WOYWW No. 156 The Third Anniversary

I've only been a part of WOYWW for a few weeks, but apparently 'The Gang' have been meeting for 3 years, and today's the third anniversary!!

So, I really wanted to join in today - despite feeling still yucky *sigh*

My desk hasn't been touched since Sunday, when I was feeling a bit brighter, and made this journal page...

I'd been sitting and dozing and listening to the birdsong through the open window... we're enjoying/enduring a mini heatwave in the UK at the moment.... and all i could think was how these tiny creatures can make such big, sweet songs...

As you can guess, my supply of readymade words didn't contain all I needed :)

You can also see an ATC...

I found this one inside a notebook a few weeks ago... I used to make and swap a lot of ATCs before the stroke - this one's dated 2006 - but I cannot work this small anymore...

But I wanted to join in the celebration of WOYWW third anniversary swap, so this lil creation will be travelling somewhere new...

And thank you for all the comments last week - I so enjoy reading them! - and big apologies for not getting round you all... surely, I must feel better this week...

Take care xx

Virtual Coffee Tuesday - Sorry...

... still feeling rough...

not a great hostess, I know...

but I'm hoping I'll be much better next Tuesday...

Take care xxx

WOYWW - no. 155

Well, not much work going on, is there??

I simply haven't been near my desk since the weekend (except to take the pic!).

Entering day 3 of a fragile tummy, I'm now sure I have caught a bug... just glad you guys can't catch it over the ether :)

These goodies are a great stash I got for next to nothing on ebay, which arrived on Saturday. Since, I can't cut out images anymore, I'm always on the look out for cheap die-cuts...

When I feel more myself, I'm sure I'll have great fun playing with them all...

Looking forward to lots of peeking into your creative spaces over at Julia's Stamping Ground...

Till next week - the big THIRD anniversay of WOYWW - can't wait!!!

Virtual Coffee Tuesday - Feeling delicate...

... so I can't even bear the sight of the usual lush hot choc photo...

Got a delicate tummy... don't know if it's a bug or something I've eaten, so this will be a quick post....

All I can face is a detox Pukka tea...

... and a plain biscuit...

Not much news to tell, except Number One Son is in the midst of his GCSEs, and I've been feeling a tad nostalgic... 30 years ago at this time I was sitting my A levels...

I found this footage on Youtube - A Trick of the Tail  was one of the soundtracks of my exam revision time... so sit back with your cuppa and indulge with me...





Then I'll settle back and listen to your stories of the week...

Take care xxx

IA Challenge - Art with Heart

I'm not a great maker of heart-art as in

... but I adore art-with-heart, which is how I've interpreted this particular challenge :)

I decided to make my first page in my new journal from Nellie Wortman, which just fills my heart with joy every time I see it waiting for me on my desk...

You can see more pages here.

I started with this page Nellie had pre-prepared...

... added different collage elements...

... with this deeply wise poem in the centre...

... and notice too the words on the linnet card 'delight in the little things'... the essence of 'noticing' what's in the garden of life...

And here's the finished page

It's not the greatest picture, as it's getting late here in the UK... but I think you can get the idea :)

Can't wait to see what the others were inspired to create by this great challenge - pop over to Inspiration Avenue to find out.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday No. 154

Inspired by Julia's night shot last week, this is my desk last night... imitation truly is a sincere form of flattery :)

I'm busily beginning a collage for this week's IA Challenge Art with Heart... I'm really not a 'heart' person - in terms of the ubiquitous heart shape - but I'm a big art-with-heart advocate :)

Here's a close-up...

My intention is to write/print this poem in the centre:

life is a garden,

not a road

we enter and exit

through the same gate

wandering,

where we go matters less

than what we notice

~ Bokonon ~

I love the deep wisdom of this...

And I think it's a fitting first piece to put in my stunning Nellie Wortman book, which I bought with my birthday pennies :)

You can see a few more pages in yesterday's coffee post...

Where I also share how the eye laser stuff went last Wednesday...

Thank you for all your lovely comments and good wishes last week, and I hope to globe-trot around many more of your desks this week :)

Come and join the party over at Julia's Stamping Ground...

Take care till next week xxx

Virtual Coffee Tuesday - Art & Beauty Abound

Hello again!

What a week it's been....

I have lots to show and tell, but first let's get you settled with your tea (herbal or regular?), coffee (fresh-ground double-choc flavour, or instant decaf?), hot chocolate (skinny or full?), water (with or without lemon?)... whatever you desire...

Well, I haven't been online much since the mini-bleeds in my left eye were cauterized last Wednesday... it was seriously horrible, and the pompous doctor didn't help... he zapped my left eye numerous times and it took me a fair while to recover. They insist it doesn't affect the vision, but I've struggled to read and work at the computer this week, and I've been wearing my glasses a lot more...

*sigh*

I'm sure this experience has just made me appreciate everything I can see this week... (as a diabetic, losing my sight is a deep, deep fear...)

The weather has been awful around Britain, and I confess, I've been watching way too much telly...

I seriously enjoyed this dvd my dear hubbie gave me for my birthday...

... and I've ordered the book to read :)

And, lo and behold, somehow we have access to SkyArts... and I have been in seventh heaven!!

I refuse to line Mr Murdoch's pocket with a Sky subscription, but suddenly our Virgin package (phone, internet, TV box) is showing SkyArts!!

I've watched The Book Show, a documentary on Joni Mitchell, a brilliant programme on The Question Mark Inside - a light installation on the dome and facade of St Paul's and inside the Whispering Gallery by Martin Firrell, and E (my 14-year-old daughter) and I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Next Great Artist together - an Apprentice-type programme, but in E's words 'WAY more interesting!!', and we talked a lot about art and creativity afterwards...

Moments to treasure :)

And in the post on Saturday, this beauty arrived from my dear friend Zorana....

Sadly, I can't get a good photo - poor camera and it's an encaustic painting - and she's soooo beautiful in real life!!

And this, with a precious message on the reverse...

Pears are her new obsession :)

I've 'known' Zorana for years, but we've never met... her artworks adorn our home, and I'll treasure these two as much as all the others... Thank you, my dear friend :)

And finally, I have to show you an extra-special creation I've purchased with my birthday pennies from Nellie Wortman...

I've loved and admired Nellie's work for ages, and have coveted her books from afar... but now, I have THE most beautiful tome on my desk begging me to play inside it!!

Here are just a few of the pages...

front cover

I've already tucked in my pen and pencil ready to play...

blank pages patiently waiting for paint/crayon/collage...

this is a letter dating from 1899!!

and ledger entries from 1926!!

and prepared pages with Nellie's distinctive colours and fabrics...

and two mini fabric collage pages...

back cover

 (I think this unknown gentleman could be an ancestor of David Tennant's)...

And one last pic to show you what an incredible tome this is...

How many hours of fun will I have with this??!!

Well, I think this has to be one my l-o-n-g-e-s-t Virtual Coffee posts, and I'm sure you're more than ready for a refill...

Can't wait to hear about your week...

With much love xxx

 

PS I've just noticed I've now got 50 followers!!

WOW! A BIG thank you to all of you :) xx