Mary's Musings

Solace for being alone

2012-01-27T17:55:00.001Z

Did you hear the Great Tit as you walked along talking to your friends,
or really see the detail in hedge and verge.
There is something to be said for strolling on your own
keeping ears and eyes open to what's around.
The wood pigeon calling 'wood all wooooo, wood all woooooooo
and the twittering of sparrow near and far.
The different sounds and sight that greet me
every time I take that pathway to the shops,
make up for any loneliness I feel
Finding the perfect close up, for the photo comp,
that is my quest for today,
and I believe I've found it
the lichen fits the bill.
Such strange contortions like some alien thing
with trumpet ears and flaps, in shades of green,
so different when viewed through the macro lens.

An OK Day

2012-01-26T18:48:00.001Z

My day today has been OK, I woke several times during the night with such silly dreams which seem to continue through each time. I thought I was going to be very tired during the sale this morning but surprisingly I wasn't too bad at all.
Though I did have a little snooze in my chair this afternoon it was only for a short while.
I watched a Jamie Oliver 30 minute meal programme and was really taken with the main recipe so decided to do my version of the meal.
The recipe here is enough for one obviously you need to alter proportions for a family

As seen - depart in style

2012-01-26T13:31:00.001Z

Walking up to the church this morning I spied the funeral carriage and black horses out ready to take a dear departed on their last journey. Don't often see it being used so it just had to be my Photo for the day.

As seen - crop tonight

2012-01-25T23:33:00.000Z

We had a tidy up day at church today of all the jumble we collect for the Jeremiah sale. It went extremely well and we had finished by 11.00. Lunch was provided a lovely vegetable soup and roll courtesy of what was left over, and frozen, from the Christmas meal. This was going to be my photo for the day but....... I forgot to take one. drr
Never mind it was Abbey Meads crop tonight that will be another good one to have oops nearly forgot to take one and most people had cleared up before I remembered. So glad Alli was still crafting.

I did manage to almost finish a page but I need a bit of information before I can complete the journalling.

As Seen - Puddle Island

2012-01-24T15:57:00.001Z

It rained hard this morning, the water was having trouble getting away, the drains were probably blocked. The bus sped through a deep puddle on the way into town the spray came halfway up the windows, good job no one was walking along the pavement at that moment. It tickled my quirky sense of humour that there was this big puddle outside River Island in town.

OOPS AND AN OBSERVATION
I bought a new spray mist in the craft shop today. Had to try it out, wanting a different effect I sprayed from the corner.
Oops!!!!

I'm left handed so why is it my left hand that is covered in ink?

As Seen - cuddly softness

2012-01-23T20:25:00.002Z

I put this crotchet throw on the back of the settee and Rudi has claimed it as his bed looks here like he is cuddling it.

I've had a stay at home day today, just a little bit of house work and a little bit of scrapping.
I am exploring what I can produce with the word Hope, my word for the year.

I started here with distress inks and misting through a mask. I then added streaks with acrylic paints that had gone hard (I've had them too long)
the word Hope stamped with distress ink and heat embossed with a hologram powder, this didn't work too well some of it came off leaving a pattern but not really what I was after so I used a gold embossing powder over the top, I love how each letter is finished so differently.
The cloud is pastels blended and sealed a couple of times
I knew I wanted something else on it I thought a heart a cross and an anchor, but the shell heart and cross seemed sufficient

I also managed to find the new series 'Call the Midwife' on Iplayer and have caught up with the two episodes which I forgot to watch on the box yesterday and the previous Sunday. 2 hours of my day gone, but it was worth it. Brilliant programme and well acted, even Miranda. The part must have been written with her in mind, for she was just the same as she usually is, but perfectly in accordance with the seriousness of the story.

Today I was grateful for not having to go anywhere for enjoying my messy play and for finding the programmes I had missed previously

As Seen - As Sung

2012-01-22T18:43:00.000Z

Feeling very low this morning, I had to force myself to go the church. The last song we sung really spoke of where I was. The need to worship and praise no matter how I feel.

