What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #463

Thanks for the warm welcome back. I didn't mean to leave it another month before joining in again. I blame the weather.

Despite being notorious for not sticking to things (see above!) I got it into my head that I wanted to try The 100 Day Project this year. I decided to go with something small and easily manageable, even on days when I only had 10 minutes to spare. DIY Project Life cards seemed to fit to bill.

To keep things simple, I picked a favourite set of stamps and a couple of ink pads to start me off....

....swapped the pink for yellow and changed the focal image....

....added some kraft into the mix and a little bee....

....to make a coordinating set of cards. I  have three more that I haven't got round to photographing yet which makes twelve* in total. I can't quite believe I've kept up....so far. Now to pick another set of stamps for the next group of cards.

Anyone else taking part in this project? Let me know and I'll come check you out. I'm sharing mine on Instagram every few days. Linking up with the lovely Julia and the equally lovely deskers on this glorious sunny morning.

*For the eagle eyed among you, who have counted ten cards here, I put the taupe lace background into two photos. My maths isn't quite that terrible!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #459

Well hello there! Long time, no see.

I didn't have much inclination to blog at the end of last year, for various reasons, all far too dull to go into here. I thought I'd make a fresh start in the New Year. That didn't happen, clearly. Here we are at the beginning of Spring and that seems to have given me the nudge I needed.

As I type this, my kitchen table is full of the contents of my larder cupboard so there will be no crafting happening there today. Instead I'll share with you a couple of things I made with these adorable panda stamps.

If you know me, you'll know I don't really do cute, but I couldn't resist these little chaps. I've made several projects using them, for both birthdays and Valentine's Day, but these are the only ones I've actually got round to taking photos of so far.

I'm looking forward to popping in on a few deskers while I drink my afternoon coffee. Happy Wednesday everyone!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #443

November is a month with five Wednesdays, which finds me with no class and a little breathing space this week.

Yesterday I completed a few cards for upcoming birthdays. I always get more requests at this time of year. The selection of birthday cards in the shops diminishes as Christmas approaches.

I'll leave you with this matching set we made in class a couple of weeks ago.

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers on this frosty morning.

What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday #440

A production line at the kitchen table this morning. Scoring and punching.....

.....ready to assemble closer to the time.

That involves gluing along one side and tying the ends with ribbon to make the basic cracker. Very quick to do.

We fancied them up a little more in class last week. The bear decoration took longer than the cracker!

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers 

Butternut Squash and Chickpea stew

I haven't shared a recipe on the blog in a very long time. A few people asked me for this one, after I posted a picture on social media, and it seemed the easiest way.

one onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
thumb sized piece of fresh ginger, grated
one butternut squash, peeled and chopped
one red pepper, chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cinnamon
one carton of passata
750ml vegetable stock
one tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
150g of lentils

Fry the onion in oil of your choice until softened.
Add garlic, ginger, pepper and squash and fry for a few more minutes.
Stir in the spices.
Add the passata and stock followed by the chickpeas and lentils.
Give it a good stir, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer on low until the squash is tender and the lentils have absorbed the liquid. Season to taste.

This makes 6 good portions to serve with couscous or 4 if you're laying off the carbs. Excluding the spices, which I already had, it cost just under £2 for the ingredients.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wedesday #439

Last Wednesday passed me by, but I'm back this week to share the cards that were in the making when I last showed you my kitchen table.

Simple, yet effective. Looks like much more effort went in than actually did. My favourite kind of card. Ideal for mass production at this time of year.

More work in this one, of course, but I need something a bit interesting to break things up. Masking, sponging and stamping. One of my favourites so far this year.

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers this afternoon.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #437

Another six weeks have rolled by, seemingly in the blink of an eye.

This was the scene at the kitchen table around 6am, hence the grainy picture. It was still dark when I took my boy to work this morning. All my supplies laid out ready for class. As you can probably tell, from the stamp sets on show, seasonal crafting is now underway. I can't resist any longer.

This afternoon, I've swapped paper for fabric. A Christmas Day dress in the making. Coffee and a stroopwafel to smooth the process.

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers,  just as it's getting dark again!