Wednesday 2 June 2010

WOYWW - Anniversary Special

Well another week has flown and I am proud to say one of my desks was totally covered with loads of creative goodness. And it even looked quite colour coordinated at the same time!
 Now don't go thinking that I am, the tidy organised person you assume I should be...well it's very nice of you if you do think that of me, and far be it from me to shatter your opinion...but i do confess that is the pre-messy shot...the bit where you look and think...before you actually DO IT!!

So, if you were following me on twitter (@paperartsy) you will have noted on Sunday I made it to HobbyCraft on Sunday for a fleeting visit. Paddy at Paddy's stamping Place (Manchester) had been telling me the great success she had die cutting with our flower dies and sheer fabric, and I was itching to have a go. I walk straight in to the fabric to see what colours they had (baby pink, baby blue, cream and black - not what I was hoping for) But, being optimistically optimistic at that particular moment, I decided to see if I could find some papers to match. Headed to the back of the shop, et voilà! Success. A K and Co paper pad thingy with lots of nicely matching papers. Bingo...but which one, the funky cool, shabby chic, heritage Oldfield worldy??? In the end went for a dusky little number and then (result) found some of HC's own branded ribbons in the bargain bin that matched pretty well. Marched up to checkout. Headed home, and 2 hours later realised I forgot the blimmin fabric which I went in there for in the first place! Typical of my highly organised self to not consult the list...I do that all the time, write lists and never check them off when Jonny on the spot....Jonny gets sidetracked...
So I guess you want to see the 'after'..well actually this is during, but you get the idea. Started at one end of the desk, and yes it is a large desk, probably bigger than most dining tables, and did a 12 noon till 12 midnight mega session .And then some more the next day...and it's all still a work in progress. (by the end of today this desk will be in full swing as a rubber pressing/ trimming/bagging station).

It is highly likely that I already have a heap of papers just like this in these colours, and a heap of ribbons, but seeing as my proper work desk in the other shed can't even be seen from the door, then this also means that most of my supplies are also hidden behind boxes, suitcases, and other piles of stuff that prevents me from getting to anything. Well more like I really can't be bothered to look. Fact. And as I don't get out much {being a workaholic without enough hours in the day with 4 kids, 2 cats a DH who needs constant reminding of priorities, and who all need feeding and ironed clothes} well...shopping is a much better option to escape that lot! Relaxing. Quiet. And a little bit exciting.

Yes I do want to try and clean up the shed to be a delightful workspace with good light, vibes, fun colour, modern furniture, everything labelled and boxed filed away, easy to reach, shiny and lovely and perfect......oh sorry ...just slipped off into a dream like trance then....well, the dream is on the list for JULY, I think it's been on the list for the last 2 Julys actually, but this year it WILL happen! Fingers Crossed. {Jo F-Y has promised, almost enthusiastically, to help so we shall she if she's sure once she looks through the door! Can't quite get my head around why she is so keen to get stuck in. Think she just likes tidying up people. lol}

Where were we...on the rest of the desk (over in the little corner to the right from previous shot) are more 'to do' jobs. Such as. Find a shelf for the newest Inka gold (aka Goop) arrivals.
A bunch of Viva goodies waiting to be photographed so they can make their début on-line in the shop.
And some mini sheets waiting for a hot spin through the laminator so they can magic themselves into index labels for stamps. I know genius behind the scenes stuff huh!
And here is one of the items I made with the new papers and ribbon! I painted the box with antique white kaiser paint, covered it with the papers, rand the ribbon around the edge, die cut the dragonflies with our new PaperArtsy dies and stamped over with the matching stamps
Love how the sepia accents match the tone of the brown papers and add another dimension at the same time.


I also made 3 other scrummy projects, but they are for the September issue of Craft Stamper, and if I showed you I would be in the naughty corner...so I can't.


Oooh but I can show you this
suffering from a lack of sheer fabric I opted to make tissue flowers - this is a technique we taught at ArtsyCrafts the other weekend, but then we only sprayed. This little one is painted and sprayed tissue (champagne Crafty Notions spray), then stamped in paint some more, and then stamped in black ink with a delicate script.. And feeling adventurous I decided to make it into a tissue rose...ohhh it wasn't hard at all - you should have a go, and I love how delicate the colour is too. 
So there you have it another big day for my desk, and a big anniversary celebration for WOYWW. Hop over to Julia's blog to see how you can play along too. Look at me sounding all expert and this is only my second week playing! LOL ....{confession ...shhh} I still haven't figured out what WOWWAC means, so I guess it is something I was supposed to do for this week, so now I'm going to feel like a right numpty when I work out what it is and how I have probs done the opposite or something this week!


Happy desk peeking!


Leandra

61 comments:

Darcy Marshall said...

ooooing at those little pots of colourful treasure lol and that rose is just gorgeous.

Kay said...

The rose is beautiful Leandra, and the box is lovely. I guess either of those would work as part of the WOYWW anniversary challenge :)

Lisa said...

Love those flowers, such a delicate colour. I love the bright colours of the Goop too........

