WOYWW... What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #271

After the torrential rain and gales that have been blowing a hoolie here over the last few days, I'm surprised that I've managed to drop by for WOYWW without being swept clean past! 

'Bertha' the ex-hurricane has delivered her best (or should that read worst?) but thankfully we've escaped quite well in this part of the country considering. 

I have to say I'm a little stunned that the calendar still says it's August with the weather we're experiencing. So much so that I've actually checked it numerous times just in case a few months have slipped by without me noticing. 

There's even talk of autumn but I'm just not going to listen, as I'm not ready for that... 

not yet anyway. 

So onto my desk this Wednesday which is what Wednesday's are all about... 

WOYWW (What's on your work desk Wednesday, for anyone that doesn't know). 

I suppose it seems fitting that I'm working and painting a woolly cow this week. 

A highland cow to be precise. 

Everything seems to be wrapped up for coziness right now, so why not the cattle too?

    I'm still working from my kitchen table and probably will be for some time to come.

It's safer for starters as the studio doesn't have one ounce of space clear at the moment. 

It's a hive of activity and buzzing like a bees nest with my daughter's Etsy shop taking off plus commissions coming in. It's all very exciting and I'm thrilled, although I seem to have acquired the job description of admin assistant and chief tea maker!

 I do hope there's a name badge at least...

Now onto 'Hetty' as I've now decided to call her. 

She definitely looks like a she doesn't she?

The paper has crinkled slightly but that's not surprising as I've had to round her up after every session, so that we can use the table. 

She's been wandering from shelves to worktops and at the moment sitting on our bread bin... which is no mean feat for a highland cow, I can tell you! 

As you can see, I've still got a lot to add to her, so I'm going to carry on now before the light or next storm cloud appears. 

If you'd like to see artists finished work then there'll be lots of desks to visit over at Julia's Stamping Ground. 

Click here

Have a great week and Happy WOYWW to one and all.

I'll be painting and watching 'The Great British Bake Off' tonight so I may be a little later visiting your desks, but I hope to get there eventually.

See you again soon

Lots going on...Valentine's, Disappearing Trees and WOYWW

There's a huge amount of noise and activity radiating from our place this morning...

We live in a quiet suburb normally, but not so today!

All because a healthy tree has become a problem...it's outgrown its space and therefore isn't welcome anymore.

Not by me you understand...I hate to see a tree even pruned, never mind uprooted and murdered, but I know this has to be done. The Ficus Elastica is going to cause problems soon with its root system spreading at an unbelievable rate....across to the neighbour apparently and so she must go.

I'm hoping that something else will be put in its place but I'm not holding my breath...

 It's a beautiful tree and I do feel rather sad that it's got to go just because it doesn't fit in!

I'm just hoping now that there's such a gap where it used to be....that my neighbours aren't the sticky beak type...there are no net curtains on that side of their house, so maybe we'll be okay?!?!

There was also another tree that needed attention today due to one of its high branches snapping and only just hanging on. I'm not sure when or for how long it's been like that...so we've been living with the danger and not even knowing that a huge branch could have fallen on any one of us who just might have been unfortunate enough to be standing underneath. But thankfully it didn't fall and so has been carefully removed.

 Gulp....note chainsaw strapped to his waist?
My hubby would be very pleased to see all the PPE though.
(That stands for Personal Pretection Equipment just in case you haven't got someone telling you all about this sort of stuff...even when you're only using a whisk in the kitchen!!!!)

 And to show just how high this guy is...

Oops I should have said initially that if you're here for WOYWW then please scroll down (and anyone who hasn't visited before or knows what that term means...it stands for 'What's On Your Work desk'. As the title suggests each Wednesday we show and tell what's on or happening on our desk. 

(It sounds like I'm spouting from the fountain of knowledge today lol) 

Julia over at Stamping ground hosts a plethora of creativity each week for you to enjoy...so why not nip over there and take a peek at everyone's desk? It's allowed...they're a friendly bunch!

So here is my desk....

There's more space than work to display this week but I have had a little doodle! 

I'm a little later taking this photo because as stated above, there's a lot happening here today.

Unfortunately the sun has left this side of the house at this time of day, but it is beating down on the other side...you can just see outside where the wisteria hangs just how bright it is. 

Put your sunnies on if you want to look!

