Sitting here....

All alone! Everyone's gone. Noone in the Green Room whatsoever.. Janice - our techie computer lady from Ideal world, and Sheena and Hels are now in the Studio... and I'm sat here in the Green Room.. watching Create and Craft of course.

But I just wanted to share a photo of our new Green Room floor with you.

Doesn't it look nice?? Just an odd post.. but there was noone else here to take a photo of.. lol..

Day 18.... shall I try to do some blogging?

As I'm sat here at the minute in the Green Room in between shows, I thought I'd do a tad of blogging...

I know most of the time that things get ahead of me, and I just get further behind, but in a few weeks after the May Madness is over, I shall have time to catch up on everything Blog wise - all the challenges that our lovely Emma has been posting.. and of course it's Day 18 today.. and I think I may just have managed to get a few posts up. I still have my cards, my challenges, my answers to the challenges to post.. but hey.. it'll all be worth waiting for! (she says..!)

So.. today's Blog prompt...

Day 18..

How do you feel about spring cleaning? Blog about it! Mention your favourite household cleaner and talk about the advert that always makes you buy...or perhaps you just don't do any because crafting takes over your life! Invite a fellow Creativity Club member/blogger to join you in blogging daily. This could be a fun friendship.

Spring Cleaning? Any cleaning? Housework?? What's that.. this is how I'm feeling at the minute with regards to my housework... lol.. I just haven't had time to do much at all - just the bare bones and basics, and thanks to my lovely hubby, the housework has been kept on top of.

However, saying that, when I get a chance, I really love to have a good old chuck out of clutter and a good tidy up. In fact, I did have a good throw out session a while ago, but it looks like nothing's moved.. lol. Time for another when I get chance I'm sure.
My favourite cleaner? Well, any cleaner with bleach me thinks. I love the smell of bleach in the kitchen and bathroom as it makes everything smell fresh and clean. The last one I bought was a Flash with Bleach cleaner, and the best thing about it is that it comes out as a foam... great stuff as it means that I don't get it all over my clothes - now that's a novelty for me!!

As far as the adverts are concerned.. it's not something that I tend to go by. I like to try it myself and see how I go on with the items. Simply put. If I don't like it, I don't use it.

Now... all I need to do now to complete this post is to find someone to be my Blogging buddy... any offers?

I'm nearly caught up...

Yes! I can't actually quite believe it myself after being buried under a mountain of work this past few weeks... and I found my desk this evening too! lol.

As you know, things tend to get a bit hectic with one thing or another at times, and this past few weeks have just flown by. I did have a bit of a wobble last week after looking at my to-do list and wondered how I was going to fit everything in, but I had a good old chinwag with my friend Emma, and felt much better and alot calmer.. haha. Me? Calm?

So, with diary in hand, I planned my attack. I pencilled in a list of things I needed to get done, and when they needed to be done by, then prioritised them. Now bear in mind, organisational skills are not one of my strong points, so this tends to be a bit of a minefield to me! However, it's now the 17th May and I'm seeing the buntings on the horizon. Jubilee? Who mentioned that?

I have a few websites though, that are fantastic for organisational hints and tips.. I'll share the link when I find them.. but philofaxy is one I love love love.. I try to read the blog most days, and it satisfies my curiosity to how others use their filofax, and also has fab hints and tips too! I know. I'm boring. I'm a bit of a stationery geek, but that's not a bad thing. Is it?
The grand total of work achieved this week is as follows - the end of Pick of the Week last Friday, in store demonstrations Saturday and Sunday, Creativity mag commissions finished for Monday (... and there were oooooodles! but it was all lovely, so thoroughly enjoyed working with it!), Creativity TV samples started on Tuesday and finished Wednesday, and demonstrations for the launch of the new Pick of the Week which is going live tomorrow!!

I don't really get a day off until the beginning of June. Jubilee bank holiday. Sounds good to me!

As you can see, life is never dull and boring... it's all very exciting.. but one thing I am missing is sitting down to do my Blog Posting for the challenges set by Emma. So, here are another two to add to my collection of things to do when I get a chance.. lol.

Day 16

I often find myself sitting in front of the computer in the office at HQ wondering how many of my Creativity Club members do scrapbooking.

Today's blog prompt touches on the subject of scrapbooking. I would love to know if you DO and why you DO IT and if you DON'T why DON'T YOU? This could be the opportunity for you to have a go at scrapbooking to show it on your blog.

Day 17

Top Tips when Blogging...

1. At the start of each month jot down a blog post theme for each day of the month. Even if you don't stick to it daily, you have something at hand for when you do want to blog. Have a look around at other peoples blogs or at the news as this may create some inspiration for a daily post when you are planning!

