Wednesday 15 June 2011

WOYWW - Week 106 + PIFs

Good Afternoon Fellow WOYWWers, Followers and All,

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday


No, not my desk this week, there's nothing to reveal here, so it's What Was on Your Workdesk Last Wednesday instead. We had a couple of stormy evenings whilst in Wales so I got out my emergency craft pack - well, you didn't really think I'd last a whole ten days without doing something crafty, did you? Now, crafting on the dining table was okay . . . but what a bother it was having to clear everything of the table each night in readiness for breakfast next day! As many of you will know, I'm one of the neatniks of the crafting world but when I'm working on a project I've learned that it pays me to keep all the materials out on my desk. (If only because it helps when I'm putting together the list of materials used for the finished project - I have the most appalling memory these days!) I now realise just how thoroughly spoiled I am having not only a dedicated craft desk, but also my very own craft room. So hat's of to all you crafters out there who work on the dining/kitchen table - you deserve a medal.

And, if you are reading this and don't know what WOYWW is all about then follow this link here which will take you to Julia's blog, Stamping Ground, where you will find links to a huge variety of crafty people, and their favoured crafting tables (or, as in Helen's case, crafting floor space!).

PIF from Sioux


Don't you just love this tag which the lovely Sioux has made - it was waiting for me when I got home on Sunday. It's just so gorgeous. The textured finishes on the ballerina and the wings are very tactile - I keep stroking bits of it. Clearly a great deal of thought has gone into the composition, not only is there 'WOYWW'  but also the date of the second anniversary 'June 1' and even the word 'deux' - fitting in nicely with the ballet theme too.  If you would like to know how the tag was made follow the link to Sioux's post above. Thank you so much Sioux - I'm absolutely delighted to have this fabulous gift from you.

PIF to Beatrice



This is the wall hanger I created to celebrate Week 104 which I just managed to get in the post to Beatrice , just before I went away . . . phew!

As you can see it's an Alice themed hanging with characters from the Polka Dots Wonderland stamp set and the colours were sort of dictated by Alice's dress - can't get away from blue there. I cut a piece of mount board for the base and covered it back and front with some Crate paper from the Sweet Branch Collection called 'Flutter' - though you can hardly tell after I treated it so badly by stamping it randomly - stamps from various sources, e.g. Polka Dots, Tim Holtz & Anita's - in black, and then giving it a coat of gesso to tone the stamping down.

The WOYWW letters were computer generated, adhered to card, then embossed with 3 coats of platinum UTEE which I stamped into with the word stamps from the Wonderland set - great fun to do. I stamped the characters from the set out, in some cases several times, i.e. the Mad Hatter's hat & the Queen of Hearts strawberry tarts, and coloured them with ProMarkers before cutting them out. They were then adhered to the hanging and the hat and tarts were 'decoupaged'. This just left the embellishments, pearl trim, ric-rac braid, WOC cherry blossoms, rose leaves and a blue heart-shaped crystal spray (there's a lot of hearts in this piece), roses and purple heather spray - well it couldn't be made in Ayr and not feature something Scottish, blue seam binding and a heart shaped silver charm and a key (out of shot here).

I thoroughly enjoyed making this piece but worried that it would not be to the taste of  the eventual recipient. We all have such different crafting styles, and I'm still such a beginner in a lot of ways that I did hesitate about taking part in the PIF celebration. However, I'm glad I did, and Beatrice assures me that she does like the wall hanging, much to my relief. I'm now planning to make something similar for my little granddaughter, Shari-Ann, whose birthday is coming up soon.

This post has taken rather longer to write than I thought but I did have a lot to catch up on.  We are getting a new gas hob fitted this afternoon - to replace the old electric one. The EM hates how long it takes the plates to heat up and prefers the controllability of gas so soon he really will be 'cooking with gas' : )

Off for a much needed cup of tea now but will be back to check out as many desks as I can manage later.

Happy crafting to you all,

29 comments:

CraftygasheadZo said...

Great post. Loved seeing how you managed on table! lol Fab work too.

Andria said...

It's nice to spread out across a big table, but you're right that it's kind of a pain to do a daily clean up when you know you just want to get it all back out again! Great PiFs. Happy WOYWW!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Wow love all that you have here. The 2 PiF's are just adorable. So fun to see each one. Hope we do it again. Table..I'd be crazy..I can color once in a while there but thats it. Enjoy and Happy WOYWW. #71

Helen said...

I am so glad I don't have to clear away mid-project! love both your pif gifts - you should have no worry about your hanging - it is gorgeous!!

MvM-design said...

Happy woyww!!

Hugs Marleen ;-)

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Both PIF's look wonderful! But you got it wrong. When crafting on the dining table you don't clear it for meals, you go eat your meals somewhere else. :)) Happy WOYWW!

Hettie said...

We are really lucky to have our own space aren't we? Your PiFs are lovely. Mine is on my blog today - it is sitting very prettily on my computer desk!!

