bj's scraps

9th Jan

2011-01-11T22:48:00.000Z

Today was the first time I think this year that we have woken to glorious blue sky.

6th Jan rain rain and more rain

2011-01-11T22:46:00.001Z

Needed this all day today .

The decorations are down

2011-01-05T20:28:00.000Z

Have been suffering with a cold so not been feeling on top of the world but have managed to take a photo a day.

Here is the one from yesterday. Really surprised to see these flowers in the garden after the freezing temperatures we have had.

Today the POTD had to be the decorations.

New Year

2011-01-02T19:50:00.001Z

Well here we are in a New Year. Hopefully I will blog a bit more frequently this year. I am hoping to take a photo every day this year and may post some of them here. We have been quite busy since the beginning of the year. Family left mid morning on NYD and so some time was spent tidying up after 2 toddlers! Lovely to have them though as we don't see them that often and they grow up so quickly.

I sorted my January page for the calendar challenge I am continuing with. Really enjoyed doing it so am doing it again. Must take a photo of the finished December pages.

Today we have been to Bridport. A lovely town with wide streets. Lots of driving though but it was good to get out and about although it did turn a bit chilly.

calendar challenge

2010-07-31T20:46:00.001+01:00

Still doing the calendar challenge from this website http://thekathrynwheel.blogspot.com/ and
loving it. Almost finished July pages

and have been getting ready for August

although not quite finished yet. I often finish the title and such like throughout the month but at least I have the background done and the squares stuck on ready. Had actually meant this to be yellow and purple but it didn't quite work out that way. Better luck next time.

birthday card

2010-07-13T22:24:00.000+01:00

Actually done a bit of crafting today. A 40th birthday/gift card for my son in law.

Did the basic card about 4 years ago when I first started scrapping but never had any matching card/paper to finish it.

flowers in my garden

2010-06-18T12:32:00.000+01:00

I have been doing a bit of blog hopping and seeing the beautiful flowers on a friends blog decided to take some of the flowers in my garden.

Check out this blog
http://whatsthisiseethen.blogspot.com/ for my inspiration.

Having a bit of trouble today with photo placement and writing so this will have to do for now.

holidays

2010-04-21T19:45:00.000+01:00

The prompts this week are about holidays. I haven't been away for a long holiday yet this year but we do go away for the odd weekend. In the meantime we went out for a walk on Sunday and hardly saw a soul. It was lovely and just like being on holiday as the sky was blue and we hadn't done this particular walk before.

Here I am on the way up.

Here we are at the top.

On the way down we some some lovely violets.

Afterwards Mr and Mrs N stopped at a coffee shop and had cake. I didn't get to see any of it though - not even crumbs. :(

Shimelle's weekend crop

2010-04-18T19:25:00.000+01:00

I haven't been able to do as much as I would like during this weekend but did manage this class which was a sketch class plus using a bit of woodgrain if possible. I turned the sketch on its side so that I could fit in my 3 photos.

envelope card

2010-01-29T17:41:00.000Z

Thanks to my friend Shirley (her blog is here) I have been following this on you tube to make this birthday card come gift holder for my DGD who will be 9 very shortly.

The gift card fits in the pocket brilliantly.

As I wanted it to double as a card I adapted the instructions a bit so that it could stand up.

Not quite sure what I am going to do on the tags at the moment but might find a funny quote or put in a photo of her as a baby and perhaps add some ribbons.

crafty day

2010-01-15T20:04:00.000Z

Well it has been very dull and drear here. No sun at all - however the temperature has risen so all the snow is melting leaving lots of puddles and muck around. The garden is looking very sorry for itself and not sure how much will have survived. Any way it has given me a chance to catch up with some crafting.

I have finished the LO for prompt 2 of Scrapdolly's 52 in 10 class. See here for the prompt.

I am doing my album in a12x6 format.

The other project I have been doing is on Shimelles blog here and this is my attempt at the front cover.

and this is the ribbon and flower I shall use. Haven't actually done the elastic bit yet as I am waiting to see how big the album will be first.

art calendar

2010-01-12T15:20:00.000Z

I have been inspired by this blog post and this blog post to make this.

