Off on my holidays

I'm off to Italy for two weeks YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Rain, Rain Go Away!!!!!!!

When I look out of the window I really wouldn't believe that it is July and there are only 2 days left of the school year. It is still raining and we are all still wearing coats and trainers instead of flip flops and vests. At least if it's raining I can play in my workshop! I've been busy making 'stuff' but can't share yet but I can share a card I made for a friend at work and it's NOT for any kind of challenge.

(All papers from the shabby princess)

New additions in the burrow...

I've spent the weekend making special bunnies for special people. Meet Oscar, Olivia and Bella who will be setting off to start an adventure with the Royal Mail before settling into their new homes. It's raining here today so their photoshoot had to be indoors.

I have a busy week to look forward to. We are still playing catch up at school after our Ofsted so there are tons of things to do before we break up for the summer holidays on Friday.

Busy Times...

I can't believe there is only 1 week left of the school year, I'm looking forward to my long summer holiday but there is such a lot to be done before we can finish next Friday. I was asked to make a new baby card that wasn't boring baby blue so I made this with lots of different digi papers - and it wasn't for a sketch challenge!

At the weekend some special friends came to visit. Sue moved to New Zealand a couple of years ago and we haven't seen her since then but it was just like old times. We sat in the garden on Sunday afternoon and then we went for an Indian meal at our favourite restaurant on Sunday night. Corrie came for a visit too and she has now finished at Oxford and is graduating from Uni next week - hence the visit from Sue.

After the meal we drove down to the Gateshead side of the quayside to look at the millenium bridge. This is why I like living in Newcastle. It is one of my favourite places in the world and is right on my doorstep.

I've got lots planned this weekend with three bunny orders to fill and more card making and I have to write a letter of application for a promotion/grown up job at work :) So a busy time all round when added to all the usual end of year work and assessment at school.

Summer has arrived in my garden...

Just a quick post as I'm waiting for my lovely friend to arrive from New Zealand and summer seems to have arrived in my garden so I'm off to enjoy it!

I spent the morning creating whilst the clouds were in the sky and I'm really pleased with the results.

First off is a card for the Caardvarks challenge (make a card with four squares as the focus of your card)

(papers and embellishments by the shabby princess, chipboard letters by scenic route)

Then I got busy with the latest CPS card sketch and it just happens to be a Christmas card!

(papers by the shabby princess, chipboard letters by scenic route, chipboard star by heidi swapp)

The third challenge was the Sketch This (cards) #19 sketch.

(papers by the digi shoppe, font - bosshole)

Then just because I fancied doing it, I made a birthday tag out of left over bits and bobs that were lying around.

(papers by the shabby princess, acetate star by heidi swapp, stamp by studio g, clip from paperchase)

I'm back!

I've had such a fun time on the school residential holiday, I always love going and this year has been the best - fab kids, fab foods, fab friends and support staff and fab times! No pictures yet but I did take some lovely shots of the penguins at the zoo yesterday, really hoping they've come out okay as I haven't looked at my camera yet. I am exhausted and have suvived on about 5 hours sleep but it was well worth it to take the kids away (and of course I had the added bonus of missing Ofsted when they inspected the school whilst we were away!!)

I've been catching up with online friends and just have to say that Jaq at A String Of Beads is donating 10% of all her sales to The Eve Appeal to help raise funds for research into gynaecological cancers. She's made some gorgeous Dolly beads this week too so why not pop over and take a peep (I've pinched this picture from her shop website - aren't they gorgeous!!!!)

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Well actually on a variety club mini bus! Tomorrow I'm taking some children from my school on a residential holiday. We're going to visit Alnwick Gardens, Edinburgh Zoo and the seaside and come back on Friday. So a very busy few days ahead for us and there are no creations as our school had the dreaded Ofsted telephone call on Monday lunchtime to say they were coming to inspect us on Thursday. Lucky me, I miss it but I've worked my socks off today and yesterday and during the night getting everything ready to leave behind.

I'll be back at the weekend.

A x

Sunday again...

Stop the world - I need to get off!!! Or at least can someone slow it down. I can't believe that there are only 3 weeks left until the schools break up for the holidays - where did this year go to?? I am meant to be working my socks off this weekend writing reports and end of year assessments but instead have been playing in my workshop again :)

First off I've made a card for both the Daring Cardmakers blog and also Di Hickman's sketch. The DCM dare was to use beads, but me being a simple kind of a girl hasn't got loads of fiddly stuff like beads and sequins so after a lot of thought and even more searching I tracked down a bag of little alphabet beads that I've had for donkeys years and used these to spell out the word for the sentiment on the card by threading them onto wire.

(Papers from The Digi Shoppe, button from FooFaLa, metal photograph corner by American Crafts)

Next up is a challenge from Melissa Francis' blog. The card has to incorporate

the colour red, a star, something food related and some bling (my bling is a diamond

used on the dot of the 'i' on the word birthday)

(Papers from the Digi Shoppe, plastic star by Heidi Swapp, cupcake stamp by Tilda at Panduro)

Yesterday I downloaded some fab new digital kits and paper packs so these got an outing next. I just love the colours of this circle paper so I printed it in two sizes and used the smaller size to punch a flower for the centre.

(Papers from the Digi Shoppe, chipboard letter a by Maya Road, alphabet stamps by PSX, button by Adrienne Looman, flower punch by EK Success)

(Papers from the Digi Shoppe, PSX alphabet stamps, button by Adrienne Looman)

Lastly are the jars that I made for It's A Creative World for today's post. They are to make thank you gifts and the info is all over there so why not pop over for a peep.

Well, I suppose I should go and make a start on that school work!