In My PrivateUniverse

She did it

2011-09-04T23:00:00.005+01:00

Well, she chose a good day to do it. Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

My little bundle of gorgeousness took her first unaided steps today:) ok so we had to make her stand up and almost forcibly remove our hands from hers, but she balanced and she walked a few teetering steps.

Then of course like proper parents we stood her back up and made her do it again and again. and then again so we could catch it on video.

Who knew I could be so proud of such a basic skill?

The tantrums she's also beginning to have I could do without, but just right now, she is such a pleasure to spend time with.

I was getting quite stressed about it because she's just not that interested in walking, (she was never that interested in crawling and was months behind her contemporary's on that too) and all the other babies are. But now at least I know she can do it. She looked so proud of herself when she did it, and thankfully it looks like i've not messed this stage of her development up either. phew..

So, what do I begin to stress over next? talking, potty training, tantrums or eating with cutlery?

Happy 4th

2011-07-04T23:16:00.000+01:00

Well, hope the 4th of July was a happy holiday for those who celebrate. I participated (totally coincidentally) by making a blueberry cobbler from the Pioneer Woman's cook book. Lets just say it was very enjoyable and the enormous amount of cream on top may have been a step too far.

haven't done much crafting since the cyber crop. but i've got a few bits planned, and i did treat myself to some more MME papers which i really love.
I'm back crocheting a baby blanket, and have played with crocheting some bracelets after a link someone posted on facebook. dead simple and look sweet. will experiment with some beads too.

Alanna is now walking with her walker that Aunty Wendy bought her for xmas. She still can't sit down, but is obsessed by getting up and over things. Nursery tell me she'd climbed up onto a chair today and was just about to stand up on the chair when she was spotted. I bet she wasn't happy being brought down:) So i bet we'll have a properly walking baby soon. Well, i won't be able to call her a baby anymore. she'll be a proper toddler.. eeek!

got lots of weekends planned visiting friends and family. This week i'm off to a conference, and so dh is looking after Alanna for a couple of days. (is it wrong for me to hope he's as exhausted as i am after a few days looking after her on my own?!) I'm really looking forward to getting away and also doing something work related. Not to mention visiting Oxford - never been before, i hope I don't get lost around the campuses!

better late than never

2011-06-24T08:58:00.000+01:00

Well I finally finished the ATDML challenge no 5 last night. It was to do a LO that included lots of journalling. I therefore thought about using some paper that did most of the work for me.

I had a fab time last weekend dedicating time to getting crafty again. It's so nice to feel like i've finally scrapped some pictures, saved some stories, and used up some stash!

going to try and do some more LO's soon, just during the busy weeks it seems easier to get cards done.. they dont take up so much space on the desk!

In other news: Alanna has finally learnt how to pull herself up to standing! hurrah!! except now of course she's obsessed by climing over things and finding stairs! she spent yesterday afternoon climbing in and out of the dog bed!

ATDML challenge 3

2011-06-19T14:58:00.000+01:00

This challenge was entitled 'share the love' - share a project that used stash bought from ATDML.

I only realised afterwards that I was allowed to put a previously completed project up, but I've just completed this layout. I had the stuff out, and a grid already measured, and I was inspired by Karen's layout for challenge number 5.

ATDML challenge 4

2011-06-19T10:18:00.000+01:00

This was the midnight challenge - to use the sketch to do a LO or a card. But i've got it done first thing this morning whilst trying to convince Alanna to have a nap - not usually difficult, but this morning she's not settling easily.

Anyway, here's my page.

ATDML class 7

2011-06-18T22:49:00.000+01:00

last upload from me today. It's been a lovely day getting things done. Hopefully this will spur me on to other things. Fingers crossed.

This class was to make some cards based on a Crate Paper design. The originals are beautiful, but as I didn't have the same papers, I raided my stash and happened upon a bag of leftovers from the last ATDML retreat i went on.. Christmas papers:)
So yes, i've started already.. I made 2 christmas cards:)

ATDML Class 3

2011-06-18T17:13:00.000+01:00

Class 3 this morning was a beautiful layout from Ann, and whilst i didn't have the same papers, i knew which photo i wanted to use.

ATDML challenge 2

2011-06-18T13:00:00.000+01:00

Challenge 2 was to include fabric/material in an item. I've been meaning to do some kind of bunting for Alanna's room. Finally managed it, using fabric flowers and some odd bits and pieces.

ATDML Challenge 1

2011-06-18T09:57:00.000+01:00

Well the first challenge over at the ATDML cyber crop last night was to make a LO or card with a tag. As I was falling asleep on the keyboard, I thought I'd wait for this morning to attempt it, and i've managed to do it in less than an hour. and that included a bit of accidental tidying half way through looking for some stash!

ATDML class 1

2011-06-17T22:37:00.000+01:00

Well, it's only taken me 2 and a bit hours, but i've finally finished my first LO. I'm not exactly blown away by my end result, but it's done, i've used up some old papers and i've warmed up for the rest of the weekend:)

Now, the light is awful, so it's not a good picture. but you'll get the idea!

cough, cough

2011-06-17T14:28:00.000+01:00

hello blog world.. well there was another lapse in my blogging. i have the best of intentions, and whoops, there goes another few months!

but here I am back again, rejuvenating the old blog, with a little update from us:

Alanna turned 1 a couple of weeks ago.. seriously.

how fast did that year go?

We had a little party for her with all the mummy friends i've made. it's been difficult to catch up with everyone lately because most of us have gone back to work, all doing various hours, and so the nice little routine we got ourselves into has disappeared, and we're having to make more of an effort to meet up and catch up.

Anyway., it was an exhausting, but fun day. Alanna was thoroughly spoilt and i even managed to make a cake:)

My mum and sister were able to make the long journey up to see us, and they did a fabulous job of making the party-goers welcome and making sure they all had something to eat and drink, and thank goodness Wendy was on hand to take some pictures, as I didn't go near a camera most of the day!

The other reason I've dusted off the old blog, is that this weekend there is a cyber crop being hosted by A Trip Down Memory Lane, and i'm aiming to get some more baby pics scrapped and into Alanna's album. I've not had the mojo or the time to sit and just scrap, so i'm hoping that this will be the push I need to get something done.

So, fingers crossed I will be uploading some projects over the weekend.

a rambling about books

2011-02-26T23:01:00.000Z

Since having Alanna, in fact since moving to Stafford i've re-aquainted myself with the library. I've enjoyed ordering books and devouring them regularly:)

Whilst my consumption of books has slowed in the last 9 months, my love of reading and books hasn't disappeared, and in fact i've probably got my 'fix' through borrowing books for Alanna. The library was a major feature of our new-mum social life. Bounce and Rhyme on a wednesday morning was just a part of it. I love finding new books for us to share, and for Daddy to enjoy reading to her.

Whilst looking at all the new books it's been great fun to see all the books that i remember reading when i was little, are still popular too. It's brought back some fabulous memories. I'm lucky that in our family books were always about. They were fun, they were treasured.

My sister and I shared them, we probably fought over them sometimes. I have vivid memories of books i read, library trips we made etc. Of course this was all before the internet was even possible. Wendy ran her own little library, complete with tickets and cards, and when we moved house and couldn't take all the books we had with us, i remember being quite upset that they would be given to two boys who probably wouldn't look after them in the same way.

The complete geek that I am, i can even remember where i was when i realised i could read to myself. without speaking out loud. LOL oh dear..

At christmas i asked my sister if she could remember a book we'd had.. i couldn't remember the title or the author, just that it was about a little girl and her teddy ans the publisher something to do with Golden. Being that much older she remembered more about it, and within seconds of googling on her iphone, there it was.. 'My Teddy Bear' by Little Golden Books. I read that book countless times and spent hours looking at the pictures (my favourite is the one with the little girl in the bath, for some reason the shape of the soap particularly pleased me!).

I hadn't realised until now, why I was so upset that the Booktrust funding had been cancelled. After all, i know that Alanna will always have books available to her. But if i have such warm, happy memories of a very simple book from 30 years before, (not to mention all the books and associated hours spent reading and re-reading later on) then i'm sure that there must be other little boys and girls who would feel the same when they get their books from this scheme, and the thought of someone missing out on that is really rather sad.

The {Joy of Love} Day 6

2011-02-17T21:59:00.000Z

(ok, i know i'm likely to be going in the incorrect order, or missing a few days, but that's life!)

Who They Love

well currently, Alanna is loving the Zebra in particular from the FisherPrice set that Nanna & Pops bought her for Christmas. why the Zebra? Probably because it's black and white. She does seem to have a thing for Zebras:) she had a zebra on a baby gym that used to make her laugh constantly. ah the old days when i could plonk her under a baby gym:)

Flowers

2011-02-17T21:44:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to be a winner in an instant win on the Fru website a week or so ago, and on Monday I received a fabulous bunch of roses from PurelyRoses.co.uk. This meant I still got some lovely flowers on Valentine's day, but that dh didn't have to splash any cash.

Even better, was that the prize was for a bouquet for me, and a bouquet for a friend. So another one winged it's way to a friend of the family who is currently battling a rather nasty illness.
So, here's a couple of pics of the said flowers, and me playing with the macro setting!

