Sunday 30 May 2010

100 Up

Funny how one story sometimes leads to another. Leads right to another project, in fact; and it's a project about a scrapbook. This one right here:



It's the book my Mum used to collect together all the ideas for things she wanted to create, pages from magazines, that kind of thing, and that's where the hand puppets came from. A simple, cheap cuttings folder with magic possibilities.

And right up until her illness took hold she produced a steady stream of dolls and toys, wants and wishes. Now, the story of her fight with that cruel disease isn't mine to tell; but I will say that I have the scrapbook now because her hands won't stitch or sew or knit or craft again. It brings me up short every so often when I remember that her fight began when she was only a couple of years older than I am today. So I use that scrapbook; kind of carry the torch, you know? And my new project comes from that.


I've got a pack of manilla Bazzill Basics, a Bind-It-All and a pen. I'm not adding much more. It's going to be my cuttings book with the recipes from my blog, for a start, and anything else I can find. It has to be simple. It has to be written in my own handwriting. And that's all.


Today marks my 100th post, so I'm raising a glass and reflecting a little. I've forced myself to start using my camera properly; I've met some lovely, good, creative people; and I've learned that, if I try, I can make a story turn on a sixpence. I like to pick one little nugget from today or yesterday or before and when I'm telling my tale I'm leaving the rest behind. Sometimes I spend the day washing dishes and ironing shirts. Sometimes I chip plaster from a wall, choose paint colours, or argue with the planners. Sometimes I even shake a hand and make a deal. If it's a good one. But that's not really what my blog's about. It's about the little things. So, here's to the next 100 posts. Who knows where they will take us?

27 comments:

Cat said...

Hear Hear! xx

Ally said...

How beautiful xx

Denise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise said...

What a lovely post - that's what makes blogland so special.Congrats on a wondeful blog and here's to many more posts xx

scrappyjacky said...

Yours is a wonderful blog,Sian...I love visiting.....congrats on the 100th post....and here's to many more.
My mum had a very similar cuttings 'scrapbook' that everything went into....though she did have a seperate recipe one.

Amy said...

Why yes I thoroughly agree!
Congratulations on reaching 100 wonderful blog posts, each time you post my day is brightened a little more and it is a pleasure to visit your place high in the sky :-) Your mum must be pretty pleased to know that you are taking on the scrapbook diary and that she has passed on such a love of all things crafty.

Amanda said...

Congratulations on your 100th post Sian. My crafting story is much the same as yours and it all started with a creative Mum only now we swap patterns and ideas and every now and then I can give her some advice :)

Kirsty.A said...

Congratulations on your centenary! The story of your mum's cuttings book is moving an dpoignant. Isn't that one of the reasons we all craft - to leave a litle bit of ourselves behind?

debs14 said...

I love your blog. I love the stories, I love the way you bring those stories to life, and the way your sense of humour and fun shines through. I can hardly wait for the next 100 to start and am so pleased that I found your blog via Shimelle.
The scrapbook is such a lovely idea and it is only once you own something like that and see the handwriting that will never be added to that you appreciate how important it it to leave a little bit of us behind.
My daughter will one day own my handwritten recipe book, and she will be exasperated by my scribble and the splashes of ingredients that are splattered across popular recipe pages! But I am sure that she won't mind a bit because I know how much I enjoy dipping into a similar book of my mums.
Keep up the good work!

Cheri said...

I can hardly wait to see where the next 100 posts take us! I love your writing and stories and can't wait to see how your own book comes together.

Susanne said...

Congrats, Sian. You are right, it's the little things (and passing them on) that makes scrapping and blogging so much fun. Here's to the next 100 posts and pages!

Ann said...

You brighten my day Sian whenever you post. Your scrapbook pages are always colourful and your stories always humorous and often thought-provoking. Here's to the next one hundred!

Ruth said...

I'm another who is so glad that she found your blog! I love that you have your mum's craft inspiration scrapbook and look forward to hearing about how your version is progressing. Here's to many more posts.

Heather said...

Happy 100th post Sian!! I love your blog cos you are such a good storyteller :)

Maria Ontiveros said...

Cheers Sian! Your 100th post is so you and so much what makes your blog so special. Thanks for telling your stories to us - I enjoy each and everyone.
Your blog friend,
Rinda

Becky said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I love reading your blog - you are a very inspiring person and extremely kind to share your life with us :)

Clair said...

What a wonderful post and what a wonderful way to remember someone special to you - by embracing the little things.

Looking forward to joining you for your next 100 posts x

Suzy said...

Sian - what a lovely story - looking forward to seeing snippets from your cuttings book. I have a folder full of hand written and dog eared recipes I keep meaning to do something with - maybe your book will spur me on to do something.

100 posts - excellent - it will probably take me another couple of years to reach that amount.

Suzy x

Micayla said...

I look forward to reading hundreds more of your posts Sian. They are honest and I love that. Keep up the good work and love the cutting book, totally adorable.
xxx

sharyncarlson said...

What a wonderful and lovely post. Thank you for sharing your stories and always being such a joy to visit, even when the stories are bittersweet.

Anonymous said...

I'm another blogger who is grateful for your stories and your art! I hope you'll share your Cuttings album as it develops.

Julie Kirk said...

Here's to the little things and to remembering them. xx

SarahLP said...

What a lovely story, Sian, and congrats on your 100th post. I bet your mum is so proud of you!

Rhona said...

I, too, am glad I found your blog and get to see your craftiness. I have files with similar clippings to your mum's and think your own scrapbook is a wonderful idea.
Congratulations on your first 100 posts and I look forward to reading the next 100!

JO SOWERBY said...

sian that is such a wonderful story of how we are influenced by the people we come from. my mum taught to sew and knit and my grandma taught me to be a nurse. i love ur following in ur mum's footsteps and making ur own book of projects. i hope the small one makes one too as she sounds so much a ''chip off the old block'' as it were
Jo xxx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Congratulations on post 100, Sian! And yet another wonderful story, beautifully written and photographed. I love that you have your mom's scrapbook of ideas - truly a priceless treasure! I keep a few of these journals handy and sketch in them from time to time. I wonder if they will be treasured by Carrie someday...

Ah! I'm getting all sentimental and emotional!

Well done, Sian. Once again. xo

Unknown said...

Oh lordy, I should have never read this post with my preggers hormones. Tears in my eyes at the creativeness of you and your mum, and at the thought of her difficulties now. I can only hope that I pass the love of crafting on to my children in the same way :)

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