Hello everybody and congratulations to the whole body of people who make up WOYWW! What an amazing milestone we are passing today – and all due to our illustrious Julia – who thought it up, and has faithfully followed through every week for the past eleven and a half years. Thank you Julia! I haven’t been here for the whole of the 700, but a fair few – and it’s so good to know there are like minded arty crafty people out there across the world who visit and comment. It’s so good that everybody’s style is different, too. There’s never a dull moment here. So… where IS here? Our workdesks – that’s where – and here is mine for today…

My dining table. Completely ready apart from 3 birthday cards and a box to be made for a 3-D Christmas card. Ready for what, I hear you ask. A trip around half of Britain!! Leaving after church on Sunday (got to be there, cos I’m playing this week!), I drive from the North Wales Coast across country to Lincolnshire, visit friends and take their Christmas and birthday gifts; then move on to Buckinghamshire to visit my younger daughter, see friends and deliver more Christmas gifts; then it’s on to Warwickshire to see my brother and LOTS more friends – and yes – deliver more Christmas and birthday gifts; then, lastly, to go to Nottinghamshire to visit my elder daughter and go to a concert in which one of my grandies is playing clarinet. I have been to other concerts she has played in – and they are fantastic. This might be the last one, as she is due to head off to university next September. So there was no way I was going to miss out if at all possible. I’m trying to make best use of the fuel by doing all the Christmas visits in one trip. It’s going to be a busy, but great, week. So I confess I will be AWOL next Wednesday.

So, short and hopefully sweet this week – there are likely to be a lot of folks to visit on this special day. I will get round to you – but it will be after Food Share. Yes, you are all right – it’s already growing as need arises!

Take care each one of you. God bless you richly.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Once again I have been MIA. I cannot believe how much energy it takes to help with the Food Share programme – so I may not be very speedy commenting! – but it means my Wednesdays are now really busy and tiring. Am I getting old??? Careful how you answer that, now.

Once again I have moved around the house over the past three weeks – different activities going on in different rooms. It really may be a good thing I live on my own, you know… some days there simply wouldn’t be room for anyone else to sit down! Ooops!! Anyway – here’s the main working space recently…

Camilla and I are going to run a Christmas Crafternoon next month. We are going to do glass painting. The trouble with that choice, we realised, is that there wouldn’t be sufficient time for folk to do the outlining, wait for it to dry, and then do the actual painting. So, we set ourselves up at the dining table… and outlined 4 dozen plastic baubles!

Having got these items onto the dining table… we also had to allow them time to dry… so… before too long, Cam had gone home… and I started on the next task!

Please note the careful – and very essential – left shove!!! Now, if I want to eat a meal… well, let’s just say that a stool in the living room is handy to put my plate on! So here we have some silk paper sheets being made into 3-D pieces, ready to have a Christmas gift in them. Also, some pergamano – while the silk paper is drying. I made one of these bauble “covers” some weeks back – but wasn’t happy with it. Too tight. So I have endeavoured to make it a fraction larger by expanding the pattern. As you can see, it’s half done on the parchment sheet… and that’s where it is still! Now three quarters done. I really don’t think I will have a dozen of these done before Christmas 2022 – it may well be time to do a re-think. They were going to go into the silk paper bowls…

It’s quite difficult to do these sort of things all the time – so for some “down time” I go into the living room and…

“Down time”??? I must be certifiable to have tried this! Took me quite a time, but I finally finished it Monday evening. Large blocks of solid colour with no variation in shade!

I have made a shed load of Christmas cards, all the ones for the church as well as lots for my friends and family, and a few birthday cards. Here’s just one…

The big news from here this week is that Nathan, my grandson, continues to recover from his liver surgery. It will take over 6 months, and it’s only 6 weeks! However, his mum and dad are hoping to take him off to university this coming weekend to meet his new flatmates, meet last year’s friends, and “begin” his second year. A good result of covid lockdowns is that the lectures are all posted on-line within an hour of being given – so Nathan has been able to access them from home and keep up.

