[ Race for Life ]

I did my first Race for Life on Sunday - 5km! This year my mom and I went together so I walked along with her but next year I hope to be able to run it. That is my goal. Something to work towards.

3000 woman were there. It was fantastic. Some people got dressed up, others were there with their children and hubbies. The local radio station was there and we even had Nivea Boys with Pom Poms cherring us on….lol

Such a good day! Here are some photos from the day. As I don’t have my camera I have had to use these from the radio stations website, its ok - I sent them an email asking them if I could use them before I took them :-).

It took us about 45 minutes to do the race. It was held at our local park so 80% was walked on the grass and the rest was on paths. And to add to all the fun it rained pretty much all of the time we were walking. And I don’t mean a little drizzle - I mean absolutely pelting it down. We were soaked through and even then had water running off of our faces. I loved it!

Another proud day for me. Something new to add to my list of "good" about me. And do you know what else I thought was fantastic? Monday morning I wasn’t even stiff. That was surprising for me because I definitely thought I would wake up and would have to roll out of bed because I wouldn’t be able to move my legs. But that was not the case. I managed to get out of bed and I even made it into work.

Heres to all the other 2999 woman who raced with me on Sunday. Well Done to you all!

[ Today I *Heart* ]

Making people around me feel good about themselves

Making a healthy menu

Making.....so many different things

*

Smelling a freshly brewed cup of coffee

Smelling the air just after it has finished raining

Smelling my grans perfume on her letters

*

Taking time out for me

Taking a walk in the park

Taking a different route home

*

Watching the sun rise

Watching ArmyWives

Watching dogs run and play in the park

*

Finding money in my jeans pocket

Finding some cool mail on my doorstep when i get home

Finding those "everyday" blessings in my life
*

An assortment of things

I have an assortment of things on my mind lately so i hope you don't mind if today's post is a little all over the place.

*

Lets start with knitting. I haven't done any knitting in a few months now due to moving and studying and and and but i am glad to say that last weekend i picked up a pattern that i love, some yummy yummy Brown Sheep yarn and made a start on this pattern. It is coming together so nicely and so much quicker than what i thought it would. I will take some photos soon. This morning i was reading Adrienne's blog and she had a link up for the new Knitty patterns. I love Knitty and so decided to head on over to see what other patterns i can add to the list ......seeing as the knitting bug has bitten and i may as well take advantage of it while its around.

First off we have the Honeycomb pattern which can be found here. I love the elegance of this pattern and am thinking about one of these in green.And how about Jaden? The pattern can be found here. I think this is just gorgeous.

Then there is Nob Hill which can be found here. "Another shrug?" your saying..... i know, i know. I cant help but love these cute little things.

And then we have this one. It is totally gorgeous but unfortunately i think it is out of skills range. I love how feminine it looks and all the details...... maybe one day!

*

And how about some quilting. I thought i had a photo to share with you guys but it looks like it must still be on my camera. The design that i have finally decided on looks really nice but then one of my friends threw in the idea of adding in a 5Th colour to it and now i am not sure what to do..... i think some more thought will be needed for this one.

*

And then we have my desire of getting more involved with photography. I really really want to start doing wedding photography but i am not sure how to go about it. I think i should probably first see if i can find a wedding photography course and then once i have done that then take it from there. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to leave a comment or email me.

*

Then i also have some paintings that i want to do. I have ideas in my head but just not enough time to get them done.

*

I have also been thinking about opening up and Esty shop but i guess before i go about opening it i should really make some things to put in it.

*

A few days ago i came across this Inspired by Amelie Blog and i love it.I am definitely going to have go to watch the movie, not that it hasn't been on my list of things to do for ages now but anyhoo. This has now jumped to the top of the list.

*

And that is that folks, at least for now anyway. I am sure that i will have more to add to this list soon - I always do. Have a great Wednesday.

