Kirsty comes up trumps!

What a brilliant day we had yesterday. I visited Kirsty Wiseman for a photo shoot. As I drove over the Great British weather did as expected - drizzled!

But Kirsty was full of enthusiasm and started taking shots in her scrap room/ studio. What a room - scrappers heaven!

DS was his usual self saying no to everything - even the chocolate bribe. Then suddenly he joined in and smiled so sweetly. Kirsty was so patient and let him come and go as he pleased.


Then surprise the drizzle lifted and we were left with reasonable weather! So off to the local park and more shots
DD posed to her heart content


even I didn't escape!


DS continued to sulk now and then












but in the end played along
















DD is over the moon at being 'famous' as Kirsty's blog is viewed world wide and all these photo's are on there.

So I now have the difficult task of whittling down the hundred or so photos to the number I can afford to buy :(

I need....

Following some of the posts on UKS I typed my name 'needs' into Google these are the web prompts that came up -

I need -
to have a marriage licence from County Clark
help
both bread and roses
an angry expresssion
a small car with air (?)
to steal it too
real mom opinions
to accept that no one is self-sufficient all the time

I'm so excited ...

I just have to share. When I got home last night I found a padded envelope on the mat. I love opening post - but this was addressed to DH. Turning it over on the back was a label from A String of Beads. Oooooo do you think DH has taken note for my (not so) subtle hint email?
I had actually checked out the site yesterday to find my favourite bead Rahul had been sold - emmm I wonder if he managed to get it? Obviously I left the parcel where it was and tried to ignore it. Well I did have a good swidgy feel - but the padding was too thick. It promptly disappeared when DH got home. Only need to patiently (emm) wait 10 days until my birthday.

Retreat LOs

First LO from my scrap retreat, DD and her Godmother sharing a cuddle :)I have titled it simply 'Girls' as the two of them often share Girley times. Papers and embelishments are all from Scrapagogo May kit. It's my first LO using chipboard and I now I see what all the fuss is about. This is DS wandering off in the woods at Lyme Park. Really takes after his Granddad who is always so far ahead when we go on walks. I've had the papers for ages from the 12x12 scrapbooking mag. The blooms are from Sarah's Cards.
I love this photo which was taken by Jane and I'm really pleased with the LO which is a lift from Mel @ ATDML. The doodles are done with a stencil, which along with the rubbons and letters came from a
Scrapagogo kit. Final one for today was lifted from Lianne's LO I'm not sure whos kit this was. More chipboard, the heart - this time painted with H2Os - although the photo doesn't show it, it actually sparkles.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What a weekend - my first scrap retreat. DD had a great time at the UKS kids crop and I had a brilliant time too in the adults room. I scrapped and chatted to my hearts content over the two days. It was great to meet and spend time with so many wonderful people who share my interest in scrapping.

Today its back to the grind and I'm exhausted after burning the candle at both ends and so much driving.

I WON!

I forgot to mention that I won the Cyber crop logo challenge on Faithscrappers. Although I can't take part in the actual CC it's great that Abel's Army (as in Cain & Abel) will be using my art work :)

Busy busy busy

My life has gone mad! I'm busier than ever - its like the run up to Christmas with something every weekend. Tomorrow I'll be singing my heart out with an all afternoon practice and concert in the evening. It's my first concert with the Marple Choral society and we have some tough works - Bach Magnificat, Purcell Anthems (including I was Glad) and Purcell Rejoice in the Lord All Ways. There are soloists and a mini orchestra. Should be fun but exhausting.

Plus is DH gets himself in gear and DS is good my DD will get chance to play her oboe with the BBC Philharmonic. Sounds impressive eh! Actually they are running a touring scheme with their TV programme about getting back to playing.

New Team

I've joined a new team on UKS after bumping into the girls at the Bolton show.
My Dad will be proud that I managed to get on their photo! We have a family tradition of trying to get on other people's photos without them noticing :)

Please join me in praying for a happy outcome

Share the love ...

During May Shimelle is encouraging us to share the love and make it a month of hearts. I've managed to make felt hearts which hang around
my car rear view mirror. Plus I had a disaster with the Mango cupcakes hopefully I'll get chance to try them again. Although they look silly they actually taste great :) I'm also busy with an online photography course being run by Cheryl I'm hoping I can learn more about how to take decent photos. Cheryl actually says "at the end of this workshop you will be able to take creative shots with confidence that have the wow factor" emmm not sure about that but time will tell.

The only LO I managed to upload :(

Well the CC was not as productive as I had hoped. I loved most of the classes presented but time was the missing factor! DH had to work Sat so that was out and Sunday was limited as I had a house full. Although I managed 3 LOs every time I tried to upload to the gallery to obtain points it was blocked due to too many users. But I did have a great time Sunday sharing the day scrapping with friends. when it comes down to it - it's the fun not the points which are the important thing! :)

Today's the day

It's Cyber Crop mania again on UKS and everything starts at 6.30 this evening. Unfortunately it starts in the chat room which I can't access so I can't start until 7pm when the first class is posted. I'm really looking forward to the first two classes which sound really different.

Tomorrow is Shimelle's class
and thanks to Lemon I have one of her kits which are so cute. Apparently I'm not to say any more as it will spoil the surprise.

As long as I'm not rushed off my feet tomorrow I'll pop on and post any classes I manage to finish.

The rules have changed this CC and we have to upload each day's classes or challenges by midday the next day. I assume this saves the server being over worked on the last day with everyone leaving uploads until the last minute.

Here is the timetable -
6:30pm -Welcome chat
Come and join us in the Chatroom as we kick off the Wonderland Weekend

7:00pm - Class 1 - Ace in our Heart by sugar almond
a stunning class using paint with Em

8:00pm - Class 2 - Through the Keyhole by Margaret, Artbase *kit class*
an adorable tag and key class from Margaret

9:00pm - Chat
time for a short break and a cup of tea

10:00pm - Class 3 - Curiouser and Curiouser by Mystik Nat
dust off those unloved scissors for this class in decorative edging with Nat

11:00pm - Challenge 1 - The Dormouse

12:00midnight - Challenge 2 - Don't Lose the Plot



Saturday 28th April


7:00am - Early Bird Chat

8:00am - Class 4 - Love Life with Lianne
needles at the ready for a stitching class with Lianne

9:00am - Class 5 getting ready for a... Tea Party - whatkatiedid
have you always wanted to try digital scrapbooking? then who better to start you off with an amazing layout than Katie

10:00am - Challenge 3 Time for Tea (Chase the Ace or FlowerPOT)
Hysteri-CAL has set us this fun challenge, you'll need an old teapot for this one!

11:00am - Class 6 - Queen of Hearts by Sarah, Jillybeans *kit class*
keep those needles handy, as Sarah has you stitching some more in this gorgeous class

12noon - Class 7 - A Great Big Squeeze by ria979902
hang onto those scraps, and Maria shows you how you can use them to create a fabulous layout

1:00pm - lunchtime chat
time to grab some lunch and catch up with team mates after a busy morning, but hurry... you won't want to be late for this afternoons activities!

2:00pm - Challenge 4 - The Cheshire Cat

2:30pm - Kids Game - Scavenger Scrap
A very fast fun game for the kids which starts off in the chatroom - its important we start at 2:30 so don't be late

3:00pm - Class 8 - Drink Me by Shimelle *kit class*
Shimelle's first class today is a teeny tiny little minibook to shrink all your memories

4:00pm - Class 9 - The Box of Sweets by Shimelle
staying with Shimelle, we now do a layout gone BIG!

5:00pm - Teatime Chat
You've been working hard so time for a tea-break

6:00pm - Class 10 - Where does the time go? by Rebecca, Rebecca's Scrapbooking Stash
Rebecca takes those daily routines and creates a treasured layout

7:00pm - Class 11 - P for Princess - debly
Deb has a fantastic collage layout for you to have a go with

8:00pm - GAME - Bingo

9:00pm - Tweedledum & Tweedledee

10:00pm - Challenge 5 - Painting the Roses Red

11:00pm - Late Night Chat
burning the midnight oil? check out the chatroom for some catchup chat

12midnight - Challenge 6 - Empty Me



Sunday 29th April


7:00am - Early Bird Chat
wakey wakey rise and shine, one more day in Wonderland

8:00am - Challenge 7 - Mad Natters Hat Party
a fun little project set by Nat

9:00am - Class 12 - Shrink Me by Jean, 3djean
a totally cute class from Jean using shrink plastic

10:00am - Class 13 - Tea Party by Sarah.W
big bold patterned paper is the order of the day with Sarah's class

11:00am - Class 14 - Balloony by Mole
ribbons galore in this class with Gill

12noon - Challenge 8 - Off With Her Head!

