I lasted the day

Yep, I lasted all day at the crop and altho I started off badly, it did get better as the day went on. I was so conscious of coughing and I couldn't really join in with all the laughs that Sandie and Anita were having purely because I just cannot physically laugh. That might sound strange but nothing comes out of my mouth apart from germs - yuuk! I still had a good time but didn't get much done in the way of scrapping as it's been so long I've forgotten how to do it. I finished a CJ LO and did a Halloween page of Jake so I s'pose that's not too bad. Plus I indulged in the chocolate fountain Linda brought along. Was a bit worried it would start me off coughing but I just can't resist choccie - yumm.

As I haven't posted any pics lately thought I would share this one of my little chappie from last weekend. We went to Stewarts Garden Centre to see Father Christmas but he was too afraid. We had a look round their christmas shop and Jakey found a Rudolph hat which he promptly pulled on. Bless him, with that ear poking out he looks just like an ikkle Elf.... aaaaaawwww.

Crumbs!

It's the 1st December and I haven't posted in ages. Well just a quick update as I don't want to bore the pants off you anymore with my 'illness'......

I went back to the docs today for the 5th time in 10 weeks - yes 10 weeks! It now appears I have whooping cough. Strangely this is something that is not always associated with babies and children and can develop in adults even though I've been vaccinated. It's not nice I have to say and having read all about it on t'internet I can now see that it's what I have. At least I now know and I've been given some antibiotics to take for 10 days and an inhaler to hopefully help stop the coughing. Honestly it was getting to be ridiculous. I've been coughing uncontrollably for over 3 weeks to the point of being physically sick. Not nice at all and it's been so exhausting as well. I am really run down. I haven't been out much because a change in temperature causes me to cough, so by being out for a couple hours basically renders me useless for the rest of the day! I now, hopeful, can begin to get better and start living again. Maybe xmas doesn't seem so bad after all.

Off to Linda's all day crop tomorrow with Sandie, Anita and Sue. I so want to go and have a good time. Keep your fingers crossed I can last the day. You never know I might even have some LO's to show you!

Stay healthy!

Jo x

It's been a while....

... and I'm still not right. I've done a lot of resting lately. The doc says I have a virus and after 6 weeks of it, the only way to get rid of it is complete rest. Now that's not easy with a 3 year old, but he has tried to be good. The evenings, when everyone is in bed, is my best time. I guess it's because I can switch off from whatever is troubling me. My mum reckons I have 'Yuppy Flu' - yuppy flu?!?! I don't think she realises that it's now called ME and I definately haven't got that. I think I know what it is deep down but it could be along time to get back to 100%. Meanwhile I'm taking the Echinacea liquid and garlic tabs to improve my immune system. Not sure they're working but I live in hope.

I've been a bit poorly

I'm into my fifth week of having a cold and I'm pretty fed up to say the least. Thursday was a terrible day as I was so blocked up I couldn't breath so at long last I made an appointment to see the doc. It wasn't my normal doc but a locum and altho she wasn't nasty she was rather blunt. And what is wrong with me? I have a COMMON COLD and there's nothing she can do for me. A common cold? After 5 weeks???? I was not impressed and as it's turned out I've been really poorly since I saw her. I've had a temperature, can't breath, smell or taste anything. When I cough my right lung hurts. I haven't eaten anything, I'm weak, body aches and I've a pounding headache. And that, according to my doc, is a common cold. Can you tell I'm not impressed? I'm just starting to feel a bit more human even if it is late at night and what I think I had was flu. Paul's been unwell with it too and as much use as a chocolate fireguard when it comes to looking after Jake when I'm not well, so I've been plodding along with a very noisy and naughty three year old. Thankfully Paul's mum has been a godsend today and taking him off our hands and having a sleep over so we can recover. I do feel a bit guilty tho as she looks worn out herself. I've slept loads and loads over the last 3 days and now we get an extra hour tonight, I'm not tired. Typical! I don't even feel like doing any scrapping :( The only good side to this illness is..... I've lost 4lbs! Hope I wake tomorrow feeling better for a change. Night night.

Kids huh!

