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Tuesday 30 December 2008

Recipe tins

So here is the recipe tin that I made for mum for christmas, I really enjoyed altering this tin and filling it with recipes.





Tin: provocraft lunch tin and Basic Grey papers.

the big day

I love ponies!

No Daddy just because its your pressie doesnt mean you can open it!


Oh Im soooooooo angelic!


Dig deeper!!!!



Dont take my photo or Ill growl at you!



These are just sooooooooo yummy


Did a little stash shopping yesterday and bought a pack of these new pm brads, they are so full of colour and texture I just had to have them!


What do you think?????

Saturday 27 December 2008

Been and gone!

The turkey has been tucked into, the paper been shredded and christmas cheer has be done, so now it almost back to normal! We had a fab xmas day, Charlie enjoyed unwrapping her pressies and has even played with them this year, the biggest hit was the doodle pony which she is loving!

Steve and I had mostly practical pressies from everyone like a new kettle and toaster, which is fine, we both appreciated them, as well as the obligatory smellies, cookbooks, wine and chocs. I did get some new clothes too which is nice and some vouchers too which i am going to spend sharpish as I dont want to be left with dead money if any other shops go under! Not that I wish they will but after hearing how much my parents spent on peeps in zavvi recently I dont want vouchers in the house, its not fair to spend money on something completely worthless.

So now its saturday and we are just chilling, pigging out on xmassy foods that we bought toooooooooo much of as usual, every year we say we wont do it and every year we do! We will still be eating it in february!

No plans made for this weekend, just chilling out and watching tv, talking of tv's steve bought a new plasma for the bedroom yesterday. I will be buyig the most exciting, a new tumble dryer when my redundancy comes through, I cant wait!!! Ours is on the blink though and doesnt dry the clothes unless its on fr about 3 hours,still the sales are the right time of year to be buying!!!!

Need to get on with my journal your xmas, havent even looked at the prompts the last few days! and Ive only made 2 pages, hoping that OH and his mate go for a drnk this evening so I can get on with it, best get some piccies developed too then!

Sunday 21 December 2008

Its nearly here!

Christmas day is looming and Im no where near ready, Ive got all my pressies, but hardly any are wrapped, done most of the food shop - off to get the veg today, and sent the xmas cards - hardly any this year as its just pointless sending a card to receive one, and seeing as most of the family dont bother, I have managed to save ££££££'s on postage.

So on the to do list today:

Fruit/veg shopping
Party food shopping
Garage to organise
Huge mound of ironing to do
Floors to hoover and wash
Ironing to put away - when I finish it!lol!
Make some mince pies and christmas pud muffins

Just a little list then!!! Im off into work tomorrow, which must make me either mad or stupid! and today Im cooking a pre xmas lunch. Just think in less than a week all these preparations will have been done and the big day gone too, how much time each year do we spend preparing for xmas, I dread to think of the number of hours Ive trailed round shops trying to find the right gift for the right person, hey ho as long as everyone enjoys it all who cares, it will be worth it!

So here I am sat here at 6am cos I cant sleep because there must be something Ive forgotten watching Harry Potter - dont ask me which one I cant remember, the one with the quidditch world cup at the beginning - that shows how far I have gotten with it doesnt it! Trying to work out what Ive not done, so wont get much of the film watched anyhow!

Not done much crafting this week although do have a few bits and bobs that I must get finished in time for thursday!

Monday 15 December 2008

Its all broken!

The telly blew up on wednesday lunchtime, the boiler switches itself off whenever it feels like it and MIL broke the lounge curtain pole when she came to stay! So thats my life at the moment, filled with broken stuff! Doesnt life stink

This morning at 8am it was still dark when I left for work, and the cold is really getting to me, on a good note, I had my work do on friday, which was fab, the food was excellent, especially the white chocolate torte and the company was good, I do work with a lovely bunch of ladies! We had our secret santa today and I got some yummy choc and a xmas mug - not sure if Ill use the mug as I dont do hot drinks but hey ho, Ill eat the choc!

Only 4 more days of work left so Im a happy bunn, charley is in need of a break too and soooooo tired out, bless her she has even been sleeping during the day again! I finally got the lights sorted out for the new xmas tree and have finally decorated (just in time for the outlaws arrival at the weekend) but still need to take photos of it, will get round to it eventually!

Booked my car service today ready for next week when Im off work, so Ive been a busy little bee lately! Just hope that I can keep it up till xmas and get everything done that I need to!

Friday 12 December 2008

Its f f f freezing!

Oh my is it cold or what today!!!! I just can't get warm even though the heating is on full whack and the rads are burning hot too touch!

MIL arrives tonight arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Love it really, she is staying till sunday then going home, horay!!!!! We have all of hubbys side of the family over tomorrow afternoon, which is great as it means I can hide in the kitchen preparing food and doing very little mingling!

Ive my work xmas do tonight, not really looking forward to it as Im not a work do sort of person, however am going as its the first one I will have been on!

Had a nice afternoon, after getting up a 6am to clean the house ready for MIL's visit I needed some me time, so bundled Charlotte in the car and went off to Guildford to meet Cara who I havent seen since we graduated in July! Thanks for my crimbo card, sorry wasnt that organised to sort one out for you!!!! We had a quick bite too eat out, although why neither of us knows as we both are eating out tonight! But Charley enjoyed her icecream with far more strawberry sayce than ice cream! Still all that eating wore her out and she fell asleep in the car on the way home!

Have decided what I will be giving as my secret Santa pressie on monday at the work xmas lunch, Im going to make some fudge (Emily - my recipient) has spent this week trying to make herself fudge, so as a joke Im going to make a little gift box and fill it full of homemade fudge (her's has been a disaster every time she has made it!) and the buy her a mug and make a snowman soup pack up to go in, she would have hot drinks all day if she could at school, so hopefully she will like it. I have to do the fudge thing though as its just an ongoing joke!!!!

Its fffffffffffffffffffffffffffreezing!

