LET'S SCRAP SKETCH 11-2-11

Oh my word, it is November already!  I cannot believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This year has really flown by...............

It's Wednesday, which means, a new sketch over at Let's Scrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here is this week's sketch, designed once again by the talented Cheri O'Neill.

Here is my take on the sketch.  

All the paper and embellishments I used were from Kaisercraft's Seaside range.  I battled to get the right paper and at first I did not want to look at this range, as it is a beach range, and the pictures are definitely NOT beach pictures :-)  But in the end I decided to use it.  I used some of the embellishments, like the tickets, journalling diecuts and brackets, but kept it to a minimum as to not take the focus off the pictures.  

Recently I was on a conference in the Kruger National Park.  On one of our sightseeing trips we headed to Pilgrim's Rest (a small little town in the area).  The pictures in this layout were taken outside the Pilgrim's Rest General Store and Photographic Studio in the downtown area.  Here is a little history about this awesome town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HISTORY OF PILGRIM'S REST

Mining in this region of Mpumalanga dates back many centuries, when unknown miners worked quartz reef in the area for gold.  Proof of these digging can still be found in this area.  

The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz.  He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested.  

Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector, William Trafford also discovered gold close by.  What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic gold panners and prospectors from all over the country and the world.  

On 22 September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel (a layout and some more history on this later).  The diggers called it Pilgrim's rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home.  

In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the huundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue.  

You can read more about Pilgrim's Rest at http://www.pilgrimsrest.org.za/index.htm or http://www.pilgrims-rest.co.za/

Ok, enough of the history and facts, back to scrapbooking :-)

This week's sponsor is

Here is a little about them:

LE SHABBY CAFE

Our addiction to Scrapbooking led us to this wonderful venture, where we take the guesswork out of matching pattern paper, cardstock and array of beautiful embellishments for each month.  Our niche is sourcing directly from the US, therefore having the latest products in our kits that sometime has not even reached South Africa.  So why not try one of our beautiful packed kits.

Here is the wonderful prize they are giving away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the post!  Have a great day!