Well the final day of our trip arrived and we headed off early again to see Mum. She was intrigued with all the photos on our phones and asked if we ever ran out of film!
Mum isnt up with all the new phones and people taking photos, then being able to see them instantly is intriguing for her!
Again we stayed a few hours before it was time for her lunch and we left. So hard to walk out the door and see her waving…. I had to call one of the RNs because she was going to make a break with us!
We still had a few hours before our flight home so we went to one of the big shopping centres, had some lunch and then my daughter booked us in for a half hour leg and foot massage.
I really enjoyed that as Id had cramps in my calves for the past couple of days. Then we headed out to the airport where we went to Sheps Mound which is one of the airports viewing platforms.
Watching planes land and take off, seeing those beautiful big planes up fairly close is one of my favourite past times.
My fav of the day was seeing our own QANTAS A380 roll down the runway and rotate. Amazes me how something that big can just glide off into the sky.
About an hour and a half later we went back to the terminal, dropped the hire car off , had a quick snack and we boarded our plane to come home.
A very busy 3 days but a very satisfying 3 days. My designs this week are two sets of toppers of cowboys and cowgirls.
I shared a few weeks ago about putting together my first book nook which I thoroughly enjoyed. So last weekend my husband and I started on another one called Fall into Wonderland. As soon as I spotted it I knew I had to make this one.
I love Alice in Wonderland and over the years on here designed several kits with that theme. Im putting together a little area dedicated to Lewis Carroll on my shelf so this fits perfectly. It is cleverly designed but fiddley. My husband does the wiring and deciphers the instructions while I put it together for the most part.
I really love it and hopefully one day someone will design a Narnia one, but I havent found one yet.
Until then it will be on to the next one which ch my daughter bought me for my birthday.
We dropped in early to see my birth Mum and took a nice vase and soft and cuddly throw rug in for her.
The flowers we brought in yesterday had no vase so we nipped into K Mart to get one and I saw this lovely rug that I thought would be good for putting over her knees come winter time.
She loved the feel of it so we made a good choice! Then it was in the car for an hours trip up the coast to catch up with the most lovely people ever, cousins through my birth family.
We went up to the Golf Club for a yummy lunch with the most spectacular view of the coast to admire.
After spending a couple of hours there we went back to the house where the conversation just flowed as if wed known each other forever.
I met Rob and Susan the same day I met my birth mother but each time we get together the conversation just flows so easily.
Never run out of things to talk about either. Then just on dark we drove back into Sydney, got some dinner and back to the motel. Didnt take much to get to sleep after all that lovely fresh sea air. My designs this week are both from my journal style designs.
After so many days of continuous heavy rain in the UK, we finally had some sunshine! The day before this picture was taken, good old hubby took the boys out in torrential rain. This meant that they had to wear their raincoats.
Sam doesnt mind wearing his, but Billy is a bit of a drama queen and spends the first part of the walk trying to shake it off.
You can tell by his face in this picture that he was as happy to see the sunshine as we were.
Sam still got wet after a dip in the sea. My end of month SALE is now on! With 20% off of ALL my designs!
Empty that wish list and fill your basket with goodies!
About 30 years ago I lived in a married quarter at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire. As married quarters go it was decent and large. The kitchen was large and functional with a tiled floor.
One weekend my husband had mopped the floor I walked into the kitchen and slipped on the wet floor landing on my left knee.
To cut a long story short when I had it x-rayed I had broken my kneecap completely in half., and for 6 awful weeks was non weight bearing and has a cast on from foot to thigh.
At the A&E the nurse said that I would definitely get arthritis in that knee as I got older, and she wasnt wrong.
Fast forward to the last few years she was right and I now have severe osteoarthritis in that knee.
Since Ive always driven a manual car in the last year I was struggling with pain using the clutch and the village I live in has a few hills in all directions and hill starts were problematic.
My husband doesnt drive so this year we both knew that we would have to get an automatic car. I was nervous on first drive but soon got the hang of it and wondered why we didnt do this sooner.
We were unable to venture for days out with our other car but hopefully this year it will change.
… youngest granddaughter, Olivia, was competing in the English 800 metres final … she came 1st in her heat and 4th in the final, but as the the race was a combined England/Scotland race and the girl who finished 3rd was competing for Scotland Olivia is now the English bronze medalist!
Not only that but in the heats on Saturday she got a new PB (personal best) … and yet another PB in the final too!!
Her dad, my youngest son, is also a runner … and hes competing this weekend ….
Hes won many medals and is the reining European silver medalist in his age group, and hes competing this weekend in the qualifying races for that event this year, Ill update this with my news next week! lol
At our age, we dont make a big fuss on Valentines day. But we always give each other the same card every year. This tradition started when one year, we both gave the same card.
