Boo!!

I know, I know. It's been absolutely ages since I posted. And so much for clearing out my craft room! That's still to come so sorry if you've been waiting in anticipation.

As it's Halloween on Friday I thought I'd share this page I did for the DoCrafts Project of the Week this week. You can see it in more detail here. The majority of the products used are Doodlebug, the Sugar Coated Cardstock mainly - perfect for Halloween. See those wiggly eyes on the photo and at the top of the page? They came to me in a flash of inspiration - and that doesn't happen very often these days! lol

Enjoy!

Jo :)

crafting clear-out

I've decided it's time to have a clear-out - I've run out of room to keep everything. *roll eyes* Over the next week I shall be posting crafty items for sale so if you fancy a bargain, watch this space....

Overdue

It's been almost a month since I last blogged. I've still not done very much scrapping as I've been concentrating more on Stampin'Up! , even then I haven't posted there much either!

Anyway I thought I'd share one layout I have produced recently. It's for the monthly challenge on Creativity! Life. This month the challenge is to design a page about 'Autumn'. Easy huh? And if you enter the challenge and upload by the 14th November you will be in to win a little prize. Go on, give it a go.

This page is also over on the DoCrafts Designer Gallery where you can get a much better look - they have a special gadgety thing where if you hover the mouse over the page, it magnifies the image. Cool!

I hope to get back into my 'scrappin zone' again real soon. Promise.

Be good and have a great weekend.

Jo :)

21 again, 21 again!!

It was my birthday yesterday....21 again.. ahem!!

The last three days have been absolutely wonderful - the weather has been fantastic and it makes such a difference. Friday we went to the Southampton Boat Show and 'nearly' bought a brand new boat. It was this one here *swoon* *swoon*

That was our hearts ruling our heads but thankfully our heads saw sense and we just came home with a few glossy catalogues. Here's my husband dreaming of winning the lottery...

So yesterday was my birthday and I had loads of amazing pressies, I'm a very lucky girl! Jake had a friends birthday party to go to so we dropped him off and went over to see my mum & dad and take their dog Diesel for a walk with Charley. It was the first time they'd been for a walk together with Charley off the lead and they both had a fabulous time. Diesel is a very placid dog and I've never known him to bare his teeth at another dog or person - not even Charley who's a damn right pest and Charley never leaves him alone. He's getting better all the time though and from these photos they definately look like friends.

Last night we went out for a lovely meal at Loch Fyne I've always fancied the Seafood platter but never been brave enough to order so as a birthday treat Paul said we could go for it. Look at this!!! And we ate all of it! I wasn't so sure on the crayfish but once I knew which bit I could eat I was ok - it looked pretty menacing though.

And this little fella, well he looked so cute, but I have to say I did devour him and he was de-lic-ious!!!

Today we spent with my MIL & FIL. Had a lovely walk at the woods, sat in a pub garden drinking Pimms, as you do, and then home for party food. The perfect way to end a birthday weekend.

I'm pretty exhausted now so early to bed for me tonight. Catch you all soon - have a great week!

Mamma Mia!

At last I've been to see Mamma Mia and even though I knew it was going to be fantastic I have to say it was FLIPPIN fantastic! Marian treated me as a birthday gift - bless her. We went to the sing-a-long version and both Marian and I sung our little hearts out. I've never known people to sing and dance and wave their arms like that - it was so........ wonderful!! As you can tell I had a brill time and yesterday I per-chased the Movie Soundtrack to sing to in the car - I must remember to keep the windows shut though!

Lately I haven't been in the mood for scrapping. I'm finding it really hard work and not enjoyable at all. I guess I'm too critical of my own work, so for now I've gone back to cardmaking - not for good, just a little breather. I will share these pages though. The first one 'My Boy' was done a few weeks ago at the Scrapping Frenzy crop and 'All Grown Up' I did at Linda's all day crop on saturday. For both of these I've used Studio Calico kits - I think they were the July & August one's. (I still haven't received my September kit but I'm not that bothered, it'll turn up soon.) I DO love my one photo pages...

