Holiday Snaps...part deux!!!

Okay, here's the next gripping installment. Needless to say Gatwick is far less photogenic than Vancouver, so we didn't bother taking photos there, though I was tempted at the Yotel, which was fab. Compact, bijoux, yes, but a little gem nonetheless, and if you find yourself in desperate need of a nap between flights at Gatwick, we can highly recommend both the beds and the food (bacon rolls to die for!). Actually the food is worth mentioning, because you order it through the tv, they promise to deliver in less than 15 minutes or it's free (ours came in just under 10), it's quite a bit cheaper than we expected (certainly cheaper than food in the terminal cafes) and it arrives packaged in attractive boxes (like designer flower deliveries) in a boutique style shopping bag...way cool! Actually, that should be .... way hot! because it was in fact piping and stayed that way to the last crumb.

Anyway, on with the show...here's the new arrival we travelled all the way around the world to see, snapped in a rare moment of wakefulness perched on her momma's shoulder...altogether now, awwwwwwwwwwww.....


And within seconds of being plonked on her jet-lagged step-gran (moi!) she was out cold and snoring a little purr-like snore like a contented putty tat...


This is mom & auntie skulking in the kitchen to avoid the papa-razzi (i.e. their dad with a camera...they absolutely detest being snapped!)



And here's the proud grandad, aka Mr Christeph, posing with his new little darling at the airport before we headed off to Ireland...



Okay, that's enough for now, we're out to dinner tomorrow to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of arriving in Canada, so I reckon it'll be a couple of days before I get around to posting some more.

But before I forget, Carol asked what did I miss most while we were travelling. Well, without hesitation, I can honestly say, my bed! I don't think I had a decent night's sleep the whole trip, everywhere we went the beds were just so uncomfortable!! In fact the only place with a bed even close to comfy as ours is the hotel at Vancouver airport where we overnighted on the way back. When we finally got back I think we must have spent 24 hours straight snuggled up in bed, that's the life eh?

Truth is Amanda, they're revamping the airport for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but I must admit I really love what they've done so far. And hidden along the river bank is a series of tiny ear-phone sized speakers constantly playing restful river sounds eg birds, insects, water, wind....it's really lovely. It really was the most relaxing start to a journey ever, and I wish all airports would follow suit.

Holiday Snaps ... Part One?

Okay, so according to Amanda it's time I did an update. What can I say? We've been half way round the world and back, and it's so good to be home! So here are the first of the (many!) holiday snaps. Get yourself a glass of wine and try not to yawn...

First up is the departures area at Vancouver Airport, exciting eh? Well, actually for us it was! It has been completely revamped since we were last there (circa 2004) and I have to applaud them. It's certainly the most comfortable, relaxing and de-stressing departures area I've had the pleasure to be in.

Here's the new and rather fascinating aquarium, seen from downriver...yes, there's now a river running through departures!


And a close-up of some of the occupants....


Here's a view of the river itself...


And a close-up of one of the more docile inhabitants, Salmonus Glassicus, I believe.



Okay, so I see some of you are already nodding, so we'll stop there for now, more to follow sometime soon!

What I've been playing with....

When I shouldn't have really been playing at all! So much to do, so little time, and instead I find myself making papers. Kinda pleased with them though, certainly not your run of the mill kinda papers...whadya think?



Don't think anyone would actually use these for scrapping...but let me know if you'd like them, I'd love to be proved wrong!

Thanks M!

Just wanted to send a very special note of thanks to my pinkie chum M, who sent me the most wonderful gift for our Christmas in August exchange!!!!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Lotza hugz coming your way M!!!

Sunrise....

My sweetie took some fabulous shots of the sunrise the other morning from our bedroom window...(I'd like to say we were up that early, but the truth is we never got to bed!) Anyhow we were both really pleased with how they turned out at the time, but looking at them now, I can't really believe how lucky I am to get to share this kind of breathtaking event with my sweetie without ever leaving home... we are really blessed!

And thanks to ON Designs Grand Opening Template Contest I got to use a really cool template to scrap it with... (click on the picture for a larger view)

Credits: Template by ON Designs, Papers & Red Ribbon from Black White & Read Kit by Anna Benjamin aka Paper Moons

Did I create a freebie?

Lol! Well I've been playing around and finally came up with my first papers! Not that I'm particularly interested in getting into the whole freebie game, but I was so chuffed with myself, that I just had to share them...with anyone who actually happens to come across my little blog lol!



So whadya think? Would they be worth downloading as a freebie or not? Answers on a postcard please...lol!

Feeling inspired (finally!)

A couple of things conspired together to get me scrapping this week - fabulous new bookbinder papers from Anna Benjamin at Paper Moons (only $1!!!), a cute torn frame template from Princess Pamela and an unusual sketch from Chris Greiser... and of course my ever-loving sweetie for whom this layout was assembled.

Click the image for a larger view to see the detail in these fab papers:

Credits: Bookbinder papers from Anna Benjamin at Paper Moons (only $1!!!), Torn Square Frame template from Princess Pamela, inspired by a sketch by Chris Greiser.