Having made the page for the month it is just a question of filling in a little 1.5 in x1.5 in square each day and adding a little doodling.

birthday card

2010-01-10T16:42:00.002Z

Been busy crafting today making a card for DGD birthday.

snowy walk

2010-01-06T12:09:00.000Z

Well we woke up to a white world today so just had to go out for a walk. Here are some pics.

ef52 finish

2009-12-31T15:36:00.001Z

Have really loved doing these. Here are the last 3

EF tags 48 and 49 and JYC

2009-12-16T21:52:00.000Z

Have been having a bit of a catch up on my EF52 tags

Here is no 49 What is the sweetest thing anyone has done for you?

And no 48 What have you done over and over this week?

Also here are some of my JYC pages

weather

2009-11-23T14:09:00.000Z

The weather is so unpredictable today - 1 minute it is chucking it down with rain and the next the sunshine is streaming through my window.

I finished "The timetravellers wife". it was OK but I got a bit bored half way through. I normally read science fiction anyway so didn't find it that strange. I would be quite interested to see the film however.

I am now reading the 'wheel of time' series book 12. - "The gathering storm. It has been a long time coming as unfortunately Robert Jordan died before he finished the last book. He had mapped out the story though so Brandon Sanderson was asked to finish writing it. It has now been decided that this last book should be divided into 3 so there are a couple more to look forward to.

Details here

Fab site

2009-11-17T13:11:00.000Z

Just discovered a really fab site showing all sorts of pretty things here This page looks very useful.

Think I will be spending a lot of time there.

Not got any further with sorting out my LO's. Yesterday was pretty much taking up with the DHW which had been sadly neglected for a little while. It's strange isn't it how everything suddenly needs doing. On my want list is a new hoover - one that actually picks up bits and pieces - especially little bits of paper and cotton and fluff from socks.

Also spent some time printing out some printables from this site for my mother. She is 90 and needs a bit of help organising her week/day etc. She has just moved and finding things a bit muddly at the moment so hope the notes will help remind her what she has to do each day.

This is a LO I did for the CC. She moved 3 weeks before her birthday!

CC

2009-11-15T20:52:00.000Z

I have had great fun cybercropping this weekend and have done several LO's.

Got half way through this one and my sewing machine gave out!! May upload some more tomorrow but must blur the faces before I do

Wicked cybercrop

2009-11-13T15:11:00.002Z

Today is the start of the cybercrop over at UKS .I have been rushing around madly getting the shopping in for the weekend. We are having very quick and easy meals eg pizza so I don't have to spend long cooking. Also got the washing up to date and a bit of tidying done. Once the crop actually starts things tend to get a bit manic as I rush from classes to challenges. However it is all fun fun fun and a chance to actually do some scrapping.

My DH has been warned and plans to spend his weekend in the garage.

This time I am a "tinman" from the wizard of OZ for point purposes and obviously our team aims to WIN.

You can see I am a big fan of cybercrops. I love that I have all my stuff around me and can spread out and make a mess!!! I much prefer this type of cropping to going to real crops where inspiration seems to dry up and I have limited space and in fact I don't get any LO's done at all.

Which do you think is best - cybercropping or attending real crops?

scarf

2009-11-12T10:13:00.000Z

Thought I would show you a project I am working on and which I hope to complete before Christmas. Haven't done any knitting for some time but think of it as a winter craft and something to do whilst watching TV in the evenings. I saw this pattern on Its a creative world site. You need to scroll down just a little for the instructions.

Love the way it looks quite tricky but in fact it is just garter stitch. Will let you know when it is finished!!!

funny video

2009-11-11T20:30:00.002Z

Think this is probably my funniest video to date.

A bit old now but still makes me laugh.

Today - need I say more!

2009-11-06T12:49:00.002Z

Boring day

2009-11-05T23:04:00.000Z

Hasn't actually been boring today and I have been busy busy busy. However I did actually pick up a book from the library that I had reserved sometime ago "The time travellers wife". I have heard it is very good. Here is a review. Of course I haven't read the review - I don't want to know the story before I read the book IYSWIM.

I rarely read the blurb on the inside cover or the back of the book and if I do it will generally be the first line or 2 only. I often choose a book just on the cover alone.

When I was a child I couldn't do this because in those days all the books seemed to have the same boring brown or green covers and NO pictures. How I managed to choose a book at all I shall never know. Perhaps my mother picked them for me.

Talking of covers - at one of the libraries I worked in we had a book covered in human skin. What part of the body it came from I didn't like to enquire!

