HALF WAY THROUGH THE WEEK AND BREATH

Morning all tis Wednesday I tell you and Yorkshire or at least my part of Yorkshire has awoken to - wait for it - sunshine and blue sky - I've no idea where it came from but would be more than happy if it fancied stopping around for some time to try and dry the ground out - because the garden that became a jungle that became a garden is back to being a jungle again!

Ooh it's been a hard week - it has but now I'm here and all seems calm but then I've not left the house yet so normal craziness will resume shortly - of that I'm sure.  Yesterday I spent 7 hours answering 7 e-mails at work, if I carry on answering e-mails at this speed I've got another 145 hours of e-mail answering to deal with - mmmmmmmmmmmm not a happy thought!

Anyway enough of my drivel I'm here to share crafting - I am honestly, first up  a layout from Kenilworth Castle last year and said 11 year old, I was really happy with this one once it was completed despite it being a simple layout!

 Up close the title, die cuts and using up old stash stickers!

 And this one - taken an age ago before I realised how awful artificial light, red curtains and a predominantly red layout actually were!  I never liked the title on this one mmmm maybe I should have changed it.

 Last up another layout I don't like but its made and done so you get to see it, I'm not sure why I don't like it possibly the paper choice?  Not sure anyway it's one of my least favourite

 despite the stitching

 And the stamped die cuts and glossy accents.

What you'll have been able to tell from this is that I'm dredging the bottom of the barrel when it comes to my layouts - ooh best crack on with some more, think I've got some to photograph but I've run out of albums to put them in, any idea where I can get some cost effective albums that won't break the bank?

Hope you're having a fabulous Wednesday!

SUMMER OF COLOUR - WILD 'N' RECKLESS

Ooh now I didn't have any trouble at all using that colour scheme, more my normal colours if I'm honest.  Hubby had decided he wanted to go for a walk as it was dry but I did remind him of the ligament damage in his knee which he was supposed to be resting.  So yesterday was a day of rest (even though it was Saturday and not Sunday), actually yesterday was a day of creativity which I thoroughly enjoyed - well an afternoon and evening at least.  I played in my pairs journal which was much fun, I played in my art journal book (which I haven't done in forever............) and I did my Wild 'n' Reckless mail art cards - yet again a set of six!

I even managed images to tone in with the colours LOL using up images I've had an absolute age, altering them, changing hair colour and eye colour and tattooing the living daylights out of them - much fun!  Now I'm not sure which is my favourite possibly the lady with the green hair and the blue hair if I'm honest!

 Lady with green hair

 Lady with blue hair!

Thanks for popping by - hope you're having a great weekend, can't believe that we've only got one colour left - hoping for not too much pink if I'm honest but we'll see and it will be a challenge no matter what!

SUMMER OF COLOUR

Another post - can't you tell works been mad this week, finally finished this weeks mail art for the Summer of Colour challenge over on Twinkle Twinkle, I found this one hard as it was another ice cream with pink in it, but just about pulled it off (I think).

Right off to throw paint at something else now - don't stand still too long you'll get painted!

SATURDAY CRAFTING

Yes I know I've been MIA - blame work - Saturday let's have some crafting!

Layouts - this one of said 11 year old trying to pull the sword out of the stone at Warwick Castle last year!

 Up close, stamping, filled in and fake stitching!

 A double page layout, this is when I started the project life my style-y at the beginning of the year - unfortunately February's page never happened!

 Close ups

 Of both pages!

So there you go crafting Saturday morning style!

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY

Wow can you believe it's Friday again - how scary is that - I mean honestly - we are past midway point on the year which means that life is literally flying by - week 27 of Rocking Your World Fridays

Now this is late Thursday evening and I'm tired the auditors arrived on Monday and have been very busy keeping me on my toes since, my computer at work has had to be sent off for repair so life has been taxing and difficult and awkward and it's seriously caused me issues - but here we are to celebrate the positives albeit that sometimes they can feel small and insignificant - it doesn't matter how small if it's a positive it's worth celebrating so without further ado

First and foremost with a grand drum roll is this bunch of awesome people - why I hear you ask because they all joined in Rocking last week and I loved reading everyone posts and I don't think we've ever had so many join in - so to each and every one of my Rockettes I salute you!

