Wednesday 20 November 2013

WOYWW - Making a Start!

Hello and welcome to the Magpie's Work desk today! It's still the washing machine top in the conservatory! Sadly, Kevin has broken the news to us that there is no way he will be able to finish the kitchen by Christmas. Ah well, we have half our cupboards, an oven, a fridge and although the sink is old it still works, so never mind! Christmas will be fun and you're still all invited to a huge blog party when the kitchen is finished some day in the New Year! Everyone has been so patient that I think I'll give out blog candy on the day it's finished to say thanks for listening! Thank you so much as well to all those people who left such kind and encouraging comments on my first GD project. WOYWW 'deskers' are the best! As you will see, I have laid out as much of my Christmas stash as I can to encourage myself to make a proper start on cards, decorations and so on! Why, you ask, are you doing this? Well, hop over to the lovely Julia's Stamping Ground, where you will discover why we 'deskers' reveal what's on our desks, tables, floors - crafty spaces whatever and wherever they may be on a Wednesday!
As you can see on the bottom right I have made another card, which I have entered in Anita's Swanstitch Christmas Challenge. Click Here if you want to see this in more detail and also all the lovely Christmas makes entered so far. So what am I planning to do with my bits and pieces here? I have an idea for creating a garland to decorate the mantel-piece; some tags to hang from branches as a kind of Advent Calender and some tags for presents and cards. I wonder if I'll manage it all! Can you picture how I'll use this little lot to make these Christmas plans come to pass?
This little robin by Prima is my favourite brad and I'm saving it for a special card or Christmas make. The little bottles remind me that I have a question. Is anyone in contact with Kimmie Hogan? Kimmie, if you're reading this, please could you comment or email? I know that Kimmie has not been too well, but last week I received a package from her full of treasures: crystals, a tag she made, these little bottles, lace and ribbon. I want to email her to say 'Thank You' but I can't work out how to contact her through Google+! It would be great if I could hear from you, Kimmie so that I can check you're all right and so that I can let you know how much I appreciated your lovely gift to me. I am now sticking some more of my own design stamps onto Ez Mount, so I shall be using some of the tree ones on a project soon, thanks to the encouragement I've received from all my blog friends. Thank you so much those who stopped by and left the kind comments on my frosty princess! I'm off now to peek at some desks around the world! Thank you so much for your visit! I will try to get round to as many desks as I can today.
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34 comments:

  1. Helen20 November 2013 at 07:07

    Fab bundle of goodies! Shame about the kitchen - I am sure it will be worth it in the long run (and what a long run!!) Happy WOYWW... Helen 3

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  2. Eliza20 November 2013 at 07:15

    I so love those teal reindeers how cute they are. I can see why you love that brad too, it is so beautiful.

    Sorry to hear about your kitchen, I was like that with my garden last Christmas with the tradesmen not getting things done fast enough. You will get there and after all Christmas is just another special day and you will have it ready by the following Christmas.

    Happy WOYWW & Happy Crafting
    Hugs Eliza & Yoda 1

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  3. Christine20 November 2013 at 07:37

    Kitchens!!!!!
    Get stuck into Christmas makes and forget the lot!
    Have a happy WOYWW
    Bishopsmate #26

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  4. Jackie20 November 2013 at 07:52

    How fab to get such happy mail!
    Sad about the kitchen, you seem to be taking it well
    Jackie 33

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  5. Donna Wheat20 November 2013 at 07:55

    love the stamps and the little reindeer are fab, thanks for sharing Donna #40

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  6. Lunch Lady Jan20 November 2013 at 07:58

    Actually, I'd get someone else in to finish the kitchen off....this has gone on for too long and you have been very patient but enough is enough! Just my opinion ;-)
    Love your Christmassy bits and bobs, looks like you're having fun!
    Hugs, LLJ 41 xx

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  7. Judys Lace Creations20 November 2013 at 08:20

    Oh Julie Ann, I'd be running screaming out the door after this news!!AAAAH EEEK!!
    I would be getting someone else too. Sometimes having a "Hissy Fit" gets workmen going!!
    So glad you are able to put aside all these frustrations and get a little crafting done.It does relieve the stress I guess,
    . I have been playing with paper cutouts this week.Hmmm...
    Judy #39 xx.you need a hug after kitchen frustrations!!!

