WOYWW 403 (22nd February)

Good morning all,

Must put one thing straight before I continue, many of you have remarked on my animals at the top of the page. Unfortunately Morse, the dog is no longer with me he died nearly 3 years ago, but I still have both the cats, Kavanagh and QC, they are brother and sister and can always be found not far from each other. QC (the short haired) is the one that sits on my desks. Yes, I loved the actor John Thaw hence their names.

Next thanks to all who visited and left a comment I think I broke my record with 21 comments.

Now to why we are here. This is my desk on Tuesday evening, if anyone can see a size 3.75 knitting needle on there please tell me where. The piles are slowly in danger of toppling over and then it will be clear up time. (Sorry no prize for spotting the needle though).

I have made a number of birthday cards this week and now a start on some Easter cards. The cards between the punches are backing papers I made with the shaving foam method trouble is there was no yellow/green Eastery colours.

Sometimes my desk looks like the bathroom with talc, make up brushes and sponges, shaving foam, toilet paper, etc. 

Nothing exciting to report this week, the weather has been quite cold and windy here in Spain, hopefully will be better next week at least my freesia bulbs are beginning to bud perhaps will be in full bloom next week and some photos, I adore the smell of them.

Hope you all have a good week and I will try and read all your blogs even if I don't have time to comment on all.

And so to link up with our host Julia at 

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

WOYWW 402

Here we are again another Wednesday and another week gone.
Thank you to all who visited last week and for your kind comments, I was sorry not to leave a comment on every blog but I did read most of them, good bedtime reading.
Last week my sewing group had lunch after our meeting and thought you might like to see my pud. I adore raspberries so couldn't resist and this was how it was served. Each person had a different picture.

So what's on the work desk this week well the same as last week with extra things piled on top. When everything stops balancing then is the time for a sort out and put away.
I decided to make some cards this week with all bits and pieces, cut offs and the tapes. The tapes need to be used as the adhesive doesn't last long here in Spain.

Then thought about Easter so cut a cross out not sure what to do with it yet. 

Note the Liquorice Allsorts, these were a Valentines pressie, and my cuppa of lemon and ginger tea. I haven't been able to drink ordinary tea since becoming pregnant with my daughter over 47 years ago although strangely enough she drinks tea. 

Must confess I have bought some more wool just loved the colour, buying wool is becoming an addiction with me perhaps I need help.

Will link up with our host Julia for WOYWW  at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

If you pay a visit to my site please leave a comment it is always good to hear from you and know where you live.

Ann

WOYWW 401

Good Morning all and what have we on our work desks this bright and sunny morning - well it is bright and sunny here in Spain.

I am early today need to get this done before I go to my sewing class as the group are having lunch after the meeting. We pay 1€ a week into the kitty and when we have sufficient funds we have a lunch together at the bar/restaurant where we meet. 

So this was my desk on Tuesday evening.

I have been using the card/papers I bought from Lidl last week, they are what I call mix and match, the plain colours matching with the pattern card. I was so pleased with them went back to buy some more but they had been on special offer and of course they had all gone. 

I have finished the card I was making for my daughter in law but I can't show it to you just in case she reads this. Then another two cards are in the process using the Lidl buys. 

I have also started knitting the cardigan from the wool purchased last week, lovely wool to knit with. I will take this to the sewing group with me as it is something I can do and talk at the same time. Haha. Years ago I used to cross stitch and when I arrived home had to unpick all I had done, talking and cross stitch certainly doesn't go together.

Sorry I didn't get around to all last week it was a bumper contribution being the 400th. Will try to do better this week.

Hope you all have a good week and now to link up with Julia at

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

WOYWW

Hello All and a special hello to Julia who hosts the 400 edition of WOYWW today. I am a relatively new member but have always felt accepted in this special group of worldwide bloggers. Thank you one and all.

Troubles with computer this week, it has been playing up for a while, but the other day there was a buzzing and banging sound and a switch off and on restarting no internet connection, and it appears the ethernet ??? cable has a fault. Goodness knows what that means but my friend cannot mend it so it will be a trip to the computer shop. In the meanwhile I am managing on a little notepad and my Kindle oh and my phone. Trouble is all my work and photos are on the main computer.

