RAT may even have been right when he came out with that classic line.  At any rate, messing about in boats when the sun is up and the temperatures are on the rise, is just the right way to spend a lazy summer Sunday morning. 

Last August all five of us rented out canoes, got dropped off several miles up river, and spent the next few hours paddling back to the base.  We picniced at one of the locks, carted the canoes 'overland' where there was no 'fast-pass' slipway to slide down, and generally just hung out messing about on the water.  I suspect it's going to become a regular weekend event if this year's summer weather is suitable, as everyone had a great time.

All of which is just a roundabout way of getting around to showing you tonight's little page:

I used So. Creative's sketch (Challenge Scrap etc, 13 January).

Papers from the "Authentique Papers" Blissful collection, stamps by Tim Holtz, Kesi'art, La Compagnie des Elfes, and I added a few bits'n'pieces from my stash. 

... a PINK Birthday party (at least if you're a cute little two year-old girl worth her salt)!  My little niece was well spoiled for her special day:

Scraplift of Fantaisy's page (Scrap etc, 9 January).

Stamps from Artemio and La Compagnie des Elfes, Kraftin'Kimmie ('Happy Birthday'), Papers from DCWV 'Sweet' Collection.

The title is a mix of "Thickers"  alphabets, a Toga alphabet, Sizzix 'Skittle dee do' and Cuttlebug.

So. Creative is always bursting full of great, fun ideas, and her 'surprise card' crop tonight was no exception.  I kind of missed the online/live part, as I was busy doing the responsible stuff and attending a meeting for my son's forthcoming skiing trip.  But my fingers were itching to have a go at So's tutorial, and I must admit that I love the result!

Here's her blog (go on, click on the link, you won't be disapointed), and the tutorial can be found at Scrap etc. (In fact that whole forum is jam-packed with challenges, scraplifts, tutorials and goodness knows what else, not to mention a great crowd!).

And this is my take on her shaker card:

To be sure I got it right, I made up a second one:

And while I'm at it, I must show you the layout I made for the christmas colour-combination (also one of So.'s challenges) of red, green, white and blue, featuring my cute little nephew doing his very best 'santa's helper elf' impersonation: