Sam Sparro - Black and Gold

Just L-O-V-E this song! It reminds me of the 80's but better. And my, what white teeth he has!

So very boring

I really don't have anything to post I'm afraid. I've a million things going on but it's not exactly the place to 'bare all' on here so that's it really.

I must get creative again but I've got loads of 'real' work to do and I've been procrastinating over it really. Once that's done my creative juices will return - I hope!

Popped over to Design Objectives today to see Katy and pick up some gorgeous, lovely, yummy Basic Grey. Infact I think I'll open the pack right now and have a little stroke before I do some work.

With that said, I'm off.

Please come back again, I promise to be more interesting real soon. :)

The Cutter Bee

The little cutie is a Cutter Bee Bug by EK Success. Now I do like gadgets and this is supposed to be a nifty little tool that will give a zig-zag perforation on your pages in preparation for hand stitching. I'm not quite sold on the idea as a piercing tool does quite a good job for me - even if my poking isn't quite as straight as I'd like it to be. You have to admit though, it does look pretty cute, don't you think?

Nothing much to report.

Although I have stroked some of the very gorgeous Basic Grey papers today. The news one's that aren't out yet, and they are deeeevine! I NEED them all!! Thanks Katy for that little treat. x

Other than that it's been cleaning and ironing - how boring eh? Plus I've got one hell of a sore throat and feeling very yucky really. I've got lots of projects to do for DT work and stuff and I can't get motivated. Perhaps an early night for me then. But first I'm going to have a little play with some of these little beauties....
aren't they adorable? X-cut are really excelling themselves on these dies. I've also got a rectangular scalloped tag die too (sorry I couldn't find an image) which is luuuverly - I know what I'm using that for! I may have to go back for more of these dies as they're all scrum.

I know you're all dying to see what the new loo looks like, so here it is. Ta Daaaaa! :)
I think I just need some fresh flowers in there (like they do in posh hotels) and it will be the best room in the house! Wouldn't want to eat in there though. Or sleep. ~%*^$

Cheeky Chappie

Love this photo I took yesterday of my little poppet. Oooo I could eat him!

I always take way too many photos when I'm out - I'll never scrap them all.

The downstairs lavvy (oops sorry Karen, I ment the restroom ;) ) is now open for use. We went out this aftie and bought a set of draws that fit beside the sink and a picture to finish it off. I am really pleased with the paint that Karen recommended, it's the Dulux Luminac one which luminates the room more (stating the obvious there). I hated using the downstairs loo before as it always seemed so dark and dingy but not anymore... I think I'll use it all the time now. ha!

A weeks rest from decorating and then it will be the dining room. We're after a new dining table & chairs that seat 8 so it will be fabulous for dinner parties or even crafting parties.... have I mentioned my new venture in Stampin Up! ??????

Stampin Up!

I now officially a Stampin Up! Demo and I've created a seperate blog for all my creations and inspiration etc. So if you're curious about Stampin Up! or just want to have a look, please pop on over to Stampin 'n Stuff. Thanks! :)

What a fright!

I today experienced just a little of what the parents of the missing 9yr old must be going through. I think I would top myself if anything ever happened to my little boy.

I know I said I wouldn't go to Moors Valley at half term but Jake had such a lovely time last week and I felt I owed it to him to take him out for some fun. Well I knew it was going to be busy but it was more like... jammed packed! I was tripping over the little blighters left right and centre. We went to the play area first and that was riddled with kids but Jake had a fabulous time running and jumping and climbing and doing all the things that kids do. I took loads of great photos and Jake loved it there. We then went onto the playtrail and at the first stop off point I sent him into this pyramid thingy which the kids can climb up into and god knows what else is up there, but anyway I told him where I was which was a metre away from this thing. After about 5 minutes of not seeing him, I thought I'd better start looking. I walked round and round calling his name but I couldn't see him of hear him. It was heaving with kids so no amount of me shouting would of made him hear. After what seemed like 10 mins but was probably about 3 or 4 I started to panic. I felt so sick inside I just didn;t know what to do! Eventually, after continually calling and walking round and round, a lady brought him back to me crying. Blimey did I cry too! She said he'd told her I'd got blonde hair, ermmm it's brown - bless him. I wasn't histerical just relieved but I hated that 5 mins or so which sent me into a blind panic. The rest of the day was lovely but we both made sure we were more aware of where each other was. Perhaps I will give those sort of places a miss in future at half term.

Photo's to follow....

A thank you card

So here it is........

...from the 'Simply Said' stamp set.

Crop Night

It was Crop night last night. Unfortunately there wasn't many of us there but it was really lovely chatting with Katy and everyone. Brenda from Craft Obsessions was filling us in on all the new goodies that will be arriving from CHA and I can't wait for the Pink Paislee and American Crafts stuff to arrive! American Crafts are doing some gorgeous cord D-ring Albums which Katy says are the best (she's in the know) and the way I'm getting through the LO's lately they're a must have on my list. I only did one page last night using the Studio Calico kit again and I'll try and post it later.

