365 #148

With all this glorious sunshine we've had again today the kids and I went to Burnby Hall Gardens so that I could do my module for PwL "The Sequel" and, of course, go to the play area. The gardens are as always looking lovely and it won't be long before the water lillies will be open. There are lots of little areas within the garden that are secret little trails, the photo is of the start of one.

365 #147

I have mixed feelings today. These are the keys to Chris' SLK. A great fun car to drive, and fabulous when we have a kid free weekend and the sun is shining.

Later on I'm off to drop off the log book and spare key to the dealership. We have had nothing but problems with it when ever it's gone in for an MOT and the level of post sales customer service is absolutely shocking, certainly not what you would expect from such a company. Mercedes have now had the car for two weeks and still haven't fixed the problem, or offered us a courtesy car. So we've decided to get rid and never set foot in a Mercedes showroom again and they have agreed to buy it from us. Well, if they can't fix it it's no good to us, it's drivable but not road legal.

Now all we're waiting for is our new insurance certificate so we can go pick up our new car! Now that I am really excited about, whats more it's from a company with an impeccable record for reliability and service.

Be gone with you Mercedes-Benz, never to darken my door again.

365 #146

We're still working on the veg patch since we got waylaid by numerous radiators giving up the ghost. We've put some raised beds in using this stuff for the edges and more is needed.

365 #145

I managed a quick clothes shop, and one things I love (call me weird if you wish) are clothes labels. Not standard labels, but ones like these from Fat Face - chunky chipboard with interesting illustrations or store phrases on them. I have a collection of them with plans to use them in my LO's.

Have to say Fat Face - couldn't have put it better myself.

365 #144

York has a lot of events and festivals, this weekend saw the Roman Festival, and on Sunday the York Carnival. We decided to go into York for the day on Sunday and as expected it was extremely busy. Most people know the main landmark of York - the Minster, but just opposite the south entrance is this solitary Roman Column, remains of the headquarters building of the Roman legionary fortress that were discovered underneath where York Minster stands.

365 #143

Saturday morning was spent pouring over the song choice for the latest Circle Journal I have to work on, "create a new musical from the songs of Mama Mia". I have now chosen my song and the story that goes with it. The race is on to get it finished by next Monday which is when it's due to be posted. I have supplies on order so feel free to pop back for a sneak peek before then.

Another couple of cards

Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself! Variations on a theme but I thought I'd share all the same. Both were made using Basic Grey papers, the one on the right from the die cut tags you used to get. I never use them, but now I have.

365 #142

I seem to have a small card making bug at the moment. Maybe it's because I wrote a list down of all the upcoming birthdays. As you know from the last couple of posts that I've been flicking through the pages of card trends again, and one thing I love is the machine stitching on some of them. Something I have admired on peoples LO's for ages. Well, at Christmas Chris got me a mini stitch - the subject of today's photo. I dusted off the box and had a play. I think I need more practice... but here is a card I have made using it.

I've not been very brave, only stitched around the edge of the patterned paper, which I didn't make too big a pigs ear of. The paper is October afternoon, and I've used some KI Memories glitter lace cardstock and Kaiser gems to embellish it. Nice and simple. Just like me...

Smile

I'm supposed to be having a big housework day today, but got distracted again and made a quick card. Design for this one is again lifted from Card Trends.

It was so quick and easy to make and I'm really please with the end result, sadly the photograph isn't so great. The coloured cardstock and patterned paper have all come from the May scrapagogo kit. So, supplies used here are Inspire me paper card blank; Bazzill & AC cardstock; PP - pink paislee and MME; AC "Smile" flair (which mean I have finally used one from the flair mountain!).

365 #141

Finally a little bit of something crafty from me today. I've made this card, design lifted from Card Trends, for a member of the family who is just starting to sit her exams. I have to say exams as I'm not sure what they are anymore, but I'm going to say GCSE's and keep my fingers crossed that's right. She's 16 anyway, so that set...LOL.

Supplies used: Snow white card blank - Inspire me papers (love these cards); PP - BasicGrey Recess; thread; Distress ink; Flowers - petaloo (from scrapagogo May kit) ; Mini alphas - My little shoe box.

