So another week has flown by and here we are once again, hanging out at Julia’s place and comparing our desks for WOYWW! Last week was a fraught one for me as I was very busy at work, getting home late and falling asleep by 9pm, and then getting up the next day and doing it again. For those interested to compare the US and the UK… my work week here is 40 hours, 8 hours per day. I travel 30 mins each way, so my total is now 45 hours a week, plus my lunch break adds another 30 mins – 1 hour a day depending on how long I take. All this means that before I do any OT, my week is already 47.5 – 50 hours long so add an hour or two extra a day into the mix and I’m running on empty when I get home and veg in front of the tv, assuming I have the energy to press the remote that is!
Want to know how bad last week was? I had two 50% off coupons to Michaels and didn’t have the time or the energy to go and use them! Lol, yes me, squandering 50% off’s like they grow on trees. But I did make up for it, as you’ll see later, but first the desk..
Looking a tad busy, I definitely missed the crafty room last week and had a mammoth card making session at the weekend to make up for it. This photo is actually from the weekend as I thought it was more interesting than the “cleared up desk version” that I’d be showing you if the photo was taken in the last day or two. All manner of bits and pieces are out, none of which really needs an explanation. The scrap box on the right is spilling over, lots of stamps and inks in use, the two gold tins hold gems and pearls (a tin for each), the green handled tool is a Cropodile, used for punching holes and setting eyelets, its’ case is bottom left. On the blue mat you can see a roll of DST and a small pair of scissors, which might strike you as odd given the proximity of my pink atg, which is in arms length at the back of the desk…. well, I’ve ran out of refills, and so have Michaels, and so have JoAnn’s and so have Archivers! I don’t know what’s going on but I haven’t been able to get a 1/4″ acid free atg refill pack since the middle of September! I was looking on Ebay for some yesterday, it’s become that bad.
Last Friday I received a phone call from my local craft store. When I got my Memory Box Flowering Christmas Tree die that you all saw here a couple of weeks ago I asked them about an ornament die I wanted, and they added it to their order list. The phone call was to let me know that the MB order had arrived in the store and I could come an collect my die. Friday is their late evening, so I was able to complete my work and hot foot it to the store on my way home, where I helped myself to some more MB goodies, I though I deserved it after the hours I’d put in!
Now I already had the centre die, the christmas tree, but the other four are new. I already had the Yuletide paper top left, but picked up another two packs, and I also got the two large collage type stamps on top of the paper, the other three I already had. Here’s a closer look, aren’t those papers just beautiful?
That Christmas ornament stamp fits the solid die I bought, MB have been doing this for ages apparently and have quite a few stamp/die combinations. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in to this little lot! When work calms down a bit that is, I’m working this coming Saturday, but at least that (so far) means that I can leave at normal time during the week. Hopefully that also means I’ll have more time to come visiting this week too. Cheers.
Oh! And we had our first snow last Thursday! It was 1C with heavy snow showers that didn’t stick around thankfully. Monday it was 14C and thundering!!
Jozarty said:
Oh, your post really makes me appreciate the joys of being retired… I love it! Poor you, such stress.
Your photos won’t load up so I’ll pop back again so I can see just what’s going on there.
Love joZarty x
deb said:
I will have to pop back later to see the pics, shame it all sounds like there is so much to see!
We got heaps of snow all last weekend, it is only on the lawns now thankfully but another big dump expected on Friday, oh joy! At least the skiers in the family will be happy ie everyone but me!!!!
Happy WOYWW! have a great day Debxx #100
Helen said:
So glad the photos are here now – I tried at work but couldn’t see them and thought it was me! The papers are fab, yes, but the stamps are fabber, even if that is a made up word! Happy WOYWW – hope your workload eases! Helen, 12
Julia dunnit said:
I can see photos! Your desk is a busy as I’ve ever seen it. I love how you line up the stamps to be used…and that they’re wood mounted, of course! Nice new goodies and I do agree that you earned them!
Glad the posted stuff arrived from me. Enjoy. That’s all!
Inkypinkycraft said:
Great stamps and goodies all very organised trace x…happy woyww
Lunch Lady Jan said:
Wow, your workload is bonkers! Is it like this all the time, or is it just cos we’re heading towards Christmas?? You definitely deserve some retail therapy as reward for all your endeavours! Those papers are gorgeous, I agree, lovely colours and patterns. They look very oriental 🙂
It’s really mild over here, much warmer than it should be for this time of year so the trees have only just lost their leaves. My DH even cut the lawn yesterday cos it keeps growing!!
