eCreations

A craft "New Year"

Well I'm feeling inspired following our visit to the Trade Show at the NEC in Birmingham. But I feel we want to take a slightly different track. Let me explain I think over the past few years the papercrafting, ie Cardmaking and scrapbooking have become a craft of quick fixes where we can make beautiful cards quickly as we just stick on someone elses art work. When I began cardmaking I would make my own background papers and using rubber stamps, as I am no artist, make a 'focal' point for my cards. I feel like I've lost the ability to do that. So after seeing Tim Holtz creating and hearing him say it could take him up to 3 hours to make a card (or was that one of the sales team? I can't remember) I thought - yes, since people made cards to sell it became quick cards to make them more cost effective. For me it is time to get back to making all aspects of a card and it doesn't matter how long it takes.

This also follows for scrapbooking too. You can buy lovely papers but you could also make beautiful papers.

So it is my quest to get back to making my own background papers and producing my own "art work".

How about you?

It's March and we're having some great weather in Porthleven - it's cold but sunny - wonderful.

Long time away

Wow how time flies when you're busy. I thought as we got to each year life would get easier as the kids became more independent so leaving us with more time - why isn't that happening? I feel like I'm getting less and less time to do what I need to do. However, we go to bed, get up the next morning and continue to do as much as we can - the house work will still be there tomorrow.

As to the shop - it has definitely been a difficult start to the year with the weather and the "recession". What other excuses can we find as to why life is tough at the moment for a lot of people. Bring on the good weather - we always feel better when the sun shines as it is at the moment.

The world doesn't seem to be a better place than it was this time last year or is it that we only hear the bad news on the television and in the newspapers. Why do they delight in pulling people to pieces and mis-reporting anything to make it sound worse than it really is.

Fancy blogging again and having a good moan. Here's a thought for today to maybe make you think:

It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference.

Sunday thoughts

Well, we are definitely back to normal. All the snow and ice have gone and yesterday and this afternoon we went out to walk the dogs and it was just beautiful. Didn't get too far as kept meeting people we had to stop to talk to - it was lovely, just like a summers day.

The snow and ice have definitely affected business as people just couldn't get to us but it's lovely to see our customers again coming out of hibernation.

It seems to be that time of year where not a lot happens but we have our Scrapbooking club tomorrow evening which I look forward to. I have decided to make a "Birthday Book" where I can put everyone's birthdays and addresses in so it will always be at hand.

I can't let it go and not say something about the terrible earthquake in Haiti- we cannot begin to understand the level of grief, fear, hardship (this hardly seems a strong enough word) that the people who have survived are going through. They must be in everyones prayers whether you believe in God or not.

If you know of someone that is still missing or have lost someone then be assured that a lot of people are praying for you and are contributing in some way to to help the situation.

Cornwall is shut!!

Well the snow has hit us at last and it has lasted all of one night. It's amazing we have a little snow and the country closes down. I do understand that we are just not geared up for it 'coz it only happens once in a blue moon. It is fun though. Apparently we're in for more tomorrow and Friday. (Hope not - not good for business).

I was glad that things were done tastefully in Wooten Basset yesterday.

Are you knitting - everyone down here in Porthleven are knitting their own hats, gloves and scarves and even leg-warmers(which takes me back to my younger days). It gives you something to do, maybe to learn a new skill with something to show at the end of it and they will keep you warm.

Back to normal.

Well we're all back to normal now, all the Christmas decorations are down - it's just like Christmas was a dream, came and went in the blink of an eye.

Hope you all had a good one and the New Year will bring you better things this year than last.

Who knows what this year will bring. Will we truly come out of recession, will we have our soldiers back? I could get into a real debate about a certain Muslim who wants to have a protest march. Just suffice to say I certainly hope he doesn't as I cannot see how this will do relations between Muslims and the rest any good. I support our soldiers whole-heartedly even though I actually have no connection with any soldier.

We will be looking forward to our trade show in February to see what is coming out new and what the latest trends will be. That is of course if I can get there - it's in the NEC in Birmingham and of course I'm right at the south end of Cornwall - we shall see.

Well have to go to relieve Hilary in the shop now. Speak soon.

New Year

I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope that the new decade brings all you wish for and more.

We had a great time seeing the New Year in at The Harbour Inn, Porthleven listening to son no.2's band - "Stop Signs" who were excellent. A good night was had by all.

Today we are going to spend the day at my mum's and have anther "Christmas" Dinner - yum yum, I love it and then we'll play games and just spend time together.

Have a good day.

Christmas

It's Christmas Eve and I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May it bring all you wish for and more but just remember it is the celebration of Jesus' birth who has brought hope to all the world.

My son put on his facebook - 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' Perhaps we should make that our New Years Resolution and all try to make a difference for peace around our world.

Nearly Christmas

I don't know what's wrong this year but I seem to be more organised than ever before - maybe I've forgotten something big! Christmas seems to be a bit strange this year at first I couldn't get going partly due to illness and now I seem to be organised - this is a first. Does anyone else feel that Christmas does feel strange this year?

At least there seem to be more and more holiday makers down here at the moment - 'coz they love it here.

We did have a tragedy in the village on Friday when a young man drove into the harbour in his car, he was very drunk. Our sympathy obviously goes to the family and friends and pray that God will comfort them at a very difficult time.

It's Thursday this time!

Well what can I say, the weather is fantastic - sunny and cold with beautiful sunsets this week. We are genuinely very lucky to live here, it is beautiful so I could recommend it for a holiday at any time of year.

Still not finished the Christmas Cards but still going and quite enjoying it now. I will be going shopping tomorrow to get my last Christmas presents then I can concentrate on food shopping, baking and sleeping arrangements when the rest of the family come home - I can't wait! This sounds very organised for me so I wonder if it will quite work out that way.

I saw a snippet of "Loose Women" on TV while I ate my lunch and I have just gone off them as they were very derogatory about women knitting around the pool in the summer I think it was. They obviously don't understand how therapeutic knitting is - at any time. (Also 'coz they're not talented enough to do it). Scarves, fingerless mittens, hats and socks have been very popular lately as it has gone so cold. Perhaps they would be better knitting than drinking!! (Only joking).

Must go now and make some more cards.

The same title - "Friday Again"

It just comes around so quickly and I haven't done all I needed to do this week. Ah well, there's always next week.

So far this week I have been out for 2 Christmas meals and am going out for lunch today because me and my friend are "Ladies what Lunch" (for those who don't understand that, I think it came from an advert on TV, but not 100% sure). Anyway another busy day (aren't they all?) we will be open "til 9pm tonight as it is the great event of the Porthleven Christmas Lights Switch On so we are supporting that by staying open late and giving a 20% discount to anyone that comes in after 5pm 'til 9pm. So - long day today! (Obviously not on anything that is already discounted or books).

I had to visit the doc's again yesterday -I'm beginning to think that I live up there as I have had to go up there far more than usual (last visit was 2004 for a routine check). THIS time it is - bursitis (don't know how to spell that one) on my right elbow which is VERY painful and especially as I am right handed. Watch out anyone who goes anywhere near it - the left hand suddenly developes a reflex that hits out!!

Well I had better go get ready for my lunch although I'm still full up from last nights meal. I shall need a tent to wear soon!