One more ...

... sleep - and let the House Party begin! Tomorrow we're off for the weekend.  We?  Me, Cally, Greta, Kim, Jackie, Debs, Cathy, Jennie, Chris, Lynn, Nita, Toni, Susan, Cal and Trace. Yep, a girlie House Party weekend with a bit of crafting somewhere along the line. It's the 3rd year we've done this now but it's different every year, not least the attendees changing, although there's a hardcore of regulars. It's gone from the original 3 night weekend to a 4 night one so it's a proper break which gives time to chill properly. 

The therapists are in for a day again for those that want to partake.  I just love the hot stones and Indian head massages. Start the day with one and end with the other - *LOL* Last year I tried the Reiki but, although I got something out of it (which surprised me) I wasn't that impressed so it's back to the Indian head massage this year. The hot stones is a permanent fixture for me - *LOL*  

It's no longer mine and Jak's personal House Party as it was the first year, with invited guests.  Last year Jak couldn't make it but I decided to organise it again and, in consultation with others, invited new faces to replace those that couldn't make it from the first year.  This year I've taken a back seat and the organisation has been done by Jennie and new faces invited to join us when others have had to decline.  It's now a 'joint' House Party with everyone having input with one thing or another.  We're hoping the weather is kind so we can sit in the sun and chat, go for walks and have a BBQ on Sunday - and perhaps that bit of crafting.  If it's not it'll be chats in one, or more, of the lounges (there's 3), books being read, films being watched (possibly) and an indoor grill instead of the BBQ - and perhaps that bit of crafting - *LOL*   Can't wait now .... Bring It On!

Had the talk with Dad today about his emergency button usage.  Tried to explain that thinking he had 2 pair of trousers on, having food plates moved and anything else of a similar ilk were not emergencies and could wait for his next carer 'call'. I was shown the printout that showed the 30 calls in one day. Not quite what it seemed initially. The calls were concentrated into the late afternoon through to his bedtime but .... it seems Dad uses the button and, if nobody arrives within a minute or 2 he buzzes again, so most of those 30 calls were of him buzzing until somebody arrived. It was still a lot of calls, even allowing for that but, we have no idea why he made them as none of them were documented by whoever completed the call. Probably weren't legitimate emergency calls but without knowing what his reasons for buzzing were there's not really much I can do to address the problem. 

He seemed to feel that whatever it was - and he can't remember (they told me it was last Sunday - it was actually a couple of weeks ago at the beginning of June) - it constituted an emergency to him at the time. It's odd as some days he'll use it a couple of times, other days not at all and then the odd day he'll use it heavily. 30 times in one day was the breaking point with them. He now knows (although he has been told before) that he should only use it if he feels unwell, has a fall or needs help with a bathroom break. They now know that there's not much I can do if they don't document every call so we know exactly what his reasons are for calling them. If they can't do that how can we address the problem with him? Care Manager is now openly talking about him being better off in residential care. I guess I have to agree. He certainly doesn't meet the needs requirement for where he is now. Care Manager is looking to get him reassessed. We'll have to see if it happens and then cross any bridge it might throw up.

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Well, no crafting ...

... as such, today. I did spend time doing a bit more organising.  Think that's about as much as I can do for now. Got to spend time getting my bits together for the House Party weekend now - and sorting Dad out on Wednesday!

Had a visit from Kieran, the new Daddy to be, his partner and her son, this afternoon. They wanted to bring us a picture of the scan. The scan shows she's 10 weeks pregnant but she could have been as much as 5 months, which is why the scan was pushed through. The next one is due in August and they hope to find out what they're having at that time. Personally, if it were me, I'd rather not know. Didn't have the luxury of that choice when I had my lads but I wouldn't have wanted to know. I like the surprise at the end *LOL*  Think it was the 'not knowing' that stopped me losing my sanity (if I ever was sane) with the boredom of waiting with the second one. First arrived 2 weeks early. Second decided to wait until the day before he was going to be induced, then popped out in a hurry *LOL* Anyway, we now have a scan photo of our first great grandchild. Looks pretty much like a jelly bean at the moment so think I'll call it 'Bean' until we know one way or t'other.

