Wednesday 6 November 2013

WOYWW - Christmas is Coming!

Hello from a very, very busy Magpieheaven! Welcome to all my followers and friends and 'Hi' to my newest follower, Lynne.  Sorry, but this post is a bit later than usual, as moving Magpie Granny has been rather exhausting and there is still lots to do to help her settle in. I do actually have something on my work desk, though! Strictly speaking, it's the top of my washing-machine in my conservatory where I take photos; it's the lightest room in the house so when it's not too cold I do craft a bit in here too! Now, in case you're wondering why I should be displaying what's on my washing-machine top - where have you been all this time!? WOYWW stands for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday and that is the greatest blog-hop around, hosted by the wonderful, Julia Dunnit. Click here if you want to know more. So this is what I have on my work desk atm! Not much sign of any progress with these new arrivals, but I did make a card for my mum yesterday with other materials from my stash, which features on  yesterday's blog!
I just have to make a start on Christmas cards or I'll be basting the turkey with one hand and wielding a hot glue gun in the other! I wasn't sure about using designer papers as backgrounds - is that cheating(?) should I be making my own(?) - and then I weakened! I ordered these Bo Bunny Back-to-Backs and now they've come, I have to say I can't wait to get the die-cutter into them! I used to hate tearing or cutting or stamping beautiful paper; but I've had to be stern with myself, especially since I cut up my last piece of Graphic 45 'Steampunk Debutante' last week for Change of Address cards to send out to my mum's friends! So what else have I lined up for Christmas? There's lots of Frantage and some gold UTEE that was already in my stash. I've been practising with the Frantage and I think I'm getting the hang of how best to use it. Glitter has flown around the Magpie's Nest and coated everything but the surface it should have on more than one occasion, mind you! I've ordered some Christmas stamps from Artistic Outpost and Paper Artsy and they're on their way.
Also my son was sorting out a bureau in his room and he found some rubber stamps. A friend of mine asked me to draw some designs for her years ago and she had them made into stamps. I've always liked to draw and doodle and I used to doodle fairies and tree spirits over everything! She no longer crafts so it was quite strange to see them again! I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to show these to you: maybe next week I'll try creating a project using them, but I'm afraid I'll never equal the skill of  Lynne Perrella, one of my favourite artists! Great news is that Kevin has at last started to fit our kitchen cupboards. The light is poor in the kitchen or I would have photographed the few handle-less ones that we have so far. Maybe next Wednesday they'll be a more interesting post, featuring pics of some Christmas cards and the evolving kitchen - possibly with handles on the kitchen doors - captured in the daylight! I might even have the courage to create using my own artwork! In the meantime thanks to all those of you who have been so supportive about my mum's move. Have a great WOYWW, one and all, and I'll try to have something interesting to show you next time you drop by!

32 comments:

  1. Firstly, let me say YAY that your kitchen cupboards are under way...about time! It'll be great when it's finished :-)
    You sound as if you have a whole lot on your plate at the moment...don't feel guilty about taking short cuts or time out for yourself. I know, something very similar happening with me. Otherwise you'll burn out and that's no good to anyone.
    Big hugs to you,
    LLJ 58 xx

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  2. I was beginning to think that you would never get your doors on, I'm so pleased for you even if you don't have handles. At least you can hide things now :) I cheat with Christmas cards, in fact I usually leave them so late the my little miss makes them and often does a better job! The paper looks fabulous and I would love to see your stamps. Are you sure that some of those fairies you created aren't the ones at my place messing up my room?? Take it easy and I hope your mum is settles now.
    Have a great week,
    Von #25

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  3. How exciting your kitchen is getting closer.. I don't think the patterned paper is cheating at all gosh I am so going to cheat and use my patterned paper for my Christmas cards..
    Happy WOYWW
    Sandy :) #32

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  4. Well, it is exciting to think of your kitchen progressing at last and the promise of some photos but I would love more than anything to see some of your fairies used in a card or something. Please can we see - pretty please.
    Sorry the move was hard work but I a sure it will be worth it and I bet your mum thinks so.
    Take care and thanks for visiting me when I was still snoozing. Hugs, neet xx 22