Being as it's half term this week I've had to be the good mummy and take Jake out. Today we went to Wimborne Model Town. It's a favourite of Jake's as he had his 3rd birthday party there. It's self contained and quite small so there's no danger of losing him. I also thought it would be a great photo opportunity as the light was quite good today. Oh dear - famous last words - this is what I got when I asked him to smile at the camera. EEEeeeek! Do you think he looks like Shrek??? lol
I did get some great shots from him in the end. The best are always kept for scrapping so you'll have to come back to see what I've done. And if I say so myself - they're pretty damn good!

My Boys

We were going to go out on the boat on Saturday but by the time we got to Cobbs the wind had got up so we decided to go on the Quay instead. Although a bit chilly, the sun was shining and I took some lovely photo's of my boys. These LO's I did last night using up bits from Scenic Route (my fave) and Tinkering Ink.

I scraplifted this one below out of this months CK. Think I'll go back to doing a few 6 x 12's.

It's my mission at the mo to use as much of my scraps up as poss. I would never throw them away but it just seems criminal to stick them in a bag for 'one day' never to be used. I even made some cards the other night with leftovers! Very strange for me.

Bubbles

It's amazing that a 50p bottle of liquid bubbles can keep a child amused for hours. Jake's getting quite good at it now. How about this for a photo - pure fluke but perfectly captured!

Sssshhh... I've been on a spending spree

It was the Scrapping Frenzy crop night last night and I love going there. As usual I nattered and ooo'd and aaaar'd over everyones new stash for far too long. Katy & Emma were showing off there lovely new wheelable totes from Docrafts. They are fabulous and I so NEED one! It's unbelievable the amount of stash that can be stored in them, with hidden pockets and clear removable little bags, slots for pens, dividers for papers & carstock, the list goes on. They both had them in brown and pink and they are so funky. They're top of my shopping list at the mo and I'm sure it won't be long - he he! They also brought some really fabulous stamps which I can't wait to use. I'm not sure if I can really let on what they're like, but there was so many I loved them all. I didn't buy all of them but I didn't do too bad - oops! Some of the larger stamps I bought were Halloween themed so I've dug out last years photo's which haven't really been scrapped, and I'm going to do a mini book.



I also popped into David & Brenda's @ Craft Obsessions yesterday, as they've just received their consignment of gorgeous felt from Queen & Co. Again I wanted all of it but decided on only 7 of them. Absolutely lush! One thing which I didn't realise,is that it's self adhesive - brilliant as you know what a bugger it can be to stick felt down. So I've more stash to use now! I also bought the new Autumn Leaves Techno Pop papers and plastic embellies - they are lush too and I actually used them in this LO at the crop last night. It's my little boy with one of his friends at a Birthday Party a few weeks ago. So sweet and I got to scrap in pink for a change - yippeee! :-)

Not much to report

My creativeness seems to have diminished - hmmm. But the strange thing is I desperately want to scrap. Popped into Hobbycraft today to see if they had anything new and... they didn't really. Still managed to spend 16 quid tho but that was because I had Jake with me and you know what kids are like. So I walked out of there with a pirate hat and a pirate funky foam thingy for him to stick together. Huh? He's pirate mad at the mo and not even the slightest bit interested in Halloween even tho I got some bits from Tesco's today for a party. Oh well I'm sure he'll come round when the sweets come out! lol

I've still got this poxy cold and cough - it's been 3 weeks now and I'm soooo fed up with it. I've decided that if it's not better by Friday then I will go to the docs. I feel a bit of a fraud going to see him with 'just a cold' but nothing is shifting it. If I pop anymore pills I'll start to rattle!

Well I was going to upload some pics of when we were out on the boat on Sunday but blogger doesn't want to play. Anyway, it was a gorgeous day and because the speed limit has been lifted at this time of year in the harbour, we could put our foot down - and we did! Cruising at 25knots in the harbour is amazing! Plus I caught some fishes too! Put them all back safely tho as they were only baby bass. They sure did like our wiggly worms tho. he he!

Well I think I will try and start a CJ entry that I've been meaning to do. Now where's those Scenic Route papers.................

Ahoy Me Maties!

So here's 'Captain Jake'. I can't really take the credit for this LO as I saw the idea of the waves on someone elses but for the life of me can't remember or find where it was. It was probably on UKS but it's no where to be seen now. Thank you for the idea anyway, who ever it was. I love the way the skull & crossbones have come out too. I've had some Ranger Crackle Accents for ages and not used it and it's brill! I had to leave it overnight to dry but the effect is just perfect. And the amazing coins? Oh yes! The fimo ones painted with metallic copper paint - thanks Claire!

