tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175497192012-02-17T16:10:42.948Zgreyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.comBlogger2121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-86444719977424840202011-05-24T13:16:00.002+01:002011-05-24T13:25:12.778+01:00<div><div>This is our version of homemade peckablocks. As yesterday was Lola's henniversary when she celebrated two years of freedom from the battery cages we needed to do something a bit special. I have seen various recipes for peckablocks, so I took bits and tweaked it to suit us.</div><div> </div><div>You will need:</div><div>A fresh egg</div><div>Water</div><div>Honey</div><div>Pellets/mash/or in our case Allen and Page ex-battery crumbs</div><div>Silicone cupcake cases</div><div>Some willing volunteers</div><div>Some yummy bits- we used</div><div>Garvo poultry treats</div><div>Gardman husk-free wild bird feed (this has oats, bits of seed etc)</div><div>Dried mealworms</div><div>Sunflower hearts</div><div>Garvo mixed corn special</div><div>Poultry spice (I made some with and some without spice- my girls preferred it without)</div><div> </div><div> <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EJovk-7D5c/TduVFObUGMI/AAAAAAAAAuM/mXgirqnyHH8/s1600/006ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610241677824628930" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7EJovk-7D5c/TduVFObUGMI/AAAAAAAAAuM/mXgirqnyHH8/s320/006ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Crack the egg into a large bowl and whisk it. Add a bit of water, a large spoonful of honey, then add your pellets/mash/crumb. Let it soak in a bit, you still need a slightly watery/paste-like mix.</div><div>Add your 'yummy bits' and stir well.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkJEEzJS1v0/TduVEfH-k8I/AAAAAAAAAt0/86g1k5KCJPU/s1600/001ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610241665127060418" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkJEEzJS1v0/TduVEfH-k8I/AAAAAAAAAt0/86g1k5KCJPU/s320/001ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You are wanting the mixture to hold together, it will be a bit crumbly- but as long as it sticks together when you press it, it is perfect.</div><div>At this point, take your willing volunteers and ask them if they mind trying the mixture out.</div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz3Pj2ujxec/TduVEihvMhI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jj2ma41aWWM/s1600/004ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 281px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610241666040410642" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz3Pj2ujxec/TduVEihvMhI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jj2ma41aWWM/s320/004ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If they are satisfied that it tastes good at this point, you can move on to the next stage.</div><div>Press the mixture into your silicone cases, pack it in well, and keep firming it down.</div><div>Pop it into the oven at 120 degreesC, for about an hour. This will dry the mixture out and harden it.</div><div>Et voila!</div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyHWbQ78rtc/TduVFYt-dcI/AAAAAAAAAuU/-ybnT6d7w6o/s1600/008ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610241680587257282" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyHWbQ78rtc/TduVFYt-dcI/AAAAAAAAAuU/-ybnT6d7w6o/s320/008ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you are careful, you can also spear them onto a treat hanger after they have cooked, like so...</div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDZnXD25SLY/TduV_sgy98I/AAAAAAAAAvE/dbgETPxd9qE/s1600/081ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 190px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242682333099970" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDZnXD25SLY/TduV_sgy98I/AAAAAAAAAvE/dbgETPxd9qE/s320/081ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><div> </div></div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I ended up making quite a few, so I am going to freeze some of them, I can't see any reason why they shouldn't freeze well.</div><div> </div><div>Of course, then there was the eating of them!</div><div> </div></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyrtKG4PSCA/TduV5bcoqHI/AAAAAAAAAu8/2d-ziGzQZu8/s1600/089ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242574673029234" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyrtKG4PSCA/TduV5bcoqHI/AAAAAAAAAu8/2d-ziGzQZu8/s320/089ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <div> </div></div><div> <div> </div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBMQmRNx3Gw/TduV5S3p2-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/uV4X1ZBwbws/s1600/078ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242572370435042" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBMQmRNx3Gw/TduV5S3p2-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/uV4X1ZBwbws/s320/078ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div><div> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqX9SiXwE4A/TduV4zuPEeI/AAAAAAAAAus/MicHx8oVPOQ/s1600/070ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242564009431522" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqX9SiXwE4A/TduV4zuPEeI/AAAAAAAAAus/MicHx8oVPOQ/s320/070ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rIefKR2ic8/TduV43s0M6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/BIeHPS1q9pk/s1600/063ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 241px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242565077218210" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rIefKR2ic8/TduV43s0M6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/BIeHPS1q9pk/s320/063ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VPd4gdVJqI/TduV4u_2aBI/AAAAAAAAAuc/nv9eZvhiKug/s1600/061ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 263px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610242562741135378" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VPd4gdVJqI/TduV4u_2aBI/AAAAAAAAAuc/nv9eZvhiKug/s320/061ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8644471997742484020?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-52287975264310977342011-05-23T14:19:00.008+01:002011-05-24T13:26:53.751+01:00<div><div>for this gorgeous little lady- my precious Lola *grin*<br /></div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvk5dXa9D64/TdpfQA_IdQI/AAAAAAAAAsc/o78CTlvGeb0/s1600/023ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 295px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609901014590715138" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvk5dXa9D64/TdpfQA_IdQI/AAAAAAAAAsc/o78CTlvGeb0/s320/023ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two whole years of eating grass and bugs, dustbathing, sunbathing and being absolutely adored.</div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br />Also remembering my beautiful Ruby who didn't quite make two years, she was pts on the 6th of this month and we all miss her so very much.</div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvk5dXa9D64/TdpfQA_IdQI/AAAAAAAAAsc/o78CTlvGeb0/s1600/023ed.jpg"></a> </div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLvKbfam4nE/TdpfQJEQYsI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Z4VD1q8BXPM/s1600/060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609901016759689922" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLvKbfam4nE/TdpfQJEQYsI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Z4VD1q8BXPM/s320/060.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLvKbfam4nE/TdpfQJEQYsI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Z4VD1q8BXPM/s1600/060.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvk5dXa9D64/TdpfQA_IdQI/AAAAAAAAAsc/o78CTlvGeb0/s1600/023ed.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5228797526431097734?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-33200720898124924362011-04-22T12:17:00.003+01:002011-04-22T12:29:22.491+01:00...life that is.<br />I'm sure we all feel like that at times, but it is my turn right now.