I apologize if it’s a little sparse on the old desk this week, the thermometer has been stuck on the wrong side of 30C for a number of days now and it’s more than a little draining trying to craft in those temperatures, actually trying to do anything in those temperatures is draining to be honest. Yes, we have air conditioning but my little room is upstairs and so takes more cooling than the downstairs. It also doesn’t help that our third world electricity delivery in the city that I live in can’t keep up with demand and shut down on the holiday Monday (4th July) for three hours in the afternoon! The electricity company are also forecasting more rolling “brownouts” as they call them, across Metro Detroit as this heat wave continues and people crank up the air conditioning. Relief does appear to be in sight though as we have a high of only 28C on Firday, instead of the 35C’s that we’ve been having!
Still, I shouldn’t complain about it, at least we’re having a lovely summer! We had a fantastic 4 1/2 day camping trip over the American Independence holiday as where I work was closed both Friday and Monday, and I had a few overtime hours saved so we took off to a State Park right after lunch last Thursday. It did get a bit hot by the Monday but we had a terrific weekend, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming in the lake and sunning ourselves at the beach. It was a bit hard to come home and find out that we didn’t have any power! Especially as we had to unload the car of the bikes, kayaks and camping gear in full sun when it was a humid 34C and it was almost as hot inside the house as it was out!
So my desk this week has had very little use, but I’ve been busy making a birthday card for my FIL which is a WIP on the desk. The Distress inkpads are out because I was having another go at the collage technique (not for this card, just because I wanted to play about with the technique a bit more), but I wasn’t getting anywhere fast due to having to pack and get ready for the trip last week, and it being too b****y hot this week to just sit in my room and mess about a bit!
The usual long shot of the desk….. the Penny Blacks that were new a couple of weeks ago haven’t been put away yet, they’re still there at the very bottom of the photo. There’s also a new Inkadinkado clear set that I bought yesterday for $5 with a 50% off coupon and the three little wooden stamps were in the $1 bins by the tills in Michaels. The card that I’ve started to make for my FIL is in the center and is a gate fold, haven’t made one of these in ages.
Ah that’s better, more to see here! The four items with the orange tags on them were all on clearance in Meijer, which is a huge mega store close to me, it’s a bit like an Asda or a Wal-Mart. They never seem to put their crafting stuff on sale, but they do rotate a lot of things through clearance so I always check if I’m in the shop. I’ve wanted a decent pair of scissors for cutting out fiddly items for quite a while and was very happy to spot these Martha Stewart ones at 60% off (only $4.99!). I also got two little Rhonna Farrer clear stamps for 71c each (40% off) and a pack of grosgrain ribbon for $1.99, also 40% off. The wooden stamp was going to be inked up for the birthday card I was making, it’s an Inkadinkado one called Time Flies, I bought it a while ago but it was about to get it’s first use.
And oh boy, did those little scissors work a treat? What a revelation, should have got a pair yonks ago!
Well, that’s me again for this week. Looking forward to cooler temperatures so I can get back to some more crafting soon. If you’d like to join us at What’s On Your WorkDesk Wednesday, follow the banner over on the right to head over to Julia’s for the start of the trip around the craft desks of the world, but you might want to first make yourselves comfortable and get a coffee or something as you’ll be there a while!
paula said:
wow – you’ve been nagging the bagains again Brenda… love that one you have used on the FIL’s card… i love the colours you’ve made the card in too….
phew you’ve been having it warm havn’t you… its warm here today in my neck of the woods, no sun but lots of cloud and its trying to rain…
nothing that a nice cold one won’t sort out… i mean pepsi btw!!! LOL
Hoping the temps are better for you soon…
Paula x x x
sue said:
Hi Brenda
oh to hot to craft i dont do much when the suns out, great desk pics, lovely stamps, gorgeous card, hope it cools a bit soon for you, have good day, sue,x
Elaine said:
Aw I am so glad that it is never that hot here as I couldn’t cope esspecially as we dont have air conditioning. Thanks for the look at your ribbon storage. Great desk BTW.
Elaine
lulabelle said:
Wow I’ve being moaning about the heat and it’s only been 25-27 deg over here in the east of England! But way too hot for me!
Love the ‘Time Flies’ stamp, you got some great bargains too.
lovethosecupcakes said:
The card looks great and I love those three little wood stamps you bought. It’s been a bit (well, a lot) hotter than we’re used to over here in Blighty. At least we’ve all been able to dust down and bring out the barbecues for a change.
darcy said:
wow you got some great bargains, things are never that cheap over here, even in the sales. I love the little stamp with trees on it.
twiglet said:
Great card and some fab stamps too.
Liz said:
Brenda I love the card you have made for your FIL I love the stamp and love you desk area – thanks for leaving a comment on my blog Liz
Spyder said:
you’re right it is too hot to craft and then there’s the garden pots to water! your desk does look full of new goodies. I bought a few stamps for $1 when I was over there, nice stamps too! have a crafty week and don’t get toooo hot!
Wipso said:
Thats serious weather if it’s stopping you crafting 🙂 Hope it cools down a little for you soon.
A x
peggy said:
it is usually hot in the Philippines so i just have to get used to it. love that stamp you used on the card!
claireliz said:
your desk looks fab 🙂
C
xx
patsy said:
I love those “collage” stamps! Nice work! Patsy from HeARTworks
Julia Dunnit said:
Love those Inkadink stamps, very useful. Am hugely impressed that you haven’t got round to putting the PB ones away yet! Your weekend aweay sounds like bliss. And hey – even intermittent air con is better than none – it’s been very hot here too, and air con is not a standard fixture!!
angie said:
What a beautiful card …love all the stamps on your desk
aisling said:
Thanks for your comment! Yes, stampotique, you love them or you hate them, there’s no inbetween. Your card is absolutely gorgeous! I just love the collage technique! And you should definitely try perfect pearls, you can use them with versamark to add bling. You can mix them with water to create paint or glimmer mist.
craftytrog said:
Love your card Brenda, that stamp is gorgeous! TFS your busy desk! x
Lesley said:
Wow that card is looking gorgeous. The colours are great and love the other goodies on your desk. I love Inkadinkado stamps and they are very good value even over here but we never get bargains like the ones you’ve managed to pick up.
Although our outside temps are usually just under 30 my craftroom was our conservatory and if I don’t open the french doors and turn on the fan first thing in the morning (and keep it on) it soon tops 40 in there. I do keep crafting in there ‘cos I’m dedicated, Lol, but I can’t say it’s comfortable. Also we don’t have air con in our homes as a rule
Hope your temperatures are more acceptable now and give you a pleasant weekend in a couple of days.
Lesley Xx
Andrea - Wales, UK said:
Well you certainly have been hunting down the bargains. Your card is stunning. I’m really glad it’s not that hot in Wales, we’ve had our usual dreary damp days!
Stay cool…xx
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said:
It’s hot in the US midwest, too. Can’t seem to get away from it, day or night. Glad things are cooling down a bit for you, at least. And I agree, it’s too hot to craft. Sure love that collage stamp (Time Flies), though. Beautiful. Happy belated WOYWW.
Hazel (didos) said:
Oh My Goodness thats far to hot to craft. Yuck. I love being in Scotland cause the Weatehr here never does that hot!!!! Thanks for the nosey again. I love the finished card its stunning. Enjoy the weekend, Love Hazelxoxo
Sunshine Girl said:
Oooh what great bargains you picked you! and I love that Inkadinkadoo stamp – hope its got a bit cooler for you there now