Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Fridge Magnet Challenge



Well I landed myself in it. My mouth running away with itself. I only suggested a challenge with other crafty peeps and here I am in the thick of it ... and enjoying it too.

With the crafty peeps at Be Crafty @ the Arches in mind I have laid down the gauntlet and with new crafty peeps in mind I thought I might set out step by step instructions. They are not just for Be Crafties. Anyone can copy them and download if they want to. Just give me a like on my florafinity fb page and I'll be happy.

There are lots of ideas on the internet. Just search for fridge magnets and you will get zillions of pictures to inspire you. I was inspired by the vintage look which is so trendy right now. I tend to pick up bits and pieces of craft elements at places like The Works or The Range or Home Bargains at very reasonable prices and I add them to my craft stash. So the first thing I did for this project was to grab items to play with and bring my fridge magnet idea together.



I chose to make a framed quote and decorate it with vintage style embellishments. 

I used:

Mount board for the backing, though strong stiff card would do

A pretty little vintage style chipboard frame from my stash

Rub-on transfer for my chosen quote

Chipboard butterfly which I outlined and dotted with silver pen

Three (the magic number) of tiny paper roses.

Tacky glue

Self adhesive magnet sticker for the back.

Using the frame as a guide I measured out a rectangle of mount board to cut out 

  



and then dry assembled it all with embellishments on top so I could decide where best to position my quote. 



Rubbing on the transfer was so easy 



and I was then able to glue it all together.



Voila! I have a new magnet for my fridge and so easy peasy to make. 

Are you going to take up the challenge?... I hope so... have fun!


Monday, 7 September 2015

Summer Break and School Holidays

Anyone going to visit South Shields Marine Park during the school summer holidays will have noted the high numbers of grandparents with their various young charges. We were not alone in this and blended in well. 
The boating lake at South Shields Marine Park

We had good times with the youngest of our grandchildren, visiting the park, the fair, the beach, Bedes World and Tanfield. Not all together I might add (smile).

Causey Arch, Tanfield
Drew and Kelly on the Tanfield railway


Drew, Kelly and Eva on the mini steam engine railway.
Lily-Jo on the mini steam engine railway



What is it about steam engines that attract young and old alike? 

Lily-Jo in the park
Eva on the kiddies rides


Eva at the fun fair

Bedes World, Charlies Park, the Fun Fair and Birthday parties are always good attractions for the youngest ones.

Eva at Jasmine's birthday party
Drew and Eva on the beach


The summer school holidays are over now and life gets back to some kind of normality but what a good time we had!



Phew...worn out!

Late summer and home made soup

view from back garden



I don't think its been the best summer ever this year...it was late arriving in my part of the country, very changeable and not quite as warm as I would like it to be but nevertheless, summer is hanging on. August last year was definitely showing signs of autumn by now and I think the previous year was the same but so far, I'm still struck by summer's presence, mellow light and that air of sleepiness I always enjoy in late summer. 
Walnut tree with Bat boxes at back of house


We still have to experience the tell tale autumn signs of a nip in the air and misty mornings. Normally, that would signal the home made soup season. Thick and warming soup, traditionally made with ham stock, lentils and vegetables. So I have been a bit early this year and its all due to a lovely little woodland cafe called Causey House Tea Room in Co. Durham. 



I was there last Sunday with my husband John and having to be careful with my diet I chose home made soup from the menu, kindly supplied with gluten free toast as an option. Well, each spoonful had a reminiscence of Autumn and I was hankering to make my own again whether the season changed or not. And so I did! 
Home made soup


Already hubby has had a good share and I will have some for supper tonight. Thats if there is any left...yuuuummmmmmmm.

Sunday, 26 July 2015

Sunderland Air Show


Little Haven


I had a lovely afternoon sailing on DFDS Princess Seaways along the coast to Sunderland to watch the Air Show. 
John and me

red arrows

North Shields

John, my sister and I enjoyed  a lovely lunch on board and a leisurely cruise along the coastline between South Shields and Seaburn. There must have been a bit of a swell because we felt it on deck and the Captain announced there was bad weather out in the North Sea. So I'm glad we weren't sailing to Amsterdam this trip! 



We had a good view point of the coastline from out on deck and the 
air displays were fantastic. We got a bit blown about by the wind but 
enjoyed it non the less, so much so we are looking forward to doing the same next year. 

                                                   




Suprisingly, I did manage to get some 
photos with my little camera. I hope 
you like them.
The weather stayed good but because of a tight time schedule the ship had to be back in port for 3pm so we missed the Battle of Britain fly past and the Red Arrows. 













We did catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows when we docked at North Shields. 




















Sea King helicopter
I just had to get some nice scenic photos too. These are of South Shields and the Tyne.
North forshaw South Shields

The Tyne


Thanks for sharing my day with me.


Saturday, 18 July 2015

candle pebbles decorated with pressed flowers

My blogs are so scarce these days, I hope I have some readers left. 

Sitting here waiting for my alendronic acid tablet to go down. I have to wait sitting upright for half an hour. Hence I thought I would compose a short blog...good idea! 

I'm currently de-cluttering my craft room. I seem to spend half my life de-cluttering...I can't believe all the stuff I've squirrelled away over the years. I did manage to frame a lot of my pictures and they are now hanging in a gallery hoping to be sold. I should have taken a photo...maybe on my next visit. I get lots of ideas and inspiration flows when I am sorting through my stash but I'm being as disciplined as I can be and determined to concentrate on fewer crafts in the future instead of wishful thinking lots of various ones.

Well, its time up and I can move now, so I will just find a picture and get on with the rest of my day. Thanks for calling by.

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