WOYWW428
Hello my friends. I’m back from a great break in Derbyshire, where I went on some trips down memory lane! Many years ago I trained as a teacher in Matlock in Derbyshire. I lived there for three years, courted John there, went to church there in Matlock Bath, learned, had fun as a student, even learned how to drive whilst there! It was such fun to be back, see how things had changed – even to the extent that my old Hall of Residence is now a block of luxury apartments!! (I assure you it wasn’t luxury anything when we were there! One day I travelled to Dovedale, a glorious valley and river with famous stepping stones across. The last time I went there was before we were married – so about 47 years ago! Somewhat poignant to see a young man go down on bended knee in the middle of the stepping stones and propose to his young lady. When she accepted the crowd burst into applause! I hope they have as long and as good a life together as John and I had.
The stepping stones. I think this was the only time whilst I was there that the stones were empty of tourists! It was a long queue either side of the river most of the time.
Another day I drove a little North to Chesterfield and Staveley and discovered the Pink Frog craft shop. Tucked away in the same complex as Morrisons Supermarket, I think I was expecting a large store – but no – a tiny shop, but with very friendly staff.
So, after 6 lovely days in which I did very little crafting other than try some pergamano patterns and knit a whole 2 rows of my cardigan, I was home. (I did read five books!!) And it hasn’t taken long to mess up that lovely tidy desk! I’ve been playing around with a few Christmas ideas. Some I am happy to repeat, others, I’m not too sure!
So, my desk today looks like this. My cutting mat, some cards I have been trying out, stickles, perfect pearls, a Christmas die, glue, my diary as I was trying to get hold of the gas service man!
These are the ideas I am beginning to think about. Back left – a glorious Christmas die – 6inches square – cut out in a rich blue and stuck onto white card. The sentiment “Jesus – the reason for the season”. Back middle is the same die cut straight out of the card front, then backed with black. A die cut “JOY” stuck onto the side. Back right a new Joanna Sheen Christmas die – but cut up into three scenes and stuck straight onto the card front. Middle left – the same die cut but in white on a red card. I certainly prefer this one. Middle right – a gorgeous Crafters Companion die. The frame is cut out of the card front, and the candle scene cut out of Christmas paper, and glued behind the card front. The bow is cut out of the same paper and stuck on to the candle piece then covered in Glossy Accents. All this is backed with black card, then a poinsettia cut out and glued on the front. A few perfect pearls dotted about! The card front left is one of the new 3D embossing folders from Crafters Companion, placed on the card front with decorative paper and a ribbon behind it. Some stickles and a bow added.
So that’s me this week, folks. I will endeavour to get around to folks – but I have to do the shopping for Step Inside. Feeling just a tad guilty that this is all I can do to help this week, as I have to be at a funeral on Thursday lunchtime.
Take care everyone. God bless.
Margaret
27 IMPORTED COMMENTS
Julia
Lovely to see you! So glad you had a lovely break (5 novels worth!) and am really moved by your stepping stones story..I think with all the memories, I would have probably cried at being around to see the proposal! I’m staggered by the number of beautiful dies that are already available for Christmas 2017..they sure have got detail down to an art haven’t they. I can’t choos between yours, for sure.
Fri, 18 Aug 2017 18:49:40
BJ
What a super big Christmas die. I can’t think of Christmas as it is all go here as my son has just got into Uni! Horrah Praise the LORD. Thanks for the visit BJ#19
Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:38:17
Belinda
Hello, Margaret! Thank you for visiting my blog yesterday. It looks like you had a magnificent time on your trip. Love the photo of the stepping stones. Whenever I vacation, it always seems like so many tourists are in the shot that the viewer doesn’t know what I was taking the photo of! Your cards are beautiful and I absolutely love the sentiment – Jesus – the reason for the season! Have a blessed day! Belinda
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 13:55:42
Angela
Hi Margaret so pleased to hear you had a good time. We so love Matlock, love walking along the river and the Heights Of Abraham and the lovely gardens! brilliant! Have a great woyww and thank for the visit to mine, Angela xXx
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:35:18
Jan
Ohh love all your craft goodies. Have a great week xx Jan (42)
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:53:35
Bernice
You’ve made a good start on your Christmas cards – suits the weather we’ve been having today! Glad you enjoyed your trip and revived some precious memories. Bernice #24
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:15:50
Cheetarah
That sounds like a beautiful trip and a magical moment to witness! The stepping stones in the water look beautiful! Have a great week! xo Cheetarah WOYWW #37 https://presentandconnected.blogspot.nl/2017/08/the-process-of-thought-collecting.html
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 20:56:49
Sue
Hi Margaret, Sounds like you had a lovely time. I have been to Dovedale, but sadly no one proposed to me:) Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy WOYWW Sue #12
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 19:56:07
Robyn
How lovely to have a break! lots going on here as usual!
