Black & White

Beautiful, stylish, elegant.

New Technique

Today at class we did brayering, I've never done it before and neither had the others. Barbara Gray
is the expert and I love watching her when she's on the tv, but I've never wanted to go to the expense just in case it wasn't for me.

I'm not honestly convinced that I would do it again, it can be quite messy, but I am very proud of both my cards.

This one is definitely my favourite. 

Ribbon Scarf

When we were away last month we came across a wool shop, Mum had been looking for a particular wool for a section on a Christmas jumper she's knitting for Marion, so I said to go in and take a look.

We looked in the window for a while at all these different wools and I remember looking at ribbon with a sample piece beside it and thought it would be impossible, but went in and saw the lady knitting one.  I decided there and then to treat myself.

I started this a couple of evenings ago, very late I might add and did pretty well.  I decided while I was waiting to leave to collect her from school this afternoon I would just sit and do a bit more and before I knew it in 20 minutes it was finished.

I Am Not a Robot

But for those of you who have the robot verification on their blog comments, it seems that I am.  I tried commenting on Barb's latest post and after 15 attempts at the verification I gave up.
I'm not blind and I can read, it just didn't accept what I was putting in.  Please don't anybody mention listening to it, as that makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Cottage and Sheep Card

I really love the scene on this card, I can just picture myself in that cottage with the sheep in the field beside me, it's my idea of the perfect house.

Golden Postbox

We have a golden postbox near to the school after Ollie Hynd won a gold medal in the Paralympics. It was already painted when we returned from the trip last night, although we did go and take a photo straight after.  I had promised her after school today she could get a nice daytime photo with the golden postbox.

Here is the one I took last night, the paint was still tacky as it had only just been posted that morning.

Paralympic Village Visit

We went with school to the Paralympic Games and what an amazing experience it was.  It's something that will never be forgotten. 

Mandeville - Paralympic Games Mascot

Her Majesty the Queen's floatilla

Women's Goalball China and Finland

Wheelchair Rugby

Chatsworth House

Every since we watched the programme about A Year at Chatsworth, Marion has wanted to go. So we went today and had a wonderful time. Most of the pictures have been taken by the budding photographer, so I will leave you to browse the photos if you wish.

Hand stitched tapestry chairs, wonderful works of art.

 Marion and Granny

Stitched Sentiments

Someone asked me if I would stitch them some happy birthday and best wishes to make into toppers for their own cards.  I did and now she's decided she doesn't want them.  That's really annoying when that happens.  I probably won't use them myself.

We're off out tomorrow so long as the weather is good, to Chatsworth House.  Marion really wants to go and see inside the house, she loves history and after the series called Chatsworth a few months ago, she's been desperate to go and visit.

Happy Birthday Grandad, I hope you and Granny are having a wonderful time together up there, we miss you so much.

TEN Today

On the 30th August 2002 my life changed forever, my darling baby was born.  It turned out to be a girl and she had an immediate name, Marion, named after her Great Granny. Today that tiny little baby is ten years old and 4ft 6inches tall.

Each year she chooses what she wants to go and this year she wanted to go on a riverboat along the River Medway. She could either choose the paddle steamer or the long boat and she chose the long boat. So off we went to The Malta Inn at Maidstone and then we got onboard, as she was the birthday girl she was on first :) 

It was a lovely leisurely trip and we saw some lovely narrow boats along the way and we had an excellent view of Maidstone Crown Court, which you will have seen on many a crime drama.  The boat stops just a bit further along from the court and you can get off to go shopping or stay on and go back.  She decided she was hungry and wanted to go back to the Malta Inn so she could eat.

All in all the trip was an hour long.  It was so peaceful that it didn't feel like an hour.

After our meal we went back home to my parents house for a nice cuppa but no birthday cake 'I don't want it ruined' she said!!!

She made the madeira cake herself with Mum and had said she wanted blue icing, so that's what she got.  She designed it all herself, cut out the penguins and seahorses herself. 

First you have Everest at the back with a penguin climbing it and then you have the ice floats.

Smiling away happily at finally becoming a ten year old :)

Happy Birthday darling, with all our love Mummy, Granny and Grandad xx