WOYWW440
Hello my friends. I trust this finds you well and enjoying each new day. It has been a manic week here on the North Wales coast – 12 gold cloaks now done and delivered – and I apologise to you. I thought I had been told “gold” to celebrate 50 years of Fairtrade – No! It’s to showcase the new Fairtrade Gold – yes – the shiny stuff of wedding rings etc. Look up www.fairtrade.org.uk/gold to find out more about how small artisan miners can now receive a fair wage for their work. So I’m sorry I misled you last week.
Apart from the cloaks, I have cut out the 30 kits for bags to go to Uganda, and they are on their way to the ladies who have offered to sew them. So I am now able to concentrate on making for the three days of the Llandudno Christmas Fair, as we are opening up the church building next week Thursday through Saturday for light lunches and craft. Never a dull moment here!
My desk this week has consequently moved around the house depending on what I have been doing – my landing space, John’s art space, the dining table, a coffee table in the lounge as I have watched TV and worked at the same time… So, no photo of the desk – more a WBOMWTW – What’s Been On My Workdesk This Week! Just beware – it’s picture heavy!
Lots of knitted stockings filled with sweets and chocolates
Some lovely gift boxes
Lots of gift tags
I have also made lots of lantern boxes to take tea lights, and this evening have made some “handbags” – but haven’t photographed those yet. Next on the list are some cards – but that is after shopping and soup making for Step Inside – my turn this week!
So that’s my workdesks this week and what they have produced. I won’t be at all offended if you decide you have seen enough, but for those who wish to linger…
I promised to show you some of the work I did on the pergamano course….
This little box has an elastic band connecting the internal corners, so lays flat to fit inside the silver box in the background.Tie a ribbon round the larger box. Undo the ribbon and the decorated box springs out! Fun!!
A tri-fold card. The coloured areas are done using water colour pencils and the tiniest bit of water to activate them
This piece was made to work on whitework skills. The separate holly leaves will (when I have a few moments!) be attached to make the card 3D
Two rather cute little robins having a bad hair day! The colouring here was done on the reverse of the parchment – making it much gentler in effect.
This flower was printed onto black parchment, and then Christine Coleman demonstrated a method of colouring I had never come across before – how to layer colour down and gradually build up the desired effect – My first attempt at this! I loved doing it and achieving the effect I wanted. The outer design on the white parchment is done separately and will be used as the frame for the lily when I have a few minutes!
Then Christine handed out the rose design and said “Now, just get on and do it without thinking about it!” We could use any colourway we wanted – I just thought white would look good against the black… Again, the outer design is separate.
Yes, the course really did only last from Monday afternoon until Friday after lunch! Boy, did we work hard!
I had taken along with me a couple of pieces I had already done at home – partly because Shoshi wanted to see what pergamano was all about, and partly because they were both Alison Yeates’ designs. She was our tutor for the week. This is my Advent calendar. I use it each year. Pull up the top pyramid and it’s possible to put a chocolate inside the inner pyramid!! Each pyramid stands around 3 inches tall, has a number on one side, a picture on a second side, and a pergamano pricked design on the third and fourth. They are exquisite and I love them – took a long while to make, though! http://www.artycraftystuff.co.uk/page4.html Following the link will show you much better pictures.
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This star is around 5 inches across and opens out to reveal the inner card. It turned out to be the last Christmas card I made for John. It hangs on the Christmas tree.
My holiday ended with a trip to see…
… our very own Sarah – in her very own shed! I could have spent HOURS pottering around in there – so much to see! But a good visit and lunch together. Between you and me, I secretly think she does actually LIVE in the shed – all mod cons – a kettle, tea and coffee… What more could she want?
Well, that’s it folks. I reckon if you have got this far you are probably exhausted and need a long lie down… so… Thanks so much to so many who visited last week and left such lovely comments – and just to put some panicking souls at rest – it took me a fortnight to do the whole holiday and the 1000 miles!
Take care my friends. God bless.
