Jeudi Journal - Unicorn?

"Being an adult is too complicated, time to be a unicorn" is the quote we have to work with today.  Marrying it up to Matilde's challenge at Art Journal Journey is not so easy but again I have managed it with the aid of a story so that you understand why we have the journal page we have.   Otherwise you would maybe think it all a wee bit strange.

I have trapped my thumb in the patio doors at the caravan.  Silly or dumb?  I just had one hand steadying my stance by the door whilst I leaned out to grab the door and swing it to - squashing my thumb on the way.  It's not broken I can wiggle it about but it bled like crazy all underneath the nail.  And it still throbs.  So my typing and my artwork has to be a little less than usual.  Luckily I had a page in my journal that had been there for ... years?  I have not a clue how I made it, it kind of has a feel of linoleum and there is a shine to it.  Anyway, it came in useful today.  No background to do and minimum of figures to colour, luckily they were already stamped and cut out.

"Mama Cat, or Sophie as she is known to her cat friends had had a really tiring day.  The weather had changed rather suddenly, the summer they all thought was never going to happen arrived and boy was it hot.  Not the kind of weather you want when you have lots to do, like getting four little ones off to school in a morning.  Made all the more difficult when Daddy Cat is off on a business trip for the entire week.

Of course the little ones had been playing up, especially the twins who always missed their father when he went away and really put Sophie's patience to the test.  It had escalated when Tom refused to eat his breakfast and in one of his tantrums he slammed the dish down and food went everywhere.  

After cleaning the messy kitchen up Sophie had gone upstairs to find that none of them had tidied their nightwear away and the bathroom looked as if a bomb had hit it.  It really was starting to be one of those days.  And so it went on.  Endless jobs needed doing and it was so warm that by lunchtime Sophie had had enough.  

Sinking down in her favourite armchair she felt drained.  "Being an adult is too complicated, time to be a unicorn" she uttered to no one but herself.  Then her eyelids dropped and she fell fast asleep dreaming of being a lovely pink unicorn riding fast and furiously along the beach, with the wind in her mane."

Would you like to be a unicorn?  They are all so popular with children these days and it always brings a smile to my face when I see a little one, like I did as I passed the fairground on Monday afternoon, running along clutching one of those balloons that stay up in the air, shaped like a beautiful pink unicorn.

WOYWW 786

Wonderful Wednesday yet again.  That means it's time for a snoop around the desks of fellow crafters - some craft with paper, some with paint, some with wool, some with fabric and we are all members of a lovely group of people who share what they have been up to every Wednesday.  Some have been doing it for years, others just a short while by comparison but we are all friends bound by this desire to have friends to share our hobby with.

Here I am with yet another injury.  Yes, I am accident prone without a doubt.  So what have I done?  Well you know how some people trap their fingers in a car door?  My thumb got trapped in the patio door yesterday.  I literally saw stars, sweat poured off me and I thought I was going to pass out.  Blood poured out as I dashed to the sink and stuck it under cold water.  Imagine a car door but twice as big so twice as heavy.  Crafting is on vacation, or sick leave, for the moment.

That means I cannot show you the fruits of my labour made whilst football has dominated our home/caravan.  We cut short the trip we had planned and came home today after a sleepless night with a thumb throbbing like crazy.  You can see a bit of an online workshop I did with Jo Rice on my desk but the finished article is awaiting the final touches.

and here's a cheeky chappy who came to visit

That's it for this week, can't type without my thumb.  See you next week, now it's over to Sarah's Shed for a meet up.

Jeudi Journal - Truths

I am running late today.  Last night my back went into spasm again and the pain was so bad I just had to go to bed.  Consequently this morning I was afraid of moving about much in case it set it off again.  It's along standing thing with me,  there doesn't seem to be much can be done about it but luckily the chiropractor has got it to a level where I can cope most days.  I gave up on the NHS years ago.

Today the quote we have to work with is "I am the Teller of Unpopular Truths" and we have to marry that up with the theme "What Makes Me Happy" over on Art Journal Journey.  To begin with I covered my page with a pale blue Pan Pastel and then, using Speckled Egg Oxide I put some small circles in the background.

