cool day!

We had a really cool day yesterday! At the end of our week off work, i was feeling a little disappointed with ourselves. We didn't go anywhere (except Mottisfont on Tuesday) and we only did small bits of jobs, like move half of the carpet that was on the patio to the end of the garden (to use as a weed supressor on the path).

So yesterday we went out! I persuaded DH that we should go for a ride on his bike as it was such a gorgeous day! We took lots of little 'B' roads around West and East Sussex, ending up at Balcombe viaduct. What a splendid sight! Then we had half a lager at a gorgeous little village called Lindfield (not to be confused with Lingfield where the lovely Craft barn is!) overlooking the village pond!

After tea we all went for a walk down to the beach and we took some great photos, a selection of which can be seen here!

Check out my Slide Show!

Other people's blogs

I woke up early this morning with backache, so instead of tossing and turning, decided to get up! I've now been up a couple of hours and have had time to potter about, drink tea, have breakfast, take some photos and sit here perusing other people's blogs.

I really should update the list at the side. I don't visit many of them anymore.

Just found a thread on UKS that listed some great blogs, some scrapping related, some not:

http://www.pencillines.com/ my present homepage
http://www.embers.typepad.com/ I'm still doing emily's 52 week challenge
http://a-true-friend.blogspot.com/ pet LO challenges (love scrapping my dog!)
http://scrapbooklayouts.blogspot.com/ I am so definately a multi-photo LO girl!
http://onelittleword.blogspot.com/ just found this one, it looks good
http://posy.typepad.com/posy/ a dream - country living at it's best!

I must check them out more often! Actually, I must visit here more often!

some recent craft projects

Card for MILs birthday today! I am really pleased with this, one of the best cards I have made! The background is alcolhol,inks (first time I have used mine!) and butterfly background stamp from Tanda Stamps. ( I have some gorgeous stamps from them recently, must get round to using them soon!)







LO completed at Class run by Natalie O'Shea at Crafts-U=Love near crawley, photos from photoshoot done by Natalie at Scrappers Paradise Photography Day back in March.



















Inchies for Inchie Swap on Tanda Stamps forum, theme Nature. (I am afraid I am not so pleased with these as the 'faces; ones.)

Mottisfont Abbey

We went to Mosttisfont Abbey near Romsey yesterday. We had to take M's bike in for fixing the oil leak, up to BMW in Guildford, so we borrowed a bike (a GS Adventurer, will take a pic before it goes back!), and rode down along to Winchester where we stopped for coffee (in Debenhams!) and then onto Mottisfont. It has a wonderful walled garden full of roses, so it's near enough at it's peak atm. It was really gorgeous, and the smell was lovely too. I really love the way NT properties are so neat and tidy, no rubbish about, lawn edges perfect, lawns manicured, and of course looking gorgeously green after all this rain!

New hall, stairs and landing carpet

Well, here it is at long last! We promised ourselves we would have a new carpet when we moved in - 14 and a half years ago! Trouble is, the old carpet was such good quality, and didn't show any dirt, and we got the dog nearly 4 years ago! So we ummed and ahhed a bit, becasue to be frank we are a bit worried about the dog messing it up. He does lie in the hall a lot, and there are always lots of dog hairs, dust, grit and sand from him in the carpet! (not to mention sick and poo!) So we decided to go for brown with flecks, yes dog sick and poo colour!!!

It looks really nice, and it is good quality. It should last us out here. We had to empty the big dresser in the hall, and I looked in DH's whiskey cupboard for the first time ever! Look what I found! These bottles must be a t least 25 years old! It's made us reminisce about Dubonnet and Martini, such sophisticated drinks in the 1970s! I used to love Dubonnet and lemonade.

The bottle of Baileys has I think just 1 drink poured from it. It is now SOLID! DH was sure it would be Ok - the thought of pouring alcohol down the sink fills him with apoplexy! Anyway, only the fairly new bottles of sherry and port have gone back, oh and a couple of bottles of neat alcohol, I mean Polish spirit vodka! YUK! No whiskey left atm, poor DH, he'll have to drink wodka instead.....

