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

I'm just nipping in quickly today to show a break down of my Mandala.

I've been asked could I show how it came about and I'm not one to disappoint...

...so here it is....

I simply started with a book (which is a constant in my life since I first started to read) and then I added patterns and shapes as I progressed outwards to make the circle. 

In the close up picture you can see (hopefully) some of the things that are important to me or things that I like. It's as simple as that.

I completed the whole thing in three sessions (or was it four)...not only to give my eyes a rest but to think about what should be added.

I should explain that the 'neesie natters' isn't actually written on the original design (other than on the little laptop in the mandala).

I added that before posting. 

And here's the finished design. 

There are about 40+ items contained within...can you count them all? 
I made some cards with the design to accompany leaving pressies and they were well received.

As you can imagine things are pretty hectic around here at the moment, with moving from one part of the planet to the other...plus my hubby had 'man flu' over the weekend and has kindly passed it to me! 

Maybe I should have been more sympathetic! It's now come back to bite me :(
Oops nearly forgot to show my desk...or should that read dining table!
Yes I'm back into the dining room again...or sort of...as you can see there's not much here. 
Just the rental table and chairs as our furniture has just passed through the Suez Canal on its way to the UK.
The few bits that are sitting on the window ledge are my entire art supplies for now. 
Is it any wonder that my mojo has decided to take a break! 

 Sparse looking isn't it? 
Hey...but see that sun and light? That's winter peeps I kid you not!
Not bad eh? 

Anyway before I pass on any germs to you, maybe you should scoot and check out what's going on over at Julia's Stamping Ground and see more desks that hopefully won't be full of germs. 
It's a lot of fun and everyone is so friendly and supportive.  

I'll try to visit as many people as I can this week without passing on my germs but I'm not promising.   

Have fun everyone and enjoy your Wednesday! 

APR ~ Favourite Mug #60

How could I resist when I heard that Jenn's Artist Play Room challenge this week was to draw/paint something that is very dear to my heart! 

...My Mug!...

Not my face ~ not that kind of mug ~ the drinking kind.

So even though I have limited art supplies (well that's a gross understatement...I've a few pens, a pencil, eraser and a small travelling water colour kit) I've actually managed to complete a painting for this week. Although Jenn asked for our favourite mug or cup I've decided to show you one, but I painted the other. 

Yes...call me fickle I have two favourites!  

I love the look and feel of the Whittard of Chelsea china mug below. 

My daughter bought two as a present, but unfortunately one had an unfortunate accident during one of our many moves! It lost its handle.  

(Whittard of Chelsea (Anita Jeram) 2006)

The china mug is perfect for a cuppa but the practicality is that I need something more robust! 

A Denby pottery mug fits the bill...it keeps my tea hotter for longer. I'm one of those people that have to drink my tea at the molten lava like temperature. Even with this mug I can become distracted and it can 'go off the boil' as it were (now don't think I don't know that for a proper cuppa you're not supposed to use boiling water ~ I do know all about that ~ BUT I LIKE MY TEA HOT!!!

The only time that I can forget my cuppa is when I'm busy or engrossed creating art! 

At any other time it's my top priority :D

From my first cup in the morning to my last cup at night...it has my full attention.

Going back to the 'meecie mug' 

(HA! Neesies meecie mug...I like that...yeah I know...small things and all that) 

Here's the designs that sits around the cup. 

Aren't they cute? 

And here's my painting....there's lots of tweaks needed but time is of the essence as they say and I wanted to meet the time scale for APR...so perhaps I'll tweak later. 

Whilst I'm here I might as well show you some other things that have mysteriously arrived in my journal. 

I've no idea where I got the time, but I do know that they've helped to keep me in a sane state of mind in what has been a really terrible week.  

I've wanted to draw a Mandala. for quite some time. 

For those who may not know...a Mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe.  

But I wanted to do my own version...showing my universe or at least some of it. 

It's my story so far...or at least some of it! 

There are lots of details contained within the mandala if you look closely....

I really enjoyed drawing and creating this pattern and thought it would be a great idea to do a Mandala for others...just pick 15/20 key things that are relevant to you and have them enclosed within your own personal pattern. Just drop me a line is you're interested.... ;D
I've also published the design onto cards. 

I've counted approximately 45 specific personal icons enclosed within my Mandala that are special in some way to me...can you spot any?

Well that's me done for this week...but why not head over to Jenn's Artist Playroom and see if you can see your favourite mug or why not pick a new one!
They'll be lots of different designs to choose from...

Tat tar for now...have a wonderful weekend everyone...see you again soon I hope