Happy Leap Year

I love leap year! To get an extra day is such a great thing. I know that a lot of people (especially those in my office today) are moaning that they have to come to work and work for free today but i am glad for the extra day. Its a day extra that we can live that doesn't make us any older, its a day extra that i have for studying and revision before my exams, its a day extra that i have to create or spend with my family.

*

I say wohoo for Leap Years!

*

Every night before turning off my light i always try to give myself some time to read. Normally i like to have about half hour or so but lately it has sometimes been only 10 minutes. I am OK with that for now. Here are some of the books on my nightstand. "Will the real me please stand up" is a book that i have read before but it is well worth a second read, and possibly even a third and a fourth.

Last weekend i spent some time putting together an inspiration area. I was reading about them while blog surfing last week and love the idea. It is such a nice way to add colour and inspiration to your home. Mine is not yet complete but i don't want to add just anything to it so this is how it looks for now.
These are items that i picked up from Paperchase, cut out of magazines and even a flyer that came through the mail. Inspiration truly is all around us.
*

This weekend is Mothers Day here in the UK. I have my mom and dad coming round on Sunday for a nice roast dinner and cant wait to give my mom her mothers day gift. I try to let her know as often as possible just how much i love her and how much she means to me but i love having a day that is set aside especially for this. So, provided that i manage to cook the meal in my gas oven without burning it, it should be a good day for all.
*

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Whats new?

I must say that i seem to be having major photo withdrawl at the moment. Last night i took loads of photos, edited them but as i am without internet they are still sitting on my hardrive. Poo!

So, today i decided that i would do the naughty thing and pick up some photos from google image. Just to make sure - Please note that none of these photos were taken by me.

My spirits are lifting which is a good thing. I feel like a new flower blooming and i am loving it.

So whats new with me? What have i been up to? What have i been doing? How about some visual prompts.....

I am going to watch Juno on Saturday evening - cant wait!

I have been really enjoying the warmer weather, bluer skies and little blossoms which are showing up everywhere.
Home and away is the only Soap that i watch ....but i do have to watch it every day!

I feel like i am becoming a wize in the kitchen. My most recent creations include Butternut squash soup and some delicious weight watchers brownies. (Actual photos and recipes to follow sometime next week) I am loving Superchicks! Been listening to them non-stop. Waiting for another one of their albums to arrive in the post.Started a new knitting project a few days ago. I only knit for an hour or two while i watch my soap and perhaps another programme.Have i mentioned i have also been catching up on CSI? I went through a phase of not enjoying it that much but the bug seems to have snuck up on me again and i am watching it when ever i can.I also have a few paintings which are on the go at the moment. I really should sit down and finish one before i move onto another one...lolJust around the corner from my new flat is a lovely park that i have been going for a walk in the past few days. Getting home by 4:40 gives me a little more sunshine in my early evening.And this little book has been a great inspiration to me over the past few weeks. I am so pleased that bought it when i did.

This is probably about it for now. Happy hump day - Looking forward to tomorrow night and saturday!

Oh yeah, and my spell check doesnt seem to be working so pardon any bad spelling which makes it past me.

Sometimes you just need some colour in your life

1. Growth, 2. Hand-Dyed Sock Yarn, 3. safari tote, 4. red teapot, 5. Prenet un Bany. Taking a Bath., 6. Too Beautiful to Eat?, 7. *compensate*embellish*, 8. Hotline, 9. Hotline, 10. candy pop land, 11. we can be heroes, 12. he loves me/he loves me not., 13. My eye, 14. theory vs senyol sneakers for sneaker pimps, 15. Best things in life are free, 16. my favorite., 17. The Long Walk, 18. ~~Uphill Journey~~, 19. done!, 20. broken strings

The Festive Season

I am sure you all know just how close Christmas is - you don't need me to remind how many shopping days you have left or how many gift wrapping nights lay ahead. This year it has taken a bit of effort to get me into the swing of things. Perhaps its because i don't have children or perhaps i am just getting older. I'm not sure. But i do know that this weekend i have managed to find some of my lost Christmas spirit. I have had some Carols playing in the background. I did a Merry Christmas painting (which will be shown on Christmas day of course) and i have been spending spending spending.

