Dolly's Dreamings

A Disney Day

I have had fun this afternoon making something Disney related which is novel for me as I haven't done anything Disney for a long time.

We haven't visited since 2018 and we have no plans to go back for the foreseeable future. we feel very much that we had the best years of Disney - the years when parks were quieter, when it was for kids, when it was not just a money grab where after the price of your ticket you had to pay for extras if you wanted a good experience like reserved seating, dessert parties, after hours etc etc. We liked Disney when it was about the magic and the rides and the characters not about the food and - seemingly more important - the drink. We liked it when Disney MGM (it will never be Disney Studios) was about movies and how they were made and when EPCOT was about education. We liked it when Disney service was world class, when others aspired to have the sort of service Disney saw as the norm.

Don't get me wrong, we loved our Disney vacations and the memories we have will never tarnish nor fade, we just don't feel the need to go these days.

Anyhow I digress. Cal Summers from paper Scissors Story and The Scrap Lab  designs the most amazing mini books - and not so mini books. She is hosting the challenges this month at For the Love of Pretty Paper and this week it was making a 12" x 12" folder.

I wasn't sure what to create but then it came to me. We have been to Disney World and Disney Land some 18 times and every trip we collect the maps and bring them home and we love looking at them to see how the parks have changed over the years (not always for the better but heck) so I decided to make a thicker box file so I could keep all the Disney maps in one place.

 

This is what I came up with.  It is full 12" x 12" size and it 2 1/2" thick so will hold loads.

 

 

 

That picture is it closed and this is the flap open

 

 

I used loads of stitching and foam pads so it has lots of relief and texture

 

 

 

 

and this is the best I could get to show it standing up so you can see how thick it is

 

 

 

It was a fun way to spend an afternoon and in fairness really simple to make. It was the decorating that took the time.

 

Do go check out Cal's store in the first link - posted again here 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the generosity of others who teach great classes
• Disney - I might not go any more but I still love my memories of it

 

 

And these are my find today - a lady called Tania Lisova who make tiny perfect bouquets  - such skill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a bit of a Disney mood

I guess the title of this post is a bit of a given.

I am always in a Disney mood.

 

Having scrapped a few Disney pictures the other day I felt it was time for more.

There are always more Disney pictures to scrap and I am guessing that each time we visit there will be more still.

It is not unusual for us to come home with a couple of thousand pictures even though we have been so many times. There is always something new to take a picture of - and lots of things we already have pictures of but hey - that's the beauty of digital cameras, isn't it.

 

I was born at a time when photographs were for something special and most fo the pictures I have from my childhood are from birthdays, Christmas and family holidays. We really didn't take many photos as the film and developing was expensive and well, you just didn't. It wasn't unusual to have a film int he camera all year and it would last for birthday and Christmas before filling up the shots - often on a 24 roll, a 36 if you were feeling flush. When I had my own camera in my teenage years I was still frugal with the shots but there were pictures of days out too. I used to send my pictures off to Tru-Print and there was always the excitement of getting them back in the post. And you go three prints of each shot - there would be the main photo and two small pictures, I am guessing something like 2" x 2". It was an expensive hobby though and I remember when we went on our first trip to Florida in 1993 we came back with about 8 rolls of 36 photos (amazing that we went the Disney for what we thought was the only time we would ever go and came back with under 300 pictures) and we couldn't afford to get them all developed at once. We did 4 rolls one month and 4 the next. And then in a  roll of 36 you would find maybe 20 that were good and that you would put in one of those wonderful sticky photo albums that would destroy your precious photos.

How times change eh!

 

But I also think it is sad that many photos now only exist digitally. They never get printed and shared. I guess that is one of the things I love about our wonderful hobby of scrapbooking. I have also started making a conscious effort to make photo books of some of our holidays.

I did a massive photo book of 120 pages of our WOW tour last year and also another 120-page book of various other holidays from the past 10 years. We also did a wildlife one of all our best animal photos. I thought these were quite expensive but they are not when you consider the past costs. I buy them on sale and usually spend about £40 on a 120-page book which can quite easily house 300+ photos. Consider 36 rolls of film was about £4 and developing was about £6 making £10 for 36 photos and it makes you realise getting digital photos printed is very reasonable. Plus it means the pictures get looked at and shared.

 

Anyway, I digress terribly. I was in a Disney mood the other day and so have been scrapping more Disney pictures. This is the last couple of days work.

 

 

Splash mountain is just about my all-time favourite ride anywhere in Disney World ... though I also love Everest and Tower of Terror. The photo is from the final scene of the ride.

 

The picture of Nigel is still Disney but it is Disneyland from last year's holiday - outside the Haunted Mansion which has a Halloween Overlay.  I couldn't find the right embellishments but I happened upon the papers with the little cameo type detail which echoes (in my mind anyway) the portraits and roundels you see inside and the chandelier block at the bottom just seemed very haunted mansion. 

