To Hull and back....(almost!!)

For those of you who thought I had passed by, passed over or past out I am happy to report that none of these are true! I am actually still alive and kicking, well twitching maybe and have come back to blogland via a few locations around this great British Isles of ours. So just where have I been for the last few weeks - are you ready for this.... Kent, Glasgow, Home, Barnard Castle, Home, Doncaster, Birmingham, Home, Barnard Castle, Home, Oswaldtwistle, Home, Lancashire (not all of it!) Home, Barnard Castle, Home (now), Barnard Castle (tomorrow), Home, Blackpool (Sunday), Home (Sunday night), Bed FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR! Phew I'm tired just typing all those places down. You will note there is no mention of Hull, but I have seen the motorways signs to it a time or two during the past few weeks and felt it needed a mention!

I have to say I didn't see much of most of the places I visited as the majority of the time was spent on the craft circuit aka SECC Glasgow and NEC Birmingham. Although tiring I had a great time with my friend Barbara (Clarity Stamp) and met some wonderful crafters along the way; some old friends and lots of new lovely people. As always, if you visited me at either of these shows, a huge thank you for stopping by, without you I wouldn't have the fantastic opportunity to share this passion of mine and it would be a very lonely road. Birmingham was the end of the craft exhibitions for this year, and it was a little sad to see the stands coming down. But, credit crunch and God willing, it starts all over again from the 3rd week in January 2009.

My visit to Oswaldtwistle was to hold my first workshop at Dawn Bibby's Studio. I was invited as a guest tutor back in August, but what with my show list and dates already filled in their diary it was hard to find space before Christmas. However we managed to squeeze in a Saturday towards the end of November and, I have to say, it was a fun filled day which I thoroughly enjoyed. They were a smashing bunch in the class and I obviously did something right because I've been asked to gives them available dates for the first six months of next year!

My Barnard Castle visits were to Graphicus and have been a mixture of dropping off samples/ buying much needed essentials(!). Today and tomorrow are their Open Days so I have been demonstrating some gorgeous stamps, ink pads and pens, chatting with some fab ladies and gents and spending time with some very artistic friends. It is heaven! I realised today just how lucky I am to do what I do. We are surrounded by so much unhappiness in the world; the news is gloomy and depressing, there are horrible things happening to undeserving people and too much sadness that we can't do anything about. And in the middle of all this our tiny band of crafters, many who had braved the weather and travelled a good distance, laughing and joking and sharing and caring. Our own little haven, a respite for a few hours from reality and I was a part of it. Amazing!! How does it go? "Count your blessings one by one". I just have and so, to all of you I met and shared today with, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, you have made me realise how truly blessed I am.

Until next time...

Lesley

PS: Here's another of my blessings

When the Muse flies out the window!

There are times when I find my Muse floats about. Sometimes it's stamping, sometimes it's creating backgrounds, sometimes it is just dreaming of ideas. Today is a beautiful day, so I opened a couple of windows and the door into the garden and WHOOPS out went my Muse. I think she's enjoying the sunshine and some well needed fresh air. Unfortunately while she's out gadding about I'm here, surrounded with lots of 'bits' and unfinished pieces and I cannot pin her down to help me complete anything.

I'm sure you have all experienced the loss of creative thinking from time to time and when it happens to me I turn to other forms of stimulus. Maybe a book, some poetry, music, even a particular old movie can inspire me. But today nothing. So I thought I would share some more of my digital journal with you. (Click on pics to see more detail)

Above is my grand daughter. To the right our badly done to pooch!

You see, even my reminders are blank!

And this tells me how wonderful childhood really is.

I hope my Muse approves!

PS If you find her could you send her home!