British weather

Just a quick post. Weather report this morning said 'light shower' to clear the air. Well it did clear the air but I didn't see any light showers, only thunder, lightening and very heavy rain.

I was struck at Sainsbury's - I'd even managed to get a good car parking spot close to the store - had to wait at least 20 mins before I could attempt the short walk





Obviously, I was dressed for the weather - lol





heading home - came across this



No I didn't attempt to go through, decided to turn around and go on the main road -




This is the main road leading into the city - the northbound carriageway (towards the city) totally flooded with a bus struck in the middle - full of passengers - OMG - I would be freaking out if I was on that.

This is the road I need to take to pick my son up later :-(

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Child Play Challenge Blog

This weeks Child Play challenge is up and you can find the details here

and this is my take

Also if you fancy joining the next run for this DT team, details can be found here

I've been on a visit ...

to spend today with my lovely friend Sheena -



another day of good intentions regarding getting some scrapping done - but all our good intentions went out the window and we spent the time catching up. But we did go out and have a great lunch at The Bear Inn at Berkswell


followed by a quick look around at John's Baptist church,




across the road from the pub where we went on the hunt for mice - wooden ones - which are the mark of Yorkshire furniture marker Robert Thompson, beautifully craved into the oak furniture, there were 9 to find but we only managed to find 5 of them.





It was great seeing her before the school holidays get underway, and again I think we managed to put the world to right. and have a good laugh into the bargain.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Voyage

On Saturday evening me and Julie decided to brave the weather - (the 1st evening performance had to be cancelled due to the bad weather) - and go into town to see a free outdoor performance in Birmingham called 'The Voyage". The leaflet and signs all said it was to do with the Olympic 2012 Festival and I think it will be the closes I get to see anything Olympian other than watching it all on the TV. It was a show of dancers, aerialists, live musicians, choir and was really worth the late night.

So here are a few photos ...

This was the stage in the day time,

and a "ship" that was made out of plastic drink bottles and plastic bags -

that made an appearance towards the end of the performance.

and just a couple of the performance.

Even thought it rained on and off it was a good performance and one I would recommend anyone t0 go and see it, if it comes to your area.

Twisted Sketches - Thank you & Goodbye

After 3 years Anam has decided to close the sketch challenge blog (details here) and this is my final layout.

Products used:

Echo Park - Hello Summer - 6x6 pad; Mr Huey Mist - Piglet, Clover, Lemonade; Washi Tape; Punches Fiskar, EK Success; Nestibilities - pinked circles, circles and decorative circles, heart; American Crafts Thickers;

and my final card - a simple one

I would like to thank Anam for inviting me onto the DT teams and wish her luck in whatever she decides to do in the future.

Cameo Love - keeping it together

Have I mentioned I love my cameo, well if you didn't know I do - big time.

But like most things I need to be able to use the cuts as I need to, so I came up with this idea.

Get a Paperchase Photo Album

and instead of cutting files out for each layout, I cut batches out every so often and keep them in this, then I can flip though the album and use what I want. I've also cut them out in cardstock so that they are more generic to use for my project life pages and my scrapbook pages.

So now I've got a mini folder that I can take to crops and have the folder on my desk ready to use.

Thanks for stopping by

Don't know how to answer question on my comment post so posted here:

Candance - its an electronic die-cutter that is linked to my computer, it doesn't use cartridges, but downloadable files from the cameo store. Really easy to use and I've used it more than I ever did with my Cricut. I just purchase files/shapes that I know I will use and I don't have to have the whole cartridge (cricut) to only use a few of the shapes.

Sarah's Cards Blog Challenge - June 2012

Over at Sarah's Card, this months sketch is up and you can find the full details here

And this is my take on the sketch.

Products used: Studio Calico June 2012 kit : AC card stock; SC exclusive paper, My Minds Eye (MME) - Papers - Follow your Heart 'Be amazing', 'on the Bright Side'; MME - Paperclip, wood chip, decorative buttons; Alphas - American Craft - muse, Jillibean Soup; from my stash - SC label; Ormolu button; Tim Holtz tickets; Mr Huey mists - Pumpkin, Clover, Bonney Blue.