Friday night i popped into Borders before i did my weekly grocery shopping. That afternoon i received a 50% off coupon in my email box and i decided that i should go and see what i could find. I went to my three favourite sections, cooking, crafts and then the magazines. While going through the craft section i found Journal Revolution. I have heard so much about this book that i thought i may as well pick it up. I have had a quick glance through it and so far it really does look good. Then i wondered off to the magazines and what should i find but a pile of Interweave Knits magazines. Now let me just explain that for the past 3 issues i have really been battling to find this thing. Short of ordering it directly from the states i have had to go web hunting to find a copy. The fall magazine i had to resort to buying it off of eBay at some extortionate price but now it looks like my local Borders is going to be selling it. Wohoo, she says while jumping up and down and waving her arms around wildly! It might take a month or so for it to arrive here in the UK but that is OK because i can pick it up at the normal price and i wont have to spend hours searching for it.

I spent a bit of team cleaning out my yarn basket that sits in the lounge on the coffee table. I haven't really picked up any knitting in a little while because i am finding that it is just frustrating me at the moment. So, to help keep my sanity, i put it aside for a little while and when i feel up to it i will take it out and decide what to do from there. Anyways, while i was cleaning it out i found this ball of yarn that picked up ages ago but i don't think i ever shared it. I am planing on using it for my first Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket.
On Sunday i got a really little treat and Stuart bought me Christina Aguilera's new perfume. Love the bottle and love the fragrance!
Apart from my Merry Christmas painting that i finished this weekend i also managed to complete this little canvas. "Sing your own Song". This was a combination of paint, ink, embroidery and felt. A LOT of fun.
Once my little canvas was ready i decided that it had to go up on the wall along with the other newly finished on. I went outside, grabbed OH's greasy hammer, some nails and happily went along hammering them into the wall. To nails downstairs above the Christmas tree and four nails upstairs above my dressing table.
It really adds a bit of me to the walls. I love it and feel so proud of myself for having them up for all to see....well maybe not for all to see but definantly for me to see.

That's it for me today, Hope you all have a lovely few days.

Linkage Love

I have been seeing such great things on this wide web of ours that i thought i would share some of my favourite ones with you.

As we are getting closer to Christmas lets start with these first

# How about some word cards

# I have also been thinking about doing a Christmas quilt with this pattern.

# One day when i have children i am so going to be making an advent in a box!

And how about these cute sewing projects

# A funky grocery bag dispenser

# And these tea towels would make a wonderful gift

# The best head band ever

# And then how about these sweet little hair curlers. My gran used to have some that she used to use when we were younger.

# How about a reversible sewing machine cover

# Some cute owls - i have so many different ideas for these babies

# And as we are having some new baby additions soon how about these cloth shoes

# I forgot to add this cute Bagsket Tutorial

This gratitude journal is a great idea for next year and i have actually made a start on it. I decided to make one as a Christmas gift so this morning i started making 2.

And how about this snuggly neck warmer or these really funky hats

These past few days i have been wanting to do more paintings and art journaling but for some reason i have spent more time art journal surfing than art journal painting. There are some really good blogs and sites around - you can see a few of them on my sidebar - but this one in particular is one that i have really been enjoying.

OK, so i know that today's post has been a little higgalde piggaldy but i just need to vent one little frustration that i have been experiencing for the past few days. Paypal have decided that they need me to verify my bank account with them so they have put a block on me sending payments through paypal until this has been done. Just great! It is going to take between 3 - 5 days to sort out but do they not realise that its coming up to Christmas and it just so happens that i have won and bought several items which i now can not pay for ...arghh. So frustrating!!

On that note i will leave you with this quote that i found while blog surfing:

"to finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom." - ralph waldo emerson

Happy Wednesday all!