Anonymous said...

Good to see you back Elizabeth after your holiday. Not sure what my OH would say if I took crafting stuff on holiday with me. Although I am allowed my knitting! You colouring is loovely and I love both the PIF you sent and the one your received.
x Tricia (64)

Louise said...

What lovely PiF's. I would love to have a big table to make my mess on as at the minute I have fabric all over the floor. Although I still have to tidy it up before I go to bed as I am a bit of a neat freak and would curse myself if I came downstairs in the morning to a newly carpeted room of scraps of fabric :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I always love reading your comments :) x

lisa said...

It's lovely to see your holiday crafting, Elizabeth even if you did have to put it away every day!!
So it was you who received the PIF from Sioux, it's a stunner isn't it.
The one you sent is beautiful too. How kind and generous everyone has been.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #100.

Artyjen said...

I have to take something arty to do whenever I go away too!
So happy you liked the PiF......we were all so fortunate to get lovely gifts :)
xoxo Sioux

Di said...

Love this posting Elizabeth! Your colouring looks beautiful - shame we aren't caravanning otherwise I'd take soooo much with me! And thanks for the tip about watercolour card/paper. Love the PiF's too. Di xx

Annie said...

What gorgeous PIF gifts.
A x

Neil said...

Crafting is as important on holiday as at home! Glad i'm not the only one who takes an "emergency" pack. Thanks for sharing your PIF's they look great.

Unknown said...

Love the artwork you have created there.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and as regards the injection so far so good.
Happy WOYWW

Twiglet said...

Hi Elizabeth - I love your PiFs - such talent out there in WOYWW wonderland isn't there. I am glad you liked my "Postcard from Wales" picture.
I have printed a few onto canvas and they look good. I have made them to fit on A6 card size so if you would like one let me know. x Jo twiglet517@hotmail.co.uk

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

That is definitely the beauty of having a dedicated craft room. To be able to break off in the middle of a project and be able to get straight back to it later is a real joy. I can cope for a few days in the caravan by taking colouring in to play with, but nothing more taxing than that. I think it has been so fascinating to see the varied styles among the pif's.

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Thank you for the reminder about the Imperial Leather soap for removing inks off blackened hands. I do remember Barbara mentioning it, but had totally forgotten.

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Hi Elisabeth glad to see you made use of time away in Wales and love both pIf's still waiting mine, as mail is cut off with floods (not affecting me, thank the LORD) but mail comes from Sydney and the highway is cut for about five days so guess it wont start again till Monday!! ah well not to worry... happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x

sandra de said...

Love the pif received and given. At least with crafters we really appreciate the techniques and styles other people use, so it is always a pleasure to receive a handcrafted gift. The holiday emergency pack is a great idea. I am trying to pack lightly and will be taking small set of watercolour pencils and a little sketch pad!!! I know it won't be enough and I will miss my stash. You did very well to take your promarkers.

Polly Polkadot said...

Just had to trawl back through to find your Welsh holiday. You were a mere 6 miles from me as the crow flies!
Beautiful Pifs sent and received, I think it is more exciting than Christmas!

Maggie's Crafts said...

Stunning creation!

Thank you for sharing and happy WOYWW! :)

Maggie #115
xx

Anne said...

Hello Elizabeth I enjoyed reading your post, the Pif's are lovely. Thankyou for visiting my blog. When DH and I went away least year to Wales I took crafting stuf with me thinking there were bound to be some wet days but the weather was brilliant. I did alittle in the evening tho. We are recently back from a holiday but didn't take any crafting as was away with my DS,DIL and granddaughters and knew there would be little time for crafting. Anne x

Anonymous said...

There was no need to worry the wall hanging is gorgeous - neat desk thats a little alien to me as I thrive in mess - lol - the tag you received is also great - the pif in my opinion has been a great success

Bea

okienurse said...

It is a pain to have to pick up and put away every night. I always give thanks I have my craft room that I can hide in. Love the PIF's. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #46

Anonymous said...

Love the thought of you all cozied up in a stormy Wales busy colouring in images.... it's exactly what I would do, I always take some things with me. Love the PIF's both given and received. Have a great weekend.

Hugs
Brenda 73

JB-Crafting Supplies said...

Hello Elizabeth, thank you for your comment on my blog! Love the work you have shared with us.

Julie

karen said...

Both PiFs are gorgeous! I am a big fan of texture so I will definitely check out Sioux's post on what she did to the ballerina! And speaking of texture ... LOVE love love the WOYWW letters on the piece you made! I was thinking they were made of metal but it's stamped UTEE!! Fabulous!
Thanks for visiting me earlier!
xoxo
Karen

akilli melek said...

Hi Elizabeth
Love both of the PiFs. Not been playing WOYWW for a few weeks but hope to get back into it soon. Still, i had to come for a nosey to see how you were all getting on :-)
caroline