1:00pm - Challenge 9 - Garden of Live Flowers

2:00pm - Kids Bingo
its the kids turn to play BINGO!

2:00pm - Quiz

3:00pm - Challenge 10 - an Unbirthday Celebration

4:00pm - Challenge 11

7:00pm - Kids Chatroom Party
clear the chatrooms and make way for our mini mad hatters to get in there and Party!

9pm - Chat Room Party
meet your Queens in the chatroom for a farewell to Wonderland party

Bramhall Park

We recently went to Bramhall park and had a wonderful day and the children were great fun. I was inspired by Kirsty Wiseman's class from the Design Collective and created this

Red Nose Day

As promised here is my finished LO based on Sketch 24 from pencil lines.

Thanks to The Design Collective I've a few ideas milling around in my head and hope to scrap some of the pictures from our trip to the park last weekend.

First classes from The Design Collective

I recieved the first 3 classes and they are brilliant. I am hoping these will really inspire me to get scrapping again. I'm setting myself a challenge to scrap each event I take photos of this month. Instead of just uploading the pics to the computer and adding them to the 'I must scrap these one day' file I'm going to print them and add them to my TDC folder.
Hopefully this will become a habit by the end of the month as I can get used to scrapping regularly and I may even get round to reducing the IMSTOD file!

I managed to pop out at lunch today and get those buttons - so here's hoping I get chance to finish my LO tonight and upload tomorrow?

It's all happening in April!

The Design Collective classes start tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to these and hope they give me loads of inspiration. I discovered pencil lines over the weekend and this really inspired me - I did a LO but need more red buttons before its finished.

Also UKS are telling us to keep the weekend of 27th free! Now I wonder what that could be - CC? Not sure how DH will react.

Better late than never ...

These are some of the LOs I did during our 'at home CC'

Sick as a parrot ...

The home CC went really well but I've been so ill since. Mum says it's a rather drastic way to diet! I'm back at work today but still not eating properly :(

'Cyber' Crop

DD and I prepared our kits over the weekend so we are now ready for two days of scrapping :)

I've sourced classes from UKS CCs and Fairies with 'tude. DD picked the class names out of a hat and we have planned one every 90mins. I've given each class a score and DD gets 1.5 times the points if she has no help. Hopefully this will encourage her to just get on with it and leave me to scrap too.

Home 'CC'

It's half term next week and I've two days off with DD. Between us we have decided to have our own Cyber Crop. So I've printed the pdfs from old UKS CCs and I've prepared a supply list for each class.

Tuesday we will be getting our kits together and Wednesday we are having our CC. I'm really looking forward to it :)

Different Focus ...

Well I am using my new 2007 word but in a completely different direction to that intended. Following a school advert requesting people to join the parent's choral society I signed up and started practicing Faure's Requim. I love this work and realised how much I'm missing my singing. At last weeks rehersal flyers were put out about a concert of Karl Jenkin's Armed Man.
I know very little of this work - I love 'Palladio' and DH bought me a compilation of Jenkin's work which had this track and 3 tracks from the Armed Man. I liked them and couldn't believe a local choir was singing it. Anyway the end shot is I've joined that choir too and now sing twice a week. The school concert has about 6 rehersals and the Jenkins concert only 4! Plus at the first Jenkin's rehersal another choir in Prestbury were asking for people to join a singing day - this could spiral and loose focus but atm I'm really enjoying myself.

Free class ...

Not often you see free classes, but Shimelle is offering one this weekend. Pop over to her blog and check out her post on the 13th Jan.

