Cheeky lil lady!

Yes she is better!

Make it, Farnborough 2009!

So today I made it to the Make It show, wasnt sure that I would, but I did and we spent hardly any time here, I was surprised how little it was after all the raves I had heard about last year. Some of my fave online stores were here inc sraft superstore and crafty devils as well as a few more that will be becoming my faves, incluing craftwork cards! Oh no! No more ribbons please, one of my weaknesses is my ribbons I have way too many and I hate cutting them up and making things with them! I only bought one lot today and that was redy for my friends wedding album that I am going to make her when she finally ties the knot in May 09, I never thought she was the marrying type, but then these days nothing astounds me!

So here is my tiny plie of stash that I spent over £25.oo, I was after one oof these mats for stamping for a while and it was a bargain price, the chipboard album is going to be drawn round and several more will be made ready for xmas as pressies I was after one for a template so that worked well. My treat to myself was some copic markers, and now I wish that I had bought more, but I have the basic colours ready for my penny black stamps and I have a few of the hedgehoggy ones!

I was lucky today as Ruth drove and I had the luxury of being driven, Ruth picked up a few bargains too! Would I go next year, maybe!

OMG!!!

Last night I stood and did about 4 hours of ironing and its taken me almost that long to put it all away today, shhhhhhhhhh, dont tell Steve but I just shoved Charleys in the bottom of her wardrobe - well it will all be out again this week, whats the point on flinging it on hangers to take it straight back off in the next couple of days!

Tis my own silly fault for not doing the ironing last week, 2 weeks worth in one go is not good! My excuse - Charley was ill!!!!

ANyhow have spent a couple of hours making cards to send to Kirsty for the troops, still need to do a few more though, will post piccies later!!!

So what do I do????

I bought a robo last year, was only second han but hardly used, and thought that it would be used beyond belief, truth of the matter is, I just dont have time to play with it, its seems such hard work playing around with it to get it to do what I want, so wht do I do, do I sell it and go without it, do I try and uks swap it for a cricut? They appeal to me a bit more now as you just shove the cartridge in and wahay! or do I persevere and try and get on with it, I havent even worked out how to weld the letters together. I need a machine of some sort as I got rid of all my sizzix dies (except my measley 3 aphas and my cuttlebug embossing folders which i never use as my crafting space is soooo tiny and they are stored in a box in the garage!) Id also love to get rid of my old red sizzix machine and get a cuttlebug, but its all money I don't have at the moment!

I am however looking forward to saturday, the boys are taking out Charley and Im off to the 'Make it' show in Farnborough. Ive a few pennies saved up so can treat myself a little bit! Anyone else going??????

I wish I could see...

but I have the most horrible eye infection! The doc's did tell me that I would suffer Charleys symptoms and yes I am, conjuntivitus here I come!!!! Blooming eck do they itch!

On the bright side - bright eyes - get it! Nah crummy joke, we have had a nice day. We went to Baskingstoke today and ended up guess where, oh, like you cant - the build a bear workshop! Where we always end up spending far too much money on bits of material rubbish that never get touched!

Today we bought this little bag of cuteness:

and then this:

which again is soooooooooooooooo cute and will look fabby on Shola bear (dont ask about the name, what kind of kids gives a bear that name!)

We also went to milestones in Baskingstoke and yes you guessed it I forgot my camera, they had a titanic exhibition so we got to see some of the relics they pulled up from the boat as well as the costumes that Leo and Kate wore! Twas good fun and I want to go back, if you havent been before, its well worth a lookie!

Been naughty again!

Well ok, not that naughty! We had a nice relaxing morning this morning, Charley didnt get up till 8am!!! The we all sat and watched telly together till nearly lunchtime! Steve loved the card and tag book and adored Charlottes valentines card too!

Went to visitmy sister in law to be and then the craft shop, where charley roped me into buying her a stamp - yes a horse stamp as she is horesy mad!!! I only picked a couple of bits up myself, some of the papermania journalling spots and a forever friends easter decoupage pack which I thought that Charlotte and I could do together. They are great as a cheat and as my hands are so bad lately I thought that it was the best option!

Now stuck in front of the telly watching Nina and the flaming Neurons! What joy! Im hoping that I get to the make it show next weekend but Im not holding my breath, mum isnt too keen on having Charley for the day, perhaps I should just take her with me!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Right well my romantic evening is an evening for one! in front of the telly with a box of malteasers! my kind of bliss, w dont bow down to comercialism in this house and will go for our romantic meal in a couple of weeks when we want to!!! Steve on the other hand is going otu for the evening with his 'single' mate! lol!!!! I dont mind, have been promised a takeaway so Im happy as it means no cooking and only little washing up!YAY!!!! Im all for an easy life!