Day 3

2009-11-04T15:44:00.000Z

What is inspiring me right now.

1 This blog inpires me. I love the colours she uses

2 Have just finished reading this series of books. Need to request the next series.

3 Thought these a great idea for easy and fun Christmas table gifts.

Thinking of using a single pot by each plate.

A favourite autumn recipe is cream of pumpkin soup. I use as a basis the recipe from Good Food 101 low fat feasts but I adapt it slightly.

ingredients

3lb pumpkin, peeled and chopped.

3 tbs olive oil

1 large onion

2 garlic cloves (I don't use)

2 tsp cumin seeds ( I use curry powder )

1 potato peeled and chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

1 1/4 pts vegetable stock

creme fraiche to serve ( I don't bother with this)

Dried- fried sage leaves, to garnish ( I don't use these either)

My DH often despairs of me as I very rarely use the exact ingredients for any recipe whereas he has to have every single item.

Method - Again I do my own method. I fry onion , pumpkin, potato in the oil for a few mins then add curry powder for a couple of minutes. I then add the stock and simmer until the pumpkin and potato are cooked. (This will depend on the size of your chunks of potato and pumpkin. )

I whizz it all up with a hand held mixer/blender whilst still in the saucepan and then that's it.

Loved it with pumpkin wholemeal rolls that I used to buy in Germany but can't find here.

5. This site is not new but one I return to again and again when I want ideas for scrapbook page titles or quotes. Love it.

It has taken me ages to sort this out but I really enjoyed doing it. Must get to grips with how to take a copy of a pic from someones blog. Is the only way to save it to your own picture gallery I wonder?

Day2

2009-11-03T16:52:00.000Z

Today's reading has been quite a lot about personal security on the net and I have to say it has worried me for some time. It is one of the reasons I feel that I have trouble blogging because I try to be so careful. I don't put pictures of my grandchildren up generally speaking unless it is their back or side view and try to keep personal details to a bare minimum. This does limit me somewhat. Do you do a LO just to put on a blog that you wouldn't do otherwise ? OK you can hide the journalling but then it is so awkward because you have to take the LO out of the page protector to read. I have on occasion posted a picture of a LO and then finished off the journalling afterwards which works quite well.

As regards being away - not blogging everyday does mean that people aren't necessarily aware you have gone away. I have just installed live writer which has the handy function of being able to publish a post at a specific time in the future which could be handy. Must try it out.

Haven't done the scrapbook page for today. Takes me ages to sort out photos and papers so it may be some time!!! However think it may involve this photo

with a title being "the end of an era"

blogging for scrapbookers Day 1

2009-11-02T20:54:00.000Z

The class begins.

My intentions for the next three weeks are to blog more than I have been for the last few months. To hopefully make my blog more interesting and possibly do a bit of scrapping. Haven't done a lot of that of late as I have been a bit busy helping my mother move to her new flat.

As you can see my desk is clear and ready to go. Today I have learnt quite a bit of technical stuff re setting up google reader and making it easier to read other blogs.

If you fancy starting this class the pop over here to get more information.

Experimenting

2009-10-28T17:52:00.000Z

Trying out live writer as recommended by other bloggers as being very easy to use. Not sure about that as it has taken ages to download but I am sure it will get easier.

Ooh yes – love the things you can do with the pics. This is an old LO I did from last year 365 challenge just to test.

Fancy new toolbar

2009-10-27T15:07:00.000Z

I was trying to follow Shimelles instructions re posting in blogger and realised my toolbar was nothing like the one she illustrated so did a bit of searching and have discovered the fancy new one with loads more features. Anyway can now try a link.

This is the course I am doing online scrapbooking class for bloggers . It starts in November so I hope my blog will become a bit more interesting next month.

Updating

2009-10-26T20:41:00.002Z

Well I have just joined a class run by Shimelle called blogging for scrapbookers. Have started to prettify my blog by using autumn colours and tomorrow hope to do some linking to Shimelles blog.

Have been line dancing tonight. A new class just started at a local school so thought I would give it a whirl.

2009-07-28T21:15:00.002+01:00

Early morning (well not that early) walk beside the sea - love it. The tractor was out pulling down some of the stones so that the lifeboat could get out if necessary. Must have been a high tide last night. Peaches in our garden. This year we have had about 8 and we have actually been able to eat them. Our first harvest!

