Thinking things through on an Anniversary Day

Ten years ago today I started a Blog.  I called it 'My Recollections'.  I set up the Blog in order to recall my childhood and other stories, add photos of family members etc.
My thinking behind this was so that if ever my Grandchildren wanted to find out about their past, then they could find my version here.  I wrote my stories, I added my photos.

On the first of November four years later I started another Blog.  Somewhere to record the cards that I had started to make ......'Cardius Bloggus'

Then in March 2013 I added a Blog for my ATCs, this one.

At the beginning of this year I closed my other Blogs deciding that I would amalgamate all three Blogs.

Now, on the tenth anniversary of 'My Recollections', I am trying to think through how to change the layout of this Blog so that I can combine the aims of my previous Blogs.  I am telling you all this because over the next few posts there will be a change in the layout and content of my posts ..... I have no idea at this moment in time how the finished layout will look ......

I am not an active person at the moment, but, I do have trips out and, some days, I do have lots of photos to show for the day ...... these are not always recorded on here ...... 

I am hoping I can now record a day's events, however small, and then add in some cards or ATCs.  For a few posts the time sequences of each part of the post will be different.......

Soooooo....

Shall I divide each post into three sections ....... this could mean a long title, even longer than today's title!!!  lol


Maybe I'll post the happenings of the present, some photos of swaps .......title length could be a problem again .......


BUT  the main reason for this post is to let you all know to expect some changes round here.....sort of Spring Cleaning in November! ....

Happy Anniversary!

August Theme

The Theme this month is Scenery.

I have these two digital images in my files, I just love them.  I don't know who created them as they have been in my files for years and, back in the day, I didn't save any names etc..



I used my Inktense pencils to colour these images and then a waterbrush to give it a final wash.  

Once they had dried I added some stickles  to the tops of the mountains.

I received the the following cards by return:

Hand drawn and painted.
Thank you Lisa.

Decorated  view.

Thank you Madye

Constable's Haywain.

Thank you JanW

Coins - Alice in the Round

I tried my hand at hosting a swap - combining two of my favourites, Alice in Wonderland and Coins.
As this was my first swap I was limited to twelve entries.  The swap filled up very quickly and I soon had to set up a waiting list.
Everyone was so encouraging from the Moderators to the members.  Very soon the coins started to arrive through my letterbox ....... here they all are, in no particular order .......




Thank you Ali.

Thank you Amychelle

Thank you Ann from Germany.

Thank you ArtJunkie

Thank you Bluesky.

Thank you CiCiCreates

Thank you Karenr.

Thank you Miss.

Thank you nanvan.

Thank you Prex79

Thank you redplantlady.

Thank you smallgirl.

and then there's mine .....



Don't you think that's a lovely collection!  I sorted them all out and then posted them off.....

Thank you ladies for making my first Swap such a great swap.

Autumn Day in the Park

I haven't been to Cannon Hill Park for years.  It was a regular haunt when I was a little girl and then also when my children were little.  


PJ and I decided that we would take GSNo1 and show him our way of visiting the park, so off we went catching the first Bus at the end of his road.  
We went upstairs on the second bus and managed to get seats right at the front.

When we arrived at the entrance to the park, we were confronted by lots of different paths so we went for the middle one!!
GSNo1 wanted to feed the ducks but on the way to the pond we came across lots of squirrels .... ooh! look! Grandma just happens to have a big bag of monkey nuts in her backpack!!!
We spent a lovely time throwing the nuts across and some of the squirrels were so tame........

.... then off to find a bench so that we could sit and have our picnic lunch.

We chose a bench outside the Mac Centre and it was certainly very busy.   
We sat down and Grandad had even brought some hot drinks with him so we had a very happy meal.

Just a bit further down the path, we found a fabulous Play park, really big and not too crowded.  

Of course we couldn't walk past so in we went .......

Much running, chasing of new found friends, sliding down and climbing up ensued.

All too soon we said goodbye as the Grandees knew there were more squirrels waiting to be fed ..... as well as ducks...

.... geese ...........moorhens....

..... seagulls.....

the bridge today

the bridge 1908

Off to the bridge we walked....

Here's a couple of photos that are food for thought.....

... once on the other side there was more feeding the birds...

