Tuesday, December 7, 2010

WOYWW: multitasking

What's on YOUR workdesk today? Julia at Stamping Ground asks that each Wednesday, so if you've never been here before, hop on over to her place, where the biggest International blog hop of all goes on each Wednesday.

Sorry I only made it about half way last week (actually yesterday). I'm still recovering from the electric company cutting my phone and internet lines while trimming trees in my neighborhood. Being without my internet puts a real damper on things.

It's nasty here. Like many of my UK friends, it's cold and dark. In fact, it's SO DARK, I lightened all these photos to near maximum in Photoshop, making it appear far brighter outside than it really is. Today I'm multitasking.

First, I'm working on my Christmas tip-ins, which are 1/2 A4 sized decorated pages you add to an altered book. I'm using the same pad I made last year using Tim Holtz's technique. I'll be stamping all of them using this "stamp pad." It looks pretty bad, but it still stamps and that's all I care about.


I'm also trying to sew a few covers for my journals. I'm taking the quick way by printing on fabric (yes, using my printer and ironing a freezer paper backing to the fabric for stability).


Some of you wanted to see my "tartan" dress (I never even knew that was a word till I started hanging out with my UK friends) after it was finished. I removed the dresses from the cabinet and hung them on the wall, thus freeing up some much needed space. I now have sewing supplies in the cabinet that once held the dresses.


Thanks to Nikki at Graphix and Designs for starting the holiday season off great. Click the link for YOUR button, too! It put me in the mood as I decorated last week.



Some of you wanted to see my trees. My house is so small, I have to decorate with small trees. And you should be able to count at least a dozen rocking horses that are highly visible in the above photo, many of which I have never shown. Click on the photo for a really good sized look.

However, if you don't have a lot of time, here's a low res version to get you through the post.

Today's blog pick is Gez at GezzyB's Jots. Gez lives in Lancashire in the UK and is a self proclaimed "domestic engineer." But Gez is much more than that. She makes lovely altered art, tags, and journal pages. She is also a stamper. I love her style and her art. While on your WOYWW blog hop today, please stop by and say hi to Gez at GezzyB's Jots.

69 thoughtful remarks:

voodoo vixen said...

How lovely to be able to take a peek into your home! So we are alike in our 'little trees' this year though I think yours may have more impact than mine did! LOL Love what you have done with the dresses on their coat hangers, great way to display them!! I did wonder what size they were - and they appear larger than I first thoguht.

Sheila said...

I'm not in love with the darkness on my side of the world either. Love that we see so many of your rocking horses.

Moy Yin said...

Thanks for sharing your home with us. I love all your furniture. They are so vintage. I love especially the writing desk. Happy WOYWW!

Chrissie said...

Well I think I'll be zooming in for a really good snoop Elizabeth... your home looks so inviting!
I'm off on a racking horse hunt!
Chrissie #7

Chrissie said...

Let's call that a rocking horse hunt shall we!
Chrissie

Pam said...

I love the rich woods too! Wood is great dark, the sky...not so much. Hope the sun comes out soon!

jude said...

Gorgeous romm love your wee small crimbo trees look fab!Thanks for showing have great wednesday
hugs judex

Debs said...

But where is Bluebeard?! Look forward to seeing your journal covers when they are finished xxx

Terry said...

I love seeing your home and the little trees! They're so cute. Those dresses are adorable too. So glad you found more room in your cabinet.

Terry (17)

Neet said...

Didn't spot all the rocking horses but thanks for sharing your lovely home with us. Love how you have displayed your dresses. How on earth are you going to get everything done - you are so so busy. #21

Unknown said...

Morning thanks for the little look into your home and love your dresses too! Jo (24) xxx

Bluefairy4U said...

Morning Elizabeth, well your home looks so cosy and organised. Love to see the rocking horses about. You have been busy with those dresses they look wornderful. Hope you get to finish your journal cover, looks like a mega task. Have fun Hugs Jo.xx *22*

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Love the pictures of oyur house...and small is good, :))
HUgs x

Helen said...

Wow, what a lovely home - nothing wrong with small. You are very busy today,have a great day.

Annie said...

What is freezer paper? I've not heard of it. Does it stick to the back of the fabric?
A x

Samantha Ball - aka (Craftychick74) said...

Thanks for sharing your home as well as your desks. I love the little clothes on the hangers!

Happy Crafting
Sam xx # 51

Marjo said...

Awesome post, thanks for sharing pics of your home. Love your craft space.

Hugs, Marjo #45

Susan said...

Thanks for sharing Elizabeth. Where's Bleubeard?
Happy WOYWW!
Susan xxox #13

Gez Butterworth said...

