Scrapping Away...

Pure New Wool

2011-10-02T21:11:00.001Z

So the x factor is back on, so that means it's Crochet Time! This new hat is item no. 1 created this weekend from some fun new wool my sister gave me for my birthday! Gotta love those dark (productive) nights! Did some fun stitching today at a class and also taught a scrapbook class in athlone. Busy busy!

Craft Extravaganza Layout Sneaks.....

2011-09-21T15:16:00.000Z

It's that time of year again - already! The Great Big Craft Extravaganza is coming up in only two weeks!
This year I'm teaching a gorgeous double layout scrapbooking class using An Siopa Buí's Yellow Club September Scrapbook kit. I can't say too much yet, but it's an autumnal based layout in a rustic style. You'll need four 6x4 photos - 2 portrait and 2 landscape....ideally in autumn colours or black and white.

Here's a few sneaky peaks! See you there.....

Revision!

2011-09-01T14:23:00.001Z

Learn Something New Every Day - Shimelle's annual class starts today.
Today I learned (re-learned, because this is something I have to keep reminding myself) that sometimes you just have to say no. Even if you feel under duress but ultimately know that you are going to be more pressurised, just say no. This could also have been called 'don't bite off more than you can chew'. Etc

Scrap Happy

2011-08-21T18:32:00.000Z

So my creativity is back with a bang...thanks to Shimelle (who is becoming all to often my saviour). While I would have liked to have got more layouts completed for last weekends crop party, I'm delighted to have finished four new layouts and got my mojo back. I also learned that it doesn't take 2 hours to make a layout and yes, I should just follow sketches or prompts more often and 'just do it'.

So, here are my layouts....in no particular order....

Here's us on holidays in Achill - photos I have been meaning to scrap for ages, so this goes under the 'photos from before 2011 challenge':

Here's my attempt at a 'half the page' challenge....love the photo, not sure about the sploge in the top right...let's just pretend it isn't there ok.

I 'heart' .....reallly like this layout. Am happy I also got to scrap Grace as there's always a comparison between who has most photos/layouts, etc....the plight of the second child!

Finally 'Galway Girls' is my effort for the group of three challenge. Am also delighted to have used these pics which I thought were going to be difficult to scrap based on dark background for photos (our hall carpet)...but I used Shimelle's 4x6 photo love template for my three pics and am super happy with result.

So that's it for now....but I think I might be in the habit now. Am currently making puppets for school....but my mojo is back. Hurrah!

My new obsession

2011-08-15T11:26:00.000Z

I realised over the course of the last few weeks that I am obsessed with stone Walls. I am drawn to them. As I walk, drive, etc. I have gone so far as to email someone in appreciation of their stone wall (which was just fabulous). Is it really strange to be in love with an inanimate object such as a wall?! I'm going to catalogue my finds. This photo is of a wall in Clonbur in Co. Galway. Limestone. The light on the evening I took it was tremendous but it doesn't really show. Still like the wall though!

Isn't it ironic

2011-07-22T11:10:00.001Z

Or an alternate title would be "oh I wish I'd looked after me teeth"
Yesterday, I broke a back tooth on the aptly titled bubblegum pictured beneath. Yes, jawbreakers broke my tooth.

That in itself is a funny story except it meant I had to go to the dentist. And the thought of that made me close to physically sick. I'm not sure if I'm phobic but I'm pretty close. I hadn't been to a dentist in (gulp) 11 years. Now for those of you holy joes who get dentally checked every 6 months and have a perfect set of choppers, that sounds utterly shocking. But (and I know this because you can find anything on the Internet, including dental phobia support) there are lots of folk out there the same as me. So I'm breaking the silence (go me!). I feel I can now cos I'm just back from my visit to a super nice modern dentist. I got 3 fillings including repair of that broken tooth and a filling replaced and I feel great. So, the message is don't be afraid. Drugs seem to work better, drills don't seem to do as much work, no pain and White fillings. I have to go back (11 years - remember!) but I'm ok with that. This was the first step.

How this links to finding perfection or letting go of perfection (ala Shimelle's prompt) I'm not sure but I might have teeth that are closer to perfection at the end of all this. Explore indeed!

Maps

2011-07-21T13:04:00.000Z

Maps are a big part of my daily life. At work I create and consult maps for every project. We use GIS packages to create maps as if it's second nature. And yet when you think about all the work that had to be put in to create the first maps. The trigonometry. It's mind boggling.

However, the map challenge has identified in me my require to control. I almost always bring a map because I like to be in control of the journey. I don't like feeling lost and the possible associated sense of adventure. It's not for me although occasionally I'm happy to take a different route if it's with a plan to getting there faster or avoid traffic. But usually that only happens with a map so it's not about getting 'lost' rather just finding an alternative route. Deep!

My (less than) adventurous layout!

2011-07-20T13:30:00.000Z

Here's the text and postcard from my 'adventure' prompt from Shimelle. Confession: I didn't post the postcard. I know my postman and felt that it would limit what I could say if I posted it to myself. I'm sure they have a quick browse on occasion and what's more interesting than a postcard to someone from themselves highlighted by the fact it's a postcard from a nearby city and not somewhere exotic at all!

Apologies for the mass of blog posts with single pictures. I've decided that mobile blogging is my only hope and I haven't figured out how to add more than one photo. Just means I have to be selective.

Two prompts. Two layouts. Go me!
I also just completed a mini book to bring on hols with me next week. Will post a pic soon. Yes, maybe my creativity is seeping back gradually. Need to retain momentum.

Adventurous Me

2011-07-19T21:30:00.000Z

I don't really consider myself adventurous. I see that mainly as a bungee jumping, bare back riding, motor cycling, pink haired and tattooed world traveller. Which is not me! I'm the most safety conscious wary home bird I know. But, I might be considered 'arty' or 'creative' or even 'adventurous' when it comes to my dress sense. So, maybe I'm more adventurous than I think - in ways.

Our greatest family adventure to date was our recent trip to Paris. Bearing in mind my above statement re safety consciousness you can probably understand more why I would consider our first family trip abroad to one of the largest cities in the world an adventure! It was our kids first time abroad, first time on a plane, first time on the tgv, in a country with a foreign language and foreign food. What if the kids were hungry, bored, cold, tired, disruptive?

But you know what - we rocked it! Next stop London!

Never enough E's

2011-07-19T07:42:00.000Z

There's never enough letter E's in a pack I think. Yes I know it's the most commonly used letter in the English language but it's also in both my children's names so it tends to get used up pretty quick. Thankfully there's always backward 3's and cut in half 8's to do the trick. Here's my 'Explore' book cover. I think it needs more but will suffice for now. My internal pages are a combination of cardstock and canvas and patterned paper, some of which I altered for my 'learn something new' class last September but didn't use. Overall I see it being quite a grungy look (what's new!). Today we need to get a postcard so that's my plan for lunchtime today.

Explore prompt 1

2011-07-18T13:40:00.000Z

So here I am. Work in the background. I haven't been feeling overly creative lately; that is to say, I've been more creative. Usually I'm keeping notes of things I'm going to do, projects to make, layouts or photos to scrap but lately I haven't made notes or created much. I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that there are other things I 'should' be doing - cleaning, gardening (weeding), studying, working, exercising, playing with the girls, etc. Difficult to make craftiness a priority but yet it's the most thing I enjoy. I don't think lack of creativity is ever my problem. Usually it's lack of priority or sometimes fear that projects need to be given hours not minutes. Outside my window I'm not particularly inspired. I think that's just today, at work whereas my 'home' view is more positive (albeit a garden requiring attention! But with lots of potential). I decided to take this class because the idea of being prompted back gradually to do something I enjoy appealed to me. Also I'm embarking on a little exploration for a few weeks and thought it would be an interesting time to review and document. Little by little.

