WOYWW 146 The Girlies Room

I've never missed once since I first discovered the wonders of WOYWW but I wasn't going to post this week. It's partly because I've been so busy and partly because my desk is looking exactly the same as last week and is still covered over since the apple tree was felled.

Then I realised that my work desk this week has not been my desk but the small home office which we have been converting back to a  bedroom for our little grandees. 

I made a padded wallhanging and curtains from some striking Ikea fabric which I'm sure will be the topic for many bedtime stories.

All we need now are some little girlies and wonderfully, just as it's all ready, our gorgeous German Fraulein arrives today for a week, followed shortly after by the two beautiful Brighton Belles. My happiness comes in waves.

There are lots of opportunities to be nosey over at our lovely leader Julia's blog, the Stamping Ground where you'll find the creative desks of the world waiting for your perusal.

Sorry I won't have much time to visit, so I apologise in advance, but I'm sure you'll understand I have lots to do with all these little visitors and will just do my best when I can.

Have a great week. Hail rain or shine, I know I will !!!

WOYWW 145 & Our Beloved Tree

WOYWW 145

Time again to mooch around the biggest blog hop of desks via Julia at the Stamping Ground. The weekly weakness of the nosey people of the world.

I think you've become quite used to my clear and tidy desk, so today is a rapid change due to a major event in our garden. Things have hastily been dumped on my table, taken off the wall and  covers thrown over everything. Why, oh, why?

This mess was made in minutes to protect my stash from the Tree Surgeons as they came to treat our beautiful old apple tree, as access to the front from the garden is through my workroom, then through the garage.

This tree that has given such wonderful service during the 36 years we have lived here, and who knows how many years before we arrived. 

It has blossomed fragrantly each year...

May 2010

provided plentiful fruit for us, for our family, friends, neighbours, even for the birds, and so much joy for us all....

Autumn 2011

Now it looked so sad with it's withered branches and we dearly hoped it might be saved but it had gone too far... 

so sadly it is no more a part of our lives and I wept to see it come down. I never imagined that I would cry for a tree, but I did, and I wished that all my family could have been together to see it once more before the final cut.

Just a couple of pies and a few boxes of stewed apples still in the freezer to remember it by and lots of photographs through the years but I have kept a log as a souvenir.

Taste of Spring

A Host of Golden Daffodils

Just to cheer everyone on a dull Monday I thought I'd share a taste of Spring by showing the breathtaking display of daffodils in Liverpool's Sefton Park.

The Marie Curie Fields of Hope.

I have seen daffodils in swathes on roadsides and in many other parks over the years but nowhere have I ever seen as many as in Sefton Park.

Field after field....

after field.....

This is the biggest bouquet (I know, I'm a cheapskate!) to say a very

Happy Birthday to a very special person ... that's my good friend Neet whose birthday was Saturday but I know her celebration continues today. She had a wonderful arty week away and was too shattered on her return so pop over to her blog, HERE at Hickydorums, to see all the exciting things she was up to.

This is the Sandwich Board Swing card I made for Neet as she missed our workshop last Saturday.

Sudely & Philly

Sudely House is one of the hidden gems of Liverpool's Museums and Galleries but, as it is situated a few miles out of the city centre, so many visitors miss the opportunity to get there as there is already so much in the city centre to see and do. 

It is one of my favourite mini days out as I can see the work of so many artists and enjoy the beautiful home of George Holt the Victorian shipping magnate. Like all 9 of the museums and galleries of Merseyside, entrance is FREE and they all have good cafes too! 

It is one of the few Victorian homes, (and it really feels like a home not just a large house,) where the works of art are the ones which have been there since they were first acquired. 

This beautiful angel, by Burne-Jones, is one of my favourites but there are so many wonderful paintings by Turner, Millais, Goya, Alma Tadema to name but a few of the wonders at Sudely. The angel is carefully hidden for protection by a velvet curtain, so if ever you visit, be sure not to miss the opportunity to pull back the drapes in the hallway and drool. 

Here are just a few items from the fabulous exhibition of period costume on display.

This quirky piece of art in the grounds has been created by "artist(s) unknown" and I must admit to adding a feather to it myself!!

The main staircase

George Holt's daughter continued to live in the house, after his death, until 1944 when it was all bequeathed to the city. As a result it has remained complete and unchanged for us all to share.

Philadelphia Chocolate Cheese Spread

Just have to thank Julia of stamping ground for her review of the chocky version of Philly which led me to try it out for myself. Chocky Cheese???  It's like a Marmite "love or hate" thingy and whilst Julia loathed this .....Yum! I just adore it!!!

Thanks to Julia for my WOYWW badge... I'll wear it with pride at all the shows and arty gatherings!!!

