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This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

WOYWW 258 - Panic is subsiding

 Not my normal desk this week, but it is where I am working at the moment, so that is my excuse.
I can't really show you a lot either as what I am working on will not be going public until the WOYWW anniversary.  

All you can see is the things I was working with.  There is some spray adhesive, a box that once held Carte Noire and now is the pot to catch gilding flakes, Archival ink, Perfect Pearls, some small pieces of card and a bag of ATC envelopes from Clarity, a paint brush, scissors and a blade. There are also a couple of Clarity stamps.  That is all the information I am giving you.


Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know why I have been missing from the blog scene.  Life has been fairly hectic, which is not abnormal these days.  I went away in the caravan over Easter, for the first time on my own.  Things went reasonably well and I was very grateful to Tattered Rocks Debbie and her husband, who came over to give me help to set up and also to hitch up to come home, and I was very grateful for that help.

Since then, I cannot find the charger for my camera batteries.  Unfortunately, all three of the cameras I now own have flat batteries (although I did get enough to do today's pictures - just).  Two of the cameras use the same charger which is not helpful.  I have also managed to lose two packs of acrylic paints.  Maybe they are with the battery chargers.  Tomorrow, a major search is in order, I reckon for both lots of stuff.  I have ordered some more, because I know they will not be wasted, but they may not arrive before I go away again.

The other thing that has kept me busy is doing a course last weekend with the Caravan Club on how to handle my caravan, including reversing.  I have towed for 38 years but never reversed even one inch, so I thought it might be a good idea to come to grips with the principles, even though I have a motor mover fitted.  I did learn a lot, and the instructors were very good at bringing the mystique of reversing down to very simple levels that we could all understand.  I was fascinated to notice that the women on the course were better than the men at reversing.  I think the men were a little over confident and tried to do it at speed.  The ladies, on the other hand, listened carefully and took everything very slowly and got it right.

21 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Sounds like you learned a lot from that course. Now you can take your caravan anywhere, at least in theory.

I feel for you and your battery chargers. Not having a charger is what caused me to spend way too much money on a used camera that was supposed to come with a charger and didn't. The charger cost as much as the camera, so I took a new approach and got a NEW camera. I know that isn't much comfort, but I'm sure you'll get a laugh at least. Hope the chargers get to you before you head for the crop.

No number yet, as Julia is still sleeping and I'm trying to get ahead of the game.

Nikki said...

Congrats on learning how to reverse it must be nice to know you can do it now without the worry of tripping up :) and hope you can find your charger shame you had to get another
Happy WOYWW hugs Nikki My Desk

Bridget Larsen said...

Well I can truly say I know what you are talking about because my camera battery and your camera battery are in cohoots and hiding, although I know mine are hiding in 70 unpacked boxes.
So glad to see you are caravaning and learning all about it. Good to see you out and about.
Bridget #4

Helen said...

Your secret "thing" for the anniversary sounds intriguing and fun. The reversing course sounds a very good idea, glad you listened and took note!! See you soon, can't wait.Helen 7

Belinda Basson said...

I have to do all the reverse driving in my household...my driving instructor taught me to go backwards before I went forwards as he said that would make going forwards a lark and it was! This course of yours just proved what we all know and that is that women are better drivers. Here in SA we even get cheaper insurance than men! LOL! #28

Anonymous said...

Just the perfect teaser post :) I think the Anniversary week is going to be SUCH a fun hop - or will it really be the following week when everyone starts sharing their ATCs received? We shall see.
Well done on the reversing of the Caravan. Not sure I'd want to give that a go, but then I've rarely been IN a caravan, let alone driven one. Scary.

Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (2)

Lunch Lady Jan said...

What a great idea to go on a course to learn how to reverse the caravan properly! I'm not surprised that the women were better, for the very reason you said. I'm really impressed with the way you're tackling things - you have a lot of courage :-)
Hugs, LLJ 22 xx

Neil said...