We still haven't seen any rain here and finally there's that photo I wanted to post last week which highlights just what happens when the rain decides to take a holiday!

This isn't my garden by the way...it's a riverbank a little further out of town.

I feel decidedly thirsty when I look at this don't you?

I'm not pleased with the production of this photo (taken on my phone which is usually okay) and will be retweeking it...it's caused me nothing but bother since I first took it...but you get the idea....its dry!

And so what have I been doodling I hear you ask? Well I can pretend can't I? I'm harmless enough ;D

I'm aware that it's Valentine's Day on Thursday and although it's never a biggy in our house, I thought I'd enter into Jenn's Valentine challenge this week over at Just add water silly  Jenn is always encouraging everyone to think outside of the box and I'm sure she'd be kind and generous no matter what we entered into the Artist Play Room...she's just like that, but I thought I'd keep in with the theme...well loosely!

So here he is....my ♥ LURVE BUG♥!

 I love ladybirds (as I've always called them) so I liked the idea of this chaps shell being a heart shape...and then I just got carried away with my usual quirkiness and this was the result! 

I hope you get bitten by the LURVE bug this week, but if you don't then don't disappear...I think it's so much better to have a spontaneous day to show how you feel about someone whenever the mood takes you...not to be told what to do on what day!

I'm sending all my followers/readers and visitors a little lurve bug here to say thanks for stopping by.....I always love to see and hear from you all.  

But I think there may well be some pink heart shaped crepes appearing for breakfast around the 14th...well I have the mixture already so it would be a shame to waste it! 

I'm not going soft ~ honest!

And lastly peeps, I've got to give a shout out for the lovely Cynthia over at Cottage Remnant

She noticed that I didn't have a badge for my blog as many people have, so she very kindly helped create one for me ....did you notice it on the way in, at the top right hand side? 

I've been going to try design one of these for quite some time but never got around to it. Truth be told I'm not even sure I'd have a clue where to begin or be successful...but I was going to give it a go anyway...that's what blogging has taught me if nothing else.

But now thanks to Cynthia I've got my own...yay.....(grinning like a Cheshire cat here :D)

So make my day as the header says...I'd be thrilled if you took it and attached it at your place. 

Phewph...well I think that's enough for today peeps...you're cuppa or tea-break must be over by now. 

So have a wonderful Wednesday whatever you have planned...enjoy, have fun and most importantly keep smiling or better still laugh! 

Catch you later....

I hope your day is 'Purrfect'? ~ WOYWW

Today is going to be a toasty day here in Melbourne, with the temperature rising up to near 40C degrees once again, so I'm going to stay in my studio! 

There that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

Maybe if you are currently viewing from the Northern Hemisphere then with any luck my photos might radiate a little warmth for you. :D

By some freaky universal switcheroo or some greater force, I've actually managed to be able to spend quite a lot of time in the studio over this past week, which has been both surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. 

I have to confess there hasn't been much work done...more a sorting, collating and thinking process....

OKAY... PROCRASTINATING!

Well at least I've got some desk space now to actually do something, when hopefully I have an idea fight its way through to the front of the queue, over all the pandemonium that is going on in my head! 

There is a silk scarf draped over the frame at the end of the table. I had planned on painting it for someone's birthday but then the birthday came and went! I suppose I can paint it and keep it until next year ...imagine me being early for once...now there's a thought!!!!

There's also my cuppa which is never far from my side...I just couldn't function without my cuppa at regular intervals during the day. I love fine boned china cups but unfortunately I like to drink my tea at the molten lava temperature and I find that china just doesn't work for most of the day in a china teacup. It only works for me when I'm sitting giving it my full attention. Otherwise I get distracted and it quickly goes too cold before I can get to it. So thank goodness for Denby!

There's also a few calendars that are just waiting to be adopted...if anyone knows of a good home then please contact me....they've been reduced in my Etsy shop so they're a great bargain right now! 

But having said that there's been no work done, there has in fact been one drawing that just appeared out of the blue...

I'm totally aware that my posts are very one sided in the pet department (mainly poochy posts) so this  sketch is for all the cat lovers out there.

I'm not entirely sure he's finished yet? The more I look at him the more I keep adding.  
If you would like to see more desks and creativity then pop over to Julia at Stamping Ground. 

I'm having terrible trouble with my internet, emails, mobile phone and posting today...maybe it's the heat, so I think I'm going to call it a day....I've got lots of photos to show you so maybe tomorrow might be a better day. Don't you just love all this technical stuff when it's working well but when it isn't???!?!?! GRR!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.

for stopping by...I'll look forward to seeing you again soon.

A Giveaway...Plus What's on Your Work Desk? WOYWW

It's Wednesday and I've finally managed to catch up with the WOYWW gang! I've been missing for a few weeks, but I'm back and to make up for my absense I'm including a link to my 'giveaway'...but you'll have to be quick to enter because the giveaway ends tomorrow. 

Click here for the details. 

It's very simple to enter...all you have to do is leave a comment on the post and Mufftypup might draw your name as the winner. She's raring to go for the draw because she knows that they'll be lots of chicken available if she does a good job ^..^

Check out the last giveaway draw.

Yes I know I haven't given you much time to enter and I should have told you earlier ~ sorry!

So let me explain for all of my new followers that WOYWW stands for What's on Your Workdesk and is the brainchild of Julia over at Stamping Ground. 

Nip across and check out all the various artist and crafters desks across the globe. They're a great bunch and very friendly...they'd love to meet you I'm sure.

Now I'm thinking that this could be a monumental week because not only am I involved with the WOYWW  creative, crafty gang, but I've been partying with the lovely Vicki at 2 Bags Full who has organised a mammoth Party Blog Hop! So if the two come together here...WOW that would be amazing!

Well without further delay (because WOYWW is supposed to be a brief post ~ which as you know I have great difficulty keeping brief...it's just not in my makeup apparently...see here I am waffling about keeping brief! (sigh)

So what's on my desk this beautiful sunny day? Well there's lots of wonderful light for a start! 

Apologies if the sun has left your part of the world, but I'll let you have a quick warm from mine ;D

 There are a few new things and one little package that I picked up yesterday from the art suppliers. Well I just happened to be passing but then how can you pass? If you know how then tell me...but on the other hand...never mind I don't think I want to know! Its harmless enough isn't it?

One of the reasons why I didn't make last Wednesday was because I'd made a card that had to reach the UK and I wasn't sure if it would spoil the surprise if I posted it before it arrived.

Now if I tell you my nephew has crabs I don't want any sniggers please! That includes you at the back there!

He has a beautiful tank and keeps sending me little video clips of all the latest inhabitants. 

So instead of sending the usual birthday card featuring golfers, beer or wine, or boat...not that there's anything wrong with those designs...but I wanted something different so I decided I'd draw something that was relevant to him....hence 'Hermit the Crab'.

 

Apologies for the quality of the photograph, but I quickly had to snap it and rush off to the post box in order for it to arrive in time for the birthday. 

Now let me explain...(or give my excuse)...this is only the second time that I've tried to draw with the ink nib pen set that my daughter bought as part of my Christmas present and I realised very early on that I need to spend time practicing. Especially with regard to the lettering!

So there you have it my entry for WOYWW but I'm also thinking laterally and joining in with Jenn's Artist Playroom which this week has 'Mail Art' as its theme.  Jenn will be pleased I'm sure because she's always encouraging us to think laterally! I'm a happy bunny because I've been missing from the APR too but today I've managed to tick quite a few boxes with double entries! 

Yay!!!!

My card has travelled half way around the world to keep me in touch with my nephew and I think that's special. I 'm thinking that post landing in the post box will delight him as much as it delights me. I don't think you can beat snail mail and since blogging I've had such wonderful post from very generous new friends from all over the world. I'm hoping my bright envelope with all the Australian stamps will brighten his day :D

So don't forget to enter for my giveaway if you're interested, or if you have the time check out the other links...there are lots for you this week.

Have a wonderful week everyone ~ whatever you have planned. 

Enjoy and keep smiling

A Giveaway...What's on Your Work Desk? WOYWW and other hotchpotch....

Well I made it everyone...I'm back in Melbourne from our winter wonderland holiday in Canada.

I sometimes feel I'm not quite in the land of the living yet after constantly travelling for 27 hours nonstop and crossing so many time zones along the way....it's all a little blurry.

I'm also having the odd out of body experience (like not remembering where anything is stored in my own kitchen) but at least the jetlag isn't an issue....I normally wake at 4am anyway!

