September Wrapped Up..

..and with a bow on top. I have put together my complete Learn Something New Every Day project and here it is:

It started out as this box

and now each day has a little card of journalling slipped inside an envelope.

It's been a great class and I'll miss those prompts arriving in my inbox every morning. The big thing it has taught me, I think, is to be more mindful, more alert to the little things that make up a whole day. Learning doesn't have to be big. Little can be perfectly fine.

Most of my stories are only little, after all. Lately I've had a few of you ask me if I'm ever tempted to add or embroider to make a better tale. The answer is a definite No! Every conversation is a true one.

Every happening has happened. In this house I don't need to put words in anyone else's mouth. They all have more than enough of their own. But what I do do, is write things down as soon as I can I have a very dangerous notebook and I use it a lot. On Monday, for example, I wrote " I was doing a bit of vacuuming the other day when I spotted a gin bottle under the desk in the dining room" (because I just had) and then I added "This came as a bit of surprise" (because it did). Now, this might become part of a story about our Autumn hedgerow harvest, or it might never appear again. I don't know yet. I'm going to do a bit more listening every day before I decide. Then you'll be the first to know. Hey, Listening Every Day: do you think there's a class in that?

Today I'm Loving..a new cookery blog I found. It was the name which drew me in.  A Sofa In The Kitchen. Love it.

And Then He Said

It's been quiet in the house lately, with the kids back at school. We're all talkers here, usually shouting one over the top of the other, reading the good bits out of the paper, retelling the highlights of this week's Debating Society, enjoying a bit of verbal sparring. There's a pleasure to be had in listening to the changing, maturing chat of two funny teenagers.

So it's easy to forget the delight we took in their first words; in the days when we ate bisketti instead of spaghetti, and did our laundry in the tidily (I mean utility) room. We're lucky to have Little E to remind us.



Yes, that's one of my hats



Little E is quite the most cheerful small boy I have ever met. We love to see him trundling down the hall with a glint in his eye, and a smile as wide as a week. He sees the fun in everything and there is always an adventure round the corner. But when it comes to his job as Chief Granny Entertainer, he takes his responsibilities very seriously indeed. An example:

Granny:  Hello my darling  (that's her telephone voice)   Have you been a good boy today?

Little E:  Mmmm

Granny:  Did you eat up all your dinner?

Little E:  Mmmm

Granny:  And what did you do this afternoon?

Little E   (big pause for thought. And possibly dramatic effect)  BOUNCE! BOUNCE! BOING! BOING!

Little E had been out on the trampoline. Which might be one of his favourite things ever.

Camera phone photo sent by his mum for us to enjoy

Apart from Getting Wet.

Today I'm Loving...Alexa's favourite pockets for you to download and add to your layouts. And she has a small boy story of her own to share. Perfect.

                   

Learn Something New Every Day 18-23

It's hard to believe that we are moving into the last few days of this project. Until you step outside and feel the chill in the air and realise that September really is drawing to a close. But then that means we are a bit closer again to Journal Your Christmas, and that has to be a good thing!

I have six more of my little cards for you today:

On the 18th September I pulled last year's raincoat out of the cupboard and learned that buying a coat you love (even if it costs more than you want to think about) is never a waste if it looks like new the second time around. On the 19th September I got back to basics and learned that checking a recipe, even if you are sure you are right, can be a useful, enlightening thing to do.

My 20th and 21st September days fit together nicely. As I unveiled my new blog look, I learned that the way I see my style and the way it is seen by other people isn't always the same thing. That was interesting. It made me think about the gap between internet perceptions and real life, and how to narrow that divide. The only way to do it, I guess, is to continue to try to write in my own voice and to create in my own way. With no regrets.

On 22nd I learned..no, alright then, I confirmed what I already knew. September has always been my month for "new". It always makes me feel like ringing in the new year and starting over and I love it. On 23rd September I was on the lookout for something I shouldn't forget. How about: not putting lack of energy down to impending old age, but getting your iron levels checked instead. Works for me.

You Don't Need A Pill For Every Ill

Wow. Thank you for all your comments on my new look. As we say round here - you certainly aren't backward in coming forward! But that's what always makes reading your thoughts such a pleasure; and I don't think I would have it any other way.

I've been working with Marina from Penny Lane Designs, and we've made a couple of tweaks - I'd like to thank her for those after all the hard work she has already put in.

So, let's leave it to settle in and get back to some scrapbooking. I do have a page for you today. I've taken some Jenni Bowlin and gone back to our holiday:

What? You want the story as well?

Okay, so you already know that it started with our trip to Blists Hill and the Victorian Pharmacy, which we enjoyed very much. The Tall One was feeling a bit under the weather, though, and a couple of days later he developed a bad cold. I rummaged in my meticulously stocked first aid box and gave him some decongestant tablets, and sure enough, he started to improve. Or something.

I can tell the drugs are working Mum. I'm hallucinating a sad old man prancing about the beach in his swimming trunks, he said.

The Accountant does like a nice bracing dip in the sea, it's true.

