The culmination of one year’s work (WOYWW #107)

Today is going to be quite a hard day for me, but tinged with the sadness that today would have been dads 88th birthday is a good and happy feeling too. You know, the kind of feeling you get when something you’ve been working on for a very long time is finally finished and you can sit back feel proud of what you and some very special friends have achieved.

By now you must be thinking, what the hell is she going on about, it’s Wednesday and we're only here to see what’s she has on her desk, but today I’m not going to show you my desk at all.

What I am going to show you though is my sofa because it’s covered with nine beautiful lap quilts and thirteen cushions that have been made for the hospice that cared for dad in his last months.

Dad and I came up with the idea while he was having his treatment at the hospice because we wanted to give something useful back to them as a special thank you from the family for all the kindness and care they gave to dad. Mind you, I couldn’t have completed the project if it hadn’t been for some very special people and I can’t thank them all enough for making my insane idea of making nine quilts and matching cushions happen.

There have been a few road and air miles involved in this project too.

Four sets of the squares were cross stitched by two lovely ladies in Holland, Marg and Marie-Thérèse.
I didn’t even know them until my friend Nicki suggested that they might like to give me a hand with the cross stitching, so I sent them all the threads and material they would need and also one square stitched by me. The reason for that was that I wanted to have at least one piece of my own stitching on each and every one of the quilts so I also stitched all the logo's.

I myself stitches all the squares for another four sets and also some of the Gerbera’s squares for the final quilt which was being stitched in Bristol by my other wonderful friend Sharon.

As we finished the sets of squares we sent them out to Nicki in Switzerland, another very special friend and very clever lady with a sewing machine, and she stitched her magic with the fabric that dad paid for himself and made all the squares into the beautiful quilts and cushions.


Last week they all arrived back in the UK and later this afternoon my two brothers and I are making a very special journey to the hospice on dad’s birthday to deliver the quilts and cushions together with this card that I’ve made.

Following this are some close ups of all the quilts and cushions if you would like to see them but be warned, there’s a lot of photos and later today I hope to have a photo of us actually handing over the quilts.

Thanks for stopping by this week and don’t forget to visit Julia to see what everyone else is up to this Wednesday.

Have a great day and…………
Happy Crafting!
Sue
x
Quilt #1

Quilt #2

Quilt #3

Quilt #4 -

Quilt No5

Quilt #6

Quilt #7

Quilt #8

Quilt #9

Update

I have one final photo to share with you from this afternoon.

Right to left - Essie, one of the nurses who spent an awful lot of time with dad, Michael (middle brother) Keith (eldest brother) and me. (didn't realise just how White my hair is now)

The nursing staff were overwhelmed with the quilts and cushions and we spent a lovely hour on the unit catching up with the staff who looked after dad.

Thanks once again girls for all your stitching and making a very personal project so very special.
Sue
x

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday (#106) Little Boxes

So here we are at Wednesday again and it’s time for another hop around some of the spaces that my fellow crafters use to make their beautiful creations.

My desk is as I left it last night and it looks like a bomb has struck which is not unusual. Lol!

Over the last few weeks I’ve been itching to get my teeth into a slightly more testing project from the normal cards and LO’s that I do, so I’ve been flicking through my pile of old and new Craft Stampers and found just the thing, this fab five sided Etui with little drawers inside, designed by Alix Waterhouse.

I spent ages going through my stash trying to find suitable papers and stamps and in the end I printed some papers from the Glenda Waterworth Artylicious ‘Seasons Greetings’ CD , not that my box is going to be Christmas themed.
Stamp wise I fell back on my old faithful flower stamps (sorry, I can’t remember who their by) and I just love the Wrought Iron Gates from Paper Artsy but I didn’t have them. Needless to say…..I’m awaiting a delivery!

Once the stamps arrive I can finish the outside but my project for today is to make all the little drawers for the inside. The one in the mag is done with covered matchboxes but I don’t have them either so I’ve found a template on the web and am going to make them from scratch, so wish me luck.

