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This week I've been book binding again. A normal A5 book, but covered with my own handmade paper. This is something I've been working towards for so long now, so to finally arrived at this point is really exciting.
The paper is one of the sheets of onion paper I made in February and not only does it look great, but also feels really soft. It's probably a bit thin really, I'm not sure it will stand the test of time, but it proves the process works.
My head is now full of ideas and things I want to try out. Such a shame I have to work too.
Last year I ran the Basingstoke Brackenwood 5K for the first time in 26:39. Today I ran it again; my aim to beat my PB.
And beat it I did with a time of 24:52! I am so pleased!
Having run a couple of different distances now, I think I prefer the half marathon where you can run it mile by mile, while the 5k I find just a bit too fast with no way to pace it, you just have to run as fast as you can for the whole thing. But of all the races I have run, I have to say this is one of the best organised. No queues for the toilets and the results printed out by the time you've caught your breath. I realise some of this is due to the size, only 217 ran, but its things like this that make all the difference.
So run it again next year? Maybe...
The day before the wedding I woke up at 6.30am from a really vivid dream. I tried going back to sleep but the sun was too bright and the image from the dream wouldn't fade and I just had to get up and write it down as a short story.
I really like writing at this time of the morning. It feels like its just you up and no one around to disturb you. I guess that's why I like running at this time too. The day feels like its just for you, with no one else about and plenty of unbroken cobwebs to run in to.
So having finally written something for the first time in ages, it was slightly annoying that turn up for this months writers group was so low we didn't run. However if I look on the bright side it does give me a little more time to get my story polished.
This months homework:
Seeing as I got married a couple of weeks ago and graduation is running at the university this week, write about a celebration.
Having spent the last year planning a wedding and a few years before that studying I wasn't really sure what to do now I've got some real free time.
I would really like to improve the photos I take of the things I make, and seeing as 'im outdoors gave me The Crafters Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum for Christmas last year I thought I'd start there.
The book is full of really interesting examples and tutorials, one of which was for making a light tent. The idea is to create even light and softer shadows.
I saved a huge cardboard box deliberately for this project earlier this year and its been getting in the way ever since. But now it's had its sides cut out and lots of white paint and tracing paper added it should help me to take better photos of my books etc whatever the weather. There is lots of useful advice in this little book and I hope to use lots of it to my advantage.
After a year of planning we finally said 'I do'.
We had the most beautiful weekend, starting with a small ceremony at our local Registry Office, before moving on to The Stag on the River, one of our favourite pubs, for afternoon tea. The food (and company) was sooooooo good.
Then on Saturday we invited everyone we knew to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park for a hog roast, archery and camping.
We kept the whole thing simple and enjoyed every minute.
The dress was made for me by Larimeloom. It was a bit of a last minute request on my part, but she did a beautiful job and it was perfect. It looked great in the Registry Office but didn't mind a damp field either.
The flowers in my hair were a perfect match to the day, and the dress, and were supplied by Gardens of Whimsy. I adored the butterfly detail.
I made my own bouquet and 'im outdoors' button hole following Lia Griffith's template and instructions. They looked great, and didn't mind when I dropped them, or that the event was over 2 days.
The postbox worked a treat, with everyone (big or small) enjoying 'posting' their cards and gifts to us, while it kept everything safe.
'I'm outdoors had done well when he chose my engagement ring from Honngaijewelry but it did mean we found it hard to find a wedding ring that worked with the shape.
In the end we went to Simon Pure and asked them to make one for us. What came back was a perfect fit with a beautiful finish.
All our photos were taken by John, my old manager. I can not tell you how pleased we were with the end results.
I'd never put much thought into imagining my wedding day - there doesn't seem much point when you don't know who the groom will be, but if I had, I think it would have looked something very like what we ended up with. Now to plan the honeymoon…
