WOYWW More Journals!

Hi all.  I'm so proud of myself!!  I've joined in with WOYWW for three weeks now.  I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.  I haven't taken the time to research Blogger but I'll get there.

I'm joining in with What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Happy crafters share their desks and what they are working on.  To visit others,  join in or find out more detail about this go HERE

I got an invitation to participate in an Arts and Crafts Fair on April 27.  I'm really looking forward to this as I'm the only one (right now) that creates handmade journals.  I'll share more in a separate post.

Here's what my desk looks like:

The rose paper is Anna Griffin.  I love her papers and can usually find them on sale at JoAnn's.  I'll use that piece to cover the front of the gutted book.  The ink pad is my Go To Tim Holtz.  I use it around the edge of the papers to give them that vintage look.  There's a jar of postage stamps, mostly old.

 This is the roll cart closest to my desk.  It has my ink pads, binding supplies, punches and several drawers of paper scraps and vintage graph and music paper.  Someone asked about these carts a few weeks ago.  I got them from Amazon and love them.  They fit 12x12 paper pads and are pretty sturdy.  I didn't have them in the condo so they are new(ish).

Two journals that I've finished.  I'm happy with both of them.  I'll post  my process of reinforcing the old, brittle spines and sewing in the signature Friday.

As always, I'll visit those that end in the same number as me and those that visit me.  Please leave a comment so I know to come calling!  I hope you all have a wonderful day and have a great day crafting!!

Kay

WOYWW 510

Good morning all!  I'm joining in with Julia at Stamping Ground for WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday).  Happy crafters share their desks and what they are working on.  To visit others,  join in or find out more detail about this go HERE

I've been doing a bit of playing in my craft room.  I started working on another journal using a old book.  I love using old books to make a journal.  They have so much character and history.

We are getting another crazy storm.  Yesterday it was raining, which over night turned into sleet and now snow.  I'm ready for spring weather!!

On the left is one of my first journals.  I use it to keep track of measurements, RAKs, etc.  The book underneath my glasses is the book that I gutted and to the right are the three signatures that I'll be sewing in.  I can't wait to have this one finished.  It's a sweet little size.

Here's a closeup of the book.  Isn't it great!  I put the scissors next to it so you can get an idea of the size.  I had to reinforce the spine because it is so fragile.  

Here's a closeup of some of my vintage ephemera that I've collected.  I love looking at it for inspiration.  I'll also start using it!!  haa

Looking out the window this morning.  It's brr cold.  This room doesn't have any heat so I may or may not play today.

Thanks to everyone that visited last week!  I'm getting into the hang of things, slowly but surely.  For those participating in WOYWW, I'll visit those that visit me and those that end in the same number.  It may not be until the weekend but I'll do my best!!

Happy WOYWW,
Kay

WOYWW 509

My how blogger has changed since I last posted!  I have a big learning curve, both by blogger and my new Chromebook.  I tried a laptop and fought with it the last year and a half.  Please be patient with me!!

I thought I'd join in with Julia at Stamping Ground for WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday).  People from all over the world share their desks and what they are working on.  To visit others,  join in or find out more detail about this go HERE

Here's my desk, in all its messiness!

Vintage ephemera and art books.

I have a great selection of scrapbook paper, vintage ledgers, graph paper, etc.  I've been going to thrift stores to purchase those and lined paper to use in my journals.  I've also collected other types of vintage ephemera.  Looking at this photo I feel like I might have gone overboard!!

If you leave a comment and are participating in WOYWW, please leave your number.  I will visit those that visit me and end in the same number as me.

Happy crafting!

Kay

WOYWW 424!

Hello everyone!  I'm joining in with Julia at Stamping Ground for another WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday).  People from all over the world share their desks and what they are working on.  To visit others, join in or find out more detail about this go HERE.

Two more days and I'm retired!!  To celebrate I bought myself a present; a VW convertible. 

I received some beautiful cards for my birthday.  Thank you Nikki, Darnel, Nan and Theresa!

I received a nice gift set from Nikki (we share the same birthday).  A very cool sketching tablet and colored pencils. 

Big plans for the craft room.  I'm going to move my desk to where the blue dresser is and put the dresser over by the window.  I'm so ready to dig in and get dirty!!

As always, I will visit those that end in the same number as me and those that visit (please leave your number).  

