Deskers Seventh Heaven--WOYWW 364

Happy Seventh Anniversary to our dearest Julia who is the queen of the desker kingdom! One of the things I love about What's-On-Your-Workdesk-Wednesday is that I do love my crafty corner desk and even when a few weeks go by when I can't seem to manage a creative blog post, I will post my desk...whatever's going on there! Or what's not going on there. I do something at my craft desk every day though, even if I just slap on some blush and lip gloss and check Pinterest! I have to keep the inspiration going. So happy anniversary to all the desker lovelies! And a special thank you to Jan for carrying on while Julia takes care of herself. Big hugs to both of you English roses.

So...here I am. Drinking coffee, and doing some soothing cross-stitching on the dollhouse pattern. I'll show you how far I am today after a little more extensive tour of the desk in honor of #364.

Someone commented about my Starbucks mug last week--it's the ceramic mug that came out at Valentines...I do love that thing, it keeps my coffee warm for a long time, which is good when you tend to stitch while you sip in the mornings! You might check their website though--a lot of times they still sell limited edition mugs. Also there are my new markers, waiting for me to do some journaling...I've got to get on that! I still love my initial mug I got at Michaels to keep stray pens together off the desk. And in the middle is a clear acrylic organizer, meant for the bathroom, but it was on sale at Target and it's perfect for holding scissors, tools and has big tray compartment in the front for craft supplies in use and right now everything I stuffed in there is hiding the back of it.

Here's what's watching over me--a huge basket filled with yarn and topped with an embroidered tablecloth, keeping the dust off the yarn, and two lambies I got long ago at Bath & Body Works. By the way, it's raining cats and dogs here in the Ozarks!! Anyhoo, I have lots of basket storage up there too. I think it's perfect to have the wooly lambs nesting on the wool!

I have more box storage on the side of my mailbox shelves, there's a tray with a big acrylic Caboodles organizer on it with cosmetics, and I had Pinterest up on my tablet there. My big ole vintage desk has a pullout on each side. Stacked on this side are some list books, my Midori, and the little cloth bag that comes in the Sephora Play Box, a monthly subscription (for ten bucks) and you get several deluxe samples of luxury products each month. I think the little bag is cute too and I'm going to embroidery on the other side of it which is blank! My daughter and I love the products this month which focused on natural ingredients.

Here's how the cross-stitch dollhouse is going. At this point, I've dragged this thing around with me everywhere as I work on it, and it is wrinkled, and I even had to wash out what I guess was a little coffee drop stain at the top. Anyhoo, it looks like a mess--but will be perfect when I iron it at some point. The aida cloth has gotten so pliable now though, I do need the hoop on each room I'm working on. The May room is done, and I'm already doing the June room, which is the bathroom! It's cute though, the shower curtain has hearts. I promised myself I would do one room a month, the way she did all 12 rooms last year on elBlogdeDMC, so I'm delighted that I am ahead!

 I realize I didn't take a good photo of my whole desk with the mailbox shelves which were painted white a couple of months ago, so here's that view again. I'm so glad I took the time to take everything down and have hubby paint them white, because it really brightened everything up, and is so much more fun to decorate.
Off to visit some lovely desks now.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

Calm Desk Busy House -- WOYWW 363

Good morning lovelies. Posting my desk today for the desk party over at Miss Jan's. Hugs to you dear Jan for taking over posting duties for our dear Julia!

This is a quick post because...it's just been crazy at my house. That's all. This stitching here keeps me calm and balanced...like yoga. My babydori is laying there because I'm switching out some little notebooks I found at Barnes & Noble. So cute. I made this midori out of a piece of Coach leather I upcycled. My big midori is laying on the left--has my planner in it and I use that thing every day.

My darling daughter graduated from college last week with her bachelor of science degree, and I'm sooo proud of her. She's going to graduate school, she has some major projects happening this summer and she is just a sweet, wonderful, amazing girl. We do our best and then hope for the best, don't we? I do love having some time at home with her right now, and graduation is a crazy time for the household!

Happy Wednesday!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

WOYWW 361--Stitchin' and Coffee Drinkin'

Visit the desker party at Ms. Julia's blog right here.

Isn't your desk your happy place? Big-sigh...I just love crafting here, drinking coffee, putting on my makeup for the day, and sometimes it does get piled up when I'm diecutting and have scrapbooking or planning stuff spread out. 
 
By the way, I love this combo journal/coloring book I found at Barnes & Noble. When I'm tired of stitching and just want to color and doodle, it's perfect.

So today is relatively calm with me cross-stitching on the May room of the dollhouse pattern I'm working from...this is the first big pattern I've done in a long time, and I forgot how relaxing it is. I'm very ahead of the game right now and almost have the May room, which is fifth room, first one on the second floor, almost done! I have a long craft list piling up in the meantime!  I missed the desker group last week--got a checkup at the eye doctor and did not feel like looking at the computer screen! It went very well though.
 

