We have an open fronted, barn type garage, and I noticed this blackbirds nest high up in the corner. She peers over the edge of the nest at us as we come and go, and we can jsut see her orange beak pointing toward the roof in the gloom. I couldn't resit a look into the nest and she is sitting on 5 eggs. I think that they are quite large eggs for such a meium sized bird.

here are a couple of photos

As many of you know I had a birthday during the week. I have never had so many cards!!! I don't know if thats an indication of getting older or that I know more people - but I am very grateful.

I also had some lovely presents, even a handbag diary from a Golden Retriever called Amber. Poor Amber has tonslitis. I have never heard of that in a dog but I think Amber is more human that a lot of people I know lol.

We also had a crop last Saturday and we had a little do - Anita (who has her birthday tomorrow) made one of those fabulous Raspberryoffi pies - they are to die for.

Here are the pics of my cards. Thank you everyone





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Once again I have had other things on my mind and have let this blog slip. My good intentions came to nothing I'm afraid.

But the sun is shining and the blackbird is singing its little heart out in the tree by the garage, and although its still very nippy out, there are signs of Spring arriving. The clocks go forward at the end of the month which will mean lighter evenings, always a boost. And I have Debden to look forward to, and I am determined to get some kits organised so that I am not twiddling my thumbs for 3 days.

But I digress. I thought it was about time I made up some more cardstock kits and this is the first one. It is called Spring pastels and consists of 10 sheets of pastel cardstock and some co-ordinating embellishments

Whilst at the NEC I also met up with Jane Gill on the Woodware stand. She was a very busy lady but took the time to chat with me, and Richard took some photos a couple of which I will add here.

Many of you know Jane's work and I have to say I loved the cards she had on show. There were some of the Floral Punch Art flowers and also some with stamped images. Jane also designs stamps for Woodware. I was especially taken with a fish one but it was hard to pick a favourite.

As you know Jane is going to be teaching some classes at the Retreat, and as the classes are very technique orientated there will only be time to make one card per class. But what a card!!!!. One class will be a card with an arrangement of everlasting flowers, another will have a poinsettia and holly leaves - just in time for you to make some outstanding Christmas cards for your favourite people and the third class will be a classic birthday card with an arrangement of 3 roses.

Jane is also going to be teaching a couple of classes here on 10th July. The details and prices haven't been finalised yet but if you want an informative and fun day this is the place to be.

We went along to Stitches 2010, the trade show at the NEC at the weekend. The weather was appalling for travelling so we came home on Monday morning. The show was a bit of a disappointment. Not much different being shown but some nice Tim Holtz stuff.

I met up with karen Burniston and we sorted out the class that she was designing for the Retreat. She also showed me a mini book that she had designed. I am not a fan of mini books but theis was truly awesome and so I am hoping that she will design a mini book class for us too.

here are some photos

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.