Helen said...

Absolutely fantastic. You mentioned tissue paper flowers the other day, I couldn't believe it then either.... stunning!!!

kayc said...

I love your flowers. Thanks for your comments. Kathleen x

Leanne said...

OMG your desk is fabulous and I am absolutely loving that flower - I want it lol!!

I am coming over to the UK in a month - so if you would like me to send you a set of these clare's earrings for you to do your stamp, then I will do - just email me leanne.fowler@gmail.com - I got 4 pairs of them so have plenty!!

My pencils don't fall out of my ikea thingies as mine came with plastic bases in them!

Leanne xx

Anonymous said...

What is goop used for exactly? Is it just paint?? WOYWWAC is explained by the lovely Julia herself in this post

PaperArtsy said...

Leanne - thx for the offer we have Claires here too so I will look.
Tkelli - thx for the link. All clear now. Goop is a bit like a thickish paste, sort of soft and squishy. Highly metallic. you can paint with it and water it down if needed. Use cut and dry to apply it thru a stencil -gorjuss!!

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh I like the behind the scenes stuff. And I like that you shop because you can't face the shed. I would so do that too. I love what you're playing with...WOYWWAnniversary Challenge, see - so you kinda guessed. Sort of normality next week, certainly less fat head Julia in the frame, blimey!

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh and forgot to add - you think after the lapsing of 2 July's, that one July and Jo will be enough????

PaperArtsy said...

Well Queen Julia {most recently dubbed}, you are most welcome to put in a Royal appearance and help out too....in fact we could do a whole WOYWW working bee on my shed. We could do BBQ, freebies, guided tour of the massive PA world HQ facility....pimms and suchlike..guess we could attempt cucumber sandwiches, champagne and strawbs...are you offering your royal presence, we should truly be honoured. I could set you up with a writing table, brolley and butler if one would like??

angelwhispers said...

Leandra the rose is just gorgeous!!!

Lovely to have a nosey Chanelle xx

ISA said...

Wonderful products for very nice works that you do ! A pleasure to visit your blog dear Leandra :-)

Anne said...

What a lot of lovely stuff you have on your desk!

Nicks said...

i deffo need some more Inka gold - love the stuff

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Gorgeous flower :) I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't check the lists and who forgets the very item I went for. Lovelthe papers you got and fab PaperArtsy stamps :)
Anne xx

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Forgot, the Inka Gold looks good, need to check that out ;)
Anne xx

Anonymous said...

Loving your desk and the yummyness theron! Your lovely dies do cut sheer fabrics and thin cotton prints really well (I have been talking to Paddy too and have tried it)! You really should have a go - but if you can't face Hobbycraft again, I'm sure Paddy would send you some to try! :)

Lynn Wild

Chrissie said...

Just beautiful!
I think those flowers are amazing!
Chrissie

Diana said...

Beautiful flower. I am definitely way out of my league here. I am nowhere near so crafty or creative.
Lots of other yummy stuff to peek at too. TFS.

Twiglet said...

Lots of beautiful stuff on your desk today and those flowers are so pretty.

Loopylou. said...

omg leandra your desk is like a sweet shop full of yummies!!!! i love those butterfly dies, just gorgeous and the flowers are awesome!!

Paper and Ribbons said...

The paper flower is just gorgeous!

yoursartfully said...

Now that desk is looking pretty tidy for you......did you tidy up before taking your pics?
Hate to admit it but I'm loving the pretty tissue roses, very delicate.....gorguss!!!

Ooh, if there's pimms on offer, I'll come and help sort out your shed too!!!

Lin x

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

LOL! you are much braver at shwoing your desk than me! rofl.. all you get of mine is the creative side of it! lol Great tissue rose, must try that...but will have to go to Hobbycraft to buy some..hehehe
xx

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

The flower is gorgeous and the colours are so delicate. scrummy!!

xx

Nine said...

Love all the things you do and your stamps ! Thanks so much !

Handmade with Love said...

OOh there are so many goodies on your desk and the flower is superb! Have a great week! Tracey x

peggy gatto said...

Love the rose!!!!
I am going to try some flowers!
Thanks

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your rose is gorgeous. I'm in awe that they are tissue paper. At first I thought all those pots were Twinkling H2Os. And those frames are intriguing. Sometimes behind the scene stuff is what keeps everything running smoothly. Happy WOYWW.

Annie said...

Reallo love your fab flower.
A x

Linby said...

Thanks so much for the lovely comment on my blog for the WOYWWAC. the flowers you have made are fantastic, might even have a go......
Linbyx

Unknown said...

OK you have to be my newist bestest friend! I insist you can not live that far away from me if your shopping in Manchester! and I would love to have a play with all your goodies and i don't mind sharing mine either ;0) And I want to know where is this shop? I don't go into M/C much as so busy but I could make a special effort for a craft shop!

Sweet little box

love Dawn xx

love Dawn xx

Angie said...

Love all your creations especially the rose ....so delicate . You could have slipped a WOYWW on to the box for the Aniversary Challenge.

Unknown said...