Joy of Love: 3

2011-02-05T16:01:00.000Z

bit late, but better late than never:)

here is a pic of Alanna when she was born, and from a couple of days ago. Even managed to get quite a close up:)

bwahahahah

2011-02-01T22:23:00.001Z

well so much for a daily blog post in december.. i lasted all of 5 days!

ho hum!

but i'm back and trying again to meet a challenge "Show and Tell: The {joy of love}" basically a photo a day challenge, and hopefully i'll learn something about taking better pictures.
for today's challenge it was about taking a picture of what your subject 'does'. well Alanna plays, and grins a lot at the moment, so here she is:

snow, soup and decorations

2010-12-05T07:24:00.001Z

Well the weather continued to be a pain. More snow,ice and fog meant it was probably stupid to try driving all the way to Derby just for a crop. So I stayed in,cleared the desk and got on with making some more cards. Can't say they were terribly indpired because I was in a rush,but its a few more done. Then I got on with the Snowman soup and reindeer food I've been planning.
Finally we got the xmas decorations

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3rd (ok its a bit late!)

2010-12-04T15:18:00.001Z

Well another day with snow.really cold but I donned the layers and the ice gripper things for my shoes put A in her snowsuit and off we went in to town. Managed to get final bits of presents and ingredients for snowman soup. Then home for a nap,a chinese meal for one as DH was out for the evening. I even cracked open the Baileys:)

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2nd

2010-12-02T23:24:00.001Z

Oh yes this is a lifesaver having a mobile app,I can post from under my duvet!
Today I decided we had to get out of the house,so we layered ourselves up and walked to the bank and then had a look at the xmas decorations in B&Q. Couldn't find a tree topper I wanted so home again to warm up. Yet more snow as we came back. It looks pretty and I'm sure when A is older we'll have fun in it,but I do hate either being stuck indoors not doing anything or having to trek places whilst trying not to slip over.
I definitely don't miss being pregnant in this weather,last year was a nightmare!

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December

2010-12-01T23:09:00.001Z

Posting from my phone in the vain attempt that I can do a post a day in December. So hopefully this will work,if not it may be some time before I get my arse into gear!

Today Alanna and I hibernated as the snow came down overnight and continued today. Hopeing to get out tomorrow for a walk even if its just to the bank and back!

Couple of pics from today if I can manage it- snow from first thing this morning and Alanna sneaking a rest on dragon.

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Finally!

2010-10-20T08:43:00.000+01:00

No idea where the time has gone, but i've been meaning to post for ages. A quick catch up:

- I finally got to drive myself over to the Elvaston crop for the first time in about 18 months. lovely to be there and see everyone.

- Richard finally got a day to have Alanna all to himself:)

- I have finally bought a car, and survived all the hoohar that goes with it (insurance, blah blah blah)

- Alanna is now 20 weeks old, growing out of clothes fast and has just rolled over (she didn't look too impressed to be honest!)

I've been making some christmas cards, and did one for the Chicken Soup challenge number 16 here

only been using some free papers from Simply Cards and Papercraft mag, but i've done a few now, so feel quite virtuous! I've even made some tags from scraps (I know, it's a bit much isn't it LOL)

Off to Bounce and Rhyme at the Library this morning, so I had better get my bum in gear!

Another sketch challenge

2010-09-09T22:39:00.001+01:00

yep I am still going crazy for my sketch challenges, and as we're away this weekend, and I had all the bits ready for this, I went ahead and did it tonight.This is for the September sketch challenge over on the ATDML blog.

I fully admit I am jumping on the bunting bandwagon, but at least i'm honest:)

and yes, the colour is off in this photo, yet again i'm having to take pics at night with awful lighting!

Souping

2010-09-05T21:02:00.000+01:00

Well here's my take on the Chicken Soup challenge number 10. I was really uninspired to start with, i admit. Because to be honest I find it difficult to print photos myself small and different to traditional photo sizes. (and I find i can't be bothered a lot of the time!)

Anyhoo, then I was looking through a magazine and saw a advert for some scrapbooking papers, and it made me think that i didn't have to use photos, i'll make something for Alanna's room.

So, here's my take on it. The light is rubbish, but if i don't do it now, i'll never get it posted ! I'm hoping to find a frame that i can put it in at some point, but for now, it's done:)

a few bits

2010-09-03T09:42:00.000+01:00

Well i've managed to do a couple of bits and peices, and again, they were for challenges.

This card was for the Twisted Card Sketch here, and has already been sent off to it's recipient:)

The second challenge was Chickensoup number 9 here

now this is blinking annoying ( you an insert a ruder word here if you like, i'm certainly thinking of one!) Blogger has suddenly decided to post photos rotated. I have tried saving, resaving, renaming, rotating, and renaming all kinds of things, but it just won't post them properly, and as i've got a baby about to wake up, i don't have time at the moment to properly investigate. So we'll all just have to cock our heads for the moment :)

quick catch up

2010-08-29T18:17:00.000+01:00

well, what's been happening here? no scrapbooking over the last couple of weeks, just haven't been able to find the time, but it's on my list of things to do this Bank Holiday weekend. I have managed to get an idea for the next one, and a photo ready, so I just need to decide which sketch i'm going to use.
I have actually bought a couple of card making and scrapping mags lately, which i shouldn't really be doing, what with limited funds now i'm only getting Statutory Maternity Pay. But if it gets me to use up some stash, then maybe it's worth it.. can i persuade DH with that argument.. no idea!

I have however buckled down this afternoon and got 3 anniversary cards made. It's mine and DH's next week, as well as my Mum and Dad's and then some friends the week after. I do really want to get a bit of a stock of cards again, but at the moment, it's as and when.
I've been having to break down tasks into little chunks, and that makes life a little easier with a 13 week old baby:) So, one afternoon i'll get the blank cards and some paper out, then i'll find a sketch i want to use, then i'll start on one bit of it, and then do the embellishment or whatever. So it might take me a couple of days to do each card, but we get there:)

I have also managed to finish the crochet jacket i've been making for Alanna. Thanks god I chose the 6-9 month size, she should at least fit in it! I just need to get a bit of brown velvet ribbon and some buttons for it. Then it will be completely finished, and of course i will take a photo:)

My next sewing task i think will be to start the Bucilla felt christmas house kit i've had for nearly a year. I shall have to be careful with sequins and beads and a baby, but hopefully i can get a little bit done here and there.
Which reminds me, I must have a look for a stocking for her.
I've still got one that Mum made for me when I was little.. it's Trichem on felt, not sequins and applique, but I love that it's so old. Hopefully we'll be able to start some traditions for her this year. I just can't decide what just yet:)

right, enough ramble, DH is settling Alanna for her bedtime, and I must go and check on the roast that's in the oven:)

blimey!

2010-08-15T21:58:00.000+01:00

Less than an hour on a Sunday night and i've done a layout and it's already filed in the album! how often does that happen??? But it was the Chicken Soup Blog to the rescue again.. this time with Recipe No.6.

This page was just inspired by the scalloped paper, and I knew I had some in a kit I've had for quite a while, earmarked for some other photos actually. But it all just seemed to come together, and I even used up some very old chipboard letters. I picked up the photo and just wrote about my first thoughts looking at it, and how amazed I am at how much my daughter Alanna has changed over the last 11 weeks. By sheer luck it also happens that this photo was taken at 11 days old:) I love that i've done a page, and I've journalled something that is actually meaningful too. This is what I love about Scrapbooking!!
Sheesh, maybe I should have had kids sooner :)

Mojo returned!

2010-08-08T20:37:00.000+01:00

Well, i've managed to find a few minutes here and there to do some scrapping. My mojo has been returning thanks to some challenge blogs and sketches.
The first is for the Twisted Sketches latest challenge here

The Second was for the A Trip Down Memory lane sketch challenge here. Hurrah for Mojo!

The weekend

2010-07-25T20:12:00.004+01:00

So, what have I done other than actually manage to do something crafty?
Well, we trawled round shops looking for travel cots (exciting!); bought more whizzy bottles for Alanna in the hope of relieving her colic; ate things we shouldn't have; harvested more veggies from the garden (french beans yummy, carrots yummy, but not very big!); and i've baked 2 types of banana cakes this afternoon.

Now i'm going back to my shandy, and to watch Top Gear, and perhaps to get the crocheted jacket out that i've been making for Alanna, and sew it up somehow!

Just because I can, I will post another picture of the gorgeous Alanna:)

Welcome to the World

2010-07-24T21:21:00.002+01:00

Well, i'm finally back, Alanna is now 8 weeks old, and i've scrapped for the first time in months!!

It's all because of the new(ish!) challenge blog Chicken Soup, and inparticular Mel's version of Challenge 3. For some reason i was inspired, so i've just spent the last hour or so digging out stash and putting together this layout.

I'm really rather pleased with it.. here's to scraplifting!!

Now we are three

2010-07-12T10:19:00.002+01:00

well, at least i've got a good reason for the lack of updates this time.. Our daughter, Alanna Hope was born on 29th May, 2 days early:)

After a bit of a delay, she arrived in a rush, and needed a bit of attention, but she soon perked up and is generally a contented little thing:)

I'm still getting used to the whole idea of being a mum, and we're muddling through, but at least i can put the buggy up and down now:)

hopefully i'll be able to update with our exploits - i think i've just about remembered her birthday now for when everyone asks, and when the drs call her in, i do now recognise the name they're calling (yes i'm that much of a twit!)

I'll now go back to hanging on the telephone for the tax credits people to finally answer!!

food obsessed - moi?

2010-05-26T15:46:00.002+01:00

well ok, just a little bit at the moment. It's quite sad, but i'm hoping it'll all return to normal once baby arrives (which is not looking like any time soon - hopefully i can tempt fate with that i really don't mind!!)

I managed to make a couple of different batches of brownies for DH's birthday, and he took them to work. The ones from The Pioneer Woman cookbook turned out best, and were the best recieved. But then I guess the healthier Date and choc Brownies couldn't really compete (they are best served warm with a little icecream)
I'm loving the cookbook, which I got for my birthday such brilliant recipies and loads of photos to show step by step what to do. It's tricky as sometimes the items are American based, so it's difficult to get an exact match, but googling normally helps with that.

