News & Updates from Joanna Swinton · Page 12

Took my Granddaughter Bella to Drayton Manor Park for the day to Thomas Land. The weather was a little dodgy in the morning but soon brightened up. It was a lovely warm day.

We went on Thomas who took us to a little farm where we played for a while after looking at the animals.

After dinner we decided to go for a ride on the cars and Bella drove. She loved it. There was plenty of rides for the little ones and the adults could go on with them. After a few more rides we headed home as the rain started to fall.

Had my tea at my daughters and as bedtime for Bella arrived, so did a big thunderstorm. She was so frightened. I ended up cuddled up in her bed with her till she fell asleep. It was the end to our lovely day full of laughter and cuddles These two cards are unique to CUP as the graphics are my own.

Both are stunning cards and on offer at the moment

I had a stall at the Mosely Festival, in Birmingham that takes place every July. I wanted to get rid of the cards that I had. The day was beautiful with lovely sunshine wall to wall.

At this festival there are a lot of stalls about what happens locally as well as craft stalls. Plenty of entertainment too with singing, dancing and music for all different tastes. Talking of taste, there was many stalls selling various kinds of foods for everyone to try.

It was a long day with a lot of fun and good will everywhere, including a recycling book stall where you can help yourself to any book, free of charge and give any you want to get rid of.

I had a great day. These designs are totally unique as I have made the resources myself. Not available anywhere else.

My little Grandson, Kieran is now 6 months old and growing fast and a very smiling baby. Sadly, the little darling has quite a few allergies. Tests were done on for soya, wheat and milk. He was allergic to all and very much so for milk.

Since my daughter is still feeding him she has to watch that she has none of these. Including icecreams in this hot weather. Recently she ate something with a drop of milk in that she didn't know about and his ear and the side of his face blew up.

I have to take my hat off to her and to all mums, including my own, for all the things we do for our children, that they don't even know about.

For all the things we take for granted. Since Kieran was born at Christmas time I have designed some winter birthday cards, that can also be used for Christmas too.

The gardens are alive with insect and plant life. After hearing the buzz of the bees wings beating, we located this buzzy bee.

Watching this him gathering his nectar, it was amazing to see just how much pollen he was covered by the time he flew away. I had some time ago challenged my husband to photograph an insect with clear wings, after he got a beautiful picture of a bird.

Considering that a bee beats its wings between 200 and 230 times a second, this really is an amazing. The technology of cameras now is outstanding, although I have to also give hubby a pat on the back too for knowing how to get such a lovely picture.

This family day out was finished off with 3 cute, silky animals. They were beautiful otters. One of them was lay on a step lapping up all the attention he was getting. The second one was hidding in their bedroom only popping his head out now and then.

The third had just been for a swim as we arrived. My Granddaughter Bella loved them. She wanted to take one home... or at least have a cuddle. It's hard to tell a 2 year old that they are just there to look at. I found it amazing that one was so shy while the other was loving the visitors