Two on Tuesday x

This weeks post kind of segways neatly on from last weeks where I described how I feel about scrapbooking, photography and quilting. You can read the full post here.

I had shared a very poignant blogpost from Heidi Swapp who's son had died suddenly a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday Heidi posted a new challenge to encourage us all to start from anywhere and get creative every day in August and to share our pictures on Instagram. Called Capture Life, Heidi will post a daily photo prompt on her Instagram account which you can find here. Use the hashtag  #HSCAPTURELIFE

By the end of the month, you should have been able to create an album of pictures and memories. For some it may be a new beginning after time away, for others a new craft to try whilst for some it will be part of their creativity already begun. Whatever your current status creatively please join in if you can I'm sure it will show Heidi and her family great support and apparently there might be a giveaway at the end too.

My first picture was this one.

This little bee was busy, busy one day in my aquilegias and you can see the pollen collected.

My second share is the incredible good news which popped up on my Facebook page yesterday during my lunch break.

I recently shared how my beautiful friend and fellow blogger Abi had graduated with First class Honours from Durham University. Now she has trumped that and wait for it..............................


SHE GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

This is one of the happiest things I could have wished for her and her lovely fiancee Tim. They've been together since they were at school together and I am above and beyond thrilled that they are now getting married. Abi has written a post with details here.

I hope you will join me in wishing them both the very best of love and God's blessings over them as they plan their wedding for Summer 2016.

Two on Tuesday x

Good day and welcome to another Two on Tuesday.

When I started this blogpost idea, I thought it would just be a lovely way of sharing things I enjoyed or found on the Internet, but today I want to share something a little more deeply.

One of the reasons I became a scrapbooker was to recover from the nervous breakdown I had back over 14 years ago now. My friend Teresa has been introduced to scrapbooking via Creative Memories and she invited me one Sunday afternoon to play in her house with a few pictures. I became hooked and it really helped me to rediscover my creativity. I know that like me many people came back to crafting from illness, loneliness, life changing events e.g. weddings and births. Creativity for me has been a real anchor, even when I'm unwell I can really appreciate the importance of making something for my personal well being to improve.

So today's Two on Tuesday are a little more central to what I have just briefly explored.


My first link is to the incredibly talented Heidi Swapp. Two weeks ago, this loving wife and mother, and truly gifted crafter faced one of the worst experiences anyone can go through. One of her sons died very suddenly. He was 16. For anyone to face bereavement is a truly tough process but Heidi being the incredible individual she is chose to share just a little of her personal grief on her blog yesterday. This is an incredibly personal post as I am sure you can imagine but it says some amazingly well thought out issues for us as memory keepers.

Heidi stresses the importance of photos. How she wishes she had taken so many more. People laugh at me for taking so many but I always say "I'm a memory keeper and that is how I save my memories and use them to remind me of my life". It is such an important part of life these days, photography and we are so lucky to be able to take pictures and see them instantaneously. To alter then to make them more beautiful. We can store them online and share them in so many ways which weren't available to our families in days gone by. I truly treasure my photographs and would be so sad to lose them.

When I was staff nurse on Neonatal Intensive Care, we always took Polaroids of the babies for parents because we knew that often parents would be unable to visit their baby for several hours. I constantly said to them to make sure they had pictures copied so they would have a negative to keep because over time these Polaroids can fade. We were also advised to get parents who's baby had died, to store the photographs which were taken on their behalf by the hospital in a safe storage box away from fire and flood because they were just so precious. On one occasion, a mum phoned me to ask if I could check if the photos taken of her baby were still in the file. At the time of her baby's death, she hadn't wanted them but it was hospital policy to take the pictures and retain them in the baby's file. That mother was able to received pictures of her baby who would had died over ten years previously.

What I am trying to say is to keep your photographs safely and to take so many that you never run out.

