Sunday 12 June 2011

Staycation end!

I can't believe that nine days have passed since I started my 'staycation'. We actually had our final day of holiday trips yesterday when we went to a special diesel day at the Peak Railway.  Alex loves Diesels and was so excited to be going on a diesel train.  Our train was the first one of the day and as such it was a 'top and tailer' so we were able to watch the second diesel being coupled to the train. 
It just goes to show what looking cute and cheeky can do...by waving at the driver Alex was allowed to go in the cab of the engine much to his fascination and delight.
It was a lovely train ride through beautiful countryside past one picturesque station and a good final trip of the week for us. The only slight marr to the day and holiday is that Alex has come down with hand foot and mouth disease and has a mouth full of extremely painful ulcers so is struggling to eat and drink anything.
On many of our trips out we drove past Chatsworth House and I was hoping to get a good photo of it looking stunning in the lush green landscape, however, this was the view I had!  Not quite what I had in mind! Today we had the usual end of holiday day, washing, cleaning and food shopping, but no unpacking thanks to the joys of vacationing at home (as it is chucking it down with rain, I don't feel I have missed out on a days holiday either!). 
There was even some time for crafting for the first time in ages.  The first place I looked of course was the Less is More site!  I do love this challenge blog and have joined in every week since I discovered it on week 2.  This week the challenge was to frame it.  I masked out a square on my card and sponged tea bag and linen distress inks into the square, then stamped the heart in frayed burlap.  I then drew freehand round the square to create the frame and added the sentiment stamp (both stamps are Crafty Individuals which were free gifts). As the colour scheme is quite masculine I am also entering this card into SCSC 'male card' and Crazy4challenges 'masculine' challenges. Once again I would like to apologise to my fellow LIMettes and others...I am still finding it almost impossible to comment on anyones blog...I end up in a never ending circle of having to sign in again and again. I hope things will improve soon.
I have also made a Father's day card for my dad, and before you ask, No! He is not an alcoholic gambler!!  His favourite evenings pastime is a game of bridge with a glass of brandy hence the images on this card.  I followed this weeks Unscripted sketch and am entering this to The Crazy Challenge, Flourishes Timeless Tuesday, Delightful Challenges, Paper Play, Delicious Doodles, Sew Many cards, Speedy the cat's friends and Stamp, scrap and Doodle 'Father's Day' challenges and Stamp something 'punches' challenge. That is all from me for today...I am back to work tomorrow (boo hoo) providing Alex is well enough to go to nursery.  Have a great week everyone,
Love,
Caro
x

28 comments:

Kathyk said...

Two smashing cards, love your LIM one. Fab photos - looks like you and your staycation were lucky with the weather too

Kathyk

Netty said...

Lovely cards, Annette x

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

Fabby

Thanks for joining our "Male Card" challenge this week on SECRET CRAFTER SATURDAY CHALLENGE :)

Hugs Jane x

Pauline said...

Two lovely cards, a perfect Father's day card, and I love the detailed heart on the first.

Ang C said...

A great card for LIM

Glad you have had a great staycation

Suze Bain said...

Super LIM card, love the heart stamp. Hope wee Alex feels better soon. xx

Chrissie said...

Your LIM card is super Caro, I'm glad you love our challenge, it's very gratifying to hear that!
Thanks so much for another great submission.
Chrissie
Lady LIM
"Less is More"

Susan said...

Great card for the LIM challenge!
My Card

Anne said...

Love the cards Caro. Glad you had a lovely 'Staycation' We have been in Dorset for a week so I have a lot of washing to do. My Dh had won tickets for the Cosworth Airshow today. Would have been a nice end to our holiday. We went but the weather was atrocious and we braved it for a whil but were so cold and wet and decided to come home. Some of the events were cancelled as well. Hope Alex will soon be well. I have had a lot of trouble leaving comments and also getting onto my own dashboard. Anne x

mckinkle said...

Hello Caro,

Your staycation sounded perfect and I especially loved the thought of no unpacking with a weeks worth of dirty clothes for everyone!

Hope Alex feels a lot better very soon!

Super card for your Dad's Father's Day. The best bit about making our own cards is that they can be so personalised and you cant beat that!

Thanks for joining in with our Father's Day theme at Delicious Doodles this week!

Keryn :)

Mandi said...

Super card Caro
Seen lots of sponged edges this week
Lovely heart
Thank you
Diva LIM mandi
"Less is More"

Deborah Frings said...

Your holiday looks like it's been great fun!

Love the LIM card - very elegant, and I'm most impressed with a freehand frame!

Winnie and Patty said...

Caro--this is a wonderful Father's Day card for your Dad!!! I think he'll love it! Thanks for playing along with us at Speedy the Cat's Friends challenge this week!

sallysbitz2 said...

Looks like you had a fantastic day out.
Great cards too. Thanks for joining us @ Delightful Challenges & good Luck x

hugs sally x
sallysbitz.blogspot.com

Jenny said...

Hi Caro, Lovely cards, the heart in the frame is just beautiful :)
Lovely holiday pics too.
Have you tried un-clicking the 'stay signed in box' on the login page...it worked for most of us, now we can comment :)
Jenny x

Sarah said...

what a great male card. Thanks for playin along at sew many chllenges x sarah x

Silke Ledlow said...

Caro, your card is awesome! Thank you for joining us at the FTTC!

Thank you for sharing your staycation photos with us...so fun! Hugs ~S~

Billie A said...

Caro, Awesome card love the details and the whole image is wonderful. Thanks for joining Unscripted Sketches weekly challenge.

Teri said...

Perfect Fathers Day card hun! Hope Alex gets better soon.
Thanks for playing in the Delicious Doodles challenge this week, and good luck with the draw!
Hugs,
Teri x

Aileen said...

Super simple card, the heart is gorgeous. x

The Mama Monkey said...

You are so funny!! Cards and a little drink are the perfect companion! Great cards!

Thanks for playing with SSDS!

Carol Hurlock said...

Love your fabulous Father's Day card. My husband would love something like that because of the playing cards. How totally creative. Thanks so much for playing along with Speedy's Friends this week. It is a pleasure to come to view your work. Hope you can play with us again next week.

Bear Hugs,
Carol :O}

Heather Rogers said...

Fabulous creations. Thanks for joining us at FTTC. :)

tt.scraps said...

Great cards! Love the deck of cards!!! Really nice! Thanks for joining us on SSDS!!!
Hope you join again!
Tammy, SSDS DT

Colleen Dietrich said...

Caro, your dad should really love that card you made special, just for him. THanks for sharing it with Speedy's Friends!

Lou Mac said...

What a perfect CAS creation!! Thank you for sharing those awesome pictures too!

Thanks for joining us over at PaperPlay Challenges for our 'Father's Day/ Man's Card' Challenge this week. Good luck!

xo Lou Mac.

dstandard said...

Fabulous photos and two wonderful cards! Thanks for playing at Unscripted Sketches this week!

Becky Garrison said...

Great cards, and great take on this weeks sketch! Thanks so much for joining us this week at Unscripted Sketches!