Wednesday, June 16, 2010

WOYWW54 (What's on YOUR Work desk Wednesday)

I gladly admit it. I'm a neat freak. I don't work well in clutter, so it was especially difficult to leave all these little "corners" until I had all the pieces cut. But leave them I did, so you could see my work desk occasionally gets messy. Normally, I would have cut the corners over a trash basket, but thought everyone was tired of seeing no messes. Note also, my second hand-carved rubber stamp. This one was a bit more complex.

So here is what my table looked like right after I finished this element on my swap item late last night (or early in the morning if you are "across the pond"),

and here is what it looked like about 10 minutes after the first photo was taken. Honestly, I just can't work in clutter. Of course, Wendy is flabbergasted, mostly because she's been hanging out with Julia at Stamping Ground, hostess with the other WOYWW links and self proclaimed "cluttered crafter." And now, since I'm trying to shorten my Wednesday blog posts, this one is short and sweet. However, don't forget the ultimate blog hop on Saturday, when artists open up their studios for you to view. I'm sure you'll love this ultimate snoop. See my sidebar for details.

Today's blog pays homage to Kay, another WOYWWer, who also pointed out to me that she visited every WOYWWAC blog on week 52. Her blog, Making Things From Stuff, is chock full of altered art and art challenges. I enjoy Kay's art because she makes "altered" look so easy and pretty. I know she'll have a snoop or two for you today, so stop by and say "hi."

60 thoughtful remarks:

Annie said...

I'm right there with you for being a tidy crafter but mine is because it's what my customers see and they might not come back to a messy workspace :-)
A x

Helen said...

I can see the merits of being tidy - it's just I don't have room to be... if that makes sense! Love your arches. I visit every blog too, and try to leave comments on them all. it does take a while!

jude said...

Wow tidy desk some how i always start off tidy but just piles up high!
Have fab wednesday
hugs judex

Sid said...

Now that's what I call tidy !!

Julia Dunnit said...

Well, one of you will be breathless at my desk this morning - and it won't be Wendy!! Love the little dresses, how neat! What's the swap - the stamp is great...your method works really well.

Michelle said...

Very tidy space! I'd love to be a tidy crafter but it just seems to disappear as soon as I start...:-)
thanks for sharing, have a great day!
hugs
Michelle
xx

Lothian Crafts said...

Yes your desk is so very tidy wish I could put things away like you can.
Elaine

Kay said...

Awww thanks :) Your swap looks really interesting, and I love the hand carved stamp.. well done!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Looks like you've been productive.

Sarah said...

I aim for tidy but often stray whilst I'm creating

kelly said...

Wow you are a tidy crafter, maybe i should take some tips from you! My OH says my room sometimes looks like a bomb has exploded! x

Bettythebaglady said...

I am interested in the messy versus tidy debate because I will never forget my visit to Barbara Hepworth's studio in Cornwall. Awesomely messy yet organised too.Thousands of tools all laid out. Her home was totally simple but the studio!!!There's also Francis Bacon's studio-from the shots I've seen it looks like an explosion in a paint factory. Anyway-whatever suits you. By the way I used to carve rubber but it was difficult to get hold of the stuff over here and erasers aren't very hardwearing so I gave up. Yours look great. Hugs BettyXXX

Cardarian said...

Ha, ha I can understand your problem with clutter - I don't really like it but sometimes it just happens! I think we should always work in whatever environments suits us! It can be cluttered or tidy! As long as you get the job done1 Interesting project you have on your desk! Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Love the Gothic arches Elizabeth and your ABC stamp is great ;-)
Anne xx

Sue said...

lol that is tidy!! must say im a tidy worker, throw all me scraps as i go, have good day, sue,x

Chrissie said...

If only I had a few of your 'clutter free' genes!
Chrissie

Darcy Marshall said...

I'd like to be a tidy crafter, i think i would get more done, but I am not so there's no point worrying about it lol

Anonymous said...

I'd love to be a tidy crafter - but fail miserably!! Yours looks super tidy :-) S x

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Me again ;-) I've had that sewing machine for about 18 years and only found out last year that the feed dogs don't drop to do free machine embroidery, but it has a darning plate that fits over the feed dogs (dont like that idea so much).
Anne x

Unknown said...

I aspire to be as neat as you, but with such limited time for creating, I have to admit that my bits- piles really- of clutter grow when I'm not looking.....I DO enjoy seeing that it's possible though!

Milliesmarvels said...

You are so neat when you work, I wish I could be that way!
Jane
x

Linby said...

I could be tidier if I had more space and I didn't have to leave things out so I remember I have them!.
Linbyx

Chrissie said...

Hoorah, another tidy crafter!!! I'm so glad I'm not alone.
Loved your comment about cutting corners straight into the bin (yup, been there, done that!)

Phree said...

I would love to be able to be that tidy when I craft, but it just never happens.

Sew This N That said...

there's nothing wrong with being a tidy crafter hun....at least I hope not cos I'm one lol. Or is that cos I don't have my own room to be messy in, I wonder.....
*hugs* Heather x

The Crafty Goat Girl said...