Now for the reason we are here my desk this week well I have transferred from my workroom and little desk to the bigger table in my sitting room so more or less same items but more spread.

Last week on a trip to Lidl I came across these craft items so in my basket they went. It is always so difficult to purchase craft items here in Spain. So two books of very good pattern card and papers, three washi tapes, three edging stamps and two ring binder books containing 300 grms plain card. So I was very pleased with my purchases.

On Monday a friend and I heard of someone having a wool sale (another thing we couldn't overlook) so setting off early in the morning we went in search and of course I couldn't resist purchasing some wool although I had said to myself earlier in the year - NO MORE WOOL!!

The wool the Spaniards have is not very good quality so to be able to purchase British wool and see the quality and colours is a bonus. How to end a pleasant morning browsing than to have a lovely and delicious tapas lunch.

There are some benefits.

So the card making has gone on hold again and now I am knitting myself a cardigan. Very easy pattern 5 knitted rows and 1 purl row form the pattern.

Also with the weather improving each day I can knit outside in the sunshine.

Ok that's me done for this week hope you all have a good productive week. See you all next week for 401 WOYWW.

WOYWW 399 25th January

Firstly thank you all for visiting last weeks WOYWW and leaving your lovely comments. I really enjoy reading them.

What a busy week I have had, out to lunch three times. When am I going to start that diet? 

First lunch was with the 'flutterkickers' - my swimming exercise group that meet in the summer months, but we keep in touch during the winter by having a lunch date once a month. 

Second lunch the Dames in Spain (pretty much like the WI in the UK) it was called Winter Warmers lunch, everyone was so busy around Christmas to have a Christmas lunch so hence this one. 

The third was at a friends house, who wanted to know how I made these 'The cross in your pockets'. I made them as a talent a few years ago when all our church congregation was given 5€ and asked at least to double it. She had been given £5 by her church in the UK and asked to double it. She had brought the materials over from the UK but couldn't decide how to put them together, so a pleasant morning spent sewing and of course gossiping then a lovely roast chicken dinner for my troubles. When she said lunch I never expected a roast. 

Hence with all this gadding about my desk is not looking very productive but I did glace at my birthday book to see what special cards would be needed in the next three months. My daughter in law will be 45 and loves her bingo so I have been trying to design a card with the bingo numbers including 45. Then I have another friend who will be 90 and thought ok - 90 is top of the house so perhaps I could kill two birds with one stone so to speak but bingo is certainly not his thing, but then perhaps Scrabble is. So this is my desk:-

Well once I had removed my faithful companion. 

Not very interesting but at least I have made a start.

Remember last week when I said the weather was cold well this week we had some snow on the mountains, virtually unheard of so near to the coast.

Thankfully it has warmed up now and today was a very pleasant 23C sat in the sun, but must admit it does go colder once the sun disappears.

I am a little late posting this but as I've said before Wednesday is a busy day for me, with sewing/knitting group in the morning and a Women on Wednesday meeting in the afternoon. And to crown it all my computer didn't want to wake up this morning, then the internet didn't work, and even typing this I have had to keep saving as the computer keeps cutting out.
But here goes now to link up with Julia at

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

WOYWW 18th January (3)

Good afternoon from a cold and sunless Spain, it has been one cold day today with our temperatures only reaching about 8C. Below is a picture taken of a very cold looking sea. Brrrh hope it improves tomorrow.

No exciting desk picture as my desk looks the same as in previous weeks.

I have been finishing my jumper but no modelling from me as I can't take the selfie, tried but no, so coat hanger modelling will have to do.

Tell you what I have been glad of it today. Would you believe I have spent most of last week sitting outside in the sun knitting.

Maybe my desk will have something productive on it for next week because if this cold weather continues that is where I will be in my craft room as it is small and cosy and easy to heat.

