Saturday In My Garden

Hello Everyone,

I can't deny it. I've been neglecting this poor blog. Truth is, I've been a bit down and not feeling particularly communicative. Alan's continuing ill health is a worry. The virus has left us both run down and struggling. We've had to come to terms with how life has changed for us in so many ways. 

The first daffodil of the year.

For example, Alan can no longer drive so he has, with a heavy heart, decided to sell the car. Neither of us are capable of the things we took for granted, like housework, gardening, going for walks, etc. 

Purple crocus in a window box.

Of course, our problems in no way compare with those the poor people in Ukraine are facing daily. My heart goes out to them and I hope this terrible war ends soon. We are grateful to be where we are, and for what we still have, that's for sure. And now that spring is here that includes the garden. There are signs all around of better days to come and we're looking forward to it being warm enough for us to sit out, and relax in the sunshine. 

Butter wouldn't melt! This is Silver's way of waking me up - usually between 4 and 5am - so she can go out for her morning constitutional! 

It's now 7am and we have, Silver and I, been up since 4.30am and, of course, she's snoozing in Alan's chair, her favourite spot. I feel the need for a snooze too. 

Blossom on Alan's plum tree

I'm not making any promises to post here more often, or join in with Julia's WOYWW or Annie's Friday Smiles. Not for now. But I will try to keep up with the occasional post like this one until things improve. 

In the meantime, I hope you are all well and safe. 

Keep crafting, 

Elizabeth

Scrapbook Layouts 2022 - Nos. 5&6

Hello Everyone

I hope this finds you well. The news is still full of the devastating happenings in Ukraine and, sadly, there seems to be no end to the war. I don't profess to know what it's about, but I do know it's inhumane! 

It seems, therefore, frivolous to be sharing more of my scrapbook layouts, but scrapping is what I do to escape, even if it's just for a little while. Here is page 5&6 of 2022.

No.5 2022

This one is the title page for my 2022 album. The photo is of the image I downloaded and used in the first post of the year. I'd been hoarding the stunning  patterned paper for something special (Vicki Boutin's Fernwood Collection, 'Fable'). What could be more special than welcoming a New Year. The metallic flair (Dotty About Flair) are rather special too. 

No.6 January Week 1

This page is put together in the style of project life but there are no pockets. I've tried the real PL pocket pages, persisted with them even, but they're not for me. This method, borrowed from Mind The Scrap's Emma, enables me to record a snapshot of a week on a page. I shall be using it throughout the year. 

That's it for today. I'm still finding the time I have to escape to the craftroom limited. I suspect this will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. However, I've spotted the first signs of Spring - the sparrows are back to nest behind the weatherboards above the craftroom - and we're looking forward to spending time pottering about in the garden. 

Take care and keep safe.

Scrapbook Layout 2022 - No.24

Hello Everyone

I had every intention of joining in with yesterday's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, but it was just one of those days when nothing worked out the way I intended. Which is a shame because i planned to post the partially made page pictured on last week's desk now that it's finished. So, believing it's better late than never, I'm sharing it today instead. 

No.24 This Photo

The photo is of Alan taken the day he was discharged from hospital, 8th April 2020, after he had his hip operation. As you can see, he was doing well, adapting to using the crutches and finding his mouth made a useful third hand! 

Of course, what we didn't know was that he was already infected with Covid and it was only a matter of time before we were both ill and admitted to hospital. 

The layout is based on one of Lisa Sikorski's sketches, one I've used before. This time I flipped it to allow me to fit the cut-file title (from Peartree Cutfiles). Originally white, it was coloured with an Aqua Marker - colour 'Spice'. 

Apart from the flair and flower embellishments, all materials are from older stash. I'm resisting the temptation to break into the new goodies bought recently with my birthday and Christmas money. Their day will come. 

That's it from me today. I can't even begin to guess what tomorrow will bring so no promises that I'll be back with another post. Fingers crossed. 

Stay safe and keep well. 

Elizabeth

Scrapbook Layouts 2022 - Nos. 3&4

Hello Everyone,

Well, that's Monday over again. I know it's not everyone's favourite day of the week but it was a particularly frosty start here. Hope today isn't so cold. 

Clearly, I've fallen behind with recording pages completed so far this year so here's numbers 3 & 4, just for the record. 

3/2022 - Breathe

This layout came from my choice of  'one little word'. Not to make too much of it but I've found the last two years stressful, and there's little sign so far this year of things improving.  So I decided I need to do something to combat the stress. Choosing and concentrating on OLW is said to help and telling myself to slow down and just 'breathe' seems to me a start in the right direction. 

The choice of yellow and green - so cheerful and optimistic - seemed right too. Especially in the dark days of winter. The lemons always remind me of a wonderful week spent on the Amalfi coast, Italy, twenty or more years ago now. 

 

4/2022 - Meow You Doin'?

Loved this 'Playful Pets' paper collection but did wonder how best to use the many cut-aparts that came with it. Lisa Sikorski to the rescue with the perfect sketch (Scrap a Sketch on Facebook) and Silver, of course, with the perfect playful snaps! 

Right, that's it for this morning. We have a pink sky outside - a real bonnie dawn - which probably means more frost. I'm off to enjoy it, and do as I ought, just breathe!

Take care everyone.

Elizabeth

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 665

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while. I didn't realise until today quite how long it's been since I joined in with Julia's WOYWW. My last post is dated 12th February - that's weeks ago! Alan has been poorly again and consequently needed a lot of TLC. He's been better for a few days so I'm hopeful he'll be fine for a while but we can never tell with long-Covid - finger's crossed.

Right, onto the desk. 

What's on it is an almost completed page. It wasn't until I viewed this photo that I realised I'd missed out the inners of some of the letters in the cut-file! 

They have been coloured with a watercolour pen - Spectrum Aqua 'Spice'. I'd almost forgotten I had this collection of pens, and they are lovely.

The kitten bit:

Introducing the Licky Mat. Silver loves eating her food from it. I'm told it makes food more interesting for her. 

The book bit:

And it's not an audiobook today but a real printed paper book - 'Little Stories of Your Life' by Laura Pashby. This is a delightful and beautifully illustrated book, in which readers are encouraged to look for the magical moments in our everyday life. 

Sorry, given what's happening in Ukraine, there are no funnies this week. Words fail me. My thoughts are with everyone caught up in this terrible war, in particular the children. 

Finally, we were saddened to hear Julia's sad news about her beloved Mama this week. Alan and I will be thinking of her and her family during this difficult time. 

Bye for now

Elizabeth