Its not fair rubbing our noses in the fact that you have every colour of gloop imaginable. I only came on to tell you I have uploaded some pics of my projects from AC and sung your praises. Now off to sulk instead of complimenting you on the lovely projects you have on the go - darn, didn't mean to write that!

Jane said...

Your flower is gorgeous!!

Isabelle Norris said...

ahoy you WOYWW babe!
one more flower I love!! must have a look at you demoing that, but guess what: we are not in the same hall again :(
So it's going to be hard to go and check what you are doing.
But, I'm still up for the swap flower/maple syrup LOL. Will one litre be enough?? LOL
Hugs
isa xxx

PaperArtsy said...

Isa - might have to have words with Sandy - do you think she splits me up from my bestie foresties becasue we might get to rowdy?? Bet I am not anywhere near Lin or Suze either! (pouts)

OK so now i know what is goping to be on my WOYWW next Wed! Swapsies for Lin, Suze and Isa at the CB! When you get a mo, LMK what colours y'all be wearin KK??

Dawn (newest bestie) I am in Essex...do you still wanna be friends? LOL Promise not to wear my white high heels and handbag....not sure I can give up my bling tho! Girls gotta have some pleasures ;-)
Leandra

PaperArtsy said...

Debz - to make you feel much better, yes I do have every colour ON THE DESK...but do not have one of everything open in my stash...well not yet anyway...in fact I probs only have 1/3 open....feeling beter? I am now off to check yr blog. Leandra

Foil Play said...

Lovely creative desk, and lots of exciting goodies on it too :-)

JoFY said...

Nice desk - tidier than normal lol.. (like I can talk)
and HEY! put the dusters down and move away from Leandra's shed ladies! Its MINE to tidy!
:o)
Jo

kiki said...

oooooh ! des couleurs plein les yeux !
fantastic !
kiki :)

Spyder said...

Love PaperArtsy and your flower is prefect!I have picture frames like that too...all hanging together, I put fish in them..Not real ones!-Have a crafty day
(Lyn)

Anonymous said...

Ooh! That rose is luscious!! Love the little box too! x

Katzele said...

Ok your desk is messy but your work is still so nice ! See you next week at the CB.

patcrafts said...

Gorgeous box and the rose is fantastic. Thank you for showing us behind the scenes. Loved reading about your shopping experience.
Pat x

Gez Butterworth said...

Lovely to see behind the scenes. Your rose is amazing & the colour is beautiful. :)
Thanks for stopping by my bloggie & liking my dresser. :D

minnie_mac said...

The tissue rose is stunning.

Marilyn

Nikki said...

Thanks for sharing the tissue flowers they are beautifully stunning
And those little pots of goop are great

Nikki said...

P.S just right click and save as any of the WOYWW buttons I made :)

Penni said...

Ooooh so many beautiful things. That gorgeous box is well gorgeous !!!! And the flower is delightful.

Thanks for stopping by my place. My Bengals are rather lazy, but beleive me they do have their moments, usually during the night when they are chasing each other around the house !!!! They do love the play as well as sleep, Thomas loves to play fetch with his toys and will often bring them to me drop them in front of me a then meow and meow until I throw them for him to retreive. I have tried to tell him that he isn't a dog, but he isn't having any of it LOL!!!

Hugs
Penni
X

Bettythebaglady said...

Wow the desk-the stamps-the roses all lovely. I'm feeling a need coming on. Hugs bettyXXX

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

love the flowers!

Esther said...

Hi - wow all those pots of shimmery loveliness...and love those flowers, is there a tutorial somewhere on how to make them ?

You hopped over to look at my desk (my first venture into WOYWW) and asked about the Soda stream like thingy..I'm afraid it's just a daylight lamp from Ott Lite. The lighting in my little spare room is not great and this is the perfect solution to some pretty horrendous colour matching disasters- not exciting but very very usefull ! thanks for leaving coments, as a newbie it's exciting to know people are actually having a look...Esther

Unknown said...

Do you know ... you shop pretty much the same way I do ... never buy what's on the list!!! LOVE your box!

Unknown said...

great papers, love those dragonfly dies and stamps... will have to check out the shop for those...

gosh - that gloop stuff looks like jewels in a jar.

thanks for letting us have a look round

Paula x x x

Tracey said...

ohhh what a lovely desk, not messy just very creative. I love everything you have made but those flowers really really do stand out. I must go and re read how you have created them as you made it sound sooo easy.
Thanks for sharing
Tracey

Kate said...

Lovely supplies I could certainly get myself into a glorious mess with those.

** Kate **

Kathy said...

What a glorious array of treasures you are sharing here. As for the flower, well I just adore it - beautiful colours and such a fab shape too

HeARTworks said...

What a pretty tissue rose- love the calligraphy all over it. What are you going to use it for? I also really like the take flight box! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Minxy said...

Now that's what i call a heavenly desk..I can only dream of crafting on a space that big, you lucky thing.. and if you cant find a space for the viva stash i have a little bit of room here, and would be happy to help you out by looking after them PMSL!