<br />So much crap going on and I'm struggling to be able to deal with it all to be honest.<br /><br />Anyhoodle, a few pics...<br /><br />Cards for the vet practise we use for the chookens<br />one for the staff<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgASg38NPbE/TbFlb7rX-4I/AAAAAAAAAsE/vR02BQxvLPM/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 305px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598367342348729218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgASg38NPbE/TbFlb7rX-4I/AAAAAAAAAsE/vR02BQxvLPM/s320/007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHJPiUaSdek/TbFlcFl2UjI/AAAAAAAAAsU/n_vJS6MO1_k/s1600/011.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />one for our fabulous vet (can you tell I don't do man cards very often)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmB_bFUD9rc/TbFlcBWWtBI/AAAAAAAAAsM/9wyf2xe2UvI/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 310px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598367343871177746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmB_bFUD9rc/TbFlcBWWtBI/AAAAAAAAAsM/9wyf2xe2UvI/s320/008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHJPiUaSdek/TbFlcFl2UjI/AAAAAAAAAsU/n_vJS6MO1_k/s1600/011.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHJPiUaSdek/TbFlcFl2UjI/AAAAAAAAAsU/n_vJS6MO1_k/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598367345009906226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHJPiUaSdek/TbFlcFl2UjI/AAAAAAAAAsU/n_vJS6MO1_k/s320/011.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and some gorgeous kittens, five days old today, took these pics this morning, light's not great as Mama cat decided to move them this morning so they are in a dark little corner.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=034ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/034ed-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=028ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/028ed-2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=026ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/026ed-2.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3320072089812492436?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-58691685352354053102011-03-18T14:22:00.001Z2011-03-18T14:22:46.831Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMgMhrLwc40/TYNJjx_P3_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/CfCm2sVaXro/s1600/096ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585388841932414962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMgMhrLwc40/TYNJjx_P3_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/CfCm2sVaXro/s320/096ed.jpg" /></a><div>God I miss this little girl so much, even now, a year on from losing her.<br /><br />Tilly was an absolute sweetheart... she totally flourished in her time with me, Ruby and Lola; going from a nervous, naked-necked, scrawny little girl to a beautiful, confident, fully-feathered cuddly lady<br />Tilly was the chookle who invented 'the cuddle routine' and every girl I have had learned this because of Tilly, it has been passed on from hen to hen- even the ones who never met Tilly, and for that I will always hold a special place in my heart for my little lost girl.<br /><br />Love you Tilly<br /></div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5869168535235405310?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-88306198422696754302011-02-10T23:25:00.004Z2011-02-10T23:30:48.594Z<div><br /><div>Sweet dreams my special little Princess, I loved you more than you could ever know xxxx</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNfHYVPHAtw/TVR0daQjP_I/AAAAAAAAArs/2eZlFpWtVok/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 414px; height: 311px; float: left; cursor: hand;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572206687577915378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNfHYVPHAtw/TVR0daQjP_I/AAAAAAAAArs/2eZlFpWtVok/s320/051.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8830619842269675430?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-56331751755402846612010-11-18T16:33:00.000Z2010-11-18T16:33:40.799ZHectic? You bet!<br />A rundown since my last update a gazillion moons ago...<br />Poor little Ruby chook went downhill in September, it absolutely broke my heart. We had an ultrasound scan done on her, and that showed up&nbsp;fluid&nbsp;in her abdomen,&nbsp;fibrous lesions between her organs (making her unsuitable for surgery), and a coating over her liver. Lots of meds and injections, and much much love, along with some reiki really helped her out.&nbsp;Thankfully she is still with us (I really didn't think she would be) has had an almighty moult and looks absolutely marvellous, bless her! *wubs* She is a picture of beauty and wellness for now, and I am so so glad we&nbsp;didn't consider having her put to sleep, I shudder at the thought of that.<br />Which brings me on to the next thing... I am now a fully qualified animal therapy practioner. I am now qualified in reiki, crystal therapy, meridian therapy, animal massage&nbsp;and animal communication. I can do it for humans too, it's just that I chose to take a course which focused more on the animal side of things, the basics are all the same though :)<br />If there is anyone in the Cheltenham area who wishes to use my services, I will be offering free sessions for rescue animals, not sure how long for, and bear in mind I have no transport so we will have to work around that. I make absolutely no guarantee that the treatment will actually take place, I will never ever force an animal to be treated, it is their choice to accept it and that is my core principal. That said; when I did my training I was&nbsp;working on two chihuahuas, one of which has never accepted reiki and usually hides when anyone attempts it. Well guess what? I won! He came and led himself in front of me on the floor and had a full session of reiki, crystal healing, meridian therapy and massage! My cat will not accept reiki at all, and I respect that. This is how I work and if you don't like it then don't ask!<br />I didn't really know a lot about reiki when I signed up for the course, just that it was something I wanted to try&nbsp;to add to the arsenal of therapies I intended to do. It has&nbsp;had a really deep and profound&nbsp;effect on me, and it is something I intend to train further in when I have the funds. It really is incredible and I really adore passing that on.<br /><br />Halloween was fabulous as always *grin*<br /><br />So, onto other things...<br />I spent two days at the nec, one for the hobbycrafts show, and one for Cake International...WOW! It was amazing! Some of the creations simply took my breath away, just incredible. I have loads more pics, but I'll have to upload a few at a time! Poor lighting, unedited, but still beautiful!<br />Need I add any words?<br />ok...blogger is not playing (neither is photobucket, I love windows 7 but this is really piddling me off! I'll edit and add them as I can)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5633175175540284661?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-76816188847464020262010-09-06T11:29:00.000+01:002010-09-06T11:29:15.586+01:00Here you go hunny (click for full size)<br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TITBgf9b1UI/AAAAAAAAArQ/lxTsXif1oQ8/s1600/bigknit09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TITBgf9b1UI/AAAAAAAAArQ/lxTsXif1oQ8/s320/bigknit09.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And for everyone else, I am fairly AWOL at the mo, got a poorly Ruby chook again (more injections, groan), she has a large mass in her abdomen, we think (and pray)&nbsp;it is an abcess so fingers crossed we can get it sorted asap. She has put a lot of weight on since the last vet visit: about 450gm, so we think the mass is fairly large. <br />Next week I go off on my training course, lots more study to follow, and then I will be a fully qualified animal healing practioner *grin* I can't wait. Plus I am off on a lecture with <a href="http://www.theanimalhealer.com/">Margrit Coates</a>&nbsp;which should be fabulous and I am hugely lucky to get this amazing chance as she lectures all over the world!