Wednesday 7 January 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 292

Well gentle Desker, if you've made any resolutions regarding your workspace, surface, time, inclination, effort or tidiness, this day may not actually be the best one to share it. You may suddenly feel a 'whoosh' and experience a horrid feeling of being taken back to another time....2014, and the untidiness that went with it when you visited this blog.
Yes, it is true. Things, have not changed. Leaves have not been turned, resolutions have not been made. No sir. I went shopping at the Kraft Crazy sale instead. Early bird, worm, etc!
Horrible dark and chilly morning. Hoping it gives way to something a bit lighter and brighter! But lo - on the other horizon (the worksurface where I am even now typing) there was evidence of a bit of re-organizing. Good grief. Yep, I have weeded out the pens.  

Sad to say the 16 year old Marvys have finally bitten the dust and this large handful of 9 year old Tombows are going in the 'donate' box.  I might then use my Copics a bit more. There's no plan here, I just suddenly had to do this instead of whatever else it was I should have been doing.  You know.
So now sweet people, please reveal all and show me up.  We wanna see how your desk is looking fresh and full of activity for this New Year.
Please put WOYWW in your post title, and link your blog here. Visits will occur.Thank you. 
And....please, enjoy every minute of 2015 that you can. Be absorbed by it. And when you need a break, some help, a focus; remember this Desker community is just a click toward you. Or away from you if we're driving you mad!

63 comments:

Bridget Larsen said...

ooh can we have more Spain and sunshine photos then instead of the doom and gloom lol. Nah i love the changing colours of your desk posts. ok you are putting me to shame and I must go and weed out my unwanteds and donate stuff I dont use anymore...thanks for the reminder. hahaha now commenting is guarded I AM NOT A ROBOT lol
Bridget #1

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Golly that's a lot of pens. I have about three, nothing as fine as yours, and they all seem to bite the dust when I try to write over gesso. Your shopping has me giddy. Love that you were able to hit the sales. I slept through most of the ones in the US (grin).

Happy WOYWW, dear friend.

Neet said...

Hate to brag but I got a set of Chameleon pens for Christmas. There is a learning curve with them but I am trying not to use them until I get back to the UK. Luckily my friend has a set so I have been playing with hers.
Mind you I do not think you can grumble at the length of time you have had yours. Guess todays pens won't last as long.
Hugs Neet xx

Jackie said...

You have made me think my Marvy LePlumes, I bet they have dried up they must be about the same age as yours! Best I check
Jackie 4

Helen said...

Oh, I need to check my Marvys too, bet most of them are dried up - the box would be useful for something else too!! I am glad you got to visit a craft sale, and partake - much better use of your time!

HeARTworks said...

A happy blessed new year, Julia!!! I was quite amused with your comment last week. I did not realize there was anything commendable in my "art" habits! Well, fyi, I also started decorating my planner this year, and all because my brother gave me a nice planner, and because, again, of all the Instagram posts of #planneraddicts!
As for your desk, I always take an unholy glee at seeing others' creatively messy desk! Have fun! patsy

Krisha said...

Last month I did the same thing with a bunch of pens (Tombows, Marvy's and generic brands). It always takes me a while to wonder why I am keeping them when they aren't good any longer.

I covet a set, just a small set, of Copics..........maybe someday.

Kyla said...

Happy new year and here is to a fabulous year.
Kyla

sandra de said...

Cleaning out stash in the new year is happening around the globe. I do admire a good collection of pens. I did start clenaing but got sidetracked by YouTube..... ehh and now started another project and the cycle goes on:)
sandra de @14

Anonymous said...

I have Marvys and Tombows at least that old and every time I take one out to use it, if it seems dry or skips it goes right in the bin! Loving your Spanish sunshine photos too. Just the thing fo a cold January day. Happy WOYWW dear.

MA

Annie said...

It must be the new year that's got us all sorting but at least you're decisive :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Anne said...

Hi Julia and Happy New Year. Had hoped to be all sorted and reorganised and well ahead with preparations for my January class. Buy plans of 'mice and men' eh! Struck down by the 'lurgy' instead! Ah well. Happy WOYWW. Anne x #23

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Mm, Julia have Tombows too and like them as they're water colour, snd use alcohol markers not copic tho for other things but heartily in favour of culling. ..one day. :)
Happy New year and happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz.x #24

lisa said...

Some great looking stuff there, Julia. I think the start of a new year always makes us want to clear out, I've been doing just the same.
Have a good week.
Hugs Lisax #26

fairy thoughts said...

Glad to see nothing has changed .. No resolutions .... They're for wimps.
Pen sorting now there's a job for a frosty day
Janet

misteejay said...

Nice lot of sale goodies there Julia.
Oh so envious of Neet and her new pens.
Toni xx

Twiglet said...

Back into the swing of things for 2015! x Jo

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I still think Marvy Le Plume should be the sidekick of Pepe Le Pew! :-)
Thanks for buying some new stash...that makes me feel better about buying yet more yarn, lol! Happy sorting....
Hugs, LLJ 18 xx

Queenie Jeannie said...

