Jeudi Journal - vacation

 "I need a six month vacation twice a year" is the quote for this week from Tim Holtz' Snarky Comments and we are meeting up once again with Ivy who works for Santa in the Accounts department.  Once more we have a snowy scene so that we can enter this into Jo's "Snowy Winter" theme over at Art Journal Journey. This time I have used an elf from PaperArtsy as I cannot find my Dylusion ones anywhere.  Hopefully for next week they will turn up.  It's chaos in my craftroom as I've been rushing to get all my Christmas cards done and out in the mail.  It's an absolute mess!  My story continues from last week in a way.

"It was late and just a few days before Christmas when Ivy stood down the road from Santa's workshop waiting for her friend Holly to walk home when she noticed one of the elves standing just a tiny bit lower down and he appeared to be wearing a sandwich board.

"What are you doing?" she enquired as she got closer to the little elf, "and why are you wearing a sandwich board?"

"Oh" said the little elf, "Holly will probably tell you all about it."

"Tell me all about what?" asked Ivy, "surely you can tell me, you know who I am, Ivy from accounts"

"Well" said the little elf, "It's Leo you know, the lazy elf.  He's handed in his notice.  We all thought it a bit off as we are getting so close to Christmas and when we asked him what he was doing he just said "I need a six month vacation, twice a year" and with that he took off."

"What do you mean, he took off?"

"He just hung up his hat and walked out of the door.  The chief elf was angry and I think he had a word with Santa who was most upset.  Mrs Claus had just finished baking another load of gingerbread for us when all this happened, it put her in a right spin I can tell you."

"Poor Santa" said Ivy, "So that is why you are wearing that sandwich board, you are looking for someone to take his place.  I guess Holly might have to work a bit later in the purchasing office to help out,  I think I will go back inside and see if I can help."

"Could you ask Phil if he can come and take over from me" shouted the little elf, "It's awfully cold standing here and my knees are knocking - Santa did say we should only do ten minute shifts outside,"

And with that Ivy walked back into work to see if she could help out.  There was no way any little boys and girls were going to miss out on a visit from Santa if she could help it."

I hope you are all nearly ready for Christmas if you celebrate it - only ten more days to go!  Oh heck!

WOYWW 706

Another Wednesday has come around so quickly and that means another day for showing what is on our workdesks to all the WOYWW gang be it a lot or a little, and now, it is also another day closer to Christmas.  Today is the last day for posting Christmas Cards and as you can see I have been hastily making more.  I found I had not enough to send out and the commercial ones did not work for some people.

I really must apologise to you all for my blog post last week.  I should not have told you all about the trouble I was having with nasty emails but I had had another that morning and was really down.  I only try to give of my best especially when I am wearing my chair persons hat and to be so criticised for something that really was not anything to do with me hurt.  I am so sorry I blogged it all.  I was not in a good place but thanks for all the messages of support.  What a tonic you are.

Sadly I did not make it to the party as it so happened.  We had 3.5" of snow in our area and as I do not drive nowadays it meant I had to be taken and the car had to make a trip of 4 journeys which I felt was unfair for my other half.  I would have worried all the time about him travelling up and down the motorway (40-45 minutes each way), especially as it was snowing when we left.  So I called and dropped off all the things I had to take and came home.  The majority were lovely and said they fully understood why I could not stay.  I really regretted it but had peace of mind re my better half.

My desk showing some commercial cards, my marker pens bundled together with a band, my latest batch of four other cards and a couple of favourite books I had given to me on Saturday.  I love the stories about these cats and I will curl up over Christmas with them and read and read.

My small table which I use to stamp on is covered with a mass of things at the moment including my laptop which I used for getting this post out to you.

My dirty "binkie" (cloth for wiping my stamps on) a grubby baby wipe (also for cleaning stamps) some Oxides, other inkpads and those make up brushes I used for the cards above.  The plastic box has my used verse type stamps in and the black box is a hairdryer that does not blow hot, only cold.  I thought it might work on something in my craft room?  I needs a home finding.

So that is it for this week.  Hopefully I will have something good for you to see next time as I have one or two workshops saved for me to do when all the cards and gifts are out of the way.  See you next week hopefully.