Had to laugh today. If I'd not laughed I would have cried. Brother told me they'd posted Dad's Father's Day card addressed to ...... wrong address! It was partly right but the road and postcode was for the old flats that were demolished to make way for those Dad's in now. The address of Dad's flat is completely different other than the name of them. Different street address and postcode. Last year Dad didn't get a card from my brother. Seems he sent it to this same address. Now, what makes this funny - not! - is that I've lost count of the number of times I've given him Dad's address, from just before he moved right up to today and not once has he made a note of it, until today. They decided to get the address from the Post Office site way back, when it hadn't been updated so didn't have the address for the new flats and it still showed the address for the old flats. Today he finally wondered why he'd got the wrong address. I wondered why he'd never checked what they'd got - especially when post had gone astray - when I'd sent him countless emails giving him an address .... and still have the sent email copies to prove it!  Looks as though, if Dad hasn't received this year's card, it will have gone to the same place as last years ... the Post Office rubbish bin!

20 years it took, until this past week, to get Paul to go to the flicks to see a film and what's the film on TV this evening? The last film he saw at the flicks - Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Coincidence? Guess it is, but what a coincidence. Made us chuckle - *LOL*

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A while back ...

... I decided I was going to try 12.7mm magnetic tape for my nestie storage instead of the 25mm I had been using.  Today I finally got around to trying it. I've been collecting sets but not wanted to 'decant' them until I'd found the notebook I'd lost and in which I'd listed all the dies/punches/folders that I own. Today I was going through cards that need to be finished and what did I find amongst them? Yep, my notebook! It was on the cards I would have to do it again (already bought another notebook) and it took an age to do it in the first place.  Anyway, back to topic .... 

I wasn't too sure how successful the narrower tape would be but I can report that, although it's not quite as strong as the 25mm (less surface area so wouldn't be), is lighter (less bulk) ... it does work effectively. I will now stay with the 12.7mm tape as you can get 10m for virtually the price of 5m of the 25mm, so works out cheaper as well.  Wish I'd bought that in the first place now as I wouldn't have had to buy any more for a good while but .... I reckon I've now got enough to last for as long as I shall need it as most of my dies are bought and it's only odd sets, when I buy them, and not nearly the 100 odd I had to deal with when I first started storing them the way I do now. 

At this point I should say that I do have another item for nestie storage .... Joy Crafts! A3 Magnetic Metal Die Storage Folder.  Yes, that is A3 (there is an A4 version as well) but I needed something to store my 12" Grand Borderabilities and .... some Grand Label Dies.  My CD wallet just doesn't cut the mustard for such long/large dies :0)  I'd already got a few of the Quickutz version for my mega/long nesties but they're not even A4 size so really didn't work for the long borders.

I don't have a Grand Calibur or any other A4 sized large cutting machine but I checked out the measurements of some of the dies for the Grand Calibur and found that some weren't far off the maximum size that the Cuttlebug would take. I figured that there were 4 sets where all the dies would fit so I bought one to try (Grand Labels Four, set of 6 dies) and all but the very largest die goes through the Cuttlebug. By my reckoning that means that all of that set may go through the Big Shot as I believe the slot it slightly wider but it will need to be a Big Shot owner that confirms, or denies, that.  It is only the overhang around the cutting edge that makes it too wide for the Bug. Being quite happy that there was only one die I couldn't use with the bug I bought Grand Labels Eleven (set of 6 dies) and that has the same result. Only the largest die won't fit the bug.

I've revisited my estimations of the other sets as the narrowest cut measurement should be 5¾ inches or less. If it says 6 inches technically it should go through but that bit of overhang will stop it - and the plates are only 6 inches wide - *LOL*  The only thing that may be needed are extended plates or running the die through the Bug twice - top and tail.

