Water music...

...in the City.

I think I was so concerned with finding where I needed to go that I completely missed this lot in the morning.

The sound of this cascade was quite loud...

 ...but it created an area of calm in amongst the traffic...

 ...the water was certainly gushing with some force. Behind the wall of cascading water was a large open area...

 ...with this huge fountain...

...the sound of the water was lovely - what a lovely thing to be able to look out at from your office or go and sit by just to enjoy the dancing jets and the sound.

If I hadn't wanted to get home, I could have stayed and enjoyed this for much longer..........................

So much nicer...

...than being stuck in an office.

Today it is back to work.

Back to the commute, the hassle and being stuck in an office that is surrounded by construction work.

I would so much rather be back here...

 ...this was my 'desk' for most of Friday and it was wonderful. It was like being in a secret woodland dell - even though the road was only a short distance away. This is part of a picnic area in Langdon Hills Country Park at a location called "One Tree Hill". I think the area has outgrown its name as there are certainly rather more trees than just 'one'.
The imagination could really take over if you let it...

 ...you could easily be in the grounds of Hogwarts and a snake from Slytherin is slithering by. There are a number of carvings dotted around the park & woodland and all have been created from fallen trees/branches.
Isn't this a much nicer view than looking out at a building site...

...so lovely and green. Or look at this beautiful sky...

 ...with a scattering of clouds rolling lazily by...and Nature provides its own filters...

 ...so that the sun is not too harsh. Trees surround you...

 ...which ever way you look. The building on the left...

 ...contains public toilets and there are information boards/maps telling you about the park. The structure straight ahead is made from completely reclaimed materials and the roof is planted with woodland grasses and flowers. Another beautiful tree...

 ...gracing the landscape and look what can be found beneath...

 ...a monk taking a snooze after taking a break on his journey to ??? ...

 ...this figure is another sculpture that has been created from naturally available materials (fallen trees/branches) but the artist has given the piece some colouring using stain/wax that will hopefully help to protect it...

 ...and means that this man of the cloth can continue his doze in peace for many a year to come.
The monk was just a short distance from my 'desk'...

...so I could have chatted to him if I had felt the need LOL.

How can any stuffy office space compare to these beautiful surroundings?

I sat here for several hours enjoying some peaceful colouring and reading a book. I had taken my lunch with me and it was a delight to just sit and soak up the fresh air & sunshine.

I was very lucky with the weather during my week off work so I was able to spend a lot of time sitting outdoors. I wonder when I can fit in another break - where's the diary?..............................

Where do you...

...craft?

We crafters utilise a wide variety of locations in order to carry out our crafting. Some have a dedicated craft space such as a room or shed, others take ownership of whatever space they can - dining tables, breakfast bars, the spare bed. If you can think of it, there is probably a crafter who is crafting there...

Over at the Stamping Ground, the lovely Julia has been encouraging crafters to 'share' their work space with Blogland every Wednesday for the last 6 years. Folk link-up each week to show in an event that is called "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday".

However, there are other events around cyber-space too. One of these can be found over at "My Desert Cottage". It is an annual event held at this time of year in which a group of crafters open their craft spaces to the eyes of Blogland so that we can get ideas for creating our own spaces or just to sit and drool LOL

Although I have a table at the end of my lounge with a variety of storage, I still tend to use my computer desk in the study far more (probably because the table can't be seen for all the stash that is stacked there)...

...and surprisingly, this area is fairly tidy as I have been doing quite a bit of colouring lately and most of that has been done on my lap whilst sitting on the sofa.
The study is a nice space to use as it is where the PC is...

...but there isn't much of a view from the window - all you can see is the boundary fence and the side of next door neighbour's house which consists of a blank brick wall. It does have the advantage of being directly opposite the kitchen so it isn't too far to trip for an endless supply of coffee.

One of these days I might even get my craft area of the lounge sorted but to be honest, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you..........................................................................................

The tidying & organisation...

...is coming along.

I now have the table that Mum gave me, in place and in use. It is a bit cluttered at the moment as I'm still sorting stuff out but I do have some space and I have been taking advantage of being able to have a bit of a play. The chairs were another 'gift' - Suzie (Weasel) had been given some chairs by her fella to see what would suit her needs best...

....these were two that were surplus to her requirements. The cushion pads are a set that I have had for some time. Originally bought to put on the garden chairs, they have remained un-used as I rarely get a chance to sit out in the garden and when I do, I tend to sit on the bench.
Despite the mess created by gradually getting organised...

...the table is perfectly big enough to have two folk crafting side-by-side...

 ...or it will be once I get this lot sorted and put away LOL.
I said I had managed a bit of a play...

...I found this amongst my stash - it is a "Pub card" - and will make a good addition to my card collection...

 ...I'm never much good at cards for guys...

...so it's good to know that I have this one 'ready to go' as and when the occasion arises.

 I tried several angles to try and show as much detail as possible...

