Stamping Ground

This card makes me appear to be totally together; but I'm not, really. It came to me last night whilst I was supposed to be asleep, so this morning it hasn't taken long to put together and is actually to enter Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club challenge; and I will be using it as one of four very unseasonal cards for a workshop at the end of the month!

Something that struck me yesterday whilst I toured the world looking at WOYWW posts was the number of us that post a picture of our desks and comment that it may well be an aide to some sort of tidying up discipline. I thought so too, and in 44 weeks of WOYWW, it hasn't turned out like that for me. There are moments when it just drives me nuts and I have to clear up. Indeed, I think that's why I'm here writing about it, the desk, the stamps, the bin - everything needs to be re-ordered and I'm working my way up to it - envisioning if you like! But of course, having tidied up, I usually then start again immediately, inspired by the space and 'clean sheet' appearance of my work surface. I don't photograph it, I probably should, just for a WOYWW comparison. Isn't that generally the great thing about a hobby of nearly any sort. It's terribly forgiving. You can tidy up and start again. You can get it wrong and it'll turn into something else and give you a renewed start. You can burn it knot it tangle it bin it and start again. It won't shout and scream and demand attention when you haven't got time for it - indeed very often it will inspire you to return as soon as you can - and it always always feels good when you get back to start again. Therapy, friendship and any number of second chances. Ah, how many of us get those 'clean sheet' opportunities outside the space of our hobby?

Housekeeping: In other news, two fellow bloggers have had a visit from my family and been convinced of the need to share awards with me; thank you to Chrissie at Simply One of A Kind for the sunshine award - do visit her blog. This gal makes classy quality cards and creates wedding stationery that takes your breath away - and shares them online daily. Inspiration in a pot.
And Paula at her Paper Playground took very little roughing up on account of her fragile state. She shared the exotic 'Encanto' award with me. If ever you wanted proof that to become part of a community all you have to do is immerse yourself in it and enjoy the company, Paula is the gal. Full of chat and thrilled about her stash, she's a tonic - read her.
Thanks to both. Am totally unsure where Blog Awards originate and indeed why, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled and flattered. After all, aren't we all blogging for some small show-offy reason? And frankly, flattery is the key with me; it's got me into things I didn't wanna do, for sure!