<br />TTFN xxxx<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7681618884746402026?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-21398022027720454242010-08-02T15:04:00.000+01:002010-08-02T15:04:23.952+01:00Cos poor lil Ruby-Roo has been poorly this weekend :( On Saturday morning (and again yesterday morning)&nbsp;I popped her off to the vets to see Mike, who duly sorted the problem...4 injections a day (deep joy) which I have the pleasure of giving her, plus a tablet too. But the good news is she is sooo much better bless her, great to see her up to her usual antics. We are now looking into the possibility of having a hormone implant for her to try and stop her laying altogether, as this is what started the problems on Saturday. <br /><br />I have managed to trap another nerve or two in my back yet again, so I am off to see my 'God' Mark Lester in two hours to get my spine cracked back into place, and hopefully a spot of accupuncture too (I LOVE accupuncture), it is the most relaxing thing next to a proper massage and facial at Espa (and it is cheaper to get the needles stuck in too!)<br /><br />Last but not least before I go and let the chookaloos out in the garden, the last part of Flash your freebies for Pollycraft. We had to think 'green' for this one, so I did the obvious and used the colour green for the supplied image, and also used a piece of cardboard box which is also green in the recycling kinda way ;)<br />Pollycraft digi image, SEI and Reminisce papers, a die cut flower (no idea who it is from), paper cellar trim, tulip pearl paints, a flat backed pearl from stash, some cardboard box and a good smoosh of white chalk ink.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TFbQBwfcFLI/AAAAAAAAArI/HNuQUDffk28/s1600/103edsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TFbQBwfcFLI/AAAAAAAAArI/HNuQUDffk28/s320/103edsm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2139802202772045424?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-19910460909698169412010-07-17T12:42:00.000+01:002010-07-17T12:42:31.839+01:00has been on the prowl again. I swear I do not know where it vanishes to!<br />Quick post, <br />Chooks are beautiful as ever, after some real hiccups with their health, having to learn how to inject them *eek*, and a bit of time we are somewhere near sorted! I hope *crosses everything*<br />I have had so much going on it is has been a total whirlwind! Sean's 50th, and the cake I made to surprise him with when he came back off his hols with Mum<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGUpGmYVzI/AAAAAAAAAqo/vGAQwArz0OQ/s1600/003edsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGUpGmYVzI/AAAAAAAAAqo/vGAQwArz0OQ/s320/003edsm.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amy's birthday (this one and Nan's was a recipe I made up! Chocolate and almond madeira, filled and coated with white chocolate ganache, then sugarpasted - it was delish)<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGU_0iNosI/AAAAAAAAAqw/uDNJ3SuiO44/s1600/053edsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGU_0iNosI/AAAAAAAAAqw/uDNJ3SuiO44/s320/053edsm.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Nan's birthday<br />&nbsp;(I really should have taken pics before I transported it ina taxi!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGVK8EzHEI/AAAAAAAAAq4/-ofB3zS7Lqk/s1600/001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGVK8EzHEI/AAAAAAAAAq4/-ofB3zS7Lqk/s320/001sm.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and Mum's birthday, but she didn't want an iced creation...oh no, she wanted my lemon drizzle cake. I tweaked the recipe a bit and OMG it was the best cake I have ever tasted, let alone made *polishes halo*<br /><br />This month sees a gajillion birthdays too, but I don't have to make the cakes! Just as well as I am really hectic at the mo!<br /><br />Poor Amelia has chicken pox, it is even inside her eyelids poor little mite. She has only just got over her op, she had her adenoids and tonsils removed in the hopes that is will cure her obstructive sleep apnea. <br />I had to come off my steroid spray as it supresses your immune system, as I had been in contact with her at the most infectious time, it made me appreciate how much of a difference they make to me!<br /><br />Last but not least a pollycrafts creation for Flash your Freebies<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGWdikqxMI/AAAAAAAAArA/YO5U8bk2AbY/s1600/001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/TEGWdikqxMI/AAAAAAAAArA/YO5U8bk2AbY/s320/001sm.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I used some glossy accents on his eyes which you can't see in the pic, and on the centre of the flowers. Promarkers, prima flowers, little clear dewdrop thingamies, a studio g stamp, ikea paper string, and I made the pin by taking off the original tip, and adding glass pearls and a crystal bead&nbsp;to match in with the basic grey paper.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1991046090969816941?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-91940942003171521032010-05-17T14:43:00.000+01:002010-05-17T14:43:13.728+01:00Introducing my new rescue girlies, they are absolutely peaches, total sweethearts :)<br />We've had a few problems, Ellie is a little bit poorly love her, and we are off to the vets again later with her and Lola :(<br /><br />This is Ellie (who has the hugest tail I have ever seen!)<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FB84nL3gI/AAAAAAAAApI/pDuFDivDAY8/s1600/003ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FB84nL3gI/AAAAAAAAApI/pDuFDivDAY8/s320/003ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCJIAFejI/AAAAAAAAApQ/_BRuDZgfWz8/s1600/007ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCJIAFejI/AAAAAAAAApQ/_BRuDZgfWz8/s320/007ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And this is Maisie&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FB6pXDAdI/AAAAAAAAApA/QIuy2AF4CSo/s1600/002ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FB6pXDAdI/AAAAAAAAApA/QIuy2AF4CSo/s320/002ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCMzbxZ9I/AAAAAAAAApY/Ky1E7nzsV6w/s1600/008ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCMzbxZ9I/AAAAAAAAApY/Ky1E7nzsV6w/s320/008ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Integrating them with Ruby and Lola has been tough going but we have pretty much sorted it now, not bad for two weeks and one day here :) It has been stressy though, and I am longing for a full nights sleep lol! I do love them to bits already&nbsp;&lt;3</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday saw my lovely Olivia being Christened, so I was off to church first thing, a few of my fave snaps (I have loads more to get off other people yet)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;The cake that the lovely Gail made :)&nbsp;Containing 14 of&nbsp;Ruby and Lola's eggs! The sponge was the most amazing colour.