not yet Journalling...

So, back to half term. A little while back, through blogging, I got in touch with friend from school. Our common-found interest these days? ..... Scrapbooking. Lisa's really good - I dabble...

In that "it's a small world" kind of way, it turned out that a scrapbook crop my sister and I were thinking of going to, was run by HER sister. So, tickets were booked, and we were ready to crop - is that the right word??

Before that, though, Lisa and I had our first visit with each other for about ten years. She came to visit me, and brought some lovely presents.


Some spring coloured letters to spell out.... no, that's not right.



Nor that...


That's better, Happy Easter, in German, cos that's where she lives now. She also gave me a gorgeous bunch of tulips to brighten the dining table, and the Easter decorations at the top of the post. So thoughtful, thank you, again, Lisa. We spent a lovely afternoon catching-up, eating cake, and drinking tea. And hopefully it won't be another ten years before we meet up next...

Then, on Saturday, my sister and I packed our bags with scrapping possibilities, and off we went to our first ever crop. We had a lovely time, and came back with (I think) four pages each. We had a little spend on new stash while we were there, and each bought the same kit which we used on the day.

Here's some of my efforts...




The kit was really lovely to work with - just my colours and style, but with plenty in it that I would not have thought to have bought.

I've still got some journalling to do on them, but baby steps here - I actually got some pages done, and put in a scrapbook! I've done another page since, but no photo yet. And there's still loads of stuff in the kit still to use.

I really enjoyed the crop, I met up with Lisa's sisters, one of whom I hadn't seen for about 20 years, eek. And the other I last saw when she was a baby. And her Mom sorted us all out for lunch - really a family affair. The other ladies we met were so friendly to us new girls, and there was much admiring of other's stash and projects. Well, I certainly admired theirs...

Helen and I are planning on going along again - must remember to check when the next one is...

Sarah x

Optimism

Hmmn, long time , no post. And lots has been happening. Think I may have to break it into a few posts.

The main news around here is that Mark has been told he is going to be made redundant.

No real surprise, but still a big shock when it actually happens. At least we have had some time to sort of prepare for this. He's been on a short working week since last November, with extra time laid off over Christmas, so in a way it became sort of inevitable.

We've spent some of that time thinking around our options. It's most unlikely that he will be able to get another job in the same sort of area. But he can move into a slightly different area - possibly.

But we also have other ideas, which may include a house move, perhaps to another part of the country. With new jobs, or perhaps working for ourselves. Who knows?? But, we are certain it will all work out in the end, it always does. Hence the optimism of the post title.

At the moment, he's waiting to hear when he will actually finish. It may not be until November, but more likely to be sooner. So, although we know he will be finishing, we don't know when. Which makes it a little difficult to look for a new job. I'm sure there'll be more in future posts about this...

Sarah x

Snowballs and Birdies

Way back, about last Sunday. The first flakes of snow appeared. Charlie sat, in his waiting to come inside place, showing them off to perfection.

By Monday morning it looked like this. Kids went to school, kids got sent home from school, and lots of sledging, snowballing and snowman building commenced.
This morning the garden still looks like this. We may not have had some of the extreme snow conditions other parts of the country have had. But the snow just has not gone. Bits of road and path appear through the white, only to be swiftly covered by the next snowfall.

Will I ever be able to wear something other than my duvet like coat and walking boots? Soon, please, soon.
But, this morning has brought some sunshine. Time to get the camera out, quick. These snowballs, (ok then, pom poms), were made before Christmas, back when Phoebe, and Mark, were yearning for snow. And very pretty they look, too. And they don't hurt if you throw them!

Pom pom robins were requested, by my Mom, and these were hatched, just before Christmas. They have perched very quietly, waiting for some winter sunshine.
Now, time for some more catch-up pictures. This is Phoebe's decorated egg from last year at school. She made it all herself (ahem, well I had to do a bit of the boring glueing bits), including drawing that sweet face, and making carrots from Fimo. There's also a box of tissue paper cabbages resting under the carrots. The picket fence was made from some "borrowed" or was that" re-cycled" coffee stirrers.
And, may I present Eggwin The Magician. He is even older, from the year before. I think there was a bit of help from Lou that year - but definitely mostly her own work.

I think that the eggs are finally going to have to go. There's an unnerving solid sounding rattle to them now - if you dare to gently shake one (thanks, Lou). But Phoebe and I have planned to take pictures, and then scrapbook them.


And finally, for today. A little brooch I made from felt, a couple of weeks ago. I made two others ( in different colours) to go with birthday presents for my Mom and sister-in-law's birthdays, but I never photographed them before they were posted.

Till the next time,

Sarah x