A little bit of this and a little bit of that

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So the Gypsy Caravan is really rolling along and more and more participants are joining in the fun.
I have listed my item and if you still wish to join in then click on the Post dated 22nd January and titled One World One Heart - the prize is the fob watch... Good Luck if you are joining in xxx

So apart from blog hopping - and what fun that has been; (there is such a diverse manner of artists out there - Lisa is a genius for doing this each year to unite the bloggers of the world.) I would like to share with you my recent work.

As part of the I.C.E. Altered book RR I have created 2 spreads.
The top photos relate to Patricia's Songs of the 70's book. I choose to do American Pie as you can see from the pics...
The 4th photo is for Carol's Book - here theme was based on the book which was A History of Art. Carol wanted us to incorporate an imagine that was in the book and do what we needed to create a spread.
So these are my contributions.

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If you read my blog post for the OWOH giveaway you might recall that I had originally made that bird house for another lady, but my mate Lorraine saw it and fell in love with it so I gave it to her. That meant that I had to create another Bird themed piece for Girl of the Month and here it is.
I am really pleased with this, it started life as a battered looking letter holder and I altered it...
I used Acrylic dabbers, crackle paints, distress ink to colour it. Then I used images from Tuscan Rose, the bird is from Technique Tuesday. I used a couple of eggs for the centre which I purchased from Paper Whimsy and I really like the way it turned out... I am not mentioning the name of the lady who is to receive this in case she reads my blog but it will be going in the post to her tomorrow.

That is all for now...take care and I hope you have as much fun as I have had, and continue to have blog hopping

One World One Heart

Welcome to my post for the OWOH GIVEAWAY - I just want to point out that the cut off point for comments is 12 midnight GMT... Due to the fact that so many of you have left comments I have uploaded pictures of the 2nd Giveaway I have made below this post
BUT...
YOU MUST LEAVE COMMENTS HERE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAW... ON THIS POST, OKAY :-) IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEFT A COMMENT ON THIS POST YOU WILL BE ELIGBLE FOR THE DRAW ANYWAY BUT IN THAT CASE FEEL FREE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THE 2nd GIVEAWAY, FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS WELCOME

AND
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE BIRDHOUSE IS NOT PART OF THIS GIVEAWAY, IT WAS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUBMIT BUT DUE TO RESTRICTIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES I CHANGED IT TO THE PENDANT (SORRY FOR ANY CONFUSION)
THAT IS IT... XXXX




Thanks for dropping by to see my Giveaway for ONE WORLD, ONE HEART
There are so many wonderful participants in this years blog give away and I wanted to make something, to be a part of this inspirational, annual event.
The top image of the fob watch is my contribution.It has an image inside of 2 girl friends; embellished with a dragonfly brad and flowers. I have attached the word Destiny to the fob with sari ribbon.
If you would like to win this then leave a comment with your name and blog, if you do not have a blog, then hey now worries you are welcome to join in - just leave me a contact e mail and I will put you in the draw. The draw will take place the 12th February There are lots of other great bloggers participating as I said, click on the title of the post to be taken to the home site and you can see links to the other participants. (sounds like I am rambling so I will shut up!!)
The bird house was up for consideration as the giveaway but unfortunately I had to rethink because of the feathers, I suddenly remembered that there are countries where feathers cannot be admitted.
Never fear, the Bird house has gone to a new home and I am so proud to say that it has gone to live with my friend Lorraine. Why proud? well put it this way, Lorraine buys a lot of art, she has work by Kelly Rae Roberts, Paulette Insall and Joanna Pierotti adorning her walls. When I showed her the Bird House which is called "Listen to the Songbird" she absolutely loved it, no kidding... she genuinely did. She made me feel so good, especially as I have not created for a while after some negative comments so basically she lifted my spirits and made me Believe in myself. So Thanks Lorraine for loving my piece, but more importantly for giving me back my confidence which has been awol since before Christmas - xxxx
The bird house itself was purchased from Theresa Martins Etsy shop The bird image is from Digital Collage Sheets
Tim Holtz journal word "Soar" and "Listen" tag. The buttons and feathers are finds I made in my favourite haberdashers in Spain...

