Mad Ramblings

WOYWW 141 - A change of scene....

2012-02-15T00:16:00.000Z

Welcome to WOYWW once more! The Wonder of WOYWW is once more upon us. Ok, I'll shut up now.... hehehehe.

For those who think I'm raving mad, as opposed to just mad, head on over to The Stamping Ground where most, if not all, will be revealed.

Just for a change, I've been working on my other desk. I've been improving my knowledge and skills with Adobe Photoshop Elements this week, with a view to taking part in Project Life, as it seems kinda fun and will progress some skills on the PC for me. Who knows where it may lead?

So, what do we see on my desk?

The usual computer sundries - printer, keyboard, cables. Yes, my mouse really is a cute VW Beetle. Yup, those are pink socks. I have a general hatred of light when I'm trying to sleep, and the computer desk tends to light up like the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise at night, with lights we really can't completely get rid of. Like the Broadband hub. And one or two standby lights. So everything we can't switch off, we cover up. The webcam is covered simply because I'm paranoid. Why I don't unplug it, I don't know! Two coffee cups, one empty, one full. This is because beloved Mr B brought me up a second cuppa to replace the first, then promptly went to bed without taking the empty downstairs, and me not wanting to disturb our mutts, I've left it there too. (I hasten to add, this photo was taken Tuesday night, and by the time I went to bed, second cup was also empty.)

My other desk this week is showing some signs of movement. Seems like wobbly man has spawned a mini-me! There's also some evidence of Valentine's work, but that's a rare aberration and should be taken at face value only.....LOL.....

Just along the wall from my desk, some of my storage. With stuff precariously balanced on top as usual! Hmmm, seems like the bed is taking a hit too.....

Ah yes, a small amount of stash to go with my foray into Project Life. Nice new scrapbook folder, some coloured cardstock mats, and photo paper. And a cute ribbon. Go The Range!

Well, that's all I'm prepared to bare for this week - catch you on the blog-hop!

WOYWW 140 - the one where I've actually done some work...

2012-02-08T00:16:00.001Z

Welcome back to WOYWW, the weekly wonder that is hosted by the delightful Mrs D over at The Stamping Ground. And fame has struck at last for she has been highlighted by Craft Stamper magazine. Having seen a steady increase in numbers over the last couple of weeks, anyone care to place a bet on us hitting the 200 participant mark this week? My little number grid only goes up to 180 - I'll have to make it bigger this week!

I managed to get round almost everyone who visited me. Life got in the way a tad, I'm afraid.

So, my desk.

I've actually been working at it, and this is how it was left Tuesday night. Regrettably, Mr B still hasn't managed to make his Thank You card so ~~muggins~~ yours truly here has elected to do them for him. Except that I thought I'd ask my cutting machine to help out, but then overtaxed it by asking it to do something a little too intricate. Back to square one as I go over the cutting lines to make them a bit deeper. So much for just "popping" out the shape, eh? Silly me.....

What else is on my desk - quite a bit of nothing in particular, but there, over to the left at the front you can see a bracelet belonging to Lil Miss B that she actually managed to break the T-bar of (need to contact the lady who made it to get that part replaced!) the clasp.

At the back of my desk you can see my new copic storage, which was a complete bargain. Free! I spotted this cute X divided cube in a new catalogue given to me by our stationery rep at work, and as I happened to flick through the cataloge while in a meeting with him and his boss, I exclaimed in delight at seeing it - just what I've been looking for. They laughed and asked a few probing questions - this morning, a free sample turns up at work for me. How cool is that? It's made by Deflecto, and it's called X divided Crystal Cube, if you're interested. Cheapest I've seen online is about £3.60 each, + p&p, which means it doesn't break the bank, and I will definitely be acquiring a couple more.

Well, time to be hopping! Catch you around - hope you all have a great week!

WOYWW 139....coff.....splutter....

2012-02-01T00:10:00.001Z

Just a quickie for WOYWW from me this week. There's no desk photo - there's no point. My mojo went on a hike. Or maybe it was just too cold-saturated to raise its weak and weary head to do anything creative.

In answer to a couple of recent questions:

No, I didn't get the part of Ma Larkin, but that of Edith Pilchester, the nervous 40-something who wears tweed and occasionally gets her tonsils tickled by Pop Larkin.

No, Mr B did not manage to get his thank you cards made. They're still not sat next to the 'With Regret' card I haven't made. It's been that bad this week....

But! I did manage to finish the Hong Kong card and I figured I could at least share that with you....

I have to say, I love it, and it has drawn several WOWs of approval from the folks at work. V. cool!

Lastly, I want to share with you what I consider a lucky escape. At about 1am on Sunday morning, Mr B and I both woke up having been disturbed by a bang followed by two smaller thuds. He sat bolt upright in bed, looked around a bit startled (at least, his movements suggested that - it was pitch black) and flopped back down into bed, soon to be snoring softly. I laid awake for a minute or two, wondering what it was, figuring maybe the shade had popped off the wall light, and then having ascertained that the world wasn't coming to an end fell back to sleep.

Next morning I discovered this....

Seems that when I slid my watch onto the bedside table before turning the light out, I must have nudged the battery (which was on its side) against the nail clippers. The resulting short circuit overheated the battery and BANG. The two smaller thuds I worked out were after the battery shot across the cabinet, hit my watch which fell onto a book (thud) and then bounced off that onto the floor (second thud).

Someone must have been watching out for me - this all happened about a foot away from my face...... ulp.....

Catch you on the hop!

WOYWW 138 - all over bar the.....no....wait.....

2012-01-25T05:34:00.000Z

Well, hello hello HELLO!

Welcome to another weekly round of WOYWW. I'm still having trouble with posting comments as on some blogs I only seem to be able to comment at home, so it may take me a while to visit some of you!

If you haven't got a clue what I'm on about go HERE for all the deets, and the fabulous Mrs Dunnit will let you have a snoop about....

So, what goeth on in the world of Morti, eh?

Not much. Too tired for much! We've all been hit by a bout of post-panto sickness - namely colds and chest infections. I think that might be down to a bit too much smoke from the pyros they used, but hey, what do I know? LOL. Nonetheless, we are bright spirited and happy.

On my desk this week we see the beginnings of a card for a colleague at work. Having epically failed to find a large, plain Good Luck card which didn't say Leaving or Goodbye or Retirement or Exam, it befalls me to make one that says "Good Luck in Hong Kong". See, the colleague isn't actually leaving the company, he's going to head up the Hong Kong office as they are sorely in need of someone over there who can make command decisions and take them to the next level. Go, Dean! And that's where I step in, as chief card maker. Having won the card competition (by default as the only entry!) I get the poke in the ribs. No worries. Watch this space. I see a golden chinese dragon coming up.

As for the next few weeks....well.....ever the suckers for punishment, PVADS held auditions the day after Panto finished, for the spring play "The Darling Buds of May". Mr B desperately wanted to do it, auditioned, got THE main part. Muggins here went along to support, knowing darned well it's the only way I'll get to see anything of him when he doesn't have his nose in a book. And wound up landing a role too. Deep joy. So much for quiet Wednesday & Sunday evening.

But then you can't argue when your fella gets presented with THIS after the Panto at the party - for The Defining Performance. Or rather, as they put it, they presented it to his leg, for having gone through hell for his art..... ROFL.....

In all seriousness though, it's a genuine award PVADS gives after each show they do, if they feel that something or someone has warranted it, and Mr B was one such individual who took the panto and the society to a whole new level with his performance as Long John Silver. People were coming up to members and asking where he'd hidden his leg, and was he really one-legged etc....LOL.... Bless - I'm so proud of him. And it wasn't without cost - two shows on the Saturdays and by half-way through the second he'd about had enough, his knee was in a lot of pain. He soldiered through though, and seems to be ok now!

So, watch this space......... catch you all around!

WOYWW 137 - Zzzzzzzzzz

2012-01-18T05:57:00.004Z

We're back for another session of WOYWW and this week for me it's decidedly Zzzzz. Well, that's what you'll all be doing after seeing this oh-so-dull photo of my desk. Nothing exciting to report this week, other than the making of one Thank You card as a sample for Mr B because he needs to make a fair few in a hurry. On Thursday.

It's also a bit Zzzzz because we're all tired after the weekend's three shows - we have a mid-run rehearsal tonight and then three more shows at the weekend coming. Followed immediately by a post show party, and then we strike the set on the Sunday morning. Huzzah! I want my Sundays back. I love panto, but Sunday rehearsals are a real bind.

That's my lot though - for more delightful desks, visit Dunnit the Desk Diva where you will find some interesting diversions for your day.... Mind you, last week I was tearing my hair out because about a dozen of your lovely blogs just froze on me, and I could only read, not comment. I think it was an issue at work, so I'll try and do you folks first this week!

WOYWW 136 - Curtain Up!

2012-01-11T05:36:00.003Z

Another week, another WOYWW.... head via the link to Dunnit Dimensions and let the desk -hopping commence!

For me, a short post this week as my desk hasn't changed an awful lot. Apart from some new stash I bought on Saturday from Shopkeeper Gal before heading off to the crop. Some nice bargains too - a fab stamp of Venice for starters, for just £1! She's also started stocking Craft Stamper, which is an absolute bonus because otherwise I have to go all the way to Amesbury for it or buy it online - nowhere else locally sells it (and I'm too lazy to ask my corner shop to stock it).

The crop was fun - I didn't actually do any cropping - instead I made a trident for the panto. Here it is in it's finished state - on my real workdesk this week because I've been painting it in the kitchen where the light is better and there's space to lay it out. Made from a broom handle, multiple layers of double walled corrugated cardboard, some specialist road tape (don't ask!), four Maya Road chipboard scrolls, and silver and copper paint.

And here's a gratuitous shot of Mr B as Long John Silver at rehearsals on Sunday. ROFL. We did an entire day, and by the end of it, he was exhausted. We all were.

Curtain up on Friday 13th! Arrrrr!

WOYWW 135 - Panto season! or, the one where the desk goes vertical

2012-01-04T00:45:00.000Z

Here we are again - WOYWW has hit us headlong into the New Year, so I hope it is a happy one for all of you!

It's that time of year again.... oh yes it is....oh no it isn't.... sigh. I can't resist it...

Anyway, my desk this week has been mostly vertical, as I have been helping my good friend Nettie and her partner Rob paint the scenery for Treasure Island. Nettie does the big stuff (scares the crap out me), Rob blocks in, and I've been making stuff look round, like I do. I give you exhibit A:

exhibit B (we need baskets, they said) :

Bigger view of what's going on - I've just been adding depth and shadow and stuff, and not working on the big bits. Sorry they're blurred - it's me iPhone you know!

But my desk hasn't only been vertical - Tuesday night it was definitely horizontal and I have just finished making two maps for the panto. Treasure maps of course. And here I say All Hail the Duke of Distress - for t'is his inks wot made it possible. All done using a black Sharpie, and the lovely inks Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge, Faded Denim, Peeled Paint, Festive Berries and Black Soot. Ta Dah! Makes life so much easier, and so much more realistic, than using a tea bag, dontcha think?

Oh, and if you're interested, the island is based on a slightly stretched Christmas Island.... LOL. Had to be done, really!

Catch you on the hop...... Arrrrrrrrrrr......

WOYWW 134 - or.... WWUYCT

2011-12-28T06:11:00.001Z

Welcome to the Betwixtmas WOYWW - and on this occasion, I'm also calling it WWUYCT, or What Was Under Your Christmas Tree?

For newbies who don't have a clue what I'm on about, the deets can be found HERE at Dunnit Dimensions.

I had a bit of a fail this week. I had every intention of visiting everyone who visited me on last week's WOYWW, and didn't. I simply didn't get on the computer. I also intended to post on Christmas day, but we went for a Xmas Geocache, and were out for 4 hours, finding 18 Geocaches on a six mile walk. It was an epic success, and made our Xmas, I have to say.

Yes we're sad, but how many of you managed to get an 11 year old to walk 6 miles on Christmas Day without complaining, and more to the point, having only opened TWO presents??? An equal success, because it wore out some of her bounce, made Christmas last all day, and then into the bargain, the originator of the Cache ring watched us do part of it from his home, and came out halfway through to ply us with Mince Pies! Yay! Can I just add that Lil Miss B is as "into" Geocaching as we are, so it was no hardship for her, she enjoyed it as much as we did.

Well, onto the main point of my blathering.

My desk this week, as you can see, is clean and pretty tidy. All ready for the next bout of creativity.

My fingers are itching. Amongst my lovely presents was a signed book from Spellbound Beads on beaded baubles, and a kit of the Emperor Bauble (this will be my third bauble from SB themselves). Having not actually done the last one I bought (The Romanov), I feel I should complete it before starting the new one. And I feel confident to start it because I actually finished the Charmed Stocking on Boxing Day, and it now hangs on our tree after its photo shoot (see below).

As for WWUYCT - here are the gratuitous present shots:

Yes, that's a lot of presents, mostly for Lil Miss B!

I had lots of lovely craft stuff in addition to the bits mentioned above - Distress Inks, TH's scissors, 12 x 12 papers, peeloffs in attractive borders, Shapeabilities fleur de lis accents..... I could go on....

So, I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas, coupled with good cheer, laughter, plenty of love, light and happiness, and generally a joyous time.

I'll leave you with one last chuckle though - on his wish list, Mr B had asked for a new memory stick, a 4GB "peg". Lil Miss B gave him this - a fridge magnet to clip his notes to.....

Catch you on the hop!

WOYWW 133 - Merry Christmas to All!

2011-12-21T05:24:00.003Z

So here it is. The Christmas edition of WOYWW. In honour of the occasion, here is a slightly blurred, but very sparkly looking photo of my Christmas tree. I would have shown you a picture taken with flash, but that just ruined the festive look. So you'll have to go with the mellow yellow version. LOL.

