What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 853

 This is the jammy edition. Again I'm here to say thank you, we had a cream tea delivered from this fabulous community. We enjoyed it very, very much.

The big tub of cream was in a silver bubbly envelope with a little freezer block in the bag. So efficient. Doesn't it all look inviting! I unpacked it and put the cream in the fridge as we decided we'd have a proper lovely tea in the autumn sunshine the next day. Well, because of the circs, I woke in the middle of the night to find myself alone in bed. I staggered downstairs to find Mr Dunnit making a cup of tea, so I joined him. And then, like naughty children, we scoffed a cream tea at 230am. And we did it again the next day because the scones were HUGE and we really did struggle to finish one each, laden as they were...I mean, the jam would hardly spread!

Another lift to our morale, at just the right time, even if it was a ridiculous time, thank you so much. We had the go ahead to start clearing the site and have spent days scavenging in the soot and ash to remove what is now scrap metal. Oddly, I think it's cathartic for him, but I've stopped, it's really not any therapy for me! I've had a weekend of therapy with The Coven, some scrapbooking and chat about anything except what we're going to do (not entirely sure, yet) and lots of cutting and sticking. Best therapy, as we all know! I actually made a good handful of layouts, surprised myself...perhaps the reduced time I had concentrated my mind! So instead of the actual desk, please enjoy some of my output, because by next Wednesday, my desk will be littered, cluttered and messy, as normal!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 852

If you're on Facebook,   You might have seen my post about the fire that destroyed our workshop, paint shop and timber store. Our business. For two or three days, it was devastating and we did not know which way was up, let alone forward. Some sleep and the need to face insurance and utitlty companies and daily life have brought us back to reality. The arrival of your support in the shape of this beautiful autumnal bouquet is so appreciated. We are both buoyed and enabled by knowing that so many people wish us well in the next part of our lives and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for it.

Plans are afoot now. Mr Dunnit doesn't want to completely retire, so we instantly have a way forward. We still have each other and we have our home which really means that we have everything still.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 850

 850..that's a lot isn't it! Nice big roundy number. Still grateful to Sarah for carrying us on.

We've been away on holiday and so my desk is not looking any different after I last did the show and tell. So, have a view of Sardinia..

It was an 'activities' holiday. There was a lot to do and Mr Dunnit totally made the most. I (we] did some kayaking, and I took a couple of swimming lessons...to improve my breathing in front crawl and racing breast stroke, and we did some walking. The tennis, 730am fun run, windsurfing and such were done by himself. Apart from the fun run, I went along and sat courtside or beach side to support....just as he did when I was in the pool trying to breathe without ingesting litres of water! It was a fun and as Jan put it, a 'wet' holiday.

There were two evenings that we moved off resort to try some local food. We were encouraged to try Paolo's, a pizza house run by Paola and his wife, now in their 70s, who only serve pizza and local beer, wine and Fanta. So, we set off, a mile or so of a stroll, some uphill and all rather charming. Old buildings, lovely faded stucco, very narrow roads and no paths. Caused Mr Dunnit some stress that did, specially when you could see a car on the horizon, apparently heading straight for us. Meanwhile though, it was hot and humid and...it started to thunder. And then the rain came, big heavy drops that we were reasonably pleased about, refreshing and just a shower. Not so. Within a minute we were soaked through with absolutely nowhere to shelter and nothing in the way of a coat of course; it was so hot we hadn't even thought about bringing an extra layer for later when the sun went down. (One of Sardinia's things that, the temperature difference between day and night is often no more than five degrees). I was as you can see, in a pink linen dress that very quickly became see through (blue bra) but hey -  my knickers were skin colour so nobody knew what style they were at least!

The patrons, when we finally made it to their house, didn't blink. The old man asked if we had a reservation and led us into an empty room. Then he fetched a plastic table and chairs from outside and indicated we should sit. So we did, and gently steamed in what had clearly been their front room at one point. 

There were 40 odd pizza choices on the handwritten menu and the two that we had were just lovely. It didn't rain again and when we left, the front garden was full of pizza enjoying patrons, enjoying less humid air under the fairy lights and magnificent trailing jasmine. We squelched back to a hot shower and a large medicinal gin, because you don't want to catch a cold whilst you're on holiday, huh!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 848

I don't know if this will work. If you're reading it, it has worked so three cheers for me. And boo to all the hoops I've had to jump through, not least to just understand the prompts that kept popping up to apparently help me. 

