Hello .... is there anybody there?

Hello there ........ Happy weekend to you.

That's if any of you are still visiting my poor old neglected blog.

What can I say ..... it's been a while!  

Such a lot has happened since my last post, way back at the beginning of July.  

I think this has been the longest break I've had from blogging since I started this journey back in 2012.  

It's also been a break from craft too, I haven't spent any time in my craft room except to de-stash the place, which I seemed to be doing on a regular basis.  

Hopefully that's all done now though, and I think I'm actually ready to start using what's left in there ...... that's if I can remember what everything's for!

I won't bore you with all the details of the last 12 weeks, just to say life hasn't been boring!  Lots of family time spent here on the island, with birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries and all that, and the odd BBQ here and there.  School holidays have been and gone,  we welcomed our new ferry to the island .... the Manxman.

It looks like a cruise ship.  We haven't had the pleasure of sailing on her yet but hopefully it won't be long

I don't know if I've mentioned before about hubby's back pain he's had for a while.  Well,  he finally got to see someone about it, had an MRI scan and was quickly referred to a specialist spinal surgeon in Liverpool a few weeks ago.   We thought he was going to have to have surgery but, thankfully he doesn't need it ....... that was such a relief!  

Funnily enough, his back got considerably better when he was made redundant from his job at the end of August.  Something that wasn't in our immediate plans but hey!, it didn't really come as too much of a shock.   

These things happen I suppose, and I'm sure something new will crop up.  As one door closes another one opens, isn't that what they say.   

Plus, the surgeon did say at the time, the best treatment he could recommend for Stephen's back was ...... to change his job!!  Well that's seemed to work.

It does mean that we can spend more time in the motorhome though .... every cloud!

Speaking of which, we have just got back from our latest trip ..... the Cotswolds, Somerset, North Wales and Chester this time.  We enjoyed some of that glorious Indian summer that was in the UK which was nice.

Lauren and Alex joined us for a few days in Somerset before he went back to school.  It's years since we've been there but it hasn't changed much.

We visited Cheddar Gorge and the caves ......

Climbed Jacobs Ladder ...... all the way to the top (well, they did!)

We went to Wookey Hole ...... just look at all that cheese!

And we also had a day in Bath ....... Alex enjoyed his trip around the Roman Baths 

and, he learned to use chopsticks in a Japanese restaurant.  If you're ever in Bath, and you love Japanese food you need to try out Robun ...... the food was amazing!!

We also met up with Chris, Myra and Arthur on this trip.  

We spent the day at Chester Zoo for Arthur's 2nd birthday.  I can't believe he's two, he's growing up so fast.  

Craft wise, I've not much to report really.  I haven't been doing anything.  

I have been visiting my usual blogs occasionally, so I've been keeping up with most of you, a little bit. I always like to see what everyone is up to, and I love all the fabulous inspiration from you guys.

I do apologise for the lack of comments though.  I am looking to change that so you might see a little bit more of me now.  

I've also been keeping up with the new product releases, although I haven't actually bought that much, maybe that will change too once it starts to get a little more festive!

The only other bit of news I have is that I've stood down from the Sweet Poppy Stencils Design Team.  

It was a really hard decision for me to make, as it always is when leaving a design team, but, I felt it was the right time.

Now, for once in a very long time, there's no pressure or deadlines I need to work to.  I can take my time and explore through all my stash again, and create just for me! 

 

Don't get me wrong, I loved being on all the Design Teams I've been privileged to be part of, and I'm not saying that I don't want to do it all again,  just not right now.

I'm hoping that this break has done me some good and that I can enjoy spending time in my craft room again.  I've got some online workshops to complete, I want to do more in my journals and of course the 'C' word is on it's way so,  I need to start thinking about Christmas cards!  All inspiration will be gratefully received!

Well, I think that's it for now.  

Thanks for popping by.  

Have a lovely weekend and I hope to see you all again very soon.

Cheerio until next time .......