Learn Something New Every Day

tonight I have managed to do yesterday's lesson learnt and today. To be honest I knew what I was doing for yesterday but I didn't have the photo and I needed the light to get it.
When I finished my shower that morning I somehow pulled the shower curtain back the opposite way to usual and realised that it allowed the light to shine through, to the basin and mirror, much better.

this also allowed me to take a self portrait, which the prompt encouraged us to do. Success.
Today I wanted to do some journalling in my explore book and I needed the purple pen. but I couldn't find my coloured journalling pens anywhere. Knowing that the enormous pile of bits and pieces, paper and you name it that was on my desk was probably hiding them, I thought the only way was to tidy up the rubbish. It was a job that I had on my to do list and one that kept being put off. So taking the bull by the horns I tackled it. All the while asking the Lord what I had done with my pens. I felt that He was saying "when you can see your desk I'll let you know". Well I did practically finish the desk but still hadn't found the pens. But as usual the Lord was true to His promise and I was led to the paper rack in the lounge. Sure enough the pens were there so I did the journalling, and left the rest of the desk. But, I needed a photo so this evening I finally cleared the area and have, if not a perfectly tidy place to scrap, at least a large space that is plenty big enough.


I have another layout to share this one is for my No.1 Grandson on the day he started school.

Nature's Calendar - Spider plant buds

Nature's Calendar - New Growth

Goodness me it is Autumn not spring but this little tree is producing new buds already.

Learn Something New Every Day

I've had to search for what I have learnt today, again, and I thing the main thing is that which I have been fiddling with this evening.
I am in a digital circle journal challenge and I wanted to add photos to a page for one of the others but didn't want them to resemble people too much. I did try to get a cartoon of myself from off the web but it wasn't very satisfactory. Then I remembered that there were several buttons on Serif page plus that I hadn't really experimented with. One of them took the photo of me and made it look more like a pencil drawing or water painting. That was fine but it wouldn't work on the other photo and I still don't know why that one was blocked. The only solution was to crop the photos and copy that re-saving it under a different title. such a lot of faffing but I eventually got there. I have used some of the examples of what the buttons produce in my page for today.

I think my real lesson for today is that I can spend such a lot of time trying to get something to work that is not playing ball with me. There is great satisfaction when I bring it under control too.

Nature's Calendar - Guinea Fowl

When we arrive at Longleat, we made a beeline to the little cafe, I needed a drink. On coming out we could hear these little tweeting noises and I was looking up in the bushes and trees to see if I could see the little birds that were making such a noise. My friend being blind was using her ears to locate the noise which was on the ground. I was surprised to see such a big bird making such a little noise.

Learn Something New Every Day

Today I have had to really think about what I have learnt, not a lot really though I have enjoyed my day.
I thought I might go with the fact that I have discovered that if I do just little bits of the housework that has been bugging me, like tidying the kitchen, my craft surfaces etc it is a doable thing and doesn't look such an insurmountable problem. But that isn't so different from yesterday's entry.
I did do the kitchen and the lounge and then went into town. While walking round to a craft shop that is just a bit of the main shopping area I saw this strange construction. There is nothing written on the plinth and as yet I haven't discovered what or why it is where it is. I'll have to keep an eye out.
So today I learnt I love a mystery and discovering new things.

Nature's Calendar - Snail

OK I know that they are a garden pest, but they are still one of God's creatures and I wanted to include him

Learn Something New Every Day

I am a very untidy person, I find it so difficult to keep the mess under control, but today I have been busy and have tidied my bedroom taken out a lot of the rubbish that had accumulated, hung up the clothes that had been piled on my bed and dusted and hoovered.
Having done that I thought next I would attack the piles of stuff on my desks and craft tables. I didn't get all that far but I did manage to clear one of my desks. So now perhaps I can clear the rest of my stash/rubbish/papers etc. and stop procrastinating and putting it off till it became impossible.


