Sit. Stay.

I may have mentioned before that in the course of my life, I have taken a number of journeys with the black dog of depression very firmly in tow. The last 12 months or so have been the longest of our walks together. But of late I have just started to feel a little bit of the old me returning, with a little bit of the (hopefully) 'new and improved' thrown in for good measure. Things that were once so interesting but for a year were not even worth looking at are suddenly interesting again. And as a result my desk is a buzzing hive of busyness - books piled upon books, 'ideas' notebooks being started with enthusiasm and regularly added to, projects which had been relegated to the 'too-hard' basket are being returned to and finished off...last night I even thought it may be worth having a notepad by the bed, because I was still thinking of things as I dozed off. Or perhaps I am learning to better ride the natural peaks and troughs of life and to grab the times when the Muses are with me with both hands - to make hay, as it were, before I sit quietly alone again.

Musing with the Muse

I was joined by the creative muse last night. It doesn't happen every day and it certainly doesn't always happen when I want it to! So, I capitalised on it while it was there. While watching Ghost Whisperer and eating dinner, I managed to make seven cards which I am really quite pleased with. At least, I think my cards are definitely on the improve! You'll notice too that they are - ahem - themed. The top one, obviously, is Japanese-style, the middle section, floral and the last group, nature.

Incidentally, the little friend leaning rather despondently on the card up top is a wooden key ring I bought at the markets at Asakusa in Tokyo. She's too big to be a key ring but really too little to do much else! What I especially love is that she can only be bought at Asakusa. In true Japanese style, souvenirs are made not just with the name of the place you've visited on them, but in a style specific to that place. Love that eye for detail. If you're ever in Tokyo, you've got to go to Asakusa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asakusa).

In late breaking news: woman's creativity NOT crushed by marking exams!

Quiet times here in the Woods...I am marking exams... Suprisingly though, this has not utterly stifled my creativity! Last night I finished a set of 4 cards for my blogging buddy Helena (http://sketchandcolour.blogspot.com/) which I have to say I am moderately pleased with and I have just now sewed some quirky 60s buttons on a very boring jumper and so giving it a much-needed and long-overdue overhaul (I have been staring balefully at it in the wardrobe for months). I would like to show you these efforts but my camera is temporarily kaputt and the usual stand-by - the phone on my mobile - has similarly become tired and emotional. Also, I don't want Helena to see the cards before they reach her! :) So, you will just have to imagine my inventive endeavours. But, so that this entry is not text, text, text, I thought I would stick with last week's nostalgia theme and post this little treat. Hope you all are having a great weekend :)