Must see New York!

Howdy Folks!

Not something they would say in New York I'm sure!

I love New York. Well I do now. I visited back in 2002 and when we first arrived there I hated it. Nearly got run over by a yellow taxi near Grand Central Station on our first night and something like that sticks in your mind as not one of the best holiday memories. Anyway, over the week I warmed to the cosmopolitan lull of the city and also the nonchalance and sometimes rudeness of most of it's residents (who let's all be honest are just trying to get to work and probably are fed up with someone oohing and ahhing at the big buildings getting in their way).

By the end of the holiday I didn't want to leave and was lucky enough to go back on 2013 when visiting a friend from the UK that was living in the US of A due to her husband's job. We had three nights in New York and again it didn't disappoint.

One of the souvenirs I brought back was a calendar, and when it had served it's purpose I couldn't bear to just discard it. I bought it because I loved the images that reminded me of those old posters that can now be purchased so one of the images became repurposed and rejuvenated into a reason to make a card!

I used papers from the My Mind's Eye 'Lost and Found 3 Ruby' Collection, along with some real stamps and other embellishments. The punch that makes the note book torn edge is from Stampin' Up. Boy, I love that punch, but can I find it for the life of me since my house move? Can I? No I can't.

A simple card 'just because...I hope you like it.

Another card on Saturday!

Hello from the Aurora!

Well hello there!

As you can see from the title of this post, I'm on my holidays, and having a great time! We are on the P & O ship Aurora, and although not as big as the Ventura we sailed on three years ago, this brings its own advantages! The ship is easier to find your way around for a start, and we keep bumping into the same people {not literally} and pass a few moments having a chat.

We set sail on Friday. after Embarkation {I love that word} at 3pm. Joseph was beyond excited, and to be quite honest, so was I, so from getting up to getting on the ship it seemed like an eternity! Once we boarded the ship we were taken straight to our cabin {or state room, as they call them} which is really lovely. I got a bit of a surprise too...I thought we had booked an inside cabin, but it had a window! Bonus!

Then we were called to our Muster Stations for a safety drill, where we had to don our lifejackets, just so we'd know what to do if the worst happened, which it never has, thank goodness.

Now for the sail away. The bit I had been looking forward to most over the past few days. Everyone gathers out on deck and waves to non existant people {well there were a few on the dock waving} whilst listening to a 5 peice jazz band as the ship sails away. Champagne is plentiful and spirits are high. Then for an explore of the ship. There's so much to discover! A theatre, cinema, gym {haven't explored that much though :)} lots of bars, four pools, internet room {and I hope you appreciate this, cos it's costing me a fortune!} spa, kids club, library, shops {yeah!}, restaurants galore and even a COSTA coffee - result!

And here I am after our dinner one night. We are sat for dinner with the most lovely family - Annabelle and Brett with their 5 year old girl. We are so on the same wavelength and are having such a laugh. This picture was taken at the karaoke night, after we had done a duet of 'Vogue' by Madonna. I also did 'Poker Face' by Lady GaGa, on Joseph's suggestion. Such a mistake - have you seen the lyrics for that song - SO embarrassing!

I've also partaken in a few of the classes etc on board. We had a go at beginner's bridge {no idea what was going on!}, daily talks on space exploration, and I'm doing a watercolour class with Jeremy Ford {he writes book on watercolouring you know!}.  I've also made a rose corsage which was great fun. Unfortunately there is no papercrafts so I'm getting my fill with the watercolouring! and I've had a one to one photography lesson, which was vewry informative. The photographer said I could follow him around Venice to take photos if I wanted! He doesn't know what he's let himself in for!

Anyhoo, that's all for now, better go out there and enjoy the sun. Joseph is having tea with Noddy tonight so better get ready!

On Our way Home!

Well, a lot has changed since I last posted. We set sail from Gibraltar after popping into one of the local craft shops and meeting up with some friends that I had met a few times before at shows and exhibitions. It was lovely to see them, and to see craft products again! David left in dispair, and went to look around with Joseph whilst we talked craft. Then we went back to the ship for the Great British Sail Away, basking in ther glorious sunshine which was fantastic. Everyone was furiously waving their Union Flags and having a jolly good time, whilst singing Land of Hope and Glory.

Then after a fantastic show amd a couple of good comedians, we retired to bed only to be woken up at 2am with the balcony door creaking like it was about to break! The sea was pretty rough and it's still like it now - the Captain has closed the decks and slowed down - and the ship is still making loads of creaking noises. It's quite fun I must say, watching everyone walking around like Norman Wisdom!

I so can't wait to get back just to do some crafting - I have not done any for the last two weeks and its absence is killing me! I have a demonstration for Do Crafts on Sunday at Stephen H. Smith's in Scunthorpe so I should be okay craft wise after that! Do come along if you can - it would be great to see you!

Speak soon,

Lots of Love,
Clare x