Thursday 15 August 2013

A Day To Remember

This is a scheduled post as I am on holidays! I have written these posts up at the lake before we headed home to do a little much needed watering and weeding in the garden.  After a few days of hard work we were rewarded with the start of our holiday in England.

We are around the half way mark now and so far have been to the London area to see my cousin.She and her friend took us to Oxford for the day. We read about the history, enjoyed the architecture and also got a kick out of seeing the spots where one of our favourite TV shows, Lewis, was filmed. Lewis just ended on Canadian TV so it was such great fun that they chose Oxford for our outing that day!.
They also took us to the  Imperial War Museum where DH says he could have stayed for 2 days! He just loved it. Next up was a trip to Dunstable to see the kite fliers and the paragliders, the views there are spectacular. It was hard to say goodbye to them...they are such lovley people and always knock themselves out to ensure we have a memorable stay!

Next stop on the itinerary was Hampshire. I had a day of fun meeting up with  Di of Pixies Crafty Workshop and Sam of Hettiecraft. We went to a wonderful craft store called Flutterby's where I loaded up on Wild Rose Studio stamps and a good many other treasures. We picked up Mr Scrappymo and headed off to see Highclere Castle. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed our day out and will never forget how much they went out of their way to welcome me. Sam drove hours to meet me as she lives in Wales!!!

They were both very gracious about Mr Scrappymo tagging along as he is very reserved and nearly jumped out of his skin to have to meet up with "strangers"...Oh my, little does he know about bloggy friends! He seemed to be permanantly attached to my hip and strode through that castle with what seemed like a determination to be done!  Then announced that he loved the castle!  Thank goodness he managed to walk about the grounds on his own and then we could have a good chat and catch up, and sadly the day soon ended...
Here is a picture Di took of the three of us...We did not bring a laptop and as my camera has about 2000 photos on it I do not want to download them onto my cousins poor laptop in order to show you any of mine! Will do a picutre heavy post when I am home!
Left is Di, I am in the center and Sam (Hettie) is on the right. I am a big lady and struggled a bit with the weather as it was quite muggythat day,  so I think I am looking a little overheated!

After Highclere, we left for Whitehaven, the seaport town beside the wee village of Cleator where my Gran was from. We took day trips into the Lake District and toured Windermere, Grasmere, Amberside, Ullswater, Keswick and many more. We took different routes home each day so have traveled over various narrow, mountain passes and have seen so many of the gorgeous views of Cumbria.
We had a great day out with my cousin and his wife at the Lowther Show. DH climbed up a hill and called us over and we just managed  to see the horse and wagons riding round. The funniest thing there that day was a dog race where 3 dogs were suposed to chase a cloth baited with scent around a circular track.

Well the 2 larger dogs were off like a flash, chasing the scent like crazy and then out came a wee little dog who lagged behind for a few steps and then it noticed that the bait was half way round the circle...so it just cut across the track and grabbed the bait and won!  It was so funny!

We stayed with my cousin and his wife, two of the most wonderful people and they went out of their way to ensure our time with them was memorable. We had outings with my other cousin and my Aunt and we toured about Cumbria, we ate fabulously, we laughed and we laughed some more. This other cousin is a ace at directions and map reading, he soon had DH sorted about the best roads to take. My aunt is still spry and very nimble on her feet, she lept into the SUV with no problems at all! I took 3 times as long to get in and out...lol
It was so hard to bid them goodbye!  Family ties across an ocean are wonderful but leaving is so hard.

We arrived in Filey today and plan to be down on the beach in the morning for coffee and a bacon butty!
I will soon meet with Sue J from Ollismam and Sue P from Planet Susie and hopefully Jo from A little Piece of Me and  her lovely daughter Bex from Rebecca's Craft Corner.

So on with my scheduled post...
Perhaps the title almost fooled you ...bet you thought it was going to be another one of my local area posts...nope...finally have a card to share with you!

This is for my finished  birthday card box. I wanted something feminine and girly but still keeping with the shabby chic look I have been making up here at the lake . I only have that one small box of supplies with me this time, so many of my cards are going to look a bit similar...DP, Kraft die cuts, bit of paint, some chipboard, bling and maybe the odd flower...do you see a pattern here... lol
I know it is quite similar to my Silhouettes post but C'est la vie!

I had a little chuckle when I posted this photo...it has an escaped little diamond attached where it does not belong. When I was placing the diamonds on the corner die, I kept dropping them...I found all but one of them. I looked high and low on the table , on my clothes and on the floor...of course I did not find it as it had attached itself to the oval fancy die edge, just above the middle left edge.   lol
 It has since been plucked off and is currently banished to the naughty chair!!!
I was so happy that I managed to pull the errant diamond off without tearing the kraft paper (as I usually do in these situations). I was so happy about it that I redid the photo... lol
Here is a little closeup of the blinged up corner die. Did you notice that I managed to use up a couple more of the tiny flowers...Yay! I think this one will make a pretty birthday card.
Recipe:
Card base - From my stash; Michaels Recollections brand square textured card set
DP - First Edition Spring Feast 6x6  paper pad
Card Stock - Kraft snippets from my stash
Dies - Spellbinders Floral Ovals and Spellbinders Fancy Ribbons Die and
          Spellbinders  Fantastic Florals Two corner
Chipboard - from my stash; Michaels dollar bins
Bling - from my stash
Sentiment- from my stash; 7 Gypsies, Trousseau

I am entering this card in the following challenges

Pixies Crafty Workshop - must use snippets 

18 comments:

Carol L said...

It looks like you've been having great get-togethers with your pals while you're on vacation! TFS the great photo of your smiles - I can almost feel the fun you had together!! Beautiful card too, so soft and delicate! Have a great time while you're away!

Deb said...

oh wow, this is stunning, very elegant!
Debxx

Dawn's Stamping Garden said...

Mo -- you look fabulous and seem to be having a wonderful time! I love England, and my best friend ever is English, so I have spent some time there. We were penpals at age 13, and now...well, many, years later are still besties. Enjoy the rest of your holiday! And LOVE the shabby chic card!

Dawn's Stamping Garden said...

Also...when we were at the Tower Museum I thought I was going to lose my DH...similar tastes. And our pictures are full of armory pictures. LOL! Last time we went to Warwick castle...same thing. Wish I could send you by my bf's home & give her a hug for me!

Pia S said...

Some of your cards have the same style, but I find that each has an individual layout. I think these posts are great inspiration for how small differences make an impact and how to stretch your supplies! This card is nothing but simply elegant, and I do love this soft romantic look.

debby4000 said...

Can't believe you were in the next county than me. Hope you continue to have a good time here in the UK.
luv
Debby

Di said...

A lovely post Maureen and such a happy one too. Didn't we have a great day :)

I love your card, such soft colours too. Like me you suffer from outright honesty syndrome (the bling that escaped)!

I was asked a very direct and personal question the other day and immediately replied honestly. It was only later on that I thought 'Well, how intrusive and rude was that then' and wished I'd had it in me to say 'Mind your own business'.

Carry on having fun - I bet you're so looking forward to seeing the other ladies/girls. I know you'll have a blast!

Hugs, Di xx

Redanne said...

Wow Maureen, you have certainly packed a lot into your trip! How lovely to be able to meet up with your lovely crafty/blog friends too! Hope you have a lovely time with Sue, she always sounds like such fun on her blog. Love your gorgeous card too, it is stunning. Hugs, Anne x

Sarn said...

Hi Mo . . . WOW it sounds like you're having a fab time in the UK and getting to know some of your virtual chums personally. How wonderful.

Your card is soooo very pretty and I love all the bling (even the naughty piece!).

Keep on having fun.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Hettie said...

Gosh you have been a busy bunny, and Mr Mo of course. I must "borrow" that photo as it is such a nice one of us! That was a very nice man that took them for us!!
Gorgeous card there. I do love this shabby chic look you are doing so well. I would not have said a word about the naught bling!
Enjoy the rest of your trip both. Looking forward to seeing you on your return trip already.
Hugs
xx

Karen Petitt said...

Absolutely gorgeous Mo. I hope the rest of your stay goes well and you have a wonderful time with family and friends. I can attest to the fact that the cards from the lake at beautiful - I have one that I can see whilst I am crafting! Karen x

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Maureen,

I can't wait to see the photos of your holiday! When Di was here she brought me a book on Great Britian - so I will have to dig it out and look at what it says about all the place you visited.

Your card is lovely. Isn't that great the little piece of bling was stuck on the card where you could find it!

I think I once had your mailing address - but can you please email it to me. You'll find my email address on my "About Me" page.

Thank you for your kind words! You always make such inspiring comments about my photos. So much so that I think I am going to start selling some cards on etsy. I just need to purchase some card stock so they look professional. I am also going to enter some photos in the next County Fair (September, 2014).

Hugs,
Kay

nwilliams6 said...

Your card is beautiful! Such pretty work and details. Love the colors. Read your whole post - you are so funny and creative! So glad you got to visit with friends and do so much! Hugz!

Erika said...

Hi Mo....by that is some trip you are making and some miles you are clocking up. I hope you have a ball. Enjoy Filey...don't forget the ice-cream!
Happy holiday hugs,
Erika.

MaryH said...

You've really got this vintage chic done to perfection. I'm loving the pink, cream & kraft, and I've always loved cameo silhouettes. This is beautiful. Had to chuckle as I read about your errant bling (you were channeling me, weren't you? That's one of my tricks! Except I don't get it fixed as nicely as you did here!). Went back for another look to find the wandering bling. Enjoyed seeing the picture of you 3 elves again, and hope you're still having a fab time. TFS & Hugs.

Sassy Raggedy said...

This is just beautiful Mo...Sorry I have not been around much I am on jury duty here...Hugz, joann

Glenda Atkins said...

Sound like a perfectly delightful holiday, glad to see blogging buddies meet up, how fun! Your card is beautiful and your escaped pearl made me laugh!
hugs
Glenda

Tracy said...

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time :)
You card is beautiful as always :)