Scrappyjen
Toni
Joanna
Janet
Sapphire Montague (tee hee)
Carmen
Laurie
Sabrina
Devon
Sarah
Sam

My Mum, sister and niece arriving home safely and having a great catch up on Sunday - Melanie is sooooooooooooooooooo brown - totally jealous but she looks really well on it - it was great to spend the afternoon chatting.

My niece for looking after her cousin when he went up to big school this week, it's been a taxing few days but lovely to know that she was there to look after him taking him on the two bus journeys and returning him safely (even if a bit grumpy - but that's another story) at night!

It's gonna be a long haul for him come September but knowing that he's ventured and done this bit on his own is one hurdle that needed to be dealt with and it seems as though he's enjoyed his days even if he is absolutely cream crackered when he gets home!

Hubby and said 11 year old helping clean up when it gets bad.

Hubby for cooking teas even ones that end up random like tonight - foods food - tonights was random though hun - garlic mushrooms tapas style I get, ham salad pitta's - I get, hot chicken - I get, sweet and sour chicken leftovers from chinese with prawn crackers - I get - but all together - really LOL - when I said using things up I don't think I meant everything!  But you cooked so no complaints!

Said 11 year old appreciating that work is mental at the minute and keeping me company on Saturday whilst I was working from home!

Blogging friends for knowing that although I've not been around this week that I'll be back really soon - I've missed so many posts!

Chats with my sister when I've dropped off and collected said 11 year old - motivating each other to get things done, her house is coming along a treat - mine however has only been tidied mentally - because work beckons LOL.

This Means War for providing a good giggle even if not particularly mentally taxing.

Charlotte at the hairdressers for taming the locks - however it does feel like I've got lego hair again you know the type you can take off and swap with another one if you fancy and women lego hair is always the same! .

Hubby for lightening and dying my hair at the weekend I'm currently a red head on my way to blonde - the things he does for me bless him!

Oh peeps I'm sorry but that really is my lot this week - blame work, late night early mornings parents evenings and audit!  Hopefully normal service will resume shortly!

Crafting - now don't hate me it's Christmas - no I mean it's a Christmas layout LOL and Susie no fainting from the statement - it's not long now you know!  Was only talking Christmas cards with my sister yesterday LMAO! The scene that greeted us in the town centre last year!

 Simple up close embellishments - it's amazing what a bit of glossy accents can do!

 A bit of double sided tape and scrunched up ribbon work a treat.

 The only decent shot from a School Reunion captured last year, I did have my eyes shut (don't ask) but hey - it's documented!

 And finally Mr Linky

I'M WAITING FOR WORK COMPUTER TO WORK SO THOUGHT I'D DO A CRAFT POST

Yes I know I know working on a Saturday, I'm feeling pretty grim if I'm honest but having done that amount of hours and then worked late last night and the majority of today - what do I expect.  At the moment I've asked the VPN to post a load of info - it's not happy with me LOL!

So whilst I'm waiting for it to sort itself out (which could take some time) I thought I'd post a couple of layouts, this one labelled Blow, we were at Cold Stones Cutt last year and said 11 year old discovered the walls had crystal formations in them so he wanted to see if they could be removed - not sure if blowing would do the trick LOL!

Then another layout of him exploring a castle with us - Richmond if I remember rightly just before I took poorly with vertigo he was racing around trying to hide and laughing so much!

Up close an embellishment provided by the wonderful Susie in a bag of goodies at Christmas - I was so happy to find something that matched the layout so well - thank you Susie! 

So there you go - a quick craft post and my computer is still not working LMAO!!!  Hey ho if I won't stop apparently my technology will!

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY

It's here - once again Friday greets us and we've had another changeable week with regards to weather so called summer and the trials and tribulations that we are all faced with each week - but this moment is the time to share and to think about the positives in the week.  Find those silver linings, those blue sky moments that have made your week more bearable and if you don't think you've had any then dig deep, cast your mind back, what part of this week has made you smile - maybe a phone call, a funny story, an e-mail contact with family or friends whatever it is nows the time to be grateful for it and maybe jot it down, so that when life gets tough and difficult you have positives to reflect on!

