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Friday 27 December 2013

What a year!

Hi!  It's me!  I'm back!
2013 has been a rather busy year and I am sorry to say my blog (and to a lesser extent, my crafting) has been rather neglected.  So I'd like to say a huge sorry to all my followers and let you know what I've been upto....

A couple of weeks after my last post Baby Rowlands Number 2 was born.  It seems a bit strange referring to her as Baby Rowlands Number 2 now as she is very much our little princess, Charlotte Francesca Naomi, known to most people as Lottie.  She is gorgeous, so laid back and happy and has just fitted right in to our little family, I can't believe she was 9 months last week though!

I am still running my weekly Mums and Tots group; running Rainbows and helping with Brownies; I have joined the newly formed WI in the village where I live and still go to Stampin Up classes in the next village when I can.  I have returned to work as a supply teacher working one afternoon one week and 2 afternoons the next which I love as my class are fantastic!

Crafting-wise I have kept busy this year although I haven't managed to blog about any of it!  In May I went to the Stampin Up Regional Day in Telford (with 2 month old Lottie in tow!) which was a fantastic day with some amazing inspiration, I just need the time now to have a play!!!  
Over the summer I made my best friend's save the date cards for her wedding next year and in the early Autumn I spotted an opportunity on one of the Facebook groups I'm a member of - a lady not too far from me was taking on the lease of a shop space within her local post office and was looking for people who would be interested in selling their handcrafted items in the shop.  I got in touch and arranged to deliver some cards and notebooks to see if they would sell - and slowly they have been!  I am hoping to have more time in the new year to increase the amount of stock I can produce and get to her to sell as I know there are customers out there!

In November I attended Stampin Up's annual Convention in Manchester where I received some fantastic free gift, saw some great demonstrations and picked up some brilliant ideas... Again I just need more time to play!!

The run up to Christmas was filled with charity fundraising events and Christmas fairs so it was all rather busy and chaotic around here!  Now Joseph has celebrated his 3rd birthday, Christmas is over and the presents are unwrapped (apart from Lottie's!) it's time to get my stash organised, have a play with my Christmas present (SU envelope punch board) and start turning the creative ideas into reality!

My new year's resolutions are going to have to be the same as last year...

1. Get making!
2. Blog my makes
3. (re)Join WoYWW 
4. Find a Christmas challenge to take part in and make at least one Christmas card a week!

Hope all my followers / visitors have had a lovely Christmas.  All the best for the new year and I WILL be back very soon!