Wednesday, July 7, 2010

WOYWW 57 (Whats on your work table Wednesday?)

What's on YOUR work table today? Do you like this? Go here to create you own (thanks Tess for the link).

Bleubeard never looked so good. Of course, you realize this is not my real work desk or my computer, or even my mouse. My coffee would be whiter, there would be no cat treats, and there would be no messes.

I realize my space is boring, but this week I've been working in my garden, discharging fabric, and getting bids on my porch. Last week's slog of duties included administering a swap and helping a friend clean her house, so I have nothing on my (as usual always) clean work table. Since you didn't come to see a computer generated Bleubeard, or see my work table empty again, I would never let Julia, keeper of the links, down . . .

so that's why I thought I'd let you look peek investigate snoop inside this cabinet this week. And yes, I'm old school when it comes to electronics. I far prefer a VCR to a DVD player or TiVO.

The top shelf has bits of things, including bamboo skewers and chop sticks (for piano hinge books), some distress crackle I hate, and those finger dabbers for spreading ink onto stencils. I also have a pressing cloth and some clean up towels. Although it looks like I have lots of glue, these are glue sticks that have no more glue in them, EXCEPT in the very bottom. You know, that tiny bit left in the very bottom below the gluing surface. I save them, and when I am not on some kind of deadline and need a bit of glue, I dig the last of the glue out using a bamboo skewer.

The bottom shelf on this side has a three drawer storage unit I got out of the trash. It has a seriously broken bottom and taped bottom drawer, but it is perfect for me (and was free, too). Sitting on top of the unit is a printing kit, a piece of plexiglass for monoprinting, and my clear acrylic blocks for unmounted stamps.

The bottom drawer (that's what we call them in the States, but I see some of you gals call them "draws") hold embossing powder (ep), most of which I got at a garage sale a few years back. I also store rub-n-buff there, also from that same rummage sale.

Here's an organization tip: store your ep containers upside down and you'll never have to hunt for the color. I don't try to keep them sorted by light and dark colors because I don't have enough colors to worry about it.

This and the middle drawer house my ink pads. I have no good way to store them, most of which I picked up for $0.25 (about 0. 17 GB pound or 0.20 EUR) each at the same garage sale. I got the Stampin' Up pads (have green, yellow, and pink in the other drawer, and blue, which you can see on the right), which are WORTHLESS, because the pads are recessed, after having a party about 5 years ago.

For the left side, on the top shelf, I have foam stamps stored in the blue container, along with some penscore and other sponges. I have at most 8 foam stamps. I'm simply not a stamper, yet I have so many supplies I could be using if I learned how to stamp. A stapler and some colored staples are stored there, too.

In the three drawer container on the bottom shelf, I keep tags I've made in the top drawer, and eye glasses in the middle and bottom. I also keep my "date" and "received" stamps on that shelf. Below it, hopefully hidden from view unless you are at Bleubeard's eye level, are some board game boxes that contain various game pieces and playing cards.

Also, if you are at Bleubeard's eye level, you can see one of four anti-static mats I use to cover the carpet.

I think I've taken up enough of your time today. I hope I wasn't too long winded. Hope you enjoyed the snoop. I'll be out a good part of the day today (bookstore and thrift store), but hope to visit everyone later tonight or tomorrow. I had a major internet meltdown last week and lost count of where I had visited. I tried to catch up, but I kept losing power and had to reboot. Not fun when trying to keep track of 129 names.

My blog choice today is another WOYWWer. Penni welcomed me from the beginning and has always left nice comments, even though our art choices are as different as night and day. You see, Penni is a rubber stamper, a design team member for Spesch Designs, stamps that I would never have given a second thought to, had it not been for Penni, and a colorer (is that a word?) who uses Copics and Promarkers with an extremely deft and skillful hand. We all know I have none of these. And of course, Penni works with paper, never fabric. So why did I choose her blog today? Well her gracious comments and the name of her blog, which is Lazy Cats Cards of course. And her two adorable cats, Pablo and Thomas, are always getting into something, which makes her posts so fun to read and her lovely photos so fun to appreciate. I always laugh when I read Penni's posts. You will too! So be sure to stop by and see Penni, Thomas, and Pablo today. I know Bleubeard will be checking out their antics.

73 thoughtful remarks:

Minxy said...

Your draws look about as full as mine are.. it must just a crafter thing lol.. loving the cat desk, very funny
happy woyww

Lothian Crafts said...

Love your fake picture especially the way the cat has a paw on the mouse. Geat drawers thanks for showing me them.
Elaine

TinaB said...

Cat on the computer! So funny lol xxx

cheryl said...

great picture of the cat he he,lots of great crafting goodies,too and also another one who likes a mug of coffee when crafting,hugs cheryl xxxxx

Helen said...

Great post today! Have a good one.

Tracey said...

Lovely "fake" desk lol. You are very organised and thanks for the tip.

Tracey

Sue said...

