Fiona's Flotsam

Brrr it's cold

2012-02-12T15:00:00.002Z

Well the weather has turned decidedly chilly in February, although we have not had any of the snow that other parts of the country have had. So I thought I had better knit myself a hat (just in case). I also knitted a cowl to keep my neck warm, the cowl still needs to be blocked I think. I used New Lanark Double Knitting.

The February ATC challenge was to use some fibre of some sort - so I used some of my fibres to make a needle felted heart. I do like needle felting so must try and do some more. Have never yet tried wet felting but you never know...

Not sure about this one

2012-02-02T22:15:00.000Z

This is my offering for Week 4 of Doodles Unleashed and I am really not too sure about this one at all. It is the first time I have tried to do a face of any kind and I think maybe I need a lot more practice. I think mine looks more like Medusa than girlie glam - but never mind. I have had great fun doing this course and would certainly like to explore more of these techniques - so watch this space.

Over at HeART&Soul we are having an ATC swap running throughout the year. These are the two ATCs I have made for it so far, December and January. Each month there is to a technique, for December it was masking and for January it was bling.

Pass the book

2012-01-27T18:57:00.000Z

The book Art Saves from a previous post will now be on its way to Jo.C - so Jo if you could email me your address at fionak445@gmail.com then I will get it off to you.

52 Playdates Wk3

2012-01-24T22:14:00.000Z

I did this page as part of the 52 Playdates week 3. The background was painted using various stencils and acrylic paints. Then I added parts of paper napkins using gel medium, more paint in parts and added some words. I really like the effect this has, so will be out looking for more paper napkins/tissues with nice photos on them.

I will announce who is getting the book Art Saves next on Friday, so if you want to be in the draw leave a comment on the previous post before then.

Pass the Book - Art Saves

2012-01-20T14:33:00.000Z

As part of Sian's Pass the Book Year One I was lucky enough to receive this book - Art Saves - and I am now ready to pass it on. It is a really interesting book with lots of stories and inspiration from a number of different artists. If you would like to read this book and then pass it on to someone else through your blog leave me a comment and after about a week I will choose someone and send them the book. You can find the details for this in the link above.

Other news this week - was that my eldest son John has got an unconditional offer from St Andrew's University to study Theology starting in September this year. He is one happy boy, but I think enthusiasm for the rest of 6th year has just diminished.

One Line A Day

2012-01-17T21:22:00.001Z

I have recently subscribed to Ali Edwards weekly newsletter and in week one was the suggestion to use this book - One Line A Day to record something about that day. I really liked this idea and as the book was on Amazon and the price was OK I bought it! There is a page for each day and each page is divided into five different parts for 5 years. So when the book is complete you will be able to see what you wrote on a certain day for each of the five years. There is only about 5 lines for each day, so it should not take too long to do - in fact some days it might be more of a problem condensing what I want to write.

Doodles Unleashed Wk 2

2012-01-12T21:18:00.000Z

This weeks project at Doodles Unleashed over at Strathmore Artists Online was using watercolours. I used a couple of different colours of watercolour paints and different sizes of brushes and just made marks freely. I then stamped an image a couple of times, then used a flower as a stencil, spritzed with Glimmer Mists, then more doodling on the top. We were supposed to use a really large sheet of paper but this was the largest I had, so I used it. It was good fun - not as vibrant as last weeks but still enjoyable.

For January's Handmade Item over at thefeltfairyuk I have crocheted another table mat. I did last year and had some cotton left so have made another one in slightly different colours. It uses various cotton wools.

Doodles Unleashed Wk 1

2012-01-08T21:44:00.001Z

Traci Bautista over at Strathmore Artists is holding a FREE workshop called Doodles Unleashed over the next four weeks. Well as it was free I just had to sign up for it, didn't I? I have just managed to finish week 1 project in time for week 2 going up tomorrow.

This is my first attempt at this sort of mixed media style and while I found it fun, I think I did find it a bit difficult to just 'let go' and probably tried to follow the video a bit too closely. I think I shall probably try another one and see what happens.

First I used some glimmer mists over various things for stencils and then added lots of acrylic paints, a bit of a colour wash, then some layers of oil pastels, some ink and then used some markers. Not sure if it is too busy or not.

Be Alive

2012-01-08T15:59:00.000Z

I did this for week 1 of 52 Playdates over at Jan Fox and it is something different for me. The photo and the word Alive are cut out of magazines. Then I used pastels and some gesso for the backgrounds. It was great fun to do.

Some Christmas Gifts and Knitted Socks

2012-01-05T21:56:00.001Z

I thought I would share with you some of the presents I got for Christmas.Both husband and eldest son got a Kindle in the summer last year and have really liked it - so I fancied getting one too. So far I think it is great and have downloaded lots of free books! Now to find the time to actually read them!

My sister knitted this lovely scarf for me.

I am going to be busy knitting something with this lovely coloured Noro wool.

I also got a set of Promarker pens which I am keen to try out.

Over the holidays I managed to finish this pair of socks for myself, knitted with some sock wool bought in Germany.

One Little Word 2012

2012-01-01T19:32:00.000Z

Well after much deliberation and much hilarity in our household I have come to a decision about my word for 2012. Although why it is so much easier to choose words for other people in the house I am not sure.

Anyway my word for 2012 is BE

as in Be still, Be content, Be creative.

There are some part of my life at the moment that are not what I would choose yet I have no real control over them, so instead of worrying and fretting I am going to BE content in whatever situation I find myself in. I hope to be able to put more trust in God and to be still and hear what He is saying to me in my life. There are also lots of different ways in which I would like to BE creative this year and some of them start today, as mentioned in a previous post - so watch this space.

Have you decided what your word for the year is going to be?

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:00:00.001Z

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. May you know God's blessing in your life in 2012.

One little word review

2011-12-30T19:30:00.000Z

Well it is that time of year when you get reflective and look back on the year. My word for 2011 was ACHIEVE and I thought I would check back to what I had hoped to Achieve back in January and see how I did.
So from my post in January:

The first thing has to be my degree - I should finish my last module in June of this year. Yes I achieved this and finished my degree - graduation ceremony is scheduled for April.
Next I want to achieve a weight loss - I am deliberately not specifying how much, but I do need to lose some and feel more healthy. - had some success and have lost half a stone, still some more to go
Tied in with that one I want to achieve a better fitness level - the gym didn't work out for me, so am going to try walking more and using the Wii Fit. - oops not so good with this one, maybe I am just not an exercise person!!!
Craft wise - I know I will not achieve much scrapbooking until my degree is finished so am not going to stress. - have not stressed, but have been so laid back I have not actually done any scrapbooking yet, but there is always 2012.
I would like to achieve at least one crocheted item this year and to continue with my knitting and felting. - done better with this one, have crocheted several items and also knitted a couple of things as well.
Faithwise - I have started doing the E100 reading list and I want to achieve the completion of this. - managed to complete this as well.

Well I don't think I did too badly this year. Now my word for next year is.....

haven't actually decided on one yet -watch this space.

If you chose a word how did you do and have you chosen one for 2012?

