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I hope you enjoy reading my posts, and please leave me a comment. I always enjoy reading them, and will try to visit you in return.

For security reasons for me and for you, I would appreciate it if you would leave your name on your comments.

You are welcome to copy any of my designs, as long as you do not take credit for them yourself. I am very happy for you to sell them. If I have used anyone else's design, I always try to give credit where it is due. If I have missed anything, please let me know and I will put things right.


This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

WOYWW - 144 What a mess!

Well, it is that time of the week again when we all gather over at Julia's place to meet and chat together with all our friends, old and new, and discuss all that we have done and are intending to do, or just have a gossip.

As you can see from the first picture, my desk is something of a wreck at the moment.  I did have a giggle yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) when I caught myself doing the push back manoeuvre to the left, and things started to fall off the top of the baby wipes.  I have about three different things on the go at the moment, all needing to dry before I can go to the next stage, hence the Adirondacks, and the mica powder etc, and some Clarity Stamps and a couple of large medallion stamps, and everything that goes with them all. 


I watched Barbara Gray on Sunday, and afterwards I rushed off try the stamping with Versamark and then dusting with gold mica powder.  It worked fine until I tried cleaning the excess off and it all came off, leaving a black card.  Back to the drawing board.  I think I was too impatient and should have left it at least overnight to dry.  So I have restamped (after blotting first) and dusted again with the gold powder.  It will now sit for at least 24 hours before I touch it again (other than to move it out of the way of other projects). 

I am also testing out some ideas for the Moonlight theme for  Craft a Scene for this month, several bits of paper with tests on, one completed version, which may get altered yet, and the start of a third go.

Apart from crafting, gardening is starting to come to the forefront of life.  We acquired a green house last year, but never got it going till now.  DH has been busy over the last couple of days, creating some staging for the one side.  The first lot of seeds are in and coming up, just some salad leaves with a few peas, also for cutting the shoots for salad.  The first lot of seeds have come from a humungous order online, some flowers and some veggie seeds too.  I can't wait for the peas to start producing.  None of them will get cooked, they will probably be eaten straight from the plant.  I always remember my grandfather would grow a row of peas especially for me.  I could pick them whenever I wished and eat as many as I wanted.  It did mean that the family got some to eat themselves from the rest of his huge vegetable garden. 

If I seem to miss you each week, just shout at me, and I will pop over.  I do have to say one thing, though.  Because it takes so long to visit everyone these days, I have made the decision  not to leave comments where the Word Verification is activated.  I really struggle to read the fuzzy letters and often have to try several times to get past it.    I know I am not the only one with this problem, so if you are not getting many comments made on your blog, just check to see if you have Word Verification selected.

I hope you all have a great week of blogging, visiting and crafting, and I will do my best to get round as many as possible of you again this week. I am off now to see who else has arrived at Julia's party.  See you there, I hope. 

48 comments:

Create With Joy said...

Hi Maggie

Enjoying the visit to your desk this week! Would love a peek at your garden this spring as well! Know what you mean about the Word Verification - nothing is more frustrating than leaving a meaningful comment, then deleting it in frustrating because your first 5 or 6 attempts to get the thing verified have failed!

Anyway, as you know I moderate mine so come on by and comment to your heart's content! :-)

Have a fabulous day and when you have time, why don't you share some of your fabulous creations with us on Inspire Me Monday?

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com

May said...

Mica powder project looks so interesting Maggie would love to see if this worked and your finished project, Lots going on your busy desk this week enjoy!! Have a good week, Hugs May x x x

Terrie said...

I hate it when my stacks fall over! Then I have to straighten them up before they'll stack again! :) Looks like lots of creativity lives here!

Lavinia said...

I watched the Barbara Grey show too on Sunday & though I might give this a go myself, thanks for the heads up on leaving it to dry, I would have done the same too. On the show she brushed the Mica off as soon as she put it on. Maybe she had one ready done & swapped it to polish & show us? Like your creative looking desk!
Lavinia
x

Spyder said...

no it's not a mess! It's far more productive than my crafty-mess this week! Have a great crafty week
((Lyn))
Happy WoyWW #27

Spyder said...

no it's not a mess! It's far more productive than my crafty-mess this week! Have a great crafty week
((Lyn))
Happy WoyWW #27

Anonymous said...

I can't cope with more that 2 things going at once, I just have to finish something before moving on to the next! Must get my tomato seeds started v. soon!

Hugs
Brenda 6

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Maggie,

What a well loved desk!! I know the shove it as close to the edge move too! I hope the second try on the technique comes out for you. I did some embossing using a detailed embossing powder - what a difference it made on the stamps (they are very detailed).

Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay
#31 (no word verification on my blog!) ;-)

Deb said...

can't wait to see how your 2nd attempt turns out, sounds very interesting!
do share some pics of your vegetables growing, I usually do during summer, we don't have a green house yet although we are expecting to move in the next few months so you never know! It is easy to grow outdoors here during summer as it gets very hot but not during spring which is more a mix of summer and winter!
Happy WOYWW, Debxx #14

voodoo vixen said...

I'm with you on the new fuzzy wuzzy WV thing... its a pain in the butt! I never get my attempt accepted the first time which drives me mad.
Peas from the plant... nothing tastes quite as good, I used to steal them from Grandad's garden when I was little!!
Love the look of your gold experiment, hope it turns out succesful!!

jude said...

Your post took me back this morning.To my grandad and his veggie patch .You could guarentee if i went out with him to pick veggies then there would be NO peas left id sit eat em and through pods back on the patch!....im sure he new it was me...lol.
Im with you on WV my eyes just can't read the fuzzy writting.Have wonderful wednesday and your desk isnt messy just creative
hugs judex9

Debbie Rock said...

Can't wait to see how your "experiment" with the Versamark & the mica powder works out. Happy WOYWWing today ... don't these Wednesdays roll around so fast! Love Debbie #54 xXx

Helen said...

Love your desk today - and the gold mica will be fine I am sure... sounds like you will be busy in the garden, things are popping up all over!

sandra de said...

I have found that the versamark pad needs to be really "juicy" to allow some mica powders to stick. If you have a versamark reinker that might help. Don't worry if you don't get around to visiting we are all in the same woyww dilemma.Visit when you can.

okienurse said...

I tried the versamark with chalks and pastels and it comes off unless I spray it with a fixative so maybe that is what will help keep the gold on. I was told by a friend to use aerosol hair spray and it worked well. Hope you get it to work. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #44

Karen said...

Morning Maggie, a great creative desk this week! It certainly does not look messy to me, just busy as lots of lovely projects going on :)

Have a great WOYWW and a fab week, Luv Karen xx

Unknown said...

wow looks like a very interesting desk there, thanks for the snoop x

Hugs
Judie xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh Maggie..I'm pretty sure it's not the ink drying..the mica will suck that up..am pretty sure it's the gloss card - too static for the mica to resist it...try it on non-gloss and see if it makes a difference...
Look forward to more tales from the greenhouse. Man, fresh peas..nothing like it!

Beckyt said...

I always think a messy desk shows a happy crafter :) Thanks for sharing your desk looks like you are having a great time experimenting with the moon images.

Becky :)

#44

Cardarian said...

I have been away and busy but I hope to hop around a bit today - you have an interesting project on the go at the moment and your desk is still far more tidyer then mine! Oh what fun you have started with the gardening!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

Debs Willis said...

Hi maggie, I can sympathise with the 'sideways landslide' - often happens to me lol!! hopefully now I have an actual craft room (yay!) there will be fewer landslides, but I;m a messy crafter, so wouldn't bet on it!

I recorded the Barbara Gray show, so will watch and see what you;ve tried - frustrating when you try something new and it doesn;t quite work

thanks for sharing, and happy woyww

Debs #104

donnalouiserodgers said...

I think your skillfully twlightly lit desk doesn't look too untidy, just busy, and in my book that makes for an interesting and lengthy snoop for instance the pink box on the shelf looks uncannily like the boxes that contain false toenails, and I now imagine Maggie the Silver-haired false toe nail wearer is sitting at her desk designing moon effects ( I know I'm just weird!)

I can see fine and take a random stab at captcha and if it works that's good and if it doesn't I move on.. to be honest I prefer the visiting to the comment receiving...

D @ 111

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Eating peas fresh from the pod in the garden is a happy childhood memory. How lovely that your grandfather grew some just for you.
Fiona xx #103

Elizabeth said...

Hi Maggie, Your desk looks pretty busy this week. I'm no good at working on more than one project at a time, I just get in such a muddle :( I've just caught up with BG this morning and I saw her demoing that technique and I'm certain she only waited few minutes before buffing up her piece and it was okay but she did say it's best to wait until the VersaMark is dry - however, the effect was lovely and worth trying. I'm with you on the Word Verification - I just groan when I see it. I'm not keen on peas unless they are fresh popped from the pod and uncooked :) Hope you're having a happy WOYWW. Elizabeth x #22

An Occasional Genius said...

Hi Maggie, Now that looks like a very interesting desk indeed!! Just been having a catch up with your projects, really love your wedding cross stitch & wonderful personalisation! I did a wedding one years ago & had to leave it with a friend to finish on the day lol!! great work with the UIU xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab desk, with fun stamping going on. Love watching Barb too. Take care, enjoy this WOYWW & I'm off to snoop some more! Wonder how many I'll get round today? Zo xx 60

Unknown said...

Looks like a fun project and working space!

SandeeNC said...

