Thursday 5 July 2012

The Olympic flame is getting closer

Many of you have been following the progress of the Olympic flame since it landed in the UK on May 18. I loved seeing the first torch lit when it landed at Lands End and since then it has been literally all over the UK. The promise given was that it would visible to anyone within a 10 minute journey from their home.

Well the flame arrives in my home area on Monday 23 July and to initially I was not sure how near it would come. To our surprise, on a recent walk with my Hb, we noticed these banners had been erected down at my beloved ponds. They are advertising the Olympic Flame journey through our town.
It turns out that the flame will come right up our High Street, cross the ponds and will stop for a celebration outside the  recently restored and  listed  building called Honeywood which is opening again after a £1million restoration programme.
There are several of these banners advertising the route and I thought how picturesque they looked with the ponds and our ancient church and High Street as a back drop.















































Above is Honeywood  which has been refurbished with lottery money and has just reopened in all it's former glory. The original part of the house,which is now a tea room, was built in 1779 and the house was extended in 1880 and again in 1902. When we first moved to the area it was in need of a major repair programme and eventually it closed in 2010 for this to be carried out. I am really looking forward to visiting this wonderful house again, I have missed having tea there too. There is a stream which runs right underneath the building and often the ducks and wildlife walk right in front of the building. I understand that the gardens at the back will also be open to the public for the first time.

I have decided that I cannot miss this once in a life time opportunity to see the Olympic flame so I have take time off work and I will walk down to the ponds to try to catch a glimpse of it. I hope to get some photos of that momentous occasion.

Have many of you around the UK also seen the flame? As you know we were lucky enough to get tickets for the diving in the Aquatics Centre. We also managed to get tickets for the Orbitor. This is a lift within the Olympic Park which takes a few people up to a viewing platform high above. I should be able to get some great photos from there. Only a few tickets were available and they have actually arrived in the post.









The days are ticking by now but of course our main celebration of this year, Milly and Tom's Wedding is the day after the Olympic Games Open. The day of the wedding  is the Bike Race and our guests need to avoid travelling down the  Surrey part of the A3. I do hope they leave plenty of time for this!









So I thought my card today should be a Thank you card. I really am so thankful that that we have much to look forward to this summer. I also want to thank all the card challenges that I have won prizes from .  I have even made the Top 3  in several and been awarded an Artist Award on one. Have a look at my winning badges in my side bar. I am thrilled to show them and very grateful to have been given them.

I made this card as a commission and I have used another Saturated Canary stamp, she is actually called "Thank you" so she  is very apt.






Isn't she a cutie. I have coloured her with my Promakers and highlighted her with my Prismacolor pencils.
The backing papers are digi papers I bought on Esty. I have used a pretty blue and pink ribbon and some pearls and gems for highlights. I have also added a little glitter to her. The sentiment is another of the new Lili of the Valley tags...I love these. I have used a pink glitter brad which I won as a prize from one of my card challenges.

Although I am not really a "pink" girl I always love pink and blue as a colour combo.






I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Bearly Mine use ribbon(s) and bow(s)#42
Pretty Little Ribbons #12 Tags
Sir Stampalot What's your craft passion My total crafty passion is colouring stamps. I could happily colour away for ever, I find it a very therapeutic thing to do!
Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Anything Goes #122
Papertake Weekly Anything Goes
Make it Monday Linky Party  #96

I would also like to end this post with a "thank you" to all of you who take the time to visit me here and leave such kind comments. This weekend is Milly's Hen weekend so we are making cocktails at Vodka Revolutions  in London followed by afternoon tea at the Dorcester Hotel, Mayfair and then spending the evening at Ronnie Scott's famous Jazz Club in Soho. It should be such a fun day. Many of my American friends are not aware of the the strange behaviors of us Brits when someone gets married. The groom- to- be goes off for a Stag Party (usually involving a lot of drinking and dressing up!) and the bride- to- be goes off for her Hen Party which tends to be a slightly more sedate affair but still often involves a fair amount of drinking and yes tea does count ;0)
 Just 24 days to go now....

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

63 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing some stunning pictures Jane. It may sound dreadful by I totally missed when it was this way, the fact we live miles from any village or major road doesn't help much.

    What is even worse I've heard losts about it as one of our sons is a Chief Superintendent and has responsibility of it's journey, so could probably have told me precisely had I thought to ask.

    Great card BTW.

    B x

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  2. At least your son has been able to tell you of it's progress Brenda..I wonder how many behind the scenes stories there are ;0) Thanks for visiting.
    Jane x

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  3. Your card is realy cute! I love the combination of pink and blue, and the little girl is beautifully colored too.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier today:)

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  4. Hi Jane, the torch will be coming through my village on 20 July, unfortunately I have to work so will miss it. Your card is gorgeous, love the image and fab layout.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  5. This is such a sweet card Jane! Thank you for playing along with us at Papertake Weekly and good luck!

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  6. This is a lovely card Jane, fab image and colour choices.
    Thank you for joining us at Bearly Mine Designs.
    Pauline
    x

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  7. Thanks for stopping by Pia.
    Jane x

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  8. Hi Caz I decided to take some annual leave to see it...I really don't want to miss it! Thanks for stopping by,
    Jane x

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  9. It is wonderful to have seen the Oylmpic Flame, a once in a life time opportunity. It did pass by the town next to ours but as you know we chose to go to Belfast as the 'boys' were playing at the event.
    Honeywood looks beautiful, I know I would enjoy a visit there especially if tea was involved. :)
    You really are lucky with the ticket allocations, aren't you!!
    Love the little card, the little girl had gorgeous eyes. You really are doing well with the challenges, I have noticed all your badges.
    Enjoy the Hen night and go easy on the vodka!!! ;)
    Vivienne x

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  10. What fabulous pictures. How exciting!

    Your card is beautiful! Love the sweet little image and it's a perfect little 'thank you' card. Super sweet!
    Thanks for playing along in the Anything Goes challenge this week at Sassy Cheryl's.

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  11. Needless to say Jane, on my last visit I totally forgot to say thanks for sharing your 'Crafty Passion' with us at Stampalot challenge this month.

    B x

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  12. Stunning card jane. Love the pictures of your country and the olympics..Saw this on MIM..Loz

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  13. You had such a celebration didn't you Vivienne. I am so looking forward to seeing the flame. You would love Honeywood, it has a great local history museum inside. If you even come this side of the Irish Sea do come and have tea with me there ;0) This weekend looks great and yes I will take it easy with the cocktails as they never taste alcoholic but usually are very!
    Jane x

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  14. Thank you Cheryl, lovely to see you here,
    Jane x

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  15. LOL Brenda....the Olympics must have distracted you ;0)
    Jane x

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  16. Thanks you Loz, welcome to the UK!
    Jane x

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  17. Its just gorgeous. Thanks for joining us at Stampalot this month.
    Pinky

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  18. Wonderful creation
    Thanks for joining us at Sir Stampalot challenge this Month
    and good luck!

    Hugs
    Francesca

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  19. Thanks again for this lovely post, I love the littles stories you write its the most interesting log, and best of luck for the weddin, thanks for sharing the stunning photos too, huggies June xxxx

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  20. Such a sweet card Jane!
    Victoria xx

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  21. Hi Francesca and thanks!
    Jane x

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  22. Ahhww, thanks June you are most kind. Glad you enjoy your visits,
    Jane x

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  23. Glad you like it Victoria, I love those stamps!
    Jane x

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  24. Hi Jane, oh boy, I hope you see the flame go by. A few of our fellow bloggers have posted photos of it go by. I'm intrigued by that historic house and just imagine how nice it would be to have tea there. Love your card! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  25. I really hope it's not too busy Teresa and I get to see the flame! Honeywood is beautiful and is actually a new build compared to the church, the original part of that was noted in the Doomsday Book ;0)
    Jane x

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  26. What beautiful pictures you have shared and the card is so cute too

    Cheers from Bangalore, India
    Sonia
    cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com

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  27. I'm glad you enjoyed my photos too Sonia,
    Jane x

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  28. Hi Jane! Your summer is filled with exitments! Just can't imagine how wonderful it is to prepare and celebrate your daughter's wedding!
    I'm really happy you can see the Olympic flame! When the games were in Greece it passed our restaurant. It was quiet time in the afternoon and we were outside and me tears in my eyes! Sounds amazing that everyone can see it so close to their home!
    x Teje

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  29. It is such an exciting summer Teje...so much to be thankful for. I really hope I see the flame, I am trying to work out where the least busy vantage point may be. Keep cool!
    Jane x

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  30. what a fab cute card ,love the image and pretty papers
    thanks for joining us at MIM and good luck
    tracey x
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!

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  31. Lovely pictures of the ponds and Honeywood, Jane. And lucky that the Torch is passing so close to you. I love the colours of your new little card today, very sweet. Hope you enjoy the hen night...in fact I'm sure you will!!
    Helen x

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  32. Thanks Tracy, I have already left some comments!
    Jane x

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  33. Honeywood is a beautiful house Helen and I so glad it was preserved. I am packing as we speak for the Hen do, it's day and night!
    Jane x

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  34. Have fun watching the Olympic flame pass through Jane!...My daughter saw it in Cambridge...It's a once in a life time chance, isn't it?
    Ooh, Honeywood looks so beautiful..I would love to see it in reality...
    Take care with those cocktails lovely lady...I'm sure you will have a very fab time indeed!
    Susan x

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  35. Seeing the torch will be wonderful Susan, I really hope it's not too busy around here. I have my list of cocktails to make already...;0)
    Jane x

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  36. It looks like you live in a lovely area. Nice pics as always! Wishing you sunshine when the torch comes through town.

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  37. Hi Jane...I hope you are having a fabulicious weekend on Milly's Hen. I also hope when Monday's paper lands on my mat you won't be splashed across the front page having caused mayhem in the Dorcester after your cocktails shenannigans lolololol!!! The torch came to within a 15 minute car journey to where I live. Apparently it traveled by bus which people weren't happy about lol.

    Your card is gorgeous and the pink and blue are a great combo. Your coloring is awesome...especially her hair. When I try to do blonde it comes out light brown!!!! Look forward to hearing about your weekend...but not from the papers lol xx

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  38. Hello Jane, it's nice to see those gorgeous blues carrying over from your vacation to the present. How exciting to anticipate the Olympic flame traveling through your scenic area, a place that many of us would be thrilled to visit should our travels ever take us there. I do recall waving my flag as the flame made its way along our Coast Highway the last time we hosted the summer games here in the US. Hope you have the chance to watch it pass by. I'll be cheering along with you! :o)

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  39. Absolutely in love with your project! Thanks for sharing!
    I saw this on Make it Monday!
    These are my entries: # 129, #158, #160, #162, # 250 and #252 would love it if you could visit.
    There is also some candy HERE!
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  40. Cute card. Love the image. Visiting from MIM. My entries are #254 & #255.

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  41. Slightly annoyingly, the torch does a big divert around our village! I guess to make sure it covers as wide an are as possible, but still a shame. It comes to Sevenoaks (20 mins away) on the boys last day of school, I'd love to take them but the last day at school is always such fun and I have a feeling driving into Sevenoaks that day wont be! Hope you get a good view, look forward to the photos. Bethx oh, lovely card.

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  42. Totally gorgeous, Jane! Promarkers are a favourite of mine too! We had the torch pass close to the school where I work. We took the children and lined the street. Your photos are stunning and far more picturesque than where we saw it! Thanks so much for sharing your crafty passions with us at Sir stampalot this month and good luck!

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  43. The rain is still falling Linda, let's hope it stops by the end of the month!
    Jane x

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  44. We had an awesome time Kerry and pretty well behaved too ;0)Catch up soon,
    Jane x

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  45. I shall be waving my flag Michele, I just hope I can see something as the pavements are really narrow where I live!
    Jane x

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  46. Hi Julia and Leanne,
    Thanks for visiting me here,
    Jane x

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  47. I am really lucky the torch passes so near Beth, I could probably see it from where I work but I don't want to miss it so have taken the day off. It's a shame yours coincides with the end of term celebrations!
    Jane x

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  48. Hi Sally lucky you to have seen the torch already...I can't wait!
    Jane x

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  49. wonderful photos you have uploaded and fab make

    Good luck in the challenges, hugs Sarah-Louise My Blog - Tiggertastic

    Designing for:

    Sketch Saturday , Bearly Mine Designs and Kenny K

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  50. I'm so glad you enjoyed them Sarah-Louise, thanks for visiting me here,
    Jane x

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  51. Gorgeous card! Such a sweet image, beautifully coloured. Thank you for sharing your Crafty Passion with us at Stampalot Challenge and good luck!

    Lynne x

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  52. Dear Jane,

    Thank you for sharing these pictures with us, it made the whole torch-thing much more exciting for us abroad. I saw some of the journey on telly (the Queen-part) the other day but otherwise I can only dream... You really are having the greatest summer! I wish you wonderful days, and hopefully you all have recovered from the hen-night (sounds quite familiar, ours can be quite something too) :) ! And the card is fab, very me :)

    Yours,
    Mia

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  53. Have fun seeing the flame on Monday, Jane. I'm loving all the photos of your area.
    I wish my son was studying in England this summer but he won't be in Lancaster until this autumn.

    Your mermaid card will be mailed soon. Here's to a BIG summer of Greek Islands, Olympics and Millie and Tom's special day. Sending some sunshine along for all of you........

    Anne
    PlumCreek
    etsy

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  54. The flame arrives on Monday week (23rd) Anne, we are so looking forward to catching a peep and really will feel that the Olympics are here. I do hope your neice likes her card and thanks so much for all your sunny wishes!
    Jane x

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  55. This is such a pretty card.

    Thanks for joining the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge.

    Sarah x

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  56. Thanks for visiting Sarah,
    Jane x

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  57. Very pretty! Thanks for joining the Sir Stampalot challenge this month and also for sharing your lovely photos, Ruth :)

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  58. Hi dear Mia. There is so much excitement here... I did think how very you the card was ;-)
    Jane x

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  59. Thanks for visiting me here Ruth, glad you liked my photos too!
    Jane x

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