getting away from it all

Well yet again it's been awhile. Mainly due to the UK finally having a bit of a summer and then me making use of these sun beds and pool in Moraira, Spain. We had a finca way up in the hills, we could just see the sea. We really did get away from it all it was gorgeous. We missed the drive that led up to the finca several times as it really didn't look like anything could get up there, but like everything once we had done it once we were fine. There was a small shop 10 minutes away so we had fresh bread and amazing pastries every day.

We spent every evening in the sweet little town of Moraira eating fabulous food and tapas. I loved this restaurant where they had adapted (added big blocks of wood) on all the tables and chairs so we could sit on a slope!!

We loved the fresh grapes and spent hours sitting here in the sun. Totally relaxing.

                   

So now we have been back a week its back to normal. By that I mean its raining!!!

I have been a little crafty since returning and made these  

Lovely Bag!

Doug messing around with my camera bag!!

Butchers Boy

filling the freezer - now just waiting for some more

Echo Park - For the Record 2

Saturday I made an unexpected visit to Ally Pally - hopefully will be back soon to share my makes! I bought some gorgeous stamps and want to have a play!

Surprise Surprise

me again, unheard of 2 posts in one week :) I just have some LO's to share as - it is so nice having time to scrap. It seems once school kicks in my time just disappears so I am making the most of the last couple of weeks.

My Best Friend

and a couple of close ups

Echo Park - Note to Self plus some Stamping - Up Script paper

and finally one that I have been meaning to do since - ermm January!!!
Twenty11

wouldn't mind but it wasn't even worth the wait!! Not one of my better efforts at all!

oh dear what a neglected blog - ahh well real life is actually MUCH more fun! I have been meaning to blog but there always seemed to be something else I wanted to do more, like sitting in the glorious weekend sunshine. Believe me I managed to sit outside all weekend, I read 2 books and yup think that was it - lovely!
So some updates, pigs are bigger and fatter maybe only a few more weeks till pork chop day! The Rotary Club projects I am helping to run are creeping up on us just a month to go before our MASSIVE  - GO HITCHIN weekend, but not too panicked yet. The Wine and Food Festival scheduled for November is ticking along nicely and the School Governors work I am doing will be finished this afternoon ready to send to all for half term. Then I am going to scrap my art out!!! 
We had our 10th Anniversary Ball last week - 10 years of Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary club - fantastic do all over to quickly

Scrappy projects, are very few but I did a couple at the lovely Scrapbags crop

 a room with a view

MME - Miss Caroline

this really was the view from out hotel in Santa Cruz.
Finally one of my favourite haunts in London - 

sights of Portabello Road 

Echo Park

Have a FABULOUS sunny - please! Jubilee weekend

xxx

fabulous long weekend

Which was rather well planned methinks. Arrive back from hols to two - 4 days weeks with a lovely long weekend in between - could definitely get used to this :)
Although we haven't actually done very much. Yesterday was spent catching up on chores followed by a lovely family meal out at The Raven in the evening. Today we took a very quick trip to Brent X so David could buy the Macbook he has been saving for, followed by more pig preparation this afternoon, it was far too cold to be in the garden so I am now in the warm with a cuppa.
Crafting wise I broke into some of my new paper and did this for  Sketchabilities #68

Streets of San Francisco

again more from a previous holiday

Echo Park - Note to Self


I am loving the new 'chicken wire'  Crafters workshop template I have :)

Happy Easter xxx

Quiet Monday

Monday again - and I have an empty house. After the comings and goings of the boys over the weekend it is very quiet- peaceful :) Mind you I do hate the way the weekend flies by stupidly quickly. 
This morning I haven't done anything very much but play in my craft room mainly because my legs are really aching after doing two 5km runs over the weekend. I do like running when its cold so I thought I could manage 2 which I did but now I know why I usually run every other day!! We will see what tomorrow brings.


I have finished off 2 LO's today both of which I have had on the go for a few days but haven't had a chance to just complete. I did the sketch over on Twisted Sketches #136 where the twist was fabric - so I cut a fabric circle and got my sewing machine out and stitched the lace onto it plus I used some ribbon so nearly 3 fabrics :)

nothing beats tea and a chat

Cosmo Cricket Pixie - Licious

This is a rather dark photo of my mum I took while I was demoing my iPhone to her and Doug's parents, we had all met up for a cuppa in Neals Yard Covent Garden - in between January Sale shopping. I love the little Maya Road tea-pot and mug - perfect for this photo


and then I found this blog Lets Capture these Sketches #116 and loved the sketch so had a play

Little and Large

you may have to click on this to read the journalling. It says

At Christmas we always get a couple of boxes ready for the boys presents.

 I can’t tell you how pleased I was the day I prepared these

Echo Park - Times and Seasons

Stupid really but I was giggling all day I couldn't wait for Chrstmas morning when I showed David hs box compared to Dans and yes I did have a 'proper' one ready.

Duller and Duller

What a dull dreary day in more ways than one - I am sitting here having break from school governor paperwork  which isn't much fun! Mind you I did also have a quick look and its only & weeks till we fly to Florida :) And my cooker is being cleaned as I type - money VERY well spent. 


Doug did the 10 miles run on Sunday in around an hour and 40 minutes he was well chuffed - I am very proud of him, all this running - he does it a lot has meant he has lost over 2 stone in weight!!


Saturday was spent scrapping Steph managed 11 yes 11 LO's all with paint and sprays amazing - me I think I did 3!!!! I did talk a lot though :) and ate cake - the most yummiest chocolate cake
So in spite of what I said earlier..... 

a Balanced Diet

Echo Park - Summer Days

  
and one more from las Vegas - this time INSIDE The Venician Hotel

only in Las Vegas

Basic Grey - Offbeat

Seriously considering a takeaway tonight - don't want to mess up my sparkly cooker!!

cold!!!

Is what I am - I know its mild out and yes the sun is shinning BUT I haven't any heating OR hot water so the house has cooled down to VERY COLD!!! So I am sitting here blogging with a fan heater which either makes me very hot or when I turn it off instantly cold - so yes I am having a good moan! The plumber is due tomorrow so fingers crossed this is the last day of it.


I have THIS bubbling away in the slo-cooker today - smells lovely hope it turns out as nice as the picture looks. I am also trying roasted brussels and bacon - never done that before so if neither work its just roast potatoes for tea :)


I finished this LO for an old and new challenge on Crafts By Carolyn

True Love

Echo Park -Time and Seasons Collection

I found this quote and thought it was lovely - especially as we were standing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge