Tuesday 17 September 2013

WOYWW 224

After being AWOL for a few mad busy weeks I am back in the midst of the WOYWW family.
This week I eclipse Helen's own up mess of last week! Sorry H!
I am doing my best to clear out my workroom and the garage with the hope of getting a downstairs loo, in a little ante room, off my workroom. As I have cupboards blocking access I have to clear everything away so the builders can give us an estimate for the job. My crafty stuff will have to take a hike to the garage but I will need to organise it so I can access the items I need.

Here is my desk before I started...........all together now UGH!! and EEEK!
 I agree but I haven't used this for many weeks so it has become a dumping ground.

It took ages to get to this.......
and No! it's not all under the table as I painstakingly put every little fiddly item I came across AWAY in it's rightful place. I even cleared cupboards and drawers to make more space.

I just hate throwing out anything that might be useful. I think it's due to growing up in post World War 2 England 
with rationing and a make do and mend society. 
This means I walk around with tiny odds and ends which just could be treasures, that odd button, 6 inches of ribbon, a feather, etc., but it takes ages to put them all away in their proper homes. I have, however, filled the paper recycling bin and Shhhh, I've started borrowing space in my neighbour's whilst she is away. She never minds as she never ever needs as much recycling space as I do.
I completed the mammoth task of sorting out my envelope drawer and I really don't think I'll ever need to buy another envie.... or do you know better? 

This below has yet to be tackled in the garage. 
I put all the UM stamps in my workroom into baskets and also filled a file box, all waiting in the garage to be filed but probably half of them first need cleaning.
I've not finished over by the window either. There are so many card samples from workshops and dems to be filed away.
If, by now, you are wondering why I'm showing all this then you've obviously never seen What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday... or you would know that each Wednesday over a hundred creative souls own up to the state they are in. If you'd like a snoop on the rest just pop over to our illustrious leader,
It hasn't been all "tidy upping" this week as I made a few more bags to hold the Bravery Beads which are awarded to the children as they progress through their treatments for cancer.
Shock horror! I also finished off the Ch*****s decorations I made for the instore dem days I've just finished at Abakhan. It is so spooky for me to get C things done before December but I had to!
Whilst I've made these with patchwork techniques they can be easily made with decorated card. 
The unfinished one, still open before assembling, shows the lay out of the eight, 2 inch, equilateral triangles. They can be scaled up or down to the size you prefer and take very little fabric to make the patchwork ones.
It may be late before I get around visiting as I will be out most of the day but I'll do my best when I return home and will get up early to catch some of you in your PJs too. Good to have time to come back to the fold and I hope Miss Julia doesn't give me and lines or detention!

34 comments:

Nikki said...

Wow That is one major sort and you must be finding little treasures all over the place and your ornaments are so cute hugs Nikki ??

ike said...

Ugg !!! You have sooo much equipment to be put away for the builders to do their job !!! I don't envy you THAT task at all :-( Fantastic little tree decorations :-D
Thank you for letting me visit :-D

HAPPY WOYWW 224

IKE in Greece # 49 xxxxx

Helen said...

Well thanks for that!! Ha ha, you have done so much better than me... not a surprise there then, but you have a good reason. I do hope you get it cleared and the builder arrives to give you your estimate!!

I love the display cabinet, with your works of art on show. Happy WOYWW, from Helen still messy at 22

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I love those ornaments, Jo! Thanks for showing the unconstructed one, its easy to see how it all fits together...I used to love doing 3D net shapes with the kids in school, they looked just like your decoration!
Good luck with all your tidying etc....it'll be worth it to have a downstairs loo. Mind you, I didn't think the before pic was completely terrible...some desks recently have been very 'interesting'!! Lol
Hope you are well and happy,
Hugs, LLJ 58 xx

Sandy said...

Well done on the sort out. Love the Xmas decorations I make something every year for my close friends for there trees instead of a card so think these would be really cute to have a go at.
Happy WOYWW
Sandy :) #36

Annie said...

Wow Jo I am seriously impressed. I just love having a space for everything and it's a rare occasion that I can't put my hand on just what I need....but I have a feeling things are just about to change!!
Thank you so much for your positive vibes....I think it's working and may have news for you soon....it's really been a very difficult week.
Hugs,
Annie x # 64

Cardarian said...

Wow what a big tidy up - huh you must be very busy putting away every little bit - I am the same - can't waste anything! Love all the stuff you have made! I haven't posted yet will do in the afternoon! Just a few more days and YIPEEE!!!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

Neet said...

Thanks for the early morning call - good to talk. Now I can see what you were talking about so congratulations on the big clean up, good luck with the conversion and - well, I said it all on the phone.
Hugs, neet xx 30

Neil said...

Hi.
Loving having a peek at your world today. It all looks like fun from here. Apart from the having to move into the garage bit!
Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great week.
Neil#72

CraftygasheadZo said...

Wow that is some clear up you are undertaking. But I love your room no matter. It's colour and interest makes me want to come and play!! Take care Zo xx 78

Julie Lee said...

I know you are having to clear up, but I do so love your crafting space! It just radiates creativity! Still it will be good to get that building work done! I love those Christmas decs - exquisite! The shape is fabulous and the fabrics and embellishments you have chosen are perfect! I'd like to give something like this a try: wish I could catch one of your demos! Julie Ann xx #45

sandra de said...

Lovely to see you back in woyww. Well done for the big clean up and I am sure it will be worth a new toilet. I am finding as I get older it really value the simple things!! Gorgeous goodies as always.
Sandra @90

tilly said...

I don't know how you managed to find places to put all that, I would be sitting on the floor in tears and forget about the loo lol
Tilly

Winnie said...