If you get a magnifying glass you might actually be able to spot Camilla PB who came to open the West Wilts show.

52Q

2009-07-19T22:51:00.003+01:00

question 28 What are your favourite days of summer filled with?Took part in a cybercrop this weekend at scrapstars.com and this was one of the challenges to make 3 flower embellishments.

New forest LO

2009-07-15T21:05:00.002+01:00

I have used Bo Bunny paper I bought at the weekend. The photo mats are made out of the paper I won in the game. The letters were left over from the class we did and the crochet flowers were what I did whilst there. The inner one is the one my friend Kath showed me how to do :)

EF52 catchup

2009-07-15T20:35:00.002+01:00

Have been trying to catch up on my tags

no27 What have you found lately? Well I have just found my swimming cossie that had been missing since last year. Discovered it in the pocket of a holdall - Obviously still there from last summer.
EF 26

EF 25. Have you had a hug today? Yes from these girls as we were away on a long scrapping weekend in the New forest.

EF 24 Name something you don't understand but want to. Not quite sure I have understood the question correctly but came across this word whilst browsing and had to look it up as I didn't know it's meaning. It turns out a scrumble is a bit of art made out of small pieces of knitting and crochet all joined together. Find it under freeform crochet. Have attempted to do a little bit - this is a very tiny bullion roundel!

This tag was inspired by an article on "Its a creative world" website. Basically the tag is covered with tinfoil and then painted over with different acrylic paint to make it look like an old bit of metal. Absolutely nothing to do with crochet but wanted to give the technique a go. LOL

photo altering

2009-07-15T15:24:00.003+01:00

Have got out of the habit of updating this blog. Hope to rectify that.

Lately I have been following along with Jessica Spragues online course to enhance and frame photos.

These are a couple I have altered.

tag update

2009-06-17T09:02:00.005+01:00

Have finished another couple of tags

No 22 - which direction am I going?

No 23 How can I be kinder to myself?

This tag was inspired by the inking class on 2 peas.

birthday boy

2009-06-04T22:42:00.002+01:00

A lovely day for a birthday - particularly if you are 3 and can spend it in the garden.

Another 2 tags.

Still reading the Terry Goodkind sword of truth series. Just finished "Faith of the Fallen" and need to pick up "The Pillars of Creation" from the library tomorrow.

Catch up

2009-06-02T14:35:00.003+01:00

Have been very tardy at keeping this blog updated lately. Haven't done much in the way of crafting either. My mojo has definitely gone walkabout. Anyway here are a few pics from recent weeks.

Had a trip to London to visit an old school friend I haven't seen since about 1967. I stayed with another who I have kept in touch with (1 of my bridesmaids and god parent to our eldest daughter.) So the 3 of us got together and chatted for hours - just like old times.

Then DH and I had a trip to Dyreham Park. A lovely day and lovely gardens and parkland.

The weather has been gorgeous of late and so we went off for a walk on Sunday. Some of the paths were a bit overgrown to say the least. DH found a stick fortunately to beat down the nettles around the stiles but we had to battle through the rape field - it started off OK and then got VERY overgrown.

60th

2009-05-17T20:11:00.003+01:00

We were so lucky with the weather yesterday and everyone enjoyed the day. The children were certainly worn out by the end of the day and 4 of them fell asleep on the way home!! A view across the lake at Bowood

Admiring the flowers.
Wondering how long it would take to mow the lawn!!

Scaling the heights

Bouncy bouncy

Down the slippery slope.

Picture of the finished cake

cake making

2009-05-14T16:03:00.004+01:00

Don't think I'll take cake baking up as a career after today's disaster. Tried a new recipe - as you do - and it rose so much it came out of the tin and down the sides. If I ever make another which I seriously doubt then I will use a bit less mixture and make the greaseproof paper sides taller!

Anyway I turned it out and let it cool and then cut bits off and cut it in half. I sandwiched it back together with jam and buttercream to try and make it even and then covered it all over with fondant icing. After it has dried I shall try and do something to titivate it a bit. Not quite sure how yet but think it will involve a train and tracks.

Think in future I will stick to scrapbooking. Should have made DH a minibook and bought a cake!

The cake

2009-05-13T16:22:00.002+01:00

This is the progress on the cake. Took ages to line the tin. Lots of cutting as you can see.

