WOYWW…rock chick doll!

It’s not often I get any crafting done during the week – usually too late/tired from work, but felt the need for a bit of creative therapy today so sat down and did something just for me because I wanted too.  This is what my desk looked like a few moments ago when I had finished. I have been trying my hand at another altered doll, something I’d never done before until one of my team mates over at Craft-Room Challenge set it as this weeks theme. I was scared , but once I got going really enjoyed making my DT piece – hence having another go today, I just love that the blogging world can lead you into things you would never try or think of otherwise. This time I’ve made a rock chick character, and as with the first one have used a template from Paper Thin Personas.

The photos really aren't that great because of the time of day/lack of light – and I didn’t really think about how tricky all the glittery bits would be to capture – but I am pleased with how she looks IRL. The piece on her head is actually a black embossed skull with lace behind.
 I took this one to try and show the contrast of the purple guitar….maybe I will have to take some better pics in the daylight!

Anyway – I’ve been absent from WOYWW for a bit due to lack of time – and I do miss it so my goal for the week is to try and visit as many desks as I can – If you want to join in hop over the Julia’s Stamping Ground where it all begins…Happy WOYWW!  Esther xx

WOYWW and ATCs

 Really really quick post with several pics...just finished my ATCs for this months swap over at the Stamp Man where the theme is Friendship..I missed the last one because I ran out of time but was determined to get back in again this month. Decided to keep them simple so the images and words spoke for themselves, backgrounds created with Distress stains and Inks and images coloured with Pro-markers...not that happy with some of the attempted shading, I'm still learning!

This is one is my favourate. I've used Crafty individuals Stamps with an Artistic Stamper crackle background stamp.

And now for my desk...wow what a lot of sorting out I did at the weekend thanks to some new storage I had delivered.

I sorted out this messy lot -  

 and turned this untidy space -

 Into this organised slot -

 and this tidy, clear and ready for action desk!!

I love it...the shelves are sold as CD storage - and although I do have some CD cases in them it's probably not what the manufacturers had in mind as mine contain unmounted stamps - and I still have some space to add to my collection ! Oh - excuse the orange blob...I forgot when I took the pic I had a 'left here to dry but cannot be shared yet' project on the top!  

Please go visit Julia at the Stamping Ground where loads of other desks can be found for your enjoyment! Happy WOYWW everyone...Thanks for stopping by...Esther xxx

WOYWW (a little early)

Goodness it's that time to join in the desk hopping with Julia again (well nearly if you're seeing this on Tuesday night!), where has the week gone ? Hop on over the The Stamping Ground to see what I'm on about!  It's been a busy one for me what with my friends wedding but I've still managed to find some time to craft   - but not to tidy up and my desk is proof of that! I'm currently cutting some Nestie labels to go with the other crafty stuff I've bought my mum for her birthday. She doesn't have a die cutting machine so every now and again and I do her a supply and these are new dies I recently purchased. You can see my wallet of scrap paper there - trying to be good and use it up! Peeking out from behind that is the latest version of Craft Stamper magazine in which I found inspiration for this card -

I've made it to enter into at The Play Date Cafe (which is why this post is out early to meet their deadline!) and it's based on the colours from this beautiful photo. I made a wrinkle free distress ink background, stamped and embossed in white and added a stamped border and beautiful Nestie shape with a greeting.

I also managed to finish an entry for the Less is More 'White on White' challenge. Really enjoyed doing this but the girls are right it was very tricky to photograph! I stamped with an Elusive Images stamp (still out from my previous Poppy card!), embossed in pearl, used an embossing folder on the back panel and added the flowers, ribbon and flower gems. 

 Happy WOYWW everyone, thanks for your visit, Esther xx

WOYWW

This is my desk today (well last night actually but it's still the same). It was back to work yesterday for me so no time to tidy up after the weekends craft fest! The card on my desk is for the Hero Arts Club Blog challenge - here it is in a 'proper' pic -  

I used these Tulips which I masked and Stamped to form the circle - I think this is quite an old stamp, I got it from E-bay (99p bargain!) for my mum and had a sneaky quick go before giving to her (it was used already!). Coloured with Pro-Markers and layered on plain cardstock stamped with Hero Arts Cling Dots.