...the ducks.....


.....the geese .... you get the picture......

Once on the other side of the lake we made our way back to the entrance ......



..... looking over to the lake it was amazing how far we had walked ....... 

Such a lovely, beautiful day and we have hardly seen all that is to be seen ....
We cannot wait to go back and explore the rest of the park - we will have to turn a sharp right at the entrance next time!

Note to self: - bring pennies to spend, more food and drink, more peanuts, birdfood and bread for the seagulls!!!

WOYWW #492

WOYWW - All the deets on how to link up etc. and, more importantly, why you should, can be found at the top to the page.  Thank you Julia for hosting another week of fun and mayhem.

Well, what a week!!  Our Sarah joined the Clarity Team!  Well done you, you so deserve to be on there......

Today I am continuing the theme of two desks Sarah ....... my desk and PJ's ..... sort of ....
anyhow .... here's my desk ....

in the middle of making more ATCs!
Can't help myself.... honestly!  I have actually finished these but thought I would keep you guessing!!


Peter has been working away on his steam engine ..... 


He has built up another piece .......


 

.... which fits over the first piece .......

.... please note I am very (not!) technical minded.....






...... all the little pieces inside all go round .... or up and down .....

.... in case you're wondering (and I know you are!) here is the piece built at Sarah's.

Last weeks Coin Theme was ......Space.
I made them as ATCs and then, when I checked the listing, found out they should be Coins!!!
The Moon Space just fitted but I had to change the other two  -  Sea Space and Air Space.

BTW - we have turned our heating on .......

3rd November

Fifty Five years ago today I got engaged!  
The proposal had been made and accepted the previous year but my Father said we had to wait until I was eighteen before getting engaged ....... we were a month short!!

Cinema today

We used to take my niece to the pictures on Sundays, to the Jacey  Cartoon Theatre which had non stop cartoons showing all day.  
On this particular Sunday we decided we would do the dastardly deed and, after the showing, we headed off the the Local Paper's Office.
Back in the day, one announced big celebrations through the Personal Column and so, with my niece sat upon the counter - all of three years old which drew some evil looks from the lady taking down the details.  lol - we worded the announcement, paid and came home.

The next publication caused quite a stir, neighbours came round to congratulate me, family wrote cards and my Father fumed!!

I had a beautiful ruby and diamond ring which I loved (I sold it for a £1 when I got married again but that is another story!) especially how it sparkled on my finger ....... sweet seventeen ......

So today I have been creating coins - 

The subject is, of course, Cats, Cats, Cats.

Oxide inks for the background, fussy cut images from the web, computer printed sentiments, cut, stuck and edged.  They will go off in the post on Monday.  

WOYWW #491

WOYWW - All the deets on how to link up etc. and, more importantly, why you should, can be found at the top to the page.  Thank you Julia for hosting another week of fun and mayhem.

What a week just flew by!!!
We had a Mini WOYWW Meet up, trip out with GSNo1, lots of ATCs made and received, 'Doctor's Outfit' cut out ready to stitch......

First off .... here's my desk....

The start of a new swap and the Theme is ...... easy to guess this week!

PJ and I went to Sarah's for a Mini WOYWW last Sunday and had a blast (report is here).  The drive up (across? geography is not me) was beautiful, this country of England is gorgeous in Autumn with so many shades on the trees to look at.  Sarah's Shed was warm and welcoming, especially when she brought out the gateau!!

We had a cup of coffee to go with it and a quick chat and emptying of bags and we were away ..... the time just flew past and soon we were on our way home, cheered on by the beauty of a rainbow.

I was so busy admiring it, I nearly forgot to take a photo!!

Last week's Theme was What's On Your Bucket List - I entered this without thinking it through ...... I knew one item and then realised I don't have a Bucket List!!
After much thinking about what and where I would do and go if I had the chance (remembering I have to illustrate the idea) I settled for the following......

I want to watch England play at Edgbaston..... I know that I live down the road but ......

I want to go to the Edinburgh Tattoo .... well done if you worked this out, lots guessed for Scotland.

I want to go to Disneyland Paris.... I go to Paris frequently but to Disneyland and Cinderella - not yet!

I really want to go on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjord to see the Northern Lights .... we are saving our pennies ....