Back to school

My Jakey started big school on Tues. He was sooo excited and boy didn't he look grown up. It was raining so the obligatory photos had to be taken in the lounge where there was most light. Look at those ears!!!! lol

He's used to school life as for the past two years he's attended a Montessori school and it was well worth every penny! Considering he's only just turned four, so will be one of the youngest in his class, he already knows his sounds (abc's to us grown ups), can read three letter words and plays a mean 'eye spy'!! This school wasn't our first choice it was our third, in fact it was pretty tough getting into a local school as all the closest ones are out of catchment. Can you believe our catchment school was the furthest one away! And you wouldn't believe this, but last Monday the local council sent Jake a bus pass! Yes a flippin bus pass!!!! OOoo I swore when that arrived cos if they thought I was going to let a 4 year old get on a big bus on his own to travel to school, aaaaaarrrgh!!! I nearly picked the phone up and called someone a few rude names but instead I wrote an abrupt message, stuck it back in the envelope and put 'return to sender' on it. Incompetence makes me so mad!!!!! ................................. and breath :) Ha Ha! OK so I've had my little rant and back to Jakes day, he had a fabulous time. He's loving every minute and walks out of school with a huge grin on his face - bless him. So life will return to normal again, slowly but surely.

I've been very busy lately with 'creative stuff' and there's been quite a few late nights which has caught up on me and I've been feeling pretty rank but that's life - it gets like that at times.

This layout was one I did for the DoCrafts Project of the Week last week. I love the Doodlebug papers especially the Swiss Dot one, that has to be my fave. The photo's are of course my Jakey on his Birthday. It was only July and now look at the weather - it's more like October!

I've got a Stampin'Up Workshop to do next week for Julie so I'm off to create now.

Just a quickie

The last week has been so busy and I've still got a million things to do by the 1st Sept (deadlines eeek!) but I just had show you this photo of our Charley from Sunday. He's still not entirely sure of the water but he's getting braver with every outing. It's when the cold water hits his 'bits' that he suddenly turns into a lunatic and bounds out of the water like a hare! It's so funny to see and I managed to capture this shot as he makes his way to the shore. He's such a character and even though he chews my furniture, likes to roll in foxes poo, steals shoes and harrasses Jake - we love him to bits and we couldn't image life without him.

Ooo and I've just realised, for the first time ever (I'm not sure how I managed it) but if you click on the image it will enlarge if for you!

Bad Head

After having such a good day on Saturday, yesterday wasn't. One word really - MIGRAINE! I stuck it out for most of the day but by the time we got home a 6pm I went straight to bed. Feeling a little muzzy today but hey ho - life goes on.

Anway, I've just uploaded some pages from Saturday. I couldn't do all of them as some are of Jake's party and have other children in them. I haven't got the parents permission so unfortunately you can't see - sorry.

I did manage to make a few Stampin'Up! bits the other night and I'll post them at Stampin-n-Stuff later.

It may be raining...

The weather was pretty miserable today but I had a fabulous day! :) I went to the Craft Obsessions Crop with David & Brenda and I was very productive. Sometimes I can go to a crop and for the first two hours I just sit and shuffle then eventually stick something down (hence my blog title). Today however I cracked on from the moment I got there. Four pages, yes FOUR pages I created today. Unfortunately my scrapping buddies, Sandie, Sue and Anita were doing other things so I missed them, but I guess it means I talk to much as I only seem to muster about abou 2 1/2 pages in their company. Not that I'm complaining as that's the reason I go - to be with friends. I sat with Ali and another lady who's name I can't remember for the life of me but is KEZ on UKS. Lovely ladies and from what I saw they were pretty productive too. On three of the pages I used the August Studio Calico kit - not bad for me as it only came the other day- and the fourth page I used their July kit. If the lights good tomorrow I'll take some pics to show you.

Tonight though I'm being creative again and playing with my Stampin'Up! goodies. I'll be taking some brochures and cards along to the Scrapping Frenzy crop on Wednesday but if you want to know more pop over to my SU! blog at http://www.stampin-n-stuff.blogspot.com/ Rather than sift through all my posts you can view the labels on the left hand side to see some of my past creations. There will be more coming soon as I've got a couple of busy months ahead.

Have a good one!

Jo :)

Teresa Collins mini book #2

For the last couple of nights I've been making a mini book. Remember when Emma and I went to Chepstow to see Teresa Collins? Well I loved the book we made at her class and promptly went home to order more of her products. I started the book a few weeks ago but other things came up and I put it to one side. This week has been the calm before the storm so I grabbed the opportunity to finish it and here it is. I've done lots of stamping in this book using The Collage Press Clear Stamps - 'Office Policy'. Teresa used them for her book and I fell in love with them. I've also used a set of the October Afternoon Clear Stamps. I'm not sure which ones they are but Anita bought them for me last Christmas and they're also my fave! (Thanks Anita - you know me too well. ) I'll google them and let you know tomorrow.