I also had a delivery of some Stampin Up! stamps and stuff which I had a little play with when I got back from the crop. I made a card, and again I'll take a pic and post later. Those stamps from SU are devine - such sharp images and the inks a really lush. Watch this space on what else is coming from SU....

Off out for the day with Jake (Moors Valley again) so catch you later! :)

Almost finished

The downstairs lavvy is almost finished. I've at long last finished the painting so all I've got to do now is put all the window and door furniture back on, hang some pictures and mirror put up the blind, clean and it will be done! I hope to have it back in operation tomorrow...I'm going to make the boys sit down in future - I'm sure you don't need reminding what they're like!!!

p.s. sorry for the late blog Karen :)

Studio Calico Pages

Just a quick post as I should be decorating, but here's my pages I did yesterday.

Scrapping with Friends

I consider myself to be very lucky in life. I may grumble a bit (well alot actually) but when I've had a good day I can honestly say that Life-is-Grrrrreat!

Today Sandie invited myself, Anita & Sue over for a days scrapping. I get so excited knowing I'm going to have such a laugh, yummy food and be full of inspiration whilst scrapping with them. What more could I ask for! I took my Studio Calico kit and created 3 1/2 LO's - just finishing off the 4th now. It was a fantastic day with amazing friends. Thanks Sandie - you're the best!! x

I'll share my pages tomorrow but remember to wear some sunglasses... they're a bit bright!

Pink Paisley

OMG! I was just browsing Craft Obsessions to see what's new, and they're getting Pink Paisley!!! Yes, yes, YES! I can't wait.... but I wonder if they could supply a little girl to go with all that pink for me?????

Still decorating

Not much to blog about today. Spent most of the day decorating. I've had to put four coats of emulsion on the walls to cover the colour that was there previous. Such a tedious job when most of it is cutting in - the rollering only takes about 30mins. So it's woodwork next... but not until next week - phew!

Hoping the weather will be good again tomorrow as we're going for a walk in the woods. Not sure what the rest of the day will bring but I hope it's not much as I'm knackered!

Oh I nearly forgot! Paul and I went out for a lovely meal last night. I ate lovely fattening food, wine and chocs and we had such a good laugh together. The perfect V-day!


No cards or lo's to post so I just thought I'd share a photo of my precious little boy - oooo I could eat him!

My Valentine

Here's my card I made for Paul. He always buys me gorgeous cards with beautiful words in so I hope he appreciates my handmade effort just as much as I appreciate his.

The heart die cuts were very generously given to me by Sandie - thanks Sand! They go with the K&Co Smitten range that I keep using.

Nearly Valentines

As it's Valentines Day tomorrow I thought this photo was just perfect....

Aren't Jake & Hattie so cute together?

Jake and I have had an absolute fab day with Kate, Hattie & baby Martha. We went to Moors Valley - an amazing place in the Forest. If you've been to Centre Parcs I'd say it's a bit like that but better. Unfortunately most of the playgrounds were shut as they were refurbing with new play sand and there was a bit of building work going on to make a large veranda for eating out on, but other than that I was well impressed. We had lunch there - scrummy food, then went on the play trail + the tree top trail which took us about 2 hours. It's not that far but the kids played at each stop and loved every minute. We'll definately going back there again... but not at half term when I'm sure it will be jammed packed.

Off to make my Valentines Card now. x

Redeemed

All is for given.... Paul sent me a lovely text out of the blue, went shoppin at Tescos whilst I decorated today and bought home some lovely flowers for me - aaaaaah.

The decorating is still ongoing. I was probably a bit too ambitious, time wise, as I didn't really estimate correctly how long the woodwork would take. I had to give up early tonight as the fumes from the paint gave me a minging headache and I had to stop before it got any worse. Never mind, I should have it done by the end of the week and Paul has offered to pick Jake up from school so I don't have to down tools whilst in full flow.

I did this quick card last night when I was calming down from the days events. I bought these blank cards from Craftwork Cards when I was at Farnborough last month. At the time I was all inspired but by the time I got home I wasn't sure what to do with them. I think they're the type that don't actually need much embellishing really.

Out for some fresh air tomorrow as I've been given time off and I'm aloud out from the downstairs lavvy for the day! :)

Studio Calico

It's arrived! My first time this month in receiving the Studio Calico kit from the US - it was the one that I got up at 4.45am to order on the internet. I have to say it was well worth the wait. Scrum Yum!!! I haven't really had a proper chance to look just yet as it's been a busy day with this old decorating mellarky.
As usual nothing quite goes to plan. The door in the downstairs lavvy drags over the flagstones and even though my BFF hubbie kindly offered to fix it, my dearest darling Paul (ahem!) decided that he could do it no probs. Half an hour he told me it would take.........an hour and a half later........ Well anyway it did get done but not in the cleanest and best way. Would you lay a heavy door on your kitchen worktop and use a circular saw to take a few mill off??? MINE WOULD! I was not happy - I had sawdust in my blinking tea tonight! Humph! Last week I'd sent him to B&Q with a list to get all the paint and bits and bobs so I could start today. The caulking he bought was supposed to be white but do you think it was? NO = Brown. So all in all it hasn't been as productive as I would of liked, even though I didn't actually finish tonight until 8.15pm. It's going to be an early start for me tomorrow - he's got his list and should return by 9.30 with the correctly coloured caulking.... or else! He got alot of grovelling to do for Valentines day.

