What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 291

Well, for heaven's sake, here we are at New Year's Eve.  I know time isn't really going any faster; it's very likely to be me moving more slowly.  I know that the days aren't actually any shorter by any number of minutes or hours, but man, it feels like it.
I had, in the back of my mind, a semi-plan to have a really good clear out in my work room and streamline my operation; hit the ground running and be altogether way ahead of my game. Hasn't happened yet. But it's OK, I've done other things instead. I don't know why the Christmas holiday stifles my creativity, but I think it does. I think it's the lure of food. So, my desk is cleared of the company book-keeping stuff, and waiting for something.  It may well just be the turn of a page, entry into a New Year. Or it may be that overdue clear out. I don't know, but I'm looking forward. I won't be making any retrospective posts. I'm not good at looking back, it makes me too sentimental - and also, proves that my memory is questionable!  So, given my 'It is what it is' sort of attitude, the big pink eraser leaning on my iPad is very suitable.  Part of a Christmas gift from Miss Dunnit's current Squeeze. He's got to know me quite well!  
 
Lunch Lady Jan on the other hand, has me all wrong. I can tell you already that she'll be laughing her head off as she reads this...Seriously, all wrong.

Join in then, this New Year's Eve...show us how your holiday work surface is looking in the face of a New Year. Put WOYWW in your post title and link here. We'll do the rest.

This message comes to you without fuss or drama to wish you and yours a Happy and successful New Year; may 2015 be everything you intend it to be. 

Aspirational and Inspirational

At home with the Dunnits at Christmas. Nothing un-traditional or unusual to report, I'm glad to say. 
The tree was surrounded by presents to and from friends and family.  If it's from us, then it was wrapped by me.  And it will have been fairly hastily wrapped because I'm still reeling from how long it takes and how little time I set aside to actually do it all.  I know, you'd think by now that I'd manage to remember...but somehow, Christmas memories are not really made of all the work that goes into it are they?!  
So you get the general picture...everything is done, albeit a little hastily.  From where you stand, you can't see the loose ends. Imagine then gentle reader, the squirming embarrassment I feel at receiving gifts from friends that are wrapped so as to really reflect the treasures within...just look at these.

This was from Mrs Precision, of course. It contained a 'Merry Berry' scented candle in a jar and really...isn't it amazing!  Now bear in mind that Mrs Precision works full time and has a family and a grandchild to run around after.  I know.  I shall so enjoy pulling this out of storage next year.  And no, I won't be using it to 'wrap' something special; I'm not that giving.  Mrs Precision,  Ladies and Gentlemen...giving workshops in beautiful card making at a craft shop I can recommend.  

Now see what arrived from Debbie....posted, swathed in a tissue filled box . 

Gah, I've just noticed that I haven't re-tied the Deer's bow tie....sorry Debbie, I know it'll be the first thing you notice...but believe me, no-one else will until they read this bit! And the box is a joy, hand made and professional.

Turning wrapping into something more than that which I manage.  Taking the thought of the gift right to the outside and displaying the care.  I love it.  Just as ideas for gift giving they really are inspirational aren't they. And to the likes of me, totally aspirational.  

Season's Greetings

I had nothing profound to say yesterday, so for once, I said nothing.
This morning is a different matter, as we set sail to celebrate another day with family.

Eat your greens, people.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 290

..............................................the Christmas Eve edition!..............................

It is rare gentle Desker, for me to be to feel shame at the state of my desk.  I mean, in 290 weeks I can't honestly say I've ever thought twice about posting a picture of the mess that it habitually houses. 

And today is no different.  Here it is, taken in daylight on Tuesday, and unchanged because I couldn't face it after work...it's book keeping and erm, boring. 

And here is the key...I probably mean excuse.  Fab stamps huh..great reasoning there.   These two beauties were a gift from our Kay and really, couldn't be more appropriate huh. And if Kay calls mine a creative mess, that's good enough for me!
Now I know how busy you'll be, putting fantastic finishing touches to your Christmas preparations.  But really, if you have a few moments to show us how you leave your desk over the holiday, it would be great if you can join in.  I'm looking forward to actually having visiting time!  As always, put WOYWW in your post title, link here and remember....it's not our visit that counts...I hope you've been good!

