I would imagine that not many of you remember the singer Frankie Vaughan. Born today in 1928 he was known as 'Mr Moonlight' after one of his hit songs 'Give me the Moonlight'. He came on stage wearing a top hat at jaunty angle and carrying a cane, and during his act he would do high kicks, and his singing was accompanied by squeals of delight from his adoring women fans.

He was born Frank Abelson but his Russian grandmother said that he was her number 'vorn' singer.

He also starred in films and in 1960 he starred with Marilyn Monroe in 'lets Make Love'

His flamboyant act including hits like 'Garden of Eden' and 'Green Door' ensured his fame as a popular singer for over 30 years. He had a great affiliation with the 'Boys Club' as he was a refugee in Lancaster during WW2 and he was greatful for the help that they gave him, so much so that he donated the proceeds from his 1956 hit 'Green Door' to them. Frankie Vaughan died in 1999.

Today's sad fact is about the notorious Sid Vicious. He was born Simon John Ritchie and was the iconic look of punk, and of course was in The Sex Pistols.

Whilst in the group he met his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, and they were the subjects of a film 'Sid and Nancy'. In 1978 he awoke from a drug fuelled stupor to find her dead on the bathroom floor, from a single stab wound to the abdomen.

He was charged with her murder, and there seems to be little doubt that he was the culprit but in Feb 1979 he was realeased on bail and was 'celebrating' and died of a heroin overdose on 2nd February, aged 22. It was thought to be an accident but a few days later his mother found a suicide note in his jacket pocket.

He said that Nancy was the love of his life and he wanted to be buried next to her, but as she was buried in a Jewish cemetary and he was not Jewish this was not possible, so his mother scattered his ashes on her grave.

When his mother died some time later she allegedly made a deathbed confession that she had given him an overdose, enough to kill 2 people, as she said he would not have been able to handle life behind bars.

I can now tell you that two of the teachers for scrapbook classes will be Sarah-Jane Dowsett and Laura Buckingham. You will probably know both of them through the Design Team for Scrapbook Inspirations magazine, now sadly ceased publication. And they will both feature in the Scrapbook Inspirations Book which is due out in March.

Both of them produce some amazing work and together with Jane Gill who will be teaching some Floral Punch Craft cards and Zoe Pierson who is a Stamping Up demonstrator there should be some really interesting classes going on.

Here is laura's blog http://mmwwaahh211.blogspot.com/
And Sarah-Jane's blog www.scrappyfairy.blogspot.com

I threatened some daily snippets so here is the first one.

Mary Shelley nee Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was a British novelist best known for her Gothic novel 'Frankenstein'.

Her mother died when she was eleven days old but brought up by her father, he provided her with a rich, informal education, encouragng her to adhere to his liberal political theories.

In 1814 Mary began a relationship with one of her fathers political followers, the married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. They left for France and travelled through Europe and on her return Mary was pregnant with Percy's child. Over the next two years they were faced with ostracism, constant debt and the death of their prematurely born daughter. They married in 1816 after the suicide of his wife, Harriet.

In 1816 they spent the summer with Lord Byron in Geneva where it is said she conceived the idea for 'Frankenstein'.

They left Britain in 1818 for Italy where her next two children died before she gave birth to her only surviving child, Percy Florence. In 1822 Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned when his sail boat capsized during a storm in the Bay of La Sezia.

The last decade of her life was dogged by illness and she died of a brain tumour on 1February 1851 aged 53

If you are looking for inspiration and have a limied budget you don't need to go to Geneva, why not have a look at our Around a Pound section where you will find lots to fire the imagination.

Well yesterday was spent going to Guildford to pick up some stands and gridwall for the shop at the retreat. We couldn't get all of it on the truck so it will mean another trip to get some more. I had no idea it would take up so much space. All I have to do now is find somewhere to store it. You would think that I had plenty of space but all of the sheds are filled to the gunnells.

You cardmakers may know of Jane Gill. She makes fantastic cards and she has agreed to teach 3 classes at the retreat on the Saturday. Using stamps and Floral Punch Craft flowers. I did one of her classes last year and loved it. I shall be hovering in the background at the classes.

