5 in 5 - December 2013 - MELANIE SOUTH BANK

Those who follow my posts might know that Melanie is my friend who lives in Australia.  She loves photography and enjoys taking part in this monthly challenge.... there is just one problem.  Melanie does not have a blog!  And so each month I post her photos and I love that we have found a way for her to take part. 

This month I have a huge apology to make. Melanie actually sent this to me at the beginning of the month but I have been so crazily busy at work and a home with Christmas looming that I am sadly behind. Sorry Melanie, I have been looking forward to sharing this so over to you:

I am still in the UK for December's 5 in 5 and planned to be in London for my photos.  That is were I was taking the train from Southampton and getting off at Waterloo where I begun a walk along the South Bank.  I just love the South Bank walk and seeing all the familiar sights of London.  How does one choose where to stop for 5mins though? I was stopping all the way along and took loads of photos.  Initially I thought maybe my first shots when I was around the London Eye but finally I have selected as my five minute slot a selection when St. Paul's was in view.  So there you have it.  I am scheduled to fly out on Wednesday so maybe for the January 5 in 5 I will be taking you back to Australia.  It seems one can never be sure about what lies ahead and definitely is not a word which can be applied to future possibilities.

 

 

If this has inspired you to take photos to add to this challenge you have until 25th before the link closes, then we'll be back for more on 5th January!  It's great fun and this post should answer any questions or give any other information that you need.

 

Thank you to Melanie and everyone else who has taken part so far this month. Links for these posts are here. And for those of you who follow this post you may be interested to know that Melanie is now back home with her other family in Australia. After a serious

accident her daughter in the UK is recovering well and life is slowly beginning to get back to normal for them all.

IT'S STARTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS....

Every week Julia asks 'What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday?' Well today mine is full of Christmas papers and packages. I have started to make Christmas cards:

 

and to put together my album for JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS. This is a online course run by Shimelle Lane and I have 2 completed albums but I gave last year a miss. I don't want to do that again so this time I am trying to make it more manageable. I have decided on a chunky album because I know I get carried away, and I have made hinges that I will add the pages to as I complete them.

 

 

 

The pages are actually blank cards and more stash that I am using up. I will attach one end to the hinge, leaving a double page that folds back on itself so that each 'page' gives me four sides. I have added a double fold in the centre to give depth as I will also add flaps and pockets.  It will evolve as I make it as I have no firm plan.  I like to allow the element of flexibility and learn as I go.

 

 

I have chosen a selection of papers and chipboard shapes and I am continuing to try and use up what I already have.  Today I hope to put the first 4 pages together including a Manifesto.  My plan is to keep Christmas simple, to make as much as I can, and to spend time with friends and family.   

 

 

And last on my workspace are my new dies. I wrote last week how I had ordered these and this morning they finally arrived. I can now make more cards as I have been eagerly waiting for these to arrive!

 

 

Have fun with your own Christmas preparations and to see what others are up to pop over to Julia's here.