Jeudi Journal - Email (a nice fictitious one)

 "It was a lovely winter's night when Holly and Ivy were walking home from Santa's office where they worked in the North Pole.  They had met outside because both girls worked in different departments, Holly working in purchasing and Ivy in accounts, but, as they lived close to one another they often walked along the edge of the wood to get home.  It was always better when they could walk together and have a chat.  Ivy had been admiring Holly's new beret which was decorated much like a ladybug.

"Oh, it was one of the reps from Hamley's in London who gave it to me.  She said they are all the rage there and thought it was a nice bright red so I would like it."

"Well, it really suits you" replied Ivy.  "Have you noticed my new cape?  I decided it was a good idea to wear it to and from work so that my hands could be covered and I wouldn't get cold"

"Yes, I had"  Holly said, "I noticed it straight away and was going to mention it to you but to be honest I am feeling a bit disgruntled.  I survived another meeting that should have been an email.  Honestly at times Mrs Claus goes on and on."

"And here am I envying you working in purchasing whilst I juggle figures all day" said Ivy, "I thought it would  be  fun dealing  with all the ordering of the toys for  the children  and meeting up  with important people from all over the world to distribute them."

"Yes it is, but oh those meetings we have.  This one went on and on, through my break as usual, and it does get a little tiring.  I wouldn't swap it for any other department though and Mrs Claus can be a perfect sweetie, in fact she is a perfect sweetie but she does like her meetings."

"Guess it all comes from Mr Claus wanting to get it perfect for all the little boys and girls, and don't forget, we do get good holidays."

And with that the two girls went on their way  home talking about the usual - fashion!"

This was a delight to do and quite a quick page and story as I have had so much on that I completely forgot what day it was and had to do it in a rush this morning.  I'd no idea what to do but seeing the lovely Jo, the Guest Host over at Art Journal Journey wanted a snowy winter scene, I decided to use some hill masks and create snow drifts at the base of my page.  A blue sky with a moon in the corner and some fir trees stamped in London Fog to give a misty look, a 'bashing' of my Posca White Pen for snowflakes and the background was done.  A couple of figures and a wandering mind whilst colouring them in meant the story was forming.  I don't know where their names came from but suddenly Holly and Ivy were born and as it grew they worked for Santa.

I hope you enjoyed my little journey leading up to Christmas, we are doing the tree today so some Gluhwein and a Mince pie will be in order around 11 am.  Have a nice day yourselves and think about a snowy scene for Art Journal Journey

Welcome to my new followers, sorry I just noticed you all.  Welcome to "The Happy Whisk', to Bobbie, Sylvia and Barb, I hope you enjoy my little stories and peeks into the depths of my craft room.

WOYWW 705

Another week has flown by and my Christmas cards are done and ready to send (those going abroad are gone, hopefully not lying in a sorting office somewhere in  the UK).  Such a worrying time in a way, to send or not to send is the question.  Are they going to arrive for Christmas or are they all going to be delivered some time in the new year if at all.

Not having a good time of anything at the moment.  My bil, in Oz, was diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier this year.  Has undergone intensive chemo then a spell in another city (they had to go and live there for five weeks) of intensive chemo and radio therapy at the same time.  On return he was informed the tumour has not shrunk but equally the cancer has not masticated.   Surgery was scheduled for November, the surgeon came down with Covid, so it had to be cancelled.  Yesterday he went in for the operation and when he went in for anaesthesia it was cancelled again because the hospital was on fire.  My little sis sent photos of him in his hospital gown, hat and slippers stood outside!  She's decided they are jinxed.

Last Friday a panel in our kitchen peeled (laminate peeled away from the backing).  This happened once before and they replaced the offending panels.  They have agreed to replace the panel this last time but we have to pay the fitter £100.  Saturday I switched the washer on, it was dead, I pushed the button again and the whole thing caved in.  Irreparable.  New washer arriving Monday.  Sunday I was using my new circle cutter (£25) for the very first time and a tiny important bit broke clean off.  Monday we were out shopping when the phone went from the caravan park.  The antifreeze level shows it needs topping up - approximately £200.  Happy Christmas!!!