Well I don't word verification so you better pop on over to my blog! lol I'm also starting my "gardening", balcony style and just flowers, but it's all I have and maybe all I want since I really hate weeding a regular garden! I always wanted a green house, give us a peek at that next week! waving hi from the beautiful hills of North Carolina :)

Yogi said...

desk has creative energy. BIG GRIN
Everything looks wonderful. Hot house eh!! We just got a dump of snow over here in Calgary Alberta Canada. Gardening won't be happening for another couple months. But I did pick up some pellets to start seeds indoors.
Love picking veggies off the plant and eating them right there.
Have a great day and thanks for the peek
PS I do not have word verification.

Karen said...

A womans crafting is never done. We all have ideas running around our heads, it's just the time we need to put them all into practice! Love the desk, busy desk, busy mind! Karen 139 x

Peggy said...

loved the visit to your desk thanks for sharing

kay said...

hope your experiments with the powders work out ok,happy crafting,x

Anonymous said...

it doesn't look messy to me, it looks full of promise of lovely creations!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I realize I am really late getting here, especially since I am #2. But I have had a terrible time keeping my computer running today. Seems it wants to shut down after I visit one blog. When I add mica powders that don't have a binder to a substrate, I mix the powder in a bit of Elmer's glue. It works as well as the powders that have the binder already added.

Happy WOYWW.

karen said...

I see in your update that you have found out how to make the Barbara Gray method work. Can't wait to see it when it works out!
Last week you suggested that I keep the ATCs I had binned and give them a chance by sitting them out in view. I took your advice and did just that and I really like how they turned out! So thank you for the advice! I hope you get a chance to pop by and see the ATCs on this week's WOYWW post :)
xoxo Karen #179

April said...

WOW! Super busy desk this week, I really hate those anoying drying stages!! I'm way too impatient! x

lisa said...

Hi Maggie
You look as though you have lots happening on your desk this week. I'm glad you sorted out your mica problem, Barbara is great isn't she. I've never tried it on black glossy card but must give it a go. I have some perfect pearls in the cupboard that rarely see the light of day.
Good luck with your greenhouse, crafting won't get a look in now, that's what happens with me anyway once it's time to be planting seeds. We grow peas just to eat them out the pods too, they always taste so delicious. How lovely that Spring is on the way.
Enjoy
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #99

LuLu said...

Howdy,
Happy WOYWW!

Nifty workspace - doesn't look messy to me - thanks for the peek.

Would love for you to visit my blog, and become a follower when you have a moment or 2. Also, get Freebies to celebrate my 2nd blogoversary!

Peace,
'LuLu' #169
www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/lou_avatar

Anonymous said...

good luck with your planting! I can't imagine starting seeds this early, you will enjoy that greenhouse I bet!

BTW- I still love my stampmker, I made a big batch of stamps/ embossing plates and stencils today. I'll have some tips and trouble shooting on my blog coming up so hopefully it will help those with the machine who are discouraged. I just love it!

Neesie said...

It's my first week with WYOWW and I'm quickly trying to work through to everyone's desk...its so exciting but I'm a little overwhelmed by all the talent.
Enjoyed my peek at your desk ;D
Have a great crafty week...must dash and check out a few more desks! :D

Ali said...

Thank you so much for your comment on my WOYWW post on my blog - I am immensely grateful to you as I didn't even know that I had word verification turned on!! I'd seen some discussion online recently about how Blogger seems to have turned it on as a default setting and had been wondering if it was turned on on mine! So now I know I have trawled through the settings and managed to find where to turn it off! :lol:

So thank you for the heads up - much appreciated! Hope your Versamark experiment has worked. :)

Ali #35

Linda said...

You have a great space and I laughed about pushing stuff over for more room. Good luck with the gold mica technique! Linda #174

Deb's Pen Pot said...

Wow, that's a crowded desk - do you ever lose bits when you move it around to create space to work...and then find them ages later, like that odd 20p piece down the side of a sofa? Though rediscovered craft pieces would be worth more than 20p! Thanks for popping by my Pen Pot - have a good week and I'll see you on the WOYWW trail, Deb

Lisa-Jane said...

Hi there, thanks for visiting my blog last week for WOYWW. Sorry its taken me ages to get back to you but this commission is taking every spare minute! I'm glad you got to the bottom of the gold powder problem.

Pauline said...

Hello Maggie , I think you have probably sorted your tech now , I saw your comment on FB I'd been struggling with that tech for ages . Loving your desk
P
Xxx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there Maggie you are having fun in your crafty space great snippet cards above hope you sort out Babara's method - did she use the perfect pearls instead of gold mica? a bit late but thanks so much for popping over, and for sharing. Happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #32

Pauline said...

Thank you for visiting my blog , glad you got your mica powders sorted
P
Xxx

Morti said...

Hi Maggie

Shame you had some trouble with your moonlight card this week, but I'm glad to see that Barbara has helped out - she really is a lovely lady!

Thanks for stopping by and your kind words!