&nbsp;That stork was on her Nana's Christening cake, and her two sisters cake as well :)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCQyYMjlI/AAAAAAAAApg/KVTf5G_XypU/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+002ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCQyYMjlI/AAAAAAAAApg/KVTf5G_XypU/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+002ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCTv4GErI/AAAAAAAAApo/aR9FPGck6D0/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+004ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCTv4GErI/AAAAAAAAApo/aR9FPGck6D0/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+004ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There is nothing quite like chubby ankles and naked feet in pretty bright white shoes *grin*</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCYId-NjI/AAAAAAAAApw/icDbA2dvam8/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+012ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCYId-NjI/AAAAAAAAApw/icDbA2dvam8/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+012ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCbHwBwbI/AAAAAAAAAp4/nSqhs4gJITs/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+026ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCbHwBwbI/AAAAAAAAAp4/nSqhs4gJITs/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+026ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCikGxzKI/AAAAAAAAAqY/k4hmzIrqeGs/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+045ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCikGxzKI/AAAAAAAAAqY/k4hmzIrqeGs/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+045ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCcnZfomI/AAAAAAAAAqA/8ElJWw1mL4Y/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+037ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCcnZfomI/AAAAAAAAAqA/8ElJWw1mL4Y/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+037ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCggRfeHI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/oikJ8MJcgMw/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+044ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCggRfeHI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/oikJ8MJcgMw/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+044ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCeRuAYFI/AAAAAAAAAqI/hz0plDEhAhM/s1600/Olivia%27s+Christening+040ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S_FCeRuAYFI/AAAAAAAAAqI/hz0plDEhAhM/s320/Olivia%27s+Christening+040ed.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-9194094200317152103?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-37093972608090736432010-04-13T15:55:00.000+01:002010-04-13T15:55:39.039+01:00I might have accidentally (ok, ok it wasn't an accident at all) ordered my chooks an eglu cube last night!<br />Then we can look at getting some new chookaloolaas for them to buddy up with. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any rescues going on near me in the near future, I am waiting for one more reply, and if not it will have to be posh girls. I would love more ex-battery hens, but at the moment the priority is getting some more company for Lola and Ruby...leaving it to fate :)<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyhoodle, I made this card with a squiggle stamps image, too cute!<br />Scenic route and MME papers (I think, I can't remember!), promarkers, prima and punched flowers, k&amp;co letters &nbsp;etc</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S8SFy1KCdQI/AAAAAAAAAns/WDnqcz5N5VE/s1600/002sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S8SFy1KCdQI/AAAAAAAAAns/WDnqcz5N5VE/s320/002sm.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3709397260809073643?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-56684536031248979272010-04-09T14:24:00.003+01:002010-04-09T14:48:33.292+01:00After a tough few weeks, it has been really hard going, I miss Tilly terribly, and so do Ruby and Lola :(<br />I opted to have her individually cremated, and collected her ashes last week, she is residing in a beautiful beech box with her name engraved on top on a little brass plaque, it is a very fitting tribute for my beautiful girl.<br />We will at some point be getting a couple more girls, for Ruby and Lola's benefit really as if Ruby is in the nestbox laying, Lola goes bonkers and shouts until Ruby comes back, she hates being on her own for any length of time now, it really stresses her out.<br />On a slightly lighter note, I splashed out a bit and had this run built for them...I just need to paint it, and finish saving for their new house, then we should be all set!<br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78nU8fj76I/AAAAAAAAAnM/P8Eusl2u8CM/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78nU8fj76I/AAAAAAAAAnM/P8Eusl2u8CM/s320/075.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and had this made to go on the run, which I love</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78nlKVHURI/AAAAAAAAAnU/k31gEuu6HPY/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78nlKVHURI/AAAAAAAAAnU/k31gEuu6HPY/s320/080.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course the girls had to *help*...chicken in a&nbsp;bucket anyone?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78oAWdMnaI/AAAAAAAAAnc/_FboeLYW-WU/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78oAWdMnaI/AAAAAAAAAnc/_FboeLYW-WU/s320/079.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Onto other things, a recent card, I needed something that I could be doing to try and get me back into crafting, as that was the thing that had to go with being so busy, and after losing Tilly. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78oNp9ySAI/AAAAAAAAAnk/_2vTfwEJN10/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/S78oNp9ySAI/AAAAAAAAAnk/_2vTfwEJN10/s320/001.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Image from <a href="http://www.meljensdesigns.com/">Meljen's Designs</a><br />MME papers</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nestabilites dies</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Promarkers</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Flowersoft (bout time I used that stuff again!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">dewdrop type stone thingamees from <a href="http://www.limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com/">Kirsty</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">random stuff from stash</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5668453603124897927?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-84213075478775807532010-03-18T14:58:00.000Z2010-03-18T14:58:59.352ZMy beautiful, precious little Tilly, you have no idea what a huge impact you have had on my life.<br />You were the sweetest little hen I have ever come across. You would frequently hop up onto the bench and clamber onto my lap for a cuddle, I have never known anything like it. You were such a gentle little girl, you would give me kisses all the time.<br />You have no idea what a massive hole you are leaving in our lives. You were with us for nearly ten months, and I hope I managed to give you a very happy life. I am grateful that you got to experience fresh air, grass under your toes, every season and every weather. You were loved, something you had never had before. <br /><br />Rest in peace my precious little angel, Mummy loved you so very much xxxx <br />&nbsp; <br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/the%20girls/?action=view&amp;current=096ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/the%20girls/096ed.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8421307547877580753?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-50078019770890956472009-10-18T13:10:00.001+01:002009-10-18T13:12:22.931+01:00...when I'm back!<br />Life is all a bit hectic at the moment, so unfortunately blogging has had to take a back seat for a while, as it is last on my list of priorities ;)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5007801977089095647?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-27758088793941276912009-08-22T12:45:00.003+01:002009-08-22T13:05:28.629+01:00sorry, bad bad blogger. But I have been incredibly busy, shan't bore you with the details!<br /><br />Lots of images from Mum's birthday at Dumbleton Hall, as promised (sorry it took so long Drew!) In completely random order...<br /><br />The (purposely) wonky cake I ordered for Mum<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dessert at the Hall<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />yet another cake (made by the chef)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=033.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just for Drew lol! ;)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=042.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Hall<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=046.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I swear it was smiling at me...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=050.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />then laughing at me!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=052.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=056.