Here we go again.

What's the bet? Yes hubster is away on a weekend visiting other blokes sheds with his vintage tractor mates. I just don't seem to get the blogging vibe at other times.

So here we go. Remember this. Yes the door to my studio. Well since taking up art journaling it has welcomed so much arty crafty stuff to accommodate this new venture.

Really! It has taken over a quarter of the studio. It had become such a shambles with all my gatherings for all my different crafts and interests. Yes! Unfortunately it had truly become to resemble a hoarders nightmare like you see on those TV programmers. I really did have to squeeze sideways through the maze to reach anything to find a chair. I'm not kidding' visitors would look in horror. I could read their " she's got a problem!" Looks and indulgent smiles.

Now look! I can walk quite freely between designated stations. I spent 5 whole days. Mostly while hubs was away again. Needed the clear head space to attack my " problem". 

The ironing board doesn't stay up all the time now. Making for more open space. I must confess I didn't throw heaps away. I already had several bins of fabrics set aside for a garage sale, so they went out in the garage to await that event, leaving a bit of space to play with.

I have rearranged my God Corner. Such an important place for those special times that I try to have daily, and am having more regularly these days.

The mostly yarn station, shared with some books and the Exercycle. 

The sewing station. Such a joy to be able to sit there so easily, with all I need to hand. It's busy there at the moment with little crafty thingys.

The doily collection still fills it's cupboard, though I have used quite a few lately, covering another lampshade for an order. Yes! A commission. A Wow moment for me, and very happily received. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo before I parceled it up.

My vast basket collection has taken to the rafters after I bought some long pieces of wood and some hooks. Also hanging some natty storage thingys has been a boon.

But let's get back to my journaling corner. I doooo loooove spending time here. Delving and dabbling with paper, paints, and all sorts of delicious stuff that has found its way here.

Prior to Jan this year I didn't own any paints. Now look! Mainly from the dollar stores. Quite adequate for my apprentice state, and such fun I am having splashing it around, trying different styles and techniques. I'm no artist, but that's ok. I am practicing drawing different things like faces and flowers and not too horrified at the results.

Stocks of recycling and wrapping paper. Such fun!

Drawers of " ephemera" a new word for me, and more scrappy papers and recycling. Sooooo much fun.

And under the table, old mags, papers, vintage books etc. etc. all so necessary and such fun.

A few products of my venture. From left. A journal made of recycled Christmas cards, (see Utube videos), three mini journals made from one sheet of paper(each one), this from Jennibellies workshops, she is my main "Muse" .

A larger journal made from a recycled cereal box with pages made up of different papers, some from old books, atlas' etc etc.

Pages of practising with different mediums and techniques and will eventually make up into a loose file journal. 

So you see, I am having soooooo much fun on this new adventure in my tidy studio. Such a joy. I am soooooo grateful for this retirement era of my life filled with many new wonders to fill our days.

I wish you joy in your life, and abundant blessings, love Trills.xxx

A week of days

Mornin all! Here we are, Sunday morning and a chat with a neighbour as the gate is opened and the sun starts yo rise. It's another busy day after a busy week.

I left off last time after a lovely peaceful day. This was followed by quite a different day of casual and sometimes a bit naughty eating with my Daughter....

In between doing a lot of sorting of her stash/hoard of patchwork fabrics. Some from when we had the shop and some going back further, plus other craft stuff. It has all been stored in our garden shed, but she is going on a big OE, so is keenly selling most of it on line. So it was a lovely companionable, and productive day.

Sunday, I went to my church for a lovely service and friendly catch up, followed by a visit from a friend in need.

Then to finish the day, I delved into the delicious lovelies from Jessie Chorley and started a small stitching project, while watching some Countryfile I had recorded. Gentle work with gentle viewing, super luvly juvly!

Monday brought the tractor travelers home. Here is halfway, at hubby's brothers place, and I met them here with some lunch. A jolly time was had around the table outside, recounting their adventures, then I shot out of the gate ahead of them and headed home to await hubby's arrival in time for dinner. 

