Monday...

....came around too soon!

But I did manage to forget about last week and have a good weekend.

And the daffodils helped put a smile on my face too.

On Saturday I was booked on a workshop at Bankfield.

It was called 'Inspiring Sketchbooks'

The tutor was artist Roo Waterhouse.
First we looked at some sketchbooks from the museum archive.
Then we talked about what we use a sketchbook for.

we had a play and tested some pens and pencils just to stop being afraid of the first page.

Roo had lots of sketchbooks with her.

 They were really interesting and gave me lots of ideas.

This one folded out.

and this one a concertina sketchbook about a walk taken by the artist.

We had fun and I came away feeling more determined to keep sketching.

After the workshop I had a walk around the museum (and do a bit of sketching!)

Then I went for a walk in the grounds.

The crocus were out.

It was a day of sunshine and showers.

Just down the road is All Souls Church.

A redundant church built by Edward Akroyd, who lived at Bankfield.

When I got home there was a lovely package for me, I had ordered some fantastic shades of felt from Laura at Bugs and Fishes.
I got to straight away and made a sweet violets brooch from a pattern found here.

It must be SPRING!
Sunday was spent in the garden.

Spot Lucy?

Isn't she a cutie?

Then in the evening I was one of five adults taking class four to the Bridgewater hall. They were ever so good and lots of people (including a retired head teacher who was sat behind us) came up to us to comment on how well behaved the children were.
Then before I knew it...it was 6.30am on Monday morning!

stressful week!

Thursday

Ideal Home March

Oh it's been a stressful week and I will be so glad to get to the end of it. The school was visited by OFSTED Wednesday and Thursday and well it's never nice being assessed in your job no matter how much they say they understand that you are nervous you still mumble, go blank, rush, panic.....I am so glad it is over and can only hope we have a good outcome with some positive feedback.

Period Living March

But I want to forget all about that for now....thank you very much!

Homes and Antiques March


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Sarah Raven March

Here are the Calendars for March. I Love the Ideal Home one.
I also managed to send off one of my giveaway prizes this week.
I did some sewing on Sunday, two little fabric boxes, one for me and one for isisjem.

I enjoyed making them and I can see me making some more in the future.

I then packed the prize box with crafty goodies as promised. I stuck to a spring colours theme.
You can just see the ball of yarn at the bottom of the box, well Jan started straight away on it and now has a scarf!
Friday

Can you spot Lucy? she has taken up residence on the step waiting for mice. She is very patient but hasn't caught any recently....I hope it stays that way. I could do without crawling under the bed or taking a stick to the back of the wardrobe to try and catch any she has let escape.
When I arrived at work last Thursday there was a robin singing his little heart out in the trees in the carpark.

can you see him?

I am on a workshop tomorrow at Bankfield. Then on Sunday evening I am taking a class to the Bridgewater Hall to see Purcell's King Arthur. So a busy weekend is planned....good job the rugby is on so Hubby is occupied!

So I feel very drained and just a bit fed up tonight but looking forward to a lovely weekend and then.....it's only 3 weeks until we finish for Easter and I go away with my lovely mum for a few days!

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Is any one else having problems with Blogger? I can not change any blogs on my Blog Roll, deleate or add new  blogs and I can't follow anyone new either. I might have to think about a change to another blog provider as their so called help section is...no help!

( and the spell checker isn't working either so a few might slip through the net...sorry)

A walk in the park....

we will start with last weekend, I went to see my mum.

Toffee, not liking being kept on her leash

It was a grey dull day but we decided to take her dog for a walk in the park.

I have played with the photos as they really were a little dull.

Victoria Park was opened to the public in 1900 as part of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

As the sign above said-
During the Great War many Widnes sons had given their lives in defence of their country and on 28th September 1921 the war memorial was unveiled.

The fountain in the foreground was dedicated in 1903 to the former Prime Minister, William Gladstone. Beyond it can be seen the war memorial which lists 818 men from the town who died in the First World War, the youngest a boy aged only 15. A further 289 names were added after the Second World War. The plinth on which the column stands is 7ft high and the obelisk is 42ft with a sculpted eternal flame at the top.

This milestone was moved here from Bold. The plaque next to it explains about the bomb damage. On the 12th April 1916 five German Naval Zeppelins bombed the area, leaving just minor damage to the road and some buildings and the milestone, thankfully with no casualties.

The park has a beautiful band stand which is still used in the Summer months.

On Thursday evening Hubby and I went to see 'The Artist' and we both really enjoyed it. It helped that we went to our local one screen cinema which suited the picture perfectly.
Uggie deserved an Oscar!

Manchester Town Hall

Then on Friday evening we went to see this.
Ok, so we were in the Grand Tier (value for money seats!) but it was a great production and we loved it, Hubby isn't a big musical fan but he will sit and watch this one on TV so it's the only musical I would get him to see at the theatre.

Then on Saturday, with a lovely blue sky, Hubby and I went to Halifax.

More of those gorgeous buildings

inside the market hall, Halifax

I needed a few things from my favourite haberdashery stall and we had a look at the latest exhibition at the Art Gallery in the Piece Hall.

I had cuddles with Lucy in the sunshine in the afternoon.
We watched a DVD on Saturday night and  while we were sat watching it we saw the largest shooting star fly right down our valley, it was so close we could see the large white glow of the ball and the perfect orange tail. We were so excited! (I know we should get out more!)

Then today I played in my workroom.
I did a little sewing....I can't show you yet as it is part of the giveaway prize for Isisjem.
I had planned to tidy the garden but most of the day we had sleet and rain.
Then at about 4pm the sun came out.

Then it rained again!

February Scavenger Hunt

Here are my photos for the February Scavenger Hunt.

black and white

We had snow at the beginning of the month.

Crowded

cupid

Ceiling at Cliffe Castle Museum

Empty

The lounge at the Midland Hotel

Five

The Stone Jetty, Morecambe


food

Class Three made fruit smoothies at school

Heritage

In the sky

Leap Year

Love

Music

The school put on a Musical Extravaganza

train

Toy at Cliffe Castle Museum.