I came out feeling a lot better than I did going in

As Seen - Saturday at Starbucks

2012-01-22T00:02:00.003Z

Very unusual to see Starbucks, on a Saturday lunch time, so empty

Layouts and challenges

2012-01-20T22:49:00.001Z

There is a new challenge from Shimelle, on UKScrappers, called 'and now for something completely different'. She has brought several different techniques together in one layout, splattering paint, layering, stitching, glitter and journalling in several places. It has been done as a step by step instruction which make it easier to do.
I chose to do it digitally but in reality it took as long if not longer to do than if I had done it with paper and bits. Although it wasn't a sketch that we worked to I have copied the instructions pretty much as laid down but using my own papers.

When I digi scrap I often find I am not getting any where with the page so just save it in a folder marked 'work in progress'. Looking in there this week I found several pages I felt I could revamp and make them work. This one I started last August

This one was much more recent for the photos were taken on Christmas evening.

Sometimes I can start and finish a page in next to no time at all and this next one is an example of just that. Took me about an hour to do

Today I am grateful to have been able to just sit and scrap without feeling guilty because I did do a little bit of housework before I really got going.

As seen - Mittens in the bag

2012-01-20T20:18:00.002Z

A stay in and scrap day for me today. I did think about doing a paper and bits page so went into the craft room to gather what I might need. I heard a rustling behind me and turned round to see Mittens climb into a plastic bag full of material. I grabbed my phone and took a photo then realised she had managed to poke her head through the handle which was rather small. I had to push her head back through. Bless her she didn't struggle and let me do it quickly.

As seen - Mirror from the sale

2012-01-19T20:36:00.000Z

I love finding nice things at the sale on a Thursday. This mirror give more light and depth to a narrow hallway.

As seen - a good place to roost

2012-01-18T15:48:00.001Z

I took a trip into town today, not a very successful trip though as my foot was really too achy to do much walking so didn't get many photos therefore today this one, of a white pigeon sitting on the war memorial at the top of town, will suffice. At least it reminds me that I was in town.

As Seen - breakfast at Starbucks

2012-01-17T12:16:00.000Z

Boy it was cold walking to ASDA today. Mind you the frost gave me some nice photo opportunities so I'm not complaining, especially as I had promised myself breakfast at Starbucks.
A nice bacon buttie and a Mocha with lashings of cream on the top

As seen - a mistake to wear light colour

2012-01-16T18:41:00.000Z

I should have gone shopping today, I was all ready to go, out of the door and walking down the road when kitten number 1 Muffin I think came charging down determined to follow me, no amount of shooing would send her back and then of course where one kitten is the other has to be too. Both of them following me now and I have to cross a busy main road.
I may well have succeeded eventually in turning them away but, then I realised I had forgotten my phone and my shopping list is on it, I give up I really can't go through that again today.
I scrap instead, well digi scrapping anyway and here are the two horrors

Mmmm..... pity there weren't any dogs around when I was trying to get to the shops.

Today I am grateful to having the energy to do some housework, for two adorable, even if they are a nuisance sometimes, kittens, one lovely elderly cat and scrapping something I enjoy.

Layouts

2012-01-16T11:03:00.001Z

As I said in the last post I have some layouts to share.
This one a digital one was done for the weekly challenge on UKScrappers which my scrapping friend Hilary and I set.

challenge criteria was to use this sketch (my own design)

use shades of one colour and one word title. A nice quick easy challenge we hope to get lots of people scrapping.
These are for my JYC (gradually filling up the missing pages)

Sitting in the lounge with my computer, makes it more difficult for me to scrap with paper and bits (can't print any photos off for a start) so another digital page using my Counterfeit kit.

and finally my As Seen weekly page for week 2

I will be back later to share my 'As seen' photo for today, when I find what to take :D

As Seen - Dinner not eaten

2012-01-15T21:53:00.002Z

I had cooked my dinner, roast chicken leg with a jacket potato and stir fry veg in a creamy sauce. Dished it up and sat down to eat, taken a mouthful and the phone goes.
Neil on the phone, "We are going out to lunch would you like to come?" - much better eating in company than eating alone. Cover my dinner, just cooked, with clingfilm and put it in the fridge. Dinner sorted for tomorrow.

I have done some layouts this week, but will post them tomorrow hopefully as two of them are for a challenge that goes live tomorrow.

Today I am grateful for company, where it was not expected and sunshine even though cold

As seen -Frost on the Rosemary

2012-01-14T18:25:00.000Z

As Seen - In Yate

2012-01-13T17:40:00.001Z

My lovely neighbours took me to Yate today, a nice change from the usual and I couldn't resist taking a photo of this coat of arms, it seems such a strange combination Pride and Perseverance. The one a pitfall the other a commendable asset.