If you would like to read Heidi's post, and I advise everyone to do so, you can find it here. She has shared a number of very personal photographs from her sons funeral and so just for clarity, be aware that some of the photographs show Cory's open coffin.

My second link is to my amazing friend Abi. She blogged over the weekend about her latest quilt. She explained how it had taken 2 years to complete and shared her final masterpeice, complete with modelling by her very attractive mum.

One of the things which struck me from Abi's piece was the fact that as crafters we don't always complete projects or they just take much longer to finish because life gets in the way. Abi's been completing her degree so she's had rather a lot of course work, but she has got there in the end.

What I shared in my comment to her was that I too have a quilt I'm still working on and it is still in pieces over 30 years since I began. I started it when I was at school and remember cutting out hexagon shapes from old envelopes and hand stitching them together. My family gave me lots of lovely fabrics from their own sewing projects so it truly is a memory project. Some of the materials came from dresses I remember my mum stitching for me and my sister.

For me crafting, and certainly quilt making is about love. Each piece of fabric is lovingly cut, pinned and stitched together. It has a love for sewing stitched into every piece. In my case there is blood in there probably from stabbing my fingers with the needle when I sew the pieces together. There are memories of summer dresses, learning to sew, listening to my family chatter as I stitched and also my own personal love for stitching. One day I will finish that project and I will feel pride and joy in it's completion. To me it matters not if I finish it when I'm 80 because the end is that it tell my story.

If you want to see what I mean, then watch the film "How to make an American Quilt" which weaves the story of several women quilters together through their quilt making for one of the women's granddaughter's wedding quilt.

I would love to know your feelings on my little post.

Two on Tuesday x

Hello and welcome to another week of Two on Tuesday. Sorry about last week, it quite got away from me.

Anyway, I know alot of us on here love Etsy and I wanted share a couple of lovely sites which I've bought items from recently.

The first is Ceridwen Hazelchild Design

"At Ceridwen Hazelchild Design we believe that by expressing creativity and encouraging eco-friendly behaviour, we can make our world more beautiful"

She has an interest in rural Britain and also in the folk tales surrounding this country, as well as looking to the central importance of caring for our planet.  Ceridwen has a degree in Contemporary Fine Art and uses her hand drawn illustrations to produce beautiful individual pieces of work including tote bags, handmade accessories and gifts.

I was looking to purchase some new tote bags and after looking through the shop, I decided on these two, aren't they beautiful?

Both images from Ceridwen Hazelchild Design's Esty shop site

Each bag is fair trade and is made from 100% natural 5oz cotton. They are both beautifully made and hold lots of bits and pieces. There are so many lovely designs including foxes, bees, mushrooms and all sorts of other wonderful images. Even better she is based fairly locally to me as well so I'm supporting a local artisan.

My second lovely shop is Lizzie May Design. Lizzie says about herself the following.............

Hi, I’m Lizzie-May, an illustrator based in sunny Cornwall! My sketchbook and camera follow me around, here and there, as I wander and admire pretty flowers in hedgerows, our four-legged furry friends, and snippets of lovely scenic views. Cornwall has its perks, as does home sweet home - the place where my illustrations really come together, and where the patterns begin to emerge …

I loved all her beautiful designs but just one jumped out and say Buy Me!! 

It is a notebook with illustrations inspired by my favourite place Lyme Regis. How could I say no? It is a lovely notebook and I'm going to use it for writing memories and trips there because it is just such a very special place to me. In the illustration you can see the lamps which are designed to replicate the ammonite fossils so frequently found in the Jurassic coastline around Lyme.

What have you been purchasing recently? Anything I might love too?

Two on Tuesday ........................ on Thursday x

Oh dear, another day later. Will I manage the right day next week?

I do hope so. Anyway here is Two on Tuesday................on Thursday for your consideration.

My first is a lovely new blog and podcast site called Books on the Nightstand. I read about this site on Simon Savidge's blog site this week whilst trundling through my bloglovin lists of unread posts. As you may remember Simon's site is a fave place to find about new reads I might otherwise not consider.