Oh my is it cold or what today!!!! I just can't get warm even though the heating is on full whack and the rads are burning hot too touch!

MIL arrives tonight arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Love it really, she is staying till sunday then going home, horay!!!!! We have all of hubbys side of the family over tomorrow afternoon, which is great as it means I can hide in the kitchen preparing food and doing very little mingling!

Ive my work xmas do tonight, not really looking forward to it as Im not a work do sort of person, however am going as its the first one I will have been on!

Had a nice afternoon, after getting up a 6am to clean the house ready for MIL's visit I needed some me time, so bundled Charlotte in the car and went off to Guildford to meet Cara who I havent seen since we graduated in July! Thanks for my crimbo card, sorry wasnt that organised to sort one out for you!!!! We had a quick bite too eat out, although why neither of us knows as we both are eating out tonight! But Charley enjoyed her icecream with far more strawberry sayce than ice cream! Still all that eating wore her out and she fell asleep in the car on the way home!

Have decided what I will be giving as my secret Santa pressie on monday at the work xmas lunch, Im going to make some fudge (Emily - my recipient) has spent this week trying to make herself fudge, so as a joke Im going to make a little gift box and fill it full of homemade fudge (her's has been a disaster every time she has made it!) and the buy her a mug and make a snowman soup pack up to go in, she would have hot drinks all day if she could at school, so hopefully she will like it. I have to do the fudge thing though as its just an ongoing joke!!!!

Tuesday 9 December 2008

On the ninth day of christmas

My santa sent to me...

some epoxy alphabet stickers.

On the eight day of Christmas

My secret Santa sent to me

Some yummy chipboard snowflakes!

On the seventh day of christmas

my santa sent to me...

Some gorgeous christmas ribbons!

On the 6th day of Christmas...

my secret santa sent to me...

a scalloped chipboard square.

On the 5th day of christmas

...my secret Santa sent to me...

some dovecraft funky brads!

Thursday 4 December 2008

An album at last!


Thought this would be perfect for journal your christmas, what do you think???? Needs a bit of altering but nothing too major!

On the fourth day of christmas

my Santa sent to me:
some cute little pink brads!

On the third day of Christmas

My santa sent to me:Some pretty pink stickles...

As for my Shimelle class, well, I havent any piccies to show but that doesnt mean that Ive not done any! I have planned my pages and they are all in sketches now with the journalling ready to be completed, time is an issue at the moment, hoping to find some time this weekend to catch up on layouts!

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Christmas cards

Finally here are some pics of the xmas cards that I have been making, will be back later to update you on my Shimelle stuff and let you see what my advent Santa sent to me!



So on the second day of christmas my secret santa sent to me:


some yummy jewel brads just perfect for my shimelle project!

Monday 1 December 2008

Journal Your Christmas

So its started today, my first prompt was there bright and early, however I havent finished wrtiting my manifesto. I did do some stash shopping for it though! Bought some yummy Snowy Jo papers and Bo Bunny ones too, as well as a few others and some embellies, will upload pics later. Also picked up some yummy chipboard in poundland!

I took today off of work - my duvet day! and finished my xmas shopping so just cards to write, tree to decorate and the dreaded food shop to do! I hate doing it, it has to be one of the worst jobs ever! Am enjoying my day of rest though!

On the first day of christmas my advent Santa sent to me......
Some yummy scenic route chipboard peices! Thank you Santa!


Wednesday 26 November 2008

Just one more week...

Till Shimelles Journal you Christmas starts, ohhhhhhhhhhh Im sooooo excited, I just love Christmas and cant wait to preserve this years memories in an album, with a little help along the way!

Monday 24 November 2008

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The sun is shining outside but is still freezing!!! Fortunatly we didnt get much snow over the weeknd and what we did get was washed away by the rain! Still Charley and I managed to get on and make some xmassy cards and some bookmarks for the family, so tonights job is to varnish them and finish off the few that we didnt manage last night.

So thats tonight sorted, Im off cropping again on thursday and then next week Im going ot Rachels Xmas class which should be good too. School is busy with rehersals, rehersals and more rehersals for the xmas play which means that we are busy with displays and prop making, today was angels harps! I didnt draw them though I just painted them!

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Wet, windy November

Well you can tell that november has arrived cant you, you only need one look outside the window to see the drab weather! Still when its cold and wet outside thats perfect scrapping weather cos it means that i can stay inside and keep warm and cosy with my scissors, glue dots and blooms!

Ive managed to get all my bits and bobs for the advent swap ready so now its just a case of finding a box big enough to send them in and wrapping them up! I do hope that my swappee likes what I have bought!

Ive booked to do Rachels xmas class now I was in too minds as to whether to or not, but so enjoyed the class last week that Im going to go for it, hopefully it will give me some more gifts fr friends and family!

Right off to get ready for work!

Sunday 16 November 2008

Another year older

Well I was yesterday and so was my nan and her twin sister, all three of us share the same day, which is quite nice! I got some fabby silicone baking trays especially some muffin trays as Ive become a bit of a muffin freak! Also got some money, gift vouchers, a new iron !?!?!?! clothes, handbag and Dawn French's new book - Dear Fatty! Dont ya just love dawn French!

I spent the day doing very little, finishing a circle journal, making recipe cards for a tin Ive made my mum, I guess its about time I uploaded some pics. Ive so many projects on the go at the moment and I really do need to get on with making some xmas cards as I just dont have enough left from last year!

Sunday 9 November 2008

just a quick one

Just signing in to say hi, Ive not been around much lately, but hoping to be back blogging every day again soon!

Friday 31 October 2008

Mmmmmmmmmmm baking

Had a busy day today baking my little heart out! Chocolate orange muffins, kiddies cupcakes and mincemeat muffins - well xmas isnt that far away is it!!!!!

The choccy orange ones smell delish!!!!!!!!!!! Too hot to eat as I just found out by burning my thumb as I took them out of the tray on some boiling hot chocolate orange pieces!

