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