Jeuidi Journal - Yesterday

Oh dear, this snarky comment is just so me.  Especially at the moment when I don't know what day it is half the time.  "I was going to do something today, but haven't finished doing nothing from yesterday" is just so me who has been lazing about doing nothing over the Christmas period.  I really need to take hold of myself and get moving.  Just like Elvira in my story.

"It was the day, after the day, after Christmas Day, confusing - ok then it was Wednesday - when Elvira woke up and wondered what day it really was.  She couldn't think because life had been so hectic leading up to Christmas with all the toys and things they had had to get ready in Santa's workshop.  You see, Christmas isn't just about Santa making toys for children, he has to think about what to distribute to the mums and dads, the aunties and uncles, the cousins and ... and ... and.  It goes on and on.  Yes, everyone has to have a Christmas present made.

Then there is the day itself.  Getting up after Santa's Party is hard enough but cooking for her little family has go be done and then there has to be 'play time' with the little elves and their new toys.  Thank goodness for the next day when Elvira could relax.  But now, so tired as she was, she could not remember what day it really was.  She knew there was something planned for today but what?

She sat up in bed and exclaimed to no-one "I was going to do something today, but haven't finished doing nothing from yesterday".  On hearing her dulcet tones her husband, Alvin, sleepily asked 

"Did you say something my dear?"

"No" replied Alvira, "you just go back to sleep dear." and with that Alvin simply turned over with a "Hmmph" and promptly went back to sleep.  Like all husbands do.

"Maybe if I get up and walk around the house I will remember what I need to do today" she said to herself.  "They do say if you walk back through the door you will remember what you forgot."  

And so Alvira got up, showered and feeling much better began walking around, even going outside in the cold air, hoping her 'forgettery' would stop working and she would remember what it was she had to do today.   The air was crisp, a few snowflakes were falling and as she looked back into the enchanted forest just beyond their house she wondered if her 'remembery' would be back before new year.

"Please Santa", she uttered, "please let me remember what I have to do today" and with that she shivered and hurried back into the warmth of her little home.  If all else fails she could always sit back and do nothing again, just like Alvin was doing."

I hope you all had a simply lovely Christmas, everyone was well enough to enjoy a bit of turkey and tinsel and now I wish you all a Happy New Year.  See you at Art Journal Journey next year with another nonsense story and journal page.

760 - That's WOYWW

 Well, the big day is over and done with for another year.  Decorations are up and twinkling trees (yes two) are there for all to see, the new chair is proving a big hit, face is healing after a bit of a panic Christmas Eve day and I've not been in my craft room despite my saying I was going to tidy it up.

So here it is in all. its glory, my counter with a shrine type thing I made years ago with Andy Skinner.  Decided that as the lights no longer worked (it had stars that lit up inside it) I would start afresh and spruce it up a bit.  Not done as yet!!  The base could do with a lick of paint on the inside but I need to think what colours I used to get the overall effect, and I don't like the "splodges" on the back.  So they need attention.

The book next to it was my gift from the Secret Santa at our craft club.  Awaiting a photo so I can put it on the group for people to see.  Couldn't have been better for me - a journal - but 70 pages to colour!!!  Wow!  That will keep me busy for a while - do I stick to a theme or just be random?

Next are some cards and some 'thank you' stamps.  I read on FB of an elderly couple who had been robbed of their savings of £11,000 by some builders who had also done things like ripped the kitchen out, the bathroom had gone and then they had gone.  Someone had set up a fund and people had rallied around offering to put things right so a plumber had put them a new bathroom in, someone had started on the kitchen etc.

This lady was asking for some stampings of the words "thank you" as she was making cards to give out to all those who had helped in some way.  So I have those to get on with - but only have two stamps but I am sure I am not the only one helping - and I have put in a few cards as well.

So that's it for now.  By the time we meet again it will be 2024 so I will take your leave now and wish you all a Happy New Year.  Hopefully see you in May (just read Julia's blog).

Jeudi Journal - EyeLiner?

Today the Tim Holtz Snarky is  "To be honest, I'm just winging it ... life, motherhood, my eye liner ... everything."  So coupled with a sky for Wendy's theme at Art Journal Journey we have this picture in my journal and another story. 