I will have to organize very soon, as we are moving in less than 6 months!! UGH! The life of a military family....always nomadic!

I hope you will use your Copics more because you are very talented!!! They are my go-to coloring medium, although I have enjoyed using my Prismacolor pencils and Distress Ink markers too.

I hope the sun finds you soon!!!

Glenda said...

I went through my stash about a year ago and sorted out all my pens. The ones that worked went to the nursing home and the rest hit the garbage. Now the only pens I have are what are on my desk, in easy sight, and ready to use!
Glenda #36

Christine said...

wotalot of pens - I have often thought of doing this but then ......
Retail Therapy is the best therapy out, had to do mine on line (again!). Enjoy your goodies.
Bishopsmate #37

Debbie Rock said...

Alas, am also not a colourer-inner and I think I have five or six Distress Marker pens and an ancient and only partially viable set of pens you use to colour peel offs - back in the day when I used peel offs! If I can't colour something with an inkpad then it doesn't get coloured! As always, Julia, your desk is FAB - U - LOUS and nothing beats a great crafty bargain! Love to you sweet lady. xXx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Julia, I have to say you're not the only one whose New Year resolutions don't seem to have happened Lol!
However, I have something special just for you, a small New Year gift if you have time to visit me.
Happy crafting, Angela x 39

Artatag said...

Happy New Year dear!
Looked up your last post about Spain. I think it is clever remembering sunny times at the moment. It is mostly dull here too, I want spring!!
Hugs
Gabriele 29

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Julia, my pens are in the same category...sadly they don't come out as often as they used to but when I get home I may just have to check them out. And may there be many days of crafting at the desk of yours, we all love visiting on our Wednesday, Cheers RobynO#31

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I have a bit of a pen addiction myself, so I can relate! I buy a lot of gel pens and paint markers. Realistically, I would only need black and while (I go through those like there's no tomorrow!) but I can't stop myself from buying the coloured ones as well, even though I rarely use them. Thanks for continuing the hosting of WOYWW in 2015! I plan to be here every week!

Marit said...

Hi Julia, Happy New Year! I look forward to get driven mad by this community again this year ;) There's nothing wrong with a messy desk to start the year with... it's prove you are still inspired and rockin' the place! Keep it going girl!

Marit said...

(Oh, and I'm #40 in today's list - forgot to add that to my comment)

Angela Toucan said...

good morning Julia, and Happy New Year to you. Well done on the pen sorting. I'm using markers at the moment and discovering a few dry ones. Looks like you had some happy shopping, enjoy playing with your new treats.

I'm in on 40 this week.

Many blessings to you, and yours, from Angela

Laura said...

Hmm, I could do with a pen drawer clean out. The thing is I love them all and will not want to get rid of any!
Happy Wednesday
Laura
41

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oooh! I've been having a clearout - hadn't even though of pens and paintbrushes yet! Nice to see new goodies on your desk! Chrisx 43

My name is Cindy said...

Yep grey and grim here as well. Have been a nit of re-organising myself but don't seem to have thrown much!! Happy 2015! Cindy xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

I'm loving your goodies, that Sheena Douglas set and the text stamp look fabulous! Poor pens. But I guess they all stop working at some point. That's why I love my Copics as I can refill them! Good job cos I get through certain colours a lot!! The only resolution is to fundraise so I apologise for the self promo bit in my post but hope you don't mind. Take care lovely. Zo xx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Julia, not desked this week, have a numb bum so can't sit for too long, and keep running out of steam. Plus my desk isn't changing- I still have stamps bought at the NEC in November waiting to be put away. I'm just getting so fed up now, always feeling under par, so nothing gets done. Well, thats me done feeling sorry for myself for an hour or two, lol. Love & Hugs, Shaz xxx

Angie said...

Julia you mustn't change now. Whatever would happen to the collective group were we to come here and see a clean desk full of productivity each week! Some shift in the creative axis would take place I'm sure! I love your desk for all it's insanity and busy-ness!
Angie #48

House of Bears said...

We had a big clear out too, now we have to work on messing it all up. Our craft room is also the bedroom though so I like it to look neat before bed time. Oh for a proper craft room.

Diana Taylor said...

I think you've started something here - I'm off to sort my Marvy's! Enjoy all your lovely new stash - I hope you have a great week,
Diana #50

Nannie4 said...

I gave up making New Year Resolutions eons ago. It was always the same -- quit smoking. Never happened until the impending birth of my first grandchild. I thought about resolving to be a tidier crafter this year, but that's a waste of energy, so I'll just continue as always. :) I too bought some new supplies at Michaels' sale. Sigh. Could there be a resolution there ???? Nah! Happy crafting.

PaperOcotilloStudio said...


Ah...I had a fit of needing to clean up something in my studio last week as well...but I resisted the urge! Your stories are always so funny! I am not desk hopping today as I have nothing to show..but of course off visiting others for inspiration!

Kelly said...