"Lexi had been busy getting ready all afternoon.  She was going to wear her new red dress and the red sparkling hair slides in her hair because she was off to see Snake Hips who had just had another top twenty hit with his latest song and whose film was showing at the local cinema in two weeks time.  

All the girls in the town will be getting themselves ready she thought, but they don't know what I know.  Her uncle Tom worked at the local theatre where Snake Hips was due to appear that evening and he had been talking to some of the roadies.  Apparently Snake Hips was especially fond of the colour red.  This was a little known fact as he liked to keep things like that under wraps but uncle Tom knew that Lexi would be overjoyed to know this and so he told her.

That was why she was wearing a new red dress.  Being a red head she tended to shy away from wearing reds, pinks and oranges.  Such a shame because she loved those colours but somehow they didn't go with her hair.  Most of her wardrobe consisted of blue and green! She had even painted her glasses with some red nail varnish, she was going to attract the eyes of Snake Hips she just knew it.

Just then a knock came at her bedroom door and in walked her twin brother, Leo.  

"What on earth are you wearing?" he asked.  "You look ridiculous and what on earth is that in your hair?"

"It's a new dress" Lexi replied, "and the sparkles in my hair cost me an arm and a leg so you can be quiet."

"Oh Lexi, you cannot go out looking like that, all in red.  It just doesn't look right with your hair.  You are like a walking disaster."

"No I am not.  And besides which Snake Hips loves red and he will see me because I will stand out from the crowd for him.  You can be so cruel at times.  I don't criticise what you wear."

"I'm not cruel" replied Leo, "if anything I'm the teller of unpopular truths."

"Well, go and tell your unpopular truths to someone else, just not me tonight.  And you can close the door on your way out."  And with that Lexi turned her back on her brother and applied another coat of mascara to her already spider looking lashes.  "I know what I am doing and what does he know."

WOYWW 785

 Another Wednesday and at last I have remembered to scan some cards before they landed in the mail box. Just wish this weather would pick up and we could enjoy some sitting in the sunshine for a change.  I really cannot remember a June like this before - flaming June?  My desk is empty so no use in showing it to you this week but I have been producing - just had to tidy up afterwards.

Yesterday saw a visit to the chiropractor followed by the podiatrist - a bit of an MOT day you might say.  And the two appointments were miles apart so it was a bit of motoring and no time for anything else that day.  Until I realised both appointments fell on the same day I had been planning to take DH for a lovely lunch at Mowgli, which is one of our favourite Indian restaurants, and is quite close to the chiropractors.  Not only do I like the food but I like their ethics too and the chaat bombs are divine.

Last Friday brought the long awaited birth of one of my closest friends daughter's baby girl.  Little Lila Rose was born around lunchtime and is a Friday's child like me (loving and giving 'lol').  It was wonderful to get the phone call telling me she had arrived and both were doing well.  So it was all systems go to get the card made.  I had one for the new grandparents ready and waiting (someone on here may recognise the image) coloured in with pencil crayons:

Grandparents (sorry it's a bit wonky)

and Mummy & Daddy for Lila Rose

I did send another birthday card out but it is one you have already seen - from my navy and white collection I did show you on the 1st May.

Just remembered in time to show you the two cards I made for a flower swap I am now on, on the internet

Both use images by Tracy Evans from Aall & Create.  I know Tracy has branched out on her own now but these are from the A&C days.  The ladies should have got these by now.

Right, that is it for this week - see you over at Sarah's for this week's WOYWW.

Jeudi Journal - Morning

 "Good Morning - No such Thing" is the quote I was given to play with today and marry up with Matilde's challenge at Art Journal Journey.  Entirely the opposite to "What Makes you Happy" which is Matilde's choice for the challenge if you take it literally because a 'good morning' always makes me happy.  Particularly one where the sun is shining and it is nice and warm outside and I have nothing pressing to do so I can go and enjoy the birds singing and feel the sun on my face.  Imagine a lovely walk with the sun shining through the trees, the floor littered with tiny speedwells or lily of the valley, pretty butterflies flitting from bush to bush whilst the birds are singing.  What could be nicer?