Time to Explore....

2011-07-18T07:24:00.000Z

This week I've started a new course with Shimelle called Explore. Really looking forward to getting crafty again as I feel I haven't done anything in ages...bar the odd compulsory card or gift for someone. Nice to be prompted to try new techniques and to do it in a fun way that's not about being 'perfect'. There's still time to sign up if you're interested!

I never promised you a ....

2011-07-12T10:44:00.000Z

... Herb garden!

Miscellaneous new year stuff....

2011-03-29T10:12:00.000Z

Since the new year (although I think I blogged reasonably extensively in January) I have.....

Stared Zumba - what fun...and exercise too!

Bought a new camera - my first DSLR...but with a twist. It's a compact style Sony Nex-3. TBH I haven't gone off auto yet, but the photos even on auto are pretty fab...and the main joy is that it is compact enough to actually bring places with me. Like....

....Paris. Finally. We went to Paris. We went to Disneyland. I took 5GB worth of photos and spent over €60 printing them. Lucky I get 'money back' on my photo printing loyalty card. Time to get scrappy methinks.

We decided to make a 'garden path' so we can go up it. Actually, we decided to take an offer of free bricks to create 'something' in the garden and decided on a garden path...which is, as yet, a muddy path sans bricks. Our garden is very much an unfinished symphony, much to my mother's dismay. I believe I will get stressed closer to May, when it my SIL is getting married and there will be visitors to our unfinished garden. Also, I wouldn't mind a patio this year so we can actually use our BBQ at home. At last. (I am assuming we will have marvellous weather!)

I'm still not convinced about spas. But, I'm going again this weekend...on a hen weekend for said SIL. In the meantime I must create something wonderful as a group gift (no pressure...only 3 nights to get it done). I've booked a facial and a seaweed bath. It's an award winning spa. So, I'm hoping I'll get over my 'not love of spa' thing.

I've been to two crops with wonderful Anna Marie in Athlone and created 6 layouts which I am delighted with. I have still bought stash and not used it...(not quite, but kind of a new years resolution).

I have created 170 wedding invites and got them out ON TIME - Yay! The 'simple' design, still involved quite a few steps, including ordering card from the USA...which ended up being the wrong colour, but we turned that into a positive.... defo decided that making wedding invites is probably not something I intend to dedicate my life to!

I've signed up to Ali Edwards 'One Little Word' Class for my word 'Revive'. how exactly am I reviving myself...I will discuss at some point later in a full post.

Hello Blog

2011-03-25T08:07:00.000Z

Hello Blog, How are you.

Since we last spoke, I've started a new college course (online...but very different to what I do now), taken a trip abroad (with our children...for the first time) and lots of other stuff. We probably need to sit down and do a big catch up. soon. but not today.

Just said I'd touch base in case you had forgotten me.

Note to self...

2011-01-30T00:19:00.000Z

Don't promise your nearly seven year old you'll make a piñata without some research first! Layer three only complete now with t minus fourteen hours to party. It's past midnight and I'm gluing paper to a balloon! It will be pretty funktastic when complete but there's a fair process involved for something that's going to be destroyed in less than sixteen hours (where hopefully eight of those hours will be in my bed minus pva glue!). Anyhoo. The things we do....

Polka dot watch - 2

2011-01-17T23:03:00.000Z

Fab navy linen dress new season in monsoon. But I'm not buying any clothing until I drop a dress size. WW week 1 weigh in tomoro. I've been reasonably good so am hopeful.

Those who can't...

2011-01-16T21:14:00.000Z

Debating about upskilling a bit. We'll see. There's a book for everything though! How to Teach by Phil Beadle.

My album collection

2011-01-15T21:43:00.000Z

My scrapbook albums found a new home on the shelf in the sitting room. I decided last year to change to ring bound American crafts albums and even managed to buy a pink one in TK Max for a tenner on sale after Christmas. Of course now I have to fill them!
Started back at swimming lessons today. Dreadful weather. Heavy rain all day. Despite that, we got our shopping done, got passport photos for the kids and made some soup and salad for the week ahead. Managed to avoid telling kids what passports were actually needed for! It's a long time till march though.

Nifty and Cute

2011-01-13T22:57:00.000Z

No, not me (although I try my best!) this is my new earring holder thingy. Loving all things heart-y for a while now and this is functional and decorative. I picked it up two weeks ago in a little shop called Town and Country in Athleague, Co. Roscommon. It's a fab spot and despite lots of large and expensive country style interiors, they often have nice affordable nic nacs. So even better if said nic nac serves a purpose. I only got my ears pierced last year - aged 31! So I'm still in the loving dangly earrings phase. Maybe I love to buy but not to wear...
In other news, I'm still weightwatching and to be honest a little bit peckish tonight. I didn't eat all my points but feel it's too late to eat now at 10.30 so early to bed instead. Over and out.

New Year, New Me

2011-01-12T15:54:00.000Z

Lots of new and exciting things! Yesterday I joined a new pilates class at home. I found it ok but not very strenuous but was assured that there was worse/more to come. On my way out from class I saw a sign for weightwatchers so I decided to bite the bullet and sign up. New system called 'pro points' so I was as new to it all as everyone else. Three points in a curly wurly! Maybe that shouldn't have been the one that jumped out at me! A slice of bread is two points and you have around thirty to 'spend' each day. Also weekly floating allowance. We'll see what happens but I have a good bit to lose so hoping that the first few weeks will be good so I keep inspired!

Also decided to book some flights. And our first ever family holiday. V exciting. More details later!

Hall layout - before

2011-01-10T23:08:00.000Z

One year on, I still haven't filled the frames. Getting there though. Scanned a few more pics at weekend. Plan to make it a family tree wall. Watch this space.

Today I

2011-01-09T22:51:00.000Z

Fell in love with the I-pad, chose a wedding stationary design with my sister in law, ate a lovely Bon voyage meal for my brother in law and am currently becoming attached to a new tv series - downton abbey. Period drama. Busy but relaxed day. Perfect for a Sunday.

Sad old tree

2011-01-08T15:26:00.000Z

Like every party, The worst part of christmas must be the tidying up afterwards. I didn't realise I had so many bits. This year I bought some plastic boxes in an attempt to organise the supplies a bit better. Up to this it was a selection of various pampers boxes etc. Unfortunately the three boxes won't be enough. Yoikes! Anyway, no more ornaments required (although I'd love a garland for my stairs - the hall was very un-seasonal this year I think). Ok, we'll have a revisit of this de-briefing email next December I think.

Polka Dot Watch - 1

2011-01-07T23:17:00.000Z

Thank crunchy it's Friday. What a busy week. So in case I haven't publically professed my love for all things polka dot up to now, I'm officially going to start recording my polka love. Starting with this dotey kids chair in the window of Wooden Heart shop on Quay Street today. Stay tuned for a year full of polka observations. Yay for polka dots!

For Today, 6th January 2011

2011-01-06T08:19:00.000Z

FOR TODAY...

outside my window... foggy, but not too cold (everything is now measured against the 'big freeze of -14)

i am thankful for... the roads not being frozen and weather being reasonable, at least for another day!

i am wearing... black woollen skirt with white flowers (from a million years ago), mauve! cardigan with my pearls. Meeting today, so am a little more dressed up than usual.

noticing that... My eye is still doing that blinky thing that it does when I'm stressed/tired. I think I'm both. It has been blinking since before christmas...which is a long time for that to happen to me.

i am reading...hmmmn...nothing new. Same books not being read. A few magazines and lots of blogs.

on my mind... how busy the next few days/weeks are going to be here at work

pondering these words..revive (my 'one little word' for 2011), renew, focus and breathe

around the house... (office) lots of files and paperwork. At home, lots of laundry.

from the kitchen...fabulous dinner cooked by my sister last night. Fajitas, roast potatoes. Yum. Otherwise...no more sweet things.

one of my favorite things... my new portable external hard drive. I actually just went and paid more because it was red. I LOVE red anything. I am now backed up again.

i'm creating... something every week. Have set some crafty monthly goals. This week's project is two new dressing gowns for my littluns...made from pink polka dot towels. Nothing like a good challenge for the first week of 2011!

a few plans for the rest of the week... work, work, work and sleep, sleep, sleep.