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  5. Great news re kitchen doors and that you are making your xmas cards. Looks like you have a beautiful bright spot to take your pictures too. Would love to see some of your Fairy doodles too :-) x

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  6. Hello there and glad you have your mum settled in. I moved an elderly aunt 3 years ago and can understand how stressful and exhausting it is. Will possibly be doing same for my mum next year. Love the papers. I am having to take a lot of 'short cuts' at moment - nothing wrong with that I think if it keeps you sane :-) Happy WOYWW Anne x #63

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  7. Yay to the kitchen cupboards, will there be a cupboard opening ceremony? We really need to see your stamp designs, they sound fab, and never compare yourself, yours will be unique and fab because of that.

    The bears #70

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  8. Excellent news about the Kitchen - There's no change in my bathroom but we hope to go to Ikea today to get a sink unit!!!
    I don't want to ask but feel I must - what were the stamps doing in your son's bureau? Was he stamping? Had he been proudly showing them off to his friends? etc. etc.
    Bishopsmate #54

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  9. Oh yes, I forgot to say how excited I was when I saw Lynne had come and visited to see all your amazing work. Look at you , you now have 89 followers visiting your nest, I'm proud as a peacock for you, and yes us Magpies use this expression too :O) That paper is beautiful, you cuting them up will only enhance it's beauty, shesh Woman, you can't do everything at such a busy time of year. I loooove that Frantage and you use it perfectly, you have me all a twitter now, wings are flapping around, your cards will blow me away, of that I am sure, can't wait, I haven't even given mine a thought, well I'm sure they are going to be tags, I had better get my butt in gear LOL.. WHAT, WHAT, you designed some stamps, you had better put your big girl pants on and show these to us, pretty please:O)..I know your skill are better than you believe, doing a happy dance now, ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^... Well I think you do have the courage to do anything my dear, so I'b be waiting patiently to see what ever you create, I must get to putting my room back together, I took morning off of water fit, so I better get at it, (((( BIG HUGS )))) my dear Magpie cousin, hope you have a wonderful week in your nest..

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  10. YAY!! For kitchen cupboards, love the papers on your desk..can't wait to see the end creations. So you designed some stamps and now you won't share them with us?! Tut Tut Julie Ann, you know you have to share!! Thanks for swinging by earlier...I am early with Valentines, as the cards go to US troops and have to be ready by Dec 31st. Cx #27

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  11. Woo! Don't go using a hot glue gun while basting the turkey - the consequences could be disastrous! LOL

    The floating ring on my desk is a magnifying lamp at an odd angle.... LOL

    Looking forward to seeing the kitchen!

    Thanks for popping by this week.....

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  12. I think this is a very interesting post! Great that you craft on the washing machine! Me too on the Christmas cards, I should have made so many by now to sell in the shop and to give to friends and family, I want to get on with it, said I would in July but only have a handful to show for it so far!
    I'm glad Magpie granny is settling in, hope the kitchen gets sorted soon.

    Cazzy x #83

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  13. Fantastic news, glad the move is going well, it is a lot of work though isn't it? So glad that you will have kitchen cabinets once more! Gorgeous papers you are working with and I so want to see your self designed stamps!
    Debxx#3

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  14. Hi Julie Ann - GORGEOUS papers and I don't see why using them on cards is cheating and you sound as if you're too busy to be messing about making your own - so go for it girl! Glad your Mum is settling in and SO relieved to hear your kitchen is moving on a bit too - you've been more than patient! Thanks for your visit. Have a happy week. MMx #47

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  15. I'd love to see the doodled fairies & tree spirits, the very idea intrigues me. I know what you mean about glitter settling everywhere, last time I had mine out even the cat had some sparkly bits on him!Those papers are awesome by the way, and no, its not cheating! Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #28 xx