It was so funny that we decided we could never top that, so we should give it every year. But hubby also surprised me this year with a beautiful bunch of flowers. They look so joyful and summery, they really made me smile. Especially the big chrysanthemum blooms, as my dad used to grow to show, and I used to help him.
This week, I have added a couple of Easter mini kits to my page. And I have some really pretty mini kits coming up over the next few days.
As you read last week my daughter and I went to Sydney for 3 days a couple of weeks ago now.
After seeing my birth Mother we hopped on a train at Granville and headed into Circular Quay.
First thing we saw was Royal Caribbeans Anthem of the Seas that had docked that morning. She is massive! Starting to wander round towards the Opera House there was a First Nations father and son playing the didgeridoo and the son had clapsticks.
We continued to round to the Opera House and its the first time Ive seen it since it was being built.
Got the photos of it and the famous Harbour bridge, then back to a harbourside café for lunch. Interesting to see they have gull patrols …a person with a dog to chase the sea gulls away from diners.
As we were walking back to get a ferry to Manly, there was this street performer who wriggled his way into sitting in thin air. (levitating).
People were looking at him from every angle trying to work out how he was doing it. We then went for a 20 min ferry trip over to Manly to see the sights of Sydney from the water.
We then took the return ferry back to Circular Quay but we had to wait for the Anthem of the Seas as she headed out for a 7 day cruise.
The harbour shuts down while they navigate out and we had to wait while she went. We then hopped on the train back to Granville to go back to the hotel. Very tired but had a great day. This weeks designs are two new Easter designs.
These are religious designs for those that dont want Easter Eggs.
Last Friday evening My daughter and family travelled to Wimborne, a two hour journey in awful weather for another boxing bout for my 13 year old grandson Alfie.
Once again he had been training hard and getting up early before school to go for a run.
He watches his diet especially on the day so his weigh in is on target. Then once he has been weighed he has something to eat before his bout. The 3 rounds for his age are 90 seconds each, but are tense for everyone. My daughter sent me the video and he fought really well.
It was close but Alfie won in the end and we are so proud of him. What is nice is the friendship shown between the two boys at the end of the bout. A great achievement for Alfie again.
A couple of weeks ago I cat sat for my neighbours. His name is Cusco and he only had three legs, having lost one in an accident.He happily comes to stay in my house and soon settles down.
Hes a very cuddly boy and tends to follow me around, even when Im working on my computer he insists on laying on the desk and more often than not gets in the way of the keyboard.
But hes a lovely puss, so I dont really mind.
A linen shop in our town has closed its doors after nearly 50 years of business. The owner took over the business from her parents, and later, her husband joined her. This husband-and-wife team decided to retire after struggling to maintain their customer base in the town.
I visited during their closing down sale and managed to find a few bargains for my fabric stash. I purchased some small curtains that will be great for bag making, along with some lovely fabric. It was sad to see another shop close, but I hope they enjoy their retirement.
Those who read my news wouldve seen that I recently went over to babysit my daughters house, dogs, cat and fish while they were in Japan.
Her and her partner were so grateful that I spent the 10 days there that to say thank you my daughter booked a 3 day trip to Sydney, primarily to see my birth mum but also to see cousins and the sights of Sydney.
We flew down just on dark on the Thursday and the sunset from the sky was beautiful. Due to daylight savings, on landing they are an hour ahead of us, so by the time we picked up the car we didnt get to the hotel till 11pm.
First thing Friday morning we headed off to see Mum. We brought some flowers on the way. It was not one of her better days unfortunately so after having a bit of a chat and a coffee with her, we headed off to see the sights of Sydney just before lunch time.
I will put more of my daughter and my adventures next week. This weeks designs are 2 of my Sentimental collection designs.
Diesel the Cocker Spaniel-Jack Russel cross is a rescue dog my daughter and family gave a home to in October 2025.
In the months he came into the family he has adapted so well, and even his big brother Otto has accepted him, even though he does get annoyed with him at times.
The pair of them together are very comical with their antics especially when out for a walk. Diesels latest walk gave us all a good laugh when my daughter sent me the photo with the message saying Apparently I have a Meerkat disguised as a dog.
I think shes right!
My husband and I have visited many Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes. We have also visited his architecture studio Taliesin in spring green. Yesterday we flew to Arizona to take in the warm weather and visit Taliesin west.
I feel a lot of my passion in popup cards have been inspired by his design elements by using special designing techniques.
Im starting to design popup inserts for cardmaking. Its a learning curve and my valentine popup did make my deadline. Look for new designs soon.
When my 9 year old granddaughter came to stay through the school holidays, we spent some time cooking together. I have been doing this with her ever since she was very little.
This time we decided to make a fruit flan case, which I filled with strawberries and set in jelly and also some fruit scones.
She did an excellent job of following my instructions.