All Ready

2011-12-25T00:02:00.000Z

It has been a busy couple of days getting ready but now the house is clean (well cleaner), food has been bought, cakes made - we are now ready for Christmas Day.

It is handy having a tall son when there is cleaning to be done.

We did some baking today

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

Projects for 2012

2011-12-22T19:03:00.001Z

It's that time of year again when lots of new projects are being started, or about to start, and of course I get enthusiastic and sign up for lots of them - well New Year is all about good intentions isn't it.

So far I have found two. The first is JanFox Designed 52 playdates - an art journalling one.

The second is Creative Colour Challenge over at Louise Gale's blog. Every month a colour challenge will be posted.

I am sure I will find a few more. What projects have you found or have signed up for.

Off to the ball

2011-12-20T22:16:00.000Z

Eldest son is off out to the 6th Year Snowball tonight. I can't quite believe that he is in his final year at the Academy.

Christmas Canvas

2011-12-19T18:37:00.000Z

I haven't managed to do any real crafting this Christmas - had plans for JYC, but heavy colds and sinusitis got in the way and I have not really felt like doing much. I did however manage this canvas. I had bought the material with great intentions (as usual) and ended up glueing it onto paper on a canvas and adding some embellishments. The title is die cut and then gone over with diamond glaze to give it some depth.

I do like surprises and this week we got a lovely surprise - some good friends sent us these lovely flowers.

Pause in Advent No 4

2011-12-18T15:48:00.000Z

Today is the last Sunday in Advent, next week is Christmas Day itself. Our Advent Box today at church contained a Wise Man and a Shepherd from our Nativity Set - to remind us that Jesus came for all people everywhere and also for the outcast and the lonely. The wise men came from the East and the shepherds were outcasts in their day, yet both were present to see the Son of God come to dwell with us. Who are the outcasts in our society today - remember that Jesus came for them too.

Also at church today we did a version of Deal or No Deal - the TV show where contestants chose boxes which contain prizes. In our version each contestant chose a box number then before opening it they were offered another prize - they had chose either what they could see or what was in their box. The prize they were offered was always better than what was in the box. The point of this being that God will always offer us something better than we can find elsewhere. His deals are always better than those of the world - especially at this special time of the year we should remind ourselves that the baby in the manger is the best gift of all.

Jesus Is The Point

2011-12-13T18:20:00.000Z

Another great offering from youtube.

A Pause in Advent - 3

2011-12-11T14:12:00.000Z

Today's Advent Box contained a kaleidoscope! One of the lovely old-fashioned tin kaleidoscopes - which are actually very hard to find today in the toy shops. When you look through a kaleidoscope you see many different coloured patterns which are changing, you can't really describe them to other people, they have to come and see them for themselves. So it was for the shepherds out in the fields that first Christmas. Yes the angels visited them and told them all about what wonderful thing had happened, but they had to go and see for themselves. They had to go and visit the stable and see the baby Jesus for themselves. And so it is for us too today. We can listen to other people tell us of the marvels and wonders of God and of his love for us, but we really need to see him ourselves. So this Christmas find time to kneel in wonder at the manger for yourself, to reflect on what the coming of Emmanuel - Christ with us - really means for your life.

A Pause in Advent 2

2011-12-04T16:09:00.000Z

Today's Advent Box in Church contained a surprise - a chocolate egg! Not what you would normally expect at Christmas time, we normally have chocolate eggs at Easter time! The first Christmas brought many surprises. Mary was surprised when the angel visited her and told her she would have a baby. The wise men were surprised to find the King born in a lowly manger. The shepherds, outcasts of their day, were surprised to be included in such a wondrous event. Christmas and Easter are linked together, the baby born in the manger was foretold as was his sacrifice for each one of us. We need to remember that God often surprises us in many ways and that the cross lies behind the manger!

This post is part of A Pause in Advent over at http://trocbroc.blogspot.com/

Bethlehemian Rhapsody

2011-12-03T14:01:00.000Z

This was shared on Facebook but I thought I would post it here too.

It must be December

2011-12-01T19:19:00.001Z

because we have got out our Advent Tree, Santa and Rudolf! For the past few years we have had a knitted Advent Tree and each day we pin on a decoration. This is the tree awaiting its first decoration..

and these are the decorations

Rudolph and Santa

The boys of course also have a chocolate Advent Calendar each.

Do you have an Advent Calendar of any kind?

First Sunday in Advent

2011-11-28T10:04:00.000Z

Ok how did it get to be Advent already - I think this year has just flown in really quickly.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. At Church we have a candle which we light each Sunday during Advent and this year we also have some Advent boxes - one for each Sunday! The first one contained an alarm clock! How many of us dislike the alarm going off in the morning - but we know that it means that we have to get up and start getting ready for the day. So on this first Sunday in Advent we know that we have to start getting ready for Christmas - getting ready for the birth of Jesus - not just getting in the food and the presents. The countdown has begun!

What are you doing to get ready for Christmas, to prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus?

Fingerless Gloves

2011-11-23T18:26:00.000Z

Well the carpet is down and I have almost got all the furniture back in. Also have a large pile of books which will be going to the charity shops so the bookshelves look much tidier now! Am thinking of getting a Kindle for Christmas, husband got one for his birthday - this might help the place be a little less cluttered with books - as we hate to get rid of books!

No pages done yet for my Gratitude journal - but I have been creative. I knitted a pair of fingerless gloves using Patons Linen Touch cotton. They were really quick and easy to do.

Slipped a little!

2011-11-20T18:58:00.000Z

Oh dear I have slipped a bit this week with making pages for my Gratitude album and Art Every Day Month. My sister we here for a few days at the beginning of last week. Instead of doing some creative art I did some creative baking instead and made this cake. She brought back some lovely sock wool from Germany so I have been some sock knitting every night.

I have been doing the volunteer training with Citizens Advice Bureau and really enjoying it, so that took up Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Then on Friday the womens Guild had a display in the Library. Each local Guild had a table and we displayed some info about all the national projects the Guild support. Each year the Guild raise a phenomenal amount of money.

On Friday night our church had a quiz, our team won - hurrah!

I have had a lot to be thankful for this week - family, baking, work of the Guild, work of projects, winning the quiz. Hoping to be able to make some pages this week, although we are getting a new shower in tomorrow and a new carpet in the dining room on Tuesday!

Art Every Day Month - Day 13

2011-11-13T11:00:00.002Z

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Art Every Day Month - Day 12

2011-11-12T18:47:00.000Z

Today I am thankful for all the people who come along to Messy Church. We hold Messy Church once a month on a Saturday morning and it is for all the family to come together to praise, do crafts and activities and share food together. Today we were looking at Hannah and Samuel and prayer. It was a good morning.

Remember I said that I was blocking a crochet project - well here it is - although the colours look better in real life. It is a table mat and is done in a variey of cottons.

Art Every Day Month - Days 10 & 11

2011-11-11T22:46:00.000Z

Yesterday Mum and I went a run in the car and visited a wool shop - I was good and only got a couple of patterns, but Mum treated herself to some nice wool for a cardigan. So today my page says I am thankful for having a car and being able to go places.