Happy 2007

OK the Christmas Journal didn't go as planned - I did do more pages than I posted here but nothing significant.

So ... New Year /New Start ...

I am a subscriber to the AEZine Newsletter and last week we were challenged to choose one word - "a word that we can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as we go about our daily life." I'm stuck between organised and focus! So hopefully if I can incorporate either word into my daily life things will be so much better.

This is the cover of my Christmas Journal. I'm really enjoying this and feel rather festive.

Page 1 will follow shortly. Yes I know I'm already behind - no surprises there! :{

Christmas Journal

Manifesto: Noun. A declaration of one's intentions.

Starting December first, I will keep a Christmas journal. In it, I will write something every day to reflect on the season of my past, enjoy the season of the present and dream about the season of my future.

To some, this will be a stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and, most importantly, I am giving at least fifteen minutes every day to myself no matter how crazy this season becomes. I hope you will share, encourage and understand as I make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.

I may post some or all of my entries here. Other artists are doing this with me, and you can see their work here Or you may join

Above all: enjoy the season. I will.

Sonja

CC

What a great weekend hope you like some of the layouts I did

UKS Cyber Crop

Woot another exhausting weekend coming up. UK scrappers cyber crops are brilliant fun and this one is the biggest ever. Basically we scrap and chat all weekend. It starts a 5pm on Friday and finishes at 5pm on Sunday.

What about this for a fun weekend -
Friday 24th November
5pm Welcome Chat
Meet up in the chatroom as we prepare to get started
6pm class Notions and Potions
You’ll be a stamp addict after this stunning class with Mystik Nat
7pm challenge Charms
8pm KIT CLASS MagicalLynz puts those sequins to magical use in this class from Memory Avenue
9pm Chat
chance to grab a quick coffee before getting stuck in again to some classes
10pm KIT CLASS Spellbound Smiles
Grab those lippy chick books and make something special with Tracie from Little Cottage Crafts
11pm Chat
still up and busy? ome for a chat whilst you await the next challenge
12am midnight challenge Marauders map
Saturday 25th November
6am early bird Chat
wakey wakey rise and shine
7am early bird challenge Olivanders
8am KIT CLASS Golden Snitch
dig out those beads as allyf shows you how to make your own golden snitch bracelet
9am Chat
if you’ve had an early start you’ll be ready for a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich about now
10am challenge Divination
11am class Its Magic
You’ll need a quote to go with this gorgeous layout from Lousette
12noon lunch
time to take a break
1pm KIT CLASS Magic in the MiddleA fresh look at composition with Shimelle
2pm challenge Transfiguration
3pm tea break
time for tea and more chatter in the chatroom
4pm class Bewitched
Have a go at this creative class with Debbie70, you’ll never look at a sketch in the same way again
5pm challenge Madame Malkin
6pm Chat
early evening chat
7pm KIT CLASS Diagon Alley
a new take on the minibook with Gill from The Scrapbook Shop
8pm Saturday Night Games
to be announced nearer to the weekend
10pm Class Wishes
try a home made transparency with mei_lye
11pm Chat
late night chat session for all you night owls
12am midnight challenge History of Magic
Sunday 26th November
6am early bird chat
meet up in the chatroom for some early morning coffee and chat
7am early bird challenge The Burrow
8am class Herbology
Have a go with some paper layering in this stunning class by Kazc
9am chat
morning coffee time
10am Class Professor Sprout
A super class in hand cutting/sewing by Gertie
11am BINGO
Meet in the chatroom for our favourite cybercrop game.
12noon class You’re Magic
Stuff shows some hidden magic on this fabulous layout
1pm lunch
short break for lunch before our final afternoon of cybercropping
2pm class Magic Mirrors
A fabulous distressing class by Karina
3pm chat
time to grab a quick cuppa on our final afternoon break
4pm challenge Ancient Runes
OR
Double Potions
5pm upload deadline
7pm kids chat
clear the chatroom coz the kids are taking over for a while
9pm End of Term chat
meet up in the chatroom for the End of Term Party and to find out who won the school awards

I've managed to buy 3 of the Kits and I can't wait to get started. Hopefully the family will understand my enthusiasm and leave me to get on with it (in my dreams). BTW I'm in

A gift for Joanne Ward ...