It could of course be something to do with being blonde or my age (ha...as if) but I'm having none of that and just putting it down to all the travelling and trying to get back into the swing of things...no matter what!

Thankfully, when we arrived back the temperature here wasn't up to the 40 degrees that Melbourne had been experiencing whilst we were away...it was a lovely 23 degrees...just perfect to warm us up slowly. 

So thank you friends whichever one of you found the temperature control button and tweaked it down a notch...otherwise I'd be similar to this poor hibiscus that I found in the garden! 

It's now in intensive care and we're hoping for a miracle :-(

But before I get lost nattering away...one of the first things I must do is to thank everyone who visited Canada with me...it was great to have you come along and I know it was a challenge at times, especially when the temperature dropped to -25 degrees!

I also have to mention that upon arriving home there was the inevitable pile of post...but this time there wasn't just bills and junk mail...I also had some wonderful presents sent from friends from across the globe. 

My bloggy buddies!

 (I'll be in touch to give you my personal thanks as soon as I can as I have to say I felt very spoilt.)

 I've met some lovely people over the time that I've been blogging and hope it continues into 2013. 

So with that thought in mind I thought I'd pass on some of that cosy, warm, fuzzy feeling, spread some of the smiles and have a 'GIVEAWAY' with Mufftypup picking the winner once again. 

We had such a fun time doing that at the last giveaway plus Muffy wins every time because typically she works the system and doubles her own body weight with fresh chicken...so she'll be all for it! 

I'll be posting the details of the giveaway in the next day or so...I hope you can join in. ;D

 As you can imagine after having a month away, plus we did have a New Zealand trip just weeks before that so I'm trying desperately to get back to some sort of normal routine which is proving harder than I thought. Hence I've not had much chance for my art which quite frankly isn't good enough, especially as I had decided for 2103 that I would be more committed to it...I may well be committed but it won't be to my art, if I don't stop trying to be an octopus spinning too many plates in the air all at once!

Oh here we go....I've just realised its Wednesday which used to be WOYWW for me, so I'll quickly show you my desk in the hope that Julia (our host over at Stamping Ground) will forgive this hotchpotch post. I'm hoping the sunshine outside the window here might distract her and I'll get away with it.

I promise to get my act together ~ seriously :D

But in the meantime why not visit some of the other WOYWW gang as I'm sure they'll be far more organised :-$

I only managed to join the WOYWW gang once whilst in Canada but if you would like to take a peak then just click here on my work desk.

Which has just reminded me about the red squirrel friend who visited us every day and took a great liking to sticky toffee puddings!

 

 I can't help but wonder how Nutkin is coping in our absence. 

I did leave him enough food to feed him throughout the winter plus every other critter within a 100 kilometre radius!

 He never writes...he never phones....hmm...typical.

He's probably working those eyes on the next guests already.

Anyway I must dash so I'll hopefully see you for the 'Giveaway' don't forget to check back....

In the meantime don't forget to have fun whatever you get up to :D

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW #185

I can't believe that I've finally managed to check in with Julia's WOYWW gang. 

Well it is Wednesday after all...or is it? 

I'm a little confused with crossing the over the date line for the first time. 

Trying to remember the different time zones with having friends in Australia, and family and friends in the UK  is a little challenging to say the least!!!

Throw in a little jet lag and I'm beginning to think I can relate to how Santa might feel on Boxing Day. 

I mean the last journey took 28 hours none stop from an Aussie summer day (30C) to a crisp white winter wonderland with pristine snow in Canada (-7C). 

I don't think we could get any different comparison...all within 24 hours even if you tried.

It's a little surreal.

So here I am in our Christmas home ready to enjoy the holiday. 

This is the driveway...yep it's a steep slope. Thankfully we have a four wheel vehicle to tackle it!

Can you see on the left hand side of the drive the depth of the snow and that's only after two days! 

I haven't set up a work desk here obviously because I think it's time to relax and have a special time with the family creating treasured memories...but I do plan to do a few sketches or pen and ink drawings. 

My daughter is due to arrive at the weekend and she is bringing a few of her art supplies with her 

(unfortunately I couldn't manage to bring any due to my flight weight restrictions)

So here's a photo of me having a cuppa...taking in the view.....