Unfortunately, he also likes a burger. Which was his undoing once we reached London. What can I say? Any more would be too much information. But you can count on The Small One at times like these. Inspired by her visit to The Florence Nightingale Museum (look! the real lamp!) and her gift shop purchase of a pen dressed as a syringe, she felt moved to accompany her father back to the hotel. She hitched her rucksack high and marched him straight to the Tube Station..

Family holidays. Can't be beaten.

New Looks

Today I've got a favour to ask. From High In The Sky has got a completely new look! If  you are viewing this through your Google Reader, please, would you click through and let me know what you think? I'd love to know. Change is good; change is fun. But it can be a bit scary. I think I'm still waiting for the dust to settle..

While you're here, in honour of New Look Day I've found some different ways for you to give your photos a change of style:

funphotobox.com is the one to use if you've always wanted to see your other half look a bit more like Johnny Depp (and while you are there, you can see yourself in a whole new light too).

funny.pho.to has some nice montage effects, including a pretty heart

and

befunky.com has a staggering array of effects to get lost in. My favourite so far is "stencil" - give it a go and you too can Banksy yourself

So: New Look Day. Does it work for you?

Learn Something New Every Day 12-17

My week:

On 12th September I woke up to learn that trying to set a sleeve into a jumper when you are tired is never going to work. You have to unpick it and start over. I won't do that again in a hurry. On 13th September I thought about how I tend to leave anything new I want to try until the house is quiet and I have time to think. That means my concentrated learning happens during the week and my chance discoveries at weekends.

On 14th September I looked in the mirror and discovered that I really needed to go to the hairdressers. Why don't I ever make my next appointment when I'm there? I keep telling myself that's what I'm going to do and I never follow it through. On 15th September I took a break. Time for a breather; and I learned (again) that a day away with a dear friend is time very well spent.

On 15th September I thought about how a daily reminder was helping me to be more mindful of what I was doing. I'm doing as much observing as learning. Sometimes both. And it's good. On 16th September I allowed myself a liitle smile, because having a small something to look forward to is already one of my specialities. I flick through TV listings to see what is going to happen; the first page I read in any magazine is always "coming next month"; and kit club sneak peeks? Love 'em.

So we are over half way through now and I've just noticed that my cards seem to be getting more autumnal looking as we move through the month. Funny, that. Happy Sunday!

Not A Woolly Mammoth

It's not a woolly mammoth..

..it's just a sweater with a dinosaur on the front. I've been doing a bit more knitting and have finished up another gift for that rascal Little E. But I know I'm going to have to face up to the fact that there are only so many sweaters one small boy can wear and so I've been looking about for something else. I thought a new pet might be good

but Best In Show won't be here for a couple of weeks; so I might make a start on a set of knitted Russian Dolls from Knitted Toy Tales instead.

I think I might be starting to think about Christmas gifts. Mmm..I'm definitely thinking about Christmas gift tags or cards, or maybe an album, with the Banana Frog stamp set I won last week in a giveaway on Julie's lovely blog. Thank you!

Thanks today are also due to the delightful Denise for awarding me the Friendly Blog Award. What a nice thing to be known for! Not many rules with this one, so I'd like to include the two blogs I've already mentioned today Banana Frog and the very friendly Julie. How about that?

More soon. I've got some casting on to do now..

Pass The Book: September's Adopter And A Layout

I've done the draw, I'm going to name the name..but first I'd love to show you the page I made inspired by this month's book:

Still Missing is about a little boy who disappears. His mother calls the police and, when the detective arrives, of course the first thing he does is ask for a description: Tell me a little more about him Mrs Selky.

And that's where my title comes from. How, Susan Selky wonders, Can you tell a little about your whole child? I used it as a way of bringing together lots of little left over snaps and I couldn't resist photographing it on that small boy's present day teenage desk. (He doesn't know about that bit, but he has spent some time wondering why he looks so deeply depressed in all his baby pictures). Anyway, back to the main event...

The first adopter for September's book is....Amy which means Still Missing will be making its way to Australia. I hope she enjoys it! Don't forget that if you would like an opportunity to be next, keep an eye on Amy's blog for the next chance. And if you are still interested in August's offering, Sandi's draw is still open here. There'll be a new book in October, remember, and suggestions are always welcome. What do you think?

Learn Something New Every Day 6-11

My week:

On 6th September I learned that kids have an unending ability to teach you new things if you'll let them. Life is a lot more fun if you let yourself be the student sometimes. On 7th September I was on the lookout for something new to learn when I realised I already had one in hand. Enjoying the ride is just as important as reaching the destination.

On 8th September I decided to finally accept that grocery shopping is a never ending task. When I was ill many years ago and got better, I relished a trip to the supermarket as a sign of recovery. I need to relearn that feeling instead of complaining. On 9th September I learned to be grateful for the opportunites my kids have that I didn't. A trip to the orthodontist and a parent/student careers convention. I could have done with both of those.