I don't know Joanne but I was inspired to create this LO and send it to Kirsty (I know know her either)! Kirsty posted an appeal on UKS asking for happy 6x6 LOs she could give to her friend who has Cancer. She has collated all the LOs and will present them to Joanne on 10th November. Kirsty's Blog show the over whelming response she has received


Unforunately I didn't get a wonderful photo and the LO has now been sent :(
(The pile picture is Kirsty's - better give credit where it is due as she is a photographer!)See her blog - http://limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com/

Shimelle's classes

I have done virtually nothing with Shimelle's 'You think you know me class' I loved the prompts and work book but I really found it difficult to be inspired. The advantage with Shimelle's classes are that you receive a pdf so you can save the prompts and do them at any time.

The dilema I have now though is do I sign up for Shimelle's Christmas class. This includes 37 prompts! It sounds like great fun - BUT and yes it is a big BUT as I have never yet finished one of her classes should I really be signing up for another?

What a week!

I'm so glad this week is nearly over. Its been so so busy at least I have Shimelle's new class to look forward to - it starts Sunday :)

Shimelle's September class - Page 4

This blue sticker says "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. Les Brown" My added text says Today I learnt, I can get ahead with my studying if I apply myself.

I'm studying for my second financial planning exam and I'm finding it really tough going. The exam is Monday! :{

Emotions

I received the workbook for Shimelle's latest class today. Talk about extremes - I have to think of so many different emotions and describe the actions, prompts that create them, my reactions, smells I associate with them ... Thank goodness I have a few days to think and mull over them before the class starts.

So what smells do you link with happiness, fear and anger? and why?

Page 3

Page 3 - they say a picture says a thousand words - most of these were blue - not because my car is blue!

The little blue strip says learn from your mistakes.

What a day - I had rushed all the way over the Urmston to pick up the cardstock and flowers I needed for Shimelle's class. I had to take the kids with me so I was rather hassled trying to shop. Hannah was in tears as Thomas had kicked her she had tried to avoid the kick and banged her head. So I was not in the best of moods as I tried to leave the car park! As I swung around I forgot to check all 4 corners! This poor little car has been mine for less than a year and already I've had 3 incidents in it! At least they have all been minor and it's only the car that need repairing.

Page 2

As Shimelle is starting a new class on 15th October, I've promised myself that I can sign up if I finish the last one. This may be tricky as I'm only on page 8 out of 30!

Anyway here is page 2.

The little blue strip says The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself - Mary Schmich.

I found this quote really thought provoking and went in web search for its origins. It is from a Newpaper article which was made into a pop song - Wear Sunscreen. The words are great - look them up sometime!

Grief it's October

I've been so so busy. I'm supposed to be studying for my 2nd financial planning exam but I've given up as I'm losing the plot! So everything has gone on hold - shimelle's class, UKS, scrapping, altered art, family life, LIFE - well its not actually that bad but it was grim. So I've now resigned myself to the fact that I'll fail but gosh don't I feel happier.

I also start working 4 days next week - this should help me take some of the pressure off. I have actually been doing a days work for my Mum for the last year so Thomas won't notice any difference but I'm actually looking forward to building my career - failing the exam won't help this - but I can resit in January so I'm aiming for that. I keep promising myself I won't leave it to the last minute - lets hope it works out that way.

Page 1

Well I'm only 4 days behind ... this is the page Shimelle set us for 1st September! I'm really pleased with it. Hopefully I'll catch up this evening.

Shimelle's Class

I have finally finished the cover of my album. Its not a wonderful picture but it was difficult to scan as the spiral is so big. I'm hoping to get loads done this evening as I'm now 4 days behind. I've promised Stuart I will study before I do any scrapping - as he puts it - work before play. I have set myself a target of 9 pages - this will probably take about 1.5 hours.

Yet more projects ...