It has taken me two weeks to read this book. This weekend i finished it and i love it. My mom lent me her copy but i am definitely going to have to get my own. This story is beautiful, heartwarming and so inspiring. If you get a chance i would definitely recommend it.

This weekend i got some time to paint. I am currently working on a canvas and hope to have it finished by the end of the week to show you guys. This little piece is going to sit in the stairway. I have the picture of what i want in my head but it will probably change as i work on it more and more. I have started to finish some of my old acrylic paints and so a few weeks back i picked up some new ones from Tescos. I must admit that i love them and the next time i need some more i will be getting these rather than the old ones. My only complaint is that there are only basic colours in the set but on the flip side to that, because of this, i have been experimenting with mixing my own colour and creating my own shades which have made the journey even more fun and rewarding.

In between waiting for the different paint layers to dry i decided to work on this. My first quilt pin cushion. I used scraps from my first quilt and used the stuffing from an old cushion. I sorted through my button collection and found the perfect green button to go in the centre. It took me about 30 minutes to complete her and i am so pleased with how she turned out. I might even make one for my mom at some point.

Sunday night i spent some time looking through GodTube. It is very similar to You tube except you can find things related to God, Christian music, parts of sermons and much much more. While having a look around i found some music videos by Coffey Anderson. This guys is amazing! If you have some time make sure to listen to his other stuff - well worth it.

I've learned

I have learned that art is a very personal thing
I have learned that trying new things can be both extremely scary as well as immensely rewarding
I have learned that having fun is more important than having a perfect drawing
I have learned that getting inspiration from someone else and using it is NOT cheating
I have learned that if you never try new things you will never know what you can really do

I have been stretching myself these past few weeks. I have been trying new things - loving some while hating others. That is OK.
I have been doing things that have felt good. I have been mixing paints to make my own shades of colours, i have been painting with sponges and even with my fingers. I love that i can try all these things and come out of it feeling better in myself. Art is a very personal thing.
I was reading Donna's blog last week and came across this post of hers. My post is very much along the same lines as hers and it is because of her entry that I found both my inspiration for my art piece as well as Kelly Rae Roberts site. Kelly's site is so inspiring and it has helped my mind explode with all sorts of new ideas and things that I would like to try.

So today I sit here and I say thank you. Thank you to Kelly for inspiring Donna. Thank you Donna for inspiring me and thank you Lord for this passion that you have blessed me with.

Whats going on....

I seem to have a lot of different things going on at the moment and i thought i would take some time to share them with you as well as make a note of them for myself for the future.

*I would like to wish Adrienne a happy birthday for today! Hope you have a wonderful day.

*On Monday i am off to London to go see the embassy. It is way too expensive to catch the train down to London so i am going to have to go by bus. A three hour journey there and a 3 hour journey back. A long time! I am hoping to get at least one knitting project finished and possibly a second.

*My new car is working fantastically and i am really enjoying driving her around.

*We also bought a new DH ready flat screen television on Wednesday night. We have been borrowing a family members TV for months now so thought we had better get our own and give them theirs back.

*Last night we met up with my family and my gran and we had a lovely meal at the Hobby Horse Pub.

*Over the next month i will be spending so much time on this Handmade Holidays Tutorial site by Sew Mama Sew. It looks fantastic.

*Stu's engine in his motorbike has got some problems. We have found a new engine for the bike and if all goes well we should be picking it up this weekend.

*I have not been doing any scrapping lately but i have been doing a lot of work in my art journal. I will get some photos posted some time this weekend. If you are looking for something fine to try your hand it have a look at Suzi's site, D'blogala's site and doc.u.menting site. Your art doesn't have to beautiful to anyone else except to you so don't what others say or what that critical voice inside of us put you off trying this.

* I have only recently found the creative organizing blog but i can not wait to get my teeth stuck into it a little more.