Margaret
24 IMPORTED COMMENTS
butterfly
My goodness, you have been working so hard – and in such a good cause – bravo, you! And the folding work is so exquisite – looks like it was a great course. I see what everyone means about the dancing around of the post now – the first one I commented on was fine – so apologies for any errors in this! Alison x
Thu, 16 Nov 2017 06:49:35
Cara
My goodness you have been busy! It looks like you had an amazing time on the parchment course and produced so many wonderful projects there. Finally catching up on my WOYWW visits. Cara #33
Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:03:49
Lindart
Wow – you have been busy! I love everything you’ve made, but the pergamano cards and advent calendar are absolutely gorgeous! I did try pergamano years ago, but I just don’t have the patience for it! Hopefully you won’t have to buy your Christmas cards this year, but the way I’m going as well, it just may be something I will have to do as well! What I need is a really good Christmas stamp that fills up the whole card, and I can make lots at one time! Sorry I’m so late this week! Thank you for your earlier visit, Lindart #34
Fri, 10 Nov 2017 14:42:56
Felicia
Margaret, oh my goodness, you WERE busy! What a great stash of projects and they were all fabulous! Love, loved the picture of Sarah! There are so many of our online friends’s digs that I would love to crash! It looks like her crafty room is the bees knees! How wonderful that you all are able to visit one another and enjoy crafty time together! What a blessing! THanks for stopping by my blog. Many blessings to you! Felicia #39
Thu, 09 Nov 2017 19:37:38
Ani
My house is the same material, wool etc on every available space. Love the trifold card and the pergamano work is beautiful. Thank you for the visit. From one supposed to be retired person to another. Anickoa
Thu, 09 Nov 2017 18:33:09
Dorlene
Wow! Lots of great photos and products. You are going to do so well. Busy, busy, busy… thanks for your earlier visit. Dorlene #36
Thu, 09 Nov 2017 05:55:39
Heather Marshall
Hi Margaret, another busy week for you. Crafting on the go … I could take over our house with only a little encouragement! Thanks for your kind words on my northern lights attempt. I am very encouraged by all the nice comments from everyone. I don’t mind the batch making, I find that part quite easy. The difficult part for me is making the first card and being happy with it. Have a lovely week Heather #5
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:29:58
Anne
Having trouble commenting, your comments box keeps disappearing as you type. Wonderful work Margaret. Hope the fundraising goes well. Anne x #26
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:00:06
Carol N
And I thought I’ve been busy but you definitely have me beat! Great projects!!! Beautiful projects!! Hope you have a GREAT week! Carol N #29
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:22:01
Neet
Oh Margaret, what a lot of lovely things you have been making. Each and every piece of work you have done for the Pergamano is wonderful. I know what it is like as I started off there but quickly gave up for stamping. The items you have made for the church are beautiful and will bring much joy to eveyone who sees them. You are a treasure Margaret. Then you talk of cooking for Stepping Out – wow! Hope you are looking after yourself and getting some rest when you need it. Blessings, Neet 2 xx
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:50:33
Stacy
Hi Margaret, I had to giggle over the you think Sarah lives in her shed comment, I love the happy mug shot you took too. Don’t we all wish ewe lived in our happy places? I love that card you made for John and was smiling to see you are crafty-ing like a crazy woman this week too ~Stacy #35
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:18:05
Sue
Hi Margaret, Loving your parchment projects. You’ve been busy with all the Christmas things. How nice that you got to visit Sarah. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy WOYWW Sue #12
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:12:40
Diana Taylor
Sooo many goodies I don’t know where to start – but I have to say I LOVE your pergamano work, so beautiful and classy. The detail is exquisite and I especially love the little birds, the detail is phenomenal, and the Advent boxes are just gorgeous. Oh and your cone boxes are so fab too, they would look great hanging on a tree filled with chocolates – I am off to look for a die now!! Hope you have a good week, Diana x #13
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:59:15
Shoshi
Wow and wow again, Margaret – such exquisite work! I love what you did on the course, particularly the black pieces with the white frames – just beautiful! I am so glad you had fun with Sarah in her shed as well. Lovely to see some more results of your trip away. Are you more or less back to normal now? Thank you for your visit – my hubby is at the vet’s now with both kitties. Lily was pulling at her stitches so they need looking at too. This morning Ruby went back and had a small opening re-glued, and by lunch time it was wide open again so back she’s gone! I think when they come back, they will both be encased in those awful cat suits to stop them getting at it! The lampshade was a total disaster with Ruby. They won’t be happy, that’s for sure! We’ve never had this problem with female cats before – all have been good as gold and not interfered with the stitches. Ruby and Lily are so naughty! Happy WOYWW, Shoshi #9
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:27:40
Sarah Brennan
You didn’t have to give away my secret Margaret LOL. Sometimes I feel like I live in the shed too! Had to have a break from school work for a minute or too. Good luck with the fundraising, those are amazing items you have produced. You put my efforts to shame. Be prepared for a deluge of compliments about your fabulous parchment! Happy WOYWW Sarah #27
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:44:07
LLJ
You raise a valid point re the treble clef! As a pianist and cello player, I can read both clefs well, but the brass band has always had its music in treble clef (apart from the bass trombone, but they’re in a league of their own, as are their players usually!!) When I play in wind bands however, the music IS in bass clef, so I have to transpose. This sounds hard but basically you add three sharps to any key signature and you’re ok – the only hard part of this is working out what you do with the accidentals. The trickiest thing I’ve done was playing a bass clef part without transposing and translating it into treble clef fingering – the musical equivalent of rubbing your head, patting your tummy whilst playing keepy uppy with a football! I suppose it’s good for keeping the old grey matter ticking over nicely 😀 LLJ xxxx
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:10:03
Annie
Thanks for visiting me earlier my friend and for your lovely comments. I love your pergamano creations….such a labour of love because I know the time each must have taken you. Lots of luck with the craft fair. Hugs, Annie x #11
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:25:03
shaz
Hi Margaret, It’s clear to see how much you enjoyed the Pergamano course, and how much you took away from it. Love the colouring on the roses and Lilly- one of my favourite flowers. That advent calendar and the little pyramids are so beautiful. And all the stuff you’ve been busy making or cutting- you make me tired just looking at it. You must have boundless energy, is all I can say. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #10 XxX
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:20:17
Cardarian
Hello dear Margaret! I must thank you again for the wonderful crop you organised and let us be guests in your house – I haven’t been blogging for a while but I am back now.Your post is full of beautiful Christmas makes! Love and hugs CARDARIAN
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:52:05
Marit
OH my, you are such a busy lady – I get tired just reading what you did all week but I never get tired looking at the pictures, what a wonderful ‘thingies’ you show, you are talented in many ways dear! Happy woyww, big hug from Holland, Marit #19
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:23:33
Karen
Wow! I love all your makes this week. I used to do a bit of parchment craft years ago, but my eyesight isn’t what it used to be so sold all my supplies last year. Also love the Christmas stockings, what a fab idea for my grandchildren, now where are my needles haha. This is my first visit to WOYWW, was encouraged by a couple of friends who are WOYWWers. Love it Karen x
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:30:58
LLJ
That’s a fab pic of Sarah! How lovely that you had such a great time with her, that shed does look amazing as does your pergamano! I love the ethereal effect of it, especially those holly leaves…gorgeous! I’m glad you’re having a good and full time with all you’re doing. Hugs LLJ 8 xxxx
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:44:23
Shaz in Oz.x
You certainly do not have idle hands there Margaret and read several times where you said you will do such and such when you have time!! think that’t what crafting is like somehow. LOVED the pergmano, of course always telling myself I’ll try that one day, think the lily on black vellum and robins cutest, great work.. so much intricacy. Chuckled at your gold mix up, something I’d do, too! Prayer hugs dear friend, Shaz in Oz.x #4
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:42:33
Helen
what a fabulous post – your parchment cards are fantastic! I wish I could get your comment box to stay visible on my screen though whilst I am typing my comments… Good job I was trained as a touch typist – not too many mistakes! You have been so busy – love your productivity! Helen #1
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:53:01