I've signed up for Shimelle's latest course (see course page on link ->) also UKS have started blog prompts - here is todays

Treasure chest: you have a small chest and you’re going to place things in it that symbolise who you are, important milestones, etc. so that someone years after you’re gone will look at it and see the essence of you. For example, you might place a stethoscope if you’re a doctor or medical student, a Bible if your faith is important to you, etc. Which five items would you choose and why? No photographs (though you could use a camera if you're a photographer)...just symbolic items.

I'm going to have a really good think about this ... first thoughts -
marriage course notes (this covers two areas - church, who ran the course and my 16 year marriage)
my scrapbook albums these surely show my life
my computer? shows my interests
my work contract - its where I seem to spend most of my time - either at the location or studying for it!(oh I forgot to mention that - is it a project? supose so - I have a FPC exam in October)

I'll come back and update this when I have thought about it - if I find the time ...

France ...

What a holiday! We had great fun but 3 sites in 2 weeks is just too much.
Paris was great - Hannah loved Euro Disney and the city.
Tours wonderful area with so much to do.
Rouen - wow what a city. I would definately recommend this - the history and sights are amazing. We picked up a walking tour leaflet free from the Tourist Information and had a brilliant day. Actually the place was so brill we went back the next day!

Keswick

The Keswick Convention - wow what a buzz! Not only did we have great weather (a first) but we also had a really great time. Hannah had a wonderful time as her friend from last year, Elspeth, was there. They had kept in touch via Email and Elspeth had said they would not be there at the same time - but - surprise, surprise at the first service there she was. Hannah was over the moon! We hardly saw her again except meal times :)

I had a great time as Stuart looked after Thomas most of the time which freed me to attend all the services. It was so revitalising to attend church/bible study three times a day! I was also able to share them with my Dad so I had someone to talk them over with.

I'm now running around like a lunatic trying to wash, iron, work, sort, pack, clear sewing and artwork ready for our next holiday. Grief - who was it who thought it would be a good idea to only have a week in-between!

So now I'm 39! I'm going grey - What's all the fuss?

OK my birthday has been an gone - I'm 39! Age has never bothered me - I really can't understand the hang up with age. I certainly don't feel 39 - I suppose I look it. LOL I'm going grey - am I bovered? NO! I really can't see the point of trying to kid everyone and dye my hair!

Over the weekend Stu took me out for a meal - whilst I was waiting for the meal I looked around me - I noticed 2 ladies with natural grey hair - did they look ancient? did they look out of place? No they look great - good for them I thought! If they can do it so can I!

As I had just had my hair cut on Friday the grey is now more prominent. When Mum saw it she commented and said I should dye it. Grief even my own mother doesn't know me enough to realise I really don't see the point. Does this make me a slob - someone who doesn't care what they look like?

Why oh why can't people look their age?

Sewing free ......

Yay the outfit has gone in the post today.

Hannah finishes school next Tuesday so I really need to finish the teachers scrapbook - hopefully the children will have sorted themselves out and will give me their pages today.

I recieved the Altered Art kit yesterday and I'm now wondering what I have got myself into! The kit came with two project sheets which uses less than half the stash. I have no idea what to do with the rest!

Anyway tomorrow is another day - hopefully full of wonderful surprises!

JULY!

Where is the year going to? I'll soon be 39 :)I feel much less. Stuart has been asking what I want for my birthday - he doesn't seem to have picked up the hints about a craft robo.

Craft wise I've been working hard on the Christening outfit for my godson. I've finally finished the draft and nearly finished the shoes. Hopefully I'll get it in the post tomorrow so I can get some feedback over the weekend and start the actual outfit.

I also need to get a move on with Hannah's teachers scrapbook. I have asked all the children in her class to scrap an A4 page of themselves - from a class of 25 I have received 9 so not too bad. I now need to put it all together and add a few general pages.

I've also signed up for a jigsaw swap - to make matters worse its an altered art swap. Two firsts there! Rather sad, but I'm quiet excited. Every day I get home hopeful that the kit has arrived but the post seems to be sooooo slow.


I have ordered the July kit from www.3djean.me.uk


Maybe today it will arrive?

Sports Day

Hannah had her first Sports Day at her new school - it was the first I have enjoyed. Each child was grouped according to their ability so Hannah felt it was worth trying rather than just going through the motions. Also, as there were only 3 people in her group she was able to win a medal for each event. This was very diplomatic of the teachers as it encouraged those less able!

she achieved 3 bronze and 3 silver :)

Time passes me by ....