I've also just made a batch of standard Banana Muffins, uses up all those bananas that are going brown at the bottom of the fruit bowl, and I don't mind how much DH scoffs!

Food cravings continue on apace, this time it's olives - now, I've had olives in things like pasta before and I like them, but i've never really wanted to eat them on their own. Until now. So last week I had a mozzarella and tomato salad from Franky and Benny's which had olives and a few other things in - really yummy, and then we stopped in Lidl and I bought a whole jar of chilli and herb marinated green olives, and have been chucking them in salads and sandwiches all week:)

Today i've got a real hankering for new potatoes. Such a nice spring/early summer treat, and I can't wait to get to the shop and buy some:)

In other news, i've been playing with digital stamps for the first time - a few people have told me how good they are, and i've finally relented and bought some here. So along with a few new promarkers that I bought i've been happily colouring in (and seeing as i can't sit at the desk to craft anymore, colouring in on the sofa is fab!)
I've even prepared birthday cards for a few people so that i don't forget in the madness to come! Today I made up some really simple cards from some tags that were in a craft kit I bought a few years ago, so again I might at least have something prepared ready for the next couple of months.

right, enough waffle, off to read a bit of my new book (found the Blossom St series by Debbie Macomber, which is easy to read, fun stories, and knitting based, just what i need at the moment, nothing too taxing, but fun.) and then prepare dinner (yes more food!)

Licence to..

2010-05-16T08:46:00.002+01:00

drive.
My spanking new full driving licence arrived yesterday. whoop whoop!
I finally passed my driving test 2 weeks ago.. yes i am insane - taking a test at 8 months pregnant, but it paid off:)
It all seems a little unreal still as i've only actually been out in the car twice since, one of those was with DH to Shrewsbury. Where we discovered the coils on the shocks had broken! and then a couple of days later to take the knackered car to Kwik Fit to have said coils replaced.

At the moment I still don't have that automatic - "hey i can go drive somewhere" thinking yet. A combination of being enormous, uncomfortable and tired, and DH using the car during the week to get to work means i still don't really feel like a driver. But hopefully once baby arrives and things settle down it will become normal, and very handy.

It's DH's birthday tomorrow, so I a) need to make a card, and b) need to get a couple of supplies in to make brownies and cakes for him to take to work. Then hopefully i can pop and get some grow bags to plant up my french bean plants. Exciting stuff huh? :)

Crafty Stuff

2010-05-15T09:10:00.004+01:00

yes, i actually managed to make a few cards recently, and even more suprisingly, i remembered to take some pics.
I'm particularly pleased with the Star ones, even better using up paper i've had for years!

Things i'm looking forward to

2010-05-13T20:20:00.002+01:00

once this baby arrives... (and yes it is a totally shallow and self indulgent list, possibly involving a lot of food!)

fried eggs with runny egg
Soft whip ice cream
crusty french bread with a huge slab of pate
beer (i've no idea why, but right now alcohol free beer is yummy)
parmesan cheese with my salad
being able to get in and out of the bath easily, and possibly having water actually cover me again!
being able to get out of bed without needing a degree in engineering
being able to walk further than the end of the road without being out of breath
seeing my toes again
being able to balance a tray on my lap
not being itchy!

so now it's just a waiting game. Another scan today revealed that baby b is just playing games with all the midwives and masquerading as breech, when in fact she's happily head down towards the exit! (must admit if i'm honest the idea of a sooner rather than later resolution to my current situation was fairly appealing. even if the recovery from a c section isn't!)

Well well well

2010-05-02T08:27:00.002+01:00

it's been flippin' ages since i've been on here and the longer i leave it, the harder it gets to come back to posting on here. So much for last year's good intentions!!

I really wanted to start updating on here at the beginning of the year, to keep track of things that were going on.. you see, something big is coming in this household. I'm pregnant!

i know, big stuff see, so whilst i know i've had stuff to keep me away from blogging i really wish i'd just got on with it, so when my (already) addled brain fails me totally, i'll have somewhere to come back to, to see what actually happened!

So, baby is due in 4 weeks(eeek!) on 31st May, everything is fine at the moment (other than being hot, itchy, uncomfortable and unable to sleep for more than 2 hours at a time!) and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that i remember to come and update here a little more regularly than once a year LOL

Finally!

2009-07-22T20:56:00.001+01:00

there may be trouble ahead

2009-07-21T22:42:00.003+01:00

i'm starting on my first ever piece of crocheted clothes. lord have mercy on those near me whilst i attempt this venture!

(currently on row 3 and i've already had to unpick it a few times - and that's not including the 4 squares i had to do to get the right tension!)

in other news i am currently going through a coffee addiction - i'm hoping it's only temporary:)

as for the picture thought i'd add proof that we did end up at West Midlands Safari park during our week off. cute little kitty huh?
:)

crafty stuff

2009-07-11T23:01:00.001+01:00

yep i made some stuff today, finally used the plant sticks i picked up in Ikea a few weeks ago, for the bargain price of 50p.
So i've stamped then with a Stampin Up roller stamp, Distress Stickle'd them, and then added some blossoms and ribbon. Now to find a suitable vase or something for them!

dear lord

2009-07-07T12:37:00.002+01:00

February i last posted on here, don't quite know how that happened!!!

well it's now July, nice summery weather (ie either boiling hot or tipping down with rain!)

got a week off from work, so i'm spending it cleaning carpets, curtains, sofa covers, rearranging rooms, ironing, dusting, etc.

hopefully i'll have finished all that by today or tomorrow at the latest and i can get some crafty stuff done. i've got a huge lot of unfinished things that i;d like to play with including:

baby album for a colleague
holiday album from last May!
2009 album, that i'm a few months behind on!
book of me (which is seriously lacking in recent entries)
a little treasure chest that needs decorating
and some new stamps and ink pads that need playing with.

mojo is slightly better now, so wish i could just manage to get my bum onto a seat and get going.
what i need is an all day crop so i've got no excuse!!

righto, going to post with better intentions of actually blogging more.. i am a slacker it's true!

ok, so the flu has gone

2009-02-28T14:07:00.001Z

almost!

the sore throat lasted 2 weeks and was getting to be hugely annoying. but looks like it may have finally gone, and i'm just left being a bit bunged up.. joy:)

next week will be a change as i'm increasing my hours at work. so i'll be back in on a friday - more money =good, less time for me = bad. but them's the breaks.

finally printed out some recent photos. printer looks like it needs cleaning though, as it's not brilliant quality. but at least i did something, and i can't remember the last time i edited any photos let alone printed them.
still not back into large scrapbook layouts - but the mojo is getting back to full levels. still working on some mini books for the moment,and i've got another couple of projects in the pipeline for peeps who are currently expecting babies.

off to kill some more time before our visitors arrive.

flu'd up

2009-02-20T13:16:00.002Z

just a quickie post as i'm still not feeling good.. had flu thing all week, and i'm totally fed up.

meanwhile, here's a piccie of the two hair monsters from just now.

ok, so snow interuppted play..

2009-02-15T15:43:00.003Z

hideous snow whilst we were away at Centreparcs in longleat. very picturesque, but it did mean we didn't get out and about as much as we would have liked, or made the most of the parc - but it was a nice week off, and it was back with a bump last week at work!
(same old, same old, blah blah blah)

we did also visit family whilst we were down that way, and we got to meet the new addition to the family - My nephew Ewan. very sweet - why do they always look like they know so much when they're only a few days old?

managed to get out and visit the local sights for one day - Stonehenge (it was closed - no i jest not!) then from one end of the cultural spectrum to the other - Little Chef!
it was a bit out of our way, but we zoomed up there for lunch - it's the one that Heston Bloomin'eck has done over.
have to say, the food was fantastic, staff brilliant, and the place was very well done ( yes the toilets sing to you and it smelt of marzipan!!) and instead of the lollipop at the end you get a bag of jelly belly beans:)

have been trying to do a few more crafty things - made a start on a 2009 mini album - thought i'd do it month by month if possible, rather than leaving it till the end like normal.
i haven't done any layouts in so long, it's scary trying to go back to them, but i do at least feel i've got some photos and stories i want to portray now. whereas before, i'd become a bit bored with what i had.
So, i'm going to try putting the story together first, and then work it from there. normally i go from the photo first.
but we'll see, i'm the great procrastinator!

tired, tired, tired

2009-01-28T21:33:00.002Z

urgh, only wednesday and i'm knackered already!

back still playing me up, but there's hope in the form of a special cushion;-) and a new chair at work - hurrah!

still loosing weight gradually, Richard is still beating me on that one

dogs are going through a naughty phase of stealing things from the kitchen worktops - one day it'll be chilli powder and they'll regret it!

had a mammoth session at the allotment on sunday - felt alright at the time, but 2 hours of hard labour ( read shovelling tons of soil and moving full wheelbarrows!) and I have yet to recover

got to see some piccies of the newest addition to the family - little baby Ewan, as expected, very cute, and hopefully i'll get some more pics at the weekend when we go to see them.

we're off on sunday for a week's holidays - we're stopping in with the in-laws and having a family tea on the sunday, and then off up to Centreparcs in longleat for a week - really looking forward to it, and especially the spa;-) hopefully my folks will be able to pop up for a day to visit as well.

been trying to get a few crafty things done, but don't really know what i'm aiming for, so end up just pushing bits of paper around - maybe i can take some small project with me on hols.. that reminds me, i must buy some new yarn to make something for a colleague who is pregnant - she wanted a crocheted bunny or something like it.. not tried that before, so might see what happens!!