This is not to mention the nasty emails (yes to the person who knows about the first one, I had another, yesterday) I have been getting from a member of our craft club who has obviously decided to use me as a scapegoat despite the fact that I am one of four members organising the Christmas party.

So you see, not a good week.  Here is my desk with my cards on display waiting for the envelopes to be done.  

and this (below) is the stuff I have to take to the club on Saturday - my box for my Make & Take

These are prizes for the raffle, Secret Santa gifts, my passing the parcel game which includes a gift for everyone, a birthday present for a friend, and a steamer which is not for the party but which Chas is using at the moment for his coughing spells.  Sorry that snuck in.

For now I will enjoy reading what all the deskers on WOYWW have been up to and do the card envelopes tomorrow, have a glass of  Gluhwein and put the tree up with my lovely other half.  Oh, and marzipan our Christmas cake.

Jeudi Journal - Shhhh No One Cares

"It was a lovely crisp night early in December when Hilary and her best friend Sophie went out to the Christmas Markets in and around their local town.  The two girls had both had a busy day at work and met up when they finished for the day to have some fun, and buy some presents, at the Market. 

All around them was lit up, the stalls were suitably decorated with little winter scenes on the tops of them and the things they were selling were adorable.  Little glass baubles to decorate the trees, lovely tiny scenes painted on tea light holders, nutcrackers in their various military like uniforms, even pans to bake Christmas shaped cakes and cookies in were hanging from some of the stalls.  It really was a 'winter wonderland' as the girls walked around.

Despite it being night time with all the various Christmas lights and the lights from the stalls it wasn't dark at all.  A lovely starry evening for all to enjoy.  Of course there were also the stalls selling food and that had been the first place the girls had gone to.  They were hungry after the days work and so the traditional German Fayre was on hand for all.  

Along the way Sophie bought lots of decorations for their new tree at home.  She wanted to decorate it in the traditional German toys that one saw on the internet, and Hilary decided to buy some lovely little tea light things and some huge stars to hang from the ceiling.  Ooh, it was going to be a very special Christmas, the first one in their new flat since leaving home.

Oh dear, the Bratwurst smelled lovely.  They had not eaten and so the two of them had to have a Bratwurst with lashings of mustard, or ketchup in Sophie's case.  Needing something to drink they decided to try the Gluhwein.  Neither girl had had it but had heard so much about it.

And so the evening went on.  A mixture of shopping, eating and drinking that hot mulled wine, what fun they were having.  Suddenly Sophie turned to her friend and said "I feel a bit tipsy".

"Don't be silly" said Hilary, "you've only had two glasses".

"No, seriously I do", replied Sophie and her legs did seem to be buckling a bit as she walked.  "What will people think?" she asked.  "They will think I am drunk.  What if someone from work sees me?  They will all be talking about me tomorrow."

"Shhhh .. No one cares" said Hilary, "let's get you home, it's obvious you are not made for alcohol and maybe that second one was too much on an empty stomach.  It's never happened before so that's probably it."  

And with that the two girls made their way home with all manner of Christmas goodies.  

This was a quickie!  I got up early to see if the new theme at Art Journal Journey was yet up and ready.  What a lovely scene greeted me as I saw Jo's 'Snowy Scene'.  Quickly I grabbed a starry stencil (Aall & Create) and rubbed some Peacock Feathers Distress Ink through to resemble the stars that were in the sky and on the various stalls in the Christmas Market.  A quick search through my Dylusion ladies and I came up with these two and whilst colouring them in I thought about the bare bones of my story.  It was to be Christmas Markets, I had only been talking about them the day before with a friend.  I used to love visiting the various ones in Germany, Dusseldorf being my first and therefore favourite.

And so you have it - a quick story and journal page for Art Journal Journey.  Sorry the whole border was not caught in the scan.  Why not pop along and join in.  Oh, the snarky comment from Tim Holtz stickers this week was "Shhhh ... no one cares". Did you spot it?

