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....