I haven't put this LO in the album yet as I still think it needs something more. Not sure what, so if you've got any ideas out there, please let me know. Ta very much!

It's late....

.. and I'm still up - sorting stash to take to the all day crop tomorrow. Oops that should say TODAY! I've printed off some of the classes from the CC on UKS and hoping to get them done after I've made a mini box album thingie with Scrapdolly (aka Karen Leahy). So I should have some pages to show you soon.

I've also finished a LO tonight on a Pirate theme. Claire, my UKS teamie came up with a brilliant idea of making some coins out of fimo. They didn't look brilliant when they came out of the oven, but after painting them metallic copper they look pretty good. Another page for you to watch this space for.

Right off to bed now - got to get up early in the morning for a busy day of scrapping! (minus Sandie and Sue my croppin maties, boo hoo)

A Mini Album

Last week I made a mini album with the BIA for my inlaws wedding anniversary. It was made in about 4 hours in total and I didn't have the time to take some photos. Well anyway my MIL brought it round tonight so I took a couple. They're not brilliant photo's as the light is very poor in our house. I've titivated them up a bit in Digi Pro so they'll have to do. I didn't take many pictures either but here they are.....

Tonight I'm finishing of the Blind Man's Buff Challenge (Mystery Kit) for the CC on UKS. I have to say that Crafty Pastimes have provided such a lovely kit. I'm not allowed to say what's in it but I love it all! You'll have to watch this space to see my creation. Coming soon.....

Oh no I've been tagged! uuughh

I'm not one for these things but like Sandie - I'll give it a go.

Emma has tagged me and this is what comes next.....

Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs

So some boring bumpf about me...

1. I suffer a bit from OCD
2. I'm forever washing my hands..... and Jake's too
3. I used to play netball for the County (along time ago tho)
4. I'm a perfectionist
5. Apparantly I'm a bit feisty (isn't that right Emma?) he he
6. I love chinese - but only a sitty down meal one.
7. I was born with a bent little toe! Now that is weird!!

and now to tag 7 other people... hmmmm. Will come back later with that one.

E.T.A. Well it appears that I've let the side down and I'm officially Billy No Mates! lol Everyone I know who has a blog has already been tagged or they haven't got a blog! Oh well, I did my best. Will crawl away in shame and cry now :(

Here they are....

... some of my LO's from Scrap Camp. I've yet to finish one of Jane Dean's classes as I didn't have the right photo's for the pp's and the I've yet to complete some journalling on Maria Grace's Album class.

Kirsty Wiseman's Class

Jane Dean's Class

Cleo Jarvis' Class

And some I did in myself inbetween the classes..

Scrap Camp 4

What a weekend! I've had a brilliand time and am very exhausted. Took some fabulous classes from Maria Grace Abuzman, Kirsty Wiseman, Jane Dean and Cleo Jarvis and WOW - they were amazing! Have taken some photo's and will upload later. I'm soooo inspired!

Scrap Camp 4

I'm a Winner!

I never win anything but tonight I had a pm on UKS that I had won some Bella Stamps in a free draw from It's a Creative World. I didn't expect to win as I never do well in draws but I have to say my luck must be changing. I've got a couple already so I know what they are like and I love 'em. Have always liked stamping but never really been any good at it. I will have to post a few of my creations when I get them.

Got a busy week coming up this week as I'm off to Scrap Camp with Emma on Friday. I'm sooo excited but haven't got anything organised yet - eeek! I've been procrastinating over work for the last few weeks and Paul's been nagging me so I've had to knuckle down. My aim is to finish work today so I can then concentrate on getting my photo's sorted. Then it's my tools and a few baggies with some kits in to get on with while I'm there. Altho I'm not sure if I'm going to do any scrapping other than the classes as I can see alot of chatting, eating and drinking is going to be taking place. Horray for girly weekends away!!!!

Right, on with these accounts.......

Busy, busy

I just don't know where the last 2 days have gone. I've got a stinking cold that just won't shift and has really taken the energy out of me. I even had a nap this aftie for 2 hours which is unheard of for me! Can only put it down to the change in weather... brrrr.