"It was just after Christmas and Alvin, number Three Elf at Santa's workshop, and his wife Elvira, were off to the party held at the Claus House every year.  The children were all tucked up in bed and being looked after by Elvira's mother.

Alvin was looking very smart in his new green and red jacket, worn with his red striped long shorts.  He looked across the room at his loving wife and remarked how nice she looked.  Elvira had been on the sun bed to get a slight tan as she hated being very pale and was wearing a red and green dress to match Alvin's outfit, both of them, of course, wearing the green and red hats that all of Santa's elves wore.

"You look very nice tonight" Alvin remarked, "I love the dress you are wearing, is it a new one?  There is something about you tonight that makes you look about 21 all over again, what is your secret, everyone will be asking at the party?"

"To be honest, I'm just winging it ... life, motherhood, my eye liner ... everything." she replied with a twinkle in her eye and a tiny smile on her lips.  Elvira liked to keep her husband on his toes and if the other lady elves found her attractive she was sure it was all in Alvin's mind.

"Oh my dear," said Alvin, "I think you are trying to wind me up, you know just how much I adore you."

And with that Alvin raced across the huge picture window and swept his wife up in his arms.

"Look darling, the northern lights, and it's snowing and those two deer are here again.  It must be a lucky omen so let's get off to the party and see what Santa and his wife have in store for us this year.  I'll just get your coat."

Well, by next week when we are all here again Christmas Day will have come and gone.  May you all have a wonderful Christmas as how you celebrate.  God Bless and Peace on Earth for All Men.

WOYWW 759

 Happy Christmas to Everyone

 and My Very Best Wishes for the New Year

My Christmas Card to YOU xx

Well, it will be the big day before we meet again so I thought I would send a card to all of you.  I've made such lovely friends since joining in with WOYWW and feel part of a big community of like-minded and loving friends.  Thank you for all the care and  friendship over the years.  You mean a lot to me and I look forward to our Wednesday meet ups.

My desk is empty so I thought I would show you one or two 'spots' around my craft room:

Starting at the top - three lovely girls made with Tracey Easson on a craft day, my Harry Potter Crate (housing washi tapes), a giant roll of DS foam tape (rarely used, forgotten about) and, finally, a pot made with Liz Welch.  Liz was a lovely, very talented, lady who is sadly no longer with us.  This was made on a weekend away with her and three other friends.

The suite is arriving today so I don't know where I will be, hiding in my craft room and logging on to WOYWW probably.  Monday I had the 'cutaneous horn' removed, well, it had almost fallen off so the planned procedure was replaced by something else.  I now have a swollen face on one side, a plaster over the wound protecting the soluble stitches (hospital closed two weeks so had to have dissolvable ones) and am feeling sorry for myself as it's been a bit painful.  But not to worry, its gone!  Fingers crossed for results.

Cake done, mince pies done, majority of shopping done, presents wrapped - job's a good 'un!

So that's a wrap for the moment, hopefully I will see you all again next week.

Hugs for Christmas xx

Jeudi Journal - Weird

Oh no, the quote from Sir Time's Snarky Comments this week is "I admit my weirdness is above the national average, but I'm comfortable with that".

Today we are in the farthest area of the North Pole where Santa lives 

WOYWW 758

 Today my thumb is really hurting and so typing is not a good thing to be doing.  Roll on Saturday and the injection which I hope will make it feel much better.  I am sure I am not the only one suffering with something like this, arthritis!  I was hoping to continue with some Christmas Cards but I think that is on the back burner until next year now.  I'm blaming the ones I've done for causing this thumb to hurt so much.

So I am reduced to tidying up, and even that has its problems - picking things up!  Gosh I am a whinger!  We have a new suite coming next week (20th) and the old one was due to be collected the day before, now they've rung and cannot do it until the day after.  Gonna be fun!!  One in and one out.  So the tree has had to be put on hold again for the unforeseeable future.  It will be Christmas Eve at this rate but it has spurred me on to doing a lot of decluttering.  So my desk is fairly empty.  There's just a notebook I once made at CHA, a card I must have made a long time ago when Steampunk was all the rage, and a photo of me which someone took at one of my classes and turned into a card.