A picture to share....I'll post a pic later from today. trying to take a picture a day...but keep forgetting to do it early enough for the light to be good.

Oiche Nollaig na mBan

2011-01-05T22:38:00.000Z

The eve of little Christmas. Last night of lights. Cheers.

Old Dog New Tricks

2011-01-04T23:08:00.000Z

Is it possible to re learn the tunes of old? I'm going to give it a shot anyway. The piano does my soul good. Just need to get the right tunes.

I Love Lucy

2011-01-03T20:05:00.000Z

I can't seem to mobile blog multiple photos so have sent another through before this. Today is the last day of our Christmas holidays. I have to say that I don't feel particularly revitalised or that anything was accomplished with the exception of over consumption. I wish I felt more rested especially as there's a very busy month ahead in terms of work. Anyway, onwards and upwards.

Today I finished off a belated Christmas present for my sister. Its a mini book about her dog, Lucy. I don't love Lucy myself but the title was crying out to be used. As were my Basic Grey June Bug doggie papers. That was last years Christmas present and I must say I've got great use out of them. This year I got the Capella set from Basic Grey including the matching album. I plan to scrap our honeymoon in Italy (5 years ago now!) as the papers lend themselves to lots of historic pics. I've played around with my photos to age them etc so it might be quite a mixed album when I get around to actually doing some real scrapping.

Many, many plans for the new year. I also printed off all my 2010 pics and did lots of scanning yesterday. Got Dad a nifty portable scanner which whizzes through 6x4 pics. Quality is quite good all things considered. Need to get some of the old photos stacked up and spend a few more evenings scanning. I also took my mother in laws photos with a view to albumising them all. Of course now I can scan them too. No, not a big job at all! But so worth it.

Other big news - we got a piano! Will post about that later. Also about my family history 'wall' plans.

Over and out.

I Love Lucy - 1

2011-01-03T19:52:00.000Z

One Little Word

2011-01-02T22:08:00.000Z

Happy New Year - Welcome 2011

2011-01-01T16:01:00.000Z

I've been quiet on the old blogging front since Christmas but we're still here. A few colds, sore throats, tonsillitis - but a very happy Christmas nonetheless. No water for ten days but luckily we have lots of family with water so we bathed and showered, ate and drank and eventually got over it.

Today is an especially lazy day but a Christmas tradition. Christmas films. This is where sky plus really comes into it's own. But, today, thanks to the magic archives of RTE we've managed to watch By the Light of the Silvery Moon, a bit of Mary Poppins, currently watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (which Eilis and I agree is our favourite versus the modern version with Johnny Depp). We also recorded Annie for later on. These films have always been Christmas for me. So to get them altogether and to share them with the kids is great fun. Ya gotta love lazy days.

Happy New Year.

For Today, 22nd December 2010

2010-12-22T09:38:00.000Z

FOR TODAY...

outside my window... bitterly cold (minus 14 this morning!!!), frozen snow

i am thankful for... only one more early morning drive to work in 2010!!

i am wearing... jeggings, snow boots, red cardi and scarf and many other grey/black layers beneath

noticing that... My cold (man-flu!) is improving and I am less stressed

i am reading...not a lot...work stuff...looking forward to time to read over christmas

on my mind... getting things finished up here at work, a few last stocking fillers

pondering these words..the best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loudly through the year! (Buddy the Elf)

around the house... (office) getting things finished up for end of year, vaseline, lempsip and tissues!

from the kitchen...lempsip, orange juice and tasty bites in the canteen from yesterday's secret santa party

one of my favorite things... Dumb and Dumber - the film. Was on last night! Great to have a laugh. Funniest scene has to be the laxative episode. Can't beat toilet humour. Literally! because as much as it's not 'cool' to admit it, we've all had our moments!

i'm creating... peace around my home! Wrapped presents and maybe....some last minute gifts if I have time. No pressure. Peace

a few plans for the rest of the week... Christmas 'boozy' lunch tomorrow and HOLIDAYS! Christmas Eve supper in Tony's house, Christmas Dinner in Newtown and SANTA coming. Hurrah for Christmas!

A picture to share....My 'Snow Angels' including dodie!

Messages from Santa

2010-12-21T20:56:00.000Z

Secret Santa called to our office this morning. We drank tea (or lemsip in my case, although I'm much improved today), had cookies and laughed. Some great gifts. I got a lovely gingerbread man kit. My receiver was very happy but guessed straight away. My signature polka dot gave it away!

The kids got video messages from Santa tonight. To say they were excited or rather, delighted, would be an understatement. Santa had their photos, vital statistics and even pictures of the toys they wanted. The toys they had tried so hard to describe to us but that we didn't quite understand. Silly mammy. !

Sunrise on the Solstice

2010-12-21T08:51:00.000Z

View from my window the morning of the shortest (and maybe coldest!) day of the year. Good news is that the days get longer from tomoro on. Roll on spring. Am sick of the 'big freeze'.
Lunar eclipse this morning too but of course the clouds rolled in at the crucial moment. I'm sure there will be better pics on line than I could take anyway.

Angels we have heard on High

2010-12-20T20:17:00.000Z

School concert tonight. Lots of happy children - shepherds, kings, soldiers and inn keepers and lots and lots of angels! Grace asked where baby Jesus came from because he wasn't in the crib last night!

In other news it was minus fifteen this morning. Yes, -15! For the first time I actually felt cold in bed last night but it turns out my foot had been out from under the covers so I don't think that counts. Bad news is that our water pipes are frozen - outside, thankfully, but it means washing needs to be to a minimum etc. Good news is that I finished my shopping today! Got the last few bits and a few more crafty bargains. TK max had reduced the American craft kits to €12 and also picked up a ring bound album for €5. Happy days!

Busy busy in a tizzy

2010-12-19T20:48:00.000Z

Met Santa for the fourth time at tony's work do for Christmas. Didn't tell the kids - so it was a great surprise. Called to see my grandad on the way home. He was in good enough form and glad of a visitor to move the plant on the window that was blocking his view all day! I think the kids gave him a nice lift. Our cousin/friends called in with their kids later in the evening and then we went to Christmas carol service. An enjoyable but busy day. Kids wrecked and so am I! Bed early and I'm sure a busy week to come.

Over mantel madness

2010-12-18T17:55:00.000Z

We've decided to not get an over mantel mirror until the sales in january so I had to cobble something together as my over mantel last night. I must say that it pays to keep decorative bits and pieces because they can be very useful in this type of situation. Granted I did pick up a few new bits this year but feel that they will be there for years to come. I usually stick to wreaths and trees as my 'things'. Also love things with words on them. I stayed decorating last night until 11 as I decided that while the sitting room was fabulous (if I may say so! - a lot of 'new room pride' going on here) my kitchen, the heart of the home, could do with a bit 'more'. Off to my box of tricks. I'll post a pic later. Baking today.

Let your Heart be Light

2010-12-17T09:40:00.000Z

The words of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas have always got me. Most especially this year. But I'm going to try to let my heart be light.

Yet more Santa....

2010-12-16T14:06:00.000Z

Santa in the creche today. Grace was a little apprehensive at idea that he wasn't going to be giving her the present she asked for in the letter. Hasn't got the whole idea yet. Anyway, she didn't cry or pout and thanked him so it's all a plus from last year! Finished off food shopping so am pretty well set, no matter what the weather does.

