HELLO MONDAY......with a glass of something cold!

This week I'm saying HELLO, whilst offering you a glass of icy cold Sangria (or whatever your choice of beverage might be), because I'm joining up with ABI , for her monthly 'tea' meme.

 If you don't mind sitting in the sun we can sit outside, but at the moment we don't have any parasols to give any shade.....you might prefer to sit in the naya, where I have all the doors open and there's a pleasant breeze coming through.

I should explain that the shortage of parasols is due to the fact that when we threw out the old ones, a couple of months ago, we discovered that there weren't any actually in the shops yet to replace them! However, that is one of the jobs on the 'to do' list when Craig arrives tomorrow.....he is here for four days, and I think you'll be able to tell that I'm happy about that (and not JUST because of the parasols!).

By this time, hopefully, we'll be settled with our drink of choice and I'll be wanting to hear your own news....hoping that most of it is positive: that the family are well and that you are finding time for being creative.

I'm sure you're wondering why I have so many pieces of paper with names, menus and lists on them.....they are for the '60s Night' which I am helping to organise on Saturday night

If you had dropped in last night, you would have found me tearing my hair out, trying to get the numbers to tally...but all's well now and the menu choices have been sent to the restaurant.


 I'll be wondering if you joined in with SIANS 'Big swap of very little things'...and if so, would love to hear what was in the package you received...I'll also confess that I only posted my package to CHERI this morning, along with another few bits of 'Happy Mail'.

Can you hear that thunder in the distance, and do you see how the clouds are rolling in over the mountains?....I think we're in for a storm...yes, here are the first big raindrops beginning to fall- in fact it's actually hailstones! Let me shut all these doors...and please excuse Boo- she gets really afraid during storms.

As the hail turns to rain, I'll be telling you how relieved we all are that my dad is showing signs of improvement again...and although he's still in hospital, we're hoping he'll get out later this week.

Oh look...the rain's stopped just as suddenly as it began...yes, you're probably right to leave while it's dry...but please do stop by again next month:I really DO enjoy these visits!

One thing before you go....remember it's 'STORYTELLING SUNDAY' over at SIAN'S PLACE ......see you there?

Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx

SCRAPPING AROUND THE WORLD

 On the first of this month, my lovely- and exceptionally talented -South African blogfriend HELEN started a new Scrapping Challenge blog called SCRAP AROUND THE WORLD.

The first challenge is due in at midnight EST today, so I am JUST squeezing in with my entry!

The challenge was to create a layout using both this mood board and sketch:

Here's my take on it:

I have had this collage, which Kirsty and I had taken in the Photobooth at the wedding we were at earlier this month, lying on my desk just waiting for me to have time to take part in the challenge...as soon as I saw all that lovely turquoise/teal on the moodboard, I knew what I wanted to scrap!

Some close-ups:

rosette courtesy of  LADKYIS ( as part of SIAN'S GREAT BIG SWAP OF VERY SMALL THINGS)

chipboard again courtesy of LADKYIS!

I realise I've left it too, a little, impossibly late for you to take part in this month's challenge, but please check back for next month's one..the inspiration on the blog is truly amazing!

Hope your managing a little craftiness this weekend!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx 

LET'S HAVE A SWAP.....

.....said the ingenious SIAN over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY! I don't know whether it's the fact she does her best crafting and thinking from her perch in the clouds, but she certainly comes up with great ideas. 

She made a list (and very probably checked it twice!) then let the 'swappers' know where their packages were to be sent. She requested that they all be sent by the end of this month...and here I have to confess to just going to make the deadline (HONEST- it will be posted on Monday, Cheri!)

LADKYIS on the other hand, wasn't so tardy and yesterday I picked a package up from the Post Office......and when I got it home and ripped carefully tore it open, this wonderful selection of goodies were enclosed! 

Lots of lovely chipboard, flowers,stars, hearts and frames...and also those gorgeous little rosettes which Ladkyis had made herself from map pages!

"Lucky you" I hear you say....BUT , look what else was enclosed:

......a copy of one of the WORLD BOOK NIGHT books (and one that I haven't read either!). I had hoped to start it last night, but didn't quite get around to it.

Thank you so much, Ladkyis for such a lovely package...and thank you Sian for having such a brilliant idea!

Hoping the sun shines for the UK Bank Holiday weekend.....and wishing everyone a fun weekend, wherever in the world you are!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx 

HELLO MONDAY

This week I'm saying:

HELLO to the May Fayre  being over....(sigh of relief!)

HELLO to having raised over 5000 euros!!!!.....making it WELL worth the effort!

HELLO to getting to BOTH Keep Fit AND Line Dancing...I  have managed to get to one or the other recently, but not both

HELLO to realising that my two brothers are capable of more than any of us (including them!) thought...dad's back in hospital and they are really keeping on top of his care and what can be put in place to make life easier for dad and mum ,when he gets home.

HELLO to being grateful for social networking...FB allows my sister in New Zealand, my brothers and myself to 'talk' without having to repeat the same things to each other constantly

HELLO to getting a package put together for SIAN'S GREAT BIG SWAP OF VERY SMALL THINGS (I honestly haven't forgotten, Cheri!)

HELLO to maybe..just maybe......getting some scrapbooking done this week! 

HELLO to trying not to feel guilty for getting on with my life, when I know how poorly my dad is

I do hope there are good things for you to be saying HELLO to this week!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx