ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY

Well it's here the final week of the school holidays and haven't they flown by, this time next week said 11 year old will have started secondary school gulp and I'll be another 7 days closer to the big 4-0 but we are not talking about that are we.

This post is about what positives, happy moments, phone calls, conversations etc you've had that have made you smile and made life that little bit happier in the last week because its

Crikey where to start?

Well first up is a grateful from when I returned from holiday which I've only just got around to photographing - this gorgeous piece of mail art from Devon - thank you sweetie, it's gorgeous and I love the sentiment.  I actually like the thought of having an inner madness if I'm honest, I'm sure I have one!

I also received another piece of mail art that the Post Office decided to add to with a circled 'P' - how rude of them, but the piece is gorgeous, this is from Vicki from the Collaborart blog.

So two pieces of gorgeousness recently.

The garage sorting out my velocity gaitors - not mean personally I'll add, my car - despite the cost these will apparently allow my brakes to continue working which is a great alternative to the - "when they split your brakes won't work" comment - I'm sure you'll agree.

A trip up Sheffield to Weston Park Museum, as usual spent more time in the cafe than the exhibits but still enjoyed walking around the exhibition about childhood stories, however, I did feel the 'hype' on their website was a little over the top when compared to the actual display but we went we saw and it got us out of the house, actually said 11 year old was more excited about the gold postbox in Sheffield for Jessica Ennis than he was for the visit to the museum (well apart from the chips and chocolate milkshake he consumed in the cafe at the museum obviously)

 As you can see - smiley happy child!

 And the display on John Lewis' just across the way!

Weird bank holiday weekend, but nice to spend time with hubby - so another positive.

A visit from a friend from Stafford and her 12 year old son, always great company, one of those people who no matter how long it is since I last saw her (and we think it's a year since we last saw each other) we just pick up where we left off.  Always good.

A days TOIL from work (because I can) meaning more time with said 11 year old.

Asda delivering food (I hate supermarket shopping).

Chats with my sister - always positive, and the cuppa tea I needed the other day when I was a bit low.

My Wednesday Whine group who are a constant source of support and really rally round when one of us has got issues which included me this week.

Starting to have a plan, it's been a while coming but it is finally coming to fruition.

Postcard from my Mum whose away on her holiday, she rarely phones me these days so it was nice to get a postcard from her.

Finishing said 11 year old's bedroom off finally, although the trip to Ikea proved costly it was worthwhile as the room now looks like a 'teenagers' bedroom rather than a child's bedroom.

Celebrity Big Brother and X Factor, I know you are groaning at me but I do like these 'fly on the wall' type series and because there's no Mr Cowell in X Factor I'll tolerate another year of this Saturday night entertainment because it makes me giggle.

Crafting, firstly an entry for a CJ that I needed to do, then starting on a birthday book for a friend and starting to formulate a plan for another CJ.

Hubby getting my chair back for my craft table now I've got a rug for under it.  It's sooooooooooooo much better.

Said 11 year old for all the help he gave me this week, we tidied the dining room, kitchen and TV room and he vacuumed throughout with great enthusiasm - always a blessing.  Let's hope it carries on.

And that my beautiful Rockettes is my list for this week, fancy joining in then grab yourself a few minutes, throw a blog post together and list your grateful's for this week head back here for a quick link up and you're good to go, that way we can come and visit your world and celebrate your positives this week.

I hope you've had a good one!

RIP RESURRECTED CJ - COLOURS - HERE BE SPOILERS

Oh I'm behind on some of my promised arty things so given the beautiful weather we're having today (not) I've been crafting and am now working on a 2" square piece of workspace on my crafting desk (I kid you not) which means it's been a productive day.

I'm in a CJ on UK Scrappers at the moment which is the Rock In Peace Resurrected Circle Journal.  Unfortunately we've had a CJ go missing in action and despite best endeavours it hasn't re-emerged so some girls are re-doing their entry for it, others (like me) are having a first go at it, the CJ that has gone missing is based on colours.

First of all I spent far too long 'thinking' about it, whilst everyone else was logical and gave a big shout out on the forum of which colour they were going to do (not me I was too busy thinking), by the time my list came to fruition most of the colours had been taken and with a request not to repeat colours if at all possible I was back to the drawing board, I spent all morning (all morning I repeat all morning), scanning CD's trawling through lyrics websites all to no avail, then said 11 year old said opt for a specific colour in the search engine and see what it throws up - next minute I'm on You Tube watching Goldfinger's version of 99 Red Balloons and the plan comes together.

Then I decided that the page would need 99 balloons (I kid you not) and several hours and rather sore fingers later it's done.  Now some of the balloons are covered with the hand piccie, but I know on the front of this (including the spine) are exactly 99 balloons.  Had much fun putting this together hope Clare likes it!

The finished page will go into a CD wallet and then the spine (on the left hand side) will be attached and used to put it into the remade book.