So what is on my workdesk this Wednesday? For those who are new to the phenomenon created by the ebullient Ms Budd, go to The Stamping Ground for all the deets and the funky roadmap that is the great and wonderful Mr Linky. And I can honestly say, having sampled the delights last evening, that the sheet cake was truly yummy. Thanks Julia!

My desk. Oh ROFL. What do we have here? Well, yes, this isn't Wednesday's photo, but Tuesday night's, and it appears I have another squatter. This time Mr B is at it, making a pop out Christmas card for his parents, to deliver tomorrow.

My desk this week has been a lap tray in the lounge because that has been the most comfy place to work. I've still not finished my charmed stocking but I have, er herm, managed to bead two other baubles for ladies who I am honoured to call my friends. Said baubles have been safely delivered, but I didn't managed to finish them in time for a photo opportunity. You'll just have to take my word for it that they sparkled elegantly, and hanging on the recipients' trees look like...er... baubles. Fab!

Thank you all for your warm wishes regarding my op. I've been poked, prodded, stitched and bruised, and am due to make my second attempt to return to work tomorrow (the first being a bit of a fail because I wasn't really well enough, naivety and optimism leading me to think I was...LOL). The surgeon has found and dealt with one issue on my insides, we just have to wait three months to see if it's worked, and if not, try a different tack. Joy joy.

Here's to wishing you all a very merry Christmas and see you at Betwixtmas if not before - I will endeavour to do a WUYCT (What's Under Your Christmas Tree) for Christmas Day!

See you on the hop!

WOYWW 132 - Success!

2011-12-14T00:02:00.001Z

Welcome to WOYWW once more. For all the deets on this desk-hopping extravanganza, go HERE.

So, just a quickie from me tonight - we have success! I finally managed to get my star card completed, and here it is. I apologise for the state of the photos, I've taken them in rather a hurry tonight after spending a couple of hours unsuccessfully trying to resolve an email issue. Darned BT!

Yes, an awful lot of work went into those, and I won't know for a couple of days whether or not it's worth it, but it was fun!

I've just realised I didn't take a decent picture of the section of the card with the 5 pointed star pop out. Oh well!

Not much else has happened here at Morti Mansions - unfortunately, Lil Miss B's Christmas trip to Granny in France has been cancelled at the eleventh hour because the Wicked Real-Mother failed to check the passport (we didn't have it, so didn't know) until last night and discovered it had expired. Neither she nor we have the funds to replace it this close to Christmas, even if she managed to get an appointment to do so. I wouldn't mind, but her other daughter's had expired earlier this year and it didn't occur to her to check it at the time.... I have to say that Lil Miss B has mixed feelings about the trip being cancelled - the silver lining is that she doesn't have to spend Christmas with Granny. The sad part is that it's just re-inforced in her young mind what a waste of space her real mother is. Such a shame.

Anyway, I digress...

Other than the card, my desk is pretty clear. Lil Miss B had a marathon session on Monday night and made a fridge magnet for her Guide Leader for Christmas, but that's all the excitement my desk has seen this week. If you can see my two new jesters lurking, I might offer a prize for the two best names you guys can come up with!

Catch you on the hop!

WOYWW 131 - Epic fail, comme normale...

2011-12-07T05:50:00.001Z

Well, hello my WOYWWing friends. If you don't WOYWW, why not? All the deets are here.

Well, this week has been, as the title suggests, an epic fail. Shoshi brilliantly managed to prod my memory that I do actually have a Silhouette SD but it hasn't actually helped. The amount of detail involved in this particular cut means that it takes a lot of time to cut, and the blade on the machine doesn't always cut all the way through. Which I think is the machine's way of telling me I need a new blade. That and the fact that I haven't quite mastered converting a Jpeg to a GSD file for the machine. Ho hum. Before someone points out that I ought to do a double cut etc, I know all that, but it's struggling with the fine detail and doing double tracks etc. I need a decent tute. I've spent far too much time on this already - but have invested more time than makes me want to back out of the comp! ROFL. Anyone mention the word masochist?

So here is my desk, with one partially cut out PCB design. We're having a stay-at-home weekend this weekend, and I'm hoping to spend most of Saturday in the craft room. Some hope... We managed to put the tree up, put lights on it, and a star at the top. But Mr B didn't take too kindly to my suggestion that we leave it like that! Oh well.

Don't look too closely at my desk - you might notice two tealight holders at the back that I was supposed to work some magic on. Shhh - don't tell Tracy.....

I will try to get round as many as I can this week! Hope you're all not too stressed out with Christmas!

WOYWW 130 - the OMG it's nearly December! one...

2011-11-30T00:03:00.001Z

Yooohallloooo! WOW! November 30th! Advent starts tomorrow and I've not found my candle for it yet. That sucks...

Well, I'm pleased that you've decided to swing by my place on your wander through WOYWW-land. If you've landed here by accimedent (new word, LOL) then try popping off to HERE where our Tour Guide, Julia, will hand you a pamphlet and a packet of polos for the journey. Enjoy!

Meantime, I really wish I had something more interesting, more...er...finished... to show you. Sadly, the stocking has got no further and currently is still lurking on the laptray in the lounge. Life gets in the way, y'know?

What I CAN show you is my current state of play desk-wise.

Suffice it to say that work, as usual, has had a brain-fart, and this month they're running a design-a-Christmas-card competition. Oh ROFL. Like I'm not going to have a go at that! However, it's pretty open as to what medium we use etc etc, so I'm going for a star card in white and I'm using a printout of PCB tracking (for we is a PCB manufacturer, no less) to create a stencil for embossing and stencilling through... Hehehehe. It's going to take a while though - all those lines and dots will need cutting out!

Also on my desk you can see two tealight holders and some mulberry paper that I really MUST get sorted this week for a commission. I also have the delightful prize sent to me all the way from Australia by Sandra de for correctly guessing the object on her desk a fortnight ago (how's THAT for a postal service, eh?) and what a delightful prize too. A card, an ATC, ribbon, India ink, microbeads in festive colours, pink bling, page pebbles AND a print of the stamp I guessed. I'm definitely using that in something! Thanks Sandra!

Well, the witching hour approaches, and I can get this out onto t'internet tonight (as my desk will be no different in the morn) ready for linking up at ohmygodo'clock tomorrow.

Catch you all on the 'op!

ETA - Here's a funny thing. Shoshi, in her comment, has mentioned that I would be better converting the pic to a cutting file, and cutting out that circuit diagram on a cutting machine. How stoopid do I feel right now? I have a Craft Robo/Silhouette... doh!..... so, today (2nd Dec) I have been to work and got them to convert the image to a jpeg so I can convert it to a gsd file and get the machine to do the hard work! I don't know why it didn't occur to me to do that in the first place. Guess I've not used the machine enough. In my defence, I will also add that the circuit diagram was also a pdf originally....not compatible with a CR. Thanks for the prod though, Shoshi!

Blog Candy.....x 2

2011-11-28T13:39:00.001Z

Elaine has this on offer:

You have until the 3rd December to join in! Gorgeous papers, eh? There's a little something else there too, so go have a look!

and Louise has this on offer! Also until the 3rd December....

You've got to be in it to win it!

WOYWW 129 - the slightly different one....

2011-11-23T00:29:00.003Z

Ok, it's late on Tuesday night (technically, now early Wednesday morning) so I'll keep this brief. Makes a change, says the reader....

Welcome once more to WOYWW, the wonder of desk hopping and blog surfing as created by the magnificent Mrs D.

This week I kind of have two desks for you. One is my upstairs desk....... ta dah!

As you can see, not a lot on it. We have a broken pair of earrings courtesy of Lil Miss B. A stack of cutting mats, at the bottom of which is a nice, shiny (literally - I haven't taken the cellophane off it yet!) A2 cutting mat. And we have exhibit A - one set of the new limited edition Tim Holtz inks which plopped through my letterbox today. Huzzah! There's not a lot else on my desk because I've not been here to do any crafting. On Monday, Mr B's school got the call all schools dread these days - Ofsted are showing up today (Weds) to do their Inspection, so it's been a frantic couple of days of catching up on the marking and targets and paperwork and.....and.... He's been putting in 20 hours days, and I feel like I have too...

The other "desk" is my downstairs desk, aka a lap tray. On it is the remains of the Mill Hill Charmed Stocking I'm working on. The main part of the stocking is now done; I'm working on the cuff and stocking "stuffers" to finish it. I WILL have it done soon, then I can go back to the Hardanger I was working on earlier in the year....sigh.....

Other entertainng news - Lil Miss B and I went to the Wave 105 Live gig on Sunday (I won a pair of tickets back in September), and saw: The Reason 4, The Feeling, Erasure, Matt Cardle, Darren Hayes, The Pierces and The Overtones. We had a fab time, though Lil Miss flagged a lot sooner than I did - we had standing tickets! I do have a couple of pics but they're on my phone and it requires more energy than I have right now to get them off it. I have managed to pull this photo they took of us off the Wave 105 website, though! How cool is that?!

Less than entertaining news, but far more important (and I know I should be happy but it's hard to) is that I finally have a date for my investigative laparascopy. And guess what? It's the 15th December. Nothing says Happy Christmas quite like having your abdomen pumped full of air and a camera shoved through your belly button. My workplace aren't too impressed as by then my boss will be in Australia with his family, and they're worrying in case the hospital decide to keep me in as there's only the two of us in the department. Tough! My health comes first.... I'm sure someone there will keep on top of the cash!

However, for now we are plodding along quite happily, so see you around on the blop!

Ha! Just realised...... I was going to keep this brief.... Oh well!

WOYWW 128 - Oooops......

2011-11-16T08:25:00.000Z

Welcome to the worldwide wonder that is WOYWW - for deets go to Dunnit Dimensions!

Well, mine is short but not exactly sweet this week.

You ever have one of those moments that is soundtracked by a sharp intake of breath? You know the one I mean, where you can actually HEAR the horror that you've just experienced? Yeah, that one.

Well, I did one of those on Monday. Our Group Personnel Manager was stood at my desk distracting me. On my desk were two piles of paperwork. One for shredding, the other for filing. Fairly important filing too, because it was personnel stuff.

Still talking to her, I picked up the shredding, walked to the shredded, selected the first batch of 7 sheets, and put them in the shredder.

The pages get three-quarters of the way through - and cue horrified sharp intake of breath as I realise I had picked up the wrong pile.

So, my WOYWW for this week is this......

To quote Lil Miss B - "It's a good job you like jigsaw puzzles!"....

Catch you on the hop!

Dictionary of Mort strikes again!

2011-11-09T14:00:00.001Z

Today we have had....

INKIBU.... pronounced in-key-boo

In the dictionary of Mort, this is what it's called when one of your crafting friends pops up with an unexpected random act of kindness.

An alternative definition could be that this is a way to frighten the life out of Tim Holtz....

WOYWW 127 - ARRRRRRRRRRRR...... again.

2011-11-09T05:20:00.054Z

Wahey! That was the week that was, that was! And here we are again, with another round of WOYWW desk-hopping hosted by our beloved MC Mrs Dunnit. For all the deets go here but don't forget to take a picnic and a compass because you might be a while once you start.

As you can see, we still have a Charmed Stocking in progress on the desk. I've discovered that needlework now needs to be done in small bursts because gripping a needle sets my carpal tunnel off. That and pumpkin carving. Doh.

On Saturday I attended another of the Big Crops and had a bit of an epic fail. It didn't help that I didn't get there until 1pm (Lil Miss B had urgent need of a Guide uniform - £32 for t-shirt and hoodie, if you please!!) but the grand turnout on this occasion wasn't even quite a whole layout (compared to the four I did at the previous crop). I fiddled, I tweaked, I cut, stamped and glued.... and then had to wait till I got home to add the flourish and the lettering. Not being able to finish it, and the brewing headache I had, meant that I lost the mojo to do more. I will have to look at that and rectify it this month. Mr B said it was down to the 3 p's - Piss Poor Preparation. I just said "what preparation?" To be fair, I hadn't even emptied my scraptotes from the last time, so hadn't really prepped properly. I had prepped, it was just a month earlier. LOL

So here is a close up of the finished LO for your delight and delectation. Once again, Lil Miss B is a tad niggled that it's yet another photo of her (I quote "and why did you have to take a close-up??") but I think that secretly she's pleased. I like how it turned out, no matter what she thinks!

If you've got this far, well done!

Other major news in the B household is that we finally got the results of the auditions we took part in on the 30th October for Treasure Island. Well, we actually got a phone call from the Director rather than just the email that everyone else got because he had a rather special request. I've been asked if I think I can manage to take a small principal role AND be the society's Stage Manager for the show. The role in question is the Spirit of the Sea, with appearances at the beginning and end of both acts. I get to recite some rhyming couplets, not sure if there's a song involved (probably) and do the walk-down at the end, but as that's the role I was hoping for, I naturally said yes! Being Stage Manager doesn't faze me - I've done Production Management in theatre since I was 14, so I've pretty much grown up with the backstage influence. It's only since I've been with Mr B that I've had the confidence to step into the limelight again.

The others? Lil Miss B has got a place in the chorus - kudos to her because 20 kids tried out for chorus and only 10 were chosen - and Mr B is......

wait for it......

Long John Silver!

So he gets to reprise a similar role to last year, just swapping a hook for a wooden leg.... ROFL.

The weird bit is that last year the Dame was played by a fella called Steve. This year....the Dame is played by a fella called Steve. Different Panto societies, different Steves - but how funny!

This is going to be fun!

And if you've read this far, well done to you! Catch you on the blop!

The Dictionary of Mort...

2011-11-04T13:40:00.000Z

... has come up with another treasure on the word verification thingy today...

FAKERSIC

which in the dictionary of Mort must surely mean pretending to be ill or swinging the lead....