I added a vellum die-cut heart to the top.

and a die-cut down the side of the photo.

The story behind the photo is that after James latest hair cut, some of the girls at school asked him if he had his eyebrows shaped at the same time, which didn't go down too well, and then when he saw his Grandma she asked the same question - lol. I just told him that his natural beauty just shines through and he should be proud of it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Project Life - May 2012

I'm back with my May 2012 pages, has you can see both April pages and these I'm making good use of my Cameo, have I said I love it !!! Its great to add that extra bit of 'something' to be pockets.

Voting Day; The Hunger Games triology books - such a great read; The Birmingham Bull all dressed up for the Jubiliee;

More Cameo cut outs - loving this machine. (Studio Calico wood veneer - another love of mine - lol)

Me & Claire in our neighbours hot tub: my beautiful flower, this nearly ended up in the bin early in the year, I throught it had dies and put it outside in me litter green house ready to throw out, then notices it had grown about 6 inches - a good rescue.

My journey up the M54 to Skrapz 12 hr crop; my Aloe Vera plant for the 1st time growing a flower; coffee break on my first trip to Kiddiminster - shopping with Julie.

Most days I go for a walk with my neighbour, this day we set off in gorgeous sunshine, only to get about 10 mins into the walk for the heavens to open and we had to run to a bus shelter and wait till it passed; James having his yearly MRI scan - this time he only had ear plugs in !! I was outside the machine and it was giving me a headache I truly don't know how he did it; the process of having my weave done - a long day but well worth it; lunch with Julie at a Harvester we've not been to for ages.

Noticing James 'tash' growing (tashes cut with cameo, speech bubbles - EK Success punch, paperclip tash - Paperchase); meal out with friends; James new hair cut; hot day in the car; A visit from my lovely friend Sheena: cinema trip.

Then a 12 x 6 - 3 pocket page protector - James doing a charity walk - he didn't want me or Jon with him so Jon dropped him off and he walked with some friends;

me attended the schools annual awards night as a parent governor.

Thanks for stopping by.

Twisted Sketches - Layouts - Three

This weeks sketch is up and you can find it here

This is my take

Products used: Cardstock - Stampin' Up; Paper - My Minds Eye - Lush, Crate Paper - Farmhouse: Stickers - Amy Tangerine; Wood veneer - Studio Calico; Alphas - Thickers.

To represent 'three' I added 3 wood veneer stars, and 3 punched shapes.

Why not hope over to the site, and join in , I'd love to see what you come up with.

Project Life - April 2012

At long last I'm uploading my April pages, apologies again for the glare from the page protectors.

Has I'd done a lot of photos for my week away this month, this part was mainly pages fillers but with the arrival of my Cameo - I love it. The 'Love' stamp is one by Kaisercraft from Merly Impressions.

Ally Pally, meeting with your Julie & Morag for a fun day stash shopping. Cameo files.

James all kitted out for his bike ride; the 'petrol strike' that wasn't; coffee with James at Cafe Nero

More filler cards and going to see the Hunger Games, what a great film, just loved it. So much so I went out and got the books.

I included extra pages from our week in Sheringham.

Sheringham cut with my Cameo; journey down; being woken on the Sunday morning by the Salavation Army band; J&J going on one of there many walks of the week; fishing boats.

Easter Sunday Service; beach huts; Cormer beach; Sheringham beach

The fishermans cottage we stayed in, looks small from the outside but adequate for us 3; hot chocolate with cream (my favourite); fish & chips tea.

me & James, love these Crocs; James beach-combing; Jon, James & Lawrence (Nephew) enjoying a quick paddle on our way home from the beach.

One of the day I went to see the Seals at Moreton Quay, it was a beaufitul day for the sea was very choppy;

This is one of my favourite views of the beach - I love how I can look into the distance and not see anyone for miles. Printed the photo on a A4 sheet and cut to fit the pockets.

This one I took on one of the evening stolls along the prom.

I will upload my May pages towards the end of the week, please come back and see.

Thanks for stopping by,