Simply A Moment ~ Saturday Morning 6.50am

I’m joining in with Alexa’s lovely monthly meme today.

I lie in the dark and listen to the rain on the windowsill. My mind filling with thoughts of what this day will bring. Homework is a given and revision for the impending mocks. Chicken Paprikash to be cooked, for restocking the freezer with home made ready meals. A lemon drizzle cake to bake. I quickly inventory the fridge and store cupboard, to make sure I have everything I need. Maybe a little sewing.

I wonder if it is a more civilised hour to get up than the last time I looked at the clock. I turn my head and peer into the half light. 6.50am. I slip soundlessly out of bed, without disturbing The Mechanic. Glancing in through my girl’s door, I see her curls over the top of a lap top screen, as she works away at her latest creation on the graphics tablet. Still an early bird, even now that she is a teenager. I give her a quick kiss and carry on along the landing. Standing outside my boy’s door, I hear his even breathing. He’ll sleep for another hour or so yet, but not ‘til lunchtime like most of his friends.

Down the stairs, into the kitchen and I flick on the hob light and fill the kettle. I measure half a cup each of oats, milk and water into a bowl. Two minutes in the microwave, while my rooibos brews, a swirl of honey and I’m good to go. I push down the door handle with my elbow and cradle the porridge, while I feel for the light switch in the dark. I soak up the peace and quiet to prepare myself for the day.

Peachy Keen

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I’m taking part in the 52 Card Challenge again. I was a bit hit and miss with it last year and thought by posting what I’ve made here, every now and again, I might be more inclined to keep up this time around!

The first challenge was to use stash you’d been given for Christmas. In my case, that was none! Instead I went for something new(ish) that I’d bought myself, the smaller of the two flower stamps. The larger one is an old favourite and both have matching punches, which makes things easy. Inspired by the peachy tones Alexa chose for her Friendship Quilt blocks, I made this card and a coordinating box*.

Last week, the challenge was to use a very bright colour palette, with many more colours than I would usually put together in one card. I managed to get them all in, albeit in very small doses, including a nod to the spots and chevrons in the picture.

This week it’s a sketch challenge, if you fancy joining in. I’ve yet to make mine, but I’ll share it, along with Week 4, later in the month. Here’s to keeping up with good intentions….so far!

*You can find a tutorial for the box (in a slightly smaller size) here.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #241

Here’s *what* is on my desk…..

…..but the bigger question this week is: *Where* is your workdesk?

Look, look! Tucked into a corner, beside a big bookcase, in front of the cupboard of doom (well, I didn’t want to get in there anyway!) my little desk is back. It’s not ideal. There’s only just room to get my chair underneath and I have my back to the window, but I’ll take it. So happy to have a permanent space again.

Please excuse the horribly blurry photos, but it is so dark here today. If I put the lights on all the colours are very strange indeed. I made a card last week for Nat’s 52 Card Challenge and stamped some extra pennants to make into a few more. The circular thing, top right, is a Christmas decoration. I got it for 90p, in Paperchase, yesterday and will be dismantling for the multi coloured jingly bells.

That’s me. How about you? Are you joining in today? I’m about to head over to Julia’s place and find out.

Intentions for 2014

It seems a little late in the month for a retrospective post, so bang goes my first intention for this month! Instead I’ll look forward to what the coming year may bring.

Project Life ~ I bought a small diary to jot down things that happen each day, as a basis for some pocket scrapping. I’m really keen to give it a go this year, having read with interest the blog posts of others on the subject, over the last year or so.

Instagram ~ I upgraded my phone a couple of weeks ago and for the first time I have a camera worth using. I’ve joined Instagram and am enjoying finding my way around there. I think it will also be a useful tool for PL and possibly a good way of sharing progress with the Friendship Quilt, for those that are on there.

Reading ~ Last January I began A Song of Fire and Ice, not really intending to read all the books published so far. That’s what happened though and I have about 200 pages left of A Dance With Dragons. This year I will be catching up with all the great books I missed out on. I’ve already downloaded one or two onto my Nook.

Crafting ~ There will definitely be more sewing in my very near future. I have plans for at least one other quilt, before I receive all my Friendship Quilt blocks in June. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to that. If you’re taking part, look out for a post, with some thoughts on that project, later in the week.

Blogging ~ I want to get out of the rut I found myself in at the end of the year and have some plans to that end. I also have an idea for a monthly meme, which I’ll share next week. I really hope some of you will join me.

One Little Word ~ Last year I picked ‘Connect’ and that worked well for me. This year I am choosing ‘Engage’ and I’ll talk more about that another day.

There you have it. Another fresh new year ahead of us. Let’s enjoy it together.

One Photo in Twenty Words ~ Angel Bear

A monthly meme hosted by Abi at Creating Paper Dreams.

Our angel bear, bought the year we nearly lost our girl. Christmas, along with the memories, back in the box.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #240

That’s another week gone by. Seriously? I had planned to blog in between, but it just didn’t happen. I’m teaching this morning so a very quick fly by from me.

Kitting yesterday afternoon, ready for class this morning. My essential notebook at the forefront. Trying to gently steer myself away from what have become my signature colours. Kraft still puts in an appearance. It does go with everything, doesn’t it, or is that just me?

Pop over to Julia’s to see what everyone is up to and I’ll be round to visit after lunch.

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #239

It’s almost midnight. I’m watching a firework display on the TV, while listening to them being set off outside. Big Ben is chiming the last few seconds of 2013 and a brand new year is nearly here.

There hasn’t been very much crafting going on in the last week. I did make these little gifts for my nieces and nephews, to give out at a family gathering yesterday.

There was a boy’s version too. As you can see they are a little outnumbered! I found it interesting to see who tore off the end, to get to the contents (Lindt chocolate teddy bears and Santas, in case you’re interested) and who carefully untied the ribbon and tipped it out.

I’m joining in with Julia and the gang for this New Year edition of WOYWW?

Thank you to everyone who has visited and commented during this last year. Looking forward to your company in 2014, whatever it may bring. Happy New Year!