What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 604

Here it is, the last What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday of 2020. I'd be sad if I didn't know that there will be another next week in 2021 and I have truly had enough of this year. I'm 73 years old and I can honestly say this has been the worst year of my life. No other year comes anywhere near! Enough of my moans, here's what's still on my desk today.

Yes, not much change from last week. Still working on the 2015 album. Progress has been slow but it will be done before the end of the week ... I'm nothing if not determined. Given that there's not much more I can say about it I think I'll leave you with a few photos taken in the snow ... not that we have snow here on the coast but further inland there is enough for a puppy, grandson and great-grandson  to frolic about in.

I wish you all a fun Hogmanay and All the Best in the New Year.

Merry Christmas

Greetings to you from our house to yours. It's been a difficult year and I know many of you have had your plans changed, some several times, but I hope that won't stop you having a wonderful day full of peace and joy. 

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 603

 

Hello Everyone

I've missed a few posts recently but I just couldn't let this week pass without wishing all you wonderful WOYWWers a very good Christmastime. For most of us it's going to be a very different holiday this year, possibly a lot quieter than anticipated, but my hope for you all is that that you have a lovely day.  Ours is going to be quiet, just us and our grandson, but we have much to be thankful for - not least, that we are still here to enjoy the day.

It's Christmas on my desk today too. My room was in chaos so a sort out was needed and that's how I came to unearth this unfinished album. From 2015. Really! So I'm now in the process of finishing it. And it's proving to be a bit of a treat looking back to a happy Christmas past. If you've been in the habit of recording your Decembers then I recommend nothing better to cheer you up right now, especially if you are in the UK and in Tier 4, than to flick through those pages. All those lovely memories have certainly cheered me up. 

As you can imagine I haven't been out shopping for goodies much in the last nine months - if at all! But I was on a mission last week - looking for new shower mats - so the EM drove me to Dunelm in Kilmarnock. I didn't find what I was looking for but, as we were in the neighbourhood, we popped into The Range to stock up with adhesives - scrapping pages uses an awful lot of adhesives. 

The dies and stickers just fell into my basket - honestly, they did. 

That's it for me this week. I'll leave you with this gorgeous photo of my grandson's collies under the tree.  

How cute are they! And so well behaved too.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 601

 Afternoon Everyone,

Another Wednesday and another chance to pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground to check out What's On Your Workdesks. I'm expecting to read lots of lovely reports on Saturday's celebration Zoom Crop which I was devastated to miss. I just don't have the technology. Yet! I'm working on it. Maybe by the next one I'll be all up and running. In the meantime, here's what's on my desk today.

It's a bit messy but I've just completed one page and am now working on another for the Scrap Squad's 12 Days of Christmas Challenge on Facebook. The Christmas tree shape is made up of hundreds of 1" squares of patterned paper. I exaggerate, of course. It's actually 45 squares. There is, I'm sure, several ways of cutting our so many squares - some more a fiddle than others but, thankfully, I just happened to have a square punch that was the perfect size. Sticking with my intention to use as much old stash as possible this month I've used papers kits that came free with the now sadly defunct Scrapbook Magazine. That makes them very old indeed but they are still too pretty to toss. There's a little selection of photos to the left. They're there because I can't decide which to scrap. I will. Eventually. 

I've not managed much in the way of crafting since last week - a few cards, scroll down to the previous post for a wee look-see, and this couple of layouts.

The title and some of the starry embellishments have been in my possession since I started scrapping some 24 years ago. I've been trying to find the perfect reason to use the title in particular and this photo is it. Putting up the bunting - beautifully made by our very own LLJ a few years ago - has become very much a Christmas tradition for the EM. 

Now for a very rare enabling spot from me.

Sequins are in, especially for scrapbooking, at the moment so I thought this punch would be very useful - for cardmaking too. The punched shapes are larger than the average sequin - just short of 2" wide. 

I tried these two different cardstocks - shiny gold and black glitter - and found the shiny card gave the best results. I did buy the black glitter especially just for this purpose thinking it would be perfect, but not so. 

And finally, the book bit, back by no special request. 

'Quite' by Claudia Winkleman is an entertaining read with more than a few laugh out loud moments. This is a memoir with a difference. It's more a sharing of Claudia's observations on topics that mean much to her, e.g. the wearing of black, melted cheese, and the importance of naps. The chapter on the NHS, and nurses in particular, is very moving. Even if you are not a total fan, I'd recommend this book - it's a bit of fun, and right now we need fun. 

And that's it from me this week. I hope you are having a brilliant WOYWW and the coming week is a good one. 

Christmas Card Club - Cards 15,16&17/2020

 Hello Everyone,

I'm so late for what should have been a Sunday post for the Christmas Card Club. I can only apologise but I'm still having up and down days. Sunday and Monday this week have been two such days. I wish it were otherwise but it is what it is. So here I am today sharing the cards I made for Shaz's choice of die-cuts. 

