Doodles and craft

I run a group called the M.E. Craft Collective over on Facebook. there are about 175 of us at the moment, but we are steadily growing in numbers.

Our health and crafty abilities vary considerably, but it is great fun to show off what we have managed, ask for help and ideas, and be inspired by other peoples work.

I have a friend on there who is mostly bed bound, while there she manages to make some beautiful cards, and recently has started sharing her doodles with us. This inspired me. Doodling was something I did a lot of when I was at school, somewhere in the loft I have homework diaries full of doodles! I used to love it, but realised I hadn't done any doodling in years. So I picked up a pen...

I've become a little addicted over the last few weeks, coming up with ideas and needing to get them down on paper. Even dreaming about the patterns in my sleep.

I am a fan of inspirational quotes and have tried to combine some quotes within my doodles.

I am not good at self promotion, I look at something I've created, especially something drawn and all I see is the faults. I always think there are people out there who can do this stuff so much better than me, perhaps I should leave them too it. But I enjoy it and I have had some lovely feedback recently.

Unfortunately all this doodling has taken it's toll on my weak wrists. I now have pain in my hand and all the way up my arm, so I think I need to take a break from it for a while, which is very hard because once I get into something I like to keep going, but I need to try.

One interesting thing I have noticed is how my brain works differently now to how it did when I used to doodle. In my teens all the doodling was there in my head, the random patterns and designs would just be there, but these days I need to look at pictures for inspiration, the ideas are there, but the patterns are not, it's like I've lost that section of my brain that produces pattern. I don't know if this is down to the M.E or just getting older, but it is odd!

Anyway, here's a link where you can see all of my doodles as they are done www.Facebook com/wonkeycreations

And here are a few of the one's I am most pleased with.

Be the change you want to see in the world

This quote means so much. It is so true.
Everyone complains about the world today, about how people don't have the respect for each other that there used to be, about how everyone is looking out for themselves and not others. Yet at the same time a lot of the people complaining don't go out there and try to change things.

Granted one person can't change the world, but one person can show others how to change which in turn could change the world.

If you go out there today and smile at people, say nice things to them, donate something to a food bank, do a good deed, I guarantee you will feel good and you will have made others feel good. And perhaps just maybe the other people touched on your journey will also go out of their way to make a difference.

There are so many small, simple ways you can change the way you live which will help so many people. Being kind doesn't have to cost anything.

Being ill has made me realise just how lucky I am to be alive, to have a warm safe home for my family, to be able to get out of bed everyday and to know that I can feed my family.

I am a firm believer in random acts of kindness. I have been researching ideas of things to do with my kids through advent, 1 random act of kindness for each day to try to teach my children that giving isn't all about presents and that it can be just as rewarding as receiving. I don't think my 3 year old will understand, but I think it is a valuable lesson for my 5 year old and I hope to turn it into a yearly tradition.

All through this year I have sent out random parcels to people, all with the intention of raising a smile, some items needed, all were appreciated. I have more in the pipeline and hope that these too will be received with a smile.

Could you smile at someome today? Compliment them? Lend a shoulder if they look in need? Could you donate something to a food bank (they are even appealing for presents if you have anything you could re-gift)? Could you donate some old bits and bobs to a charity shop instead of putting them on eBay? Could you volunteer some time to help a neighbour?

So think about it, what could you do today that could change someone else's day or even life?

Party day!

I'm awake. It's 5.30am, this is pretty normal for me, in fact I've done well to sleep in this long, was awake from 3.30am yesterday.

I  am so excited that it's the day of my party. I have butterfly's in my tummy and everything. But today of all days I need to keep my emotions in check. With excitement comes stress, adrenalin, anxiety - all ridiculously draining emotions.

Today will be busy. Even if I just sit down and delegate tasks it will still be busy with people running around, lots of things to remember, and that's all before we get to the party.

I'm fighting a virus, yesterday I felt pretty rough, not helped by the 3.30am start. I had this nasty feeling like I had a scarf tied around my neck too tight and all day I kept forgetting words and was really struggling to put sentences together.

I hope today for he party at least my cognitive functions will pull themselves together and all this achy ill feeling will be put on pause.

I know already that I will look and behave like a normal well person, in fact I expect I will hear 'you're looking well' more than once today. But come 6pm when everyone has gone I will collapse into a heap and barely be able to speak.

It will be worth it, I will have a great time. I just hope the payback doesn't last too long...

Anyway, back to trying not to feel too excited. 

Wish me luck for today friends!