As Seen - Portrait Gallery

2012-01-12T17:42:00.000Z

A friend popped in yesterday, I haven't seen her for a while and as we were talking about grand children I pointed out my gallery.

This reminded me of another friend who had a wall of photos of her family and I could never really understand it (this was many years ago) until now.
Isn't it strange how we change not only in appearance and age but in idea, likes and dislikes.

As Seen - Christmas lights lit today

2012-01-11T22:01:00.002Z

I can understand the lights not being taken down, but to still be switch on today?

Hope

2012-01-11T09:24:00.002Z

My word for the year is HOPE, I'm finding that by holding on to that word through God's word it is helping me climb out of the depths in which I have sunk. As I said in this post it is a word that my Father God gave me so I know that I am not clutching at straws but holding firm to His reality.

This, of course, is a digital page, the back ground paper I made to look like paint dabbed on a page. The poem I wrote on Sunday, during the morning service in church, the hands are mine but the dove I got from googling.

As Seen - Little Nest

2012-01-10T20:23:00.001Z

I pass this little bush most days, but I have never noticed this little nest before. Hedge Sparrow I should think

As Seen - Dinner

2012-01-09T18:35:00.001Z

I love improvising with meals, sometimes they work wonderfully other are not so good, this was one of the better ones.
I gently fried a pork fillet and once browned turned the heat right down and added apple, covered and cooked for about 15 mins. Meanwhile I fried onion and leek in a little olive oil until soft, added rice and cooked till opaque. added soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and a dash of red wine, letting the rice take up the liquid before adding water. cooked this for 10 mins drained the rice but retained any liquid still in pan adding a dash of malt vinegar and a dash more red wine and cooked down. Finally dished up with some raisins added. Think another time I cook the raisins with the rice as they could do with plumping up a bit.

As Seen - Little Drummer boy

2012-01-08T17:10:00.000Z

It's great that the church is encouraging the children to be a big part of the service.

As Seen - My street by night

2012-01-07T23:24:00.000Z

Freebie Kit - Bumble Bee

2012-01-07T23:05:00.002Z

I haven't made a freebie digital kit for ages, but was inspired by one of the kits that Counterfeit Kit Challenge are using this month.
This one from Cocoa Daisy

So here is my digi reveal

and you can download it here

Here are two layouts I have done using this kit

hope you like it and enjoy using it.

As Seen - Hospital

2012-01-06T21:23:00.001Z

Not something I often see, the hospital is situated across town, two bus rides away from where I live.
I needed to have an x-ray done on my foot, I hope I haven't broken or chipped any bones but it is really painful. I skidded on wet pavement on Christmas Eve and came down heavily. It did swell up for a few days but then it went down and I didn't seem to be in much pain so went for a walk on Monday as I was fed up with being in doors. I think that was a mistake for it is swollen a bit again and I'm finding it difficult to get it into a comfortable position.

A few pages done

2012-01-05T20:04:00.002Z

I have brought my laptop into the lounge, which means I can't print any photos off at the moment but it does mean I can digi scrap while watching the box-in-the-corner
so here is my contribution so far for this year.

I am slowly finishing my JYC too but still got a lot to do.

I also did a page that was a scraplift which is similar to the JYC 18th but was actually done before and being digi a little different.

and finally another page for the Circle Journal I am in, this one is for Gill (Mole on UKS) and her theme is water.

As seen -after the wind

2012-01-05T19:50:00.000Z

We have been spared the worst of the high winds here in my little corner, no one in the street has had tiles off the roof or any real damage at all. The worst we have seen is a few small branches off the trees, and one or two paper boxes blown over and the contents strewn.

As Seen - in the bag

2012-01-04T18:33:00.000Z

As Seen - Muldoon

2012-01-03T21:17:00.001Z

I am a collector of all things feline, domestic kind that is, I have three real ones, Rudi my lovely old boy who is now in his old age at 14 nearly 15 and two 6 month old black & white mischievous kittens going by the names of Mittens and Muffin.
Along with these three friends I have a huge collection of cats made from all kinds of materials, fabric, metal, wood, & stone.
I want you all to meet my latest, amusing addition, who lives in the kitchen and I think Mittens and Muffin have tried to make him feel welcome, for often I have found one of their toy mice at his feet. He is a door stop and will very useful in summer when I have doors open as the kitchen door slams shut so often.