You can also just see the tops of some CD cases in my pink box on the right. My lovely other half brought these home from work (they were throwing them out) to replace some of our broken ones - but alas they didn't all get as far as the music collection! I snaffled some of them for storing my clear stamps and have given him instructions to get more!! I altered this one according to the stamps inside - I used alcohol inks directly on the case and and stamped on a piece of white card to fit the cover inside! I did add a bit of glitter to the fairy wings but it doesn't show well on the pics.

I was quite pleased - so much tidier and free!

 I'm entering this into a couple of challenges -
 Sir Stampalot - Magical Worlds
 Stamp Something - Somethings with wings

Happy WOYWW everyone, To join in the WOYWW fun hop over to Julia's blog 'The Stamping Ground' , hope you're having a good week, thanks for looking, Esther xx

Is it Wednesday??

Blimey - can't believe I almost missed WOYWW..I've been on leave from work since last Thursday, had my head in study books and completely lost track of  the days! I've been sharing my time between two desks this last week - the dining table with my boring work studying on...and my craft table which is an absolute tip and in desperate need of a tidy.  I have a terrible habit of leaving stamps out when I've used them and they just kind of pile up!! As you can see......

And the boring studious one...

Don't be fooled by the duster - there's been none of that going on, think I just used it on the laptop screen! Although my mum is coming over for a crafty day tomorrow, yipee, so I better get a wriggle on and do some tidying up! If you want to spy on share other peoples desks hop on over to Julia's Stamping Ground where the full list of WOYWW addicts will be available for all......right where's that hoover lurking....

Goodies on WOYWW

Hello fellow WOYWWers...I've struggled staying involved with WOYWW recently because of being so busy at work and having assignment deadlines to study for at home, but this week I had just had to share the goodies that are on my desk thanks to a recent win in Sir Stampalots challenge and a little shopping spree! Several packages were waiting for me when I returned from work yesterday and it was a bit like Christmas - especially as I didn't know what was in my challenge prize package.

I got some gorgeous stamps, stickers and image sheets and shall have loads of fun at the weekend when I get time to play so thanks Sir Stampalot!

Sitting in the background on my desk is the card I made for the 'Sentiments' challenge at Less is More. I was going for a thought bubble effect to tie in with the sentiment by making some masks and stencils with my Nesties. I'm not really sure it's worked but don't know what's wrong...don't you just hate it when that happens...I know the Less is More ladies are all very good at commenting and leaving help so all suggestions gratefully received!

Well better get off to work now....Happy WOYWW...Esther xx

WOYWW

Hello WOYWWers...really quick post today showing my messy desk as I left it last night after making a couple of commissioned cards for a fortieth birthday.  (Will post better pics of the card later). I haven't done much crafting this this last week as we went to Hastings for a long weekend for my other half's birthday...so here's a photo of Eastbourne Pier in the sun on Sunday. It was  lovely fresh day and we enjoyed a stroll and an ice cream! Pete walked along to the end of the Pier but my need to keep my feet firmly on the ground kept me watching from a safe vantage point on the prom.  

Unfotunately I have to go back to work today but hope to get round some desks during the coming week...Happy WOYWW...Esther xx

WOYWW

Yipee..I have a few days off work, which really means I should of been up bright and early posting this first thing as I didn't have to get ready for work...but alas no..a lie in was called for followed by some boring errands in town. But, those out of the way I have the rest of the afternoon to blog and craft and blog and craft and..you get the idea! So..on my desk at the moment is the delivery of paper I received from the Paper Mill shop! Restocking the essentials - (you can tell which colour scheme I use most...) along with my craft Stamper magazine which arrived in perfect time for my days off and a new Big and Juicy stamp pad, long coveted, recently succumbed too...not very exciting I'm afraid.

To join in the noseyness...hop on over to Julia's blog 'The Stamping Ground' where you'll find a list of other desks waiting to be snooped...oh and I'd like to just say a warm welcome to my latest new followers - I'm very excited to have reached 50 followers...never thought I'd get into double figures so I'm very happy!

Happy WOYWW everyone...Esther xx

A still quite tidy WOYWW..

 Well didn't think it would last this long but my desk is still quite tidy for me. That may have more to do with the fact I haven't had much time for crafting recently (or blogging come to that) but this last weekend I did manage a card and some Tea Bag templates which are still on the desk waiting to be used.

