Sall the Crafty Baker

Today was the annual garden party in which I "help".  This year I made Elderflower cake, Mango cake and Bacon and Goats Cheese scones.  I then prepped the food including some I didn't make and served tea and drinks before clearing up. Here's some pics before the twelve guests {fourteen of us in total} devoured it! I have to say even though I did a lot of ground work for this indoor garden party I felt terribly guilty I had to leave nan, as I couldn't get anyone to go in to see her, I now own the worlds worst granddaughter and worlds worst carer award!

It's Travel and Holidays over at  Ike's World Challenges  this fortnight.  I have been on a holiday, well over a decade ago and I wouldn't really call it a holiday.  These days my idea of a holiday is escaping in a book.  Books take me all over the world, they allow me to be part of something I'd never normally be a part of such as weddings, murders and history.  It's for this reason I asked Ike for an open book with all kids of seasons, events, and people erupting from it.

It's for the men fortnight over at  One Stitch at a Time Challenge Blog  I have chosen to use the Cuckoo clock by Ike's Art.  This is an image I can use time and time again if you excuse the unfortunate wording. I am entering this in the following challenges: http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  ~ Hopefully the "happy birthday" counts as a sentiment http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/   http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/

Here are a few scrapbook pages that probably need finishing off, something feels as though as it's missing from them. It's been a tricky week for moi, despite this I've tried to craft and I feel it shows in these layouts that I haven't been able to allow my brain to focus on the creativity or much else.  I relented yesterday, I'm tired, tired enough that it makes me want to cry, I ache and I'm dizzy, the dizziness itself is a sure sign I'm physically and mentally exhausted my brain can no longer override the balance issues I have {caused by long term hearing loss, infections and possibly the prearricular sinus}, and I called the Dr.  He has agreed to step in and make a formal complaint to Social Services on my behalf about the "issues" with the carers. Today I still feel exhausted probably because one of those "issues" erupted again.  There is a meeting next week but right now I don't feel hopeful, I just feel asha...

Firstly the important bit some scrapbooking: I've just Brushos, die cuts and some gems on these layouts. Now to the flower show results.  I didn't place in Jam, Chutney or Photography. I got first in Brownies {dairy free using goats butter and dairy free chocolate} I got first in Scones again using goats butter Now I promise I won't post about every book I read or you'll soon tire of it, however, that said I read an unusual book the other day.  According to yes by Dawn French.  I loathed her autobiography and I confess it's one of the few Genre's I don't enjoy.  That said Dawn is a witty, comical and imaginative novelist.  This book is one not to be missed.  According to yes see's school teacher Rosie Kitto head to New York to leave her disastrous life of a failed relationship and failed attempts to get pregnant both naturally and through IVF behind her.  She takes a nannying position for twin 8 year old boys and soon builds ...

Tomorrow is the annual church flower show.  This year I've chosen to enter into five categories. Photography {last year I placed first with a Fordson Major tractor for the Rural theme} the theme is All Creatures Great and Small  I am entering this:   I predict that I will get either unplaced or third at best this time because I'm unsure about the photo orientation, I'm not sure if we can do portrait so I do suspect that there could be a disqualification in the line for me. I am also entering the chutney section with Runner Bean Chutney.   I predict the size of jar could be an issue here, that and I don't know anyone who makes runner bean chutney these days oh and I'm not keen on spices so it only has turmeric and mustard in it. I am entering the jam category, I predict another disqualification with my rhubarb and strawberry jam.  It's in a kilner jar not a screw lid and I don't know if that's allowed. I am entering the brownies categ...

It is Pun intended week two at  http://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  and I have been extraordinarily lucky enough to create a very special wedding card for a very special friend who got married on August 6th.  Obviously I am biased but she did look beautiful and every bit the princess. Of course I couldn't stop at the card, so I made her a scroll with a missive on especially for them.  Although I won't be sharing that...it is entirely up to them should they wish to do so. I've used the word "union" as the pun for this card.  It's written on the rugby ball.  I'm not a fan of sports but for this particular friend I do watch the rugby to talk to her about it and it seemed apt to use something personal on their card.  Just in case the pun needs explaining I've gone for Marriage UNION and Rugby UNION. I fear I am going to miss her more than I care to admit and I'd like to thank Ike in advance for coming up with some amazing images an...