Starting Point

This week Shimelle has created a layout using some starting points which has really helped me to kick start my scrapbooking mojo. I have just recently purchased the new Dear Lizzy Neapolitan range, which is just so pretty. I decided to dive in and use the papers straight away rather than just hording them and hanging onto them because they are just too pretty to cut into!.  I'm trying to use papers as I buy them now, after all that's why I bought them, right? 

So here is my layout, for once I have used a photo of me from Croatia.




















Oh boy I wish I could feel that sun on my back right now, instead of this depressing grey skies. Make sure you check out some of the other super talented ladies with there layouts over at Shimelle's blog.

Have a lovely weekend all, I'll be back soon to show off my finished ripple blanket.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cx

Crazy time

Another week which seemed to go by in a flash. Either the weeks are getting shorter or I'm getting older!!. Another busy week with Les away in Dubai, and Mum and Dad up to keep me company.  We had World Book Day last Thursday and I had been asking Charlotte what she wanted to go as.  She decided on late Sunday afternoon that she was going as Janet from the Secret Seven.  So we looked through the books to see what Janet wore.  A skirt, knitted cardigan, long socks or tights and a piece of ribbon in her hair.  Charlotte really isn't a girlie girl and doesn't own a skirt (other than a school one) or a cardigan especially not knitted.  Mum said she thought she could knit a cardigan in time for Thursday morning, so Monday morning we got some wool, knitting needles and a pattern and she set about making a cardi.  Right the skirt, do you think I could find one which would look appropriate for the era.  Thankfully Tescos had a navy needle cord one which wouldn't look out of place.  Doesn't she look good?, Mum really did work her magic fingers on that cardigan (thanks Mum).  I really admire Charlotte as most of her friends were going as fairy's or princesses and she was determinded to be different.

Les came home on Friday evening shattered and with a hacking cough and feeling dreadful. I just thought it was a cold and jet leg kicking in. He woke yesterday morning feeling really rough, and to be honest he didn't look great. I went to the chemist (as there was no answer at the Dr's surgery) to see if there was a doctor on call as I really didn't think that he could wait until Monday morning, I hate to think what state he would have been in. They told me that our surgery was open, so I ran there and asked if he could see a doctor, apparently there were no doctors on. She gave me an out of hours number to call so I came back and called it, they were good and within a few minutes a local nurse called me back and asked what his symptoms were, she could hear him coughing and said it didn't sound very good. She booked him in to see the on call doctor at the local hospital. It turns out that he has a chest infection (which I suspected), and it really has knocked him out. So yesterday was spent running around, but I'm so relieved that he has some antibotics and hopefully they will kick in quickly.  I really wanted to do something constructive so I set about making some cakes with a little help from the little lady.  They look great, but they taste even better!!.

So today I've done the supermarket shop (which I hate) and then Charlotte wanted to do a 'She Art' girl, I got the box out and I knew I was in for a messy afternoon.  It was worth it as it kept her quiet for a while and she is never happier than when she has paints and glue at the ready.  This is what we created, I'm surprised I managed to create anything as it seemed like all I was doing was washing out the brushes all the time!!.

I have managed to do quite a bit on my ripple blanket, which is growing rapidly.  My Smash book is great too and I'm treating it as a bit of a diary, so all in all I've been really crafty.  I'm hoping this week I will be able to do a layout or two.

Thanks for stopping by.
Cx

New York

Phew last week went by at such a fast pace. We dropped Charlotte off at my Mum and Dad's on the Sunday and then Les and I headed off to the Premier Inn at Heathrow.  Our flight on the Monday was at 09.40 which went according to plan, we boarded on time and then sat and waited and waited.  The Captain made an announcement that there was a problem with one of the engines (if I wasn't nervous enough) and that he wanted to test it, but needed everyone off the plane so they could move the plane away from the hub.  We wandered around the terminal and fell across a Cath Kidston shop, so naturally I went and consoled myself in there for a while!! ;)  This really wasn't the best start and we had a fairly hectic schedule when we arrived at New York, we planned to get the tour bus on the Monday afternoon, but as time went on we knew that this may not be possible.  We eventually flew out 12.45.  Once there we shared a shuttle cab (which seemed to take forever) to the hotel, we dumped our luggage and went for a wander around.  We seemed to be in prime position as The Rockerfeller Centre was just a 5 minute walk away.  I started snapping away with my camera, and started hitting the shops.

We didn't venture onto the ice rink, but stood and watched people trying to skate!!.

Tuesday we were up with the lark and headed over to Times Square, although nothing really opened until 10am so we went for a Starbucks and took in the bright lights.  I loved Times Square, so loud and busy, such a tourist trap.  I went into the M&M shop oh gosh I could have bought one of everything in there.

We then walked to Macy's to buy some Levi's for my Dad and Brother, this shop is huge and I got lost and gave up looking for the woman's wear floor!! ;).  Then moved onto The Empire State building, and then we walked the length of Fifth Avenue.  Found several shops including Build-a-bear (I took Charlotte's bear's pawsport to get stamped), Barnes and Noble the book shop and of course Tiffany's!.  Les treated me to a silver necklace for my Birthday which was so exciting.  We walked to Central Park for a cuppa and then walked back to our Hotel for a rest, before going out to collect our tickets for Mary Poppins in the evening.  What a day and we were exhausted by the end of it, but very happy.