WOYWW 144 & Sandwich Board Card

I was going to pretend that I had suddenly managed to become exceptionally, never before seen, tidy by just showing this desk. It is a new desk but it's soon going to be our new computer desk when the very nice man from Virgin installs a new connection tomorrow. Doesn't it look inviting and don't you think it would be so good for crafting???..... I'm sure I'll be decamping to it now and then. 

We are clearing out our small bedroom and changing it from our little office/ computer room to a bedroom for our little grandees. They are growing so quickly that they'll soon be out of their cot beds and into grown up beds.

This, perfect bargain find from a charity shop, is all set to be our new computer base in the dining room.

WOYWW 144

 Here's the real thing, the regular one, my stainless steel wonder desk, in my own room and I love it and must admit I won't forsake it! Not much going on there right now as I did all my crafting before the weekend for my workshop Saturday. 

On behalf of WOYWWer Carol, thanks for all your kind comments wishing her son well and I'm pleased to say he's home and improving every day.

"Why, Oh, Why?", I hear you say, "are you showing all this???".... well... just call in on our lovely Julia at the stamping ground, like so many do every week, for the maddest blog hop on the WWW. Don't miss all the fun!

Sunday I went to the Leigh "Sincerely Your's Show" run by Oyster Crafts and it was such a friendly show, well worth attending. 

Still some of my acquired stash is there on my desk waiting to be tidied away after I drool over it a while longer.

Here's the rest of all I never intended to buy.

Here are some of my samples from Saturday's workshop. We made a couple of projects and this one, whilst an old idea and so simple, is very effective and proved popular. 

It's a sandwich board style card with a centre panel slotted into the top which swings. 

It can be made any size as long as the lacy top is wider than the insert so it hangs on the top edges. 

The insert must hang about 1 cm shorter than the card (when closed) to allow it to swing freely when open.

It's an opportunity to make good use of die cutters and decorative border cutters.

This little cutie below is from my stamps of children "Freckles" I designed for stampattack. There is also a plate of quirky little girls called Tatty Heads.

I love this image from Crafty Individuals and we used an old technique to age the focal point picture. The image was stamped then clear embossed with 2 or 3 layers. It can then be cracked by carefully bending it about. A vintage colour ink pad was smudged over into all the cracks and crazes and, when the excess is rubbed off the surface, it looks like this ....

Side view of one in progress.

I recently read an article that pointed out, if you make a crochet square each day, then over a year they will all make up into an Afghan throw. Lately I've knitted so many scarves so, with the approach of Spring, I needed a change and decided to embark on this project for my "mindless" crochet or knitting. I always have something easy to do whilst travelling or sitting in waiting rooms, or watching TV. 

In 5 days I have made 29 x 4inch squares.... it should be at least one huge Afghan by the end of the year!!!

I must say how chuffed I am to have won Okienurse's blog candy!! Thanks to Vickie for her generosity and I look forward to receiving my prize packet.

Hope the new computer connection works perfectly so I can call in on some of you tomorrow.......

Calendar File

Some time ago I was inspired by a similar file which ukmaryanne made and this is my take on it. Pop over to her scrappystickyinkymess blog and check out the lovely ones she made as well as all her other many great ideas posted.

However, I must say that I constructed this entirely my own way without using the pattern (later posted on her blog) but must give a big thank you for all the the inspiration. The file takes one piece of A4 card stock and the inserts can be made from various toning colours of offcuts.

I made mine as a mini desk calendar which can also be used for photos, stamped images, quotes, notes, messages, addresses, birth dates, etc. It's so handy that I'm sure you'll come up with your own use for this!

The card was decorated in my favourite style by blending Distress Inks randomly over a flower stencil and various sizes of sequin waste.

The flap folds back and tucks in to create a stand and inside you can see the file cards. 

I think this would be a useful and attractive way to give and store ATC cards if it was sized down.

Here's another one decorated with scrapbook papers...

Each page has a hole punched and strategically positioned to hang in place, on the brad, at the top front of the file.

They would make terrific little gifts or such a great way to give photos. How about using the file as a handbag pouch and a means to brag about those favourite baby or wedding photos?

Made specially to size, it would also be a good way to package cards which have bulky embellishments. 

If anyone would like my template for this then just shout but do pop over to ukmaranne and check out all her great ideas!

Published! & Treat from May

Woo hoo! I've just been published in Creative Stamping, with four cards over a two page spread, so I am really thrilled. They even included my photograph so I feel quite famous!!!   

I was invited to do it at the end of last Summer and forgot all about it until I was shown the magazine at a workshop I recently attended. I don't think I can show the magazine pictures but I'm posting this photograph as, whilst the card is in the article, only the front was visible so they didn't show the best bits. It is a mini print tray tryptich which folds up to make the card.  It wasn't an easy brief as the four birthday cards had to be suitable for men in the colours of red, white, and blue, which I suppose, is in keeping with all the patriotism abounding due to the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics. 