Here is the cake out of the oven and I did successfully take it out of the tin later. It is now ready for marzipanning.

Here are tags no 17 and 18.

latest pics

2009-05-12T19:02:00.003+01:00

Not sure of the dates of these photos but this is me on a tractor when we went away for the May Bank holiday weekend You learn something new every day LOL
An unexpected afternoon on the river at the weekend.EF 52 My next tag.

catch up

2009-04-30T22:43:00.002+01:00

Thought this photo appropriate for Apr 23rd.

Here is a photo for Apr 26th - on top of the world. Went for a long walk on Salisbury plain and this is taken at the trig point by the Westbury white horse.

April 29th my latest tag

And today's photo is of my favourite flower lily of the vally. Cut these few for my work desk - just love the perfume.

EF 52Q

2009-04-17T14:39:00.003+01:00

Here are the latest tags.

The top one was about your worst hairstyle. Mine was when I had a very curly perm!!! It was all the rage at the time but I cringe when I see the photos. Fortunately didn't take many of me at that time!!

The second one was about the last good book you read. Mine was a trilogy by Elizabeth Haydon about a girl called Rhapsody. Fantasy/science fiction being my genre of choice.

The last tag was "What makes me me?" I decided it was lots of this and that!!!

beautiful day, beautiful view

2009-04-17T14:33:00.002+01:00

Yesterday the weather was horrible and so thought we would be stuck indoors all day but then at lunch time the sun came out and it was glorious. Decided we needed to get out so took Mum to the Westbury white horse. Lovely views from the top.

Took a photo of these tulips the other day. The light was so bad even mid morning that the flash fired!

today in my garden

2009-04-01T23:20:00.001+01:00

Sunday

2009-03-29T20:32:00.003+01:00

A beautiful day today. Lovely blue sky for our great niece's christening in a very pretty church. A great drive home through the back roads so we could enjoy the daffs and the primroses and see the bushes bursting into greenness.

minibook

2009-03-28T10:17:00.003Z

Been busy the last couple of days making a small minibook as a present. Basically taken Annette's design http://scraphappenshere.blogspot.com/2008/02/bia-mini-book.html but used different papers. Should really have ordered these in advance but as usual decided to make this at the last minute and the local shop does not go in for baby papers.

updating

2009-03-24T09:30:00.008Z

Can't believe I didn't take a photo on Mothering Sunday!!!!! Have actually missed a couple of days just lately and those I have taken haven't been particularly brilliant.

Anyway here is tag 11 for EF 52Q . What keeps me awake at night?

Had been doing some gardening which left me with a painful elbow plus got something down my throat and both these sources of pain kept me awake that particular night.

Monday 23rd This is the progress made on a jigsaw DM and I have been doing. It has proved more difficult than I thought it would be.

The seafront gardens looking really glorious Saturday 21st

We spent a couple of days going through some of DMs cupboards and found loads of old photos so had great fun laughing at our younger selves. Friday 20th The sea - love it. Thursday 19th

A good healthy lunch wednesday 18thSpring has arrived in the garden Mon 16th

photo update

2009-03-16T20:44:00.002Z

Here is my tag for EF. Name 5 films that inspire you creatively. Well have had to say on the reverse that I have never looked at films in that way before but will endeavour to do so in the future. A photo from yesterday standing outside the restaurant watching a canal boat coming along.

A card sent by DGD who is 5 to her great grand nan. She did it all be herself. Little bit of work needed on the spelling front but don't you just love the butterflies!

52Q

2009-03-11T15:29:00.002Z

Tags 8 and 9

Photo catchup

2009-03-08T19:43:00.003Z

Haven't updated for ages as I have been a bit busy of late but here are a few photos from the last few days

garden

2009-02-24T16:33:00.002Z

My picture of the day is taken in the garden. After last years disaster with the dreaded lily beetle I am taking the bulbs out of the tub. I was just going to replace the soil but I have since discovered that the adults overwinter not necessarily where the lilies are. I think I am going to pot up the bulbs therefore in separate pots and keep them in the green house for this year and then perhaps try them outside again next year.

EF52Q

2009-02-24T16:31:00.002Z

No 7

Used my new nestabilities to make a frame for this tag.

Sunny Monday

2009-02-16T17:42:00.004Z

Well what a beautiful day it has turned out to be so I went out for a walk this afternoon and took these photos.

weekend

2009-02-16T17:38:00.003Z

This photo taken on Saturday. Not a brilliant shot but the only one I took. Nice to see it survived after all the snow.