Lovely tidy space, if I dont move things from my desk, my cat Molly jumps up and knocks them off, so I have to keep tidy, lol!

Have a super week, hugs Heidixx

Hels Sheridan said...

I like neat too...and at the moment I am keeping neat-ish... not sure how long it will last though LOL

Healing Woman said...

Thanks for directing me to your sidebar of "Where Bloggers Create." Unfortunately, the deadline is over. This is one I will want to participate in next year for sure. I will definitely win if there is a prize for the most unorganized studio on the list! I envy your uncluttered working space and your ability to keep it that way.

Halle said...

What I see of the arches look great! I'm still working on getting my space unburied. I might have to bring in a shovel.

Diane said...

I'm like you--when my table starts to get too messy, I go crazy and have to stop to clean off the clutter. It's amazing how fast it can accumulate too. I'll be there on Saturday!

cheryl said...

oh great tidy desk hun,,love hugs cheryl xxxx

Rosie said...

I'm a tidy crafter too - something goes wrong with my brain if my space gets too messy. I like it quite clean too but sometimes that's just NOT possible!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Yippee another tidy crafter, oh I feel slightly more normal now LOL. Love those arches on your desk too. Have a great day, Tracy Evans x

KymKreates said...

clean, clean, clean!!!!

Lisa said...

Oh I wish I was this neat and tidy!!!! Great arches.

TinaB said...

So tidy! Love your blog x

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

Extremely messy.....hehe!! Love the new stamp.

xx

Nicki said...

Great workspace. I laughed at you leaving the little corners there for your photo, I did this with some tape peelings the other week 'cause they'd normally go into the bin immediately!

Nicki, xx

~*~Patty said...

You would faint away in my studio space!
I operate in creative chaos ... different strokes for different folks!

and isn't that what helps the world go round

I see some of my favorite things ... UHU glue and arches!!!
Happy Wednesday to you!
oxo

Penni said...

You're very creative this week.

Hugs
Penni
X

Bee said...

you are so organised and I love the gothic arches.

xx

A Hovel to Home said...

I have a untidy gene I think - I really admire tidy crafters though!

Foil Play said...

I admire your neatness and tidiness - even though I woefully fail to achieve it myself!

Nicks said...

as always its a pleasure to have a snoop at your desk!

Unknown said...

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks so much for coming on by and welcoming me back you little sweety. I have loved all these WOYWW postings. Such fun! I am a clutter bug I'm afraid, but occassionally I move into clean up mode and suddenly I have a very neat orderly desk which lasts for about half a minute.

Twiglet said...

I like the little project - glad you enjoyed my snaps of Shrewsbury - must do some more - Shropshire is a fab place to visit!!

Sue from Oregon said...

Hello! Yes, the company said my new copic holder will be here this week, but by golly, the week is almost over...not sure what the deal was...think they forgot about me, but I keep buggin' them LOL! I am a messy crafter but usually have to clean up afterwards, but tend to have a big sort out/file pile! YUCK!

Maz said...

I don't think it matters whether you work in chaos or not - whatever aids your creativity! x

craftimamma said...

Crikey, this really is tidy to the point of being bare. Looks like a very interesting work in progress though.

Lesley Xx

peggy gatto said...

You are one "neat" lady!!!
thanks for coming by!!

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: I sure hope that it is not because of me that you dod not want to join Tea Cup Tuesday. I know what it is like to feel like to be on the outside, looking in. That is the last thing I would ever want to do. to such a sweet lady like you. Please forgive me if I made you feel that way. I enjoy any and every kind of cup. I just love looking at all the different ones that are shared. Please visit as often as you want. Blessings dear friend. Martha

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: Thank you for your comment. You set me free. I feel so much better. You are a gracious lady. I am pleased that you enjoy the pretties. Please to call you my friend. Stop by anytime, I love to hear from you. Blessings, Martha

peggy aplSEEDS said...

i go from tidy to messy and everything in between!

HeARTworks said...

I have a little garbage can ON my desk to throw away my garbage, and a BIG one beside my desk in an effort to keep tidy. Does it help? Nawwww! Maybe Wendy would like to visit me and give me pointers! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Lorraine A said...

ooohh it is very tidy !! I don't know how to be tidy lol :-) I should come visit you for lessons :-)

Luv
Lols x x

Unknown said...

i do try to be tidy lol, honestly, its starts of tidy !!! we all work differently dont we, thanks for sharing xx

Pam said...

Very tidy, complete opposite of my desk!! Hugs Pam x

Kathy said...

ohhhh doesn't your desk look busy this week? That's an interesting little stack of arches you have there

Paper and Ribbons said...

Ah, another neat freak, looks like I am in good company :)

Joey said...

Hiya Hunny

thankyou so much for stopping by my blog this week even though I didnt take part in woyww. I have been poorly with a throat infection and was unable to do woyww as I knew I wouldnt get around to many people lol. Thanks for thinking of me

Joey.xxx