Some more with August's kit

So I know it's a cliche, but we are very nearly at the end of July - where does the time go?

One minute we're all shivery and cold in January, the next minute we're all shivery and cold in July! I'm just hoping for some sunny weather in early August because we're glamping in the Lake District and I've been told it always rains there! It's not that I mind the rain, in fact I adore that musty smell of the rain after a dry spell!

But what will be, will be, so to stay on a positive, cheery note I though that I would share a couple of my August layouts with you...

One of the ScrapaGoGo Add-ons 'Strawberry Laces' is stunning, I had to resist very hard from incorporating it into every layout that I created!

'Pretty' uses the gorgeous SC veneer hearts, which being of a wooden finish means they can be used for both romantic and non romantic focused layouts - perfect hey?

I love this simplicity of this photo, a captured reflection by Caitlin of her sister getting ready for a night on the tiles!

'Mr Hill' is another one for the album!

As one of the many Mad Hatters we had at Olivia's party, this one, who under the disguise was my husband's brother-in-law, had me doubled over with laughing!

The fabulous hybrids, designed each month for us by Kirsty Wiseman were stunning this month and I have to admit to being a bit daisytastic on this layout! Along with other random elements, they were a perfect complement to the eccentric looking photo!

Exciting stuff xxx

Over on the ScrapaGoGo blog the next six months kits have been announced and boy are we in for a treat!

'Home Comforts' (October Kit) featuring Crate Paper Farmhouse; Studio Calico Memoir; My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2; Jillibean Soup Apple Chedder Soup and Bella Blvd Finally Fall.

Snuggle down with a cosy blanket for a little taste of Autumn warmth GoGo style.
Rekindle those memories and relight those feelings of log fires, homemade apple pie and walks in the woods as you document your homestead tales using products with the feelgood factor.

'Chic Boutique' (November Kit) featuring Pink Paislee Vintage Vogue; Glitz Beautiful Dreamer; My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2 Blush; Jillibean Soup Sweet & Sour Soup and Coredinations Tillie Dot Spotted.

Step into the GoGo dress shop and get kitted out in taffeta and lace - all tailor made for you. Give memories and loved ones a new look within your designs using our chic mix that unites catwalk fashion with vintage trends; bows, pearls and all!

'Fauna & Flora' (December Kit) featuring Websters Botanical Christmas; Authentique Paper Blissful and Journey; Bo Bunny Welcome Home; Hambly Lattice Paper; Lily Bee Jingle and Jillibean Soup Corrugated Sheets.

December Kit is the welcome door to our seasonal collection of festive florals, feathered friends and botanical delights. Subtle in its delivery of celebrations and all wrapped up with natures Winter gifts make Fauna & Flora a kit for all.

'Bare Essentials' (January Kit) featuring Studio Calico Classic Calico; My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2 Rosey; Jillibean Soup Apple Chedder Soup; Fancy Pants Off To School and Lilybee Memorandom

Simply 'classic' just about sums up our January Kit, full of core colours and neutral tones all brought together to create a calm crafting abundance. Mixed with splashes of soft red, gentle green and delicate patterns to add a little pizazz to the event and soul to your designs.

'Eclectic Me' (February Kit) featuring Crate Paper Random; Lilybee Stationary; Studio Calico Memoir Die Cut; Hambly Banner Screen Print; My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2 Breeze; Lilybee Head Over Heels.

Strive to be a little unqiue and get set to scrap the randomness around you as you fall head over heels in love with this quirky collaboration. Express yourself with our mix of crazy colour and tempting texture patterns and remember to mix it up and be somewhat random!

'Jolly Good Fun' (March Kit) featuring October Afternoon Sidewalks; Lilybee Memorandom; Basic Grey Picadily; Pink Paislee Nantucket and Glitz Beautiful Dreamer.

Springtime is just around the corner and playful times approaching, so what better way to celebrate than to raise a ice cream soda to the new Season! With retro pastel shades of candyfloss pink, bubblegum blue, whipped cream white and Granny Smith green this is a mix for memories old and new.

So you see, sometimes it is good to wish your life away!

A perfect name for a perfect kit xxx

'Sweetie Jars and Skipping Ropes' - that's the name of the August ScrapaGoGo kit.... what a totally cute name xxx

And totally cute it is too!

What's not to love about it?

Brimming with GoGo lushness, it features papers from four manufacturers, including a personal favourite of mine - Girls Paperie, along with Crate Paper, MME and a yummy sunshine yellow Core Dinations paper.

My first layout 'Shine' depicts photos of Caitlin taken on the way to her prom. Scary how old she looks....

Off to create layout number 2, sorry to bore you but it may well be another Alice themed photo... but I promise you, it's a good one!

Can you guess where I've been?

So I was sitting here writing yesterdays' blog post, when I was told to get a wiggle on! Whilst I knew we were going to a party last night in Yorkshire, I assumed I was driving back! Harvey, on the other hand decided to book us into a hotel for the night so surprised me with a night away...

This was the view from our room, can you guess where we stayed?

There's a clue in the cafe on the right had side of the image... it's featured in a long running TV series, the theme of which goes "da da dah, da da da dah, da da dah, da da da dah"... okay so I don't have sound!

The TV series was "Last of the Summer Wine"

Sid's cafe?....

We stayed in Holmfirth, what a cute place that is! There was a fantastic farmers market there this morning, so we had to buy... and came away with a few edibles, including the most amazing mushrooms!

Then a stop by at Harvey's Dads for lunch, OMG he is a truly talented cook... our second course was lobster gratin. We discussed his potential for entering Masterchef, but I think he's worried he wouldn't do too well!

Off to relax now, and eagerly await the results of The Apprentice - I'm team Helen!

More from July

Whilst at a crop last weekend, I made a couple of layouts to add the 18th party album, so I thought that I'd share them with you!

'Being Alice' was inspired by a sketch that Kirsty Wiseman had on her blog the other day. The layout mainly uses the main kit "Fun of the Fair" along with the add-on "Show Time". I did add a few extras, including some beads which I double threaded through wire to secure them.

I'm quite into circular beads at the moment - they are relatively inexpensive and add depth to a layout. I'm also into mists (aren't we all?) but the mist failed miserably, so I embraced the drip with dignity and roughly edged round my ledger paper as if the mist was a paint. I was really pleased with the effect so it just goes to show, accidents can have happy endings!

'Mad Hatters' was just fun! Inspired by the Daily Junque paper, the quirkiness of all the elements featured on it seem perfectly apt for the photo!

Two Mad Hatters, Tweedle Dum and a pair of pink flamingoes, who I whole heartedly have to give credit to my fantastic sister-in-law for creating - I don't think you can get more random than that!

I'm almost a bit sad now the party's over - these things take so much planning, and then they're over so quick - still with 500 photos, I'm not stuck for looking back at the memories!

Oh, and I've middle step-daughter's 18th to plan for in about 16 months!

She's home!

Our life is so consumed by our emotions isn't it?

When we're happy, the worlds' our oyster... when we're sad, upset or have things on our minds then I for one find it hard to act as normal!

This last week has been a bag of mixed emotions, as my Mum has had her hip replaced. It's been on the cards for years and after a six month spell where she had no 'good' days she decided to take the plunge.

I took the day off work so that I could be with her. After theatre she felt fantastic, but sadly this wasn't to last! She became quite poorly, but the good news is...

She's home!

The medical staff have been brilliant, thank you to all involved!

So it goes without saying....