Happy B Day Ewan James

2009-01-23T22:20:00.002Z

I'm officially an Auntie:)
Ewan James born 9pm tonight weighing 8lbs. All doing fine, and hopefully we'll get some more news etc in the morning.
Welcome to the world little one, (and remember if you ever want to do painty/messy/inky crafty stuff, you know the auntie to come to!)

Aunty Kathryn???

2009-01-23T15:43:00.003Z

Well the news on the family grapevine is that my SIL is in the beginning stages of labour - not bad since due date was yesterday!

I haven't heard anything since this morning, but i've got my fingers crossed for a straightforward, and as pain free as possible time for them all.

(thought i'd put a pic on here of SIL at her wedding with her late nan and grandad)

Very exciting!!!#

ooh update - they've gone to the hospital, so hopefully not too long now:)

So, more ramblings

2009-01-18T17:29:00.003Z

can't believe another week has whizzed by -
Another busy time at work - still covering everyone else's jobs but my own it seems. Highlight of the week was a hysterically funny 'Health and Wellbeing' presentation. which was not meant to be funny in the slightest - oh well, i'll have to remember how funny it is when we've all been cautioned because our 'Sickness Absence Value' is too high ( seriously, who come up with this rubbish??)

I've actually managed to get a huge amount of work done on my family history stuff - a whole evening of sorting certificates, updating family trees online, and searching the new 1911 census that's just been released.

Also managed to get to the Dr to try and sort something out about my back - v painful coccyx - had it for years, but somethings aggrevated it again, and it makes sitting down incredibly painful.
not good when you work all day in an office!
she was very nice, and has referred me for physio - don't think it'll so a blind bit of difference, but what can you do - just have to do this, and then go back if no better..

also managed to make a few birthday cards - digging out some of my older craft stuff and finally make use of it ( rather than just looking at it!!)

We went up to the community allotment for the first time in ages today. It's a shame, we used to go most weekends, and then we moved, so it was more difficult to get there, espesh when DH is out playing golf during the summer. But we've agreed to help next week as well, and hopefully the exercise, fresh air etc will be good for us.

better check what DH is doing with the roast beef - :)

whizzzzz

2009-01-11T16:08:00.002Z

that's how fast my weekend has flown by:)
amazing really since we weren't really doing anything!

Yesterday we went to see 'Defiance' at the cinema. good film, if a bit long. still loving Daniel Craig;-)
nearly had a go at 3 young kids who were there on their own to watch it. i'm suprised they were old enough to get in to watch it to be honest, but they were a pain in the neck talking, using their phones, chucking stuff everywhere. obviously bored, so why on earth go watch a film like that?

anyhoo!

today we bimbled up to Bridgemere garden centre - they still had a sale on and we picked up a couple of totally random things that we needed, (and some funky ceramic rabbits that we didn't!) and then i was allowed to go around Hobbycraft - haven't been there in a year or so, and it is still expensive for a lot of things, but i managed to pick up some needles to finish off the crochet baby blanket i've finally gotten around to doing! ( nothing like the threat of a baby arriving early to make me get to work!!) and a mini treat, of some American Crafts rub ons that were on sale.

then, as we are totally cheap at the moment, we'd brought a flask of soup and some rolls, so drove out into the middle of the countryside and had a car - picnic!

tonight it'll be the inevitable sunday evening tidy up and ironing -fest:(

Head in the Shed

2009-01-07T21:44:00.002Z

yep, it's official, i'm a loony tune!

having a very lathargic evening, just about managed to cook us some tea, and have since flopped in front of the tv, and to be honest, i'm too bored to even watch it. *sigh* i'm thinking of taking my nintendo DS and going to snuggle under the duvet - and i think the hot water bottle may need to be used - sad life:)

i was trying to find a cute photo of one of the dogs - but blogger won't let me upload due to internal errors - poor blogger, that sounds painful!

interesting start to the year

2009-01-04T15:44:00.002Z

well,
it's flippin' freezing here, it's been snowing a bit on and off this afternoon, and i'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning - first day back to work! urgh:(

nightmare situations with the trains near us due to a plane that crashed next to the train tracks taking out all the electric cables etc. i'm so hoping it's fixed by tomorrow am - i really don't want to be standing around on a freezing cold platform!

went out this morning to shrewsbury for a little pootle about - went the scenic route, and everything was white - felt very odd, like no light was getting through - everything still really frosty - a day suited to sitting in front of a log fire - shame we haven't got one LOL

now it's back to putting washing on, ironing and getting stuff ready for tomorrow - it;s going to be a shock to the system having to get up and out in time to catch the train!

must remember to start looking for jobs again, update my cv just in case, and stick to the diet:)
( i'm starting baby steps - drinking 8 glasses of water, packing my own lunch, etc etc)

right, washing has just finished - off to make the house look like a chinese laundry again!!

2nd Jan= 2nd post

2009-01-02T15:29:00.002Z

i know. how good huh:)

so exciting things that have happened here - went into town, and spent my Boots voucher and points - all those lovely things at half price, so i've picked up a couple of presents for the present drawer and a treat for me:)

had a lovely Ameretto Latte at one of the coffee shops.. (today's treat)

we got new tyres fitted and the tracking done on the car - fabulously exciting - NOT! (but it makes DH's life easier when driving to work)

ate more leftovers - am I the only one who loves just getting all the meats and cheeses and crackers and stuff out and then making a lunch out of it? not having to worry what to have is great:)

took the xmas deccies down, and moved Bruce the Spruce outside to get used to being a proper tree again ( he's pot grown, so will live on in the garden)

So it's all back to normal now, just a shame there's nothing to hide the dust anymore!

ok, new year, new intentions!

2009-01-01T12:32:00.002Z

i always seem to forget about this blog, (probably because i know no-one reads it!)
but i figured i would try to be more consistent in using it as a way of recording things and just getting used to communicating stuff.

The prospect of being in 2009 and turning 32 this year is scaring the pants off me.. I'm feeling so far behind everyone else, but i know i've taken a different path through things, dawdled along the way, so it's to be expected LOL

SO, a few things moved forwards last year, and a few more things i know will be changing this year, so i'm aiming to go with the flow, do what i want to do as much as possible and hopefully feel like i'm catching up to where i want to be:)

SO, in this vain, i'm starting to read 'Simple Abundance' again from the top, and i'm going to get involved in the Word for the Year that Ali Edwards does ( see here).
The word that immediately popped into my head was HONESTY - ack i know.. it sounds so flippin mushy and weird. BUT i guess it's what the word means to each person, and to me it means trying to be Honest with myself - not running away from things, Honest with how I feel, Honest with what i do with my life, and Honest in my relationships with other people.

i know saccharine sweet, but i think it needs to be done;-) and i promise it won't mean i'm going to be running around telling everyone exactly what i think of them!

here's looking forward to 2009 - (although January always scares the pants off me - must be that whole going back to school/work thing!!)

viewings

2008-03-29T13:05:00.003Z

i hate getting the house ready for other people to come and view it. Thank goodness we're part/exing and not having to wait for this to sell before buying another house. That would be far too stressful.

So, this morning i have been cleaning like a demon, throwing cups of hot tea around (accidentally of course!) and trying to be good and eat fruit salad ( i really dont enjoy melon! so why do they put so much of it in the pack??)

I am now rediscovering my love of Twiglets, and trying not to rant too much on online forums:)

also in other boring domestic news - the boiler is having a funny five minutes. hot water is fine, but it wont do the central heating without having more water pumped into the system.. but at least DH showed me how to do that. otherwise i'd be a cold little bunny!

a fab friend sent me some Adirondack metallic dabbers this week - which was a lovely surprise and they are gorgeous. I just wish all my craft stuff wasn't packed away in boxes.. then i could play properly.

ah well. back off to check facebook - i'm currently addicted to Pack Rat , yes yes, i know sad isn't it!

i love the hairdresser!

2008-03-13T17:23:00.002Z

My hairdresser is super lovely. She remembers everything i've ever said to her, and never complains if i change my mind about how i now want my hair, or as is usually the case, if i have no idea and just let her do what she wants!
it always looks a lot better than when i went in, and i end up being very relaxed too. i could quite happily fall asleep whilst she;s cutting and drying etc.

so that was my afternoon! ooh that and a Starbuck's Chai latte ;-)

urgh

2008-03-10T14:34:00.001Z

lovely, i've now got a raging cold - who knew the human body could store so much rubbish up your nose! LOL

but i have at least been busy making cards - we had our Stoke crop at the weekend and I seemed to be on a roll - here's some of the ones i made last week.

ok, ok, i know!

2008-03-04T14:14:00.002Z

i'm a very bad blogger!

So, i'm going to forget about 2007, as I was generally poorly, and nothing exciting happened after we got back from Chicago!

So, the good news is i'm back scrapping and making cards. I'm on a shopping diet though, so i'm not allowed to buy any more yummy goodies. So, i'm making use of all the stuff i've already bought and not used yet.

I've been looking at so many blogs for inspiration recently too. I'll have to place a link for them. I love Andrea Gourley's cards and Di Hickman's card sketch each week is great too.. think i made about 4 or 5 cards at the last sketch:)

In other news, we're going to be moving soon. We've put a deposit on a new house in Stafford, and because we're doing a part exchange it will be really quick.. so cue lots of panicking and packing! But it's going to be a nice start and hopefully lots more room with space for people to come over and stay.. hurrah!

Go Go Go Joseph.....

