Small stories: Sunshiney days

So, you know how I've been harrassed by a 'especially horrible virus' [that's a professional term - the Doctor said as much!]these last two weeks? Well, seeing as how today is the first day in a fortnight that I haven't had to retire to my bed in the afternoon I thought I'd use this 'spare' time to share a few things which have been cheered me up:

1. My lovely, thoughtful blog-'wife' Kirsty Neale made me a beautiful photo montage of some of my favourite things over on Copy+Paste, to both illustrate her post and to brighten my day. If you haven't seen it already do have a peek here, there's yellow involved, tea cups and fancy shoes. She knows me so well!

She also sent a picture to my phone of a sketch she'd done of the two of us looking quite super which, with a bit of luck, will be featuring on Copy+Paste quite soon. If you thought the illustrations of us in our sidebar were cute now ... just wait until you see us in our new outfits!

2. My Scattered Scarlet Design Team 'mother' 3DJean posted me a package full of new Purple Onion designs stamps:
Click on the photo to be taken to the 'New Products' pages on Jean's online store.

I'm hopefully going to see Jean next week anyway and she could've waited until then to give me the stamps but, as she wrote on the note inside my parcel: 'It's nice to get things in the post'. And she was right. It was a very nice surprise. Thank you Jean :)

I can see me using that antique ledger stamp for an awful lot of my journaling in the future. And as for the 'Warning, may be habit forming' design.... I can see that appearing on layouts about everything from playing the step rhythm game I'm getting a touch too fond of on the Wii Fit to the 3 EK Success border punches I've just invested in ...

3. Maxine from Which Crafts? confirmed that during this month and next I'll be guest designing on the Which Crafts? blog:

They're celebrating their first 6 months of selling craft kits with a month of special blog challenges, games, giveaways and new kits and .... have a look at their blog to see what I'm talking about.

4. Inspired by the 'Flying Lessons' e-course I'm taking [and the fact that my days are no longer spent repeatedly coughing like some manic wind-up coughing doll!] I sat in the garden working on the brooches, made from all manner of leftover, recycled and 'found' fabrics which I hope to be able sell. I particularly enjoyed finding a tiny ladybird nestling in the red, spotty brooch:
It seems ladybirds must know a thing or two about camouflage!

So now you know a few things lifting my spirits today, how about you? Who or what's put a spring in your step this week? Or failing that ... what can I do to help you feel springy next week?

Julie :D