TODAY - HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL DAY + some Darcy Pages

Let it not be said that when I have a blissful, soulful, beautiful, inspirational and amazing day that I do not acknowledge it!  Today has been all of those things and more and for that I am truly grateful and yes I know I should wait for Friday but sometimes when you're World is Rocking on Sunday it's worth shouting from the roof tops!  

Now that would make you think all is well again and life has returned to normal (do not be fooled on that front), I worked yesterday til three then home and worked some more - heading up to 50 hours again this week so things are as crazy as ever, but today was officially a day off.  Now in all honesty I'd have hibernated - why you ask on a beautiful blue skies day why would I do that?  Because I'm having a bout of the most dreadful acne - honestly it is horrendous and no before you ask I'm not a teenager far from it - I've always had problem skin and suffered with acne as a teenager but to be hit by it as you head up to the age of 39 is just downright rotten - so I feel I look dreadful and that everyone is looking at me and therefore I'd prefer to hibernate - but hubby said to stop being so daft, put some slap on (my terminology for make up application because that's about what I manage to do with it if I'm honest - but it's about as good as it gets) and let's head out there and do something

So I agreed and we headed out quite late this morning (because I had a lie in - honestly don't normally manage one of those either) and we went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to see the new exhibition - it is completely and utterly amazing and I loved every minute of it - enjoying the blue skies and the time with my family, walking and fresh air - it's good for the soul and it's left me wanting to create something when I got home - so watch this space!   For those of you who don't know it the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is 500 acres of historic parklands with five galleries with sculpture and artwork to be found all over.  It's doesn't cost anything other than your car parking fee £4 to go for the day (although we managed

This is the first sculpture we saw over the fence as we headed in - how utterly amazing is that!

Another shot - these heads are on top of the long gallery and just melt your brain because they look like they've been photoshopped - they haven't they are three dimensional sculptures.

Then we saw this inside the main building - the hanging sculptures - and yes that is me and little man bottom left of the photo - I loved some of the sayings on them!

A close up of my favourite saying it says

"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom"

 Then we walked through the main area up to the Long Gallery - which was strange today, then up to the basket and back through the Henry Moore part of the park and into the skyspace which we've never managed to find before (don't ask me how we missed it).  Basically this is a converted brick built deer shed for you to spend time admiring the sky - sound strange - well it was but utterly mesmerising at the same time.  

This is what you get to see when you are sat inside - a constantly changing canvas known as the sky - with the whispy clouds dashing across the canvas - it was beautiful - it's supposed to be a quiet and contemplative space however, most of the children discovered that the place echoed really well - so it wasn't that quiet but rather gorgeous though

And then little man got this photo of me and hubby in there

and in turn I got a photo of my two gorgeous men outside at the last sculpture we came across

So like I said a beautiful and peaceful day for us all 

and not wanting to leave you without some crafting - here is the word Build from Darcy's 52 words which I really enjoyed

and the word encourage! 

Just on with deceipt at the moment (altered it from deception - why because I didn't read it properly).

I hope you've all had a beautiful and blessed Sunday.

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - IT'S BEEN A LONG WEEK

Good Morning Rockers and Rockettes - this week has been immensely long - but we can still dig deep and find some gratefuls for 

So first up is hubby for helping me on the blog layout that you see before you, he's still not happy with the backgrounds fully and has taken further photos of said art work to see if he can improve on it but overall I'm really pleased with it.  He's also Rocked My World all week in more ways than one (now take your gutter out of your mind LMAO) he listened when I whinged about sabotaging my healthy eating with cakes and pizza and curry (yes this is a literal sabotage rather than one invented in my head), his idea to plan ahead one day at a time (yesterday went pear shaped we saw a simnel bar at Asda and wanted to know what it tasted like), but in the grand scheme of things that was no where near as bad as some of the other stuff I've eaten.  He has listened to the highs and lows of my life and listened to my current workload at work and attempted to keep me focused and yes before you ask I do know how blessed I am - not sure how many other women walked through the door on Monday after the worlds worst day to find hubby three quarters of the way down the ironing pile - I kid you not!  So big hurray for my rock Craig this week!

Second on the list has to be Darcy's 52 word challenge - when I've got home at night and there has been little left of me mentally (you know the dazed and confused blank look) I've found utter solace in playing with paints and thinking and rummaging for images and thinking and stamping and thinking and well you get the idea - sheer and utter bliss - I've got some more layouts to share but not photographed them yet but promise I'll try and put a post on over the weekend!

Then there's the fact that spring appears to have arrived - I'm not shouting it from the roof tops but there is something amazing about getting up to blue skies and sunshine in a morning irrelevant of how cold it is outside!  So last weekend we went and bought some herbs and some cultivated British bluebells as demanded by said 10 year old and we sorted the border out that I can see from the kitchen window, bit of weed suppressant fabric topped with some green slate and it looks good!  Plus we got fresh air from gardening so that was a bonus! 

The people at work who are listening but not judging, assisting but not cajoling, firefighting (not literally) and dealing with things diplomatically on my behalf - they don't read my blog (well most of them don't) so they won't know I've mentioned them but they really have kept me just about with my head above water!

The Doctor for listening to me (first and foremost) telling me the facts (straight talking) and then saying that we will work at things together to try and resolve my current round of ailments and irritations - nothing serious just constant so now on long term antibiotics to see if that helps! 

Well I think that's it - which means I can't have had the best of weeks - sorry peeps - promise to try and sort something more positive for next week - but that's Rocking Your World - some weeks we have loads to be grateful for other weeks the week has been tough and we need to dig a bit deeper!

Crafting wise I thought I'd share this one finally scrapped the gingerbread castle from 2009, I like how busy the layout is and I used non-Christmas related papers just tied the colours in!

 Detailed shot on the ribbon and the edge of the paper - handcut using decorative scissors!  And finally got to use my Paper Artsy castle stamp - first time (had it like well forever!!!!!!)

Art journallers amongst you this one I did following a trip to Whitby Abbey using some new - wait for it because I can get very excited Celtic knotwork stamps I found in Whitby - honestly I didn't know such things existed - and yes I bought them and yes I love them - one is a running border which is the same as - well go on guess - no - no idea - my wedding ring!  Unfortunately doesn't have hubbies Celtic ring design on it but I was still pleased - didn't even realise at first! 

 So there we have it Rockers and Rockettes - done for another week - if you're joining in try Mr Linky (but he has been going a bit weird the last few weeks - so leave a message too in case we can't see the linky) 

WOYWW

Good morning bloggers and here we are again at Wednesday - where does the time go!  

Without further ado - fanfare please - this is the sorry state of my desk this morning

The current look is 'precarious' (as in the balancing of items LOL)!

We've got the 12 x 12 layout top right that I've wanted to drop kick all week, added a few more bits to it last night and may allow it to stay - if it promises to sod off into an album pronto because it definitely is not one of my best.

Bottom left is a secret - I could tell you but then I'd have to .... LOL - so not mentioning that - let's just say good ideas that flow often mean lots and lots and lots and lots of work without me realising it and I can't do small and sweet - nope mine have to be supersized - I'll explain in a later post!!!

Top left is another layout for Darcy's 52 words (see button on right, click to find out more or even to follow along) - the word for that particular layout is follow - I am catching up honest - I've so enjoyed the freedom of this challenge the one word means you can run with that and make it your own, or take the dictionary definition (which Darcy provides) or failing that you can look at the questions she puts to you about it and think and write on those!  

Right trying not to make this a super long post this morning so I can get around some desks, I never manage all of them because there are so very many! Hope you have a good WOYWW!

A LITTLE POST ...

Well life is fraught and hectic and mad and insane in that order, I've brought some work home to do which is a mad thought if I'm honest.  Hubby trying to cope with my completely irrational self at the moment, I make little to no sense and I'm constantly distant - in the glazed eyes - brain elsewhere kind of way.  Didn't get to see my sister yesterday - but word has it that she had had a truly awful day and wouldn't talk about it!  As suspected work place making her life completely unbearable - still - no idea if she's started documenting it yet! 

As a result of the complete craziness of the above my only mental solace is my crafting, I'm comfort eating like it's gone out of fashion - seem to have reacquainted myself with chocolate like a long lost friend.  Goodness knows the long term damage I'm going to be doing.  I am however, using a time management tool which is providing a degree of focus that I was lacking until recently so I'm hoping this will allow me to ride the crest of a wave and move me forward on things soon - very very soon!

Anyway enough driveling it probably makes no sense by now so on with some crafting.  This is probably as far removed from my normal style as you can get - why?  because it's pastel - I don't do pastel - but the challenge was to create a scrunched handmade flower thingy - so ended up with pastels and although it took me out of my normal zone I must say it's nice to have something completely different in my albums.

 

 And the detail the scrunched flower

and the stitched detail near the title

for the art journallers amongst you, this is using up an old page I'd already prepared

then another one - done with no style at all!

and finally my Red Nose day layout!  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this page with the coring machine from the channel tunnel duly put on it - but was so pleased to use it for Red Nose day because it represents that although change may be slow - we can make a difference to others life.  I did the page whilst watching the red nose day programmes - crying at the real life footage and making a small donation in that hope that every little helps! 

Right off to find my rational self - she's around somewhere - if you find her can you ask her to return because I'm missing her quite a bit at the momentIf you get to here leave don't forget to say hi! 

MOTHERS DAY AND LIFE FRUSTRATIONS - THIS MIGHT BE A WEIRD ONE BE PREPARED!

