Let’s celebrate indeed. 12 years this blog group has been running now. And it’s all down to our lovely Julia who thought it up in the first place – and to all of you who contribute week by week. What’s this? Try going to https://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and faithfully, each week, Julia gives us all the opportunity to simply show off our workspace. It’s great fun. Friendships are forged. Folk share their ideas for art and craft. People all over the world join in. Occasionally some even meet up “in real life”. Thanks folks for all the comments, fun, craziness, and the “and finally” comments which make us laugh or cry together. You are a great bunch of friends.

I wasn’t expecting to join in today – I was supposed to be on holiday. Life sort of happened and I am still here on the North Wales Coast – but I get to hitch up the caravan next Monday. Whoop whoop! Honestly, I’m like a kid let loose in a sweetie shop. I haven’t been on holiday since I went to Cornwall, Devon and Gloucestershire in September 2019. Didn’t go anywhere last year – and really missed being in the caravan. So, I shall be AWOL for several Wednesdays. So many wished me well with all the issues which caused my plans to change – yes, the car is now safe again. Yes, the water leak is sorted – cost me the excess on my house insurance, but was worth it. Thank you, too, for everyone who wished my grandson well for his forthcoming op. It is scheduled for June 2. It’s major. 5 years ago he was diagnosed with cancer at the back of his eye. After radiotherapy all went well. Until earlier this year when it became obvious it was growing. There is no treatment now, other than eye removal surgery. It’s hard but necessary. He’s young – just 18 – to be going through this; but we as a family all have a faith in Jesus to help and bring healing through this experience.

So, my desk this week reflects the fact that I have been working hard to clear everything before going away. This afternoon – Tuesday – I achieved just that. The craft bit on my to-do list is all done. SO…

… scary isn’t it. Everything put away in readiness for my holiday. All commissions completed – all birthdays and anniversaries in May and June dealt with. Phew! I’m sure things will be put on there when I start to pack… but essentially that is it!

Apart from my own “and finally” contribution…

… The world famous Laburnam Arch at Bodnant gardens, a mere 7 miles from my home. My postcard to you all today. This was taken 2 years ago, but it won’t be long before this year’s display is fully open. The arch is 100 yards long, and over 100 years old now. It’s glorious, but only lasts about a week in its full glory

So that’s it folks from North Wales on this celebration day. I will be around to visit everyone – but it may take a few days. I will put an asterisk beside my name in the link up – so have my postcard at the ready – but I’m afraid I have not made lots of spare ATCs this year so can’t swap any. Sorry. Thanks to you all for the love you share around the internet through this blog group. Thanks for those praying for me and mine. We, as a family, appreciate that support.

Take care. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Yup – been AWOL again! For a month this time! Sorry. Thought I had better post this week or you might have given me up for lost without trace. So, firstly… my desk this evening (Tuesday)

The empty green cutting mat is not, as you may think, a sign that nothing has been going on. On the contrary. You can see a duster brush, waterbrush, scissors, glasses, family photo, chamois for cleaning off stamps ( useful for fingers too!), a box of peel-offs, an open folder of dies, and a pile of finished cards – that red picture with the postbox is the top card of a pile of 15 – only another 15 to go and the commission is complete. Sorry I haven’t photographed those yet – but I have taken pictures of these…

So a bit of fun there. I realize I have made other cards too, but can’t find pictures of those either… oops! However… something I have been doing in the past month is a couple of jigsaws. You will no doubt be mightily relieved that this one took me three weeks – YES three weeks!

Whilst this one, on the other hand, took me less time to do than it took Mark Selby to beat Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker final this weekend!!!

I find it a little worrying that I remember most of these items!

So that’s it on the North Wales coast this week – not a lot going on really, a car awaiting repair in the garage; a potential water leak awaiting a little man to come tell me if the leak, or broken meter, is on my property or Dwr Cymru’s; a grandson awaiting an op; and me awaiting a kind guy from church to come help me carry the right sized fence panels to replace the storm damaged ones. So, to cheer us all up… a photo from a few years ago. This past weekend should have been the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza – cancelled for the second year – understandable as it would have meant 100,000 extra visitors each day over the weekend!!!!! This steam engine which was part of the daily parade.

So that’s it for this week, folks. Take care each of you. God bless you.

Margaret