Saw these on our walk yesterday. A whole bank of them - lovely to see.

friday the 13th

2009-02-13T15:45:00.004Z

Today the sun was shining so we decided to walk into town probably 3-4 miles there and back. We did have a sit down and a cup of coffee in town though.

Spent the afternoon finishing off my EF52 tag.

If I could do it all again would I change anything?

Paint, chalk,ink hand sewing,stamping,stickles. Would change the word stamping again 'cos I messed that up LOL.

Otherwise no I don't think I would change anything. I do wonder what would have happened as we very nearly went to Australia on a 10pound assisted passage but changed our minds at the last minute. We had planned to settle in Melbourne. Wonder if we had gone whether we would have been living where the dreadful fires have been?

daily pics

2009-02-12T22:08:00.003Z

11th12th
It's mornings like this sunny and crisp that I wished I lived closer to the sea. Just here on a flying visit though.

CC

2009-02-09T21:58:00.003Z

UKS had a cybercrop this weekend and I have been very busy scrapping. Have done several LO's, a minibook and also made this wall hanging.

Today has been spent mostly doing housework but also browsing the net and finishing a book. It has been raining all day but the snow still has not totally melted. I popped out this afternoon and cleared a lot of the ice from the drive so now it is easier to get in and out at least.

snow again

2009-02-05T22:28:00.001Z

The view that greeted me when I opened the curtains this morning.

More or less melted during the day but now we have snow again.

catkins

2009-02-04T17:17:00.003Z

Have been out for a little walk today and it was lovely to see the catkins out in the hedgerow.

Not such a sunny day as yesterday but it was dry at least. Apparently heavy snow is forecast for tomorrow. This afternoon I started my sweet pea seeds off in pots so am hoping for pretty flowers come summer.

snow

2009-02-03T16:53:00.004Z

Well we have had some wintry weather. Yesterday my garden looked like this

and this morning my car looked like this

but the sun came out and it started to warm up and I was able to play postman and deliver pressies to my DGD whose birthday it is today and then when I came home my garden looked like this

This afternoon I did tag no 5 for Emily Falconbridge 52Q.

The question was How do I feel today? This is my attempt at "full of the joys of spring" as I was so happy the sun was shining and I had delivered my present.

lunch

2009-01-30T17:01:00.004Z

Met up with a friend in Bath today for a great lunch. I had a salsa wrap with refried beans and avocado - as you can see I had a clean plate -yummy. Actually was lucky with a parking space and got 4 hours free. Most of the parking in the outskirts is now parking permits only so there are great swathes of empty places where the residents have gone to work. In the good old days we were able to utilise these spaces during the daytime and leave them free for the residents in the evening.

Would normally use a P and R but unfortunately there is not one on my side. Hopefully one coming soon.

This is my 3rd tag for EF52Q

AWOL

2009-01-29T17:17:00.004Z

Have been away for a little while helping out with a new grandchild so there has been no time for blogging. Still managing a daily photo - mostly of a new little girl. ( Not allowed to post them here). Anyway now I am home I have been busy doing thisPleased to see these
a couple of days ago. Also see there are bulbs coming up in my garden so it seems spring is on its way although I hear that it is going to get cold this weekend.

art journal

2009-01-19T22:50:00.002Z

Have been reading quite a lot about art journals and so thought I would give one a go. I have never done one before so it is a whole new experience. Here is the 1st page - hopefully going to journal various bits about A on the adjacent page and then continue fortnightly through the alphabet.

bit of a flood

2009-01-19T22:48:00.002Z

Went for a walk yesterday at a local nature park. Good job we were wearing boots!!

2009-01-16T22:50:00.002Z

Starting a new project soon with Shimelle. Check out her website

http://www.shimelle.com/classes/404/a-free-mini-class-to-say-thank-you/

Wii fit

2009-01-03T22:34:00.004Z

Had a play on this today. Great fun. Loved the hula hooping. Remembered this from my youth. Also had a go on the ski jump. The first try I just fell off the end and made a big snowball which amused the grandchildren no end. The man laughed too but he did the same thing 10 mins later.

Anyway we also went here today and of course did not come away empty handed. Finally got some blinds for the kitchen. (We have only been in this house for 8 years ). However the next step will be putting them up which may of course take another 8 years.

Bath

2009-01-02T17:17:00.004Z

A trip to Bath today to catch up on the sales although think we missed a lot of them. Anyway the man managed to get some trousers and I got a very PINK T shirt. Not as crowded as expected so it wasn't too bad. The hike back to the car expended lots of calories which is all to the good as we are still eating the Christmas pate and the mince pies - both of which pile on the pounds. Pulteney Bridge

new year

2009-01-01T10:34:00.004Z

Well here we are in a New Year. I'ts all a bit strange with no prompt to check and then think of how to photograph it.
The weather here is dull and grey but there is no frost today for the first time in ages. We will now have a 2009 grandchild rather than a 2008 one. Still not really due for another 10 days but the last one was early so they are thinking this may be the same.
May go and look in HSMS or MSHS for a photo prompt for the day as I still hope to take a photo a day just NOT a self portrait.
Also going to do 12 LO's for 2008 - a 12x12 spread of each month. Got the pics for Jan printed out so must get on and do that.

Well this is Todays photo. It was dull and dreary but a bit warmer so went for a walk along the canal and spotted this litle robin on the way. My zoom lens not brilliant and this is the closest I got before he flew away.

LO53

2008-12-31T20:22:00.002Z

I did an extra one LOL . This one is a scraplift of the first LO I did in week 1 but this time I noted whether or not I had completed my goals.

day366

2008-12-31T10:04:00.006Z

Prompt 366 - Our Final Day

My Way

"And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain.

Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times,
Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all,
when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!"

- Frank Sinatra

Well what a year - never thought I would actually take 366 self portraits. But I did. Also apart from 1 day I took the photo on the actual day. I didn't always stick to the prompts - the brain not always in gear but I did do a photo. I have also managed to complete the 52 LO's and even done 1 or 2 more when I thought fit. I can't say the photography has improved at all other than I can now photograph myself at arm's length pretty accurately!

The year definitely has had it's ups and downs. The first 3 months we were in Switzerland but we are now firmly back in the UK. We have failed to sell our house on the IOW - definitely the wrong time to try that. The loss of my father in September was definitely a down time. On a positive note though we are expecting the patter of tiny feet very soon - grandchild no 7 is due in just a few days.

Weight wise I have come in at 1/4lb less than when I started the year. Well I didn't gain any. I did lose a bit more during the year but I have put it all on again over Christmas. Too much Christmas pud and chocolates.

Best of all I have met and chatted to a great group of people. I hope we can continue to meet and chat in the years to come.

day365

2008-12-30T18:03:00.002Z

"Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.”
- Charles Chaplin

day364

2008-12-30T18:01:00.004Z

"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world."
- George Bernard Shaw

day 347

2008-12-12T17:48:00.002Z

"Oh I'm the happiest Christmas tree

Look how pretty they dressed me

Oh lucky lucky me
I got shiny bells the jingle

And tiny lights that tingle

Whenever anyone passes by

I blink my lights and wink my eye!"

Haven't got our Christmas tree up yet. We usually have a real one so leave it until the weekend before Christmas before putting it up. This small one we have in the dining room and it is a fibre optic one and the lights keep changing colour. Very pretty.

LO's

2008-12-12T08:50:00.002Z

Here are LO's 48 and 49. Took inspiration from http://itsacreativeworld.typepad.com/its_a_creative_world/ Dec 11th to do these .

day356

2008-12-11T19:55:00.001Z

"It's the most wonderful time of the year.

With the kids jingle belling,and everyone telling you,"Be of good cheer,"

It's the most wonderful time of the year."

day345

2008-12-11T19:53:00.002Z

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go;

Take a look in the five-and-ten,

glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,

Toys in ev'ry store,

But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door."

day344

2008-12-09T20:52:00.001Z

The holly and the ivy,

When they are both full grown,

Of all trees that are in the wood,

The holly bears the crown:

2008-12-08T23:06:00.003Z

Some photos from our winter walk yesterday.

Even the canal was frozen over - poor fisherman. They were having a competition.

day 343

2008-12-08T23:05:00.002Z

For fast-acting relief try slowing down. -Lily Tomlin

day 342

2008-12-08T23:04:00.002Z

There comes a time when you roll up your sleeves and put yourself at the top of your commitment list.
-Marian Wright Edelman

day341

2008-12-08T23:02:00.002Z

These are the magic years…and therefore magic days…and therefore magic moments.
-Anonymous

day340

2008-12-08T23:01:00.001Z

"Let us pause to warm both our hands before the fire of life"
-Walter Landor

day339

2008-12-04T15:36:00.002Z

"If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow and ice and mirth, Place on your hand a Turquoise blue, Success will bless whate'er you do."
Anon

Didn't quite make it to December - almost but not quite. Wear a few colours on my wrist. Does that count?

CC4

2008-12-04T15:28:00.003Z

Another bright day dawns and still not 100%. In fact think I have gone backwards again today. Anyway I was in the garden again and thought I had better check on the holly ready for the Chirtmas pud (which has yet to be made - although the one I make can actually be made on the day itself!). This little bush started as a tiny sprig but is gradually growing although I see I still have no berries yet.

Also noticed the bark of the silver birch peeling and the lovely red stems of the Cornus.
Almost lost this to frost a few years ago but it is fighting back again.

day338

2008-12-03T22:56:00.002Z

“How like a winter hath my absence been. From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen, What old December's bareness everywhere!"
-William Shakespeare

CC3

2008-12-03T22:50:00.004Z

Carrying on with the cards of yesterday (these are for the Grandchildren)

and then making some ATC toppers for cards for the adults.

I went out this morning to feed the birds and give them some water and took my camera with me.

Still a few flowers out

braving the frosty weather.

christmas countdown 2

2008-12-03T22:48:00.003Z

Well not done much today - still feeling rubbish but trying to sort out a few of my cards.

Here are the makings.

day 337

2008-12-03T22:46:00.001Z

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
- Dr. Seuss

Christmas countdown

2008-12-01T20:39:00.003Z

Day1

Today was a beautiful day and even though I woke up still feeling rubbish I really wanted to get out. Haven't been out since Thursday so managed to walk round the block. I was hoping the cold air might help in killing off whatever bug I have. Originally the plan was to drive to Yorkshire today in order to play postman and deliver Christmas presents but that was cancelled. Thought I might go tomorrow but now have given up on that idea as well as I really can't seem to shake this cold.

I have decided not to do Shimelles Journal your Christmas this year but hope to do some form of daily photo/s. Here are todays selection showing the weather at the moment - frosty and bright.

The only contribution I have made today in getting ready for Christmas is to punch out some shapes on the Big Shot ready for making the Christmas cards.

day336

2008-12-01T20:37:00.001Z

Embarrassment
Embarrassment is an emotional state experienced upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed by or revealed to others

day335

2008-12-01T20:35:00.002Z

Love, loving
Love is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection

day334

2008-11-29T12:55:00.002Z

Cry/crying
The term crying most commonly refers to the act of shedding tears as a response to an emotional state in humans

Got a cold today and definitely need a tissue for the streaming eyes.!!

day333

2008-11-28T16:29:00.004Z

Anger, angry
Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage

Gritting my teeth today as the dogs next door keep barking and driving me MAD!!

However have been busy trying to catch up with LOs today.

LO 44

LO45

LO46

LO47 Used this weeks challenge for this LO. Used a sketch and pink and polka dot ribbons

day332

2008-11-27T21:25:00.003Z

Laughter/laughing
Laughter is an audible expression, or appearance of merriment or happiness, or an inward feeling of joy and pleasure

I am laughing because I had fun rolling the 365ers thread all by myself as no-one came to play.

day 331

2008-11-27T21:23:00.003Z

Sad/Sadness
Sadness is an emotion characterized by feelings of disadvantage, loss, and helplessness. When sad, people often become quiet, less energetic, and withdrawn. Sadness is considered to be the opposite of happiness

We tried to make sad faces but ended up laughing.

day330

2008-11-27T21:21:00.002Z

Happiness/Happy
- Happiness is an emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy

Happiness is getting the christmas presents wrapped.

day329

2008-11-27T21:19:00.001Z

"If you woke up this morning, it's time to celebrate!"
-Joe Takash
What are you going to celebrate today?

Having a cuddle with one of the grandchildren.

day 328

2008-11-27T21:17:00.001Z

"A mind is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled.”
- Plutarch (46-137), historian, biographer, essayist
Whats filling your mind today?

My mind filled with making Cristmas presents.