Because it's Monday the weekly challenge on UKScrappers was calling me. I do like to get it done on the day it goes out. This week we had to (a) either do a beach theme or use an advertising slogan as a title, (b) use the colour turquoise & (c) two photos. I went with the slogan and used this photo of the amazing cake in Patisserie Valerie's window.


and just to put a smile on your face

A little boy was talking to a farmer. "What have you got in your truck?" he asked
"Manure" replied the farmer.
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Put it on my potatoes," replied the farmer.
The little boy shrugged. "You should come and have dinner with us. We put butter and salt on ours.

Today I was grateful for the energy to get as much done as I did.

Nature's Calendar - Hazelnut

Learn Something New Every Day

Today I have been so tired, almost from the time I got up this morning. Eventually I gave into it and had a sleep in my chair. Later I phoned a friend and in the course of the conversion when I told her how I felt she said that several people have complained of feeling the same. It did make me feel a bit better as I was beginning to think that there was something drastically wrong with me. Half the trouble is, living on my own I have too much time to worry about how I feel.
Strangely enough my two bundles of mischief have been much quieter today and have slept a good part of it. There must be something in the air.


Came back in here to add the page I've just done, another one of Rufus's birthday trip to Bristol Zoo


Today I am grateful for a nice comfy chair to have a snooze in
coming home from church to the smell of a roast dinner
Rudi sitting on my lap enjoying a stroke this afternoon

Nature's Calendar - Late Poppy

Learn Something New Every Day

To day has been very muggy and I have felt tired and lethargic all day. I thought a walk down the back lane would blow the cobwebs away but I felt exhausted by the time I got to ASDA. It was so nice to get back indoors and be greeted by two mischievous bundles of fun.
Kittens certainly make a house a home. so that is what I have gone with for my page for today.


My Son, Daughter in Law and Grandson were over to see the kittens today and Rufus's face when he saw them for the first time was such a delight. Although I didn't actually get a photo at that moment I did capture one later.

Freebie Labels

Just a quick post to send out some love with these freebie labels. they were inspired by some I saw on Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

Nature's Calendar - Wolf

Another magnificent animal but one that has had a bad reputation that is not founded at all.
photo taken at Longleat through a very rain splattered window so I have had to enhance it a bit.

Learn Something New Every Day

Today I went into town to get my ticket to travel to the scrapping retreat at the end of the month. Price not too bad could have been cheaper but I would have had to hang around at extra stations and get there too early.
I also needed ink cartridges for my printer now that was expensive £93 but hopefully getting the XL ones they will last a bit longer.
That just left me needing PJs for the retreat but the only ones I could find that I liked were £26.00 and I wasn't prepared, after my other expensive buys, to fork out that much for something I will only wear when away. When I got home I remembered I had bought some for a previous retreat and adding a loose top to them makes perfect casual-lounging-around-scrapping apparel
So here is my page for finding something to be grateful for


I've also made the first page of Rufus's second birthday, I say first page because I am sure there will be many more, I took so many photos


My fur babies are sleeping now after a day of frolic and napping, they have found a little box just big enough for one of them but both want to share it.

And of course I can't leave Rudi out now can I

Today I am thankful for nice clothes to wear
for two lovely lively fur babies
for my lovely Ginger cat (who is a bit wary at the moment)

Nature's Calendar - Magnificent Beast

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The weather was appalling the day we went to Longleat and it was difficult to photograph any of the animals though the rain splattered windows, but I did managed to get this magnificent tiger and with a little tweaking have a reasonable image

Learn Something New Every Day

Today we are encouraged to learn not to get irritated by things we can't control that are transient. Something I find so difficult to do. I think today I have been getting very impatient to start the digital Circle Journal (CJ) that I am taking part in on UKScrappers. I signed up for it on 29th July but we done start it until 15th of September, our own pages that is, mine has been done ages and I am champing at the bit to do some of the others. I have used the title page of my own CJ as the photo for today page


I have been digi scrapping my little fur babies again too well the mischievous one anyway.


and this page is for the monthly challenge on UKScrappers we have a sketch and need to put stitching or stamping on the page. I've gone for stitching as that is easier to do digitally


Today I am grateful that I have a chippie just 5 mins away so I had a fish and chip supper
I glad I take my camera out with me even when just going to the chippie, I would have missed this lovely sky if I didn't.