Hugs, LLJ #45 xx
Sue H said:
Your working weeks sounds exhaustion Brenda, especially to someone like me who was lucky enough to retire at the age of 47. (Sorry to rub it in)
I’m surprised that you’re saying your photo was taken “before” your tidy up………don’t think mines every looked like that even after I’ve tided, Lol!
I’ve been looking back over your posts this week and it looks like you’ve be very productive even thought you were shattered. I love your new purchases too. That flowering Christmas Tree is beautiful.
Have a great week and ………….
Happy Crafting!
Sue (#65)
x
The Crafty Elf said:
Score! Good things come to those who wait! LOL You did good my friend! I guess everyone has to fit their crafting into their own schedule so if you’re too tired or busy….that’ll have to do and we can wait! We all have things in our life that take priority so any crafting time….is good time! We all still want to see what each other does when they can! Thanks for sharing your desk and your awesome new goodies. Do enjoy the fruits of your labour! Life is busy and I thank you for visitng me, it means a lot! Do have a great week and enjoy playing with all your new crafty toys!!!!
Di said:
What a great WOYWW – loved having a snoop and the stamps and papers look super! I think you sure can get some bargains over there B – but, as you said, I guess no-one calls you Flower or ‘the bairn’ ‘cept at ‘home’. But, where is home huh? It’s where you make it 🙂 Such fun to see life ‘over there’ through your eyes. Di xx
Shaz in Oz.x said:
Woo hoo you are having fun there Brenda in between the slaving at work wish I was there when you did your shop too! Aahh, those papers are a picture of delightful yumminess – I think I must be looking in the wrong places here, cos dont see such things here – and admire that Christmas tree and other dies very much.
I did love the two tone you did with the tree and was telling a friend about that the other day. Thanks for popping over and even I, who does not technically work, cant find enough time/energy to craft either. love and blessings dear friend, Shaz in oz.x
Ann B said:
Thanks for popping over to my blog and leaving comments – very much appreciated – and for joining the ‘lets spend our way out of the recession’ movement.
Have a serious case of paper/stamp/die envy after seeing your goodies. Don’t think we have the Memory Box dies over here, more’s the pity.
janet said:
you are a busy lady, but unfortunately I couldn’t see your pictures …. just little red crosses
thanks for sharing anyway
janet
Stamping For Pleasure said:
I can see your pictures today Brenda. LOVELY new stash. . . . MORE things to add to the wish list! xxxx
Samantha said:
I popped over the other day but couldn’t see the photos. Glad I came back as your goodies are a sight for sore eyes! Lusting after that Christmas Tree die. I wonder if I can get one in the UK?
Looking forward to seeing your makes with all the stash. Love your Hedgie card too!
Jacqueline Chimes (@Jacqui1906) said:
Hmmm – working full time is tough – I have recently given up a busy stressful job and at the moment am doing nothing – trouble is I now have no money to buy crafting supplies 🙂 It was a case of money or time (and better health!) so the money has had to go for the time being – luckily I have a mountain of stash. Your desk and work look lovely
Diane Roberts said:
Oh Wow, Brenda! I’d not heard of Memory Box before (I must be living under a rock or something!) and those dies are just…. to die for! (LOL, sorry, bad pun!). I’m going to have to google them and see what their shipping costs are like – hopefully nowhere near as bad as Papertrey Ink’s!
Thanks for stopping by…. Morti @55
Elizabeth said:
Your post took me whizzing back to my hectic, overworked and underpaid, working life – I am so grateful to have left all that behind and be retired … I’m busy now, but through choice and in no way feel pressured to do anything unless I want to. Love all the goodies you have shown us this week – the Mistletoe pack was in Judes candy that I won recently and it is just gorgeous. Those collage stamps look fabulous too. Hopefully, you’ve not had too bad a day at work today and that tomorrow you will find some time for crafting. Elizabeth x #78
PS: It’s been down to zero here in Ayrshire this last week.
Bridget Larsen said:
The joys of earning money leave us no time to spend it, or do much else after. love your desk by the window, so bright. Love your blue craft mat
Bridget #29
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said:
For being # 1 this week, I’m awfully late visiting. I’m so sorry but, after a computer crash, I had to stop by and get a bit of inspiration from your Christmas inspired desk. I love the “winter” stamp and that tree with stars. Gorgeous. Gotta admit that you have more stamps on your desk than I own!
Bridget Larsen said:
If you were asking about the little box templates, they are for making into chocolate boxes for gifts, which you will see in this weeks WOYWW
Bugged Designs said:
Very late catch up from me! Those dies, stamps and papers are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.