31 Day Blog Challenege - Day 31 Weird Quirk of mine

Aaargh,

I missed the last day by a day.  I didn't sleep well Thursday night so by time I got home from work last night I didn't have the energy to move off the sofa - sad but true and I don't veg out that often so I didn't feel too guilty lol!

Ok, I think my weirdest quirk is cotton bud (Q-tip) spotting!  Not that I try to spot them on purpose mind, but I seem to have a radar that seeks them out in all sorts of public places lol!  I spot them in supermarket car parks, on the pavement, the weirdest ever was when I got in a taxi and there was one in the footwell.  I don't understand how just odd ones pop up all over the place and nobody else seems to notice.  It's just so gross the only thing worse would be having to pick one up yuck!!!  It's like the cheese touch (if you've ever seen Diary of a Wimpy Kid)!

Now you must think I'm really weird, just as well this one was the last day lol!!!!

Hugs,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 30 My Favourite Comfort Food

Good Morning,

Ok, this is a bit of a difficult one.  I love my food and like so many different things so I can't really narrow it down to one!  Among my fave comfort foods are:

• Nachos
• Macaroni Cheese
• Homemade soup
• Crisps
• Cheese
• Cake

But the best comfort food of all is definitely CHOCOLATE!!!  There's nothing like it!!!

Hugs,

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 29 Top things on my bucket list

Hello again,

Right had to think about this one a bit so here goes

• Have one of my cards featured in a magazine
• Revisit New York with Rab and Iona
• Beach holiday on Cape Verde
• Visit Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts
• Florence
• Visit one of the Christmas markets such as Prague or Nuremberg
• Visit Portmeirion

There are lots of other things I'd love to do but I these are all near the top of my list.

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - all the days I've missed!!!

Well hello,

Sorry posts have been a bit thin on the ground from me lately.  It really has been all go since the Easter Break and I've been busy at work and home.

Sadly my 31 day blog challenge was the first to get the heave ho so here I am with all the bits I missed when I was away!

Day 17 - Favourite Childhood Book - The Mallory Towers books by Enid Blyton
Day 18 - What am I afraid of - heights, any spiders over 1cm and creepy crawlies in general!
Day 19 - My worst habits - worrying too much, over analysing everything and procastination
Day 20 - Where I want to be in 10 years - happy, healthy, enjoying time with my family and most of all still alive as I lost my mum when she was in her early fifties
Day 21 - Something I Miss - Both my parents, my mum died when I was 13 and my dad when I was 19.
Day 23 - Pet Peeves - people who think they are better than you just because they are prettier, slimmer, richer, more talented, etc - how shallow!
Day 24 - A Difficult Time in my Life - Losing my parents when I was a teenager and last year when I was suffering from depression.  I still have the odd bad day but I'm getting there.
Day 25 - Best Physical Features - Well certainly not my figure I'm more Miss Piggy than Miss Scotland so I'd say my very dark brown eyes.
Day 26 - 5 Favourite Blogs:

1. Cutie Pie Challenge Blog http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
2. I Love Promarkers Challenge Blog http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/
3. Dream Valley Challenges http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
4. CRAFT Challenge Blog http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Snappycrafts http://snappycrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Day 27 - What makes me feel better always - cuddles, a good laugh, retail therapy, crafting, the sun shining, holidays

Day 28 - Last time I cried - actually I'm not sure, it's a way of life for me I'm such an emotional wreck I cry for any and every reason imaginable both good and bad.  I even embarass my daughter by crying at Disney films even if I've seen them before.  Honestly, it's beyond a joke!

Sooooo, that's me up to date for now.  Just a few days left!!!

Hugs,

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 22 - 10 Favourite Songs

Good morning!

Ooh!  Where to start with this one...  As I've mentioned before I have a very eclectic taste in music!  Very hard to narrow down to just ten.  I've actually started my list for this 12 days early so I can add and delete as things come into my head!!!