Peace,
Kay

 

Friday Smiles

Hello everyone!  It's another great Friday.  I'm joining in with Annie for Friday Smiles.  To join in or see what others are smiling about click  HERE .

I can't believe what I'm doing!  I'm looking at cars.  Whhhaaattt?  Yes, I'm retiring and the best gift just might be this little darling.  I can't wipe the smile off my face.

Confession.  I've had one of these before.  Then I decided that I needed to be more mature and buy a Honda CRV.  More practical, I told myself.  But I just can't get the Bug out of my system!  I'll let you know what I decide to do.

My dad has his knee replaced on Monday.  Yesterday I stayed with him and he's doing remarkably well.  Can you believe he's 80 and will be 81 in October!!

Another smile I had this week was when I spotted a rabbit in my yard.  I also saw a deer drinking from my pond but I didn't get a picture of that.  I wish I had....

 One of my hollyhocks bloomed.  I love the color.

That's my smiles for the week.  Please go visit Annie and others to see what brought smiles to their faces.

Peace,
Kay
 

WOYWW 421

Hello everyone!  I'm joining in with Julia at Stamping Ground for another WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday).  People from all over the world share their desks and what they are working on.  To visit others, join in or find out more detail about this go HERE.

I've been crafting a bit.  I've gotten back into jewelry making.  It's been pretty fun.   I've also been playing in my Carpe Diem Planner.  I keep it opened in my bedroom so I can look at it every morning when I start my day.  I have a smaller planner that I will probably start carrying around with me once I'm retired.

My craft room is a major disaster!!  I'm almost embarrassed to show these pictures.  I didn't work in it at all last weekend or so far this week.  I keep telling myself I'll make "major progress" once I'm no longer working.

My desk area isn't that bad, really.  I'm thinking about changing up my desk to face the door instead of the window.  My furnace is right underneath the window so I'm not sure that I like it the way it is now.

Here's a picture of my Christmas Cactus.  I just love the blooms.

I will visit those that end in the same number as me and also those that visit and leave a comment (please leave your number).  

Peace,
Kay
 

WOYWW 419

Hello my fellow crafty friends!  I'm linking up with Julia at Stamping Ground for WOYWW.  Please check her out and visit other desks HERE.

Lynne shared her shawl pattern with me and I made this.  Sorry about the terrible lighting; I took this last night.  It's a varigated yarn and I really like how it turned out - almost the hombre effect.

I took pictures of my craft room this morning but they aren't showing up on my computer to download.  I'm not sure why because the photo of the deer I took is there.  He was in my backyard this morning, grazing on the tall grass.

His antlers are just coming in and are velvet.  That means my poor little aspen tree will be abused in a few months!

I've been going through my craft room VERY slowly.  My last workday is July 21 and I am telling myself that I'll have plenty of time in the world to get to it!

It may not be until Friday that I'm able to visit (I'm at work now and it's very slow so maybe I'll be able to do it today if things don't pick up).  As always I will visit those that end in the same number as me and those that leave me a comment.

Peace,
Kay

Friday Smiles

Hello everyone!  It's great Friday here.  We've been getting rain almost every day and the plants around the house are doing great.  It's fun to see what blooms!  I'm joining in with Annie for Friday Smiles.  To join in or see what others are smiling about click  HERE .

I've had lots of fun happening this past week.  I was off Wednesday and had a nice day about town.  I found some great finds at the thrift store (will share soon). 

Moon over Los Alamos

Cafe mocha with peppermint

Huevos Rancheros at my favorite restaurant

Entry to my home

I am loving my new home.  The vine above is wisteria.  I need to tie up some of the growth.  From what I understand it hasn't bloomed in the past; I'm hoping it will put on a show for me.

Only twenty three more workdays left!  I can't believe it.  I've worked all my life, before I even had a driver's license!  To say I'm excited and nervous is an understatement!  Yep, life is good.

Here's a funny:

 

 
I'm hoping to have a semi productive weekend.  I really need to get into my craft room and organize!

Have a great weekend.

Peace,
Kay

Friday Smiles

Hello everyone!  It's a lovely Friday here.   I thought I'd join Annie for Friday Smiles.  To join in or see what others are smiling about click  HERE.

I have thirty one more days to work before my retirement!  I am so excited and a little scared.  I can't wait to have more time to do the things I enjoy.  Not working for the man anymore!

My new favorite mug.