Introducing Spotty Muldoon

His name is dictated by his appearance. I had to look it up, I thought Spotty Muldoon was a goon character but it appears to be lyrics by Peter Cook

As Seen - The inevitable Squirrel

2012-01-02T15:55:00.000Z

I just can't resist these cheeky chappies. They seem to have grown used to my stopping and taking their photo, and invariably look as though they are posing for me. I usually thank them for allowing me into there space.

One little word

2012-01-02T10:08:00.000Z

I have decided to have one little word to see me through 2012. I didn't choose the word because someone else had it and I thought it a good idea. I didn't just pluck a word out of the ethos. No I ask my Father God and immediately He gave me 'HOPE'.
I've thought about this word for a few days now and, although I'm not at all sure where it will lead me I know that the adventure will be good and helpful to me.
I fancy doing it rather like an art journal at the moment, but, will it continue that way?
Here then is my first page, first attempt at something a bit different (for me anyway)

The two 'brackets' are representing cupped hands, I'm holding 'hope' not tightly as that destroys, but gently as if it was a delicate bird.
The verse underneath is from the bible, Psalm 42 verse 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.

As Seen - Fireworks on the box

2012-01-01T11:20:00.000Z

This year I am going to still try and put up a photo each day, but not necessarily nature, it may be nature it may be something that has caught my eye or something entirely different. I'm calling it AS SEEN
So today being the very first day of a brand new year my AS SEEN is ......

Rufus's New Year Story

2012-01-01T09:11:00.002Z

It's New Year's eve and I've had my bath but before I go to bed I've an important job to do. Time to make 'man'. Daddy calls them by a much longer name but that is too much for me.
First of all we must bash the spices, smells nice but tastes too strong.
then after mummy does lots of bits in the kitchen, she brings in the squishy squashy dough. Time to get rolling. "Nanny flour, more flour" sticky squishy squashy dough rolled out. I get the man shape and with Nanny & Mummy's help to push we cut out the shape and put them on the tray. Can't eat them until they have been in the oven and got hard.
Time to decorate. Dollop of Icing and lots of chocolate sprinkles and a few jelly beans. Must give him a face, Nanny cut some eyes from a black sweet and I pop them in place. Now to eat them. Mummy has one, Nanny has a Tree, Nana has a star. Must take one to Daddy.
YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY.

This story come to you via Story Telling Sunday. If you want to read more and enjoy stories why not pop over to Sian's Place

Nature's Calendar - Death & Life

2011-12-31T07:21:00.001Z

On this last day of 2011 I wanted to represent the dying of the old year and the birth of the new.
The empty seed heads of the cow parsley, the year gone, finished, flown. Then my favourite little tree, planted outside a garden, in bud and beginning to show it's spring colours, new life, new beginning, fresh hope, awakening.

For all those who visit my blog I want to wish you a Good New Year. May you find hope in every day, a silver lining even through the darkest clouds and a lightning in your spirit when the sun is shining brightly in your life.
God Bless you all.

Nature's Calendar - Torrent

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - The River Ella Beck

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - Giant Catkins

2011-12-28T07:00:00.001Z

Nature's Calendar -New Growth and Waterfall

2011-12-27T20:34:00.000Z

Oops I missed boxing day's entry and nearly missed today.
these photos taken in Skipton along the canal walk behind the castle

Nature's Calendar - Heather

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000Z

I think this is my most favourite frost photo so pleased I went out while the frost was still on the ground

Nature's Calendar - Oak Leaves

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - Frost covered grass

2011-12-23T07:00:00.005Z

Nature's Calendar - Frost Crystals on the fence

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000Z

Isn't macro photography fascinating, I have never noticed with my naked eye the detail in the frost.

Nature's Calendar - Robin

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - Berries

2011-12-20T07:00:00.002Z

JYC Days 13-15

2011-12-19T22:52:00.000Z

I'm still struggling to catch up and think this is going to end up as a mainly digital journal again. Still here are the next 3 pages

I've also done the weekly challenge on UKScrappers. We had a lovely muted colour palette to use and it was absolutely perfect for the photo I took only yesterday morning when we had a hard frost.