So… with that good news in mind… let’s be glad, and enjoy the colours of autumn… a tree in my garden. The colours were actually much more vivid in real life! They have been glorious – and then, one night, the wind blew… and that was the end of the colour. No leaves left. However. Enjoy !

So that’s me folks, here on the North Wales Coast. Do take care of yourselves. It will probably take me a couple of days to visit everyone. Cindy, Thank you for the ATC and card – there’s a little something in the mail for you.

God bless you all.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Another week has gone by. I didn’t make it to the crop last Saturday – it just felt too far to drive – 80miles each way, plus what would have been a fabulous day with you all. I was sorry to miss out, but covid left me feeling rather wiped out. However, things are improving. Today I actually feel as though I have achieved quite a lot! My desk has seen some action – at last, I hear you say – and quite rightly too.

I have been making some thank you cards so I can write to folk who sent or gave me gifts for my birthday. So, you can see open inks (they are safely shut and away now), blending brushes, metal ruler, pile of scrap paper for stamping on, box of closed inks, specs, DST, scissors, cutting plates for the Big Shot, and the finished cards. I have rather stolen Brahms’ idea when he wrote his Variations on a theme of Paganini!!! In other words – one idea, a dozen cards!

Very simple, but I’m reasonably pleased with them.

Also this week, as I have been watching more mindless tv, I have done another jigsaw…

I really enjoyed doing this one – easy to do as it broke conveniently down into small blocks. A bit of fun.

And so that’s me this week. I will visit – but Wednesdays are going to be busy from now on. Food Share North Wales – a sort of food bank, but folk have the dignity of paying something toward the cost – has opened up in our church building. When the idea was mooted within the church it really struck a chord with me, so I have volunteered to help. Tomorrow will be my first day. I imagine it will be a busy day!!! Tea and Toast (the post-covid smaller answer to Step Inside) runs alongside Food Share. So the main church room, and the back room where we held our crop some years ago, will be filled with people and food. That is just so encouraging.

So take care, my friends. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Tuesday evening already – where does the week go? Life here on the North Wales Coast has rushed ahead from one event to another. Nathan, my elder grandson continues to recover from his major surgery, enjoying being at home again after a week in a hospital bed. Everything seems to be going in the right direction, for which we are all extremely thankful to God. My desk this week looks like this…

Look familiar? That’s because it is! It hasn’t changed at all since last week. I have been nowhere near it, just walked past it on a regular basis to get to bed at night. And the reason? Having gone two and a half years managing to avoid covid, I have finally succumbed to the dreaded lurgy – tested positive last Saturday (having felt unwell for three days before that!) – two days before my birthday!!! So I am under house arrest, as it were, for the next couple of days before I can test again to see whether I will be able to come and meet up with everyone at the crop on Saturday. I feel properly miffed, but there we go, it’s life!

So, quite honestly, that’s me done for this week… thank you so much to everyone who visited and commented last week. I really appreciated your comments.

Take care of yourselves. I do so hope I will see some of you on Saturday. God bless you.

Margaret

Lights – Camera – Action… Yes, there has actually been some action this week. Sorry I went AWOL last week – my grandson was in for major surgery last Wednesday, and I knew I would not have the energy or concentration levels to visit you all. The good news is he is doing well, and is coming out of hospital today (Tuesday). So my desk is looking a bit busy.. I made my son in law a birthday card this morning (needless to say, not photographed yet), and have made a few Christmas cards.

So, the usual sort of clutter on my desk… a pile of Christmas papers, cutting boards for the Big shot, a nice neat (but currently very small!) pile of Christmas cards, etc. Hopefully, now Nathan is home I will feel more like concentrating on things I need to do. And there’s the crop to prepare for… ooo, goodie! So, one of the Christmas cards…

Simple, layered, easy to mail… you know the sort of thing. Of course, I still had to fill my time somehow, even if my concentration was shot… so…

I have continued to sort through John’s study, and have finally achieved a completely empty room. All ready now for decorating! Yay!