Hooray, Hooray, its a holi-holi-day!

Well starting 3.30pm! I just have to convince mum to keep hold of Charley for a bit so I face the dreaded Tesco's - no I wasnt brave enough togo out last night in the cold and freeze my huge bottom off!, then I have a whole week off work, no getting out of bed at stupid o'clock, no fussing over whether I have any work clothes ironed, one week of slobbing out in pj's till lunch and trackies till bed!!!

Oh and that means more time for crafting, crafting and stash shopping, although not sure the bank balance will agree with the final one, so maybe just using up some stash. Ive had a few bits this month despite saying that I would save for my holiday, have I??? Nope not a penny has gone in the account for spending money! Instead I have had 2 sets of autumn leaves stamps - circlular sentiments and talking circle mom ones, some lush mini autumn leaves stamps from scrappydos, who are closing down, boo hoo!, some ltiny alphas - adornit and making memories, which I used during cyber crop week and lots of other little bits and bobs along the way too!

My goal next month - no spending - yeah like that will happen, Iquite fancy Kirsty Wisemans CD. Talking of Kirsty, check out this oost on her website, perhaps you might like to help too! You have to scroll down a bit 2 years too close to 40 - long post, may induce sleep Im going to help!

So last night the ironing won, not much of the ironing though, only 2 baskets (shhhhh dont tell anyone but one was full of socks and towels that didnt heed ironing, but it made it look like Id done loads!) 2 down, 2 to go!!! Whahay what joy for the weekend!!! I really must get my GTP application done as well this weekend or Ive no chance of doing the course, not that I mind if I dont get on, Ill be dissappointed, but I do love my job at the moment and would be quite happy to stay doing what Im doing for a bit longer!!!!

Was good for a second time though cos I found the piccies to stick onto Steves tag album I made at the weekend, have gone for piccies of him with Charley, so she can give him a little gift, just need to make a little card with her for him and we are sorted!

My life is full of ...just need to's... at the moment if you notice, ironing, card make with Charley, GTP appication shop, will I ever have it all done!!!

Getting better

Wel its almost friday and buy am I pleased! Charley is beginning to feel better although at times you can still tell she is ill!!! Have really got to get on with finishing that tag bok I made last weekend for Steve for valentines and find where I put that card, Im glad that I got organised though or I would be in a mad panic now trying to do everything! Dissappointed though that I didnt get that spain album done for him! Oh well theres always fathers day.

So valentines day at the weekend, what do we all have planned. we are doing absolutely nothing at all, cards but no pressies, and Im sticking to it this year so I hope that he does! Saturday night Im even letting him out with the boys!!! Im just looking forward to curling up in front of the tv and catching up on some the sick child/loss of sleep that I have suffered from this week!

Must get on an do some ironing, it always feel sooooo good when all the washing is done but then do you get that flat feeling where you realise that there is so much ironing you dont know what to do with it, I iron everything as well, the only things I dont iron are towels, socks and charleys school sweaters and fleecy pj's so you can imagine the pile!

So tonights goal is to iron one baskt of clothes at least (but this is only so I have some trousers for work tomorrow!!!) Thank heaven for the Bill which I always iron too, but then agian I also need to do some food shopping, descisions, decisions what do I do, shopping or ironing, questions on a postacard to: ....lol!

Gosh my life sounds so boring when I sit typing about shopping and ironing doesnt it, but its not, I have a fab daughter (well most of the time!) and a great job that I actually love, even though I moan about it all the time and a lovely house, what more could I want out of life!!!! MONEY!!!!!lol!

Well...

She doesnt have a viral infection as I was lead to believe, but scarlet fever!!! I thought that had gone out with the ark!!!! I havent know a child have it in the 13 years Ive been a child carer! Still she has it and is now in a disguesting course of penicillin which you almost have to grapple her to the ground in order to force into her throat! I feel like such a meanie!!!

Still Im back to work tomorrow full time as she seems better, still isnt herself but is behaving a bit more like Charley, yes, that means naughty!!!

Made wicked little biscuits at work today with the kids, have a lovely mummy who comes in to cook with the kids, and she has left me all the ingredients so my morning kiddlywinks can have a play too! Will have to post a piccie in the next couple of days but they were cute ickle hearts with pink sugar on top! yes they tasted good!!!

Had a sort through of my stash, at the weekend and got rid of loads of papers that are just not my style, and will never get used and they filled a pizza box, so have given them to Ruth, Im sure that she will make some use of them.