ROFL

WOYWW 126 - WHOOOOOO

2011-11-02T05:20:00.005Z

Except it's not that scary, really. Welcome to WOYWW, the global phenomenon started by our marvellous Mrs Dunnit. The lady who has single-handedly brightened our "over-the-hump" day by giving us a glimpse into the chaos that our fellow crafters live in. At least this way we don't feel alone, and we have our own little support group, eh? Hehehehe.

Not that my space is chaos. No siree. I'm still basking in the glow of the "just moved in and got it tidy" feeling. That, and a lack of time this week to do much other than lay out the remains of a Mill Hill Charmed Stocking that I'm trying to finish before Christmas this year (seeing as I started it before Christmas last year. Whoops!) so it will make it onto the tree in time. LOL. We live in hope. One bright note though is that I emailed Mill Hill when I discovered they'd not provided enough of one type of bead - and they duly supplied me with plenty along with a profuse apology. Go Mill Hill!

There's also not a lot of point in doing anything else as we have another crop this weekend. Yay!.

So, here's my desk....

Other highlights this week include being the prompt for a play our new AmDram/Panto society were doing, auditioning for the next panto (that was an experience and a half) and in amongst that attending a children's halloween party at Mr Hat's house as well as sending ~~the brat~~ Lil Miss B (she's not really a brat but I bet it made you smile) out trick-or-treating. As you can see, she likes to stand out in a crowd.... I don't think I need to point out which one she is, eh?

Well, hopefully I'll get round a few more of you this week than last - this week we have no visitors, no rehearsals, no Halloween..... hang on, how many days did you say it was till Christmas...........................???????

WOYWW 125 - the lame, ironic one....

2011-10-26T13:26:00.001+01:00

Oh irony of ironies. The one week when something major has happened to my desk, I lose my WOYWW mojo AND I'm out every night for the rest of the week so know that I'm not going to get around as many desks as usual.

If I feel up to it, and have any time, I'll upload a picture later on. Duly uploaded, just before midnight!

There are times when I have to smile though. We're having a real week of "one-in-one-out" as a succession of teens and pre-teens (and even grandparents) troop through the house. Friday night saw the unexpected arrival of the daughter of one of my BFFs. Now, Debs is an amazing crafter, and her daughter is used to seeing all sorts. First comment when she rang her Mum to let her know she'd arrived? "Mum, you should see the drawers in the craft room...!!!" ROFL. Bless. I'm glad she didn't mention the huge pile of junk that was on the desk at the time!

May see you on the hop, may not - all depends on how the show goes.... TTFN!

WOYWW 124

2011-10-19T08:24:00.001+01:00

Just a brief-ish one from me today because I didn't actually gear this up last night.

Not that there's a lot of point in doing WOYWW this week (all the deets are here) - the old craft workdesk has not changed since last week. Well, actually it has, but that's been down to Man-activity rather than my own. He's been doing something DIYish. I'd better start sorting it out now he's done.

No, instead I was at a Pampered Chef evening last night. Didn't buy anything. Did get to see someone turn Yorkshire Puddings into Choux Buns. Interesting.... No, I didn't try one. I'm mad, but not THAT mad....

So, for your delight and delectation - here is today's workdesk. This is where I sit at work. As you can see, there's not a lot on it - there never is at 8.00am. But passsing across it today will be four cashbooks, some stationery supplies when they're delivered, invoices that require processing and a shed load of overseas payments that need to be made. Yup. My job is really interesting.....

Hopefully, normal service will resume shortly and I can get back to some crafting. My fingers are starting to itch for something other than scrapbooking.

See you all on the hop!

Monday Monday....

2011-10-17T13:57:00.002+01:00

It's been an interesting weekend. It started Friday with getting home form work and then dragging my sorry arse over to the pub for "ladies night", which is generally like pulling teeth. I'm sure it's not so bad, but I've never really done the "lets all go down the pub and whinge about our weight/husbands/children/jobs/home/money/lack of money etc etc and so on and so forth" But I'd invited L out (Mrs to Mr Hat down below) cos she's fab, and so we went.

Another L - ironically, same name exactly, but not married to Mr Hat - decided to join us. Turned out the only reason she came to the pub for a drink was because I was going! Not bad, considering I've only lived in the village for 8 weeks...

We all promised ourselves we'd only go for an hour or so. Five hours later I crept back across the road and into the cottage, managing to get into bed without waking Mr B. Not that it would have been a problem if I had, but he looked so sweet, out sparko, snoring gently. Me n' the L's had a fab time. A real hoot. We were just gassing, but we managed to avoid whinging about our weight/husbands/children/jobs/home/money/lack of money and instead opted for lengthy discussions on weight loss, boob reductions, methods of hair removal, the delights of curry, Halloween parties and spreadsheets. Yes, spreadsheets. It appears Mr HAt and L#1 need some assistance in the merchandising department, and I agreed to help L#1 learn the art of Microsoft Excel.

Next day I get two almost identical texts from the two L's, each one bemoaning their hangover. I managed to avoid one, though how I'm not sure...

Saturday Me and the B's went into Salisbury to do some shopping etc. When we got home, before launching into a frenzy of cleaning and tidying, we found ourselves having to sit Lil Miss down and have a long chat on the delights of make-up and what she should or shouldn't be wearing at the tender age of 11. And, more importantly, why she shouldn't be lying to us about wearing it - she's taken to sneaking make-up on after we've left the house in the morning. Mr B and I appreciate that if we lay down the law and demand that she doesn't do it, this is the result, so I've managed to talk him down from changing her school bus to one that goes from his school, and chaining her to her bed out of school hours (LOL) and we've agreed that she can wear some but she has to abide by what we think is appropriate. Neutral, barely there. Not Avril Lavigne smoke-eyes. And only wearing decent quality makeup, not cheap pound-shop/market rubbish. And she's buying it out of her pocket money. Sheesh. It's hard being a Mum.

Hopefully, we've succeeded.

Saturday night was spent having a wine and cheese evening with a work colleague of Mr B and her husband. Much merriment. Except this time I had wine and if I'd finished my third glass, I'd have had a hangover to rival that of the two L's!

Sunday - quiet day. We went to the tip, located a geocache en route, and then made ourselves known to PVADS, the local AmDram group. As soon as we had, we were dragged into the current production, with Mr B working as a stage hand and yours truly standing in as prompt. Nice to be wanted....

So today we are....

• listening - to nothing - lunchtime silence in the office!

• eating – ryvita and reduced fat hoummous - mmmmmmm.
• drinking - a leukwarm coffee.
• wearing - charcoal grey trousers and blue jumper. Having to be normal at work sucks.
• feeling - tired, but fairly chilled considering I'm at work. Oh no, wait, that's cos the heating is off.
• weather - cloudy and a bit inclined to rain.
• wanting - the next three hours to pass at high speed so I'm not bored.
• needing - more sleep.
• thinking - I should be getting back to work.
• enjoying - rediscovering my goth/metal roots.
• wondering - if I can score any tickets to the gig at the Brixton Academy at the weekend.....

TTFN!!!!

WOYWW 123

2011-10-12T00:32:00.002+01:00

Wooo! It's after midnight so I'll be an early poster for a change! For the newbies out there - I'm talking about WOYWW, all the info can be found HERE where you can hop on the magical mystery tour....

I'll keep it brief cos, as I said, it's after midnight and I've just turned into a pumpkin. Or at least, I feel like one!

Not much change to the ol' desk this week. I've shuffled a couple of boxes and taken a couple of things out of one of them, but other than that, not a lot of change. Although I would point out that wobbly man seems to be doing his impersonation of C-3PO at the moment! LOL. Well, had to make a bit of an obvious change, otherwise the desk would look exactly the same as last week.

Crafting wise, there has been zero activity. However, we DID go and see Blackmore's Night play at Salisbury City Hall on Saturday - absolutely ACE gig, and we hung around after and chatted to the keyboard guy (Dave) and the woodwind guy (Albert), and Lil Miss B got her photo taken with Albert. Didn't get to chat to Ritchie Blackmore, but we figured we'd hung around long enough and Lil Miss B was ready for bed! I would have taken more photos (they're on my phone at the mo) but I've never seen such high security at an event. The bouncers were on the hot lookout for anyone using a camera or phone and confiscating them if they caught someone. I got a couple of pics of the empty stage, and one of Albert opening the show, but that was it.

Equally, it's been an interesting week. You know how it is, you've got chatty/friendly with someone who is the parent of XXXX, one of the kids in your partner's class at school. And several months later you find out that said parent is actually someone rather famous in certain circles, and whose band you *cough* idolised in your teens.... 20+ years is a long time, gimme a break, I didn't recognise him straight away.... LOL..... Cue rummaging in your album collection and a music fest of gothic proportions..... No? Must be just me then.....

Forgive me if I don't mention his name or his band, but he's pretty cagey about what he does (I don't think the locals around here are ready for that bombshell) and it would affect XXXX's relationship with her friends if they knew her dad was famous. Likewise, I've not told Lil Miss B (and she never reads my blog, so not an issue) because she genuinely likes her; we'd prefer them to be friends because they get on well, not because of who XXXX's Dad is.... I'm sad to say it but Lil Miss B can be a tad shallow sometimes!

Back to WOYWW - I didn't manage everyone last week - BT Broadband had a hissy fit on me again on Sunday. I hope you're all keeping well though!

Catch you on the hop....

WOYWW 122

2011-10-05T08:29:00.001+01:00

Time for the weekly WOYWW - this one is a little hurried as I'm at work!

Quick pics today to show that nothing has changed - the desk is still piled pretty high but that's normal around here for the moment. It wasn't helped by having lots of visitors over the weekend (not all of them expected!) as well as going to a crop (more on that in a mo).

Anyway, the crop was successful - I managed to do these layouts (much to Lil Miss B's disgust!). The Easter LO was a lucky hit - I'd had this TLC page kit for YONKS, never expecting to be able to use it and I'd forgotten about it. Then came these pics and the colours match perfectly.

Julia asked me when I last did a layout - I worked out it was 2007, and so far I've done 11 in total, including the 4 this weekend. As Julia pointed out, any average is better than none!!!

WOYWW 121

2011-09-28T05:22:00.002+01:00

I iz back. And ready for another round of WOYWW courtesy of the Darling Mrs Dunnit - go visit if you haven't a clue what I'm on about....

LOL

Just a quickie from me cos I'm not supposed to spend too much time on the 'pooter, having successfully buggered up my wrist from cleaning too much in the house move. Yup. T'is true.

So here you have it - what THE new room currently looks like. It's a work in progress, you know.

And just to prove to the Fabulous Ms D, see, there really is a bed in there..... (Last time Madame Dunnit saw the room, it was a pile of boxes....)

The last three weeks have seen....

Me off work for two and a half of them.

19 of the 62 Chalet School stories read.

LLJ and I singing our hearts out with Marlborough Choral Society

The snake moving off of pinkies and onto fluffies. Seriously. And if you don't know what I mean, you don't want to be asking neither....

The cats slowly getting used to us, and gradually getting less scared of the dogs. One of them will even tip toe past them to get to food now. Provided they are asleep.

Lil Miss B getting herself grounded. Twice. And at the tender age of 11... what joys may yet be to come...

My mother visited. She gardened. She's 80.

The big red beast we call our MPV has died. We don't yet know if it's resurrectable. Worst case scenario - new car. Medium case scenario - new gear box. Hopeful scenario - Mr B can fix it with a twiddle or two.

Me and BT nearly coming to blows - they cancelled the cancel and then nearly didn't give us broadband back and when they did it was with the wrong number....... I could go on but I won't.

War being waged with the Wolf spiders. Urgh. I can cope with spiders, but not en masse and brandishing weapons...

So there you have it.

I will try to visit you all this week.....

Monday's Musings....

2011-09-05T13:23:00.002+01:00

So, here I am a week-plus on from having moved, and am back at work. I've had a couple of days of crippling pain in my right arm/hand from too much cleaning, and am tired and emotional, but other than that it's all gone rather well.

Apart from Lil Miss B "losing" a jumper at school on only her second day. We say "losing" because we think another child took it, but whether by accident or intent we can't say. What we can say is that her art teacher instructed her and the rest of the class to leave their bags and coats outside the classroom for the duration of the lesson, and when she went outside at the end of it, her jumper had gone. As you can imagine, impressed we are not. Should it not turn up, the school will be requested to provide a replacement. And lockers. Irate Mum on the way....

Today, I am

• listening - to the sound of my work colleagues making zillions of calls.
• eating – leftover pasta for lunch - yum!

• drinking - Apple and blackcurrant squash, with a coffee chaser
• wearing - winter clothes - jumper, corduroy skirt, knee high brown boots!
• feeling - emotional and tired, it's been a hard 10 days.
• wanting - another week of holiday to get over last week, and maybe actually get the house square.
• needing - ditto above...
• thinking - that my lunchbreak must be nearly over and isn't it hometime yet??????
• enjoying - living in a village where we've been made so very, very welcome.
• wondering - if LLJ will forgive me for not having replied to her text on Friday!
• and the weather - is changeable with occasional scattered showers.

Hmmm, must do that more often!

WOYWW 117 - Oh DUDE - THERE's my craftroom!

2011-08-30T12:14:00.002+01:00

Well we're in. Just about. Shoe-horned into a bigger house with no garage and almost no loft. You can imagine it, can't you?

If you can't, here's a couple of pics to help!

My new craft room:

Rose Cottage:

The kitchen-diner:

The bee-you-tiful garden...

The master bedroom - more boxes!

Star of the Week award goes to familly LLJ, who were just amazing with their help and moral support on the box lugging front. We have a lot of boxes. As you can see.

The mad rambling above, for those not in the know, is part of an international blog hop known as WOYWW - for all the deets head here.

Now, I'm not actually going to be blog-hopping much this week. Maybe not even next. I might not appear next week either.