2. You don't just need to blog on the day, you could write a series of blog posts and schedule them in to go live on your chosen day - you don't even need to be sat at your computer for your post to go live. Handy if you know that you have a busy day coming up.

Today's Prompt... Create a cheerful card and blog about it. Dedicate it to someone special and write about your dedication.

Just a few photos for you -

I have had great delight today in watching the fledgling starlings come down to the feeders for some food... they are so cute. I am also delighted that I still have one little Great Tit come back down for dinner, even though his (or indeed her!) mate was taken by the 'orrid Sparrowhawk the other day. Poor thing. I know it's nature, but not in my back garden thank you very much..

So.. without further ado, here are a few photos I wanted to share with you.

As you can see, I love the little birdies in the garden.. this top one is a little blurred, but I couldn't resist getting my cheeky sparrow. It always come down and sits on the shrub when I'm putting feed out. Cheeky thing.

And then there's this little chappy. I LOVE the colours of the starlings, even though they are like the vandals of the bird world! They are so haphazard they are comical.. Here the little chap is looking at the meal worms that were in the dish.

I just like the expression on the birds face - "by eck Mrs.. what the flippin eck are you trying to feed up? they is still wigglin'.... !"

Hope you like the pictures. xx

Dropped behind... oh dear!

Catching up very quickly on my Blog Prompts.. I'm copying them all to my blog from the posts that Emma's so kindly put up on the Creativity Club page, so I don't forget they need doing... or what numbers I've actually done (or not, as the case may be.. lol)

Day 11

Todays blog prompt is to write about and show off photographs of your craft room! How do you store everything? Any nifty and thrifty ideas to share? I also want you to name your favourite episode of Creativity TV to date...

Day 12

I have been up since...well very early and decided to sort out my kids toys! It got me thinking about storage solutions. I know I mentioned them in yesterdays blog post but blog today about your storage solutions for both outside and inside. Are you a gardener? Tell me more about life with green fingers. Are you mega organised in the house? Tell me about it.

Day 13

Today's blog prompt is to write about your favourite craft product. It would be great to show us a few cards that you have made using your favourite product too!

Don't forget to link back to here so we can read your blog post.

Don't forget that if you refer to other crafters/bloggers/companies then link to them in your blog post!

Day 14

So how are you getting on with the blog prompts? Starting to give up? Struggling with daily blogging? Stick with it please. Have you noticed more followers to your blog? Are your blog post titles exciting enough to lead someone over to read your daily posts. Are your blog posts interesting enough to get comments? Today's blog prompt is - The day in the life of... This could be yourself or interview someone!! Have fun blogging and have fun discovering someone's typical day! How about getting a fellow Creativity Club member to guest post for your blog? Or do a call out for a docrafts demonstrator to write about their demonstration day?

Day 15

Today's blog prompt is 'My Guilty Pleasure...'

Now you can make this craft themed or you can simply share a recipe (We love cakes here at docrafts) or a crafty project with us. It may even be stalking your favourite crafter and having to check their website or blog before your day begins.

AND Ask your audience what their guilty pleasure is and get them to add their link to your blog post so you can go and read and leave a comment.

So.. there we go.. homework for me at some point when i get chance... lol..

Blog prompt - Day 10.... Jo Austin Craft?

Here's the prompt for today...

What makes you smile?

Is it a product? a crafty friend? a particular blog? An event? Your family?

Blog about what makes you smile.

Have you been looking at your blog traffic stats? Take a look and see if your traffic has increased, look at what blog post has been most popular and mention it in today's blog post.

Have your followers increased? Make sure you leave comments on other blogs - it's kind.

Have you tried searching your name in Google? Are you on the first page of your search yet?

What a good one eh? So, where shall we start with this one??

What makes me smile... well, lovely things - like silverback gorilla's, giraffes, family, elephants... lots of things, including my children, pets and husband.

To single one thing out, it would be my dogs. There's not a day goes by when I don't smile at their antics. Scooby in particular is one of the funniest, cutest characters I have ever come across. He is such a cheeky boy. All of our dogs, Holly, Truly and Scooby have their own characters.

Scooby is the cheeky minx, the loveable rogue. The one who gets into mischief without even trying. He loves attention, loves his cuddles and loves his food... and he knows how to get it. Scooby is one in a million and everyone who meets him falls in love with him. His cute nickname is Wussypants.. as he is actually a big softy who's scared of most things.