Some lovely photos of Merlin waiting for a piece of M's toast!

A few more greay haris!

Well, my week started off bad with not being able to go my crawley crop on Monday, and then Lucy's bag with keys being stolen . On Wednesday morning, we were woken up by the dog at 5am, to a HUGE d**** (don't know how to spell it ) mess on the kitchen floor!! YUK! We cleared it up, and I decided it wasn't worth going back to bed, so I went to work at 5.30am!!! I was working 2x on Wednesday because I had to take Mum and dad to hammersmith for his check up yesterday. I was knackered!!! I went back to work exactly 12 hours later, at 5.30pm!!

DH went on an off-road motorcycling day, and has hurt his foot one of the times he fell off ! Actually, it is quite swollen. But he had a great day, and has realised just what a different sport off-road riding is! So I had to get up early yesterday to take the dog for a walk before going to Hammersmith. In fact, we were woken up at 6.15am by more d**** mess in the kitchen DOUBLE YUK !

When I got round to Mum and dad's to pick them up Dad looked terrible. He is hobbling around with tremendous pain in his leg. Although we had a good journey, we didn't have a good day at Hammersmith, cos Dad's myeloma is almost certainly back . Bit of a shock, cos I didn't know he was getting more pain, and it is only a few months since he finished the last lot of chemo. . They took an x-ray (waited ages!), and prescribed morphine for the pain, and he gets the results of all the blood tests at the end of the month. They are supposed to be going to Cornwall next week with some friends, so I hope he feels well enough to go. He is not going to be able to walk at all though. They've got some difficult decisions coming as to how the myeloma is treated this time. The doctor mentioned another stem cell transplant, which they were adamant they wouldn't want to go through with again last time. Oh dear!

But then we went out for a lovely meal with Robin and janice last night, and had a great time! And today I have nothing planned except a few chores and scrapping.

Teenage troubles

Lucy has had a hard time lately. After injuring her hip, and being ill while away with the volleyball lot, she lost her bag at school yesterday. Unfortunately it has her mobile phone and house keys in it! I hardly slept a wink last night worrying about someone being able to get in. DH hopefully will change the lock. It is such hassle when she loses her phone, and I've had to report this one to the police.

Then she found out that her best friend has been mucking about with a boy she likes lots, behind her back. Lucy and boy have been really good friends for ages, and Lucy would like it to be much more, but boy says she is a bit young, and he values her friendship too much to spoil it! Sounds very sensible doesn't it? Well, a couple of weeks ago, best friend decided she fancied boy too, and they had a bit of an argument, but made up when best friend and boy promised Lucy they wouldn't get together. Of course bf and boy have been doing what they shouldn't have behind Lucy's back, and she was distraught last night! I managed to cheer her up, and we went into town to buy new make up for the stuff she lost with the bag. She is taking it all in her stride - it's all personal growth stuff isn't it? We just have to be there to pick them up from the knocks from time to time. It is important to be that rock and stability for her, and I love being able to do that for her!

I had my appraisal at work today. It is quite fun, just an excuse to write me some new objectives. I think it is really great that they do the appraisal for me, I am only a volunteer! It just makes sure that what I am doing and what I think they expect me to do is what they want me to do! But I am able to pick and choose to a certain extent. I like being able to go in there and just get on with routine stuff. But I suppose I should get a new challenge too! Maybe something along the lines of report writing. I am not sure I want ot get involved directly with the service users, but there is a possibility of doing a bit of craft with them, maybe Christmas cards.

May Bank Holiday weekend

What a weekend it's been here! I had a fab time scrapping on Saturday - did a lovely LO with Natalie (and I've signed up for Scrappers Paradise in October!). Brighton crop was good too. Still a bit small, but we are a nice little group now.

Then I went to London yesterday, and had a good time at the Who Do You Think You Are? exhibition, manning the Anglo-Italian stall, with Kay and Barbara. Met some really interesting people. I've always quite fancied doing fairs and things, and am getting an opportunity to do so atm. I wasn't too keen to go to London, as I get a bit travel sick on the trains, but I took rescue remedy with me and felt OK.

But while I was there Lucy texted from Norwich (where she has gone as a spectator to the volleyball, cos she has injured her hip) to say that she had been really ill in the night, and was trying to sleep at the hotel all on her own!! Luckily, one of the girls was driving home last night, so she brought Lucy home. She didn't get home until 1am, poor girl! She is still asleep now, at 12.30pm, don't want to wake her up. I am so glad to have her back home, horrible to think of her ill away from home! We would have gone to get her today if she hadn't come home, cos they are not expected back until 9pm tonight, and it's school tomorrow.

We slept on this morning until 9am, and didn't go out with Merlin until 11! Lovely to have a relaxing day. The weather has chnged though - it's really windy and grey, a bit of rain, but not enough! It hasn't rained at all in April, so the garden is really dry. We need a few days of proper rain now. I planted some vegetable seeds - I am going to put vegetables in my pots on the patio this year instead of bedding plants. Going to potter a bit, and update my AIFHS stuff, and do a bit of housework.

TAGGED!

The rules:Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who are tagged have to write their 7 things on their blog. Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment to tell them they have been tagged and to read your blog.


1. I used to be a fully qualified Certified accountant (FCCA)

2. I took a degree in Neuroscience at Sussex University a few years ago. I am very proud to report that I got a first!

3. I drink 2 or 3 cups of real coffee each morning, very rarely any after lunch becasue of the caffiene content.

4. I have Italian ancestors (my gggrandfather came over from Milan in the 1870s )

5. I love most genres of music, rock, pop, classical, country and western, jazz, soul, but not too keen on rap, indy, garage etc!

6. I ALWAYS have a drink of hot chocolate at bedtime. I always take sachets with me when I go on holiday.

7. I won a beauty contest once! I was Miss Metal Box Portslade 1978. DH and I had an all expenses trip to the factory in Speke, Liverpool, for the national finals!

I tag:
MJ, Jan, Kym, Beth, Kelly, Karen, Paula

Worthing Museum Costume collection

19th century dress

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18th century waistcoat. The detail on the embroidery is exquisitely dainty

Detail on embroidered waistcoat. 18th century (I think!)

17th century jacket. Look at what fantastic condition this is in!

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More detail

Pam invited me to a special opening of the collection of costumes that Worthing Museum had on Saturday. We met at Lorraine's jewellery workshop, where we had a picnic lunch on the lawn! I hadn't been to Lorraine's workshop before so it was really interesting to see, and she showed me how she gets the patterns on to the aluminium that she uses to make large chunky bangles and earrings. Bit too expensive for me though!

At the museum, we looked at the collection on show, very dated displays, and now a bit boring to be honest. But, then we went upstairs to the main collection, and were gobsmacked! We saw racks and racks of dresses, mostly 18th and 19th century, but some 20th century as well. We rifled through them a bit, and found some really bright and vibrant colours which suprised us novices! There was drawers and drawers full of buttons, buckles etc, and racks of shoes! We were shown some waistcoats and aprons with the most exquisite embroidery, and a little jacket from the 17th century! Think how old that must be!


It was absolutely fascinating, and I now want to be a volunteer at the museum! I'd love to find out more about costume, and go to the costume society talks and symposiums, but I'm not sure I've got the time atm!

When I grow Up

Shimelle suggested that we gather all our stash together and take pictures. Well, I have decided to use my 7gypsies chipboard book, and the lush Stella Ruby papers. Just in a few mins I gathered together this lot. What a great way to do a project! And do you know, I am going to start with the journaling!!! Never done that before, but this project is mainly about getting it down on paper, so I am going to write my story first before I touch scissors or glue!

