Where does the time go? '28' Blog Hop

Why, welcome! If you are here because you're following Jamie's birthday blog hop, then you should have come from the lovely Jules' blog. Are you enjoying it so far?

If you're here because you know me or you already follow my blog, then you'll already know that my name is Kate and my little corner of the internet comes from the Isle of Wight. I live in a little house filled with paper and pretty things, accompanied by a cat who watches every move I make. By day I work in an office where the furniture matches our corporate colours, and by night I scrapbook, crochet and sketch.

And if you know me really well, you'll know that this is my last month as a 28-year old, that I am dreading being an odd number because it makes me feel unbalanced, and that the end of October will not only mark me entering the last year of my twenties but also three years since the bowel cancer diagnosis that has completely changed my life. When Jamie suggested a blog hop to celebrate her birthday, it seemed like a most opportune time to reflect just a little bit on my life too.

I think this page hardly looks like I made it. But I did, I promise. Right now I am loving delicate colours, retro patterns like polka dots and chevrons, and instagram photos. I'm drawn to layouts with small photos and lots of detail on a neutral background. I am trying to incorporate more layering, freedom and asymmetric elements. And yet....if I continue using patterned paper at this measly rate, I might never get to the bottom of my stash pile.

Thank you so much for looking at my project. Are you ready to hop on now?

 Who's next? And also the order in case you get lost:

Jamie http://paperheartproject.blogspot.com/  

Bernice http://btsoi.blogspot.com

Christine http://christine-is-living.blogspot.com

Corinne www.corinnesmilovici.blogspot.com

Dee http://sparklinscraps.blogspot.com

Hollie http://justmeandavery.wordpress.com/

Jessica http://www.craftychicgirl.blogspot.com/

Jules www.juleshollis.com

Kate www.funkytales.blogspot.com YOU ARE HERE! Visit Leigh next

Leigh http://leighmonroe.blogspot.com/

Lillian www.elletheheiress.com

Marianne http://marianne-inthemoment.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://portablemichelle.blogspot.com

Monica http://monicalifeasme.blogspot.com

Nancy http://kittyscrapper-nancy.blogspot.com/

Natalia www.blinksoflife.com

Natt http://tinynatt.blogspot.com/

Neelu http://creatingmemorieswithtna.blogspot.com/

Jamie http://paperheartproject.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to comment on everyone's blog and then hop back to Jamie and let her know you've finished for your chance to win a $28 gift card to an online retailer of your choice. You have until 8.00pm EST on Sunday 30 September (and by my reckoning, the UK is 5 hours ahead so that gives you until 1.00am the following morning). Good luck everyone!

An autumn weekend

This weekend I have mostly been...

Finding new paths. I have driven on these roads all my life and I've never parked up and explored beyond the hedge. It's very special to walk slowly along, looking for fruit, listening for squirrels and soaking in the beauty of it all.

Foraging for blackberries. More than I can carry, mostly small but sweet and full of flavour. Every so often you can find a big juicy one, hidden behind a leaf or protected by a bramble. They taste all the better for having to fight to get them. 

Being grateful. Somewhere after crossing this stile I dropped my phone (which is what I was using to take these photos). We walked on and eventually left....a couple of hours later I realised what had happened and we returned to trace our steps. Before we had even parked the car, someone rang to say they had found my phone in the long grass and where could they meet me to return it. I am amazed that they found it, and that they returned it. People are good.

Resting. Much like these little sweeties in the pet shop. I wish I could take them home, but I don't think a certain pussy cat would approve.

Being inspired. Taking photographs for future reference (and sketching). Enjoying colours, shapes and scents.

Doing things differently. Being outdoors doing stuff means I'm not indoors making stuff. I'm making the most of it while the sun still shines, and it feels good.

Scrapbook Sunday

Time off work has been absolutely perfect. Lots of lovely times and in between...some crafty stuff too. 

In between experimenting with sketching and painting, I still scrapbook. I have many stories to tell and much pretty paper to use.

Hello September

Sliding in to autumn and the weather is as hot and sunny as we could have wished for in June. Right now my days are filled with scrapbooking, painting, long walks in the sunshine and precious moments. There are some really good things happening, and there are some really terrible things. The contrast between the two is almost more than I can handle. Taking it day by day, moment by moment, is the only way through.