 Page on it's own

Signing in page at the back and yes before you ask that balloon would be number 100 - now I know the tracks not 100 red balloons this one is a special balloon for Clare, whose journal it is and whose original journal went missing in action!

Thanks for looking hope you like, now where's that craft list what else have I got to be getting on with.

WHERE IS TIME GOING?

Blink and I almost missed it - what I hear you say - the school holidays, it only seems like a short time ago that we had the end of primary school with a long break stretching out in front of us, with so many things we wanted to do and get done and now it's 29 August and the time has simply disappeared.

Crafting has been absolutely hit and miss during the holidays, I've no idea how I managed to have it so hap-hazard, I'll have a little flurry of activity and then nothing for days verging on weeks - absolutely crazy I tell you.

So I thought I'd best put a post together before you think I've disappeared completely.  First up a layout of a bouquet of flowers I received last year from a school friend whom I'd sent a gift to for her daughters birthday and this was what she sent me - I was utterly overwhelmed and told her to promise she wouldn't do anything so crazy again because I sent it as a gift not as something she had to reciprocate and she promised she wouldn't LOL, but I wanted to document this and the thoughtfulness (plus I got to play with pink paper - always a positive).

 And then the banner said 11 year old did for his Dad last year when he was away for a week!  He spent hours colouring it in and hanging it from the mirror and his Dad was really impressed with it!

So there you go I haven't fallen off the end of the world (yet) and here are the layouts to prove it!

ROCKING MY WORLD FRIDAY

Oh I've been meaning to update last weeks post all week - but it hasn't happened not one bit, so I'll give you a quick recap on what we managed (and didn't manage) to do last week, before noting a few things this week.  If you've happened along here from one of the gorgeous Rockettes and wonder what this is all about it's really rather simple, take a step back from your life and remember the positives of the week, the little things or the big things that have made life that bit easier and happier and lighter and made you smile - you get them?  No - well dig deeper they are there, we just spend a lot of time ignoring them, getting caught up with the doom and gloom news, or dwelling on things that haven't pleased us, if you focus your energy on positives I promise you'll soon be smiling.  Got them?  Right throw yourself a blog post together and come back and link so we can come and visit, no blog but want to note the positives leave a comment (hell leave a comment anyway I like reading).  So eyes down for my positives

So first up

1.  Fun family time away from home - check
2.  A beautiful cottage - yep had one of those

3.  A fabulous garden - had one of those

4.  Some dry weather - yes those blue skies were in this country and that my good people is Tintern Abbey

5.  Castle (s) plural = Caerphilly, Raglan and Castell Coch (no piccie of Raglan copied no idea why)

6.  Fun days out - oh yes managed them!

7.  Good Company - hubby said 11 year old and sister - check!

8.  Lots of laughter - absolutely
9.  A sprinkle of art journalling - managed some (not as much as I expected)
10.  Time with said 11 year old (with no juggling) - managed that

11.  Time away from TV - oh yes other than the Olympics closing ceremony we managed a TV free week until the last evening - don't ask - said 11 year old decided to ease himself back into TV big style!
12.  Time to plan - not really too busy chilling
13.  Time to take stock - again too busy chillaxing
14.  Hell just time - had time it was nice could do with some more!
15.  A wood burning stove (if it's cold) - it was not cold with walls 3 feet thick we didn't need any central heating in this place!
16.  A beautiful conservatory to enjoy - check - art journalling at the table and chilling on the chairs reading into the evening

17.  Countryside, yes this was me and little sis sat outside the cottage enjoying a lager and a good chat.

18.  A visit to a vineyard or brewery - didn't manage this but did find these little gems at a local pub

19.  Enough clothing to keep us going - check even brought some clean items home
20.  Smooth journey - check - there and back!
21.  Good food - this was a 'snack' at the pub and was shared between us - it twas yum!

So as you can see we had a fabulous time whilst we were away.  The gems this week, getting home to a tidy house - always rocks my world, not that it looks the same now but that doesn't matter does it!

Pyjama day on Sunday - bliss - I was feeling that lazy!

Won't mention work Monday Tuesday - that's not what this post is about!

Wednesday trip out with said 11 year old, niece and sister to local shopping centre, mooching around the shops, buying bags for school and pencil cases and grabbing a quick bite to eat whilst in great company - bliss!

Thursday - well todays been a bit odd, but cooking for hubby this evening, picking up a CJ from the post office and reminiscing about films from my teen years has been fun.

Teapots full of hot tea, weight watchers has also been nice since I got home.  Fabulous crystal purchases last week now being used, the fluorite tea light holder a particular favourite.  Hubby always being happy to listen even when I'm a bit low and see what we can do!

Overall not a bad week I've had to dig a bit deeper through this week than last week, but that's to be expected.

So that's it, my positives for this last week or two, the things that have made my heart lighter, made me smile made me be thankful to be alive and to be surrounded by amazing people, including my Friday Rockettes who never cease to amaze me when they join in and share they positives - you are all amazing!