The kiddies cupcakes are ready for icing, so we are just waiting for Charlottes little friend Aria to arrive so we can get on with them, bought some funky little pink and white bobbles and pink glimmer sugar crystals in Asda this morning when I was shopping, they are going to have soooo much fun! Be back soon, well once the cakes are iced!

Thursday 30 October 2008

Free class!

I found this on Emma's blog so thought that I would pass it on in case anyones interested!!!


Jessica Sprague is holding a free STORIES IN HAND class. All you need to do is register and join in! Registration will stay open until November 8! Class size is unlimited. You do NOT need to be a scrapbooker, just a person with stories to tell.

Spread the word! If you're looking for the backstory for this class. VISIT HER WEBSITE HERE

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Woke up this morning to a garden covered in snow, fortunatly nowhere to go today so Im not scraping it off the car! Charley was in her element until she realised that her hands were cold and we couldnt find the gloves!

Anyways Ive been quite busy this week, chilling with Charley, yesterday she started making her xmas cards so a trip the the craft shop was necessary! Didnt spend much but did manage to get a couple of cats eyes ink pads for 49p - the assistant got the price wrong and I wasnt going to correct her!

I have now decorated mums recipe tin - barring adding the ribbons, if I could find them it would help! Ive used the basic grey infuse range and a love it, cant wait to do mine, but xmas stuff comes first. I still havent finished the mums calenders, I do look at them most days but never quite get them finished, ah well there is always tomorrow - oooppppsss no theres not as tomorrow we are off to see Wall-E and then the bear factory for some bear clothes shopping, then friday charlotte has her little friend comeing over for tea, their preschool teachers call them 'a force to be reckoned with' so Im expecting havoc! Think of me on friday about 3.30pm when mayhem appears!

Monday 20 October 2008

Been a while

since I blogged, but time is just running past me at the minute, I dont know why but there just doesnt seem to be one spare minute in the day! Went to a crop last week and did a bit more on Charlottes 3rd birthday album and have booked a place on Rachels mini book class in November, were making an album in a mini suitcase, I think I will also do her xmas one which is a canvas, mini note book and a plaque, so thats me sorted for a while!

Ive managed to find some tines for altering so am going to make a load of recipe cards and decorate the tin for mum for xmas and I still have to finish the calenders that I have started. Decided that I will also make one for my nan and brother and sister in law to be! Not sure whether my older brother and his wife would appreciate one or not!

Hoping to get one or two more notices from Kids club children this week we had another two last week which means there are 2 kids an afternoon! Whoopee do!

Tuesday 14 October 2008

looking forward today!

Today I only have my morning shift to work as there is no Kids Club. One of the teaching staff at Potley Hill - Elaine Crisp passed away and today is her funeral. Mrs Crisp had been teaching at Potley for many, many years and a well respected teacher. I wish strength and comfort for her family, friends and colleagues today.

So this afternoon Charley and I will be baking cakes and decorating them, she is looking forward to it! Im hopefully off to a crop on thursday so I best start thinking about what to take, I dont really have any projects on at the moments!

Sunday 12 October 2008

Poor, poor cat!!!!

Had to show you this picture of Merley once Charley had finished with her! Doesnt she look cute!



Not sure that the cat was as happy as Charley was at this!!!

Time

I feel like time is running away with me at the minute, there is just so much to do and so little time, I was ironing yesterday morning at 6am and it took me till 8.30am before I finished!

My cosy evening in on my own was wasted as I sat online and played msn games, what a waste of 3 hours! I think I need to prioritise now and focus on getting all the handmade xmas pressies sorted, yes I know its mid october but I already have mum and dads pressies sorted and am starting on Charlottes home made pressies later today, just need to pop to poundbusters for some more wooden bookmark shapes and Im sorted.

We are having a tight xmas this year and I have a set budget for pressies already laid out, what am I doing talking xmas in october!!! I must be mad, but now Im working full time I really dont have the hours that I used to have to be able to put the same kind of effort into christmas.

I got my xmas cupcake swap cards through the other day and they are fab although Im not too sure about some of the recipes, courgette muffins really dont do it for me!!!! However there are some really yummy ones too including chocolate truffle and spiced apple cupcakes which sound lovely!!!

Ive been busy making loads of 6x6 recipes for ruth and michaelas recipe books as it looks like kids club will close early. My deputyis going for an interview on monday which I do hope she gets as it would suit her to the ground! If she does she only has to give one months notice, so I guess thats the end of that!!!! I suppose at least then Ill have only morning work to do so I can stop all my xmas prep so early! Will keep you posted on whats going on!

Right off to Fizzy Kids for dd to battle around in the balls then town for some more wooden bookmarks, Ill try and post what we do with them on here!
Hey look! I finally got round to uploading steves birthday cake that Charlie and I made!!!

Saturday 11 October 2008

Oh heck is it really xmas already!

Just spent the last 2 hours battling round town for a pair of shoes for DH, you would think its xmas tomorrow and we are only just at the beginning of october, I am not going to the shops agian on the weekend now, its mad!

Anyhows shoes are now got! So I am going sit here and craft for 1/2 an hour or so too destress myself!

Tuesday 7 October 2008

Thank you Becks!!!

I am now the pround owner of some lovely new basic grey journalling stamps thanks to Becks who has a wish granted wednesday giveaway for all to join in with and I won by leaving a comment, so here are my lovely new stamps!!!

Still no news on when the kids club is closing but I reckon by end of november it will be gone!!!!!!!! Hooray! I shouldnt say that but its soooo boring with only a couple of children a day!

Right off to my boring afternoon job!

Thursday 2 October 2008

Second time lucky!!!

Well this morning I spent 20 mins writing a huge post, then blogger went wrong and I lost the whole thing!!!! Now I cant remember what on earth I was writing about!

Steves birthday was good, Charlotte made some fabby snakes for the top of the cake and our snakes and ladders board looked brill!

We are off to jongleurs on friday night to celebrate his birthday and charley will be at mums for the night so should be good fun!

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Naughty blogger!

Oooooooopppppppsssss! I havent blogged for a few days and I havent done my Learn Something New for about a week!!! Time is just slipping away!

