Sunny Saturday xxx

And Louis is back, cos I just love this little bear :))x

So I thought I'd use him again for this weeks Friday Sketchers Challenge which is a really lovely sketch by Heidi - I will use this one again without doubt, so thank you Heidi xxx.

Louis was coloured with the old faithfuls (PMs) and highlighted with some Glamour Dust (no surprises there then !!) I paper pieced the heart to pick up one of the background papers I used.

I used my MSBP which is now feeling much better!! Tracy at Dies To Die For did have some of these babies so it might be worth checking out the website cos if you haven't got one already, then you don't know what you've been missing lol xxxx

Those beautiful papers are from the Spring CD from Wild Rose Studios.

Now I have to tell you peeps, these papers are something else. I got this CD yesterday, and you know how much I loves me papers lol xx Well I was like a kid in a sweet shop looking through it. The colours are so soft and pretty and there is even a section of stuff for you to colour yourself so you will never be stuck again for co-ordinating paper.


Here's a close up of them - hopefully you can see them a bit better!!

The ribbon is from a past Raspberry Ribbons kit - it's so pretty (I love gingham).

The teeny tiny hearts are from my stash but I've had them for so long that I can't remember where they came from :((

We are having one of those beautiful Spring days here in Chester, so this afternoon we are all going to the zoo. My niece and her little boy are also going so we should have fun!! There is a new butterfly enclosure (not sure that is the right word, but you know what I mean!!) which I haven't seen. Emma saw it last time she went and said it was impressive, so I want to see that today.

We love Chester Zoo - I think it is without doubt one of the best zoos in the country. Richard worked there as a keeper many years ago so it like having our own personal guide when he comes with us!!

The only prob with the zoo on days like today is that it brings out the 'dad- in- sandals- and- vests' brigade!!! There are more amusing human sights sometimes than in any of the animal enclosures!!! I have to tell you that my fave is the 'dad- in- sandals- and- vests-with-dark-socks' look lol xxx It creases me every time!!! I can't understand how their wives let them go out like that lol xxxxx

Maybe they just don't like their hubbies very much and it is a sort of revenge thing!!!

Whatever it is, I love it!!!

Oohh we had some sad news yesterday.

One of Richard's oldest friends was burgled and these 'people' stole quite a few of his expensive birds (parrots and the likes). These were valuable birds but it isn't the monetary factor that is the issue. What got us is that whoever did this, broke into his aviaries and killed some of the birds that weren't deemed to be worth anything. They also let some go to fend for themselves, knowing they would stand little chance of survival. Can you believe that!!!!. This lovely man has spent years building up his collection and he is devastated.

He thinks he knows who did it because a few days before, 3 men drove onto his property (he has a farm) and when he asked them if he could help them, they said they thought it was a local recreation centre!!!! With hindsight they were probably sussing it all out. This is the second one of our friends to have been burgled recently. What a sad indictment of the times we are living in.

The recession has made some people desperate I guess, but I have real issues with people stealing from ordinary hard working and decent people like most of us are. It is so not fair. So peeps, please take extra care and make sure you are safe and secure. Lock everything and be extra aware, please please please. I hate being the bearer of doom and gloom but I would hate anyone to go through what our friends have been through.

On that 'cheery' note (sorry), I hope that whatever you are doing you will have a peaceful and enjoyable Saturday. If I get chance when we get back from the zoo, I may return with some more cardage, but if not, I'll see ya tomorra xxxxxxxx