This time he has linked to their Bingo card for Summer reading. What an ingenious idea I thought. It sort of inspired me a bit like Rinda's photographic scavenger hunt, in that it'll take me out of my reading comfort zone and perhaps encourage me to be more enthusiastic about different genres I shy away from.

If you go to this link you can generate your own bingo card for your reading too. I've got mine all ready so watch this space. Mine has a presidential biography and sci-fi on it, not my favourite so could be a challenge and a half.

My second offering is for those of us who still go Awwww at cute knitted animals. I love Julie's blog "Little Cotton Rabbits" where not only does she knit beautiful rabbits but now she has broadened into little knitted kitties. Being a kitty lover as you well know, I was excited to see her new designs and have bought the girl pattern to make. Perfect for the inner child in me but also for a little girl I know who might just get one as she's not allowed her own kitty yet.

Picture from: http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/2015/06/miaow.html

I just laughed so much when Julie put this picture up of the cat's heads in the making. I mean really what's not going to make you chuckle about kitties in the baking tin?

Picture from: http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/2015/06/miaow.html

See you soon.

Two on Tuesday ......................... on Wednesday x

Yep a day late, but better late than never right?

Today I am going to be brief and just tell you the two best things that have happened in the last week. Some of you may know this young woman (on the right with long blond hair)...........

Her name is Abi and I met her when we all took Shimelle's Blogging course. Alot of us became blogfriends and now real friends as I had the lovely opportunity to meet Abi and lots of other wonderful women at 2 blog events. The third is happening this September.


Abi was only 16, if I remember rightly, and was therefore still in school and working hard towards exams, being away from home (she was a boarder) and generally coping with everything life throws at you when you're that age. Well, move on a couple of years and she gained herself an auspicious place at Durham University studying for her degree and this past few months she's been finishing her dissertation and taking her exams.

Picture owned by Abi

Not only that, she has continued to craft, sew, knit and blog right the way through. Phew she's determined. To cap it all..........................

Last week she passed that degree with, wait for it, a FIRST!

Yep, that incredible young woman, for that is what she is, has gone and surpassed herself and got a top notch First class degree the clever thing. I am so proud and pleased for her you wouldn't believe it.


Secondly, she graduated the other day.........

Picture owned by Abi

So congratulations Abi, a First and graduation. My Two on Tuesday is complete.

Two on Tuesday x

It's Two on Tuesday time today and this week we're going all woolly!

Firstly, I found this brilliant post on Craft Blog...........Grow. After reading all of Sian's posts on sock knitting and loving my crocheting times, a bit of lovely wool will go down a treat this week. I mean did you know that camel's produced wool? Me neither!!!

Secondly, I was signposted to Tork Alpaca Shop via my friend Emma of  Lemonade Yarns. I adore alpacas. Don't ask me why, but I do. Look at those faces. What's not to love?

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/Article_Pages_AboutUs.aspx

Plus they have a strong ethical policy

"From the offset TOFT has been dedicated to British eco-conscious processing. All of our handknitted yarns for retail are spun in the UK. Eco-yarns and locally sourced knitting projects are proving extremely popular, with large brands now releasing their own 'green knitting' collections. At TOFT we do not carry one environmentally conscious yarn line, rather ALL of our yarn and products are ecologically and ethically sound."

The shop is full of beautiful wool and beautiful patterns. I am loving this lovely reindeer for Christmas, maybe in Scandi colours.......

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/PD.aspx?product=PATTERNS/edwards_menagerie/-Reindeer

or perhaps you'd prefer this beautiful Clemetis beret design to knit..............

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/PD.aspx?product=PATTERNS/hats/-Clematis_Beret

or maybe even some super socks for Sian..................

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/PD.aspx?product=PATTERNS/socks/-Chunky_Cable_Socks

Whatever you choose it would be lovely. Plus they have a fabulous Open day on August 1st, anyone want to go with me?

