WOYWW 417

What should I do first?  Show you my craft room or the lovely atc's I received last week?

OK atc's have won - here are the atc's I got from my swaps with the wonderful people on this group:

Lovely aren't they!  Starting top left (Margaret (Glitter&Glue); LLJ, Sandra de; Annie (Wipso), Jo (Twiglet), Shaz (Silver Wolf).  I won't show you the ones I sent because I forgot to take a photo of them all but I did manage to do a couple of them that weren't needed,  I will show you next week when I know everyone has got theirs.

Now for my craft room.  Think it is going to be a bit longer than first thought as the bathroom has taken a bit longer than originally estimated and ... I have decided to have a new floor in my craft room.  Christine, the other half of the bathroom company, is the designer behind things and she has decided that instead of just painting the one wall in my room we may as well refresh it by giving it a coat of paint all over.  That said, it now needs a touch of plastering on this one wall and she is happy to do it!

After taking so long to move all the craft stuff I decided that to move it all back and then do it again at some later stage would be silly - besides which I don't think I would do it!  Bang goes my share of the new bedroom money, my craft room is being done up, the bedroom will have to wait.  Bye Bye Big Strong Boys and your decorating - but not to worry I still have the memories - and the photos.

So once more my craftroom is non existent. Still using my knee to work on as well as the kitchen worktop.

Ready to pop over to Julia's and see what others got in the great atc swap?  Just follow this link.

Jeudi Journal - China

You may remember last week we did "Travel"as our theme and now we are off on our tour of the world.  Not in any particular order, no direct flights between places, but today we are in my favourite place - China.

Even though it is my favourite place, and I have lots of stamps I could have used, I wanted to keep it to Dylusion Stamps where possible so I ended up with a Willow Pattern Plate.  Had this idea in my head but it was difficult and so things have had to be adapted.

One tall lady, without her cheongsam (because Dylusions ladies do not have one), an umbrella used for her Asian hat and a pair of eyes with a slight Oriental look to them with a hand-drawn plate behind was the order of the day.  Two birds flying towards one another completed the picture on a previously painted blue page.

Now to see what Wendy has done and make sure we are both in the same country next week.

416 WOYWW and and ATC

First of all let me begin by saying my thoughts are with the people who have suffered in any way from the Manchester bombing.  

I remember 21 years ago only too well, as I was a teacher then, and Head of Careers and Industrial Coordintor for the school I was at.  I had children on work experience in Manchester at the time of the bombing.  I panicked and with 150 of them placed in industry all over I could not think which ones were likely to be working there that Saturday.  A quick dash to school, meet up with the Deputy Head and and hour or two checking the computer and ringing around saw all were safe. Thankfully most of the pupils were at a basketball rally (I think it was that) so well out of harm's way.

I cannot begin to imagine the awful hours that some families are having at the moment with loved ones missing or lying in a hospital bed - some critical.  I know how I felt all those years ago but to have a son/daughter/mother/father/any relative/friend/colleague hurt or worse still missing I cannot begin to imagine their feelings, the amount of tears that must have been shed.  All I know is that hearing some of the stories, seeing the bravery of all those people, the wonderful warmness that has gone alongside this tragedy has been heartwarming and it reduced me to tears on several occasions as I watched the story unfold.

God Bless Manchester and its people.  Stand together and stand strong.

Oh, hecky pecky - it's 8 wonderful years for Julia and it is also time to sign up for ATC's.  I have been a bit "muxed up" these past three weeks and I am no better now.  Those of you who have seen me on a regular basis will know that my craft room is in complete disarray due to the room next door being redone - the bathroom.  A connecting door has meant that my craft room has now got to be gutted as well.

Today I went in after the guys had left and looking around I had a brainwave.  We should not have the bathroom put in but rather have an archway (large) in the wall shared with the craftroom.  Imagine that - how lovely it would be to have a large craftroom - and a window!

craftroom as is now - empty

bathroom - door blocked off to craftroom

bathroom - an actual window with light

Not to be, so my crafting area has to be on my knee or, as yesterday, in the garden on the patio playing catch up in my Dyary.  Fell asleep so only one page done - well partly done!

Yes £110 to have my rings made smaller

Today I am going to get my paints out, my roller and make a background and then work on the pieces I cut out for my atc's.  Not sure how many I will make but if you want to swap just let me know in the comments and I will make them until I run out.  Might be late commenting - I have a date with a roller and some paint!