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  16. You are one busy lady. I hate cutting up pretty paper, but I'm getting better at it. Thanks for stopping by. #17

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  17. Using patterned paper for backgrounds is totally *not* cheating! That Bo Bunny paper is delicious. It is so hard to resist paper. :) Can't wait to see what you make. Happiest of WOYWWs to you and thanks for visiting. ~ Laura #10

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  18. Hi Julie Ann,

    Wow - you definitely have lots going on. A kitchen remodel isn't easy no matter what. Glad the cabinets are getting up. I can't imagine thinking that patterned papers are cheating - no way! They can add so much to your project; let the guilt go! tee hee

    I would love to see the stamps that you carved. You know, we shouldn't compare ourselves to others as we are all unique and have our own talents and style. I'm sure your stamps are wonderful!!

    Thank you for visiting me already! I'm off today so will be having fun desk hopping.

    Happy WOYWW
    Peace,
    Kay
    (5)

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  19. Great news about the cupboards...looking forward to seeing the photos! I'd love to see the artwork so be brave! It isn't cheating to use the papers just brave to cut into them! Hugs. Pam#37

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  20. I definitely want to see the stamps you created!

    And you absolutely should use those lovely papers for background and save yourself some work. That's what the paper are for, right? :-)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and for the kind comments.

    Happy Woyww,

    Sandy #4

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  21. great news re kitchen a s for those papers why shouldn't you most of us do and that's what they are for... and yours are lush..would love to see the fairy stamps be brave next week I bet they are amazing ,thank you for visiting earlier the scissors where from xcut or helix not expensive but great for paper cutting especially fiddly bits have good week crafty hugs Andrea x #26

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  22. Really hope your mum settles in well to her new home. Good luck with getting to Christmas making.
    Hugs,
    A x # 41

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  23. Yes I want to see the fairy stamps...I'm sure you will appreciate where you started and know how far you've improved...and the kitchen too. Thanks for the visit

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  24. Yay for Kevin (big phew here!) The paper looks gorgeous and will make great backgrounds for cards - hope you can get started soon. Of course it's not cheating! Helen 7

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  25. You sound so busy! I can just imagine you with a hot glue gun in one hand, and basting the turkey in the other. Although I have been known to do art while the turkey is baking. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. Happy WOYWW! Helen #16

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  26. Yahoooooo! So glad to read that the kitchen is once again a work in progress and will be waiting for the pics! OK... I personally think that those peeps that make paper do so because I can't/won't/am unable to do so myself... so yes, use the pattern paper as backgrounds! LOL I did do a big intake of breath on the last piece of steampunk debutante being used up... I would have had a crying session and had to go find some more to order!! LOL Annette #14

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  27. Hi Julie Anne :-) Thanks for stopping by. It HAS been ages. My internet is doing my nut in. Am so behind with everyone!

    Anyhoo, patterned papers, definitely not cheating. That's what they're for :-) Oh please, please do share your stamps for us to see? How wonderful!

    Carmen x x

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  28. I've missed the WOYWW train but couldn't resist a look! Love those papers and have fun with your new goodies! Yay! to Kevin btw!!! Chrisx

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  29. Those are some lush papers to create with and it's never cheating using DP or everyone would be lol :)
    Have fun with it all and have a Happy WOYWW hugs Nikki 33

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  30. Hi Julie Ann! I think gorgeous papers are a must!! I am not a natural glue/paint girl, so tend to avaoid making own papers.But..I have been using Mixed Media on canvas this week, and had loads of fun.perhaps I'll even make some papers?!!
    Thanks for your lovely comments.
    Judy xx
    #15

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  31. I can't believe I haven't been following YOU! What was I thinking!! I love visiting and getting all the news about what is going on in your world!!
    I can totally see you with a glue gun in one hand and a turkey baster in the other!!
    xxDaniellla#8

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  32. Ok I'm mega late for this one lol, will go and look at this week's but I just have to mention those papers and frantage or supper gorgeous :-) hugs Kezzy xxxxxx

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