Dolly's Dreamings

Want a new window - I'm your gal!

Over the last two days we have become quite expert at double glazing.

Have questions about the construction?

The gas?

The thermal rating?

The guarentee?

Steel or not steel?

Different seals?

Multi point locking systems?

 

Ask us - we know it all and what every company in the world (or so it seems) offers and why we should choose them.

In all seriousness it is a nightmare. A real nightmare.

We want to update and replace a large patio door window and the difference in price is huge - I mean thousands.

And the salesmen are all different too. And it is really hard not to be swayed by the salesmen. And if I am honest the best salesman is the company we are leaning towards at the moment. We have had a mix of the big companies like Anglian, Everest and Safestyle and locals too (and comments people have are really really gratefully received)

 

Window hell!

 

Consequently I have spent hours listening to swish presentations - or not so swish in several cases - and little else.

 

In other news the exhibition at the Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park is going well. I spent a very pleasant day there. The art work on show from the group I belong to is superb. There are so many talented artists. I am very envious of their skills. I have two pieces made over 20 years ago on exhibit (the only two pieces I had) but do have a lot of my frames and plaques on display and for sale int eh jewellery cases. It's well worth a visit - it's on until Monday - and is free. What's not to like.

 

We also had another cinema trip - this time very different - a film called Get Out. It had a very unsatisfactory ending but boy did it make me jump several times. Quite a thriller.

I do have some new scrapping to share though - this is the new Pickled Pairs kit from Pickleberrypop for April.

 

 

I had great fun with it and this is what I came up with.

 

 

There is also a 50% off offer on a glorious spring collection by Dawn Inskip here

 

and I made this

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• two of us trying to make hard decisions - and the fact when one is going round in circles the other is OK.
• pros and cons lists
• new hobbies and interests - people said I'd be bored when I retired. I don't have a moment spare and I am LOVING my new life (apart from the windows)

 

So, from the local double glazing advisory service - I bid you farewell for today. Have a great weekend everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny old thing ain't it

Isn't it funny how one job leads to another.

The new balcony lead to a mess of other stuff.

New surfacing on the deck

New artificial trees to pretty it up

New patio furniture and - finally - biting the bullet on new patio doors out onto the blasted thing. Once everything around it is new and shiny - literally - it shows up the other issues. We have wanted to replace for a couple of years - it's now quote city here. How can prices vary so much and how can they halve the price, suddenly, when you don't bite! Scary olf stuff.

 

Talking about halving the price - Dawn has a mess of new goodies on at 50% off today - just check her store here for Give Life Meaning

 

 

I tell you, there are days when laughter is all that keeps us sane.

This week is an insanely busy week. OK i tis an insanely busy retirement week. I'd have taken weeks like this in my stride when working - they wouldn't even have registered on the scale. Life changes.

 

Today I am thankful for

• bumping into an old school friend I haven't seen since we were 16 - and the odd thing is she recognised me!
• new challenges
• home improvement ... I think

 

 

Fed up of falling to sleep at 11.00 and then waking at 2, 3, 4 5 and 6 . EVERY night!

 

Film heaven

We are loving having joined a cinema club - we probably went to the cinema all of twice in the whole of 2016. Oscars come round and if we have heard of one of the films we are doing well.

This month we joined a cinema club and have been to see 5 films in 10 days. Admittedly we are playing catch up at the moment with films that have been out for a while, but we are loving it and have a list of those coming out we will plan to see. We thought we would try it for a while and see what we think. It makes for cheap nights out and heck - with what I have saved on fraps so far since Ash Wednesday I am quids in!

We have seen Hidden Figures,  Lion, Beauty and the Beast, Power Rangers (Oh yes - we would never have seen that if we were not part of the club and it was good fun)  and Viceroy's House. We enjoyed every one and we are already looking forward to understanding what the oscars are about this time.

 

It is new release day at Pickleberrypop and I had fun working with Jumpstart your April by Jumpstart Designs

 

This is what I made with it - the word art was so apt as it was the first photo taken after I left work!

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• kindness in stores - we went to buy a new balcony set of armchairs and table and if we had gone a day later it was 10% off. We asked if they would put it by for us as it was the last one and then we could buy it with the discount tomorrow and they said no, it seemed unfair to make us come back and we could have the discount today. How kind
• films - great fun.

 

I thought these, spotted on line, were very funny. How people in bookstores amuse themselves. they are very clever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check up from the neck up

Been a busy old day today

We have been looking for new flooring and furniture for the swish new balcony and also I had the dentist to fit the new crown (It isn't quite right but am assured it will bed in) and an eye check up. The results on the eyes were good. No further degeneration and though the pressures are still high and the 'cup' is large no glaucoma yet. So all good news

 

Barb you asked if I made my own clusters on the page and the answer is yes. Not all of the clusters I ever use are my own, though most are, as some of the designers also have clusters as part of their kit. However it is almost never that I use a prepared cluster as is. If I use on I almost always add and amend it.