Yes, that is a bit of bare plaster you see before your eyes! We moved a wall when we first moved in – a mere 10 1/2 years ago – stuck a filing cabinet in front of it, and completely forgot to paint it. OOPS!

So that’s me done this week, folks. I look forward to seeing those coming to the crop a week on Saturday. It will be great to meet up again.

Take care of yourselves. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. I really thought I had cooked my goose yesterday and wouldn’t get here today. I finally plucked up the courage to move the computer from the study ready for the decorating… and yes, you’ve guessed it! Internet wouldn’t work in its new position! Took me a long time, but finally, late last night, perseverance paid off – and so here I am! Things have moved on somewhat from last week… and my landing craft space now looks like this!

Vastly different from the original. I spent hours emptying and sorting the whole space. Anything I hadn’t used for the past 10 years or so was given away. The local infant school came in for lots, Camilla ended up with lots of bits, the charity shop has lots to sell. Whoop, whoop. Win, win. I now have space to move. I’m pleased with those large boxes acting as a book case at the end of the room instead of underneath the desks. MUCH easier to get at now my old knees don’t want to kneel on the floor!. What’s more… shh!!!… I can now easily get into the eaves space at this end of the landing where I keep Christmas!

So, still no positive craft activity going on up there. The study is almost completely empty now – just the printer and the scanner to move, and then the last desk to lift out. David can then come in whenever he is ready. Exciting.

Many thanks for all your visits and comments last week. It was lovely to feel connected again after a VERY long absence. Thanks BJ for the thoughts re selling vinyl. I will talk to one of my sons in law.

Well, that’s me done this week. Take care of yourselves. God bless.

Margaret

Oh my word! It is 22 weeks since I last posted. I can’t quite believe that. However, like the proverbial bad penny, here I am today. First… my desk…

Yes. My hall stairs and landing have all been decorated. NO. I didn’t attempt it! I phoned a friend!! Of course, wonderful as the thought of new colours etc is, it involved completely emptying the areas! I needed to still be able to do some work, so it all had to be moved logically. EEK!!!

One side of my bed… two shots

And the other side?

And even in front of the wardrobe!

Then, of course… new flooring before everything was put back. First the underlay…

Then the most fabulous, lustrous, glitzy flooring. Glossy, textured, vinyl click flooring which has mica in it! I love it.

My next move was to pay the men who did all the work… only to find out that I had been quoted for the study as well. I’d thought the quote was good just for the one room, to find it included a second was a tremendous blessing!

Of course…. it now all became a bit like the Flanders and Swann song “Twas on a Monday morning, the gas man came to call…” The study was John’ space. He loved it in here, and I never sorted it after his death… just piled stuff on top. So, after putting a few bits on the landing so I could work again in more space, I have started on the study, delving deep into my husband’s past! He had SO many art books, I had no idea. The local Christian bookshop had just started an “Arts and Crafts” section, so they are the new owners of all the ones I will never use. The paints have added to the things in my bedroom, as has the document unit. What a wonderful sort out I had in that! Still shreddding all the stuff that needs it – my recycling box for paper will only take a certain amount before overflowing! Now I just need to find a place to sell all the vinyl records – so many – and some amazing box sets. Anyone help me there???

So that’s my reason for being AWOL, my friends. No room in the inn for crafting. I did spend a few hours yesterday making cards and taking them round to the church to sell for our charity. Of course, needless to say, I forgot to photograph them – sorry folks. So I’ll say that’s it from me. I will do my best to get round everyone – I have popped in each week, just not left any messages.

Take care. God bless you all.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Already it is Tuesday evening – so time to write a post and tell you about my workdesk this week! As usual the work area has moved around the house … and further afield. Let’s start with the bedroom wall!