Hi Great piccies, luv the top one with the pussy cat working a mouse,very clever.
lovely tidy drawers, thanks for the upside down tip, have good day, sue,x

Yvonne said...

Good tip about turning pots over .. see with my glitters, was more fun glueiing a bit to the lid ( anything to play) and get glittery , lol

jude said...

wow your draws look well stocked and loads to choose from hun!Love the first piccy have great wednesday
hugs judex

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

great drawers! but much too tidy for me, like a rummage!! lol mind you I cannot talk! mine are perfectly tidy and have stayed that way since a few weeks ago.. is that because I haven't made art!?
Hugs

Nicks said...

cool drawers, maybe i will show mine next week, though my workdesk is messy my drawers are tidy!

Annie said...

Love all your fab storage. Love the cat pic :-)
A x

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the nosey in your drawers!! off to look at Bleubeard's page (how cute!) xo

Chrissie said...

I can empathise with computer probs, mine is playing all sorts of games with me!
Love the contents of your drawers.. if you don't mind my saying so!
Chrissie

Hazel (Didos) said...

WOW very organised. Thanks for sharing, Love Hazelxoxo

Cardarian said...

YIPEEE! We finally got to see your workspace and drawers - not boring at all!!!! Ha, ha....Lovely snoop! I think you need that mouse pad!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Unknown said...

Fab post and your desk is never boring!

Mummylade said...

I loved the snoop today!

Joey said...

Hi
Thankyou for the snoop :O) I spied Monopoly I love Monoploy my lot wont play it with me as I am too competitive with it yeah right! lol, And all those embossing powders! thats lots! lol.
Joey.x

Anneliese said...

this is not boring .. this is beautifully organised :D x

donnalouiserodgers said...

oooh gonna look up piano hinge books...excellent snooping opportunities will look again later....

Enfys said...

Ooh, I really enjoyed my browse around your crafty space....
big hugs
En

Scrapcat 1 said...

thanks for the excellent snoop

Unknown said...

Thank you for the peeks at your supplies! You'd have to keel over if you saw the state mine are in....tho in my defense, my supplies are constantly being rummaged by my kids (also artists:)) I love the first image with the cat's paw on the mouse- so FUN!

Halle said...

Wow...you definitely have more EP than me! You really should learn to stamp!!!

Diane said...

Oooh, I could have fun in those drawers!! And hey, if you don't want the distress crackle paint, I'll take it--I love it!!

HeARTworks said...

We're exactly the same about those glue sticks! And I also use bamboo skewers! :^) Patsy from
HeARTworks

Diane said...

Good storage idea for ep....never thought of that

Cath said...

Great nose around, the cat is fine a quick op and hes up and about again.

Cathx

Anonymous said...

Loads of stuff in those drawers, quite amazing for a non stamper.

Hugs
Brenda

Margaret said...

Love the kitty cat pic and am so impressed at your organization! Margaret

Darcy Marshall said...

wow great show and tell today, so much to look at. I do store my ink pads upside down, but never thought to keep embossing powder that way.

we still have our old vcr even though it's not been used in years, in fact I think we also still have the old betamax one.

Tammy Freiborg said...

Love the cat paw on mouse!! Never enough storage space - you know how to fill yours! I think I see two stamp pads that need to be flipped upside down?! ;-)

Create With Joy said...

Enjoyed your post - be sure to stop by when you have a moment, there's a surprise for you on mine!

Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

Charlie said...

Thanks for visiting I love it when there is a reason for me to blog in English as well as Danish. And thanks for the guided tour of your place - cute cat. =0)

Unknown said...

Always enjoy the snoop around your wonderful goodies

Love Dawn xx

Sam said...

great tip for the embossing powders hun, cheers off now to turn them all upside down....oh and while I'm here I'll check out those books from last week too.
Sam x

Anonymous said...

The cat on the puter pic is brilliant! Thanks for sharing the contents of your drawers too! Ooer! Lol!

shaz earl said...

Great storage space and the cat in the picture if fab thanks for the snoop x

~*~Patty said...

it must be nice to not have to waste time searching for things ... with your organization you know where everything is!

of course when I do go searching I find the most wonderful surprises ... ;)

Happy Wednesday to ya Elizabeth!
oxo

kayc said...

Thanks for the tip. Great work space. Kathleen x

Angie said...

Had to smile at your tip about turning the pots up side down ....so simple ...but most of us dont do it.
Thanks for the rummage through your drawers.

Spyder said...

I think I might get my draws out next week or my boxes..I must be brave and show them! (quick tidy first tho I think! >'-'<
(Lyn)) now going to try your link

Aisling said...

Thanks for the snoop! It's such a pitty that you're not into stamping, for there are so many interesting techniques to learn! Maybe one day... I still have a lot to explore, but I'm sure one day I will apply myself to techniques involving fabric, acrylic paints and altered objects. It's so fun to learn and to combine everything.

Penni said...

Love that first picture - it did make me chuckle. You really are very organised, and I love Bleubeard's Eye Level View too.

