A little bit of...

...crafting.

After spending a week away from work in which I did little or no crafting, I thought I should get something done before I returned to work. So Sunday evening I sat down and made a card.

I have a variety of Kanban bits & pieces that I have accumulated over the years so I thought it about time I made use of at least some of it.

I had a couple of die-cut sheets including this...

...it was intended to make a 'tunnel' card so I rummaged for some toning bits...

 ...all die-cut so it was very quick & easy.
After a bit of a play around with all the elements that I pulled out of my stash - I came up with this...

...I think that most of it came from the same Kanban range but I'm not sure because the bits were in a polybag (I'd obviously sat and popped out a load of die-cuts at some point). I love the shade of blue and all the gold foiling but I felt it needed a little 'extra'. This came in the form of some blue adhesive flat-back gems that I added to the centre of the flowers. The gems were a bargain find in "The Works".

So there you have it, a quick and easy card........................................................

I did promise...

...so here are some photos.

The cupcake/muffin ladies only 'do' Barleylands once a month so this has been the first chance I've had to get the promised photos.
The ladies had a wonderful selection again this month but unfortunately they are currently 'resting' two of my favourites - Apple crumble and Rhubarb & Custard. Never mind, there were plenty of others to try...

 ...they even had a savoury one this month (which I wish I had tried) - Cheese & Marmite.
Here is the selection that I came away with...

 ...and I wish I had written down what they were as my mind has gone completely blank on a couple of them.
These are the two that I can't recall...

...the one in the pink wrapper is something with Raspberry and the brown wrapper has Blackberries but I really can't remember what else.
The rest I can remember. The green topped one is "Apple Doughnut"...

...the chocolate looking one is "Chocolate & Beetroot" (sampled this and it is yummy) and finally the iced one is "Lemon & Lime".

So for all of you in far-flung places...sorry you are not here to enjoy them for yourselves but I'll take on the very hard task of tasting them for you.......................................................

What's Rocking your World...

...Friday - okay, I know it's Saturday but hey - what's in a day LOL

Each week over on the lovely Virginia's blog she encourages folk to take a look back at their week and find the positives...the things that made us smile...the things that 'Rocked' our worlds (in a nice way of course). I've been MIA from WRYWF for a few weeks but Virginia is a very forgiving hostess.
To be honest, I've struggled to find the 'happy' things because there has been a lot going on at work that has been stressing me out and I don't use the 'S' word lightly as I have recognised the impact that work has been having on things like sleep, concentration, mood. So I booked a weeks leave - no plans, no set agenda, just a week away from the work place.
The weather this week has been fabulous during the daytime (the thunder storms and rain of a night don't count as it's NIGHT) and I have just enjoyed pottering about. So, in no particular order...

Although Mum finds the heat very tiring we went into Chelmsford for a mooch around the shops on Thursday - a couple of covered shopping malls and lots of air-conditioned stores meant that she was able to have a good wander round without too much trouble. She thought this fellow was rather fun...

 ...and she also 'splashed out' on a crystal figure of a hedgehog from a well-known crystal retailer. The ladies in the store told Mum that he was called 'Nick' so Nick now lives on Canvey Island near the sea-side. A spot of lunch and no rushing around made it a lovely day for both of us.
Wednesday was a very sad day as it was the funeral of a colleague but the weather played her part and was glorious. Many colleagues, past & present, attended which was a lovely reflection of the high regard that everyone had for Chris. Suzie (Weasel) had worked very closely with Chris for a number of years and she had taken the phone call that had brought the sad news of his passing so she was understandably very upset. The service was beautiful and the wake after was cool and calm away from the heat of the outside - folk were happy to share fond memories of someone that will be sorely missed. I then 'kidnapped' Suzie (her words) for a visit to Barleylands...

 ...mid-week even at this time of year is never too crowded so it was lovely to just potter and enjoy the flowers...

 ...sit and have a cool drink & an ice-cream...

 ...and of course, a little retail therapy LOL I was very good (honest) and used the time to plan my 'spree' over members weekend (30% off time). We rounded off with me driving Suzie home and we sat and had a natter before I then headed on home.
 Crafters will know that there are always "Christmas in July" events every year - these give a boost to those who are very organised and craft through the year for the Holiday season and a gentle nudge to those of us who always have good intentions but still end up frantically crafting until the wee-small hours the night before the last mailing opportunity (I hold my hand up and admit to being guilty as charged LOL). This year the folk at Bugaboo Stamps were celebrating their 3rd year of having a CIJ event by having a blog-hop and a whole week of challenges with loads of prizes up for grabs...

...I was lucky enough to be one of the winners and now have the difficult task of picking my prize from all the fabulous digi images available on their site - such an onerous task (giggle).
Friday was the start of 'Member's Weekend' and I placed my order for the new Distress Markers that are coming out (matching the limited edition seasonal colours ink pads that came out originally in sets of 3). A few other goodies managed to find my way into my basket - don't they always - and then I had a lovely coffee and chat with Hilary, a lady I met through crafting and if we are unable to catch-up at workshops we always take time to do so during members weekend.