Wednesday morning I left Les is bed as he was suffering from a migraine, so I went out for breakfast and went out with my flexible friend (credit card) and hit the shops, I had a great time and feel across the shop Anthropology, wow what a shop it sells clothes with a vintage feel plus stationery and home ware goods.  I must of been wandering around for an hour in this shop, I loved it.  It was a shame Les was poorly as we had booked to go to the 911 Memorial at 11am but there was no way that Les could have gone.  By the afternoon he was feeling brighter so we grabbed a cab to the Statue of Liberty and got the boat over to see it.

Lower and Mid Manhattan

Les took a picture of me with my Lego State of Liberty, with the real Lady behind.

By Thursday we had our last look around before heading back to the airport. Crazily busy time but we enjoyed it all the same.

If you have made it this far, thanks for bearing with me.
Cx

I'm back....

From New York, very tired as we had an evening flight home and only slept for an hour or so, oh and the joy of jet lag! We have had the best time ever but I have missed Charlotte but the welcome from her this morning was lovely. We are staying at Mum's tonight as tomorrow is my Birthday and are going out for a meal with the family, before heading back home.

Will post some photos when I get back home.

Cx

10 Things on the 10th

So here is just a small selection of some of my favourite Hard Rock Cafe pins that I have collected over the years.

1. My first ever pin from Barcelona, back in the 90's. (Sorry about the picture quality bad light today).

2.My Brother bought me this one in New York, when he went a few years ago, I hope to be able to buy   myself one next week!!

3. Les took me to Rome and Florence for my 30th (a few years ago now).

4. Les bought me this one from Singapore, I have several from Singapore including the one I got back in 2001, but this one is my favourite.

5. Les and I attended a trade show in Amsterdam and drove across this bridge (which is the longest bridge in Europe) to Copenhagen.

6.  Not sure what happened to this photo, but again another one Les brought back from Kuala Lumpur.

7. Les and I travelled around Florida for 2 weeks in 2003 and picked up this one in Key West.

8. Would love to go to Las Vegas, one day we plan to renew our wedding vows in the Little White Chapel. 

9.  Another pin picked up on our Florida trip but this time in Orlando at a Hard Rock Vault which you don't see very often.

10. Lastly Jakarta, another Les purchase.

Why don't you check out what other peoples 10 Things are on the 10th. Check it out here

So as we are talking of travels I am busy packing for our trip to New York on Monday, I really can't wait I'm so excited.  I will catch up with you when I return in just over a week with I guess one or two photos!!.

Keep warm everyone.
Cx

P.S My blanket is growing!!

I'm hooked

Oh gosh I'm just loving crochet (I can hear my husband groan and saying, not another hobby).  Over the last week I have been practising and fell across this blog this lady is amazing and her instructions are just so clear that even a beginner like me can understand it.  I have admired the ripple blanket but didn't think I would be able to do it as it would be too complicated.  I was desperate for some wool so we went to Solihull on Saturday and I picked up some really lovely Sirdar Snuggly in John Lewis, and started on this.

Every spare time I'm crocheting!!

So I'm trying to get everything sorted and organised for our trip to New York next week (I'm just a little bit excited!). Bless her Charlotte has got all her clothes ready and her wash bag sorted for Nanny's, I really hope my parents are prepared for a fun packed week with her, I hope they are resting up this week!!!!  I am going to miss my girly so much, but I know that she will be safe and quite happy bossy my parents around.  I think she is hoping for snow so she can have a snow ball fight with Grandad.

I have bought myself an Amy Tangerine travel journal which are really quite different and I'm looking forward to sorting that out when I get back home with lots of ticket stubs, maps, photos and memorabilia.  We have booked tickets for the 911 Memorial as apparently you need to pre-book a time to visit.

Right I'm running out of time again.  Thanks again for popping by, your comments really do brighten my day.

Cx

P.S I will be back on Friday for 10 things on the 10th (hopefully)

A new love

When I've been blog hopping I've seen so many scrapbookers crocheting. I've looked over there creations especially blankets and felt really envious, I wanted to do it.  I tried crocheting about 8 years ago when I lived in Hastings but couldn't seem to get the hang of it.  So when Mum was up over the weekend I asked her to show me.  I don't know about you, but I'm not very good when it comes to reading through instructions, I'm better being shown and learning as I go.  So we went to the Country Park and picked up a cheap ball of wall and a crochet hook.  Within a couple of hours I had created a granny square.

So over the past few days I've been practising and I'm now ready to have a go at a Granny blanket.  I've even taught myself to cast on another colour.  I'm so pleased with myself but obviously I couldn't of done it without Mum, I've achieved one of my resolutions already for this year, so I'm well chuffed.

Since the new term has started Charlotte has been complaining that her eyes hurt her, so I made an appointment to get her eyes tested.  It turns out that she is long sighted and needed a little pair of specs.  She chose which frames she wanted and seemed to embrace the new changes.

Doesn't she look sweet?

Be back soon.
Cx