I am still buzzing. ..
Yesterday I visited a
Book Fair at a local art studio. Now, I would not have taken notice as my house is bursting with books, and actually I am
trying to re-home many of them.
But then
my friend said ‘hand made’.
And what I saw blew me away... local talent that I didn't know existed. I had a wonderful afternoon and got to know some of the artists, shared ideas and learned more about their work. And I have been invited to have a stand at the next Fair to exhibit my own books and albums! Another door opens, and I am so excited!
And last week I went to a local craft shop where Andy Skinner was doing demonstrations. I could have stayed all day! Rather than set workshops Andy just rolled from technique to technique, asking if anyone wanted to know anything in particular. It was very informal and relaxed and my head was spinning with all the ideas and notes I was taking. Andy offers online tutorials and workshops so if you are interested in a Book of Secrets, like this one, check out his website.
November is certainly proving to be a fun-filled month! I am looking forward my Belstead retreat 23rd to 25th, and next weekend is my monthly crop.
And sandwiched inbetween, on 16th to 18th is Jennifer's ‘Frosty
Festivities’. Over that weekend there will be posts every hour
from 4pm-10pm Friday, and 10am-10pm Saturday and Sunday (GMT),
all on the theme of 'Winter' including tips, tutorials, challenges, crafts, a blog hop, and lots of giveaways. So why not check it out and join in the November fun!
Driving home from work I was mentally writing this blog post. But I just couldn't think of a title and somehow it felt important to choose the 'right' one. Then this evening, just as I was about to press the TV 'off' button... the final words of a presenter...
I rewound twice, listening hard...
Totes Amaze?!
Was I mis-hearing?
A quick Google search, and there it was! My title!!
Now, I'm not one for 'cool' phrases, but I could not let this one pass me. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. And perhaps it will become clear as you read on....
Saturday saw us sitting round the table. We agreed that indecision kept us stuck and that what ever the outcome, we would live with the consequence. And so, we took the decision to move a radiator onto another wall and to move a large dresser base to where it had stood. No turning back....
Then we measured a recess. I wanted a bookcase with cupboard at the bottom and shelves above, and for it to fill as much of the space as possible. We agreed we did not want to buy new as we wanted something with character and a one-off. Choices were to make it ourselves or buy antique? Now my husband is good at making things but he has lots going on and I didn't want this to be drawn out. On the other hand... what were the chances of finding the perfect piece of furniture that would fit that space? We both agreed.... it would be slim. Of course, we might find it over time, but as I said, I didn't want this drawn out. And so we agreed we would also look for a base unit with the option of making book shelves.
So, we set out with tape and sizes written down. I'm not sure how much I believed it, but I told my husband confidently, "if it is meant to be, it will be there".
We found one bookcase but it was too narrow, and then we went to another antique centre.
Now.... here I have to digress a little.
A couple of weeks back I visited a friend. She had just bought an antique piano stool which she had stripped, painted, and recovered. She proudly showed me what a clever design it was. Because the front pulled open and inside was an ample magazine rack. The top lifted off, and turned over, it could be used as a lap tray. She had decorated and varnished the top of the box so that could be used as a side table. And with the padded top in place, it could also be used as a foot stool or a seat.
Are you getting the picture? A small piece of furniture but with so many uses. I decided I had to have one too! But I imagined my chances of finding one similar, let alone the same, would be VERY slim.
But guess what?! There was one in the antique shop with a price tag I could afford. And what's more, it was already stripped and painted the exact colour I would have chosen! I could not believe my luck! And needless to say it was paid for and in my car before I could blink. It wasn't what I had come out to buy but my day was already made.
Then we wandered into the next building.
And guess what?!
There was 'the' bookcase.
We measured.
It was the perfect size.
I was in a daze by now....
TWO pieces of furniture bought within the space of about 15 minutes, and both of which I thought would be difficult to track down.
And, if you haven't guessed why the heading for this post felt so right, it is because it summed up my experience perfectly and that this word also came just when I was looking for it.
"If it is meant to be, it will be there". And it was.
Totes Amaze!
Indeed!
