Tuesday 29 October 2013

WOYWW - Trip to the North !

Well the trusty old workdesk is rather a mess this week ! Works in progress, gifts from friends & new goodies !



On the left is the clock I am in the midst of altering and also a wooden sleigh. The clock is waiting for a crackle paint layer .. and having gesso-ed the sleigh & painted the runners brown, I realised that I had no idea what a sleigh actually looks like ! So a trip to Google Images has yielded up a few ideas for me to carry on decorating this next weekend !
This past weekend, we headed North to my husband's home city of Manchester with our friends Lynda & Robert - so the menfolk could go to OldTrafford for the football. We were able to meet up with our other friends, Mary & Chris, for a lovely evening meal.  Here you can see a photo of us all together - and also the lovely Autumn ATC that Lynda made for me. We have set ourselves a challenge to complete an ATC (well one for each of us !) alternately based on the letters of the alphabet - so I have a "B" inspired ATC to create this month !

I want to show you the lovely card my friend Mary made for me. She is a relative newcomer to the world of crafting, but you can see she has a natural flair for it - and such beautiful precise matting up !! And she has become a true thrifty crafter - as she told me she hadn't written on the lovely black envelope - so I can use it again ! A woman after our own heart, or what !
When in Manchester we went to see the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Manchester City Gallery - I have this visit on my "to do" list for the past 5 years !! They have some of the Brotherhood's most famous paintings & I was delighted to finally get there !   We had a mooch around the inevitable shop - and they had some beautiful wood cut style cards. This style is becoming very popular and I fell in love with this stunning image of rabbits in the wood !
I did manage to squeeze in a quick card making session on Sunday afternoon - this is for my nephew's birthday next week - he is into his football - so I hope he likes it !


 And just one last photo (promise !) Whilst we were in Manchester we found the Paperchase Store - it was simply ENORMOUS ! It was spread over 3 floors - we were like pigs at the trough & in our element !! We went round ooo-ing & ahh-ing and obviously stroking all the lovely paper goods - well who wouldn't !!  We did succumb to  a few goodies - this Woodland Creatures paper, sticky notes & embellishments was irresistible !  
So wishing you all a fun crafty week ! Ali xx


21 comments:

  1. I can't wait too see your finished projects. Especially your rabbit card.
    Hugs Lynda x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I to recently went to Paperchase and saw the iteams you bought they have some lovely bits... On my desk is a 10x10 journal I bought at Paperchase the paper is about 320gm it was great value for £8
    Jackie 27
    Scrapbangwallop

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy WOYWW. Paperchase - I haven't been for years (we used to live in Staffordshire and go to the Trafford Centre regularly), but it must be one of my favourite shops of all time. Ali x #36

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the alphabet challenge idea and a great photo of you all :) That sleigh is going to be magical. Happy Wednesday!
    Karen no.51 x

    ReplyDelete
  5. The ATC challenge is a great idea. We thought you were timing yourself with the large clock on the desk!

    The bears #62

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am not participating today...just ran out of daylight (or any for that matter) hours today. Love your new stash and I just love Pinterest and Google images for ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great desk! You are looking very busy and crafty! The clock sounds like it will be awesome. I don't know how you went to that paper store and chose something to buy - those stores always so overwhelm me I can't think straight! LOL! Lindart #80

    ReplyDelete
  8. FUN post, Ali--I'm such a snoop, I just love it when people post lots of pics and tell of their doings--thank you for sharing!

    :)trisha
    #79 this week with
    a mess, bunting, and
    tiny book


    ReplyDelete
  9. So glad you had a fab time in Manchester!! I love that black paper cut out rabbits card, I'd have bought that too :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 35 xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi ;o) Nice to meet you ;o) Thank you for coming by my blog ;o) Lots of great goodies on your blog! The rabbits are adorable and I love that ATC! Have fun with all the things you bought ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to go on an outing with you! What fun! And isn't it great that we can "google" images if needed. I know I have done that several times...well maybe more :) The football card for your nephew is just precious! Thank you for sharing all your fun & finds! Have a great week. Rasz #86

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LUV the rabbit card - brilliant. I am glad you had a great outing and would have loved to be in Paperchase with you :-D
    I really like your Blog backing - such a true saying :-D :-D

    HAPPY WOYWW 230

    Hugz

    IKE in Greece #63 xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks like you had fun, what a great idea to set yourselves challenges...I think I will try that with my sister =)
    Happy late WOYWW and thanks for the visit =)
    xx Monique #75

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had to laugh at your description while at the Paperchase store! LOL! Great cards and your clock & sleigh are great alterables! Happy belated WOYWW!
    Carol N #78

    ReplyDelete
  15. Before I forget to answer, the blue chap is one of the Corsa Car Dolls from the advert some time ago, he says, "C'mon" again now the battery is changed.
    Gosh loads of stuff, I love the rabbits too. Thanks for the visit BJ#50

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have that same sleigh! I painted the runners silver and the rest red!
    Your goodies and cards look awesome!!
    xxDaniella#4

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great post, Ali! I am feeling very inspired by your projects and your cards! The photos of your outing were fantastic, too!! Happy Belated WOYWW and thanks for coming to visit me! Have a creative week!! (I know you will!) Hugs, Darnell #9

    ReplyDelete
  18. wow you are busy and so many different projects on the go cant wait to see how the clock and the sleigh progress love the autumnal colours of the ATC and you cant beat a shopping trip...I love going into paperchase ours is tint ...but 3 floors must have felt like heaven !...love the owls and that cute fox paper I spy ,looks like you had a great time. belated woyww wishes and crafty hugs for the week ahead Andrea #25

    ReplyDelete
  19. What lovely goodies you picked up and nice to see a new crafter getting displayed.
    Sandra @65

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Ali - I'm loveing the clock & sleigh, can't wait to see them finished!! Thanks for letting me snoop around & for visiting me too, Take care & have a fab week!!
    Hugs Ann (95) xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! Such pretty gift ATCs and card. I've never used crackle. Sounds like fun! I'm sure he will like the card--so cute! Thanks for stopping by. WOYWW #85 :)

    ReplyDelete