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.

Time Flies

WOW I hadn't realise how long it was since I updated my Blog. So much has gone on. Thomas had his opperation and is now a happy chappy. Its amazing how different he is - great fun and I am really enjoying being with him now.

I've just returned from Watford where I visited my best friend - she has just had her first baby. What a sweety! I had a long cuddle - luckily I didn't get broody. Couldn't bare the thought of starting again or all the stitches!

Anyway I was delighted to be asked to be Godmother! Hannah was thrilled also as this sort of makes her God daughter! She has never let me forget that she wanted this couple as Godparents. Even though they are Thomas' Godparents they treat both my children the same. So now the relationship is even closer - I'm so thrilled. I've started a scrap book for the baby. Once I get the parents permission I'll post some pages.

Oh yea I forgot to add that I the family tree bug was too strong. I got hooked - I'm a real push over! Anyway Stuart's Dad was really pleased and turned up with loads of info. Just another hobby to add to the already too long list. Actually Stuart says he wishes I had hobbies instead of obsessions.

Hopefully I'll have time with all my 'obsessions' to not leave updating this for too long.

Have fun all

S x

Office Move

Having been told that we would not be moving offices until next week I turned up to work in a skirt and 3inch heels. Guess what - I'm now trying to pack boxes and run up and down the stairs - I hope they have good insurance as I'm sure I'm taking my life in my own hands. Luckily we are not moving the boxes until Monday when I shall come appropriately dressed. Hopefully the weather will be warmer too!

I'll certainly need to put my feet up tonight. Shame the diet doesn't allow me a glass of wine. However, with all the exercise I'm sure a Balieys coffee won't go amiss.

Back Home

Its my first day back home since Monday - I've been staying at my parents. I'm not sure where to start - should I be really good and do the cleaning or the ironing - or start some of my scrapping/AJ/card making? I've loads to do. Emm I've also some sewing to finsh for a wedding in 2 weeks.

I've decided I've too many hobbies - I've partly done projects all over the place. Perhaps I'll list them this weekend and prioritise them - I'm sure I'll get a shock how many I've started.

Without searching I know I have 5 scrapping pages to finish, a star book to finish, 2 AJ pages to do, a CJ to finish, this years calender to finish, the wedding sewing already mentioned, a valentines card to make, I've no idea how much knitting, cross stitch, beading, 4 cutains, trousers to take up ...... the list is endless!

I'm off to iron and clean so the house is reasonable for when Stuart gets home. Maybe I'll get some projects done this weekend - or maybe it will take me all weekend to find and list them.

Families

Having just watched Julien Clary trace his family tree I wonder about my family. Stuart says its a shame that our Grandparents died with so much knowledge which we never bother to ask them.

Dad tells me that my Great Grandmother, Eleanor Sidebotham, was never married when she had her first child, Nelly and her partner, Frank Drabble died in the war at the Dardenells, Turkey. That must have been a real scandle. Appartently the Salvation Army helped her.

On my Mum's side of the family my Grandmother also had a child before she married. Again the Salvation Army stepped in to help.

Its no wonder our family have such strong links with the Sally Army!

In 1805 James Firth Thomas was Christened in Manchester Cathedral - he was on my father's side - my Granddad, also James Firth Thomas was born 1908.

I find it amazing to hear and would love to do some research - but wonder when I shall find the time!

Kids!

Talk about cranky kids. Hannah was such a nightmare this evening - she had such an attitude, arguing and being really difficult. God help us all when she gets to teenage and hormones kick in too!

What a day!

I finally went back to my second job (administrator for my Mum) after the Christmas break. Wow I was busy! Loads of catching up to do - but the day went very quickly.

I forgot to mention I had my weigh in yesterday after my first week of dieting - 4lbs lost! I'm sure it would have been higher if I hadn't been socialable and drunk wine at weekend ( I blame Fiona!). I was also stunned when Stuart bought me a vanilla slice. After nagging me since Christmas to loose some weight he bought two cakes! I was very good and shared mine with Hannah.

I'm struggling with my AJ this week. I'm now a week behind and have no idea what to do. I was trying something new and arty but it was a real disaster so I'm back to square one. Hopefully I'll snap out of it soon and start being creative.

One of the pages from my AJ prompted by Shimelle Laine. Check out the link to see mine and everyone else you has signed up.

Nothing spectalular happening today. I'm working and trying to clear my desk ready for moving office later this week.

After work I have my normal Mondy evening rush - Hannah's piano lesson, Hannah's choir practise and my choir practise. Somewhere in the midst of all this I must organise tea, homework and pick up Thomas! Stu is away so I'll probably stay at M & Ds and use their computer. I really need to get some printing done for my AJ.

Weekend

Saturday was very busy - I felt like Cinderella! Stu had promised I could go to a Crop if we managed to get everything sorted! This meant him going shopping and me tidying the house. With such a great incentive I ran around like a manic! I completed the tidying, dusted and cleaned the bathrooms be fore Stu arrived home. I think he was rather dubious that I had done a good job.

After finishing everything I realised I didn't actually fancy the crop and wanted to find supplies for my Art Journal (see shimelle link). I went to an Art shop which had nothing for me and ended up in my fav craft shop. Unfortunately, I ended up wanting too much and had to borrow some money from Hannah!

Friday

Well Friday was rather uneventful after me swapping my working day. Took Thomas to the hospital for his re-med assesment only to be told the Doctor was not avaiable. He had his hearing tested again - and surprise surprise there was no change! I wonder if they were expecting a miracle? Well the outcome was that if he doesn't catch Hannah's cold or any other infections the op will be on 7th Feb.

Lets get started

OK my first ever blogg and I have no idea what I'm doing ....
I think this will be a very steep learning curve so watch this space!