What’s On Your Workdesk? Wednesday # 295

I know we say it often, but I really don’t know where the last seven days went! After the drama of the neighbour’s house fire* last week, it’s been a pretty ordinary sort of Wednesday. I’m all for that.

This was the scene yesterday. I’d already made the samples and cut the kits for the main project of a card and matching box, but I needed another card. I had in mind a heart shaped easel and I fiddled about with the design….a lot….but it wasn’t happening. The only part I liked was the embossed heart and the colour scheme….

….which I turned into this. Much more me. Kraft cardstock and tone on tone stamping. The heart was cut from Coredinations, embossed and sanded. A technique that was new to most of my class. The banner could easily be personalised with initials to make a wedding card.

I’m linking up with Julia, but you knew that. What else would I be doing on this ordinary Wednesday?

*A very nice fireman called round on Monday evening, to inform us that the fire had been caused by a television left on standby. He said it was rare, but something to think about.

What’s On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #294

Today, my workspace has been my lap. Firstly in the hospital, for a routine appointment, and later in the GP’s surgery, chasing meds, just for a change.

It was an afternoon of drama, although that was before I left home. A serious fire, in a neighbour’s house, meant I was blocked in by two fire engines. Nobody was hurt, but apparently I was the only one to ask. Considering a lot of people were gathered outside gawking, I find that very sad. When they realised I had to be somewhere important they moved the hoses to one side so that I could get out. It required some tricky manoeuvres and I could have done without an audience of a dozen firemen, but we got there in the end. I’m hoping for a peaceful evening and very much looking forward to Wolf Hall and a little more stitching. The rabbitty hare is taking shape.

I’m linking up with Julia, but I don’t think I’ll get much visiting done ‘til tomorrow now.

Me on Monday

It was a post grabbing, envelope ripping, sigh of relief breathing sort of weekend. The last University offer (his top choice) came through and the tension has dissipated considerably. Just in the nick of time as mocks begin tomorrow.

Today you’ll find me photographing the stages of a screen card, ready for a tutorial. Making the most of the light. I actually had to pull the curtains across the french windows, it’s such a beautiful sunny day here. The lounge is toasty, despite the temperature outside. A bonus not needing to put the heating on in January.

I’m waving back to Sian and everyone else who is playing along today.

Intentions for 2015

Definitely not resolutions, which I don’t make, because I never keep. Intentions feel less restricting, less set in stone and I don’t feel like a failure if I don’t keep to them. They’re just ideas for a path to follow, but it doesn’t matter if I stray into the woods.

Reading ~ There are lots of reading challenges around the internet, some have a very specific list of books, others are a particular number to complete in a year. I wanted something that was open to interpretation and a friend posted this one on Facebook, which looked good. The bonus being she has set up a “Reading Group” page, where we can share the books we’ve chosen to inspire and encourage each other throughout the year. It’s for 52 books, which I know I won’t read in 12 months. Instead I’ve set myself a target of 26 and I’ll combine categories for the books I choose. First up is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It’s over 500 pages and a Pulitzer Prize winner to boot. I’m enjoying it very much so far as I did her previous novels.

Crafting ~ Card making is a given. I have to come up with around six card ideas and a 3D project every month, for classes and, of course, the cards I need myself for friends and family. Sometimes I can combine the two, which is handy.

I played around a bit with Project Life last year, but didn’t really find a way to make it work for me. I think it was possibly the 12x12” page protectors. They seemed a bit daunting, having not scrapped in a long time. I’ve now got some pages in a 6x8” format and will give it another go.

I’m looking forward to putting my Friendship Quilt together this year. I’ve been looking online for possible sashing fabrics, but I think it’s something that I need to see “in the flesh” to make a decision. I originally thought white or cream, but some blocks have one in the background and some the other. Now I’m thinking a silvery grey, like the fabric I used in Amy’s block.

I went a bit headlong into dressmaking last year. Starting with a simple skirt, great, then realising it needed lining and not being sure how to approach that. Moving on to a fairly complex dress and coming to a halt with the zip and how to finish off that centre back seam as neatly as the others. There are so many great sewing blogs out there and it’s tempting to want to make everything you see, but there’s no point if a. it’s beyond your current skills and b. it’s not something you would wear in real life.  With that in mind, I’m going back to the simple A line skirt pattern. This time making it in a lightweight denim, which won’t require lining. I just need to get a finished garment under my belt and stop faffing!

Blogging ~ Three posts a week, a monthly tutorial and the return of SIPIDI! I hope some of you will join me with the last one.

I think that’s enough to be going with. There is a lot of change on the horizon this years. Mocks begin for my boy next week, followed by the real thing in May. He has offers from three of his four choices so far and hopes to get the grades to go to university in September. At the same time my girl will be sitting her GCSEs and she is hoping for a place at Art College. New directions all round. My main intention will be to keep us on an even keel through it all. Anything else will be a bonus.

Do you have grand plans for the year ahead? I may have seen them on your blog already. If not, then point me in the right direction in the comments.

What’s On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #293

It’s more like “Where is Your Workdesk? Wednesday” around here this week.

This is the spot where my desk usually stands. It was taken down for the duration of the festivities and the legs were put up in the attic, by mistake I’m sure. Without them the top is little more than a giant tray so behind the sofa it remains, for now.

Instead of a workspace, I’ll share the other two cards we made in class last week. The technique here, was using a variety of small stamps to create the look of patterned paper, which we then cut up to decorate our screen cards.

This was our “Twenty Minute” card. Although it’s considerably quicker in class as the cutting is done by me in advance. It’s just a matter of some punching and then assembling. A design you will no doubt recognise as a favourite of mine, if you’re a regular visitor. I haven’t run out of ideas for it yet. I tend to make a batch in different colours/styles, ready to add a sentiment when I know what I need it for.

Joining in with Julia and her merry band, as always on a Wednesday.

One Photo & Twenty Words

Joining in with Abi at Creating Paper Dreams.

“There aren’t enough bullets in the world to stop all the laughter that will eventually drown the hate and stupidity.” 

Michael Moore

I usually steer clear of politics and religion on my blog, but I felt compelled today.

What’s On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #292

Hello and welcome to the very first 2015 edition of this weekly madness blog hop.

The kitchen table has been busy, since the children went back to school on Monday. Kitting for classes yesterday and today. Lots of kraft cardstock, being cut to size, which doesn’t make for a very interesting work space.

The cards went down well this morning though.

It’s a good thing my class ladies like it as much as I do.

Right, I’m off to get myself organised. I’ll be looking forward to dropping in on some of you when I get home. Head on over to Julia’s place to see who else is joining in.