I've been on a scrapbooking retreat and have done lots of in real life layouts (paper and glue and things) really pleased with what I have achieved too.These two I am really pleased with, the first one The Great Outdoors title was cut using the Cricut a lovely machine to have but there must have been several hundred pounds worth of cartridges with it and therefore I cannot justify buying one.

The verse I have put on this one is
My daughter's not a girly girl
with pretty dress and hair a curl
She's far more the outdoors type
Loves to camp and loves to hike
Holidays spent at the lakes
and whatever the weather she takes
it all in her stride.

In the second one I just love the faces that Daniel is pulling when Daddy is trying to take his photograph.

These two reflect my love of the unusual. The first one is of the Central library and is the set of photos that I posted here the other day. The second one I took the photos when I decided to walk into town instead of taking the bus. I was struck with the lines both vertical and horizontal in the constructions

The New Central Library

Today I was priveleged to be allowed to join the friends of Moredon library when they were invited to be shown around the new Central Library in town. The reason I was invited is this poem that I wrote just after the Library was opened, it was put in the magazine.

Pouring rain, and I'm soaking wet
But happy here within

Today's the day
That Swindon need
The dawning of its revival.
Up top of town
Where boards have stood,
Today the grand unveiling
of the new library, long awaited
A building to be proud of.

Gone are the 'temporary' sheds
That served for 50 years,
Gone the dark crowded room
Instead a lighted palace
Inviting all who pass that way
To stop, to enter in
To wander round and pause and think
To read or enjoy a cup of coffee

Pouring rain, and I'm soaking wet
But happy here within

I took several photos today both of the outside of the building and some of the things inside, also of the town hall clock which from the top of the library is so much nearer than I can usually get

Cheeky Monkey

I just love these photo that I took in March, Daniel had been playing with his 'Blue Car Red Car' but hid them behind his back as if to say you can't see them. I found some odd bits of toy construction kit and thought they were perfect for a layout of my little grandson

Pretty Flowers

This layout done on the computer is of some photos that my daughter has just sent to me I can just imagine Daniel say "Pretty flowers" and Helen encouraging him not to pick them.

I saw a lady using the mirror, that was in a shop window, to put on her lipstick, it made me smile and it made me think. I do hope that some of the silly, funny things I do make someone smile and brighten their day.

A mirror in a shop,
Oh that is perfect there
I haven't time to stop,
but my make up needs repair.
I'll just quickly do my lipstick
and hope that no one sees
to do it quick is the trick
There, done, that was a breeze.

Sibling Bonding

This layout is of my two children when they were very little, it is the first time Helen and seen her new brother

Lands End & Land and Sea

Two layouts I did from photos from Cornwall taken while on a Barnes coach tour last year
in the Lands End layout the quote on the photo is from An April Day by Longfellow
in the Land and See layout (done to compliment the Lands End one I wrote the lines of verse myself

Adore Simple Pleasures

This layout is a digital one done for the weekly challenge on UKScrapper it is of my daughter at about the same age as her son is now. I just love these two photos taken the first time I allowed her to really play and get dirty.

Swing

While I was up with my family I took a series of photos of my grandson on the swing today I did a layout using them. This was inspired by one by Jane Dean that I saw in Scrapbook Inspirations

Carrot Tops

Really done it this time and gone ginger. I think this is because when I was younger I didn't have the nerve to be a punk rocker but perhaps underneath my staid exterior I wanted to be one. Trouble is now the only rocking I would do is probably in a chair but at least I can go bright ginger and not care if friends think I am crazy, cos I think I probably am, but it's good to express yourself.