Christmas Cards

2010-12-15T08:57:00.000Z

Yay! Thanks to Trojan work last night my Christmas cards are done and in the post this morning. Am delighted. But tired. I had told mam I'd make cards for her and also some for shop so I wasn't sure how many were made and what I'd need etc. Decided to just start writing them and got it done in a couple of hours. We only send about 20 but I do like to write something a little specific on each card. So tonight I can finish off some for mam and then I have the whole 'card thing' complete. Note for next year - make cards in November. Make about 70, between ones to sell and ones for myself. Do not attempt to make cards in December - it won't happen! Even though there are three weekends and lots of evenings - You Will be Busy!

Scrappy stash bargains

2010-12-14T21:26:00.000Z

Ya gotta love TK Max. I have sometimes stumbled across some scrappy bits in there but never as much as today! Typical! Got some fabby American Crafts bits including stamps for three euro and a kit for 16 which includes album, 20 sheets of paper, letter stickers and other embells. A lovely haul. Of course I also managed to buy Christmas presents for my mum (groovy red leather bag - work size) which I am seriously debating buying a second for me! Lunch tote for my Sis (also jealous) two smelly but gorgeous candles and the only thing that stopped me from buying more was a. I'm super organised and have bought most other pressies and b. I was on foot and couldn't carry any more. Although it's probably best I stay out of there for another while methinks!
Had birthday party for dad tonight. Chinese takeaway at home with all his ladies and my DH the only other fella. Lucky things! Will surely have bad dreams tonight due to over indulging.

Favourite Christmas Ads

2010-12-14T17:49:00.000Z

Barry's Tea 'train' radio ad
'Holidays are comin' Coca Cola ad
Budweiser clydsdale ad
Old 'pennys, got a whole lot of things for christmas' ad

Love them!

Sent from my iPhone

Top Christmas Songs

2010-12-13T16:23:00.000Z

My favourites (in no particular order) are:
David Essex - A Winters Tale
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Stop the Cavalry
Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas
Comfy Lauper - Early Christmas Morning
Alison Krause - The Angels Cried

I'm sure there are a few more that I've forgotten. Working on scrapping my top ten in my Christmas Journal.

Santa's Helper

2010-12-12T23:10:00.000Z

Had a day of crafting today...with 20 kids! Was supposed to be adult scrapbooking but got put down for under 7s class. And even at that I had two 15 year olds! Anyway we had fun and made some stuff and met our cousin and visited Santa. Yet another busy weekend. Note to self: December is officially mental. If you don't have things made before the start of December it probably won't happen. No matter how good your intentions. In other news Matt won x-factor and I had him in our home pool, winning me 60 euro. So despite my lack of luck on Friday at the dogs, this made up for it.

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-12-11T20:15:00.000Z

Got home in the middle of the day from last nights christmas party at the dogs and decided to buy the tree. It's pretty big but suits its new home in the corner of the sitting room. Got a few new baubles and decided to revert back to tinsel - well, kind of. I added some gold strands. Not sure if I like it but it's a bit different. I am a bit of a 'type-A' when it comes to the tree and decorations, so I like it to match my colour scheme and strategically place each bauble. Sad, I know! So, I manage to occupy the kids by giving them their own little tree to decorate. This year they did quite a nice job so maybe they'll progress to assistant roles fairly soon! More decorations to come. Watching x factor final now. Fun!

Cribs!

2010-12-09T19:45:00.000Z

We got a new crib. Another new tradition. I've had this playmobil nativity set since the summer. They were sold out last year before Christmas so I did an 'early bird' on it this year! Eilis has just told Grace the story - so cute! I hope this becomes something they look forward to each year.

Christmas Photo Album

2010-12-08T20:46:00.000Z

I made this photo album back in November. Was thinking about doing a class maybe but didn't get around to organising it. Anyway, my plan is to make little mini photo albums each Christmas to include favourite photos of the season. I'll keep them in a little basket that we can flip through and add to each year. This was mainly a sewing project using fabric from Ikea, some felt, lace ribbon and calico stamped with stazon ink and festive phrases. Add a little embroidery et voila. A fun little project.

Dancing at Lughnasa

2010-12-07T20:01:00.000Z

For Today, 7 December 2010

2010-12-07T10:58:00.000Z

FOR TODAY...

outside my window... very cold, very slippy and clear skies

i am thankful for... kind family members who mind our children when we have a night out!

i am wearing... grey shift dress, red cardigan (for that christmas feeling) black thermal leggings, boots and some new 'shapewear' I bought at the weekend!

noticing that... I'm feeling a bit stressed by work + christmas stuff

i am reading..."Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education" by Shinichi Suzuki (the mister miagi of violin!)

on my mind... long 'to do' list at work, because I haven't been in for past two days

pondering these words..just breathe

around the house... (office) lots of new work coming in, hand cream and tissues!

from the kitchen...very little...some hot chocolate and mince pie for breakfast from the canteen this morning

one of my favorite things... snow...but I'm a bit sick of it now...well, the bad roads anyway

i'm creating... Journal my Christmas Album, Christmas cards, wedding invites for D

a few plans for the rest of the week... going to 'Dancing at Lughnasa' tonight, Christmas party on Friday night, Christmas Crafting for kids class on Sunday

A picture to share....Last year's advent calendar...from Laura Ashley. Well, it'll be every year's advent calendar. Must post one of the new one we made this year though. Will seek out a decent pic soon....

No place like home

2010-12-06T16:11:00.000Z

As if the Christmas season isn't busy enough, we are quite busy at work at the moment with one of my staff on maternity leave. So when I got asked to attend a meeting in Dublin I can't say I was thrilled. It's a full day gone, made worse by having been in Dublin for the weekend. I am beginning to feel the crazy overwhelming busy feeling coming over me that I least like about December. But I'll just breathe and be happy I can now go home and relax (even if it's only for one night!).

Homemade personalised headbands

2010-12-05T19:34:00.000Z

Aunty Claire sent me this pic. She obviously was busy yesterday with the girls. Lots of crocheting going on. And so necessary in these cold conditions! They are little cutie pies aren't they!

Brown Thomas window

2010-12-05T19:31:00.000Z

I love Christmas window displays but always feel compelled to photograph them but embarrassed that someone will see me! Spent the day in Dublin. Had a lovely night out with the Girlies. V cold but good fun.

K is for....

2010-12-04T11:08:00.002Z

Katelyn. My friend's new baby. Except she spelt it Kaitlin in her first text telling us the good news. And then changed the spelling... luckily I can 're-stickerise' this decorated K with the correct spelling before I give it to her. And luckily, she doesn't read my blog!...I think!
Blank letters from An Siopa Bui in Spiddal, Co. Galway, where I'm teaching a class on Saturday week..

A Twist on a New Tradition

2010-12-03T15:54:00.000Z

So a few years ago I started a new advent tradition (thanks to original idea from Ali Edwards) to replace our normal basket of books with Christmas and winter themed books for the month of December. This year I changed it up a bit (again thanks to a blog post) that there are 24 books, wrapped and numbered and the children open one book per night. Of course 'twas the night before christmas' will be the last story. The kids are really enjoying it so far and the trick is to put away the books after Christmas so it's not like I need new books every year.

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

2010-12-02T16:54:00.000Z

Got to work today. More snow promised tonight. Dublin worst hit so not sure if we'll manage to get there this weekend. We'll have to see what happens!

December 1 - Snow Day!

2010-12-01T16:22:00.000Z

It's really so unusual for us to get snow. And when we do it's usually only a sprinkle. Which excites us! So imagine the fun and excitement of snow in December (so twice in one year!) which is five inches deep! It's like real, clear your driveway kinda snow that you only see in other countries. Of course the roads are treacherous and the schools are closed which poses inconveniences but today I decided to work from home and enjoy a snow day with the girls. No joy with making a snow man as it was too powdery but we taught grace to make a snow angel instead. Fun times!

