Friday 13th, is not a bad day for me ...

17 years ago today, Friday 13th August 1993, Jon asked me out, and we have been together ever since. So good things do happen on this day ...

And today, Friday 13th August, me and James had a great day over at Telford, the weather forecast was rain, rain and more rain, but it managed to stay dry until we were leaving Telford Town Centre, when the heavens opened. We had planned to go to the Jackson Tile Museum because in the same complex is Robert Harrop Pottery that make Camberwick Green figures that James collects, so I decided that if we are over that way we can make a day of it and visit a few of the other local sites, so here are a few of the photos I took, and we had a great day.

Do you remember these chartacters, the whole exhibition was like a step back in time - brill.

I did hope that you could see them being made, but we couldn't, but James choose a limited edition one.

Then before we left the Museum we went to a workshop where you could design and paint your own tile,

as some of you know James has problems with his final motor skills, so writing, painting and doing things with his hands can be a problem, so I was very pleased that he wanted to design and paint his own tile, of course it had to do with sport and Claret & Blue. Admittedly I help him out but he did the majority of it.

Then a 5 minute drive to Ironbridge, which has some lovely shops and the best pie shop EVER, 'Eleys of Ironbridge' so if you are ever in Ironbridge, you have got, I repeat GOT to go to this pie shop (it even does Vegetarian ones) they are yummy ... They are made and baked on the premises.

Eleys of Ironbridge

Then another short drive to Buildwas Abbey, which I found stunning. Even James was interested or should I say he wanted to find all the "I Spy" clues before I did so that kept him occupied, whilst I took photos - LOL

Then the final stop was Telford Town Centre, for a late lunch and a visit to 'The Range",

So we both returned home, exhausted but very happy.

I've managed some scrapping this week, but I need to take the photos, in day light.

Thanks for stopping by ...

(PS - this is the quickest I've even blogged photos - LOL).

A Girly Weekend ...

in Preston, was just what I needed, catching up with my friends, we classed it has our 'pre holiday' get together.

So I drove up to Preston on Friday, went to visit my mums grave and spend some time there, boy I so miss her being around.

On the way to my friends, I drove pass my old infants/junior school, so I pulled the car over and took a photo, I would have love to go inside, but it was all locked up.

Then went to one of my best friends house, to be greated by my niece who had to come back from her holiday early, her boyfriend had to come home due to a family beheavement. So we went for lunch, and had a laugh. She is so grown up now and it hard to believe that in 2 weeks times she will be 18.

Then it was back to the house to get ready for our night in Manchester. Christine decided that she needed some hair extension, so funny ,so her daughter obliged by putting them in.

We ended up getting the train to Deansgate and hitting some bar, all in preparation for our holiday in 4 weeks.

Then on Saturday, after a lay in (didn't get up till 11am) which is so not like me. Me and Chris (the blonde one) went to Preston to do some shopping, and of course have lunch out.

Then back home to get ready for a 'family' get together and to celebrate Ian (Jayne partners) birthday. So more drinks, laughter and planning what we are going to do when we go away. We are going to Benidorm again, we just love it there, and after watching the comedy series 'Benidorm' we are planning to visit the island for a day, which is just off the coast.

Jayne relaxing.

Kath & Jayne in deep conversation.

Ian - looking so surprised when we all sang to him and produced his cake.

I didn't take as many photos has I would have like, mainly because I wanted to enjoy myself and not be bogged down with taking all the photos, but I did manage to get a few.

Then returning home on Sunday, I visited 'Inspiration' which is a craft shop in Preston, they mainly concentrated on card making products, but had a few bits in, eg Tim Holtz, Cosmic Shimmer, Cutterbug, Martha Stewart punches etc, so it was worth having a look at the products and seeing a few of the demonstrations that they where having in the store.

Then stopped off at the QVC outlet shop in Warrington, didn't get anything but it was worth a look and, then I stopped off at Ikea, was looking for some brackets for my craft room but couldn't find them, so will have to have another visit, I finally got home around 4.30 very tired but very happy that I'd had the opportunity to spend time with my friends having some me time.

Hoping to get some crafting done this week, so will be back later in the week to share.

I'm back ....

I know, I know, I've been lacked in keeping my blog upto date, but with school holidays I've not really managed to get any scrapping done.

I have managed to spend a couple of hours in my craft room and produced these.

So first up is two layouts using my lovely Studio Calico kit (SC), photos were taken at a recent visit to Webbs Garden Centre, with my MIL and DS.

I did this following a sketch from Sketchbook 2 on the SC site. The photos was taken last week in Birmingham outside Birmingham City Council offices. James just loves to pose, or should I say pose for a few shots before he gets bored, so I was really pleased to get this one of him.