Did I mention I love alpacas?



Insert Alpaca instead of unicorn and you get the picture.

See you soon.

Two on Tuesday x

Happy Tuesday and welcome to another week of Two on Tuesday.

Last week saw the advent of Summer. It actually did get hot on a few days. It also heralded the beginning of my first choice........................

Rinda's Summer Scavenger Hunt.

You cannot imagine the wealth of happy dancing happening down here when Rinda's photography treasure hunt begins. I so look forward to her announcement every year and the day the full list comes out is just so much fun.

Usually I go, Mmh what can I find?

Then Mmh what will I never find?

By the end of the list I normally have a good idea of what, when and where I can take my pictures and hope and pray that I fit it all in.

This years list is just a quirky as always

1. A bouquet of flowers - yes please
2. An ornate door knocker - NT property perhaps
3. A person walking a dog (or other animal) -  Willow? Maybe not!!!
4. People playing a board game or card game - urhm I could stage it I suppose
5. Architectural columns - NT property again maybe
6. A metal bridge - not sure yet
7. A turtle - this one will be a challenge
8. Someone "plugged in" to social media - easy peasy
9. A tent -  could I get into Glastonbury free do you reckon?
10. A college or university -  again know where
11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish -  not sure but I can figure it out
12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet -  Dobbies have the best sinks
13. A merry-go-round or carousel - Clarks Village maybe
14. A traffic signal -  easy
15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it - not sure about this one either
16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air - anyone fancy The London Eye?
17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms - urhm?
18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle -  anywhere during harvest really
19. A ticket booth -  London maybe
20. A natural body of water -  any excuse to go to the beach?
21. A photograph of you with a sign reading "2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger - ooh the horror lol

So I've spied a few blogs already sharing pictures, look forward to seeing more as the weeks progress.

Secondly, have you read any of Kirsty's wonderful series on her experiences of Guiding?  All last week, Kirsty explored her very personal adventures as a Guide, Guide leader and adventures both here and abroad. Kirsty has had the most amazing opportunities to travel and share her Guiding knowledge whilst inspiring other Guides to do the same.

circa 1974 aged about 9 years old

I have wonderful memories of being a Brownie, Guide and Snowy Owl. As a Brownie, I learnt lots of amazing skills which I still use to this day and other not so exciting ones but how to make a 2 pence piece shine using ketchup springs to mind as we always had to have 2p for the phone in our pockets.
I went on some great camping adventures as  Guide and met people from across the country. At The Queen's Silver Jubilee I was lucky enough to go to Westminster Abbey for a service celebrating Guiding and still have my badge to prove it.

I also found a secondhand copy of The Brownie Guide Handbook in Oxfam which I treasure. Being a part of these organisations helped me to learn about myself, about working as a team and about facing your fears, but most of all about being an incredible girl and woman.

I hope you enjoy reading Kirsty's wonderful stories as much as I did.

Were you a Brownie or Guide?

Two on Tuesday x

Welcome to the first Two on Tuesday of June 2015. Yes, it really is halfway through 2015 already, scary.

This week I wanted to focus on books because, well I love books. You can often find me sitting outside, if it's sunny, sipping tea and with my head in a lovely book. I love the smell of books, Kindle is ok but real live, smell the pages books, you just can't beat them in all honesty.

I read a few book blogs but my favourite is Savidge Reads. Simon Savidge loves books, I mean even more than me I think. He seems to live and breath them. I love reading his blog for interesting tips on new authors and books I wouldn't have read otherwise. But I also adore his blog for a series of posts he calls Other People's Bookshelves.