Now to link up with Julia at

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

WOYWW 397 11th January (2)

Thank you for all your visits and comments from last week. Feeling a little down this morning as today would have been my sons 50th birthday, but as things stand a new year, a new beginning.
All the celebrations of Christmas, New Year and 3 Kings (Epiphany) here in Spain are now over and things are starting to get back to normal. Well as normal as can be in this very laid back part of Andalucia.
So what is on my desk today:-

Well nothing to be precise I have no photo to show you but I have been busy knitting have nearly finished the jumper I posted last week now on to the last sleeve, then the bit I hate sewing up and the neck  never seem to be able to pick the correct number of stitches up. Next week I will be modelling it. haha

All is continuing as normal at Villa Ani well as near normal as possible whatever normal is. Must admit I was tempted to take on a puppy this week four of them had been found dumped in a drain. Then I said to myself the puppy will probably out live you is that fair. Also I don't know how my two cats would take to another dog, but I must admit I do miss walking a dog since Morse died.
Well it is now Thursday early hours and I must go to bed, so goodnight all.

WOYWW 396 4th January 2017

Good morning Wednesday deskers.
I honestly don't know where the days go to hardly seems a week since I was here, must prove something - I put it down to having a busy life style.

My desk this morning is all tidy ready to start the new year productions, the trouble is I have so much other stuff to do my desk is taking not even second place but probably tenth place.

On the other hand I have started a little sorting of my wool stash, but not got very far.

Notice the Christmas lights up the stairs still flashing, must make a start at taking down decorations and tree, wish I could keep the lights up though, love to see them twinkling. Maybe will keep them until this weekend as it is Three Kings
on Friday, here in Spain it is celebrated as the children receive presents. After all it was the Three Kings that brought the gifts to Jesus.

We are having some lovely sunrises at the moment, this photo is not great as the sun was a pure red ball, but I did try my best to capture the moment, you have to be quick as the sun appears on the horizon and within a minute or so it is high in the sky. Camera always at the ready.

Hope you all have a great week.
Ani

WOYWW 395

WOYWW 395  28^th December 2016

Yes I am late posting again but I had to go to my sewing group this morning and had to use public transport which is virtually non-existent here. One bus does a circular tour along the beach road and up to the village, one price 1.20€ but I have my bus pass so really mustn’t complain. My car became poorly over Christmas so is in the garage for repairs, not a very happy start to the New Year and something I could do without after the expense of Christmas. But without my car I would be virtually housebound.

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas celebrations, I love this time between Christmas and New Year, and I don’t have to think of food as the fridge is still full so all help themselves. I can therefore concentrate on doing just what I want to do. Sitting watching television, catching up on what I recorded over Christmas or deleting this programme and that programme saying what a load of rubbish, a little knitting, crocheting, even embroidery. Yes, while sorting out my workroom I came across some rather ancient embroidery that my old Aunt sent me she thought I would like to finish it! Well the cloth is yellow from old age but I may finish and wash it. Also in the parcel was this unfinished Mayflower embroidery all done in small chain stitch. Bless my Aunt she is 95 years old. 

Chain stitched Mayflower

The ancient yellow tablecloth

I also have some knitting on the go; decided as it was getting colder I needed a new jumper to go with the one I had to buy when in the UK. I have to smile when I see tourists in shorts and tee shirts at this time of year, and we locals are all wrapped up.

My desk doesn’t feature this week as there is nothing to photo. I suppose in a few weeks it will be covered with card making materials as I will have to start my Christmas cards soon! You may smile but last year I tried to make 2 – 3 a month and it certainly saved a lot of hassle November time.

OK that is me done for this week, all that needs to be said is I hope you all have a Peaceful and Healthy New Year. 

I am now off to make a cup of lemon and ginger tea and cut a piece of stollen  my weakness over the Christmas period. 

WOYWW 394

Well that was a fast week. Firstly let me thank you all for your comments and support over the last few weeks, it is great to know people think about you.

Now for my work desk, I have not one to show you, all is packed away ready for Christmas, but be warned afterwards there is going to be a big, big tidy up of my two rooms after Christmas. Call it a New Year's resolution, perhaps not as it won't happen if I do. Also I am going to promise myself not to purchase any more craft materials but to make 2017 as the year I use all what I have available. As I approach my 70th birthday I feel materials must be used!

Here is my swimming noodle Christmas wreath all finished and hung on the front door.