Tonight was youth group night at the church, IGNITE. For various reasons we have not met for a while so it was good to get back and I think everyone enjoyed it. This session we are starting off looking at the book of Romans. Today my page records that I am thankful for the young people that come along to the group.

10 on the 10th

2011-11-10T19:23:00.000Z

Its the 10th on the month again, so here is a list for Shimelle's 10 things on the 10th. This month I thought I would share 10 favourite films - not in any order though!

1. X-Men films - all of them
2. Fantastic Four films - all of them
3. Superman films - all of them

do you see a pattern here?

4. Memoirs of a Geisha
5. Kramer vs Kramer
6. Planet of the Apes
7. Shakespeare in Love
8. Gone with the Wind
9. An Officer and a Gentleman
10. Shall we Dance

You can find other lists here

Art Every Day Month - Days 7, 8 & 9

2011-11-09T21:07:00.000Z

It seems to be easier to find the time to do a page each day than it does to actually load them on here, but here are my pages for the last three days. I am now all caught up. I have also been creative each day in that I have done either some knitting or crocheting. I have finished another crochet project and it is currently being blocked so photos will follow shortly.

On Monday both Andrew and I were feeling under the weather so we had a film day - we watched both Madagascar DVDs, which are always good fun and also National Treasure.

Tuesday's page was about being thankful for the flowers that we see about us and all the different colours that there are.

Today was Andrew's first parents night at secondary school. I was thankful that he got a good report from all his teachers. He seems to have settled in well and doing fine in all his subjects, albeit he is a rather quiet boy in class - he certainly isn't at home!

Art Every Day Month - Day 6

2011-11-08T19:27:00.000Z

Bit late getting this posted but I did actually do it on Sunday night. I used watercolour pencils and just freely coloured in the background then added the words and the sticker.

Sunday was such a lovely day that we went for a walk along the beach at Wig Bay in the afternoon. Then I didnt feel well at all on Monday with a sore back - wonder if there was a connection!!!

Art Every Day Month - Day 4 & 5

2011-11-06T18:00:00.000Z

Two simple and quick pages to share with you today:

The first is the page for Friday. I am thankful for being able to meet together with others at CAMEO crafts (Come and Meet each Other), a monthly craft group in our church. This week we were making boxes from Christmas cards - I don't have any photos as I forgot to take my camera and the boxes are for our Christmas stall in a few weeks time. We are going to fill them with tablet etc and hope that people will buy them for gifts.

Page for Saturday is about being thankful for the colours of Autumn. This weekend the weather has been really lovely, so we had a family day in the garden yesterday, trying to get it tidied up a bit before winter - everything in the garden is just sooo wet at the moment though.

Art Every Day Month - Day 3

2011-11-04T21:27:00.000Z

Today I am grateful for music. I often listen to music while I am crafting.

We have recently bought a keyboard for the boys and I to learn and yesterday I spent some time practising on it and really enjoyed it.

Do you like to listen to music when crafting?

Art Every Day Month - Day 2

2011-11-03T10:26:00.001Z

Well I was busy last night! I did the next page in my Gratitude Journal and made some Christmas cards.

I was grateful for the Scripture Union group at our local school, which I help run. We have about 20 children who come along each week to hear about God. This year the P7s, who have been coming regularly since P4, have asked for a smaller group for themselves where they can go deeper, we have called this group Scripture Union Advance.

Our Church is having a Christmas sales table at a Quiz in a couple of weeks, so I thought I would make some Christmas cards, using up some decopatch sheets I have had for some time! Yes, I am decluttering and tidying all my craft stuff this week.

Art Every Day Month - Day 1

2011-11-02T20:08:00.000Z

I made this last night, but the light was not good for taking a photo, so I am posting a day behind, which is probably what shall happen throughout this month. This is the front cover for my Gratitude journal. It is a zig zag book. I painted the covers with bronze and a touch of gold paint.

My Gratitude page for yesterday. I was thankful that it was such a lovely day after all the dreadful weather we have been recently.

My verse on my calender for this month was very appropriate for this project:

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High" Psalm 92:1

November Plans

2011-10-30T19:05:00.000Z

I have been feeling quite a bit in a slump at the moment and have been wondering what to do to give myself some energy and focus again and to start enjoying crafting again. I have come across two projects starting in November (both free - an added bonus) and I thought that I could try and combine the two together and kick start some crafting again.

The first one I found out about at Bernice's blog. It is Art Every Day Month and the idea is to create something every day during November, it doesn't need to be a big project as long as you feel it is creative!

The second project I found at http://my-crafty-world.blogspot.com/ and is Attitude of Gratitude.

I know that, for various reasons, I have been feeling that life is not that great at the moment and I thought that focussing on positive things for a month would maybe help lift me again. So for the next month I will be looking at things to be grateful for.

I thought that both these projects seemed to go well with each other - here's looking to a creative and grateful November!

Keep Calm and Get Crafting!!!

Another shawl

2011-10-26T19:28:00.000+01:00

Definately getting the hang of this crochet! This is a small shawl from Inside Crochet magazine No 9 that I have just finished. I used Cortina sock wool which I bought in Lidl ages ago.

I am rather pleased with the result!

This weekend I am off to the Craft Show at the SECC Glasgow with a friend and am looking forward to getting some inspiration there to kick start my scrapbooking, cardmaking again.

A finished project

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000+01:00

I have finally finished knitting this jacket for myself - well actually it has been finished for some time except for the button - which my sister kindly sewed on for me when she was down recently. It is knitted in Rowan Cotton Jean wool and the pattern is Lynton from Rowans Coast book. I am pleased with it although perhaps should have knitted it a little longer.

Lifes Turns

2011-10-02T15:52:00.000+01:00

Sometimes life just throws a little twist into your life. This happened for our family since my last post. My mother-in-law passed away on 21 September, aged 87. She had had health problems for the last two years and got gradually worse over the summer, finally being admitted to hospital a week before her passing. Her life ended peacefully with her family beside her.

'One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.' Psalm 27:4

10 things

2011-09-10T19:02:00.000+01:00

Struggled a bit to come up with an idea for this month's 10 things on the 10th, so decided I would take my word for the year ACHIEVE and come up with 10 things I could achieve before the end of the year.

1. Finish the E100 Bible Reading Challenge
2. Start (but realistically maybe not finish) an album for Andrew's trip to Paris.
3. Finish the EXPLORE Shimelle course
4. Lose a stone and a half - did I really commit to that!!
5. Sew up my yellow cardigan which is waiting to be completed.
6. Finish crochet scarf I have started.
7. Make some Christmas cards.
8. Get into a good habit of exercise regularly - and stick to it.
9. Get the garden tidied up for winter.
10. Make a good inroad into all the things on my household to do list.

I wonder how I will get on - will report back at the end of the year.

For some more interesting lists see here

Back on Track

2011-09-02T00:18:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the short absence but hopefully I am getting back on track now. The last couple of weeks have seemed really hectic. We had two birthdays - mine and Andrews, had a few days up in Glasgow getting last minute things for school. Andrew has now started at secondary school and so far so good, he is enjoying it - well apart from swimming at PE!! I have had a cold, sore throat and no voice for the past week - you can image how happy that made the boys!