 (I did have a play with my photos adding the frames etc so I suppose that's a crafty activity)

We are supposed to keep the WOYWW posts brief in order for everyone to be able to visit lots of like minded creative people, so with that in mind I'd just like to end this post today with my sincere warmest wishes for a wonderful, happy, peaceful holiday for all the WOYWW gang, not forgetting Jenn's APR group and all my followers and visitors to my blog. I have enjoyed blogging so much throughout this last year, receiving amazing inspiration and encouragement plus making some great new friends. 

I look forward to next year because I know it's going to be so exciting. 

As a thank you I'm going to have a 'GIVE-AWAY' early into the new year so watch this space. 

Meanwhile...the slopes are calling so I'll catch up with you later ~ I'll be back with lots more photos, elf antics and generally anything that captures my interest...so have fun everyone!

Ho Ho Ho.....

What's on Your Work Desk...(WOYWW #182)

Well there's late and then there's ridiculous!!!

It's no longer Wednesday and Thursdays nearly done too and here I am posting to WOYWW which stands for What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday! 

If you want to see how it should be done then pop over to Julia at Stamping Ground.

Meanwhile I could tell you about my horrendous week where things not working...

The AC in my car when the temperature reaches 38 degrees celcius today. 

My laptop doing anything it likes as well as just dying when it gets too hot. 

Plus and here's the worst...I lost all yes 'ALL' of my photgraphs that I had on there. 

Now we're talking hundreds of photos over the last few years! 

I really don't want to think too hard about it because if I do I feel physically sick!

I was in the process of transferring them to my hard drive just in case something happened to them...
then WHOOSH...they disappeared! (WAIL) They are nowhere to be found!
I'm so confused, upset and angry you wouldn't believe it!
No one dared look at me never mind offer help...in fact everyone just slowly got up and left the room.

SO...(deep sign) I'm having to work my way back through my posts to save some of the photos, so at least I have some. 

ANYWAY... here's my desk before all the drama's started. 

Yep there's I'd finally thought Christmassy thoughts but now all that good spirit has gone too.

I'm not sure if I'll manage to visit many desks with this laptop playing silly whatsits! 

But I'll try...enjoy your day whatever you get up to...have fun.

What's on Your Work Desk....(WOYWW #181)

Terrifyingly yet another week has been and gone! ARHHH!

Yep...it's Wednesday again and time for WOYWW 

(WOYWW stands for what's on your work desk for those of you

 who haven't come across this term before)

 Well that's the idea of Julia over at Stamping Ground so if you want to see more productive desks than mine then pop over and check them out ~ you could visit desks from all over the globe from the comfort of your own chair. 

 I'm sure you'll find lots to inspire you and there's going to be lots of Christmassy ideas and creations! 

I can't believe I'm showing my mess and lack of anything worthy of the word work!  

There is an attempt to get festive if you look close enough?

 But before you go ... check out my friends great Christmas Vodka Cake recipe below....

It's a big hit!

Christmas Vodka Cake

1 cup sugar, 

1 tsp. baking powder, 

1 cup water, 

1 tsp. salt, 

1 cup brown sugar, 

Lemon juice, 

4 large eggs, 

Nuts, 1

1 bottle Vodka, 

2 cups dried fruit.

Sample a cup of Vodka to check quality.

Take a large bowl, check the Vodka again to be sure it is of the highest quality then Repeat. 

Turn on the electric mixer. 

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. 

Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. 

Beat again. 

At this point, it is best to make sure the Vodka is still OK. 

Try another cup just in case. 

Turn off the mixerer thingy. 

Break 2 eegs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. 

Pick the fruit up off the floor, wash it and put it in the bowl a piece at a time trying to count it. 

Mix on the turner. 

If the fried druit getas stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver. 

Sample the Vodka to test for tonsisticity. 

Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something. 

Check the Vodka. 

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. 

Add one table. 

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. 

Whatever you can find. 

Greash the oven. 

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. 

Don't forget to beat off the turner. 

Finally, throw the bowl through the window. 

Finish the Vodka and wipe the counter with the cat.

Enough of this frivolity...I must get on if I'm going to be ready for Santa arriving!

Thanks for stopping by...I really appreciate your time...

It's great to see you and I hope you're having a fantastic week whatever you're up to.

Catch up again soon