Anyway, here's what I reckon will fit, and won't fit the Bug from the available Grand dies (but I won't be held accountable if they don't -*lol*)

Grand Large Label - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Ovals - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Labels Eleven - 5 out of 6 (have proved this one as I have them *grin*)
Grand Labels Four - 5 out of 6 (another proved as I've these as well * bigger grin*)
Big Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Big Scalloped Ovals - 3/6 definitely.  Possibly 4/6
Creative Book Pages - 4/6
Grand Labels One - 4/6
Grand Scalloped Ovals - 4/6 definitely.  Possibly 5/6
Grand Circles - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Grand Squares - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Squares - 3/6

OK, there's only 4 sets where all will fit through but reckon there's enough choice to make it worthwhile buying some without buying an A4 machine to use them with - unless you really, really want/need to use the very largest in the sets *grin*

Anyways, that's been my day today. Listening to Harry Potter while sorting my cards into order of needing inserts, matching with envelopes or just general finishing and then, once notebook came to light - decanting my newer dies into their new home, labelling them, updating notebook and revisiting my list of what will and what won't go through the Bug with the Grand dies.  Tomorrow I'll get it looking more like a work area than a dumping ground and I might even get some crafting done .... but then again?

Oh ... and we had a visit from prospective new Grand-daddy Philip and his soon to be wife Paula (eldest son and future daughter-in-law), eldest grand-daughter Chloe and future step-grandson Ben ... followed by a visit from youngest son, Wayne and our little Emma. Zac and Amy were safely tucked up in bed fast asleep - *grin* Lovely day!

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Oh me, oh my ...

... thought it was too good to be true! Dad's got himself in 'trouble' again, although it seems it's not 'again'. Seems it's just got too much and they've had enough. Think he might be getting close to being moved again but heaven knows where he could be moved to. Still, it's not at that stage yet but it would appear it's what he needs. What's set this all off? Him and his 'emergency' call button he wears round his neck. Emergency button for if he falls or needs any other urgent help like a call of nature (he has to have assistance with that nowadays). It would appear that he's using it for anything - and I mean, anything. Moving a plate from his side table to the sink when he's finished eating, rather than waiting for his next call. If something isn't quite 'right' to his mind and he wants to talk to somebody. If something is out of place and he wants it moved and so on and so forth. He pushed his 'emergency' button 30 times last Sunday. The Care Manager gets a printout of the usage. It's become silly usage with Dad but they have to respond every time in case it is an emergency. Strange thing is, if he does fall he's loathe to use it. He doesn't like them knowing when he falls unless he really can't get himself back up.

They want me to speak to him, with them, next week so I've to go on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Looks as though I've got to get 'cross' with him again but over his button usage this time. Care Manager is worried he won't retain the info we give him about it but I'm beginning to think that it's a bit of selective memory retention with him. Since I last got cross with him over his 'life' a couple of weeks ago the visits have been better. She also wants to refer him back to Social Services. She says she wants the critical care team to look at him, not the normal care team which is who have been seeing him. She's really worried about his fall risk but I honestly don't see that there's anything that can be done other than having him permanently in a wheelchair and then he would be completely immobile. He wouldn't be able to wheel himself like Paul does. Anyway, looks as though it's gonna be a fun visit next week! I've warned her it may have to be a 'bad cop, good cop' scenario to make the info, re button usage, stick.

On the brighter side it looks as though we're going to have yet another January birthday as our expected great-grandchild is due 12th January. Too early, even if it's late, to arrive on Dad's 90th or my 61st so I will be only 60 when it arrives. Still, it's granddad made me a grandmother at 40 - he will be 39! Serves him right for having his son when he was only 18 *grin*

Weather has been atrocious today. Started raining in stair rods mid morning and it's barely stopped all day. I did manage to sort my shelves - kind of - and I found several craft CD/DVDs that I don't want. I don't 'do' CD crafting despite buying them with that in mind.  Just doesn't float my boat so I'm getting rid of some. Not all, just in case I change my mind *LOL* 

 

Thanks for dropping by .....

