We're on a road trip! .........

Hello there .........

OK, so this feels a little weird.  It's been such a long time since I blogged, and it's even longer since I actually did any crafting so, I haven't really had anything to share.

There is a reason for that however, life has changed a little over the last few months, let me fill you in.  That's of course if there's still any of you out there reading this.

You may, or may not, remember that hubby was made redundant last year, and although he did look for a new job, nothing seemed to quite hit the spot. 

So, to cut a long story short,  after a lot of late night discussions,  and many 'shall we do this' or 'maybe we shouldn't do this yet' conversations, we sat down, did some research and all the sums, and finally decided to turn this into an opportunity to do something we've been planning to do ever since we bought the motorhome ........ we're taking a year or so out to do some travelling in it!!!!  

Not sure where we'll end up, no real plan or route as such, we're just going to see where the road takes us!!

Let's face it, we're not getting any younger, and if we're going to do it then now is the time, whilst we're both relatively healthy.   Both kids are settled, have their own places and don't really need us that much so why not! (I do miss the grandkids though ...... thank goodness for video calls!) 

So, we spent a couple of months making lists,  organising stuff and packing the van ....... I mean what do you really need for 12 months on the road!!!  Time will tell if we got it right, although we're not doing too badly so far.

We packed up everything else in the house, and it's all gone into storage ...... boy! there was a lot of boxes.  

I won't deny that it was all a little scary the day the removal men came, and I did have a wobble or two, and wonder whether we were doing the right thing.

But, on March 16th 2024 we locked the front door for the last time, handed over the keys, said our teary goodbyes, and started out on Remi's longest trip yet.

Thankfully it was a lovely morning.  Blue skies and sunshine, which was perfect as we were on the early morning ferry.

It was a little sad to be waving goodbye to our little island but, we will be back, at some point I'm sure.

It was our first time on the new boat too which was exciting ...... it's lovely, and its so BIG!!

We had a great crossing. 

We're currently in our 6th week of  'van life' and we're loving it!

So far we've been to Newark in Nottinghamshire.  Our first port of call for Remi's annual service.

We had a walk into the town and down by the river

                                                                                   

And look what we found ....... what a selection!  That was the wine sorted for the next few weeks anyway.

We headed off to the Cotswolds next for a few days just to get back into the swing of van life again.  Then it was off to the Cheltenham and Gloucester area for what ended up as a very wet Easter weekend.

Next was Wells and Glastonbury in Somerset.   Wells cathedral was pretty spectacular .....

Hmmmmm ....... not sure they would let him play that!

We stayed at few nights at Longleat, right next to the safari park.  Then it was off to Salisbury for a couple of days to meet up with some friends, which was lovely, before heading down to Dorset.  

We're currently on the Dorset/Hampshire border at a really nice campsite called Back of Beyond.  It's our first time here but I can tell you, it won't be our last.  

It's so peaceful (Adults only), the site and all it's facilities are fab.  And, the weather is finally coming good ......... oh no, maybe I shouldn't have said that!!!

The weather hasn't been too kind to us since we came away ....... we've been through two storms, seen day after day of wind and rain,  and it's been so cold!  We even had hail at one point!  Lucky I brought my thermals with me.

The weather didn't stop us getting the BBQ out though ......

When there's fillet steaks on the menu its the only way to cook them

Perfect, eaten inside the van, with a nice bottle of red.  I can get used to this van life!

Sorry there's not more pictures of the places we've been so far.  Hopefully that will all change as time moves on.

We're starting to head North again at the weekend.  Cirencester, and back to the Cotswolds.  Broadway this time, one of our favourite places.  A quick stop off to see family again and then it's up to the Yorkshire Dales, and we're heading for Scotland sometime around the middle of May.

And that's as far as we've planned up to now.  We do have to be in Norfolk for the beginning of July but that's a while off yet so we can take our time and enjoy the journey!

I am hoping to blog a little more frequently again now that I've made a start, and you never know I may just start to craft a little once things settle down.  I have brought a craft stash with me albeit a basic one but, you never know, the old mojo may appear somewhere along the way.

Hubby also wants to keep a record of our trip, places we've been, our favourite spots, places of interest etc.,  so if you're interested in coming along with us watch this space and I'll let you know when its up and running.

Thanks for popping by ....... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time (hopefully it won't be as long a gap!)

 

It's Christmas Day ........

Has he been?

Merry Christmas ........

Happy Christmas Eve ........

The shopping's done, the presents are wrapped, and we're off to the panto this evening ....... oh yes we are!!  It's Christmas!!!!!! 

Before the festivities begin though, I thought I'd share with you a little project that I made recently. 

