PGL

 

Got back home on Friday night from a fabulous week in Wales at PGL.  The children had a brilliant time, and so did I.  Apart from dealing with homesickness, sickness and sleepwalking, it was great.  Although I have to say, I have never been so tired.  We were pretty much on duty 24 hours a day.  The first night, after going to bed at midnight, we were woken 6 times by various children, and finally got to sleep around 4am!  It did improve after that.

 

I didn't take part in all the activities, but I did have a go at Jacob's Ladder (so hard), rifle shooting and abseiling, which I absolutely loved.  Please excuse the less than flattering harness in the photo below - it wasn't very comfortable either.

 

And as if I wasn't tired enough, I went to Ally Pally on Saturday for the day with my mum.  We didn't stay until the end because I was exhausted, but I'm glad we went.  I managed to get some Harry Potter themed paper for a scrapbook layout for Emily's album.  I also picked up one or two other bits and pieces, but I found it all a bit samey.  Lots of decoupage papers, not my thing at all.

Today has been the usual - homework, ironing etc.  Nothing too thrilling.  Back to work tomorrow.  I'm really hoping that next weekend I can get on with some card making.  I have so many new Stampin' Up goodies to play with and no time at all.  C'est la vie!

Hope you have all had a good week.  Sorry I've not been commenting on your blogs for a while.  Hope to get back on track soon.  Thanks for visiting.

Take care

Michelle x

Perfectly Preserved

Today I want to share with you two cards I made over the weekend with the fabulous Perfectly Preserved stamp set from Stampin' Up.  This stamp set, along with the co-ordinating paper and Framelits dies are from the Autumn/Winter catalogue, which is jam-packed full of goodies.

 

This stamp set is absolutely gorgeous and I think it will get a lot of use.  I particularly love the jam jar stamp which I think is so versatile.

 

I stamped the jam jar in Pacific Point and then stamped three stems in Garden Green.  The flowers were stamped in Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Pacific Point.  I die cut the flowers with the Cannery Framelits and adhered them to the card with 3D foam.  I rounded the corners of the card and backed it with Pumpkin Pie card stock, rounding the corners of that too.  I cut a strip of the Orchard Harvest DSP and added that to the base card.  Before sticking the decorated panel down, I made two holes in the neck of the jam jar with a piercing tool and threaded through some orange baker's twine.  Then I stuck the panel in place.

 

The sentiments were also stamped in Pacific Point and mounted onto Pumpkin Pie, then stuck to the card, again with 3D foam.

 

Items used : Perfectly Preserved stamp set, Cannery Framelits dies, Orchard Road DSP, Pumpkin Pie smooth card stock,baker's twine.
Inks : Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Pacific Point.

I'm finally getting into the swing of being back at work.  It's taken a while after six weeks off.  I'm going away next week on a school residential trip to PGL in the Brecon Beacons.  I have mixed emotions at going; leaving Mark, the children and Chloe for a week, being responsible for a young girl with diabetes (the reason I'm going), and maybe making a fool of myself if I try any of the activities!  I'll keep you posted - there may be photos!

I'm scrapbooking again on Saturday and packing for my trip on Sunday.  Then when I come back, it's the show at Ally Pally.  I'm not sure I'm going to feel up to it, but I've ordered the tickets now!

Thanks for dropping by, and your comments are always appreciated.

Take care

Michelle x

Summer Holidays

Yes, it's me, yes I'm back!  Sorry for the prolonged absence.  I thought I would blog more often being on holiday but it just hasn't worked out that way.  I am back to work tomorrow (shock to the system!), so I thought I would do a round up of the summer holidays.

 

This has probably been the best summer holiday for a few years. I have spent time with my family, I have had time to relax and recharge, time to be creative and time to complete jobs.  Here's what I've been up to:

 

Despite initially not being bothered, I was completely caught up in the Olympics.  I felt very proud to be British and very proud of how we came across to the rest of the world.  It was just amazing.

 

We have decorated Edward's bedroom.  It started off with just tidying and throwing things away, and escalated into full on stripping!  New colour on the walls, new flooring, new bedding etc.

 

We had a lovely holiday in Kent with my parents.  We stayed in a great house in Westgate-on-Sea and spent lots of time on the beach, walking the dog and just relaxing.  There were trips to Whitstable and Broadstairs, and a great little shell grotto in Margate.

 

Edward had a week away in Centre Parcs with a friend, so Emily and I had a week together catching up on films (mainly Harry Potter!).

 

I have been to a couple of Scrapbook crops.

 

I have just returned from a Scrapbook Retreat - 3 days and 2 nights in a lovely hotel.  Super meals and great company.  I have never spent so long crafting (it was very tiring!).  The photos below show some views of the hotel, as well as the layouts I completed.

 

 

I made a card - well it was our 18th wedding anniversary, so it had to be done!  The design is a complete copy from one that Vicky Hayes made (see it here ) which I loved so much.  Vicky has such inspiring ideas, do check out her blog, it's incredible.

 

The card is made from white card stock.  The hearts are cut from Nestabilities.  I glued three red hearts together, scored down the middle, to make it look 3D.  I used a Swiss Dots embossing folder on the left hand panel.  This design is so versatile and I know I will be making many more cards in this style (in fact I am planning my Christmas cards around this look).

 

 

And after months of worrying myself silly, Emily started college yesterday and seems to love it.  She has had a tough couple of years and I let out a big sigh of relief when things went well yesterday.  A new chapter has started for her, and she is on the way to achieving her dreams of becoming a teacher.

 

So now, after all that, I can go back to work feeling refreshed and hopefully stress free.  With any luck I will be back soon with another card to show you.

 

Thanks for dropping by and sticking with me.  I really appreciate your comments.

 

Take care.

 

Michelle x