Holly is the complete opposite. She's our little Grotbags. She is the most loving doggy you could want. She loves her cuddles (and always has to sit on your left to get them... she hates sitting on the right!!) and will always greet you with something in her mouth, bum wagging from side to side and lots of slobbery kisses.. When we are in the house, she's loving, quiet and a typical young lady. When we're out, she becomes a tearaway. A little rogue who loves nothing more on a walk, than tormenting Scooby.. chasing him and following him, pinching his ball, and being a general grotbags with him. But he loves her to bits, and she chose him when we were looking for another dog. She was 6 months old and she pined when we left him. It's just like they've never been apart.

Now Truly.... unruly truly.. the ginger whinger.. Call her what you will, because she totally doesn't take any notice.. lol.

She is our little Irish gem. She came over from southern Ireland when we were fostering. I won't go into details, but she was a bit abused, in a bit of a state and quite subdued. That is totally not what she's like now!! She's a bit (!!) unruly, is a bit hyperactive (slight understatement here.. !) and has lots of emotional / physical issues.. lol. She is a whinger. She moans and grumbles at the smallest thing, she chatters away and you always know what she wants. I would say she is the only one of the three that is quite talkative.

The best thing about her is her character. She is totally besotted with her Daddy. When he's at home she doesn't give him a minute. She sleeps with one eye open all the time. If he moves, she moves.. and when he's not there, that affection turns to me. She is adorable. The funniest thing about her that makes me smile is how she bats him around the head with her paw when she wants something.. lol. She loves to sit on his knee for a cuddle but if she's feeling cheeky, she'll just whack him, and nuzzle him. So cute to see.

So, that's what makes me smile. Being at home with my pets.

Now onto part two, about my blogging.. and which post in my traffic feed is most popular.. well, let me go take a look...

Bearing in mind that this blog was only started in February, the most popular page on this blog is about the Moments of Faith products from Docrafts.

On my previous blog, THIS post was the most popular..

So there we have it so far... now I must make a move and will finish it later. xx

Day 9 Blog prompt - quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt

Ooooh what happened to my quotes?? I thought Blogger was acting a bit dicky last night, but never thought to check it once I'd published. Well, that'll teach me won't it!!

Oh well, the quotes I wanted to share with you today are here.. finally!

• Eleanor Roosevelt - Noone can make you feel inferior without your consent.
• Eleanor Roosevelt - Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticised anyway!
• Eleanor Roosevelt - if someone betrays you once, it's their fault.. if they do it twice, it's yours.

Over the past years, I have learnt that each of the ones above are true. The top one most importantly.

Funnily enough, I had forgotten about this quote I'd come across a long time ago, until I was sat talking with Debbie Moore and others in the green room the other week at Create and Craft.. and Debbie came out with the quote. So glad I found it again..

It makes me think of how I think about things. I often find that I feel like this, but it's because of other peoples actions, and not those of myself. The other two of Eleanors quotes are also very true, and I'm afraid to say they're part of life I guess. The second on in particular is true.. and it doesn't matter what you do, there'll be someone out there criticising what you think is the right thing to do.

The last of Eleanors quotes.. well, what can I say. It just sort of says it all really.

And another... not by Eleanor, but this is really true. Again, something I have done over the past few years, and if it's something you are thinking of doing, I would whole heartedly say it's the right thing to do. I feel fantastic, and my whole life has improved for the better because of it.

Gale Duarte McTiernan =

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and the people that create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones that don't.

Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

... and a beautiful poem for you - given to me by a fellow Springer Fosterer.. and again, it means alot to me. I love Doggy-type quotes. And having two spaniels from rescue, this poem is soooo true and means alot. Always bear it in mind. Life for our doggies is not always great, but we can make a difference.

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mum, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

- Author Unknown-

Day 8 blog prompt

Well.. here goes again for another day.. I still have a few to catch up on when I get chance. But I need a few more hours at home, then I'll be sorted.. lol.

Anyway onto today.. and the prompt is.. What book are you reading at the moment? Share a project inspired by this book.

So, what am I reading at the moment.. well, truth is not too much at the moment. I do have The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on my app on the phone, and I do tend to dib in and out of it occasionally. It's an Anne Bronte book and one that I read in depth for my O levels many years ago. I remember I loved that book, and it got me quite a good mark on my exams too.. go clever old me. I loved the story behind it, and the way that Anne wrote just blew me away. I quite like all the Bronte sisters books, but Anne is my favourite.

It's about the only 'reading' book I've read. I know that sounds silly, but I'd much rather read an autobiography or a magasine, I dont often read 'story books'.. if you know what I mean.

Again, I will catch up on this one later.. lol..

Blog prompts.. a bit of a catch up on the first few days..

Yes. I know. It started a week ago.. but I've been sooo busy recently, I forgot all about it. However, this evening, I'm sat in my Hotel room, with the rain pouring down onto the window, so I thought I'd make a start and see how far I got.