*I seem to be going off of tea for some reason. I am not sure why or what i am going to drink if i keep going the way i am but my daily cups of tea just aren't doing it for me anymore.

* I love Greys Anatomy

* We have made no further plans on the wedding front

* I am really missing my old friends lately

Have a great weekend everyone and keep safe.

Just some links

Still feeling a little yukky today but unfortunately not enough to warrant staying at home curled up in bed with a good chick flick and my knitting. Instead i am sitting here at work trying to sneak in a few minutes here and there on the net. Naughty naughty!

These are some of the things have been pulling on my creative side lately -

Knitting
* I just love this Garter Swing Pullover from Lionbrands
* And how about this Sweet Sophisticate Baby set for the hundred odd baby projects that i need to get done before the end of November
* Ravelry - what's not to love
* I just love the way this scarf has come out! If i had more patience i would so knit this.

Sewing
* How about this cute Twirly Skirt
* And these gorgeous fabric baby shoes
* And these cuties are just so sweet. Make sure to check out her entire blog to see all the other things she creates.

Scrapbooking
*I just love this one, this one and this one by Elsie - definitely going to scrap lift it sometime soon
* I am very inspired to take part in the Perfect challenge on OLW

Looking up and looking forward....

Last night i got to spend some time with my journal. I sat down with a cup of tea and just stared at the page for ages with lots of different thoughts going round my head. No matter how hard i tried to form a proper sentence i just couldn't put anything in words. So, i grabbed a few magazines that i had lying around and i went to it. I cut out all sorts of different words that relate to what i am thinking, how i am feeling.....devastated, attitude, dreams, bride, always tired. It truly was amazing how many words you can find. I then decided to make a collage of them in my journal and by the end of it i was very happy with the result.

Today things are not feeling all that much better BUT i am looking up and looking forward. I have been learning that you don't have to do what your feelings say. Part of growing in your faith is learning that you can choose to be happy despite how you feel so this is my sole goal for today.

This is the next project that i want to cast on, minus the ribbon belt thing. I have the yarn already and the pattern, i just need 10 minutes to read through it and get a general idea of how it all fits together.

My tomato is coming along fantastically. I have another inch or so left to knit before i start the ribbing and once that is done then i need to block it and wear it!! I am so excited. I was hoping to have it finished by the 14th but i am not sure if that is going to happen. We will see.

Do you remember me telling you about the great bargains that i got off of eBay for the needles and the yarn? Well it arrived and i am very pleased.

I have been bitten by the knitting bug and unfortunately scrapping has taken a back seat - but that is alright with me because at the moment i am doing what i enjoy and i will always go back to scrapbooking.

Some eye candy for you:
I found this beanie on Neither Hip nor Funky (this is her photo as well) and then from her blog you can find this link, Beanie pattern. This is on my list of future projects for Stu.

Then, how about this beautiful Butterfly Frame - again this is on my projects to do list.

And how about this cool knitting blog - Knitting your town.

And just look at this lush jewellery from QVC

Are you a Bagaholic? Take a look at these lovely bags. Actually her entire site, Craft Apple, has got some great stuff on it!

Oh, and how about these beautiful quilts. This is definitely something that i want to try my hand at next!

And how about these for wedding invites or baby announcements? In the appropriate colours of course.

Make your own newspapers clippings

And how about this beautiful quilt made by Jenny which can be found here

That is just some of what is keeping me busy at the moment. It looks like we are finally going to have a sunny weekend and we are hoping to head on Saturday as it is our 6 year anniversary. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

God Bless.

A Treasure

Firstly, let me just thank everyone for their kind words and even kinder emails. I'm feeling a little better today.

I thought i would share this blog that i came across which looks fantastic! Please go ahead and take a look.

SKULLS

Tomorrow I have some updates to share on the knitting front as well as some very interesting places that i have been visiting on the web.

God Bless you.

