Cleethorpes

Hi folks...Tuesday already, how ridiculous is that! I hardly took any pictures in Cleethorpes after all. My camera batteries ran out on Friday after I'd only taken a couple of photos and then it was just too busy on Saturday. Oh well. Anyway, this pic shows the railway station which, although you can hardly tell from this, is right next to the beach. Those benches are actually on the promenade! Now that's a station that I wouldn't mind having a long wait at...at least on a sunny day that is. Speaking of which, I set off in bright sunshine and by the time I arrived, four hours later, it was cloudy and chilly and, no, I didn't get my paddle! Maybe next time. Hope so, as it's a lovely clean beach as you can see. I did, however, walk for miles. I felt like unscrewing my feet when I got back to the guest house! I had to spend the compulsory £2.00 in 2p pieces in the arcade of course and I managed to make that last for an hour which was pretty good going. Great fun! I can recommend the Aristocats guest house where I stayed - very clean, really well decorated and one of the comfiest beds I've ever slept in. And, if this wallpaper had been in teal, as opposed to red, I would have been scraping it off the wall! Gorgeous and it even had a touch of very subtle glitter - how glam! Next day I was at M B Crafts where I was demonstrating alcohol inks and a range of my fairy and castle stamps. Mary, her staff and helpers kept the coffee and tea flowing and Rosie, the Jack Russell, kept everyone in order and greeted every customer like an old friend. After a buffet lunch it was time to clear the tables and set up for an afternoon workshop where the ladies made cards using my build a scene garden chair and Rose Galore stamps. I meant to take pictures of everyone with their cards but we were just too busy. I'll be back at M B Crafts on June 16th, so hope to see you all again ladies!
Meanwhile, back at home, the predicted cold weather didn't arrive and it's been sunny and mild. David has been painting fence panels at the back of the house and putting up some trellises, as well as clearing the weeds (and worse!) from the long, narrow bed ready for me to plant Sweet Peas and Nasturtiums. I'm itching to get some colour into the front garden now, and must get some bedding plants, more seeds and bulbs and maybe an odd shrub. How exciting! There are quite a few bees buzzing around and crowds of Ladybirds too...not sure what the collective noun for Ladybirds is, but "crowds" seems suitable!
Today though, I've been stuck inside, working on a Crafts Beautiful project and new stamp designs. I have a deadline for these of course, so I just want to get as much done by then as I can. I love starting new collections as it's mostly a surprise to me when the images appear! I generally start doodling with little idea what the end result will be - very different to when I'm designing to specific requests.
On Saturday I'll be at Burnside Garden Centre in Thornton, Lancashire and then at Houghton Hall Garden Centre in Carlisle on Sunday. Hope to see some of you at one or other venue!