WOYWW #598

Well, good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!  This is coming to you late today, which is a saying something since I didn't participate AT ALL last week!!! LOL  Needless to say, it has been a very busy two weeks for me. Working in government, as I do, it gets testy at times and sometimes a bit of a frenzy.  Fortunately for me, I didn't really have anything to share last week, so I didn't feel too bad! LOL

This week, I don't really have any finished products to share, but I will share the embarrassment of my messy desk! I didn't take a "close up" shot because there are things on there that I am in the midst of that I don't want to reveal as of yet, but of course, zoom has its advantages! LOL

What a nightmare!!!!!!

At the front of my desk, I am working on my December ATC's for my International Art Alchemy Swap over on Instagram.  To the left of those, you will see the stack of "Project Christmas" goodies.  You will also see one at the back of the desk.  I am working here and there on those. It has turned out to be a slow go because, as usual, I choose to do something that tends to be a little challenging!! It's never anything simple!!! LOL  Mind you, it's all great ideas, but I just get a little over-ambitious sometimes! LOL  Good thing is, I usually plug away until I skid in, in the ninth hour!! I thought we were supposed to get wiser as we got older?????? LOLOL  It's all in great fun and I wouldn't have it any other way if truth be told!

Again, working in local government as I do, we have seen so much devastation lately, on a public level as well as a personal level. Unfortunately, I have seen quite a few close personal losses to this terrible pandemic! I am literally quite fed up with it all! I know that we all are globally, but when it hits home, it even more frustrating.  I think the most frustrating part of it all is that there is no sense in it all! No sense and no need for all these beautiful people to have their lives cut short to something like this!!  Sadly, family and friends don't even get to see their loved one before they pass, which is the thorn in the flesh as Paul says in the Bible!

I know there are so many hurting people around the world and you, reader, may be one of them.  I want to encourage you all, that God's Word strengthens us and helps us keep our peace and joy in times like these.  It's hard NOT to see the things going on around us in these perilous times, but if we keep ourselves focused on God's Word and His promises therein, it pays off spiritually.

Too often people focus on their problems or the problems of this world instead of meditating on God's promises. As they do, their problems seem to get bigger, and God's power diminishes. I encourage you today to NOT let the enemy control your thoughts and steal your joy! Listen, no matter what is going on around us, albeit disease, crazy weather conditions, voting in elected officials, or the loss of dear loved ones, God is STILL God and He still sits high on His throne!! It doesn't make Him any less powerful or loving, BUT our response to those circumstances do!! 

God blessed me with these two verses this morning to keep close to my heart and I pray they will bless you as well:

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is FULLNESS of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

I pray you all have a fantastic Wednesday and hopefully join us over on Julia's blog with your own desking. I hope to get around to you all today!  Blessings for the rest of your week!!!

Happy Crafting!

WOYWW #596

Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!! I pray I find you all healthy and full of peace!  In these uncertain times, especially here in the states as we await election results (at the time of this writing), I find it imperative that I rely on my inner peace of the Lord to look past the surface and toward eternity! "My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish." John 10:27-28 It's not that unrest and illness are not a factor for so many, it's more of my trust in a God that has a plan for my life, plans for prosperity and not harm, and for hope and a future regardless of the circumstances of life! My friends, here and abroad, today, I pray all that for you and more.

It's share day over on Julia's blog!! I love Wednesdays, in spite of the bad rap it gets as hump day!!! LOL Why? Because sharing is caring and I care! I apologize for not getting around to everyone's work spaces last week, but a BIG thank you to all of you who visited mine and shouted out well wishes for my doctor's appointment!! I had a great appointment and he was pleased with everything!! Thank you so much the love!

This week, I have several things going on around my desk, so I have several shots of all the little ditties this week.  First off I will share my small assortment of treasures that I got at that big box craft store that I guys told you about last week that I visited after my doctor's appointment.  Bad thing is that they really didn't have a lot going on, good thing is......I didn't spend tons of money!! Silver lining! LOL  I have become increasingly disappointed with this particular store because they have stopped carrying a lot of the crafty goodness that I liked to buy for the type of art that I like to do, so it forces me to buy online. Not too bad I guess, but being the cheapskate that I am, I just don't like paying for shipping! Things could be worse, I guess.....like NO place to buy at all!! 

Big Box Treasures!

So, not a lot but a few things on sale.  The watercolor pads always come in handy for small artness that I like to gift out to people but also can be cut down for ATC's in a pinch.  The ribbon will hopefully be used in "Project Christmas" as well as the Uniball gold and silver pens!  Who can't use those at Christmas time, right?  And then the Kuretake pen I have been wanting for a while and got to use as well in "Project Christmas!"  I have a hard time finding ANY kind of pen that will work on mixed media without drying out QUICKLY (any suggestions, let me know!), so I'm hopeful this will do the trick!!  Watercolor cards with envelopes set I love to have when I want to send a personal touch of creativity to a friend or loved one! Don't you just love getting mail??? It's a dying art, I tell you! So a small, but useful haul! :)

ATC Swap Goodies!

Next on the table was happy mail that I received over the weekend!! They are the ATC's that I received as part of my International ATC Swap over on Amy's Art Alchemy on Instagram.  I was so excited to see what I would be sent and I was so happy with my goodies!! My ATC's came from Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and the UK!!! Each one so pretty and creative!! I love seeing everyone's expression of art! It makes me so happy, which is why I love being involved in something like that!  It's a blessing to get to know other like-minded people! And to glean from their craftiness!  What a treasure!

Lastly, on my desk, today is the makings of backgrounds for my upcoming ATC swap. I pulled out my gorgeous Caran D'ache crayons and my Finetec watercolors. Two of my favorite mediums that are a joy to work with! I also pulled out some of my Daler Rowney Acrylic Inks, which I also love to work with. Who am I kidding?  I like working with ANY art product! LOLOL Aren't we all just glutenous when it comes to craft goodies???? LOL Not sure where I am going with those backgrounds, but we shall see!

I went to Hotlanta for a long weekend and went trick or treating with my nieces and nephews and ended up at a Halloween Party and one of my niece's homes. Our family loves being wild and crazy, playing games and dressing up!! We always have since being kids. So we all dressed up and had a great time!  My sister dressed me as a Unicorn and it turned out great!!!  I guess I will always be just a big kid! LOLOL  Hope everyone had a fun Halloween weekend, however you choose to celebrate it! :)

I Love My Family!!!!

OF COURSE, I COMPLIED! LOL

Have a wonderful Wednesday and an awesome rest of the week!!

Blessings!