Good morning *waves* hello :) I had to smile at your kind words about me. Thank you so much.xx
I am in awe of your mahoosive tub of Gesso. I definately need one that size! I do love your dresses. What a fab idea to hang them all up. :) Loving the look of your fabric pages & can't wait to see your Christmas tip-ins. Off to find your rocking horses. Keep warm. Hugs Gez.xx

donnalouiserodgers said...

Small? you have acres of space...

get yourself a seven footer and put it in the middle of the floor...

hee hee

dx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh the dresses look great - so deserving a display like that! Your home is so warm and welcoming, will be back later to show MR D your lovely wooden furniture, as a cabinet maker, he's very interested in styles. Love your little trees - the three in a neat row on the bureau are my current faves!

sandra de said...

thanks for sharing the pics of your house and lovely decorations. Can't see bluebeard roaming around. DH (who happened to pass by and only noticed one thing) is curious about the Route 66 album? book? Give us a clue?

Joey said...

ooooh I love your rug!!! gorgeous greens. Argh I hate it when the internet gets disrupted through no fault of your own! glad you have it now. Joey #29 x

Esther said...

oohh...Thanks for sharing pics of your home as well as your desk, what a gorgeous collection of things you have..makes me want to pop round and explore!! I love the stamp you have ready, I haven't tried making my own stamp pad yet..it's on my 'get round to it soon' list ! Glad you have the internet back..Happy WOYWW..Esther xx

Zue said...

I think it is a good idea to use the same stamp over and over. I do the same thing, it provides endless possibilities and concentrates the mind.
Your house does not look small to me... the tree in the window is well-dressed and very pretty.
How annoying having no internet!! We rely on it more than we think..it is a lifeline and just think how much of our daily lives we communicate using it!
Have a lovely day
sue xx 70

oneoff said...

You have a lovely home - there is so much to look at, and you are always so busy with your makes. I love the dresses hung on the wall; it would be a real shame to hide them away. Sorry to hear that you've been without your net connection; it's amazing how much we miss it.

Bernie #81

akilli melek said...

ELizabeth your place looks lovely. I need to go get a tree of some description. I promised i would decorate the villa this year, but to date...no decorations, Shameful! Must do better.

Hope you are well
caroline #86

Cardarian said...

Oh what a lovely home, it doesn't look small to me - mine is tiny in comparison with yours! Your dresses are lovely and so are your covers for your books! Everything is perfect!
Always love the snoop around your blog!
Hugs
Cardarian

Morti said...

Fab home, lovely trees and great work - sending a scratch behind the ears to Bleubeard!

Halle said...

I really like how you have the dresses displayed. Also love the cabinet by your dining table...I think I've mentioned that before!

elle said...

The line of dresses is a smashing idea; way better than stuffed in a closet! ;)

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Fab home, it doesn't look small at all. Love the furniture you have and the trees are fantastic.

Hugs
Maarit 37#

Tammy Freiborg said...

Fantastic display of your dress creations! You home feels cozy and warm, a lovely place!

Anonymous said...

Lovely dispaly of dresses - what are they for or have I missed something important about them. You're very kind to let us snoop in your home as wellas at your workdesk.
x Tricia (78)

JoZart Designs said...

Your home looks a lot bigger than the average English room sizes. Very cosy and welcoming too.
I love the line of dresses. They'd make a great Advent Calendar with a pocket on each one to hold a daily treat!
JoZarty x

Scrapcollectr said...

Busy busy! I gotta throw some stuff off a space to set up the sewing machine I bought probably 5 years ago. Lol. Seeing yours being used makes me itchy to do so. Enjoy your winter days of crafting! *smile*

Scrapcollectr said...

PS I'm #23 this week and I posted at 1:30 am EST! *smile*

~*~Patty S said...

such a great post E!
super pics of your pretty house and I adore your Dress Up garland/banner...they look fabulous hanging all together!
oxo

Elizabeth said...

Love the display of the dresses - they look great strung out like that. One of my favourite Wednesday pastimes has become 'spot the rocking horse' and today I'm delighted to see that more than a few have made an appearance. Thanks, Elizabeth #95

Dragon said...

Loving all this creativity and the line of dresses is fab!!
Frankie
x

Sue said...

Hi ya hun
great post, luv all them frocks, oh ive never tried printing on material, i luv your room, so warm with all that lovely wood, sorry im late tad hungover today on just able to focus on me keys! lol, sue,xx

Carola Bartz said...

Thanks for letting us take a peek into your home! I love those dresses, they're so neat! And you seem to be very busy, glad you're back on electricity and internet - not having those wouldn't be any fun for me either.

Rhonda said...