Now where was I? Oh yeah, I had a bit of a purge on wood mounted stamps. So I decided to do the same with the clear stamps. As you can see, I emptied them drawer by drawer onto my desk. I cleaned and sorted into 'keep' and 'sell' piles boxes and again, spent a long time listing them on Vinted for about a quid each. Not a lot, but I've got rid of the majority without throwing them into landfill, and those that are left are now loosely categorised and only take up 3 drawers! The Christmas collection is last but not least but it will be a good ten days before I've got time to do that lot! 

I've also also done some scrapbooking which I don't often do at home - a couple of Mr Dunnit's baby pictures that came to us after his Mum died last summer. I haven't done much to them except to make sure they're on acid free etc...they really aren't mine to over mess with. He likes the results and that they'll be a bit better preserved, so that's a win!

They are so of their time aren't they. 

And this is the chubbiest his face has ever been! 

I know I'm not exactly a regular Desker these days, but I know that I won't be around next week already....something to do with a water sports holiday....so help me, I would appreciate your thoughts....those thoughts that don't have us in a kayak with Mr Dunnit at the front, high out of the water because of his lumpy wife behind him! I fear....!! Check everyone else's desks out over at Sarah's, much more inspiring I can tell you. 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 846

Gosh aren't we clattering through the weeks. My desk is largely neglected, I've been sorting out wood mounted stamps and listing them for sale (for next to nothing) and that has kept me pretty busy. Clear stamps next. That will be much easier because I'm not so attached! Meanwhile, here's a slightly staged desk shot...

I HAD to order a bunch of foolish stuff from Temu, and these gift tags struck me as funny - maybe true, so I added them to my basket...here's the close up to save your eyes:

The eagle eyed will have notice a change in typeface and possibly really wobbly layout, the App I use to allow me to access Blogger on my iPad is doing me wrong, so I'm attempting this post direct to Blogger - it could be that since I started using the App that things have changed and I no longer need to. We'll see. Either way, it's now nearly 4pm and if I'm going to get this post up, it's sort of now or never!

The link for joining in is over at Sarah's. Please enjoy!

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 844

 I don't know if I should be worried or grateful that I'm not sure why the weeks fly by as they do! I know Sarah's  easing in to a relaxing life, and I can't say my life is difficult, but be aware Sarah, it will get fuller and fuller!

So a combination of other stuff, sunshine (which always calls me outside) and having Miss Dunnit home has prevented me from spending any time at my desk over the last week, literally, it's the same as was..

Actually it shows some push back. The lunchtime sun means you can't see the purple wheelbarrow through the doors. BJ is amused by it as I am...I won it in a charity raffle at a garden centre! It's been very useful and I'm still very chuffed about it!

One of my former customers and now a Stampin Up! Demo is having a summer craft party next week and put a call out for volunteers to make a card and kit it for 12. Well, that's sort of up my street so I put my name forward imagining I'd be trampled in the rush. Not so, last night came the message...so I really have a great excuse to tidy up and get on. Panic seems to be a default setting these days! 

So please show and tell, I know you'll have been doing far more interesting things! The link to Sarah's blog is at the top of this post, leave your blog link and let us call in! 

Actually it shows some pushback back. The lunchtime sun means you can't see the purple wheelbarrow through the doors. BJ is amused by it as I am...I won it in a charity raffle at a garden centre! It's been very useful and I'm still very chuffed about it!

One of my former customers and now a Stampin Up! Demo is having a summer craft party next week and put a call out for volunteers to make a card and kit it for 12. Well, that's sort of up my street so I put my name forward imagining I'd be trampled in the rush. Not so, last night came the message...so I really have a great excuse to tidy up and get on. Panic seems to be a default setting these days! 

So please show and tell, I know you'll have been doing far more interesting things! The link to Sarah's blog is at the top of this post, leave your blog link and let us call in! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 843

Well I blinked and last week disappeared. This week I'm due to be out all day and so I'm posting earlier than I would normally do. There's plenty of mess on the desk...

Long story short, I needed to make some gift boxes that were too big to cut out on my little Cricut Joy. So I turned to my new resource library and found a sample I liked and married it to the template and pencil drew it and cut it out by hand.Seriously old fashioned really, but golly, so easy! You can see my old faithful score board, and you can see the faed shape where it's tucked into a bookshelf arrangement! The acid yellow files are slowly being filled with ATCs that are going to be another resource....here's my whole library. 

It's a thing by Crafter's Companion...the little books have finished project photos and instructions, the large are templates and die pages. I've referred to it a few times already for reasons of having no clue as to what to make.....ironically, I tried this  stepper card from one of the books...I've done the bare bones and can't decide how to finish it now!

join in and show us what you're up to. The place to park you desk link is over at

Sarah's. 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 841

Back to the old layers and general neglect, that's what's on my desk and evident from this two-fer. 

It's not gloomy today, just that my desk is facing the side of the house that doesn't get sunshine till later in the day. Recently of course, that has turned it into a little hot box, but it's OK, as you can see, I've managed anyway! Our WI branch had a stall at the town's Party in the Park last weekend and in terms of homemade items to sell, I could only offer cards, so I had beetled away to put together a few of varying appeal. Then as you can see, I had presents to wrap, which naturally I left till the last minute. I had to go back to check out the shiny thing at left...it's a pack of cellophane bags catching the light! Very attention seeking.

And here's a swing to the right....I suddenly took the fancy to clear and tidy the shelving. By which I mean unpacking the stuff I haul to Crop once a month and ridding the floor of the boxes and carry-all that I use. That inevitably led to other ideas and so now I'm mid flow on quite a lot of sorting. Largely this 'fancy' was prompted by the imminent arrival of a large new resource which will need a flat, accessible space. Consider this a 'before' shot and if it goes anywhere, I'll do a braggy 'after'. That white basket at the right is almost overflowing with ATCS now, so they're going in an album for bookshelf storage and easier access. I find them an inspiring resource too, when I'm looking for styles or ideas, they're like the scaled down samples that travelling salesmen used to present! 

On top of all that self imposed work, it's still sunny and warm (but not indecently hot) so there's still a lot of outside to be in too. Sarah, you're going to love retirement, the days are busy but oh boy the choices are better!

Please join in by linking over at Sarah's, there's calm and sanity there and you may need it after this! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 839

I had to make an ATC for a monthly swap; themed 'plants'...not exactly my most ambitious interpretation! The good thing about ATC making is that I need to clear off whatever is on the desk because otherwise I get lost in my mess. See above my ATC there's Neet's anniversary ATC to me. I didn't show it last time because it was *of course* moved off the desk in a pile of stuff. My sweet great neice has also given it the seal of approval, we had to go through all my ATCs to see if there were any other mice...it was fun! And made me splash out on a couple of proper storage binders. Now to sit in the sun and fill them.

The weather has lured me outside a lot and I really couldn't sit and do nothing all the time could I?

Ta Na! Some very easy napkin decoupage and plenty of sunshine for the two layers of PVA to dry. Just as well, these tins take up a bit of room! I've finished the edges off and re-homed two of them already. Next time I see the Pizza guy advertising his mobile kitchen in the locale, I'll take the cherry one to him....I'll offer it to him and then I'll ask for two or three more tins! So, time to show and tell if you haven't already, link up at Sarah's and prepare to be inspired!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 837

The glorious weather is a huge positive for me and I really feel for those of you who don't like the warmer temperatures. We've been industrious if not creative in the garden for the last couple of months and this weather has really made it worthwhile....our outside table is the destination of choice for pretty much any seated job at the moment! (Excuse the washing, keeping it real!).Look at that - the tomato tins are getting the treatment! My inside desk looks as it did two weeks ago but with more space because the tins are missing. I'm using a very cheap acrylic to base coat them and the drying is patchy to say the least. Not too concerned because the napkins I'm going to use for the actual decoupage surface are quite patterned. I'll second coat and possibly even third - just to be sitting in the warm shade  really!  I have a ton of cards to make over the next few days; Mr Dunnit is working away till the end of the week so am going to try to make hay; I keep odd hours when I'm on my own so assuming the mojo is up and running, it should be a productive week for both of us!

Thank you so much for messages and real mail that celebrated WOYWW's 16th anniversary. I was very surprised and touched to receive 'real life' ATCs; they're a treasure. 

