Cupid, draw back your bow 💘

February inevitably has a Valentine’s theme- hardly a surprise, yet surprisingly there are lots of clauses that appeal to me for this challenge.  Let me clarify, I am not remotely romantic (odd for someone who loves Jane Austen novels as much as I do), I don’t particularly like the colours pink and red and I can’t stand heart shaped items or heart print on clothing, accessories or stationary. Yes, I have a heart of stone! 

I give you the list of fun things I did as a rebel for the Cupid Challenge: 

I wrote a poem about something I love. Despite having the aforementioned heart of stone I do love my family and friends, in the end I chose my Chihuahua Elsie (I never thought I’d have such a ridiculous dog but I was in love with her from the second I met her at 3 weeks old). I am no poet, I tried a haiku and wrote a few in my lunch break at work. I couldn’t decide which I liked best, so I put them all together:

I listened again to the story of Cupid and Psyche from Stephen Fry’s Mythos. I would recommend giving this book a go, it’s very accessible. 

I created a playlist of songs I love from every year of my life (selected from the UK top 100 songs from each year), it was fun to choose songs from the six decades my life has spanned. Blimey, six decades- I’m still in my forties!

Have a listen to the music of my life here

I bought myself a bunch of tulips, they’re still going strong over a week later.

I’m currently working on the baker badge from book one, so I baked some heart shaped shortbread to fulfil both badges. They were delicious. 

I go to many places alone, so going on a solo date didn’t phase me. I went to see & Juliet at Curve Leicester and had a fantastic time. It is such a joyous show! I have also written a review of it for my Critic badge (book one). 

To decorate/make  heart using a new craft I had a go at Lino Cutting and made a stamp inspired by the brooch I wore on February 14th. Yes, it’s a Jammie Dodger! The kit came with easy to cut stamp making material and the tool with several cutting tips. 

For a first go, I think I picked a fairly intricate design to have a go at. I am very pleased with how it turned out and hope to use the stamp in other craft projects in the future. 

Carving the Lino stamp

The finished stamp

Stamping into my journal and the brooch that inspired it all

I wrote reviews on Amazon of 5 (possibly more) items that I loved, including the kit I used to make the stamp. 

I also reviewed a pencil case, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys, the 5-minute Journal and evenweave fabric for cross stitch. 

I also gathered items together to made a Cupid wing brooch from iron on patches, but I didn’t actually get around to putting it all together to make a wearable accessory. I’ll put it together, but it won’t count for the February challenge. 

I enjoyed working towards this badge, Valentine’s Day made quite a fun theme. My heart, although not thawed out completely, may be beginning to warm and soften a touch. 

Take care 

E x 

PS I know I’m late posting this, but all clauses were completed in February.