Tuesday dawned fine so we headed for our favourite swimming beach, taking Emmylou for a drive. It's the whole package kind of day.

From the country drive, to the sparkling sea....

Around the picturesque coast on narrow winding roads....

Parking right by the sea as the tide comes in.....

That first touch of the cool waters. It was a delicious swim, followed by fish n chips, a relaxing read as we warmed up un the sun.....

Stopping at another bay on the way back, to indulge in the ice creams I had on board....

Calling in on friends on our way home so Emmylou could say hello to this chap who had been playing with Thomas the Tank Engine over the road at the vintage railway.

They had a lot to chat about. So much history there..

Now what is this!!??

We had a call from a chap looking for a home for his old vintage rotary hoe, as he was moving and down sizing. So off we went, driving up into the hills. It rained, we got very wet, we loaded it on to our poor old battered trailer. Hooked it up to our poor old classic Triumph car and brought it home. The car and trailer are well used to these adventures and we laughed all the way, recalling the loads they had brought home, from cars picked up from the side of the road, to tonnes of bricks, truck engines, and more, and they love it.

Yes, we personalise our vehicles. The car has been a faithful friend for 35yrs, half of hubby's life now. Wow! We all needed to dry out after that run.

Friday, I managed to have some time out again, as Hubby was away all day helping set up for another vintage weekend. Yesterday, too, and soon I will go over to join in.

But before I do, I might steel an hour in my creative corner where I have been playing with serviettes in my art journaling...

And loving the effects. Especially over the music sheets. What fun! Many blessings to you all

Love Trills xxx

A day of hours

It is now 10.30 pm and this day is nearly over for me. Hubby left in light rain which left its touch on these Munstead Wood roses. Nearing the end of the Summer it's special to capture these joys.

I had decided to pace this day in hours. 

Beginning with an hour with God in our little corner and I have written a post on my other blog, trillswalk, if you are interested.

I decided the next hour would be spent sewing. Endeavoring to finish this project.

After the hour, I was very satisfied with my progress and seeing the pins back in the pincushion.

But now it's lunchtime.

The rain was long gone so the veranda beckoned. All set for another hour of relaxing with good food and a casual read.

My lunch is usually much the same but I've treated myself to " anarrrrf" of ciderrrr. Only a small one as I don't want to impair my abilities for the following hours.

I was enjoying a read of this awesome mag. Directed mainly at younger folks, but I really enjoy the articles in their fresh approach.

This article by artist Nabil Sabio Azadi inspired me being as he was making some journals for travelers.

It was the inspiration for my next hour.

I was eager to do some journaling, and now on this subject of being a " LIFE TRAVELLER" so that's where I spent the next hour and made a start on my first page on this subject. Leaving it to dry...

Returning to the sewing table and interviewing doilies for the rest of the project.

There is no shortage of supplies in the doily cupboard. You may wonder where the leftovers will go.

No problemo! All tucked away again as another hour passed.

This is the project. A cover for the seat of my armchair.

Last Winter we invested in 2 new Lazyboy chairs to replace a very old saggy sofa. I put these wool rugs over the seats to protect and for comfort, but come the hot weather I found mine uncomfortable.

I found this patchwork throw made by my Mum many years ago, but wanted to make something of my own.

So here we are so far. Everything in place and mainly safely machined but there is some hand stitching need, so that is a task for the evening.

Late afternoon called for a treat of baked pear and ice cream on the veranda again, with Daphne's Diary this time. Another awesome mag. I've cut down a lot on mags, but this is a keeper.

I also spent some time blissfully indulging in all the delicious delights of my package from Jessie Chorley. Such mouth watering goodies. I even used a wee bit in my journal page. 

Now it is late. I have supped very simply, and now it is time to put down my needle and thread and say good nite . Tomorrow will be much different with my daughter coming to do some work with the stuff she has stored with us. It will be good in a different way to today. This day of hours has been such good medicine and a huge blessing. 

I hope your day and the hours it held was a blessing for you too.

Love Trills xxxxx