WOYWW 307

Thought I'd better join in the wonder that is WOYWW - Julia's desk sharing phenomenon so here's my desk today - 

So the right side - pens and bits and bobs I'm using a lot at the moment.

The pens I'm working with.

Image I'm playing around with.

Some new pens. Different markers I've not tried.

The beautiful view from my craft room window. I'm so lucky to be able to see fields from every window in my house. It's beautiful out there so I'm going outside soon to read for a while!

I'm counting down the days till the WOYWW crop on 16th May. Looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating my 40th birthday with you all. My birthday is on the 14th! I'm going to bring a special birthday cake with me for us all.

That's me. Take care Zo xx

Me updating you on life!

Afternoon!

I'm fully aware that my blogging has been rubbish of late. SO I thought I'd pop on and tell what's going on here.

I'm still in full on Bristol Rovers notebook making mode. I've an order list longer than my arm which is amazing, but the footy season is nearly over and there's no way I'll make them all before. Guess I'll have to post them out!

Here's my latest - 

The fundraising total has gone over £300 now which I'm totally over the moon about. Here's the page -

My fundraising page

Health-wise I'm all over the shop. No hour is the same so I'm having to take each day as it comes and do what I can to cope. Ehlers-Danlos Hypermobility is a real pain in the arse....literally at times! My Fibromyalgia is constantly flaring. There isn't a day go by where it isn't causing me huge amounts of pain & fatigue. My Scoliosis is causing pain throughout my back which then flares the fibro even more so. It's non stop.

BUT I cope. Because I have to. Because I am not going to let it beat me. I will use my sticks and wheelchair to live the life I want. 

I've been using Kinesthetic tape to support my joints recently. The tape when positioned correctly helps to support the joints without restricting movement. This is what I looked like yesterday - 

Elbow supporting.

Wrist supporting.

And yes being me I chose one of the bold bright colours because I can't be doing with fading into the background!

On a positive note, I've been following Slimming World since 9th Feb 2015 and to date I've lost 9 lbs! Finally a plan that works for me. If I can lose 1 to 2 lbs a week then I'm happy. I know where I want to be but it'll take time to get there. 

But I don't mind when I get to eat a brekkie like this! Yummy.

I've been going to footy with Keagan. He loves pushing me round in my wheelchair and even free wheels down the slope lifting his feet up to ride along! We are enjoying our time together. I insist on selfies every match!

Keagan isn't too impressed with this idea mind and pulls not-impressed faces. 

So that's me. 

Take care Zo xx

WOYWW 303

Good afternoon!

I'm here to share my desk as per the rule set by our Queen of Desks Julia.

Short post from me so here goes -

Right hand side - bags full of money. I emptied my change pots. Not done it for a while. 

Window side - my colouring is on going for my notebooks but you can see my dad's tablet and some instructions I'm working on for him to be able to use Skype. I had to set it all up, send contact requests and make sure it works, then I have to write step-by-step instructions!! Yep I have to write it down!

You can guarantee this fella will be by my side. He has his bed and his car seat cushion in my craft room and often lies like this!

That's it from me - short and sweet - much like me!

Take care Zo xx

Friends through thick and thin!

Now blogger friends, I apologise for my absence recently. I've neglected you all really but I do plan to start blogging more often. With craft projects and personal stories too. Especially as I'm no longer posting as much for DT work.

So today I'm sharing the birthday card I've made for one of my best friends. This year I'm not making cards for everyone as usual. I'm only making for close family and friends. At the end of the year I'm going to make a donation to my fundraising in lieu of all the cards I've not made. I'm keeping track!

If you want to find out more about my fundraising please check out my page - any donations gratefully received!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ZoeKirkby

So my card -

I used a pre-cut shaped base card from Craftwork Cards. The papers were freebies. I kept it simple and added flowers, buttons and pearls.

The image is from Some Odd Girl and has to be one of my favourites to colour at present. I coloured her using my Copics.  The dappled background is done using Graph It markers. 

So there you go. I'm off to footy tonight with my mum. Keagan has a riding lesson so my dad is taking him to that. Keagan will listen to the game on the radio at home with Baxter!

Take care Zo xx

WOYWW 302

Hello friendly desk dashers.

I've been AWOL I know. Too many things to do, with a body that refuses to work when I need it too! Lol

But I'm back to share my space as per our Queen of desks Julia  states. 

So desk - 

The right side - images piled up & pens.

Window side with pens being used constantly and images. 

The top of my bureau is a mess. Too many bits of stuff going on, oh and coffee. I need coffee!

I think a spring clean is needed, my whole room feels a mess and I don't like it! 

Take care Zo xx

WOYWW 300

Woohoo 300 a huge thanks has to go to Julia -Stamping Ground  for coming up with this idea, for bringing us together and for forming friendships that have gone from online to real life. I've not been here since the start but have seen many gone by and it's really a focal point of the week. I may not join in, I may join in but disappear or I may be present and all correct. No matter. I know it matters not.

My desk hasn't changed for weeks, full on notebook making still happening as the order list gets longer! Here's one of the latest to have left my desk.  

I thought I'd share a pic of my other 'desk' taken last night. I was in bed crocheting (I'm making a blanket for a lady who is expecting a little boy) and this little man joined me and laid on my legs. So cute. I do love my Baxter. 

In the background you can see part of the stripey blanket I made for Baxter to lie on, but he always creeps over for a cuddle. Do you like my funky duvet, animal print, my mum bought it for me for Christmas. 

Hope you are all well?

Take care Zo xx

My vibrant new hair!

Good morning all. Thought I'd pop on today to share my new hair pics with you. Those who know me well will know I rarely have a normal hair colour. It's always had an edge. Whether it's the cut or colour but I reckon I've pushed it to the far limits this time. My choice had my dad banishing me from the family home until it toned down!!! (No fear the banishment was soon lifted when I helped him with him Tablet & email!)

Before pictures.

You can see it's darker but with a lighter front/fringe.

So yesterday I went to my favourite local salon where Emily & Rhianna worked all afternoon. First Emily professionally cleansed my hair, removing the previous dye. Stripping it back to a soft copper/ginger. 

Then Rhianna applied red dye, plus some foils with a darker tone to create a soft veil down my longer side. Once that was done, she cut my hair back into the asymmetric style I love.

The result is brilliant. I'm now have vibrant bold red hair. It's a shame as it will fade quickly. Just happens once hair has been cleansed. But I can put another red on top as soon as it becomes too light for me. I will no longer have to dye my roots a darker colour (my natural hair has always been lighter than the dark reds, plus there's some grey.). If I didn't do that I'd have bright red roots with darker ends!!

Here's the finish!

Sorry I've no make up on! You can just make out that there is a slightly darker section across the front and down the long bit. It shows more in real life than in pics.

Here's a before and after comparison.  

So much lighter, brighter and bold. I've had great comments with everyone saying it suits me and my bubbly personality!

Hope you enjoyed my little hair share!

Take care Zo xx