I had never heard of this first one, "Thank God It's Monday Day"...but my Google chum had a few responses for me to think on...although I must say found the responses a tad uninspiring...mainly relating to trite motivational jargon for anyone emotionally flattened by the concept of a new week, returning to work, school or whatever, on a Monday. I have never needed any external stimulus to enthuse or motivate me so I wasn't terribly inspired by the thought of needing a team effort/outing/event to get into and through the day regardless of that days position in the week...
I decided therefore, and maybe my decision reflects more on my age than anything else (i.e. retired and no longer in the rat race; no need to have the small's school items all ironed, packed and ready for the new week; no need to plan the minutiae of a busy family life, etc.), to focus on the thought of this weeks' theme in relation to simply waking up to a new day...always a big plus in my eyes...and use that as my inspiration for an image for this inchie. Similar concept, different perspective...but that's what is so interesting about this little challenge, seeing everyone's take on the topic.
I had already decided to use my own photographs whenever possible this year, although that might be a bit tricky in regard to Squirrel Appreciation Week, (watch this space), having never met a squirrel. I may have to ask my daughter who spent some time in USA, if I can use one of her cute images...
I have always loved the early morning, when no-one else is about except the birds, even as a very small child and I have many photographs in my file of skies and sunrises...therefore, it was one of those that I used for this week.
This year's album is pretty much a duplicate of last years, they will look good on my shelf...made entirely, as usual, from all recycled bits and pieces...but with the exception of the inchie mats. Last year I tried to find old text images from the country involved, this year, in an effort to help reduce my card stock scrap stash, I will simply add a complimentary 5 cm square of coloured card from my off cuts box behind each inchie as I add it to the journal.
Bye the bye, I also have a chest full of porcelain antique reproduction dolls I have made in years past...these really really must go, just as soon as I can find a new home for them.
I love the process of making and dressing these things, but don't like them about the house once finished...I must ask my sister-in-law who knows these things, what I should do with them...she will know! getting rid of the dolls will also free up the large wooden chest they live in. This chest was made from myrtle by my carpenter brother when I was a child...glory boxes being seen as a requirement for every young girl back in the day. It would make a wonderful toy or blanket chest and getting rid of such a large, heavy item might just give me some decluttering credit with the lads...
Gosh, I digressed there, didn't I...not like me at all...anyway, back to the preserving...Tim and I went for a drive and found a farm gate orchard selling apricots...I managed to fill six bottles. One broke in the steriliser as I was tired and didn't check the temperature often enough, one bottle didn't seal properly, so the fruit had to be eaten promptly (and yum it was too) and I have the remaining four jars smugly tucked away. I know the lads will change their mind about the value of these things come cooler months when the fruit will make wonderful puddings...
Bye for now,
Di