Good luck in the draw, hope whoever wins loves it Hugs xxxx Dawn

New Year Spring Clean

I can't believe how quickly this month is flying past. I have been on a Spring Cleaning frenzy (yeah I know it's not Spring) since getting back from Spain and just about have everything in order. I just thought if I do it now when it is cold and I am not going anywhere I would get more benefit from it.
That aside, what else have I been doing? Well I am so pleased that Waterloo Road is back on TV for 20 weeks too wahoooo! I love programmes about schools and teachers; maybe I hanker after my school days, who knows.
Also the 1911 Census came on line this week so I have been busy looking at the Indexes and adding new info to the Family Tree. I have left the researching alone for a while now and just got back into it recently, mainly due to all the Hornigold's on Facebook 2 lovely people, Angela and Mattie have both sent me photos recently showing family members - namely Stuart's great grandfather and gg grandfather. It was such a thrill actually looking on their faces.... I always envied those who had family pics, now I have some too, I know they are not from my side of the family but having them means so much to me...
Other things I have been up to include joining the Creative Workshop Ning Group (button link in previous post). Classes I am taking are Visual Journalling and a Photoshop one too. Now I just have to make the time to do the classes lol.
(This post has been sitting in my drafts so I will post and make a new one)

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

A Ning Group for Creative Workshops

BLANK...

Blank page, blank canvas that's all I see at the moment. I have a myriad of ideas flowing in my mind but up to now nothing put to page or canvas. I have been busy doing things with the family so have resigned myself to the fact that this holiday is going to be just that, for the family and not worry too much about creating for me, time enough when I get home.
I aim to start Journalling when I do get home as my word for 2009 is "JOURNAL" instead of dreaming it, I want to do it.... I achieved a lot of 1sts last year so aim to do the same this year.
I think what I will do if I get a chance is put some color onto a couple of pages and see what I come up with travelling home.
Lots to do tomorrow; have to pack and prepare the villa so that it is ready for my return... always makes me sad to be leaving but I like to leave it nice. Took the tree down today - that in itself is a sign of preparing for home; don't you find that your home looks bare when the Christmas decorations come down (especially the lights)
I have only managed 1 book since being here, and I have not even finished that it is called "Under a Blood Red Sky" by Kate Furnivall. About Russia, work camps, friendship and love. I have other books waiting for me to read but they will have to wait. Talking of books I am thinking I will buy the Classic Books on the DS - good value and lots of books to read, handy to keep in handbag for those moments sitting outside school, doctors surgery etc.
Going out to eat again tonight, a return visit to "The Wok" for Chinese - really good food, good value too 9.95 euros for all you can eat.
That's all for now.... PEACE X

12 Days of Christmas

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of the gifts I received from girls in the CCSwaps group. I have other photos to upload too but they are on my camera phone and guess what left the charger at home so can't upload.
This was such fun and I enjoyed opening my gifts THANK YOU to Sweet Pea for hosting tis xxx
I organised a swap with some girls in England and will share those photos with you when I can.
I am all stuffed from Christmas. Going down to Bar Sin Problemas this evening for Charades - men v women, should be a laugh and hopefully no blood will be spilled...
I will post pics if I take any xxx

So here it is Merry Christmas, everybody's having fun...