Nature's Calendar - Hops & Apples

I've been looking out again this year for the hops for it amazed me to see them last year. They are even better this year.

Mittens and Muffin & Learn Something new Every Day

I am sure that I am going to bore so many people with all the kitten talk but you can always skip it if I do.
Here for now is my first proper digital layout of these two balls of mischief

Now I think I had better go and do some work and stop wasting time......Oh dear Mittens has just climbed onto my leg and is purring like mad. Time for some kitten bonding again instead.

For my lesson today I've chosen one of my favourite things during August and September, Blackberry Picking.

Nature's Calendar - Vulture

Learn Something New Every Day

Today's lesson we had to learn from others. I was watching Lisa read from her Braille notes and was amazed at how quickly her fingers flew across the page. I took this photo of the dots and realised that the pages were embossed both sides but the dots did not interfere with each other.
So my lesson today is sighted or not reading is a great way to learn.



the little dots at the bottom of the page should read Lisa reading Braille, hope I have done it right.

Nature's Calendar - Flying Penguin

Who says penguins can't fly

Weekly challenge & Learn Something New Every Day

I love the weekly challenge on UKScrappers, it is usually set by one of the teams, sometimes just by an individual.
This week the Scrap Apple team,
As it is back to school this week for most children we thought that we would set a challenge around a school theme.
Firstly we would like you to use just 2 colours (black and white dont count as colours for this challenge) 10 points
Secondly please use the sketch. 10 points
Thirdly use an embellishment that represents your favourite thing about school, subject, home time what ever you want. 10 points
I struggled a bit to think what I could do as my school days and my children's school days are long past and my eldest grandson doesn't start school till next week. In the end I found a photo of myself with my cousin and brother on Worthing beach so I went with the summer holiday theme thinking along the lines of that being the best part of school was the long summer holidays



For LSN to day I haven't really gone by the prompt too well as it was on Time and the only connection I could find was that I was going to be spending a lot of time with my new kittens getting to know them, and handling them so that they are friendly with people

Time Eaters

I have just become the proud provider of two adorable time eaters
Introducing Mittens and Muffin

Mittens has claimed the bed in the sun

Muffin is going to be a scrapbooker

Nature's Calendar - Kookaburra at Bristol Zoo

Learn Something New Every Day

Today has been tiring but very enjoyable. To celebrate my grandson's 2nd birthday we all went to Bristol Zoo
Rufus and his cousin Joshua who is just 3 months older had a great time and got on so well together.
I have got lots of photos no only of the animals but of the two boys so should have lots of scrapbook fodder to keep me happy for a while.
So here is my page for today

Story Telling Sunday

It's Story time again.
my story today is about how smells can evoke memories and I am cheating a little here as I did a 'no photo' layout of this a few years ago



Why not pop over to Sian's blog to find all those taking part.

Nature's Calendar - Foxglove

I never realised that there were hairs on the lip of a foxglove. Isn't it amazing what you find when you look really closely at something

Learn Something New Every Day

Today we were to think about our feet, we so often take them for granted. This fitted in perfectly with what happened to me today. I had gone to ASDA and just missed the bus to come home. it is quicker to walk than to wait for the next one so did my usual journey in reverse. perfect, I could pick some of the teasels ready for the Harvest window display in church. They will have enough time to dry out a bit before I need to use them.


It was my friends ordination service this afternoon and I literally just got back in time to be picked up for the lift to her church. The Lord is good all the time and especially when we put our trust in Him.

Nature's Calendar - A hollow stump

perfect habitat for lichen, moss and even Ivy

Learn Something New Every Day

I wasn't going to do it this month, but I've caved in as I have learnt something new both days so far.
This year I have decided to keep it very simple just a date heading a photo, if I can, and what I have learnt in brief and a little explanation if it's necessary.
So here is my title page and the first two days learnings






I'll also add the page I did yesterday of my No.1 grandson's attempt at cutting his own hair

Nature's Calendar - Aster

Nature's Calendar - Name that flower

This flowering plant growing in profusion near the waters edge I can't find it in any of my books, There is a white variety too. Does anyone know what it is?