Prompt One - Why should you craft?

Well. For those that have never crafted before, I think it is a really relaxing hobby. You can meet a variety of crafters, from beginners to the more advanced if you take the time to visit craft shops (which you would no doubt do! lol) and also share ideas with others at craft fairs and shows along the way.

I personally find it fills my creative side. There's nothing better than sitting to make a card, or do a painting, or a drawing of something - and believe me, I like to keep my fingers nice and nimble! It's not often that I paint, but thoroughly enjoy it when I do. I love doodling, drawing, sketching, and fiddling with colours, but most of all, I love card making.

I have done the odd scrapbook page, but it's not that often I venture into the world of 12 x 12!

However, here's one that I did do.. that I am most proud of.

Three great creative loves of mine on here - photography, sewing and papercrfts! I took the photographs in the studio of my two girls (who were obviously alot younger then!) and I also made the dresses they were wearing.. in fact, I also cut their hair.. as yes, I am also a hairdresser, and photographer and all round crafty person!

And another just to share because I can! ... layout is based on one created by the uber talented scrapbooker, Miss Katy Godbeer!

I know the photo hasn't been cropped or anything, but I just uploaded direct from my phone and wanted to share.. but I guess you get an idea of the sort of thing I wanted to achieve.

So why should you craft? Because it's sociable, creative and most importantly, it's fun!

Right.. onto day 2...

Oh my.... my 5 favourite Docrafts members galleries and why?... this could be a hard decision.. but here goes..

1. JULIEJULIEJULIE I like Julie's colouring! I have had the pleasure of meeting her a while ago, and she is a really lovely person too.
   
2. Crafty Bird Lisa I love the fact that she's got so many diffrent style cards on her gallery - and her style is like mine..
   
3. Geraldine A beautiful selection of cards and items.. all very pretty and they always catch my eye.
   
4. NannaCupcake Again, just my type of style.. someone I always look at in the gallery.
   
5. RedRottie Seems to be alot of people who like this lady's work... and it's no suprise. Gallery is just wonderful.
   

Day 3.... **note to self - need to complete and create this one!!**

Day 4 - My crafty style...

Well.. to be honest, I wouldn't really say I have too much of a style, as long as it's cute! lol. Joking aside, I can make more serious cards, but I thoroughly enjoy using cute images - Hot Diggity Dog, Forever Friends, Tatty Ted.. Boofle.. to name a few. If I can send a cute card rather than a serious one, I will. That's just the way I am.

I also like to stitch. I do cross stitch too, and this is really where my passion for crafting came from a long long time ago. We had gone out to Australia, and I was handed a cross stitch to do, and loved it. I was hooked from then on. This then progressed onto cross stitch cards, which led to parchment cards. I was very lucky to have quite alot of my own parchment patterns printed in the Creative Cardmaking magasine for quite a few months.. something I loved as it fulfilled my creative designing side too.

I also really like to incorporate photographs into my cards. This varies into forms such as scrapbooking, which I don't do alot of, to just creating items within the Docrafts Digital designer discs. I love playing with photoshop, I love doodling, drawing, sketching, painting, photography, dressmaking, stitching and sewing.. a very creative mind me thinks.. !

Day 5 - Create a card or scrapbook inspired by your favourite song

Another thinking one.. I'm loving the challenge of delving into the depths of my thoughts to share with you! My favourite song... Well.. it could be 'Could've Been...' by Tiffany, but then my favourite one at the minute is Josh Groban's Awake.. have you heard it? I totally love it.. the words are really lovely - pretty much like the rest of the album this one is from.

But then, I also like this one too...

What a FAB song, I just love it!!!
Enjoy.

Day 6 - blog your favourite photograph. I will do this when I attach the memory card. All photographs are now stored off my computer... just as it heaved a heavy sigh of relief after removing them.. lol.

Day 7 - write about your bank holiday memories as a child and how they differ now.

Bank holidays as a child? To be honest, I can't ever really remember them! One I can remember with fond memories is the Queens Silver Jubilee.. street parties, community hall parties, posh frocks and lots of fun and laughter.. a perfect day.. I will try to rack my rusty old brain a bit more on this and see what I can come up with.. lol.

A lovely evening

It was a really lovely sunset last night when I was on my way home from ideal world.... So I thought I would just share it with you. (I'm not altogether sure where Blogger is going to put the image....!)

I hope you are enjoying the pick of the week so far... Lots of great bargains to be bought... Amazing value! I'm in Derby today doing a demo at Craft central....so ill be back at Create and Craft tomorrow afternoon.

See you then! X x