There was a Wedding Today!!!

As I write Liz and Phil are in the kitchen heating up the sausage rolls - Harry is being told off for demolishing the cheese and pineapple hedgehogs, the little bridesmaids have fallen asleep.  Kate's kicked her shoes off, and William is on the computer buying his Eurolottery ticket!!!
I didn't watch for THE dress or any of that so much as I love that some things are so rooted in history, and I love the pageantry, the Guardsmen and the beautiful horses, in al their splendour.
What a lovely day it is.... we've had such a long horrible Winter and there's been so much bad and unfortunate things happen in the world, and  natural disasters giving rise to more sadness.  Its actually nice to have a day full of positives, and smiles, lots and lots of smiles, cheering and feeling good.  I think we need a big dose of that, whether you are a fan of the Royals or not.  So for today, shake off your worries and concerns, relax and smile.

Oh, and I'm thrilled... removed IE9 from the puter and now everything is back working as it should - apparently blogger and 9 aren't that compatible.

Eating the Elephant!!!

This is a pic of some more PPL in progress. Not a lot of creativity has been done this past week.
I've been submerged in paperwork, and learning my new ERTF role. Every situation using the internet is always different, terminology changes even if the end result is the same, and its a matter of learning the phrasing for that particular environment. Had quite a bit of trouble understanding 'two websites'.... from the Web Master's viewpoint is likely is two entities, but for me, its One website, with Two sections. Got it now!!! But then we have big arguments in this house, because my keyboard doesn't have an Enter key - its has a Carriage Return, but then I am old enough to have learned to type to music, via a record player, sigh, what's one of those!!!

There were so many dates and details and must do items last week, I was beginning to lose track of the when and the what, so ended up spending some time drafting up an at a glance calendar from now to end of October. Much easier. Oh and squirm, I wrote a tick off list for some immediate things! A phrase Stacey reminded me of at the Conference - How Do You Eat an Elephant? : One Bite At a Time.

I was asked last week, why I don't put too much personal stuff on this blog. The answer is, I think my life is full of enough trivia and rubbish to warrant the world knowing about it. Plus I don't really have the need for an outlet for the domestic angst. I write a diary, and have been doing so for years and years. Much as I can write a lot faster via the keyboard, there is something about using a particular notebook and pen to commit my thoughts. So my venting and trivia of life get recorded elsewhere. Do you really want to know that when my husband isn't here my cat gets up at 5.30am and yowls and screams to wake me up - yet when he's here, same animal has a lay-in and we get up before it does!!!
Now, I really really must get on and do some art work - first dust the sewing machine!!! ggg

Networking, Learning, Opportunities

Wow, wow wow, what an exciting past few days. I am buzzing, so much info in my head. The ERTF Conference in Cambridge on Saturday was brilliant. Stacey had so much information to impart, in fact more than could be fitted into the sessions. Do you ever feel life is nudging you somewhere but without knowing where or what or how? The Business Development workshop was about formal business plans, the why, the who, the money, the grants. Four weeks to the day later...the conference included a section on you yourself what you want from your life/art. Again exercises to specifically make you think, perhaps to realise your dreams. But it struck me, both of these days emphasized the need for doing the exercise on a regular basis, if only for your own benefit. Planning sounds scary... but then drifting along can also be scary... I can now reveal the news I tempted you with in the last posting... I am the the new ERTF Web Manager. As a voluntary organisation, always looking for the Members to step up and help - I felt I could do this task, so would put back into the group. Especially after a good conference like Sat, it feels wrong just to sit back and take - its other efforts which made the day so enjoyable, and I do appreciate that. So yesterday it was back up to Cambridgeshire for a committee meeting. Not been on the M11 in nearly 2 years, and then twice in 3 days!!! And, again what Stacey said, about networking and being in touch with others, opportunities come your way, may be not immediately, but the contact is there, and things can happen. And this is what I've found, an opportunity has come my way, needs more info and serious consideration - but I'm just thrilled to be approached, let alone more!!! It could push me in a totally new direction. This has worked recently too for Juliet, revealed in a conversation we had travelling together on Sat ,hopefully she will share that on her blog. So perhaps its less who you know and what you know - and more of joining in, making an effort, showing an interest.

Big Girl Stuff!!!

Excitement… once again I have a place on the Burnham Art Trail. Sharp eyed viewers may have spotted the detail on the right already. In addition to the local venue displays, where the work MUST stay in position for the duration, there will be ‘Unframed’ work for sale to take away immediately in the Museum.

This is one of the several reasons for the PPL!
I also have the Rochford Art Trail application form to complete, but a while until the deadline for that one.
This coming Saturday I’m off to the ERTF AGM and Conference in Cambridge. Taking Juliet with me, I will rely on the sat nav and her map reading skills!! There’s something pending which I’m concerned with, but I’ll tell you after its approved. Hopefully lots of information to glean from the guest speaker: Stacey Harvey-Brown with the subject of “Passive Income” – How to Get Published and to Develop a Passive Income from Other Activities. Whoah, big girl stuff – good job I went on the how to develop a Business Plan workshop a month back!!!
Yesterday I went to the little textile group I belong to – it’s social, sharing our artwork not an exhibiting group. But we had a lovely catch up, especially with Kathleen who moved away to Herts almost 18 months back, who got up early and travelled by various buses to come and see us. As she’s in Letchworth I gave her a poster for the ERTF/Owen Jones exhibition.
More news, the Eastern Region of the Embroiderers’ Guild have a new website which is now up and running.
Sorry no piccies today, must get on and try a bit to make a bit more PPL.
PS – look at the last post if you don’t know what PPL is!