This gorgeous weather

Wow! Hasn't it been lovely? I took a few photos yesterday whilst out on the boat but like an idiot I'd forgot to charge the battery. Consequently it ran out just as we were coming out of the Quay. Here's a couple I did take.

Holes Bay....

Our next boat (in my dreams)..

...and the Quay. The sun is shining but everyone does looks a bit chilly.

Here they are....

...my pages from yesterday. Jake at the Ball park and Karen, Linda and I ice skating.

A Fabulous Day!

It was Linda's all day crop today and oh what fun I had! I've only been going there since last summer, thanks to Sandie, and I really enjoy having a well chilled day with lunch, munchies, tea, coffee, pavlova and most importantly, great friends! The only thing missing today was Anita :( Hope you are feeling better soon Anita! x We were all rather productive and all our pages were corkers - even if I say so myself. I hope to post what I've done over the next couple of days.
Have a great weekend!
x

A busy week

I don't know where this weeks gone. I honestly can't believe it's Friday. Looks like it's going to be a great weekend weatherwise - could spring have arrived? I'm at the all day crop tomorrow and I'm so looking forward to having some fun with Sandie, Anita & Sue. I promise to be a bit more chilled tomorrow girls :)

I haven't done that much scrapping lately but I did do these cards last week (couldn't post before because they are very similar to the one I did for Karen).

The LO I did at the crop on Wednesday evening. Oh I love K&co at the mo! See the gorgeous fabric brad in the centre of the flower? yum!

I'm waiting on a kit from the US which has the whole range of K&Co Saffron. I can't wait till it arrives (she says tapping her foot) it's sooo beautful. There are some devine rub-ons in the kit too. Hurry, hurry Mr Postie!

Happy Birthday Karen!

It was my BFF Birthday yesterday (Tues) and she was....... 21 again! he he! Karen's been enjoying her birthday all weekend and oh what fun we've had. Sat evening I went over and we had a real crafty evening with Linda & Lou, stamping and chatting and ooo'ing and aarrr'ing over all the lovely bits that Linda brought along. It was so much fun - wish we could do it every weekend although I don't think Paul would be happy about that, but hey ho. Then on Monday we all went ice skating at Basingstoke. It was excellent and I only fell over once, honest. I haven't been ice skating since it was at Westover Road so I guess it's been about 35 years. I'd say I'm at the same level as I was then ... which isn't very good but I can get a bit of a speed up and turn corners not too bad. The stupid thing was I fell over whilst stationary, and backwards, eeeek! I do have a sore arm and back today, but that's old age for you. We all really enjoyed ourselves and I know Karen had a fabulous time!

I've know Karen for about 22 years now and she is my bestest friend ever! In all those years she's always been there for me, supported me, advised me, cared for me and understood me through all my ups and downs in life. And believe me there's been a few of those in my time. I don't know what I'd do without you Karen. You are THE BEST! Love ya lots xxx

p.s. A huge hug for Phillip too for fixing the gate x

Free Choccie??

Yesterday, whilst 'researching' a photo for the SF blog, I was browsing the Cadbury website and was amused by the Creme Egg advertising they have called 'Goo-ology'. It's really quite funny if you've got a spare minute to have a look. Anway, if you go here and add your details, they will send you 3 creme eggs free! Yuuuummmmmy is all I can say. I'm not sure they fit in with the Weight Watchers lifestyle but do I care??? No definately not when chocolate arrives on my doorstep.

Enjoy!

Digi Pro 10 on Vista

It doesn't work!

I spent all last night trying to copy 11k photos onto the new 'puter and then installing Digi Pro to find it doesn't work. I eventually unistalled everything before bed and starting again today. Same thing today. Even Paul has spent all evening trying to sort it and still no joy.

However, we've now found out that Microsoft no longer sell Digi Pro and that Vista is more or less the same thing! Ha! It's not quite as good but it will do I s'pose. So my photo's are now safely on the new 'puter.....phew.

Today has been a real contrast to yesterdays weather. Jake & I went out with a friend and her little ones and I took some lovely pics. Hattie wasn't very obliging at first but I soon get her laughing and enjoying it. Jake played it very cool and kept his sunglasses on the whole time. He knows how to pull 'em.

The weekend is nearly here and I going to see my BFF Karen! Yaay! So looking forward to meeting Linda and seeing Lou. We going to have a little crafty session and my little cricut is coming along. I have to say I haven't used him as much as I should, but I did tonight on a LO for the Scrapping Frenzy blog. The challenge for February is to use paint and your favourite word. I'm not giving much away but I'm dribbling at the mouth just looking at my page this very minute - hee hee! I've just got to take a photo now and upload it. Please check out the blog to see what everyone else has done and feel free to scraplift any of the pages. It's an inspirational blog and we'd love to see what you create if you post a link.

Ok, off to get some much needed beauty sleep.....