Elizabeth, your home looks so compfy! So much eye candy! The little dresses are precious! Bluebeard must have been sleeping somewhere when you took your photos? Have a great rest of your week. Stay warm. Happy WOYWW! #11

Serendipity Stamping said...

This is a truly heartwarming picture of your home. Thank you for inviting all of us in for a visit. Love the dresses! Keep warm.

Tracy Evans said...

I've just realised how nosy I am, I had my head so close to the computer then nosing at your lovely warm welcoming home and not so small in my opinion LOL. Love the trees and the rocking horses oh and all the fabric on your desk today, wish I could so professionally. Love the wooden stamp on your desk too. Have a lovely day, Tracy Evans x x

Kath Stewart said...

thanks for the crafty snoop..thanks for the crafty snoop...what a busy desk...hugs kath xxx No 47

Stressed Stamper said...

Your horses remind me of the books "Where Whalley" you may need to google it...basically a picture with loads going on and its spot the man on the page who is called whalley....drives me mad.
Happy WOYWW
Sarah - Stressed Stamper#17

Carol D said...

Very pretty room and a nice tidy desk, love the little dress's.

Hugs Carol #61

She Who Doodles said...

hope you weren't without electricity for too long. thanks for sharing your cozy home with us. it's nice to see into other's homes. looks very cozy and comfy.

Pam said...

Lovely peek around your house this week. Hugs Pam x

Anne said...

loved my visit today Elizabeth.The dresses are fab and all the goodies to play with including a sewing machine --yay !!!
Hugs Anne xxx

Anonymous said...

Always such a great snoop Elizabeth, I love the peak inside your home, looks like you have a long room that you've broken up with the placement of the furniture. Love that Mission style writing desk, and I didn't realise how big those dresses were! I like the TH felt pad idea, he did that again for on of his tags this year. Have a great week, can't believe I'm here on a Wednesday!!

Hugs
Brenda 83

karen said...

Love your home! Thanks for the peek! Great idea to have multiple little xmas trees! I look forward to seeing the journal covers when you are done!
xoxo
Karen

peggy aplSEEDS said...

thanks for letting us take a peek at your lovely home (not small to me). i love your furniture and all the other decorations!

i just noticed that your comments are numbered. is there an easy way to do this?

Ciara said...

Great photos for us to snoop at, your home looks lovely. I will have to inspect further and find all the rocking horses - just like Where's Wally!

Ciara
xx

Twiglet said...

A lovely peak into your Christmassy home - thanks for sharing.

Tuire Flemming said...

Hello from cold and dark and snowy Finland! Those dresses looks very nice :)

Diane said...

I love visiting everyone's home at Christmas time. Alot of the bloggers are opening up their homes--I should get into gear, shouldn't I--Christmas will be here before you know it!

Alisonw30 said...

Thanks for showing us round your home! I really must get on with putting my decorations up, hubby got them out of the attic last week but with the hassle of the snow I just haven't been in the mood! Will try and do it Saturday so I can display on my blog next Wednesday!

Have a great week/weekend!

Alison x

HeARTworks said...

That is definitely not a small house! And what a great colorful swag the dresses make! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Sherry said...

Hi Elizabeth, your home looks lovely and it really doesn't look small at all! You made your photos lovely and bright, we'd never have guessed it was dark and gloomy outside. Glad you got your internet connection back, it's so horrible when we lose it!

All your dresses look great hanging up and you can see them all at once.

Thanks for already visiting my desk this week!

Take care,

Sherry (108)

Gaby Bee said...

Thanks for letting us take a peek at your lovely home. It looks so warm and welcoming. Love your craft space and all the beautiful little dresses
and how you have displayed them! But I missed Bleubeard...

Ali said...

Thanks for the glimpse of not only your desk but your home as well! :)

Oh and that wood-mounted stamp on your desk looks lovely...

Ali #96

Minxy said...

Your place looks just charming, i like ickle trees

lisa said...

You're a very busy lady by the looks of things. I see inks on your desk, it all sounds very interesting. You must show us the finished article.
I hope you get your power sorted,if Winter is taking hold, that's one thing you definitely need.
What a beautiful house you have and your little tree is so cute.
Hugs Lisa (106)

Angela Toucan said...

your place looks bigger than mine.

The sewing is looking great I'm, sure the journals will be a big success. And the tartan dresses are wonderful.

be blessed
from Angela #69

Anonymous said...

Printing your own fabric? That's just too cool for school! I print on shrink plastic, but I think I have to try this now too.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me.
cheers, rachel #40

Nicky said...

Lovely craft space and what a lovely glimpse into your home it looks so warm and cosy love the furniture ~ Nicky 16

Lothian Crafts said...

I love your row of dresses. Thanks for a look round your home.
Elaine