DARCY'S COSY - AND MAIL ART IN GENERAL...

So here we are on bank holiday Monday and the question is what to do? 

Hubby fancies heading over to Brodsworth Hall and as we are English Heritage members that means no cost anyway - little one - well he just wants sausages - and as we haven't got any he's sulking in the other room getting yet another fix of TV since we got back.  Whilst we were away we banned TV - I am that mean - I don't want my holidays disappearing in the blink of an eye so I ban it when we're away so that mentally I can have complete downtime and as a family we get to share every moment together!  

Unfortunately, it means on our return that said 10 year old needs an ultra fix of TV which is what he treated himself to yesterday - which is why we're off out again today!  I can feel a family meeting coming on - I can I tell you....

Thank you to everyone who replied about my missing followers it made me grumpy initially because I did the whole - why oh why are they disappearing but that said I only have a few that actively leave messages and it's them that I'd miss if they disappeared - and be warned I know who you are so I would come and cyber stalk you!  LOL

Anyway I thought I'd post a few more things on here - my page for cosy according to Darcy's 52 words - I racked my brain for things from my childhood but the home we lived in when I was little doesn't match the word cosy - damp and occasionally mouldy but never cosy (the house was literally falling down, it was damp and cold, we lived in one main room downstairs and in winter one main room upstairs - it was wall to wall beds with my Mum and Dad, me and my brother and sister all based in one room, we had an outside toilet that was freezing and a tiny kitchen and the bathroom floor was so rotten that you could put your feet through it over by the basin - cosy is not the word I'd use) so instead I thought of present day and the one room that always feels cosy is our bedroom and no it doesn't look anything like this but it had a cosy feel to it!

then recently I've been into mail art - well into is the wrong word I've sat and admired from afar I mean - most of it isn't in the style I could do but I can certainly enjoy and sit oohing and aahing over it - as I went rummaging a few weeks ago I found the envelopes to the 8 x 8 cards I bought at Christmas, I used the cards as the base to my 'Journal your Christmas' last year and was therefore left with a ruck of 8 x 8 envelopes which are huge!  Anyway thought I'd have a play and I ended up with several which have now toddled off to their new homes, I enjoyed making the envelopes but then got completely lost with what to put inside them, - so I used a single sheet of 8 x 8 card and made them match the envelope and then I wrote a note on the back and sent them on their merry way 

 The inside had this

Then I made this one - the inside first

 and then the envelope

then this one - again the inside card first

 then the outside with a message to the postman

 do you like the chilliphant

then the envelope

 and the inside

 and the back of the envlope again

and finally one that I know has appeared on Carmen's blog the inside followed by the envelope

 this was one of my favourites

 again with a message to the postie

if you likey leave a comment - if you fancy me dropping one to you at some point in the future and I won't say when (and I can't guarantee it'll be 8 x 8 as I'm running out of those - but it'll be large because I don't do small LOL) - it'll just arrive as if by magic then you need to leave a comment so I can publish it and then another comment with your address on which I promise not to publish, I'll keep your name in reserve and when the moment takes me I'll send you a little mail art - now sssshhhhhhhh don't tell anyone it's a secret between me and my lovely band of Rocking Followers tee hee

ROCKING YOUR WORLD SUNDAY AND WHERE ARE MY BLOG FOLLOWERS GOING?

Well thought I'd come and do a quick update on what I'd guessed at for my Rocking Your World post on Friday to see how close I'd got! 