On 10th September I learned again that you don't need to spend every minute of the day on worthy or improving activities. When The Accountant is off on a Friday he always shows me the benefits of a bit of relaxation and lazing around. On 11th September I was determined to learn something I have been putting off. How to really sew up a knitted sweater properly. On the right side. No back stitch. I think I've cracked it.

Postscript: I'm doing the Pass The Book Draw on Tuesday morning, so you still have time to check that out. Sandi has last months book on offer here if you would like to be in on that one too. And, finally, anyone reading in Bloglines, please don't forget to switch to Google Reader before the end of the month!

Roses and a Ruby: September at Gotta Craft

The Story:

Two things my Grandma gave me: a little china barrow of roses and a ruby ring. The ring came first. I must have been about ten or eleven when she ushered me into her bedroom (always so sunny, so light) and opened her jewellery box and held out the ring with the ruby. Her birthstone. Our birthstone. Another ten or eleven years passed and Grandma was thinking about leaving the home she knew so well. It was her "front room" (kept for good, a special treat) we wandered into that day. She was looking about for something, I remember, when I saw her eye rest at her table of treasures; and she lifted the little china barrow and handed it to me. Something to remember your old Grandma by, she said, Now let's go and see if I have any buns..Just like that.

The Details:

September's Gotta Craft kit is pink (with a touch of blue thrown in) and pretty; and full of beautiful Prima Annalee paper. My photo was a good match, but you could always print out in black and white if you have a favourite photo you would like to use. It would be perfect for heritage layouts and for a really soft effect I fancy printing an old photo onto some cream textured cardstock . I made some paper roses and I covered the diecut in patterned paper which added a bit more dimension and gave me a base for my title. A bit of handcutting and some gold stitching and that's it. I've always been a big fan of kits; but I Gotta tell you that I just love the size of the ones Sandra puts together. Not too much, not too little. Just right.

Pass The Book: The Second

It's Pass The Book day today and I've got a novel for you. When I was choosing, I knew it had to follow our rule - good to look at and lovely to hold in your hand - and so I turned to Persephone who take out-of-print books, make them beautiful and sell them in their elegant London shop.

Some of you may have heard of this one: it was made into the film "Without A Trace" and it's about a little boy who goes missing. It deals with loss and longing - dark at times, very dark - but warm, still, and with a ...

No I won't give it away. I'll just give you a couple of opening lines instead

"You could hardly get to age thirty-four without learning something about loss. By thirty-four you're bound to have lost your Swiss Army knife, your best friend from fourth grade, your chance to be centre forward on the starting team, your hope of the Latin prize, quite a few of your illusions, and certainly, somewhere along the line, some significant love"

I'm not giving anything else away.

Same rules as before, all the details are on the Pass The Book page. Leave a comment if you'd like it (all newbies welcome, doesn't matter if you weren't in last time) and I'll draw a name a week from today.

Learn Something New Every Day 1-5

In the end I couldn't resist. Once I started seeing everyone else's beautiful projects, my idea of simply keeping a diary suddenly didn't seem like enough. I wanted to join in properly. Then I remembered a little box of gift cards and envelopes I've had sitting around for about twenty years. Really, twenty years. You can tell by looking at it:

And so my project started to take shape:

Day One. Mostly MME and Sassafras papers with OA alphas

Today I learned the surprising effects of furniture rearranging. Moving the kitchen table and putting the laptop on "a desk" has made me feel a lot more productive.

Today I learned that putting your feet up and having a rest can be counted as a worthwhile activity if you aren't feeling too good.

Today I learned that it is possible to get in and out of Ikea in an hour. When you don't feel great, but you know exactly what you want. One grey bookcase.

I'll glue the decorative bit to the front of each envelope and slip the journalling cards inside. Then it can all go back into the box - which still needs a bit of work. Obviously.

Postscript: Many, many thanks to Eleanor and RachelB who have both been kind enough to award me The Cherry On The Top Award since I posted about it last. It's much appreciated! Lots of you have asked about my Last Night Party story - it's really a Christmas tale, so we'll see. When the time is right..And finally, look out for September's Pass The Book. Coming on Tuesday.

Let's Away to London

We had a virtual tour of The Globe Theatre in English this morning, said The Tall One as he worked his way through a packet of biscuits. The teacher asked if  anyone had ever been and I said Hell, yes. I was there a month ago. I knew what he was doing. Round here it's called "trying to get a rise out of your mother". He probably said nothing of the sort. So I ignored it, and reached for the photos again.

I'd always wanted to visit Shakespeare's Globe and it was everything I'd been hoping for. Atmospheric, arresting, the real deal. Truly a complete replica.

 Best of all were the displays of props and costumes, the story of behind the scenes. What's going on, when the actors are on. I love it. Maybe it's because I had a bit part in the School Drama Society, once, as Head of Stage Management - which started with a big cardboard box of junk I'd collected; and ended when the police were called to the Last Night Party. But let's not go there today. Let's away to London and I'll show you the page that I made.

layout sketch from May Flaum's Adventures in Scrapbooking