Had a bit of a guilt trip too when I realised how many unfinished projects I have going at the moment;

Scrap your day, journal your xmas, charleys 3rd birthday album, our spain 2003 holiday,and a few other too! Really must get on and do some sometime, instead of cyber cropping at the weekend I should have got on with finishing my xmas album, but it doesnt feel right scrapping xmas in february.

I did make another one of those sunflower cards and a post it note holder for one of the teachers at school, which I hope she liked!!!

Anyhow, holby is on and I cant miss that, can I!!!

My Poorly Baby!

Have one poorly girly here with me as I type today, if fact in 4 years Ive never taken time off of work for her, and today I did, just the morning and I have to take tomorrow morning off too, bt she is worth it! She is covered in blotches and has a high temp and just wants to sleep, chill and cuddle whilst watching any crummy kids show possible! I hope she gets better soon!

So I havent managed to do anything today including the washing!!! And there was plenty from last night when she was an ickle bit sickle all over my spare room floor!!!!! Have just got first load in tumble dryer and should pop on anther load really but I just want to cuddle her!

I did manage another layout and mini book yesterday in the cyber crop but there was a lot of classes that didnt appeal to me and the beading one was one I had to say no too because of my hands which are beginning to play up again, flaming carpel tunnel, I should really get them looked at again but I dont want surgery! Oh well,will continue to suffer in silence!

Right going to sort out the washing, running out of all clothes and even towels now!!!!

More class layouts!

On a bit of a roll at the moment, and up to 190 points - ok thats not that many in the grand scheme of things but hey ho!

So here is the second class i have done (actually the first on the cyber crop but I had to hand make that frame and wanted daylight for it!) Ive had these pics for so long and been tryingt o think of a way to scrap them so this worked well. Ive used papers from a qvc hot pick which had 2 albums and a load of papers, they havent been touched yet so figured I should be using them and they work well together!

The second is called black and blue, Ive used blues and greens mainly for this layout again from the same kit from qvc which is great cos thay all coordinate so well together. Americam crafts felt thickers and adornit tiny alphas have been used for the title 'Oh you looked so pretty!'

Right off to check out some more classes and try for some more points!

Cropping away!

The cyber crop is in full swing over on UKS and I have a peaceful and tidy house for the next few hours, so no prizes for gueesing what I will be doing! Here is the first class I have completed, think I will give it to steve for valenetines!I have used bazzill cardstock, scenic route loveland papers and some K&Co paper, cant remember the name of it and the ribbons are all from my stash, some K&Co chipbard smitten chipstickers also got onto it somehow!!! Just needs a few finishing touches and hey presto it will be done!

Free draw...

for these yummy pastel brads and eyelets. just leave me a comment on my blog between now and 8pm saturday and dd will pick a winner out of a hat at 8pm! Good Luck!!!

I made this today...

Tis an ickle valentines card for steve, made using Papermania Scruptious, which really is scrummy! AC felt thickers (have a bit of a thing for felt at the mo!), chocolate brown grosgrain ribbons and K&Co Smitten chipboard sticker! I love it, oh and I added some PM sticky gems too just for luck! I hope he likes it, and don't worry he doesnt read my blog!

Papermania Snag 'ems, I love em!

Yay, school is closed again today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made a couple of cards last night, mainly cos a 3rd day of Charley, that wasnt planned did my head in, I do love her but...cbeebies for a 3rd day on the trot isnt funny in my book.

The first card I made was with my new PM snag em stamps. I love this ickle tree stamp and the little swirl that goes with it is also divine. So I stamped the little swirls with black stazon ink, onto a pearescent card and then filled in the gaps with just one of the heads of the flowers stamped inbetween. I stamped a tree, with more black stazon, and added some clear gem stickers, the really tiny ones, that I never know what to do, but they are just perfect on this little tree, shame you cant see them too well. I added a 'PM' wire 'thanks' word, which has been kicking around in my stash for so long, and I never know what to do with it! To finih a length of very yummy velvet ribbon wiht more adhesive gems! I love this card and am going to make a load more and send them to peeps to thank them for xmas pressies, which I still havent done because Im bad!!!

My second card is one for MIL who goes into hospital today and has a major knee op tomorrow, good luck Joanie! This is K&Co Berry Sweet papers which I absolutley love (esp the unicorn one which I didnt use on here as I only have one sheet left anf want it for a page for Charley!), my yummy cats eyes chalk ink in maroon, am totally loving these stackable little pots of fun, and some blooms from my stash. The sentiment is one of the 99p studio G stamp sets, which are wickedly cheap and cheerful! Topped off with a fabric covered brad, which again is yummy - well anything with texture is isnt it??????