 Finally not strictly Disney but still Disney. We stayed at the Anaheim Majestic Garden lst year and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. They had a shuttle bust that took you to the parks and it was by far the nicest bus we saw of any resort - even the Disney resorts and it was so regular. Brilliant service.

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the first trip in 1993 NOT being our last. It  was booked by fluke actually as we were meant to be going to visit Nigel's brother in New England but he then said that Nigel's other brother was going to stay and as he had never been before they were going to stay with them when we were going so could we no longer come at that time. Perhaps go another time.  We couldn't and didn't want to change our dates so we looked for an alternative holiday. I went to a travel agent and came back with a load of options such as Italy, RHine cruises etc and said ... or we could go to Florida. We had never been and always felt Walt Disney World wasn't REAL Disney - we had already been to Disneyland twice. In the end, we decided to take a punt on Walt Disney World. Oh, my - we have never looked back. It is home from home.
• Digital cameras - giving us the chance to record the mundane things as well as the special.

 

 

 

 

 

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Still playing catch up

I have yet more pages to share of my weekly drudge ... I mean joyous scrapping challenge of a page a week for a year!

I also have some new paper scrapping - but onto the weeklies first

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am happy they are getting done and I know I will enjoy the finished book when it is all printed up - sometimes things that are good seem like chores at the time but the pay off is worth it.

 

I also have a paper page to share ... I am still scrapping pages for our WOW tour trip last year to Washington, Oregon and California and this is another of California Adventures. I cannot explain how much I loved that park. We thought we wouldn't like it - but we loved it. It was exceptionally hot and we enjoying sitting o n he trolley for a while and riding round that park.

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a hobby which brings me so much pleasure and safeguards our memories.

 

and I saw these on the internet - some outrageously amazing ... and strangely disturbing makeup photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A busy few days

Life has a much gentler pace these days and sow hen things get a little busy - you notice it. And it only has to be a little busy.

Things that I would fit in after work suddenly seem to fill the day! Daft really.

The weather has been so changeable too. Yesterday we sat on a bench at Lake Pier eating our lunch in the sunshine. Today has been cold and very very wet. Tomorrow - heck who knows!!!

 

I went to a card making class today which was great fun and something I haven't done in years and years. I made three cards and learnt a  new use for the long abandoned perfect pearls.

Yesterday was also a frantic TV day as I hadn't realised series 13 of Gray's was on Now TV and it was only on for three days by the time I looked so I binged watched the series. I do love Grey's.

 

For no reason other than I could I made another page for the California Disneyland album - a double ... so unusual for me.

 

 

 

 

I loved the fact the characters were so accessible at Disneyland compared to Disney World.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a new class - great fun
• sunshine - though I wish the weather were a little more predictable
• Nigel's patience. He is a saint ... believe me.

and today's offerings - just great photos from some awfully clever people. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quiet few days in Tupperware

It's been a quiet few days here and the weather has been pretty rubbish.

 

My favourite Bill Bryson quote - again - it is like living in tupperware ... grey and damp and drizzly.

 

We did manage to enjoy Nigel's birthday though at our favourite beach restaurant -  though not the weather to enjoy it really.

 

I have new scrapping to share - another Disney page for the Magical Scrapbook class. This one of the African drummers in Harambe int he Magic Kingdom. Straight as a die really but not photographed well.

 

 

 

 

I also can share this page now - I was let down on UKS by the challenger again so had to set the challenge myself ... it's a good job I keep pages ready for the unexpected.

 

This is another for the WOW tour album as it is from Disneyland.

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• pampered feet
• central heating
• fresh baked bread - house smells fabulous

 

 

So much scrappiness

So for Digital Scrapbook Day there are some awesome bargains around at allt he stores but I am biased and suggest you check out Dawn Inskip and Pickleberrypop.

 

Dawn has an awesome new collection out called Mysterious and the colours are awesome.  There are papers and overlays but these are the elements

 

 

I couldn't resist using it to make another page about our trip to the Harry Potter Studios Tour at Levesden and I adore Snape so much (Alan Rickman is such a sad loss)

 

 

Over at Pickleberrypop they have loads of glorious $2 mini packs available and they are seriously luch. I have two to share today .

There is a collection of minis by Created by Jill called Nothing but Blue Skies

 

This is what I made with the various mini packs from the series - so much fun to play with

 

 

 

and I also played with A Night to remember by Dita B which is just gorgeous and floaty and pretty

 

 

So go have fun snagging bargain digitial kits - I know I have! It's bee n he only part of my day that has been fun really. My DVD drive failed so have now picked up a replacement, Tesco were out of a whole mess of things on my list and the rail in my wardrobe has broken and I have clothes everywhere until Nigel gets home to fix it. So they are my excuses for shopping!!! and I am sticking to them

 

Today I am thankful for

• it being the wardrobe and not me that broke
• a replacement DVD sources free and quickly (thank goodness for warranties)
• sales!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper today

It's been beautiful today - I don't know why people always rave about the gorgeous weather we have in September saying it is an Indian Summer. My recollection is that it is OFTEN beautiful in September.