"Bree had been cooped up all winter and spring had not been much better for getting out and about.  Even if the sun did shine on occasions it was always cold when she went out walking in and around her favourite  woodland area.  It was now June and despite the sun shining  that morning she honestly couldn't say it was shorts and t-shirt weather, not for her at least.  Still, with her best friend by her side she was determined she was going to enjoy a lovely walk.

She had always been brought up to be courteous and kind, learnt whilst walking out with her father to say 'good morning' as she passed people who always seemed to return the greeting, and so on her walks she always had a smile on her face and said "good morning" as she passed people.  Most people gave her a cheery smile back and said "good morning" as they went on their way.  

She took Max, her doggy companion, on her walk through the parkland and beyond to the edge of the small wooded area where she used to play as a child.  This was a favourite walk and it brought back many happy memories of the lady and her husband who lived in the small cottage  on the edge of the woods.  She often used to see the two of them sat in the sunshine in their deck chairs out in the garden, always giving her a cheery wave, but now she didn't recall seeing either of them for weeks.   In fact the garden seemed a little neglected.

This particular day, as she walked past the cottage she glimpsed the old man in his garden.

"Good morning" she called and gave him a cheery wave, "lovely day for a walk" she continued.

There was no response so she called out again "Good morning, lovely day for a walk isn't it?"

"Good morning - No Such Thing" came the grumpy reply.

"Oh Dear" thought Bree as she hurried on by.  Obviously not a happy day for everyone.  And as she carried on walking along the edge of the woodland she began thinking about the old man.  "Something must be wrong with him" she thought to herself, "I wonder if his wife is ok, I haven't seen her looking through the window in ages.  Perhaps one of them is not very well."  She looked down at Max, "What do you think?" she asked, "should we call on the way back".  Max looked up at her and began wagging his tail.  

Taking that for an answer she decided that there could be no harm in knocking at the door and asking the old man if everything was ok, and if there was anything she could do for him - for them.  And so, true to her word, she took a deep breath in as she neared the cottage and knocked timidly on the door."

Now, do you think the old man was friendly, happy to see her, or was he just a grumpy old man who told her his life was none of her business.  Perhaps you can write an ending to this story or maybe I will finish it off one day soon.

WOYWW 784

 One or two people were a bit confused over my Miranda Book mentioned last week.  Sorry, I just wrote as I was thinking.  I met a lovely young person called Miranda van den Bosch at a workshop in Harrogate and then met up with her in the Netherlands later.  I have always admired her art, especially her Dylusion Journaling - and her Derwent Pencil work which pops up on Facebook now and then.

Miranda introduced me to a book making die and so I call it my Miranda Book whenever I make one.  I wanted to make one as a gift for someone and am now delighted to say I am moving on with it having found the die.  You can see a sample here.  I will show you the new one when it is finished.  I have so much I want to do but my room is such an untidy mess and I do want to do some decluttering as well.  Whilst I was laid up with my poorly knee I was still buying stamps and so the past two days have been spent sorting out the new stamps, cataloguing and putting them on laminated sheets in their appropriate boxes.  I need more boxes but might change the boxes instead of buying more of the others.  It all comes down to the declutter.

I'm not very untidy at this end of my worktop

Seems as if I like boxes

As you can see from my desk I have almost finished the two cards started last week, yes they got side lined for the cataloguing etc.  This is my table I work on

Not much different to last week but these cards are all but finished, honestly.  The jigsaw pieces are just what I wrote on to say what I had used in my cards.  Thought they could maybe use them and I have lots so about time I shared them out.

I did receive two lovely cards in a swap I have joined in and these are both from the topic 'silhouette'.

 

Roberta's above, and Viv's below:

Well that is it for this week, cannot promise a lot next week but hopefully there will be some crafting.  In the meantime pop over to Sarah's Craft Shed and see what other WOYWW'ers have been up to.

Jeudi Journal - Cry

"What on earth is the matter?" said Mum as she walked in the hallway having heard the most terrible crying, "have you hurt yourself?" she went on to ask, as she saw her youngest, Billy, in tears as he stood by the door.