This is the view from my bedroom window thismorning, lovely coloured skies, and yes you might even be able to make out some flakes of snow, cos its still snowing!

Well charley is tucked up in our bed watching, yes you guessed it, cbeebies, so thats why Im here blogging again. Am going to brave the ice later and pop to the tesco express and pick up another bottle as the one from last night has mysteriously all gone now, who drank it? I guess we shall never know!

Have decided though that if work is still shut tomorrow Charley is going into preschool, but knowing my luck it will reopen tomorrow so I wont get any peace, please keep your fingers crossed for me that it snows more and more and more and I cant go in!!!!!

PS... thick flakes are falling as I type, I may be very lucky!!!!!! Please dont stop falling!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can just about see them here! Do note my drive is snow free at the moment... explained below...

And the snow on the fence here (this is the lady opposite us) yes that would be the snow that DH cleared (or should I say flicked) off of our drive across the road, looks like someon had a mass snowball fight with the fence in my opinion!

I needed it...

Am knackered tonight, just needed one or two glasses in order to relax, and well its 6.30pm and there is about 1/2 a glass left in the bottle, but do I feel better for it, yes! Just need another bottle now!

Webberley boots!

Check out my new pink webberley boots!!! I hvae not owned a pair of these since my Llandrindod Wells school trip, which believe me was years ago! Anyhow last weekend I succumbed and bought a cracking pink pair, not cheap, but after today well worth the money! If I never wear them again (which Im sure that I will) they will have served their purpose and been money well spent! After trogging all the way to the chemist in the blizzzard to get Charley her eye drops, they were closed so I trogged all the way back home to find the telephone directory and find one that was open! Went to drop Charley off at my mums and she said they she and ,y dad would trog out and get them, was well pleased as the other chemist is about 30 mins walk - well my speed it is, only took them 40 min there and back and I stayed nice and warm in their house with Charley watching telly and me falling asleap on the sofa!

Well the snow keeps falling!

How I love working in a school, the minute there is a bit of snow they always close, Im pleased for another reason today though, I was going to have to take the day off to look after Charley as she isn't very well, full of cold and red raw eyes, conjunctivitus! Have booked her an appointment at the docs, so will brave the blizzard later and get her some drops! At the moment we are tucked up on the sofa with our snuggly blankets and ready for some dedicated mummy and baby time! Not that she is a baby anymore, where have the last four years gone!

Last night i was blog hopping, as I do frequently and came across a blast from the past. I found Est's blog and was midly intrigued by her location and kids names, when i trawling back through her previous posts it turns out i went to school with her years and years ago, so I promptly emailed her to say hi and she has now responded! Its so nice to see what people are up too these days, and how well she is doingfor herself.

Just pondering over how long I will be able to stand listening to cbeebies today, I give it till about 11am. Harry and Toto is blasting at the moment! Might have to suggest a film in abit, I cant stand this channel!!!

Might get the crafting stuff out at lunchtime, its much easier now that I have moved all of it into the spare room, I must start a mini bok for steve for valentines day, fortunatly being 6x6 it wont take too long!!! I really want to order some new stash but am resisiting the temptation as I need to save for our florida trip, I have every intention of picking myself up some yummy stuff out there. Told Steve tht we are visiting the scrapping shops on the first day of the hols the i dont care what we do as long as I have scrap stuff Im sorted!!!!!!! He and Paul can go out every evening for all I care but I will be crafting!!!!

Been a few days...

since i entered the world of Blogland, Im having really bad anxiety attacks at the moment, where my throat feels like its closing up and I cant swallow. Few issues been going on here over the last few weeks and I think its all connected but its really not nice, dont know what to do about it either!

Work is still going well, I love it, its nice to finally be able to say that I enjoy my job! Lets hope that it continues.

Im still working on Q4 from the 52Q&A's, havent had a lot of chance to do this one yet, its all about what you see when you 'look into my eyes'. I have made some recipe cards ready for febs swap over on the Docrafts forum that Ive started, need something to do now that my cj is finished!

Next week is the cybercrop over on UKS. I have signed up to it but havent bought any kits this year, was a bit dissappointed last year as I didnt get much of a chance to do the classes, so rather than wste money on kits might have a rootle around at home and see what I can use up! Im also seriously stash dieting as I have soooooo much I really dont need any more and what I have got I dont use enough of!

Right off for a bit of brain training!

Question 3 - 52 Q&A's

Well this was an easy question! Who doesnt??????

Question 2 completed!