Wow, lots of creative stuff there! I love how happy a space it is, even when in work mode! I think the stuff hanging up just adds to the fun. Lots of fun stamps, and love the bags. I have never heard of those beads before. I wish I had as my nephew has battled cancer since age 6 he is now 9 and so far all is good again (fingers crossed). Enjoy the day! Winnie #83

Twiglet said...

Don't you feel good when you have had a sort out and tidy up. Shame in never lasts long. The little bags are so pretty Jo. x Jo

Unknown said...

nice to have a clean space isn't it, Thanks for the peak and have a great day . Roberta 7

lisa said...

Goodness Jo, that sounds like a job and a half. I thought I had a lot of stuff, but not after seeing all your amazing stash. Good Luck with the sort out, can't say I envy you!!
Love the little Christmas decorations, they look great. I might have to ask you for the instructions for those, don't tell me you've already shared them otherwise I'll be embarrassed by my lack of blogging these days!!
Hugs Lisax

ria gall said...

Hi Jo
you have got a big job on trying to get all your stuff moved for the builders I wish you luck with it and hope you don't damage or loose anything.
Loving the little bags and the decorations even if I don't do Christmas just yet
Have a great day today and a wonderful weekend
Ria #61

Anne said...

Hi and good to see you back. I too have been sorting etc. Happy WOYWW Anne x #112

Lea.H said...

Oooh, is that bunting? I like it :) the little bags are very cute Lx

glitterandglue said...

My word, Jo, what a massive sort you are doing. Well done for getting your desk clear - just keep the thought of a downstairs loo in your mind - keep telling yourself it WILL be worth it!
Love the little decorations. They are great.
Have a good week.
Margaret #70

Sandy said...

Oh how exciting that your DD had her baby, well you will have to fill us in on all the details when you get time.. Congratulations to you all..
Sandy :)

The Taming of the Glue said...

WOW! What a transformation!! I love the Xmas decoration, bet they'll lover it at the workshop as well. What do we do with all our demo samples? I never have anywhere to put them. Hugs. Pam#48

Anonymous said...

Didn't you do well!? Loving those sweet little ornaments - I do try to make a new one each year and yours may just be the one for this year. I now have too many fabric scraps to go with my paper scraps LOL!

Happy (now my internet is back) WOYWW!
Mary Anne (5)

Eliza said...

I think I have been here no less than 5 times since wednesday to leave a message and got called away at work. LOL Anyway I am here now and I have to say I am impressed with the clean up, bravo. I do like those little bags and your envelope supply is really good I have one just like it LOL but I have started making envelope books. Ok just an idea to feed the brain LOL

Belated WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 52

Anonymous said...

The mind boggles as to how you managed to collect that many envies! And I can't think what you plan to do with them all either! Love the before and after shots of the desk. Bit of a drastic cleanup, but I hope you get you loo!! I've been having a catch up of your posts too, the new Central Library is stunning!

Hugs
Brenda 14

505whimsygirl said...

Wow Jo! I see here what I'm in for this weekend as I'll be sorting out my closet.

I go to the thrift store almost every Saturday to find little bits of this and that in the hopes that it might be useful. The problem is I really don't have the storage necessary to support this habit!

The little bags are adorable and I love the Christmas ornaments. Way to go.

Happy WOYWW
Kay (34)

Caro said...

Oh wow! What an amazing sort out...well done you! I have to confess that I am refusing to think about Christmas until after my birthday in October, but your decorations look great. Thanks for visiting me already. Congratulations on the birth of your grandson, you must be so thrilled. Sorry I am so late in visiting, work got on top of me. Happy Belated WOYWW. Thanks for sharing. Caro x (#76)

BumbleVee said...

My oath! What a mess! hahahha........ and don't think we all don't make the same .... well, maybe not quite this bad....oh, alright I have to confess ...mine does look almost this bad... but, what a lot of work you are doing to get it sorted and moved...acckkkk .... poor you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Very Belated WOYWW. Tidying up - so stressful at the time, but very satisfying afterwards. You have more envies than me, which I didn't think was possible. However, I never have the right size/colour when I am looking! Ali x #63

Whimcees said...

Hello!

What an awesome sort and clean! Congratulations on a job well don! Also congratulation on the new arrival - good news! Wishing you a great week!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

scrappymo! said...

Hope things are progressing with the downstairs loo. You have made an amazing effort to get sorted and organized.

It sems I am always trying to do the same...if I leave it stack up for even 2 or 3 weeks it looks so scary!

I am one of those that likes to tidy as soon as I am finished a project but sometimes like to have 4 or 5 things on the go...then the clean up gets away from me too!

Glad you liked the quilt retreat. To think that they arrived on Thursday and quilted till Sunday supper time for the princely sum of $35.00

Of course the out of towners had to get rooms but the 2 rooms here are only 454 a night and are right upstairs in this building. Some stayed with friends here as our village is so small we do not have a hotel! lol

scrappymo! said...

Hope things are progressing with the downstairs loo. You have made an amazing effort to get sorted and organized.

It sems I am always trying to do the same...if I leave it stack up for even 2 or 3 weeks it looks so scary!

I am one of those that likes to tidy as soon as I am finished a project but sometimes like to have 4 or 5 things on the go...then the clean up gets away from me too!

Glad you liked the quilt retreat. To think that they arrived on Thursday and quilted till Sunday supper time for the princely sum of $35.00

Of course the out of towners had to get rooms but the 2 rooms here are only $45 a night, tax icluded, and are right upstairs in this building. Some stayed with friends here as our village is so small we do not have a hotel! lol

Unknown said...

great stuff. is there a tutorial on how to make the equilateral t?riangle Christmas decoration