Wednesday 27 June 2012

WOYWW 160 - Holiday Crafting ... a few cards I made

Hello Everyone,

As I write this post it's late Tuesday evening and whilst the day started of lovely ... sun shining, temperature good ... it changed completely by mid afternoon, the rain came down and it's decidedly dull and miserable now ... boohoo :(

Happily, tomorrow is Wednesday and that means it's WOYWW day, that's the acronym for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday ... the day a goodly number of us reveal all, well, all that's on our desk ... anything else might frighten the horses :)  Don't already participate but would like to join in? Just click the WOYWW icon (in the left sidebar) and you'll be transported to The Stamping Ground, the admirable Julia Dunnit's blog, she's the genius who dreamt up this massive weekly snoopathon.

Now I know that Julia likes us to keep our posts brief but I hope she will forgive me if I go on a bit this week - I've such a lot to show and tell :)

Having been on my travels around England for the last two weeks, I've had to forego the pleasure of peering and peeking around your desks. However, I didn't miss out on all the fun, not entirely, because Jan (Lunch Lady Jan) kindly arranged that we meet up for lunch last Wednesday and to my delight Julia, herself, and Di of Pixie's Crafty Workshop and Sunday Snippet fame were there too.

Me, Jan, Julia and Di
Everyone came bearing gifts, a desk tidy for each of us from Jan, essential goodies for any crafter from Julia and,  Di brought along her delicious Raspberry Tiramisu for dessert- click here for the recipe - I know I shouldn't have but it was truly mouthwatering and raspberries are my favourite fruit :) 

 
After lunch, Jan's husband, Gordon, took the EM off to look at steam engines - his idea of bliss! While we went off to Shopkeeper Gal's emporium ... needless to say I did not leave empty-handed.  She's moving to bigger and better premises soon - see Julia's post here for the full info -  so I'm sending good wishes for a smooth and trouble-free move. Here's a couple of photos of what just had to come home with me :)


The other side of those 12x12 papers
Quite a pile! I'll be scrapping and crafting for months with this lot!!!

All-in-all it was a fantastic day and I had the best of times getting to know these lovely ladies even better ... I wouldn't have missed meeting them for the world. 

I did take a stocked tote away with me thinking that if the weather was too bad I could maybe find a wee bit of time to craft. However, the weather was kinder to us than anticipated and we were out and about a lot so crafting time was minimal but I did manage to make a few cards.

It was difficult deciding what crafting supplies to take ... there are so many items I think I can't live without!!!

I generally resist collections but thinking it would make things easier I bought a designer collection ... Dawn Bibby's Classical Bloom. I quite liked the look of it when I saw it on TV and visualised myself dashing off a huge number of cards ... they'd be great to donate to charities, etc. So what did I do? I made FOUR ...  here they are.




Finally, I returned to a pile of mail and in it was this super ATC made by France to celebrate WOYWW's third anniversary - lovely :)


A mammoth post this week - I promise I will keep it brief next week :)

I hope you are all well and perhaps even enjoying better weather than we are experiencing currently ... it would be nice to get out into the garden now and then ... never mind, there's always the tennis to watch :)

I will, as usual, do my level best to visit you all ... however, I have a lot of visiting to do this week - taking souvenirs to the family ... and it's my beloved granddaughter's ninth birthday tomorrow too ... nine, I can hardly believe it!

Happy Crafting to you all and have a lovely WOYWW,






44 comments:

Spyder said...

wow Elizabeth, you've been soooo busy!! Some really lovely cards! I'm so behind, I'm staying up, (it's nearly 3 in the morning!) to catch up! I've loads to do, but can't do it, as my craft-mess has had to be pushed back, for the 'window men' this week. So, more crafty-mess next week!
Happy WOYWW
((Lyn))
#34

Danielle said...

It is always nice to get together with fellow crafter's, especially when they come bearing gifts and dessert. dani31

Unknown said...

Fabulous four cards Elizabeth and a lovely photo of you all.
Love the little 'bits n' bobs' container and the ATC.
Elaine #33

C said...

So nice to see what you all look like...beats the imagination! Gorgeous cards!!

scrappymo! said...

Beautiful cards!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Welcome back indeed Elizabeth know how much fun it all can be.. ah what bliss that shopping a Shopkeeper gals and meeting up with friends to do it - you cant beat it can you?? well have been blown away by those four cards you have made they are really truly gorgeous can see your engines of creativity wer recharged - well done - thanks for sharing and happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #50

Lisa said...

So fun to do lunch. Looks like you got lots of fabulous goodies. Love the cards and especially the pins.

Neet said...

You must be having much better weather than we are int he NW as it has been miserable. Some sunshine at times but too cold to sit out. I blame the Pennines!
Thanks for the photos and write up about your day out, how lucky and lovely for you to fit that into your trip down to England. You all look so happy.
Wonderful cards you made, I think that is quite an achievement to make such beauties whilst on holiday.
Thanks - Hugs, Neet #20 xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards, and great stash goodies.

Happy WOYWW

Zoe #54

Jackie said...

It sounds like a good time was had by all. Your cards are just as beautiful here as on DC :o)
Jackie xx

Lynn Holland said...

Now that was a spooky moment I went straight from Jan's desk to yours and there you all are again and I didn't even realise it was you at Jan's. What a lovely time you all had.
Lynn 76

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Glad you're back home safe and sound!! It was a really fab day and we very much enjoyed meeting you and EM too, it was fun :)
Those are beautiful cards you've made, I like the aperture effect very much.
Have a happy, busy week!
Hugs, LLJ #3 xx

Annie said...

What a fab post Elizabeth. It's so lovely that you were all able to meet in real life [thanks to WOYWW eh?].....I can just imagine you 4 chatting and giggling :-)
Hugs,
A x #83

Helen said...

You have had a productive time, and meeting LLJ and Julia... Happy WOYWW, Helen 26

Judys Lace Creations said...

Lovely happy post.Very nice card-making going on here too.Glad you had fun with your buddies.
Judy #82

Marie-Louise said...

Looks as if you had a wonderful time. Nice to see you back. Very pretty cards.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic post today Elizabeth, you certainly sound like you had a wonderful holiday. Lovely to see you and the ladies enjoying time together and getting to know each other better. The wonders of blogland heh?

Oh, l nearly forgot to say-beautiful cards too :)

Have a happy WOYWW xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

That is a super picture of you all! Sounds like you had a grand time and your cards look fab too. Take care, enjoy this week's snooping extravaganza! Zo xx 74

Hazel said...

The cards from the DB kit are gorgeous (I could be tempted now I've seen these). Glad you girls had such a good day (I might be a bit jealous, well, a bit more than a bit! - lol!). Love the new stash - enjoy! Thanks for letting us have a peep into your workspace today. Hope you have a good week. Hazel, WOYWW #27 x

lisa said...

I'm glad you had such a good holiday, Elizabeth. Your day with your WOYWW friends sounds perfect.
Hope you enjoyed Harrogate too, you must have nearly driven past my door.
Love the cards you've been making, they are very elegant.
Enjoy the tennis, the forecast isn't good for the garden, well not here anyway!!.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #98

JoZart Designs said...

How lovely to read of your visit and the good time you had. Donna and I will visit Cardarian next week in Slovenia!! Woo hoo! some great friendships have been made through WOYWW.
Love your cards and enjoyed reading your posts.
Game set and match!!
Love joZarty x

sandra de said...

Looks like you all had such a lovely time and great to see a pic of everyone. Beautiful cards that you are making.
Sandra @105

Twiglet said...

What a fab post Elizabeth - you certainly had a good time didn't you. Such fab cards too - they must take ages to make. Have a good week. x Jo

Sarn said...

Terrific pictures Elizabeth. The cards you made are delightful.

I know you all had a good time at LLJ's lunch! I'm only sorry I missed out!

Thanks for visiting me today.

Happy WOYWW.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Glenda said...

Just look at all these goodies this morning. I love all your cards. Great details!

Glenda 107

Unknown said...

Hi Elizbeth How wonderful to do some actual real visiting rather than virtual visits with WOYWW pals. Glad you all had a wonderful time. WOYWW Hugs from Helen 89

peggy aplSEEDS said...

oh, how nice for you to meet some blog friends! my sister and I bumped into a blog friend last monday and we were so delighted. we greeted each other like old friends, which had my mom somewhat confused about whether we knew each other or not (since our blog friend asked me, are you Patsy?) LOL
happy WOYWW!
hugs, #24 peggy aplSEEDS

Sandra H said...