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There were squillions of these<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=062.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/062.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=065.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=066.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/066.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a random squiggly tree I found on our walk round the grounds<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=071.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/071.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />lots of these too<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=077.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/077.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />our private patio, complete with stripy grass<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=084.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />our private dining hall (which was lovely cos we could come and go between courses all afternoon!)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=085.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/085.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />yummy scrummy<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=086.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />lots of these too, and an outing with me is never complete without a rescue lol, one of the sheep had got over the cattle grid, by the road, so I had to jump out of the car and herd it back in to safety!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=095.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/095.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=096.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/096.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=097.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/097.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also have a new little lady in my life, Amy gave birth on the 23rd of July, this is Olivia, and she is just gorgeousness!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=010ed-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/010ed-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2775808879394127691?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-59114492163010472292009-07-06T11:31:00.004+01:002009-07-06T11:43:22.290+01:00Ohhhher manic manic manic!<br />Mum's 60th birthday, been and gone was a massive success, we had a wonderful time :) (Drew, I haven't forgotten about getting the pics up for you hun, just haven't had time)<br /><br />Girls are all doing well, Lola is getting stronger and starting to grow new feathers in, Tilly is a feathered beauty now too, when I look back at the pics of when I brought her home, all bald and bedraggled, the change is amazing! Ruby still hasn't grown her feathered knickers, but she is getting there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> went live last night, animal cards this time, here are mine<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHURDzFWzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/hhY8vMVSOn0/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHURDzFWzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/hhY8vMVSOn0/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355294821462661938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHURuOjSyI/AAAAAAAAAls/1HqUv-amzvY/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHURuOjSyI/AAAAAAAAAls/1HqUv-amzvY/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355294832852159266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHUSGxne_I/AAAAAAAAAl0/OKamaWCaKnU/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SlHUSGxne_I/AAAAAAAAAl0/OKamaWCaKnU/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355294839441685490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next theme is a corker too, can't wait :)<br /><br />Last week was mental, Amy was moving house, so I have been over there packing, helping move, and unpacking! Bless her, she is 8.5 months pregnant, and has handled it all so amazingly well!<br /><br />Of course, barely a day goes by without some mention of the death of Michael Jackson, I can't quite believe it to be honest, I just wish they would all let him RIP now.<br /><br />Off to do some more work in the garden, I am building a run for the girls, and last week was far too hot to do anything, so now it has cooled off a bit I need to get going! This will be a true test of my DIY skills (or lack of)! ;)<br /><br />Take care x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5911449216301047229?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-81598212674412342682009-06-15T12:46:00.005+01:002009-06-15T13:10:28.595+01:00Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates, but I have had a very poorly Lola :( Not only did she have a wonky leg but then she suddenly went downhill. She was so miserable and mopey all the time, constantly (pretty much) sleeping, went off her food totally, and I didn't know how to help her. I took her to the vets and we decided to try antibiotics first as she couldn't find anything outwardly wrong with her. Now, I am not one for using antibiotics as a general give-it-a-go remedy but was at a loss, and didn't want to have to give her anaesthetic for xrays, diagnostics, blood work etc if I could help it just yet.<br />She had a weeks worth to take, and joy of joys they were huge TABLETS! Argh! Getting tablets into a chicken on your own is no fun I can tell you! I couldn't even add it to food as she wouldn't eat anything (other than a few live mealworms I managed to get down her but then she wouldn't take those either).<br />She finished the course on Thursday, and was still much the same (although in that time her wonkyness is pretty much gone...makes me wonder if it is connected).<br />Anyway, I let them all out on Saturday morning, cue three girls falling out of the door in desperation to get out (very funny) and I commented that Lola looked a little brighter and more awake.<br />Well, we totally turned a corner with her on Saturday, I lost five hours in the garden with them as they were all having such a wonderful time! They completely and utterly trashed the garden big time! But, they enjoyed it so much I left them to it ;)<br />The real turning point was when I saw Lola keeping up with the other girls, not stopping and sleeping, and when she went into the house and ate some food I was over the moon (and shed a tear).<br />The following pics made me sob, to see her so happy and well was just amazing, these girls have been through absolute hell, and then with Lola being so poorly, to see her acting this way was the most amazing feeling :) She found an empty seed tray and set to work...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=002ed-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/002ed-6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=004ed-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/004ed-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=017ed-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/017ed-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=014ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/014ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Going...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=021ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/021ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Going...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=009ed-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/009ed-5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />almost there...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=024ed-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/024ed-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gone...<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=010ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/010ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />totally gone!