Sleigh ride!

2010-11-30T08:42:00.000Z

It's pretty snowy here this morning. Stuck in traffic (not in snow!) so snapped some pics along the journey. Claregalway Castle.

Weekend Christmas Crafting (Part 2)

2010-11-29T10:13:00.000Z

We had so much fun this weekend. Ya gotta love bad weather when you have no plan to go anywhere and it gives you the excuse to sit by the fire or get crafty. So I got a lot of my Christmas cards made, finished off our Advent Calendar (which I need to photograph in better light) and also got felting, as I had signed up to Emily Falconbridge's Felt-a-licious on-line class which started on Saturday. Great, because the kids got to help and double great, because I now have some of my handmade christmas pressies complete. Hurrah! We made felted circles which we combined into brooches. I added some crochet flowers to the back et voila...

We have felt beads to make next, but I might not get to that for a little while this week as I have to get my Journal Your Christmas Album more set up for the next couple of nights. I know people must think I'm daft with all the handmaking of this and that, but I think that's what I like most about Christmas. I also got wonderful feedback from my friend when she received my crocheted blanket. She couldn't believe I made it myself (neither could I, I suppose...but if you put your mind to something). So handmade is the way to go. Of course I can't understand why other people get stressed about the lead up to Christmas...I mean, if you're not making your own cards, presents, advent calendar and baking...and journalling your way along through it...(insert smug grin!). My husband joked on Saturday upon seeing my conveyor line of christmas cards and said 'that's much easier than buying them, isn't it!', but I do it because a. what I make is much nicer than what you can buy and b. I enjoy it. The satisfaction is immense.

Christmas crafting (part 1)

2010-11-29T10:01:00.000Z

We took full advantage of the bad weather this weekend by getting lots of Christmas crafting done. It's probably our last full weekend at home before the 'business' of Christmas starts. I make cards for my aunt's shop each year so got those finished (only about 24 or so) and my mam wants about 30 and I'm also hoping to get my own finished this week. Needless to say they won't be overly intricate. I don't really consider myself a 'carder' anyway. I painted the background for this with sparkly acrylic and then stamped baubles and stickled them for effect. Of course I made them first and then decided I had a design I preferred. Will post that pic later. Anyway it's a start!

It's beginning to...

2010-11-27T09:54:00.000Z

....look a bit like Christmas! This day four weeks, turkey will be in oven! A nice little scattering of snow yesterday has stuck, giving a lovely feel of Christmas here. Not really enough to play in but snow is always a bit exciting and even better that it's the weekend. I don't ever remember snow in November before...so maybe there is something to that global warming theory! This time last year we couldn't go anywhere because of floods. Funny old world!

Today's plans mainly include tidying up and some Christmas crafting. Snuggling up and keeping warm.

For Today, 25 November 2010

2010-11-25T08:45:00.000Z

FOR TODAY...

outside my window... cold, bright and frosty

i am thankful for... a creative evening last night

i am wearing... shift dress (new from Dunnes!) black cardi, tights and pumps (metallic leopard skin design....rrrarrr!)

noticing that... I have a sore throat all week

i am reading..."Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education" by Shinichi Suzuki (the mister miagi of violin!)

on my mind... getting some of my 'important' christmas shopping done today

pondering these words..

around the house... (office) lots of glasses of water!

from the kitchen...chicken curry and egg fried rice last night...prepared the night before, so ready to go straight away!

one of my favorite things... patterned paper and ink!

i'm creating... Journal my Christmas Album, Christmas cards

a few plans for the rest of the week... meeting a school friend and new baby, relaxing weekend at home (although a crafty one!), fiddle concert on Saturday and maybe snow!!

A picture to share....Some handwarmers I crocheted last christmas! Have adapted the design now to work in the round (avoid side seams) and also now am able to do 'proper' crochet flowers. A good achievement in a year I think!

Messy Dresser ala Kirsty

2010-11-24T10:37:00.001Z

So some of my books from amazon came today. And, of course, despite it being my Christmas present, I sneaked a peek. The dresser (above) caught my eye. I think my dresser is aspiring to that, although without the intent or style unfortunately. Celine's book also on a sneak, looks fab. It will also give me the benefit of brushing up on my French! Oui, tres bonne!

Eye Candy - Magazine Style

2010-11-23T14:14:00.001Z

I'm a sucker for magazines. And I have the great idea that I intend to cut out the things that catch my eye and throw away the rest....but I haven't got around to it yet. I especially collect my christmas mags every year with a plan to make a 'scrapbook' (in the old sense of the word...not arty!) of the recipies, decor, etc that I like, but haven't got to that yet either.

Anyway, I bought some new crafty mags yesterday in Easons. It can be a bit touch and go what they have and there seems to be no scrapbook mags anymore. One was called 'Make' ( I think...have to go check that tonight) and the other was 'Cloth, Paper, Scissors'. Great for eye candy and ideas. They are a bit more mixed crafts than papercraft which suits me to be honest. Collage, crochet, lots of inspiration but I haven't read through them fully yet. Maybe more ideas to come. And I saw an add for the Cartolina app in the mag et voilà, I have my e-card for Christmas sorted. Can send by email or text, with your own text added for effect.
But I can't seem to upload a pic....Well, it looks like you'll just have to wait until Christmas to see it!

It's beginning to look a lot like ....

2010-11-23T08:43:00.008Z

Hmmm. I loved this 'Christmas Tree' made from scarves and various clothing textiles in a window of a shop near where I work, I took a snap of it. Gotta love the i-phone for that reason!
Said I'd write a quite note on my pre December Christmas stuff lest I forget. Last Friday I had a girlie night out with college friends. Went to the Christmas Market in Eyre Square. Good fun. Ate hog roast and glumwein! Got pre Christmas haircut. General good cheer despite talk of IMF etc :(

Did chriskindle in tony's house. Ordered some books on line including Celine Navarro's one. Hope there's not too much French! Am wrapping it up straight away as part of my presents. Decided this year that it was unlikely I'd be getting any surprises and didn't want money wasted.
My wish list to date is: Bake by Rachel Allen. Undoubtedly the best baking book out there. She has those recipies bang on. So I need a copy of my own.
Gel eye liner from MAC. I think I've finally got the eye liner thing down and therefore need better product. Kirstys Handmade Home book. (ordered already! Half price on Amazon).
I also have made up a package of Capella stuff from Basic Grey including an album that I bought from Anna Marie at the scrapbookstore.ie on Sunday at our monthly crop! (love that I have a regular local crop!!!) I intend to scrap our honeymoon photos into the album as it's quite 'Italian baroque' type feeling and we toured Italy so should tie altogether very well.
I also really really (since last year but no one got the hint!) want a ukelele! I play guitar but think this would be super portable and fun!
I also got my Pogo printer which has had a bit of use already but I'm happy to wrap it up under the tree again! After that I'm good. And all of those bar Rachel, Eye Liner, and ukulele are bought already. Wish I had the pressies for others bought!

I must post soon about the gifts I intend to make this Christmas! Lots of crocheting and papercrafting to be done. This time five weeks it will all be over :(

Embarking on a journey...

2010-11-19T14:18:00.000Z

...again!

In terms of excercise and fitness, I fall into the excuses category - not motivated, not enough time, etc. I also have always had a chip on my shoulder about 'hating running'. I played a lot of team sports as a teenager, and was never super skinny, but was reasonably fit. I look back at my graduation photo shape (which I thought at the time was borderline chubby) and would give anything for it now.

