Thursday 17 December 2015

A weekend in the woods

I am back with some last photos from our recent Winter Wonderland Centre Parcs' visit. We went with our children, their partners, Daisy and Bear, my son's dog. If you have never been, there are sweet wooden villas dotted all around the Parc. It's a huge area set around a giant lake with a central plaza and so many activities. We stayed up in the Firs, in 2 nearby villas. It's just like living in the woods but with the luxury of central heating, a dishwasher and every other mod con. It doesn't look much from the outside but it's like a tardis inside and so cosy.
Bear loved sitting by the log burning fire.
And our villas were close enough that Daisy could pop over for her dinner.
 From our patio we could see a little duck pond and most mornings we saw them waddling around.

You can either walk, cycle or get the train around the Parc. No cars are allowed on site after you have unpacked on the Friday night. For the Festive season the train was decked out for Christmas

We enjoyed the challenge of archery.

My son actually came 3rd in the tournament, not bad for someone who has never picked up a bow before!
 He was rewarded with a certificate.....such fun!
We held a little party for my son in law's birthday on the Friday night...lots of chat and family laughter..and of course birthday cake. My son took on the role of bar tender ;0)


We enjoyed the winter wonderland, pottery painting, swimming and also a lovely evening out on the Saturday. Daisy had a babysitter.


I love this photo of Daisy my sweet granddaughter standing on the ice bench. Her coat with the mittens is so cute.
Our Saturday night meal out in Cafe Rouge.
On the Sunday our son in law cooked a delicious roast. We had such a brilliant time together. When it was time to go home this was our decorated chalk board we left behind in our villa. (Every villa has one on the wall and chalks are supplied) .Over the weekend we had added to it. I snapped a photo of it as we left.
Such  perfect family time and memories. It was really special as we will not all be together for Christmas at the same time this year.
I decided to make a Moment for my journal using the photo of my little Daisy above standing on the ice bench.
One of my favourite challenge blogs, Scrap Across the World are sadly closing this month and I decided to use their inspirational photo to make my Centre Parcs Moment.

This is their photo


For my inspiration I used the gold lettering, the gold glitter, the greens of the leaves in the flowers and the gorgeous rich pink/purple/red colours.  The mood of the board is a celebration of life and I took that mood to create my journal page. I cut down a very large rectangular paper from my stash to make a 9 1/2 X 9 1/2" square keeping the mistletoe bough in the centre above the photo of Daisy. This represents all the love and kisses we shared during that holiday. It is so hard to show the real shine that this has...IRL it sparkles and shines so well.

Here are some close ups
I stamped my Tim Holtz trees using shades of distress inks to represent the woods and added Frantage for a Christmas effect.
I stencilled a gold Christmas border using Wendy Vecchi's amazing gold embossing paste and added a pearl in the centre. The chippie is part of a Dusty attic one which I gold embossed. I could only use that word couldn't I? The photo was die cut using my Memory box stitched border.
The eagle eyed will spot that I used the left side of a recent master board I made recently was used to layer up my photo. 
I cut some strips and added them using foam to give some depth. I added various foliage die cuts and a CL icicle, 
I matched Daisy's gloves with my Memory box precious mittens die cut using glitter card and put some tiny red hearts on them for love.
I went round the edge of the paper with Treasure Gold to add even more shine and golden glow!
Here is my Moment once more in all its entirety, there is a lot of sparkle and shine here including the smile on Daisy's face.

I would like to enter my Moment into the following challenges; the future is certainly bright with Daisy and my wonderful family in my life.

Scrap Across the World December and grand finale mood board thanks guys and I wish you all the very best. I will really miss this challenge and wish I had found it earlier than this summer!

Simon says stamp Wednesday die crazy
The Craft Barn Trees
Memory Box season's greetings I have used the stitched rectangle to cut my photo and the precious mittens die.
Love to create anything creative/mixed media #25
Visions of Sugarplums 2015 Christmas/Winter
Inspiration Emporium 'tis the season
Pixie's snippets playground #207 I was able to use snippets of card and even a chippie for my Moment.
Bunny Zoe 2/3 Sparkle
Country View create a scene
Wow Winter my sentiment and decorative edge are both heat embossed with Wow embossing glitter powder and I have also used some embossing for snow on my trees

I am off today to meet my dear friend Karen for our last lunch before Christmas. I also hope to finish the very last of my shopping...fingers crossed as there are just 8 days to go now............are you ready?
Thanks for visiting me today.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

17 comments:

  1. What a brilliant place Jane, it looks like you all had a fantastic time!
    I love that photo of little Daisy and I really love what you've done with it, such a beautiful reminder of your family weekend away. The little mittens are so cute. :)
    Enjoy your lunch date and yes I think I'm almost done!
    V x

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  2. Wow Jane, amazing post!! Your layout is brilliant, I`m so glad you used that pic of Daisy, I love that one!! What a wondrous place you spent the weekend, what I wouldn't give to visit such a lovely place. The decorated train and all those beautiful white trees! Looks like everyone had a great time! So glad you shared these pics! hugs :)

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  3. This post was top notch! Enjoyed all the photos and the fun was seeping out of the photos!!! Thank you for sharing. Daisy is darling and such a joy!!!
    Beautiful card, xoxoxoRobin

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  4. Glad you enjoyed your stay at Longleat. We go there twice a year in March and September. Love the relaxed feeling and the space. Hugs Mrs A.

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  5. Oh this really is gorgeous Jane - adore the wonderful layout and the photos of your time there are super. Tee, hee - I feel as if I'm almost living Christmas through your eyes and camera lens right now!

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  6. What a perfectly wonderful family vacation! I'm glad you did that since you all won't be together for Christmas. Gorgeous card! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Hello dear Jane,

    What wonderfully cozy weekend you had, and you all look so happy in these pictures! Just perfect pre-Christmas weekend! And your moment once again captured it all beautifully, that is one sweet picture of Daisy!

    Happy last days... did you get your shopping done?

    Yours,
    Mia

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  8. such a fabulous LO Jane - Daisy looks so happy and the scene you created around her is wonderful. Big hugs Rachel. p.s. thanks for joining us at CVC this month and good luck!

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  9. Hello Jane,
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful family pictures with us.
    It must have been a very special week-end indeed, in the true spirit of Christmas!
    I love your moment and all the glitter. It makes for a very faery like moment.
    xx

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  10. Wow what a great weekend.Thank you for sharing with us. I have enjoyed reading your post very much. Love the Christmas theme train!
    Thanks again for playing along with Scrap Around The World.

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  11. Looks like such a fun trip and what a gorgeous layout showcasing that adorable Daisy! So glad you linked up at ChouxChoux Paper Art!

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  12. Wow, what a lovely place and perfect for your Page which is beautiful! Thank you for entering The Craft Barn Challenge.
    Merry Christmas, Jane x

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  13. Gorgeous layout!! The background is so pretty!!! But what I like the most, it is the photo!!!:) Have a great day! :) Thank you for joining the SATW challenge!

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  14. Gorgeous layout Jane! The photo is adorable and the colours and textures are lovely.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    Mandy xx

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  15. Beautiful layout…loved it..the embellishments used are so awesome and not to forget the photo of course... Thank you for playing along at SATW this month….xx

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  16. Wow! What a lovely page! Thank you for joining us at SATW this month!

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  17. What a great way to show your page by giving the background to the photo! It looks like awesome fun this park!!! Your layout is beautiful. Love the composition. Love the stamped trees and the snow!! All the best from SATW! :)

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Jane x