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=030ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/030ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />*GRINS*<br /><br />It made me realise just how much these little girls have stolen my heart :) *wub*<br /><br />Yesterday I set to work on sorting the garden after Saturday's devestation, I am shattered today! The girls 'helped' by digging, and finding woodlice (yum yum). Jess 'helped' by finding a doormouse for me, which I duly rescued (for a cat she is very good and never hurts them) then I found this little mite, just chilling...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=036ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/036ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=041ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/041ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />as the girls were out, I decided to try and help this one back to the pond (chooks are a bit partial to a snack of frog) which was all well and good until it jumped down my cleavage! LOL!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=038ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/038ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Final note, <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> went live last Saturday with the theme of 'your pet as a work of art'<br />I used a photocopy filter in photoshop, then played with the hue and saturation<br />Sorry for wonky pic!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&current=003edsm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/003edsm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I haven't yet found the cable to upload the pics from the other weekend, shall keep hunting!<br /><br />ttfn x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8159821267441234268?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-56354344738333735492009-06-03T23:30:00.002+01:002009-06-03T23:37:39.138+01:00Just a lil update as it is late! Chooks are settling in well bless their lil fluffy bums. They are in their new house (more on that in my next post!) and enjoying the life of freedom.<br /><br />Lola, who has a wonky leg love her...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6dLQCJ2I/AAAAAAAAAlU/VkBi5IsvJtE/s1600-h/018ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343233387064862562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6dLQCJ2I/AAAAAAAAAlU/VkBi5IsvJtE/s320/018ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br />Tilly learning to take a dust bath...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6cktWB1I/AAAAAAAAAlE/6RjLuySNRE4/s1600-h/015ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343233376718817106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6cktWB1I/AAAAAAAAAlE/6RjLuySNRE4/s320/015ed.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>and a beautiful pic of Ruby enjoying the sunshine...</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6crGMjmI/AAAAAAAAAlM/iUs4wkd15bs/s1600-h/017ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343233378433666658" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6crGMjmI/AAAAAAAAAlM/iUs4wkd15bs/s320/017ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>I shall also update on my weekend in my next post...here is a lil peekypie of the main event, it was wonderful!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6dP8rKmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/E731NZNvtFs/s1600-h/007ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343233388325841506" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sib6dP8rKmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/E731NZNvtFs/s320/007ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>back soon, ttfn x</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5635434473833373549?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-52807634169386332322009-05-24T09:53:00.003+01:002009-05-24T10:07:18.124+01:00Tilly (the turkey neck cos she is rather bald love her)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=021ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/021ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ruby Roo<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=018ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/018ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and Lola the showgirl<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=017ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/017ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />naughty lil tinker in my tomato plants lol<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=016ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/016ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This mornings offering, one was very soft shelled and broken (only to be expected) but this one is perfect bless them<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=001ed-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/001ed-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are a bit unsure of things this morning, so they are still in the shed (permanent home is coming on Tuesday) I ordered a house and attached run but the shop didn't bother to let me know it was out of stock until Thursday when I rang them to see where it was (it should have been here Wednesday) so I have another on order with someone else, they will have a bigger run on the grass, and then free range when I am out with them. So in the midst of all of this I had to sort a house out, so I have converted half the shed for now. They have the door open at the mo, with a piece of board against the doorway to keep them in, let a bit of sunshine in, and some fresh air. Lola is asleep with her bum in the sun bless her!<br /><br />Many many thanks to Amanda, who went in and rescued this batch of chooks yesterday. She brought them all back to her house and had them set up under a gazebo in her garden. It was so beautiful to see all the girls with grass under their feet as it should be, and making the cutest lil chirruping noises! The journey was obviously too much for my three beauties, who were all snoozing in the boxes when we got home! They soon sprang to life when they were brave enough to come out of the boxes and onto the grass in my garden (and stones, borders, tomato plants, strawberry plants...lol) they all had a good drink, ate some woodlice, carried some stones, headbutted the metal rotary line pole, tapped on concrete...it was all totally alien to them but they loved it!<br /><br />I may not be able to offer these girls acres of fields to range on all day, but what I can offer them is more love than they have ever known, and hopefully a long and happy stress free retirement.<br />If anyone thinks they can help, please contact <a href="http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/">Little Hen Rescue</a><br /><br />On a final note, <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> went live again last night. 'Parent's' was the theme. As Simba has never had a baby, mine was about him being a Mummy's boy!<br /><br />ttfn, off to check on my chooks x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5280763416938633232?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-83730297802354386942009-05-14T23:44:00.003+01:002009-05-14T23:50:02.484+01:00May I bring this website and their fabulous work to your attention...<br /><a href="http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/">Little Hen Rescue</a><br />10000 chickens need to be rescued within the next few weeks to avoid being slaughtered. It absolutely breaks my heart, so we have decided to take some on and give them a new loving home. My girls come home next Saturday, and thought I could add the addy here incase anyone else fancies trying out keeping a few hens. LHR does fantastic work for these poor neglected little critters who have lived a shockingly awful life, and I really hope I can build these poor little, often bald, beauties back to the level of health they deserve.<br />I have absolutely nothing, no house, run, food, no anything! Beware credit card, you are going to work very hard over the next couple of days!