Jake went to his friends party today at Farmer Palmers. Is was an early one at 10.30 and we stayed until 2pm. He had a fabulous time and I actually enjoyed myself too. I took loads of photo's but dopey me forgot to charge the battery up and it was flat by the time the cake arrived - typical! I've yet to master the manual settings for action shots as well. I just couldn't get it right today - not even on auto.

I've been really busy working in the evenings this week so haven't done many LO's. I'm off to do one now tho for next weeks challenge on the Scrapping Frenzy Blog. There is a little prize for one lucky person if you link it or email it to us, so please do have a go. We'd love to see your creations.

Right I'm off to scrap!

Camera practice

My lovely Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lense that I had for my birthday has arrived! So yesterday I was practising using it. It's totally different to how I imaged as it's very small but I'm amazed at the picture quality! It's fab! I had a bit of a camera lesson with Katy last night and she's given me some new settings to work on. I'll have another practise today and see what I come up with. Here's one I took of Jake yesterday tho. I didn't think it was that bad for a beginner?

Good light!

I've done it! Yaaay! So here's some LO's I've created ...

This one was done for the Week 3 UKS Challenge.

Bad light

Is summer officially over? I probably reckon so. I wanted to take photo's today of some of the LO's I've been doing lately but it just isn't happening. It's just too dark and dismal so I've given up. Instead you can have a few photos of a cheeky little monkey who hitched a ride on the truck when we went to Longleat a few weeks ago. I'm going to scrap him of course. He's the one that ripped the nozzle thingies off the windscreen washers to get to the washer fluid - apparently there's alcohol in there..... say no more!! lol

I'm back

I really had a fabulous birthday on Thurs but doesn't time fly. It seems like ages ago - guess that's what old age does to you. My pressies included a Canon 50mm lense which hasn't yet come thanks to Amazon - they've definately gone down hill lately. Anyway, I also got a fabulous tripod, a mini stereo for my craft room, a new 12x12 guillotine and loads of other stuff. I really have been spoilt! And of course these from Katy & Sandie. I've used these tonight Sandie if you're reading. x

Today has been a bit boring really but as the boys are now tucked up in bed, I can at least be productive in my own little world. In fact I've just finished a LO I started on Wed, and also done a 12x6 for this weeks challenge on UKS. I haven't yet had chance to do the photography challenge on Scrapping Frenzy Blog but if I get time I'll try tomorrow. Katy's photo looks fab!

Right, back to a bit of scrapping with Amy Winehouse.....

Exhausted Birthday Girl

This is very short and sweet tonight but I'm really tired. I'm starting to show my age now. What a lovely Birthday I've had. Got some brilliant pressies but it's been that busy I haven't had the chance to look at them properly.

Will be back in the morning, all refreshed I hope... yawn yawn....night night.

Crop & Shop

What a lovely evening I've had! Crop night tonight and we laughed and scrapped and shopped - oh yes, did we shop! The lovely Brenda & David from Craft Obsessions came tonight, so while Brenda scrapped David hauled in supplies for us to oooo and aaaaah over - then buy of course. I just so love the AC Thickers and David must of brought along the lot. I think we all bought more than we needed but they are pretty lush. I already had some of the vinyl one's which I used on a LO for the Scrapping Frenzy Blog, but I can't share that with you yet as it's for the challenge next Monday. Anyway back to the shopping. I was pretty naughty buying more Thickers, the new Basic Grey button packs, new Bazzill Stitchez cardstock (not sure of the spelling on that), AC Felt Xmas Embellies and more thickers! Heaven!

Also, Sandie and Katy bought me Birthday pressies and I'm soo chuffed! I'll post a piccies them tomorrow. I really wasn't expecting anything, so if you're reading this girls - THANK YOU! YOU'RE THE BEST! x

Well I best get some sleep now as I've got a mountain of presents to open in the morning -Yippee!

Blimey!

Well I feel exhausted! What a busy time it's been over the last 2 days.

We went to the Southampton Boat Show yesterday as we do every year and had a really good day. Last year I found our next boat and it remains to be the best one for us although I've still got to persuade Paul we NEED it. It's 42ft of lovely, gorgeous, luxurious boat and I want it!! Well in my dreams for now anyway. We'd never be able to afford a brand newie unless we won the lottery but you never know. One day maybe we can stretch to a second hand one - yer right!