Steve loved his album that I made, even if I wasnt too happy with it! He has a few cards and a couple more pressies to come but I was in a state of shock when he said that he actually liked the t-shirt I chose for him (I chose something that he would never have chosen!)

Ive been a naughty girl this week, after getting my new wheelable trolley I decided that I had to have the papermania mini tote that sits on top of it too! So that arrived this lunchtime along with some 6x6 pm paper pads that were reduced to £1.49. Thank you Craft Superstore for very quick service - order was only paid for yesterday lunchtime!!!!! Anyhow so now I have my matching absolute lilac matching set!!! Im off to the craft shop on friday to pick up my pink paper trimmer and pokey tool too!!!!! Then that is the end of my spends for the month.

Might I just add that I have also spent a fortune on new clothes also, sainsburys had theirs on 25% off this week so I had to buy some as Im fast running out of decent stuff for work!

Right Im off to fill my tote and enjoy using it!

Monday 29 September 2008

Pre Birthday Rush!

Well Im not even half organised for Steves birthday on wednesday, Ive still 4 pages of his book to do, wrap pressies and make a cake which charlotte informs me is going to be a snakes and ladders board!!!!

So tomorrow lunchtime I have a sponge cake to make and butter icing to get ready. The of to work and back from work to ice and decorate it. Its all too much! Still I got his card finished yesterday evening, not a very inspiring card, but its done all the same, will pop it on here later if I get a chance otherwise will be tomorrow!

Im off to pack my bag for work, Im going to craft of the sly, shhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 28 September 2008

Only 3 DLO's and a single DLO to go!!!!

Im nearly done with Steves florida album, I thought that I would never get there, its very basic and not the best that I have done, but stash diet means no new stash to enjoy, stroke and buy! I found a couple of disney bits floating round the house so have added them, but I know it could have been better. I will take some pics when it becomes daylight and post them here.

Now last night I was working on this album and I had some pics of mickey's fantasmic and can I fidn the, can I heck as like!!! What did I do with them I really dont know! But I NEED THEM!!!!!!

We are off to Blackbushe Market this morning, we desperatley need a restock of all the bathroom/cleaning products so that will be sooooo thrilling!!!! NOT. The Im cooking roast chicken for tea tonight, I lurveeeeeeeeee roasts! My mouth is just watering at the thought of roast potatoes, chicken, bacon wrapped sausages, stuffing, yorkies and veg!

Oh, I made another batch of marzipan muffins on friday, mmmmmmmmm, I added cherries to the dried friut and they were even better than the first lot! I need to get the photos printed though as they need to go in the post very quickly! I also need to think about the DoCrafts circle journal - might be a bit late this time as I have soooo much to do!

Saturday 27 September 2008

Its been a few days...

Since I last posted my nan seems a lot better, we are waiting for her test results to come back and will hopefully know more then. The GP suggested that we contact socail services to see what help she and my grandad can get, so mum is hot on the trails there!

I have been quite busy this week trying to get an album done for Steve for his birthday, but Im not getting very far, its of our disney hols and as Im trying not to buy new stash at the moment I am uninspired as I know how many fabby disney papers there are out there!

Anyhow also making a mini book which is meant for his mum, but I think will end up as his!!!!

Here are some pics from my recipe journals Im working on at the moment!




Wednesday 24 September 2008

My nan!

I hada call from my mum last night that made me cry, nan is poorly and we dnt yet know what is wrong, she refused to go to hospital and so we will have to wait unitl the doctor visits today after surgery. Mum said that she cant walk, it took them 20 minutes to get her to the toilet last night!

Anyhow, hopefully after lunch we should have a bit more of an idea if whats happening. Charley will have to come to work with me today as mum is going to nans, I just hope that she is ok, we are very close to my nan and its awful as you feel so helpless.

On a good note the letters telling the parents we are closing the club went out today, so Im hoping that people will start to make alternative arrangements and the club will then close sooner than xmas! Will make my desicion easier as to whether or not to leave!!!

Tuesday 23 September 2008

In a quandry!

Well today I went to my new job. They have offered me to start full time earlier than january and with the situation of my other job finishing at xmas Im wondering whether to just go earlier. It means no redundancy but more sanity!!!!! What do I do, answers on a postcard to... well you could put a comment on the blog and let me know what you think. I only stand to get about £600 redundancy so is it worth it???????????

Have done some more recipe pages so will upload them laters!!!!

Sunday 21 September 2008

More recipe pages!!!

So here are my next lot of recipes pages for Michaelas book, (vege recipes!)




Yes I know Ive spelt aparagus wrong!!!!
And here is one for mine - funny isnt it, Im less interested in making them for my own!

Saturday 20 September 2008

Busy, busy, busy

Well Ive cleaned most of the house (not all I got bored!) and am now sitting here in the study trying to hurridly put together a srapbook for Steves birthday on 1st October, I have 10 days to fill 20 pages! I have just completed page number 4, last night I did the first page and then a double page too. Its an album from when we went over to the states. We dont have many pics as I only had one of those cameras that you have to put film in, in those days! (thats how long ago it was) and Steve took his video camera I think so there arent many pics at all. I have to go online to picassaweb to get some pics, but hey ho ive pretty much got enough of the for a book!

So thats my project at the moment. Im trying hard to stay out of forums at the moment as I get too absorbed in them I do very little else and seeing as I have so much scrapping stuff I should get on and use it rather than leave it sitting rotting and geting wasted, I still want to buy more and more and more!

Everyone on Docrafts were raving the other week about the cosmo cricket tsv that should be comig up at the end of the month, I have decided though that I nee a new craft trolley and am spending my money on a new one of those rather than another set of albums, papers and embellies, I have way too many and should just use them than go mad! Well we shall see maybe both will slip in my basket, I do get a tax rebate this month dont I??????

Thursday 18 September 2008

The weekend starts at 9.00am!

