WOYWW 285

BECAUSE I'M HAPPY,
CLAP ALONG IF YOU FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT YOU WANNA DO.....
(Pharrell Williams - listen here if you want!)

I wasn't very happy last week, if truth be told. You see, whilst driving en route down to my dad's, I looked at my hand and realised that the diamond had dropped out of my engagement ring..... it could have been anywhere: in the car (no), in the house (no) on Marlborough High St after I'd marched in the Remembrance Day parade (sigh). I was very upset, after all, that ring had graced my hand since 1981...but many lovely, unexpected things have happened since. Also the realisation that it's been seven years to the day since my wonderful hubby had a quad heart bypass operation.... people are way more important than things, don't you think?

So I start today not with my desk, but a little surprise that made me very happy indeed :-)
A parcel full of crafty gorgeousness from Kay (505whimsygirl)!  There's one of her famous spa cloths - yay! - some lovely festive bits and pieces but most of all, my very first stamp, tags and ink pads!!

Oh boy, am I going to have fun making my very own crafting tags!

But these stole my heart - two musical fat quarters!!  Thank you so much Kay, I absolutely adore them and will enjoy using them for a project very soon :-)  I really appreciate the kind words in your lovely card too - it made my day.

Ok, the desk....

I was having a sort out of what I've made, what fabrics I've got left etc etc, thinking about.. *whispers*.... 'C' presents.


I still love this birdcage fabric and the check soooooooo much!  Another bag, I think :-)



Here's the stripes bag made up - it's so funky. This made me smile as I was making it!  The other side doesn't have a pocket so you are enveloped in its stripy-osity :-) 
(Don't you think the grass is green for November, it's still growing, for goodness sake!)


I heard from some old friends, hooked up with local pals I haven't seen for a while, my hubster and Rhys bought me some gorgeous flowers and a rockabilly CD....so you see, I ended the week in a much happier state of mind :-)


My brother Steve and his partner Ros came for lunch as well - it was good to see them. 


I showed them my craft room - Steve insisted on trying out a tote for size......



Looking good, mate! LOL. He wouldn't keep still, so the photo's a bit blurry.....don't give up your day job Steve, I think the catwalks of Paris would be safer without you!!  (He reads this blog btw...grin)  Still, it takes a real man to carry off the look so well ;-)



See, I'm a lucky gal, with a wonderful family and friends. I really have counted my blessings.


Have a fab week!


48 comments:

Krisha said...

LOL! I think the striped shirt on Steve just threw everything off balance, kind of clashes with the beautiful tote!
Fun stuff from Kay to play with too.
I know how you feel about the diamond, lost mine once, but after hours of crawling around the offices on my hands and knees I finally found it.......it the file cabinet of all places.

Happy WOYWW no # yet either
Krisha

Lucy said...

Love the photo of hubby! He could get a job in a Next catalogue. Tell him the next pose is looking off into the horizon or looking at his watch. Fab fat quarter - looking forward to seeing your efforts from this stash:) Lucy #11 x

Helen said...

What a great pile from Kay... love the music fat quarter! I had no idea G had had such a big op - you wouldn't know to look at him when he takes all those pics at WOYWW crop. Shame about the diamond, hope you can replace it! Helen 4 - keep smiling! xx

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

What a lovely parcel and yay for making your own hand stamped tags. I bet you're glad Julia roped you into woyww that very first time.

Fiona #22

Kate said...

Love that bird cage/botanical fabric! Have I said that already?
Kate

okienurse said...

WTG! glad to hear that the start of a crappy week ended up so good. i lost my diamond about 10 years ago and it surfaced in the floor board of the car and just sparkled like it had been on vacation and had just returned home. hope yours makes it home. love the purse model…i don't know he might have a chance on the Paris runway. That Kay is one awesome gal! Lovely gift! Have a great week. Vickie #17

Chrysalis said...

Sorry to hear about the ring, but what a lovely lot of cheery things to help take away the sting. I do hope you suddenly find it, though. I hope all the C pressies come about just as you have in mind. Have a great week, Chris # 8

lisa said...