I cheated a bit because all three cards were made from a card kit, Christmas Delights from Studio Light. The kit, full of die-cuts, is an old one that I'd only just broken in to so there's many more cards left to make up - another year, perhaps. 

That's me done for now. I hope you will pop over to see what my teammates have created for today's theme. You'll find a list of their names and links on my right sidebar - as always they are so much more creative than I will ever be.

I hope you enjoy what's left of the day. 

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 600

Happy 600 everyone. Sending congratulations to Julia and all you lovely deskers on this very special What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. And a massive thank you to Julia for dreaming up the idea and for keep it going for almost 12 years now. That's 600 reasons to celebrate!

There's not much on my desk today.

I've put away the general stash and brought out the seasonal stuff because the aim for December is to scrap the photos from past winters and Christmases that haven't been scrapped yet. It's a fair sized pile and should keep me busy over the next few weeks. It's all old stash. Some part used, some never used at all. My intention is to use no new goodies until the old is completely gone. We'll just see how well I do by the end of the month. I've made a start with this page.

These photos of DH and I behaving like big kids are from 1995. They were taken when I was home for Christmas from college in Massachusetts. After being held up at the airport in Boston by bad weather, the plane had to be de-iced twice before we were allowed to leave, I came home to yet more snow. 

And here's a page that's been added to the 2020 album - dubbed the Covid album. 

This is our doctor on a home visit. She's wearing full PPE and making light of it even though she found it very uncomfortable. I've never been so grateful to see her as that day. DH was so ill with the virus. 

And finally, here's a few festive photos to get me in the mood.

A near neighbour couldn't wait to cheer up the neighbourhood.

Every little boy needs a Christmas tree in his bedroom.

Mylo looks confused - what's this all about. 

And finally, Christmas has come to Casa Worthington.

So that's it for another week. Another WOYWW with many more to come. Thanks to Julia for hosting for the 600th time and thanks to everyone who has visited and commented for as long as I have been participating. 

Have a wonderful WOYWW.

Christmas Card Club - Cards 13&14/2020

 Hello and Happy Sunday Everyone,

How are you? I hope you're doing okay during this difficult time. We've been locked in at Level 4 since Friday and hubby, who loves taking us out on little road trips, is clearly finding it difficult being so confined - he's showing signs of developing cabin fever.

Me? After weeks, months, of not feeling too good, finding it a trial just doing the simplest of tasks, and feeling miserable because of it, a mental pep talk sees me spending more time crafting, and blogging. About time too. Which brings me to the reason for today's post - the Christmas Cards Club challenge for today. Gwen has set us the theme of 'Deer' and I've managed to make the following two cards. 

Both cards are made from scraps. I have several boxes of scraps - patterned paper, card - plain, glitter, embossed - you name it, I'm hoarding it.. I really shouldn't. It takes up too much space. I'm sure many of you do the same. But there is nothing more satisfying than dipping into scraps and creating a couple of cards, so the hoarding continues.  

Materials used:

- plain whte cardstock for card bases and topper base 

- tartan patterned paper - 'Plaid Tidings', 6"x 6" pack from Stampin' Up!

- a scrap of bright green cardstock embossed with a folder from Craft Concepts, 'Silver Fern' - ancient but still gorgeous.

- stamp - deer from Crafter's Companion's Signature Collection

- Stickles, 'Cinnamon, for deer's eyes

- tiny red gems to embellish

- scrap of tree embossed card - source forgotten

- scraps of orange (die-cut deer), dark green (greeting), gold (greeting and snowflakes) cardstocks

- dies - Creative dies (deer and gold snowflakes), Tonic Studios (Merry Christmas), Tattered Lace (Happy Christmas) 

Goodness, it's ages since I listed materials and I wasn't at all prepared. Must do better!

I'm submitting the second card to Di's challenge, Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #391. She will, I suspect, be pleased to see a card, and not a scrapbook page this week. 

That's me done for now. I hope you will pop over to see what my teammates have created for today's theme. You'll find a list of their names and links on my right sidebar - as always they are so much more creative than I will ever be.

I wish you well for the rest of the day. 

Hello Sunshine Scrapbook Page

 Hello Everyone

I hope you've had a good day today - despite everything. Quick post as it's Saturday. I woke up this morning determined to get some crafting done and I have ... it's a miracle! 

I finally created a page for this lovely photo which could be seen on my desk for this WOYWW post from a couple of weeks ago. It's an exercise in using up lots of scraps leftover from previous creations and that makes me very happy. The base page is 'Loot Bag' from Cocoa Vanilla's 'Make A Wish' collection (from a Mind the Scrap kit). The title was inspired by a Bruce Springsteen number, 'Hello Sunshine', the subtitle 'We Are Family' from one of my favourite Robin Williams movies, The Birdcage. 