Well, time to wrap this up - Congratulations Julia on eight wonderful years.  So nice to see some of the 'old faithfuls' still joining in on a regular basis and lovely to have new people joining in.  Now to see what Julia has to say and check up on those atc swaps.

221 Smiles from Annie - Joining in Today

Today I am once more joining Annie with her smiles.

I have been away this week exploring beaches that I have not been to before and paying a visit to an old friend who I haven't seen in simply ages.

Where am I?

This is a notice that was in the foyer of the Premier Inn that we stayed at.  This is a massive clue to tell you where we were.  It's all to do with a ship going aground and the local people rescuing a monkey.  You can read all about it here.

This was the view from our window - we overlooked the Marina and had this sunset on our first night.

During the day we looked out and saw the Trincomalee which is Britain's oldest historic fighting ship still afloat.  We didn't go aboard but are saving that for another time when the weather is not as good. Even though it has been sunny it has not been that warm.  There has been a cool breeze most of the time although yesterday was very warm if you got out of the wind.

Despite it being a bit chilly we saw three people practising in the Marina on Wednesday evening. Just what for I have not a clue - they got out onto dry land on the opposite side of the Marina.  Had we been there we may have found out.  Below is the boat and the last swimmer who did more lengths (if you can call them that) than the others.

(below) the three of them

Wednesday turned to rain and as we were heading to Seaton Carew I thought I saw a a horse on the pavement.  I did ...

and I snapped him on the way back

We did a tour of the beaches yesterday, once more to Seaton Carew to Blackhall Rocks and Seaham.  I loved Seaham with it's little harbour and pretty Marina full of boats.  Nice shops too!

Now, this morning it is time to say "bye" to Hartlepool (did you get it right?) and the lovely little Teddy Bear's Picnic which is on the counter of the Premier where we are staying.  We will be back - and to the Premier as well as we were delighted with the staff and the room and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone heading "up north".

"Bye" to my friend too

See you next time for a cuppa Dot!

Jeudi Journal - Travel

Today we set out on a journey around the world - well certain bits of it.  Today is just a general "travel" theme to set the scene.

Mine features a card in the centre which has been done with the Grid Technique.  One technique which I thoroughly enjoy doing but which, on occasions, does not turn out quite as expected.  I rather like this idea for my journal though.  

Around it I have scribbled a few of my random thoughts - I did get carried away with my last trip to Thailand and blogged a bit more about that than was absolutely necessary leaving lots of what I meant to say unsaid.  Still that is me!

Here is my Journal page for this week - where do we go to next week on the first leg of our journey?

Now to see what Wendy has done.

WOYWW 415

First of all may I extend a big welcome and the hand of friendship to my latest follower, Patricia. Nice to see you here, hope I can do justice to your joining my band of followers.  I did try to find your blog but unfortunately the links did not point me in that direction.

I hope some of you looked at my post on Friday of last week which I did for Annie's Smiles - I found those photos of me so amusing.

Week before last I showed you two of the three cards I had made. Here is the third - a birthday card for my journalling buddy, Wendy.

Craft-room-wise things have not changed - it will be a while before I can show you the craftroom which is going to look pretty much the same as the old one - apart from the door will be missing behind the tall cupboard on the left as you walk in.  A lot more stuff has gone but I am still keeping some things in my craftroom , on the worktop in boxes, so that if I feel like a bit of crafting I can get on with it. Providing I can find things that is.  Hopefully though the bathroom will be being started next week so things will go from chaotic to "chaoticer".

So my desk this week - well that has changed because I am in Hartlepool for a few days. I have gone up north to see my friend Dot.

Here it is:

Hope it has all I need

A Dyary tag page I have been colouring

and a flower page below

You can see Tracy Scott's new images at the top (pink) which she kindly allowed me to stamp and you will see that I now need to do the left hand side of both pages in my Dyary.  You would be surprised by what is underneath that open Dyary.

A box full of bits so I can do some doodling in my mini journal and my Dyary whilst I am on the move. Who wants to sit and watch tv in a hotel room when there are lots of good things one can do craftwise?

Let's hop over to see what our Julia is up to.

220 A Smile with Annie - Port Sunny - need to read 2nd Paragraph

I was tempted to blog these photographs earlier but thought I would be good and save them for a "smile" with Annie and her blog.  When I go to Port Sunlight (Port Sunny as it is affectionately known by most) I meet up with some friends who used to teach alongside me at Paddy's Stamping Store in Prestwich.  Well, this time dear thoughtful Lynne had been in touch with Paddy and persuaded her to go to the show.  So there were four of us there and Paddy herself.  

