Its oh so quiet

Its oh so still.

Yup, the kids have gone for almost 3 weeks. Phil has said that he is not sure he can go through it again next year as he misses them so much. Awwwww. we managed to find Carys' mobile that she had lost (hmmmm) so she is sending us messages. Sweet! Now we just need to find Hywel's DS.

Usually the kids spend half their away time with my parents and then go to my mother in law. But she has had some flooding and is not out of danger yet so they won't be going there. My parents - being real troupers are going to have them the whole time. Actually - if I may be able to boast a little - and allowing for the fact that this year it may all change - the kids are really quite easy. they don't argue much among themselves and are generally polite and easy. I think that neglectful parenting is obviously the answer....

we have a huge amount of sorting and tidying that we can do while they are not here. Phil aims to change round and redecorate Carys' room. Fine except it is the size of a matchbox and more crammed than a matchbox can be for a matchbox stuffing competition...

In the mean time we consoled ourselves with a curry and watching Hot Fuzz - a Father's Day present for Phil. I was just remarking that apart from a stray swear work it didn't seem that bad for a 15 when it got rather gory. It was a lot of fun. I wonder if people from abroad got the irony of a shoot out in a British village? I do thank God that as yet, trying to solve things with guns is still fairly rare here.

I also consoled myself with buying a Bind It All machine and some coils. Now I have to use it! It always takes me a while to pluck up the courage but it looks really great! I watched Shimelle Laine on Fiskars TV showing how to make a lovely little book so that might be my first go.

I have done just a little crafting over the last few days - and here it is.
you will notice a Crate Paper theme at the moment as I have decided I do actually have to use it and not just stroke it. I love the way that the patterns can be really quite different and yet go together so well
First an altered notebook for one of Carys' friends...

Oh the middle paper is Sassafrass Lass now I think of it! Also a QK heart, letter stickers, primas and brads plus more Poundland bling (what a bargain that was). I have hundreds of ribbons but none in quite the right shade of blue, but there you go. I mod podged the paper as I love the feel of the thin coat of podge on paper!

then last night I made a card for the Little Extra on DCM - We've got your number. I know two little boys who will be two in the next few months so I did two similar cards. Just need to make sure I don't lose them before I need them! this is Crate Paper Cowboy. the 2 was cut out using the craft robo and the cafe rojo font. the photo corners and arrows were hand cut. the circle sentiment is from an old QVC card kit.