Crafting... Sort Of.

I've never written about something I've made before as I'm not artistically gifted in any shape or form and even though I would love to I rarely have the time to do any big, serious projects.

For Christmas my sister bought me a super cute poster which I adore. The poster is carboard and I didn't want to attach it anywhere without protection so a frame was necessary. I found one that seemed to fit the bill for my A4 sized print and so I ordered it online. When I opened it though the front was completely smashed....

As the frame was inexpensive it probably would have cost me just as much or even more to return it, so I threw it out and decided I would search again.
When my sister moved back in to the family home with me and our parents she brought with her a spare frame that was not being used and suggested I could use it for my print. Perfect.

The issues arose when  I tried to put the picture into the frame, it was HUGE. There was a large amount of blank space around the outside leaving the brown wooden back showing ... not a good look.It seemed a waste to not use this perfectly good frame so I starting thinking of what background colours could work.

Trying to match the purple of the prints background would be near impossible, black to go with the frame would be way too dark and using the white of the lettering just wouldn't look right. Bugger.

Suddenly I remembered that I had some black and white tissue paper left over from my trip to the Disney store that had protected my mug..... Which in case you're interested is freaking awesome!
Me and my sister both love Disney, plus the black and white coordinated with the frame and the lettering without being over powering.

Okay so admittedly it wasn't complicated or much effort and all in all is completely unimpressive but I am pleased with how it turned out!

So here it is before -

                 

And then the final product -

Support Your Local.

This weekend I witnessed my local rugby team play on their new pitch for the first time and I then had the urge to write about it.

I am a fan of rugby..... to the extent of watching the 6 nations, the world cup and having a very basic understanding of the rules, but had only ever seen my local team play possibly twice ever. Now considering I have lived here all my 22 years of life and that my sisters boyfriend plays a fairly prominent part in the team I wondered how I had not seen more matches.
Truth be told it was the travelling, the team had up until two days ago had to play on a pitch that belonged to others and is about 15 minutes away from the town. This meant journeying a fair distance, having to know in advance timings of matches and basically just a whole lot more organisation than would be required now that the pitches are just a 2 minute walk into town.

There has been a team for over 20 years now but due to the small size of our town there was never the funding nor the support needed to give them grounds of their own. But after many years the training tirelessly, pushing for spectators and loving the sport has finally paid off and in a fantastic way.
Over 100 people showed up to support and many stayed after for probably one too many drinks .... but there was a perfectly acceptable reason for the large quantities of alcohol and noise. WE WON.

We had two senior matches that day, one for our second team and one for the firsts and amazingly we won both. The victories mean the boys have come away truly owning those pitches and with even more encouragement to continue playing wholeheartedly - as they always do. Recently there has been an increased feeling of importance among not only the players but those watching the games, more passion, more enjoyment and these games will only serve to increase it.

Making the effort to watch your local team whether it be rugby, football or whatever sport they happen to be playing, it is so worth your time. Even if you aren't fascinated by the actual sport being played!
If they are a small team like ours the games are more than likely free so you don't even have to spend money, the atmosphere will get you excited even if the idea of watching people run around after a ball doesn't.

I challenge anyone to go to a local game and not feel pride at some point during it.

It might seem like a strange thing to promote but after you watch a game like this and feel that passion of being a part of something, you don't forget it quickly and just want to do it all over again. The players love what they do, work so hard and having people cheering them on is sometimes all they need to feel like winners. Why not be that support?.... and hey if you're welcomed back to the club for some drinks after you're guaranteed a good time. Trust me.

Alresford Rugby Club

P.s shout out to our guys that got pretty badly injured, you put your all into it and the whole team will be grateful, you were amazing but please remember to take it easy ..... even if it's fairly clear they definitely won't!

x