I am a terrible person, I go to people's houses and the first thing I often see is their book shelves, or sometimes lack of them. I'm not a snob, but I do think a house without books is just not normal. How can anyone live without them? Ok, ok so you can borrow them from the library or friends but you have to have them somewhere. Me, I have books everywhere. They're in the lounge in pine shelves and in my Expedit bookcase in big draws full. They are piled at the side of my bed, the cookbooks are actually in the kitchen and the craft books are primarily in my craft room. But I love reading about how other people organise their collections. Mine are not very organised really. I do have the odd collections together, namely Vera Brittain and Jay Bell books but as for the rest, not counting the cooking or crafting books, they are in a random order across my house.

If like me you want to see and learn about how other people sort their collections then you can find all the posts for the individuals Simon has interviewed here................

Two of my favourite posts so far have been about Lloyd Shepherd, the author's, bookshelves. He has alot of books I have so that's a great start but he also has a wife who hoards books so score twice and the other about Jeremy Largen a book lover and blogger primarily because I love that he has Anne Rice books on his bookshelves and his friends question it. I'd be saying "Brilliant I love her too".


My second is a book called "Cuckoo Song" by Francis Hardinge. I read this book several weeks ago and I was so mesmerised by it that I have also got another of her books in my reading pile called "The Lie Tree". I wrote a review on Goodreads so I'll share that below...........

"I loved this book so much.
Triss is any other girl growing up after WW1 with her parents and little sister Pen. Her brother Sebastian was killed at The Front. But one morning Triss wakes up with confusing memories of having fallen into water. Her parent's seem more distressed than usual and incredibly worried about her health. Her sister Pen is both terrified and angry with her , and Triss herself keeps feeling overwhelmingly hungry, nothing fills the empty hole in her stomach. Then she notices that leaves are falling from her hair and she begins to cry cobwebs. This is where the story becomes an adventure for one family damaged by grief and especially for two little girls, one who knows what is happening and the other who has no idea who she really is.

I thought this story was beautifully told, Triss and Pen are perfectly drawn, sibling pressures explored and the trauma of grief are so perfectly described. But this isn't only a book exploring how grief affects a family but also the changes WW1 caused to one country and the loss of traditions and folklore as this country tries to rebuild itself in the aftermath of so much tragedy".

I would highly recommend it.

So do tell me, do you organise your bookshelves and what are you willing to share as a book suggestions?

Two on Tuesday x

Wow another week gone and it's Two on Tuesday.

So I hope you've all recovered from the brilliant weekend of Focusing on your crafting with Jennifer Grace. I have to say she truly outdid herself with the crafting this time, I was super impressed. I popped over to most of the posts but I have chosen just one to focus on today as it is something anyone can do and it has such an impact. Make an inspiration wall...........................

I chose this because it is such a simple idea but really, really effective. You can do it absolutely anywhere really. Jennifer used a door and we almost all have a spare one of those, but you could use a wall, pinboard, a canvas, a big frame and lots of other ideas to focus you.
I know I have quite a few bits that are in my craft room hidden away which I could get out and produce a focused area all of my own and it looked really simple. If you go to Jennifer's blog, there is a process video to watch too so you can get an idea of how she put the whole wall together.

If you'd like further inspiration then there are tons of great links on Pinterest of course. I found these 2 ideas for renters like myself.....................

 photo from here

In the picture above, washi tape has been used to both frame and also hang pictures on the wall. The beauty of washi tape is it doesn't affect the paintwork so you shouldn't have any problems with your landlord when you move out. All you have to do is alter the washi tape when you want to refresh you inspiration wall.

photo from here

Here is another excellent idea using an old shutter, or a louvred door. I've seen these used on DIY shows for magazine holders, records and books and you can just take this with you when you move and respray it different colours to suite your mood.

And on a personal note, Mandy from A Teacup of Scrapisms sent me a lovely comment based on my bloghop post which you can read here. She was so inspired by my journal and ideas that she's begun one of her own. Thank you so much Mandy, blogfriends are brilliant.

My second offering today is your own personal Sheldon Cooper amigurami doll. I LOVE The Big Bang Theory, it is by far the best comedy programme I watch and I would love to have my own Sheldon to sing me soft kitty when I'm ill.

