Oops ! Late December

The new year is a week old and I'm thinking about my Project 365/Life or whatever its called for 2014.  And I've just realised I haven't posted my December page.  This is for me rather than anyone else as in 2012 I somehow managed to delete my 12 monthly digital scrapbook pages but thankfully was able to retrieve them from my blog.  Anyway - here is December 2013 and I've been looking around for templates to start my 2014 project.

I've just ordered my 2013 photobook diary from Photobox.  I've been very pleased with everything I've had from them in the past (books, calendars, business cards, etc) so no reason to change I thought.  They aren't the cheapest but often offer great discounts so I'm taking advantage of the current 70% off.  My 2012 and 2013 books are both similar in design - scrapbook page on the right and one large photo on the left.  This style is useful as photobooks usually start with 24 pages.  But I haven't yet decided whether to stay with this or go for something different for the coming year.  Oh well, I've got till the end of January to decide.

August

Oh dear, I'm three days late with my vintage children for August.  However this is the last one.  Yes, can you believe it!  All twelve images from my old picture book Children Month by Month have now been posted.  I hope someone somewhere will want to use them.  They'd make a sweet addition to a photo calendar or a scrapbook page and of course they can be used for personalised birthday cards for children or even "baby boomers" who may remember a 50s childhood.  And how about a set of 12 cards made as a gift.

I made three cards this morning with the images printed out on thin card.  Fairly simple affairs - which is how I like it.  Of course it all depends on your taste in cards but I was thinking just the other day while in WH Smiths, before I started making cards I was always drawn to something simple - just a beautiful painting, photograph or illustration and not much else.  I really can't be doing with fol-de-rols!

 

As in all other posts, you can right click on the image, open in a new tab, enlarge and save to your computer.  Looking back I see I haven't tagged the posts and I'll try to get that done tonight so you can find the images easily. 

Happy May Day!

Will anyone be celebrating May Day today? Its not such a special day for children in 2012 (apart from a day off school next Monday) and I rather think little girls of today would run a mile rather than dress up in satin, flowers and silver paper crowns.  But in 1932 mid-Wales my Mum and her friends were chosen to represent their school at the May Queen Festival in Llandrindod Wells.

The programme of events included maypole dancing, music from the orchestra, a folk dancing competition and the entrance of the retiring queen's court (with a sword bearer, pages, Robin Hood, John Bull and Britannia amongst others) as well as the judging of the queens and crowning ceremony.  The winning Queen took home the Challenge Shield for her school to hold for 12 months and was presented with a gold brooch.  Mum came second and had a silver brooch, which I still have but can't put my hand on today.

The day came to a happy close with a May Queen Dance at the Grand Pavilion.  Dancing from 9.00 pm till 2.00 am to Macadam No 1 Dance Band.  (Refreshments at " moderate charges") :o)

And here is the May page from my vintage picture book series.  Today the blossom is still filling the trees but the daffodils are long gone - is this an indication of a changing climate?

Edit: Mum's just informed me I've got the dresses the wrong way round in the photo - the yellow should be green and the green should be yellow!   RATS!  Not changing it now though!

April Showers.........

Well I hope we do see some April showers as I don't think a drop of rain fell in March if my memory serves me right.  As this page from Children Month by Month hints, April should be a time for sowing seeds and I don't fancy lots of watering this early in the year!!

 But, can anyone explain to me how all ...................

THIS happens without me doing anything at all!

And it will happen again next year, and the year after, and the year after that.  The miracle of non-intervention!

Fleurs

Its Mum's birthday next week and I've been saving this image for her card. Its from one of my copyright-free books and as soon as I saw it I shouted "Its Us!" because it really does look like the artist has drawn me and my three sisters - a little enhanced and many years ago of course! I'd love to know whether it was for a book or just an illustration for a magazine. The only book I can think of is Little Women but they don't really look like Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy do they.

My new Papertrey stamps arrived yesterday - just in time for this card. I've used the new Garden Variety set for the border. And the lovely sentiment is from the 2010 Anniversary set which also arrived yesterday - aren't I lucky! They are both gorgeous sets.

And in case this image reminds you of your family too, I'm posting it below. I'd love to see if you use it in a project.
Click to enlarge then right click to save to your computer.

Wrap up Warm!

Here's another birthday card I made last week for one of our knitting group. Very apt for the weather we are enduring at the moment. This image (from a copyright-free book I have) would also make a sweet Christmas card I think - especially if it is accompanying a handknitted gift. You can copy the image at the bottom of this post.
We've been suffering below zero temperatures for over a week now and there is no end in sight according to the weather report I've just heard on the radio. Although the snow is beautiful when the sun shines we are now all rather fed up with trying to get about and keep warm. Sitting still crafting is very uncomfortable unless I wear about 5 layers and wrap a blanket round my legs. But this is nothing compared to the suffering of my garden birds. I'm feeding them every day of course but imagining how they manage to survive the long night - if they do - is not something I like thinking about. I was rather pleased to find our local pet shop had sold out of bird seed and peanuts last weekend - its nice to think so many people still want to help our birds in these difficult economic times. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this Collared Dove's partner hasn't succumbed to the cold as I didn't see it in the garden today!
Here's the image I used on my card - click on it then right click to save to your computer.

Edit: Just thought you might like to know the Collared Dove's mate is safe and sound and has been visiting over the past few days - which have been much less cold thank goodness!