Oh Jan, what an awful thing to happen but like you say, people are way for important than things and could you have the diamond replaced maybe. I know how you feel, hubby lost his wedding ring while we were sledging a year or so ago and I was so upset. He has got a new one now but I still don't like the fact we don't have matching ones any more, silly I know.
That birdcage fabric is gorgeous and I love your new model, sounds like your brother is as mad as you, lol.
And what a lovely gift from Kay, that fabric is perfect for you.
Hope this week is being a better one for you.
Hugs Lisax #38

Annie Claxton said...

oh what a shame about your ring, but what a brilliant surprise to cheer you up, those tags are going to look really cool. Love the funky bag and the funky model! :o) Ha[py WOYW Annie C #31

sandra de said...

Gorgeous goodies from Kay and you will be making the most perfect tags for your bags. Awful news about your ring but as you say there are so many wonderful things that happen and far more important in the end. Have a lovely week.
Sandra de @21

Diana Taylor said...

The bag looks stunning Jan, even better than I thought it would when I saw all the fabrics laid out last week. You do have an eye for putting pattern and colour together. That's a lovely little parcel you got, but I will warn you that rubber stamping will cost you an arm and a leg and completely take over your craft room if you let it get a hold of you!! Hope you have a great week,
Diana x

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

As Diana rightly says, beware of the new addiction you are developing with those stamps and inks. You will always need just one more to create the look you want. What a lovely parcel that was, though. lots of things to play with. I hope you can get your ring sorted out, even though it will never be quite the same. xxx Maggie

Artatag said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of your ring, but you are right people are more important - or should be! Lovely stash on your desk, must be fun playing with. Have fun!
Cheers
Gabriele 26

Anonymous said...

Happy WOYWW. I lost one of the diamonds out of my engagement ring several years ago, when I stupidly used to wear it all the time (even when mucking out etc!). I found a jeweller who could replace it, and started wearing it only on special occasions. Well, another stone fell out - and I haven't got round to getting it repaired yet. Think I will need to keep it covered with sellotape from now on! Loving all of the fabrics and bags. Enjoy stamping your tags. Ali x #42

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Beautiful fabric creations! LOL @ the man with the handbag, so funny! Have a fantastic week! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #39

KraftyKaren said...

Your bags are so lovely and the stripey one is so fun and colourful for this dreary time of year. I hope you can get your ring fixed. And yes you are so right - people are more important than things.

Hope the rest of the week goes well for you, best wishes KraftyKaren #58

Jackie said...

So sorry to hear about your ring. The same thing happened to me a few years ago! It's an awful feeling when you look down at the ring and see it missing isn't it!
Jackie 54

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Jan, so glad you are feeling happier. Indeedy, people are the important thing I agree, its easy for us to get hung up on 'stuff', it's true. Love the pic of your brother, family sense of humour clearly evident. Just about to go for todays treatment, roll on Tuesday! Love & Huge Hugs, Shaz #2 xxx

Neet said...

If hubby shows so much interest as to read your blog you are indeed one lucky lady. Glad that these little things happen and, you know, they might be big things for someone else.
Sorry to hear about your ring but the stone can be replaced, not so lots of other things which we take for granted at times.
Lovely to see that you had so much happening to cheer you and wow, what a fab gift from Kay.
Sending you lots of happiness
Hugs, Neet 17 xx

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jan, so sorry to read about how horrible you felt last week but glad to see you're feeling much happier today. I so agree that it is the people in your life that are important and the shot of your brother proves the point ... he clearly has a great sense of humour. Love the pic of the bag taken in the garden with your lush lawn in the background. After a summer of looking drier than the most arid prairie my strip of grass is looking positively verdant! And all that while the US is enduring the most awful snowstorms - the weather has gone mad! Have a great week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #46

Elizabeth said...

Forgot to say ... I can't believe that's your first ever stamp! Have fun with your goodies. Lovely fat quarters too :)

CraftygasheadZo said...

Aw sending you hugs, but as you say it's our family and friends that are worth more than things but still. Love your fabrics, and oh I chuckled at that photo of your brother! My brother is a bit daft too! lol Take care Zo xx 50

Unknown said...