Although on Friday it had to come indoors as we have had some terrific storms over the weekend leading to our dry river beds becoming rivers and fast flowing into the sea. This is the Med on Sunday morning, but today it is quite blue again. We certainly needed the rain but not in the amount we received. 

That is it for this Wednesday I wish you all the joy of Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful 2017.

Ani xx😎

WOYWW 393

Ok yes I am late this week but it is still Wednesday. 
I have suddenly realised only 10 more days, help. Along with the Spanish and most Europeans I celebrate on Christmas eve with our big meal. No I haven't ordered my turkey or thought about any other eats. 

Well at least my Christmas tree and outdoor lights are up.

Obviously my house is the one with Christmas lights!

Lights down the stairs

Right for the real reason we are here, what is on my desk this week, not a lot as I am trying to tidy up for Christmas, all my cards and inserts are done.

On my other table, yes I have two work stations the one above is in my work room so I can leave projects out but the other is in my sitting room for occasional crafts. 

This is the wreath I started last week not yet finished but will be in time for Christmas, I have learnt from my mistakes and if I was to make another one, it would be smaller so using less baubles and I would cover the swimming noodle with tinsel or ribbon before starting. Maybe the finished article next week who knows.

Before I go must show you why I am late posting. I needed to go and buy some Olive oil for presents. When I arrived the locals were bringing their olives for pressing, ranging from a  man with a few sacks in his boot, a trailer full, then the big lorry overflowing with olives. While waiting for the man to serve me - he had to go and fill the bottles, then label them and find a presentation box because they were for presents, I took these photos. By the way the smell was fantastic.

 

Now to link up before I lose all again, although I was saving as I went along it didn't save and all but the first two photos were gone. Perhaps it was trying to tell me I had typed to much!

Hope you all have a good week and don't work to hard in the run up to Christmas being with family and friends are more important than anything else.

WOYWW 392

Firstly thank you for all your kind messages received over the last few weeks.

Now to move on I know it is not easy this time of year but....

Now for something completely different on my desk this week. I had seen these bauble wreaths made from a swimming noodle all over the internet and thought mmmmm maybe I could do this. So here is my effort I started yesterday, come back next week for the finished project that is  - if the cat hasn't destroyed it, the baubles are a great temptation for her and many have found there way to the floor, and our local chinese shop (similar to your English pound shops) hasn't run out of baubles. Be warned it takes many baubles and a number of glue sticks but who cares it is keeping me busy. I have put coloured baubles on the inside and outside and am going to fill in with just silver and gold. Well that's the plan watch this space.

And that concludes Ani's desk for this week, need to get the Christmas cards I have made over the year together and type inserts for them, then get them posted. Then put the marzipan and ice my Christmas cake, then get my decorations and tree up as everyone round here is way ahead of me this year. I can't see it being done today as I have my sewing/knitting group this morning and this afternoon is the Christmas party at the Women on Wednesday group I go to so this evening it will be snoozing in the chair! Need to rustle up a plate of food from somewhere to take with me.

And to think when I was moving to Spain people said to me 'What will you do when you get fed up of sunbathing'. Sunbathing what is that I don't have time to sit in the sun - well perhaps when I meet a friend for coffee. 

Well 'til next week.

xx

WOYWW 391

WOYWW 391 30th November 

Hi Girls
Yes I am back in Spain and trying to resume my life. My son died on 4th November at home with his family around him. Thank you for all the messages of condolences I have received, although I only know you all from WOYWW I felt your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

So down to WOYWW and my desk is exactly as I left it many weeks ago but perhaps with a little extra dust. I can't even remember what I was about to make this 'joy' stamp into. 

The other project I did take to the UK with me was the charity blanket I was crocheting with the oddments left from my grandson's blanket. Needless to say it didn't progress very far but I shall make an effort to finish it.

Maybe next week I will have a more interesting page to show you all. I am now off to catch up with my Wednesday sewing/knitting circle so until next week. Adios. xx

WOYWW 387

Sorry girls but there has been nothing on my desk over the past few weeks - the reason being I am in the UK nursing my terminally ill son. We were told a few weeks ago that the treatment hadn't worked and he only had weeks left with us. So I was on the first plane back to the UK to spend this valuable time together. Life is so cruel.

I have been reading your blogs each week and it is good to see life carries on.