I may have not mentioned that I took a sewing class.  I've had a machine for years and never brought it out!  I forced myself to do just that by taking a beginner class.  We made these pillowcases called Burrito Pillowcase.  It was so much fun.

I loved this fabric.  As you can see I was very proud!!

My first pillowcase!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting!  I'm hoping to start blogging on a regular basis - and hopefully keep it up this time.

Peace,
Kay

Images of My Yard

I have been slowly getting comfortable in my new home.  I am almost settled except for my craft room.  You'd think that would be the first room to set up but it's the last.  I'm hoping to retire the end of July and I'm saving it for then.

In the meantime here's some images from my yard.  I have a pond with koi and goldfish.  It's so nice to sit by the stream and listen to the water.   I have deer visiting my yard on a regular basis.  The area behind my house is called "deer parkway" as it's how they move around the neighborhood when they aren't walking down the street.  It's so peaceful; I love it.

Beautiful iris

Hello Mr. Raven

Iris

Cherry tree blossoms

Vinca by the Pond

Can you see the deer?

 

 

Koi and Goldfish

I'm lucky in that I have friends that help me maintain my yard.  It's more than what I'd be able to do on my own.  

Peace,
Kay

Friday Smiles

Hello everyone!  It's a lovely Friday here; oh, but I started the day with a dental appointment at 8:30 a.m.!  What was I thinking?!?  I thought I'd join Annie for Friday Smiles.  To join in or see what others are smiling about click  HERE.
 
I hope you all had a wonderful week and look forward to the weekend!  What better way than to see what makes others smile!  My dogs are still up to their antics but I won't bore you with more pics of them. 

This is my nephew playing on the varsity high school basketball team.  Yes, he's tall (6'3") and lean.  I wish I would have gotten a bit of that family gene as I'm 5'3" and vertically challenged!  I love watching him play.  Sometimes his feet get in his way.  He's a junior (11th grade) so I'll have one more year of watching him.  They won this game on Monday against an excellent rival.  Go Toppers!!

Go Number 42!! 

 And here's the funny part!  I couldn't resist this card.  I love the artwork and the saying had me laughing out loud.  I hope you can make it out.  If not "Hey..... I believe I've got your goat"  tee hee

Have a wonderful weekend!

Peace,
Kay
  

WOYWW 403

Hello everyone.  I'm joining in with Julia for WOYWW.  Go to her blog HERE  to join in the fun or have a good snoop at craft spaces all around the world!  Thank you, Julia, for bringing us all together!

I managed to get my rug turned around so the bottom drawers on my desk open up.  Yay!  I just had to move everything off the floor to do it.  Still slowly putting things away.

I took another class at Guadalupe Rubber Stamp Store. It was using stamping pads (not permanent) and markers to create a beginnings of a card.  I did a little masking, which I hadn't done a lot of before.

Can you tell it's a "she?"  I added a bit of pink to her cheeks!  I'll go back in and add something to the red plants.  

 

A cute little raccoon peeking around a planter.  Again, I need to add something to this one too.  The instructor started rushing us a half hour before the class was to end.  Wasn't happy about that as it was added pressure!  I hadn't done anything inky in a while and I didn't need to deal with THAT!

As always, I will visit those that end in the same number as me and those that leave a comment (please leave your number).   There was someone last week where I couldn't leave a comment - sorry, can't remember who it was.

Happy WOYWW

Peace,

Kay   

Friday Smiles

Hello everyone!  It's a lovely Friday here; waiting for the next snow to start.  I thought I'd join Annie for Friday Smiles.  To join in or see what others are smiling about click  HERE.

I'm having a great time getting settled in my new home.  The walls are plaster so I haven't hung much on the walls yet.  What really makes me happy is how comfortable the dogs are in their new home!  Katie (here) and Muffin (below) are so happy with their front yard view and the large backyard.

Katie still enjoying the swivel chair.  She loves laying there and watching me - lately working in my planner.

Muffin still happy on the couch.  Except she likes jumping onto the swivel chair when Katie isn't there.  Sometimes both of them lay on the chairs, one in each.  Silly girls.

They still enjoy jumping up on the couch to look out at the yard.  I bought a king size blanket and have that over the couch now.  At least I can remove that and wash all the muddy paw prints off!

Here they both are, sharing one of the chairs.  That's my bathrobe they are laying on.

 I love my girls.

Peace,
Kay