This is on account of the fact that Dipstick of the Year award goes to BT, who having been told by the previous residents of this gorgeous abode that they were moving out as of the 26th Aug, decided not to disconnect their phoneline until today (which is why I'm a day early posting, in case I lose all telephone and internet access) and are choosing not to reconnect us until the 8th September!!!! WTF is that all about????? Surely some geek just has to unplug one wire and connect it somewhere else? Or tap in a passcode? In the meantime, BT lose 8 days of money from us, cos our old line is no longer in use. STOOPID!

So, until we meet again, sayonara. Or perhaps Au Revoir is more accurate.

Edited to add - here I am at 11pm and we still have internet. Go figure.....

Too funny...

2011-08-25T14:00:00.001+01:00

You should go and check out what Simon has been up to on Penni's blog. He's got some rubbish candy (except it's not) up for grabs.

I'm glad Mr B knows better than to have a tidy up, per se, but who knows whether or not he might blog on my behalf in future!!!

WOYWW 116 - DUDE! Where's my Craft Room????

2011-08-24T06:00:00.003+01:00

Well, it's happened.

THESE were the photos I took yesterday morning, meaning to use them for today's WOYWW. Before you say it, I know the calendar still says April.

However, when I got in from work last night, THIS was what greeted me.

The boxing fairy has been at work in my absence. Yes, he does also do the ironing, and cooks, and no you can't have him.

I was half expecting it, having been warned that the room was being moved around to accommodate the contents of the attic (which haven't yet made it downstairs) but even so! And as you can see, my desk has boxes on it. Again.

For anyone new to the phenomenon that is WOYWW - visit Julia and find out more! Be prepared for a delve into the murky world of the crafter's desk......

Oh, and as promised - the other baby Alpaca, the newest one. The middle Alpaca of the three is the oldest baby born this year, and the one on the left is the littlest one's Mum....

Next week - new house! Can't promise I'll get round any desks - the broadband isn't being connected until the 8th September!! ULP!!!!

Edited to add - RosA has asked what's in my drawer units, so I've replied to her with the following.... "The plastic drawer units house my everything! About 13 of them hold my rubber stamps, categorised. Then the others hold all sorts - Card blanks and envelopes/inserts, one drawer for adhesives, one each for dye and pigment ink, colouring mediums, theres a drawer for my sizzix dies, one for my stencils & templates, 3 or 4 are sheets of card, in colour groups, theres 3D decoupage, one for peeloffs.... you get the general idea!"

Darling Boxing Fairy (aka Mr B) has cling wrapped all 60 drawers so that they don't need to be boxed up - just lifted out of their units, the units put on the van, and the drawers transported separately.....

Mind yer plums....!

2011-08-19T13:26:00.000+01:00

We have a veritable fruit mountain at the moment. The plum tree, which last year poked its proverbial tongue out at us and said "shan't" has been prolific, as has the Bramley apple next to it. And when I say prolific, I mean.....

OMFG, HOW MANY????

You know, along the lines of carrying a 3kg bag of each variety of fruit into work each day and begging people to help themselves.

I probably wouldn't bother so much, except we move out in a week and

a) I hate to see good food go to waste

b) I don't have time to make jam/cakes/crumbles/apple pies/bottle plums.....

c) My freezer is already full of apple..... from last year!!!

d) I'll be darned before I let the lettings agency get their hands on all that free food! We've put enough love and effort into the garden and the trees, we ought to reap the benefit or at least pass it on to friends who deserve it....

Plum, anyone?

WOYWW 115 - the one with the plastic box

2011-08-17T06:00:00.002+01:00

Well, I was full of the intention of waxing lyrical last night on the subject of my weekend, and the ravening hoards who descended upon my tent/campsite, but I couldn't have put it any more eloquently than the fabulous Mrs Dunnit. Except perhaps maybe to mention the plum stone spitting contest (brief, but amazing) whereby I nearly choked with Julia telling me not to ... um... choke.... and to mention the glowstick-frisbee, with Master LLJ going arse over tit more than once.... No, Julia told it like it was and it was like she tells it!

I decided that a photo of LLJ and the Dunnitster from the back, spitting plum stones, would probably get me the biggest "unfriend" of the year if I posted it on here, so have elected not to do so. Call me prudent if you like. I am taking bribes though. Preferably Nestie shaped ones.

I can show a manly photo of us being waited on though!

Or perhaps not. No, instead, I'd better get back to the point of the post which is....drum roll please..... WOYWW 115! Yup, it's that time of the week again when we get to blop about the world and snoop and loiter at other folks' desks.

Mine however, will just get me a load of swift bypasses.

Yep, the great packup has begun. The RUB (Really Useful Box TM ) on my desk is actually box number 4 - the other three all being cardboard, but then again the items on my desk deserve the best. Copics, ya know? Tools. Stuff. Basically all my desk things. I figured if it was a clear box, I would be able to identify it quickly, and it would stay separate to the other thousand labelled "craft". LOL.

Stay tuned for another installment of "Dude, where's my craft room....?"

PS, Sad news, we believe the baby alpaca died - there was more wrong with it than appeared at first - the wonky legs were down to a problem with its pelvis, and Mum refused to feed it. Another baby has appeared now, and Mr B has been tasked with getting a photo today....

WOYWW 114 - the one with not a lot of change to it....

2011-08-10T06:27:00.000+01:00

Well, here we are again, off on the wonderous blog hop that is WOYWW, and my desk doesn't look like I've touched it.

That'll be because I haven't. ROFL

Though it's turned out somewhat fortuitous, as a couple of belated birthday presents arrived this week for Lil Miss B, and she elected to make thank you cards (my god, I've spawned a creative monster, none of my stash is safe....) and as a result my desk looks like this....

Here's the second of the two cards she made.....

Complete with not-quite-straight lines and dodgy peeloffs. Mostly her own work with very little creative input from yours truly.

May I please state for the record that we haven't been idle - our hallway does now resemble a warehouse....

Now, the keen eyed and observant folk amongst you will recall that last week I made mutterances towards the general direction of a video tutorial for the shiplap timber wood effect thingummy wotsit.

Well, up there towards the top of my blog you will see a new tab that says "tutorials". Look ye hence, and ye will find my tute. Yup. There it is, in all its slightly flickering, poorly lit glory. I, being my own worst critic, hate it. However, in self defence I will say that I did it completely off the cuff, in one take, and it's the first take. It was a "now or never" moment, as I was in the middle of making Mum's card... It had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with me wanting to trying out the video camera on my new iPhone 4, no siree...... *attempts to whistle nonchalantly*

So there you have it. Morti madness at its best.

Lastly, I'd like to share with you a photo of our newest neighbour. Taken yesterday afternoon, when the wee mite was less than an hour old....

We do have video of it failing epically to walk in a straight line - its back legs seem a little too long for it at the mo, and it has been moved to the nursery pen because it wouldn't feed straight away, but oh, how cute!

Catch you all on the hop.....!

WOYWW 113 - I'm ba-ack!

2011-08-03T05:59:00.005+01:00

Did ya miss me? No? Good for you!

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes and comments. We're not yet at the bottom of the problem - one Dr thinks it's IBS, another thinks its something else, I've tried cutting wheat out with a small modicum of success but with not entirely perfect results so we have to try and find out what else is causing the problems. Next appointment, 17th August. Fab.

I've been AWOL for a couple of reasons, not least of which was a trip to Cornwall. I think I might join in the beach brigade (just because I've been absent doesn't mean I've not been blopping, y'know!) and add an indulgent beach shot here....

That's Mr B and Lil Miss B in the boat!

My desk this week looks like this. All you lot with your ATGs? Nah - THIS is what I call a tape gun! Yup - house move is happening in three weeks, so the desk is gradually going to look barer and barer.... ulp.....

The good news is that despite being poorly, I managed to get Mum's card made, and here it is in all its glory. She loved it, I loved making it and it was a great learning curve. I have actually made a tutorial video for how to do the planking on plain card, though I'm not sure anyone would be interested enough to watch it! I've yet to upload it as I'm on another learning curve with my video editing software, so watch this space.... Mum's birthday bash went really well and she made the most fantastic birthday cake - her best yet! Mind you, with 60-something years of baking practice under her belt, she ought to be doing something right by now... LOL

Lastly for this week, but not least, was the fact that it was Lil Miss B's last day at primary school on the 21st July. Lucky her, Dad managed to get out of school early (thank you Mrs Harvey) and arrived just in time to hear her flute solo in the leavers' assembly. Then, at the end of the school day, members of the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment drummed and marched the year 6 children, and those that have been posted to other parts of the county, out of school. We were very proud...

Well that's it for now. I've got lots more news, info, craft stuff etc to post about but it's late on Tuesday, I've packed a load of boxes, and now my shower calls. In the meantime, if you're new to this WOYWW lark, head over to Dunnit Dimensions where all will be revealed by our tour guide and general meeting point, Julia!

Just an experiment, don't mind me....

2011-07-14T12:14:00.000+01:00

I've been having trouble uploading images to Pinterest so I'm trying it this way.... don't mind me, eh?

WOYWW 110 - the almost didn't happen one...

2011-07-13T15:02:00.002+01:00

Well, hello. I'm a bit late to this week's party, but I have a letter for Miss from my mum saying it's alright that I'm late.

See, I was wondering, at 10pm on Monday, whether or not I'd have desk to show this week. Or rather, what exactly my desk would be. The thought, at that time, that was running through my head was one of a certain blog challenge called The Month in Numbers. And, ironically enough, as I was laying on my back on the hospital trolley looking up at the light I thought, well, 4 is the number of paramedics/first responders who attended the call, and 5 is the number of screws in the lamp above my trolley. I knew at that point I was probably ok..... LOL

To put it into a nutshell, I've been having tummy troubles for a while, but it's never happened at work - 15 mins from the end of the day on Monday I had chronic belly ache and so my colleagues had me shipped off in a meat wagon. They let me out again that night, with no defined clue as to the problem but they're now going to treat me for IBS and see if that works. Currently, I feel like I spent two days having Mike Tyson rearrange my insides, I have a Dr's appt for tonight, and am off work because I can't stay in any one position for too long. So I'll keep it fairly brief!

My desk this week is not quite, but pretty much, as I left it.

The tan box with doors (can you tell what it is yet?) on my work mat is part of Mum's birthday card that I'm building. I'm trying to drum up the energy to finish it because I need it for Friday. It shouldn't take me too long - I've done the really hard part, the cutting out. Now I just have to colour the remaining card and glue the whole lot together. Oh, and make the box for it to go in.

Just beyond the current project, to the left of that little blue punch and in front of Hel's tag (still in place of honour for I-am-not-worthy worship) is Mr B's current project - he's making double slider cards (oh yes, graduated from 3D decoupage we have, into paper engineering) for his leavers, which will hang from helium filled balloons. They look pretty good. What you see there is the front panel for the card but it's not showing up very well. He's even doing stencilling and heat embossing. Now I know why I hoarded stash all these years.

Ok, my tum is telling me it's time to go and lie down. I wonder what's on Create & Craft today.....?

WOYWW 109

2011-07-06T05:30:00.001+01:00

Welcome, welcome, to the weekly wonder that is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday! Please visit Queen Julia of Snoopdom's blog, The Stamping Ground, for the S.P. on what I'm going on about!

Now, for anyone watching last week, you'd have seen that LL Jan stepped in for Julia - and it turned out to be a most fortuitous occasion. A couple of you have been to my blog since and spotted my more recent post, but for those that didn't and are interested, visit my post "A funny thing happened on the way to the netball" . Absolutely incredible! (Hi Jan!)

So, what indeed is on my desk this week? Look closely, and you'll see the fabulous tag I won on Hel's blog last week - it's absolutely gorgeous and rather large as you can see! I love the colours, and little does Hels know it, but blue butterflies mean something rather special to me, so I love it twice as much.... Thanks Hels!

Also on my desk are the startings of the card I'm making for Mum's 80th birthday which is in...erm...10 days. Best get my skates on with it this weekend! I even succumbed to a purchase of flower soft, which I'm going to need.... LOL

Now, you see just to the right of my cutting mat? That's it, go on, zoom in... A grid of numbers? I'm sad enough to generate a grid every Wednesday - and I tick off each number as I visit it! Yup, sad like I said. But it stops me double tracking and as I surf from both work (during lunch of course!) and home, the links don't highlight in both places!

Hardanger update - by hoosie this is taking a while! I had foolishly suggested to Lil' Miss B that I would have it finished by the end of June, but guess I was wrong on that count....LOL. At least it is progressing, and noticebly so. That's good, because I have three other WIPS (or UFOs if you prefer - LOL) to get stuck into after this.... sigh

Right-o - off on the hop, catch you out there!!!

A funny thing happened on the way to the netball....

2011-07-02T21:25:00.000+01:00

I had a surreal moment today. You know, one of those chance things...

Today, Mr B took a team from his school to another school in the area (and an hour away from where we live) for a netball tournament at their annual fete. I went along to support, like I always do - I like to see something of my fella at weekends you know. Unusual, but true.

Anyway, I and another mum went for a wander in the direction of the coffee stall, and as I rounded the corner I was greeted with a sight that made me stop and do a double take. At first, I saw some aprons. Then I noticed the doorstops. And lastly, the bunny did it for me.

I wandered up to the stall, and noticed first one sign, then another, and then said to the chap on the stall...

"Lunch Lady Jan?????"

He smiled, and said "ye-es...she's over there, playing the tuba with the brass band."

To cut a long story short ( I went back and got this photo when she returned), if Jan hadn't done WOYWW this week, we would never have known that each other was at the event. As it is, I have a new friend, a phone number, and an invitation to coffee.

Thanks Julia!!!

WOYWW 108 - the brief one...

2011-06-29T05:13:00.002+01:00

Just a quickie from me tonight cos once more I'm tired, Mr B has gone to bed, I need a shower and I don't have a lot to say!! LOL I'm scheduling this to post v. early tomorrow morning as my desk won't change again until tomorrow evening....

So, here you are.... here's my desk complete with the Hardanger, and a new goodie I've not yet got out of the packaging...

Close ups of the hardanger, as promised to Jodpea!