Ok, here goes in no particular order:

1. She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
2. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
3. Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult
4. Days - The Kinks (also love Kirsty MacColl's version)
5. Professional Widow - Tori Amos
6. Move Any Mountain - The Shamen
7. Bitterest Pill - The Jam (actually anything by The Jam!)
8. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Paul Young (prefer his version to the original by Joy Division)
9. One - U2
10. Jump Around - House of Pain

A very mixed bunch I'm sure you'll agree.  Not quite sure what that says about me lol!  There are loads of other songs I could have put on here and I'm sure I'll kick myself when I remember some others that I love but have slipped my mind!

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 16 My Dream Job

Hello!

Well those of you who have followed me for a while might know that I was off work for a while last year suffering from depression.  It wasn't all related to work but that was a huge chunk of what brought it on.  I'm feeling a lot better now although I still have off days when things all seem a bit too much.  Work has improved and everything else is falling into place.  Anyway, what I wanted to say is that it made me realise that I'm no longer career orientated.  I'm happy with the level of responsibility and grade I am on, I no longer feel the need to look for better paying or higher graded jobs as they bring with them either more stress or responsibility which I don't want.  As I mentioned in an earlier post I would not hesitate to give it up if I won the lottery...so my dream job would be no desk job and more time to spend with my family and for crafting as that is the best stress relief there is!

Hugs,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 15 Timeline of my Day

Hi there!

Todays challenge is to share the timeline of my day.  It's a working day so nothing exceptional!

• 7.30 Alarm, shower, dress, etc
• 8.25 Leave house
• 8.35 Drop off Iona at my friend's house
• 8.45 Arrive at work
• 13.10-13.50 Lunch break (popped home)
• 13.50-17.30 Work 
• 17.35 Pick up Iona
• 17.45 Quick top up shop in Aldi
• 18.15 Arrive home, prepare and eat dinner
• 20.15 Wash hair
• 20.30 Put on a load of washing, organise Aunt's medication, look out clothes and prepare for tomorrow, get Iona organised and off to bed
• 21.00 Catch up with Blogger and DT commenting
• 22.30 Watch some TV/Netflix with husband 
• 23.30-Midnight Bedtime including a bit of browsing on Pinterest or flicking through a craft magazine until my eyelids get too heavy!

That's all nothing particularly interesting today I'm afraid!

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 14 What's in my Handbag?

Hello!

You might well ask what's in my handbag especially if you felt the weight of it! I certainly don't travel light lol!

• Purse
• Daughter's purse
• Folding brush/mirror
• Tissue pack
• Crabtree and Evelyn hand cream
• Diesel Loverdose perfume
• Plasters
• Pen
• Revlon lip crayon
• Folding shopping bag
• Mobile phone
• Keys
• Kids meal toy from burger king (daughter's)
• Smints
• Pair of earrings (daughter's)
• Paracetamol
• Sunglasses in a Ness glasses case
• Various receipts, money off coupons, sugar and salt sachets from cafes and general clutter

Just as well it's a big bag!

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 13 Favourite Quote

Hello!

Now this is an easy one for me!  This quote was on a bookmark I had as a kid and it's always stuck in my head:

Another favourite is "Not my circus, not my monkey" which we seem to use quite a lot at work lol!

Hugs, Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12 If I Won The Lottery

Well hello!

I'm a bit late posting this, I forgot this wasn't a day I had scheduled, but better late than never!

Sooooo, if I won the lottery...

If it was a big win I would definitely give up work.  I'm not that career driven at the moment, I've had a few bad experiences with work in recent years and I wouldn't think twice of giving it all up if I didn't have to worry about paying the bills.

I would make sure my immediate family were comfortable then I think first on my shopping list would be a new car, nothing too flash but my current car is a 51 plate and I've had it for nearly 8 years so think I'm due an upgrade lol!  I like my neighbourhood so I'd either do some improvements to where I currently live or buy something else nearby.  Of course I'd love to do more travelling.  Particularly to more farther flung places such as New Zealand, Australia and the Far East.  I'd also love an all mod cons mobile home so we could take off wherever and whenever we wanted!

After the initial excitement and spending had settled down if there was enough money left in the pot I'd invest in a business, maybe a little restaurant or even a craft shop.

One thing I'd definitely not give up would be my crafting because it keeps me sane!

Oh well one can dream...

Hugs, Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11 Most Proud Moment

Good morning!

I really didn't know what to put for this.  I'm proud of my husband and daughter all the time but with small things.

