28/03/2011

Back from scrappy heaven- and goals and aims

I have had the most lovely weekend at the retreat,and not only that,today's prompt from Shimelle is SO apt after a letter I received from a very special place  in the post this morning.
Some of you may know that my Dad has a vintage car and he has  for the last 30 years taken Father Christmas around the village where he lives in it  at Christmas who gives out sweeties to the children.

Without boring you all to tears and not dwelling on sad things,when my mum passed two years ago,he did the usual drive around but it was tinged with sadness and emotion on both our sides..anyway - he was told that he had been put forward for a Queen's award for this and was obviuosly very touched.

A short while ago he received a letter inviting him to 'The Palace' for tea. When he told me I was very excited for him but sad that mum wasn't here to see it- anyway the official date has now been set and the letter of confirmation has arrived for him and me to accompany him..it looks like this is the year for me and  posh teas !!
So.... my goal now is to try  (emphasis on try) to lose  some weight so I can get a nice outfit and hat. I don't do posh outings very often so it should be a day to remember. Sadly no cameras are allowed - what a shame.
Now on to retreaty things.. I haven't managed to photograph many of the class layouts yet,but I did enter the scraplift challenge and whoop whoop I won it !

 this is my lift..I decided to go a bit grungey...
with a couple of close ups..
and  this is the original layout

Here is another one I managed to finish and photograph.
It was designed by Ann Freeman and used the gorgeous new Prima papers..
This was right up my street as there was lots of cutting out of flowers. We used some really unusual rub ons that were 'flocked'- very nice they were too.

22 comments:

Tracy said...

Tea with the queen, now that is a goal to work towards!

scrappyjacky said...

Wow....tea at the palace.....that tops even your other posh teas this year!!! Many congrats to your dad....sounds well deserved.

Ruth said...

What wonderful news for your dad ~ very well deserved!
Don't worry about no cameras on the day, you'll be able to scrap the invitation & the Court & Social pages from the newspaper which will say that HM gave a Garden Party.

Sandra said...

wow, I'm in total awe ... tea with the Queen. Shame it wasn't an invite to THE wedding LO.

What a lovely thank you to your Dad, that is, and very very well deserved.

Loving the layouts too - sounds and looks like you had a productive and enjoyable weekend.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love the grungey layout! My biggest weight loss tips are to drink water - lots and lots of water - and to really track what you eat.
Rinda

Jen said...

What a goal to look forward too! Your dad must deserve it. Love your grungy Lo.

Lorraine said...

How exciting and very touching. You must be thrilled to share this moment with him. Thanks for dropping by. Lorraine BFS

Lynn said...

Lovely layouts. Well done for your Dad - I'm sure having your date with the queen in sight will help you acheive your weight loss.

Anonymous said...

Oh my word - tea with the queen! I am not surprised you won because I thought that lo was a stunner when I saw it on Saturday xxx

Susanne said...

Congrats to your Dad. That's a pretty posh tea to be invited to. You'll have to let us see what you decide to wear.

Ginger said...

What a great reason to buy something new! Love your layouts, especially the last one with your dog and all the cut out flowers:) thanks for stopping by my blog!

Amy said...

You were very productive on the retreat Denise - well done!

Tea with the Queen, now that will be an adventure!

Ann S. said...

Hi Denise! As promised, I am leaving a comment - instead of just following your blog! Great to see you again at the weekend - and that winning layout looks even better in real life! That will be a very emotional tea at the Palace! x

Sian said...

Wow, how fabulous Denise! It sounds as if it is a very well deserved treat too. Think of the layouts in that!

Dawn said...

Found you as well and have to agree with Ann that layout does look even better when you see it for real - well done you - Very much looking forward to our paths crossing again xxx

WendyB said...

Wonderful news, great layouts and go enjoy that posh tea :-)

debs14 said...

Well, tea doesn't come any posher than at the palace - what a wonderful occasion, your mum would have been SO proud. I'm sure the stress of finding something suitable to wear will soon help with the weight loss ;-)
At my Rosemeary Conley class, if you don't 'maintain' or lose even half a pound for two weeks in a row, you are given a stern look and a diet diary where you have to write down everything you eat. It's amazing how that helps keep you on the straight and narrow! We always smile at weigh in when one of us is given THE sheet because everyone knows you've been bad! I shall bring one with me on Saturday ;-)and if you like I will eat your cupcake, just to help you out of course!

Denise said...

I might have to start after Saturday :-O)

scrappysue said...

How fun; Donny Osmond and the Queen, how will you top that! Lovely for your Dad too; he sounds like a really nice chap!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

That's SO cool that your dad was invited to tea - and even better that you get to go with him! I'm sure it will be bittersweet to be there without your mom. I hope just knowing how very pleased she would be will be of comfort to you both.

Your layouts are lovely, Denise! xo

humel said...

How exciting, wow! That's wonderful news! And congrats on your win, too xx

Scrappi Sandi said...

Congrats on your win...awesome scraplift!! I love the Prima LO...so pretty!