Today is the 1st September so hopefully going to get back on track again now. The weight loss needs to start again, as does the fitness programme. Lots of things still to Achieve this year - I have started some crocheting, more knitting, keeping up with my Essential 100 Bible Reading passages, and have got several scrapbooking projects in mind.

As this is September Shimelle is doing her Learn Something New Every Day again. I successfully did this the first year and got half way the second year. I am wondering if I should try something this year, but not sure - will need to decide quickly before the month is gone. Who else is taking part in LSNED?

Scavenger Hunt 5

2011-08-15T16:42:00.000+01:00

Some more photos for the summer scavenger hunt at Rinda's blog

9. A festival or fair - this is Henry Olanga taking part in the Keswick Cricket Festival. Henry was taking part in the Keswick Convention this year and had put together a team to play the local cricket team. Henry Olanga made his international debut in 1995, and was the youngest player and the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe, helping them to their first ever Test victory.

11. A forest - this was taken during one of the forest walks we went on around Keswick.

15. Graffiti art - spotted this on a wall in Paris.

Scavenger Hunt 4

2011-08-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

The next lot of photos for Rinda's summer scavenger hunt

21 A rooster - this chap was roaming free at South Lakes Wildlife Park

18. A person sketching or painting outside - this was at Keswick and is outside Andrew's favourite fish and chip shop.

8. Your country's flag - saw these cushions in a shop and took a photo.

Scavenger Hunt 3

2011-08-13T10:00:00.000+01:00

The next lot.

5. A hand lettered sign selling something - we saw lots of boards like this one outside restaurants in Paris.

17. Rain - boy did it rain the day we went to Disneyland - luckily it stopped by late morning.

6. A person dressed as a pirate - where else but at Disney's Parade. The Parade was good and definately worth waiting for.

Summer of Colour

2011-08-12T09:00:00.002+01:00

Well even if the weather has not been that good this summer it has been a Summer of Colour thanks to Kristen. I have enjoyed doing this project - and have even managed to finish it on time! It has made me try some new things and I know that I would like to try some more art journalling and to experiment and learn more! For this final week we were to show our work over the past 8 weeks so here are my pages all together.

Brown

2011-08-11T16:06:00.000+01:00

My Brown page for Summer of Colour. I used various colours of brown paint for the background, then used some glimmer mists before sticking on some collage pieces.

Although I had done a blue project I wanted to have a blue page to complete the set, so I raided my scraps bag and came up with this.

Now just to do a front cover and bind them all together.

Purple

2011-08-11T10:00:00.002+01:00

Although this is the last week of Summer of Colour there are still a couple of colours I have to finish as I was away on holiday. This is my Purple page. I glued a line of small beads with a dragonfly brad at each end, then stamped some bird images. I then outlined some of the stamped images with a pen, the words say 'if I had wings'.

10 on the 10th

2011-08-10T14:30:00.000+01:00

My ten things for this months, 10 on the 10th are 10 books that are on my bookshelf waiting to be read:

1. The Plains of Passage, Jean M Auel
2. Last Chance Saloon, Marion Keyes
3. 10 Lighthouse Road, Debbie Macomber
4. Mini Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella
5. The Return Journey, Maeve Binchey

Some books I bought at the Keswick Convention this year:

6. The Gender Agenda, Lis Goddard & Clare Hendry
7. Going for Growth, Ken Clarke
8. Everyday Church, Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
9. Feminine Threads, Diane Lynn Severance

number 10 is not in the photo, as it was in my bedroom, which is being decorated this week, so has been put somewhere else

10. Alan Sugar Autobiography

You can find more lists over at Shimelle's blog.

Scavenger Hunt 2

2011-08-09T19:04:00.000+01:00

Some more photos for the summer scavenger hunt over at Rinda's.

16. A building made of metal or glass - well it just had to be the Eiffel Tower from our Paris trip. We hade prebooked tickets so we got into the building without a queue - but then we had to queue for about 1 hour to make it up to the very top - but it was worth it.

7. A decorated mailbox or piece of garden sculpture - this is the Stravinsky fountains outside the Pompidou Centre, which is a very unusual looking building with all the pipes etc on the outside of it. I liked these sculptures, especially this elephant.

The first of the scavenger hunt photos

2011-08-06T11:00:00.001+01:00

Over at Rinda's blog she is hosting a summer photography scavenger hunt. She has given us a list of 21 items to try and find and take a photo of. I found this great fun when we were away on holiday and hubbie joined in too with looking for the items to photograph. I don't have them all yet, but still have plenty of time.

This first one is for number 2 - a Musem - and of course it is the Louvre in Paris. A very interesting museum, you could easily spend a day (or two) just there, but Andrew only wanted to go see the Mona Lisa!

This one is for number 13 - a cemetry with historical significance. This is the tomb of the unknown warrier under the Arc de Triomphe with the eternal flame. A reminder of all who sacrificed their lives in the wars that we might have the freedoms we take so much for granted today.

Orange

2011-08-05T17:41:00.000+01:00

This week was the last colour for Summer of Colour and it was Orange - next week is to showcase all your colour projects. I still have a couple of colours to do before I try and pull them all together - might even get my bindit all out and bind them together. I did this simple page for orange - I tried using an orange to print with but it didn't really work very well.

I have enjoyed this project, but think I could do with learning a bit more about art journalling - any tips/hints or suggestions for online courses or books?

Holiday Knitting

2011-08-04T20:03:00.000+01:00

While I was away last week I managed to start and finish knitting this scarf. It is a simple pattern but rather effective I think. Pattern is The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief found on Ravelry. I used almost 3 balls of Rowan handknit cotton.

The other news today is that John got his Higher results and is very pleased with 4 As and 1 B. He now needs to decide what courses and at what universities he would like to apply for.

Results!

2011-08-03T13:45:00.000+01:00

Yes, I know this is my second post today, but I just had to post to let you know that I now have my results in for my Open University course!

I passed my latest module, Living Political Ideas, with a grade 2 pass which means...

that I have now got my degree - a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, and I got a 2:1 pass! I am rather delighted!

The graduation will not be until April next year in the Glasgow Concert Hall, but at least I am now totally finished with studying and rather happy.

Now to find a job....

Animals

2011-08-03T11:18:00.000+01:00

While we were at Keswick we visited the South Lakes Wildlife Park, which was really good. The animals are all in very natural environments, with some even just wandering around! My favourite was the giraffes.

Andrew's favourite was the giant tortoises!

These fellows were allowed to wander freely

On the way back to Keswick we stopped at Hayes Garden world in Ambleside, where Andrew got to hold this owl.

Keswick

2011-08-02T11:40:00.000+01:00

What a great week we had. The weather was fantastic, which was rather surprising given the weather we have had so far this summer! We did lots of this

managed a bit of climbing a mountain - well it felt like a mountain!!

played some of this

and ate lots of these..

Red

2011-07-22T13:57:00.000+01:00

This week's colour over at a Summer of Colour was Red. I have not had much time to play this week, but managed to do this page quickly! I have still Brown from last week and Purple from next week to do, but will try and catch up when I return from holiday.