So it's Mothers day and we went and visited my Mum and met up with my sister at the same time - so lots of Mums together.  My Mum treated me to a pot plant - which she swore I won't be able to kill - I may be able to prove her wrong but we'll see.  Anyway it's sat on the window sill looking - well currently looking healthy - but it won't take long.  So why did my Mum buy something for me - surely the wrong way round - well because it was to celebrates Mums in general and because she no longer has a Mum to buy for.  So thank you Mum for the plant (you'll be pleased to know I went armed with gifts too - so we had a general swap, followed by a natter, some PC issues to sort, uploading photos to bonusprint and cake).  

Now back home we've had tantrums over homework (said 10 year old tantrums) which have taken the edge off things slightly and discussions about questions from school 'friends' sometimes I do wonder what kind of friends they really are when they obviously say things that are hurtful!  So the afternoon hasn't finished on quite the high note that I was hoping.  However, on the positive side I've got my pinny on and I'm painting - well not at the minute because that would mean that the computer would be looking a little - wet - but I've got two art journal pages on the go - a 12 x 12 layout that I could quite happily drop kick out of the house at the minute and some envelopes I've decided to paint (don't ask) 

To top off my day my sister has been explaining more of the issues she's got at work, I'm so cross so very very very cross.  How can someone in a senior position be so blatant in their general vileness towards her.  I mean really and truly what gives one human being the right to make someone elses life unbearable.  We're now actively cajoling my sister into keeping notes - lots and lots and lots of notes of what is happening, she's now being given impossibly tasks for which she will be ridiculed and put down in front of other staff members when she doesn't achieve them.  She doesn't want to go to work any more, she's in tears whenever she discusses the same and is feeling incredibly vulnerable - not in a good way - how can we as family members help - what can we do!  I'm so utterly frustrated about it all, I could scream!

Wow I'm sorry this Mother's day posting has turned into general miserableness - not my usual style but when life is throwing this at you all you can do is try and deal with your emotional feelings on the same and hope to come out the other side a stronger and better person for it!

I'm on with my 'mileage' layout for the 52 word challenge by Darcy - I'm thinking that this is probably a good time to do it given them things are so fraught and I'm feeling so very very very old in the whole equation (I'm an very aged 38 year old don't you know)

Right off to paint something to get happy - wish me luck - ooh and before I forget - some crafting for you - you didn't think I'd forget did you?  When I started this I thought what the hell does a showgirl, a turtle and some standing stones in common apart from the fact they were all slightly tied in by the colour purple and then it came to me - fragility!

 On a positive note - sending all my love to all the Mums out there, hope you've all been thoroughly spoilt!  I've tried to re-read this unsuccessfully several times - I'm going to post it and go and paint something - best way me things!  Hugs to you all - I'll try and get normal service to resume shortly!

NEW BLOG LAYOUT AND A FEW BITS OF CRAFTING TEE HEE

Morning all it's Saturday morning and I thought I'd share a couple of crafting bits with you and celebrate my new look blog - do you like?  It took me all evening and it's still not perfect but I like - it's more me (well it should be it's my art work LOL), the last blog layout verged on twee and I don't do twee - might still adjust a few things but I'm hoping it will be easy to read - let me know if you don't think it is and I'll tweak I sometimes struggle with blogs when you go and want to read a post and then find the font or the size of the font a little testing on the eyes - so do let me know.

Anyway I'm sure you're not here to talk about font sizes and colours so thought I'd share a couple of art journal pages, this one is now one of my all time favourites, documenting the gorgeous Rotunda museum in Scarborough, added some bunting which was a hybrid download off UK Scrappers last month and add ink and paint and words and well you get the idea, this is as my style started to take a new direction and I'm so pleased with it. 

This page was done on the turn and I'm still not happy with it but sometimes you just have to accept it and leave it as it is 

On the scrapbooking front I've not done as many pages this month but enjoyed the ones I've done, one of the challenges on UK Scrappers was to use white space - not my style at all so I knew this would be a genuine challenge and it was!  

Some people would have left more white space but I couldn't, however, on the plus side I really enjoyed doing the layout particularly when I managed to add paint to it (tee hee) 

Close up on the detail 

Did a wiggly ribbon using some of that ultra sticky red tape - two strips on the back of the ribbon and then overlapped the ribbon as I went!  

So there you are a little Saturday morning crafting - didn't manage any last night (I fell asleep - don't ask) which has meant that I was very grumpy when I went to bed (due to lack of crafting) so I am planning on doing some later today however!

