Wednesday 22 May 2019

WOYWW Five Hundred and Twenty.

Five hundred and twenty. That’s once a week for ten years. It’s a bit like beans on toast for lunch on a Saturday, bed linen changing on a Monday, grocery shopping on a Tuesday. It’s a part of my week. It’s part of my conversations. I often talk of online friends and find myself asked ‘who?’ and I only have to answer ‘oh, she’s a Desker’ and that’s enough. So it’s fair to say that this Wednesday desk thing on the blog is a part of my life. It’s a rich and enriching part of my life. 
I didn’t start WOYWW for any specific reason, I just wanted to see what other people were up to and to see if other people had a desk as untidy as mine, if they were lucky enough to have a dedicated space. I have worked out over the ten years that part of my untidiness is because it is a dedicated space and I don’t have to clear it off to enable supper preparations or eating, so I don’t.
I most certainly didn’t expect WOYWW to generate the interest it does. I know it became a recommended platform for other bloggers to use if they had products, shops or TV shows to publicise. I’ve received a large number of complaints about this actually, over the years, so now there is a ‘don’t be blatant’ rule. And let’s face it, however subtle, we Deskers are very quick to pick up on a new product or idea. Lordy, the skill is entirely with the enablers. And there are some consistent enablers amongst regular Deskers. *cough, Shazza*.
If there is any success in WOYWW, it’s the spirit that you the contributors have erm, contributed. Online commenting has bloomed into off line friendships, and in some cases where distance isn’t a hurdle, there have been meetings. In all of this, we have a bit of crafting in common. But oh, there’s so much more. I can honestly say that it wouldn’t have occurred to me to mark, let alone celebrate the anniversaries. I can credit any number of Deskers who felt it deserved recognising. That’s very touching, I can tell you, because it showed that for a bit of nonsense, other people felt it important enough to have a little teeny celebration. ATC sized, you know...let’s not get carried away.
We save that for the WOYWW Crop. Started by Jan, because again, it never occurred to me that anyone would want to. They continue to be a lot of fun. And seriously, although the meeting and bonhomie is huge, we really do only chat. It’s kind of like commenting online but much much faster! Of course there’s a 10th Anniversary Crop in a couple of weeks. 
HERE are details of that.
I can’t really thank you enough for visiting, sharing and contributing. Please go on. I will if you will!

Now, remember our ATC celebratory swap today....if you’re taking part, please don’t forget to add * to your name when you link.
If you do forget, link again with a * (or as many times as it takes to remember). I’m the only one who can remove wrong links so I’ll be on hand to tidy up the links if necessary. And don’t worry about mistakes, good grief, they aren’t going to affect anything!

46 comments:

Helen said...

You're early...I am swapping. I was so busy reading your memories (no desk today?!! ha ha) I forgot my * but have re-linked...
Not sure what my excuse for such a messy space can be, given it's my living room floor...yes, still, after 10 years, it is my living room floor!! See you and the other deskers at the crop. cannot wait!

Robyn said...

Happy 10th- and here's to anymore! Thanks fo all you do(and don't) Tidy is as tidy does!
Robyn* 7

Sarah Brennan said...

Happy 10th anniversary Julia and thanks for introducing me to such a great bunch of friends. As my blog says today, I will be at the crop with plenty of tags to choose from for swapping and I am really looking forward to it. Have a great week. Sarah #4

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was surprised you didn't share a photo today, but I guess Wendy and I made up for it (grin). Wendy was "born" in honor of the first WOYWW and she and I will be here for the 101st if you will be! Thank you for makig this so easy to have a fun Wednesday, dear friend.

glitterandglue said...

Morning Julia. No, I've not forgotten the asterisk - just can't take part today as I haven't actually been in the house long enough to make much!! But my desk is there - and like you... a dedicated space means I can leave it messy if I like as no-one else is inconvenienced. Well done on the anniversary dear girl. You done good!
I'll see you at the crop - must now get my backside in gear making a little something for everyone... sounds like lots are coming!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Thank you for hosting the weekly desky shenanigans, it's a brilliant thing to be part of- long may it continue!!
Hugs LLJ 9 xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Happy 10th Anniversary Julia although i've only been around for a fraction of WoywW's life I thank you for putting a fragment of stability into my weekly routine. It may seem small to some but it is huge to me and extremely important as you give me focus when there's not much time for me. Thank you for the laugh's and giggle's and genuine smile's and bringing together of people far and wide. It's a great place to be each Wednesday! Thank YOU.
Happy WoywW Everyone and Thanks for sharing Hugs Tracey #10 xx

Elizabeth said...