This sketch by Jenny Evans for Creative Scrappers inspired the layout. I confess this was a fun page to make - cutting up and using all those 3x3" squares was very satisfying. 

That's it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with a couple of cards for the Christmas Card Club. In the meantime, I wish you all a lovely evening. 

What’s On Your a Workdesk Wednesday - Week 598

 Morning Everyone, 

And a very happy WOYWW to you all. Yes, it's still morning - only just - but earlier than what has become my usual! Outside it's horrible. Rain is hitting the window in sheets and I can just about see a few of the last roses bending in the gale force wind that's howling out there. A good day to stay indoors in my cosy crafty bolthole. 

On my desk today there's the making of a card. Making cards of any type has been much neglected these last few months and I'm feeling surprisingly out of practice. It's time to get my hand in again. No prizes for guessing that I'm concentrating on toppers featuring deer. I've pulled out my wee selection of deer themed stamps and dies together with a 6x6 pack tartan patterned paper (Plaid Tidings from Stampin' Up!) ... I can't help but associate deer with tartan! 

Looking through my collection for suitable dies had me falling down the rabbit hole - that's the sorting out rabbit hole. 

I'd been intending to sort them into these CD sleeves for months but just never got started. Now I have another job started but not finished. Sigh. It's heartening to know that crafting and sorting out craft supplies are two different hobbies - I enjoy both! 

Which leads me to my 'And finally' today, 

If the weather continues to be as bad as today:

Realistically, as we are now on Level 4 here in South Ayrshire, we won't be going anywhere anytime soon. My daughter and granddaughter both live in a Level 3 area so we are not allowed to visit each other - again!

In the meantime, I hope you are all okay wherever you are. Take care everyone.

Sunday Scraps & Snippets

 Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all having an enjoyable Sunday. This post is my way of  trying to get back into posting regularly - or at least a bit more than I have been doing over the last six or so months! It is also intended to give me the nudge I need to get me crafting in the way I did before all the bad stuff that's happened this year ... I won't dwell on it beyond saying it's been no picnic for any of us. 

To say I've done very little crafting is no exaggeration. No sewing, knitting, crochet, and not even gardening - indeed, the garden has become completely overgrown and wild looking. The only consolation is that the wildlife is enjoying it ... we've birds, squirrels, field mice and even our very own hedgehog. 

Scrapbooking has, for reasons I can't think off, been the only thing I've been able to concentrate on. Here's the two last pages made.

Both were made from scraps and old stash because I'm trying to use up as much as possible before I have a good clear out. There's nothing new on these pages - even the photos were taken years ago - and I can't remember what year the embellishments date back too. The yellow and white striped squares on the 'Bedtime' page were made using scraps of paper and sticky transparent squares that are a Docraft product. Hoarded because I couldn't find a reason to use them. The pretty patterned paper on 'New Arrival' is from the Little Sprout collection by Fancy Pants Designs which came inside a scrapbook magazine a long, long time ago - possibly 2009. Even the new arrival isn't so new anymore - he started school this year!

I'm going to submit 'Bedtime', because it's made almost entirely of scraps of patterned paper, to Di's challenge: Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge #390. 

So that's my first Sunday Scrap post in a very long time and, what's more, I intend to be back posting again soon. I need to get back into the old routine. 

Hope you are all well and that you have a great week ahead. 

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 597

 Hello Everyone, 

Well, I'm back again. Back and joining in with Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday to enjoy a peek at everyone's desk and, of course, show what's on mine too. 

And it's not much. Patterned papers, embellishments and, of course, the next photo I intended scrapping. Actually, I've already changed my mind and I'm thinking that I have another photo that would look even better with these papers. There's several punches lying out at the back - circles and a square. They're the shapes I find the most useful when building embellishment clusters on layouts so they've taken up residence - for now! 

I did say there wasn't much on my desk so here's a couple of photos of pages recently made including one using that fabulous paper that was on my desk last time I was here - Week 594.

The photos were taken at my grandson's wedding last November. Hard to believe they've just celebrated there first anniversary. Time flies, even in a year like the one we are enduring now. 

It was a pleasure to relive such a lovely day while working on these pages. Eventually, I hope to put together an album full of beautiful memories for them both. 

That's it for this week. Not much I know but there's really very little to report. We were to have new flooring laid this week but this has been delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. In the meantime, it's chaos here and I've been heard to mutter 'never again' more than once these last few days. I'm sure it will pass and the new floor will look wonderful when it's done. 

Hope all is well wherever you are and whatever level of restrictions you are coping with at the moment. 

Take care and stay safe.