My birthday week

T'was my birthday on Thursday and I was very lucky to spend at the The WI's Denman College in Oxfordshire.

My room ...



I was there as the College Host for the week, which meant I was there to assist with any problems and generally keep an eye on the students and visitors.

This turned out to be the main part of my job as Hazel Everett was there teaching a goldwork course and she always manages to have a classful of cheeky women! There was plenty of laughing going on, but their work was fantastic too.

It was incredibly busy at times but always great fun and I met some lovely people.

On my birthday everyone sang as I walked into the dining room for breakfast and there were lots of treats and surprises for me. I can think of no better way to spend a birthday than in beautiful, peaceful surroundings with dozens of (slightly crazy) women and having all your meals cooked for you!

Among my pressies I had a box of cucpcakes delivered from my friend Kat, Hazel's goldwork book, plenty of wine and sweeties and .... an experience day at Silverstone!

Hayley, Helen, Flower and my mum had coordinated to get me a session driving a single-seater at the track. I was so excited and overwhelmed with it all I was bawling like a baby!

Cupcakes ...



Needless to say I had an excellent birthday and a really lovely week.

On Thursday night I hosted a quiz for some of the students, which seemed to go down well, and we even got a bit of snow.

Denman in the snow ...







I'm back at Denman next month for a conference, then a further two times later this year for WI Adviser training.

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Musical birthday

Today's card was made as one of my mum's commissions for my uncle Alton, who is very musical. He plays all sorts of instruments and runs the local folk club so the Music Notes Wheel was just the ticket!

Again, design inspiration came from the lovely Vicky. Her cards never fail to amaze me!



I rolled the wheel in Versamark and then sponged over it with ink, but you can't see the resist effect in the pics. I added wheeling again in blue and black. The writing uses the Just Perfect Alphabet.



And here's the inside!

I hope he likes it! Must admit I don't usually make cards for all my relatives now. They get to see my work as my mum always buys all her cards off me anyway.

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Spring has sprung!

Could spring finally be here?! I don't want to jinx it, but now the sun is making an appearance and I have seen the first lot of crocus and daffodils poking their heads out into the world I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy!

It is my mum's birthday today, so yesterday I journeyed back down to Chester for a few days with the family. Nightmare on the trains, but worth it.

Here's the card I made for mum.




She likes daffodils, so I think this will go down well!


I created the flowers using the Growing Green stamps and a the 1/4" Circle Punch all folded and squashed up. Inspiration from the lovely Vicky once again! The stems are from Just Believe and I added bees from the SAB Sweet Summer set. Mum loves bees - she is known as Nanna Bee to the kids!

So for the rest of the week I will be working and spending time with the rellies. Tea at my bro's tonight to meet his new daughter, lunch with nanna and granddad tomorrow, tea with mum at the farm to see Bodd, then time with my dad and step mum.

Will be good to get back to Leeds on Friday for a rest!

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Happy birthday to me!

I had an amazing birthday yesterday, thanks to all my lovely freinds. I received a lot of gorgeous cards from, my family and my Stampin' Up! family as well as tonnes of cake and some super presents.

These are the cards from mummy Jules and my sisters/nieces! I am so proud to know such talented and thoughtful ladies.





And here are the cards from my "real" family. The general theme is cake, shayshos (hedgehogs) and cats.



Here are my presents from Hayley and Helen. A crocheted toilet roll cover, a funky padded picture and some cross stitch pattersn for tissue boxes.



And then there were these .... JLS condoms!



And this is the cake that Tessa made for breakfast!



Along with that, Chinese takeaway, Cava and more cake (Hayley's peanut butter delights) I felt rather sick by bedtime!

I had a great day though. Thanks again to everyone who sent a card or message - they mean a lot to me.

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