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  8. Annie20 November 2013 at 08:36

    My heart goes out to you over your unfinished kitchen. Crating is a wonderful stress buster isn't it? :-)
    Hugs,
    A x # 42

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  9. Neet20 November 2013 at 09:03

    Oh bother! How can he leave you like that! You sound as if you are going to make the best of it though, good for you.
    Ah well, maybe we will see a C card or two next week, doubt you will see any more from me as I have a busy time ahead.
    Hope to show lots of photos of the Christmas Markets in Munich so you can enjoy them along with me when I get back.
    Hugs and thanks for visiting me earlier - Neet 8 xx

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  10. Neil20 November 2013 at 09:12

    Good morning.
    Christmas in full swing in your world today, enjoy it. Loving the Lynn Perella stamps!
    Hope you have a good week too.
    Neil#30

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  11. Claire20 November 2013 at 09:15

    Ahhh, kitchens... they take an age, don't they?? I hope you can still use it to cook Xmas Day lunch!
    Thank you so much for stopping by my new blog, Julie Ann, and for leaving a sweet comment :) I hope you'll drop by whenever you can - I'm adding stuff all the time. Got up at 4am to post WOYWW, and am still at it...
    Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!!
    xx

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  12. VonnyK20 November 2013 at 09:40

    Ohh such a bummer that the kitchen isn't going to be finished. I adore those little reindeer, they are so cute. I feel your pain with the Google+, I can't seem to contact people with it either, hope you hear from your friend, she sent some beautiful things.
    Have a great week,
    Von #24

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  13. Glenda20 November 2013 at 10:47

    I did the exact same thing with my Christmas stash...it's falling off the corner of my small desk!
    Glenda #52

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  14. Unknown20 November 2013 at 10:47

    I feel for you Julie Ann, I was trying to work in my kitchen while painting the laminate and tiles and it was a experience I do not want to repeat and that was only a week! You have great patience!! What is on your desk looks very interesting and the card that is just sneaking into frame looks great :-). Thanks for popping over and visiting my blog earlier. I hope that you have a great week and happy WOYWW!
    Janene #10

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  15. Dianne 20 November 2013 at 12:03

    WHAT no cupboards till after Christmas, I know you my dear Magpie and you won't let anything ruin Christmas in your nest..You have some beautiful stamps to make all you need, a little peek at you own stamps will look forward to see those somewhere :), i looooove the tiny reindeer and those bottle, yes they are the right size for fairy dust, eekkss how special is that sweet brad, it's sure look Christmasy are your nest. One of these days for sure I will get to fly by and visit your nest, oh that will be a glorious day for sure, Now I'm off to water fit, had to stop by before I left, I will be snooping around when I get back, have a wonderful day my dear CUZ.. ((( BIG HUGS ))).

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  16. The House of Bears20 November 2013 at 13:35

    You could offer a blog candy of all the cans that you don't want to add to your new kitchen cupboards! We love your LP stamps. We have one set but covet more.

    Bears @#57

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  17. Claire Grantham20 November 2013 at 14:10

    Hi Julie Ann, thanks for swinging by earlier..of course you can use frenzy to describe what is going on in your world..I think we are all in the same place! I just sent Kimmie a package, as I hadn't heard from her in a while...I have her email address if you send me an email hamnmuleatgmxdotcodotuk then I can give it to you. Love the teal reindeer and don't fret about the kitchen...one Christmas when my parents were renovating their house, there was no kitchen AT ALL. The builder got her a cooker to use and ran a hosepipe from the garden tap to a bucket = indoor sink!! We had a great Christmas and it was made even more fun because of the kitchen nonsense. Cx #25

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  18. Krisha20 November 2013 at 15:31

    One year we had no faucet in the kitchen, had large family for dinner and did the dishes in the bath tub! We laugh about that Christmas often, and you will find you will remember this Christmas with laughter too.......once you have lived through it. LOL
    Thanks for the earlier visit.
    I like those little reindeer too.
    Krisha #4

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  19. Unknown20 November 2013 at 15:58

    Your kitchen will be done before you know it, because Christmas is upon us and after that you'll have yet another wonderful thing to look forward to. When you talked about a garland idea, I suddenly got an idea to use my new star diecut to make a Christmas garland, so thank you for the inspiration! Thanks for your sweet visit too. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #11

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  20. sandysewin20 November 2013 at 17:24

    Oooo, what a fun idea: get out all our Christmas stash and spread it out to look at. It's sure to be inspiring.

    My husband is a remodeler/contractor and I have yet to ever hear of a job that finishes by the scheduled date. It's the nature of the thing. Just like with the projects we do, stuff always takes longer than we think it will.

    Once your new kitchen is done you'll love it and all the waiting will be a distant memory. :-)

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

    Happy Woyww,

    Sandy #9

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  21. Monique20 November 2013 at 17:44

    That's the right spirit, finished kitchen or not, it's going to be fun! =)
    Your desk looks lovely. The little blue deer are so adorable!
    Happy WOYWW and I wish you a wonderful week.
    xx Monique #46

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  22. Andrea20 November 2013 at 18:42

    Hi Julie Ann Sorry to hear about the kitchen wont be finished I still remember our refit and the chaos it caused !,but your positive attitude is great and I'm sure you will have a christmas to remember( for good reasons) and a kitchen to die for .I love your brad its so cute and so impressed with your unique crafty space cant wait to see what you create. thank you for your visit earlier and very kind words I hope you have a wonderful week crafty hugs Andrea #27

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  23. Julia Dunnit20 November 2013 at 19:00

    it doesn't matter, you're quite right. Christmas is a short holiday in theory, and hey, something to look forward to in January is a really good thing!! no your plans sound great..and so muc better planned than mine, am looking forward to seeing your decorated mantle!!

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  24. Carole20 November 2013 at 19:24

    Oh my... bless your patient soul. I would not fare well under those circumstances...but we all step up and handle things the best we can. I do hope you make contact with Kimmie...bless her too for her kindness and generous gifts. I'm reminded of all my blessings when hear of troublesome woes. So thanks for sharing and be well. Be well Carole #67

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  25. glitterandglue20 November 2013 at 21:34

    Oh dear - no finished kitchen for Christmas - but I'm sure you will have a great time despite the difficulties. As you say - you have all the essentials - and family and friends are more important than lots of fuss and fancy stuff. I have just hunted back through the WOYWW posts for Kimberley - and found her. Try this link and see if you can get to her.
    https://plus.google.com/103730156629439846856/about
    Have a great week - trust you manage to get hold of her.
    Margaret #20

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  26. Robin20 November 2013 at 22:13

    oh my, it's such a pain when the kitchen is a mess especially during the holidays. Well, at least family and friends will be together. Much better to loose a kitchen and NOT the family and friends! It will be all over, you will enjoy your new Kitchen. I love your Robin brad....it's sooooooooo pretty!

    Hugs, Robin #76

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  27. ddazzled7120 November 2013 at 22:20

    Hi Julie Ann, your happy mails from Kimmie sounds fabulous and I love your Lynne Perella stamps and play. We did a full extended family Christmas at our place once mid renovation with no real kitchen which wasn't too bad as we usually do a cold lunch here as the weather is hot enough......so I am sure you will find it will all come together easily as long as you are prepared and the most important thing is to enjoy time with the family. Your kitchen being finished in Jan is sure to kick start a wonderful year ahead for you and your family! Have a great week! Danie (who is not linking up this week but just popped by to say hi). xx

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  28. Sharon Madson21 November 2013 at 04:35

    Oh such goodies! Love your little robin brad, and your little bottles. Thanks for sharing.
    Sharon #88

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  29. Anonymous21 November 2013 at 06:27

    You're a lot calmer about the kitchen than I would be at this stage, I think it's terrible that it won't be finished until next year.
    Love your selection of Christmas goodies, especially the little reindeer & that card looks gorgeous.

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  30. May21 November 2013 at 07:40

    Gorgeous goodies... Sorry about the kitchen... but hey-ho things don't always work out to plan... you will have your family on the big day and that's all that matters....have a happy week.... Hugs May x x x

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  31. Claire Grantham21 November 2013 at 15:24

    Julie Ann - you got confused, that was my email address :) email me and I'll send you Kimmie's didn't want to put someone elses here!
    Cx

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  32. pearshapedcrafting22 November 2013 at 00:04

    Oh Kevin! What a let down you are!! Mind you I remember how long my son took to get our kitchen and bathroom done - it was my own fault - I told him if he had jobs for other people he should give them priority ....and he did!!!!! Couldn't take part this week but couldn't resist a peek - hope you have had a chance to make a start by now!! Chrisx

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  33. Nan G22 November 2013 at 03:57

    Chin up and play with the crafty stash...that a girl! I once remodeld my kitchen. Came home from work to find the wall shared with the garage had fallen in! Several months and two microwave ovens later...
    Thanks for the earlier visit! WOYWW hugs! Nan G #22

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  34. Kezzy3 December 2013 at 07:17

    Oh no I can't believe your kitchen won't be ready and your so calm about it, I think I would be stressing lol. Wow I love your stamps and bits and bobs for Christmas makes, how wonderfully exciting, I can't wait to see what you make. The brad is super cute. I hope you get hold of your friend Kimmie, and I hope she is feeling better. Lots of hugs Kerry Ann :-) xxx xxx

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