Hooray! I have this morning off from my new job! Not for anything exciting though! Were off to view the local schools today as we have the all important decision to make of where to send Charlotte in September, (me thinks that at 4 3/4 she is far too young to start school) however the great powers that be (GORDON BROWN, my best friend - NOT!!!!) and the rest of the other government idiots still feel it is appropriate to force education on our future generation at such an early age! No contest in schools really, one has just recieved outstanding from Ofsted, so that one has it basically. Its also a stones throw over the back fence into the play ground, we are considering putting a gate into our back fence for a short cut for her!!! But we have decided to go see both local schools in a bid to make an informed descision!

This lovely lady Becks has some rather cool blog candy to win!!!! Check these out, loving these stamps, am already dreaming of how I could use them in my scrapping!!!!! Please Becks let me win them!!! She also has links to other freebies that may interest you!

Nearly the weekend!

Well its thrusday again, dont the weeks fly by! Its already almost the end of the second week of the term, five more to go till half term! My new job is going well and Im really enjoying so things are good at the minute!

I did do some scrapping last night for our recipe journal but will upload later as it was too dark to photograph it last night.

Still plodding on with learn something new every day, tuesday I learnt that there are some pople who do want to help.

Yesterday I learnt that i really hate it when people talk through my fav telly programmes!

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Another little project Im working on....

So here is my latest project that I am doing with my friends from work, We have each made a recipe book for different things (chocolate recipes, vege recipes etc) and mine is baked goodies!!!! Well what else would it be! So we all exchange books every 2 weeks and every 6 weeks our own books get returned to us so we can pop in a recipe of our choosing and try out some of the others in it! They are all starting to take shape and look great!







Monday 15 September 2008

STOP PRESS.......He bought me flowers!!!!!

Things at home between hubby and I havent been that good for a while, but yesterday I had the shock of my life!!!


He bought me some flowers, yes you heard it right, flowers!!! Only crummy petrol station ones (and they look like petrol stations ones that have been sat on the forecourt for about 3 years) but nonetheless he bought them for me!!!!

Whats he after!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pics of some of the projectes that I am working on

I havent posted on here for ages any pics, mainly because Ive not been able to use my desk top computer for while! So here goes:

Above are the cards I have made for the september reciepe swap I have done two the same this time and as time is so precious at the moment, they are just quick ones, promise Ill do better next time ladies!!!!
Next is the birthday album that I am working on at the moment I havent done very much of it and what is doen was what I achieved at the crop! The album is one that Emma from Docrafts sent me, so I need to get it finished!


Lastly is the card keeper that I have made for MIL for her birthdy next month! Its only a quickie pressie but I never know what to buy her so this will do!

Here they are......

So here is my Pic of the marzipan muffins, I got round to uploading them to the computer so thought I would put one on here to drool over!

They really did taste yummy, yes today I had one and I could taste it!!!! Hooray!!!!

I think that I will be making plenty more of these over the next few weeks as they havent lasted very long in our house!


and here are my cute little reindeer ones too, they are soooooo sweet and the chocolate icing is delish! I did add some choccy chunks to the sponge mix which has given them even more chocolate flavour!!!!

Sunday 14 September 2008

Mmmmmmmmm, marzipan muffins

Oh I just wish that I could taste them!!! Everyone else tells me they are delicious, but my cold is that bad I cant taste them!!! The look good, will post pics in the morning as its too dark to take pics now!!! I also made the reindeer ones too but I cant taste them either!

Still stuffed

up with cold and to top it off Charley has now got it too

I have managed to finish my recipe cards for the xmas cupcake swap, barring piccies, which need to be taken in order to finish them! Im quite pleased actually all three sets are quite different which pleased me so today I am spending the morning baking mmmmmmm marzipan muffins and reindeer cupcakes! I can't wait to get the smell of marzipan wafting through the house, christmassy smells!!!!

So today we are off to runabout again and then having roast chicken for dinner tonight, another one of my favs! Only shame being that i have cook it!!! Ah well no rest for the wicked.

Saturday 13 September 2008

'Life is so precious, treasure every moment,' was a comment left on a blog yesterday I was visiting. It was left about this lady The Scrapping Rican who passed away in a car crash and reminded me how precious life is and we never know how long we have.

Its funny actually how many people I now know and have never, nor probably will meet because of my scrapping, but there are many wonderful people our there whose friendships and supports I am grateful to, so to all of you I say thank you!

Ive not many plans for the weekend, Im suffering from a horrid cold that ive had for a few days now and its making me feel awful, but i only caught it because Im now back at work full time so my system has had one big shock! Roll on january when my hours reduce slightly!!!

Did some clothes shopping yesterday and I needed some new clothes for my new jobs, didnt spend too much and just bought a couple of tops and a new cardi as mine are all either years old or totally scruffy!!!! Havent been in a job where I wear my own clothes for so long, I have managed to get away with horrible scruffy 5 year old clothes that have now been stained with baby sick, paint and other horrible things I wouldnt even want to think about them!!! Im trying not to buy to much though as I have now lost 1/2 stone in 5 weeks so I want to carry on. My aim is to be back in a size 16 (ok some would say thats not a goal, but for me it is, and when I get there then i will reset my goal to a 14, any smaller than that and I know Ill look ill!) Ive never been skinny, but I cant be this size forever!!!

Right Im going to go and get dressed now, theres a demo day at Acre Office Supplies so Im going to pop in there and no doubt spend a little - not too much though as were not even half way on in the month and money is getting tight! I need to get going on my recipe swap cards for the xmas cupcake swap and also get on with charlottes 3d birthday album which I havent done anymore in since the crop earlier this month!

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Have you seen this challenge blog?????

To help get the mojo started I decided to this week’s challenge at the How Much is To Much blog.

This fortnights challenge is: Challenge #88

Fabric & Notions

Use 4 fabrics and 4 notions (embellishments, ie buttons, flowers etc)

Never used fabric on a layout! Ill have a try at this over the weekend I think!