If you can't afford your own Sheldon, I'm sure he's way out of my price range, then why not crochet one. A(mi]dorable Crochet has the perfect pocket sized pattern for you here.

Furthermore, Jackie has patterns for most of the Big Bang gang. Here's Amy............

and if that wasn't enough Jackie gave the real Sheldon his own version which he shared on US TV. Go Jackie.
You need to go to about 2.30 minutes in for that part......................




Have a happy Tuesday x

Two on Tuesday x

Good evening and a little later than usual, Two on Tuesday.

Rolling forward to this weekend, the incredibly talented Jennifer Grace is hosting another of her brilliant crafting weekends from this Friday 15 May at 6pm until Sunday evening. 
This time her theme is Focus: 

Here is her announcement of the event..............

Mark your calendars for May the 15th – 17th!

The theme for the event is loosely based on my word-of-the-year ‘Focus’. This will cover a variety of ideas on how to focus your crafting, about living in the moment, making sure you appreciate the little things, and how to use focal points. We’ll also be using a lot of icons like targets, frames, arrows, triangles, and cameras!

The event will follow the same format as my previous Blog Events, with posts from 4pm – 10pm Friday, and 10am – 10pm Saturday and Sunday (times all BST). There will be lots of crafts, tutorials, challenges, a blog hop, and of course some lovely giveaways! The giveaways AND challenges will all stay open for a week this time to give you a chance to keep up with commenting and creating.

Having followed Jennifer for a number of years now, Jennifer has truly worked hard at promoting her creativity and her own personal style and she has built her blog and developed her own activities. She has recently taken the big step of making her own videos. Her weekend events are always brilliant so if you really fancy finding some new and interesting activities then go visit her this weekend. There will be a bloghop this Friday evening at 6pm and a fancy giveaways too.

Secondly this Tuesday, I know I've picked this one perhaps a little late, however I felt it was such a fun challenge and after seeing Julie Kirk's hilarious pictures I'd give this challenge some publicity.

I first saw this challenge over on Sian's blog although originally the challenge comes from Getting it Scrapped . The idea is to take photographs which demonstrate the movies suggested. I'm holding on for Rinda's Summertime Scavenger hunt which she will announce in a couple of weeks, so excited.

See you next week.

Two on Tuesday x

Hello and welcome to the first May edition of two on Tuesday a weekly look at two things I have found and fallen for over the last week.

Firstly, may I introduce a fellow crafter. Is it ok to call him that, I think so but he is so much more. I have palpitations everytime someone says "Now get your Exacto knife and cut out those flowers" Horror, run away.

Now this guy has made using said Exacto knife or scalpel into a miracle and I want him to come cut out lovely things for me but I couldn't afford his rates.

Marc Hagan-Guirey aka Paper Dandy is incredibly talented with said Exacto/scalpel and from one sheet of paper he creates incredibly intricate designs like this..................

image courtesy of  Paper Dandy of Rosemary's Baby apartment building

This is the art of Kirigami. In it's simplest form, Kirigami is how we learn to make paper snowflakes by cutting folded paper.

"Architectural origami is the art of paper cutting to create 3D 

buildings - from just one sheet of paper! The designs range from 

the simple to the exceptionally intricate, and the subject matter can

 be anything from a whole city to a famous landmark or even your own house.

This page will focus on 90° pop-up buildings and detailed shapes, 

where the 3D design emerges and is fully visible when the paper

 is folded to an angle of 90 degrees. That means that this technique 

is well suited to making impressive pop-up cards as well"

WellingtonBoots website

 In this form, as shown by Marc, it is a delicate, complex and technical art form.


This example by Ingrid Siliakus was inspired by Amsterdam.

I have been following him on Twitter et cetera since his first Kirigami's appeared under the title "Horrorgami". All these pieces were inspired by specific places from horror films which Marc loved and the kirigami of Rosemary's Baby is from that same exhibit. To see Marc in action and talking about his project click on this link and you can see just how complex but tiny his designs actually are.