Today didn't ...

... go as planned but then when do my days ever go as planned? Planning is the kiss of death. I did manage to get part of what I'd planned done and that was to get some crafty bits together to give to a friend who is collecting for a friend of hers.  Her friend has ties with a village in Kenya and she is making a trip over there soon and asked for bits and pieces to take to the women - bras, panties, toothbrushes and craft stuff.  I've put a box of craft stuff together and I've a couple of new packs of panties that I won't be using and some bras I no longer have need of.  Not too much on that front as I've not long had a clear out and most went for recycling in one way or another. Shame. Had I known sooner .....

Nothing else got done as I developed a headache so the rest of the day has passed in a bit of a blur.  Still, there's always tomorrow!  On the subject of recycling Cally sent me this earlier today and I've got to say .... who were/are the biggest recyclers - and who the most wasteful?  We just never considered any of this to be recycling - well, it was never labelled as such.  It just made economic sense - and there wasn't really any alternative - lol! 

In the queue at the  store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained "We didn't have the green thing back in my day." 

The clerk responded "That's our problem today. The former generation didn’t care enough to save our environment." He was right. That generation didn't have the green thing in its day. 

Back then they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so the same bottles were used over and over.  They really were recycled.    

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.    

In her day they walked up stairs because they didn't have an escalator/lift in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go a couple of streets.  

But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.    

Back then they washed the baby's nappies because they didn't have the disposable kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts. Wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.   

But that old lady is right. They didn't have the green thing back in her day.    

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the  house. Not a TV in every room and the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the UK. In the kitchen, they blended and mixed by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for them. When they wrapped a fragile item to send in the post they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.  Back then they didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to mow the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.    

But she's right. They didn't have the green thing back then.   

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.    

But - they didn't have the green thing back then.    

Back then people took the bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one power point in a room not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. They didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizzeria.    

But isn't it sad how the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were ... just because they didn’t have the green thing back then? 

Food for thought, huh?

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A good couple ...

... couple of days. Visit to Dad yesterday was a good one. Chilled, no major disasters reported and got him more involved in compiling his shopping list. At least it got his head out of his newspaper where it would have been for the entire visit if I'd let it - *lol* Sometimes I wonder if he'd notice if I didn't go as he doesn't talk much and if his paper has arrived I might as well not be there. Having said that, the carers tell me that he missed me when I was away and thought I should have been back a couple of weeks sooner than I was. I'd only missed the first week when he was mithering them about not seeing me - *oops*

I came home and spent the afternoon decanting stamps again and getting DVD inserts and labels prepped for printing.  Printed them today and finished for now ... until the next ones are purchased - *grin*.  Got a few dies to sort out now ....

I suggested to Paul that we went to the movies to see Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides tonight, taking advantage of Orange Wednesday and, to my surprise, he agreed!  I've only just discovered that it's not just mobile phone customers of Orange that can use Orange Wednesday but ANY customer of theirs. We have our Broadband through them so I registered and tonight we used our first eticket.  £8 saving (we went 2D).  Work it out folks.  If we used this facility every week we'd effectively be getting our Broadband free.  In fact, they'd be paying us to use it - *lol*  Mind you, we'd be paying to see a film but £8 for 2 ain't a bad deal :0)  We rounded the evening off with a pizza and salad at Pizza Hut - £5 each on a voucher I found on t'internet.

Now, why was I surprised that Paul agreed to go to the movies? 'Cos for 20 years I've not been able to get him there, no matter what film was on and there's been a good few he's wanted to see but waited for the video. Last time he went to the movies was on 16th October 1991 - our 6th wedding anniversary.  We saw Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Such a rare occurence it turned out to be I remember it so well - and the meal that followed. Can't remember what we had but can remember where. We've now been married nearly 26 years and he's suddenly agreed that we should go out together more ... Looks as though there may be a few more Orange Wednesdays on the horizon and reasonably priced meals *LOL*

Had to laugh though.  He was ready to go a good ½ hour before he needed to be, jacket on as well, so what happened? We had to go, because he was ready.  Like a kid in a toy shop and then, we had to have a bag of pic 'n mix and go sit in the cinema for that ½ hour before the programme started! Wish I'd taken my camera but I didn't and my phone camera is rubbish indoors.  Old phone but good enough for what I want - just rubbish camera indoors.

