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Oh look, another tale of my slovenly behaviour; imagine how smug you'll feel by the end of this post! Well, if my story hasn't set your teeth on edge or made you run as far away as your legs can carry you, that is.

Therefore, a preface: this with a warning: SLIPPER LADY - LOOK AWAY NOW!

Here's a lovely picture of a portion of my stamp shelves. This section is loosely deemed the 'alphabet section' and if it's not a foam set, and still in a useable box, then this is where it will live. Yes I have more than a handful, and yes, I use them a lot, and I love them. But and oh my, here's a revelation, I don't look after them properly. This is not a confession, it's a conversation piece - just so you know! As you may know, I conduct the odd workshop (and if you didn't know, where've you been? Everyone else is bored rigid by now). And as you realise, I use stamps a lot, and I am in the habit of making cards that have messages on the front. So alphabet stamps are a must. On the whole though, they aren't popular - concentration, spelling, neatness, correct pressure - all skills required to stamp in a staight-ish line and to increase the pressure, it helps to spell the message correctly. I completely get all of that.

What I don't have a problem with is the way I use and re-store them - once cleaned, they go back in their boxes. And as you can see, that doesn't necessarily mean in a particular order. Alphabetical, any way. Now this is probably a slightly peculiar thing, but it really doesn't bother me. Slipper Lady, on the other hand, gets an eye twitch and has to put them in alphabetical order before she can use them. I understand. I think it's hilarious, but I understand! I've taken to trying to relieve the OCD problem by arriving at the workshop with just the letter stamps needed....but to be honest, that's dangerous..mostly these are small stamps and they can go astray really easily. Check yourself though - does this make you twitch, or do you get that I'm just storing them in a box, like all my other stamps...they are loosely categorised on their shelves but certainly in no apparent order. I;m probably not going to change, it's too late, I'm too old, blah blah, but it is a matter of huge interest to me. Remember, I have an obsessive compulsion to lift foam pads from their sheets in a particular order and the thought of an ink pad without a lid for too long makes me panic....so how come I don't need alphabetical stamp order? b ns aiy urts. (I do not know). Help, any one - for me or the Slipper Lady, whichever is easier!

Recognise this fabulous artwork? Yep it's Linda's. I whinged at her for so long about wanting it that she eventually caved in and very graciously gave it to me. How lovely it is, and how generous of her. I may have changed the note - apparently she has a 'thing' to go to that she'd be really miffed to miss. Thanks Linda, really.