Am back! From a long, long way away....happy WOYWW everyone!

Hi there everyone, yes this is me . a real live post and so very sorry to each of you for the long silence, lack of blogging,  commenting....
Have been away-a ways, as you will find out! and been flat strap since back and still not sorted but then I don't think I ever will be so we wont hold our breath on that, will we??
 I want to say thanks to all the very dear ones who popped over here to say "Hi and where (how) are you?" even not blogging...As it is WOYWW thought better jump in irrespective of my readiness for blogging again and say hi in return....
What is WOYWW you ask - mm, think you must be hiding further away than I was. What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday is the best worldwide blog hop, certain sticky beaks crafty folk take a look at others crafty or not so crafty spaces. See our hostess of  WOYWW, our beloved Julia, - see here, many more over at the "Stamping Ground" (please note Julia - naughty  monkey is hogging the badge, he's probably still miffed cos it went away on hols, but not him)!
As said on 4.4.12 WOYWW post, family were visiting, etc and was not able to blog much till June, apart from a number of preset posts. The visitors were here for Easter and a little after. Then  it was off to visit family too, for five and half weeks to be exact. Woohoo!
Where to? well my desk shows which location by the amount of loot. Hint: it was not in Oz. T'was in Manchester to be precise! mm, you read right Manchester, UK. All this juicy goodness came from there! drool drool - yep did leave plenty back there! believe you me, this was very restrained..I found these Aladdin caves of craft stores with the help of certain special WOYWW-ers. The Paperchase paper at the top was bought first, then visited Affleck's for the bead shop which had the most amazing array of exciting bits and bobs, in wee bags at the front right.

I could not get over how cheap the things were! Over here, we have to pay so much freight to get things downunder! Then came Abakhan, I think it became my favourite on the third visit (knitters take a peek on this link), as I found another floor - where I bought the ribbons in the top right. Rolls and rolls of ribbon, wow!  there was whole floor with them, this is just tiny bit taken on my phone, not downloaded camera photos yet!
{I forgot mention while  I was revelling in all this, the city of Manchester was revelling in something quite different! getting ready for the very huge celebration parade of the Man. City win over Man. United at a big Football cup (or soccer as we call it over here). You can see I dont even know what the cup was for! family supported Arsenal, as they lived there first}. The photos left show one of many selling commemorative flags, hats, jumpers, etc.
I also bought at Abakhan the Xcut dies, two embossing folders, bling, and stamp. Our family live right in the city centre, so are only few blocks from Northern Quarter where all these lovely shops are. Fred Aldous was last, where bought the Xcut punch, juicy paper pads and brads - lovely "olde worlde" ones. Knew of  Fred Aldous but not the other three stores... so I really want to thank Neet, Ann, Jozarty, and Doone, for all travelling to Manchester to have a really great crafty day out. Most of all a big thank you to Neet, who organised via WOYWW,  in April/May!
Left bottom on desk you may spy some of Doone's work too! the photos bottom left, very definitive, and then the red bag on middle left is Jo's delightful bag, oozing goodies in a wee container plus some lacey bits too. The stunning turquoise necklace and my very first ATC card is from Neet. I have never had one before, nor have I ever made one (mm, think Neet said that an ATC is the PiF is for next month, so now have and idea for template if do partake - ie get my act together... Oops, just found out the PiF tis for today so guess am too late..)....

Neet, Jo and  Ann at Affleck's bead shop - a tad excited, eh?

Jump over to Ann, Neet, Jo, and Doone, they will probably post about it too - as it was agreed to keep it quiet, til my return, at my request. Thanks again girls it was great. I was just disappointed Neet and I did meet again for lunch as we hoped - but health was an issue - was doing too much! surprise!
So Happy WOYWW, everyone!

Okay, so we collapsed and had coffee after - here is Doone and Jo!

May God bless your day wherever you may be and thanks so very much for popping over here for a peek and a chat!,

Shaz in Oz.x
PS Okay have downloaded most of pickies - but not sorted mind you but here are two of our great day!
I also want to say a specially big thank you to all my friends who knew and were praying for me to be kept well and that the Lord would bless the trip - He did!
Exceedingly abundantly above all we could hope or think.. am so very very thankful! I will share few pickies in days to come all being well!