T is for Tuesday. And Tree. And Tidy.

I got up later this morning. I feel a bit guilty about this as I'm working with Mr D today. So while he donned his safety boots and high vis jacket, I made myself a cup of coffee.  He knows that it's ridiculous to think that I could leave the house without it.  I started to pour it into my 'to Go' cup and he suggested that I just join him later when I'm ready.  So I put my coffee in one of my lovely Christmas mugs and plonked it on the coffee table whilst I said goodbye.

And yep, it was a hug and a kiss goodbye - guilt and love made me do it. I mean...which 'ready' was he referring to? Kitchen tidied and wiped and ready for next time?  House tidied and ready for the holiday? Presents finished and wrapped and ready?  I'm close with all of these things..but not close enough to be ready.  But I rather suspect that applies to an awful lot of us now. And then there's the other guilt - the one that has me relieved to be doing a quick tidy and wipe in the kitchen and going off to work so that I don't have to think about anything else just yet!  So this Christmas week link up with Elizabeth and Bleubeard's T stands for... comes to you courtesy of Mr Dunnit who unwittingly gave me time to realise I had a perfect 'shot' of my coffee, and time to join in! 

TBA.

When Shopkeeper Gal and I were planning my part of this winter's workshop schedule, we just utterly ran out of ideas for the workshop that would be my last of the year.  At the time we weren't sure about the Christmas trends or releases and the thought of doing a card workshop as late as the 11th December seemed ludicrous, I mean, everyone would be finished with cards by then, right?. Ha! So the schedule said 'TBA' in place of a workshop theme/name.  You understand..

Well, the workshop started to loom large and I really didn't want to make any more cards; I didn't want the workshopeers to experience card fatigue!  I decided it would be fun to have some little stocking filler type makes.  And I have to admit that I geared the makes to things I could use myself.

Here is a 6" card, treated like a card and decorated like a card.  And then glued shut. So now it's a gift card holder....with room for  the other gubbins it comes with  - you know, the card bit that holds it and tells you where you can spend it, and the receipt part - you aren't really sure whether you're meant to give it to the recipient or not...all that.  And it has a large die cut bracket as an easel so that it can be treated like a card if desired.  And the best bit (for forgetful women of a certain age - ME) - it's big enough to fit in my handbag , but big enough that I couldn't forget to use it on the shopping trip.  

Of course there's nothing that can't be helped, eased or corrected by the use of chocolate, and so it may very well be against the law not to put some in everyone's stocking.  Marks and Spencer very helpfully have their Hot Chocolate powder drink in sensible sachet shapes - making a quick wrapper couldnt have been easier.

 Mary Anne gave me a calendar last year that I have had next to the PC.  it's probably the most used and oft appreciated gift of the year, so we made a small easel card featuring a tear off calendar. It's only a 4" square card, so net enough to sit without clogging up mouse movement and equally good for pining onto a board without too much effort.  

 And then an idea for gift box.  Found on Pinterest by Shopkeeper Gal and challenged to it on Facebook by a couple of Workshopeers.  You've seen it before - it was on my WOYWW post.  It's out of a sheet of 11 x 81/2 so it's not huge, but will wrap a small gift really nicely.  And if you have a HUGE tree, it would hang nicely with a couple of chocolates in...

So that was the workshop that was To Be Arranged.  Next year, when we get that far into the schedule, I'm going to have it listed as The Christmas Miracle Workshop: she's still able to come up with SOMETHING.  

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 289

Well gentle Deskers, I'm going to show you. I have to show you because the WOYWW thing starts here.  Judge as you will, but read the excuses first.

8 o'clock Monday morning.  I have a new pair of jeans which are inevitably too long.  And I had NOTHING else to wear. Of course.  

Don't be alarmed, it's all back on form...some bits and pieces waiting to be unpacked after a workshop, some bits and pieces that I play with as I pass - I figure I can get stuff done that way without having to carve out more time...we'll see.  Also Tuesday's post...a beautiful card and also a gift from afar, both awaiting that few moments of inspection and gloating and..well, you know. I know it costs a lot to send these days but believe me, the receiving is such a joy!
Share your calm and controlled work spaces will ya - and then allow time please for visitors!  Put WOYWW in your post title and link here. Easy.