Tonight's glorious sunset - we were out celebrating Mr B Snr's birthday this evening and came home to this:

and of course, I'd made him a card. Guess which team he supports....!!! LOL

Ok - I'm off to hit the shower and bed - my desk will look exactly the same tomorrow! Catch you on the blop!

PS - Thank you all for your kind words about my friend H - she says Hi and says thank you for your support even though she doesn't know you! She's doing well, has just had her fourth op and is scheduled for another next week..... eek!

Another non-word....

2011-06-26T21:32:00.001+01:00

I had another one of those word verification non-words tonight....

Balkies

In the Morti Dictionary, that has got to be when you take a dog for a walk and he doesn't want to go, just tries to sit as you take him for a drag.....

(picture courtesy of Google Images search!)

Tonight is a night to....

2011-06-23T23:12:00.000+01:00

Listen to.... Jamiroquai et al on my "dance to it" iPod selection (go J.LO!)
Drink..... fresh hot coffee
Eat.... beef casserole with fresh tiger bread.
Like.... a new word - "Unhasten". It was actually one of those random word verification non-words, but I like it! I think it's makes a new way of saying chill out.... I'm just going to unhasten, slow down....
Hate... bigoted harpies. Don't get me started.
Be grateful for..... top notch surgeons who are so skilled they save people's legs. Go H!
Wish.... for better weather so I can go and do my best impersonation of a garden-tamer.

WOYWW 107 - the one with yet more Hardanger....

2011-06-22T05:34:00.003+01:00

Greetings all!

Just a quick one for me because it is late on Tuesday evening, and I'm tired.

Not much on my desk this week, just a Hardanger update. We've been rather busy with house issues and then we found out one of Mr B's friends is in hospital with some rather serious leg issues. Like, touch and go between one leg or two legs when she leaves. The good news is that today they did some surgery which they wouldn't have done if the prognosis was bad, so that's made us much happier! We spent Monday evening at the hospital, and I popped in again on my way home tonight with stuff to keep her from being too bored. Get well soon, H!

So, here's the desk.... if you're a newbie to this WOYWW lark go to Desk Dimensions where you can find enlightenment!

It's amazing the results you can achieve by using a flash, eh?

And here's the progress on the Hardanger...

Creeping along slowly, but getting there! It's a bit scary snipping the fabric - I'm not so worried about cutting the wrong bit of cloth, as the green threads, but I seem to manage ok.

Well, last week I managed about 30 of you, and if this week cuts me a bit of slack, I hope to get round more. Catch you on the blop...!!!

For anyone remotely interested.....

2011-06-21T13:30:00.000+01:00

..... Happy Solstice!

Art Journal

2011-06-19T14:55:00.001+01:00

I keep making myself these promises. I'll ring my friends more often. I'll keep more in touch with Mum and other family. I'll do more art. I'll do more scrapbooking. So on, and so forth. At some point or other, I'll remember these promises and actually do something about it. Like pick up the phone. Or fondle some 12 x 12 paper and put it back again thinking not enough time.

But finally, after nearly six months of procrastinating, and saying I will do it, I actually have. I've finally started my art journal. For some reason or other, on Thursday, I felt the need to rant and be creative. Just to, I dunno, yack all over a page. Nice imagery, huh? Just express myself somewhat.

I followed a prompt from the UKStampers forum, where they've been running this art journal week by week (this is prompt #1 and they're now on #24 - eek) and where everyone else involved has studiously and diligently been creating and posting their art every week. Not me. Week 24 and I finally make a start. It might just snowball....

Anyways, here it is:

The prompt was the title Goals, and you were supposed to write about three things you hoped to achieve this year oh the irony and include some handmade background paper and a photo. Well, I did the title, and I made my background paper, used the same image of me as from this blog, but sod the middle bit. This year? How about generally instead? LOL.

OK, paper was made by screwing up a sheet of ordinary cheap copy paper and then running DIs all over it. The crinkles and creases picked the colour up beautifully. I won't be dull by telling you which colours I used - you'd only need to use your own colours to suit your mood. Stamps are a mixture - on the background there's some Cherry Arte, Third Coast, and The Stamp Mill. The front note sheet has stamps by Smeared Ink (the type style, eg the Suck it up phrase). I like it. It's a bit of a tough-love kind of page, and I suppose really the journal is only for me but I'm sure I'll blog plenty. I don't really want praise or criticism as it's an art journey, and a book full of techniques to try, and is also all about expressing myself. If someone picks it up and hates it, well, at least the Journal came with a warning!

Now, today is Father's day, and this morning we woke up (at 8.20am) to find this outside our bedroom door. (please excuse the smalls, they are in fact the Small's smalls!)

Bless. Why she didn't knock and bring the coffee in I don't know, but suffice it to say that we went and nuked it so we could drink it.

Even if it was so strong it took the enamel off our teeth. We love you, Lil' Miss B!

WOYWW 106.....I think...

2011-06-15T05:05:00.002+01:00

As I type this it's Tuesday evening and I'm wondering where in the heck the week went. Aside from into the past, that is. I know what happened to Sunday - I think most of you that live in the UK had the same Sunday as me - cold, wet and miserable. Go on, hands up, who succumbed and put the heating on? I know we did, but then not only did we have a child in the house, but we had washing to dry. Ho hum.

Well, we're here today for another round of WOYWW, and if you're a newbie at it, head over to Dunnit Dimensions to buy your ticket for the blog hop.... metaphorically speaking that is!.

My desk this week is less interesting than last week, if that is at all possible. I have to confess that it's this tidy because it had an attack of the killer kid - Lil' Miss B needed to make a birthday card for her big half-sister, and of course a Fathers' Day card. I have one yet to make, but desperately need some gloss paper to print onto first, and I keep forgetting to seek it out.

I have done a little bit to my hardanger, but I've actually stitched twice as much as you see - having unpicked and restitched the whole of the bottom right hand corner. God bless adding in one too many stitches, and not noticing for ages, eh...? That'll teach me to try and watch a film at the same time!

Now, remember back at the start I mentioned last Sunday being wet? Well, as I was housebound for the day, I managed to accomplish something that has been waiting about 7 years to happen. Back along in '01, when I got married, my then 70 yr old mother made all the bridesmaids' dresses, and my wedding dress. Oh, and the cake. Ah yes, she also did some of the bridesmaids' flowers. And head-dresses..... Anyway, the point is that she made herself very busy for 7 months, and the dresses in question had a LOT of beadwork on them. The wedding over and done with, she found herself at a loss for what to do. In effect, she was bored (!), so she found herself something to keep her brain and fingers occupied, and took up cross-stitch. She'd done a little bit here and there, the occasional card, but had left the big projects to my sister and I, up till that point. Well, she found a book with five small patterns in, and leapt right in. No small measures for her, no siree! Mum took those five designs and made them into one big one, adding in-fill around them to tie them together.

Upshot was the picture below.

I can't quite recall how long it took Mum to do it, about a year I think, and then she handed it over. The house we were in at the time was an ex-showhome, and came complete with some awful botanical prints in very expensive frames and mounts, so Mum had deliberately made her work to fit one of them. I've trawled around the country (and indeed continent) transporting said frame and the finished needlework from house to house ever since.

So what was so great about Sunday? I finally framed the piece......... better late than never Ma!

Catch you all on the hop!

Chucklesome...

2011-06-14T13:10:00.000+01:00

First up, it's always bothered me a bit about posting to my blog with the lack of a photo. Sometimes I kinda figure that no picture can make for a dull post, so I'm now working on the theory that short and sweet will make up for it.

Anyhoo.....

I was having a bit of a blurf this lunchtime and stuck my nose into Susan Raihala's blog, "Questioning my Intelligence". Said blog is full of non-photo posts, and has some goodly words in it. She has this fab link to something rather funny, and I thought I'd spread the word here.

So, head over to Lowering The Bar where we learn just how MI6 is helping to fight terrorism. Laugh? I nearly baked....

Deb Mitchell's Emerald Fairies and Blog Candy

2011-06-09T16:20:00.002+01:00

I don't often wax lyrical on the subject of other people's blog candy, and designs I love, but I had to share this blog with you!

Deb Mitchell has some gorgeous images, so look here at her blog (as her cards for other challenges are gorgeous too) and here for her shop!

WOYWW 105 - The PIFs!

2011-06-08T05:51:00.001+01:00

There - we're now into year three and isn't it fabulous?

I had high hopes last week. I promised myself I was going to make it round to ALL the desks. *hangs head in shame* I suppose I can't really beat myself up over only making it round to 60 though - the great demon known as Summahcold brought me down in a Herculean tackle on Friday night, wiping me out for two whole days. So much so, in fact, that whilst Mr B pottered around in the garden Saturday afternoon wearing nowt but his shorts and a smile, I was spread out on a picnic rug dozing in the sun, dressed in combats and a thick fleece.... oh, the joy of being warm for five minutes....

Well, we're really here for another round of WOYWW, and have I got a picture laden post for you! Firstly, if you're new to this, WOYWW is the brainchild of Madame Julia Dunnit, Desk Diva Extraordinaire. To find out more, head HERE to have all revealed. Quite literally in fact - last week Julia stripped her desk right back to a blank canvas.... LOL.

OK, first up, my desk this week is a bit dull. I had a tidy up! Yup! So I've given you two shots - one to prove there's some daylight (taken at 8.55pm Tuesday night) and then....

....one taken with the light on because the quality of the picture is so much better!

Aside from the usual, on my desk you can see a fab Joan Elliott cross-stitch magbook which Mr B bought me for my birthday. Joan's designs are just gorgeous but I don't know when I'll get time to stitch them! I just like admiring her work...

...and as I promised a progress report on the hardanger this week, here it is. Sadly it also fell victim to the fallout from Summahcold so I didn't get as far with it as I would have liked.

Lurking there at the back of my desk, on my WOYWW easel, is my WOYWW 104 PIF from Shaz in Oz. I couldn't believe it when it arrived today - 5 days only! Two of those were weekend days too! Astounding. I've known first class in the UK take longer.... And what did I get? A beautiful stamped card and a stamped tag. The tag is gorgeous - I think Shaz has coated her work with holographic EP and though you can't see it in the photo, the whole thing shimmers beautifully. I love scenic stamping (remember a certain CJ, anyone? LOL) and this design is great! All in my fave colours too! The bit that says WOYWW is on the back.... this one is getting pride of place in my collection. The card that came too is equally lovely - with a great poem inside it, penned by Shaz herself...

WTG Shaz! Fantastic - I LURVE it!

Ok, so what of my own PIF sent to Kay? Well I finally heard today that it's arrived safe and sound - I kind of knew it had got somewhere because I sent it by Recorded Delivery, but it's always nice to have proper confirmation that it's arrived, its ok, and the recipient liked it. Poor Kay has had pooter problems - internet linked - and that's why I'd not heard sooner!

So, what did I do? Well, Julia said do something with WOYWW on it somewhere, so I just thought, hey, I'll actually do WOYWW.....!

I have to confess that occasionally I have these ideas that sound good in my head, and then about a third of the way through I wonder what on earth possessed me. This was one such occasion - however, the finished result just makes me want to make more.

So, how did I do it? We've all seen the slightly bland papier mache letters in places like Hobbycraft and The Range (and I daresay Michaels has them too) - well, I wanted to do something with those, but couldn't get hold of an interesting shaped letter. Enter Aunty Google who led me Here where I found a tutorial on making one's own papier mache letters. I might make my own tutorial up - which will include things like DON'T pick too ornate a font when your letters are only three inches high, DON'T use texture paste if you want to sand them perfectly smooth..... I could go on. Anyway, I did it, I enjoyed it, and Kay likes 'em. Nuff said!

Oh, Ok, a bit more info then!

I thought I do them so they reflect me, and past things I've done.... so the first W is done in the style of my Bad Peg (can't find the link for the mo, but it's on here somewhere!). I would have put pins in the top, but wasn't sure they'd hold well.

The butterfly is very me - a personal story there for another time, but suffice to say that they are hugely important to me. I also saw the stamped tissue technique in Craft Stamper a couple of weeks ago and thought this was a good time to try it!

I quite like distress techniques, but did this in a very very simple way. Plus, blue is my fave colour and lifts the rest of the letters....

Somewhere on my blog there is also a post about a piece I did for an art raffle. I made something wooden look like it was stone, and here the texture paste helped me! I thought I do this one to be reminiscent of the art raffle piece - I love this particular letter.....

Lastly, something just a teensy bit steampunk. I love taking chipboard and using UTEE to make something very metallic looking. Not too sure how the gold leaf crept in on the top right of the letter, but I'll go with it! Yep, they're real watch parts.... I liked the date ring, thought it was appropriate for what WOYWW is about....

And there you have it!

Catch you on the hop!

WOYWW 104 - the second Anniversary one!

2011-06-01T00:06:00.001+01:00

Wooohooo! We're here! It's the great WOYWW 104 (second anniversary to everyone else) PIF day!

For those who are completely new to this, we have the privilege to be part of a NATIONAL treasure. Yup. It's getting that way anyway! For all the info - go to Dunnit Dimensions where all will be revealed on a Wednesday. Well, not quite all. Mrs Dunnit does not strip. Just lays bare her desk. Or not as the case may be.

Anyway, I digress.

Not my usual standard of shot this week, it being a slightly wavery, out of focus aerial shot, but here you are. This is what my desk looks like today (cos it's now Wednesday and I can post this without scheduling! Yay!).

What you are looking at is the aftermath of the PIF marathon that was this evening. Being away at an event this weekend just gone, meant I didn't get my PIF finished and I've had to do it Tuesday night. But, t'is finished, and I've even made a start on another project. Speaking of which, no pic of the Hardanger this week, but next week should see a great inroad made on it....

So, who is following me on Mr Linky, and who gets my PIF then...... and indeed, WHAT is it???? Hehehehehe - all will be revealed when the lucky recipient (I love what I've done, and I'm going to have to do another set! LOL) gets their PIF.... Can't wait to see what I get!!!