We went to see the last Harry Potter film this week, and thought it was a great film! A good end to the series.

Explore

2011-07-22T13:54:00.000+01:00

Shimelle's new online class started this week, Explore, and with many thanks to Carolyn, I am signed up for it. I am away next week to Keswick in the Lake District, so it will be after that before I get into it really. I have made my playbook and taken my self-portrait with my camera, so at least I have started. I have also printed out the prompts for this week and might take them away with me.

Paris

2011-07-17T19:42:00.000+01:00

We had a fab time in Paris! The weather was hot and lovely, except for the morning we were at Disneyland, when it poured with rain, but luckily it cleared up by lunchtime.

Did I manage everything on my list in the last post - almost - the only thing we didn't get to was Sacre Couer and Montmartre - we ran out of time! Oh well I shall just have to go back sometime then.

Andrew's favourite museum was the Rodin, where he wanted to see The Thinker. This is because it features in the 'Night at the Museum 2' movie, so I suppose some kids movies have good points.

He thought the Mona Lisa was smaller than he expected it to be!

He enjoyed Disneyland, but thankfully only wanted to go on a couple of rides, but really enjoyed the Motion, Action, Stunt Show.

We stood in a queue for 20 minutes to get our photo taken with Buzz Lightyear and to get Buzz's autograph - for my 17 year old son!!!!!

All in all a good holiday! I also managed to get a few photos for the Summer Scavenger Hunt, which I shall post later this week.

Ten things

2011-07-10T10:00:00.002+01:00

This is part of Shimelle's 10 things on the 10th of the month which came about as part of her Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers. I missed last month, but hopefully this post has been autopublished!!!

I thought for this month, as I am in Paris I would do 10 things I hope to see and/do in Paris:

1. Climb Eiffel Tower (or take the lift)
2. See L'arc de Triomphe
3. Visit Notre Dame
4. Take a cruise on a Bateaux Mouche
5. See the Mona Lisa in the Louvre
6. See Pompidou Centre
7. See Rodin's The Thinker
8. Visit Sacre Couer
9. Visit Disneyland (this one is really for Andrew)
10. Have a glass of wine and watch Paris pass by.

Summer Holidays!

2011-07-08T11:00:00.002+01:00

We're all going on a summer holiday...., says the well-known song. School finally finished today! That is now Andrew finished with primary school, ready to start secondary school in August.

But first - we get to go on holiday!!!

Hubbie, Andrew and I are off to Paris on Sunday for a few days - this is an end of primary school treat for him from his Auntie - who unfortunately cannot go with him - so we are going instead! John is going as a trainee leader to Scripture Union at Kings Cross, Arran. We are really looking forward to it. Then later this month we are off to Keswick in the Lake District for a week.

To keep myself busy over the holidays I am going to try and take part in Rinda's Summer Scavenger Hunt. Rinda has posted 21 items that we are to try and take photos of over the summer, I have the list printed and am taking it to Paris with me!

Yellow

2011-07-07T20:35:00.000+01:00

This weeks colour over at Kristin's Summer of Colour was Yellow. Yellow always seem to me to suggest happy and bright and summery so I produced this page. I painted it with several colours of yellow paint, added some paper at the top, some yellow fibres, some foam swirls, a sticker with flowers on it and then stamped a bird in the bottom.

Next week's colour is Brown, and I may have to come back to that one as we will be on holiday next week.

WOYWW

2011-07-06T23:14:00.000+01:00

As I have finally managed to start crafting again thought I would post something for Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday. As it is the last week of school (hurrah) I had to make some Thank You cards for the teachers. I used some scrap paper, added some flowers and a gem in the middle.

Andrew is leaving Primary School this year and starting the Academy after the holidays, so I have been working on a mini-book for him. I have done a page for each school year with a school photo and some things he could remember about each year, like his teacher, what his topics were, what trips he went on. Tomorrow is his closing church service and then they have a BBQ in the afternoon, then on Friday they go round and get everyone to sign their school polo shirts.

It feels a bit sad as it is the end of an era - that is my parental involvement finished with primary school after this week. Where did the years go???

The slow work of God

2011-07-05T23:46:00.000+01:00

I found these words over at Lucy's blog and thought I would share them with you today. The photo is mine, taken on a walk at Moffat last October.

Words from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way
to something unknown,
something new. Yet it is the law of all progress that is made
by passing through some stages of instability
and that may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you.
Your ideas mature gradually. Let them grow.
Let them shape themselves without undue haste.
Do not try to force them on
as though you could be today what time
-- that is to say, grace --
and circumstances
acting on your own good will
will make you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new Spirit
gradually forming in you will be.

Give our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.
Above all, trust in the slow work of God,
our loving vine-dresser.

Amen.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)

Pink

2011-07-01T20:41:00.001+01:00

The colour for this week over at Summer of Colour was Pink. I really struggled with pink as, although I like the colour, I did not really have much in that colour. I came up with this page, made from scraps of scrapbooking paper in my scraps bag, and then added a few flowers and things. I am not really sure if I like it much though.

Last Sunday we took eldest son to St Andrew's University for a weeks summer school. This is him looking a tad nervous as we left him. He comes home tomorrow and has had a fabulous time. He now just wants to be a permanent student and do several courses!! Let's hope his Higher results are adequate!!

Chocolate Heaven

2011-06-24T10:00:00.002+01:00

As a reward for his Good Citizen Award, all the recipients got taken to the local Cocoa Bean Factory for the morning and then out orienteering. Needless to say the chocolate factory was Andrew's favorite. They got to make three peices of chocolate, a marshmallow one, a decorated bar and a frog in a mould. I think they all had a great time.

Green

2011-06-23T11:57:00.000+01:00

The colour for this week's Summer of Colour was Green, so I thought I would make a start to an art journal. I painted the background using a couple of different colours of green, then some green shimmer mist. The base of the tree is grungeboard painted, I added buttons for the leaves of the tree and then randomly stamped some leaf images, and added a couple of butterfly lady stickers.

Now of to think about next week's colour - Pink.

Blue

2011-06-19T19:18:00.000+01:00

The first week's colour over at Summer of Colour was blue. I know I a bit late getting this finished and posted but it has been a very hectic week. Anyway here is a photo of my blue piggybank, brought all the way home from Amsterdam.

I have had this trinket box waiting to be decorated for quite some time, and as the room it is in is blue, I thought that it was time I decorated it.

So I did.

I painted it using various different colours of blue paint, then added some beads for decoration. I am quite pleased with the effect, although I think I should have painted it first with some kind of primer or something as the brown colour showed through quite a lot at first.

Next week the colour is Green.

Summer of Colour

2011-06-09T22:18:00.000+01:00

Yes it really is summer, even if the weather here doesn't really feel like it sometimes. Today I came across a new project, (thanks Carolyn) which I thought would be interesting to try and kick start my creative juices again. Summer of Colour is a free 10 week project. Each week you are asked to produce something based on a set colour. I thought this sounded like fun so am going to join in. I don't want to commit to doing just one creative thing all summer, so am going to try out some different things each week. probably things like photography, scrapping, felting, maybe even some art journalling if I am feeling brave!

