Enjoying the moments

 Hi everyone, I am trying to ignore the pile of washing still to be done - two loads in one day is enough.

Yes, we're back, I hadn't realised how much we both needed a break.

I feel so much better than I did when we went away. I wasn't sleeping well, I had little or no interest in crafting, housework, exercise and even going out was an effort rather than a desire to be out.

I will fill you in with details over a number of posts, but time with friends in London and near Poitiers in France, then time for just the two of us to be together in Paris has been a great boost for us both.

I have a journal page for Wendy's 'Vintage' theme at Art Journal Journey.

Jean-Claude has been travelling around France on his new bicycle, he has now placed an ad in a lonely hearts column in Paris, his final destination. He had hoped to meet someone on his travels but it was not to be.You can see some of the places he visited at the bottom of the page. 

I used an image and part of the column that I found in a vintage magazine I bought at a Brocante/Vide Grenier in France. I used an Eiffel Tower stamp by Crafty Individual and some from a set I bought ages ago on a spattery background.

Thanks for looking, Chris

 

In the Garden

 Hi everyone, a quick pop in with a journal page for Wendy's 'Vintage' theme at Art Journal Journey.

As a child I would watch/help my Dad in the garden, this page is a tribute to him

 Thanks for looking, Chris

Going Round in Circles

Hi everyone, we have a new theme at Try It On Tuesday and as you can guess, 'Going Round In Circles' is all about your entry having at least one circle in it.

The Design Team have lots of Circles to show you.

I have little Laura here, as a child she used to watch her Mother sew had a dream about what she wanted to do when she grew up and I am happy to say it came true.

You may have picked up the clue - yes, she wanted to become a famous singer and I am happy to tell you that she was well known in Musical theatre circles in the 60's and her dream did come true (sorry, just couldn't resist)

I used lots of sewing based stamps and of course at the centre the old SINGER sewing machine just like the one my Mum used to have.

As usual our theme runs for two weeks and we look forward to seeing your circle themed entries. 

I will be late visiting but I will see you soon. 

Thanks for looking, Chris

I am also joining in at Art Journal Journey with Wendy's 'Vintage' theme.

T Stands For...Taking a Break

 Hi everyone, after today's post I am taking a blog break. I know  a few of you will think that I am already on a blog break and I do apologise for not visiting. Hopefully after a break I will be able to get back to some sort of normality.

Last Thursday we met up with middle son and two of our grandchildren for a visit to RHS Bridgewater a recovered site that was part of Worsley New Hall. My son had, in the past, used a path that is now part of the site so he was particularly interested in what had been done.

As I am short of time I will let the pictures do the talking - please feel free to follow this link to get virtual tours and other info.

We had lunch by this new man made lake

They left me behind!

The woodland and the natural lake close to where the hall stood is just as beautiful as the formal gardens.

The family had to leave but hubby and I headed back to the cafe - especially so that we could join Bleubeard and Elzabeth for T Stands For Tuesday

One last look at somewhere we will be visiting quite a lot I think.

Thanks for looking, Chris

Audrey

 The Art Journal Journey theme chosen by Wendy this month is 'Vintage' and it set me thinking about films. 

I can think of nothing better on a dark Winter afternoon than watching an old film on TV. One of the few things to look forward to when the clocks go back next month

I love Audrey Hepburn films, you can probably guess that my favourite film is Charade (also starring another favourite film star, Cary Grant) as it is set in Paris, although I may be pushing it a bit by saying it is vintage as it was released in 1963. However another favourite is definitely vintage  - Roman Holiday, her first film was released in 1953.

I tore a piece of paper from an old paper collection I uncovered in a tidy up, then added some texture paste through a Tim Holtz tag stencil.

The photo is from a box that held some Audrey perfume(not that nice!) and I used a label cut from some Stamperia papers and the word photo from some freebie paper from a French scrap magazine. The rest of the images are stamped using Aladine stamps, bought in Paris a few years ago. The circle image(from Breakfast at Tiffany's) is stamped onto a piece of the leftover background paper.

Audrey was recognised as an English actress, although she was born in Belgium in 1929. She appeared in several musicals productions in the East End in London while in her teens before her career in films, which she had, alongside working for UNICEF. 

I hope that this may have brought back some memories for you too, 

Thanks for looking, Chris

Vintage style calendar

Hi everyone, I have had a day out with grandchildren and son today - we went to the RHS Bridgewater - absolutely blown away by it - I'm sure some of you in. the UK may have seen the programmes about it but I can tell you it is far better than it looks on TV.

I will write a post especially for it as soon as I can sort through the many photos I took!

Meanwhile here are my calendar pages. I am of course going to link to Art Journal Journey and Wendy's 'Vintage' theme

If you are thinking it doesn't look finished you would be right!

Instead of writing up notes and then adding them when we come back I am taking some squares away with me to fill in daily. The are holding on here with some sticker glue. I will also be filling in a travel journal while we're away.

I stamped and stencilled using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then stamped the Tim Holtz Vintage style photo and Eifel Tower then added some Craft box images.

Here is August's all filled in

I had intended adding a typewriter image that I stamped out but I think I have tidied it away with some thing else - I will find it  - I will use it!!!

Thanks for looking, Chris

Travel Vintage Style

 Hi everyone,September here already????!!!! We have a new host at Art Journal Journey with another great choice of theme! Thanks so much to Neet who has been an excellent host during August.

We are welcoming Wendy as our new host with 'Vintage' as her theme.

My page shows Al and Betty (yes I do love Paul Simon's songs)who have decided to take a road trip to celebrate their wedding anniversary.They have their map with them and a pen to mark the routes they want to take.

I used distress ink to cover the page then used a real vintage stamp that came from a French garage for the background and map stamp, all place randomly over the page.

The car and the words are from Tim Holtz stamps and of course, Al and Betty are Paper Dolls.

I hope that you can join us this month.

Thanks for looking, Chris