What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 610

 Hello Everyone,

It usually takes me an age to put together these posts for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday these days - and that explains why I'm often the last to the party. So today, I'm going to try to get it done quicker - let's see how I do!

Here's the desk this morning. Don't judge - I've been busy, it just doesn't show sometimes. Ignore the title on the notebook - it refers to Shimelle's September class from a few years ago which, when done, left the notebook only partly used. I hate to leave a notebook half empty so I'm filling this one with nature notes, quotes and anything else that takes my fancy. The layout of photos, project life style, will be inserted into the nature journal started at the beginning of the year - shown in this earlier WOYWW post.  The stencil is there because it's quite old and yet has never been used. I can't think why given the amount of rain we have here on the west coast of Scotland - I should take more photos on rainy days. The stamp set is proving to be very useful, both for the nature journal and because I've joined in with a monthly tag challenge run by Scrap Dollies. That's the local scrap group that usually holds regular crops in a nearby village hall - unhappily the pandemic has, albeit temporarily, put a stop to that. January's tag can just be seen propped up in front of a box of project life cards.

Here's the tag in close-up.

More rain. The robin took advantage of some gravel clearing going on in the garden to feast on worms and little beasties. Our grandson is keeping himself busy working on a much-needed project to clear old gravel and some very dreadful week suppressant - the type that is nonporous that is it not only suppresses weeds but also prevents rainwater from draining away. I did mention it rains a lot here! I love that wellie stamp. 

I'm sure you already know that our dear friend Shaz is back in hospital again and not at all well. Her beloved husband Doug has been allowed to sit with her and has been keeping us informed of how she is doing - see his updates here. Needless to say, the EM and I are thinking to them both and sending Shaz lots of healing thoughts.

And finally, I thought you would all like to see my vase of daffs. The EM found them in the supermarket yesterday, still in bud.

One night on the windowsill and they have all opened up and the sun is shining too ... makes me think that Spring is just a few weeks away despite it being freezing outside. 

Have a good week. Stay safe and keep well. 

PS: Well, I did write up this post more quickly than usual but it hasn't helped me link any sooner. Must try harder. 

Christmas Card Club Challenge - Cards 5&6/2021 - Bells Theme

 Evening Everyone,

Well, yes, I'm late with my cards for the challenge again. There's reasons but they always sound so pathetic so I'll only mention the one that is of how I couldn't find the cute little bell die I just knew I had somewhere. In the end it turned up just as I was about to give up completely. So here's the two cards I made for ValeryAnne's choice which you might already have guessed is 'Bells'. 

The supplies used on both cards are the result of a search through the box of bits, bobs and experimental scraps. The background of the blue is the result of a session with paint and bubble wrap, matted on to a scrap of navy blue cardstock. The topper was stamped in Memento Danube Blue on white card, again matted on navy card. The greeting - from an old Penny Black Wonder stamp set - was also stamped on white card then fussy cut and matted on to the navy card, also fussy cut around the shape of the words.  To finish the topper dots of Xmas Red Stickles have been added to the holly berries on the image. 

The yellow card has a more unusual background which was created using the flower pressing method. I'm not sure which flowers I used - it was a few years ago - but I think they might have been hollyhocks. The bell topper consists of a bell, a Tattered Lace Mini Die, cut from yellow cardstock. It tops squares of embossed vanilla card, a trellis patterned folder from Crafts-Too, matted on to the same yellow card as used for the bell die. An edging of  yellow Stickles finishes the topper. The greeting, stamped in black ink, is from the Forest Magic stamps set. 

Given that I'm so late with this fortnight's Christmas Card Club Challenge, I'm sure you've already seen other club members cards already  but if not do please pop over to their blogs - links can be found on the right sidebar - as always they are so much more creative than I will ever be.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 609

 Hello Everyone

And happy What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday to you all. Weatherwise, it's another grim day here - hope it's better where you are - but I'm counting my blessings. Bad weather equals more time in the craftroom and, of course, it's Wednesday, arguably the best day of the week! Why? Because in return for sharing what's on my workdesk I have, with our Head Desker Julia's help, the vicarious pleasure of visiting so many more. 

Sheesh! And this is after I tidied up yesterday. I try. I really do. It just seems that each new project requires more stuff. So much stuff. That's a card in process, for the Christmas Card Club challenge, and it's late. In the interest of saving the planet I'm concentrating on using bits I've played with in the past. Naturally, these experiments have been saved in plastic boxes and then forgotten - totally. Note the upcycled ice cream box ... single use plastic in this house, no way. There's a box of stamps - Christmas greetings - there too. And then there's the piles - I suffer a lot with piles - to the right. They don't look organised, but they are. Indeed, yes, I've sorted out, from my not inconsiderable stash, the supplies for this week's scrapbooking challenge(s). All I have to do is start scrapping. I will. Soon. Later. Perhaps.

Lockdown continues here in Scotland - it's been extended now to the end of February. I suspect it's much the same for you, wherever you are. So in the interests of making it more tolerable I'm passing on a tip I caught on TV this morning. It's intended to exercise the brain. Wait for it! It is to use your 'wrong' hand to clean your teeth, e.g. if you are right handed, use your left hand and vice versa. I did. Not sure about my brain feeling healthier but my teeth must be cleaner after being brushed twice!

I'm sure many of you know that Shaz, Silverwolf, isn't very well at the moment. Her lovely hubby, Doug, has been keeping us informed on Facebook but for those of you who haven't seen these posts there's an update on her blog - here. If you are reading this Shaz, Alan and I are thinking of you and hoping that the planned treatment does you good. 

And finally, because it's particularly relevant to this crazy crafter:

And finally, finally:

Have a good week, everyone, stay safe and keep well.