Today I have packed my case and all the presents ready for my trip up to Skipton.
I still have a little bit of tidying up to do, did I say little bit, oops quite a bit really so that is my job for tomorrow. Hopefully I will not have to go out at all and can get it all done.

today I am thankful for not having to wait for the bus in both directions
for finding my Mojo even if it is only for digi scrapping
and for my three feline companions (do hope they behave themselves while I away)

I brought a basket of plants home for a present for my neighbour, I rolled the carrier bag down carefully so I could remove the basket without damaging the plants. Muffin found it and decided it was a perfect place to be.

Mittens wanted to try it so tried to encourage Muffin out to no avail

Nature's Calendar - Winter Jasmin

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - Raindrops

2011-12-18T07:00:00.001Z

Nature's Calendar - Sunlit tree tops

2011-12-17T07:00:00.004Z

Kissed by the evening sun

Nature's Calendar - Magpie

2011-12-16T07:03:00.002Z

Nature's Calendar - First Snow

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000Z

Yesterday we had the first snow of the season, too wet to settle and it didn't last long but we had snow and sleet on and off most of the day.

Nature's Calendar - Pink tipped

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000Z

JYC Days 8-12

2011-12-13T20:03:00.000Z

I did a little bit of catching up the other day so now I am almost up to date just today's page to do.
Here are the pages not yet blogged.

and this one I did digitally

This page is not actually for my Journal but it is a Christmas page none the less

Nature's Calendar - Hydrangea

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar -Black Nightshade

2011-12-12T07:00:00.002Z

Nature's Calendar - Petunia

2011-12-11T07:00:00.003Z

I never cease to be amazed at how gracious my Father God is. I was struggling with finding much to photograph for my nature calendar and didn't know what I would be able to use if the weather stayed so mild so that I did not even have a white world to take pictures of.
coming home from town yesterday, looking closely I found a wealth of things worthy of a place in my album. Here is the first instalment

Journal Your Christmas - Day 7

2011-12-10T15:21:00.000Z

I'm not really following the prompts but going with what I or others around me, have done during the day.
As I am also trying to do Cheryl Johnson's 12 days of Christmas photography this page is about right, and further more it fits the weekly challenge on UKS for this week. The sketch was just what I needed to get me started, and I wouldn't have thought of stamping but I really like the elements made this way. adding bling and mounting on 3d foam pads and the criteria was all met.

Nature's Calendar - Climbing Ivy

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000Z

Nature takes over the ugly places that are left by us humans, and bring their own beauty.

Journal Your Christmas

2011-12-09T19:36:00.001Z

Oh dear, seems doing a paper and elements Journal is going to be hard work to keep up I am now three days behind but I thought I would show what I have accomplished.
I've already show you the one I did for the 1st December so here are the 2 to the 6th

I did a second page for the 3rd as I just had to record Rufus's antics

the 4th, being my birthday I've done a double page

Nature's Calendar - Trees

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - from my back door

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000Z

I never fail to be amazed at how different the sky can appear from day to day. I posted a photo just a few days ago and it is even a different colour but taken at around the same time of day.

Nature's Calendar -Fruit of theWhitebeam

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000Z

there are just a very few berry left of the whitebeam, about the size of a small cherry.

Nature's Calendar - Ivy

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar -Fruit of the Ivy

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000Z

Story telling Sunday

2011-12-04T09:54:00.000Z

I nearly forgot, in fact I did forget that this is Story telling Sunday and probably the last one :(
So I have just had to find a quick story to tell
Do you remember when your were very young about 6 or 7, It is coming up to Christmas and you are all excited about what Father Christmas will bring you in your stocking. You are walking to school and talking about it to your friend when an older child come up and shouts there is no Father Christmas. You are shocked, of course there is didn't your cousin see him last year, he was dressed in a long red coat and she said that he crept into the bedroom and took the stocking off the end of the bed and disappeared out of the door with it. Your cousin was so afraid that he wouldn't bring it back but he did he filled it with lots of different things and then crept back into the bedroom and laid it on the bed. Your cousin is a year older than you and she is always to be believed SO THERE IS A FATHER CHRISTMAS AND HE DOES BRING PRESENTS. so there

Oh to be that young again and to believe in the magic of this wonderful season. You know that the best gift of all is God sending us his Son to be our Saviour.

