Look what I won

I have been given an award by the lovely and talented Jules at Creative Makes

http://www.creativemakes.blogspot.com/

What a surprise - we live a world apart and only 'know' each other through the CB Forum but I consider her a new friend. Thank you Jules.

Now I have to follow these instructions...
1) Write a post with links to 5 blogs you find of interest and that inspire you.
2) Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3) Display the logo "You Make My Day"
4) Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.

Who to choose is the hard part - I have come to know so many. Here Goes,
I choose:

http://tassiescraftiethings.blogspot.com/ - a great blog with some really great craft on it.

http://www.scrapbookingforthesoul.blogspot.com/ a super blog if you are interested in scrapbooking

http://thecrafttable.blogspot.com/ a blog full of fabulous ideas and creativity

http://dillydallydingle.blogspot.com/ a blog full of fantastic ideas and craft

http://whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/ another really creative blog

All of these people I have 'met' through the CB Forum - I have tried not to double up on the people Jules chose so if I have left you out it is just so I can spread the love around - I think you are all a fantastic bunch of people!

I've found it!

My mojo that is! I must have just needed to relax a little because as soon as Saturday rolled round I felt inspired and creative again. I made two cards today.

This one for my boys' very precious 91-years young great-grandmother - not sure what she thought of it as she didn't say much. Probably can't understand why I'd bother to make something when I could go and buy it :-).

This one is for my sister who has a birthday soon

- I am so organised it is scary as I have made her

this exploding box as well. (Don't worry I don't think she knows about blogs so I won't be spoiling the surprise.

I also got started on the CB forum bookmark swap - found some scrummy papers to use - can't spoil the surprise by showing too much though.

I've also done some work on the CB forum ATC swap so feel as though I am really fizzing now.....

Lost my mojo!

I can't find my mojo! I have so many things that I 'have' to make - cards, bookmark, ATCs - and I have no inspiration! Isn't that always the way....

It's a long time since I updated my blog so I thought I had better do something! I made this notebook a few weeks ago. It is supposed to encourage me to be more organised. About 50% success rate so far!

I think part of the problem is being tired - not taking care of myself! The start of the school year always takes some getting used to - for me and kids - so this weekend will be a 'be kind to yourself' weekend! Recharge the batteries and get some projects under way. Wish me luck :-)

Thought for the day:My mind contains many good ideas, but it's not always easy to squeeze one out. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Not really a Valentines person but I made a few non-traditional cards - just for the fun of it. Here they are.

Got to thinking about how commercialised holidays have become. Valentines, Easter, Birthdays, Christmas - they are all excuses to spend too much money and on what? Stuff people don't need and won't use. This is the year that I break away from the hype and the pressure to spend spend spend. I'm only giving gifts to people because I want to not because I feel obliged. I am also going to make gifts where I can - ot only does it save money - it is fun. There is a real feeling of satisfaction in giving a gift that comes from the heart. The only problem is - I'll have to convince a 15 and 10 year old that homemade is 'cool'! Not sure how I'll do that.

Thought for the day:

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~Henry Ford

Hello Monday!

My youngest left for his school camp this morning - he is gone all week! Being ten and all he was too old to give me a hug when I left him (how will I go a week without a hug?) but he did offer me a 'virtual' hug as in "Don't come any closer mum- virtual hug time!" On the positive side it means I get to 'bond' with his older brother this week - we don't get the chance to hangout much so this will be nice.

I made a couple of cards tonight as well - it is amazing how much time you have when you don't have to make school lunch, do laundry etc! (Sorry not great photos)

Living life one day at a time

I have been inspired to set up a blog by the very creative people that hang out at Crafts Beautiful forum - I've spent so much time reading their blogs that this has taken forever - procrastination could be my middle name!

Earlier this week I attended the funeral of a friend who was taken by cancer after a long painful illness. She was 41 and lived life to the full. It gave me a good nudge - and reminded me that life is short and I have a habit of putting things off - and then they never get done. So now I am working on a list of all the things I am, not I want but I am, going to do.

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, drink in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

One of them is stopping to smell the roses more - while I work hard 9-5 I tend to drift when I get home so I am making more time to spend with my children, more time to spend doing the things I want to do and more time to spend with friends.

One of the items on my 'list' is to spend time doing things I enjoy such as crafting - inspired again by the gals at CB forum - and this is a card I made earlier today. The picture is a birthday gift for my (ex)MIL - whose birthday is today and I am a bit late sending it as she is in Liverpool and I am in New Zealand. Can I blame the postman?