Edited at 1pm, on Weds, to add: I'd just like to add at this point that when I typed this up at midnight last night, I had NO idea what Mrs D was up to - so it's quite a shock to realise that when I suggested up above here that she lays bare her desk, I wasn't intending to predict her photo this week! LOL!

Sometimes it really IS the small things....

2011-05-26T23:08:00.000+01:00

Ok, so a few of you noticed it was a certain....um....day today. And I thank all you wonderful folks who left fab messages for me around the ether on forums and facebook and the like. .

Yup. Another year has sauntered past and pee'd on the proverbial fire that is my youth. LOL.

Well, Mr B outdid himself on the present front this year. Notable examples include an entire VILLAGE of Lilliput Lane that he managed to acquire (long story), a fabulous moon-gazing hare made of teak, a smoking dragon, tub of gesso, Hotel Chocolat chocolates..... I could go on.

But as my title tonight suggests, sometimes it really is the smallest things that mean a lot. One of the first presents I opened this morning was this little fella....

Cute, eh?

Not just cute, but practical - press his tummy, and his feet light up!

Now this gift matters hugely in two ways. Mr B really does listen - I had a small torch affair on my keyring that was starting to die on me - it wouldn't stay lit etc. So being switched on (snigger.... I punned unintentionally then) he has bought me a replacement.

Equally though, he knows my love of this blog which I take EVERY opportunity to promote (cue multiple retelling of how-I-got-the-torch-tale at work today) and have mentioned previously on here. Go look. He's on day 297. He's nearly done for a second year, and you HAVE to go see all the pics.

Hmmm. Now I just need a name for Lego-guy.......

WOYWW 103 - the one without the desk

2011-05-25T05:41:00.000+01:00

Another week has swung by, and now we only have one more week before the great WOYWW PIF. Yay! And as I expect a few desks will be this week - sorry, mine's a no-show because it has PIF-in-progress upon it. First up though, an apology to all who visited me and to all those I didn't get round to. I've had problems at work AND at home with logging into Blogger - I've been able to leave comments on a couple of blogs, but half the time it just wanted to call me "Anonymous". Charming! I hate anonymous comments on my blog, so I won't leave them myself. I like folks to know who I am!

Anyway, for the uninitiated, WOYWW can be found here, the brainchild of the delightful and daring Mrs Dunnit. Our one and only Maitre d'esk. Hehehehehe

Well, as I can't show you my actual desk, I'll bring you up to date with a couple of WIPs instead. First up is George the Mouse. Remember the dodgy looking mask from a couple of weeks ago? Well, not so much mask as hat. Well, here is how he looks currently. This week he'll have a coat or two of paint, and then be ready for his first performance on Saturday. and if you think he's cute, you should see the dragon that goes with him!

Also, here's the latest on my hardanger piece. As you can see, it's progressing slowly, but progressing it is. I figured this time I would work all the kloster blocks on the remaining three sections before cutting and doing the woven and wrapped bars. Gobbledegook to a lot of you, I know, but someone out there knows what I mean!

Lastly, I just want to share a couple of pics from the garden - I finally managed to get a pic of Mr Woodpecker on the birdfeeder outside the kitchen window! In fact, I got several but figured this one was sweet, with him eyeing up the peanuts there just to the left....

....before taking a leap and grabbing a nut before flying off again:

He's also been slaking his thirst in the water bowl - a sure sign that his usual haunts for water are drying up in this drought...

Also visiting us are several greenfinches - this evening (Tuesday as I type this) we spotted them on the feeder in the late evening sunshine, and the sun just made the green feathers sing out. Bless 'em!

I'm off - catch you on the hop! I'm off to see which desks will allow me to comment this week!

It's all about me....?

2011-05-19T09:50:00.001+01:00

Well, this is the hot new topic on the block....er... I mean blog. Jumbleberries, Deanne at Quirky Boots, and Julia at Stamping Ground have posted this fun list this week so we can all get to know them just a little bit better.

I figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

A. Age: 38 (but next birthday at the end of the month - just like Jumbleberries!).
B. Bed size: double - used to have a Superkingsize (so Queen is no longer the name, huh?), but hated it. Go figure
C. Chore that you hate: cleaning the toilet. Yack.
D. Dogs: None right at this moment, but at the end of July my ex is handing back my fur babies. Yay.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee. Preferably in multiples (though in a mug is better).
F. Favorite color: purple - in any shade.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'6"
I. Instruments you play: Um. This is where it gets embarrassing. Piano, flute, recorder (soprano, treble, & tenor), used to play clarinet, learning to play the lap harp and desperately want a hammered dulcimer.....
J. Job title: Accounts Assistant and HR Administrator. Or perhaps better would be general dogsbody! I'm the Go-To girl, it would seem!
K. Kids: one - fabby step-daughter aged 10
L. Live: Currently in Corton, Wiltshire
M. Mother's name: Constance
N. Nicknames: Morti, Nant, Tish.
O. Overnight hospital stays: a week for a tonsilectomy aged 4, then three weeks for something else when I was 19....
P. Pet peeve: being interrupted
Q. Quote from a movie: "Wormsign? We have wormsign the likes of which GOD has never seen!"
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: two, one of each
T. Time you wake up: on a working day, around 6.00am
U. Underwear: Unmentionable!
V. Vegetable you hate: it depends. What won't I eat? I'll force most things into me but avocado is a no-no unless in guacamole.
W. What makes you run late: That ten year old I mentioned before. And surfing the net.
X. X-Rays you've had: Dental, left wrist when I broke it, and many many spinal ones.
Y. Yummy food that you make: From the noises of appreciation tonight, I turn out an awesome omelette, apparently.
Z. Zoo animal: White tiger.

Go on, have a go!

WOYWW 102 - The shot taken in daylight....

2011-05-18T05:41:00.000+01:00

Mrs D of The Great WOYWW Wander asked me last week if I ever craft in daylight. The answer is, not during the winter no (except at weekends) and usually what happens in summer is I end up taking my WOYWW photo in the dead of night.

So here, for the purposes of proving that I'm not a shade or a vampire, is my desk in daylight.

If you enlarge the picture you will see that the quality is rather dire - for some reason my camera doesn't like taking shots in half light, but if I'd taken a photo with flash it would have rather negated the point, eh? Equally, you can see why I don't tend to craft in daylight - the light is awful in here.

So what's on my desk? The usual, not a lot. I took this last night, just before I did my entry for the Tri-Colour Challenge over on UK STampers (see previous dated post). I failed to cover my PIF up properly, so I've had to employ Mr Photoshop to hide a bit. ROFL.

I then put the light on so I could get a reasonable shot of my UFO - the Hardanger piece I referred to in last week's WOYWW. As you can see, I have actually done something to it.

No Julia, there are in fact several crafts I DON'T do. LOL - Crochet for one; you have my utmost admiration for that. (Never could get the tension right, which meant I was pretty good at crocheting triangles but not squares LOL). Basket weaving for another (though I'm tempted for practical reasons!). Crewelwok leaves me cold. I could go on.

I managed to get round a fair few desks last week, before my Blogger at work started playing up. I keep getting "your cookies are not enabled" messages, but although I've done everything they've said, I still can't get Blogger to work. Thus, I am Blogger-less at lunchtime, which puts a SERIOUS dent in my WOYWW browsing.

I'm getting a helluva good score on Zuma Blitz though....

Catch you on the hop!

UK Stampers Tri-Colour challenge

2011-05-17T22:32:00.000+01:00

Over on UK Stampers we've got a little competition which has been sponsored by The Craft Room. I figured I'd join in, especially as I saw the above swatch (the three colours we have to use) and knew exactly what I wanted to do. The colours themselves said "clean and simple", so that's what I've stuck to.

I've used Cat's Eye chalk inks in Azurite, Ice Jade and Lime Pastel, plus a brown watercolour pencil for the tree trunks. I've used torn or cut paper to make stencils and masks, and just sponged the inks over the card. Lastly, the greeting has been stamped using one of Papermania's Clare Curd Collection stamps.

That's it, nice and simple!

Design Team Call.....

2011-05-15T22:08:00.002+01:00

There's a new Challenge Blog on the block, and for once I've been alert enough to pick up on it at its beginning stages. The blog is for the online shop, The Craft Room, and they've put a call out for a Design Team, which I've thought that I might actually try my hand at for a change. I've been a guest designer for Sketch Saturday in the past and loved it, so why not, eh?

Trouble is, they've asked us to pick three projects we're proud of that best showcase our style of crafting. Being a Gemini, this is extremely difficult for me, and I've had to discard at least three projects! Two of them were three dimensional - my altered "sculpture" and my punky peg. I've abandoned them because whilst I love them, I get the feeling that cards might be more de-rigeur...

They'd also like us to tell them why we'd be good for their team. Now many of you out there are probably wondering why I'm going for it, as I don't appear to do much crafting - well, I do quite a lot actually, I just don't tend to shout about it! Till now.... LOL

Well, why would I be good? I'm different, that's for sure! I like some of the cute cards that are out there, but I am very much my own style whilst using elements of what's available. I can do cute, or grungy, but I'm aware that everyone has a budget and I can work my new stash with my old quite easily. I'll also put a different spin on a style and be the oddball in the pack that does something a little left-field from time to time (like the punky peg). Speaking of punky peg, I don't go into a flap if asked to work outside the box, and do something 3D for a change. Madame Versatile, c'est moi.... Definitely not same old same old.

So, onto my fave pieces. And what a pain to only be able to pick three!

I love this card. It's so "me" - with my love of medieval.... It was worked from a sketch.

This next card I loved as well. Funnily enough, I gave it as a wedding card, would you believe? The couple in question had a quiet civil ceremony followed by a loud and rumbunctious handfasting. The blue card is made using the same ink I used for all the stamping, to ensure it co-ordinated. So, three stamps, one colour? That's me....

Lastly, and an absolute fave of mine, is the most recent piece I did for a circle journal. The idea was to use the stamp sent around with it, which was two in this case - the opened and closed doors. I just LOVE masking and getting the most out of my stamps, and the quote I used appealed to my sense of quirky. Colouring was all done with Copics....

I'd love to be involved with a DT because it will push me to think beyond my current abilities, to bring something new and fresh to my own table and therefore to others. I've been encouraged this way by my involvement with UK Stampers, and being on a The Craft Room's DT will take it a step further I hope. And if I'm not what they're looking for, then I wish the other entrants the very best of luck!

WOYWW # 101 - the aerial shot

2011-05-11T06:02:00.000+01:00

Hehehehe

Welcome to WOYWW 101 (that's number 101, not the Americanism on all things to do with WOYWW). For those new to this malarkey, please visit our desk diva extraordinaire JULIA for more info etc....

I managed to get around about a third of last week's desks, and a fab selection they are too.

So, what's on my desk this week?

Well, I thought I'd ring the changes, ape our glorious Mrs Dunnit, and show you the bird's eye view of my space. The delicately shrouded object in the right hand side of the desk is my PIF for WOYWW 104, but of course, we can't be showing that yet, can we?

On my desk, not a lot. Just a piece of Hardanger work that is in grave need of finishing. Wouldn't be so bad except I started it three years ago and have only got one quarter done. Definitely high on my list of UFOs that need completing!

Ok, onwards and upwards - to the workdesks and beyond...........!

On the dangers of archery.......

2011-05-10T23:01:00.000+01:00

One of the little known (well, to non-archers) but common problems with archery is that of the breaking bow.

No particularly common with the fibreglass, take-down composites or compound bows, it is - unfortunately - an all too common occurrence with wooden bows, and especially longbows.

Witness below - what happens when a wooden bow breaks at full draw (that is, the string pulled all the way back).

In nearly 20 years of shooting, I've only ever witnessed this event four times. And each of those four times the archer has stepped away from the broken bow with no injuries at all.

We thank all the Gods (and Goddesses) that she still has two eyes.

WOYWW #100 - 'owzat!

2011-05-04T05:36:00.004+01:00

Tenuous link there to cricket..... LOL..... not that this post has anything to do with cricket other than the pronouncement this week that Mr B hates teaching cricket, and Lil Miss B hates playing cricket, so it's a jolly good job that Mr B had someone else come in to school to teach it this week, and the coach that Lil Miss B was supposed to have failed to turn up!

Anyway, I digress!

WOYWW this week is the great 100! Only three more weeks, and then we hit 104 which means we have the PIF-fest. And for that reason alone, I cannae show ye much of what has been on my desk. Only a tantalizing glimpse of a bone folder and a tub of texture paste..... hehehehehe.

Other items that have been on the family craft desk (aka the kitchen table) include Lil Miss B's attempt at a lizard, and Mr B's progress on the mouse mask. Go with it, it's a naff photo. We're getting there, he only has 4 weeks left to get them all finished so methinks this weekend is going to be more Mache Madness, but it's all good clean fun! If a little sticky...

Lastly, I thought I'd share with you some of the visitors to our garden of late. Amazing though it may seem, these guys really have joined us!

Now, I'm not sure quite what was going through this little guy's mind as he was here, but we did learn (in our investigations to ensure he was a moorhen not a coot) that this chap can climb trees for roosting purposes. So that might explain why he was a few hundred yards from the nearest river, but trying to get in the pond. Hmm, or perhaps not.

Now, partridge are a particularly dumb bird, but these two were either brave or stupid wandering into a garden where there are a couple of longbows. Fear not - I managed to prevent Mr B from loosing an arrow or two in their direction. Luckily we don't have an air rifle!

Lastly, and if I do say so myself - most impressive of the lot, was the arrival (and regular repeat visits now) of the woodpecker (Lesser Spotted no less!). He now comes to the feeder right by the house, but I've yet to manage to snap him in front of the kitchen window. Just goes to show that all that headbanging finally put a touch of sense into him and now he goes for the fast food.....LOL

Catch you on the 'hop.......