Don’t forget to visit our esteemed leader Julia over at the The Stamping Ground for the list of everyone who’s joining in this week and go see what everyone id up to but beware, it’s addictive!


I’ll be dropping by later but until then…………
Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Fancy Folds

Yet another challenge card………I must be on a roll!

This one is for Stamp Something where the team are asking for cards using punches or die cuts.
I’ve made a Diamond Fold card and called my Nesties into service for this one.

I’ve also had a play with digital stamps again and used a gorgeous Fuchsia stamp from Sketching Stamper as my main image and a conventional Penny Black stamp, which I just love, to do the two side panels. Both were coloured with Marvy Le PlumeII pens.

As there wasn’t really enough space on the side panels to add a greeting that I wanted I’ve decorated the back of the card as well and then can add the greeting to the central panel when I’m ready.

Hope you’re enjoying a creative day.
Sue
x

I’ve used:

Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye, Wild Asparagus
Stamped Image – Penny Black, Bush Fuchsia
Digital Stamp – Sketching Stamper
Nestabilities – Large and Small Scalloped Circles, Large Classic Circle.
Craftworks Cards –Birthday Greeting
Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo & Victorian Velvet
Marvy Le PlumeII – Iris Purple, Bubble Gum Pink, Eggplant, Pine Green, Olive Green & Jade Green

New Shape

I wish I was talking about my body when I say ‘New Shape’ but alas I’m not, it’s a new shaped card that I’ve made for the first time.

When I was visiting a few of my blog friends yesterday I noticed that the lovely Vicki and made one of those centre easel cards and had added a link to a very clear tutorial which has been put together by Frances Byrne, so I thought I would give it a go.

I have to say, it wasn’t a complete success because for some reason I couldn’t cut a straight line but I managed to salvage it and if I’m honest, for a first try it’s not too bad.

I’m entering it in the Paper Play challenge, where this week the theme is to make a card for a man or a Father’s Day card.


I’ve used:
Patterned Paper & Plain Papers – DCWV The Natural Stack
Stamped Image – Papermania Nostalgia Pastimes
Craft Creations – Embossed Linen Card Stock
Craftworks Cards –Birthday Greeting
Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo
Marvy Le PlumeII – Various colours

Stash
Eyelets & Brads

In the Garden

Well, I’m most definitely not in the garden today because it’s chucking it down out there.

Instead I’ve stayed in and made a ‘garden’ card with no less than ten layers and it fits in perfectly with the Digital Tuesday challenge .

I’ve used:

Patterned Paper & Plain Papers – Memory Stor Kit from Costco
Digital Image – Sketching Stamper
Craft Creations – Embossed Linen Card Stock
Craftworks Cards –Birthday Greeting
Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo
ProMarkers – Various colours
Mather Stewart Border Punch
Stash
Ribbon, Paper Flowers & Brads

Long Time, No Play.

Hi guys, well it’s an age since I’ve joined in a dare with my old DT buddies over at the The Daring Cardmaker’s so this week I’ve decided is the week to get back into it and playing along for fun.

The theme this week is the Flower of the Month series that runs all year and that means Roses or Honeysuckle because they are the flowers for June.

I’ve used sketch #118 from Inspirational Card Sketches and I’m hoping it’s a lucky omen because 118 just happens to be my house number.

Here's what I've done with it.

I’ve covered my card blank using two K & Co papers, stamping on the lighter one with a VersaMark ink pad and giving it a dusting of eye shadow (my version of chalks). The ribbon, complete with ribbon slide was wrapped around the paper as I was sticking it to the card.

I stamped the rose using Black Memento Ink and coloured it with ProMarkers. It was then cut into an oval, the edges distressed and inked and then it was layered and mounted onto the card.

Next I added a few finishing touches; Gold Card Candi and a Birthday Greeting from Craftworks Cards,some Crystal Lacquer to the petals and leaves and a rose charm which incidentally was Silver to start with but I've coloured it with a Gold Krylon pen.

