Friday 16 March 2012

Enjoying the Journey: cardmaking + pondering

Hola.

I'm not here.

I know I look like I am, and I know you can read these words, which I typed ... but honestly Im not here. It's just an apparition. A hologram. [Oh OK then, it's actually a post I've scheduled in advance .. but you take the point ...] .

What I'm saying is - I'm not at home because I'm on the first of my twice yearly 'crafting-in-a-cottage-with-friends' breaks.

I wouldn't say we go on a 'retreat' ... because that sounds far more restful and serene than what actually happens on one of these weekends. I mean ... a 'retreat' doesn't sound like the kind of place you:
  • eat your own bodyweight in cakes;
  • descend en masse - locust-like - upon unsuspecting craft shops where you scrutinise every shelf as if you had no supplies to your name;
  • and where to take your life in your hands by using a craft knife under the influence of Prosecco.
And we've never once all managed to go on that head-clearing 'brisk walk' we're always threatening to attempt!

So, I thought I'd share an appropriately themed card while I'm off on my travels:
It's a leaving card I made for a friend and colleague who just left his job on campus for a travel-oriented job:
The greeting is from the 'Vintage Aviation' stamp set by Creative Expressions.
The last time I saw him we had lunch with our wonderful mutual friend who regaled us [and anyone else nearby who could hear!] with a hilarious tale of taking her new cat for a walk on a harness ...there was a fence involved ... it was a long and oh-so-funny story.

And since then I've been thinking how your work colleagues are a lot like your family ...

You can't pick them. You don't get to decide who else is employed with you. And, unlike with your friends, you don't get to select them based on your shared hobbies and lifestyles.
Yet fortunately ... sometimes it doesn't matter how different you initially think you all are.

Your ages, your life experiences and your interests may greatly differ ... but somehow you find something in common [for eg. G and I bonded over our shared ignorance of what a tambour unit was ... while B and I are both suckers for waifs and strays] and suddenly you really start to enjoy having them around.

So, here's to good times and good cakes with good friends and colleagues ...

... and to all the good stories you're storing up to remember them by.

Julie x

9 comments:

  1. ooh, I hope you're having fun on your weekend away. The card looks fabulous - I love the font of that stamp. x

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  2. Love the card. Enjoy your weekend, I also go off on twice yearly weekends crafting with pals. I love it, its the best time ever - and I find crafting under the influence of the a glass or two of the fizzy stuff very liberating - oils the wheels of creativity dont ya know :)

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  3. ..and so say all of us! Have a lovely weekend

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  4. I love the little charms and details you added on this card! I hope you have a fun weekend at your ... escape?!

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  5. So agree about friends....my bestie is the total opposite of me but its a friendship that is so comfortable and easy. Have a great retreat/weekend/eat fest...whatever you want to call it:)

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  6. really beautiful card, j.

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  7. Hi Julie, on a completely unrelated subject to your blog: post I saw an awesome zebra necklace while looking on Newlook's website and immediately thought of you:

    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/jewellery-and-hair-accessories/zebra-pendant-necklace_249564409

    PS: I'm not affiliated with Newlook or anything, but I've read your blog for quite a while and I remembered that you REALLY like zebras!

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  8. Hoping you are having a perfectly lovely time!

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  9. Hoping you are having a perfectly lovely time!

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