Wednesday 30 September 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #330

Guess what? I actually have a desk shot for you this week.

























I'm playing with my new embossing folders and dies. Coming up with a plan for next week's class. It's the first session of the month, in which we make four cards. The class is split down the middle. Half would like Christmas cards, the other half wouldn't. I always like to get double duty from my seasonal products so the answer is obvious. Make one Christmas and one birthday card from each.

























Once I've finished giving myself brain ache with that task, I'll be pondering which of these fabrics to use in a little quilt for a new arrival. Gender unknown and due around Christmas time, I'd better get my skates on!

Linking up with Julia and the deskers on this sunny September afternoon.

Monday 28 September 2015

Me on Monday ~ The Sunshine & Super Moon Edition

This weekend was mostly about getting my boy through a second Sunday away from home. A tough day of the week for him at the best of times. With no structure and the first day of lectures (an unknown quantity as yet) on the horizon he needed us and we were happy to oblige.


























He may have only lived in this city for 10 days, but he was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. The sun shone for us and we had a wonderful day.

On the drive home, the moon was sitting just above the trees and seemed enormous. I tried to capture it, but at 70 miles an hour it proved impossible to get a clear shot. I was the passenger, in case you were wondering.




















I had planned to wait up for the lunar eclipse last night, but I just couldn't stay awake. Did you see it? Those of my friends who did, said it was pretty special.

As for Monday, I've just returned from the chiropractor and am happy to report that, after a month of visits, I no longer have one leg shorter than the other! Waving to Sian to everyone else giving us a glimpse into their weekend.

Friday 25 September 2015

Summertime Photo Scavenger Hunt 2015 #3

Final few shots for Rinda's Scavenger Hunt.

2. An ornate door knocker

























Not particularly ornate, but certainly unusual!


5. Architectural columns

























The terrace at Orchardleigh House.


6. A metal bridge

























Bridge over the River Avon in Bristol.

And that makes nine items from the list. Not even half. I'll try harder next year!

Wednesday 23 September 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #329

And just like that it's Wednesday again. Not one single creative thing has happened around here since last week, unless you count fitting everything that a boy might need, away from home, in the boot of a Ford Focus.

























Here's that notelet holder I was kitting for last week.

























Sized to hold a set of four cards. Tutorial to follow next week.

The sun is shining here and I'm not long back from dropping my girl off at the bus stop. It's an hour round trip for me so I made the most of the early start and did the weekly shop while I was out. I came home to an empty house for the first time in a very long time. Have a great day.

Monday 21 September 2015

Me on Monday ~ The Leaving Home Edition

This weekend was all about the boy. We loaded up the car and drove to his Halls.

























Unloaded with the help of some friendly and very efficient student ambassadors.


























Unpacked, put away, made his bed and stocked up at the supermarket.






Admired his view and hugged him tight, before heading home again.

Things are pretty quiet round here now.

Waving to Sian in a slightly subdued fashion this Monday.






















Wednesday 16 September 2015

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #328

It's Wednesday again and a whole week since I last blogged. It's all a little bit crazy around here right now. With a few minutes to spare this (Tuesday) evening, I'm scheduling a quick kitchen table post.

























This was the state of play on Sunday afternoon. Kitting (well in advance for me) for Wednesday's class. This week's project is a set of butterfly notelets and a holder to keep them in. It would make a lovely gift. Somebody, on Facebook, helpfully pointed out that it is 100 days 'til "you know what" so I may just put together a little tutorial.

I've shown you mine and I'll be round to see yours later. Happy Wednesday.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #327

No desk shot this week, but I do have a finished project and a tale to tell.

Here's what I was working on last week. Trying to create an airmail look. I took the strip from the Butterfly Basics set and used markers to ink it up, alternating the blue and red. A bit of a faff, but I like the effect. I added tiny envelopes, punched hearts and finished off with some simple stamping.

























It seems a lot of you were eager to know more about that unexpected shed. A few imaginations ran wild. You know who you are. After keeping you hanging for a week, I'm afraid the real story may be a bit of a let down, but here goes:

I told the children to expect a parcel while I was out teaching last Tuesday. The door bell rang and my girl answered. The chap asked if Mum or Dad were in, to which she replied, "No." He then said, "I'll just leave the shed on the drive then." She said, "OK" and shut the door. That would have been fine if we'd actually been expecting a shed delivery, except I would have had nowhere to park. My boy came to see what the 'parcel' was and she told him what had happened. He had the good sense to rush out and tell the chap that he didn't think we'd ordered a shed. On closer inspection of the sales docket the chap realised the shed was for no 16, we're 9!

Linking up with Julia and the deskers and hoping to get a chance to visit a few more this week.

PS If you'd like to see the rest of the cards we made in class last week you can find them here.

Monday 7 September 2015

Me on Monday ~ The Change of Plan Edition

It was not quite the weekend we had in mind.....

























It was supposed to be the last hurrah before college begins, later this week, for my girl. Instead it was a very sick boy on Saturday. He does not suffer illness well. An additional sick child on Sunday and very little sleep for anyone. The Mechanic had already gone down with it on Friday.

You'll find Me on Monday with my fingers firmly crossed that I remain free from it. There is far too much to do for me to be sick this week. It's been another glorious day and I've been enjoying the sunshine in between playing nurse maid. Waving to Sian and the other Mondayers.

Sunday 6 September 2015

Stampin' on Sunday ~ Butterfly Basics

It was "Back to School" last week, for me if not the children. The first classes of the new term. I decided to use the same set of stamps as I had in the last class of the Summer term. I like to show how versatile a set can be if you give it a little thought.

























The mesh design, a postmark and that lovely sentiment from the Butterfly Basics set. Some speckling from Gorgeous Grunge and the intricate butterfly die, layered with a little punched one, to finish off.

























Here I added my favourite Hardwood background stamp and punched out some hexagon apertures for that mesh to peep through. A different sentiment and some punched butterflies raised on foam pads for dimension.

























This time I stamped the mesh and speckles onto a piece of card so that I could punch the hexagons out and add on top of the background mat. I thought this would make a good male card. It could be adapted to any colour scheme, but this is one I never grow tired of.

I'll share the final card from that class (and the story of the unexpected shed) on Wednesday. It's a glorious day here. Hope the sun is shining with you too.

Thursday 3 September 2015

Pairs ~ Rain or Shine

As the holidays draw to a close here, I've been thinking back to Summers of my childhood. It's the weekend of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, which was an event we went to every year when I was a little girl.


























Here I am circa 1970, in my lovely head scarf, looking delighted to be there!

























Mind you I didn't look a lot happier when the sun was shining.*

Linking up with Helena today.

*Some of you might remember this photo from Storytelling Sunday.

Wednesday 2 September 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #326

It's Wednesday again and for the first time in a while it was preceded by a Tuesday afternoon that involved getting creative.

























I taught a class in the morning. It felt strange to be heading out, while the children were still at home. I'm the first one "Back to School" this year. Got home to find the washing up fairies had visited and to hear the tale of the unexpected shed. Lunch and then down to business for the next class.

Linking up with Julia and the deskers. If you're visiting and don't take part in WOYWW, whats happening in your work space today? If you do, then I'll be round to see for myself later.