WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS

Hi Everyone

Well nearly everywhere seems to be being totally bombarded with lemons at the moment don't they?

But we all try and cope in our own way .. .. even though it isn't easy.   

Some of us will withdraw into ourselves, some will unfortunately become nervous wrecks, and some will feel totally lost by being isolated from other people who perhaps "lift their spirits" under normal circumstances .. .. and of course there are those who believe "nothing will ever happen to them" and are convinced that any rules given can't possibly apply to them. 

Not everyone is lucky enough to have people to share their lives and home with (though some prefer that), some don't have internet access so perhaps can't talk to friends and family remotely, some don't even have a telephone!!!    How on earth are these people coping?

I have to admit to gradually becoming obsessed with everything that is going on and I have been watching and listening to far too much news for far too many days.  Each day is becoming more and more depressing.  So I am making a real effort now to try and listen just first thing in the morning and then to the up-date around tea time (and definitely not before I go to bed!!!  That was a very bad move for me last night and it took ages for my brain to settle!!). 

So I have let music take up more of my day today.  Music always lifts my spirits .. .. .. along with creating.  Not just creating cards but also creating a big mess everywhere .. .. but more about that later LOL!!!.

First I will share my creation for today which uses an image that always reminds me of the old saying "when life gives you lemons .. .. make lemonade" .. .. which Wikipedia describes as .. .. .. 

"a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune.  Lemons suggest sourness or difficulty in life: making lemonade is turning them into something positive or desirable". 

Very appropriate at the moment don't you think?   For me I am trying to use this "locked in at home time"  in a productive way as I would like to get on top of my commissions, accounts and admin work.  That would be a big move forward for later in the year .. .. with the cherry on top being if I could get some spare stock made (including Christmas).  I don't want much do I?

Anyway, with lemons on my mind here is what I created to share today

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "1675K" Make Lemonade
Sentiment:  Woodware Clear Magic Singles "JWS061" Happy Birthday
Backing Papers: Etsy Jazzy Patterns "Cocktail Party" 
ProMarkers
Ribbon
Diamond Stickles
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So with my card shared .. .. I will now share how I know when my craft space needs a really good clear up .. .. as alluded to yesterday.  I loved reading how other people know when they reach this stage LOL!!!

My room has never been as messy as it is at the moment .. .. but the good thing is this means I am in hyper production mode and my brain is jumping from one idea to another.   But the bad thing is I waste time looking for something I have buried .. .. .. somewhere .. . .. .. and this needs to stop! 

So here we go .. .. 

First Clue .. .. This is the aftermath of yesterday's creations.  I can no longer access much of my work desk so you can see why I don't play along with What's on My Workspace Wednesday .. .. it would be far too embarrassing.  I need to get into the habit of clearing away as I finish the day so I can start the next day afresh.

That lovely long red tin is full of hearts, the stamps on the right are new ones I have recently gained that I won't put away until I have used them and that little space front left is where I squeeze in and create LOL!!!

Second  Clue .. .. I am missing a drawer - how can you misplace a drawer!!!!  I looked for it for too long (and in the strangest places and eventually gave up).. .. then surprise, surprise I spied it downstairs on the dining room table as I had taken some work down there to do last week!!  That little bag in the gap where the drawer should be belongs "in" the drawer when it makes its way back home.

Third Clue .. .. .. I am climbing over boxes to actually get in and out of my room.  I am a health and safety hazard really and Mr Heart won't even attempt to enter. This is my "little craft pod" and is the smallest bedroom in a 1930's house and the place I feel most creative.  It really is super small but I love it sooooo much!!!

That little gap you can see is my entry point.  The crate on the floor goes up and downstairs multiple times a week and holds my ProMarkers and a box of images waiting to be coloured.  It also goes in my car everytime I go to Mum's .. .. just in case I get time to do a bit of colouring whilst I am with her.  The other box with the Christmas image on top holds my Christmas sentiment stamps and when it isn't on the floor it lives in my bedroom (nowhere is safe from my crafty goodies).  I can't believe Mr Heart never complains.

So as you can see lots of clearing and organising to do (as well as hovering that bitty floor).  Does anyone else ever get into this much mess or is it just me?  LOL!!!

Good job wedding work never happens in this room.  That has to be super organised and lives in the larger back bedroom!!  So it isn't that I am not capable of being organised .. .. I am just sometimes not capable of stopping creating.  I just want to go on and on and on instead of stopping and clearing away!!!   

Did you notice I deliberately didn't show you my collection of snippets!! LOL!!!  Must try and use some of those tomorrow.

Hope you have enjoyed looking and laughing at my crafty mess.