***HAPPY EASTER***

Here's wishing all of my followers and visitors a very Happy Easter. Have a Super Sabbath and enjoy the festivities that it brings.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY*** PRINCESS

It's my youngest grandchild's birthday today. Little Miss Ashley is 6!

Like most little 6 year old girls, she loves the colour pink and all things that sparkle! *Ü* She will be getting an ipod from mummy and daddy, so Keeley requested that we bought her an itunes card so she can buy games and music.

I didn't want to give her just an envelope with the card in, so I made a 'cupcake' to disguise it to make it more fun and presentable with lots of layers of ruffled ribbons.  It did take a while to make and hot glue guns produce HOT glue! Ouch! LOL.

 When the 'cherry' is lifted, the card slides out...

 Reverse view...

I got the idea from a YouTube video at PaperArtsy here. I think she will like it! *Ü*

Have a wonderful day peeps and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Spa Day!

Hello peeps. I have been recovering from 'trainitis'! *Ü* My Mother's Day treat was just fab - spending time with my eldest daughter Lisa. It required me to travel to her home where I stayed overnight. I first diverted my train journey to visit my mum in a nursing home. The station ticket officer printed me travel directions which meant I had to change 3 times on the train as there isn't a direct route! By the time I arrived at Victoria, one station master suggested that I got the direct train to my destination, however, he didn't tell me that I would be going on a route half way around the south of England! LOL.
I did get to spend an hour and half with my mum before another journey to my daughter's which involved a change along the way with a half hour wait for 1 train! Phew! Carrying my little case was a chore - up the stairs - over the bridge, down the stairs and onto the platform - at least 4 times!

Lisa met me at the station and as she doesn't have the car during the week, we walked to her home - another half hour joined en route by eldest granddaughter! Needless to say, by the time we arrived, I was quite in need of a rest. After saying hello to the rest of the family, Lisa and I went out for a meal - the 1st part of my Mother's Day treat. I chose an Italian restaurant, where we had a fun evening, catching up with the goss! *Ü*

It was a late night for us but I managed to stay awake and enjoy the evening.

Next morning, we were up early and started our trip to Center Parcs in Longleat - chauffeur driven by my son-in-law...into the deep, deep forest! *Ü* I love this topiary collection of letters and forest animals.

...enter into a different world...

The rest of the day was soo worth the car and train rides. Pure bliss. So many different rooms and treatments to enjoy. There were water beds to relax on, steam rooms, where there were many different aromas. A jacuzzi pool, sensory rooms and saunas. Lunch was included, as was 2 drinks and a cake!

...1st stop...resting on a water bed...

...a sensory room with a circular white leather seating area...

 ...and finishing off with another treat...hot chocolate with a 'twist' on a choc au pain croissant! *Ü*

I was thoroughly spoiled by my daughter and I appreciated every minute of my day....before embarking on my train journey home!

I hope all you mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day. *Ü* Check in soon for a post and photos of The Osmond concert.

Mum's the word!

Hello bloggers. I am gradually coming out of hibernation and as the sun was shining today, it makes all the difference to my well being...but WOW...the rain fell and the wind howled in the past few days. Hopefully, that is all behind us - for a while anyway.

The headlines on a newspaper a couple of weeks ago mentioned there being a record high of 81F temperature - here - in England - in March! It's gonna have to get a move on if it reaches that high in the next 3 weeks. Bring it on. *Ü*

My eldest daughter has booked us in for a Mother's Day Spa Day treatment at Center Parcs - Longleat for next Saturday which I am soo looking forward to! I am so excited. I don't get to spend enough time with her as she works full time. It will be a lovely relaxing mummy/daughter time. *Ü* I shall post photos after the event but check this out for a real treat!

I thought I would share a couple of cards that I made with papers that I bought at a craft show recently.
I used fonts from my pc for the sentiments.

Thanks so much for looking and to those of you who leave me lovely comments. I appreciate them all.
Have a good week.

Lucky me!

On Tuesday of this week, I got to spend the morning with Amanda at all-kindsofwonderful as we live within 10 minutes walk of eachother. It was a fun time and we chatted, did some die cutting and chatted some more! *Ü* As I don't own a die cutting machine of any sort, Amanda was very kind to share her CuttleBug and demonstrated her Silhouette with me and I am now sold on the Silhouette, so I shall be on the lookout for one! *Ü*

It was lovely to see some of Amanda's projects in real life and share her talents and I was very lucky to receive this pretty little tea bag holder pouch that she made for me. *Ü*

Cute eh?! *Ü*

I drink herb tea and the pouch will come in very handy to carry tea bags with me when I travel.

Thank you Amanda and I hope it won't be too long before we share another craft day together. *Ü*

Housey, Housey!

Today, we have lived in our house for 24 years! Wow! That is such a long time. I love my house and everything about it - the style, the space and the location. *Ü* I have been reminscing about all of the memories I have here. All of the Christmases we have spent, all of the summers in the garden, all of the family and friends we have shared a meal with. I wouldn't like to count how many Cadbury hot chocolates or biscuits I have had...nor cakes and desserts. Eeek! Aahh...but the joy and delights of them all.

Our 3 daughters spent their childhood/youth here. All 6 of our grandchildren only know this house of ours. We fostered 5 children total and housed umpteen students as well as give a home to missionaries from our church whilst they have served a mission in this area.

Two of our pets are buried in the garden - our Birman cat and Doberman dog. I have held crops and taught scrapbooking classes here, held numerous parties and BBQs, Karaoke evenings and church meetings.

I have enjoyed learning how to use a computer and then spending time online with family and friends as well as making new friends throughout the world through the love of my hobbies.  There has been laughter, tears and pain shared in my home. It is my heaven on earth and I am so happy to live where I do.

There is no place like home!

Good buys!

The Craft and Hobby show that is usually held in Birmingham and Glasgow has a new venue at Bluewater in Kent and I decided to visit to see what is would be like in comparison. There were a few teething problems - I don't believe the lifts were used to carrying so many people in one go! *Ü*

As it was new to the area, there weren't a lot of people that turned up on the first day of the show! However,
that did make for more comfortable shopping.

Here is what I bought...
on the £1 stand were different chipboard word albums...I bought a few 'Family' ones and one each of the other 3 as well as 4 chipboard tags.

 Various 6x6 scrapbook pads...3 at £6 each and 1 at £6.99

 More from the £1 stand...clear stamps and what I thought were stamps, are embossing plates.

 A Martha Stewart punch for £10, Claudine Hellmuth medium and 2 little papier mache books - one fits into the other.

 ...and some pearlised card and black cards with envelopes - for £2 each.

There were other £1 items that I bought that were bargains too. How do they do it?

So I had a really enjoyable day and am looking forward to going back in September. See you there. *Ü*