And I'll leave you with piccie of said 11 year old and the way to cheer him up after a five mile walk!

 And how to get him home without the 5 mile hike back!

I kid you not!

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY

Tis time to give our gratefuls an airing on our blog, dig deep or long list fulls it doesn't matter, provided it's made you smile, has been a positive or lifted your heart a little it's worth celebrating

OK so this is going to be interesting because I'm doing this post before I've actually got my gratefuls - why?  Away with no internet access so here goes what I'm hoping will be my list of gratefuls this next week

1. Fun family time away from home 
2. A beautiful cottage
3. A fabulous garden
4. Some dry weather (pretty pretty please, it's not forecast but if we can just see the blue skies occasionally I might stay sane).
5. Castle
6. Fun days out 
7. Good company
8. Lots of laughter
9. A sprinkle of art journalling
10. Time with said 11 year old (with no juggling)
11. Time away from TV 
12. Time to plan
13. Time to take stock
14. Hell just time 
15. A woodburning stove (if it's cold)
16. A beautiful conservatory to enjoy
17. Countryside
18. A visit to a vineyard or brewery 
19. Enough clothing to keep us going but not too much to stuff the car (we've got an extra passenger)
20. A smooth journey to and from our holiday destination
21. Good food

I'll update this when I get back and let you know if and what of the above we manage.

As I've already got one Mr Linky up, can't use another just yet, so leave a comment with your blog info and I'll try and grab a signal and update as I go whilst we are jaunting around.

May you all have had a beautiful and blessed week. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY

Good Morning, it is Friday once again now three weeks of the school holidays are over and we are nearing the end of the Olympics but before we continue we must remember what the post is about - it's about celebrating the positives that we've had in our lives over the last 7 days - no matter how small or seemingly trivial if they lightened your heart and made you smile then they are 'rocking' moments!

So eyes down starter for ten no conferring

• the Olympics have been fabulous to watch enjoy and soak up - we've watched some amazing sports in the last two weeks and although I was dreading two weeks of wall to wall sport I can honestly say it's been great, our 11 year old was looking forward to it sooooooooooo much but we were somewhat sceptical, isn't it nice when  you are wrong.  And we've put the Tivo box through its paces whilst we've been out and about - thus not missing any of the action! 
• the BBC for putting on the sport specific channels over the last couple of weeks, truly world class coverage
• The news for having something positive to enjoy - we normally have wall to wall doom and gloom and I've been known to ban news because all that doom and gloom is no good for anyone, but with the Olympics we've had medal this that and the other - shame it's going to end it would be nice if the news could keep with its upbeat and positive news items as well as the doom and gloom.
• Having my first post published on It's a Creative World - Kat a fellow team member on UKS put me forward and I was asked to join in - I provided details of how to create these little beasties

If fancy finding out more this is the link to my Embellishments Post 

• Then said 11 year old starting his own blog (well it's in my name but it's a start), if it gets him writing I'm all for it - http://thediaryofkidrock.blogspot.co.uk/ again here's the link 
• Venturing out to the garden centre last Friday and having some sunshine - great company with my sister and my niece as well as said 11 year old.
• Having a lovely weekend tootling around the house, painting and decorating, tidying, defrosting freezers etc, all good fun now that it's done.  
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid film I was sceptical that I'd enjoy it but overall it was OK and said 11 year old enjoyed it.
• Hubby for listening, understanding being cross and frustrated for me when things were going pear shaped and for being truly awesome as always.
• Hubby for helping coming and doing the difficult bit painting wise on my sister's stairs (the ones where you have to offset the ladder and scare everyone) 
• Sister for making the most awesome soup before we painted her stairs on Wednesday - homemade vegetable soup - nothing finer I tell you! 

And that my beautiful Rockers and Rockettes is it for this week, short and to the point but sometimes that's the way it rolls, I hope you've had a truly beautiful and blessed week and have a great weekend and week ahead, fancy joining in (even though there are only a few of us), then pop a post together, link back here and we'll come and visit, don't stress if its not on Friday, whenever you get five minutes.

MONDAY MORNING BLUES

I'm finding it harder and harder to get up and go to work during these six week holidays, the time away from work has me taking stock a little and realising the things I'm missing out on, like time with said 11 year old and keeping the house ticking over so weekends can be more fun and less work, but work helps pay the bills so I'll be toddling off shortly, in the meantime I thought I'd pop a quick post together with another layout (this is becoming a habit)

this layout from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and is quite apt because when we left the local garden centre on Friday their farm is advertising that they too now have mere cats, so I can see said 11 year old wanting to pop there soon.

A simply layout, layered up shaped pieces, some dry embossing with a favourite embossing folder, hand stamped title and a little bit of stitching and glossy accents and that's all you need.

Hope you are having a great day.