My old school friends have got back into running. I swore it would be the last thing I'd do. But, I haven't found an alternative. Worst thing was last night I stood up on the Wii Fit, 600 days since I last stood on it, and have gained 30 pounds! Yesterday was a bad day. However, it was day 4 of my 'regular' workouts, so it could have been worse. I could have stood on the Wii having not worked out the previous 3 days.

So, I just have to keep it up. Move. Every. Day.

At the moment I'm just walking more at work and using the Wii - Active and Fit every night for half an hour or more. It's keeping track. It's holding me accountable. I know I need to be accountable to myself. Hopefully I'll get there. They say you need to do something consecutively for 28 days to make it a habit. That's my aim for the moment. Establish a habit.

On the up side, I have lost this weight twice before...after my two kids. So it can be done. It's not easy, or fun, but it might be easier or more funn-er, if it was habitual, rather than a chore.

I'll try to log it once a week. Am weighing in on a Thursday at home, so hopefully will see some progress next week. Oh ya, remind me to blog about the vibroplates at some stage too!

For Today, 16 November 2010

2010-11-16T11:19:00.001Z

I saw this on this blog and thought it was a nifty way to add some notes each week. So,

FOR TODAY...

outside my window... bright, crisp, clear sky

i am thankful for... a good night’s sleep

i am wearing... jeans, shirt and blazer

noticing that... I am hungry, borderline tummy rumbling

i am reading... re-reading Encylopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

on my mind... my Journal Your Christmas Album

pondering these words.. believe in the possibilities

around the house... (office) lots of post-its

from the kitchen... chocolate chip cookies baked by me!

one of my favorite things... raw turnip

i'm creating... woodland creature decoupage cards, crocheted handwarmer gifts, Christmas cards, scrapbook class…(busy busy)

a few plans for the rest of the week... hair appointment, Wii Active every day!, meet up with girls on Friday night, Galway Christmas Market, Anna Marie Athlone Crop on Sunday.

A picture to share.... Here's 'us' from a few weeks ago at a famous landscape location in Co. Galway. I have a painting of this backdrop in my kitchen and want to add our family photo to a frame beneath. It was pretty windy, but am delighted with our latest family photo.

Baking day prep

2010-11-14T18:39:00.000Z

We each take turns to bake for Monday mornings at work. Tomoro is my turn. So, I turned to my trusty Rachael Allen 'Bake' book and made some cookies. Have also some lime coconut and chocolate chip cookies in the oven. I went 'off the page' for those so it's touch and go how they will turn out. Or maybe I'll be the next Rachael! More like Darina with my specs!

Bonus project for today's class

2010-11-13T12:19:00.000Z

I decided to get crafty this morning and whipped up this with the extras from my class kit at the Christmas extravaganza today in an Siopa Bui. Can't wait.

My Laundry Nightmare

2010-11-12T19:02:00.000Z

A nice way to kick off the weekend! But I suppose if I start now I'll be done by Monday and then can start all over again! This was the longest week in history! Thankfully scrap class in an Siopa Bui tomoro so some crafty goodness.

My new toy (and Christmas pressie!)

2010-11-10T12:17:00.000Z

My new Pogo! Can't wait to have a play with it later....
Roll on mini book heaven!

Confessions....

2010-11-08T12:12:00.000Z

....of a serial unfinisher! So I have been enlightened today to the fact that although I think I like mini books, I rarely finish them. Hence the 24, yes, 24, mini books partially complete in a box in my craft space. Disgraceful! All wrapped up in little bags awaiting completion Aside from what could be beautiful projects, it's such a waste of fabby stash...what with the times we're in.
I partially put the blame down to not having 'mini' photos for my 'mini' books, partially that I have overly complicated them, but seriously, there are a few that are all but complete so I just have to drop the perfectionism and 'just do it'.

I'm spring cleaning. Backing up. And taking stock. And there's a lot of stock.

I'm going to note what's in the box and start journalling and compiling pics. Then, theoretically, all I should have to do with some is stick and write. And hopefully I'll get on a roll, allowing me to finish some of the less complete ones. Oh ya, and no new mini books until these are complete...that means you, 'Stuff I make' mini book idea! You're on hold for a while.

Christmas shoeboxes

2010-11-08T09:44:00.000Z

It's that time of year again. I find it easier to do multiple shoeboxes so this year I've packed up 10 to send off to children in Africa and eastern Europe. These were the pre wrapped versions. I leave a box in attic that I add to all year so when the time came this year I had everything already gathered and only had to sort for different age groups etc. Our kids love to help out and donate a few of their unused toys. It must be getting closer to Christmas if we're at this stage already.
Christmas card construction now underway too. I'll blog a few pics later.

I'm officially a Granny....

2010-11-04T14:07:00.000Z

....square lover!
I finished my first crocheted square blanket at the weekend. Although I have two other projects (granny square blankets) on the go, this one was made as a present for a friend of mine who had a baby. I had some nice coloured wool, the know-how (thanks to my Learn Something New Every Day in September) and the addiction to crochet.

So, here it is....
I mixed up the old style granny square idea by adding some crocheted flowers (also something 'new' I learned). Apart from it being a little bit wavy around the edges, I am super happy with it.
I have to get back to my black and multi coloured blanket now, and also a pink and purple one....plan was to have them complete by Christmas...
we'll see....

Old Time or New Time

2010-11-02T10:08:00.000Z

Day two of waking up annoyed! We have a lot of clock 'issues' in our house. I have two decorative clocks together in my kitchen. People always comment - what ya want two for? Am, maybe it's artistic damn it!

Anyway we also have one of those alarm clocks that projects time on ceiling in our bedroom. We like it. But, up until last sunday, it was seven minutes fast. We never bothered changing it and just got used to it. Then with 'the time change' Tony changed the alarm clock putting it back am hour. Oh by the way, we don't actually use the alarm on this clock, we use our phones. Yesterday morning, after a crappy sugar rushed post halloween sleep, I woke early. But had no idea what time it was. When you are getting up at 6.45 ish, every minute counts. Had Tony changed the clock? Had he kept the seven minutes early or not? My watch (despite being on my wrist) had stopped working over the weekend. And my alarm hadn't gone off.

So, I woke Tony, who informed me that the clock was actually now ten minutes fast! But that my alarm should have gone off. My morning sets the scene for the rest of the day. Needless to say, it took a while for me to 'settle' yesterday.

So alarm didn't go off this morning. Even though I had re-set it. Angry mama take two. Then my tights had a ladder, my boots wouldn't zip, I couldn't find the bread knife (for making lunches!). And it's raining. At precisely seven am this morning I decided I'm not going to work tomorrow. And that's before today even really started.

And that's all because of a 'bug' in my iPhone alarm!

Halloween fun!

2010-11-01T12:18:00.000Z

We are suckers for dress up in out house. So even though we didn't go out to fancy dress, we had some fun with wigs and face paint. A busy weekend all in all, between wedding on Friday, anniversary mass on Saturday, clock changes, x factor, birthday party, trick or treating and general Halloween fun. No junk for November!

True Stories

2010-10-28T08:30:00.000Z

On Monday I embarked upon Shimelle Laine's latest class offering; True Stories. The aim of the class is to get us all writing more - by hand, in notebooks, blogging, and generally telling the stories that need to be told. We (my on-line classmates and I) get daily prompts which I'm going to do my best to keep up with and share some.

I'm a little bit 'picky' about my blogging (maybe you could call it 'traditional' in so far as blogging could be considered old fashioned!) and like to have a photo with every post, just to keep it interesting. So here's my handwritten notes for this post and a view of the other notes I tend to doodle at work every day.

