WOYWW 424 - Christmas In July

It is just about afternoon here and I am forcing myself to get this published, or the day will disappear.  I do wonder how time goes so fast.  I haven't managed to get a post typed for the past 2 weeks - due to other stuff in my life taking over, and probably not having anything to show on my craft table.

If you would like to join in with this global tour of crafty workspaces, get on over to Julia's Stamping Ground.

Today I am showing the space immediately in front of my pc, as I seem to be doing several things at once, which involve the computer, my phone, making notes, making phone calls and even doing some crafting.  I am starting on my first Christmas projects - some ATCs for a Christmas in July event in a Facebook ATC group, and also planning my very first Pocket Letter (need to do some more research into what they are exactly before I start) - just joined a Facebook group for those too.

I dusted down my Texture Boutique embossing machine (I always forget how much I love embossing), some toppers cut out ready, some ATC bases and a set of stamps from a magazine.  

I also show the floor behind my chair - my Christmas stash box needed sorting (which I do every year) and now I need to get some more bags to put the stuff in to, so it is easier to find stuff.  Buzz the Jack Russell is in his usual place - in the cat's bed.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying their summer (or winter).

Ali x

WOYWW 422 - Artist Trading Cards

I have to work quickly here.  Our internet service is getting worse by the day, and often disappears completely throughout the day.  Whilst we have no wifi (we can use our mobile, which is 4G and faster, which is ridiculous when we live in such a remote rural area, but I worry about using too much data), I do other stuff, like getting my hands messy with paint/modelling paste and creating 'random art' (in a modern style, but absolutely none of those 'intelligent' meanings or stories).

Wednesdays are the day when we link up with other crafters around the world.  Go to Julia's Stamping Ground for more details.  This week I am showing a desk that includes some crafting.  Since getting back into ATC trading (via some Facebook groups), it has encouraged me to create, which is all good.

(Now is the time when I rush downstairs because the live coverage of the Tour de France is about to start - very exciting with Cav/Sagan crash yesterday - I will continue on my laptop.)

Since taking this photo earlier this morning, the scene has changed (more stamping on the 'City' ATC, those strips of card stuck onto the larger pieces of paper in the middle, and another ATC and some tags have been worked on).

The rest hasn't moved - stencils on top of a precious photo that needs to be reframed, wooden stamp set (a bargain from TK Maxx) and other 'stuff'.

I look forward to taking a tour around other desks this week.

Ali x

WOYWW 420 - French Bulldogs, Dragonfly & More

I made it!  Our internet was not working from yesterday evening and it required a phone call from me to the company that provide our community wifi system (we cannot get 'normal' broadband due to our rural location) to get the engineers to 'look at it'.  It took them nearly 2 hours, but now we are connected again.

Happy WOYWW to all those that I do not manage to visit this week - and get on over to Julia's Stamping Ground for the linky thing.

I have spent the morning getting various little jobs done - old coffee machine cleaned and stored away (I would rather chuck it out, but hubby insists it might be needed one day!), nails varnished and grass cut.  Inbetween these bursts of activity, I mainly constantly checked the internet to see if it was working!  I had plenty of non-computer stuff to do, but this warmer weather has just meant that I have even less inclination to get on with useful stuff.

It has not been as hot as other areas of the UK in Pembrokeshire, but certainly warm enough for me to get some sunbathing done over the past few days.  Magazines have been read (cannot see the screen of my phone in the sunlight to read books via the Kindle app - for those who have an IPad, is that better in the sunshine?) and I have gained a few more freckles (I do not tan as easily as everyone else who seems to spend one day on the beach and go golden the next day).

I was up early this morning to let our aging Jack Russell, Buzz, out in the garden.  He seems to need a toilet trip a lot more often now (I know how he feels).  Therefore, I tackled some of the half-finished ATCs that have been sitting on my desk all week.

I used some of the really cute French Bulldog images that came with a craft magazine recently, plus various peel-offs/washi tape (remember when we all bought loads of peel-offs !!!).  I then added some acrylic paint in two of my favourite colours right now.

The remaining cards are either cut from some packaging or a scrap from a journal page - again with further embellies added.  No idea how to finish these ones off - but I am sure that inspiration will hit eventually.

There is a story to go with the tags in the top left - and I will do a blog post - but basically they were attached to cocktail glasses as a surprise gift from the restaurant owner that we went to on Friday night to celebrate our wedding anniversary (12th).  Such a sweet thing to do.  For anyone anywhere near Swansea or visiting, the restaurant is Mosaic and I would recommend that you all go (tapas of incredible quality).

The strip of card was used to 'mop up' the leftover acrylic paints from doing the ATCs - and I plan to cut it into narrow strips to make up some more ATCs.

The Costa Blanca book and map are there, as we are off to the area in October and I am already dreaming/planning.

Will get this published and then it is time for lunch.  I plan to go and investigate a local golf driving range (with cafe and 9 hole course too) this afternoon, so I have somewhere to practice in less pleasant weather.  I really need to practice - went up to Haverfordwest Golf Club on Monday evening and attempted 4 holes; was rubbish, but enjoyed myself (only lost one ball in the water).

Ali x

WOYWW 419 - building up ATC stocks and my new golf addiction

Hi, everyone.  I had decided that I was going to have to miss this week, due to hosting a farmers' meeting today.  However, I left it early (my body wanted some rest!) and escaped to my craft room.

My photo shows my 'computer' area - but I am sorting out ATCs (some traded ones to post) and also some suitable card to make up more ATC bases.  I have recently got back into ATC trading - and joined two Facebook Groups.  I only have one spare one left, so trying to get some batches made to keep me going for a while.

You can also see a scorecard from the golf club I am having lessons at.  At our last lesson of the previous 6-week course we went out on the actual course and managed to play two holes.  Exhausted after that!  Now we are spending a few weeks going back to basics - last week was putting (and I won the competition - no idea how!) and I think tomorrow night we are doing chipping, which is my favourite.  I am really enjoying golf - I do struggle with all the bending down and walking (I know that a golf buggy will need to be used if we are doing more than a couple of holes) - but it is very addictive.  Now I know why so many men disappear off to the course all the time!  I have even upgraded to Sky Sports so I can watch the US Open this week.  It does involve some shopping (one of my favourite pastimes) - a set of clubs, trolley, shoes, coat and other clothes bought so far - and need balls/tees etc this week.

Back to cutting up card into ATC sizes.

Hope everyone is having a good week (and my thoughts are with all affected by the tragic fire in London last night).

Ali x

WOYWW 417 - furry companions

Good morning to everyone taking part in this weekly tour of crafty workspaces (go to Stamping Ground for more details), or even if you are just reading my blog in a random way!

I have literally nothing to show on my craft table this morning.  Having a busy week as usual and off to Silverstone tomorrow for a F1 event on Friday, so I can't even show a half-finished project.

I do have a couple of furry companions whilst I read my Bible - here they are.

Buzz the Dog

Milky the Cat

Note that Milky has the comfy bed next to the radiator, whilst Buzz has his mat !  He does sneak onto her bed when she is not around.  They are both 10 this month and doing pretty well for their age.

This may be my shortest blog post ever - I will show some crafting next week.

Ali x

WOYWW 416 - 8 years, ATCs and my Bible

Happy 8th Birthday WOYWW.  Doesn't time fly when you are having fun?!  Julia over at Stamping Ground is the creator of this weekly event, and you can join in there.

We are doing an ATC swap to celebrate - and I have one spare to give away.  Let me know if you would like to swap with me. (gone)

Some creative stuff is happening on my craft table this morning.

I wanted to journal the image that has appearing on the television and social media since the horrible events in Manchester, so I searched for a Bible verse that would represent courage.  Psalms 31:24 caught my eye.  Simple words.

I had read about how good Crayola Twistables were for Bible Journaling, so I bought myself a selection of pencils and crayons to try out.  They are brilliant - definitely no bleed through, and can hardly see any shadowing either (even with the very thin paper in my particular Bible).  Using them for highlighting text and adding colour to images.  Definitely need to get the big packs now, so I have even more colours to play with.

You can see my little pile of ATCs ready to go in envelopes.  I used some left-over pieces of card from a project making affirmation cards.  Lovely shades of blue.

I rarely buy craft magazines now, but Making Cards this month had some really cute Boston Terrier designs that I couldn't resist - and when I opened up the wrapping there were a set of really useful border stamps too as a bonus.

Otherwise you can see my pen box etc.

I hope to visit some blogs today, but Wednesdays are always busy with my evening golf lesson, and we also have to go into town for a solicitors appointment (finalising stuff on the sale of a property), and I plan to visit the post office too.

I will be blogging in more detail about my Bible Journaling this week, plus finally showing some of my scrapbooking.

Ali x

WOYWW 415 - my first scrapbook layout

Good morning to you all.  I am a bit later than planned due to my new morning routine of staying in bed until the dog asks to go out, plus Tesco delivery this morning.

No crafting - yet.  I fully intend to do some Bible Journaling later and perhaps even start on my next scrapbook layout (another cycling event).  However, I may run out of time - with financial stuff to sort out and my next golf lesson at 6 pm.  I accept now that I never get everything done in one day.  My health - physical and emotional - is more important.

My craft table is showing the completed layout, which now I see needs some more journaling, a pile of photos/event number, my new Bible, and my 'scrap journal' (for using up leftover paint, doodling etc).  Apologies for the blurriness - hands shaking this morning.

I hope to get round and visit some crafters in the next few days.

Ali x

ps  Whoops - forgot to add the link to the lovely lady who is the Queen of WOYWW!  Click HERE