Inchies for Tandastamps swap

More tanda inchies! I loved doing these, even though I wasn't sure about 'faces' as a theme. I painted some watercolour paper with twinkling H20s in several shades of brown and gold, then stamped it with Paper Arsty stamps 'shorthand'and 'tapemeasure' with black Stazon. Then, I sorted through all my stamps and used all the faces! Some are Paper Artsy, some are Tanda Stamps (red indian and totem pole!), some are random! I used some of the words from the stamps I had used, and then cut words out of my old books bought just for that purpose (although 1 of them is a travelogue of Italy, and I was using the Milan pages today, which is where my ancestors came from, so perhaps I should read it first!

scrappin' - Stories of 2 LOs

Here's 2 more for my NY album. I'm really pleased with it so far, and especially these 2! Ice skating in central park was one of those WOW moments, am I really here? So I wanted to do it justice! I chose the green to complement the LHS LO of Central Park, and the dark colour complements the main photo well. It took a while to decide how to place the photos, and I cropped the little ones a bit to make them fit together. Then I chose embellishments to match, and found the Dawn Bibby white tiles for the title. But I only had 1 of each letter, so couldn't do the whole title, needed 2 'i's you see! So I dug deep and found the metal letters. I just love these 7 gypsies labels. I've journalled on it about the WOW moment! The flowers and ribbon came next, and then i wanted to write in different fonts on the little yellow square, so some is stamped, some is rub-ons. And then the words 'remember' and 'adventure' were rub-ons too. I did this at the Brighton and Hove crop on Saturday, and it came runner up in the Page of the day competition!

This skyscraper LO started off as a challenge at my Crawley crop. It had to be 3 photos, monochrome and have some metal on it. I wasn't going to go for the obvious B&W monochrome, but these grey and black Bazzill sheets just looked so good! Sky Scraper is written in chipboard, Maya Road, I think. Sky is simply inked with a black ink pad. Scraper has been covered in cardstock, sanded and inked at the edges. IRL it does look a bit messy! Which isn't really the look that goes with the sleek modern skyscrapers, but never mind!

The design is a scraplift from an Australian Scrapbook magazine, but you would never guess, cos it's turned round and is very different! The bling is Heidi Swapp, boy it is gorgeous. The chipboard flowers are Lil Davis I think, and the metal centres are from natalie at the Crawley crop. Aren't they fab? The stitiching was inspired by Kirsty Wiseman's LO at the Scrappers Paradise Photography day. Oh and the swirls and flourishes are from sandra, who was showing off her cuttlebug, and I decided to try the flourishes, and then thought, wow they'd look good on my LO!!!

So that's how I decide how I do a LO. Very haphazard don't you think?

News

This is one of the gorgeous photos that natalie O'Shea took at las months photography workshop. I love them all (well, except one of them where I look pregnant!!!LOL, perhaps I shouldn't wear a smock top at my age and weight!!!)

Life has been pretty good lately, the weather has been superb, more like July than April! It has been really warm and sunny for a couple of weeks now. The garden is looking really spring like with the gorgeous blossom and that lovely fresh lime green of the new leaves!

M and I had the week off last week. In fact, I worked Wednesday evening, so had from the Thursday before Good Friday, a whole week and a half. It was lovely having plenty of lie-ins! It's the first time in 5 months I have had any time off except the bank holidays, since we went to New York in fact. Highlights of the week included a visit to Uppark, a NationalTrust property near Petersfield. We went on the motorbike, and it was a gorgeous ride through the country side of West Sussex. Uppark is famous for a massive fire in late 1980s, and the restoration work that went on afterwards. We didn't have time for the fore exhibition, so will have to go back soon. We went to london for thday and walked along the South bank with our cameras! Nicholas came, he is quite keen on his camera atm, and takes some good pics.

On Friday we stayed at home and pottered. Dump run(I cut down the Pampas Grass in the font garden just before easter), and I managed to persuade M to repaint the hall, stiars and landing, and that we should have a new carpet! YIPPEE!! It is all done now, just got to get measured up and carpet ordered. We will probably go for the same as the lounge as we are very pleased with it.