God bless you all and my you have a wonderful Holiday with friends and family.

Love from Mary.

Nature's Calendar - Rambling Rose

2011-12-04T07:00:00.000Z

Another flower that ought not to be in bud but is.

Nature's Calendar - Morning Sky

2011-12-03T07:00:00.001Z

Well to tell the truth it's 12.55pm so really afternoon sky, damp and drear yesterday but the sky was worth a shot.

JYC

2011-12-02T19:43:00.000Z

I have done my first page of my Journal your Christmas album.

Still a bit worried that I will not be able to keep this one going, digital pages are so much easier and quicker to do. Still I'm going to have a good attempt and see how far I get.

Today I have taken my camera into town and snapped and snapped and snapped trying to get some Christmas atmosphere taken 81 photos just have to see how many will be usable.
Just a quick collage and I'll probably use this for today's JYC

Nature's Calendar - Slug

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000Z

OK I know its a slug a creature that is hated, but just look at his markings I've never seen one quite like this, and all he seemed to be feeding on was the lichen on the wall.

Journal your Christmas - Advent

2011-12-01T20:20:00.001Z

Today being the 1st of December it is time to start Journalling my Christmas

Today being a Thursday I am up at the church for the Jeremiah Sale

Today being the first week of Advent, Gillian has brought her hand made items up to the church, set up her stands and ready for customer.

This week is the beginning of Advent a time when we wait in anticipation, not just a time to spend spend spend but a time to reflect on the greatest gift ever given, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, coming into the world as a baby, God experiencing all that mankind experiences and later to give His life for our salvation.

I'm also doing a 12 days of Christmas photography course with Cheryl Johnson. Today we are experimenting with white balance. I nearly always use the pre-set settings, never the automatic one, but today I have been playing with the custom white balance. I've never really understood how to use this before but it was fun finding out.
here are two examples

this next one I have altered the white balance by taking the white paper out to the orange street light and making the camera choose it as white then taking the photo. It changes the appearance so much but also makes the photo very grainy

Nature's Calendar - Frosty leaf

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000Z

Doodle version 2 & 3

2011-11-30T07:32:00.003Z

Hi fellow bloggers, I just couldn't resist another try at 'The Blob'. This time I printed it into the centre of a sheet of paper and took it to a meeting I needed to attend yesterday. Meetings can be pretty boring but doodling while listening aids the concentration, doesn't it? of course it does, well that's my excuse anyway.
so here is version 2

The Jockey and the General

version 3
No. 48 bus to Toytown

the 'naked' blob and my first doodle can be found here

Go on have a go yourself you know you want to and I'd love to see what you produce and I'm sure Rinda would too

Nature's Calendar - Love in the Mist

2011-11-30T07:00:00.001Z

Now this is really crazy, not just the odd bloom but a whole bank of Love in the mist in full flower at the end of November? this month has been so mild that we have had spring flowers out.

Doodling

2011-11-29T16:35:00.001Z

I have been having a little play with a blob. I found the idea on Rinda's blog here as you will see if you read her blog it idea originated Carla Sonheim Blog (don't you just love hopping around the blogs finding lovely ideas)
this is the 'blob'

and here is what I came up with.

How about you? what would you make of this 'blob'?

Nature's Calendar - First Frost

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - Moss

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - canopy

2011-11-27T07:00:00.000Z

Nature's Calendar - The Lane in Sunshine

2011-11-26T07:00:00.000Z

I thought it would be a good idea to take this photo of the Lane in sunshine from exactly the same place as I took yesterday's night time one.

Nature's Calendar - The Lane at Night

2011-11-25T07:00:00.001Z

Something a little different. I took my camera out into the lane last evening set it on a steady post and took this shot, the orange street lights give everything a golden glow and it isn't so much nature as a mixture of man made and nature together.

Nature's Calendar - Golden glow

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000Z

I love the way the sunlight has turned these leave to gold. In the centre of Swindon we have many trees and it is lovely to see them sparkle like this

Nature's Calendar - Raindrops

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000Z

The back lane

2011-11-22T20:54:00.003Z

Today the weather has made my walk down the back lane more like a November walk should be. There was dampness in the air which gave the lane a mystical appearance,

you could hear the leave falling making little popping noises, I wondered, at first what it was then I realise as the water on the leaf met the water on the ground it made little splashes

I could hear a crow calling somewhere and the sparrows twittering but the mist muffled the sound and the direction was unclear. As I paused and listened I could make out a dog in the distance, barking, had he seen a squirrel? for there were plenty around, chasing each other through the trees.
I find this walk so refreshing any time of the year and in any weather, it lifts my soul, changes my deadness to life and I feel at peace again.