What summer projects are you doing this summer?

Detox, Declutter & Deweed

2011-06-07T18:57:00.000+01:00

I decided the first thing I really needed to tackle after studying was to achieve some of my goals, especially weight and fitness related ones. So I have been on a Detox diet since Friday, this is Day 5!

I am following Carol Vorderman's detox books, I did her detox diet many years ago and found it really good, although then I did it for the full 28 days. I am not trying to be so ambitious this time though! I really just want to kickstart my diet and healthy eating. I thought I would try for 7 days, but then still use some of the recipies but start adding in some other things. So far so good! I even managed to avoid temptation while my sister was visiting at the weekend!

And the decluttering - well not such a good start so far. But there is always next week!

I am not really sure deweed is a word, but that is certainly what my garden needs! I have managed out a few times this week so have made a start on the weeds, but they just keep on coming back!!!

It's a wrap

2011-06-05T21:23:00.000+01:00

as they say in the movie business! It's finished! My end of course project, all 4052 words of it, is finished and sent off to the Open University. Now just need to wait until August for the results. As John finished his Higher exams as well this week, what did we need - cake and wine of course!

So after 6 years of studying I am now (hopefully) finished. How will I pass the time now - well there is the garden to do, the house to clean, a huge pile of fiction books to read, lots of scrapbooking and knitting to do, and I might even learn to crochet!

AWOL

2011-05-19T12:52:00.000+01:00

Just a little post to let you all know that I shall probably be going AWOL for a short time. My very final last assignment is due in by 10th June - 4,000 words this time!! I really need to concentrate on it and get it finished and then I shall return to the blogging world and also hopefully the crafting world. I never did actually manage to get anything done for the HeART&Soul Birthday Event, but maybe later next month.

Party Invitation

2011-05-04T11:16:00.000+01:00

You are all invited to HeART&Soul's first birthday party over at http://www.ukchristiancrafters.net/ This will be a very laid back, lots of time, no pressure event, taking place over two weekends with a challenge a day. The theme will be Praise and Thanksgiving. So if you fancy taking part or even just joining in with the chat pop over and join in the fun. You will need to register to be able to view the forum so don't leave it too late.

Roads not safe anymore!!

2011-05-02T20:53:00.000+01:00

This is a road safety announcement! Eldest son has now turned 17 and is about to learn to drive!!

It was his birthday this week, which is what the cake was for from the last post. The wine was for me to help recover from the shock of how much the insurance on the car goes up to add him on it!! Although he has to wait until his exams finish at the end of the month before his first driving lesson.

A Day in Photos

2011-04-28T10:23:00.000+01:00

My day in photos for Shimelle's Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers

You can find more photos here

Visit to New Lanark

2011-04-26T22:04:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago my sister and I went with Mum to New Lanark Mills Hotel for a couple of nights. It is a really lovely hotel and great food. We went round the Heritage Centre and it was fascinating to see and to learn about how Robert Owen's ideas were so radical and different for his time and to see how much he tried to change things for the better for his employees in the mills.

He even opened a school for the children.

On top of one of the mills they have opened up a roof garden - it is really lovely. A bit drizzly the day we were there though!

Of course no visit to New Lanark is complete without a visit to the shop to look at the wool, which is still spun in the Mills.

Then of course we just had to buy some!

I bought some lovely green aran wool, some lighter green double knitting for a hat, scarf and fingerless mittens.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T10:24:00.000+01:00

He is Risen, Hallelujah!

The Poll corrected

2011-04-21T11:56:00.003+01:00

As anyone who was kind enough to look at my previous post will have realised I did set up the poll correctly, I did try to change the original one but it would not work, so I started again with this new one.

I would love to know what you would like to read about on my blog and would love to read any comments - thanks to Carolyn for commenting on previous post. I really hope this one works.

What would you like to read about on my blogonline surveys

Another new class

2011-04-21T11:42:00.002+01:00

Hi my name is Fiona and I am addicted to joining Shimelle's classes. Her latest one is Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers and will look at various ways to improve your blog - so watch out for changes and (hopefully) more exciting blog posts!!

The first idea was to get some feed back from your readers, so I have added a poll to get your views on what you like reading on my blog. Please vote and/or make some comments on my blog.

School Holidays

2011-04-12T15:25:00.000+01:00

Again you might say, well yes schools out again for two weeks, actually this is now week two, our schools stopped on 1st April. In fact this month is almost filled with school holidays. School is actually only on for8 days this month because of two weeks holiday, then back for 4 days then off for Easter then back for 3 days then off for a certain Royal Wedding event.

So what did my youngest boy decide to do on the Friday school stopped - playing football, in goals, hurt his hand!!!! A trip to A&E followed, got some X-rays taken, then arm strapped up in a splint. Thankfully only a strain but we had to go back on Thursday just to make sure.

Last week we were up in Glasgow for a few days - went to see The Eagle, which was a good film, even if I shut my eyes at a couple of bits! Also managed to do lots of shopping - got stuff for the boys but also some summer tops for myself - now hopefully this summer weather will continue.

Off at the end of this week, with my sister and Mum to New Lanark Mill Hotel for a couple of nights relaxing!

2,000 words nearer

2011-03-30T20:31:00.000+01:00

Yes I am now 2,000 words nearer finishing my Open University course - assignment number 5 was sent off at the weekend - only one more assigment and then the big end of course assignment - 4,000 words eek!!! This last module is on the subject of politics and violence - rather topical at the moment I think. I am sooo looking forward to finally finishing studying and get back to crafting and stuff.

Not a lot else has been happening in my little part of the world here this month. Although good news today Andrew came home from school to tell us he is being awarded a Citizen of the Year Award for 2011, the local police force give two awards to each of the local schools and Andrew has been chosen as one of them for his school. There is an awards ceremony in May and then they get to go for a day out somewhere. So both of my boys will have received an award this year - proud mummy moment!!

Celebration & Award!

2011-03-14T20:40:00.000Z

Well February seems to have gone the same way as January - filled with working and studying. Working has now finished again as the girl I was covering for has returned to work, so I might just get a bit more breathing space - although I still to study a lot until June.

February saw us celebrating Mum's 80th birthday. We had a lovely time with presents, cake and champagne of course.

Last week my eldest, John, was away to Dumfries to collect his Young Quality Scot Award at a two day awards ceremony. This is a national award for young people aged 16-19 who do volunteer work in their community. John was nominated for his work with Galloway Talking Newspaper, schools committee and work with young people in the church. Needless to say I am very proud of him.

January Round-Up

2011-02-09T21:15:00.000Z

Well I don't know where the time went to in January, so I thought I had better do a quick round up of January as I don't seem to have made the time to post much, if at all.

I have been working again for the past couple of weeks in the local Nursery, someone is off sick and I am not sure how long the work will last for so am making the most of it.

We went to see We Will Rock You - the musical with songs from Queen, it was really good, and of course the songs were great!

As Achieve is my word for the year I thought I would do a quick round up at the end of each month to see what, if any, progress I have made:

In January I am up to date with my studying and submitted another essay - 3 to go plus a final assignment - also managed to get my highest mark for the course so far.