Before everyone started to split up and revisit the show I wanted a photo of all of us.  Handing my cell phone to Chris (Pearshaped Crafting) I went and stood behind the row of chairs that the others were sat on.

Helen, Paddy, Me stood up, Sarah, Lynn

Oh no, they wanted me to sit down.  And so began the slow laborious task of getting first one leg over the chairs and then the other.  For some reason Chris must have been taking photos, not realising, and this sequence had me in stitches when I saw it (Sarah too).  Look at the expressions on my face:

I think by the last photograph Helen had disappeared under the table.

Hope you enjoyed my silly facial expressions, a good job we don't always see ourselves as the camera does - which never lies - or does it!!

ps Just look at my eyes on the 7th photo down - I never knew they could pop our like that!

Jeudi Journal - A Landscape - THIS TIME

Well, everything that could thwart me thwarted me!  First of all my doctor's appointment got cancelled and I had to see someone else at 10.45 am not 3 pm as originally planned.  Then just as I was about to set off I noticed a message on my cell phone from Andy asking if he could sleep over again - four hours after the original message. Nothing I could do - if he was asleep I would waken him - oh heck! Felt like a failure mum!

Next thing I needed some cash out of the machine -  I cannot find my credit/debit cards anywhere. Massive look around - I obviously hid them well this time!

Off to docs, home to look for cards (journal had gone out of head by this time), then a phone call from Andy - could he come up?  Oops, the bed had been stripped and the bedding was on the line - it was dry so no hunting for another set.  Still no cards!!

So at long last I have done my journal page for "Landscape" and it is just what was in my head to do last week, just that I have done it late. Sorry ...

Here it is ...

A quickly brayered background in greens and blues, a bit of stencilling, some stamping and then some Dylusion figures.  The idea is that Miss Purrdy is painting a landscape (Stampscapes to us) with her stack of canvasses on the floor to the left and a portrait of her model/muse top left.  She much prefers portraits (especially Dyan ones) to landscapes.

Have already visited Wendy - and love her double spread.

Jeudi Journal - Landscape

You can be forgiven for not believing your eyes, or my title, and yes, you are right - this is not a landscape.  Remember last week I did not have time to do my 'fashion' page, well this week I threw in a little extra and did this.  The stripy bits down the side are cut pages so it will grow as time goes on. There is actually something beneath the flap to the left of the lady in red.  I almost called her "Audrey" as her outfit reminded me of Audrey Hepburn.  Something will appear on the inside of the flaps as time goes on, or as I get time to do something.

In the meantime I have had to think of what to do for Landscape. Obviously we refer to paper as "portrait" or "landscape" and I guess if we have the long side running across the top it is correct for a landscape but I really did not want to use my page in this way.

It might be a tad late but it will appear - honestly!

WOYWW 414

Morning - and what a lovely morning it is - much better than last Wednesday when I was full of doom and gloom.  Procedure over, another in 14 weeks though (UGH) but let's put that to bed for now.

Had to show you this first of all.  It was packed away in a box and is the first (one and only actually) Friendly Plastic Mask I made.  This was under the guidance of Liz Welch at a workshop in Oswaldtwistle (Topaz as was - Dawn Bibby's original shop) and little did I know then that Liz would become one of my greatest friends.  I am going to have a go at making another before my FP turns to 'snappers'.  You should see some of the masks Liz has made - she is one uber talented lady and the best thing is, she is pure sunshine inside and out.

Went to Port Sunlight on Saturday and met up with Shaz who introduced me to Sarah.  Unfortunately I missed Cara but here we are at lunchtime.

Sarah (purple top), me (grey top) and Shaz (black top)

If anyone wants a laugh join me on Friday with some more photos (I cried laughing when I saw them) of me trying to get a photo of Paddy's Tutors.  That is Paddy to my right with the long hair, Lynne is next to her and Sarah and Helen are counting money with Chris (Pearshaped Crafting) who was the photographer for Fridays photos.  Not a clue what she did but the photos are so funny.

The craft room is progressively getting emptied and all the other rooms are progressively getting messed up.  Sunday evening saw the alarm having a bit of a silly do and making funny noises when we activated it.  Then Monday it was fine.  Not wanting to chance things I rang the alarm company and arranged for them to call either late Monday or Tuesday.

A trip to the anti-coag clinic - two telephone calls on each mobile - the alarm was going off.  Luckily we were on our way out of the clinic when the phone rang so we hastily made our way home and decided to stay there rather than go anywhere.  What has this to do with crafting?  Well, nothing really but it sent me into a frantic plea for the house to have a "bit of a clean" before the alarm people came - not easy when boxes are piled everywhere.  

Like this

  

Behind main door

(towels on the floor to protect it)

His Study
(his desk emptied for me to work on)

Utility Room

Back Porch

Still Back Porch - to side

Got lots to empty yet from the craftroom - woe is me - where will it all go?  The only thing I did not take a photo of is what is remaining to be moved and the spare room window sill (where we will end up sleeping).

Doing this Tuesday evening as I have just had a phone call from one son who is on nights this week. His neighbours are having some work done and he cannot sleep during the day at home so he wants to come here tomorrow for a day of sleep.  Just had to make room for him in the spare and make the bed up.  What are mum's for?

Off to bed now, up early in the morning for one 6'5" son - and WOYWW of course.  See you at Julia's in the morning.

219 - A Smile with Annie

Lots to smile about today - procedure over and done with - end of!!  

Whilst waiting to go to Theatre I did a bit of doodling on my newly started Mini Journal so, armed with a white pen and a black pen, the latter of which did not work, I did the doodling. I had gone to a Mini Journalling class with Kate Crane at weekend and although we did not do the work in our journals we did the technique of covering a page and cutting it up into smaller pieces and then doing something on them.

Well, I put my knowledge (ahem!) to work and began painting, brayering and stencilling on some of my pages on Wednesday to while away the time.  

Last night, because I did not want to sit much I did a little bit of stamping on some of the pages with my tiny background stamps used for just that purpose.  This morning I stuck some of my already coloured images (another Wednesday night thing) on to a couple of the pages and came up with some writing for them.

Here they are although the colours are much stronger in real life. Hope they make you smile:

a Stampotique Image - with and without the bunches

The one on the left is a Tracy Scott image for Stampotique and he really is called George.  I am not referring to my dear friend, twin George.

Now is the time to pop along to see Annie and have a smile at her lovely flower pictures - a riot of colour in her lovely garden.  Drop in on the others too - I have that treat yet to come.

Jeudi Journal - Fashion

Yesterday came around too quickly and I was not prepared for my journal at all.  I had such high hopes of a decent journal page but then there was not the time.

Luckily I had this page almost finished so with a bit of white pen, a few words and an apology, here is my Fashion page.  You see yesterday (or today as I write) I have had to get myself ready for a visit to the hospital for a procedure which I am not at all looking forward to.  Suffice to say I have been on a low residue diet for a week - alien to all that I eat normally - I long for a nice crisp salad - in fact as I am writing this I long for anything.  Nothing to eat since 9 am this morning (Wednesday) until a slice of toast, when it is all over, tomorrow lunchtime.

In next to no time I have to begin drinking this absolutely awful stuff in order to have my procedure, tomorrow, Thursday.  My evening will be taken care of ...

So here it is - my Fashion page with apologies to Phillip Treacy and all the other milliners around

WOYWW 413

You don't want to see my craft room?  No, you don't, not really.  It is almost empty now.  But where am I going to put the remaining things?

Got a procedure on Thursday morning so decided to have a rest Tuesday afternoon and all day, today, Wednesday so I won't be too 'cream crackered' and therefore liable to infection or something.  Had a few cards to make so set myself down with the Heartfelt Creations dies and stamps and made three cards.  One I cannot show you as it is a birthday card for Saturday and she does peek on here but the other two can be shown.

This is a "Thinking of You" card for a friend.

and a "Thank You" card for my Physio who moves to the District 

on the 8th

I was so tired when I was making these, enjoyed the colouring in with my lovely Watercolour Pens from my dear friend Mary in America but not so sure about the flower making.

OK so you came here to see a desk - well you did ask politely so here goes:

Still stuff hanging about but look at the floor area - clear!

My empty cupboard

Just has 'essentials in use' on shelves

Other cupboard still stuff to move - black drawers have now gone

That's it folks, too tired to bother with anything else - got to have my bacon and egg breakfast - last meal for over 24 hours!  Tsk!  Go and see Julia and visit some others with nice things on desks. Please.