Be less stressed!!

Even though its only the second working week into the year- being less stressed is proving to be more difficult than I thought. My day job is one of those jobs where when its not filled with obstacle upon obstacle I do actually enjoy it. Its challenging in its own way and I do get job satisfaction out of it, but there are times when I wonder what on earth am I doing there!! Since the Christmas break I just cant seem to shake the "back to work blues".

I would be so grateful of any suggestions of de-stressing techniques or meditation, I just want to get back to the pre-Christmas "not so stressed" me.

To help de-stress a little I'm currently working on a little something to go with my other half's birthday gift.....who's birthday is 4 days after mine. Quite good really because we celebrate it together in the days between. I cant reveal what it is yet as I don't want him to see it but after the weekend I'll show you what I made.

Be more Organised!!

OK back those resolutions! No.2 on my list was 'Be more organised' so the plan started on Friday, after work I headed into town with a list of things I wanted to get.

Which were:

*A4 Folder

*Poly pockets

*Dividers

*A Journal

*Scrap Book

I got a funky lime green folder and the bits and bobs to go in it, so that I can file all my patterns properly and organise my other folder instead of everything just being shoved in anywhere :o/ these just came from WHSmiths where I also purchased this months copy of 'Sew Hip'.

I then took a walk to Paperchase (my joint most favouritest shop in the whole wide world-Along side Hobbycraft!!) where I bought the most gorgeous journal/notebook and another for scrap booking.

I love the cover on the note book its flocked (book on the right), as soon as I picked it up I couldn't resist stroking the cover (Sad I know :)) this is going to be my 'To Do' book (i know its progressed from a list to a book now, crazy) I'll write all the things I plan to get done and make notes on things I want to write for my blog etc.

The book on the left as you can see has gorgeous brown paper pages inside, this is going to be my scrap/ideas book, I have so many pieces of paper with drawings and ideas on, I thought it was only right that they be documented properly rather than lying around everywhere!

Oh and I bought 2 mini pens.....yes the pink one does write in pink ink!! (*squealing with excitement*)

I cant say just yet but I am getting the most AWESOME'EST present for my birthday, I'm so excited about it I could throw up!! :) Its mega!!!

January Sales and Bargains

I've been really good this year in regards to 'Sale Shopping', normally I am a mass of frenzy, hurtling round the shops buying up as many bargains as possible- which in reality results in having a load of stuff that you wouldn't normally buy that sits in the in the wardrobe being unworn.

I know what a waste :o/ (It does eventually get passed onto a new home via family and charity, before you think I hoard things or I'm a spend thrift).

But definitely not this year!! I refrained from the usual trek to the shops and even when I passed a sale it was a quick glance in the window and off :) very proud of myself.

I did however use this to my advantage this year, its my birthday next week and wanted a nice top to go with my black jeans to go out for a meal so I found this top on the Internet for £6.....I know I can hardly believe it myself!

And then I thought I really need to get a dress for my friends wedding in the summer and spotted this lovely jade green dress for only £8 and I already have shoes and a bag to go with it :)

And last I couldn't resist buying this elegant black tunic top, I love to have a black top with a little bit of detail as I like to accessorize with some colourful and funky shoes, bag and jewellery. This was also £6.

And it has these lovely applique flowers on the shoulder and hem line to the left (sorry the photo isn't that great.)

TFI Friday tomorrow :)

Because I am fed up with this week at work......please be over soon so I can get back to the luxury of the weekend :) where I can be free to do fun stuff like crafting.

I'm taking part in.....

The New Year Mix Up Your Stash A Bit Swap

(click on image to go to I'm a Ginger Monkey's blog to take part.)

The rules are: You will send your partner 2 fat quarters of high quality cotton quilting/sewing fabric, a treat - something little like a bit of ribbon, or some thread, or buttons, nothing big and fancy, just a little token of kindness, wrap it up all pretty, and write a note to send with it.

And what luck my swap partner is: Kitty I follow her blog so I kinda know a little about her. Cant wait to see what we both swap. Hi Kitty **wave** :)

Your blog is fabulous!!

Sorry to take so long to get round to it Ruthie, but thank you so much for the 'Your blog is fabulous' Award :) its so nice to have someone say that my blog is fab I'm very touched, thank you. Go check out her blog its Fabulous too.

OK to play a long the rules here I have to say what my 5 addictions are and my 5 fav blogs that I think are fab too. So here goes:

5 Addictions:

1) Funky Fabrics (my collection has grown so much, some has had to be stored away in boxes in the garage!! Eeek!)

2) Handbags (whether made by me or bought it doesn't matter I LOVE THEM ALL!!) :)

3) Shoes (Obviously, to go with the bags)

4) Coffee (bad addiction I know, but from Latte's to espresso's I just cant get enough. I have a great coffee machine)

5) The Internet (I love writing on my blog, reading others, browsing and buying.....I have just been reminded by my other half that I prob spend more time with my laptop than I do with him) :o/

And now for my 5 nominations:

1) A bit of this and that

2) Bug and fishes by Lupin

3) Circles are forever

4) Jelly Beans Art

5) Kittys bloggy bits

Into 2009.......

Surprisingly I am feeling extremely motivated......it has nothing to do with work! Oh No! First day back today was depressing and disheartening, I knew it wasn't going to be easy after having a 2 week break but it just seemed to drag on forever today.

The motivation is all coming from bagladee and what 2009 holds for her/me :) I feel the need to get 'my house' so to speak in order, organise everything and enjoy myself.

I thought today would be a good day to show you what I made for the other half for Christmas. Its a small version of a messenger bag and I made the pattern from scratch. As far as manly but funky patterns go I quite like this fabric, its silhouettes of famous faces through the years....at a good guess I can spot a very young Sir Paul McCartney, Elvis, Twiggy.....any others you can recognise?
Its quite a roomy over the shoulder mini messenger with internal pockets and a thick comfy strap. I was a little unsure if he would like it, but a sigh of relief was exhaled when he saw it.

And you are now looking at the new addition to the bagladee family....I'll be making a few adjustments and adding a couple of features but this is the next item to be making its way onto the website.