What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday – #541

on my desk…

Hello crafty ladies! It’s that time again! For those of you that aren’t familiar with WOYWW (What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday), head on over to Julia’s Stamping Ground and you will find desks from all around the world where we get to snoop on other crafter’s desks.

Coloring a sugar skull.

Well this week I thought I would share with you two things I have been working on – coloring and creating custom notepads.

Over the weekend, I was at my in-laws watching football and decided to color in one of my coloring books. I had a goal to color at least one page in all of my books by the end of the year. I have to confess it’s an epic fail!! I am a lot slower at completing pages so hitting this goal is quite a challenge. Anyway, I wanted to color something in Johanna Bassford’s Magical Jungle coloring book but I have also been craving coloring some fall scenes. But this coloring book does not really fit that theme. Be stubborn I decided to flip through it and I was pleasantly surprised to find this page and it reminded me of Sugar Skulls from Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Day of the Dead ( Día de los Muertos )is an interesting holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the chilly days of November 1 & 2. Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day, the indigenous people have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones.
They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

mexicansugarskull.com

The tradition of sugar skulls is for families to decorate their loved ones’ ofrendas with both large and small handmade sugar skulls.[4] Children who have died, represented by small sugar skulls, are celebrated on November 1. The larger sugar skulls represent the adults, whose celebration takes place on November 2. It is believed that the departed return home to enjoy the offering on the altar.[5]

Wikapedia

I was able to complete the skull while watching the game and plan to finish the background this week. I have some ideas and techniques I would like to try. I did pull out my gold gel pen to color in some areas which makes it pop but unfortunately it isn’t easy to capture in photos. So you will have to trust me.

Right side of my desk.

On the right side of my desk, I actually cleaned my inbox and came up with an idea of how to place items in it instead of piling things a mile high which hasn’t inspired me in the past. But as you can see I stood some items up and now when I look at it, I don’t get the feeling of dread I have had for months. I actually think I will get some things done. You can also see my boiled eggs, its morning hear and I am on a cleanse so boiled it is today. You can also see I snagged some more green, black and red cardstock packs in preperation for the holiday crafting.

My witch pen.

Have you ever been in a store and you see something that brings you back to your childhood. I was in the mall with my youngest this past weekend and I saw this witch pen that can box. It has two buttons to push on the back to make her punch each arm. It reminded me of that old Rock ’em Sock ’em game from my childhood. So I bought the witch for me and the pumpkin for my son. I told him whenever we disagree about something this week, we can have it out with our pens.

One more look because she is so cool!

My second craft project I wanted to share is the custom notepads. Remember I shared a notepad project with you about 5 weeks ago saying I wanted to make custom notepads from notepads from the dollar store?

Custom notepads I made.

One of my crafty friends that lives several hours away and I decided to return to a fun thing we used to do years ago. We decided to craft for an hour and a half on Fridays via video call. So that is when I worked on and completed these notepads. Unfortunately nearing the end of our session, my ATG gun ran out of tape so I didn’t complete them. But it was so much fun to catch up while tackling an overdue project.

Design 1

I used coordinating Nuvo drops on the covers. That was fun but they had to sit and dry for a few hours before I could put them away.

custom notepad with cover that says Good For the Soul.
Design 2
Design 3

Well I sure do feel like I am extra chatty this week so I am going to stop right here and thank you for sticking to the end of my ramble. That’s what I am up to. Now I need to come see what you are all doing.

Have a blessed day!

Belinda

Comments

  1. Your desk and production is fab Belinda! Great job on the notebooks and a fab idea for the video call… a lovely way to get stuff done! So I don’t know how many of these colouring books you have, but I think that any pages are worthwhile, the number doesn’t matter, and you’ve done a marvellous job on the skull. I’m trying to do a 3 year old embroidery when I find myself in similar situations..small but portable!

  2. Cindy Ashplant says

    Love your skull! Last year I visited the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V & A in London on 31st October and there were all sorts of day of the dead things going on (plus a margarita bar but the less said about that the better). It was erally fun and many of the visitors had dressed up. I wish I had someone who would sit and craftalong – I don’t think I know anyone who would commit to a regular slot, though to be fair, I’d probably find it difficult as well. Happy WOYWW Cindy #18

  3. Mrs S E Jones says

    Love your colouring . I also cover blank note books for pupils at school to use, such a fun project.
    Have a great week.
    Soojay 23

  4. how busy have you been?!!! that skull is fabulous. Helen #1

  5. Great choice on the sugar skull very on trend and a super design. I regularly buy my Mother books to colour, she has many to choose from. Those dollar notebooks are great to put your own mark on. I’m a magpie when it comes to little books.
    Happy WoywW Tracey #6

  6. I want a boxing witch pen too!!!! How fantastic, it would be brilliant for taking the minutes of the nest Women’s Institute meeting I’m at :-). Love the idea of the videocall and crafting at the same time too, brilliant idea!
    Hugs LLJ 4 xxx

  7. Hi Belinda. Don’t think I have ever come across the day of the dead or the sugar skull before. Thanks for the explanation. Great little notebooks – a lovely idea and a great way to craft with friends.
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #8

  8. Hi Belinda, the Day of the dead is similar to All Hallows’ which is the day after Halloween though not many people actually celebrate it here anymore. The colouring is gorgeous too. Hope you’ve had a very happy woyww, Angela x11x

  9. Lots of fun going on here. I love the Sugar Skulls. I found a garland at the $ store took it apart and made necklaces for my 3 grand girls ..something flat I can mail and I think they will love them. Oh if my family knew how many coloring books I’ve stashed they’d send me away ! But I love the themes and always fun to have around for a quick gift. I love your design 1 card. Have a great week and enjoy I like this font as I am typing.

  10. Thank you for the explanation of the day of The Dead and Sugar skulls. I knew a little, but now know more. The witch toy looks similar to those toys you push from the bottom to make them move. I think children would like the punching one more

  11. HI Belinda, ooh girl you are way ahead of the game I have not colored in a single coloring book I have collected and it got to the point that I stopped looking at books to buy)
    I love how you altered the note cards and yep, I had some pens like this once upon a time.

    ~Stacy #24

  12. I love the Day of the Dead and sugar skulls, great colour combo too.
    Your notebooks look good, did you stick a co-ordinated cover onto each of them then add the nuvo? I remember doing something for stocking filler gifts a few years ago, I may have to do these again having seen yours.
    As to the video craft call, that is a GREAT idea, I have crafting friends that live all over the place too, may have to try this!
    Thanks for visiting my desk already
    kyla

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