Today I am grateful for the peace I find in this walk
for a reason to get up of a morning
for being able to walk with ease, not crippled by pain.

Nature's Calendar - It's that Squirrel again

2011-11-22T07:00:00.003Z

I know I've already used the squirrel but I just couldn't resist this photo, I think it is the best one I have yet photographed. He was sitting in full view eating the nut he had just dug up. I watched him digging it out from beneath the tree then carry it up to this branch and sit there eating it.

Counterfeit Kit challenge - layout

2011-11-21T17:51:00.000Z

I have done another layout using my cfk, I actually did it on the 9th, but as it was for another challenge that my team on UKScrappers had set, and that didn't go live until today, I couldn't post it here until now.
the criteria for the UKS challenge is
Use a greeting as your title
Oldest piece of paper or stash
Stamp using an item which is NOT a stamp
I had a lot of fun with this trying out different things to stamp with, in the end I went with a little seal from a Per Una label that had hearts on and the inner seal from a Coffee Mate tin using one side for the background paper and the other side for the circle chipboards.

I've also done a couple more layouts for UKS challenges
for this one we had a sketch (one of mine). I had fun getting messy making the pattern paper on the left hand side lots of inking with distress ink and then spritzing with shimmermist

and for this one the challenge was to use paint, an odd size or shaped photo and either glitter or bugs (the team setting the challenge is the Glitterbugs)

I painted over some of the leaves on the patterned paper because they were bright blue and looked all wrong but this fitted one of the challenge criteria perfectly

Nature's Calendar - Curled leaves

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000Z

I wonder what has caused the leaves to curl in this fashion?

Nature's Calendar - Old Oak Tree

2011-11-20T07:00:00.002Z

The leaves are now brown but not all are on the ground under the old oak tree
Some leave still cling waiting for the wind to strip them from the old oak tree

Nature's Calendar - Tangled

2011-11-19T07:00:00.000Z

My Wisteria has been cut back and now the tangled stems can be seen

Nature's Calendar - Little Holly bush

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000Z

I discovered a little holly bush at the bottom of my garden, how it got there I don't know, probably a berry dropped by a bird. it's only about 12" high at the moment I wonder if it will have berries on next year. Of course it could be a male bush and not produce any

Nature's Calendar -What on earth???

2011-11-17T07:21:00.002Z

The Change in the weather & Journal your Christmas preparations

2011-11-16T17:41:00.000Z

Goodness I was only saying yesterday how different this November is to last the weather has been so mild, but today it has turned decidedly chilly so I suppose we could end up with frost or even snow the same as last year.

I'm going to do Journal Your Christmas again this year, this is one of Shimelle's classes and I think it is probably my favourite one. If you have never done one before why not pop along to Shimelle's blog and book yourself in.
This will be my third year and I'm ringing the changes I'm daring myself to do a paper journal and not a digital one. I managed to get some 6"x6" black envelopes, fixed them together concertina fashion using the flap of each to join the next.
the untidy side (where the envelope folds up) I've stuck a piece of pretty classy embossed paper in a range of 4 colours

I played around with distressed inks again and also glimmer mist for my cover. unfortunately the photos doesn't do it justice as everything has a lovely sheen to it. The title was cut on my Robo machine using Fancy Pants font, the black paper has a sparkle to it as well. The star is rough cut from a piece of corrugated card and the outer cover torn off then I painted it with pearlised paint.

I've also printed off some date stickers

I've collected together lots a Christmasy papers ribbons and other embellishments so hopefully I am now ready for the fun to start.

Nature's Calendar - Leaves

2011-11-16T07:00:00.001Z

Nature's Calendar - Dahlia

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000Z

Random jottings from my little note book.

