What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (69)

Oh my giddy aunt...it's not getting any better chez Dunnit! Wipso and Twiglet will be having the vapours and Elizabeth will be trying hard to think of any positive to excuse my mess!

I photographed this on Tuesday as soon as I got home from work. Then I went to my sweet in-laws for a lovely tea, and since then, I've moved the box of Copics - and thereby created loads more space *cough* and made another card or two. It's all good.

See I've re-loaded the ATG monster? well, for the curious amongst you - I weighed it. Fully loaded it weighs 480 grams...just a wisp shy of 1lb. It's kinda top heavy so the weight isn't in the grip and because it works by pulling the trigger it's no harder or easier to use at this newly loaded heavier weight than it is at any other stage really. Anyone else agree?

See I've also progressed to storing my cut'n'dry foams in a separate pot - I tell you, I am seriously joining the big girl crafters! I think the other only interesting thing about this shot is that it really gives away my right handed gene! I'm going to award myself a 9/10 on the scale that Kate keeps - because I think there's still a bit of room to trash!

Right then - show off a bit - upload a photo of your desk to your blog and come on and link it here. It is a great opportunity to 'pimp' your blog, and we all love visitors and comments - well I do! The only membership card is the button you can pick off here and you don't get a discount..you might pick up some customers but mostly and more importantly, you're likely to stumble on a friend. This blogging thing. Shocking good!

Long Autumnal shadows and crisp air and a Michaelmas Fair in the best tradition - doing what we English are pretty good at really. This was a great photo op and I took some terrible ones...especially as Miss Dunnit and her Godbrother weren't happy about being photographed on the rides. Sometimes your kids just can't get over being grown up can they!


I've found the colours on these lovely gaudy horses a great kick off point actually, and am feeling happily autumnal. Isn't funny how you do and don't notice things, and how some things influence you. I pointed a an Acer or Maple (I dunno) to a friend of mine yesterday that is already a stunning red gold. It's young, but been on 'our route' for a few years. She'd never noticed it, but is revelling in her discovery. She pointed out to me that since Autumn arrived, I've been wearing more red. I hadn't noticed. But I like the idea that even subliminally, I'm copying a greater force. Gold and yellow don't suit me, otherwise I'd probably be looking even more like the hedge that I usually drag myself through! I have to examine my winter wardrobe - this work thing means that jeans and sweatshirts won't really cut it - eight years of comfort clothes people - aaagh to that change! One thing for sure though, I'm going to try and build in some other colours - they cheer me and hey - if the horses can look gaudy for autumn....!

Here's another couple from the TH style workshop. Do you know that in the evening's repeat workshop it went so smoothly and people were so complimentary about the cards that I ended up keeping my head down and being quiet, humble and behaving entirely uncharacteristically. You see, it suddenly occurred to me whilst I was bathing in Tim Holtz's reflection, that they might ask me to come up with another workshop along the same lines.

And some people know how hard I made this workshop. Ah, so it's all over now; the new schedule is filled with autumn and Christmas and things that I thought at the time would be safe for me to do and you, dear interweb, to read about. No doubt that time will tell.

Click heavy!

This is one of the Holtzian cards I talked about yesterday. And several times in the preceeding weeks!!

I have an online friend (yes I do) who works for a charity called The Project Group. They support and offer all the know how for people with mental illnesses or challenges. Their income comes from the crafts they do - almost entirely by recycling other materials. Felted goods, jewellery, cards, handbags - you name it. They are currently in a public competition and the prize of £10,000 will be awarded by public vote. Yep, this is where you guys come in.

Given that we all acknowledge the 'therapy' that our crafting brings us, I feel we who are well enough to make and do on a daily basis without fear or strain have an affinity with groups that promote this sort of work for the good of our mental health. I wonder if you'd join me and vote for The Project Group? Here's how:

go to www.futurefriendly.co.uk

- click on Future Friendly Awards

- the 5 shortlisted projects will appear. The Project Group is right at the bottom

- click on "view more info" next to the Project Group

- click on vote

There is no doubt that the other charities are equally worthy - but The Project Group is the one in this instance, and I hope you agree.