'Us' Day on Today FM

2010-10-03T17:01:00.005Z

Yesterday (Saturday 2nd October 2010 - 02/10/2010) was 'Us' Day. The Ray D'arcy Show on Today FM requested listeners to take photos all day, which would be compiled into a book sold for charity. They did a similar project 5 years ago and raised €300,000 and I have the book. We tried very hard this time around, with pics from me and the girls. Here's some of our favourites...
The top photo - no, I didn't go and crochet a blanket especially, it's the squares from 3 'works in progress' by myself and my sister who are addicted to granny squares at the moment (and running short on pink wool). Below, is a pic by Grace of her crocs and aunty! and below that again is an action shot of a spud picker....(no, I had never seen one before either) and an 'arty' shot of my shower head. I sent off about 20 pics, so hopefully at least one will make the book!
A fun day had by all.

First day of camogie training

2010-09-29T15:38:00.000Z

Had a poignant moment there when our six year old returned home from first day at camogie training. First set of grassy football boots. Brings me back. I hope she has as many happy days of sport as I had.

Love it when a plan comes together...

2010-09-15T08:55:00.000Z

Fireplace man came today. Floor down since weekend and skirting back up now. Room clean. Needs curtains, light fittings and a few cabinets but definitely well on the way to becoming 'the good room'.

I love to sleep in my own bed

2010-09-14T09:24:00.000Z

This is obviously a sign of getting old! As it's only ever something you hear old people say!

Sent from my iPhone

You can't beat an Open Fire...

2010-09-12T20:27:00.000Z

...for comfort. After a long day and wet weather. Aside from the heat, it's as nice to watch as tv. And now to snooze.

There's comfort in tradition

2010-09-11T17:16:00.000Z

We went to our local agricultural show today and had a second and third place for some arty projects. Great for community spirit building and also just to keep the tradition. I've probably been at that show every year for the last 25! Great just to do what we always did.

We are Early Risers

2010-09-10T20:42:00.000Z

No point trying to encourage lie-ins. We are early risers. Despite me being off this week and no need to get up at 6.40 as usual, kids were up and awake at 7.20 today. Which is a long way to school time of 9.10 especially if you are trying to keep clean but avoid television. I can't see myself having to drag these ladies out of bed in their teenage years but we'll see...

Too Many Towels!

2010-09-10T20:37:00.000Z

I decided to organise my hot press today and concluded that I have too many towels! I then organised them into 'monica' type bundles including guest, good guest, swimming/beach/sport, etc. Ridiculous! I'm tagging this photo to remind me when the sales come around in January! Either that or start a B&B!

Autumn is the perfect season

2010-09-09T20:17:00.000Z

Even Grown-Ups Need to Play

2010-09-07T11:33:00.000Z

Two hours of inking, painting, misting, dabbing, stamping, and generally getting messy. And so I'm getting there with my Learn Something New book pages! But mainly having fun. Isn't that what it's all about.

One day at a Time

2010-09-06T15:21:00.000Z

When I was two my babysitter was a big Gloria fan. Tra-la-la triangle is one of my earliest memories, as is One Day at a Time. A good motto, even 30 years later. Despite tomoro's plan being changed, I've accepted it and have semi planned for a messy creative day. So even something bad can have good prospects. I might even get my Learn Something New book put together!

Sent from my iPhone

Starting projects is easier than finishing

2010-09-05T21:25:00.000Z

I love to plan, organise, set up. Love the coming up with initial idea and 'how to'. My initial enthusiasm is wonderful. I need to work on my follow through. I have a super organised yarn collection though! Onward and upward.

Crochet makes me happy!

2010-09-04T20:23:00.000Z

After years of crocheting in circles, I have mastered the granny square. The world is my oyster! Hopefully by end of the month I'll have a blanket. Ah, the optimism of the early days of crafting!

Sometimes it's hard to see through...

2010-09-03T07:19:00.000Z

...to better times, to how things will work out. That's where faith comes along.

Treasure your treasures....

2010-09-02T20:43:00.001Z

It's easy to forget to appreciate the little things. And yet it's the little things that count.

Store up the Good Days...

2010-09-01T17:03:00.002Z

...to get you through the bad.
This quote came from my Dad's speech at our wedding. It was made especially relevant, by referencing it to agriculture...most especially, making silage. Which my husband spent many summers doing! So the idea was that life should be like making silage. When we have good days, like our wedding, we should store up the good feelings and memories and they will get us through the bad days. So glad we have had plenty of good days. Today is a difficult one.

Saturday Baking

2010-08-28T16:42:00.000Z

Some baked treats for a special birthday. Did you know there's less calories in home baking regardless of the sugar and butter required. Fact : the mixing and rolling negate all calories. (ok that's what I'm telling myself today anyway!)

The Harvest Home

2010-08-27T17:37:00.000Z

Autumn is my favourite season. The harvest (barley) is home and the straw baled. All hands were on deck.

Class Materials

2010-08-26T07:28:00.000Z

Impressionist style maybe....

The start of a new Parliament

2010-08-25T09:07:00.000Z

New Readings....

2010-08-25T08:03:00.004Z

Got a few new books from Amazon last night. My night stand is now chock a block....and as ever, it's the most diverse and wierd collection (well I think) imaginable.
A good friend of mine works in marketing and we have discovered over the years that I am the 'typical' shopper. For example, the 'typical' shopper goes to 4 supermarkets regularly. I agreed that I shop between Tesco (although am not proud of it...but it is the largest one in the West and is 20 mins from where I live), Lidl (they are my two - 'big' shops and prob only go every few weeks), Londis in my local town and the petrol station/Mace on my way home - they are my more 'regular' everyday shops. I know people say that the prices are higher, etc, but I find I waste more money/time by going doing a 'big' shop in Tesco because I have to drive to it and then fill my basket in order to make it 'worth my while'. So, I tend to stick to local butcher and supermarket for my everyday groceries/perishables and like the idea I'm supporting my local industries in addition to probably not wasting as much food.

So, what has that to do with books? I'm not sure. Oh yes, me being 'typical'. So I think that 'self help' books are huge with 'typical' people...and I'm no different. The Secret, Diet books, etc. But lately I've been getting into more unusual self help like:
Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project which is a nice 'readable' story about someone who decided to take on a task every month to make her happier. Some were as simple as 'start the day with a song' I haven't got to the end of it yet...am not sure if I'm ready to be 'happy' just yet.

So then we go deeper - philosophy. Not something I have much of a clue about, but have decided to learn more about Stoicism. Which lead me to attempting to read more about Epictetus, Aurelius, although they were the ones that came in the post yesterday, so I can't say I know much about it yet. I started with A Guide to the Good Life, which I began last night and found quite easy to read so far.

The stoicism thing I find interesting. I think I might be a bit naturally stoic (and not in the dictionary sense of the word, which is a bit 'unfeeling'). From the brief bit I know it seems it's about focusing on the positives and aspiring to be cheerful. We're going through a bit of a rough time at the moment, and I was worried that I was 'dealing' with it all too well. So (being typical!) I googled it all and found that while it might not be normal to just be able to accept that bad things happen, some people (aspiring stoics among them) try to accept and move on. I will put all this in context at some stage, but it's a bit difficult at the moment. And all this is obviously subject to change at some point.

The way I work through things (which seems to compare with the stoic idea, even though I never knew anything about it up to now) is to try to accept that Sh*t Happens. (OK not pleasant, but this is my blog and I can curse if I want to!), 2. Control the Controllables (accept that there's no point worrying about things outside your control. Also controlling your emotions might be the way you can still have 'control' even when you can't control the other stuff...make sense?) and 3. Realise that It Could be Worse. And even if it's really bad, it could be worse.

So, aside from my newfounded interest in Philosophy (imagine, I was reading about Aristotle and Plato last night...who knew?!) I also got some new crafty books:

The Handmade Marketplace cos I'm debating about participating in a Christmas Fair...but would need to get the skids on (as we say!). From a read of the introduction, it seems quite good and practical. Also lots of other crafters have given their advice and so I'm sure there'll be some new blog hopping to be done at some stage.