Hi Elizabeth, What a lovely picture of you all and how nice of you's to meet up must of had great fun!! cards are brilliant too enjoy the rest of your day:)x

Peggy Cain said...

love your cards great looking stash have a great week

Anonymous said...

I was more than happy to read your lovely long post Elizabeth having already seen some of the photos on Jan and Di's blog. Beautiful gifts from everyone, including what you made too. And naturally you can't go into a craft store and not buy anything, that would be just so rude! Sounds like you have a busy few days planned, hope the weather picks up, can't believe it's still raining! 89F here today and a yucky 97F tomorrow! WIsh I could send you a bit if sun, lol!

Hugs
Brenda 5

SandeeNC said...

It must have been so nice to meet up with the ladies!I'm glad to hear that ya'll had such a good time! I love the rain and wish we had some here, going to get up into the high 90's this week so not looking forward to that! Air conditioners will be cranking up! waving the #49 from the hills of North Carolina :)

Inkypinkycraft said...

Sme beautiful cards and I love the atc as well.have great week! Trace x 58

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I rather enjoy the long posts because it is like coming for a friendly visit. It looks like you had a lovely real life friendly visit. How cool is that?! Friends, fun, and SHOPPING! What a great day. You got some lovely things. Love the Dawn Bibby cards! And love the saying "don't scare the horses." You don't hear it nearly enough!

Unknown said...

I enjoyed reading your post. It was lovely to see the photo of other WOYWWers.Glad you had a good time even making some fab cards.
Happy WOYWW
Thanks for visiting.
Carol

Hettie said...

Hello you sure had a good time with the girls! and what lovely goodies you had and bought. Those cards are gorgeous! I can see your picture at Bettys too! Mnnnn! We spent our Honeymoon in York so went to Bettys in York!

Julia Dunnit said...

My word, i seem to recall that the laughing that The Em captured on the photo was because Gordon said somehting aout eyes and teeth and I always hear something else....! it was a mar ellous day, and i really look forward to the next opporunity to grasp and enjoy. Still overwhelmed by my lovely album, am going to lift all these photos and document our day...thanks so much. say hi to the scientist!

fairy thoughts said...

looks like you had a fab day with LLJ, Julia and the others. We should start something here..WOYWW ers meet ups
fabulous cars especially the easel ones
janet #11

Darnell said...

That was a terrific post, Elizabeth! So much going on! It was really fun for me to see the picture of the four ladies I'm getting to know through WOYWW and Pixie's! Have a great week! Darnell #55

Angie said...

You sound as though you had a great break and a fantastic time with LLJ and the gang.
I love all the stash you bought ...had to go in for a close-up.
Had to smile over your card kit ... I bought one a few years back to make loads of xmas cards but only made a few ... yours are much prettier though. xx#93

Anne said...

Hello Elizabeth have so enjoyed reading your post. It is lovely to see the photographs of you four, you certainly seemed to be having a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing all the news. I'm off to have a look at that recipe!!!
#150 Anne x

kay said...

enjoyed reading this and seeing your photo of the crafting gang :)
happy blogging
kay #65

Kathryn said...

Wow!! That is sooo cool that you all got together!! Great pic of the smiling four of you! I didn't know what LLJ and Julia looked like before. And... shopping together to boot!
I'm late getting by and you have already posted twice since yesterday! Busy lady indeed! Your grandbabies are gorgeous!!!!! Wonderful cards you've been turning out, so pretty!
xo
kat

Kathryn said...

Oh, and a couple of P.S.'s:
I don't sit at my desk, I stand. It's about hip high and I gave up using a stool a long time ago because I was up and down so much.

Love that Christmas card!! Very shabby (in a good way), so if the ribbon doesn't cooperate, it just makes it "shabbier". Like it was discovered after years of being stored away as a keepsake.
xo
kat

Joynana said...

Elizabeth, it looks like you ladies had a wonderful time on your visit. I love your cards they are just gorgeous. #35