Oh and remember me saying I could not crochet?  I can't, but I could once, a long time ago.  I made this table mat - it's pineapples and Solomons Knots - that's what I remember.  Aunty was brilliant at knitting and crochet, won lots of prizes for her work including a full length Arran coat she made me (and I still have it somewhere) but she could not teach me to crochet.  Mum, on the other hand was nowhere near as good but she was the one who taught me to do this mat.  Every bit was done by me in my 20's.

I've just taken it from the occasional table and it needs washing so I will be very careful with it.  Not a clue what I used but it is very fine and I am very chuffed.  Maybe I should relearn!

Well, that's it, all the thumb will take.  The op for the thing on my face is scheduled for Monday (ooer!) - just got an email to let me know yesterday.  Not much time to worry but it could be quite painful for a few days, still will try to get on here. (Still praying it will drop off before then).  See you all on WOYWW next week when we will be ready or not - well, I'll be looking forward to the new chair I am getting and worrying about the old settees going out before the new one arrives.  Toodle Pip!

Jeudi Journal - Salad Days?

The Tim Holtz Snarky we have to use this morning is "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a salad, asking for it to be a donut"  and we have to marry that with Wendy's choice of theme at Art Journal Journey which is 'Above us only sky'.  Not an easy paring but here goes:

"Sasha and Tania were two young models who were on an assignment in Cologne.  They were kept on a strict diet by the Agency Director but both girls realised it was for their own good.  However, it was Christmas time and, as we all know, Germany is known for its Christmas Markets, and Cologne is well known for having a few for visitors to visit and sample the delicious food that is on sale.  Nothing nicer than a Bratwurst and a glass of Glühwein on a cold winter's evening walking around a brightly lit street market to warm you.  Sadly, not for our girls ... or was it?

The two girls were great pals and they had managed to get out of the hotel in which they were staying and were off for a peek at one of the Christmas Markets.  Both girls were excited at the prospect as they set off.

"Mum and Dad used to come to Germany each Christmas time and they raved about the markets" said Sasha, the taller of the two.  

"Did they have lots of that mulled wine?" asked Tania.

"Oh yes, mum rehearsed how to ask for two "Glühweins mitt rum" said Sasha laughingly, "I don't think we had better have them though, what if we get tipsy."

"We can't really have anything" said Tania, "we cannot afford to put a millimetre on before the big opening tomorrow night.  Sometimes I get so fed up of it all.  The other night I stood in front of the table and said, in my head, 'I'm just a girl standing in front of a salad, asking for it to be a donut' but it never changed.  I was willing the tomatoes and cucumber to change to donuts."

"Oh you do make me smile" said Sasha, "Come on, let's go and see what they have, we can do without the food, afterall we can have a nice salad when we get back to the hotel.  I love cucumber!"

I already had a page painted blue so I decided that this could be a night sky for my journal page today.  With the addition of lots of metallic stars stuck on around the two Dylusion figures it was an easy page to do.

WOYWW 757

 December - and already six days into it!  Cards are in the post box, Christmas crackers, chocolates (too many), Stollen, Lebkuchen, Ghluewein, Prosecco, Special Mince Pies, Cake marzipanned ready, Christmas pudding all ready and waiting.  We still have to think about the meat!  What are you all having?  Countdown: I have to ice the cake, make mince pies nearer the time ... and shop.  Oh, and wrap presents when I have them all.

Next is the tree that wants putting up but we have a little shopping trip first today as I want a new chair, yes, left it to the last minute but motivation has been elsewhere (like making cards).  I saw the consultant Monday and I am booked in for the 15th January but if he can do it sooner he will.  Ooer!  But it might be at any hospital in the Manchester area.  So I am permanently attached to my cellphone.  

I did have to make some last minute cards as I was short in the end but this year I have not sent one commercial card.  No wonder I had to make an appointment today with the Musculoskeletal  Practitioner at the surgery for an injection in my thumb.  Sound like a walking disaster don't I?  Roll on a week on Saturday for the thumb.

Here are some of my Christmas cards

There was one other but it was white on white diecuts and they just did not show up so I have left it out.  It looked a bit iffy on the photo but it was really quite nice in real life.

Look forward to the desk hop later today, if I am late don't worry I will make it even if it is Thursday.  Can't let my WOYWW friends down can I?