So where have I been, what have I been up to? Let's start at the very beginning a very good place to start :-).
Well had a really pleasant, uneventful journey down to the villa; I must admit to being surprised at this as normally there is either/or fog,rain, snow, strong winds - you name it we have had all types of bad weather, this year we were watched over and as I say had a peaceful trip... Thank you God.
Got the tree up and the place looking festive, this cheered China up no end, especially as she played a large part in decorating the tree (must admit she did a good job too). Went out shopping, and oh my giddy aunt the prices here have just become absurd. Put it this way I picked up a packet of mini do-nuts (you know the ones where there are 12 in the pack) Stuart looked at me as if I was bonkers, so I'm like "what's the matter? it's only do-nuts" Then he pointed out that those 12 little do-nut were 5 euros, that's when it clicked with me that that equated to £5 - never seen a packet of do-nuts fly out of a shopping trolley so quick. A lot of English people who had retired to Spain are having to return home to England as in the current economic climate they cannot afford to live here in Spain.... let's hope this world crisis doesn't last too long!
China normally buys here new clothes here but she was appalled at the prices and decided she would wait till she got home to hit the sales..

Christmas day was a family affair, which is what Charlie really wanted this year. It was great to spend time getting to know George and Julia, little sweethearts and playing games with Jenny, Lawson, Jason, Mary and Peter (Jenny's parents)
I shall be posting pics as soon as I can; my main priority was to make a posting to my blog so that my friends will know that I am alive and kicking....

12 days of Christmas pics to come too... some wonderful gifts from the 2 groups I was in, Thanks girlies xxx
That will be it for now
MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL, THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF MY YEAR
(to be continued)

Rainy days

 

Rain, Rain go away... today it has just not stopped raining. So I thought I would share this water color painting I did a few years ago with you all...
The X Factor final is on and the results are in and I am so happy because Alexandra Burke won - what a star this girl is going to be.... 18 weeks of watching and waiting and hoping that she would win and she did! absolutely a superstar talent has been born.

What else is new? Well I am playing catchup now that I am wearing my revamped original dentures, I was able to go shopping at Bluewater with Stuart and Jazz...what a change to be able to go out with teeth in. The funny thing was I went to the hairdressers on Thursday without teeth! can you imagine.... Richard my super duper hairdresser and Danielle hair washer extrordinaire looked after me and made me feel comfortable, so now I feel human again. I treated myself to some I.D. Bare Mineral make up at Bluewater and a couple of new outfits - feel better already!

The countdown to Friday has begun, before then I have to get packed up, work out which craft supplies to take with me.
Monday I am going to see Dwain - he is so busy this week with parties etc. so it will be lovely to get to see him before we go.
I seem to spend a lot of time on facebook which is cool cos I can see what everyone is getting up to lol...
I really should be getting on as time is going to go by in a flash, doesn't it always go like that; you think you have all the time in the world and then time is eaten up and what you wanted to get done is still waiting to be done - so guess what I am going to finish of this post and get cracking... ciao for now xxxx

Christmas is coming...

The days seem to be galloping ever closer to Christmas and I have so much still to do! The flu set me back and also dentures that don't fit... not a good look to go out with. I said to the dentist the other day, "forget lipstick, I carry Fixodent in my bag now" he laughed, I was serious!
Yesterday I had to go for a fitting for a new denture to get me over the Christmas period. They feel so bulky in my mouth and I must admit to shedding a tear this morning as they feel so cumbersome and then New Year seems so far off, I can't wait to get teeth on to my implants, however, my mouth is not ready for them yet so I can't rush these things... enough of that.
The pictures depicting Christmas are from my mates house. I don't put a tree up here in England, I wait till I get to the villa so it makes me feel happy when I see all the festive decorations going up around me. When I walk Stamford at 4 I love it as it is dark enough for the lights to start going on in the neighbourhood and I love to see what house has decorated from the previous day... fairy lights make the world seem so cheery and I love them for that reason. Winter always seems that much closer once the lights come down in January.
I have been receiving 12 days of Christmas gifts in the post, this is so exciting! I am taking them to Spain with me to open over there... I feel like a big kid!
So we travel to Spain next Friday, hopefully we will have a good drive down, I hate the winter drive as the weather can play a large part in the journey - rain, snow, fog all things that are not welcome but possible at this time of year! First thing I do there before I even unpack is put up the tree...have to get festive don't you know :-) So got to crack on, so much to do, so little time - but hey! Thanks for taking the time to drop by my blog BIG HUGZ XXXX