Time away from work to chill - MANAGED WITH GREAT GUSTO IT HAS BEEN AWESOME AND I'VE ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT

Swimming (if we manage to use the pool) - KIDS MANAGED THIS - TRYING TO SQUEEZE THIS BODY IN A SWIMSUIT WOULD HAVE PUT OFF THE OWNERS SO I REFRAINED LOL

Tennis (if we manage to use the courts) - KIDS AGAIN MANAGED THIS ONCE - APPARENTLY THEY WEREN'T THAT FUSSED A LUMP OF TARMAC WITH A NET AROUND IT SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED

Laughter (if we manage to have a giggle) - LOTS OF THIS AND WE ALL NEEDED IT

Art journaling (if I remember to take some paints) - DONE LOADS USING LOTS OF THE PAMPHLETS AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL WE PICKED UP PROMISE TO SHARE LATER

Books (if we get around to reading) - YEP BACK INTO THIS TOO - CURRENTLY READING THE FINAL BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD - OOH AND IT'S FABULOUS

Blue skies (if the weatherman is kind) - WASN'T IT JUST WALL TO WALL BLUE SKIES AND WARM WEATHER - SHEER BLISS

Good company (will manage this regardless) - YEP MANAGED THIS WITHOUT A PROBLEM - MY NIECE IS COMING INTO HER OWN NOW AS SHE GETS A LITTLE OLDER SO WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS PLUS THAT GIRL LOVES TO ART JOURNAL SO SHE WAS MY ART JOURNAL BUDDY IN THE EVENINGS AND SHE WAS SO PLEASED HER AUNTY GINNIE TOOK LOTS OF PAINTS AND SHE ENJOYED TRYING THE NEW 'SMOOSHY' STYLE

Treasure hunts (we've bought two so should be fun) - ONLY MANAGED ONE OF THESE DUE TO THE QUANTITY OF WALKING WE WERE MAKING THE KIDS DO - LOL - WE DID THE INNER ONE AROUND YORK AND FELL OVER TWO OTHER TREASURE HUNTERS ON THE WAY ROUND

Not stressing about dieting (will definitely manage this one - I can almost guarantee it) - ABSOLUTELY MANAGED THIS ONE - WITH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL DELI'S IN YORK IT WAS EASY TO FORGET ALL ABOUT ANY IDEA OF A DIET - TODAY WILL ALSO BE A NON-DIET DAY HOWEVER TOMORROW OR PERHAPS TUESDAY WILL BE A DIFFERENT MATTER AND CARMEN I WILL BE HEADING OVER TO STALK YOU AS WE BOTH TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AGAIN WE CAN DO THIS!

Time with my man (and we so need it) - YES MANAGED THIS - SOME DOWN TIME 

HE HAD A LOG BURNING FIRE TO PLAY WITH AT NIGHT WHICH KEPT HIM HAPPY AND WE SAT AND READ AND CHATTED AND JUST ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S COMPANY

There were other parts of the week that I want to share but will do that later - just wanted to update you on what we had managed! 

Now whilst we were away I managed to lose two followers - how the hell do I manage it whilst others gather new ones and took them under their arm like a new band of sistahs I manage to lose them and that was with three scheduled postings - I'm seriously considering blog stalking people except now they've gone I don't know who they are - be warned I can be very possessive of my followers LOL!

Right before I disappear thought I'd share this with you - it took two trips to York to find it but it was so worth while!  Adam and Eve in God's hand - found on the West doorway at York Minster - isn't it beautiful!  

Hope you are all having a beautiful and blessed Easter Weekend

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - WONDER IF THIS WILL WORK

So I'm going to attempt to prepare this to see if it will post when I need it to - there is logic to my madness - honestly!  So I'm preparing this before venturing off for a few days with my family

I can't tell what I'll be grateful for in advance - so for now I'm going to schedule it and see how I get on - I'm going to guess at my gratefuls - let's see how close I get

Time away from work to chill

Swimming (if we manage to use the pool)

Tennis (if we manage to use the courts)

Laughter (if we manage to have a giggle)

Art journaling (if I remember to take some paints)

Books (if we get around to reading) 

Blue skies (if the weatherman is kind)

Good company (will manage this regardless)

Treasure hunts (we've bought two so should be fun)

Not stressing about dieting (will definitely manage this one - I can almost guarantee it)

Time with my man (and we so need it)

Wedding anniversary (it's Monday and I've not planned anything - blinking useless I am I tell you - it will be 13 years ago since we tied the knot)

More time to think - this bit I'm really looking forward to being grateful for!  Hope I'll pick up comments as I go on Friday so you can all visit each other!  

Hope you've all have a beautiful and blessed week - catch up with you when I'm back!

Leave you with some journaling out of my A5 journal from the last time we toddled off 

The first one documenting an awesome time at Scarborough!  can you see the Diving Belle

and then another one following our trip to Scarborough, hoping to fill this journal up a little more whilst we're in York!

DARCY PAGES - FOLLOW

Another of the Darcy pages - the word was follow

What you can't see from this picture is the silver glimmer mists on it which I love it gives it quite a muted look in real life! 

If you're liking then grab some craft items and have a go - anything goes it doesn't have to be art journals it can be tags, or pockets, or a mini book or a layout or well pretty much anything!  Want to know more click the button on the right!

DARCY PAGES

Ooh I'm having a lovely time with these prompts from Darcy - and I've finally caught up - makes me sad because it means I only get one a week now - LOL!

This one is one of my favourites for the word - waterworks!  

I'm pleased with the colours in this one it's so vibrant! 

Planning a scheduled post to see how it works!

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY and some more Darcy's Pages

In the blink of an eye and here we are back at

I can hardly believe how ultimately quickly this week has gone - I truly mean that - blink and you'd have missed it - well you would if you were me.

It has been a hard week - year end, payroll year end, bringing two companies together and keeping my head above water has been almost (but not quite impossible) - throw in a VAT inspection and you can see how great my life has been this week - I'm supposed to do 22 hours per week in holiday time so I can spend time with my 10 year old - I've clocked up in excess of 40 hours - I've had to beg borrow and steal time from people to look after him - this is not what being a Mum was about for me and it's made me feel incredibly selfish and guilty - but if I tell you that if I didn't do what I did - almost 100 people wouldn't get paid you will maybe appreciate that the time sacrifice has been minimal - but in all honesty it has been the hardest of weeks.

I'm limping over the finish line with a week away to look forward to - so be warned next weeks Rocking Your World may be late unless I can manage to do one to be put on next Friday or do one on my phone - we'll see - just bear with me as there may be technical difficulties.

So you may think that I'm going to abandon gratefuls for a week - but you would obviously be mistaken - so digging deeper than I've ever dug before

I am grateful to be alive - it is a gift not to be taken for granted.

I am grateful that I have my health (I know I whinge about my back etc) but overall I'm still upright and still fighting - even the acne is being beaten into submission (at least at the moment) and the slap is looking about what it used to so almost back to normal!

I am grateful for my amazing family 

for my hubby Craig who has listened, provided ample hugs, done some reflexology on my feet, allowed me to craft at crazy times at night to get my brain to shut up, provided three course meals, ironed the world, entertained the 10 year old and been his all round amazing self!

For my son who still makes me smile with his absolute vigour for life - you are amazing - even when you haven't done your maths homework!

For my brother who has kept me going this week (we work together), kept saying "we can" when I've said "we can't", stayed late (way beyond the call of duty) and been an absolute rock - I've driven us both into the ground but he's done it willingly and kept me going!

For my sister whom I absolutely adore who is going through yet further difficulties in her life - if you're the praying type please keep her in your prayers because she could do with every single one of them, if you're not and believe in positive good karma - then send some of that her way because she could do with everything you could possibly give her at the minute.

To my Mum who is very stressed out at the minute - Mummy stop crying - things are going to be fine!  She takes the stresses of the family on her own shoulders when she really shouldn't!

To my niece who learned yesterday that she has a new half-sister is off to visit her today - you're going to be an amazing big sister! 

To my lovely Rockettes - you absolutely brighten every single Friday for me - I adore seeing your list of gratefuls and thank you for the privilege in sharing part of your life

For the fantastic Yorkshire Sculpture Park which gave me much needed mental downtime at the weekend and managed to provide some amazing sights!

For my first piece of mail art arriving at its destination and the recipient - the ultra talented and amazing human being we all know and love as Carmen actually liking it!