I've taken lots of photos to show you but I'm struggling with Photoshop at the mo. I can't seem to get four photos on one page?!?!?! Think I need an upgrade but for now it's just the front cover. I'll be back later to edit (hopefully) with the rest.

E.T.A - I've given up with photoshop! What the heck.... here's ALL the pages! :) Sorry for the poor quality - I can't seem to reduce the size of these whoppers - you should be able to click on them for detail. I think I'll be adding Photoshop to my Birthday list along with an idiots guide....

Is that some sunshine??

Where has the summer gone?? We were supposed to be away for a few days this week but we cancelled because of this horrendous wind! Cruising on the high seas is not very pleasant when it's anything above a force 3, infact it's miserable being bumped about by the waves. So we've spent the week at home doing nothing. I haven't had the inclination to do anything either, although I have done a little scrapping and cardmaking which I thought I'd share with you.This page was made using a K&Co kit I got from QVC a few weeks ago. I've added lots of embellies - as you do- and I love the brightness which goes so well with the photos of Jake in his Chelsea footie kit. Goodness knows why he likes Drogba - I think it must be Scott's influence on that one.

The card is a shadow box card. It's my first attempt at one of these and I think it's rather cute. The owls are from the Papermania Clear Stamps - Secret Garden range and the papers - which I really, really love - are the new Daisy Bucket Perfect Harmony range from Craft Obsessions - yum! I dug out my nesties too - I'd forgotten how much I love using them! :)

Talking of Papermania.. there will be more new product releases available from 1st September including these acrylic and chipboard books. I hope to get my crafty mits on one of these very soon to have a little play.....

And he's off!

We took Charley out for his 3rd walk off the lead today. So far we've taken him out into the country - I'm talking in the middle of nowhere with only crop fields around us - but today we took him to the beach. A quietish beach that is. With the walks in the country he's been as good as gold. No running off and if you called him he would come back - even if it is for a bit of cheese. Even so, he's been really good and today was more of a test to see how he would get on with people AND other dogs around. I'm proud to say he was very good. Only twice he was distracted with other dogs and we had to put him on the lead but overall it was a success. He loves being off the lead having a real good run. He's much better behaved as well. Most of the time he's at our heels and if he does run ahead, we always get the look behind to make sure we're there.

Here's a couple of the pics I took today. That stick in his mouth looks like a giant cigar! Ha!!

The hard bit is done

Today was decorating day. I can't say I was particularly in the mood for it but I have been procrastinating for far too long so today was the day. It was the thought of rubbing down all the woodwork that turns me right off decorating and there was a fair bit to do. You wouldn't think it in a small room like an en-suite but because we had the disaster with the leaking shower, it was partly replasterboarded and plastered, so consequently between the 'old' walls and the 'new' walls the joins had to be sanded. I was completely white with dust when I came out of the room at tea time - even my glasses were thick with dust and you know how dust can get into every oriface? yuuuk!! Still the horrible bit is done and tomorrow I shall be painting. This room is going to be black and cream. I've already bought the accessories - a beautiful black & cream blind, a black & silver mirror, luxurious black towels and a very posh loo brush!!! ha ha! I would of showed you some pics but it seems blogger doesn't want to upload for me tonight.

Bedtime for me now....

Are the school hols over yet???

I wish they were!! Two weeks in and although it's nice having Jake around, boy is he demanding! He's gone to his Nanna's for a sleepover tonight so I'm very lucky to be having a break, which is allowing me to get a few jobs done. One of them is clearing out my craft room - it's got really bad lately and I can't see the carpet anymore. Plus as Scott's room is free I've been spilling over into that. Shameful! Tomorrow I'm doing a bit of decorating and as it's the en suite I'm hoping it won't take too long. I've got everything I need just some motivation is all that's required now.

On Friday just gone, Jake's school friends had a picnic party at Honeybrook Farm. We dodged the rain as much as possible but you know kids- they really don't worry about that sort of thing. Kate organised the get together with her two girls Hattie and Martha and it was really good. Jake was the only boy amongst 7 girls! All the kids had a fabulous time and I did too - I got to hold, cuddle and take lots of pics of little Martha (7 months). She's such a cutie! No more kids for me though - unless I can be guaranteed a GIRL! lol

When I was Two....