2007-06-12T08:11:00.000+01:00

hooray! after 2 hours of trying we've finally booked tickets to go see the new production of 'Joseph' in the west end.
I dont even want to think about how much it's going to cost us, top price seats, london hotel for the night, dogs in kennels (arrghh 4 nights they are going to have to be because of the drop off and collection limited times!) .
my only bargain was the coach travel down there... £24 return for both of us.. hurrah!
BUT seeing as the tv show ' Any Dream Will Do' was one of the few things to make me laugh and smile over the last couple of weeks I'm really looking forward to it!

Off to look at local theatre and see what's on now:)

I don't like 30!!

2007-06-08T11:52:00.000+01:00

Well, i have been absent from blogger for bloody ages.. i can never think of anything to write about when i'm here, but away from the computer i can think of loads!!
But, seeing as i'm deathly bored at work ( and it's meant to be busy) i thought i would try to get back into writing something.. anything!

So, in March we went to Florida, lovely time. It was my birthday and we went to Discovery Cove and swam with Dolphins.. it was lovely.. i ate too much, shopped too much, but saw some sun and it was lovely to get away.

Work is still poo with a capital 'P':) and thats enough about that!!

Went to Chicago in May for Richard's birthday. Great place! we didn't do too many touristy things, just lots of walking, drinking coffee, and taking in all the lovely architecture and local neighbourhoods. Would definately go back.

the only thing that's been a downer has been my health. ever since turning 30 i've had countless colds, throat infections, and a bad tooth.. it's been never ending, and just when i thought i'd got things sorted with my tooth, i've now got another throat infection. *sigh*
SO, i either need shooting, or putting out to pasture like a donkey:)it's getting beyond a joke, and i've had so much time off work, i think they are beginning to think i'm having a laugh.

ho hum..

So, i've now managed to waste a few hours this morning.. lets see how many i can waste this afternoon!!

Long time no blog

2007-02-13T19:04:00.000Z

urgh, well what a month.

first a new National Pay framework and regs at work.. not fun.. i've been downgraded and there's nothing i can do about it.. that's caused a lot of stress and tension between everyone. Hurrah!
Equal pay for equal work i don think...More like " all animals are equal, just some are more equal than others"

but on the good side work for the researcher post has been finalised.. (although payment hasn't) so i'm getting going with that. feels good.

I've started an evening class - beginners patchwork and quilting.. and managed to find a sewing machine from freecycle.. it works fine and i'm kinda enjoying it all.. though i'm not very accurate!
who knows i might get a quilt out of it!

as of today i've lost 7lbs.. hurrah! but i have got some flu type bug so that's a bit pants.. the whole weekend etc has been wasted..

i haven't done any scrapping for ages. but i might get to a crop this weekend, and then Away with the Fairies retreat is the week after that.
Really looking forward to a weekend of scrapping and shopping and meeting up with people.. not to mention the fabby classes!

finally have found somewhere new for the crop i organise. I got so fed up with hiring a room where i work. They were next to useless at communicating and made it all out to be me being picky!
so, here's to the new scout hall, and fingers crossed we can all make it and perhaps even recruit a few more members.

what else? ah yes an old friend got back in touch, which was a shock, but really pleased to hear he's finally happy, and married.

phew, ok, i've got a temperature again, so gonna go find somewhere to cool down.. i hate being ill!!

ok, how cool..

2007-01-11T08:12:00.000Z

is this avatar that i made over at blessthischick.com

Design Team

2007-01-08T08:46:00.000Z

Well, I was very lucky this month to be a guest designer for A Trip Down Memory Lane - never done anything like this before, so i was a bit nervous, but i really enjoyed working with the kit. I got quite a few pieces done, some quick and simple, others not. but i really enjoyed doing something different.
If you fancy seeing what the design team came up with, using the new Basic Grey Blush range you can see it here

also really pleased to see Cathy Zielske back up and blogging.. i love her stuff, her book (which made me look at the way in which i scrap) and the way she writes. she just honestly makes me laugh.

well students are back this week, that means the academics should be back too, which means i might be inundated with work:)

booktastic!

2007-01-04T19:34:00.000Z

i have so many new books to read it's just gorgeous!!

i got given Big Picture Scrapbooking by DH for xmas.. and it's fabby, i've read it through,now to get on with the challenges and projects!

and the QI book, which is fun and educational too:)

then, with some amazon vouchers we were given, I bought Supply Savvy, which i've only read the first chapter of, and already i'm inspired.. her LO's are great!

then DH has loads of books to read, which i'm waiting to have too. Marley and Me about an owner and his slightly naughty dog; and Playing the Moldovians at Tennis -

i love it when i have so many good things i want to do, but sad that i have limited time in which to do them:(

ok, off to write thank you letters:)

switched

2006-12-28T10:54:00.000Z

ok, well i've finally moved over to the new version of blogger, so if something doesn't work, or look right, that's the reason!!

well it's been a busy time lately, and i've completely forgotten to update the blog! useless i know:)

work is dead.. literally, no students, no lecturers, and no work for me. my colleague and i are getting hacked off with it. it's a waste of time being there. i could literally have not been in the lasy couple of weeks and it wouldn't have made a difference.

that and combined with a new pay framework/scale structure coming out in january, a reorganisation of our faculty, and seemingly new jobs doing the same thing as us it's all a bit up in the air at themoment. tensions were high last week. and more than a few worried people and tears. management communication crap as usual!

christmas was good. just DH and i and the dogs. no stress, no traveling, no binge eating or drinking:)

have been finishing a few scrapping projects, and trying to dedicate some time to another project i need to do for january.
Plans for the crop next year are not going well. I'm not having a good time communicating with the people who book the room. it's all rather silly, and i cannot be doing with the hassle and stress of dealing with childish people. So i guess i've got to find somewhere else to hold it. Don't want to not meet up with the girls each month. we have a nice little group now, and have fun each month, we just need somewhere nice to hold it!!

anyway, off to get a hot drink.. it's freezing here at the moment!

cool beans!

2006-12-04T20:13:00.000Z

well i've had an exciting couple of weeks!
new project at work is coming together - should be all go on the research project soon, with the chance of being involved in another one a few months later.

had a weekend of cyber crops- i got so much done, and used up so much stash it's crazy!
I've won a set of Autumn leaves stamps from here so big thanks to the very lovely Lou... brilliant shop, fantastic service, and really great items that you don't find everywhere.
can't wait for them to arrive and me to have a play with them.

been working on a calendar as a present for Dh's grandparents. it's coming together really quickly. I'm using the sketches and examples from the projects here, and really enjoying working in 8x8

been buying xmas pressies, and wrapping them this weekend. Still don't feel too xmassy, but am enjoying getting things together, and looking forward to a break.

finally got our holiday to orlando sorted. still searching for hotels or b&b's in chicago.

finally got Peg Peg a winter coat. she seems to love it, and could quite happily sleep in it!
Gratiuitous doggie photo:

on the home front i've made some rather yummy (even if i do say so myself!) beetroot relish. it took forever to thicken, but it's scrummy with cheese!
Decided not to make christmas cake or pudding this year. it's only Dh and me, and it seems to be a waste if i make a huge cake just so that we can stuff ourselves. Might treat ourselves to a nice small one.But none of that fake icing!

went to see Casino Royale, and oh my, Daniel Craig is fantastic. have to say he wasn't on my radar before, but now.. well he's up there with Hugh Jackman on my list of favorite men:)
The girls at work are finding it quite amusing that i have a picture of him on my desktop - it's normally a cute dog or something!

righto, off to write some crimble cards!

bloggin

2006-11-17T21:22:00.000Z

well i've been so obsessed reading all the other blogs out there that i've totally forgotten to update my own!
Mind you nothing exciting has been happening.. just work.. and the boring tediousness that it is!

going to crop tomorrow in Derby, fingers crossed that the car makes it there this time - looking forward to seeing everyone, but i've really got to get my stuff organised, otherwise i'll end up forgetting something again..

think i might go and look for a new scanner this weekend too. ours gave up the ghost a couple of weeks back and with all the cybercrops coming up i shall need one.. got some argos vouchers still, so might see what they've got.

but first i must just go check out a blog... :)

i went and i shopped

2006-11-10T20:43:00.000Z

ok, so it started yesterday when i went and spent a voucher in Boots on some essentials, and a few treats for xmas stockings...

then it progressed to Evans where i bought some knee high boots (i've wanted some for sooooo long, and it's on my list of things to do before i'm 30!!) they were half price, and funky:)

then today i went off to hobbycrafts/crafts for christmas at the NEC - yep i did spend some money! and i found lots of other things that i'd like too!

I managed some jewellery findings, tiny acrylic stamps (that i'm going to use to make some altered domino pieces), new crackle glossy accents, some double sided tape ( i know, i know, not exciting but a bargain!) some utee;twinkling h20's; and distressing paper from the lovely people at Once Upon A Stamp, some heidi swapp big blossoms and a mini mask and 5 small box canvases!

and the good thing is i've got lots of projects planned! wooohoooo,

plus i also got to catch up with gorgeous suzanne ( with her fancy new hair that does look great!), and mad Ginger Claire (sans wig), and a couple of other scrappers i hadn't met before.

phew, off to have a play!

quote of the day

2006-11-09T22:31:00.000Z

particularly like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's quote here sums up a few things recently...

bored!