WOYWW 704

 Got up at silly o'clock to do this blog post.  Yes, I had forgotten all about what day it was - that is yesterday.  I had so much on my mind and had been busy doing my Make & Take for the club and the Christmas Party.  I just hadn't been able to think what to do and so I had done three tags (sort of Finnabair style) but my head had not been in the right place and so they had not gone according to plan.  The grey board was not really thick enough so they had a tendency to warp when paint was applied.  The whole plan was thrown out of the window.

So it was back to square one when I suddenly found something and I was away.  I had been given some air pods.  Really good ones, (air pod Pro?) and it was great because I was able to have a whole conversation on the phone whilst chopping the card up.  Even go and make a cuppa.  (Me and technology - talk about granny gets updated!)  So basically I am nearly there, well on the way but, me being me, I had tidied everything as I went. along and my desk was empty.  Nothing!  Nada! Zilch|!

In an attempt to foil you I hurriedly put my Christmas cards and my box of bits, in case I want to make more (still to make the 'specials"), on my table.  They just want inners and then that is it - the 'overseas' ones have gone, hurrah! Here then is my table:

and here are my top two shelves on a cupboard

At the top left are some boxes I made at a workshop, then one I was going to do years ago for a workshop, not a clue about the big white box, the ''world' showing where Flat Susan visited and my eyelet box. Underneath on the actual shelves are my colouring mediums, pens, brushes, sprays etc.  The brown thing next to the silver tin is my spray booth.  Had it years, bought for about £5 at cha once.  The box with all colours on it is where my Promarkers are stored - two Felix boxes decorated up.  The top has obviously been used to test out pens at some time.

Below is where my journals are stored.  The trays on the left have some small ones on, then there are others stood up (and many more behind).  That's another Felix box, the only one I have left and ready to decorate/paint.  They make great storage boxes.  The white box that used to have a Cornish Cream Tea inside is what I travel with, fill it with goodies to take away with me to stop the boredom.

Maybe we will go down another layer next week but for now that is it.  I am off back to bed so I will see you some time later in the morning over at Julia's for our weekly desk snoop.  CU Later! xx

Jeudi Journal - Nosey

 "Excuse me - here is your nose ... I found it in my business." is the quote being used today along with the thee at Art Journal Journey chosen by Elizabeth and Bleubeard "Collage Fodder, Food and Drink, or Both."  I think it is a lovely quote and one which I am sure lots of us have wanted to use in the past with someone who is always poking around in our affairs.

"Emma Parker was aptly named - she knew everybody's business and if she didn't, she made certain she would find out.  As you can no doubt guess she was known as Nosy Parker by al the neighbours, especially when they saw her lace curtains twitching and her nose peering out.

It was a sunny autumnal day when Sally was out walking her dog and she saw Emma peering through her curtains.   She decided to give her a wave and let her know she had seen her.  And so, without a further ado Sally waved and mouthed "Morning" to Emma.

Now Emma was a bit put out to say the least and she went to the door, opened it and went out into the road to have a word with this 'rude' neighbour of hers.  "I hope you have got a doggy bag with you, I don't want your dog fouling my pavement" she said brusquely to Sally who had stopped to let Brutus sniff at something.  "There's too many dog walkers thinking they have the right to walk past my house leaving dirty parcels for me to clean up."

Sally went bright red.  She wished now that she had just ignored the nosey parker and gone on walking.  "I beg your pardon," said Sally, "but my dog has never fouled your pavement, besides which it is on a main road and therefore the road does not belong to you, it is actually council property.  And what is furthermore I DO have a poo bag with me in case of an incident."

"You are all the same, you dog walkers" went on Emma, "why you have a dog I will never know, you have three kids and I would have thought that was enough for anyone.  Heavens knows what state your own house and garden is in.  I hope I never know."

Well, that was a bit too much for Sally, but being the polite young woman she was she simply replied "Excuse me, here is your nose - I found it in my business" and with that she calmly walked on."

I am enjoying these borders, Teesha Moore style, and so I have done one again.  It covers Elizabeth and Bleubeard's  "Collage Fodder, Food and Drink, or both" so easily.  I have tried to include lots of food and drink in my border and then counted my fussy cut figures as collage too.  There's still plenty of time to join in, why don't you pop over to AJJ and give it a try.