Poor excuse for a blogger!

I know I have not blogged much of late. Forgive me? It's hubby's 50th birthday on saturday and my mind has been busy with that. Not that I've been doing much, just thinking! I feel like the things I have planed for his special day are not all that exciting, but its what he wants. We are going up to our temple in Preston for a peaceful day with the family, then out for dinner. I haven't done much scrapping recently, but am working on an exciting new project. I'm making a story book for my Grandchildren, writing the story, illustrating it (!!!!) and making a propper little book out of it. It's only a few pages, but I will put it on the blog when it's done. I KNOW that, however bad it is, Phoebe will love it! Isn't that wonderful? She loves my made up stories, and remembers all the details. There is something so satisfying about writing a story, and printing and painting on fabulous art paper. Love the texture, the smell, the sharp pencils, the way the paint puddles in different shades of colour. Can you tell I watched Miss Potter (about the life of Beatrix Potter) recently? Its inspired me. Not only do I want to write down the stories, I also want to go to the Lake District again-badly!!! The picture at the top is of Hill Top, Beatrix's home.

spring cleaning

A trip to Wolverhampton retail park the other day found me not spending my money in Hobbycraft (I know!) but Laura Ashley. Love their stuff anyway, but there was a sale! I bought 2 strings of pretty rose and cram bunting and cushions to match all at half price. My conservatory was just too plain and this has made a big difference I think. Did you see the home programme with Kirsty Alsop on channel 4 the other day? Very inspiring- so I blame her for my latest spending spree! I'm not usually a lover of her programmes, but this one is very different. You can watch it on channel 4 catch up. I have all the family coming tomorrow for a barbie after church, so the bunting makes it feel like an event:) Enjoy the good weather.

Craft room

It's done, and here are the pictures to prove it!! My plan is that everything I use frequently is close by. I have all my ink pads, embossing powders, and paper embellishments in the pull out drawer set next to my desk and all my other embellishments in clear plastic boxes on my desk.No more hunting for things:) All my tools are right above my desk in hanging pots, or in my tote which I keep by my feet. It feels good to be organised, and it is definitely freeing up the creative juices! I didn't realise how much all the 'stuff' I had been hanging on to was clouding my thinking! Too many choices, too much guilt for not using stash- now everything I have got I will use. Yes!

Easter, crop

Happy Easter! What a lovely day it's been! Thanks to all the girls who came to the crop today. I came away inspired as always! Kevin and I had a walk along the canal in the sunshine this afternoon. This evening I made a Victoria sponge cake for Easter tomorrow. Note my new pink scales! Love them! I got them from Home Bargains for £7, then I liked it so much I had to go back and get the matching colander. all the family are coming over after church tomorrow- yay!!!! I'm planning an Easter egg hunt in the garden for Phoebe and Sophie, with plenty left over for the adults too. Hope your Easter is wonderful!

good times

My daughter Becky and I went to see James Morrison last night in Birmingham. We had a great night out- she's good fun and James was brill! If you ever get the chance to see him live take it! His voice is amazing:) Really enjoying general conference from our church today too. I'm feeling inspired! All these distractions mean i am no further ahead with my scraproom tho!!!!

mess and cup cakes

It's been a funny old week! I've been away at my mum and dad's, helping sort some cupboards out. They live near Windsor and Eaton. Kevin and I made the most of the time away and explored Eton high street. We found some gorgeous shops, and I discovered this yummy cup cake paper. It is my inspiration for an upcoming class at the crop- so look out for more details! I also came upon an antique/junk shop where I was excited to find a box of old postcards for 20p each! LOVED looking through, and I bought about a dozen. Bliss! The other thing going on is that I am up to my neck in stash in my scraproom- so I'm reorganising (again??Yes again!) I realise I have so much stuff I don't even see, let alone use. I am sorting it so that embellies are going to be close by on pull out shelves and in clear boxes on my desk. I am getting rid of a serious amount of stuff too- eBay here I come! I hope that the streamlining of my stash will mean I won't be so overwhelmed when I go in that room! I also need to have better access to my laptop and scanner,so I can scan each photo as I use it. I could actually be getting organised.......!!!!

Mum

On this mothers day I want to pay tribute to my wonderful mum. I know how blessed I am to have a mum still with me, as many of my friends do not. My mum and I have always been close. She has a heart of gold. If I asked her for £10000 tomorrow, she would get it, even if she had to sell her house to give it to me. She often says she would cut off her right arm for my sister and I. We always laugh and say that probably wouldn't help, but we know what she means. She typifies to me what a mothers love should be; selfless, unconditional, and never ending. She worries so much about her family, too much really. But we know that all she wants out of life is to see her kids and grandkids happy. We are mum. Thanks so much for loving us the way you do!
I have had a fabulous day today. My daughter Becky gave a brilliant talk at church about strengthening families. She spoke with the wisdom of a much older woman. She said that I was her best friend. That means so much to me! I feel the same about her.Then both the boys came over with my lovely daughters-in-law and grandchildren. We went to the park and I had a nice dinner cooked for me. I have a family who love me and love each other and look out for eachother. I really can't ask for any more from life. I am a blessed woman. There! It may be very cheesy, but it needed to be said! We all have mothers, even if they are no longer physically with us. I hope your day has been filled with good things and pleasant memories of your mothers.