Now, however far behind (me) or ahead (everyone else) you are with your craft plans, whatever you're working on and wherever you're doing it, please show and tell, it's much better than crafting alone! Link over at Sarah's so that we can come and join you. I've got ice cubes by the bag full and tea if you're gasping. And don't tell, but there's coconut cake and lemon drizzle in the tin too....am expecting visitors tomorrow! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 835

Poof! And just like that, we are home. We had a holiday and it was lovely. I'm having trouble getting back into the groove, 

so my desk still looks as it did when we left! Weird isn't it, how I needed to leave a tidy desk! The big tins are waiting for a coat of paint in advance of a bit of napkin decoupage. I did one at a workshop some time last year and wanted to do some more but couldn't source the catering pack size tins. Me and Mr Dunnit were taking advantage of a wood fired pizza 'kitchen' that turns up in our little town once or twice a month and I remarked to the chef that the tin he had on the counter with a basil plant in it was just the size I'd like to get my hands on. He laughed and said on an average night he got through three of four tins and I could have time whenever I liked! Happily walked home with a carrier bag full of dirty tomato tins. And after washing and drying, that's where they were put. And have stayed. It'll be another 'don't hold your breath' I think.....but I'll show you when I've done something with at least one of them! 

Meanwhile; join in and show us your Workdesk, work station, tray, link your blog over at Sarah's - we really would like to see! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 832

Another anniversary! Sixteen years of weekly desk sharing. Huge thanks to Sarah for providing the wherewithal to keep the party going, what a star. 

My desk. Hmm. There's always a story....Mr Dunnit has been working away for the last few days and I promised myself that I would clear up the entire room and get myself into the zone. Didn't happen. I tidied the desk surface and as you can see, I've made a sheet of ATCs for the anniversary. It was going to be a great big ATC so that it photographed well, and it was going to be made with wax seals and all sorts because wax is the material for 16th anniversary, but the size and the huge expanse of empty sheet made me insensible.

Obviously, the sheet will divide into 9, so if anybody would like an actual ATC, please let me know, happy to post. Here's a close up:

As usual, the link for viewing all the blogs that participate in showing us your work space is at Sarah's. There's no better time to join in!

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 831

I thought that my desk was untouched from last week. But as you can see, not so. No actual production, but a trial, fun inconsequential play with wood mounted stamps from a Stampin Up! set that I bought from someone on Vinted for a song. They are very nice and I'm happy with them. No idea when they'll be used again, but I'll work them in somehow! 

There's tickets from our day at the ArmyV Navy rugby match at Twickenham waiting to go into the 'captured for the scrapbook box'' and a lot of detritus really. The weather has been so good that I've spent a lot of time gadding about or doing stuff in the garden and it's been lovely, but I do have a yearning to make something, so will try to tidy up and make time; should be a little easier - the sun might be shining but boy, it's gone back to being really quite chilly till about three in the afternoon! 

Look at this marvellous post box topper to commemorate VE Day, am so happy to live in a town that has a postbox topper knitter!

Please join us in showing what you're working on, or not as in mycase, just let's see your lovely work space! Link at Sarah's. You might want to make a cuppa before visiting....just to enhance the pleasure! 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 830

So. I've been card making and testing my patience I can tell you. Last week Mr Dunnit had an online meeting at home so I sat at my desk as quiet as a mouse whilst he erm, meetinged. I bought this die set for no other reason than I liked the picture on the packet and spent bloomin' ages cutting out the relevant parts. I cut out enough to make six cards and set to whilst listening to a client and his joiner discuss cabinets and worktops. This is the last card which I finally put together yesterday; I had to get it off my desk, I need to move on. It was all a bit painstaking! The teeny tiny flower heads are cut from one of the Pixie dust sheets I made a few days ago. So I haven't used much of it! 

I spent last weekend away with the Coven, for reasons of scrapbooking and talking and that's another reason for needing to clear my desk off again..I need to unpack and finish some titles and journaling. 

On another note, our tree Peony has flowered and I can't tell you how beautiful it is, it's a bit earlier than usual on account of the lovely sunshine we're enjoying. And better still, the forecast is fine, so the flowers will last longer than usual too! 

The flowers are as big as dinner plates and that hint of pink blush has arrived in the last five years or so and we put it down the fact that we planted a red bush peony right next to it about ten years ago. Well, we would want to claim credit over such beauty, huh!

Have a great week won't you. Join  us with a squizz at your desk or workspace, link up at Sarah's, no membership, no fees, just some friendly visitors!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 828

I tidied up and in doing so, found a couple of Pixie Dust pots that I had decided to 'need' a couple of weeks ago at Stamperama in Eastleigh. They are mixed pots rather than single colours, so they look extremely lavish, as you can see from the sheets I've done. 'Done' as in sprayed water on the card and tapped the powder over it. Not hard. 