My Secret Place

Do you ever wish for a secret place to just rest awhile? Somewhere that you can just sit and relax, somewhere that you can be alone with your thoughts and sort out of of the things going on in your life. I do! This is something that i have always done. I am a big thinker and often i find that when i have a lot going on, a lot of big decisions to make....i get this feeling of needing my secret place.

When i was living back in South Africa i had a spot, a spot just for me out in nature. When i moved to the States i found another secret place, once again a place out in nature but here in the UK - i am still looking for my secret place. Sometimes i feel very lost without it and so in the last six years that i have been over here I have started to keep a diary. Somewhere for me to write down my thoughts, to just explore myself and my situations.

A little over a week ago i finished my current journal. I hate starting new journals - they are so clean and perfect (i always worry about putting that first lot of writing in them) Weird i know. So this time i decided to do something a little different. I decided that i would give an art journal a go. I don't know if i will do something arty every time i write in it but what i have done so far I have really liked.

So for now, this is my secret place. The spot i come to when i need some space, some clarification. I hope that soon i will find some place a little more to my liking but for now, this will do.

*** I wrote this entry a few days ago and this is what i received in my inbox today. And people question whether God still talks to His children - He definitely does. This is an excerpt from the Christian Woman today email that i received.

"God has a quiet place for us. It's called the secret place. It's a shelter, a place to sort out the day's happenings with His perspective and with His wisdom.It is the secret place of His presence.

Psalm 91:1 says "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

God's secret place is not hard to find. His promise is for rest right under the shadow of God Himself. It is a place to sing your praises out or cry your heart out; a place to ask the things you do not understand or to pray deeply for needs He puts on your heart. It is a safe place. A place to release your spirit from the tight hold of controlled emotions; a place to let His calm envelope you and His strength fortify you.

It is truly a place of rest. A place where, once you have found it, you want to return over and over. It is the well of spiritual refreshment for a thirsty heart.

How do you get there? How do you find this place of rest for your soul? Psalm91:2 "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

You can only arrive at this place of refuge when you have put your trust in God. Oh, not only trust in His grace to save you, but trust in Him completely and absolutely. Trust in Him for the details of your life even when the pieces of the puzzle don't seem to match up.

"My God in whom I trust!" This is personal, confident trust. If you doubt God's goodness toward you and believe He is somehow out to default you or simply doesn't care about you...you will never find the secret place. The secret place can only be accessed through trust in a very personal God who shelters you under His wing and is your refuge from the storm.

Are there any details in your life you feel you cannot trust God with? Why?Where can you go to spend some time giving God your cares and your emotions? Find a quiet corner and get on your knees or go for a walk, sit in the tub...it doesn't matter where you are physically. Find a place to release your emotions to God and allow His Spirit to calm you. What would you like to tell God as you sit under His wing of love? Write it out to Him. Give Him the cares of your world completely. Sit in His presence, be sheltered and fortified and leave with a peace that the world does not understand (John 14:27). Leave with a rested soul."

Wow, God cares enough to send me this when this very thing has been sitting on my heart. What a wonderful God I serve.

Inspiration all around

Lately I have really been seeing images. I don't mean just looking and thinking "oh that's nice" but i mean feeling them, admiring the art and the images for what they are. We live in such a diverse world and if we are able to keep an open spirit and an open heart then i think that you will find so much more than you bargained for.

Please note that none of these images are mine and that i have picked them up off the Internet and off emails from friends over the past few months. I have given credit where possible.

These photos one of my best friends sent to me.....

Shopping Cart Art - I LOVE it!

and how about this one as well. The entire art work is made from only Shopping carts.

Then we have this photo. I found this on Google images a little while ago as i was working on a mini album (that i have yet to finish and share). I love the greenage of the photo and i love the angle of the shot. Makes me feel like i want to get out the lemonade, pop a few ice blocks in it and relax while sipping my drink.

This image i just happened to come across while i was blog surfing a few months ago. I cant remember where i saw it but i loved the "thinking outside of the box" mentality that went into the image and the shot. Very funny and very clever.

