By Kind Permission....

...of Lulu. In the interests of economy (single mum & all that) & recycling (makes me sound less stingy!) I've looked at mum's old cards. I found one from a few years ago, by Lou, that I felt a stir to make-over. I wish I'd taken a picture of the original, but too late now......

Trial and Error

I've never crafted without fear of it going "wrong". Trying to overcome the block that hit when dad died I chose to let myself "get it wrong". I began with a printed base I bought reduced, but have never liked -fickle me & sales! I avoid stamping, so I made myself do that too. I couldn't fail because I had no expectations! I don't like the result, but I've realised it doesn't matter!

Ta Dah!!!

For those of you who don't know, the night dad died, I sat up making cards waiting for the phone call that I knew would come at about 4.00am. I have been unable to craft anything since then, although I have wanted to I just haven't been able to touch all the beautiful bitz and bobz.
Thanks to the support of many people on here, my fingers have been tingling for a few weeks, until this evening I came home to an empty house and heard my boxes of bitz softly calling to me.
This is the first card I have made in 15 months. It took me a ridiculous 3 hours, but it was a mindless and very relaxing time. I literally jumped up and down for joy when I held the finished object up to admire!

What do you say?

When you've got nothing to say? It's been a week since my last post and I have nothing to say. I really want to post something, but I can think of nothing, nichts, rien, niente, nada. zilch. So, I'll just go visiting you all and wish everyone health and happiness with all my love xxx

Closing My Eyes

Well, this is what you call turning a blind eye! I'm not going to Weight Watchers today. I have stuffed myself all week and feel bloated and queasy. I have fallen into a pattern of making myself weigh-in then rewarding myself by pigging out for the rest of the day. And then carrying on until I realise with horror that it's Monday and I'm more than half way through the next week :S

So, I'm actually hoping to break a pattern by NOT going to weigh-in. I ate reasonably -ish yesterday and hope to stay in that mode by not interrupting it..... Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! 

The Streets of London

I love my Saturdays just wandering through London while Luke is dancing. I spotted this piece of window art in a shop down a sidestreet this week:

You have more freedom than you are using!

What with that motto and "Can you do more than you did before?" from last week, I am collecting positive maxims thick and fast. I think I should start a little note-book. Now, where could I go to buy a nice one lol!

Just a Bit of Marge!

Yesterday, I got the email offering me the part of Margery Mungo in "Maurice Dancing". It's the role that I wanted, so I am delighted :D Margery decides to leave her control freak husband following a phone-in with a marriage counsellor on the radio and is manically making lists dividing up the joint possessions. No acting there then!!!

Just a Quickie!

I just have to post this before I go to bed, no matter if I am half asleep. I went to Weight Watchers this morning and (*drum roll) had lost another 2lbs. That now makes 35lbs lost since I joined at the end of July last year. To say I am delighted to have reached the half-way point is an understatement.

Oh, and last night's audition went well. We'll get the emails on Saturday -that feels like forever to be doubting yourself :S

On the Up

Well things are definitely on the up...... but that includes my weight :(

1) Meeting Sarah yesterday was epically awesome. We sat and ate and talked (*whispers: and drank) for three hours until we almost got thrown out of the restaurant! We got on so well together, as if we'd known each other for ages -which I suppose we have! Life is on the up when you can count people like Sarah as a true friend. So, my mood was high, especially as I also bagged a bag in a charity shop that was unused and perfectly "me" for......... £1.50!

2) And Norwich City could be on the up too. After an amazing 93rd minute goal this evening to beat Millwall, we are hanging on in second. Going up to the Premiership next year is beginning to feel like a real possibility. It's worth freezing your face off for a result like that!

3) So after yesterday and today, I'm buzzing. Seriously I was feeling so good -so why did I sit and eat 5 packets of Walker's crisps during the night as I sat and caught up with assignment reports and emails? Actually, writing that. I realise it's probably because after two such wonderful days I feel like the world is mine to enjoy and in seeking pleasure, I temporarily forgot that I'd vowed to indulge in moderation.

Tomorrow, damage limitation!!! Pick myself back up and start again!

The Shape of Things To Come?

Amazing what happens when you begin to think positively! I handed in my first job report yesterday and woke up to a score of 13 out of 10! Then my next assignment dropped into my email and a bit later a two for one meal voucher that can be used in the same town dropped in. So, I can finally meet Sarah over lunch as the job is a bus ride from where she lives and... lunch will be "free" using the voucher and the petty fee for the assignment :D


I have also been selected as one of the parents to meet with the OFSTED inspection team when they visit Luke's school next month! It's sad, but I actually enjoy that sort of role. I don't know whether it's the school that has suggested me or the inspectors on the basis of my answers to the pre-inspection questionnaire. Whichever, it is confirmation that I do in fact exist and have thoughts that people consider worthy of sharing. So I count it a privilege to be asked to contribute :D


And last, but by no means least, I dragged myself back to Weight Watchers this morning having managed to avoid going since 23rd December. As I got on the scales, I said to the leader "Please don't comment -at least I'm here!". She wanted to know what on earth I meant -I'd lost 2lbs over the Christmas period!!!


So watch out world -this is the shape of things to come!

Dusting Myself Off But...

.....where to start? Delete my posts to date? Tempting, but that's who I was and part of who I am! Thank you to all my friends who have passed by and hoped that I would return. You've made it possible for me to start again.

So, I'm now living in Norfolk with my elderly mum and my 15 year old son. I'm unemployed and overweight. I know my mum, my son and my sister and her family who live nearby and that is it. Having waited since 2004 (the year of my 40th birthday) for my life to turn around, I'm now determined that 2011 will finally be my year. I'm positive and open-minded -and a bit more than a little bit scared!

However, I hit 2011 running yesterday with an interesting little job which paid expenses only, but did get me out of the house and to a historical spot in Norfolk that I'd never visited. I took advantage of being there by googling craft shops and grabbed a breath of fresh air (2 Weight Watchers pedometer points!) and a rummage ( £7.20 spent on craft stash :S ) I wonder how many days before I make something.... Any guesses???

Woke up today and had an email about yesterday's "operation" -I scored 13 out of 10 for my assignment ?!?!?!?!

Hugs to you all,

S xxx

Up, up and Away!

Just to let you all know that tomorrow I'm flying to Switzerland for the week to see Luke play Boy George in "The Wedding Singer" in Geneva & Ben play in the East of France rugby final in Valence. I won't be able to craft while I am away.

Look Out -Here Comes Audrey II !!!

I can't believe I've not blogged in over a week -nor made a card! I've been doing long days & evenings in the theatre on "Little Shop of Horrors". The show has had standing ovations every night & the feeling's fantastic. Anyway for those of you who have been asking, here are a couple of shots of the man-eating plant!

Time to Make-Up!

Here's my card for the Crafty Muse Black & White plus One challenge. I upped the stakes in the challenge by refusing to allow myself to use red, pink or purple as the plus one! The sentiment is actually green & very sparkly, just like the new eyeliner I bought yesterday. Maybe the card has been inspired by my make-up!

Oh Baby, Baby,.. how was I supposed to know?

...something wasn't right! Seems commenting on my blog ain't easy atm. Thanks for telling me! Here's my Funky Fairy baby card. It's simple cos all my brainspace is taken up with creating that %&*$ giant man-eating plant! I've used the FF "Seeing Spots" papers that I won last week -woooHoooO! See here for the full range of fabby FF papers.

Let's have Another One...

...just like the other ones! I know I have a fixation with sympathy cards at the moment, but they were seriously lacking from my stock & I'm trying to redress the balance. I've heard it's difficult to comment on my blog at the moment. If anyone can advise me on how to make it easier -I will!

On Man-eating Plants and the Such!

Today I've been making a giant man-eating plant from chicken wire & velvet curtains -eat your heart out LuLu! The brute swallows 3 teenagers & I suffered in rehearsal as I saw their death throes. As I've said, I'm on a mission to produce desirable sympathy cards & I dedicate this to the victims of "The Little Shop of Horrors"!

I See a Little Silhoutte-o of a Dog!

Rainbow Lady wants a silhouette & black & white this week. Well -there's definitely a silhouette here, greyscale & a stamp which is... red! The Guernsey craft shop owner's birthday is today & she keeps her dachshund in the shop. I saw this image & thought I'd turn it into a card for her as she's so helpful.

Polka Doodle-Doo

Polka Doodles is launched with a wonderful doodle. Here's my take on it. I was told recently that it's not easy to find tasteful, but unusual sympathy cards so I am a girl on a mission at the moment to redress that.

What a Knit!

I nearly forgot... thanks Beryl for reminding me about the new C.R.A.F.T challenge blog. Appropriately for the very first challenge they want to see something NEW. So I've used the Lili of the Valley template by Jo to inspire this card for a newborn.