Happy New Year, Miss Julia!
I need to go through my pens as well. I'm just waiting for moving to the new space. Then I'll test each one as I put them away. I'm not a copic girl but I'm looking at the Chameleons. My word for 2015 is Balance. And I'm hoping through 'balance' I'll have more play time. Creative Blessings!

Hettie said...

I always thought it was Springtime when people were normally clearing out...maybe because the weather is more like spring we are all confused. There is alot of this tidying malarky going on. It does one good to declutter.
Hugs
xx

J said...

Julia, Happy New Year, I already posted a comment about your Grandada photos, we love the place but luckily we have that weather most of the year living only four hours drive away

Jan S 57

Sharon Madson said...

I am sure some of mine are dried up. I had to purchase some new gel pens, and my old ones gave up the ghost! I guess we should purge some of our old stuff to begin the new year. You set a good example for us. Have a great week!

505whimsygirl said...

Hello Julia,

Old habits die hard! There's nothing wrong with a BUSY desk, especially when it has new stuff on it!

Here it's just getting light when I go to work and then when I get off it's starting to get dark. By the time I get home and settled it's dark already. Looking forward to spring (already).

Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay

Belinda Basson said...

I am back from having a break up our west coast. I see you have the "I'm not a robot thing on"...do I too? Has Blogger globally added it to everyone's blog? Or did you put it on?

Claire Grantham said...

Happy New Year Julia..the light in your photo reminds me of home :) It is all snow bright here and -14 brrr..I too did a craft clear out and donated 20 punches to a local school group. Cx #66

Laura (Bookworm) said...

It looks to me like you restrained yourself pretty well in the face of after-holiday sale prices. :-) Hope you get a chance to play with your new goodies soon. I should go through my markers, too. I have a bunch that I rarely use (but hate to toss if they still have life.)

Stacy Sheldon said...

each time I reach for any of those waterbased markers on my desk and its dead I just toss them one at a time. I think that is way brave to go through them all at once :) ~Stacy #67

Mrs.D said...

You are doing the sorting as well. I am so sorting, I can't post anything, you don't want to see my desk piled up with the contents of two cupboards. Maybe some action next week, but Happy New Year.
Chris

Lisca said...

Oh dear, it does look dark in your photo. Come on over to Spain!
Wow! Nine year old marker pens and they still write? That's amazing! But I can imagine you want to use your Copics. I don't have any marker pens (apart from the supermarket variety. I don't do a lot of colouring and when I do I like watercolour pencils.
Thank you for visiting and commenting on my page earlier,
Have a good week,
Lisca#25

alifefullofpassion said...

Thank you for hosting WOYWW is my first time participating, come take a look, you might like it too :)

Helen said...

came back to answer your comment - was confused till I enlarged the photo - the faces are designs on my kitchen roll... only bought it cos it was on offer, normally it's the cheapo version!!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I see a spot of desktop so all is not lost. What I really see is lots of fun things to be played with and isn't that what is important?!

sandysewin said...

Ah yes, the dreaded pen weeding out. It's such a sinking feeling to have to toss them. And yes, I know how it is that it had to be done before anything else. :-)

Happy Woyww and Happy New Year,

Sandy #30

Nikki said...

Hey Julia have fun cleaning through your stash I find my old lighter markers just don't have the original colour that they started with when I bought them they become blending markers after a while
Have a great day
Hugs Nikki
And I'm also amazed it made it back to me too even if it did take over 6 months

Lucy said...

I love the fact you know how old your pens are - I deliberately asked for a new box of paints this year, so i could chuck my 19 year old acrylics away! Evidence of squiggling is also good:) Lucy #11 x P.S. - Great news! Indeed, it has just been proven that I am NOT a robot! Whoo!

Tracy said...

Looks like you have been creative ;)
I just went through a bunch of my writing pens and a lot of them were dried up :(

April said...

Oh My Goodness! You just HAD to organize. I've had it happen to me. I think it's when I don't have time that I start organizing. lol
April #55

Tertia said...

Oh Julia you are going to love the Copics! I LOVE, love love mine! The desk looks great, ready to go, wish I could come over for a play date with you.
Happy WOYWW!

Cazzy said...

Hi Julia,

You have been busy clearing out, I have Marvys too, and even Whispers although I might have donated them to Mum, not sure. I hardly ever use the Marvys these days I should check if they are dried out I guess.
Sorry I am late, not been well again.
I was trying to see what the Penny Black object on your desk is, is it a die, is it a stamp?
Cazzy #79

Eliza said...

Glad to see I am not the only one with a colourful desk this week. Lots of colour spread all around. Sometimes we have to bit the bullet and move on, it is hard to do too.

Sorry I have not been around working, cricket etc but finally back. Hope you had a wonderful christmas and new year. We have beautiful sunshine, storms and fires here in australia but life is good. Have a wonderful week doing what ever you want too do.

Happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda #78

Ali H said...

Hi Julia
thanks for the visit - funny how so many of us are on a tidy streak !! All the best for the coming year Love Ali x #21

April said...

My goal this year is to organize my pattern paper. Am I setting up myself to fail? lol
April