And then we have fabric. Oh i am just loving fabric at the moment. The colours are so inspiring and i am finding that the more images i see the more i want to try different, out of the ordinary, colour combinations. This image was found on the PurlSoho website. I just love the colours. Another great website for fabric and a few free patterns is Amy Butlers if you are interested.

The next thing that has caught my eye are these journal covers. Again, i think it has something to do with the entire fabric thing i am feeling at the moment but to me, these are just fantastic.

The instructions on how to make these lovely covers can be found on the Kirin notebooks blog along with some more photos. This is definitely on my to do list for my next new journal.

How about this little guy! My mom and dad went to the London Aquarium two weekends ago and this is who they saw there. This is a photo from the brochure that they brought home which i have played with the colours in photoshop on.

We are in a baby boom in our family at the moment. Would you believe we have two babies due within four days of each other!! Because of this i am on the lookout for gifts for them. I thought about knitting a baby suit for both of them but i was wanting to do something a little different. What do you think to this cute Ribbon Baby Blanket (Evelyn Clark for Fibertrends)
or how about this cute little hat which i found on Sara's blog along with her pattern?
They don't know if they are having bouncing boys or gorgeous girls yet but i can work around that. Plus i think these will be really cute and unique gifts to get.

I have so much more to share but i think i had better stop for now. If you have read this far then i hope that you have enjoyed it all.

Yes we did go and watch Harry Potter last night and yes were were there and hour and a half before the film started and yes we were the second couple in the que and yes the movie is really good and yes i am so glad that we have seen it. Pretty good, i didn't let any details slip. Definitely a must see!

Have a great weekend.

Trying something new.

“To succeed, we must first believe that we can.”
-Michael Korda

This weekend i decided to try my hand at something a little different to what i usually do. If you have taken a look at Kal's blog lately you will see the amazing art that she creates and also the tips that she shares with us. When i was younger i used to draw - that was my creative outlet before watercolour painting and before scrapbooking - so when i saw her technique i just knew that this was something that i wanted to try.

Here is the layout that i did along with some closer detail for you...

I am so pleased with how this came together. I love the colours and the look and most of all i love the feelings that looking at this image leaves me with.

Study wise I have now been doing my course for 3 weeks and to be honest i am battling with it. Not so much the content of the work at the moment but more the actual studying and concentration of it. I am so not a morning person so getting up early and actually getting my brain to absorb anything useful is a no no. This leaves me with the evenings. After an eight hour work day and cooking dinner and cleaning the house. Then i try to study. I manage an hour every night but realistically i need to be doing about two hours a night. I have to get through 198 pages and i have 10 days to do it. Any suggestions or tips would be much appreciated.

Over here in the UK, as many of my friends in the states have also had, we have had more rain than sunshine this summer. Yesterday i received an email from my friend with the latest fashion trends if this rain is to carry on the way it is......

It really made me chuckle.

On Friday i got tagged by Rhonda so i will leave you with this.......

7 Random Facts about me that you may or may not know *in no particular order*

* I have a very special place in my heart for elderly. Not just the elderly people in my life but those who i see in town and at the grocery store. I always feel as if i need to offer them some form of help or see if they need anything. I worry about them because you don't know if they have family or if they are all alone in this world.
* I eat mayonnaise on everything.....but only extra light Helmanns Mayonnaise.

* I always have a hundred different projects on the go at once. I love starting new projects and only eventually get around to finishing them.
* The inner me is a true dancer. If i could dance my way from place to place i would do. Music moves me and touches my soul like nothing else.

* I cant eat any sort of fish that comes with eyes or tails on it eg. prawns, crabs, crayfish. I love salmon and cod but if its got its head on then it puts me off my food.

* I love the outdoors and the being at the ocean.

* I have lived in three different continents in the last 6 years and all on my own.

If you are still here after such a long post then thank you. Hope that you have a fantastic day.

Peace.