I've done a bit of gardening lately. I am going to try (as I do every year!!!LOL) to keep on top of the bindweed!! I have decided to try and spend just 20-30 misn per day pulling it up. I reckon that could get me on top of it all summer. Watch this space!!! I still need to do march in my garden journal. I am doing daffodils for March. can't decide whether to do tulips or blossom for April.

When I grow up.....

This is Shimelle's latest class (www.shimelle.com), called When I grow up. The first exercise was to reflect on what I wnated to be when I was little. At first, I couldn't remember what I had wanted to be, except when I was older (scientist, researcher, teacher, etc).

Then, suddenly in a flash, like these creative thoughts come to you (LOL), I remembered wanting to be a jigsaw puzzle checker, doing puzzles to check all the pieces were there (yeh, I know, I should work in a charity shop!!!). I used to sit for ages doing puzzles (I think they were Disney), not very big, so I was able to finish them quickly, and I would time myself, trying to do them quicker and quicker!

The more I thought about thsi, the more I wanted to do my children's story about it. Actually it has turned out very deep and meaningful (LOL). There is the TIME factor, how I try to do things quicker and quicker, and there is the DIFFICULTY factor, how difficult life becomes when you are a grown-up! And then there is the metaphor of the puzzle pieces fitting together, making up the picture of my life! Deep and meaningful over now!




Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wanted to be a jigsaw puzzle checker. When she was 10 all she did was do jigsaw puzzles.







She knew that if she was to be a real jigsaw puzzle checker, she was going to have to be quick! So she timed herself, completing puzzles quicker and quicker!









Many years passed.... Sometimes she did huge 1000 piece puzzles of mountain scenes that were very difficult.







She got married to maurice... and had 2 lovely children. They both enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles too.











But now, the little girl has grown-up, and is still finding pieces of puzzle that fit together!










I have really enjoyed making this book! Papers are mainly scraps from my stash, but you will recognise quite a few of them. The book is a child's board book that MJ gave me to alter at one of her crops.

Thanks Shimelle, for getting me well and truly out of my box!

Scrappers paradise photography/scrapping day

Here is Geraldine, Angela, MJ, Karen and the wonderful Natalie O'Shea (standing up)











Playing with shutter speeds. Background in focus, car blurry, depicting motion.











Practising panning. Car in focus, background blurry












Blurry background - low f no.













Lesley (lesleyuk)


















Kelly (kellyg)


















Geraldine (ladyscrap)



















The lovely and very talented Kirsty Wiseman











View from my seat!

I had a fab time at SP P/S day yesterday. Thanks to Natalie and Kristy for organising! Lots of organising goes in to a day like that! There were about 30 of us wanting to learn more about our cameras. In the morning we did lessons on shutter speed and aperture settings. Although I already knew most of what we did, it was fab to try it all out with my new camera, and refresh my mind (been a couple of years since I used a SLR camera) , and it gave me confidence to fiddle with my controls!!! I had read some of the manual on Friday, and was a bit gobsmacked to say the least - there are sooooo many controls to change! White balance, ISO, speed, aperture, and then lots of different settings in between!

We took photos of each other and a flower for aperture priority setting, and moving cars outside for Shutter priority. The car drivers were all honking and waving, with a line of 15 or so cameras on tripods! I took over 200 photos, and have just spent some time deleting a whole lot of them!

In the afternoon we did some scrapping. We used a 'star' photo that we had taken with us for Kirsty's class, and she taught us a new technique - glossy accents on acetate to 'frame' the photo. Natalie's class included some really scrummy papers in bright pinks and oranges, and some alcohol inks. We used the photo that Kirsty had taken of us in the morning.

It was a really super day, and has given me the taste for a weekend retreat! I met loads of people I knew (4 Scrapettes!) and then some people I hadn't met irl from UKS, and then some people who don't go on UKS. Oh and Natalie did a mini photo sessions. Looking forward to those photos!