Make a splash!

I've had a manic week - organising a couple of days of visitors at work and generally running around like a mentalist to catch up after - but within the madness I had a chance to enjoy a couple of hours out to take part in a jewellery workshop - I've never really done any jewellery making before and quite honestly I wanted to hate it... I can't possibly find time/money/room for another stash hungry hobby. But as is almost inevitable I REALLY enjoyed it! Damn.

I don't have a pic of the finished articles neatly displayed (necklace, earrings and bracelet) but did snap a quick close up for my 365.

If anyone can recommend any inspiring jewellery makers blogs Id appreciate it! Although my bank balance may not! Leave me a link in the comments section below.

I've come to the conclusion that one of the best value things you can pick up for a quid at this time of year is  lovely big bunch of daffs! These guys were just gagging to be my 365 pic earlier in the week and I love it so much it's also gracing my desktop at work - lovely to add a bit of cheer to a dreary day!

A quicky page to share today.. i've been told i'm rubbish at putting what I've used on my pages on this blog... promise i'll try harder... promise! This is mostly Cosmo Cricket - Girl Friday - taken from the March Studio Calico Kit - plus some Sassafras and AC Thickers alphas.

The sun has got his hat on...

This weekend seemed to herald the start of Spring - with just a few days to go until the clocks change a couple of gorgeous warm days certainly makes the weekend go faster. Once a bit of sun appears the masses seem to descend on all those places that I've enjoyed peace and quiet at for the last several months - hoards of people with dogs who seem to have hibernated all year suddenly hit the Forest. But for my girls it's business as usual...

Even my little nemesis the Mandarin ducks were in a good mood - paddling demurely across the lake just nipping into range for a cute picture.

A little bit of sun is also the perfect chance to grab a few pictures of some colourful displays popping up in the garden - all of which seem to have survived being stomped by Newfie paws! Primroses... these ones grow wild in the garden...

The odd stray dandelion...

And a gorgeous Magnolia  - this one is a Stellata.

Of course it all turned out too good to be true and this morning saw a return to dreary weather... which inturn sees the return of indoor photos taken this evening... hey ho!

In happier news though I've just found a batch re-size feature on Photoshop Elements that has just speeded up blogging no end!

I leave you with a quick page (mostly using last months Studio Calico kit)

Taking up the reigns...

After much hard work Shawna from Scrap Schemes has decided to step back from the challenge blog due to other commitments so I've appily agreed to take over the day to day running - we have a great team so I'm sure it will be a breeze!

My first scheme has just gone live and the girls have come up with some fabulous pages!

This is my take on the scheme - the page is mostly BasicGrey Offbeat plus a few scrummy bits of American Crafts all nestling on some fabulous Core'dinations Whitewash - which I LOVE!!!

Keeping me sane.... ish.

When multiple tasks pile upon you all at once a bit of Green Day always helps!

Oh Happy Day...

It's been gorgeous this weekend, warn enough to go without a jacket and the perfect opportunity to spend some time out in the garden and in the New Forest with the girls... And to reflect the vibe of the day here's a page featuring Lola (I think from last weekend) having a lovely time splashing about in her favourite pond!

I've got a couple of days off at the beginning of this week, so i'm hoping to squeeze a bit of scrapping in - luxury!

She rules...

There's a new challenge over at the fantastic True Friend challenge blog - if you've not played along before please do pop along and have a go! We have great fun challenges every fortnight and I think this month the girls have excelled themselves! This time Lori set us a fab challenge - to explain what life would be like if our pets ruled the world. My page is here - i've used the very subtle Teen range from American Crafts.

It occurs to me that you don't even need a pet to do these challenges! Why not create a page about how things would be if you (or one of your kids) ruled the world!

Red Nose Day...

Not watched any of Red Nose Day so far... but Sky+ is merrily recording so i'll check it all out over the weekend! Of course the red nose itself was the perfect subject for my pic of the day!

And continuing the red theme is Martha making herself at home on my new Ikea rug - it's already a firm favourite, with both dogs wondering why they didn't have such an appropriate place for someone of their celebrity to lounge!