I have kept up to date with E100 Bible reading which is good.

Not achieved anything on either weight loss or fitness - but then it is January - cold and wet and still comfort food time!

Roll on February!

One Little Word

2011-01-06T20:11:00.000Z

Along with Ali Edwards, and lots of other people, I have chosen a word for the year. I have done for the past couple of years, in fact for the past 3 years, so each year it gets a little more difficult. After much deliberation my word for this year is ACHIEVE. I like a postive word and hopefully it will prompt me to do actually do things.

So what do I want to achieve this year:

The first thing has to be my degree - I should finish my last module in June of this year.
Next I want to achieve a weight loss - I am deliberately not specifying how much, but I do need to lose some and feel more healthy.
Tied in with that one I want to achieve a better fitness level - the gym didn't work out for me, so am going to try walking more and using the Wii Fit.
Craft wise - I know I will not achieve much scrapbooking until my degree is finished so am not going to stress.
I would like to achieve at least one crocheted item this year and to continue with my knitting and felting.
Faithwise - I have started doing the E100 reading list and I want to achieve the completion of this.

I think that is enough to be getting on with. Have you chosen a word for the year?

Happy 2011

2011-01-06T10:22:00.000Z

I know I am a bit late - but Happy New Year - I wish you all the best for 2011.

We had a lovely time at New Year - staying up until about 2.30 am. Mainly practising on Just Dance2 on the Wii, which I got at Christmas. It was great fun and hopefully if I keep doing it I might actually get a bit fitter!

Pool

2011-01-04T13:37:00.000Z

Andrew's main present this year was a 5ft pool table, which has gone down well with everyone. After some negotiation the boys agreed to switch bedrooms so Andrew could have the bigger room with the pool table in it. I think I need a lot more practice though!

Christmas Fun

2011-01-03T16:44:00.000Z

We have had a lovely Christmas with family - and lots of eating, drinking and presents.

John's biggest smile has to be for the Toy Story boxset - you wouldn't think he was 16 would you?

Andrew of course likes everything to do with football so he was happy!

The boys looked very smart again in their suits - and party hats!!

So Grown Up!

2010-12-21T21:15:00.000Z

Doesn't he look smart and all grown up! John is off out tonight to his Snowball dance at school!

Not to be outdone it was Andrew's P7 Christmas Ball last week

As you can probably guess I have not managed to do any kind of Christmas Journal this year due to various things cropping up - not least getting a cold, having a tooth removed which then became infected. Maybe I will find time to do something with the photos I will (hopefully) take over the Christmas period!!!!

One bit of good news though - I passed my recent Open University exam with a Grade 2 pass, so I am really pleased. Only one more module to go not before I get my degree, a BA in Social Sciences. The module I am currently studying is Living Political Ideas and I am enjoying it so far.

Advent Goodies

2010-12-03T09:43:00.000Z

It's now officially Advent, well actually has been now for a few days, and have I started doing any kind of journal yet - No! Its that time again - I have an assignment due in on Saturday and am only half way there. Needed a break to open some advent goodies though. Over at UK Christian Crafters we are having an Advent Swap again this year. We have to send 25 small pressies to someone to open one each day - only this year there was a slight twist as some of them had to fit certain challenges - and boy was it a challenge.

Here is my lovely parcel

And here are my goodies for the first three days:

Day 1: was for a challenge on Advent, something related to numbers - I got number stickers, wooden numbers and numbered tape ribbon.

Day 2: I got Bible stickers and a Dip Dap - oh to be like a child again.

Day 3: was for a challenge on Joseph, something made of wood - a wooden house that opens up and some Nativity 3D stuff.

It certainly beats a chocolate advent calendar.

Hallelujah!

2010-11-26T18:42:00.002Z

Thought I would share this with you today

Christmas is approaching

2010-11-23T19:01:00.000Z

Yes, it is that time of year again, the shops are full of things to buy, Christmas music is playing all the time, trying to get us into the festive mood. Andrew is going about the house singing the songs he has to learn for the school Christmas Show. Do I feel in the mood yet? No!!!! Maybe because the house is still in a mess, the builders have finally finished the bedroom today - so I have started to put the stuff back into it - the decorating will have to wait until the plaster is really dry. No progress yet on the outside of the house - obviously scaffolding needs to mature before it is used.

Anyway back to Christmas - I have done a Christmas Journal now for the past 3 years and am not sure what to do this year. I found this site Create by Faith, they are doing an Advent Journal, which I have downloaded. It looks interesting but I know that I do not have a lot of time this year and art journals will really have to wait until another year.

Cheryl Johnson is also running 12 Days of Christmas photography workshop, which I have signed up for as it is FREE!!! I did one of Cheryl's workshops ages ago now and really enjoyed it so hoping this might inspire me to get my camera out again.

Are any of you doing any Christmas Journals this year?

At last

2010-11-12T21:51:00.000Z

my builders have arrived! We have been waiting on them coming since June, but they have finally started. We are not really getting anything major done just lots of little things - which still seem to be causing a lot of disruption. Our bedroom has rising damp which they have to fix, window frames need replaced and painting need done. The windows are on the third floor so scaffolding is needed! The scaffolding went up on Wednesday, but nothing else done yet - I hope it is only because of the high winds and that they will be back on Monday. We emptied our bedroom of everything (luckily we have a large house) and yesterday they came to take the plaster off the wall and fix the damp - again hopefully they are coming back on Monday to replaster the wall. We are in a right mess at the moment.

Amidst all this our church held its first ever Messy Church . This is church with a difference - held not on a Sunday, but on a Saturday morning, it is aimed at families worshipping together by doing crafts, games, songs and stories and of course food!! Our theme was Creation and we made butterflies, animal masks, stained glass windows, bookmarks and planted bulbs. It was very well attended with lots of the mums from Toddler coming (and even bringing the dads). But one think I forgot was to take my camera! Roll on the next one - Messy Christmas.

Holiday in Moffat

2010-10-31T18:51:00.000Z

In half term we went to Moffat for a weeks holiday, which was really good. Moffat is a lovely town with some nice woollen mill shops and a super toffee shop!

On the whole the weather was not bad for this time of year. Although on the Wednesday we woke up to ice and frost everywhere - we had to scrape the car windscreen. A bit unseasonably cold!

So of course what do you do on a cold day - you wrap up warmly and go for a 3 mile walk along by the river! It was gloriously sunny - but freezing!!

Some letters

2010-10-30T15:13:00.000+01:00

The next prompt from True Stories was about letter writing. I must admit I don't really write many letters these days, I keep in touch with people mainly by email or telephone. I decided to have a bit of fun and write some short letters.

Dear Computer,
   Please don't break down on me. How did I ever manage without you. You keep me connected with so many wonderful people.
               Love Me xx

Dear Fiona
    We are tired of lying around in this basket. We would really like to be all flat and folded in drawers. Please stop writing in that book and come and iron us.
    Love your ironing pile xx

Dear Washing Machine,
   I am so glad you are working again, that is wasn't anything too serious. We have been together a long time now and I would hate to be without you.
   Love your biggest fan xx

Dear Fiona
   Stop faffing about on that computer and come and read us. We contain all sorts of information and can fire your imagination and give you an escape.
    Love the books on your shelf xx

So who would you write a letter to today?