As I mentioned in a post the other day I've been practising with my first Pro-Markers that I got from Santa and so have some stamped images in various stages of colouring awaiting my return. I'm loving these new additions to my crafting stash and am quite please with my first attempts.  I fiddled with this Gorjuss girls hair for absolutely ages and am really pleased...but can I remember now what did so I can do it again?...of course not !

 I also have a fine (but blurry) example of what happens when you are watching TV, colouring and not paying full attention to the pen you've picked up!! Purple blotchy cheek...really ?! Thought it was the blender !!

Well that's me for another WOYWW..thanks for looking and to join in the fun if you happened here by accident get on over to Julia's Stamping Ground for more desks to snoop about on ! It's great fun! Oh and if you're here early and haven't missed it - check out The Stamp Addicts show on Create and Craft @ 11.00am...they have some amazing Judikins designed unmounted stamps (my DT samples are here and here) and some great demos... Happy WOYWW...Esther xx

WOYWW - My New Year Tidy!

Well here it is the first WOYWW of the New Year - and I've tidied especially!! Gone are the Christmas stamps and ribbon, the gold and silver card and festive paper...to be replaced by a very tidy (for me) desk just waiting for the first project of 2011 to be started. So what has previously looked like this.....

and this.....

and been piled up like this.....

Now looks like this...

                                                           

Wonder how long it will last..???

While I'm here just thought I'd share another card I made for The Stamp Addicts show (before the tidy up). The show is on Create and Craft, Fri 7th Jan @2.00pm featuring some gorgeous new stamps from Judikins.

 I've coloured with promarkers and decoupaged  - you can see the layers a bit better here..

and I added a touch of Flower Soft...

To see how other's desks are doing this first WOYWW of 2011 pop along to Julia's blog - 'The Stamping Ground' to have a peek and share the fun! Thanks for stopping by...Esther xx

WOYWW - First DT projects

I was full of good intentions for today - I've got a few days off work and the plan was to be up bright and early to catch the beginning of the WOYWW list and then get on with the samples for my first Stamp Addicts Design Team job....but here I am at 12.30pm, having had a lie in, pottered around doing a bit of nothing wondering where the morning went! I am very excited though,  having been chosen to be on the Design Team for Stamp Addicts a couple of months ago I have been eagerly looking forward to my first job and it came in the shape of some beautiful stamps which will feature on a new show going out on Create and Craft on Jan 7th @2.00pm. (You can see a preview of the stamps here - they are gorgeous!) So my desk this week basically contains work in progress for that.

And below is a finished card - I created a background with the music score stamp by stamping in Bundled Sage Distress ink, clear embossing, then applying more Distress Inks over the top (pumice stone, peeled paint and Frayed burlap). I created the corner collage of images by stamping and masking - I stamped the bust first (is that Beethoven?), masked him, stamped the violin and piano keys over the top, masked both of them and stamped the music score over the whole lot. I then applied Distress inks before removing the masks. 

 

Although this wasn't made with challenges in mind, it does fit a couple so am going to enter it over at Allsorts - Anything Goes , Simon says Stamp and Show - Yesteryear and Sunday Stampers - music.

To join in with WOYWW just head over to The Stamping Ground, run by the delightful Julia and get snooping  sharing !

I hope eveyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a very Happy and Creative New Year, Esther xx

WOYWW - and Tag 1

Just a quick post  before I dash off to work. On my desk today is my unfinished attempt at Tag 1 of Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas. I've already made Tag 3 (see previous Post) for a specific challenge so thought I'd go back to the beginning, not sure I'll get all 12 done by this Christmas but I'm enjoying having a go and practising those fab techniques Tim is sharing. I'm working on an old place mat I found while sorting out some boxes stored in my mums loft - they're perfect for crafting because they're heat resistant and wipe clean and am recycling at the same time!  You can also see a tag that I've created a background on ready to start tag 2, and maybe if you enlarge the pic (should I be encouraging you to see my mess in more detail?) the tissue paper flower I put together but didn't use for the previous tag, still can't get these quite right.

And here's a closer look at the unfinished tag. The ticket is not fixed as I'm going to add some inks/glitter/something and I've still a Holly Wreath to make..but it's coming along...