Tomorrow?  Don't know yet. May try to reorganise my stamp shelves to accommodate the extra cases.  May do some ironing - but then again .... May sort some more stuff to take next week for the House Party. May do some housework - but then again .... Think I'll just wait and see how I feel in the morning *grin*

Thanks for dropping by .....

There's a ...

... drought!  Nothing exciting happening, just boring, mundane 'stuff'.  Nothing doing over the weekend except I did get to see the littlies for a while.  First time I've seen them properly since I've been back from the holiday.  Events, colds and chickenpox had conspired against us getting together until this weekend - ooops!   Weather has been total rubbish.  I know we needed the rain but couldn't it rain just at night and leave it dry through the day?  Mind you, guess it's not been too bad today but I've been ensconced in my little crafty area decanting stamps into CD and DVD cases.  

I've now run out of CD cases so using DVD cases for some clear stamp sets. Not what I'd planned but I'm not buying any more just yet.  I've filled 50+ CD and 40-ish DVD.  Got the labels and DVD covers to put together and print and that's a few more done.  Need to reorganise the shelves to accommodate all the new cases now!  Decanting the stamps can be a boring job when there's a lot to do so I've kept myself amused by listening to Harry Potter.  I've got the full set of ebooks so I've uploaded them to my Kindle and had that playing while I've been working.  Really enjoying listening to them as well.  I've read all the books and seen all the films.  Now I'm getting to listen to them as well *grin*

Paul had his post-op appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon this morning and he's quite pleased with the progress and he feels that there is no longer any infection.  Paul's to see him again in 3 months.  Only problem is, he may need an op on his elbow!  We're hoping not but it's now looking as though he's got a touch of tennis elbow due to the strain it's been under.  Doc gave him a cortisone jab while he was there and a support to wear.  He's going to reassess in 3 months when Paul has to go back.

Anyway, time's now tipped over into tomorrow so I'm off to my pit!  Dad day in the morning .... wonder how that will go :0)

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What have I ...

... got today?  Nothing, nowt, nadda!  Well, not relating to yesterday anyway.  Spent time having a bit of a sort out and tidy up in my little crafty area.  Still some to do but at least I can see the worktop again *LOL*  I've also started sorting out what I'm taking to the House Party weekend from the craft point of view. As little as possible if I'm honest as I'm done with carting everything but the kitchen sink, which I used to do. I'll take basic tools, cutting mat, scoring board and a trimmer. Something to do any colouring that may be needed - watercolour pencils - and some jewellery making tools as we've got a jewellery project. Oh yes, and my shoebox card contribution.  

I took a few pics of the restaurant on Wednesday and just outside it.  Lovely aspect and, if it's a warm, sunny summer's evening it's pleasant to sit outside. Wednesday it was lovely and sunny but it was breezy and too cold to sit outside. We had a window table .... just under the 'an' of Italian - *LOL*

Edge of inner harbour to the right

 The inner harbour

 My steak ... delish!

Moon was up when we left

Back in late May our village held the Dean's Festival on the local school playing field.  I went last year but this year I didn't. Not really sure why I didn't but I didn't. The following Tuesday Dad gave me the day's local paper to bring home and read and, flicking through the pages there was a photo and in it was ...... our Emma, with her Morris dance troupe. Yep, she's still with it. Amazing staying power that girl. She joined the troup when she was 7, or possibly just 8 and over a year on and she's still with them. One of the longest serving now. The troupe is a lot smaller than it was as some of last year's members have moved on to secondary (high) school and this is a school troupe.