<br />Thanks for looking x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8373029780235438694?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-45602686022036965332009-04-29T12:53:00.003+01:002009-04-29T13:02:34.922+01:00This just arrived in the post ...<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sfg_-eF3eYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/OZIWXGNAyB0/s1600-h/MIAMIPINK(1).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330080501455092098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sfg_-eF3eYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/OZIWXGNAyB0/s320/MIAMIPINK(1).jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>From this wonderful lady here <u><span style="color:#800080;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5828414">BAGLADEE'S ETSY SHOP</a></span></u> <a href="http://www.emma-bagladee.blogspot.com/">EMMA'S BLOG</a></div><div>The attention to detail is superb, the little embossed metal dog tag makes it feel like it has come from an exclusive boutique (which of course it has), it is superbly made, is utterly comfy on my shoulder, and came wrapped in tissue paper (always a fab bonus).</div><div>It has a wonderful pouch inside, which shall be used to house my most used things, ranked in order of importance, my mac lipgloss, and my mobile phone!</div><div>I promise you, if you purchase one of Emma's bags you will not be disappointed!</div><div>Thank you SO much Emma, I will treasure this bag forever x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-4560268602203696533?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-74776552581506184602009-04-27T15:31:00.006+01:002009-04-27T15:42:51.000+01:00cos that is the kinda mood I am in today! <div>Been doing lots of hand stitching due to my lack of a working sewing 'chine!</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRx9JBII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/qYSmdz25-pg/s1600-h/009ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379344786195586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRx9JBII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/qYSmdz25-pg/s320/009ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjy-j9II/AAAAAAAAAko/hx4t4EP7XB8/s1600-h/010ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379654298236034" style="WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjy-j9II/AAAAAAAAAko/hx4t4EP7XB8/s320/010ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRtInsrI/AAAAAAAAAkA/WTr_I5qGRAI/s1600-h/006ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379343492166322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRtInsrI/AAAAAAAAAkA/WTr_I5qGRAI/s320/006ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRzO3o7I/AAAAAAAAAkI/_5mLNC8qk9g/s1600-h/007ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379345128989618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRzO3o7I/AAAAAAAAAkI/_5mLNC8qk9g/s320/007ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><br /><div>Kitchen is nearly there...<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjzNp1mI/AAAAAAAAAkg/t3ZesWEo2R0/s1600-h/004ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379654361536098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjzNp1mI/AAAAAAAAAkg/t3ZesWEo2R0/s320/004ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjorWHcI/AAAAAAAAAkY/qiC0jaj9D1c/s1600-h/005ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379651533282754" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCjorWHcI/AAAAAAAAAkY/qiC0jaj9D1c/s320/005ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>and a cute lil bag I bought yesterday for £2 at Sudeley Castle's grand spring sale (along with some other pretties and some mac and toofaced make up!)<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRiMSVrI/AAAAAAAAAj4/OxosAHtu0ts/s1600-h/001ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329379340554753714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXCRiMSVrI/AAAAAAAAAj4/OxosAHtu0ts/s320/001ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> is up, and this theme was 'Friends' here is mine; Simba and Jess playing together on the floor. They are a funny pair, sometimes they are lovely together and sometimes Simba will shout at Jess, and Jess will 'smack' Simba (never any claws involved though!)<br /></div><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXDw2H5bjI/AAAAAAAAAkw/z5qa8KJko7g/s1600-h/009ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329380977992625714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SfXDw2H5bjI/AAAAAAAAAkw/z5qa8KJko7g/s320/009ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7477655258150618460?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-28557175687742135032009-04-22T13:30:00.007+01:002009-04-22T14:02:50.490+01:00...well Easter is as good a place as any I spose! Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend!<br />My mantelpiece<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8O0REJoxI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/jSxaN26xubQ/s1600-h/010sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327493175299384082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8O0REJoxI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/jSxaN26xubQ/s320/010sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls egg cosy bunnies that I knitted for them (do you know how hard it is to find plain egg cups anywhere?)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QErmFu3I/AAAAAAAAAiY/ZES3m9RQ0PY/s1600-h/014sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327494556810591090" style="WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QErmFu3I/AAAAAAAAAiY/ZES3m9RQ0PY/s320/014sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QEwLCdXI/AAAAAAAAAig/xoS3SPGZWYM/s1600-h/016sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327494558039307634" style="WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QEwLCdXI/AAAAAAAAAig/xoS3SPGZWYM/s320/016sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and getting into the season I wore my bluebird socks...and decided to try and break in my new pretty shoes...ohhhhh the pain...don't I look attractive? No?<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Oz1y3p1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/M3-B2vzy0jY/s1600-h/001sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327493167979145042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Oz1y3p1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/M3-B2vzy0jY/s320/001sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And of course we have had lots of this;<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QE8ZPKZI/AAAAAAAAAio/17iD8LzBeSs/s1600-h/018sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327494561320085906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QE8ZPKZI/AAAAAAAAAio/17iD8LzBeSs/s320/018sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />beautiful blue skies and sunshine...this pic went a bit wrong, I was trying to snap a lovely little robin sat in the tree, and as the shutter clicked, so he buggered off lol! He had kept me so entertained while I was in the garden sowing some seeds, the most beautiful singing, then I upset him by trying to get a photo *sigh*<br /><br />Of course the weather has brought out lots of these...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Qo8ZFpzI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Cuw3ieKD4kM/s1600-h/026sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327495179794753330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Qo8ZFpzI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Cuw3ieKD4kM/s320/026sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QFWxsUvI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Y2ROBFNNhJs/s1600-h/023sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327494568401982194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QFWxsUvI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Y2ROBFNNhJs/s320/023sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QFOQU2SI/AAAAAAAAAiw/UxkinMVlIaM/s1600-h/021sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327494566114548002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8QFOQU2SI/AAAAAAAAAiw/UxkinMVlIaM/s320/021sm.