Christmas Cupcake recipe swap

Over on UKS Im doignt he xmas cupcake swap so Ive been busy today finding my reciepes and getting starting, al the page bases are complete and Ive started to make the chocolate truffle ones already, am going to cook them on friday, then I can get on with the marzipan muffins next, mmmmmm marzipan!

Today I learnt - work stinks, you can't rely on anyone! I asked for a meeting with my boss, who said meet me on wednesday after school, I arrive there at the alloted time and am told he is out on a meeting all day!!! Whats the point! Nobody gives a monkeys about the kids club anymore!

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Grey and dull, don't ya just love the english weather!

Im sitting here relaxing and enjoying myself before I leave for work in 5 minutes, dd is at preschool, hopefully enjoying herself! Its pouring outside and damp and grey and really horrible!

I must do my layout for yesterda, I remembered to take piccies, yesterday I learnt that 'I miss my daughter so much when she is a preschool' she has started doing extended hours so is there from 8-12.45pm which is a lifetime for me even though Im at work!

Lets see what I learn today!

Monday 8 September 2008

Good Afternoon!

Well Im getting established in my new job and enjoying it. I was a tad worried this morning as it was dd's first day back at school and she was doing extended hours, so wasnt sure how she would fare!!! She was absolutely fine! Loved it in fact! Thought it was great fun and loves the new climbing frame that is at school! So there was little ole me worring about whether she would be a problem with the extra hours that Im doing and infact, she is happy as a pig in mud! or a three year old on a climbing frame!!!

Hoping to finish early tonight from my other job, as Im quite tired and as there are only going to be four children I think I should be able to! Wont be able to go early at all after next week as Ellen leaves! Then its just two of us each day, going to be a problem if one of us goes sick though!!!

Right I need to go look at my shimelle prompt for today , I didnt write about what I learn yesterday, so need to do that too! There is always so much to do and I still have to upload some pics onto here as its looking soooooo bare without any pics of late!

Saturday 6 September 2008

Learn Something New

I started a new shimelle class earlier in the week although Ive not even started My Freedom!

During September i'm Learning Something New Every Day

On the 1st September I learnt that taking time to relax with family is so important. I went shopping with my mum - havent done that in years! I realy enjoyed myself.

On the 2nd September I learnt that being a mummy is hard at times but that it has sooo many rewards. Today was my last day at home with my dd and we made the most of it! Painting, gluing and the ball pit!

On the 3rd September I learnt that taking time out for me is essential. - I went to my first crop and loved it, it was only small, but everyone was really nice and I got lots done!

On the 4th September I learnt that juggling life and work isnt easy! - I felt like I was in and out and in and out all day, didnt help I was late home from work either!

On the 5th September I learnt that I need my sleep. Having had a few late nights this week and going back to work full time means that i need to get in more sleep in the week and go to bed at a reasonable time. So last night I flopped out at about 9pm!

Ive not done a layout for any day yet as I need to get pictures printed but will post as soon as I can. My kit from Shimelle arrived the other day and its fab, although I wished that I had ordered it first time round! Ah well, lets see what today holds!

We had the boiler serviced yesterday. British Gas condemmed it - dont they always! Anyhows this morning its not working properly at all and after several rows with BG they can send someone tuesday! Hmmmmmm now let me think - I am working 9-12.15 then Im working again 2-6.15pm, when are they going to come - anytime between 1 and 6pm! Helpful arent they!!!! Problem being that I cant take time off work to be at home!!! Moral of the story - NEVER USE BRITISH GAS FOR ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!

Friday 5 September 2008

I love my new job!

I really enjoyed my new job yesterday, working with the children was great and I role has been changed already. I will now have 2 full mornings with year two then split the morning on the other three days between year 1 and 2. Which suits me down to the ground. I will definately be going into the foundation stage from January, which means that my hours then change and I become a Nursery Nurse rather than a teaching Assistant. Im hoping also to apply for the Graduate Teaching Programme in the next 12 months too, so that when Charlotte starts school, I cann hopefully fulfil my dream to teach, although no doubt that plan will probably change, most do!

Will try and get some pics uploaded for the bits I did at the crop the other night, Ive not done anything since, so Steve is out tonight again so will try and do some more, I finally started Charleys 3rd birthday book so will do a few more pages in it!

Thursday 4 September 2008

Kids are back today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is the first day back with kids, so Im looking forward to my new job. I found out yesterday that my second job is in threat of redundancy, which suits me down to the ground as I was planning to leave at christmas anyhow, so a few weeks redundancy pay will help out quite a bit!!!

I went to my first crop last night and boy did I pay for it. Steve hated the fact that I did what I wanted for once. He was in a strop from the minute that he got home, putting me in a bad mood, and seeing as I had been in a perfectly happy mood all day, this really annoyed me. He was rude to my parents which doubly annoyed me because they have taken the week off to help me out with charley so that I can start my new job! Anyhow, the crop was good, there were only four of us so it was nice and quiet. When I got back he was still in a strop and did his usual 'Im not happy that you have dne what you want, so Im going to keep you up all night' which is what he does when he is in a paddy. Pathetic man! So it was 1am before I got to sleep this morning and Im working all day today, so Im not best pleased. I will be going to bed early tonight and if he tries to stop me he will get a mouthful! I dont understand why he has to be soooo patheitc all the time because he doesnt get what he wants! Ive decided that I will go to as many of these as possible, till he learns that I am entitled to a life too! Soemthing which he hasnt let me have for the last 3 1/2 years!

On a more positive note I have restarted my diet and lost 5lb in the last three weeks, not quite as fast as I would like but at least Im loosing it rather than putting it on! Only another few pounds to go and its nearly half a stone!!! Im determined this time that I am going to do it and drop at least 2 dress sizes, I have a fab new job and Im starting to stand up for myself and do some of the things Ive been held back with since having Charley. Life feels good!

Wednesday 3 September 2008

Would like to thank Tony Blair and Gordon Brown...

For making me go back to work full time. The country is in such financial mess in order to be able to put food on our table and shoes on our feet I am having to take a second job just to give us basics!