Sonia had been hoping for a lovely quiet afternoon all to herself.  It was the start of the summer holidays - six weeks of having to occupy the children as they spent summer at home - all day and every day.  Every day apart from the two glorious weeks when the family all went on holiday and she could share the load with her darling husband Bernard.  She was lucky in many ways, Bernie had a good job which meant she did not have to go out to work but what a culture shock it was when the young ones were on holiday.

That afternoon she had been so glad the sun was shining and the twins wanted to play out.  She thought she had time to sit and ponder what to do with her hair, might even have time to do her nails.  The housework had been done, everywhere was lovely and tidy, beds had been changed, sheets were drying outside and dinner was in the oven.  She was just about to make herself a lovely cup of coffee and to put her feet up when this loud wailing almost perforated her ear drums.

Billy stood there, tears streaming down his face, arms stiffly by his side, sobbing his little heart out.  Once again she asked him what was the matter, there was no sign of an obvious injury so all seemed well in that way.

"Mummm" he managed to say before more tears came flooding down.  Sonia waited patiently offering her arms out to him.

"Come on" she said, "it can't be as bad as that surely.  Nothing is worth getting yourself in such a state."

"You, you don't know what has happened mum" he managed to get out.  More tears and finally he spluttered "You know that Freddie in the next avenue, well he was being nasty to me and he knows how much I like Fiona.  Well, he said something to her, both started laughing and then he called me Shrek."

"That's probably only because Shrek has a girlfriend called Fiona" said mum.

"Yes, I know that" replied Billy, "but then he turned to Fiona and said "Don't be afraid to tell someone how you feel, bonus points if you make them cry."

"So you burst into tears?" asked mum.

"No, I managed to swallow and keep the tears inside me but it began to hurt my throat and I just walked away and then I started running and all I wanted was to come home to you.  I didn't let the tears come until I saw our house.  Do you think Fiona will know I was upset?  I don't want her to think I am a wimp."

"No of course not" replied Sonia, "now come into the kitchen with me and we'll talk about it, I was about to make a coffee for myself but let's have banana milkshakes instead and what about a piece of chocolate cake?"

And with that the two of them disappeared into the kitchen for newly baked chocolate cake and a milk shake."

This is my journal page for this week and my entry into Matilde's challenge at Art Journal Journey which is "What makes you Happy".  Linking in a little with the journal page/story I am happy when the sun is shining and I can get the sheets from the bed outside so that next time they are used they have that wonderful smell about them.  That is just one thing that makes me happy.  Being a mum all those years ago when my son was little also made me happy, I'd love to be able to have one or two of those days back again. 

My page was stamped with small background stamps in Versamark and then Pan Pastels in greens and blues were smooched on top.  As usual my Promarkers were used for colouring the figures from Dylusions.  The quote is one Wendy sent to me.

WOYWW 783

First of all, remember me writing to Derwent about the free tin on the 13th May?  Well, yesterday I finally got a reply telling me that this offer is "exclusive to the website".  So I wrote back and suggested they make this known on the website.  They managed to write straight back acknowledging my reply and this time they say they will pass my comment on to the marketing team for their consideration.

Sylvia has received my ATC from the Anniversary swap so it was good to know that my two little ATC's had arrived with her over in America.  She got two because she was my pif.

I have finally been discharged from the clinic with my knee (well, couldn't be discharged without it could I?). According to my son it has been 20 weeks of visiting the clinic up to discharge day.  It feels strange not to have anything covering the ugly looking scar and so it is either a longish skirt or trousers from now on.  I'll be glad when it gets back to normal as it still hurts when I move or keep it in one place for long.

And now to my desk.  I was looking for a die to make some Miranda Books with, couldn't find it anywhere, even tidied my cupboard out that I never go in but it wasn't there.  Didn't throw much away as first intended.  Story of my life!  (Incidentally found it yesterday - where I had looked at least twice before.)

My worktop below

and where I am about to work

I am doing a swap in a group I used to be active in and these are the two stamps I have chosen.  I don't think the ladies will come on here so should be safe.  Surprise surprise - not Lavinia for a change.

That's about it so I will leave you for another week but show you my poppies in our garden and the azalea bush which is going rampant.  Take care everyone.  See you shortly at Sarah's.