365 #140

It was Rosie's 2nd birthday today, and as is tradition we have a family day out. We chose the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. It was fairly quiet except for a school trip. It was a farm, but they have expanded and have things like a Wallaby walkabout where we got up close with a Wallaby and Lima Woodland. The kids had a great day and I even managed some photographs. We'll definitely go back there, especially with the promise of Lions next year, but in the meantime they'll be having some Zebra's soon. I think it's a great place especially if you have younger children.

It's Jamie's birthday in July and he has decided we should go to Chester Zoo as he loves elephants, and go back here. Could be a busy day....!

365 #139

I have a desire at the moment to increase my stamp and ink pad collection. I justify this by reminding myself that I have a card making session coming up soon so need the variety. This little lot are my latest additions which arrived with this mornings post. Three distress ink pads in dusty concord, tattered rose and scattered straw. I just love the muted shades of the distress inks. There are two sets of the new mini stamps from BasicGrey, some Scenic Route laurel flowers and, which I am the most excited about, a set of Sassafras Lass nesting stamps. I can't wait to have a play with these, they look fab. Everything was ordered from A Trip Down Memory Lane yesterday afternoon, so I'm really chuffed that they came today.

365 #138

Something else that has shot up while we were away - the tomato plants. Time to pot them on I think. Another item to add to my ever growing list of things to do.

365 #137

The alliums Jamie and I planted under the living room window were out in flower when we got home and they are just lovely. Sadly they have been joined by a load of weeds as well. Just waiting for the rain to ease off so I can get out there and tidy the bed up. Hopefully the colour and beauty of the alliums will distract peoples eyes from the weeds.

365 #136

At last... I tried to get hold of a copy before going on holiday but couldn't get my mitts on one. It was high on my list of things to do once we got home. This is one magazine I read from cover to cover and more than once.

365 #135

Jamie's school pack arrived in the post with what feels like a million forms to fill in and dates to attend. Being my first child to start school it was a bit of a shock to find that in the next 8 weeks we have a parents evening, a home visit, 2 lunch dates, 2 sessions with the foundation team and a session with his new class mates to attend. Good job I don't work, but I think I may have to sneak Rosie in in my handbag on some of these.

365 #126 to 134

After a few days away in the sunshine, finally here are my 365 photo's taken whilst away. Hope you enjoy them, especially since we have come back home to rain and more rain.

365 #126: Stained glass sky light from the hotel

365 #127: Palm trees along the water front

365 #128: Bullrushes

365 #129: Rock formation in Teidi National Park

365 #130: Quay side walkway

365 # 131: Marina

365 #132: Above the clouds

365 #133: Lizard

365 #134: Cacti flower

365 #125

My ipod, in heavy use today as the next Dancing Queens CJ has arrived and it comes with a copy of the Mama Mia soundtrack. I've downloaded it onto my ipod so I can listen to it for inspiration. I have a couple of songs in mind at the moment on which to base my pages.

365 #124

Bank holiday Monday, what do you do when it's raining? Me, I re-arrange my craft stuff as I never seem to have enough space. These little beauties are my Derwent Inktense pencils, not longer in their tin, but on display in a white ceramic pot within easy reach.

365 #123

Probably my favourite bracelet, a silver and amber cuff which was a present from Chris when I gave birth to Rosie. The amber piece is just over an inch square. Going back in it's box now after wearing it out for lunch yesterday.

365 #122

It was Chris's birthday on Friday and guess what he got that has dominated our weekend since. Have to admit, it's good fun - I even ache in places. The kids love the wii fit running (and so do we - it burns off all their excess energy).

UKS May Photography Competition

Rockefeller Center, New York - Sept 08.

This month I'm hosting the Photography Competition over on UKScrappers. The chosen theme is architecture. As host I can't enter, but I will be drawing up a list of the finalists at the end of the month which will then be open for voting.

We already have a few photo's in the gallery, so pop over and take a look. Please feel free to enter as well, details can be found here. Remember if you enter, please upload to the gallery and start your title May 09

365 #121

Before we moved to Yorkshire, we lived in a village in South Leicestershire. It was still classed as village, but was the size of a small town, without any amenities. We now live in a beautiful Market town, where everything is on our doorstep. This afternoon, Rosie and I went for a walk to the post office with a detour on the way back to the butchers, bakers and bank.

My photo today is of the wall of the vicarage that we walk past on our way to and from the centre of town. It's lovely pale and the brick has crumbled slightly. For some reason I just love it and it had a special pleasure for me with the sun shining on it.