This one uses the Scrapagogo July 2010 kit, of DS each a Mr Bubble ice Cream, which a blue ice lolly, with some whippy ice cream on top, with blue sauce over the top. Sounds awful but the kids in the street seem to love them - lol

Then this one I did using using some odds and ends, MME, Crate paper, Thickers, Webster's Pages alphas, buttons, Bo Bunny sticker (picture perfect), Jenni Bowlin Ticket, Maya Road kraft ticket.

Over on the UKS - GoGo thread - Beki mentions about her sister getting some yummy donuts from Krispy Kreme, and it got everyone talking about them, so not one to miss out, I decided to give us a treat.

So not to appear too greed, I only got 6.

Heres James, enjoying one of his, I must admit they didn't last long, and I wished I got 12 now - LOL.

Also decided that this month is going to be my start of my 'Use it Up' Challenge. I'm going to start my limit has 50 crafting projects, so layouts, cards etc to be included. I've got to the stage where I got way too much stash, and with getting both the SC and GoGo monthly kits I just need to use what I've got. I will not make any promises about not getting new CHA products - LOL, especially October Afternoon, Pink Paislee, Cosmo Cricket (only naming a few - LOL) but they will be very limited, not only for the lack of where to put things but for my lack of funds. I've had to seriously re-think about what I need/want to do over the coming months, so a few things have been cancelled and some more to be cancelled over the next few weeks. I'm seriously hoping that I don't have to cancel everything, to get me back on an even keel, but needs must I expect.

Right less seriously stuff now, I'm getting ready for my weekend in Preston with the girls I'm going to Spain with at the beginning of September, we are classing it has a 'pre-holiday' get together, I'm looking forward to seeing them and catching up with some other friends whilst I'm up there.

Right, must go now, will be back as soon as I got some this to share.

Thanks for stopping by ...

Shopoholic & Recent Pages

To start off with I had a brilliant time at the NEXT sales, has you can see - LOL. I've not been to the NEXT sale for ages so off I went and got all these, mainly for my holidays, things for J&J and one or two items for the house.

I even amazed me that I had returned home with 9 bags, but eh oh these things have to be done - don't they - LOL.

Whilst in Birmingham, I managed to take these photos around and about, its not only a great place to shop, have a coffee and meet friends, but I great place to take loads and loads of photos of the architecture and the many displays around the city centre.

So after we all returned home, we decided to go for a drive around the area, locally theres a reservoir and I was unsure on how to get around the back to take photos from a different angle, so Jon suggested going for drive before tea and he could show me, and quite frankly I was amazed, the views over looking the city was just stunning, and only about 10 minutes away from my house. Apologies for the small photo but got a new device on my photo editing program that allow you to merge a couple of shots together to make one, but not sure how to enlarge it, to add here, but I hope you get the basic idea, if I find out will add to another post.

Then on Sunday was my Solihull crop which again was loads of fun and I managed to complete my June pages for my GoGo Yearbook and Documentary 2010 - June pages, which I will upload later.

I also completed 2 layouts,

This one is following the Create & Go Sketch

'Cupcake Delight' - using the July GoGo Kit.

Scrapagogo July 200 kit

I managed to do two layouts yesterday with my lovely Studio Calico Kit,

I've used this photo before, but its so raw to get a good photo of Jon that I might just have to use it until I can get another one.

Thanks for stopping by ... call back soon.

UKS Team Challenge

This is the week challenge that my team set over on UKS and goes live today (19th July). The challenge was to produce a layout by:-

1. Make your own background/patterned paper
2. Use a Stamp
3. Use Summer Colours
4. Use Lace
5. Embossing

So my take is this

1. Stamped on the plain background to give a pattern - used my Stampin' Up background stamp.
2. Stamped the title - Inkadinkadoo Alpha stamps
3. Use bright colours - used Echo Park - Sumertime Collection
4. Lace - from Scrapagogo Shop
5. Embossing - Used a tag and embossed with Tim Holtz Bingo Texture Plate and lightly over with 'Worn Lipstick' Distress Ink.

If you are on UKS, I hope you join in, even if your not please join in, I'd love to see what ideas you come up with, link it in my comments so I can see.

Have fun and thanks for stopping by ...

Yippee .... Its arrived

Yes after stalking the postman for a few days, it has finally arrived my Studio Calico Kit and its lush

I was abit naughty this time because I got some extra pennies after selling my Cricut at the time of the add-on kits going on sale, so I ended up getter 2 extra add-on kits, and 2 extra stamps.

The main kit , full of yumminess

Add on kit

Add on kit

Just love this stamp, it will work perfectly with my EK Success punch

Extra stamps

I'm hoping that I can cut into it on Sunday at my crop.

Thanks for stopping by ...