2006-11-01T11:41:00.000Z

but not for long i'm sure.. finished all my stuff at work, so now got to hunt out something else to do until my meeting at 2pm..

been playing about with a LO based on last weeks Pencil Lines sketch for ages.. got a lovelypicture, and some paper to match, but just can't get it to work. I'm not feeling the inspiration for it. maybe i should just do some journalling and get it stuck down. it's a memory after all and i can't make everything outstanding LOL I can always do the picture again if i come up with inspiration.

in other news, the car is running fine now, although i'm not going to think too far ahead.

The dogs are mad.. chloe has been 'talking' quite a lot lately, especially this morning as she was trying to sneak into our bed! and Peg just wants to eat constantly!

we've got a lovely new feather bed from Northern Nights, which was a bargain at the QVC outlet shop. It goes on top of your mattress and is lovely and snuggly, but i suspect not good for those who like a firm mattress:)

been thinking about xmas pressies, Dh and I have agreed to limit our spending to £25 on each other. should make things interesting... and quite fun to try and find things for that amount. But we are going on holiday twice next year, so it'll be worth it.

ooh, the crop was great fun on saturday, i managed to get 2 Lo's done and did some more work on a mini book. the scanner seems to be having a hissy fit so i can't get them scanned in.

oh joy, off to look for some lunch...

shopping

2006-10-30T20:27:00.001Z

well, i've finally managed to get around to ordering some Soap Nuts to try in the washing machine. looking forward to seeing what they are like, and using something natural in the wash, and then being able to put the used shell in the compost. .
If you're wanting to take a look at more eco-friendly living, i've got some wesbites on my links which are a good starting point, and i've just placed my first order here . they;ve got some lovely looking things in, some ideas for gifts, anda good range of things if you're trying to go for a greener alternative.
not affiliated with them etc etc.. just been recommended to me, so thought i'd pass it on!

wow - quick delivery

2006-10-27T21:50:00.000+01:00

my MM scrapbook shimmer kit and stickers arrived today! i only got notified on wednesday morning!!!
I have the Boho shimmer kit, which is lovely, pinks, aqua, brown, plum etc. and lot of different small shapes to use in the stickers. so going to look forward to playing with them tomorrow!

it's our stoke crop tomorrow, and we're going to be a small group as people are sick and on holiday. it does make me sad sometimes that we're only a small group. but on the other hand, they are a lovely bunch of girls, and we have a lovely, friendly, time, with lots of giggles, that i can hardly complain, and i always enjoy myself! i love being able to spend a whole day in a room with other women and try to scrap. having that time away from everything else is fab. that's why i was so upset about missing the HH crop last week when the car broke down.
i get to be myself at crops, not wife, colleague, daughter etc. just me.

cor, that's a bit deep isn't it? eek, best go, QI's on in a minute...

need a giggle?

2006-10-26T22:01:00.000+01:00

then take a look at Stuff On My Cat , a friend showed me this site today, and it is the best!

happy dance

2006-10-26T21:25:00.000+01:00

the car is fixed!!!

allegedly! a new fuel filter and valve, i'm not going to hope too much.. but it's back and running and i'll be able to get to crop on saturday (fingers crossed!)
Thanks Suzanne for the offer of a lift btw.. Dh is going to give it a good run out at the weekend and see what happens.. i'm not allowed to go as i get too stressed:)

had another play with soldering this evening.. i need some smaller bits of glass, but i'm getting better with the iron etc. found it v fiddly putting jump rings on, but it's fixed (for now!)
so hopefully will be able to make a few things for pressies for xmas. just need to get some pin backs and chains now.

friday tomorrow... hurrah!!!!

i won, i won!

2006-10-25T09:04:00.000+01:00

a MM shimmer kit here very excited as it's all new, and i hardly ever buy myself something like that, that is totally new.. woohoo.. just imagine what i can play with:)

loving the MM blog at the moment. the MM idol is great, those women are doing great work, and i love the non scrapbook page things they are coming up with. Must scraplift some xmas card ideas from there!

in other news.. the car is still knackered. really hoping it's not going to cost a huge amount, and that it can be fixed this week....i have the Stoke crop this weekend, and it would be a pain if we didn't have the car.. *fingers crossed*

finally got the copper tape i ordered well over a week ago. so, i had fun playing with my soldering iron. think i need wider tape for doing the microscope slide things i was planning on, but it worked, and i've practised. but i could do with a wider tip for my iron.
So now i've got to find some images to use.. hurrah!

I'm it!

2006-10-22T12:38:00.000+01:00

Cath tagged me, so here goes:
5 weird things about me or my pets

1. i have a phobia of baked beans.. *bleearrrch*
2. i often end up sleeping with one eye open
3. Chloe dog loves all kinds of fruit.. yep even grapefruit.
4. Peg Peg uses her tail as an eye shade - she curls it round to cover her eyes from the sun, or from the light in the morning.
5. i love squeezing spots (i know, it's really disgusting!)

what a fun day....

2006-10-21T21:24:00.000+01:00

NOT!

all ready and prepared to go to the HH crop in Derby, got 2/3 of the way there and the car started bunny hopping again, like it did 2 weeks ago. so after a couple of stops, had to come to the conclusion that the garage didn't manage to fix it and there is still lots of air getting into the fuel line. *sigh* so we had to call the AA, and get them to tow us home again.
So, we spent 2 and a half hours in the car and didn't get anywhere, and i missed a day with my friends that i was really looking forward to. :(

Ho hum, well at least i suppose i didn't spend any money.. i came home and blitzed the house. even cleaned the fridge and defrosted the freezer.. that's how mad i was!

at least i had a nice tea, watched Strictly Come Dancing, Robin Hood, and have played about with a few embellies on the Maya road chipboard book i've had on the go for weeks!

small tip

2006-10-21T15:26:00.000+01:00

when coming out to give someone a tow home, after they've broken down, and had their day effectively ruined.. do not tell them to "cheer up love" ... it won't win you any points.

what's happening?

2006-10-18T22:42:00.000+01:00

blogs i love closing down all over the place, me not eating chocolate, and then buying a soldering iron.. i mean.. the whole worlds gone crazy:)

can't wait to finally get the copper tape i've ordered so that i can have a go at soldering and making some funky decorations and jewellery. i'm thinking of some xmas deccies using family photos. I love all the victorian style pictures being used in a lot of the altered art, but i'm thinking i have some oldish photos, so what better than making something with a picture of someone i actually know..

anyway, i'm gonna have a play and see what happens.

I've also recently got my bottlecaps out again and have been playing with utee and stuff. no plans, just playing:)

found out that a work colleague is into card making and all things crafty..and even better, she likes buying stash! both planning on going to the NEC in november for some much needed retail therapy!

i have no idea what i'm going to take to the crop on saturday.. haven't been inspired by my photos recently. feel the need to play with some and enlarge them. but never seem to have the time. must have a flick through them and see what takes my fancy.

okey dokey, DH is away tonight, so i'm gonna go starfish on the bed whilst i can!

eeek

2006-10-10T23:08:00.000+01:00

how did that happen? so many days without blogging.. guess i got out of the habit.. or else my life is so boring i can't even ramble on here!

i'm finally over the bug that i had.. DH has had it slightly for a while now. Haven't done any scrapping, but i have played about with Tim holtz embossing powders and some new paperartsy xmas stamps. nothing earth shattering, but fun playing.

Oh and i can finally reveal that I won a pair of flights to the USA with United Airlines:)didn't want to say too much before i had theofficial letter!

after about 16 phone calls to a call centre in India we managed to book a flight. we were going to go to NY, but couldn't make the flights available work with our leave .. so, we're now going to Chicago for 5 nights! woohoo.. so i'll have 2 foreign holidays next year. Ok, so we can't afford it really, but, i'm not going to let free tickets go to waste!

So, for my birthday we're off to orlando (where i aim to eat and shop a lot!)and then for DH's birthday we're off to chicago. ( where i also aim to eat lot, but also sightsee!)

we tried to get it so that we could have met up with friends/family but the choices were limited.

So needless to say, i'm very excited about that, but just sad that other things are taking the edge of the fun.

As for me, well looks like my bad day was just that.. hurrah! so i've learnt to keep talking, and keep hoping that tomorrow will be a better day:)

oh and the car died at the weekend, BUT hopefully it is just a tiny part that won't be too much trouble to fix. hurrah number 2!

3rd hurrah for the day, i managed a day at work with no chocolate or biscuits... a mini triumph!!

one of those days

2006-10-02T20:20:00.000+01:00

ever had one of those days that appears normal to begin with and then turns out to be hellish and exhausting?
mm, that was my day today. perhaps it's that time of the month, but i just couldn't seem to keep my emotions in check today. i had a run in with someone first thing, and it then snowballed from there.. yippee.. the day was a total washout..

so, i'm off to vegetate in front of the tv - surely i can't get myself into any trouble there?

urgh

2006-09-24T12:07:00.000+01:00

well i'm still alive.. just.. this bug is awful:(

i did get out of the house yesterday to the crop.. sorry to all those who came.. i wasn't really in a good state.. but it was lovely to see everyone and i did get a page nearly done.

off back to bed in a minute, but thought i'd better see some of the day!!

fresher's flu

2006-09-19T22:34:00.000+01:00

well, that's it.. the students are back.. and we're all coming down with something!!

they've only been back 2 days.. and already we're feeling woolly and cold, achy and sore... typical!

Some of the darlings you just wanted to give them a hug and tell them it would be alright, others you wanted to slap for being so dense, and others, well, i have severe doubts about whether they will be able to cope living away from home i'm sure they will.. but for the first week or two there will be no proper food:)

can't believe 11 years ago that was me.. blimey i feel so old!