Happy 10th Julia! No desk today - you still know how to get our attention even after all this time. When I was prepping my post today I took a wee trip down your memory lane - your blog actually - looking for the first WOYWW post and couldn't help noticing how very gradual it all happened - no fanfare at all. Amazing. Also noticed how many deskers had come and gone over the ten years too. It's a wondrous thing this WOYWW and I for one am very grateful to you for keeping it going no matter what. Thank you Julia. Have a wonderful day and a great week ahead. Hugs, Elizabeth x (an amazing) #13

Sue said...

Hi Julia, Thank you for starting it, as I have made friends through it and also had inspiration from the work other deskers show each Wednesday.

I joined in year 3 or 4 and I've loved every Wednesday I have been able to take part.

I can't make the crop, but will be thinking of you all. I know you'll all have a lovely time.

Happy 10th WOYWW Anniversary. Hugs Sue

Lynn Holland said...

Huge congratulations and thank you Julia for creating this lovely place, full of inspiration, ideas and friendships.
Lynn xx

Marit said...

Congratulations Julia!!! Ten years, of which I joined 6... posting a photo of my desk has become a habit indeed. I'm glad I got to 'know' you - and it's a pity I live that far away, otherwise I would've come to meet you (and the other ladies)at the crop. Enjoy this special day dear one! Big hug from the Netherlands. Marit #17

Shoshi said...

Wow, Julia. 10 years. Who’d have thought it? Not that I’ve been around for all ten, just a few, and not every week either. This is an internet phenomenon! Thank you so much for starting it in the first place, and for keeping it going all these years, and enabling us all to make so many friends. My only complaint about WOYWW is the name - the acronym is unpronounceable lol lol! It took my fingers a long time to build up the muscle memory to type it, too, but I can do that in my sleep now! Not only have I made lots of friends (a few of whom I’ve been privileged to meet in person), had my nosey-ness about other people’s desks satisfied, learnt about new products and techniques, and been inspired by others to greater creativity, but if it hadn’t been for WOYWW, I would not have coped so well with my cancer in 2015 without the incredible support and love from all my desky friends. I have to put lovely Shaz Silverwolf at the top of that list as her personal experience and knowledge gained 6 months ahead of me helped me so much, and her encouragement to keep going through it all!

What an incredible gang, with an amazing gang leader to take us on into the next ten years! Thank you, thank you Julia!!!
Shoshi x #16

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Julia, sorry about that I knew I had to do it but still forgot, silly me done it now though. Sorry sorry I can't be with you all for the crop but there in spirit and know you'll all have a great time. Thank you so much for continuing with woyww it was a life saver for me when I started blogging and love it still. Happy woyww 10th Anniversary with hugs, Angela x20x

Annie said...

Thank you really isn’t enough my friend. That little seed you planted all those 10 years ago has grown into a beautiful tree with branches all around the world! Long may it continue.
Huge hugs,
Annie x

Twiglet said...

….And that little tree has deep roots so I am sure it will be just as strong in 10 years time!! See you soon. xx Jo

Diana Taylor said...

Happy Anniversary Julia. Thank you for starting it and creating such a wonderful, warm and friendly group - I've loved being part of it and look forward to the next 10 years!
Hugs, Diana xx

Anne said...

Hello Julia. Many congratulations on this achievement. You have enabled many friendships, much happiness and well being through WOYWW. Annex 25 I think!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY !! You are the hostess with the mostess. So happy I became involved with WOYWW. So many fun people and great inspiration. Our thunder and lightening didn't awake me, it was a SCAM caller at 12:59 AM scared me and I immediately think it is something with family. So back to dreamland and will make my visits in a few hours. THANK YOU JULIA for ALL you do for us deskers.

Debbie Rock said...

Happy 10th Anniversary dearest Julia - you SO deserve all the love heading your way today. Debbie #25 xXx

shazsilverwolf said...

Morning Julia, and I'm sending huge congratulations for starting something so addictive, thats become a big part of all our lives.It's thanks to you that we've made so many friends, both on & offline. So, huge hugs from us both!
Enabler? Who? Me? ( Big innocent face here, rofl.)I *may* just be keeping up my reputation this week, just a teeny bit. :) So looking forward to next weekend,we have missed seeing you. Sending much love & huge hugs again, Shaz #7 XxXxXx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Happy 10th anniversary, Julia! I really wish I had been part of WOYWW from the beginnings! I can see us growing into old ladies and still blogging from our respective care homes LOL! Here's to another 10 years! zsuzsa #26

buterfliecrafter said...

Hi Julia, congrats on the 10th anniversary, that is really long in the digital world. No shot of your desk today??
on to many more years.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Wow, miracle lady Julia, starting of wonderful WOYWW, and yes WIYWW brought me to met crafty geniuses as our last WOYWW crop in Wales, chez Margaret, an dam huge congrats Julia, I dips me lid to you!!

Mm, suffering severe brain drain here, Julia, not sure what happened to mine lately!

Was just sitting here and thinking now what does * mean ... do I send it back or forward, then DER!
Brain clicked, PiF is Pass it Forward so I just pass it forward! How slow eh?

Now I’ve joined for all but one and almost a half years, as wasn’t even aware of blogs (or Web Logs) when WOYWW started in lo-o-onnng ago 2009!!!
Your desk looks incredibly tidy today! 😁 okay there’s no picky. I can relate to that reason as to why yours is messy ie don’t need to tidy it, just shut the door!
I didn’t take my proper desk today for the reason it’s in serious need of tidy up, I’ve not been 100% again so only must do things were done, and tidying top of desk wasn’t one of them.
Now I better go commenting thanks so much again Julia, for all you’ve done to make and keep WOYWW going!
Hugs Shaz in Oz.x #24

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Heather M said...

Hi Julia, in all my excitement I forgot the blooming * - very sorry! I know I only joined in 2017, but yes it's as much a part of my week as anything else now, and I do try to take part as often as I can. This is a fantastic achievement - 10 Years - and I've already been lucky enough to meet quite a few deskers, at last year's Crop and Happy Stampers. Here's to the next 10 years. Love Zsuzsa's comment - we'll be blogging from our respective care homes! Lol. Have a lovely week, Heather #30

Neet said...

It was all thanks to Jo in Liverpool that I joined in with the desk showing and became a fully fledged desker. Thank you so much Julia for all those years of fun and friendship, for all the many many friends I made along the way. I miss the ones I don't hear from now but you opened up a whole new way of life for me and I thank you for it - from the bottom of my heart. Even if I am paranoid these days about not missing a single week, it has become an obsession with me and one which I hope to keep going for years to come. I love being obsessive when it comes to WOYWW.
Loads of love and thanks
Neet 18 xx

sandra de said...

Thank you Julia for giving us all the chance to link up and meet other crafty minded folk. It would never of happened without you :)
sandra de #33

Glenda said...

Congratulations on this milestone and thank you for hosting this weekly get together! You are so gracious and you have given me something to do and somewhere to go on Wednesday for a long time. It's like I'm getting to visit family and you mean so much to me!
Glenda #34

Kelly said...

I feel so blessed to have been invited to this circle.. by Shaz. LOL She is an enabler but we lover to her bits! Thank you for welcoming me. Let's get this party started!!! Creative Blessings! ~Kelly #35

Stacy Sheldon said...

Happy Anniversary Julia,
and yep, I think you are right the whole dedicated space thing equals it can sit until its done or your tired of pushing it around. and ha ha I think I enjoy the work in progress and enabler posts the most. :) ~Stacy #37

Mrs-D said...

Happy Anniversary Julia, and thanks for hosting for all those years
Bless you
Chris #35

Lindart said...