The 5th room of the dollhouse is bunk beds--so cute.

Happy Wednesday.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

How to Live What You Love

Oh my goodness, it's Monday...and not the favorite day of so many. But why dread it? Sometimes it comes down to this phrase.

Live what you love.

And whether you have your dream job, work in your home, or have a job for your main support along with a side hustle you love, there are a few things you can do to live what you love, take care of yourself, and enjoy every moment a little more.

1. Be good to yourself. You hear that all the time, so how does it work? When you're good to someone, you talk sweetly to them, you treat them, and you wish them well. Are you doing that for yourself? If not, it's time to start. For me, I'd go get a handbag I want and something else I don't need, like a lovely lavender floral artisan soap or a coffee mug I've been wanting--you know, those kinds of unnecessary things that make your every day brighter. Be your own cheerleader and encourage yourself. Believe in your own success. Go ahead, tell yourself you work hard, you deserve it, and you rock!
Tip: Write down something you're thankful for every day, and that will remind you how special you are. 

 2. I'm not bossy. I'm the boss. That's right. You're the boss of your life, your house, your plans, your thoughts, your dreams, and your goals. Do what a boss does. Enjoy life at the top! If you need a break from something, take it. Ask for help when you need it. Work your life to get the most out of everything, just like a boss. I have my own crafty corner, and guess who the boss is there. Me! I make what want, I dream up what I want, and when I need a crafty haul--you got it. I go get one.
Tip: Get a fun new planner, if you don't have one. Planning has become a little like Smashbooking or scrapbooking...it's such a bright way to plan your days and your weeks--better than a boss.

3. Skip the hot bath. Now I often read things like, pamper yourself, be good to yourself, take a hot bath and light candles. That always sounds good, but honestly, I just don't always want to take the time to take a hot bath with candles. I will light a candle or two to make the house smell good, definitely yes. I get a massage every now and then. And I love body butter--my latest is the green tea body butter by the Body Shop. Oh my, you must try it. Anyhoo, I'm a shower girl, but there are other things  that make me feel pampered. Let's start with pretty makeup. I'm not a face-fulla-makeup kinda gal. But it makes me sad when I see some of my crafty gal pals totally rejecting makeup because they think it doesn't do any good, or they're too old. Honey, Imma puttin' something on this face even when I'm 80. And besides that, there is makeup that actually makes you feel happier. Case in point, this gorgeous blush I found by Physicians Formula. It's called Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Blush. Oh, it smells so good. It actually has natural plant extracts that promote a feeling of happiness! This compact, complete with a mirror and brush, gives you a blush and highlighter in one, so you look gorgeous and feel happy! And it's cute! I have a  tray full of cosmetics that make me happy each day--and I definitely enjoy cute packaging, lip glosses that smell good, and cute makeup brushes. So indulge a little, because making your face happy on the outside, can help on the inside.
Tip: If you're in a makeup rut, break out of it by educating yourself. There are plenty of up-to-date makeup tutorials out there, and you will be delighted with the fresh new ideas for your gorgeous face.
 

Makeup makes me happy.

Stitching a dollhouse

My newest coloring books

 4. Girl, thread a needle, dip a paint brush, sing, dance or write a word. The point is, if you're creative, create something every day. If you don't think you're creative--try it anyway. Work toward something big, or do a lot of little projects. The point is, creativity just feeds the soul. I don't know why. For me, I absolutely have to thread a needle every day--I paint with thread. But I also have coloring books, paint, and have writing projects going on. Being creative is so satisfying, rewarding, and nurturing. Plus, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Experts say there is a strong connection between being creative and overall well-being. We've become a little bit of a creation nation--just check out all the craft magazines there are out there! YouTube has a whole craft niche. As far as dancing goes--it's true. I'd like to start a fifty-something dance troupe! That would make me happy. Making your soul happy is job one.
Tip: If you need that "creative moment of the day" and you don't have much time, do a little thing. Take a brayer and some paint and quickly create an art journal background. Get out your big shot and diecut for a later project. Pick out a song you want to choreograph a dance for later! Color in your coloring book for five minutes!

 5. Create your own age. Afterall, you're the boss. Don't let anyone age-shame you in any way. Wear your glitter nail polish, dye your hair pink, be over-the-top elegant in black and long pearls, wear purple lipstick, express yourself how you like. Think wearable art! I probably embroider on every pair of jeans and shorts I own! I often say, it's my tattoos--mainly because I don't want a tattoo. But if I did, I'd get one. I don't plan to dress old...ever. That's an old idea. I want to dress and look like me--not how I'm supposed to look at age 55. I'm creating my own double high fives. Also, take selfies girl! Make sure you include you in those Project Life albums--it's your life, and it should be celebrated.
Tip: Remember, don't worry about looking young! Just look like you!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch