Wednesday, 10 July 2013

WOYWW - now it's Summer!

Hello anyone who is dropping by this Wednesday to take a peek at what's on my work desk! If you're not sure whether it's OK to sneak a peak, you're more than welcome and there are work desks across the world you can spy on too! It's all courtesy of the wonderful Julia who works tirelessly to link artists and crafters in the best blog hop ever - known as WOYWW. Click here to find out how to join in. Our kitchen is still only a third finished - or just started if you're a glass half-empty sort of person! I mentioned last week that our lovely friend Kevin can't come back until later this month to continue the work. But never mind, the weather has made it a pleasure to get out into the shady Magpieheaven garden and take care of my favourite roses! This one smells gorgeous too!
Thanks those of you who approved of the big, green fridge! It's been doing worthy service in the hot weather, providing lots of lovely ice. I can't get over how roomy it is compared with our tiny, old one. If the weather stays as hot as today - or gets hotter - I might just re-locate there - I'm sure I could fit in easily! I finished the stationery wallet I was making out of an Amazon book box I started last week and I'm planning to do a blog about these wallets in the near future! Sue, a treasured old friend, stayed the weekend on her way to a Story-telling workshop in Sussex and so liked the wallet she has commissioned me to make something similar for her friend, Dorothea back in Brussels where she lives now.
As always a click on the images will give a bit more detail. I have been really enjoying recycling these cardboard packages that usually just end up in the recycle bin. It's such a fun challenge to make something usable and attractive out of them. Eventually I hope to decorate this one with distressed book pages with poems on them, as Dorothea writes and reads a lot of poetry.
I've printed on fabric, used Frescos and my own Washi tape and lots of Treasure Gold. I'm also having fun with shrink plastic embellishments to finish them off. I hope to take some better photos of both this one when it's finished and the Asian one, so do pop in again if you'd like to see how they both turned out. Finally, I'd like to say a big Thank You to all those who drop by on WOYWW and leave such encouraging, friendly and sometimes hilarious (!) comments! You make Wednesday so special and I feel I'm really getting to know so many of you. Thanks to WOYWW I discovered I had a wonderfully creative Magpie Cousin in Canada so we could say WOYWW have put me in touch with family!!! 'Thank You' to all my lovely followers whether they have come via Google Friends Connect or Google+ - I feel so privileged to have your support, and a warm welcome to Alison who is my newest follower. I wish I could make you all a cuppa in my still shabby but - hopefully - one day to be chic kitchen! You're all invited to a party to celebrate when it's finished! I'm off now to check out what everyone has been up to  this Wednesday.


40 comments:

  1. Looking forward to seeing the stationery wallet when it's completed! Have a Happy WOYWW! ♥ Karen ♥ 70 x

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  2. PS. Forgot to say how beautiful your rose is, I bet it smells wonderful!

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  3. looking good so far... wonderful to see it's creative process!
    happy WOYWW and have a fun week :)
    no. 31
    PS the sun has left Lincs today - soooooo dull n grey :(

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  4. Sorry you have to wait so long for the kitchen to be re-started - but just think of how it will all look when it is finished. One day all this upheaval will be a distant memory. I am hoping the sun keeps shining so you can escape to the garden and enjoy those beautiful roses.
    Thanks for visiting me earlier - I have been chatting on the phone so am running late - again!
    Hugs, Neet 9 xx

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  5. I have just one question for you today....Is there room in your fridge for me? It's so very warm here today....mustn't complain but it would be nice to not have to work in the heat :-)
    Hugs,
    A x # 61

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  6. That rose is gorgeous, love the yellow and pink soooo pretty, I bet it smells fabulous. The new book is looking fabulous,you know I loooved your other one:O).I can't wait to see it finished. Your washi is stunning you are producing some gorgeous tapes. I loooooove your recycling cardboard to make your gorgeous creations, printing on fabric, thats wonderful. I can't wait to see it finished, Thanks for sharing and always inspiring me with your amazing work, Have a wonderful day, I'm off to get ready for waterfit,had to stop in before I went. I will be snooping around this afternoon...
    ((((((Big hugs Cuz)))))) Dianne #76

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  7. YOu are amazing creating with so many different media and mediums
    Bridget #1

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  8. That rose is so beautiful - it really LOOKS fragrant if you know what I mean. It's gone all cold again here today, but supposed to be brightening up later, I hope! LOVE your wallet idea - I'll be watching out for the finished results, it looks brilliant so far. Annie C #68

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  9. Your stationary wallet is gorgeous and I too can smell that rose - sigh - Thanks for visiting me already BJ#36

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  10. Wow - I love your project - don't forget to show us the finished item. That rose is so beautiful too. x Jo

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  11. I'll bring cake to the official Kitchen Opening Ceremony! Lemon Drizzle and Coffee and Walnut ok?? :-)
    I love that you're changing that packaging into something so beautiful and useful as well. Fab work!
    Hugs, LLJ 45 xx

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  12. I'm glad you are enjoying Kermit in the hot sunshine you have, your rose looks lovely and what a bonus that it has a scent too! I will be back to see the finished results of your recycling, so much more fun to make things from different stuff rather than rely on the ordinary. Annette #7

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  13. That rose is so beautiful and I am glad it has a perfume. Roses went out of fashion for a while but they seem to be coming back again. Do you know the name of yours? It looks a bit like the Peace rose. I am looking forward to seeing those stationery boxes when they are finished. What a good way of recycling them. Thank you for your visit today. If I wrote all thee things down as a story, I would be told that it is not realistic. Hope you have a good week. xx Maggie #10

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  14. Hi Julie Ann, Your staionery wallet is looking good my friend, and what a great recycling project. I can almost smell that beautiful rose from here, it looks like the one that is called 'Peace'. Thank you so much for your visit earlier and your very lovely comments on my recent projects. Hugs Mo x

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  15. Well, I missed last week and had to go back and see what all the chatter about a "green" fridge was about. Yes it is green, but I like it, don't know anyone else that has one....do you?? I love "different"! I'm intrigued with your stationary wallets, can't wait to see it all finished.
    Thanks for the earlier visit.
    Krisha #5

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  16. We saved our latest Amazon wallet after seeing your post last week, so far it has Gesso on but now we've seen your post again we shall carry on with it. Thanks for the reminder.

    Waving hi from the bears who may come and climb in that huge fridge with you. #77

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  17. The weather is indeed so hot! I love the picture of the flower and your project looks like fun! I never seen one before! Uniflame - 85

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  18. I love upcycling my cardboard too--such fun. Your project looks beautiful--I recently made little watercolor travel journals out of tissue box cardboard. So fun. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #95

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  19. Hi Julie Ann - that home made washi tape looks fantastic, sign me up for your tutorial - can't wait! Have a great week and thanks for your visit today (don't hold your breath for my Y page - rather desperate I'm afraid!) MMx #59

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  20. Your roses are stunning. Love that wallet. Thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting #7

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  21. I love that wallet you're making. It looks really beautiful, I will certainly have to come back and check out what is looks like finished.
    Happy WOYWW and I wish you a wonderful week.
    xx Monique #106

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  22. How's your kitchen re-do coming along?? I used a a cigar size box from the post office to make a storage case for oil pastel crayons. It was one of the 1st projects I made from recycled material. I love that you like to do the same. Thanks for visiting my desk/coffee table, and leaving a comment :D I haven't heard of Frescos before. I am really trying to give the TH20's a fair shake, but I'm struggling. I think I might use a few of my favorite colors as accents once in a while. I love using Neo Color ll crayons, Inktense pencils, I also like Goldens Fluids, and Liquitex heavy body acrylics. I've really only been doing the whole Art thing about a yr now, so I am still exploring and collecting. There are sooo many mediums and brands though, it can be overwhelming & expensive. Anyhoo… til next week…. (((HUGS)))
    Kim
    WOYWW #6
    http://www.happyhomeschoolroom.blogspot.com

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  23. The wallet looks great - and nice to see you're using your Darcy tape, lol!! The rose is so pretty, I love scented roses. Have a good week, Helen 17

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  24. Thanks for dropping by. Love the rose - what a gorgeous example of it - you must have really green fingers!
    Must admit I never thought of recycling those boxes in that way - but it looks good - well done.
    Have a great week.
    Margaret #66

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  25. Julie Ann, that looks fabulous--never ever would have guessed it was based on recycled boxes. And that rose, so very pretty!

    (You are so right, by the way, my friend IS precious!)

    Thank you for visiting me this WOYWW, I appreciate your comment!

    :)trisha
    delighted to be #26 this week, instead of my usual 200--something!

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  26. Very Kewl Idea with the up-cycling of the old boxes to create something so beautiful, look forward to seeing it all finished :) hugs Nikki #16

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  27. What a gorgeous rose!! You seem to be keeping a good attitude about the delays with your kitchen remodel -- good for you. I know of two other folks -- work colleagues -- who are having a bit of a chaotic summer for the same reason. Happy WOYWW (and thanks for your visit.) ~ Laura #98

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  28. Fantastic to recycle the packaging and you're doing a grand job with it. Beautiful rose, bet it smells wonderful. I just had to scroll down and see the green fridge, you weren't joking either!! My husbands Aunt had a new kitchen fitted, she's 83, looks at least 10 years younger, bright as a pin, still drives everywhere and now has a shiny lime green kitchen with stainless steel appliances! Her attitude? Bollocks to them, I like it, lol!!!

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  29. Love your project, and of course roses are the Queen of flowers.
    # 12 Judy

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  30. Love your wallets so far! It's so annoying when you have to wait for jobs to be done - we went through that last year before we could move in here! I know how lucky I am to have a permanent space now, but I did have a few years of either working on the dining table or the floor - your day will come!! I love your rose - beautiful colours. Thanks for visiting, Chris 96

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  31. I saw the green fridge last week! I can't wait to see the finished kitchen!! AND, the finished Amazon box wallet!!
    xxDaniella#14

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  32. Thanks for the kind visit and b-day wishes today! I am loving your wallet so far, the use of the cardboard is fabulous! I am sure she will love it. (The flower picture is gorgeous too!!) Enjoy the week! Winnie#90

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  33. happy WOYWW! i'm happy to get a chance to peek at your desk today! i am all for recycling and your project is looking great! what a beautiful rose!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS@18

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  34. I love the colour combo and vintage feel you give the boxes/wallet and you are sure a 'smell the roses' kinda girl - I wish you lived nearby as I am the more darker one and you could cheer me up and we would have a cool drink from your green fridge, ha! If only! Happy ~ belated ~ woyww and a hug from (a bit cooled down) Holland. Marit #91

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  35. Morning Julie. I'm only a day late. LOL Just crazy here, if you couldn't tell from my post being on the wrong blog. Oops! Thank you so much for voting for my novella. Friends like you are what may get me my first publishing contract.

    I LOVE that rose. I swear I can almost smell it all the way across the pond. ;-) Go you on the recycling. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
    Creative Blessings! Kelly #104

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  36. Beautiful rose, Julie Ann! I'm glad you are having outdoor weather to enjoy! Your wallets really are fabby and I'm not surprised you have one commissioned! Happy Belated WOYWW and I wish you a wonderful week! Thanks for coming to see me at the Playhouse! Darnell #24

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  37. Beautiful flower and your wallet will be fab! Take care Zo xx 65

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  38. Stunning rose!
    Thank you for visiting
    Karen #63

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  39. Gorgeous rose! This weather is making the flowers bloom better than ever and it's such a pleasure to be in the garden. I visited your later post already and admired the beautiful wallet there. Hope you are having an enjoyable weekend. Elizabeth x #57

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  40. What a brilliant thing to do with Amazin packaging. Especially as you've made it look so great. I'm definitely going to have to give it a go. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Thank you for visiting and happy belated WOYWW.
    Cheers, Rachel #69

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