I suppose the time I was proudest of my husband was when he supported DJ/Artist/Actor Goldie at a local venue he has also DJ'd several times at Belladrum which is a huge music festival near where we live.  I am also proud of the way he is so enthusiastic about the music he loves and works with promoters to bring some decent acts up North.

My daughter makes me proud nearly every day.  She is doing so well academically and she makes me  so proud when I see her on the stage singing with the pop choir or taking part in cheerleading and dancing events.

I am also really proud of my Aunt in the way she fought back after having a stroke and pulmonary embolism and how she never complains that she's not very mobile or able to do much.

Me, well I'm just proud of being a design team member on several challenge blogs and when people genuinely like my cards.  When someone opens a handmade card and says "did you really make that?" then I couldn't be prouder.

Bye for now,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10 My First Celebrity Crush!

Good morning,

Right, I can't say I was fixated with any one particular person when I was growing up.  I had a really varied taste in music, tv and films when I was in my early teens - still do.  

At around the same time I had a crush on John Taylor from Duran Duran (not so keen on him now looking back) and Larry Mullen Jr from U2 (who is still pretty hot!) 2 completely different kinds of bands and 2 completely different looking guys!  

Around that time I also loved the film 'The Outsiders' and there was LOADS of eye candy in it!  All the hottest actors of the time - Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez and a very young Tom Cruise!  Lots to keep a hormonal teenage girl entertained lol, I don't know how many times I saw it!  

The 'Brat Pack' films, as they were called at the time, are still amongst my faves - The Outsiders, Breakfast Club, St Elmo's Fire and my all time fave Pretty In Pink!

Haha this has left me needing to watch all of these films again, must check out Netflix to see if any of them are on there!

Bye for now, 

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9 Piercings and Tattoos

Good morning!

Haha now it's time for you to see just how much of a wimp I am.  I have no tattoos and only have my ears pierced (once).  I got my ears done on holiday in Llandudno just before I turned 9.  My dad wasn't keen on me getting them done so when I was on holiday with my Auntie she took me to get them done.  Not much he could do when I returned home with pierced ears!  I'm sure she got an earbashing from my dad though!!!  I have turned into such a wuss now that I can't see me ever getting anything else done!  I quite like some tattoos on other people and I really admire some of the art work (especially the sugar skulls) but they are such a big commitment, actually life changing.  A rash choice when you were young could turn out to be a big mistake in later life.  Not for me I'm afraid.

Hugs,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 8 - An Old Photo of Me

Good morning!

Ok, todays leg of the challenge is to share an old photo of me and this one is very old.  It was a school photo which I think was taken in Primary four so I would have been 8 or 9 and would have been around 1977/78ish.  Check out my Purdeyesque hairstyle a la Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers in the mid 70s!  Unfortunately the picture quality has deteriorated quite a bit and it's all a reddish/sepia tone now.  I chose this one as it was quick to access as my aunt still has it on display in her living room!  The flowery bit on the left hand side is a reflection of the top I'm wearing - oopsie!!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs, Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 7 - 10 Favourite Foods

Hello,

Haha this should be an easy one for me as I love my food, problem is I like nearly all of it.  It really would be easier to say what I don't like!

Anyhow, here goes with my top 10, in no particular order:

1. Nachos
2. Fajitas
3. Jerk Chicken
4. Roast dinner with all the trimmings
5. Homemade soup
6. Cadbury chocolate with Daim and the mini eggs that are around just now
7. Macaroni cheese (but only made by me)
8. Anything smoked - salmon, cheese, ham, sausage, smoked haddock, etc
9. Malteser Cheesecake (Urquhart's Inverness)
10. Homemade malteser and/or mint aero slice

I'm hungry just typing that out!  There are lots more favourites but these are definitely essential!

Bye for now,

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 6 - 3 Personality Traits I Am Proud Of

Hello again!

Wow, it's day 6 of the challenge already!  Today I am sharing with you 3 personality traits I'm proud of

1. I am a good listener 
2. I am loyal, caring, loving and faithful to my husband, family and friends
3. I'm an open book, what you see is what you get, there's no hidden agenda or secrets

Of course there are just as many traits I'm not so keen on such as wearing my heart on my sleeve and being over emotional but that's for another day!