I love the photo of Steve! How fun that he was trying out the bag! And what a great batch of goodies to play with. I bet you have some ideas rolling around in your head. Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #48

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness - who needs to find their diamond, when they have priceless people in their life like you do beautiful soul sister! Okay, I know I'd be beside myself if one of my diamonds fell out, and I've thought about it because I actually wear my triple diamond anniversary ring for my wedding ring now because at some point I decided I was more of a white gold girl, than gold gold. Anyhoo, I actually look at my ring sometimes to make sure all three diamonds (which represent yesterday, today, and tomorrow) are still there! So I understand how horrible this is! Dang it! I wish it would just appear. Check all your coat pockets and purses. But your brother, in the meantime, is adorable with that bag. He would be a showstopper walking down the street with that! Love your happy mail goodies, and your desk today. We are happy! Every day is a blessing (especially after age 50) I didn't know your hubby had heart surgery, so I am thankful his health is restored and you have a wonderful life! Say, it's about that time of year when my daughter and I start pulling out the Christmas movies and watch It's a Wonderful Life! Happy Wednesday! Sandy Leigh #53

Mrs.D said...

Oh sorry you lost the diamond, so frustrating, it niggles. But so many good things to give thanks for, a healthy hubby, a lovely bags of happy mail, and lovely friends.
Hope they have all cheered you up and thanks for sharing.
Chris #25

voodoo vixen said...

That sucks big time... but when it happened to my Mum's ring, her house insurance paid up on a replacement so it might be an idea to check that situation out?
I love your desk... it is full of lovely things and your brother really rocked the bag!! LOL Annette #11

Annie said...

I'm sitting down for while for the first time today having just got home from my day with the twinnie munchkins.....so what better to do than catch up with as many blogs as I can? :-)
Sorry to hear about your lost diamond Jan....life sucks at times doesn't it? As they say count your blessings and focus on all the good in your life....and there's certainly lots of that.
Hugs,
Annie x # 19

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

It's more annoying than anything loosing a stone but it can be replaced so what the heck!
You know there are more important things so keep smiling and hope you have a great crafty week, Angela x 28

Patrink said...

My heart goes out to you. Youtube has 24 hours of Happy if you ever need it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKPi39tTpkdpjBVQZo5oFLWjFjlOMkd2A

Pat #65

Anne said...

Hello Jan - so sorry about your ring - I would have been devastated as well but as you say it's people that are most important.
Lovely fabrics and makes. So glad your week ended on a much higher night. Happy WOYWW Anne x #34

Ali H said...

Great to see your lovely gift - how fab to have you finally on the dark side with us papercrafters !
Sorry to hear that you lost your diamond - hope you can get it repaired ? Love seeing your brother with your tote bag !! Ali #20 xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Don't give up on finding your diamond-a small treasure could easily be in the seam in a pocket corner-fingers crossed! Love your bags and your model! Family for me every time! Hugs, Chris64 x

Julia Dunnit said...

Yeah, Steve is not taking the job seriously if you ask me! You are blessed because you're a blessing gal. Xx

Sharon Madson said...

A very uplifting post, Jan! And who knows, you still might find your diamon. :) Thanks for the peek this week! #65

Glenda said...

Thanks for allowing us in this week! Now off with you and put your new goodies in one of your bags! I hope you learn to love stamping and card making. Your sewing skills are amazing and I just know you will rock in whatever you do!
Glenda #40

fairy thoughts said...

I knew someone would get you inking and stamping sooner or later .....look forward to seeing what you come up with.
How Horrible to loose something so precious (not in the monetary way) but the person who gave you the ring in the first place is so much more precious. Count your blessings I say you are one lucky lady 😀
Janet @15

VonnyK said...