The two pieces at the front are from each bottle individually, at the back there's a bit of both bottles on both cards. Not hard she says. The hard part is yet to come; I don't have any idea what I'll be using these pieces for!  You can see a box of rainbow coloured Washi tapes which were going for half price in Tesco...which was less than £2, so they will be found a home presently. And there are the washed and drying blending brushes that I was using last week. I hope Kathy doesn't faint when she works out how long it has therefore taken me to get round to cleaning her most useful gifts! 

My last birthday was the big 60 and my in-law family bought me lunch and viewing platform tickets for the Shard in London. As the tickets are only valid for a year, we thought to take advantage of the good weather and just do it. Quite an experience. Lunch was on the 34th floor and the viewing platform was on the 78th. Ear popping in a lift that was quick and silent and a bit scary, and then of course, a lot of view! 

    
I hope that your plans for the Easter weekend work out smoothly and you enjoy. 

Meanwhile though, visit Sarah to link your blog and desk/work surface/shenanigans, we'd love to see! Im mostly out for Wednesday this week, so forgive my slow to visit attitude! 

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 827

I'm not even sure how I managed to miss last week! Still, very grateful to be here and a little tiny bit flummoxed by the state of my desk! Taken at twilight, it tells a few stories. 

I've done some Easter gift shopping, I'm going to make belly bands or bags or something.

The plastic wallets are the scrapbook kits from Paper Fox that I was sorting through whilst packing for Crop last Saturday. I took two others with me; if I had bothered to unpack there would likely be four plastic files in view! All of that is underpinned by what I was doing before Crop preparation which you can see sticking out from under. I've got some pretty papers and matching toppers and such that I'm making up into a few cards. My WI group visits a coffee morning at one of our local Community Groups, so when I'm in the mood for making for the joy of cutting and sticking, I make up a few packs of five cards to bung on their fund raising table. 

The Easter egg stencil is the first purchasing double I've ever made! I reckon I can get it in the post fairly fast if anyone would like to have it, for this Easter or any other, just let me know! 

Please join in the showing off of the work surface that you use, what you do, what you've got....it's very interesting! Link your blog post over at 

Sarah's . Thank you very much!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 824

This was Tuesday afternoon at cuppa time. I didn't go back to it, so it's waiting. More patiently than I am, frankly. I'm doing a scrapbook 'workshop', so although the desk is cluttered, it's all stuff that's relevant to the layout I'm making. I splashed out last year and bought a 12 Days of Christmas set of kits and instructions from Bramble Fox. Beautifully put together kits and great instructions, and styles that I usually wouldn't make, so it's very enjoyable. But, it's not for just chucking in the rolling tote and taking to crop (which is kinda what I thought - save me having to think and pack for a couple of months) - each kit needs extras like paint or punches, that I have but wouldn't normally take to crop. Or indeed, think to use.  So this LO doesn't look much at the mo, but I'm keeping on. The instruction said to paint or ink three stripes which will ground the multiple photos I'm going to use. Here's a blast from the past...I used Twinkling H2Os! 

So that's my desk. Others are available and waiting to inspire, pop over to Sarah for a list of links. Join in - why not! 

Incidentally, there are a couple of Blogs that I couldn't comment on last week...they asked me to log into Google first. And of course, I was logged into Google. I think I have the solution, we'll see. 

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 823

Hello gentle Desker. Now don't be alarmed, the state of my desk is real time.

Real work in progress! I started last evening by clearing up a bit, and then had an idea for the monthly ATC I swap with Karen. Her choice of theme this month was ' Vintage Lady'. You can just see her ATC poking out from under the ink pad at right; I was so surprised at the speed of its arrival that I felt the need to not put off what can be done today.... Mr Dunnit has gone to the East for the day (Kent!) and had an early start so I did too and here we are. You can't tell, but I've just stamped the big foliage stamp in white onto the layered papers of the ATC and I've embossed it with clear powder. I'll photo it more closely in a minute because it made a really nice but not white image on the printed papers!

That's some strange chemistry between ink pad and paper, huh! 

The creme egg box still contains receipts but the sales have slowed now so am not so worried about keeping track of the delivery receipts, so who knows, I may ditch the box. Free up a couple of square inches, huh!

I don't know if you can see, at far right there's a bunch of foil shapes. They are my Kathy's work, she sent me a bunch of foiled balloon dog images and I'm over them enough to have cut them out and think about using them. Probably on scrapbook pages though because I may not be over them enough to give them away on cards...we'll see how the muse strikes. Now, I've really got to go and start my day properly, coffee and some chores before I can come back to the desk. 

Join us over at Sarah's for a list of desks, links and to join in yourself. That would be grand!