Patterned Papers
Classic K McKenna Pad – K & Co

Rubber Stamps
Rubber Stampede – Antique Rose
Artemio - Arabesque 2

Equipment
Craft Creations – Embossed Hammer Card Stock
Craftworks Cards – Card Candi & Birthday Greeting
Ranger Distress Ink – Victorian Velvet
ProMarkers – Antique Pink, Dusky Rose, Pastel Pink, Cool Grey1 & Blender

Stash
Satin Ribbon
Ribbon Slide
Metallic Thread

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday Year 3 (#105)

Well, what an exciting week it’s been.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday has celebrated its 2nd birthday with a worldwide PIF (that’s a Pay it Forward of gifts for those not in the know) and it’s all thanks to Julia over at the Stamping Ground.  And because it was such a special week I even made a big effort and managed to get round to everyone for the first time, but I think it will be a one off because it took forever and a day. 
I admire you girls who manage it every week but I'm afraid I'll be going back to my random visits, by looking to see what number I am on the blog list and then visit everyone who's number ends in the same one as mine. That works well for me and it usually means that I visit different people each week.

Anyway, emails have been flying backwards and forwards us we've all been waiting with bated breath for Mr. (or Mrs.) Postie to deliver our awaited treasures.

I’m pleased to report that my wait ended yesterday when a little surprise dropped onto my doormat and inside was this lovely little card and pretty mini wooden tray/hanger from the very talented Ali.

Thank you so much Ali, it’s absolutely gorgeous!

I love that each of the little sections behind the flowers and the bird are covered in what must be hundreds of tiny little blue seed beads that make such a lush and sparkly backing and if you look closely at the picture of my desk this week you can see it hanging from the shelf where it will live until I find somewhere better (and safer) to hang it.

I think it’s also safe to show you gifts and cards I made to send to Teresa and Julia and it’s very strange because I used the exact same colours as Ali did for my gift.

I’ve made them both wall hangings that are the same, but different.

This one’s Teresa’s:

And this one’s Julia’s:

I can’t actually take full credit for the design because the idea came from a class I did at a local craft shop last year.
Mind you, I didn’t have all the materials we used in the class so I’ve had to improvise.
The first thing was the canvas for the base.
Julia’s one was fine but when I came to do Teresa's one do you think I could find a square canvas the size I wanted, not on your life. In the end I had the idea of covering a chipboard square with canvas photo paper and it worked perfectly. I also had to use the canvas paper again on one of the smaller squares and was worried that it wouldn’t emboss properly but that
worked out fine too.

They were great projects to work on and it was fun getting messy with alcohol and distress inks, as well as playing with metal and embossing folders. Throw into the mix some acrylic paint and beads and you can imagine what my desk was looking like on that day, suffice to say, you couldn’t see it Lol!

The cards I made to go with them were both the same.

I’m loving these easel fold cards at the moment, so thought I would have a go at a different shape. As you can see, I’ve based the design on the wall hangings.

So back to my desk this week and on it you can see the working of a card I’ve made for the Daring Cardmaker’s challenge this week. You can see the finished card Here.

The only other thing that might be of some interest is my big box of eye shadows. They were a bargain buy after Christmas a couple of years ago from Superdrug and I use them as chalks. The colours are great because they are real dusky shades and not colours that I’ve ever seen in chalks.

Well, that’s it from me and I’m sorry that this turned out to be a long and picture heave post but I had so much I wanted to share with you all.

Have a great day and…………
Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Bold and Bright

Hi All, well the sun is back out again this morning, after the down poor yesterday.
I can’t really complain thought because the South East has had so little rain this year, the garden really needs it but the best thing is that it saved me going out and watering all my pots last night.

Because the weather was so rubbish I spent my day ironing, which wasn’t very pleasant…….. I really hate it with a vengeance, Lol, but with that out of the way I could play for the rest of the day guilt free.

Having said that, I didn’t really achieve very much in the end and the only thing I can show you is the card that I made for the monthly challenge over at Craft Creations where the theme is ‘Bold & Bright.

I think my card is Bold & Bright but in a subtle way.

Don’t you just that cute butterfly? He was cut for one of the patterned papers and dressed up with a beaded body and some gems and glitter glue.