Bye for now,

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5 My Guilty Pleasure

Good Morning!

A happy Easter Sunday to you all.

I was a bit stumped for this one as I don't really consider any of the things I enjoy to be 'guilty pleasures'.  Why should we feel guilty for doing or enjoying something that gives us pleasure?

I suppose one thing that comes to mind is sitting and colouring in an image with my Promarkers.  Other crafters 'get it' but to other people it's like you're just colouring in like a big kid!  It's a great stress reliever though and you can just lose yourself for ages so no need to feel guilty!

Have a lovely day whatever you've got planned.

Hugs,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4 My Earliest Memory

Good Morning,

Ok, we're now on day 4 of the challenge and this is where it starts to get tricky!  I'm 45 so it's hard to think back on my earliest memories now.  I can't say I have any really vivid memories before the summer of 1974, this was the year I started primary school and I went on a summer holiday to Orkney (the one and only time I was ever there).  I just remember snippets of the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, Skara Brae, jellyfish on the beaches and the swimming pool at Stomness as well as the farm cottage we stayed in.  It must have been August because I remember we went to a lovely hotel that overlooked the Neolithic standing stones at Stenness, to celebrate my mum's birthday.  Funnily enough she would have been 45, the same age I am now.  My gran was from one of the smaller Orkney Isles of Stronsay and my aunt was also born there but they moved to Aberdeenshire before my mum and uncles were born.  It's somewhere I would like to visit again and perhaps look into some of my ancestry.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my latest challenge offering.

Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 3 Meaning of my Business Name

Good morning and it's Good Friday!

A scheduled post from me today as I've got a few things on.

This will be short and sweet!  As I don't have a business I will tell you about my blog name.  As you know (because you are here reading this!) my blog is called Handmade by Hamill.  Pretty self explanatory really but I put the Handmade in it as I wanted to cover all kinds of crafting and not just papercraft.  I suppose papercrafting has kind of taken over as my main hobby but I also still enjoy knitting, cross stitch and lots more beside and I wanted my blog to reflect that.  Hamill is obviously my surname so that's it in a nutshell!  Now I kind of wish I'd chosen something more mysterious and interesting!

Hope you have a fantastic Easter weekend whatever you have planned and if you get a chance join me again tomorrow for the next leg of my challenge.

Hugs,
Shona xx

31 Day Blog Challenge - Day 2 - 20 facts About Me!

Hello!

Righty, here goes for day 2, 20 facts about me!

1. I am an only child
2. I have lived in the same house since I was a baby
3. I have been married for 13 years
4. I have a 9 year old daughter
5. I have always struggled with my weight
6. As well as working full time I am carer to my 88 year old aunt who shares the house with us.  She has been my rock since my parents died when I was in my teens
7. I have been working constantly since 1986 and have only ever had 2 employers
8. I have been crafting in some shape or form since early childhood and could knit fairisle gloves before I was 12
9. I have had a recipe published in a Weight Watchers cook book but I've never been a good advert for them.  Oops!
10. I don't drink much fizzy drinks but I am slightly obsessed by Grapefruit San Pellegrino!
11. I've never owned a pet but I have been adopted by a cat and a poodle over the years
12. I wanted to study art and become an interior designer but I left school the day after my last higher grade and went to work in a cash office
13. I am scared of heights, I can't even sit at the front of the balcony at church!
14. I am very untidy, clothes, craft stash, work desk, etc :(
15. I voted NO in the Scottish Independence Referendum
16. I passed my driving test when I was 18 but had no confidence, I didn't drive for another 18 years then took refresher lessons and bought a car and now I absolutely love driving!
17. I got knocked down by a van at a pedestrian crossing a few years ago and was really lucky to escape with only 11 stitches to my ankle
18. I used to work with my father in law and knew him long before my husband!
19. I have to sing along to every song I know much to the annoyance of my husband, daughter and colleagues!
20. I have 2 exciting things that I'd love to share with you but I'm sworn to secrecy for the time being!

Well that's my 20 facts, hopefully you know a little more about me than you did before!

The challenge is up on my sidebar if you'd like to take it up too!

Hugs,

Shona