On the road

We are off to Southport tomorrow for a few days. We usually go once a year, this time we are meeting my parents up there, Mum hasn't been there before so it should be a nice little break for her. Then on Saturday Charlotte and I are going back with them to stay at there's for about 10 days. I'm looking forward to catching up with family and friends and have several days out planned. We are off to Great Yarmouth, hopefully punting in Cambridge with friends, visiting the Salvanian Families shop, going to a local lavender farm that Sue Deacon recommended. Dad is then bringing us back to get ready for our holiday to Croatia, although if you ask Charlotte what she is looking forward to the most she will say Southport, all she wants to do is go on the carousel!!!. Oh to be 6 years old!!

Whilst we are away our bedroom is being decorated so as well as packing for 2 weeks I've had to pack all my craft stuff away (mainly it's all stacked up in Charlotte's room). We have been in our house 8 years in November and is the only room not to have been decorated (some other rooms have been decorated several times since). It is a large room with loads of dark wood, awkward angles and I have hated how it makes the room dark and depressing for ages. We have decided to paint it white so it should lighten the room up no end. I'm so looking forward to seeing the end results. As it's a large job we have got a decorator in that Les knows to do it. So here is the before shot and then I will post the after shot when I return home.

Last week I signed up for Shimelle's new class Explore, I haven't really managed to get started with it. I have some good ideas but just need a few more hours in a day.  I did manage to complete the sketch on Friday though just need to add some journalling under the flowers. I love Shimelle's work and I find her so inspiring, I was clearing some of my old Scrapbook Inspiration magazines out and tore out loads of her layouts and sketches which I plan to scrap lift. I really miss that mag and in my opinion it was the best.

We have just recently joined the National Trust and plan to see as many as places we can in a year.  Last Sunday the weather was lovely so we went over to Droitwich to Hanbury Hall, it's absolutely stunning and well worth a look even if you aren't a member.  The gardens were amazing and so well cared for.

Righto I'm off to the shops for garlic bread cos we can't possibly have pasta without it!!!. lol.

Take care all.

Cx

Don't faint.....

Your eyes do not deceive you!!! Twice in one week that's pretty good for me. This week has been very busy and I promised that I would share with you the crown I made for Charlotte's themed morning on Thursday. She looked absolutely gorgeous and seemed to be enjoying herself, we had a few tears at school but she done well. As normal if it is out of the routine she panics and doesn't know how to respond, to give her her due she seems to be getting better at it.

Here she is, such a darling and I know I'm biased.

On Thursday we received Charlotte's school report. We are so pleased with her progress she has made in all subjects, she really does seem to enjoy school, let's hope it stays that way for the future.

I even managed some Scrapbooking this week, I decided to set aside a morning so I could sit down and craft. I really enjoyed it, and even managed to keep the mess and stash to a minimum and cleared away as I went along. I had seen this sketch on Kirsty Wiseman's blog last week and loved it. I had just got some photo's developed and they were perfect for the sketch.

Yesterday was an Inset day at school so we decided to go out for the day. We hadn't been to Oxford for a while so we caught an early train to make the most of the day. We bought lunch in the indoor market and walked down to the river to sit and rest our weary legs. We watched people trying to punt along the river some really didn't have much of an idea and then others looked like pro's at it. Charlotte and I love milkshakes and very often share one when we are out, we came across Moo Moo's which I think my Sister in law has told me about. I have never come across so many flavours before Charlotte chose the Cadbury's caramel and it was very moorish the little bit I had of it!!. It was a very long day but really enjoyable, hence today has been spent chilling out.

Have a lovely weekend.

Cx

Yeah I know, where have I been again?

I'm hopeless at the moment,I don't seem to be in the mood to create anything much at the moment, although I am enjoying taking pictures. I think this time of the year life is really busy especially working at the school as well as all the other things that come with having a 6 year old. Last week was a busy week with a Birthday party, sports day, meetings, and having friends round.

So Sports Day at Charlotte's school went really well, and the weather behaved itself, only one heavy shower. I managed to divide my time helping out serving tea and coffee and watching Charlotte in her races. She done well and tried hard, not sure whether sport is really her 'thing' but she joined in and had a go, which is what it's all about.

I mentioned we had friends round at the weekend. Well we always eat out as it's so much more enjoyable, we went to a local hotel and had a fantastic buffet and the desserts were to die for. The grounds were fantastic with old trees, colourful shrubs, and loads of things for the kids to do. It was so lovely siting in the sun sipping a cold drink, what a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? The best thing is that it's 5 minutes down the road from us, so we don't need to drive.

As I say I have been enjoying taking pictures. I took some photos of Charlotte one evening in the garden, she had just had her hair washed and it looked so beautiful.

Not much creating has been going on at all, I want to and have the best intentions but somehow it just doesn't materialise into anything, shame really as I am happiest when I'm creating. Although I don't think it has helped people visiting the house I've wanted to keep it as tidy as possible and having my craft stuff in pretty much every room of the house (apart from the bathroom) doesn't help. I just wished we had a spare room that I could store everything in it would be so nice, still I have to be grateful for what I have.

So what else, I'm still running, definitely got the bug and am going every morning and still enjoying it, I've increased the route. I did invest in some new running trainers at the weekend, what a difference it makes, it's like running on air now.

We are going into school on Thursday to see Charlotte's work, there topic has been castles and have worked really hard. We had to go and get a dressing up dress for Charlotte as they are allowed to go as Queens and Kings. Most of yesterday was spent making a crown, very pleased with it I am to, obviously pictures to follow with that.

Right enough of me waffling on, if you have made it this far thank you.

Take care.
Cx