So here is Question 2 - am I afraid of change - I guess it depends on whta is involved really, Im pleased I changed jobs, but there ae other changes that freak me out, so I gues my answer here is not conclusive!

Front cover for 52 Q&A

So here is the front cover that I have finally completed. might add a few flowers but not sure yet, am loving the felt thickers though at the moment!!!

52 Q&A

This a fab project to get your teeth into! Jackie ( who always manages to find the most amazing blogs) over on docrafts gave us a link to Em's blog here , she launched 3 weeks ago, a fabulous 52 Q&A project. Each week, she offers one question and the idea is to create tags, or a journalling book, with the question on one side, and the answer on the other. This is a great project, one..to hone up your journalling skills (and I certainly need help with that!), and two, to learn a lot about yourself. Why not take a look and have a go, its a nice easy project that is fun to do!

Last night I was daft though, instead of getting my cropadile out I thought Ill use a hole punch, OH NO! BIG MISTAKE!!!! What had I put on the back of the card Id just loveingly made, but ribbon! I managed to get the card jammed in it, stuck fast and had to get steve to sort it out it was soooooo jammed, so the moral of this story is...dont try and cut corners, it ends up wrecking your project and wasting more time!!!!!

Will upload question 2 later.

Todays question is up now...

Do you believe in faries?

We have a lot of fairy talk in our house...and lately the fairies have been visiting ivy's room late at night - she has a special collection of 'sap crystals' (little crystals collected from the trees!) that the fairies move around and form special shapes with...a heart, her name etc. sometimes they sprinkle fairy dust on their creations too. it's very magical!

Hope your week is full of magic and creating...i'm working on getting some links on my blog with all the Q's and the flickr group easy to find.

52 Q&A

I fially got round to starting the 52 Q&A 's project so here is the first one, number 2 is in its working state and number 3's prompt will be available later today!

I also have finally completed the challenge for my team on UKS! Should have been live on monday last week, but hey ho, life took over as usual!

Today is...

baking day! Charley needs to make some cakes to take to pre school tomorrow so out come the cupcake cases, smarties and pink icing I feel! We decided that trying to get these made thursday evening ready for preschool friday morning was cutting it a bit fine so will create our masterpieces later today!.

My team over on UKS have been running the weekly challenge this week. Needless to say I never got round to making my layout, which I do feel bad about, so last night I created a masterpiece - well not really, threw something together very quickly! and now can I find the card reader so that i can download it - NO I CANT!!!!

So making cakes, looking for the card reader and cat food shopping are on the list of exciting things that I must venture on and do today.

STOP PRESS................I forgot - how Ive no idea!- but we have booked our summer holiday - hooray!!!!!!!!!!! We are off to Disneyland Florida for 2 week, I cant wait!!!!!! Saving every spare penny now for hitting the scrap shops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday

Today is Charleys 4th birthday, can't believe how the time has flown! We celebrated with lunch at the Chinese - charleys choice! and a trip to the ball pit with her friend, they had great fun! Granny and Grandad came for a birthday tea and the disney princess cake that she chose was yummy!!!!

Its also my 5th annversary as a member of the docrafts forum, so hi and thanks to all my buddies over there who may be reading this!

Back to work/school/preschool

Have woken today to a thin covering of snow, yay! Well it would be if we werent all going back to hard grind of everyday life! Still new year, new job, should be interesting if nothing else!

Resolutions

I should have posted this yesterday but never got round to it!

My resolutions for this year are:

1 To loose 2 stone in wieght as soon as possible!

2 To stop buying stash, a monthly budget is set and thats all I can have.

3 To spend more quality time with my family.

4 To complete my album of me this year - I started it last year and got hardly anywhere with it.

5 To enjoy life and stop complaining about it.

6 To apply to do my GTP - no idea whether Ill get on the course but Id love to be a teacher!

This year has been a bit of a roller coaster with redundancy, new jobs, finishing my degree and marital problems that I need to slow down and focus a bit more.

Some of the highlights of 2008 for me were:

• Hubby finally realising that im a person and need to go out without him on my own - yay I finally got to go cropping and have met some lovely scrappers!
• My new job, I work with some fab people in a place I love!
• Charlotte stopped biting!!!!
• We have had some wicked family days out
• I got my degree
• I shook Trevor McDonalds hand!!!!!!!
• Ive done loads of scrapping - but not enough!

So theres some of the high points in my life over 2008, there are loads more and they are probably all on here as I blog most things, and Im sure there are others too that I missed out on blogging, but all in all 2008 wasnt so bad, lets hope 2009 is even better!

Wishing you...

a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

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?????

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!

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!

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!

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!!!!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!!!

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!

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!

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!

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!