Finally, The Creative Entrepeneur, which is not really what I thought it would be....but will have to delve into it. Maybe not yet, as it's about creating a journal, asking yourself questions about what you want to be, right brain/left brain development, etc.

As I mentioned before, I'm taking part in Shimelle's Class Learn Something New Everyday for the month of September...so that will be my focus for a few weeks. (unless my philosophy gets the better of me!)

Stars Aligning....

2010-08-20T08:30:00.002Z

Isn't it strange how sometimes things seem to 'line up' by accident?

I subscribe to a number of blog feed/email alert type thingys...(not sure what proper term is, but I get emails to my inbox when someone has written a new blog post). Most of them are semi work related - about marketing, organising, etc and I have a couple of 'simple life' type ones too. Not so many from creative bloggers, as I tend to look them up more infrequently and hop from blog to blog to see what I might find. Anyway, I have taken a number of classes with Shimelle over the years (well, have signed up for and partially completed many classes...have only really every finished one...but that's for another day) and last week I got an email to say that she was having an on-line crop or cyber crop as they say. Hence all the activity on the blog over the past weekend.

Am thrilled to find out yesterday that I won a little prize as part of the cyber crop of two little owls - in navy and red from this etsy seller. And you can see from my blog that I don't like owls at all, of course! So now I'm going to start a little owl collection. I had thought about collecting frogs at one stage (not real frogs obviously!) and have begun to collect 'cow' paintings and art (a little bit...because we live on a farm and they are a bit 'in' at the moment. We have a barn owl knocking around outside too - so owls are apt I think.

But, back to the 'stars aligning'. Shimelle also mentioned a new class starting (well an old class, re-starting, again for the month of September) called 'Learn Something New Every Day' which I decided to sign up for. I'm not really sure what it's about, but last night I decided to sit down and brainstorm the kind of things I'd like to achieve in the 30 days of learning new stuff....and this is what I came up with...

How to make curry from scratch (by scratch, I mean spices, etc and not just a jar of paste)
How to make brown bread (from my mother...wholemeal bread)
How to sew an item from a pattern
How to crochet an item from a pattern
(note that the two above are not giant steps; I make stuff, just usually from my head and I'd like to be able to follow standard patterns too)
How to make a granny square - crochet
How to make a crochet flower (again this should come if I can follow a pattern!)
How to tweet (maybe)
How to budget and save
How to exercise regularly
How to have a weekly dinner menu and associated shopping list
How to organise my phone contacts
How to organise my friends address contacts...and keep in contact better!
Learn about philosophy
Learn some new words
Learn to look after my skin (establish a skincare 'regime' as they say!)
Learn to medidate (or consider it anyway)
Learn how to create a digi layout in photoshop

So I don't have a full 30 things there and I'm sure I'll think of a few more but don't want to put myself under severe pressure! A lot of them are one offs and some of them are about establishing a habit! Which, is where the stars aligning bit comes in....

In my inbox this morning was an email from Simple Mom about how to approach your goals gradually, and that 30 days was a perfect amount of time. She referred to this article from Zen Habits which might also be interesting to any of you with that in mind.

So, I think that was a 'sign', don't you! So the main habit I want to establish is regular exercise which is the one I'm going to work on most. The skincare one is just a case of doing the same thing every night/morning for 30 days. I have the products. It doesn't take time. There's no need for baby steps (which will certainly be required for the exercise challenge). It just needs to become a habit.

One thing I've actually found is that if you make a 'to do' list and write it down, you're more likely to get them done. I made a list of 'presents I would like to receive' 3 years ago, which my husband found recently. I had almost everything on the list. Bar a cricut....hmmmnn...which may now be a Silhouette...which I was thinking of getting for my iminent birthday/christmas. So time to start thinking about another list. (granted there was nothing overly extravagant on the list...my hubby had four things on his - he only got one of them, but that might be because he wanted a Jeep!) Good luck.

Another weekend of Craftyness....

2010-08-16T20:42:00.030Z

Thanks to shimelle....for another wonderful on-line crop this weekend.

I had such fun. Time now to upload my photos (yes, there was a fabby photo challenge every two hours) and also some crafty bits....I even made some cards this time!

Friday Photo Challenges...

Something Up Close

Here's the beginning of the new stonewall at the back of our house....

Something Man Made. I kinda read this wrong as 'handmade' but really wanted to show off my felted owl....who is manmade (well, woman made in my case). I haven't named him yet....

I saw the Sign....yes, I was singing it all day, thanks Shimelle! Despite the not so great far away photo....this is a great sign for the 'G' hotel in Galway. See how I've managed to get a person in the picture for perspective...!! Anyway, it's pretty cool. I could have given this all sorts of rude captions!

Through the Glass....of my office at work. A wet and rainy day...which is pretty typical unfortunately. But I can see the sea...

Friday Layouts....

Four Patterned Papers - Another LO to add to my 'Down on the Farm' series. It only just became a series this weekend, cos I couldn't think of another title. But have now decided to make some layouts to show the various things that happen on our farm which probably are fairly 'everyday' to us, but who knows in the years to come....

Scrapbooking with Circles - it started with dotty paper, and then dotty fabric that (kinda) matched....then I couldn't decide on a title, but am happy enough with the overall outcome, strangely enough!

Saturday Photos...

Photo of the Sky (ok so I got totally carried away with this!) Have only posted two pics...I won't let on how many more are on camera. Great idea for a challenge and also can't wait for chance to actually scrap this.

Photo of nature...so, nature for us is lots of animals. Sure, we have trees and flowers, but how can you resist a friendly cow pic...

Photo of Books/Literature - have.too.many, but I decided to photograph the collection of gardening books currently stacked on my kitchen window as inspiration for what's required outside....I didn't buy them all in one go, promise!

Saturday Crafting

Pink - As there is no shortage of pink LOs in my scrapbook I decided on a quick card....yummy!

Saturday Sketch - Only Grace. I started off my crafting with this LO. I can't say I love it, but sometimes you just have to dive in and begin. Seven projects later, I'm glad I started....

Sunday Photos

Get in the Picture - timer photo of me and my girls. Have noticed that the youngest (who is the least co-operative in photos usually) had no problem looking/smiling at camera when I wasn't behind it....so, I'll be using the timer more often!

Candid Photo - this is Grace, who I gave my camera to over the weekend at a work BBQ. We have many photos of sky and grass.....but she enjoyed herself!

Craft in Progress...here's my messy spaces

Zoom Out - love this pic - but also LOVE hipstamatic (as if you hadn't noticed!) This is the field at the back of our house. I'm trying to frame the view to that tree from my kitchen table....so maybe my gardening design library is paying off!

Sunday Crafting

Crafty Layers - I used some layering on this quick card. Also used some embossing, which I hadn't done in a while...fun

Favourite Manufacturer - Basic Grey is one of my favourites and I usually buy full collection packs. I have got such fun out of the June Bug collection pack. I love it! So I made this fun LO of Tony and I on our 30th birthday which was no, not in the 80s, but an 80s tribute party! Hence the groovy mullet and rockin rouge!

Quadrants - I have to say I was a bit stumped with this challenge as everything seemed 'busy'. But, it's probably my favourite LO of the weekend. Love the pic (ok so it's me, but taken by the lovely Kirsty Wiseman) and also the papers are delish (although I didn't know how to use them for a while) - by Tim Holtz. Nice to try something grungy.

Leftovers - I made this card for a new cousin in the family on Friday. Just as well I have lots of baby scrapbook paper in delightful shades of pink and purple!

Using stamps. Ok, I admit I'm not much of a stamp user....am v. reluctant. But I LOVE my background stamps...so I whipped up a quick card with my 'text' stamp in the background. Love it and use it on at least every second project!

Next time I will not leave all the uploading to the end......aarrrgghhhh...!!