Well would love to stay here and browse the other desks from Julia's blog where all the action takes place but someone's got to earn the Christmas Present money!! Happy WOYWW...Esther xx

WOYWW ....made it again!

 Wow - made it to WOYWW two weeks running, I'm on a roll now..still haven't had much time for visiting but as Julia says it's supposed to be fun and we mustn't feel pressured..so want to say a global thanks to people who visit and comment, I do read and appreciate them all and enjoy the desks I snoop and apologise for not always being able to stop and comment. So on my desk this week are ongoing Christmas card projects and the results of my play with the dried flowers I found (last weeks WOYWW here).

Elizabeth kindly reminded me (thank you) that I could find the tutorial here on Lynn's blog and I happily adapted it as I went along without all the exact materials to create these two pieces....they need trimming of course and perhaps a little ink round the edges....

The left one is my fav of the two - now just have to decide what to do with them, Lynn makes book marks with this technique but I've made wider pieces so may frame them or use for a book cover perhaps...

WOYWW

I had a lovely time at my mum's yesterday eve - she's clearing out their loft space and had some of my things stored in  boxes which she wanted me to sort through. I found all kinds of things I'd forgotten about like old school reports, books, dolls and jewellery.  I even found some crafty bits and much to my very patient other half's dispair brought them home with me. So on my Work desk today are some pressed flowers I came across in the rummage. Now these boxes I sorted through have been at my parents house for about 8 yrs so these flowers are at least that old - amazing that they've stayed as intact as they have and the colours are still lovely.

I don't even have a garden where I live at the moment so I shall enjoy using these. I seem to remember Elizabeth (and Bleubeard of course) had a lovely project using pressed flowers on her blog a while back so I shall have to hunt it out and have a go.

The other things I found included some Victorian scrap sheets - no idea where they came from but they are gorgeous - you can just see the swans in the one propped up on my desk and here are a couple of my fav sheets.  Oooh I love new stash -especially when it's rediscovered and free!!!

Happy WOYWW everyone - haven't had much time to blog hop recently but hope to get round and visit more this week - work willing ! Thanks for snooping  - Esther xx

WOYWW - Christmas Tele crafting...

Really Really quick post today  - I don't know who's eating up time but ti seems to passing incredibly speedily! Can't believe it's WOYWW time again, haven't even had chance to post anything since the last one - really not sure what happened to the weekend.  If you've jumped here by some vortex or other and don't know what WOYWW is pop over to 'The Stamping Ground' (WOYWW link on side bar) where our fabulous host Julia Dunnett will explain all.

This week I'm working on my little coffee table in front of the TV again - I'm so busy at work at the moment and just a little stressed so am trying to make the most of my free time by combining my crafting with Masterchef and the X Factor (with a bit of Holby City thrown in for good measure)!! So here's that very table....

...and just beside it is my box full of bits and pieces..well actually it's the bottom drawer of my drawer unit but it works just the same! Oh...and this pic seems to include my toes - didn't notice and didn't have time or energy to go back and crop...at least they are painted!!

Not sure how much visiting I'll manage this week as working very long days but will do my best over the week.....Happy WOYWW everyone...Esther xxx

WOYWW...having a sort out...

Right then after two weeks away I was ready to jump straight back into WOYWW today, but my desk is a little cluttered to say the least. Now that my holiday is over I must get down to the matter of serious Christmas Card making, the first step of which is to sort out the cards I already have  - new ones and left overs from last year...so this is what is on my desk today. A couple of piles of 'ready to sell/use' left overs, a pile of 'not happy with' to remake and some 'almost finished' to , well, finish!

 And for anyone interested in where I was last week - I was here - and it was glorious - the swim up bar on the right was put to good use ! This pic was taken from the balcony of our room....

We were a little confused by this notice that was over the main door from the pool area back into the hotel.....good job no-one was taking it seriously or there would of been some very tired/hungry guests and a very empty hotel!!

Well hopefully I've had a chance to link this quickly before heading off to work, and I'm looking forward to catching up with some desks once I'm home again...Happy WOYWW....Thanks for stopping by here and have a hop over to Julia's blog here to joijn in the WOYWW fun...Esther xx