Oh you poor thing Jan, losing the diamond but you have such a wonderful attitude about it. It's true, family are far more precious. What a wonderful gift from Kay and perfect timing to make you feel better. I adore all your bags especially the stipendous one :) Your brother does rock a bag but who wouldn't look good with one of those on their shoulder (he he).
Hope you have a better week this week.
Luv Von #23

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, your very first stamp and stamp pads! I was once a quilter, that is until I met stamps and ink and paper! LOL! I still quilt but I have just as many stamps as I do pieces of fabric and let's just say that's nothing to sneeze at! :D My DH thinks I have more stuff than a craft store has for sale... not true but a girl can dream! :D Looking forward to future visits as I am now following your blog :D Us sisters in art must stick together after all!
Hugs,
Beth P
#73

Sue said...

Hi Jan, So sorry you lost your diamond.

Loving the bags.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #71

Anonymous said...

Always a delightful, amusing, and visually appealing visit. :) So sad to hear about your diamond. Maybe it'll turn up when you least expect it. Fingers crossed. My DH always holds my bag like it contains plutonium, at arms length so a little motion is nothing LOL! And first stamp pads - wow. This should be fun to see if you take to it at all. I bet you are a natural...
Back to Safari so I can carry on :)

Happy happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (1)

fairyrocks said...

Fun post. Sorry the diamond escaped. I hope someone finds it. You just never know it may surface. Love all your yard goods and your special model made me smile. What a sport!! Keep smiling and creating.

Carmen said...

Oh what a shame about your diamond but what a lovely surprise gift, that Handmade stamp is gorgeous. I just love that bird cage fabric, cannot wait to see what you make with that!

Thanks for coming to see me!

Carmen x #52

505whimsygirl said...

Hello dear LLJ,

So glad you got your goodies and they brightened up your week! I'm so sorry to hear about your diamond. Maybe your homeowner's insurance will cover it? The BEST part is that your husband made it through his operation and is doing wonderfully! A diamond can't replace that. Although I can imagine the feeling of losing something so sentimental.

I'm glad you like your goodies. When I saw that stamp I immediately thought of you - and then there was the fabric. They only had two fat quarters of that fabric otherwise you'd have gotten more! I hope you use it to make something special for yourself with it. You make beautiful things for others you deserve it!

I'm finally getting around to desks today and it may go into tomorrow also. My computer wants to restart and it's so slow.

Happy belated WOYWW
Hugs, Kay

Hettie said...

Sorry to hear about your loss but at least you were having a good time when it went awol! That has to be one consolation besides the fact that you still have your Man!
Your bags are looking good. I cannot quite believe I am seeing ink and paper on your blog!!
Have fun.
Hugs
xx

Lisca said...

Lucky you to receive a parcel of goodies! I can't believe these are your first ink pads! Keep them well away from all that lovely material!
Those bags are lovely. I like the material with the bird.
Oh that photo of Steve with the tote is hilarious. Made me smile.
Thank you for letting me look over your shoulder.
I'm a bit late, but as most people know, I take my time to read through everybody's blog. I love looking at photos, and clicking on links and even reading previous posts.
Have a good week,
Lisca#24

sandysewin said...

Awwww, so sorry to hear about your ring. That's a bummer, but you are right, people are far more important.

Thanks for your visit to my blog and for the nice comments. Sorry I'm late visiting this week.

Happy belated Woyww,

Sandy #51

peggy aplSEEDS said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your diamond. That happened to me once while I was doing major house cleaning and miraculously, I found the diamond in a basin of water that I was using to rinse my hands in once in a while. But, you are right, what is a diamond compared to the great blessing to have your hubby with you. How nice to get all those goodies to cheer you up!
I love the look of the beautiful fabric projects on your desk.
Happy WOYWW!
Hugs, peggy aplSEEDS@9

JoZart Designs said...

don't give up on that diamond... my SIL found her's on her front path weeks later when her vicar jokingly picked up what he thought was a bit of broken glass and actually said " have you lost a diamond" and the glass was it!! You are so right when you class your loved ones above it. Aaaahhh! loverly!.
Thanks for popping in on me and BTW you'll easily find the patterns on pinterest under "elf clogs" and "patchwork angels". They are so easy and great fundraisers..
Love Jo x

WOYWW 769

 WE'LL MEET AGAIN.... I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while - please don't worry, all is ok! - think I just need a...