Over at DoCrafts I've made a page for 'Project of the Week' this week. Emma asked if I could do some pages with the 'Sweet Nothings' range and I have to say I love everything in the range! The quality is so much better than it used to be - fabulously heavier papers and that acetate is a thicken! I also did an acetate card for a 'Project of the Week' a few weeks back. You can see that here

As you know I don't get to do many girlie pages having all boys so given the chance to use everything pink and cute was a real treat. I now wish I had more girlie pics to scrap with. Saying that I've been busy with other projects using Basic Grey Euphoria. Again it's very girlie so I've had to think real hard at what to scrap but I've done it and I'm really pleased. You'll have to wait to see those pages but they will be featured soon at http://www.creativitylife.com/

Other news..... I've at long last been to the docs about this horrendous cough I've had since last year. Over the last week I've had a blood test, X-ray and Spirometry. The Spirometry tests your lung capacity and after having two tests done I've been told my lungs are excellent. Apparently the machine gave a reading to indicate my age was 36!! ha!!! She was also testing for asthma which I obviously haven't got - thank goodness. Anyway, I've yet to hear about the blood test and X-ray results when I see the doc next week. I hope he can get it sorted for me.... I have a feeling it won't become clear exactly whats wrong and I'll have to just live with it. It's very annoying though and quite embarrasing when I go off on one - I sound like I'm on 50 fags a day and suffering from bronchitis! Let's hope he can fix me....

Birthday Week

Today it was my little boys 4th Birthday. We've been celebrating it since last Wednesday when we went to Paultons Park - it was a 'Hoot! Hoot!' lol On Friday it was his last day of school so that was pretty manic. Yesterday he had a party with his friends at Farmer Palmers and today we've had a family BBQ. It doesn't stop there either as it's my Big boys Birthday on Tues so more celebrations! I'm pretty much pooped after the last two days - this party lark is flippin hard work - but I did manage to take a few photo's whilst keeping everyone fed and watered today. Jake kindly let his Daddy share his birthday cake but he wasn't impressed when we also sang happy birthday to his Dad.

I've not done much scrapping lately (boo hoo!) but I did do a card a little while ago which is Project of the Week over on the DoCrafts Website. There was a few comments on there about my instructions not being that good and hands up, I'm not the best at it I do admit. However the acetate I used is already printed and it's from the Sweet Nothings Range - all very cute and girlie. I'm not sure of the thickness of it but at a guess I would reckon 50microns. Standard 25 would be just as good for one of these cards though. The glue I used was simply a dry adhesive. Double sided would do but it must be a dry one as a wet one would be like a slipper fish on that acetate. The idea though is to layer up the card covering any glue with a different layer. Finger prints can be a problem but I make sure my hands are clean before touching and I try to minimise the handling of the card as much as possible. I expect there is some clever person out there that would know how to avoid paw prints, I just haven't got round to looking it up. ;)

That's it for now - I need to hit the sack. Yaaaaawn.... night, night.

A wannabe Red Coat

Ok so it's been ages since I last blogged so sorry to the girls that read the snippets of my life.

Last week we went on our hols to Butlins, Bognor Regis. Yes you read right - BUTLINS! I have to say it was an excellent week! The weather was good to us - not that it really mattered as there was so much going on - the hotel was really good (you can have a look at it here) and the staff are so friendly and helpful - and that applies across the Resort. I can highly recommend to anyone who has young children, although I would only do it if you were staying in the Hotel as I reckon the apartments didn't look that good. The entertainment was first class for the kids and to see the look on Jake's face having such a good time was a picture. We particularly enjoyed the Wrestling with a 30 stone man against and a normal size man and a dwarf. It was hilarious!! I haven't laughed and shouted so much in ages. All the shows were very professional and every minute of the day there is something to do. We did bowling, swimming, archery, eating, drinking, fairground rides, go cart races, amusement arcades, Fireman Sam shows, bob builder shows, Billy Butlins workout, the list could go on. Jake now wants to be a Red Coat when he gets older.

Oh and he's fallen in love with a girl called Candi. This is Candi, all pink and very girly....

She's part of the Skyline Gang and he is well and truelly besotted - so much so he has told me he loves Candi more than me..... boo hooo! I printed this pic of her off for him yesterday and he has taken it with him everywhere. He hopes to meet her again next year when we return for our second year. Overall rating? 9/10

Creativity! Life is here!!

