Going digital

A few months ago my poor old (10years) desktop computer finally gave out and I had a new laptop. I have to say, that it did take me quite a while to get used to it and when I did I bought myself this.....

....I did have a desktop publishing suite but it wasn't compatible with the new laptop.
For the last few weeks, (between knitting) I have been playing and learning how and what it does. I'm sure that I've only just scraped the surface, slowly and surely I've been teaching myself.
Being an avid papercrafter I wasn't sure how I would take to using it,after all it's just pressing buttons ( or so I thought) but it is amazing what it can do, ( but I'm sure there are lots of you out there who already know this, and are probably wondering what the fuss is about) so I thought I'd show you my first steps in digital scrapbooking, featuring our grandchilden, and hubby.
My first attempt was a page of Harvey and Lily at Twycross Zoo...

....then I did a page of little Evie and her icecream....

....and not a spot of icecream was spilt I can tell you!
Then I did a page of Mary-Ann...

...fast asleep, and then I made another....

....by this time I was discovering more. My final page (for the moment) is this one.....

....I took this picture whilst we were up at Chatsworth last week.
I know It's going to be an ongoing process, and so much more can be achieved. But it won't stop me from cutting paper,using stamps,paints, glues and glitters, as I love it too much. I'm looking at it as another facet to a wonderful creative world. One which seems to be changing all the time.

Housework Monday

No, not really, the weather was too nice to be indoors. So we went up to Chatsworth, to see how they're goetting on with the renovation project.
As you can see from the photo, the work is progressing nicely....

.... We had lunch in the restaurant and then browsed the garden and gift shops.
I have noticed that the shops are forever changing now, since the new Duke and Duchess took the reigns. Many people I know weren't happy and felt that "Chatsworth wasn't the same" as it was. Well it was bound to change, after all how many of us do things exactly as our parents did them?
Things have to move with the times, we don't always like it, but that's life. I think that it's really changing for the better. The garden shop now offers a wider range of products, and not all are expensive. The gift shop really has changed with a greater selection of gifts, books games clothes and jewellery, which is ever changing.
The courtyard has an even bigger seating area, and now had an outdoor eatery.
Yesterday the Duke and Duchess were in the shop discussing the items and talking with the visitors. This very often happens, as it did with the late Duke and the Dowager Duchess.
We then went for a walk along the river....

....it was really quiet along here, but so lovely.
Before we moved on to Castleton we stopped at the shop for an ice cream.....

.....they never scrimp on the servings, as you can see!
We then went on to Castleton.....

....the home of the Blue John mines. There are lovely places to eat (The Nag's Head being our favourite, great meals) and lots of gift shops and a couple of jewellers who specialise in Blue John.
We walked down to the Three Roofs tea shop for a pot of tea....

....you can see Winnats Pass
in the distance. We'll take a drive up there so you can see the view.

....once we've had our tea!
There are quite a few caverns here, one being called The Devils Arse strange name I know, but worth a visit! We went a couple of years ago.
There is also Speedwell cavern..,

...but lets take a drive up the pass....

...the view from outside Speedwell Cavern looking towards Castleton.

...now we'll go through the pass and then look out from the top....

....not great pictures I know, but I think you can get the idea!
This is the view from the top....

well worth it!!!
Now we'll drive back down.....

...and now we'rew back outside Speedwell Cavern and the view is just stunning.....

I do hope you enjoyed our trip. I'm hoping there will another one, very soon!

The scarecrow trail

Here are my pictures of the scarecrow trail last Sunday, at Ticknall. I din't get them all but after the pictures you will find a link which will tell you who won, and more pictures of the ones I missed.

....there were so many....

....lots of different themes......

......lots of colour....

.....some very funny.....

.....I am definately going to make a mini scarecrow for our garden....

....so I now have to gather my "supplies" together.
You will find this link
will show you lots more of the scarecrows, including the Royal family and ET, ones which I sadly missed. Enjoy!

Is it me....

I don't know what it is, but many of the people I know, rarely spend time in their gardens unless it is bathed in wall to wall sunshine. Me, well I love to be in the garden as much as possible.
So, today the weather has been warm, cloudy with a slight breeze, and whilst I could have chosen to do housework, I decided to take myself out into the garden.
I made myself a mug of tea, cut myself a piece of cake ( which I made yesterday) and along with my sewing, went into the garden.
It was lovely listening to the birds, watching them to and fro amongst the flowers along with the butterflies and other insects. I got slightly sidetracked and went for my camera (always trying to get a good shot or two of whatever visits) but I did get some sewing done.....

......I'm sewing up the items which I've made to go into my Folksy shop...

..........since we returned from Dorset I've been catching up with my knitting projects. I've been making more summer items.....

....and I've been doing some favourites too.
But I did eat my cake, before any garden visitors decided to try it...

.....I still have quite a bit of making up to do, but hopefully they'll be in the shop for Thursday.
Did I get any housework done? Yes, but there's always plenty of that to do.
I still have some garden projects to do this week. I'm just hoping that the rain the weathermen have forecasted holds out until I've done them all. If not, I shall have to change my plans.
I also have to edit the pictures which I took of the Scarecrow trail on Sunday in Ticknall. We didn't do all the trail as we were only passing through on our way to Hidcote Manor Gardens, I still managed to get some great shots though. I will share them with you next time.
But for now, I have ironing to do. Happy days!