The stamps are from the "About Britain" plate generously provided by Carol of Stampattack

 I haven't been sent a copy of the magazine but here's the issue cover and a full plate of clear stamps comes along with it. This is only the 3rd edition of the magazine and it seems that it is available from craft outlets not supermarkets.

 This morning I was so thrilled to receive a packet containing this fabulous card and exquisite tin, from May, who recently won one of my scarf/shawlettes from my Blog Candy prize. 

 When I opened the little tin it was like Pandora's Box and amazingly contained all of these goodies!

Many, many, thanks May for your generosity in sending such a lovely surprise.

You are awful, but I like it!

WOYWW 143 & Three Kind Mice

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

Well ... a Wonderful Whirl Wind of Wonder, Winding and Weaving the World, Watching Wayward and Whimsical Workdesks 

courtesy of the ingenuity of Julia via her blog Stamping Ground so Wend your Way there and share this Wednesday With us.

Now I know you may remark that at last there's a mess on my desk since the big clean up but it's only work in progress as I am prepping a workshop for Saturday. I'm standing in for WOYWER Carol who has had quite a dreadful time recently with her son in hospital due to a brain haemorrage. I'm glad to say that he's now home and recovering and would like to wish him well.

My hyacinth is hanging on longer than I anticipated.

I thought that I'd finished my Three Kind Mice which, as I mentioned last week, are made from the shrunken felted baby suit of my Fraulein Grandee. I showed them to her yesterday when we were skyping and she sang Three Blind Mice for me. When she reached the point when the farmer's wife "cut off their tails with a carving knife", I realised, panic, panic, that my Three Kind Mice didn't even have tails to cut off!! I'd forgotten to make them any!!! Back to the sewing machine!

Yesterday I visited the little town of Ormskirk and the Chapel Gallery.

We went in for coffee and chanced upon this great exhibition called....

Really fun creations mainly made from recycled materials really did make me SMILE!.

....Most were mobile in some way....

This was my favourite piece, but it was sad that it had been damaged by the public trying out it's mechanics, and was in the process of repair.

This busker, in Ormskirk, entertained passers by in the town but the two old dears behind him were oblivious of his talents. He was really good, playing great music, Bob Marley, Rock, and everything bar the usual buskers medleys. Note the traditional Lancashire Clogs! 

Watch out, I'll be visiting ..... so see ya'll around the desks!

WOYWW 142, Mice & Prize Winners

It's Mercredi, Mittwoch, Miercoles, Wednesday...but to us it's WOYWW... 

What's On Your Wordesk Wednesday....

when the fickle and fantastic of the crafting world show their desks and what they they are creating. All will be revealed in grand detail by popping over to the blog of our illustrious leader Julia, that's stamping ground just incase you don't already know.

Here on my desk I'm in the process of starting several new projects with their first coat of gesso. On the left is my precious note book, retrieved after leaving it on the plane last week. I had to go back to Manchester airport and it is worth every penny of the petrol, parking, and the £5 they charged me to get back all the info and ideas within this treasure. It goes everywhere with me.

  The large letter A and No2 are to be altered for the second birthday of my youngest grandee in Brighton. The mini printers tray is a secret to be revealed..........

My lovely hyacinth has just about had it and is at the stage when it's beautiful fragrance is turning sickly. Hate to relegate it to the garden until it has really faded.

The plastic eggs in the bag to the right will be marbled for Easter decorations, not long to go.

My TABLE is staying reasonably tidy so, to all those cynics, ner ner, ner, ner,ner!!!

I have almost no room left in my file drawers for any more ribbons so I came up with this master plan...It FAILED miserably as the rod bent with the weight so it's coming down. Back to the drawing board!

I've been buying Mollie Makes magazines to share with my DD who, I'm pleased to say, has started to do a bit of crafting, and I love these politically correct "Three Kind Mice" in the new issue. 
DD gave me a pure wool, new born sized, baby suit of my grandee which shrunk in the wash, but turned into excellent felt, which she couldn't bare to throw it away so here it is transformed! Three cute keepsakes! Just got to get them dressed and knit some tiny cardigans.

Scarf Candy Winner

Thanks to all who entered and I have drawn from all the names of those who'd like to have it........and the winner..............is......

May of mayshappydaze.blogspot.com

May you wear it with luck May and please email me so I can get your postal details.

The Mystery Item

Here's my pic of the mystery item. This is the trophy I won in an Embroiderer's Guild annual competition some 20 years ago, but as I had to return it the next year, I kept a photo of it for posterity and as a memento.

It is antique, solid silver and would have been very useful before sewing machines were invented. I could use one even today as a third hand when I'm hand sewing.

Some more examples from the web

The bird is a clamp to hold fabric when hemming long length of fine linen, hence the usual title of

"Hemming Bird"

There is a handy little pin cushion on top.

Well the only person who got it right is Ann of anniestamper.blogspot.com 

Well done Ann, who well deserves the little prize I'm sending her as she emailed me privately with the answer and told me that she spent ages researching on the web.