PW IVORY AND GOLD ORNAMENT COLLECTION

Here it is, the complete set of ornaments for the PW Swap. A wonderful collection for Christmas.. what can I say they are gorgeous and will help to decorate my home beautifully this Christmas (and many more).
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I often stop and think about what I have been up to in my life and think nothing much but the last couple of weekends I did something different.
2 weeks ago at this time I was in Calais with friends, browsing in the shops and having a nice meal. It was freezing cold, the wind was arctic but it did not detract from a great day at.
Then last weekend Stuart, China and I got on a train and went up to London. Started the day of taking a photo of Liberty - I wanted to show it to China

Then on to Carnaby Street


I used to go to Carnaby Street a lot years ago, first time there in about 20 years (that is so scary to write!!!) it was fabulous browsing all the little boutiques and this is where I found my gorgeous boots in Irregular Choice
2nd row, 1st pair of brown boots...
So there you have it, a little of what my past two weekends have involved.
This weekend? a wipeout as I have the flu, don't know the last time I had flu - so glad I don't get it often... Jazz bought me a beautiful bunch of flowers to cheer me up, apparently they smell lovely but I wouldn't know lol

Christmas is coming so fast and I have so much to do before I head to Spain, the clock is ticking omg better get better soon...
That's it for now adios x

PW WOWS

 

Here are my WOWs for PW swap. I cut out images, added ribbon and coated with Sepia accents, thinly. xxx

TIM HOLTZ 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS

 

 

Have you heard the news? Have you visited his site? Tim Holtz is repeating his successful 12 Tags of Christmas over on his blog, all new for 2008. These are the tags I created from his Day 1 and Day 2 posts. Join in the fun, if nothing else you will have fun and try new techniques. I actually forgot to speckle this with a toothbrush (the blue one) so I will do that lol... I new there was something missing!!! Couldn't see for looking x

A VERY SPECIAL AWARD

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationship! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prices or self-aggrandicement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prices are cut, even more friendship are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

I am to pass this award on to those that have crossed the boundaries of friendship without regard to economics, distance or language barriers...visit her blog here (there is a language translator to translate her blog although her photos are just beautiful!)

I received this award from my FRIEND Barbara, and to be honest it really touched me. This award is special to me because of the person I received it from... we have become friends, truly.
And as this award is for people who reach out across blog land I would like to nominate the following for all they do in bringing light and laughter, art and love in to the lives of others through their blogs....this is gonna be hard because there are so many wonderful people who could receive this award from me, here goes.....

1.TRISH BEE

2. HEATHER ROBINSON

3.ANNA DENISE

4. SUSIE JEFFERSON

5. HOPE

6. GERMANA

7. LINDA EAST

8. PATTI

Secret Sister Swap

 

So over on Paper Whimsy Forum they had a Secret Sister Swap. Linda K and I both missed the deadline to sign up for it so we became Not So Secret Sisters. The images are the top are the items I sent Linda, housed in the little house container which I covered with Patchwork pieces on the roof - the sides were decorated to represent the seasons.
Linda in turn sent me the beautiful "Joy" hanging piece of art and all the goodies in the Collage. This was a great swap to be a part of as it meant that I got new goodies for my ever growing stash and Linda benefited too...

I went to the dentist yesterday and ended up crying because I am going to have to keep the denture until after Christmas, won't be getting the bridge attached to the implants until the New Year. I was so disappointed as I thought that I would be able to enjoy my Christmas dinner but alas no it is not to be. Today I have got my head around it and accept that what will be will be....

That's it for this post, Thanks for visiting x

PW Victorian Ornament Banner

 

 

Here are my pictures for the PW current swap.
The hardest part was actually cutting out the template... sore fingers!
I am looking forward to getting mine from my swap partners. Then I will have 7 different ornaments hanging on a banner for Christmas...

