Scrubs up well!

So last week, Alexander attended Explorer Scouts formal Christams dinner.  This is a yearly event apparently and the idea is that everyone dresses up.

Considering that Alex is really not that bothered about his appearance, he wanted to wear a suit.. so a trip with Mum to M&S (due to the need for extra long trousers for my tall young man) resulted in a lovely grey 3 piece suit.

He definitely scrubs up well and the evening increased his confidence no end.

one photo, 20 words

Love this kid - loads!

Let's Get Sketchy Challenge

I'm on a roll today!  Do love a sketch to work from, which allowed me to complete this layout of Cassandra from 2015!  Only a few years behind..

This was the original sketch to work from... I kind of kept to it?!

http://letsgetsketchy.blogspot.com/2018/11/november-sketch-challenge.html

Sketches in Thyme Challenge

So I've found a way to scrapbook.. I do a little bit each time I'm passing my craft room!  Takes me forever to get a layout done, but it's better than nothing..

I completed this layout following the sketch #348 over at Sketches in Thyme and was quite pleased with the results, AND I got to use up photos of Alexander that I've been meaning too for ages.

http://sketchesinthyme.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Photo%20Sketch

One photo, 20 words

These 3 are my entire world.

All who wander...

I've decided that I like cut files.  This one was from Paper Issues that I put green cardstock behind and used buttons for the missing bits!

Perfect for the cut file/die cut challenge over at The Studio Challenges.

http://thestudiochallenges.blogspot.com/2018/11/4th-nov-cut-files-and-die-cuts.html

It's happening!!!!

So I had some WONDERFUL news yesterday..

Being the determined individual that I am, and despite a few setbacks, I'm thrilled to say that as of September 2019, I shall be training to become a wonderful TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!

Just not quite at this mathematical level!

My Sargent Stoat..

Life is just getting in the way of my creativity, but today, with all beasties out doing activities and the hubby too, I've grabbed an hour or so to get some challenges done.

In Year 6 after SATS, the kids are just biding their time until the Summer Holidays and moving onto Secondary school.  One event they do get to do though is the Year 6 Leaver's Production.  The year Alexander left it was Wind in the Willows and he was cast as Sargent Stoat.  We kitted him out and he really got into character.

So I'm entering this layout into Sketch and Scrap's challenge
https://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/2018/11/sketch-n-scrap-164.html

AND

The Scraproom Blog who have almost the identical sketch from Lisa Hidy
https://thescraproomblog.blogspot.com/2018/11/november-jumpstart-sketch-challenge.html?m=1

Getting good at carving....!

So this year, Nicholas asked everyone what they wanted to carve and printed pictures off.

Everyone did their own this year and I think they came out brilliantly!

One photo, 20 words

Love my special boy - loads

Up with the tent!

So this weekend, Alex spent the night at Scarefest, held at Scouting HQ - Gilwell. 

Despite the cold and wind, he was in good spirits when I dropped him off and I left him putting up his tent!

Let's hope it doesn't rain too much!

By the River...

I've wanted to visit the Paper Mill lock, Chelmsford way for ages, kept saying I'd take the beasties and so last week Mum came over and we all went.

We had a lovely walk along the river seeing the names of all the boats, and I was a tad disappointed the boat ride we could of had ends at the end of summer, but the Tearooms more than made up for it.

A lovely afternoon out!

Winter Challenge

The October Challenge theme over at Archiscraps, is "Winter" and this is their pic for inspiration.

I'm a tad behind on my snow layouts, but I was quite pleased how this one came out and have decided to enter it into their competition.

The boys loved it when we visited Winter Wonderland up in London.  We even stayed until late, so they saw everything all lit up.

Challenge runs until end of October.

http://archiscraps.blogspot.com/2018/09/october-challenge.html

A new pony..

Cassandra has been fulfilling her wish of horse riding for quite a while now, on a wonderful pony called Ashdene Primrose - Prims for short.

She loves her, completed Pony Camp in the summer on her and rides her twice a week.  However, Prims has been quite poorly and her owner has decided to retire her until next Spring.  Cassie is of course devastated, but she still wants to ride.

So.... we went through the process of trying to find her another loan pony and we've settle on a lovely boy called Eddie!

 She had her first lesson on him yesterday where he's stabled at Dollyman's Farm, Wickford way.

Not only did she trot him, she cantered too.

I hope this will be the start of another good relationship!

Time on the water

I'm so pleased that Alexander decided to stay on to Explorers after Scouts, as he went paddleboarding with them the other week to Skreens.

 He finally managed to stand up on the board and paddle around the lake!

Good times.