Getting back to normal...somewhat

Well August has flown by after flying back to the states to visit family and friends in a frenzy of running around. I thought I would have a bit more free time to keep up on the blogging while away but as you can see that did not happen as planned. There was just not enough time to fit everyone in that I wanted to so sorry to all I missed. Our trip was cut shorter due to the extra travel time needed to and from the Carolina's. So we arrived back in NJ just in time to fly back to England. It was nice getting to see those we could fit in but sad to not get to everyone. One highlight was that we did get to see my very good long time friend Victoria and her family on the way back to NJ although only for a few hours but after not seeing her for a few years it was nice to hug and catch up. Especially since we have been friends for over 30 years now! I cannot believe how time has flown. It was nice seeing my father, Brother and SIL too since we have not seen them since last year and of course my sister and the kids too. they are getting so big. North and South Carolina were beautiful but hot and sticky. The weather here back in England is so nice and cool in comparison although the DH is complaining already about the cooler weather.(he did not get to deal with the allergies and asthma attacks plaguing Belle and myself the whole time with the icky weather) So now that we are mostly unpacked and getting back to normal activities I am hoping to start on a few projects tomorrow. I was able to find allot of goodies to add to my crafting supplies back in the states especially when raiding my sisters stash...he he. I will post some of those after the next few days. I also found some goodies for giveaways so keep and eye out over the next few weeks. For now I will leave off with some of the highlights of our visits.


Beautiful moss hanging from the trees in South Carolina.
and the bird nests Belle made with it.
The beautiful view from our living room deck in South Carolina.

A tradition we always have to have a Mickey Ice cream even if it is raining.

Enjoying an evening walking along the beach.

A sweet surprise awaited us for our Anniversary....

My friend Victoria's dog Bruno. Such a sweetie and so well behaved.

The old Barn at Dads. It is a tradition for me to take a picture every time we visit.

Dad and Belle catching a few fish in the pond out back.

Thanks for visiting and Don't forget to enter our Blog candy over at Scrapping Sisters Sea to Sea. Wishing you a good evening and enjoyable bank Holiday tomorrow. Angela

New Blog candy from my sister and I!

Check out the new blog candy from my sister and I over at Scrappin Sisters Sea to Sea. You have until September 9 to enter so there is plenty of time. All you have to do is leave a comment there and you will get 1 entry. Become a follower you will get 2 entries(or if you are already a follower just mention in comment) and if you get a friend to become a follower you will get another 2 entries and your friend will too!(just be sure your friend mentions you in their comment) Each comment you leave on any posts on our blog between now and Sept 10 will get you more entries so keep checking out the posts.
The Candy is a Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess Mini book kit. It comes complete with directions, papers, ribbons/lace, hardware book and more just add pictures and stamping and you will be good to go! perfect for Disney or party pictures of that little pirate princess. On Sept 10 we will draw the winner from all the entries. This candy is open to all worldwide. Good luck and thanks for following. Have a wonderful evening. Angela

Taking a breather....

Well it took us 2 days to get to my dads(should have taken about 8 hours). Going 4 miles in 1 hour was not working, the traffic was horrible all day long....We wound up crashing in a hotel and starting back out the next morning. At least we are here now and getting a bit of down time. here is a pic of the humming birds out on the front porch for their evening feeding. There were over 25 of the buzzing around my head as I was shooting these pics. they are beautiful. Tomorrow I am hoping to work some on invitations for a special family event coming up....I will post a little peek tomorrow. For now I will wish you a good evening. Angela

More spare time... what was I thinking????

Well we are a week into our holiday and I have barely had time to touch a computer. Not to mention lack of wireless access. We have been so busy running about seeing friends and family. Belle has been enjoying it and we did find a bit of time to craft while visiting with friends(I got my daughters friend into beading and had to show here how to start. Here she is designing and beading a bracelet for her Gran.

and her is the bracelet she did and this was her first time beading.

Here is a bracelet I did while we wore playing around.

Of course Poppy and Belle had to go crabbing in the bay for dinner(at least for them. I do not eat them. ick)

Then there was a beach day with friends.

and time in the pool(my favourite)

and here is a beautiful album a friends of mine made for me.

so as you can see it has been a very busy week not to mention the time change. I am still trying to adjust to that and the horrible heat. Not used to that either. Next week there is more running and visiting trying to fit everyone in before heading to visit my dad. Once at dads I will definately have more time as it is only him and my bother and SIL for a week. I will definately have a bit more time then. I brought some stuff with me so I am hoping to get some time for some ATC's and such then. But for now there is just running around and dealing with the heat. I will try to get back on again as soon as I can but until then have a wonderful week. Angela

And the winner is......

I cannot believe the week has flown by so quickly. I have had so much cleaning, packing and organising play dates for Belle, I have barely had a chance to sit and read up on blogs but that all changes next week. tomorrow Belle and I head out on summer holiday while DH stays behind to work and watch the dog. We are heading back to the states for a few to visit with family and friends. So now onto some inportant stuff....the winner of my blog candy....

I would like to thank everyone who has been leaving comments. I love reading them and really do appreciate all of them. So all the names were put in a random draw from the last giveaway along with entries for every comment left since then and now drum roll please....the winner is....

Dawn

Dawn could you please email me your shipping info and I will get your package out to you asap. thanks again for all the wonderful comments and for following my blog. While I am on holiday I will be keeping an eye out for some other fun giveaways to do when I return. Have a wonderful day and weekend. Angela

First day of Summer break....and some dressmaking...sort of...

Today we went over to Benningbrough Hall and Gardens. It was lovely to walk through the gardens and tour the house. After a bit to eat the girls got to go design a costume that they created using inspiration from the period costumes shown there. They had to draw a design first then make the costume from paper, and other items available in the room. Tape and stick glue were the only things to use to hold the pieces together. Belle decided to do a dress. Here are the girls with their designs and finished products. Belles is the blue/red dress. Didn't they do a fab job? If you want to see more about the costumes go to Belles Blog.

Belle's friend Alexandra did a hat to go with the dress and they both got photographed for the yorkshire press tomorrow. Here is a pic of the photographer setting up the shot. i loved how they were using a big frame to shoot through.

The girls had a great time all day with so mcuh to see and do. There was a beautiful teapot made from clay tiles and mini teapots some children had made..

There was also dressing up...
and having some art made from your picture...

and yes there were lovely gardens to walk through...
So now after that lovely inspiring day I am going to now head off to my craft room to do a bit of crafting. Have a lovely evening. Angela

Finally Finished....Sorry 'Ive been MIA

The books for the leaving kids are done...all 10 of them

and I finally finished the book for the teachers and teacher helper who were leaving as well as all the teacher gifts and some last minute request from the teachers and of course the stuff for the bake sale...whew! what a week. Of course I was in such a rush I forgot to take pictures of the final books and jewlery we made. They did turn out really nice and the the teachers really liked them. Especially the flower pin. Remember the one I made from the papers the kids did. The school gave me these beautiful flowers

and the kids from the class I help in gave me this wonderful card and some great crafting supplies.

I was so surprised and touched. They even got me to cry when the kids gave me the card. Some of the things they wrote were so sweet. So as you see it has been a very busy week and I do have to apologise for being MIA and not pulling the name for the candy. I will extend it until the 29 and pull the name on the 30th. I have been getting all the comments but have not had much time on the computer till now so I will be catching up this week. Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for hanging in there with me. Angela