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:49:37
Jo
Oh what lovely memories you have of Matlock. The countryside is beautiful around there – we have had some fab days out and long walks round Dovedale – bliss! Just to say… if you do want to visit Max’s exhibition bear in mind it is in Craven Arms which is another half hour further south from Shrewsbury. xx Jo #18
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:35:11
Felicia
Hey Margaret! I usually find that “the little dives” are the best little shops. Sometimes the “big box” stores get to commercial and the little shops will have those little finds that you use over and over! LOVE, LOVE your cards! They are gorgeous! I can’t believe I haven’t even thought about Christmas crafts yet….better get busy! LOLOL Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, you are the sweetest! 🙂 Have a VERY BLESSED Wednesday and rest of the week! 🙂 Felicia, #32
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:23:43
Lindart
Looks like you had a fabulous time! Those stepping stones are very cool! So now you have a nice clean desk, just waiting some crafty creations, and it looks like you are all ready to start those Christmas cards (too early for me though!) Thanks for sharing, Lindart #35
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:08:26
Elizabeth
Hi Margaret, oh, you’ve made me nostalgic too. We visited those stepping stones when we lived in the High Peak area of Derbyshire. We’ve also spent many a happy summer’s day at Matlock and Chesterfield too though I never discovered that little craft shop – maybe it wasn’t there 15 years ago. Your cards are all lovely and it’s always surprising how quick we can mess up our desks. Thanks for your earlier comment – we enjoyed our lunch but cancelled plans to go shopping afterwards when a stormy wind blew up. Have a great crafty week ahead. Elizabeth x #28 PS: I’m so impressed that you managed to read five books in such a short time!
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:00:51
Carol N
Such wonderful memories! Glad you had a great trip! And I love your cards! I really like the manger scene die. Thanks for stopping by and God bless you! Carol N #31
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:37:24
may
Glad you had a wonderful trip down memory lane… the stepping stones look fabulous… Love your desk… Have a happy creative week ahead… May#17
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:26:15
Diane Futrell
Glad you had a good holiday! Christmas? I’m not ready to think about that yet!! Lol Have a great day! Diane #26
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:22:14
Heather Marshall
I love your desk! My blue eyes just turned a shade of green! Christmas seems to be getting a lot of mentions in the crafting world. Should I really be starting to think about making cards and things? I love the rich blue card. I know red and green are the traditional Christmas colours, but blue always looks great to me. Have a lovely week, Heather #30
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:36:44
Neet
Glad you had a lovely holiday Margaret. My goodness, what a lot of “firsts” the area has for you. Cannot believe so much happened to you in the short time you were there – and the most important – John. That must have brought a tear to your eye when you saw the young man propose to his girl. I think I would have been moved and I have no connections with the place – except that I like it very much. Pity we could not come across to see you – maybe another time. Lovely cards as always and what a beautiful sentiment – something that I always feel sad about – Christmas has become so commercial for so many. God Bless Neet 13 xx
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 12:20:08
shaz
Hi Margaret, glad you had such a lovely break. And how wonderful to witness that proposal. Love all your cards, there are some lovely Christmas dies available, aren’t there? Looking forward to the crop now- would you like some backing papers/ decoupage papers for your fund raising cards? I can also bring you some completed cards for sale at the church to raise funds if you would like? Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #4 XxX
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 12:17:30
Craftyani Anickoana
Good to go down memory lane occasionally, when I was back in the UK last year my daughter and I visited our old home, my mums place etc, thought we might get arrested when peering in through the trees at our old house. Love the Christmas cards it is always difficult to obtain religious ones. Don’t feel guilty about helping every little counts. Anickoana #14
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:47:34
Annie
So good to hear you enjoyed your visit down memory lane. You’re really good thinking ahead to Christmas already….I’m happy if I’ve tackled what needs to be done for this week hehehe Hugs, Annie x #11
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:29:50
Sarah Brennan
Glad your visit went well. I haven’t been to the stepping stones for years (I’m based in Staffordshire). I love that top left card (blue on white). Happy WOYWW Sarah #25
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:56:38
Christine
131 days to go! Really! I think I had better get a move on in that direction as well! ….. need to sort out all my Christmas ‘stuff’ anyways. Love your selection of cards, especially the blue and white cards. Enjoy your shopping – the Church are grateful for any help remember. Take care and God bless you as you go about Christine #20
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:11:49
LLJ
Awww, so romantic – I’d have had a little sniffle seeing that proposal! So glad you had a good break, it sounds like a proper rest. Don’t go getting too busy again now you’re back, well, not until the 30th Sept 😀 Hugs LLJ 8 xx
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 08:36:01
Lynda B no 5
Hi Margaret I have never been to that part of the World. Those stones look amazing. Glad you had a good week. Christmas cards look lovely too. Lynda B no 5
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:56:31
Claire
I love Derbyshire – close second to my beloved Yorkshire 🙂 Am so envious of your l-o-n-g desk… Happy WOYWW 🙂 Claire, no. 3
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:54:09
Helen
the stepping stones look fabulous in that light! Well done for thinking about- and starting – Christmas- won’t be doing that here yet.. Helen #1
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:53:12