I live in Bedfordshire with my husband and two adult sons. I have the best job, working three days a week, as part of the Guest Services team at Centerparcs, Woburn Forest. This allows me to keep up with all the household chores AND still have time for my crafting!!
I am predominantly a paper crafter, card making and scrapbooking being my passion, but I enjoy knitting and sewing too, and I love to bake. I'm also a fair-weather gardener; I love being out of doors, which can affect my crafty output during the summer months. I find all forms of creativity bring a sense of calm and balance into what can sometimes be a stress filled life.
I became a scrapbooker, in the modern sense, a little over twenty years ago. I had been making cards for a while and bought a magazine that contained a feature article on Scrapbooking, which really resonated with me. As a teen, I would decorate my photo albums with stickers and write names and one-line comments under the photos, so this seemed an obvious progression.... why hadn't I thought of it before?
I have always loved taking photos; candid shots to record everyday life as well as the more formal style, friend and family groups. When my boys were small, they were my muses, happy to pose and be photographed. Now both in their 20's, not so much, so, I make the most of every opportunity.
I'm glad that I have so many albums filled with layouts documenting their childhood and to be honest, there are still so many photos’ waiting to be scrapped, I have plenty to keep me busy.
I have attended crops and retreats over the years, making many friends along the way and not just in the UK. Early on I used to get involved with online scrappy groups in the US and Australia, taking part in challenges and online cyber crops too.
In June 2010, two scrappy friends and I set off (with empty suitcases) for Chicago, for a scrapping holiday. We attended workshops at 'Windy City Scrappers' and 'Archivers' shopping at both, as well as at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Target.
Over the years I have been on a couple of design teams, for online Scrapbooking sites 'Colour Me Daisy' in the US and 'From Screen to Scrap' in Australia. I have also had layouts featured in 'Scrapbooking News and Reviews', 'Practical Scrappers' and a mini book featured in 'Outstanding mini albums’.
I have a much-neglected blog which I started in 2009 and maintained until 2013, when I returned to full time work. I tried to revive it in 2015 and again at the start of this year... but life somehow gets in the way. However, should you wish to check out my layouts and cards over the years (and that Chicago trip) here's the link..... https://livinglifeoneblessingatatime.blogspot.com
Who knows, I may give it another go… Never say never!!