In my time out I have been walking round the town centre and seeing all  the crafty items and christmas goodies I miss living in Spain. I am having to be strict with myself or it will be a case of excess baggage charge when  I go back.

I am in the process of crocheting blanket squares from the wool remaining from my grandson's blanket of many colours.

It will be interesting to see my desk as I can't even remember what is on it, but I do know nothing was put away before leaving Spain, perhaps my cat is keeping guard on it!

WOYWW 383

Hello everyone, another week passes and oh how quick. Didn't manage to do this blog before I went to my sewing group this morning so here goes now.

Well it seems you all or most of you have a dumping ground so that doesn't make me feel so bad. By the way it is all still in place I have made no effort to clear as being retired I just don't have the time to do these things.

My work desk to day only has my faithful cat 'QC' on it and as you have all seen her so many times no pic. Card making has been put to one side for a few weeks and I have taken up my crochet hook (not that I put it down for long) to finish my blanket, I laid this to one side when my grandson said he wanted one in all bright colours, so of course his came first and as I was visiting the UK I had to get it finished to avoid postal costs.
Now our nights are getting cooler it won't be long before this is needed.

As I have to have more than project on hand I am also using up the wool left over from my grandsons blanket to make a blanket for Africa or wherever it will be needed. The lady who has been collecting all our charity knitting over the last few years is giving up because of high transport costs and the difficulty in delivering to Kenya.  Fingers crossed we will find another organisation who will take our items.

I will leave you with two postcards I received this week, I belong to a post crossing group (via the internet) where you send and receive post cards from people all over the world.

The first is from Moscow and the second which is in 3D made me laugh it is from Canada.

Have a good week  until next Wednesday Cheerio.

WOYWW 382

Good morning all. I am up early this morning woken by the fishing boats going out th chug chug chug of their engines. Don't think it will be a good day for them or us today as we have some long awaited rain forecast. We certainly need it.

Well down to the purpose of this blog, what is on my desk today. Well not a lot.
I am in the process of moving from the temporary desk under the ceiling fans to my winter quarters.

I have been making some seventy, eighty and ninety year old cards, seem to need them these days!

 Above is the winter desk but before I can camp out there I have to tidy all this up first. In summer this seems to become a dumping room. Most of it is wool I purchased on my two trips to the UK.

Thought you may like to see these two photos, taken this morning as the fishing boats were leaving. Not very often I see the moon at 6.30 am.

Ok I am up early this morning but what's the betting I will be late for my sewing class.

That's it for this morning hope you all have a good week off to link up now that is if Julia is awake to allow me to!

Ann

WOYWW 381

Well I am a tad late in posting today, trouble with my car last night, it wouldn't start, had to leave it where it was parked so this morning first thing I was back trying to start it. Success but then drove to the garage for them to check it out and they said it wanted a new battery so all is well again and I have my wheels. I am lost without my car as our transport system consists of a bus that goes along the seafront and up to the village and a very occasional service that takes you to the next town. No trains or metro services.

Oh my gosh another Wednesday it will soon be Christmas!!

Well my work desk is still my temporary one underneath the ceiling fans, but must admit the weather is beginning to cool down and the nights are much more pleasant enabling one to sleep. Maybe next week I will be back in my workroom and sitting at my original work desk. My cat will be pleased as there isn't room for her on this desk.

The desk this week shows my attempts at making some 70th, 80th and 90th birthday cards with the Clarity letters and numbers stamps, much in demand these days, Only a few more months and I will be hitting one of these birthdays ending in zero, but then age has never mattered to me and in my younger days I sometimes had to do a quick calculation to check my age.

I love this time of the year nearly all the tourists have gone and the residents get their little seaside town back to themselves. Many expats can't stand the heat of the summer and go back to UK but they will be returning shortly. Most of our clubs and organisations will be opening up again so plenty to do in the winter months.
I will leave you with some photos I took last Friday morning round about 7.30am of the beautiful sunrises we get this time of the year, The photos were taken about 2 mins apart so you can see it doesn't take long for the sun to rise, if you aren't quick with the camera you miss it.

So goodbye til next week and I will now link up with Julia at Stamping Ground.