 ...and I think that's about as good as you're gonna get LOL.

All this tidying has been un-earthing some forgotten treasures. This was tucked in the bottom of a bag containing a variety of stash and to be honest, I'd forgotten that I'd even bought it...

...as you can probably see, it is a mug with a fabric jacket. The 'jacket' covers both the outside and the inside of the mug and has loads of little pockets - in & out. A perfect place to put those smaller items that you use all the time. At the moment I have a 4" pair of scissors, a craft knife (and blades), a journaling pen and a variety of glue sticks. I'm sure that this too will change as I progress with this tidying and organising lark but it'll do for the time being.........................................................

Shabbilicious Friday...

...the last one before Christmas (how did that happen - gulp!!!)

Over at Kerryanne's "Shabbilicious Friday" there are some amazing shabby, french-style, Christmas creations and finds that folk are sharing on the link party - do hop over and take a look.

My contribution to the party is my rusty birdcage frame...

...during the year I use it to display a collection of scrapbook pages before they get put into albums.
I decided it needed to be decorated for the Holidays...

...so some holly tinsel was used to do the job.
The frame came with a selection of weathered old wooden pegs but I found a load of clear ones in the peg bag that I'd never used.

So with pegs in hand, I've hung Christmas cards all over it.

...makes a change from the lengths of string & twine normally used.

Are you all set for Christmas - I'm not but I will be, soon, I hope LOL...................................................

Are you sitting down...

...as this could come as a shock!

In the previous post I showed you my desk after clearing enough space to set down a cuppa.

Well...I got home from work and once I'd had something to eat, I got stuck in.

I started by clearing everything off apart from the PC...

...and everywhere got a good clean (it couldn't have been that dirty - could it?) gosh the grime that came off was awful. I know PCs attract the dust but really...

I finally moved the PC to where I've wanted it for ages - no more sitting at a funny angle...

...so much easier. The blotter that I bought I don't know how many years ago is now out of the packet and on the desk - perfect as it has a wrist rest for when I'm typing.

A close-up folks of a few of the plastic trays that I bought when Artbase closed its b&m store. At last a place to keep things tidy on the desk...

...and as they are 12x12 trays, everything that I need craftwise is to hand.

I have to say, I'm pretty darn pleased with this evenings efforts.....................

Deck the Halls...

...or rather - the office **hehehe**

Kerryanne's Inspiration Friday over at "Simply Christmas" asks to see how we are decorating for the holidays.

We have rather large open-plan work areas and there are lots of restrictions on what we can & can't do - no pins in walls or ceilings, no cellotape on the same, no lights unless they have been safety tested by the Dept's electrician services, no obstructions that could cause H&S issues - despite all this, we have become quite adept at turning our space into a bit of a Winter Wonderland...even if it is only for a few weeks.

We were recently given 5 black 2ft trees and it was lovely decorating with a different colour scheme.
This is the tree next to my desk - just black/silver/white. The lavender snowman & Santa are mine and come out each year. All the decorations we have come from eith Poundland or 99p Store.
The bows were made from a box of wired ribbon - 5 pre-cut metres for 99p.
I'm really pleased how quick & easy these bows were to do and I might pop and get some more of the ribbon as I can see a few gaps that need filling.
Here is my snow family and one of the matchbox advents that I made - unfortunately, the advent is empty as Sainsbury didn't do the mini choc bears this year that I normally use to fill it.
This display is as you walk into our work area - three trees simply decorated and our 'post box' (amazing what you can do with an empty photocpy paper box, some wrapping paper, cotton-wool an garland.
My boss left me a piece of tinsel to decorate his desk with (that is framing his monitor) which didn't do much so we added a tree...just decorated with a pack of gift tags...
...and even his bowling trophy received a bit of a festive make-over LOL.

We still have the December 'nibbles' table to decorate but most of the other decs are in place.

(the nibbles table is something we have each year - on my section we all bring in snacks and treats throughout the month for everyone to share. By everyone bringing in a 'little' we end up with 'a lot' but it doesn't cost any one person too much at this expensive time of year)

Hope you like our efforts to create a bit of festive cheer......................

Hey Andy...

...you will be so proud of me LOL

MY BUG HAS A HOME!!!

Here's the picture to prove it...
In an earlier post I mentioned that my Baby Cricut hadn't been used for some time and the main reason was because I didn't have anywhere for it to 'live'...so it stayed in its box - out of sight, out of mind.

Today I attended the class that I told you about. It is amazing what a couple of hours with someone as enthusiastic as Andy is about Cricuts can do for one's confidence when it comes to utilizing gadgets like this.

I had only ever used my 'bug' for the very basic of tasks but after two hours with Andy I have actually learnt what some of those other buttons can do LOL I have also learnt some tips/workarounds for my little bug as it obviously does not have all the functions that the newer models have - don't care...I am very happy with my bug and now that it has a home I promise to make use of it..................