I always vowed that I wouldnt go back to work full time till dd started school, well sadly today that vow has ended, the world has just gotten too expensive for me and my family, so I will be working 8.45-6.30 evey day and some days 7.45-6.30pm! What a life, can't get any better really can it!!! All this to pay a whopping great mortgage and rising fuel and food costs. Oh but I shouldnt moan because I will get a tax rebate this month, a whole £60, whoopie do!!!!!

Anyhow enough moaning, Im offto a crop tonight, mum is having charley and Im off to have some fun. Im going to start work on Charleys 3rd birthday album and am going to use the lovely chipboard album that Emma from Docrafts sent me and the basc grey cupcake selection which I bought from Docrafts again as it was really good value. Been up since six trying to find all the right colour cardstocks and ribbons to go with it as well as brads and gem! Don't want to get there an not have enough to do!!!! Im sure that gas bagging will take up most of the time!!! Anyhows some of us have to get to work so will check in later today or tomorrow and let you see my crop products (if any!!!!) and how the day went.

Monday 1 September 2008

Secret diary of a demented housewife¬


Am reading this book at the moment and the first page has had me in stitches. It sooo reminds me of my life and how I feel sometimes that its quite scary! Those of you with kids should read this and those without, read it and find out what its really like to have them!!!! I can't put it down at the moment!
Its rare for me to find a book that actually makes me laugh so when I saw it in a charity shop today I just had to have it. Niamh depicts life as a mother quite accuratly and protrays the mother in law as you or I would find our own! If you like chick-lit you will enjoy it. The diary format, I love as it means I can pick it up for a few minutes here and there and still enjoy it! Go on, get a copy! Its well worth the giggle! Ohhhh just checked out Amazon and she has released another one - secret diary of a demented housewife - the celeb years, must have this one too!
No crafting today sorry, have been too busy having girly time with my mum and doing some new job clothes shopping - woah my bargain today was a noce room handbag for £1!!!! Well impressed! The new purse I bought to go in it was more expensive £5.00 but did use my student discount card whilst I still have it!) Bought Charley a new pair of shoes too, now Im the mum that always gets her feet measured and pay over the odds prices, but today I was sensible mummy! £7 they cost in priceless shoes for a pair that will be wrecked like all the other startrite and clarks shoes I have ever bought for her, but I dont care cos at £7 she can have a new pair 5 times over (the last startrites I got her £36.00 and they didnt last more than about 2 weeks!)
I also picked me up a new belt £1.50 in primark! Bargains, Bargains, Bargains for me then came home and procedded to pop a shimelle kit into my basket just because Id had so many good bargains today!!! Tis shimelles new class today - learn something new - although I havent even looked at the prompt, maybe in the morning I have abook to read!

Sunday 31 August 2008

Its raining, its pouring, I wish that I was snoring.....

Yesterday I was moaning because it was too hot and I was feeling grumpy, today its just plain wet and soggy! I wish I was back in bed, hiding my head from the gloomy day. A trip to the ball pool with about another million kids and their parents who have the same idea as there is nothing else to do in the rain is in order I feel!

Havent done much crafting yesterday except Claire's Circle Journal, just got a little of this and a little of that and it will be winging its way to Helen! Must get going on the one that I need to send to Nicola too!

Anyhow Ive cracked the BIA problem I had with thanks to Gina and Ann from the DoCrafts forum, which reminds me I must get on and use some of the products that Emma sent me. I did use the stamp block yesterday when I was doing Claires cj entry and was really impressed, but Il do a proper review on it later and show you some of the things I used it for (will have to be just sneaky peaks though as I wouldnt want to spoil the surprise for Claire of whats in her book! My card keeper for MIL just needs the cards making now, but Im not that good at making cards, wil have to go onto some websites for some ideas! I on;y ever seem to use a bit of patterned paper and a stamped image on my cards of late, bit boring I feel.

Oh I did make a 50th Anniversary card too yesterday, so I guess that you could say I did do a reasonable amount of crafting! Ohhhhhh 3 more days and I will be a full timer again, please go slowly till then so I can scrap lots!!!!!!

Saturday 30 August 2008

Peace and h****w**k

OH has take DD to the 'sandpit park' aka Sandhurst Park giving me at least an hour and a half of lovely quiet in order to get on an do some H****w**k which desperatly needs doing everything is soooooo dusty! So Im prioritising and updating my blog and watching a recording of this weeks 'Bill' inbetween dusting and floor washing!!! If it was later in the day (say after lunch!) I would have had a glass of wine too, but its a bit early for me.

I have had some fabby stash delivered yesterday and today including the most huge pile of ric rac, blooms and a fiskars threading water punch which I have been eyeing up lately. I got a little bit of overtime money so decided that I would splash out. Ive some more blooms arriving from scrapping angels soon, I hope and then I am going to stop because Im back to working full time from wednesday and I know that I wont have much time for scrapping in the evenings and at weekends.

Anyhow I am hoping that once a month I am going to be able to get to a crop and hopefully the first will be on wednesday, but that depends on how shattered I am on my first day back.

I spent last night starting to make a card keeper for MIL's birthday in october, nothing like being ahead of the game! I didnt do too badly but did mess up a couple of pages, Im going to use it anyway she will never notice the mistake anyhow! Ill upload later when its complete. I also want to do a couple of pages using my new punch and also some clear stamps that i got in a kit I bought!

Friday 29 August 2008

Birdworld today!

Charlotte won some free tickets to Birdworld so we decided to use them today. We had a great time, despite the clouds it was lovely and warm. We watched the bird show, petted baby animals, charlotte held a mouse (urghhhhhh) and watched the owl feeding. At which point Charlotte said to me 'Mummy, why do they eat dead baby chicks????' Well what could I say, I think it was along the lines of 'Because they do!'

Anyways will add some pics tomorrow of those when Ive sorted them!

I didnt add any pics of our trip to Lowestoft so am going to now, the first few are of All Saints and St Margarets church and their resident natural grass cutters, Flymo and Chalky! Yes I double took when I saw them in the graveyard, MIL explained they have been there years! I can't wait for my snapfish order to arrive so I can scrap these!