This has been a lovely 'slow-down' week. I haven't managed to do much in-doors and I haven't crafted much this week but it has been super to just 'chill' (okay - probably not the best choice of words in this heat LOL). It's back to work on Monday and things will be back to their normal hectic ways but it has been super just doing 'nothing' so to speak and not having to rush anywhere or chase deadlines. I wonder how the boss would feel about me booking another week off?...........................

A local piece of...

...history.

I'm sure many of us are guilty of not paying attention to what is close to home - I know I certainly am. I have travelled to London to visit "The Tower" and various palaces. I've been to Scotland and seen a Castle or two. I've also been to Yorkshire, Devon and Cheddar where I've explored caves/caverns but I don't often stop to think about things right on my door-step.

Right here in the borough where I live (Thurrock) they discovered a Woolly Mammoth (in Aveley). There were archaeological digs at Mucking (oh that was a very muddy school trip) and we have two forts on the banks of the river Thames - Tilbury Fort and Coalhouse Fort. A big chunk of the land that borders the Thames near to where I live was at one time owned by the Boleyn family in Tudor times and going further back in time to the reign of Richard II we had several leaders of the Peasant's Revolt (1381 - poll tax revolt) allegedly living in the Fobbing area.

Just across the border from Fobbing in the next borough we have Wat Tyler Park which has been designated a site of significant interest and if you take a look at the park website via the link you'll see that there has been stuff going on there since around the Bronze age.

Now I'm sure you are all wondering where I'm going with this...well...I have a few days off and as the weather was beautiful today, I went for a wander.

I haven't been to Wat Tyler park since before my niece got married and I have to say that there have been a number of changes, many of which I have snapped so that I could share them on here - get a very long cool drink because there are a load of photos...

Next to the visitor centre there is the "Village Green" which is a large grassed area surrounded by some thatched buildings that have been rescued and relocated here...

 Much of the park was marsh/wetland and what used to be muddy paths near the children's play area has duckboard walkways now...

 I'm not sure what these figures are but they are part of the sculpture trail that consists of pieces of art throughout the park...

...they could be representations of Wat Tyler and the other peasants but I couldn't get close enough to find out.
 The tide was in...

...and this map shows the route up from the Thames via Holehaven creek...

This is a "Washing Bowl" - a leftover from when there was an explosives factory on the site...

 ...the information board suggests that it was used to wash gun cotton...

 This building was originally part of the explosive works but is now a bird & wildlife discovery centre...

 A lot of work is currently going on to clear overgrown & clogged waterways - this waterfall is one of the first bits completed...

 The waterway will run into a series of ponds in the rose garden...

 ...and seating area...

 There are lots of information boards dotted all around the park...

 The park is a wonderful place to wander around...

 ...with shady wooded areas...

 ...and open grassy mounds...

 Here is another of the art pieces...

 This is one of four pill-boxes from WWII...

 ...there is another info board...

 ...and on top is a viewing platform...

 What you can see in the distance is the remains of the Coryton oil refinery...

 This pond full of water grass is quite close to the creek...

 ...and you can probably just make out a few water-lilies...

 

I spent a lovely (if hot) few hours wandering around the park and really must make the effort to pop over there more often.

 

If you stop to think about it, are there places near where you live that you often take for granted ? Why not spend some time wandering around where you live or pop into the library to find out a bit more about where you live - you might surprise yourself with what you find.................................... 

What's down your...

...High Street?

The High Street in Stanford-le-Hope, where I live, is pretty boring - some years we get hanging baskets and some years we don't.

However, Southend is a different matter...

 ...I got this photo of the re-planted/repaired wicker tea cup a couple of days before it got trashed again. This was located up at the Victoria end of the High Street. Down the other end near the Royals, is this...

...you won't get me trying to walk in heels like that LOL...

 ...and for some reason, this one has remained intact.
For those of you who know Southend-on-Sea, you will be familiar with this view from the very end of the High Street...

...that is Southend Pier. In it's heyday it was not only the longest pier but it had a large theatre at the end, amusement arcades and was always bustling with life. Sadly the theatre burnt down many years ago and the pier is not quite so long because a commercial shipping vessel tried to sail through it. The grey building that you see on the left-hand edge of the photo has a viewing platform and look what I could see...

...another wicker flower arrangement - this time in the shape of a big wheel.
I'm also travelling to Chelmsford a couple of times a week for work and they often have market stalls along the pedestrianized High Street. They also have this...

 ...sorry for the wonky photo, but I was trying to fit it all in without the sun catching the lens.
Here's what it is all about...

 ...and here is a view with my back to the sun. Isn't he a bright and cheery creature...

 ...just perfect for the bright sunny weather.
Back in Stratford where I normally work, the "flower trees" are coming along a treat...

 ...which is more than can be said for the building work going on in the background...

 ...they really have bushed up beautifully...

...and are looking more impressive from the office window.

Do they do "stuff" down your High Street and if so, why not share some photos.........................