Thanks for stopping by.
Sue
x

Patterned & Plain Papers
Urban Prairie – Basic Grey

Equipment
Craft Creations - Peel-Off Border Stickers
Craftworks Cards - Birthday Greeting
Fiskars Paper Punch – Sunburst
Ranger Distress Ink – Worn Lipstick
Marvy Le PlumeII Pens – Dusty Pink, Manganese Blue & Citrus Yellow

Stash
Velvet Ribbon
Beads
Gold wire
Round & Square Gems
Glitter Glue

Inky Paws & Fingers

I was doing a spot of hopping around a few of my favorite stamp sites this morning and discovered that Waltzing Mouse do a weekly template challenge. I don’t know how I’ve missed it all this time but now I’ve found it I’ll be joining in as often as I can.

Here’s this week’s template and strangely it’s almost the same as a couple of cards I made to go with my PIF for What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

Unfortunately I can’t show you those until Wednesday and they wouldn’t have been any good for the challenge anyway because there weren't any Waltzing Mouse stamps used on them, so this morning with the aid of my little helper

(I really mean hinderer but don’t tell BoJangles that or he’ll take the huff) I’ve had a play and made this.

No patterned papers used here just a few Distress inks and lots of different stamps including the flowers from the ‘Say it with Style’ set and a frame from ‘Very Vintage Labels No. 1.

This is the front when it's laying flat.

and this is the inside.

Inks
Distress Inks - Victorian Velvet, Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy and Forest Green
VersaMark

Stamps
Waltzing Mouse – Say it with Style (Swirly Flowers), Very Vintage Labels No. 1. (Vintage Frame)
Blond Moments – Just Plain Dotty (Spotty Flower)
Penny Black – Flying Stars
Artemio - Modern Grasses

Greeting
Craftworks Cards

Dies/Punches
Nestabilities - Labels No1
Martha Stewart – Frond Branch

Stash
Buttons
Pin
Beads
Ribbon
Gem

Happy 2nd Birthday, What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday…………………….….yah!

Now the party is in full swing and Workdesk Wednesday’s here,

The day we share the projects that we’ve made
throughout the year.

But this week’s very special, we've reached a mile stone,

Two years of sharing work desks, starting out at Julia’s home.

So to mark this great occasion, a gift I send to you,

But you must Pay It Forward before you get back to your glue.

Back to the paper, stamps and paints that we all hold so very dear,

And wait in anticipation as we look forward to another year.

Happy What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday!

Hope you like my little ode to the phenomenon that’s become the biggest weekly blog hop on the web.

I’m sure that Julia couldn’t have thought that when she posted a picture of her Workdesk that very first time way back in 2009 that she would be seeing nearing 200 of us visiting her each week.

It’s strange how things just seem to catch on and I like a lot of you I should imagine am very grateful to her for the fun that it gives us each week and the opportunity to visit so many very talented people that I otherwise might not have found.
Added to that there’s the friendships that have been made along the way, so raise a glass with me……yes I know it a bit early in the morning but I’m sure we can make an exception on this occasion…………and let’s make a toast.

To Julia and 2 years of What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday.
Long may it continue!



To celebrate the 2nd anniversary I thought I would show you
my very first posting for What’s On Your Workdesk,
back in August 2009. It had only been going for about two months then but even so it was popular, with lots of people playing along.

There wasn’t very much on my desk back then but I did have a new toy to share with you and I still love it!

Now to my desk this week:-

You can see two very special parcels that are waiting to go in the post………….wonder what they might be?

I can’t show you what’s in them until next week when each of the recipitant’s have received them and I also can’t show you the two cards that I’ve made either, for obvious reasons, so you’ll have to tune in next week for the big unveiling.

Thanks for stopping by on this very special day and I hope everyone enjoys the party that is being hosted by the mega queen of snoop. (I mean that in the nicest possible way Julia)

If you want to join in the fun, hop across to snoop central at The stamping Ground to find all you need to know.

Lots of Love my fellow crafters……see you next time!
Sue
X x x