Mel asked me what I am studying with the OU. My current module is called 'Living Political Ideas' and will (hopefully) be my last module for a BA in Social Sciences. I have already done an Introduction to Social Sciences, Exploring Psychology, Living in Globalised World.

A day in numbers

2010-10-29T11:08:00.001+01:00

Following another prompt from True Stories I thought I would share with you a day in numbers

7.15 alarm, had to get up
1 shower
2 children off to school
4 cups camomile tea
2 slices bread
2 loads washing
1 lunch with a friend
13 emails
15 kids at Scripture Union group
1 trip to doctor
1 skeleton taken to school disco
600 words written for assignment
4 pieces of mail - none for me.

This was on Wednesday and I am now glad to say that my assignment is finished and sent off - all 1,951 words of it!

This is the skeleton I took to his school disco:

Scrappyjacky asked me another question: What do you do when you are working?

In life BC (before children) I worked in an insurance company as a secretary, then when I thought I might go back out again after having the children, I retrained as a Nursery Nurse. Sadly Nursery Nurse jobs are hard to come by in this area and I have only managed to find short term supply work occasionally. I thought I would like to try and get back into an office - although this is proving hard as well. In Sept I managed to get a 6 week short term work in a school office, which I really loved, but this is now finished as well - so at the moment I am on the look out for work again.

Some answers and some numbers

2010-10-27T19:51:00.000+01:00

Well I asked for questions and thank you to Mel and Rinda who have asked these questions.

Mel asked - Where is your favourite place that you've lived or visited?

My favourite holiday place has to be Gardenstown on the North East coast of Scotland, it is a very small fishing village set into the cliffs. We were fortunate in having friends who owned a house there and they let us go there for holidays for many years until they sold it. It was quiet, had a beach with rocks and water for the boys to play in. I love watching waves crashing on the beach and over rocks and could watch them all day. My only regret is that I never managed to see dolphins any time we were there - although other people assure me that the dolphins come frequently!!

Rinda asked - I know you're active in your church, but I don't remember your exact position. What is it?

What reaction have you gotten to sharing your faith-based work in blog land?

I suppose as my husband is the minister of the church you could say that I am the 'ministers wife', although I have always tried hard not to be thought of as that or to think that being married to the minister gives me any position. Although recently I have begun to think about that differently and occasionally do things as the ministers wife. Being married to the minister is actually a strange 'no man's land' sometimes. You can't always fully join in with things and some people do treat you differently. I married the man, not the job! But God is good and the good times generally outweigh the problems.

As to sharing my faith-based work on blogland I have only have positive reactions thankfully. It is really only recently that I have actually started to share things about my faith in my blog, when I first started my blog I didn't. I belong to a Christian Craft forum, heART&soul, which has encouraged me in sharing my faith online.
Thanks to you both for your questions.

Now for the numbers. Yesterday's prompts talked about numbers and alphabets and I shall probably come back to this again. But my immediate response to the numbers was that I have an assignment due in on Saturday for the Open University - 2,000 words, of which I have done about 600 so far - so a fair number of words still to go.

True Stories

2010-10-26T20:04:00.000+01:00

As I am currently not working again I thought I needed something to do (well I don't really have anything do I??) so I have signed up to Shimelle's new class - True Stories, looking at writing and journalling. I have a lovely new fountain pen, which I got for my birthday, which I have been wanting to try out, so just to look for a notebook now - I am sure I might have one somewhere!!

The first prompt looks at questions, so while I go and think about what questions I get asked I thought I would be brave and give you the opportunity to ask me any questions. Not that I guarantee to answer them all, but I might. So ask away...

Tulips from ..

2010-10-24T19:04:00.000+01:00

Amsterdam, where else. Hubby and I went to Amsterdam at the start of September for a few days, and we had a lovely time.

We crossed from Newcastle on the DFDS ferry - suffice to day that neither of us will be going on a cruise holiday any time soon!! We were delayed for 4 hours arriving due to gale force winds overnight - thankfully the return journey was much smoother.

Our hotel was nice and very central, which was good.

Of course we went on a canal cruise and enjoyed some lovely views.

Everywhere you go in Amsterdam there are bikes and people on bikes - you have to really watch out or get run down by one.

We went to the Van Gogh Museum, which was really good and of course the Diamond Museum. We found a Museum and Handbag Museum, which we just had to go to - as I am rather fond of handbags!!

Where did September go to?

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And not only September but half of October as well. The last time I looked it was only August.

The day before the schools went back I got a phone call asking if I wanted a job for a few weeks as a clerical asst in a school - well of course I said Yes Please!! So that is where I have been for the last six weeks and I have loved every minute of it. It was in one of schools in an outlying area and involved a half hour drive there in the morning and back again at night, which meant I had to get up early -eek!!! But I managed it!! It was a steep learning curve though and I was really shattered each night - hence my lack of blogging, or crafting in any size, shape or form.

But the six weeks are up and the job has now finished - they now have a permanent clerical asst appointed (as a redeployment - a sign of the times!) and I am now back to looking for a job - oh and studying!! My exam is a week tomorrow - so if I vanish again this week you will know why.

Hubbie and I did manage a couple of days holiday in Amsterdam together for my birthday which was lovely and I will be back with some photos later.

It can't be true!

2010-08-24T19:44:00.000+01:00

I can't really be 50 - can I? I know I don't feel 50, although maybe my bones ain't quite as supple as they once were!!!!

On Friday last week I turned 50 and had a lovely day. I was brought breakfast in bed by the boys, even had fresh flowers on the tray (including an ant!!).

My sister arrived about lunch time for the start of the party - which lasted all day and included lots of cake and champagne for lunch and dinner. My husband did all the cooking and managed a lovely roast for dinner.

Thankfully I did not have to blow out 50 candles, just 5 - one for each decade!

Everyone, especially my youngest son, has been planning a box of 50 presents for some time now. It was a lovely idea and you can see them all here. Each present had been individually wrapped (and numbered) and it was great fun to open them all. They ranged from cotton wool pads, nail varnish, sweets, DVDs, some scrapbooking supplies, toiletries, earrings, a couple of links for my Nomination bracelet, a mug, a cute meerkat keyring, a couple of scarves, a felted brooch and a felted pin cushion in the shape of a cupcake, a Radley umbrella, a fountain pen and of course the book "When I am old I shall wear purple". It was great fun. I also got some lovely jewellery and a watch. I am a 'jewellery person' and just love wearing all different kinds of necklaces and earrings.

My youngest son had a prepared a list of games for us to play during the day including Pass the Parcel (of course), Pass the Bomb (which is a word game), Pictionary and a couple of fun games on the Wii.

On the Thursday I had made a cheesecake for the very first time to have at dinner. It was lovely and was really easy to make - so I shall be making more of them.

Also on the Thursday the boys made some cup cakes and decorated them.

All in all it was a great day - but am I really 50 now!!!!!