The photo in the local paper (Ems is the littlest one)

 Found this one of her in the paper's photo archive - going solo, bless!

That's about it  for now.  Hoping to finish the sort out in my crafty area and then it's some of the dreaded 'h' word.

Thanks for dropping by .....

Afternoon workshop ...

... with Alex Kamann, 3rd June.  White on White and they were stunning cards!

The first card was a small 4" x 4" one.  The card was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder.  A strip of white card had a greeting stamped on a lower corner and then stuck to card base and trimmed to size. A plaque was cut from white Bazzill Bling (or similar) using the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen.  The flower was made from several layers of tissue paper cut with the Spellbinders Blossom 3, although any circle die/punch with a bit of shape to the edge would do.  Each layer was joined with a brad through the middle. Every layer was scrunched up then 'fluffed' out to make the flower.  Brad colour doesn't matter as it can't be seen.  A few leaves were punched and the flower and leaves were mounted onto the plaque which was then stuck to the card base.  Stickles glitter glue was dotted over the flower to lift it.

The second card.  This one was a 6" x 6" card.  A square, slightly smaller, was cut and embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder.  The edges were then distressed with Antique Linen from the Distressed Ink range. A plaque was cut using the Labels Eighteen set and the edges distressed as before.  A greeting was stamped in one corner of it, in the same ink so it all tied in.  

Using a slightly larger die from the Blossom 3 set, several layers of tissue paper were cut.  This time, before they were all put together, the edges of the shapes were lightly distressed and then they were all put together and 'scrunched' in the same way as the first flower.  A piece of vellum was stamped with a text background stamp using white Stazon and a couple of Martha Stewart butterflies punched from it.  Another piece of vellum was used to hand cut some leaf shapes and veins were embossed onto them.

The embossed square had a length of ribbon wrapped round it at the point where the embossing folder join was and then it was adhered to the card blank.  The label was attached using foam pads.  A foam pad was also used to attach the flower and then the leaves positioned and stuck with wet glue.  The butterflies were also attached with wet glue and, although the sample card didn't have them, I chose to add diamanté gems to lift them as the butterflies were a bit 'lost' against the textured background without.

I love these white on white cards although they're not the easiest things to photograph to show the detail involved.  I also love this flower.  It's so easy but so effective.

Managed to get instructions printed for the shoebox card and put into packs so they're now all done.  Just got to decide what I'm taking to our weekend and start getting it together.  Kindle, MP3 (perhaps), tools, and .... no idea!

Had a Groupon day yesterday. First I had a facial deal that was an experience!  Never had a facial like it before but for £14 it was exceptional value. Lasted 1½ hours and included a neck, shoulder and face massage - mind you, some of it seemed more of a slap around but it was very therapeutic. A young Chinese lady so think it was all based more on oriental methods than European.  Will I be going back?  You betchya! Even at the full £36 it would be well worth it.Thinking of trying her manicure, pedicure and one of her massages. If they're anywhere near close to what I've had by Balinese ladies she will be getting my repeat business.

The second one was the meal at The Brasserie in the Marina.  Paid £25 for a meal to the value of £52.  What I like about this Italian restaurant is that there's very little pasta on the menu. I had fillet steak medallions cooked with bacon and sliced parmesan with rocket garnish and seasonal veg, not that I had any veg as there was plenty on my plate without it - there being 2 steaks and 2 rashers and enough rocket and other leaf to make a small salad. Paul had veal cooked in some Italian way as his main and calimari as his starter (I had tiramisu for dessert, no starter). I tried his calimari but it's not something I've ever liked, no matter how many times I've tried it however ... this time I've got to say it was lovely. The best I've ever tried.  Beautiful meal and everything cooked to perfection.  We cabbed it there and back so were able to have a bottle of wine to round it all off and bonus, although pretty breezy and hence, chilly, it didn't rain, sleet, hail or snow - *lol* Lovely day all told.

... and now some ...