Nature

 

 

I was so excited last weekend when I went to Pluckley to have another look at the house Stuart loves down there... took the kids to see what they thought and they weren't in love with it so it is not going to be our new home. So why was I excited you might ask, well just take a look at these wonderful toadstools - the stuff of magical fairie rings don't you think. Absolutely glorious and the 1st time in my life I have seen such wonderful examples of toadstools... worth the trip to look at the house just to see these.

 

Then walking the dog with Lorrain and her dog Jake we spotted these 4 pheasants hanging on a gate; obviously someone had been out shooting and dropped these off at the house for the owners. When I showed Stuart this photo (taken on my phone) he was like, "awww, why couldn't you bring one home for me..." he does love pheasant"!
So there we have it a few pictures of all that is beautiful around us, hope you enjoyed looking at my pictures xxx

Great Christmas GiveAway

Join in the festive season and pop over to this site for a chance to win some Festive goodies... Angelina of Angelina's Trinkets is the hostess with the gifts to give away.
Click on the Title to be taken to the Christmas Give Away site and Good Luck!

I should be back on later with another post but I just wanted to share this site with you cos "Sharing is Caring"

Fibre Dreams and more

The top pictures are of a bracelet and a spectacle holder I bought from Jackie at Fibre Dreams, if you click on the title to this post then you can have a look at her site. She makes bags and other jewellery and has fibres for sale too. Jackie is based in England and is just starting out so I thought it would be nice to give her a mention on my blog.
The bottom pictures in this post are of 18th birthday presents I made for Louise, one of China's friends. I had an old photo album and so I decorated the cover; inside I made cards and popped them in some of the photo tabs so that Louise could make this as a journal, she can write memories on the cards, and then she also has room for photos.
The second present was the necklace, used a transparency of the face of a pansy image which matched the one on the reverse.
I have also been working on altered books, will post pictures when complete, Christmas decorations for Paper Whimsy and a Secret Sister swap (although I now who my secret sister is so she is not so secret :-) ) and again will post photos when ready.
My mouth is healing nicely although I hate the denture enormously.... roll on the day that I don't have to wear it again!!! got another couple of weeks or so with it in. As long at is out in time to eat my Christmas dinner I don't mind!

That's all for this post will post again tomorrow ciao! xxx Dawn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 
Today, 5th November, Bonfire Night it is my DH's birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU with all my love.
He is spending the day in bed as he had an hernia op on Saturday so I shall be his "slave" for the day.
Love you xxxx Dawn

Friendships across the sea

 

 

 

Friendships across the sea indeed. I have been fortunate to make many friends in the U.S., Canada, Australia for which I am thankful. One of those friends Barbara sent me these wonderful Betty Boop gifts, I would like to say a resounding Thank you to Barbara, but also take this opportunity to tell her she is a naughty girl, she really didn't have to do this :p. Barbara sometimes you make a connection with a person from the first conversation and that was the case with you so friends are there for each other when needed (you know what I mean) and your words of Thanks were enough.... I LOVE all of these being a Betty gal and will treasure them always.
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Friendships across the sea part two... so the U.S., Britain and the World have a new U.S.President. I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous in the run up to this election and throughout the day...My bed was calling but I could not face sleep knowing that there was a monumental event taking place across the sea. To say that I was ecstactic when Obama won is an understatement. Not because he is the first black President (although I personally see him as the first mixed race President, after all his mother was white...and in my opinion this makes him a President for all people). No I was pleased that he won because this man exudes an air of calm and reason in my opinion, John McCain lost me when I just perceived him as shouting out his opinions, like he was shouting to make himself heard...he fought the fight but his fight is over and for him that is sad but for the U.S.A. a new chapter in history is about to be faced and may it prove to be a successful,memorable chapter.
I would like to say that there will be those of you who read my blog who will have wanted McCain to win and I hope that my opinions do not stop you from calling back again... it would be a boring place if we all agreed on the same thing don't you think?