From heating on last week it is back to shorts and t shirts and the balcony today. Warm, sunny and beautiful.

I have a paper page to share today made with the new sketch on Stuck

 

It is another for our 2016 WOW America album, this time from California Adventures that we thought we wouldn't like and we loved it. Apart from Radiator Springs - which was exceptional - this was our favourite area of the park - Grizzy Peak.

 

 

I also have my latest LSNED to share

 

 

and finally this page made with a superb collection by Tiramisu Designs called Hello September.

 

 

The photos were taken at Westonbirt Arboretum - I would like to visit again one day.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a beautiful day
• exploring
• our balcony - I do love it

 

 

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so glad it is over

Today has been a horrid day and I am so glad it is over.... finally.

Anglian came back again - this is an ongoing saga that has been going on since April and ... finally ... I think we are done. The door is incredibly stiff but we will live with it. The bad bits have been fixed and I just don't want workmen here again for a very very long time. The entire triple patio door had to come out again. The mess, the noise, the worry. Horrible.

In addition to that - and with dustsheets throughout the house and two vans on the drive, a lorry pulled up with our replacement suite. Our new suite had to be re-made as it was made of two different leathers. The new one is now in and fine and now pretty much everything that we have had done this year that went wrong has been corrected.

Balcony - up, down, up again and now fine

 

Roof - fine, leaking, refelted, fixed

 

Artificial grass - down, up, down, up, down, up and finally down

 

Patio doors - in, our, in, adjusted, out, in, out, in

 

Three piece suite - in, out, in

 

Kitchen windows in - end caps to be refitted then we are done!

 

Oh boy - what a year. Done now. Not doing any more 'home improvements' as it often doesn't improve the home. House now deep cleaned, cats comforted (it has been hard ont hem) all fixtures and fittings back. Champagne tonight.

 

I tried to scrap today to relieve the stress. It didn't. But this is the page I made anyway.

 This the first September challenge for Stuck Sketches and it is a page for the Disneyland Holiday. Mary Poppins was just such a bright vibrant section of the parade and the sketch worked well for it.

 

 

 

 

It was nice to scrap a happy colourful page (using very old Basic Grey)

 

Today I am thankful for

• today being over
• the house being restored
• hopefully the end of the workmen ... well at least indoors.
• my wonderful husband who manages to deal with the work and my anxieties

 

 

some more of those bar codes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling a little better

It's been a rough couple fo days - not been feeling brilliant but seem much better today and more myself. Long may it continue.

 

I had a lovely time at art and have started a beach picture I have been wanting to do. It may not be the best work of art ever but i am having fun with it.

 

I will share once it is looking a little more like a picture which it is not yet!

 

I do have new scrapping to share though - made whilst I was away with the Scrappy Cats (yes the perfect team for me!)

 

 

I knew if I took red and white and black I would be able to make something Disney so it was an easy thing to take. This was the trolley car show we loved in California Adventures. You seemed to be able to see the characters so much more easily in California - I remember when it used to be like that at WDW ... there was no crowd to see this show at all. It was great.

 

Today I am thankful for

• feeling better
• a bit of sunshine
• art

 

 

Fab retreat

I had a lovely weekend away at a wonderful retreat with my team mates on UK Scrappers.

It was a small group but all the nicer for that as I was the only one who hadn't met everyone before so it was a ncie gentle introduction (I was very nervous) I didn't need to be be nervous as they were such a lovely group of ladies. It was great fun - I haven't been on a retreat or even to a crop for so many years - I had forgotten how nice it was to scrap with others.

There were some great challenges, some super tools to share and try out, so beautiful views and super food but most of all just some great company. Thank you one and all but especially Jemma for oganising it all so well, sorting out kits and challenges and prizes.

 

The Royal Agricultural University was a beautiful place to stay. The bedrooms were all en suite and modern and the crop room was perfect but there were some glorious old buildings too.

 

This was a beautifully decorated pub in Cricklade where we popped for a bit of retail therapy at a craft shop

 

 

On route to having photos taken - we just missed the rain

 

 

Beautiful old building

 

my room

 

 

um - a little light breakfast!!!

 

 

more beautiful buildings

 

Everything is all put away (yes I am very anal about that) and I am pleased with the layouts I made. Good points for our team this weekend me thinks.

 

This is one of the pages I made at the retreat - apologies that I have taken the photo badly and so it looks like the borders are not even - they are ... promise.

 

It is very much not a 'me' page but I consciously took bright papers away with me knowing I don't like using them and thinking if that was all I had I would have to use them. And I did!

 

Today I am thankful for

• a wonderful retreat
• meeting people I have been friends with on line in real life and having a  great time
• driving Ruby all by myself for hours (the thrill never gets old)
• resting in my own bed - I am suffering at the moment.