2011-11-14T15:44:00.001Z

In Starbucks
I order my usual, a extra shot mocha and a cinnamon swirl and sit down in a comfy chair, today I feel like people watching
Young mums meeting for a coffee and a chat, a place to rest from shopping and feed their babies.
Businessman in the corner on his laptop, coffee growing cold as he gets engrossed in his work
Mother and daughter meet up, such a nice place to be, what shall we have?
Three people sitting at a small table discussing work, more relaxed to meet here than in the office.
I watch a small child crumble a cake, while mum is engrossed in conversation with her friend.
I've sat here, slowly sipping my drink and letting my mind wander. It's time I made my way home. I've have enjoyed my time in my favourite coffee shop. I'll be back

In early spring
I heard the woodpecker again today, I even found the tree on which he was hammering away. But could I see him? not a chance, wait just a glance of red,then he spread his wings and was gone from my sight. Try as I might I cannot capture him on camera.

Water fountains

A hot day

Fountain spray

Children play

Balls rise

before our eyes

lifts and dies

This is fun

in the sun

when shopping's done

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The walk down the back lane

Is so very quiet again

The children are back at school

The fountains are spraying

but no children playing

They are all back at school

Trolleys just have shopping

no children hopping

they are all back at school

Mothers are free

to enjoy the shopping spree

Their children are all back at school

Soon will be home time

but in the meantime

lets have a coffee while they're still at school

On the bus

Elderly lady, alighting from the bus, thanks the driver and says "You seem like a nice boy" which made the rest of us a chuckle.

Nature's Calendar - the next generation

2011-11-14T07:00:00.001Z

Nature's Calendar - Marigold

2011-11-13T07:00:00.001Z

Isn't it amazing we are half way through November but there is still blooms in the garden giving us a splash of colour in what is normally the dullest month of the year.

Labour of Love

2011-11-12T17:46:00.000Z

I have made a very special little minibook today. The subject is Chester Christmas, the very last Christmas that John had, it was such a poignant time. The hotel was first class the staff so understanding and so caring. The trips out were not too far so John was able to enjoy them, though the coach journey down was a trial for him, he was in a great deal of pain.
At one stage we didn't think we would make it as John had been rushed into hospital and a lot of blood pumped into him. But the doctors and nurses did their utmost to get him home in time to catch the coach.
It was a Barnes coach trip to remember forever as far as I'm concerned as everything was done to perfection.
So to the minibook. The covers I made from Acrylic Art paper, which I had used Distress ink pads on. My two new ones Fired Brick and Rusty Hinge by Tim Holtz and Forest Moss which I've had for a while. I then spritz it with Micro Mist and using a baby wipe blended the colours together. I let this dry then spritzed again with Micro Mist.

For the embellishment of the cover I tore the fly sheet out of an old paperback book, and taking quotes from 'A Christmas Carol' I printed on the sheet using Edwardian Script font, tearing a small section, placed this over some stamped splashes. The rosette and title were cut on Robo I added the button and used the cut out bit of 'NOEL' mounted on black and raised on 3D foam.
The covers were cut and stuck to a black envelope which I had cut the ends off to give a pocket. The inside pages also have a pocket because I took 2 sheets of My Minds Eye patterned paper cut slightly smaller than the envelope and stuck them together at the sides and bottom.
I made a couple of journalling blocks.

The wording of the second one reads:-
John had hankered after a Christmas away for some time and as this was probably going to be his last we booked a Barnes coach trip to Chester. It couldn’t have been more special, though we nearly didn’t make it. John had been rushed into hospital and several pints of blood pumped into him. They managed to get him home with just an hour to spare before we caught the coach

I cut the inserts from an old photo album (sheets that had never been used).

today I am thankful for the lovely memory of this holiday.

Nature's Calendar - perenial Sweetpea

2011-11-12T07:00:00.000Z

Another flower that shouldn't be still in bloom

11 on the 11th of the 11th Month in 2011

2011-11-11T18:37:00.001Z

I didn't do 10 on the 10th I hadn't a clue, but to day seem the perfect day to record the 11th day of each of the 11 month we have had so far this year.

the verse at the side isn't very clear so I've recorded it underneath

In January the leaves were brown
In February street musician in town
11th of March a very special day
In April poor Sammy passed away
May brings a riot of bloom on the vine
June a photo of me; about time
July a butterfly a glorious sight
August and berries, that doesn’t seem right
September Rufus meeting the kittens
October a portrait of Muffin and Mittens
11th of the 11th in the year 2011
Coffee with a friend my kind of heaven

Nature's Calendar - Evening Primrose

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000Z