I haven't posted in an absolute age but things have just been so busy lately. I haven't even had time to scrap for myself recently and it's been over two weeks now. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms and it will be another week before I can get my scissors on some cardstock & paper as I've got alot planned for this week. Today being July 1st means the release of the new Creativity! Life mag. This month it comes as a bumper issue along with Creativity! and all at the bargain price of £2.50. In conjunction with the magazine there's also the new website with a great special offer on this whoping Goody Box Kit for the first few hundred visitors. The box has a value of over £50 but you can get it if you're quick for just £24.99. Bargain!!!I've also heard there are some limited addition Basic Grey kits too. I haven't seen them but I bet they will be amazing.

Right I've got to go. More work to do before I hit the sack.

Have a great week!

Jo :)

Croppin'

It was the Scrapping Frenzy crop last night. I don't know what it is about Wednesday's but I can never get myself organised in time. As usual I was hoping to be there at 6.30pm but didn't actually arrive to 7.15pm. Anyone who knows me will confirm my timekeeping is not the best. ;)

So I did alot of 'shuffling' last night and after getting several kits out and not finding the right stash to use, I put the lot away and started again. It worked and this is what I created. I'm still using last months Studio Calico kit - my fave - and I just added a few little extras. This page looks a little dull but I can assure you it's pristine white in real life.

Nat bought along some of the very, VERY new Papermania products that are coming out in July. The girls L-O-V-E-D them!! The paper quality is sooo much better than it was and the prints are de-lish. I'm very lucky as I do a few bits for Design Objectives so I get to see and use before they go on sale. It's difficult to choose what I like best but I reckon I'd say it's...... the clear stamps - Yum! But then I love stamps. I now need a little spare time to make some creations to show you. Roll on the weekend! :)

And here it is...

Emma and I had a fabulous time last night meeting Teresa Collins. She is as beautiful as her picture shows and such a lovely person! We also got to meet her lovely hubbie too and he was just a nice. I didn't realise but they have seven, yes seven gorgeous children between them - how does she manage??

So onto the class - this is what we made. A chipboard album using Teresa's products. Of course I'm now on the lookout for anyone who's selling these goodies. I'll report back later with what I find.

Teresa Collins

Tonight I'm off to Chepstow to see the Chepstow Pink Scrappers. Emma and I met them at Scrap Camp last year and they were such a fun, friendly group of people. They've invited us along to their crop tonight as they have the one and only Teresa Collins teaching a class there! We're making a chipboard album and as I write I'm trying to print my photos off. Would help if I had some photo paper so I'm patiently waiting for Mr Postie to bring it - which should of arrived yesterday - tut tut. Anyway, we're staying overnight and will be back tomorrow so I'll post a piccie of what we made tomorrow.

I'm having so much fun at the moment. What with the retreat, all day crops and special classes like this. It's great to get out and about and meet lots of other scrappers. If you ever get the chance I'd say go for it - I can't believe myself how far I have come in the space of a year. I LOVE scrapping! :)

Scrapajack Retreat

A few weeks ago (blimey doesn't time wizz by) I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon for the Scrapajack/Homegrown retreat. It was Fab-U-Lous! We stayed in a Macdonald Hotel (nothing to do with Ronald Macdonald ) which was right on the river and although we didn't really venture out of the hotel, we could see it from the Restaurant and it was gorgeous. The food was delish, the company was the best and I met some really, really lovely people. Jaks and Deb did an amazing job organising everything. We had goodie bags, individually printed itineries, sweeties from Claire (hunib our teamie on UKS) raffles, challenges and some eye watering laughs! Everyone was amazing! Oh and Mary (MammyHen on UKS) - what a mad lady she is. I could listen to Mary (which I did) for hours telling her stories. She is just soooo funny!! It's definately the way she tells them and boy did I laugh - can't wait to meet her again. ;)

The classes were excellent too - we made an altered birdhouse/fairyhouse, 3 mini books and 3 pages. There was alot of painting - I've never done so much in my life but I loved every minute. We had a banquet on the Friday evening with Steph from Homegrown Scrapbooks and Audrey Tan - more lovely, lovely ladies! Sandie, Anita, Audrey and I managed stayed up till 3.30am on the Friday scrapping with a few bevvies and nibbles - not that we needed the nibbles as I was sooo stuffed from dinner.

I know I keep saying how wonderful it was but it really was. It came to an end far too quickly for me and I still have a smile when I look at the photos. I don't really want to wish my life away but I can't wait for next year now!

The layout at the top of the page was my entry for the B&W challenge at the retreat. I won a years sub to Scrapbook Magazine! Thanks Debbie and Jakki x