CLASS OF THE WEEK

Every First Sunday of the month we take Thom way across town to visit the Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria. Now don't get me wrong, this is great fun but I'd be lying if I said part of the appeal is that it's just around the corner from the Kaisercraft outlet store. I opted to take a card making class instead of lining up to ride Thomas the Tank Engine - lucky me!

It was nice to go somewhere crafty where no one knew who I was and I could just follow instructions and make six rather frou frou but fabulous cards. It was nice to be a student! It was nice to make things that weren't for sale or even that good.

Beck and I talked about it over pancakes on Friday and we both agreed that a return to these simple pleasures would help us get through the mountain of work on the professional and personal fronts. It's all about process. If you are feeling a little run down I highly recommend it. Don't worry about the uncool factor, it's just for you (and in my case my mother who loves everything I make unconditionally) RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

check!

Ok so we have all had weeks like this: You know the one- where there is so much hard work to do (in my case writing a total of 4000 words in 3 different places, being interviewed, interviewing, and replying to probably 300 emails - apologies to friends I haven't got back to yet). On top of that everyone here had colds and were grumpy and high maintenance as hell. sigh. Times like these I turn to simple craft. I've made a couple of Christmas presents (don't laugh) for the little ladies next door, two gingham totes that I'll fill with some craft supplies (of course).

We broke my beautiful porcelain beaker I used to put cutlery in for couch eating - so I grabbed some scrapbooking bits and a tin - a project that Thom loved too - he stuck the little wooden knife and fork on with great pride!

I also made a set of coasters for Miss B's birthday next week. I did all of these projects as a 'reward' per 1000 words and they all took less than an hour, but they kept me sane in a tough time. Don't ask me about the housework tho, good grief. RAMONA