This is the gorgeous oil painting I have been attempting to get the dirt off. I think, if the cotton wool balls are anything to go by, I am succeeding. This is just SO Wales! I only wish I knew if my maternal Grandfather had indeed painted it – but there’s no-one to ask now. If he did paint it, then he would have done it around 100 years ago.

This is the photo I showed you a couple of weeks ago… taken from a slightly different angle, but so very similar.

So, from the bedroom wall to the sewing table. I took one of the silk paper sheets I had made and have done a little sewing into it in order to show the participants a possible use of the paper at the Crafternoon a week on Saturday. I used some rayon sewing threads because they have such a lovely sheen to them. Didn’t do a great deal, just enough to show folks that a) it’s possible; and b) it’s not easy to keep the sheet flat! it gets all wrinkled as I didn’t dare put it into an embroidery hoop.

From the sewing table to the dining table. I wonder why I so rarely get to eat there???! A 3D piece now. The surprise activity for the Crafternoon. I’m just waiting for it to dry. Shaped over a 2 pint pudding basin, the crinkles will even out a little when I remove it from the former.

And so, from the dining table to Martin Meer. A Wildlife and Wetlands Trust venue up in Lancashire. My 2 pairs of binoculars (one was John’s father’s pair and one his grandfather’s!) have recently died. They refuse to focus on anything – near or far. So, it was time for a rethink. I checked that Martin Meer sold a decent selection and headed North to find an expert. A lovely man called Jim spent ages helping me to find a pair suitable for someone who simply wanted to look a bit further afield and identify birds and animals, but wasn’t a birder!!! Then, armed with new binoculars, camera, zoom and macro lenses, I set off around the centre. The weather was just glorious – I had taken coat and cardigan with me, and needed neither! Most creatures there turned their backs on me the instant I lifted the camera to my eye… but…

So that’s it, my friends. A full and lovely week. I’m completely ready for the church’s charity re-launch afternoon tea this Saturday apart from making some cakes on Friday. Their brochure which I designed is with the printer, and their website (including blog) is completely up and running. I’m nearly all set for the Crafternoon with Camilla a week on Saturday, just a case of checking the cross stitch patterns I need to use, and then putting my embroidery silks all ready – Remember those glorious rainbow coloured boxes the other week? I am trusting they will inspire folk! Then I am greatly looking forward to seeing my entire family over their Easter break, and spending some time with them all.

Take care my friends. Thank you so much to those who visited and commented last week. God bless you.

Margaret

I think it only fair to warn you that this post is just a tad photo heavy!!! Oops – sorry Julia. I hope I am forgiven.

Hello my friends. I trust this finds you well and enjoying your art times. My desk this week has been moving around the house – nothing unusual there I hear you say. So… firstly, the dining table has been covered in all manner of silk fibres, wool fibres, angelina fibres… yes. I have been making lots of silk paper sheets for whoever comes to the Crafternoon next month. I’m not sure what got into me last Wednesday when I told you we are going to do silk painting… we’re not! We are doing silk paper making!!! Just a bit of a difference! Anyway, as I set to, I discovered that by the time I had made a sheet for everyone and a couple for myself as demonstrator, I was going to be running very low on silk and wool tops. Oh, what a sacrifice – I had to get on the phone and order some more. I have always used Winghamwoolworks for these, and they certainly excelled themselves this time. Ordered Friday lunchtime, Monday morning this gorgeous parcel of loveliness arrived…

I am positively drooling over these – 28 balls of wool tops, 3 bags of silk fibres, and 2 of angelina fibres – copper and silver. Our plan for the crafternoon is that everyone can start off by making a couple of sheets each, which can then be drying whilst we all make something 3D using the sheets I have already made. Thus far, I have made 16, roughly circular and nearly A4 in length. I have had SUCH fun!!! Here’s a few…

From the dining table to the kitchen worktop and on to the armchair and tv! In the evenings I have been greatly enjoying myself making a zigzag crochet blanket…

It fits a full size single bed. I will probably give it to charity as I don’t need it, but I have had loads of fun counting!! From the armchair my next desk was the open air. Friday morning was absolutely stunning weather here on the North Wales coast – so, after a load of household tasks I decided to go out to Bodnant. Bodnant Gardens is a NT place around 7 miles from my home. When I went two weeks ago there were 2 daffodils out! Yes, you read correctly – 2. I thought the sun might have opened a few more… arrived to find there wasn’t a car parking space left! Went home in a huff! However, undeterred I went back on Saturday morning. Oh my goodness – what a feast for the eyes and the soul! I leave you today with a few snaps from the many I took that time!

There were millions – everywhere you looked. Up hill and down dale. It was the most glorious sight. Colour was everywhere. Azaleas, primroses, magnolias, even rhododendrons were opening up.

Enjoy gazing. Enjoy the beauty of creation. Take care my friends. God bless you.

Margaret

Well, hello my friends! I cannot believe I have done it again – gone AWOL for so many weeks. Tuesday evenings seem to come round when I am least expecting them, and consequently, I miss yet another week. However… today I have made it! So, my desk this week is in two very distinct halves – useable… and not! Here’s the useable half. Handcream and glue to the fore; heat gun; a little Chinese take-away container that has water with washing up liquid in it. You see, I have this gorgeous oil painting which came to me after my mum and dad died. It’s a mountain scene with a waterfall – and it lived above the dining table in my parents’ home for donkey’s years – with a coal fire – so it is pretty mucky. I am trying to clean it a bit, and bring up the colours somewhat. I watched “The repair shop” one time and this is the solution they used to start the process. I think it’s working. I have no idea of the artist, I just know I love the view. It is almost exactly the same as a place I stood and photographed the other day in Snowdonia, so it may have been painted by my grandfather.

This is the view I photographed – the waterfall coming down from Llyn Idwal to Llyn Ogwen. I reckon the artist probably was on the left of this picture looking up the valley and waterfall. The cleaning of the painting has a long way to go yet, so I will just enjoy the photo in the meantime. Anyway – on to the un-useable half of my desk! That blue box contains 150 cards, made for the launch event of our new charity at church – 125 are my own designs, and 25 are cards made using old cards which had the charity’s previous logo and details on them. So some cutting, pasting, layering, ribbon jobs were involved. Behind the blue box are a basket full of little gifts donated to sell, and the big Welsh bag contains some handmade boxes holding tealights.

So, apart from making cards, what else have I been doing in my absence? Travelling the nations – I visited Mr and Mrs D, where we went on a craft shop hunt! I then went on to see my elder daughter and spent an entire day helping my grand daughter make her first ever dress. Then travelled down to see my younger daughter who had booked tickets for us to go to Kew Gardens for the Orchid exhibition. Storm something or other put paid to that! Kew closed the gardens for the day. So, instead we went to her village Community Choir rehearsal. What fun!!! I thoroughly enjoyed a vocal workout. A fortnight later I was back with my elder daughter and family to attend my grand daughter’s first concert since lockdown. A fabulous venue in Nottingham, 175 musicians – from 5 to 18 years old. Three string bands, and two wind bands. The standard of musicianship was amazing. A beautiful event. I’m so glad I went to it.

So, I leave you with a picture from a day out to which I treated myself. The weather was so glorious, I simply couldn’t stay in, but drove into Snowdonia. Lambs filled the fields, daffodils, snowdrops and primroses covered the roadsides. It was good for the soul. Like having a holiday! So – my favourite view in the world… Snowdon herself with her acolytes! Snowdon is third from the right, and yes, honestly, the sky was that blue and so was Llyn Mymbyr! – in February!!!

So that’s me done today – just about prepared for the charity launch. Already thinking of a Crafternoon Cam and I are running at church – silk painting, scraperboard and cross stitch. We are looking forward to it! We already have some folks booked in – and we only started to advertise it last Sunday!! So take care my friends. God bless you.

Margaret