To Cut or Not To Cut & A Father's Guilty Secret

Magazines... I'm addicted to them... Stitch, Embroidery, Quilting Arts, Cloth Paper Scissors, Inspirations, magazines on beading, machine embroidery, photography, caravans (don't ask - the subscription was a present!), inherited magazines on gardening and food. It wouldn't be so bad if I could bear to get rid of them after I've read them, but once they've made their way into the house, there they stay and multiply faster than rabbits. Well, you never know when you're going to need a photo of a rockery do you???

So, I have made a decision (I think...) One of the ladies at Embroiderer's Guild cuts her stitching magazines up and files them according to technique or whatever else is relevant, which seems to me to be a much more useful way to store and use them - if I can just bring myself to make that first cut. I'd never be able to make an altered book!! I've bought some binders and the plan is to get things sorted over the Christmas holidays.

My Mum & Dad came to stay for a couple of days, which was when my Dad confessed his dark and guilty secret..... he has a full sixty years worth of National Geographic magazines stashed in the loft of their house - yep, count them - SIXTY YEARS! AND he says he's already got rid of some of them! I'd seen the odd one or two pulled out following some discussion or other, and I have to confess that I bought him a subscription one year for Christmas, never realising that his addiction went back that far. Good grief, with genes like that, what hope have I got of ever being normal???

Christmassy photos are beginning to appear on blogs all over the world now, and I've not managed to get a single decoration up yet - although I did manage to make some Christmas cards for those people I think will appreciate the effort. I'll post photos when they've all been sent.



I bought these a couple of weeks ago at a craft fair - they're made of straw and quite delicate. Just need to dig the tree out so I've got somewhere to hang them!

Jack Frost

It was really frosty here all day today - freezing cold, but with beautiful blue skies and sunshine, so the dog and I headed out for a walk in the park by the river. This is my favourite time of year when the day trippers and caravanners have all gone home, and the place is deserted and peaceful. But look what they're all missing...


These frost crystals were growing on a park bench... just as well there was no-one else around - even the dog wondered what I was doing!