Thursday 10 March 2011

Comfort in the Choas....

I'm embarrassed to show my workspace this Wednesday but after a residential weekend, followed by a crop and time crafting with friends, everything has got out of hand.

















So with some time off work I finally have an opportunity to blizt!  I have spent today unpacking the rest of the bags and trying to reorganize.  I have bought lots of new materials recently (to compensate for  the ongoing situation at work), and now I need larger storage containers.  So I have been reshuffling, relabling, and redesigning my work area.  A job that is long overdue!

While I have been busy, it's also been a lot of fun.  The residential was at Belstead and a 'Focus on Photos'.  Moira Neal showed us how to use Picasa, a free software that enables you to create collages and special effects.  We had much fun in the garden using a sheet of white paper to reflect the sun, and we took turns having our photo taken with the sun in each direction so we could experiment with light and shadows.  With everyones camera focused and clicking we each had our moment of fame.  And sometimes, amid roars and tears of laughter, Moira set her timer and did a quick dash so she could  be included in the shot.  If only learning was always this much fun!! 


On our way to Belstead we went on a mamouth shop, first to A Trip Down Memory Lane, where I finally spent the £20 voucher that I won back in January at my monthly crop, Eclectic Keepsakes.  Then we went to a recycling centre where we bought bags of wonderful goodies at bargain prices.  I was especially pleased with a huge bundle of lace and bag of fabric, it really is pot luck when you go to these scrap stores but we were not disappointed.  Then we met up with another friend who took us to Papermaze.  This was my first visit and I was very impressed.  Although small it had an amazing stock and even more to pack into the already bulging car.  Finally, with an hour to spare, we stopped off at The Range. And yet more goodies found their way into my possession.  Sometimes it is just too hard to resist!    

Here are just a few bits that I bought, and some books I took a long to the course.  We also looked at Photoshop Elements, and I was very excited to learn a couple of things I'd been wanting to do. 

I worked on my 'Journal Your Christmas' album while I was there and just have about 5 pages to go.  It feels like it has been on the go for months, which would be true, but I only pick it up now and then and still enjoy putting it together.  I love the overall idea and this has been my first  attempt at journalling. 
Also on the table you can see some Paper Artsy stamps - I LOVE these and managed to pick them up at a bargain price.  I also bought a set of gorgous papers 'For the Record'.  I plan to use these, not just admire, and they will be perfect for a family album I have in mind.  I have a lovely collection of old family photos waiting to be used.   But before I start I want to finish tidying and create a space that is good to work in.  Hopefully, I can take another photo and it will look much more inviting than the one I showed at the beginning of this post!

14 comments:

  1. Whoa! Your workspace exploded! Good luck with the reorganization. Have fun with your new goodies!

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  2. Whoa! Your workspace exploded! Good luck with the reorganization! Enjoy your new goodies.

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  3. Some interesting bits n pieces in your new haul, looks like some great new projects lay ahead xxx

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  4. Your work space looks like mine a few weeks ago. I can get in there now! :) Love all the stash, looks like a good trip there. Thanks for sharing! Vickie #69

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  5. Hey Sheila - I think you might be right!! It's now walked up the hall and into other areas...
    I keep telling myself that order comes out of chaos. That's my comfort & what is keeping me going! lol

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  6. Had to laugh about your desk having exploded!! But it all looks like such fun! Di x

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  7. Hee hee hee . . .order from chaos . . . great THEORY!!!! LOL!
    Playing catch-up on WOYWW visits.
    Hugs, Sandra

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  8. Interesting new stuff, and so much fun putting all the stuff away again- I always find stuff I forgot I had ! Shaz #118

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  9. That workshop sounds like so much fun, what a blast! I can't decide if organizing is harder or easier knowing there are new goodies to play with in the end. Good luck with it.

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  10. You may get lost there during your tidy up, but I bet you find some real treasure in there.

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  11. Great purchases and wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing ....off to snoop some more.

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  12. Hi Sandie, when you have sorted out your craft area would you like to come and tackle mine? Love the creative photography.xxx

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  13. love the thought of exploded workdesk ~ running late this week but just getting in before it all starts again ~ Nicky 2

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  14. At last! time to peruse around for a little and catch up. SO good to see such a gloriously messy workspace....just like mine was. Belstead x two in 3 weeks was hard work! Love your collage.... M xx

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