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated this.

I'm soooo 'angry' with Lemon! :) she has shown me another project I fancy http://everyoneisspeshal.blogspot.com/
I can't believe it. I am trying to be so good and UKS keeps throwing me ideas. I also think Paul has a lot to answer for as he has incouraged my interest in Altered Art.

I'm also on yet another diet and the crop I attend are have a crop and bake day with cakes, cakes and more cakes!

Doh - I give up .............. how is a girl suppose to fight temptation?

Bonanza

Well I survied Bonanza - a Scrapbooking event at the NEC. I spent a fortune on altering and distressing products so watch this space for a new style!

I'm off to another show at the weekend this is a general craft show. As I spent up at Bonanza I'm going to have to be very good :)

The {21} Day Challenge

I mentioned before The {21}Day Challenge, well Rhonna (see link)is running round 3 which I'm going to follow if not join in. It has really sparked my imagination with digital scrapping. As when I get a few minutes :) I'm going to look into it!

Cyber crop

Post UKS cyber crop I'm so disorganised but I had great fun. The theme was Mardi Gras and here is a mini book I made





I didn't manage to do much over the weekend but had great fun as Hannah joined in.





Dad even did the blokes challenge

OH NO! I feel another project ....

I spotted this on UKS A 21 day challenge - I'm trying so hard to ignore it but I keep feeling it tugging!

With all my other projects I'm rather snowed under.

I finally managed to finish my first scrap book last week and all ready have the next ready and waiting.

The great news today was that Hannah passed her Grade 2 piano. This was really unexpected as her teacher and myself weren't expecting much. Anyway she just managed a pass so onwards and upwards - she now has her sights on Grade 3 singing? Doh more practising!

What a great weekend

For a change we had a brilliant weekend. Saturday I woke up full of energy and ready to go. I rushed around cleaning and tidying and managed to do the whole house and bathrooms in just over an hour! I'm sure the pull of the all day crop inspired me to move fast. So off I went and scrapped my heart out. I had a great day and actually completed a LO with picture! Only problem is I spent all my Bonanza savings - I've now 8 weeks to save again.

Sunday we went to the park. Hannah and Thomas both had a great time running about and playing. We definately need to get Thomas a ball as he beelined them every time he saw one. Great idea for Easter rather than an egg! In the afternoon we had a great time playing at home whilst Stuart was a real love and washed and cleaned the cars.

TV wise it was J LO weekend. We watched Shall we Dance and Maid in Manhatten. The first was OK but the latter was very funny - even Stu enjoyed it. Last night I ironed to Love Actually - brilliant film - I never seem to tire of it.

Counting the days until Easter!

I made a very rash decision and decided to give up bread for lent! Big mistake - HUGE mistake! Gone is the quick lunch option of butties. I now have to plan ahead and prepare lunch the night before as I stuck with either soup, salad or pasta. I'm also trying to support Hannah who has given up chocolate. So I can't have any chocolate at home - not that I eat that much - but the Bailey's chocs are burning a hole in the pantry, even though they are on the top shelf. Out of sight/out of mind theory is not working. They are a definate magnet at the moment!

I suppose the big saving grace is that I do appear to be losing weight although extremely slowly. The scales tell me this but my clothes don't!

Another reminder that time files ....

I can't believe I've been married for 16 years!! Stuart has really spoilt me by buying 16 roses and taking me out for a meal.

The roses are beautiful and make me smile every time I walk past them.

The meal was great - we tried somewhere new - real gamble - it was great. The food was brilliant and the service worth every penny.

We are supposed to be buying each other a printer but this is proving tricky as Stuart has no idea what to go for. Having studied Which magazine we have finally agreed on one which will hopefully product decent photos. I've loads of scrapbooking pages sat waiting for the pictures.

The family tree is growing very rapidly with information coming from all angles. Its great fun but seems to take loads of time and money!

My AJ has sliped to the bottom of the pile - hopefully I'll get some inspiration this week and I'll catch up with the missed weeks.