Hi
It's been a while I know, since I last managed to link up but I'm back now and just popping my head round the door to say hello!

Thanks for sharing your creative space and I hope you have a good week too.

Neil #10

Julia Dunnit said...

Well Maggie, I saw your post on FB and am super impressed thatyou faced the fear and took the course, so to speak..and am unsuprised by your findings vis a vis the women..
As for the missing chargers..I sympathise..I spend quite a lot of time looking for things I've put away safely. Drives me mad!
The ATC ingredients are delicious...liking the idea of the gilding!

Chrysalis said...

Hi Maggie - the desk looks exciting - and intriguing!! What a great idea that course sounds - just right to give the confidence you need for going away alone. I used to take my little ones away alone, in our camper van, and it could be emotionally exhausting, although great fun. Have a lovely week, Chris # 23

pearshapedcrafting said...

Not having a battery charger for a weekend did me in so heaven knows how you're coping!!! Well done for attending that course, although I'm not surprised that the ladies did better on reversing! See you soon! Chrisx 79

Twiglet said...

The course sounds brilliant and although I am not surprised that the women were best - I am sure I would be hopeless!! Well done you. x Jo

Linda Simpson said...

Well done on getting away in your caravan for Easter. An interesting array of goodies on your desk. Take care and be back again soon.
Hugs
Linda xxx

glitterandglue said...

Maggie. Congratulations on reversing your caravan. Brilliant stuff!!! We used to have a caravan, and I would sit in the car driving seat muttering, "Now, the back of the caravan wants to go that way, so the back of the car goes that way, so the wheel goes this way" Would get there, but it isn't easy.
Your desk looks most intriguing - all those different elements!
Have a special week.
Margaret #46

fairy thoughts said...

Hi Maggie, its good to see you are starting to do the old things again... it must be really hard, but good girls beating the men .
at 'their' own game of towing lol
I thought I was already following you but had to check and found that I wasn't .... so now I an couldn't find you on FB but then maybe you keep that for people you actually know .... which is fine and a personal choice
have a great week and I wish I was going to the crop so we could meet in real life.
janet #5

Theresa said...

i wonder what you are brewing maggie. hugs xx

Eliza said...

Good for you learning to back, this is one thing I was taught when I was young, my father taught me to drive trucks too and I have never looked back. You should be very proud of yourself congratulations. Now as for the missing items, the caravan has stolen them and will only return them when it wants too. Frustrating I know, my house does it to me all the time LOL

Have a great week

Happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 90

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Maggie,

Did you take the photo that you are using as your banner? It's beautiful - I'm hoping spring weather will get here soon (we've had snow this week)!

Congratulations on taking your caravan out and learning how to back up! That's very cool that there's a club that you belong to - I'm sure it makes it fun.

Happy belated WOYWW
Peace,
Kay (35)

JoZart Designs said...

Calm down dear!! You'll get done and all will be well. I wish I could join you at the crop but I'm having a downstairs shower and loo fitted shortly so I've got to clear away all my crafty stuff to give the workers access through my room. Dolores cannot go as she will be in Ilfracombe and we originally planned to go together.
Have a great time... I'm sure you will.
love Jo x

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Marg, I am so behind this week. Only just getting round. Looking forward to the crop- need to get my ATC's made now, lol.Love Shaz xx

Darnell said...

You are such an inspiration, Maggie! I'm delighted that you are tackling the caravan on your own and taking the course!

BTW, I scrolled back as I did some catching up with you since my own life has gotten busy and I've not been able to dedicate visiting time to WOYWW much this year, and I saw your sketch from April 23rd. Very well done!! I also loved the photo of the swan!

Congrats on almost four years of blogging! Please can you leave me out of your generous blog candy as I have too much schtuff already and I'd rather it go to someone else. That is a major milestone worthy of celebrating!!

Happy WOYWW! Hugs, Darnell #24