On the Wandle Trail

many thanks to everyone who visited my Guest design post on Sunday. I really enjoyed seeing so many people and Billy was pleased too. Thank you also for all the lovely comments you left. I really enjoyed reading them.  I am glad the card went down well as it was really outside my usual comfort zone. At the weekend the weather had improved so much that my Hb and I ventured out for another good long walk. We are lucky enough to live on the Wandle Trail, a 12 mile walking cycling/walking route along the River Wandle from Croydon up to Wandsworth in London. The River Wandle in the past was a very busy "working" river with my mills and other industry along it's length. Indeed where I live was renowned for watercress and lavender growing. There are still many old buildings standing showing how the river was used in the past.
Recently there has been a major investment made and the pathways have been tidied up and even a map produced showing the trail.

The first part we decided to investigate was Wilderness Island, a local nature reserve. We put on our walking boots and set off on Sunday in the Sunshine.

The island is only small but perfect for sweeping away the cobwebs and getting used to walking again after such a dire winter. No one else was there so we had the place to ourselves and the wildlife. Cycles are not allowed inside this part of the Wandle trail either.

Several little bridges have been built since we last visited many years ago. There were lots of ducks and birds on the water. We even spied bat boxes in the tree, although we did not see any bats as they are usually nocturnal.

The island is a real little haven and yet so close to suburbia.

It was a great visit. We then rejoined the trail and walked a few more miles further down the river towards Morden. I will share some more of our adventures as we walk them and at some point this year we hope to get as far as Wandsworth.

All this walking inspired me for my challenge card for this post. Walking and shoes came to mind and I knew just what stamp to use. I used one from the Killer Heels  release, this one is called Rose. It is made by my buddy Kerry's company, Ladybug Crafts Ink. They have a blog hop on at the moment showcasing some fab new stamps called "Through the ages". I have a link in my sidebar. Do take a look and join the fun.

 I also wanted to enter the super challenge being run for Cupcakes Inspirations 200th post so I combined the 2.

This is my inspiration cupcake photo I used , it is number 72 from their blog.
I used the pink colour from the flowers and also I liked the black swirls.

So do you want to see what I made..................

 Here is a close up of this fab stamp. I had great fun using my Promarkers to colour it. I added some bling to the details and a silver sparkly ribbon. The tags are Lili of the Valley. I also got my Bigshot out to play and cut an oval for the 21 sentiment and used my great Memory Box bow too. 

Now I don't think I will be wearing these killer heels on our Wandle Trail walks......do you ;0)

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

Ladybug Crafts Ink Through the ages - add a number I added 21 (my age..LOL)

Cupcake Inspirations 200th post and blog hop as I showed in my photo I used cupcake inspiration No 72

Emerald Faeries Bling #41

Natalie and Amy Die cuts #7

Gorjuss Anything goes with pink #173

Crafty Ribbons anything goes with ribbon

Allsorts For a lady #196

Crafts and Me Dies or punches #122

Ribbon Girl add ribbon or twine

Cupcake Craft #232 sparkle

Papertake weekly anything goes

Passion for Promakers One for the ladies #188

Party Time Tuesdays die cuts #110

Today has been just glorious, clear blue skies and the first real warmth in the sunshine. I went to my silversmithing class and came home to have a cup of tea in the garden. This was my view. If it stays like this I will soon be able to open up my garden studio.

When I stood up to take the photo Billy decided it was a very good place to sit....so I had to get out another chair for me. We were even joined by his little shy friend Blackie too

and I found that the very first of my outdoor daffs have come out to greet the sunshine

Dare I whisper the final line of my favourite Daffodowndilly poem by A.A.Milne......"Winter is dead?"

Squeal.......all is well in Jane's World. 

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x