Over the last few years I've been asked to make some very special cards for Christmas for an old work colleague of hubby's.  'The Christmas Quest' has been a regular event, in fact, I think it was the 20th one this year.  

They always seem lots of fun, and it's always a pleasure making the cards. 

Here's a quick look at this years ........

Christmas trees done using a triangle aperture stencil from Sweet Poppy Stencils, and Distress Oxide inks in festive reds and greens .....

I dotted White Enamel Accents over the top to give a snowy look.

A pretty festive wreath ......

Heat embossed in gold onto black cardstock,  and then coloured using metallic paints

Lots of paint splatter onto the background too.

Next, you have to have twinkling fairy lights at Christmas ........

Die cut from glitter cardstock using an old Penny Black die and layered with silver mirri card ..... very festive!

And last up, a little robin .....

This little guy is one of my favourites from Penny black.

Stamped onto white cardstock, and coloured with markers and Distress inks. 

A little simple masking, Distress inks and a bit more stamping to create a winter background, and then finished off with some die cut foliage and a sprinkling of glitter.

All the letters and numbers were die cut using the Spellbinders Be Bold Alphabet dies.

Well, that's it from me, thanks for popping by. 

I'm off now to check my lists .... twice!  Catch up with any last minute jobs, and then get ready for this evening.  

We're out for a early meal with Lauren and Alex, and then we're off to see Aladdin ...... oh yes we are! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

xx

I'm usually a more traditional girl but ...........

Happy Monday .........

 

Have you had a nice weekend? 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Just seven more sleeps to go until the big day ...... Ho! Ho! Ho!  Things are about to get a little crazy around here!   

The last of my Christmas cards are done (phew!).  One of the jobs on the list for today was to get them in the post so, it's now fingers crossed that they all get there in time!  I can't believe I'm so late!!

Now, you know me, I'm quite the traditional girl when it comes to Christmas cards ......... snowmen, snowflakes, baubles,  and Christmas trees (lots of trees!!).  

Pretty poinsettias, a Christmas wreath, and I do love my festive reds and greens.  So, when I saw the theme for the final challenge this year, over at the Color Hues Challenge Blog, I thought I'd give it a try.

What do you think? ........ I kinda like it

Pink and Silver ...... definitely not my go to Christmas colours but, it works.

The embossing folder I used is the pretty 3D Holiday Floral Swag from Spellbinders ...... I love it!!

I simply ran it through the Big Shot, using white cardstock, then blended Distress Inks over the design (Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry),

fading out the colour where my sentiment was to go.

I heat embossed the sentiment in silver and added a few dots of white Enamel Accents

To finish off, and give the card a more snowy look, I splattered with a little bit of white paint

Here's another version of the same card but, just a little bit different .......

This time it was Spun Sugar Distress and Worn Lipstick, going a little more red instead of pink

and I changed the sentiment ever so slightly ........ 

I think I prefer the sentiment this way.

Anyhow, Pink and Silver is now definitely on my festive combo list!

And, as it's the first time I've used this embossing folder I'm also hooking up to Darnell's NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff!) Challenge

Thanks for popping ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

I'm off to put my feet up for five minutes with a cuppa and a festive mince pie ...... yum!

And, just in case I don't get chance to blog again before the big day ............  

Have a Wonderful Christmas!

Cheerio until next time ......

It's that time of year again .......

Happy Thursday ........

How are you?  Full of the festive spirit yet?  

We're getting there.  This bug is still hanging on by a thread but, it will not beat me!!

Lists have been made (lots of lists!)  The shopping has started (note to self ..... I need to buy wrapping paper). 

I think I've eaten my body weight in mince pies (the diet starts in January ..... again!). I've tried the odd Christmas cocktail (or two ...... hic!) And,  I'm still making Christmas cards!

I guess he had to come out at some point now didn't he ...... my favourite little snowman.  I'm not even sure he's still available to buy.  He's an old wooden stamp from Inkadinkadoo, and every year I have to use him on at least one card ....... he always makes me smile 😊

I stamped the snowman onto a piece of white cardstock.  Masked around the edges to create a frame, and then slowly blended shades of blue Distress Inks inside to create my night sky

Once I was happy with the colour, I splattered the ink with a little bit of clean water and let it sit for a few seconds.

I mopped up the excess with a paper towel and then added a few dots of white Enamel Accents here and there, sprinkled with a touch of fine crystal glitter, to give it a snowy look

The snowman was coloured using brush markers ..... he's so cute!

And I finished off with a heat embossed sentiment and a touch more 'snow'

Speaking of snow, I've loved seeing all the pictures on Facebook of the snow across in the UK at the moment.  We might have even been in some of it had we gone on our trip ........ brrrrr!

If you're snowed in at the moment, stay safe and warm.

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time ........