Now last week I was asked a few questions following up from my Rocking your World post 

Susie wanted to know if Craig fancied finishing her ironing - his answer was he's OK thanks LOL

K asked question on gingerbread - we always use the BBC Good Food gingerbread recipe 

Link for

recipe

This was the first recipe we used and we've used the same ever since - there is even a template at the bottom of the recipe for the house on the picture.  The first year we converted the house into a Church for us and then miniaturised the house for family members to do a gingerbread challenge on Christmas Day!  The key to making it is to cut the shapes of the gingerbread house out onto plastics (laminated sheets that have been laminated work just as well) cardboard is OK but absorbs the oil from the butter which means its not reusable but as long as it's clean you could use it as a template!  Cut the shapes out to begin with, cook in the oven as stated, when it comes out of the oven it will still be very very soft - at this point reposition the template and recut the shapes to give you good clean lines.  We glue the houses together with egg white and icing sugar mix as per the recipe and they set like concrete (honestly), obviously we don't assemble them into the shape until we are almost ready to use them and like I say we stick them to a cake board with this icing 'glue' and then use it to mortar the house together and then the best bit decorating with sweeties!  Hope this helps, we then the following year bought a gingerbread recipe template download (yes we are this mad) which included the castle and the clock tower, there is also a beach house, a Victorian house and many others to boot! 

Hope this info helps any more questions just shout!

And to Darcy who is sending me some stamped Celtic images - can't wait - need to go and find Doone's book of knots but she's informed me that I have to harangue her for this! 

So all in all lots of awesome people in my life 

couldn't go without leaving you with some images!  The first one is for Darcy's 52 word challenge and the word was crush - I don't tend to do 'celebrity fancying' so thought I'd go for the range of books I've been reading recently as my inspiration!  The journaling has been done on the coat sleeve and overall I was really pleased with the layout as it pushed me on the colour front!

and then another favourite - the word mileage and the journaling is around the masked clocks!  I'm really pleased with this image as well!

For those non-art journallers a layout for you showing the humour that seems to be genetic in our family - !

and close ups showing the stamped title, the free sentiment from a magazine and some of the hand written journalling

Now it's been discovered that Mr Linky doesn't like my background colour (you may have noticed that you appeared to disappear last week - you didn't you just had to put the area into 'negative' to see you) so I'm abandoning him this week until I fathom out how to sort!  So leave your link and your comments below and I shall catch you later!  Have a beautiful and blessed day and even if you feel like you have little to be grateful for - remember - you are being given the gift of a life today which in itself is awesome!

Hugs

WOYWW...

I'm unsure of how I managed to be here this week but I am - so the question is 

what's on my workstation today?

I'd probably define it as my creative space - but you might be tempted with the words 'a mess'

Well top left we have the puddles page for Darcy's 52 words - see button on the right to find out more - its' not finished but it's getting there, technically I wouldn't profess to be an artist or a painter I do all my painting on my art journaling books with my fingers and sometimes has to revisit what I've done to get me to like it.

Then top right is my other journal which is A5 in size when closed up a half done page from our visit to YSP earlier in the week 

Middle centre is a stack of cards which I've been working on - I'm not a card maker but like using scraps up - so this is me sorting out the oranges and yellows in my scraps pile - just finishing off some scanning of my images I've created to finish them off - will probably not put a sentiment on there until I know what I'm using them for!  Excuse stig cup top right of picture - cup from last night 

and huggies on top left - my art journaling wet wipes!

and then finally this guy!  Please tell me you love him - I think he's gorgeous he got donated to one our charity shops through work- is made predominantly of wood and has quite poor posture to say the least!  His legs come off his body and his arms move, their is a void inside but I can't tell if he was a musical box or something in the past?  Why you may ask have I bought him - to alter him of course - I can't cope with twee flowers - so any suggestions of what to do with him? 

And don't tell me to pop him in the bin - I just couldn't he's awesome!