For the past few weeks, he has been teasing his followers with little hints and clues to his next project. I pretty much guessed what it was like many others but today he announced that he was planning a Star Wars inspired exhibition of cut scenes from the movies.

credit Paper Dandy

Yes, Star Wars fans this is a tiny kirigami of the scene from The Empire Strikes Back after Han Solo is put in carbonite. Oooh it's so detailed. Imagine how small this is as it's made from 1 sheet of A4 paper, .................. yes 1 sheet!

He's not affiliated with the Star Wars peeps in anyway by the way. However he has begun a Kickstarter fundraising crusade and I thought it would be really great to link up to that just to help him on his way. I'm not expecting anyone to go in there giving thousands of pounds but even if you look and tell someone else who can fund it or give him support in any other way that would be how us crafters help each other. Me well, I want to fund the whole thing but sadly I have no amount of money that great but I might be able to go for a small sum. Whatever, I am hoping I can go and see the final exhibition in London.



Secondly for your Tuesday treats, I give you this little baby..............

The Telegraph

...................Princess Charlott Elizabeth Diana.

Yes I know but how do you follow incredible paper crafting? With the amazing ability for the human body to create new life. That's how.

See you next Tuesday x

Two on Tuesday x

Hello and welcome to ..............

I'm keeping it brief today as it's been a bit busy around here.

So firstly I'd love to share with you a little video my friend Jackie shared on Facebook. She's a London Hospital nurse too and found this amazing film on YouTube from the 1960s. There is no sound but it gives a glimpse into nursing at The London back then and more looks at the fab uniform we had.






Secondly, the lovely Will from Bright Bazaar shared some new pictures he's recently acquired by a photographer called Gray Malin. My fave picture on the site so far is one called "Heart balloons" and can be found here. It combines several beautiful elements for me:

• balloons,
• colours of the rainbow and 
• the SEA

Perfection

What interesting pictures/videos have you spied this week?

Two on Tuesday x

Hello Tuesday and welcome to another two choices for your delectation.

For this weeks choices, I have a feeling you might need to turn off your social media, shut the curtains, get yourself a big glass of vino and a massive bar of chocolate because this post is going to make you want to do things you never imagined. And you seriously do not want your partner, children or any other people walking into this fantasy.

May I present to you 50 Shades of..............................

Stationery x

Now firstly, do you think I have a paper problem? Now, I am a memory keeper so by necessity I have to have paper. But obviously, some people seem to think I have some kind of fetish which has led to my friend Roz, thanks Roz, sending me this link..........now I warn you this is 50 shades of stationery so make sure you're prepared..........

Ooooh, come to mama beautiful paper with sea paintings yummy................

and colour overload with these gorgeous pencils................lickable!! Seriously, did you know there that many beautiful colours? Me neither and just imagine having those in your craftroom. Eeny, meeny..............

Secondly, it gets WORSE!

Now I know I love all  stationery, but I LOVE notebooks above and beyond anything else, can't get enough of them. I walk down the aisles of WHSmith, Paperchase and a variety of other local shops just to gaze adoringly at them, touch them and yes sometimes I even smell them! In fact, I'm sure I do my best Golum impersonation and go all "My precious" over them sometimes.

But this week I discovered, oh sweet joy, that I am not alone in my desire to possess said notebooks. Yes, Charlotte,  a regular contributor to ALO an online lifestyle magazine, wrote this post in celebration of people like myself and it had links to some more lickable notebooks like this...............

from Sloane Stationery

or this beauty from Fox and Star

Yes I know it's not a notebook but it is bunting washi tape.

And finally take your pick of these beautifully recycled notebooks, not cheap but perfection.............

one for everyday of the week and some to spare from Undercover.

I feel the need to lie down now. With my notebooks lol.

So where are your fave places to buy those oh so necessary stationery pieces?