Thursday 28 August 2008

Tiny Funky Fairys and Elves

Charlotte is very proud today as we checked the Tiny Funky Fairys and Elves blog and she has won their challenge, you can see her card in the blog archive. Anyhows she cant wait to get on with the next challenge, which is to use animals so thats just what we are off to do now!

Wednesday 27 August 2008

So what were you doing four years ago today?

Me well,

I was up at 6.30, at my parents helping to blow up about a million balloons, checking my dress was crease free and preparing for the registry office. At 11.00am I was married and by 12.25pm I was having my weddng breakfast of 1/4 pounder and chips at McDonalds - romantic arent I!

At 1pm my flowers arrived at the house, they were the wrong colour, so I was probably having a paddy!!! The right coloured flowers arrived at 1.58pm 2 mins before the ceremony (we had a humanist ceremony which is recognised as a legal ceremony, hence the registry office first thing)

Round about now, the photos were finished and balloons were released and evening guests were arriving for the wedding ceremony. Seems like a million years have gone by since then and my life has changed so much even in 4 years. Funny isnt it, the difference a few years makes!

So what have I done today, well spent this morning at the ball pit and this afternoon at the park feeding the ducks! Roll on this evening when we can crack open a bottle of wine and chill out with dd in bed!

Question is what will I be doing in another 4 years on this day?????

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Back home again, and Im sooooooo glad!

Well, MIL's, why do we have them?????


Anyone know????

She spent most of the weekend screaming at her husband, or us for that matter, the other part moaning about how spoilt my dd was and the other but about , oh Idont know what, so I was glad to get away from them.

We went to Great Yarmouth yesterday afternon after al the shouting and moaning and had a fab time, Ill pop some pics on in a bit when I get a chance!

Friday 22 August 2008

No crafting for me today

Spent today doing the dreaded H********k! We are off to Lowestoft tomorrow so I wont be posting for a few days, but keep crafting! See you when I get back with lots of photos to scrap!

Thursday 21 August 2008

Lucky me!!!!

I really was a happy bunny when the postman delivered these gorgeous new papermania goodies, that Emma from Design Objectives kindly sent me. I can't wait to get playing with them, however it will have to wait until after the weekend as we are going away but, I shall let you all know what they are like when I have had time to play!

The acryllic album looks fab and I cant wait to get going on that. The sparkly trims will look fabby on an girly album and the green ones I think will have to be an xmassy project!
Im always loosing my clear stamp block but this one is a perfect fit in my papermania craft tote pocket, so I know that Ill never be lost anymore when I use my clear stamps at a crop!

Lazy days!

Today we have done nothing at all, Im still getting over my stomach bug so have spent the day sitting round watching tv! I started another notelet set last night using anna griffin papers and will give those to MIL as I like my Sassafrasslass ones and want to keep them for me to use!

Ive also started covering a cd album which I am going to turn into 'our garden flowers book' I have about 3 more cds to cover then will bind it and start putting in the piccies!

I did pop out briefly yesterday to get moonsand and as ever Steve is soooooo romantic and sent me off money in hand to buy myself something for our anniversary! Ever the romantic!

As I type dd is out in the garden killing ladybirds! Isnt she lovely, now she is squashing him ever so gently!!! with her trainers whilst laughing, kids are horrid arent they!

I just ordered some Basic Grey Cupcake papers and embellies, cant wait for them to arrive, I love the glazed brads they do and their chipstickers, which reminds me I still have some two scoops to use up!

We will be away for a few days over the weekend so tomorrow will be my last post for a few days, right best go rescue the rest of the garden bugs!

Wednesday 20 August 2008

OMG, I made some cards!

Now Im no card maker any more! but I ordered a Sarahs Card Kit the other week and decided that I needed to try other things than putting a stamped image on a card, so guess what Ive ended up with blooms covering everything! I do wish that there had been more blooms in the kit as there werent very many, however, thats lif
Anyhow the papers are Sassafrasslass and they arent my usual sort of colour scheme but I did find that that the colourbox fluid inkpads I had went fairly well with them!
So the first set are some DL cards, which have to be my fav size of card and probably the one I use
the most of if I ever card make! These cards are
just awaiting some sentiments and if I could remember where the new clear stamps I bought where then they would have those on too!

Finally I have made a little notecard set and envelop box to take up for MIL at the weekend, again these are using just contents from the kit, I just need to find my basic grey magnetic snaps and the envelope will stay shut!





Moonsand Heaven!

Well it is for DD, she has finished her jobs chart, a whole week of not having to pick up her clothes from the floor, not having to lay the table for meals and not having to tidy her mat during the day has been bliss,. so we are going to start again tomorrow!!!

Im feeling a bit better today so we are off to town to get the moonsand that has been the bain of our lives for the last month, still her behaviour has been much much better and I dont feel like I am pulling my hair out all the time with tantrums so its been worth it. Wonder what the next pressie will have to be!!!!lol!

Hopign to get some of my Lola rose images coloured today so that I can make a little notelet set for MIL as we are going to stay there this weekend, fortunatly we are only doing one night with them and then the other 2 nights we have booked into a Premier Inn, not that there is much premier about them usually, but we shall see!

Anyhow off to town now so will pop up pics of anthing I create later as well as the moon sand efforts!!!! Not sure who will have more fun with it, her or me!

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Tiny Funky Fairys and Elves Challenge




Charlotte has been busy creating cards for the tiny funky fairies and elves challenge, the challenge this week was to
create something with flowers, I think that she has managed that!

The card is one from a Sarahs Cards Ltd kit, the flower stamp that she used is one from Whispers that I got free when I sent back some duff rub-ons its actually a reall ycute little stamp. The ribbons are some from 'Snip' a cheapy shop in Fleet and the gems and rub ons are papermania. The large green flower from Angel Crafts and the other smaller ones are from my stash, which could be from anywhere. Anyhow she had great fun and cant wait for the next challenge!