I have new scrapping to share today which is a release due out tomorrow from Kathryn Estry called Daisy Mae and it was such fun to use.

 

 

 

I love the folk art style bits. Look out for it in her Pickleberrypop store tomorrow.

 

Today I am thankful for

the care of various health workers - dentists, opticians, opthalmologists. We are very very lucky to have such good health care in this county.

Spring sunshine - first day the washing line went back out and the bedding was air dried. I stood int he late afternoon sun bringing it in and listening to dozens of birds in the garden and watching the cows grazing by the fence and though how good life is.

 

 and today ... from t'internet .... some brilliant brilliant fancy dress costumes. Well they made me smile

 

Internet explorer

 

 

 

Jon Snow White

 

 

 

Gravity

 

and this was amazing - a man in a hurricane (no wind blowing on the man when the photo was taken )

 

50 shades of grey

 

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Lovely weekend

I have been busy living and relaxing and totally forgot to blog. 

We have had a very busy time with a huge event nIgel was preparing and running ... A benefit meeting for Darcy Ward. He did a truly amazing job in true true Nigel style. So much preparation and awesomely run. The opening was an absolute triumph ... He is the ultimate showman. 16 Harley Davidsons, pyrotechnics, all beautifully planned and choreographed. Sadly the bad weather caused track issues and the racing had to be abandoned after 8 heats. I felt so sorry for Nigel after all his planning that it was marred by something out of his control, but he could feel truly proud of all he had done. I was terrifically proud of this marvellous man I get to share my life with. 

 

The next day we were running a craft fair stall which went really really well, but we were shattered. 

Today we headed off to Dorset countryside and it was an amazing,y beautiful spring day. We feel blessed to live in what has to be the most beautiful county ... Well we think so. 

 

 

 

 

As I am doing this on my laptop no scrapping today but I have a new drawing to share ... Elephants this week. 

 

1. 

Today I am thankful for 

• an amazing husband
• cards from my fur babies 
• a fun film at the cinema ... POwer Rangers
• beautiful Dorset villages 
• spring sunshine 
• a successful craft fair 

Much better in the light of day

Now I have seen the new balcony int he light of day and it is clean and looking lovely I am a much happier girl. The shock was considerable. It is so much lighter and just feels very exposed, but ti is beautiful and we will get used to it. It has modernised the house considerably.

 

I have new scrapping today from both Dawn and Pickleberrypop

 

Dawn has a new collection out in time for Mother's Day called a Mother's Love

 

 

I always find mother's day quite hard - I don't have my beloved Mom any more (and I cannot believe I am almost the same age as she was when she died ... far far too soon and too young) and so whilst I miss her every single day, mother's day is doubly hard.

So this page is a tribute to my Angel Mom. Sadly Mom died in 1990, long before I became a scrapbooker, and pictures of us in later years are few and far between. I so wish I had more photos of her and had recorded more of her stories. Hug those you love, hold them tight, take pictures of them, record their stories and cherish every moment. You never know when it will be the last. 

 

 

Missing my mom is coupled with the fact that we were never blessed with children - other than our wonderful fur coated ones of course. I have however been exceptionally blessed with wonderful god-children.  I was only 14 when Sam was form and I became a god-mother. Her mom is my surrogate mom in every sense and I am blessed that she calls me daughter and treats me as such too. Sam is like the daughter we never had and we are so very close. She is, in every sense, family ... family is about more than blood. She is a terrific person and a truly wonderful Mom too.

 

 

One of the greatest gifts of my life was my God-don James. His Mom is one of my best and oldest friends - we have been friends since we were 11. She asked me to be her birth partner and I was so thrilled to be there and to help deliver James into this world. Nigel and I are both god-parents to this incredible boy ... well man now. He is very very special and the bond he has with Nigel is incredible. He has never known his own father and Nigel is, in every sense, the father figure in his life. He is getting married this year and it is such a tribute to their special relationship that he has asked Nigel to be his best man. What an honour. This page records the day he was born. He was about an hour old.

 

 

I also have some new things from Pickleberrypop - this time Time Traveller by Heartrings Scrap Art

 

 

 

It was fun to play with and I made two pages

This first has pictures of us in Death Valley. I could do with a little of that warmth right now.

It was 124 degrees in the shade - but great fun to explore ... largely from an air conditioned car. I remember that when we stayed at Furnace Creek Ranch even the cold water was warm as the pipes underground became heated.

 

The second was using a photo we had taken at Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park - it was such fun to dress up as if we were in the Wild West

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the special people who have touched my life and made it so much richer
• my new balcony

 

 

 

 

More lush pickles

Today hasn't been a great day in the great scheme of things.

I am not good at having work done on the house and it has all been left in a bit of an unfinished state which I am not happy with. The company were quick to take our business, the work was due in January or early February but they were too busy - it took 5 hours in total!!! We were patient and waited and waited, communication was bad. Until they came to send the invoice - within five minutes of supposedly finishing the job. It was a lot of money and it has left a bit of a sour taste in our mouths to be honest. We will see what tomorrow brings. If I spend that sort of money on a job I don't expect to spend time cleaning up and having a brand new product left in a dirty state.

 

However, on to nicer and prettier things - the Pickle Barrel sale is still on at PBP.

 

 

This is the amazing collection by Fayette Designs which I loved

 

 

 

 

and this is what I made with it - the first one I have been able to scrap of my beautiful model with her fella.

 

 

and the amazing collection by Jumpstart Designs - I absolutely loved the folk art feel of this - just gorgeous

 

 

 

and this is what I made with this collection

 

 

Today I am thanklful that

• the workmen have gone (I think)
• that the job is done (I think)
• that it is OK (I think)
• that I had a few hours at art to take my mind off my worries

and Jacky I didn't see the coverage on TV until today and am mortified I was in the shot! Not as sad as Nigel - he hosted and MC'd the whole event and wasn't even seen!

 

 

 

Proud of my man today

It is fair to say I am always proud of Nigel - but I was especially proud of him today as it was press day at the stadium and he was, of course, the MC, introducing everyone - riders, team, sponsors, promoters. And, as always, he did a great job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news my balcony is now unsafe! They came today and removed the wrought iron balcony ready for the install of the new glass and steel balcony. Very exciting - or at least it will be when it is done.

 

News of scrapping too

The Pickle Barrel is open

 

I have been so lucky to work with a lot of the collections this month. You need to go and check them out NOW - they are awesome and the deal of the whole pack for $6 is very limited and believe me - they are stuffed full full full of goodies.

This is Happy Easter by Dita B Designs

 

 

and I really liked this page made with it and also using the templates by Miss Mel, also on offer in a  6 pack

 

 

 

 

 and this is Hello Spring by Eudora Designs

 

 

 

 

I will share more of them tomorrow and there are some stunning collections to come - but go check them out for yourselves here

 

Dawn also has collections on sale today at 50% OFF  but today only  and they include The Happiest place on earth collection and the Special Edition Collection #1

and of course her retirement sale is still on -so head to Dawn's store too

 

I made these with the special offers today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• workmen (I think!)
• being free and so able to go see Nigel perform!

 

 

 

lots of things to do today

Today has been lovely again. Yesterday was rubbish - wind and rain and cold. Today spring int he air again and beautiful sunshine.

I went for a walk with a friend first things - good to keep those steps up - and then had to pop into town.  I was really pleased I saw a set of 4 storage boxes in The Works reduced to £12 from £20. They are a very similar colour and pattern to my beautiful fabric covered boxes I use for Craft Fairs and as my stock has grown they were just what I needed. They go a treat and so I spent an hour re-sorting all of my craft fair stock. I am now beautifully organised.

Nigel and I were both back home for lunch and then - as it was so lovely - we hit the garden. I raked and hoed and weeded and Nigel mowed. No matter how much raking and weeding I do it never looks anything until he does the lawn and then it looks wonderful. Our green refuse bin is full - largely of grass and pine needles and pine cones and our grass looks like grass again. I have only done three borders. Loads more to do but I am old and aching and enough for today.

 

I have new scrapping to share - things that are about to be released any moment now.

It is Pickle Barrel time and the kits are and collections are amazing. I have been lucky to work with so many of them this month - all in thesame colour palette but all so very very different.

 

The first one to share with you is from JoCee Creations, a new designer to Pickleberrypop

 

 

and I used one of Miss Mels Pickle Barrel Vintage Love templates too

 

 

and this is what I made with it

 

 

a poignant page at the moment as I have given fraps up for Lent (and it's hard - believe me)

 

Today I am thankful for

• a lovely walk
• spring sunshine
• a neat ... well neater ... garden

 

 

Wonderful films

We have seen two films in two days ... unheard of for us.

 

Last night we went to see Lion - I know we are a little behind on that one but we never usually go to the cinema ... that will change as we have now joined a cinema club.

We were really impressed with Lion. It was harrowing ... thinking of the lives those poor children living on the streets. I thought the cinematography was fabulous and the little boy was a superb actor.  We haven't seen any of the Oscar winners so I have no idea what the other films were like but I can't believe this didn't win oscars.

Today we went to see Beauty and the Beast and it was terrific. It is one of my favourite animated films and I was worried about how it would translate to live action. I was thrilled. I thought it was a truly beautiful film - just lovely. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. And the cinema was almost empty.

 

So no scrapping time today - but I do have new scrapping to share made a few days ago.

 

 

We loved the barns we saw and I wanted to record them.

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• wonderful films to enjoy
• cut hair ... it'll grow :(