We have a winner

2011-05-01T15:37:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm a little late in posting this (tch, family life y'know?) but the winner is......

drumroll please........

Number 18 who is Lou Dot Mac.

Lou..... c'mon down!

Thank you everyone for taking part - you are all stars!

Blog Candy!

2011-04-28T20:04:00.000+01:00

Woohooooo!!!!

Five years of blogging. OK, so I'll admit it, I ought to be way up on the 1800 posts mark, so I've been more quiet than I ought, but I hope what I HAVE put up has been of reasonable quality and vaguely read-worthy....

So, in honour of this fantastic occasion, here, for your delight and delectation is some candy. A bit of an eclectic mix, but I figured there was something for everyone in amongst this lot!

So, in order to win it you need to do the following....

1) Become a follower of my blog.

2) Add your name to Inlinkz below

3) Leave a comment!

4) Link back to this candy on your blog.

I will be checking...... LOL

This post will stay at the top of my blog for a whole month, to the 28th April, and I will pick a winner using the random number generator that day.

Good luck!

WOYWW 99 - the post-Easter one...

2011-04-27T23:09:00.001+01:00

Whoops - what happened to last week? Well, ok, I was a bit mojo-less, and we were out having fun. I've been a busy bunny too, which meant that I couldn't do my desk here until late tonight as there were bits on it that I couldn't show off..... teee heee....

However, I'm here now, with a slightly cleared desk and a few other choice pics from my week off.

So, why am I banging on about my desk? For those newcomers to my blog, and those that may have come by a different route, WOYWW is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, a strange yet delightful phenomenon started by our Darling Mrs Dunnit HERE. Oh Ok, it was really started a lot further back than that, but that's this week's!

We managed to get the piano moved out of Lil Miss B's room where it's been for a few weeks since we moved her out her bedroom into the single with her nice new cabin bed. And then she opted to have a piano practice for the first time in weeks. Tch.

Here at Morti Mansions, the ol' papier mache has been making an appearance with Mr B making headdresses and masks for his Jester stories at Wolfshead. The items you see below are apparently going to become three dragons and a mouse.. I've also been indulging in some paper and paste play, but I can't show you just yet. You'll have to wait at least...ooh...5 weeks? Fnar fnar.

Other things going on here include our weekend at Corfe - amazing crowds and some fabulous - and not so fabulous, but mostly fabulous - weather. You can see Lil Miss B there in the first picture, sitting on the grass dressed in blue.

Also on the agenda this past week we squeezed in a visit to Caen Hill where Lil Miss B got her first go at opening a lock gate (for that matter, so did I!) .....

And we paid a visit to Monkey World in Dorset....

.... though I'm not so sure that one of the residents didn't sneak a ride home with us....

All in all, a fab Easter.

Ok, I'm off on the hop - don't forget to check out my BLOG CANDY which I will be drawing on Friday!

WOYWW 97 - the dangerous one...

2011-04-13T07:07:00.000+01:00

Ok, talk about a title and a half. Now, for people who have come here by accident, WOYWW is something set up by Delectable Desk Detective Dunnit, and you can find out more here.

Moving on from last week's kitchen table, Mr B suggested that I really should call this "WOYFW" as in What's On Your Floor Wednesday. No, it's not THAT anacronym, Doone..... See below.

We've moved off the table and onto the floor, and what you see lined up before you is the final stages of the marathon painting session. There are more lurking around the corner in the cloakroom! I would like to thank Mr B and even Lil Miss B for their assistance - without them this would have been an epic fail. Grateful thanks indeed go to Mr B who has varnished all these today while I've been at work. Twice. That's not to say I've done nothing. Someone had to cut the stencil and mark up all the boards, and paint. The two B's just helped, one much more than the other. Lil Miss B even put her hand to sanding. Nuff said.

Normal service will resume next week. There's an art journal just crying out for me to take part - except I'm 15 weeks behind and have some SERIOUS catching up to do.

And go on, you know you want to join in the candy - there's only 16 entrants so far and whilst I know it's not the greatest selection, there is a recession on you know. I'm not sure how people can afford to offer such great candy. *sigh* Still, you might be in with a chance of winning this one if not many take part. LOL. So if you want to join in, go HERE

Catch you around! We're off to Corfe Castle this weekend for an event, so if you're in the area, pop in!

WOYWW 96 - the one from the kitchen table

2011-04-06T21:46:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie from me this week, and a late one at that!

This week's WOYWW (go here to see more info and jump onto the desk bus for all stops) is brought to you from my kitchen table.

Yup.

It's my desk this week.

My normal desk is still my desk, but this week I'm working from the kitchen table on.......

Danger Flying Arrows signs.

You see, every year we have a kit weekend for Wolfshead, and every year the paintwork on the Danger signs gets tidied up a little. Only this year (just about a month ago) the signs were touched up...... and were then not finished, and to cap it all, the paint didn't dry.

So we brought them home and have been working on them. Trimming them all so they all match and are the same size (having been made in fits and starts over the last decade or so), sanding them down, repainting them, and varnishing them. I have about 18 to do - none are as yet completed, and only two have all the painting done. All of them will need a coat of varnish.

So excuse me while I disappear - my paintbrush awaits me!

Oh, and don't forget to enter into my blog candy will you!? It's HERE

PS. We've decided on the Panto for next year and it's The Wizard of Oz. Yours truly is the.....drumroll please..... set designer! Woohoooo!!!!!!

WOYWW 95 - the Blog Candy one

2011-03-30T05:26:00.000+01:00

Except it's not - I lied. The blog candy is HERE

Now that I've got your attention - Crikey, where in the heck did the week go???? And here we are, almost in April.

Just a quick one from me and I'm scheduling this to upload in the morning - but my desk won't change between now and tomorrow night cos I'm tumbling into bed in a mo. Got matchsticks for eyes at the moment. LOL

So here is my desk:

What have we here this week? Well Tilda is still lurking on my WOYWW easel, waiting to be made into a card. You can see Lil Miss B's Mother's day card (the kitten and puppy 3D decoupage) and my attempts at a nice one for my own Mum. She has a penchant for fuschias and I found a lovely digistamp of one on.... um.... I think it was the Card Making Downloads site. If you look really closely, you will also see the Sketch Saturday sketch I'm going to use.

So, don't forget to join in with the blog candy, and head over to Dunnit Dimensions to join in with WOYWW http://www.stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

BLOG CANDY ALERT.....

2011-03-28T13:09:00.002+01:00

Check back later tonight for my Blogoversary Candy.....!!!!

WOYWW 94....

2011-03-23T05:59:00.007Z

Hellooooo thar!

No snappy title this week - my brain is on holiday!

So, what IS on my work desk this week? For those that are uninitiated, you really need to go to Dunnit's Desk of Delights for full info! But be sure to come straight back before starting on your desk quest - it's addictive! I feel positively out of sorts all week if I don't bare all for you.... hmmm.... poor choice of phraseology, but I think you get what I mean!

Now, where was I? Oh yes, my desk...

As you can see, it's fairly mayhem-ish as is pretty much usual. Now I should point out the work on the right hand side that you see, which looks suspiciously like my page for the aforementioned CJ in an unfinished state. It's not - it's actually the abandoned version that was...well, abandoned because I a) dropped an inked stamp in a stoopid place and b) stamped the background too dark. Also this week, Lil Miss B decided to have a stab at some jewellery making (a kid's set she'd been given for her birthday last year) and very quickly announced that glitter really wasn't her. Trouble is, it's not really me either so I'm still clearing it up. What bright spark thought that sticking glitter on bangles was an appropriate method of jewellery creating I don't know!

However, lurking there on the front left of my desk is the below creation...

...which I'm not showing upright in it's full glory utnil it reaches its destination. All I can say is - WTG Nic & Lucy on the birth of your beautiful little girl, even though she was WAYYY too comfy to come out and was nearly a fortnight ~~overcooked~~ overdue!

As promised from last week - below is a picture of my finished page in Flo's CJ - for all the deets go here.

And that, is that.

I'm off on my own desk quest. I might even get round more than ten desks this week. I hope.....

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Flo's finished CJ...

2011-03-20T17:26:00.001Z

Well, I did say I'd put up a pic of her page when I'd done it. I can't put up pictures of the whole thing because I didn't take photos of the other pages. I believe she's going to put them up on her blog when she gets a chance.

So, here is the photograph of my page...

I've elected to show a picture of it after I'd cut it in two and re-cut the holes for the BIA holes.

So, what did I do? first up, Flo's CJ came with the door in the stonework, one open, and one closed. We had an option to use either one, or both. I did a search on the web for quotes about doors (they are often inspirational, and in this case, quite inspired!) and came up with this one "Listen, there's a hell of a universe next door - let's go!" by E.E. Cummings. Knowing my love of medieval everything, this just appealed to me, particularly in our current world and being aware of how much us re-enactors are into still having our mod cons (a couple of us carry around gas fridges to events! LOL) it kind of went without saying what I was going to do. Took me a while to get to this point though, LOL!

So, my two medieval ladies were stamped first using Memento black, and then masked using post it notes. I followed this up with stamping and masking the two doorways. Well, two pages, just HAD to use both stamps! I then stamped the floor - I have a fab stamp of crazy paving. Daft me though didn't carry it through the open door so I wound up doing that manually later... I think I worked it well though. After that, I masked the edge of the floor off and stamped the stonework. The stamp I used for that is pretty small, so I'm going to have a hunt and see if I can't find a decent sized background stamp that'll do the job much quicker in future.

Once I'd done that I cut out the open door way and stamped the shoes, bags and car into the "universe next door", and tried to create a bit of a landscape. I was rather constrained by the stamps I had, but I hope I achieved the end result, even if it's not perfect...

Lastly, the whole lot was coloured using copics. As you can see, most of it was done using the grey tones W1-W7 and black 100, but I also used the skintones, and a pale orangey colour plus varieties of blue and green. After I'd finished the main work I cut it in two, put the holes in, and then went round the edge with Black Soot DI to just take the cleaness off it. I also printed the quote, cut it out, stuck it down and added some shadow using copics.

I personnally love the end result, and I know Flo loved it (cos she said so on UKStampers - hun, you are SO welcome, it was fun to do!). I do look at it now and see where it could have been improved - the light coming through the open door should leave a defined shadow where the wall blocks the light coming in, but that is just something I've now learned and can improve on for next time!

So, when is the next one starting.......... ??

WOYWW 93 - the one with the sigh of relief

2011-03-16T05:57:00.002Z

I has done it!!!

Yay!!!

One CJ finished, and today winging its way to its owner. Flo, it's coming home!

Sadly, for the rest of you that is going to mean a wait of at least another 24 hours to see the finished page properly - can't publish it to here before the owner gets her mitts on it, eh?

Anyways.....

Welcome to WOYWW (for more info, visit Desk Director Dunnit here) once more, and as you can see from the picture below, there is next to nothing on my desk! Whoopie!!! I've finished the CJ and tidied up, and you can see it there being photographed before I cut the work in half..... ulp..... and put holes in for where Flo is going to use her BIA to bind it. Yes, you're going to need big O wires, me dear!

I'm not sure what my next project will be. Probably Mother's Day cards. I also have a load of cards to make for Mr B's staffroom. He's in a small village school which has a post box and no shop, so the other teachers find themselves caught on the hop cardwise occasionally. They've asked that I provide a box of cards. I think that's pretty cool....

Other than that, not much to report. We spent last Sunday at Corfe Castle shooting, and the weather was fab as you can see below. What more could you want, eh?

Well, short and sweet - be sure to check back in a day or so for the full pic of the CJ! And there's a blogoversary coming up too - with Blog Candy to come!

Catch you on the bloghop!

WOYWW 92 - the hurried one

2011-03-09T07:05:00.001Z

Just a quickie from me today guys, before I dash off to work, the reason being that not a lot has changed.

If you're clueless on the WOYWW front, go and visit The Stamping Ground where all will be revealed. Well, not quite all. It's not a glamour photo site!!!! Actually, lets steer our minds away from that image and the possibilities.....

Where was I?

Ah yes, my desk.

It's a muddle, to put it plainly. The floor is getting clearer and I'm gradually finding holes to put things in, but otherwise not much has happened. I've not made any cards this week (on account of being at the Wolfshead Kit Weekend at the weekend), and the CJ is being worked on (sorry for the delay Sarah) but has hit a glitch in that I've decided I need to buy Memento ink in a grey. I might try using the second print on the CJ, but if that doesn't work, the grey it is. The background makes the focal image get lost, if you can understand what I mean by that! It's not normally a problem, but when you do what I do (and you'll see what I mean soon enough), losing an image becomes an issue. I'm not sure if just colouring will rescue the problem.

Enough of my ramblings!

On with the hop!

WOYWW 91 - the other upside down one...

2011-03-02T13:37:00.000Z

Not literally this time, I hasten to add. The upside down-ness refers to the state my new room is in as it's taking a wee while to sort out properly. When we moved in here, everything was hurriedly dumped in the old craft room in some vague sense of order, but I never quite got around to sorting out what I wanted where and re-labelling things. Not so this time. This time I am going to sort the whole caboodle out. So at the moment, my space looks like this:

I'm no longer looking out of a window, which actually makes life easier for having things on my desk. My drawer units are all in easy reach - I just have to spin round on my chair for all my stamps and embellies etc.

the other side of the drawer units (which will eventually be on castors so we can move them when we need to) is the office desk with the PC on. And Mr B sat there working away marking books etc. He's why I'm late today - I wasn't able to set up a scheduled post on there last night!

Further away shot of my ~~corner~~ wall.

Ah yes - it's Grandma B's birthday tomorrow, so Lil Miss B and I made cards last night. Here's hers - made with some Dufex delight (sic) that Mr B bought her so she could have her "own" craft stuff and feel independent. LOL.

And here's my effort for Ma B - I would like to thank the Great Miss Dunnit for the inspiration on this - regular WOYWWers will remember her aqua coloured effort of this. I loved it so much, I paid a visit to Shopkeeper Gal and got the same stamp, and have had a go at it myself. I love it - such a simple idea, yet so very very effective and attractive.

As I'm at work at the moment, I'll come back on here later and put up the info about which stamps, inks etc I used.

In the meantime, enjoy your WOYWW bloghop - full deets are HERE for those in the dark about it! Catch you around!

Sketch Saturday 143

2011-02-23T13:23:00.000Z

I've joined in again, yes yes ye-es!

Except maybe this time I'll actually link up, as it appears that last week I epically failed in that department....ROFLMAO.

This week's sketch on Sketch Saturday is as follows:

and this is my entry for it.

Image is by Mo Manning, best wishes stamp is a Papermania one, as are the papers I think. I've added some card candy, some Prima flowers, three lengths of peeloff and some punched fronds which are done with the McGill pine branch punch.

Hope you like it!

WOYWW #90 – the one with all the cards

2011-02-23T06:04:00.001Z

Here we are again! Greetings and salutations my fellow WOYWWers! And how are we all this fine Wednesday morning?

For those random individuals who’ve landed here totally by accident or out of general curiosity, and who haven’t got a CLUE what I’m on about, please go to the dazzling Mrs Dunnit’s page HERE to get more info and start the magical mystery tour. After you’ve read my entry, of course…. LOL….. mwahahahahah….

My desk this week is looking a trifle….sad…. There’s a lonely CJ on it, still awaiting my undivided attention. Mainly because my mojo is geared towards cards at the mo, but also because the idea I have is fermenting and I REALLY don’t want to screw up the final entry into Sarah’s CJ. And a fabulous one it is too, there’s so many brilliant entries! It’s unlikely to get done until the weekend, too, but more on that at the end of this thread.

This week has been all about the cards, and I have managed to turn out three. Three fab cards for three fab ladies in my world.

First up is a card for my bud Debs who is just amazing and has had a tough year and still come out smiling. I have a problem though – I cannot, for the life of me, remember who the stamp is by. But at any rate, it’s a tree of life (came with a set that said Goddess, if anyone can help me out!) and I’ve stamped it with Versamark and used one of the Moonglow embossing powders on it. Imperial purple I think. I really ought to make a note of these! I did also use a sketch from someone other than Sketch Saturday (shock horror!) but stoopid me also failed to note down which one. So, not only can I not tell you who, I cannot enter it into their list of participants. Definitely a Doh!-head-smacking moment. Oh well.

Second card was made for my gorgeous god-daughter Steph. I hope she liked it. In case you can’t tell, Steph is a bit of an emo/goth/rock chick. Image is one of Kenny K’s fabulous creations “Star” (coloured with Copics, and I know it’s not brilliant but I can live with it), and the “You Rock” is from the Inkadinkadoo Rock Star set. Papers were a free download from somewhere, punch is MS, plus some card candy. And a peel-off. See, judicious use of peel-offs CAN be acceptable. I really like this card, and Lil' Miss B is peeved that she’s not getting it herself.

Finally, a card for my buddy Jayne. I’ve know Jayne a LOOOONGGGG time. Long enough to remember when she was like the little girl on the card. Not that she ever did Irish dancing to my knowledge, but she was definitely “perky”. She is also Irish, so I kinda got a link/relevance thing going here. ROFL. The gorgeous little girl is by Mo Manning, papers by Papermania. Best Wishes is either Papermania or Inkadinkadoo or similar. My bad, I know…. More peel-offs, more card candy, some prima flowers, a little bit of bling, and the punch is a McGill one – pine branch.

Now all I need to do is work out how to convert my PSP watermark into one I can use with Photoshop Elements. Answers on a postcard to…..

Oh, sorry, I nearly forgot to say. This is my craft room.

Say goodbye….. This week (today and tomorrow) it’s being moved. We’ve booted Lil’ Miss B out of her big bedroom, and are shoving her into this little single bedroom, to give us more space for work. It’s not a bad thing – other than costing us a load for new furniture as the double bed she’s using will have to go into the loft, and we’ve bought a Cabin bed off eBay (she’s also going to need a wardrobe, desk, chest of drawers and a bookcase…. Ouch……and we will need to buy a sofa bed for guests. But it will mean we’re not cramped and can make better use of the space. We’ll also have more natural light as the room we’re going into has a BEEEG window. Hurrah.

See you next week from the new room!

Sketch Saturday #142

2011-02-16T06:10:00.002Z

Have I mentioned before how much I love Sketch Saturday? Well I do. It's such a mental boost to have a pattern to work to sometimes. Particularly if you're in a hurry and don't really have much time to think. I've taken part this week with this sketch...

And made this card which I'm entering for the challenge......

Made as a new home card (can you tell??? LOL) the house stamp is part of a delightful set I was given by my Dutch friends. Papers are by Papermania, I think, which I've just distressed slightly using soot black, and I’ve added some card candy. Chipboard flourish is Maya Road, triple embossed using gold EP. The house is coloured in using Copic markers, framed with a Nesties die (Labels 4, maybe?) and the sentiment had the corners shaped with a Fiskars corner empunch. Love those – just absolutely fab. Sentiment printed using the PC.

Hope you like it!

Another Wednesday, Another WOYWW (#89 in fact)

2011-02-16T06:00:00.003Z

Here we are again, Wednesday is upon us and it’s time to start the weekly desk hop brought to us by the rolltop revealing, lectern loving, desk diva extraordinaire, Ms Julia Dunnit herself. Is that enough of a entrance? LOL

I didn’t take part last week because, well, I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t have time to do a scheduled post (no word of a lie!) and there wasn’t anything happening on my desk anyway. I guess I could have recycled the previous week’s photo, but where’s the fun in that???? I did have a quick hop around a couple of blogs though...

Well, here’s my desk this week, and there’s plenty on it. A card I was in the throes of making (see completed card below – Sorry Debs, guess it got blogged before you saw it!) at the time of taking the photo, and two circle journals. One I have to do something to, but didn’t manage it this weekend past, even though I said I would on UKStampers. Hangs head in shame…. The other CJ is my own one back, and when I get time I will photograph it and upload it. Except that you can’t actually see it at the moment, it’s in that big jiffy bag! The one I have to work on is actually on the desk though. Well, on a pile of things on the desk.

I don't have anything else to report, so I’ll just show you the finished card instead.

I won’t say much about it other than you can find the deets HERE – I’m entering it for Sketch Saturday and it really needs a separate post.

Catch you on the hop!

Thanks Sandra.....

2011-02-14T20:07:00.000Z

for tagging me!

I think it might be my very first. At the least, it's my second, but if it is it's been so long since the first one I've forgotten who when and what!

Anyways, this is quite a special tag....

There are a couple of conditions attached to this award:

Once TAGGED and if you want to participate, then you create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image.

You should also blog the persons link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award.

You then choose 3 - 5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then inform each blogger that they have been tagged.

The aim of the award is that we bring good blogs to light, folks who are quite a small concern, who maybe haven't had many tags or blog awards, so I would ask you not to blog fellow bloggers that already have 3,000 followers. Just new blogs with a small group of followers.

First up I need to say a huge thanks to sandra de who is the sweetheart who has kindly tagged me.

Secondly, I've put the pic in once, but I'll go for a second shot for good measure:

And lastly, I will pass the award along to:

Sasa who always exudes elegance with her craft, and looks like she's having a blast doing it....

Minxy for just being fantastic - she's not been so well, but has managed to run swaps etc and her style of craft is fab.

Lavinia definitely gets a shout from me - she shows just exactly WHAT is possible with things that some of the...erm....more snobby crafters amongst us will turn their noses up at. Which is a shame. Lavinia has vision and talent, and does not conform to the current trends. Or another way to put it is that she has peeloffs and she's not afraid to use them. To great effect, I might add.

Susan Raihala gets my next vote - talk about stripping back and laying bare crafting! The whole point of her blog is to keep it simple, pare right back to the bare minimum, particularly with her One Layer Wednesday challenge. It's quite liberating, and you soon learn not to fear white spaces. Go Susan!

Finally, Voodoo Vixen. I would tag her for no other reason than her fantastic work space, if there was no other reason. However, the work she turns out is worth a look at and very inspirational.

If you don't want to participate that's ok - the whole point is for you to know that your blog has been recognised and we want others to know about your cool blog .....

Sketch Saturday 140 - New Baby Card

2011-02-04T13:02:00.001Z

I’ve actually got around to entering this once again! One of my longstanding schoolfriends had a second child at the beginning of January, and thanks to Panto, I’ve only just had the time to a) find out that she had a girl, and b) make a card! So, I thought I’d make the most of the opportunity and head over to my favourite sketch blog (Sketch Saturday) and take part this week in their current sketch challenge.

Here is the sketch:

Eh Voila - the card:

Image is one of Mo Manning’s gorgeous baby girl digi stamps, coloured with Copics. I didn’t do what is the current Copic style, if you know what I mean – I wanted a more watercolour look so I stuck to very light colours, and very little of them. I also was careful, but not too careful, about colouring within the lines - water colours a rarely perfectly coloured. There's a fine line between getting this right and wrong! I then used my southwest corner punch and wrapped pink embroidery floss (it’s a DMC one, but I failed to make a note of the number at the time) around the picture and stuck it to a silver layer. The card has pale pink gingham paper as a base layer, with the lower element made up of white card punched with a Martha Stewart punch, pink card and a white Satin ribbon. There I deviated ever so slightly from the sketch by adding the sentiment “It’s a girl” which is from a Rubbadubbadoo set, and die cut with a Nesties labels die. Flowers and small brads finish it off nicely, methinks!

These photos have, though, made me realise that I REALLY need to sort out a decent light tent and lights for these sorts of photos! Something to add to the wish list for this year...... hehehehehe

Panto Cards....

2011-02-04T12:56:00.000Z

Well, I promised photos of the cards I made for our Peter Pan cast, and here they are. My apologies for the poor photography – I took the pictures for these on Mr B’s camera as my own was at the theatre in the dressing room. Tsk, stoopid me.

There’s also two cards missing. You know how it is. You run of four very basic and simple cards in a hurry because you’ve forgotten to do them the day before you need them, and then after you’ve finished and taken all the pics, you remember there’s two more to do. Fast. As you’re running late. I do remember that when we got to the theatre that afternoon, we arrived 30 minutes before the show, and got a round of applause for actually turning up. It appears they were just starting to worry about our whereabouts. Oops.

Anyway, onto the cards.

All the images were located via Google Images – I’m sure Disney would have a major problem with me using an image of Tink, but never mind, eh? It’s not like I sold them. I took basic images of Peter Pan, Tink and the Dames, matted and layered them with coloured and/or metallic card (or glitter, in the case of Tink), mounted onto either square or A6 cards, and then added card candy, ribbon or peel-offs. Or any combination of the above.

The two missing cards were for Smee and Starkey . So, for Smee I used a picture of, well, Smee, and as Starkey played a very camp gay pirate, I found an image of a rainbow flag with a black skull and crossbones on it. Perfect! That one was teamed up with plenty of pink, as that’s what was in his costume…

They all seemed to like them though, and I enjoyed the challenge of churning out as many as I could in the shortest space of time - 6 in 90 minutes!

WOYWW 87 - the it's behind you one....

2011-02-02T00:39:00.020Z

That's it.

Panto is over for another year. Oh alright then, 8 months, until rehearsals start up again!

Anyway, you've had enough of me blathering on about it for the last 4 months or so, so it's back to the creation station, and another round of WOYWW thanks to the delightful Mrs Dunnit.

So, just a quickie from me this week. Yeh, likely story I hear you say.... as I don't have an awful lot of time. And I'm doing this before bed on Tuesday night because I probably won't have time tomorrow.

On my desk this week is.....

Ta dah!

Not a lot. Unless you count the various backing papers and some Mo Manning digital images I bought tonight and printed off. I printed several, cos you just know you're gonna cock up somewhere aong the line. Anyways, I'm making a very belated new baby card. So belated that the bambino in question is now almost a whole month old. Still, it's good to start getting back into the swing of things.

I've also finally started to apply myself to my Photoshop Elements software, in the hope that I might master it enough to create digital scrapbook pages the likes of Cathy Zielske would be happy with. I can dream can't I?

I can't remember who on my travels last week had a nice shiny new craft space and was trying to work out how to store her scissors etc, but here's a pic of what I do. Admitted, the cable ties add a certain je ne sais quoi to the whole affair, but they're temporary cos we can't drill holes in our little rented walls.... I think the hooks were utensil hooks or similar - they're too closely spaced for cup hooks (in fact, we had to cut every other hook off in order to hang the scissors) but they do the job just fine. as long as I don't buy any more scissors.

Well, that's me done. Told you it was short and sweet this week. Catch you around on the blog hop!

WOYWW 86 - nearly done....

2011-01-26T06:54:00.001Z

Good morning WOYWWers - Hi-de-hi!

LOL

Just a quickie from me this week as I'm rushing to get out and Lil Miss B needs dropping off at swimming before school.

Here's my desk - a bit tidier than last week and looking hopeful. I did managed a little bit of crafting on Saturday morning - the Hookster suddenly realised he needed a load of "break a leg" cards for cast and principles. I managed to rustle up 6 in 90 minutes, and will add the pics as soon as I get them off his camera. My camera was still at the theatre from the previous night, so I didn't get a decent shot. Aside from the cross-stitch I still haven't finishted, on the desk is a drawer full of my collection of Mill Hill beads....

And here, for your delight and delectation is Captain Hook.

Well, I think he's hot!

For those of you that might just be interested, the "metal" and gem plates on Hook's baldric (the slanty belt thing that holds his sword) were made with one of the Nesties labels dies, silver card, and the Cuttlebug textile embossing folder. I then blacked the silver card up a bit to dull it down (not too twinkly under stage lights) and glued gems on.

Catch you around!