CONGRATULATIONS! Ten years is a wonderful milestone, and I am very happy to have been a part of the last several years (I can't find when I joined). I love learning all about each other's desks and lives, and I'm very grateful that this group was started, and especially that it has gone on for so long! And thank you for hosting all these years! I feel I have friends all around the globe! Have a wonderful week, open a bottle of Champers, and celebrate! Lindart #37

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Happy Tenth Anniversary, Julia. What a fabulous achievement. Thank you for all the tremendous effort you have put into keeping us all going over the years. Long may it continue. xxx Maggie (Silvercrafter) #41

Dorlene Durham said...

Great post. We are quite the community of crafters and I'm so glad I found this site. Happy 520 aka 10 years and many more....Dorlene #42

Caro said...

Happy 10th Anniversary! Thank you so much for hosting us over the years and introducing me to such a supportive, friendly network of crafters. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#27)

Christine said...

Happy Anniversary!!! Marvellous! Soooooo pleased your still putting up with us after all these years.
Really looking forward to the Crop.
Have a good week
xxxxxxxxx
Christine #43

Dotty Jo said...

Brilliant figure! Proud to have been a desker for quite a few of those years. Just wish I could play more often, Jo x

My name is Cindy said...

Happy anniversary. It really is something, daft though it may seem, well done for being the 'glue' that holds us all together!! I made it, later than planned, but that's the story of my life just lately!! Happy Wednesday, Cindy xx

Nikki said...

Hi Julia couldn't miss out so Here I am better late then never :) I have a few buttons up for all to snag if they want and am just starting a card today for the swap.
Hugs Nikki C
thanks for making this wonderful group up too

Kathryn Frantz said...

I look forward to Wednesdays and touching base! I feel so fortunate that Mike and I were able to actually meet you and Mr. Dunnit! I haven't given up on the idea to actually come to visit you....someday...I hope! Your way with words is always hits home! Sometimes I feel we are sisters from another mother! And I have "met" a few other sisters in this family! Thank you, Julia! I'll be with you in spirit!

pearshapedcrafting said...

What an achievement! It is really - the friendships that have been forged both on line and at crops is a great reason to celebrate those 10 years!!
Wish I could play along more often but everything seems to happen on Tuesdays and I am on catch up by Wednesdays these days!!
A big Thank You for keeping this going!
Hugs, Chrisx 47
ps Hope you don't think I have been too blatant - it's still all new to me and I get over excited!
Ha! Me at the age of 71 - Oh and my number this time, my birth year 47

Cardarian said...

Hi Julia!
It might seem that I have forgotten WOYWW but I haven't - I will come back when health allows - I am back for today and we will see about the crop! Thank you for dreaming up this wonderful thing. And thank you for all the friendship that has come from it! HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY!!!
LOVE AND LOTS OF HUGS FROM CARDARIAN (Dolores)

StampinCarol said...

Happy 10th and THANK YOU for this fun weekly get together! Though I will probably never meet any of the deskers I have enjoyed "visiting" so many lovely people and hopefully becoming "blog friends". I remember coming across you by chance through a friend who was a desker for a short time. God bless you and may you have a wonderful week!
Carol N #36

Sharon Madson said...

Julia, I haven’t been posting, but did want to wish you a happy 520! I have wonderful memories of WOYWW, as it really helped me to know what a blog was all about! Enjoy your week!

Theresa said...

I was sitting out have breakfast on the veranda and thinking about tidying up my desk and I remembered WOYWW from many years ago when I was heavily invested in stamp art. I think I may have done a post or two for the linky party from my old blog. A quick Google search brings me here. Congrats on keeping this going for 10 years. What an achievement. I might do a post from my new blog next Wednesday. Cheers

Shoshi said...

Hi Julia, thanks for visiting, and I really appreciate it considering how many you must have visited, being the 10th anniversary. I'm afraid I haven't visited very many this week because I've been so tied up with my disability form, and I feel as if I've missed out a bit... Anyway, thanks for your lovely comments about my hubby's card, and our celebrations. Since then I've posted about our anniversary and you can see my hubby wearing his watch - he absolutely loves it! Lily is on terra firma and happy to be there in real life lol!

Thanks again for making WOYWW such a riproaring success.
Shoshi x

Anonymous said...

Despite often being absent from the weekly posts and commenting, I have loved the many years of bringing a routine to our Wednesdays. I am glad that you had the idea 10 years ago. Ali x