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - DARCY'S 3RD WEEK ACKNOWLEDGE AND LIFE

Good Morning Rockers and Rockettes alike and welcome to Rocking Your World Friday 

 Wow what a week it's been,  I mean seriously hard work but I'm sure I can dig deep and come up with some gratefuls somewhere 

erm 

erm

mmmm

this shouldn't take this long should it 

erm, right brain in gear are you ready, eyes down starter for ten no conferring

hubby - just for knowing me - in all honesty how he puts up with me sometimes I don't know - mentally I've been off line at home all week, when things get tough at work it's how I cope - so he gets the vacant blank look to deal with at home (and no before you ask that's not how I normally look)

said 10 year - because he has made me smile this week, he decided to have a conversation the other week about typewriters as though they were an elusive item - to which I reported to him that mine was in the loft - therefore hubby had to take a trip up there and find said item - and 10 year old was happy for about 2 minutes - I told him before he played with it that it had had it but that I kept if for sentimental reasons (my Dad bought it me for my 10th birthday) but he persevered.  Then I said to him that we'd have to ask my Mum if she ever got them in the Charity Shop that she manages.  You've guessed it she'd got two that she couldn't sell - apparently nobody wants them.  So along we went and he tried out both models making the choice and assisting his mother (yes me) in parting with £3.  But it has kept him happy, he is going through full sheets of computer paper like its going out of fashion and the sheets only contain one sentence - but they've been fun.  Think I'll include them on an art journal page somewhere - just not quite sure in what context.

Talking of said 10 year - another happy moment was yesterday - well happy is probably the wrong word, he said to me in the car coming home from school - "what's the blackbird song Mum?"

So I sit in the car trying to recall the words to Sing a Song of Sixpence (badly) and I start saying it - but he frowns at me - so I think he definitely wants me to sing it - so I warble my way through the worlds worst rendition of the song.  Get to the end of it and he says "what is it for 2 magpies Mum?"

So I go through the saying "one for sorrow two for joy etc" - and he says "so 2 is for joy?"

Then the penny drops and I say "You didn't mean the blackbird song did you you meant the magpie saying" 

to which he grins and says "yes"

We both set off laughing - "you ratbag" I said - "You had me singing a nursery rhyme in the car like it was normal, true laughter is such a gift for which I am grateful.

Full family tidy ups meaning the job takes less than an hour before the house is back into tidy mode.

Work colleagues giving me time management tools to try and keep my sanity chip in place, not guaranteed that it will work but it has certainly made me feel valued as a person.

My garden space, I moan about it because of its tiny size and the face its north facing so gets very little in the way of sun but it was lovely to spend time in it last weekend tidying it up, now all I need is a flamethrower for the front garden and I'll be happy.

Darcy's 52 week word challenge (I'm on a catch up) but it's been bliss to work through up to now - she's given the words and the a definition and then some thought provoking points to consider - click the button on the top right if you want to find out more, plus and this is the best part - the group currently taking part are simply awesome - seriously fabulous individuals, that have had me giggling, laughing and smiling all week! 

Here is the third weeks word - acknowledge and yes it is that red in real life!

For those of you who happen to wander here for scrapbooking purposes this one should give you a giggle

OK so you're thinking why are you supposed to be giggling - because in my infinite wisdom I did quite a lot of stitching on this one, go on look at it, the yellow thread was a brand new skein of embroidery thread and this layout - wait for it - used it all up - yes that is right a whole skein on one layout and yes before you ask it does weigh an absolute ton, close ups to show the threads - yes I am that mad - there are more wholes in this layout than a colander!

another close up 

So that should suffice the Rockettes, the art journallers and the scrapbookers amongst you!

Ooh hold up 

• listening - Burning in the Skies - Linkin Park
• eating - actually eaten the usual raspberry and blueberry porridge with banana
• drinking - it's empty - sod - was drinking tea it was nice hence it being empty
• wearing -black work trousers and blue wrap top
• feeling -what will today at work bring and why oh why can the weather man not get the weather right!
• weather -Hurrumph - drizzling despite the full line of washing wave in the air - wonder if it's blustery enough for it to dodge the raindrops?
• wanting - to help my sister who is having the worst of worse times at work at the minute and I feel so helpless, let's just say work place bullying is downright nasty, but I'm a big believer in karma and what goes around... just hoping little sister can keep her head above water whilst we work out a way forward!
• needing - a punchbag to get rid of my frustration
• thinking - if it doesn't stop raining I'm going to get grumpy
• enjoying - listening to music 
• wondering -whether I can get the washing dried off before I leave for work in 20 minutes now I've had to bring it in?  Probably not!

Right if you got to here give yourself a pat on the back - you've survived the weekly ramblings of what's Rocking Your World Friday and you need to be congratulated on that and if you are as mad as me (and hopefully they'll be lots of you) then write a post about what's Rocking Your World this week and then come back and link so we can come and visit you too and please pretty pretty please, leave a comment and your link in there as well because Mr Linky disappears after a week and we won't know where to find you if we want to look back and visit you in the future!