencil and your card is fab. xx Jo

Julia Dunnit said...

Sorry I’m late Elizabeth! That daisy stencil is just gorgeous, wow it looks great on the sheet on your desk. Having the stamp platform may well help, I think it will just give you the confidence, I think stamping is like making your own mayonnaise...if no one tells you how easily it could split, you don’t worry about it happening! I hope you’re feeling well rested by now, and better. Can’t bear to think of you exhausting yourself, so not a good idea!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Glittering projects can be messy and time consuming, so I can relate. Though your card looks amazing. I don't use a lot of stamps, but am intrigued by your platform. I look forward to hearing what you think about it. Happy belated WOYWW! #26