It's time for

This week has been a mixed bag, I've missed my Mum and my sister and niece like crazy since they've been away, they are probably counting down and commenting how fast their break has gone, me on the other hand feel like it's a lifetime since I last saw them so I'm grateful for the fact that I have such a good bond with them that I have missed them and I'm thoroughly looking forward to catching up when they return.

Next up - Sports Direct for having everything we needed last Friday which meant we didn't have to have a long jaunt out to sort said 11 year old with a new waterproof coat - woohoo!

Said 11 year old survived his residential (as did I) he toddled off on Monday morning, suitcase in tow seeming far too grown up for my liking and off they went arriving safely Monday lunchtime - which was another grateful of mine this week.

He had a great couple of days (apart from the broken nose but we won't mention that here) and came back completely shattered, with a smattering of random photos and some silent video footage the majority of which he took on the coach coming home - I ask you - does he not know his mother is an obsessive documenter of life!  But I'm grateful that he didn't miss us too much and that he had a great time when he was there!

Next up was the gift he bought us whilst away - a slice of green agate which is beautiful and will look fabulous in the crystal cabinet - so again another grateful that he was so thoughtful when he decided to buy a gift for us.

Getting his postcard at home before he got back, it was lovely to read the few words from him - bless him!

Then the next grateful has got to be the break me and hubby managed at the same time - now firstly don't ask how much it cost lets just say they'll be some serious money juggling next month, but a two night break away at Thoresby Hall was fabulous!  We went to Thoresby earlier in the year for a Spa day hubby had bought me last year, which was great, but we never got to see the actual hotel - so this is what we found this time!   It's owned by Warners who provide adult only hotels so there were no children about at all, we found however that most of the people there were significantly older than us but we didn't mind - I didn't go to socialise I went to down tools and switch my brain off whilst enjoying quality time with hubby and that's exactly what I got!

The great hall was a little intimidating when I first saw it - talk about out of my depth!

 We ended up with an historic bedroom in the old part of the house.

 We even got dressed up for evening meal - I mean how mad is that!

 This was one of the dining rooms - sadly not one we went to as dining here was an 'extra' but we got to have a look at it - the silk damask walls cost £100 per square meter - no wonder guests were asked to refrain from touching it!

We had a great time, we had late bedtimes and three course evening meals, we had aperitifs at the bar, chatted about life the universe and everything, enjoyed sleeping in a comfy six foot bed, historic tours around the house, walking around the grounds all in all great fun and yes before you ask we would definitely go again - however, with no children allowed I can't see that happening any time soon!

The entire time spent with hubby is most definitely a huge grateful for me.

Asda delivering the shopping last night when we got home.

Said 11 year old returning safe and sound

Doctors for seeing hubby after the two huge insect bites he has ended up with - having to keep an eye on him at the mo as he isn't feeling too clever with them.

Summer of Colour challenge over on Twinkle Twinkle - I've seen some fantastic art work - really inspiring.

Phone call from my Mum Wednesday night - made me smile - it was lovely to hear them all chattering away

So overall a great week - I hope yours has been too.

If you fancy joining in pop yourself a blog post together and pop back here to link up so we can come and visit, we're only a small group of Rockettes but I feel immensely grateful for the devotion of this little group who really have become some of my best friends.

Before Mr Linky - I always put some crafting on (not sure why - someone tell me why?), first up a layout of said 11 year old on a break last year, playing on the stairs with limited resources, some turtles (his favourites, he was really sad that he didn't have enough money for a turtle at the sea life centre when he was away as he collects these cuddly little creatures) an egg box and a ball of string, he made them lifts to go up and down the spiral staircase - it kept him occupied for hours.

 Up close hand stamped title layered up on foam pads and hand stitching.

Next up on photo of hubby and said 11 year old again from last year, using up old stash both papers and letters

 Lettering up close

So there you go another post completed and if I'm right this may well be the half way one through the year - Sarah will be able to tell us better - is that right Sarah?