Now today has been rather hectic. Jake woke up at 5am and would not got back to bed so stayed in ours. Paul slept like a log whilst I hung onto the side of the bed trying to sleep whilst Jake layed comfortably in the middle. Great!

He was at school at 9am and went full of a cold. I had to take the car to be serviced and then do a shop a Tesco's - another great! Got home at 1pm to find Paul ransacking the kitchen for food whilst I'm trying to put it all away - a typical man eh? They just can't wait.

Then there's no hot water - the boiler has blown - and there's another great! Luckily we've got a service contract so they're coming to fix it tomorrow. I really hate not having any hot water.

After running round like a headless chicken trying to get the house tidied up it's time to go and get Jake from school and collect the car. Jake is really full of cold now and 2 mins down the road he's out like a light. Now I'm wondering how on earth am I going to get a tired poorly little boy and his car seat out of the curtesy (sp?) car and back into mine? Well it was a struggle I have to tell you. Eventually I get home with a very very poorly little boy by now who just wants to sleep, and he hasn't woken up yet since 4.30pm. Guess who's going to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow?? And to end a fabulous day... I've also got a tipsy, flaked out snoring husband to look after too. Phew!!! And I haven't had any tea yet!!! lol

Well the good side to the day was my Scrap Room kit arrived and I'm now going to have a nice cuppa and stroke it lovingly.

Crop tomorrow night so better just print some photo's off or I'll get nothing done....

Stuffed!

Feeling loads better today! We had a lazy morning at home, then dropped Jake off at his Nanna's this afternoon. The weather wasn't too bad to start off with, but by the time we'd got to Poole it was raining and cold. When it's like that there's not much else to do but eat and drink so to the Bakers Arms we went........... and I've eaten toooo much! This was 6 hours ago now and I'm still feeling stuffed. I'm not eating till Friday now!



Last night I decided I must use some of my Scrap Room kits as they are piling up, and the September one will be here any day. So I managed 2 LO's. Thank goodness they always include something 'manly' - I don't think Paul would appreciate his photo on a pink page.
If you get the chance, don't forget to pop onto the NEW Scrapping Frenzy blogspot tomorrow morning for it's launch. There's some exciting stuff happening!

No Fishing Today

Last night about 10pm I suddenly got a raging migraine, so by 10.30 I was in bed. Now for a Friday night that is unheard of for me. As Paul would say 'Friday night is a serious scrapping night'. Well I woke up this morning still feeling pretty awful so our plans for the day have gone out the window. I'm gutted as it a beautiful day and we'd arranged to go out on the 10.30am bridge to go fishing in the harbour with Jake. I've been left at home with Jake while Paul's gone to Cobbs and he's just phoned to say it's glorious down there and like a mill pond. Damn Migraine! He'll be back shortly for lunch and he's then going to take Jake back down there to meet some friends while I have a quiet afternoon. I so want to go but I know if I do it will just get worse. Boo hoo!!

Maybe I'll do a little scrapping but I'm not sure it will cheer me up as I hate missing out on the fantastic weather we're having. Anyway, here's a piccie I took on Thurs as we were coming out of Cobbs Marina. It was really overexposed but having corrected that in DigiPro, it now looks like a painting - how bizarre.

My Prize is lovely!

Yesterday I received my prize for the Augusts UKS Monthly Challenge. It's from the generous Mel & Jill @ ATDML and they've sent me the KI Memories Creative Kit called 'Surprise'. I love it and here's a piccie for you to see. Perfect timing......

I also had an email from my bestest friend Karen to say she's sent me a voucher to spend at Silly Monkey. I'm really excited! I've never shopped there before but they've got the adorable Magnolia Stamps. So you know what I'm going to be buying with the voucher!

Will this work?

Ok, so as I'm playing with Blogger tonight - being a Newbie - I thought I'd have a go at uploading a photo...

Yaaay! It worked!

This is me and my cutie little boy on the spinning tea cups at Longleat last week.... just before I threw up!

Well here I am!

I can't really believe I've done this as (just like my lovely friend Sandie) I said I wouldn't. My excuse is it's done in the name of 'Scrapping Frenzy' and pushed by the very talented Katy. Now if I could only find the link.......