Thank you for the lovely things you've said about me, my cats and my blog. You really are too kind.

Have a good week.

Hugs
Penni
X

minnie_mac said...

Thanks for a most interesting snoop.

Claire said...

Very tidy workspace, I don't think its possible to have too many embossing powders lol
C
xx

JoZart Designs said...

That is one seriously gorgeous puss and you have a lovely stash of goodies. Thanks for the ogle and thanks for your comments!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Loved the fake desk and cat etc, made me smile. I do like your tidy and well organised space it's fab. Your embossing powders are very well organised and a very good tip about storing them so you can see the colours. Have a lovely evening, Tracy Evans x

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

Fab snoop today very organised. Loved the fake desk picture!!
Hope you had a good day shopping.

xx

Twiglet said...

Lots of well orgainised stuff - if only I knew what to do with it all!!

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah, but you so nearly are a stamper....have you heard of or seen Hot Potatos stamps? They are designed pecifically for stamping on fabrics..bold solid designs..yum. You are incredibly tidy and organised...I MIGHT be moved to show the innards of one of my cupboards...I might. Love the idea that Bleubeard has never looked so good...I wonder if he agrees!

Sew This N That said...

I got half way down and wondered why on earth would you store your ep's upside down! Now I know, what a great idea! I have mine in an old biscuit tin....lids facing up I may had...all white and no clue whats inside lol.
Great pic share hun :0)
*hugs* Heather x

Candace said...

So loving the mouse mat, or should we re-name it a cat mat?

Such an array of pots of powders and inks, lucky you. that is one thing where my stash lacks, inks. mmmmm, feel a stash buy coming

Candace

Kay said...

Thanks for the snoop around. I can't get along with distress crackle either.. I use viva transparent croco instead which makes much better cracks.

Lizzybobs said...

storage is important but having it sorted out is great love your area - thanks for commenting on my desk liz

Michelle said...

Thank you for the tour! I love snooping around.
Thanks for sharing
Happy WOYWW
hugs
Michelle
xx

craftimamma said...

You have so much lovely stamping gear. You really must start stamping. Er, I'm from over the pond and when I went to school 'draws' meant to use a pencil or somesuch and the things you put your craft goodies in are, as you say, 'drawers'! I can only think they nolonger teach spelling in our schools, Lol!

Thanks for letting us snoop in your 'drawers'.

Lesley Xx

Foil Play said...

Thank you for the detailed snoop :-)

That sounds like a successful rummage sale, a few years back!

Mary S. Hunt said...

ha
you are way more organized of space than me...and you have great stuff!

Anonymous said...

I am a big snoop and I loved the peek at your storage stashes. I had to laugh at the picture of the games on the floor. I often wonder how the world looks to my cats - particularly as they are so often shown the stuff I don't know where else to store (like Monopoly, bingo, and Life, heh heh) Confession: today I bought the children's game, Memory. (sale price, duh) If you've forgotten it, I'm telling you: Revisit it! It's so superly fun!
Amy

Lynn Cohen said...

YOu get so many comments I almost feel guilty leaving you one more to read! You are NEAT!
This impresses me. I am going to try to be neat-er with my new house in gear. We'll see. ;-)

Sarah Anderson said...

Love your first photo, made me smile. And thanks for your warm welcome to WOYWW :) Loved having a snoop in your drawers lol

Sunshine Girl said...

Very organised and I wouldnt worry about having lots of inkpads but not been a stamper I think its craft law that we buy anything "craft" related and hoard it even if we arent going to use it!

Anne said...

oops sorry slap me hands for being late thanks for stopping by & thanks for the tour of your storage drawers fab idea for your paints love the cats eye view now how long did it take to you to get back up off the floor after taking the pic if it was me i'd still be there lol
Anne xx

chrissy xx said...

Wow! your loaded with stash! and sooooo neat.
Love your Mouse mat he looks to be watching the cat that's working the mouse! (if you know what I mean)
Chrissyxx

Kate said...

Fascinating cupboard!

** Kate **

peggy gatto said...

NO space is ever boring to me!!!
thanks for the tips!!!
My desk was so messy I couldn't bear to post this week, feeling overwhelmed!

Jennifer Grace said...

What a lot of lovely stuff you have crammed in there! And a lot of it from garage sales too by the sounds of it - well done bargain hunting!

The cat-at-a-desk pic is so cool. I bet bluebeard has a secret desk somewhere for his masterminding and plotting!

Kathy said...

Great stash pics! Lovely to see inside your drawers - so to speak! hehehe

sparklygirl-Tina said...

Hi thanks for your comments on my blog for WOYWW! The gilded cages are a set of stamps. You can get them from Craftwork Cards. See you next week on WOYWW!

Isabelle Norris said...

lovely soop. Thanks for the tour and thanks for your comment on my blog
isa xx

Linda said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I enjoyed seeing what was inside your space. I also store my embossing powders in a similar drawer unit. Bleubeard is a beautiful cat!