Meanwhile, back at my desk, I had an email from 3M about some stuff on sale and the ATG monster gun is among them....worth a look if you've had ATG envy.....

http://www.3mselect.co.uk/c-250-scotch-tapes-adhesives.aspx?pagenum=2

Y'all have a nice weekend.

The lid goes back on that box

..as of about 10 o,clock tonight. Remind me at some stage huh - like every time I mention some workshop plans! This morning was the erm, *cough* 'unveiling' of the Holtz style workshop that I cheekily called Jul!a Holtz on the schedule. I can't show you pictures yet because the cards are at the shop, waiting for tonight's repeat workshop. However, I can already report the following

* I ended up making the cards in a sort of 'poop or get off the pot' mood - I just did 'em after ages of agonising and thinking about 'em. You heard about that. Sorry. I cannot say they benefitted from this approach, but they were done. Just in time.

*This morning we launched ourselves at them and concluded that one of the reasons I'm not great on the overall style is that it's so messy! I know - I get the irony, it's coming at me in shovel loads.

*I'm also, it turns out, a bit impatient with sponging and layering of colours. I think in terms of card making, I'm a simple soul and I don't really get it.

*And that impatience only seems to occur with this style; for that's the other thing - it all takes too long!

So, if you're chuckling over my Holtzian inadequacies, don't worry, I'm alright with it - after all, you can't say I don't love it - I just don't seem to be able to do it. And if you should happen to be Tim Holtz and you're reading this (!) - don't worry chum, you're job and reputation are as safe as the safest thing in my box! It's a big old box, and before I put the lid on it, I'll rummage around and see if there's anything else for me to try.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 68!

TRACE DEE - read the post below this one!!

Every week since the 'anniversary' I've typed the week number into the title and shake my head in wonder...any time y'all start to get bored, just say the word...I'm sure there's another useless acronym type blog hop waiting around! For variety and some attempt at even-ness in commenting, the last two weeks I started looking at desks from the highest number back. But because of oh,I don't know, everything else, there are about a dozen people in the middle 80s I didn't get to. Sorry! Please please don't let me have missed anything though, I will be kicking

myself!

So, as I may have warned in yesterday's post, my desk is a bit of a shambles again. It is however, very , very much tidier than it was at about 10.30 last night. Then I had a hissy fit because stuff kept falling on the floor. So I gave in and tidied up. So what you see is the detritus of maybe the last hour of trying. And I mean trying! My die cutting section is a little improved..but nothing has yet been put away...but then I am raking through it every five minutes, so that would be a bit counter productive, eh?!






I thought Siobhan's idea worked well last week - make a mental note of your Mr Linky number and when you comment on other's desks, add your number to your comment and visits can be reciprocated. And also, a silent three cheers for Mr Linky...amazing the technology that strangers make available for free AND make it so simple that even I can use it. Loving the Linky meister!


So then - show off or confess, whatever your desk style; we'd love you to join this big old blog hop. Not many rules, no membership necessary, dip in and out as and when you can, but know that you'll make some friends; Wednesdays are a very inclusive day in this portion of the ether! Add your pics to your blog, link it here and we'll swing by to rummage and comment over what you've got and what you're doing. Doesn't have to be paper crafting....there's a lot of knitters and sewers out there, and wine makers and oh I don't know, just load up and share please!

Stop Press....Ally Pally tickets...

Shopkeeper Gal had to re-draw the 'prize' - the original recipient is unable to take up the offer; something even fabbier had come up in the meantime and of course, it was meant to be a surprise. Oops!

So if it's not too late - Trace Dee - if you want the Ally Pally tickets - they're yours. In view of the time involved, suggest you ring Shopkeeper Gal at Kraft Crazy 01980 844010 as soon as you can. I can't find a place via your blog to email you, so I hope you're browsing at some stage!

This brings to two the number of pictureless posts I've ever done I think. And both onthe same day. How very un- imaginative I am!