... CRAFTING!  I know, 'bout time!  There's not been much a) because of holiday/vacation and b) 'cos I've not been doing any *hehe*  Simples really.  Anyway, on Friday last - 3rd June - Cally and I made our way to the Glitterpot for a workshop with Alexandra Kamann.  Alex is a new tutor to the Glitterpot, well, new-ish, and completely new to me and Cally. We will be doing more classes with her. Lovely lady and beautiful cards. So impressed with both. She will be a real credit to the Glitterpot.

There were 2 workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and we stayed for both.  The morning workshop was called Ladies and Gentleman and the idea was to show us how easy it was to make a card for both a female and male, using the same stamp and just making a few basic changes.  I loved these cards and I loved the stamp which, along with a couple of others in the range, found their way into my shopping basket - *LOL*  Both cards were a small A6 in size.  The stamp used was from the new Papermania range of Me to You, called It's Me

Female card - Image stamped in brown versafine and coloured with Derwent Coloursoft (would be Prismacolor if I did this at home), blended with Sansodor (I'd use Zest-It) - shades of brown, pink and black.   The image was then cut out using Spellbinders Labels Eighteen which was drawn around onto pink cardstock and cut out to make the mat.  Designer paper and a touch of white satin ribbon coloured with a pink copic. Sentiment from Personal Impressions, Double Sayings by Paula Pascual. The rose was made from a roughly hand-cut wavy edged circle, cut in a spiral and wound up. The leaves were also hand-cut. Simple, but very effective card and I love it!

Male card - pretty much the same except the image was stamped in grey Versafine and coloured with shades of grey, pale blue, black and pink for his nose.  The satin ribbon was changed for twill tape and the rose for a button with twine.  Same Spellbinder's Labels Eighteen die and matt, just mounted onto browns and greys to tone with bear instead of the pinks for the female card.  I decided on a landscape card rather than the portrait one that Alex had as a sample.  My button was bigger and carried my image better that way.  I've not put a sentiment on this card yet as I've not decided who the recipient is going to be :0)

Click on any image to enlarge.

Dad day yesterday and - shock, horror - no major crises!  Quite a pleasant visit.  Gave him a haircut, wrote up his shopping list, had a chat and tried to explain he's going to be a great-great-grandad.  He had a silly grin on his face but he had difficulty understanding.  Still, I've time to work on that one.  Heard from holiday company about our holiday in September ... the private transfers have been arranged.  Can't use the normal coach 'cos Paul can't get on it so it costs us more to go private - fault of being a wheelchair user.  No choice but we have to stand the extra cost, although they gave a small reduction on the cost of the holiday.  Pence in comparison to what we've got to pay but guess any reduction is better than none.  It always costs us loads more (as it probably does most wheelchair users) to have a holiday because the most accessible places cost more and so does the transport!

I managed to get my shoebox packs finished so there's another card I've made .... my sample.  I may show that before the House Party but then again ..... you might just have to wait - *LOL*

Today - a treat.  I bought a couple of Groupon vouchers nearly 3 months ago and they're due to run out soon so, this afternoon I've got a facial and this evening we're going out for a meal.  It'll probably snow, hail, thunder, lightening and possibly a bit of sunshine.  Can't remember when we last went out for a meal on our own and it was years ago we last went to this particular restaurant.  It was good then.  Wonder what it's like now ... La Brasserie

Thanks for dropping by .....

Summary of holiday ...

... and a slideshow!

How was the time taken up ..... ? 

• 1 rest day
• 1 wedding day
• 1 rest day
• 1 beach day - Sanur Beach
• 1 travel day - to Lombok
• 1 rest day
• 1 day sightseeing - Potter, Weavers, Pura Lingsar, market
• 1 beach day - Gili Air
• 1 rest day and ill (would have been ½ day sightseeing)
• 1 travel day - back to Bali
• 1 sightseeing day - Elephant Park, Tagallalang Rice Terraces, carver.
• ½ sightseeing day (our choice) - Tanah Lot, Echo Beach
• 1 rest day/evening sightseeing - Uluwatu
• 1 forced rest/travel day .... home

Length of holiday?  

