Our 'New Life' and a gorgeous mini book from Gina Ferrari

What an amazing week we have had Tony had a letter last Tuesaday talking about redundancy....but first I want to share this delightful surprise.Yesterday, a lovely package dropped through my letterbox from the WONDERFUL Gina Ferrari. I won a tiny hand made book in her giveaway....it is so cute. Just imagine the size....it fits in a matchbox. Fiddly or WHAT?!! I have never made any little books that small but maybe I shall be tempted! Just look at the hand stitched binding.

Thank you, thank you Gina. You have made me feel very special xx

And now, our life changing news....
After a meeting at 4pm on Wednesday Tony came home looking quite happy.....he has been made redundant and has been given gardening leave for 10 weeks so this is his first week of freedom.  Yay!!
There are so many adjustments to make but it is going to be so much FUN having him here. Just last week I said how lovely it will be next year when he retires and we can have breakfast in the garden every morning.....and now we can. I never expected it to happen so suddenly. One minute he was counting down the weeks till next May when he will be 65 and the next, he is here and we can start making plans!
Maybe.....just MAYBE we'll be able to get a camper van and drive around to coast for a few days at a time selling my cards, walking along lovely empty beaches, sketching, reading, taking photographs....who knows? The next few weeks are going to be quite excitig as we plan out our future and make a few changes. I'm hoping to develop his flair for cooking curries!!!!!

Breakfast Club has been re-named adventure club after the week we had breakfast in the summerhouse at the bottom of the garden! Last week Hope and Grace were busy making cards and gifts for their mummy. Grace wanted to paint a canvas.....

and sew on some little glass flowers.....

using tiny gold beads to hold them in place

Then she made a card using my card making bits and pieces!

When I was in Scotland I bought a weaving kit with a cardboad loom and Grace loves doing it! It is quick and easy. I have been experimenting with torn, hand dyed fabrics to see how they work out. More of that another time!

A couple of weeks ago we had a few camera disasters. The first was Tony's camera when he took hope and Grace on the dodgems. He didn't realise it was in his pocket and it got bashed and the screen broke.

The next day, my camera developed a total sysatem failure. Luckily, it is still under guarantee. A few days later, camera number three developed a fault too. It has been an expensive time!

We have been having lovely weather here in England recently...AT LAST!

I bought the girls bubble blowers and they has great fun playing with Rosie and Tizzy......

Here is Gareth taking a break from capturing the action!