More enrolment to look forward to tomorrow, woohoo!

on a different note, just watched a program by Stephen Fry about Bipolar.. really interesting. at the end of last year my dr referred me to the community mental health team (god that sounds scary!) as she thought i might have 'mild bipolar'.
haven't mentioned it to anyone as it's not exactly got a great reputation! Turns out that although they can't guarantee it, they pretty much think i don't have it.. but there are so many variations of depression, bipolar, and extremes of both, it's so confusing, scary and difficult to tell anything!

I find it so difficult to explain my depression, so just hearing other people talk about their experiences is really interesting, and it really needs talking about more, so people can get help if they need it, and that the myths surrounding the illness can be removed.

time flies and so will I!

2006-09-14T21:41:00.000+01:00

blimey, a week gone by, and no blogging! it's just been one of those mad weeks at work, preparing for all the yummy new freshers to enrol on Monday. it's going to be hectic next week, but will be nice to welcome a whole load of new students in!

i've had some lovely news.. but i am going to wait for proper confirmation before celebrating too much.. don't worry, i'm not going to be bringing any offspring into the world just yet.. but its fun news for me!

tomorrow i have a wedding to go to. so an early start for us. looking forward to it, but lots of driving for DH. feels very odd with the dogs in kennels tonight.. very empty.. i don't like it!

okily dokily, need some sleep before i get dragged out of bed at some unearthly hour!

i can see clearly now...

2006-09-08T22:06:00.000+01:00

the new windows are in:)
well, nearly all of them.. final stuff being done on monday.. it's so lovely. it's so quiet with double glazing, and i'm looking forward to it being warmer too. amazing how much they got done today, and what a difference it makes to the house.. yippee!!!

in other news, Dh and i have booked flights to florida for my birthday next year.. looking forward to chilling out, visiting the parks, eating yummy food, and shopping! i'm going to take just a couple of outfits and then just buy a load! just got to decide on where to stay now. can't afford the Crowne Plaza where we stayed for honeymoon, but looks like we could afford a villa. with a pool.. :)

got a few new photos printed, so have got a couple of scrapping projects planned, might make a start on those this weekend,

ok, off to luxuriate under the duvet and admire my new windows:)

sunday evening again...

2006-09-03T19:52:00.000+01:00

Well, there we go another weekend, gone, sunday evening already, looking forward to another fun week at work:(

it;s Dh's and my 2nd anniversary tomorrow.. doesn't time fly! i suspect we won't do much.. but i might suggest going to the cinema.. don't really fancy a meal out or anyhting.

good news on the window front.. they will be here on friday.. hurrah! will believe it when i see it though.. can't wait for it all to be in and finished. then i can finally get the carpet fitted as well. yay!

hada lovely crop on saturday in Derby.. didn't get much done, but i worked on a couple of things and had a good time chatting to everyone, drinking coffee and eating cupcakes!

off to check ebay, see how my stash fund is doing!

bling

2006-08-29T20:34:00.000+01:00

ok, soi'm getting into this whole 'bling' thing with my scrapping.. i blame it totally on suzanne (but then again she is my scrapping scapegoat!!) at the weekend whilst perusing the aisles of the local poundland i found a make-your-own-bling kit.. bargain!!! little diamantes already on sticky strips.. fab:)

my mayaroad paisley mini book needed something, and it turns out that was it! oh and after half a day of painting it.. it looked terrible.. so back to covering it with paper. i have no idea what to put in it, but i'm decorating for art's sake:)

oh and today i realised i have turned into a snobbish scrapper.. i was looking through what will be my last copy of TSBM (letting my sub go) and it took me till the the middle to find a lo i liked. perhaps it was just one of those days, but i'm being really picky! and that's horrible because that it someone's work, someone's family.. *sigh* perhaps like Dh shouted at me yesterday i do have 'an attitude problem'

on other news, the 2nd window man has been round to measure up.. hopefully we will finally have a date of when we can expect them to be round. it's meant to be the end of this week but i'm wondering now.. work is so busy i can't just take a day off at the moment. it took a whole day last week to work out when i could book day!

ok, off to play with some more paper:)

personality test

2006-08-28T19:51:00.000+01:00

hmm, not sure about all of this, but it's pretty:)

Benevolent Experiencer

it's a Bank Holiday so it must be raining!

2006-08-28T14:35:00.000+01:00

oh and DH must also decide to suddenly start a DIY project!

so we've now got a new floodlight out the front, i've been going crazy with washing, drying etc etc.. so domesticated!

going to make a bread pudding this afternoon and might also go pick some more blackberries from the new stash i found!

Dh made a lovely lasagne yesterday.. it is one thing he knows how to cook, and does it well.. so i leave him to it.. trouble is, it's so HUGE we'll be eating it all week:D

i've also gone crazy getting birthday presents bought, and wrapped, and also heaven forbid, started thinking about xmas pressies.. i know , i know, but if i have a though, then i might as well right it down so that i'll have it ready for when i need it:)

haven't done any scrapping, but i have sorted out a few bits and pieces and will be putting some more things on ebay later on. i love the feeling of clearing things out. if i haven't used it in a year, i might as well sell it on, or give it to someone else who'll use it!

talking of which, we've been a part of the local Freecycle group for a few months now, and have managed to pass on some stuff that we weren't using any more, and pick up a couple of things for us to use. great stuff, and today we ended up with a Dyson! it will need the head replacing soon, but it works at the moment! (anything that gets Dh excited about vacuuming is ok in my book!)
So, highly recommend looking at your local group and see what you can freecycle!

smelly house, smelly house...

2006-08-23T22:46:00.000+01:00

yep, well standard day at work - highlight was the ymmy bacon and egg granary baguette i had for lunch:)

then went to a special event day at the local candle store where they have the Yankee candles.. i'm a sucker for these:) so i bought some yummy smelly things! i now have the scent of ginger cookie in my bedroom! it'll either make me so hungry i'll go eat the contents of the fridge, or it'll curb my appetite for sweet things...

then went out to fatty arbuckles for tea.. really enjoyed it. i lurve ribs.. even DH couldn't find anything to complain about! then it's been raining all evening, so pups haven't wanted to go outside, i severely hope we wont get woken at 4am cause the doggies need to spend a penny!

Dh is sorting out getting broadband changed and saving us some money in the process.. fingers crossed for a smooth transition, and me being able to convert all my logins and accounts over to a new email address!

ooh, think i might post a pic of the pups just so that you can adore them.

birthdays, mirrors, and complaints:)

2006-08-21T21:42:00.000+01:00

firstly, BIG happy birthday shout out to Anam (kihaku) a fabby lady who is so generous with her time, wisdom, and talents. love you loads, and miss you even more.

second, i've just decorated the 2 bargain mirrors i picked up at sainsburys.. just boring old square pine framed mirrors, but i've put some heidi swapp tape and some blossoms and ribbons on and they look quite sweet now. will take a pic of them in situ tomorrow when DH decides to get the hammer and nails out and put them up:)

third, i've done something i almost never do.. and thats write a letter of complaint:0
was so fed up with the room i hire for the crop, the bad service etc that i actually wrote a letter and sent it off this afternoon. i'm sure they'll think i'm over-reacting etc etc, but for once i thought i needed to say something. In writing that's a hell of a lot easier than in person. cause i know i'd just get frustrated, and when that happens it all comes out as tears! so i look like a gibbering little female, and not an assertive person!

i've also been a right old grumpy cow today, talk about getting up on the wrong side of the bed.. gees, i think i got out the wrong side of the universe today! i can't believe i lasted all day in the office without walking out!
lets hope tomorrow is a better one:)

speshal dare

2006-08-20T11:07:00.000+01:00

here's this week's Everyone is Speshal dare..

did it late last night, don't know what came over me.. obviously i was just inspired!

ahhh, saturday!

2006-08-19T21:52:00.000+01:00

what a nice day today has been.. although it's had it's ups and downs!

crop today, and conferencing are going to get a piece of my mind on monday about the lack of care they have for people booking rooms.. difficult access to toilets and hot water.. but anyway.. i'm calm now and things were sorted, but it's really pissed me off. I'm annoyed, cause if i wasn't an employee, i'd be incredibly unimpressed by their actions.

anyway.. it was good to see the girls. had a lovely chat with suzanne and fran. had a look through everyone's stash and drooled! me and Bev didn't get much done, i don't think the inspiration was there! but we had a raffle, with some prizes generously donated by suzanne. not that Fran fixed it at all for us to both get a prize;-)

came home to a lovely welcome from the pups. they both wanted snuggly cuddles, so i had to oblige:)

watched some tv and have been listening to some cds tonight.. where i got inspiration for this week's speshal dare. I'm really loving the challenges that are about at the moment. I don't seem to have a huge amount of inspiration myself, so these are fab for getting me moving!

ooh, and got my pad cc swop from Sue.. It's a lurvely mini frame, and i've already put a photo in it. will try to upload a pic soon.

well off to print some piccies.. got the parents-in-law visiting tomorrow.... hmmmm

I'm it!

2006-08-18T22:49:00.000+01:00

ok, suzanne tagged me so here goes:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?

ooh, so many places. if i am allowed to build one house, surely i've got enough money to build a few right?
in the UK, then i would choose Charmouth, in dorset, many happy holidays as a child there.
in Australia, it would be Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. quiet, beautiful, but near enough to a big city:)

2. What's your favourite article of clothing?
hmm, my lovely layered brown skirt from Debenhams. goes with loads of things and makes me feel girly!

3. Favourite physical feature of the opposite sex?
arms. weird i know.but nicely toned arms..

4. What's the last CD that you bought?
honestly can't remember. last CD i downloaded was Jack JOhnson. Love it. makes me feel all summery.

