After a tough week, I wanted nothing more than to sit and play. Last week, playing was a swimming session and a “run” on my treadmill. In contrast, this week my idea of playing involves lots of lovely paper, card, flowers, ribbons and bows. Stamps and buttons, studs, brads and lace all come out of the stash boxes to (hopefully) make something half decent. It is important for me to play and enjoy some me time as it gives me an opportunity to switch off and regroup with the added bonus of an end product as a reward for my labours.

As you can see, I am not the tidiest of  crafters, but a little disorganisation creates an environment in which there is always an element of surprise when creating something. If I can’t find what I need quickly, I improvise and use something else. My creations are therefore constantly evolving and what I end up with often looks nothing like I planned in the beginning. This approach appears to work and if nothing else, keeps me on my toes and always thinking how to adapt. (Much more fun than the dreaded Sudoku puzzles for keeping my mind agile)

There is a saying, “The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression”  and I know that if there are days or weeks when I won’t get to play because I am working long days, travelling or staying away from home my mood will deflate very quickly. I now try to pack something in my case so I have something to look forward to after work when stuck in a hotel or faced with a long journey home. I have had very funny looks from my fellow passengers when Decopatching on the train, designing scrapbook pages or knitting scarecrows but I’m used to it and it keeps me sane.

Playing today has resulted in three pictures so far. I found three matching square picture frames in the charity shop during the week and these pictures are just the right size. I’m quite pleased with them.