Two of the other teachers will be announced tomorrow and I am sure that you won't be disappointed when you find out who they are. Unfortunately it seems that Shimelle may not be able to teach after all. She may have to be in the States but will let me know as soon as she can. I am sure that we will get over it and as they say 'When life gives you lemons make lemonade'. At the monment I can't get past the life giving me lemons lol

Also each day I have been doing little snippets on some forums I belong to entitled 'Today's the Day' Someone said why didn't I also oput it on my blog. So starting from tomorrow you will find this little treat in store for you lol.

Hello.

I am so sorry that I haven't been on any of your blogs for a while, nor put anything on this one, but I have been trying to organise a retreat. It has caused some headaches and sleepless nights but I think I am on the homeward stretch.

I managed to find the venue quite easily, as my grandaughter Natalie is Head Receptionist at the Chatsworth Hotel in Eastbourne. Finding teachers was more difficult. But after burning the midnight oil I think I have found some cracking tutors.

Firstly Karen Burniston has offered to design a class page for me. I love her work and as she is an engineer by profession her pages always involve some pop-up items. I am meeting up with her when she is over here in February to finalise the details, or brainstorm as she puts it, and she will then go home and finish the design.

Then I have Zoe Pierson. You may know her from Stamping Up. She will do some cards and show her products from Stamping Up.

Then there are two others, but at present they are contracted to someone and won't be free until February, but then I can reveal who they are. Two well known and published scrappers and I'm sure that you will be pleased when you hear who they are.

Then we have Shimelle. She needs no introduction. Its a bit like saying Madonna or Sting in entertainment, everyone in the scrapping world knows Shimelle.

Last but not least, and a very important part of the weekend, we have the lovely ladies who have agreed to do Make and Takes, and Demonstrations for me. They too are very talented and are bound to come up with some good ideas. Thank you Anita, Lynn and Linda.

So here are the preliminary details with prices in case you know of anyone who would liek to attend. Any plugs on your blogs will be gratefully accepted lol


Cardinal Colours is absolutely delighted to invite you to our very first retreat on the south coast. We are having a crafty weekend with something for both scrapbookers and cardmakers alike. In fact anyone fancying a relaxing time away with like minded, crafty individuals will have a great, fun break.

We will have the run of The Chatsworth Hotel, right on the seafront at Eastbourne, from 2.00 pm Friday, 17th September through to 4.00 pm Sunday 19th September.

What an ideal time to recharge your batteries if you’ve exhausted yourself looking after children in the school holidays. All meals and refreshments are included - full English breakfasts, buffet lunch on Saturday and roast lunch on Sunday, two 3 course dinners and teas/coffees mid-morning and mid-afternoon. There will be a vegetarian option available too.

We have a full timetable of classes, with separate ones for scrapbooking and cardmaking, demonstrations and make & takes running from the Friday afternoon right through to Sunday.

The fabulous Karen Burniston will be designing a class especially for us and you can get a feel for her work on her blog www.karenburniston.com

You will have the choice of 3 classes with kits being provided and there will be raffles and games throughout the weekend too, with the Grand Raffle Prize being a Cricut Die Cutting Machine. It’s a free draw so any guest will have the chance to win

The cost for all this is just £259 per person for a twin shared room and £289 for a single occupancy double room We do have a limited number of small single rooms at £239 per person . We also have 3 twin rooms with an extra bed so 3 people could share at £245 per person You can reserve your place on payment of a £39 non-refundable deposit and payment terms are available. Some places have already been taken so to express an interest and find out more about the classes and teachers, please contact me at jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk

We are really looking forward to seeing you.

Teachers and classes will be confirmed soon but we are proud to say that Zoe Pierson and will be amongst our talented teachers

Do you fancy starting off the New Year as a competition winner?

Enter our LOVE competition and you could win a fabulous i-Top Brad Maker.
There is also a runner up prize of a Red Cardstock Kit in honour of Valentines Day. All entries will feature in our gallery so you must give your permission for us to display them in the gallery.

Entry is very simple, just create a layout for the theme LOVE

It can be any size and of anything that you LOVE, be it a person, a place, a pet, a pair of shoes, a pop group - whatever you fancy.

Closing date is Valentines Day, February 14th and the winner will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

Just email your entry to jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk and put 'LOVE' in the subject line.

If you don't want to enter the competition you can join in and be a judge. Just choose the layout that you like the best from those in our gallery and email us at jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk on February 14th with your choice.
As with all our products, you can buy