5. Where's your favourite place to be?
well i love snuggling under my duvet when it's all wild and windy outside.
either that or on a beach, but not sunbathing just paddling and walking on the sand:)

6. Where's your least favourite place to be?
the dentist.. work... at the doctors have a cervical smear;-)

7. What's your favourite place to be massaged?

anywhere! i'm not fussy:) but i agree with suzanne about having my hair played with. i love going to the hairdressers simply to have it washed!

8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
urgh.. mind i guess.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
6am the alarm goes off.:(

10. What is your favourite Kitchen appliance?
steamer.. seriously! the best wedding present ever!

11. What makes you really angry?
people not listening to me when i'm being serious.

12. If you could play an instrument what would it be?
drums.. i do a good 'air drums' :)

13. Favourite colour?
turquoise

14. Sports car or SUV?
any that come with a driver!

15. Do you believe in an afterlife?
sort of. i don't really know. that's one thing i do sit on the fence about!

16. Favourite children's book?
too many to list.. but 'the magic faraway tree' ranks up there quite highly!

17. What's your favourite season?

autumn.. cooler than summer, plenty of berries and fruit about to make crumbles and pies, and the promise of christmas:)

18. What is your least favourite household chore?
washing up. drives me insane how much 2 people can go through.

19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be?
to be able to speak many languages

20. If you have a tattoo what is it?
nope, none.. but i did have my nose pierced when i was at uni.

21. Can you juggle?
jobs and commitments yes, balls, no!

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
my nan.. i never really knew her.

23. What's your favourite day?
thursday. nearly the weekend, and far enough away from monday!

24. What's in the boot of your car?
i don't drive, but in our car there is a first aid kit and some boxes.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
i quite like both to be honest.

I shall tag :
cath

Lost

2006-08-16T22:57:00.000+01:00

what a fab tv series.. just been watching some episodes, and had to stop, otherwise i'd have been up till midnight!
it's got so many new twists and plots, anything could happen.. it's great!

sooo, tomorrow i'm on the clearing hotline at work.. never done it before, so should be interesting. Hopeflly i'll be able to help out a few students! i remember hving to go through clearing myself, a scary time, i didn;t know what i was doing, and just remember it all happening like a dream.. but somehow, i got through it, got a place at uni, and it was the best decision ever.
I love this uni, it's been really good to me, and the staff are genuinely friendly. I really hope that everyone getting their results tomorrow does well, but, if it doesn't go as planned, all is not lost. get on that phone and talk to people. and then enjoy the ride!

(can you tell i've had a drink? LOL)

credit due

2006-08-14T21:07:00.000+01:00

oops, forgot to say that the LO i posted yesterday was inspired by a class by Ria.

Today's LO is from another class at this weekend's pad crop - this time taught by
jaq (sorry keep trying to put a link on here, but it doesn't seem to like the picture and the link at the same time!!)

Busy Little Bee

2006-08-13T21:13:00.000+01:00

thats me.. :)

cybercropping on the pad this weekend, and i've loved it. .been doing a bit of household type stuff too, but i've got some serious cropping done.. and you know what.. saturday afternoon seemed to never end.. it was great! normally time goes so fast when having fun, but not this time. great feeling.

so, i've finally:
- used my mini sewing machine on paper.. (boy did that take a while ..especially with the instructions being wrong!!),
- used versamark and chalks (why did i wait so long??),
- used basic grey paper and actually really liked it enough to consider getting more,
- make an atc,
- use jump rings

here's one of the layouts

yep, that's me in orlando on our honeymoon, and yes that is a bum bag - well when in Rome...

I've used up a ton of old stash, completely run out of adhesive (oh dear, you mean i have to go shop?) and won a prize! woohooo, yes i've got a surprise box of stash coming next week. thanks to Marja who donated the prize.

hmm, well i can't seem to post more than one picture at a time, so this will just have to do. off to finish a pad cybercrop swap...

poorly tummy

2006-08-10T23:15:00.000+01:00

well, that'll teach me for eating ice cream:) I've been keeping clear of milk etc for a while now as i thought it might be contributing to my IBS type symptoms - had a bowl of yummy ice cream tonight, and well, lets just say my tummy didn't like it very much:(

been trying to keep a food diary to try and see if there's a link between certain foods etc, and this is definately one of them.. i'll have to go see what the dr has to say i suppose.

but on good news, i had an ok day at work helping out in the recruitment office. lots of envelope stuffing but it kept me busy, and Kathy and i had a laugh reminiscing about cheesy 90's pop bands..

Looks like i will be able to do the beginners calligraphy course. got in contact with the chap who runs it, so should be good. been looking at some of the stuff that people do and its fantastic. my dad does calligraphy, but i've never learnt it properly. so that should be something nice to do over the autumn. and hopefully i'll be able to incorporate it into my scrapping.

okey dokey, off to see if the dogs will let me have some of my bed!

last day at work..

2006-08-10T09:08:00.000+01:00

well, until next week :D

i've got tomorrow off and i'm soooo looking forward to it. OK, so i'll have to take the dogs out for a walk all by myself (fingers crossed it's not raining like today) and i've got to wait in for the window man, but i get a whole day to myself! woohooo!

got absolutely soaked this morning taking the dogs.. they looked very sorry for themselves when we had to dry them off! hopefully they'll lay in the sunshine and get themselves dry today.

f'lup!

2006-08-09T21:16:00.000+01:00

phew... just been out for a meal ( all desire to make something vanished!) and i'm stuffed. it was lovely, and had some yummy salad as well - my token contribution to healthy eating tonight!

then off to the shops to get a few bits and peices.. nothing exciting, but a flake somehow leapt into the basket so i have a treat for later.. or tomorrow when DH is away visiting his brother before matt flies out to australia.
shame i can't go, but we have the dogs to look after, and also the window man to measure up for DG hopefully. i can't wait to have that done.. it'll be so nice in winter, and hopefully reduce the amount of gas etc we use.

saw a poster advertising a calligraphy course in a nearby church hall. only £14 for 4 sessions, so i might see if i can go to that. would like to learn to write things nicely.

*yawn* i think all that food has made me sleepy.. off for a cup of peppermint tea and a snooze!

Happy Birthday to Suzanne

2006-08-08T08:42:00.000+01:00

just a quick post to say Happy Birthday to one of the most gorgeous people around.. Suzanne.. hope you have a fab day and the postie brings you lots of lovely things.

challenge completed!

2006-08-07T21:12:00.000+01:00

Just completed a fab challenge by Anne Hafermann - posted on her blog.

they are from thenew Ali edwards book - the patterned papers one.. (which i am lusting after, but can't have right now.. roll on xmas!)
this was so simple, but so great - i used up cardstock i'd had for ages, some pretty awful photos which i cropped right down, and some very random paper scraps. love it! oh and there's a bit of heidi swapp tape in there too for good measure!

So, in non-scrapping news.. the loft is done.. hurrah! we can now safely fit all our rubbish up there, and we're insulated, so come winter we should all be toasty warm:)

I'm also the bog beast from hell today.. it's hormones i'm afraid, and i know it is, but i just can't stop being narky! everything is annoying me today.. work was absolute pants, i was so bored i can't tell you.. so i'm afraid i just wallowed in my awfulness and felt bored, pathetic and unfulfilled..

hopefully tomorrow will be a better day;-)

ewwww

2006-08-06T10:16:00.000+01:00

well i'm sat here amidst a whole heap of dust, dirt, power tools and bits of wood.. Dh and FIL are up insulating and boarding the loft.. it's going to be so nice when it's all insulated - lower bills, toasty warm in winter - but also nice to be able to putthings up in the loft without worrying it's going to fall through the ceiling, or get covered in dust and dirt.
I'm telling you, there must have been 50 years worth of industrial town soot and dirt up there. I've got one hell of a cleaning job to do when they finish!

but it's also been good cause we've had to go through all our old stuff and chuck things out.. why on earth i kept half the stuff i did, i've got no idea!
I'm also having to go through all my craft stuff and sell a lot of it. What with all the things that went wrong on the car recently, the holiday and now doing up theloft, things are a bit tight financially.
Well they say it's good to declutter..

In My PrivateUniverse

She did it

Happy 4th

better late than never

ATDML challenge 3

ATDML challenge 4

ATDML class 7

ATDML Class 3

ATDML challenge 2

ATDML Challenge 1

ATDML class 1

*cough, cough*

a rambling about books

The {Joy of Love} Day 6

Flowers

Joy of Love: 3

bwahahahah

snow, soup and decorations

3rd (ok its a bit late!)

2nd

December

Finally!

Another sketch challenge

Souping

a few bits

quick catch up

blimey!

Mojo returned!

The weekend

Welcome to the World

Now we are three

food obsessed - moi?

Licence to..

Crafty Stuff

Things i'm looking forward to

Well well well

Finally!

there may be trouble ahead

crafty stuff

dear lord

ok, so the flu has gone

flu'd up

ok, so snow interuppted play..

tired, tired, tired

Happy B Day Ewan James

Aunty Kathryn???

So, more ramblings

whizzzzz

Head in the Shed

interesting start to the year

2nd Jan= 2nd post

ok, new year, new intentions!

viewings

i love the hairdresser!

urgh

ok, ok, i know!

Go Go Go Joseph.....

I don't like 30!!

Long time no blog

ok, how cool..

Design Team

booktastic!

switched

cool beans!

bloggin

i went and i shopped

quote of the day

bored!

shopping

wow - quick delivery

need a giggle?

happy dance

i won, i won!

I'm it!

what a fun day....

small tip

what's happening?

eeek

one of those days

urgh

cough, cough

bling