14 nights/days.  Can't help feeling it turned into a holiday of missed opportunities but at least we got to see some of the area and had a few first time experiences.  It wasn't all bad but it could have been soooo much better.

Adhoc pics around and about.  

Warning -There is a soundtrack on this slideshow ... traditional Balinese Rindik (bamboo) music *grin*

Back to the present and I've finally made a start on the prep for the shoebox card *phew!*  Couldn't find what I thought I had so having to improvise but it seems to be working.  I've made my sample card, now I need to make the packs.  Took a while to get to my crafty area as 'twas.  Still need to do a clear up - *lol*

Today it's off to Dad's.  Just hope he's in a better mood than he was last week but I'm sure he'll have some crisis or another.

Tomorrow I'll post some 'crafty stuff' *wink!*

Thanks for dropping by .....

Did I say ...

... we were going out for brunch?  Strike that, didn't happen.  Well, not with those we'd arranged it with  anyway.  

15th May and our very last day. Knock on our room at 9:30am. Everyone's going to coffee shop for breakfast. Everyone? What about our brunch date? Nope, going to coffee shop for breakfast. OK, when?  9:30. But it's 9:30 now. Jackie and I still in nightwear. Nothing said earlier. Jackie been up and around since early doors. Give us ½ hour? ½ hour later - ready but ..... not a soul around. They'd gone. No transport, no food, no info! We'd been fiddling around and packing, taking our time 'cos no rush ... brunch at 11am. No help forthcoming either so, after initial shock, we finished packing and took ourselves off to the resort restaurant for 'brunch' - although now more like lunch. Got to say that it was gorgeous. Both had burger with all the trimmings - and the burger itself? Pure steak, minced, formed and cooked to perfection. Trimmings included fried egg, bacon, cheese and all the usual - but better. It was so big neither of us could eat it all but it sustained us right through until we ate on the plane.

Our Villa at Karma Jimbaran

Centre - villa entrance gate.  Left - doors to the communal area (lounge, kitchen and dining area).  Right - plunge pool.

From door of communal area .... sunbeds, table and chairs, ground floor room (Hayley), 1st floor room (Mick & Lynn)

Across courtyard, a separate building ... Stacy, Sam and Ruby's room

Lounge area and the door to our room.

Kitchen area

Dining area

View from kitchen area

View from lounge area

 View from our room

Our room, called the 'study' room 'cos I guess it's also used as a study - *lol*.  There was a big desk to the right.

Daytime view from our lunch table on the very last day.

Not much more to say really - well, there is but I won't *grin* ...

The others came back from their 'trip' around 3pm and we left for the airport around 6pm.  Our flight was due to leave at 22:40 so there was a little time to kill once in departures but it went quickly with coffee and cake and a foot massage.  

Sunrise over Palm Island, Dubai

Sunrise approaching Qatar

Hello Doha (daybreak) .... 

.... Goodbye Doha (mid-morning)

Hello England. 

Landed back in the UK early afternoon on the 16th May and home by 3pm. Have I ever been more glad to be home? Nope, can't say as I have. This holiday has certainly proved to me that it's the people that make, or break, them. Bali and Lombok are beautiful places (which I would have loved to have seen more of) with beautiful, friendly people. Shame the same couldn't be said of some of our travelling companions *sad face*

There's one more post to come ...

Yesterday I was back on cooking duties. Paul's been trying but he's finding it hard still so I took over. Was hoping to see the littlies as well but, as Zac is still coming out in new spots and he's now got fluid building up in his ear. Daddy says it's not bothering him at the moment so let's hope it doesn't. Whatever, I didn't think it wise to go visit. Didn't want to risk bringing the virus into the house, just in case *lol*  I've also been working on a slideshow of odd 'general' pics of the holiday. Hoping it won't be too big for YouTube :0)
Today?  I am going to make a start on my shoebox card for the House Party!

Thanks for dropping by .....