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div>I HATE it when they buzz right by my ear, and even worse, I hate wasps getting stuck in my hair like one did yesterday *shudder*</div><div></div><div>Then the babies made their grand entrance into the big wide world of the pond! They had overwintered in there and as it was a hard winter I wasn't sure if any would have made it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8O0Lz0uUI/AAAAAAAAAiI/2ksj-mRC_KA/s1600-h/008sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327493173888727362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8O0Lz0uUI/AAAAAAAAAiI/2ksj-mRC_KA/s320/008sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Oz_i3_KI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xHKuF7C3JEE/s1600-h/006sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327493170596412578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8Oz_i3_KI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xHKuF7C3JEE/s320/006sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Unfortunately I have had some problems with the pond over the last week or so, some of the babies haven't made it, along with one of my older goldies :(</div><div>Spring has a lot to answer for, the fish all start getting active but their immune systems are still trying to build back up from overwintering, along with the general bacteria levels of the pond, of course the babies still don't have much of an immune system yet so they suffered the most :( </div><div><div></div><div></div><div>My latest layout for <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> I chose to do Simba's first time in the garden ever, all the way back in 2002. Maybe we will get enough warmer weather for him to venture out there this year!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8OzvixvaI/AAAAAAAAAhw/6ErwMM1pIQw/s1600-h/015ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327493166301035938" style="WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Se8OzvixvaI/AAAAAAAAAhw/6ErwMM1pIQw/s320/015ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Been doing lots of hand sewing, mostly because my beloved vintage singer that I use for everything is broked *sobs*</div><div>I am really hankering after an embroidery machine at the moment, they are so expensive, but I really want one! Any experience/advice most welcome :) </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2855717568774213503?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-20323649746796260832009-04-01T21:20:00.003+01:002009-04-01T21:27:47.205+01:00that's what yesterday was!<br />I buried my Grandma (well not me personally!) yesterday afternoon, then yesterday evening was THE big night!<br />AMAZING<br />OUTSTANDING<br />SPECTACULAR...<br />just a select few of my faves, I took about 150! More <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8179475@N08/sets/72157616129588231/detail/">here</a><br />'nuff said...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=104sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/104sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=121sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/121sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=151sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/151sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=174sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/174sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=175sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/175sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=177sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/177sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/?action=view&amp;current=192sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Lionel%20Richie/192sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2032364974679626083?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-22319352733865838672009-03-29T23:34:00.004+01:002009-03-29T23:45:57.398+01:00New post is up at <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> on the theme of Dr Seuss (in honour of his birthday) set by the lovely Shelly, using one of his many fabulous book titles. I chose 'Oh say can you say' for my layout, it would have been silly not to with a talking parrot!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sc_4H8rx5TI/AAAAAAAAAhg/vfI7x2r0Sqg/s1600-h/006ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318742500380370226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Sc_4H8rx5TI/AAAAAAAAAhg/vfI7x2r0Sqg/s320/006ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am struggling a bit with not being able to get into my scraproom properly (still) so having to grab what bits n bobs I can reach and make do!<br />Oh and there is a prize up for grabs this week too courtesy of the lovely folks at <a href="http://helmarusa.typepad.com/blog/">Helmar</a>, all you have to do is create a layout following the same theme used for this challenge and link us up in the comments :)<br /><br />Workmen have all finished in the kitchen now, it ended up being a tad pricier than first anticipated what with one thing or another, but tis done! Just in the process of sorting out all the kitchen stuff and finding homes for it all (and washing everything before it goes back in) plus finishing the decorating. Will add pics once it is done :)<br /><br />Off for a very exciting evening out on Tuesday, as a special (very) early birthday treat for my wonderful Mum...cannot wait, and will share info after the event!<br /><br />hugs x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2231935273386583867?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-49684684061509585732009-03-19T09:02:00.003Z2009-03-19T09:54:06.538ZSorry, I am well aware how much I have neglected my blog lately.<br />Things have been so ridiculously busy (and mostly not in a good way!)<br /><br />Where to start...<br />We are having some work done on the house, so have been living without a kitchen for a few weeks- NOT FUN! No running hot water, so lots of kettle boiling even if you just want to wash your hands...we have set up temporarily in the utility room, but my goodness everything takes about 10 times longer, we are having to prepare meals on a space of about 10 inches, and so on...it's ok but hard work! Of course as the kitchen is essentially just a shell of a room, that means its contents are in the garage, the conservatory, and my studio- so I can't even get out there to do my DT work etc, which is a huge 'mare! I can just about get into the room itself, grab whatever I can manage to reach without causing a kitchen appliance avalanche, and set up in the lounge, which is also filled with kitchen stuff and worktops.<br />I am fed up with the constant noise, mess, dust, clutter and not being able to make a cuppa when I want to.<br />In fact the kitchen resembled a bombsite until a couple of days ago (plasterer is here now so it will look better by the end of today - I hope)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=033ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/033ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=034ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/034ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Had a bit of a nightmare week last week...won't go into that really but again it was manic and not in a good way. Things are resolved there though.<br /><br />Yesterday my Grandma passed away. I haven't seen her for quite a long time, another long story, but it was a shock to say the least. I am ok with it, but feel incredibly sorry for my Aunt who is also facing losing her husband soon. They all lived together in the same house, my Grandma had her own 'appartment' upstairs, and they were very close.<br /><br />On a lighter note... I managed to get to the NEC on Saturday, it was so nice to just get away from things for a bit.<br />Bought loads, I save up for this show through the year and really enjoy having a guilt free spend!<br />It was a shame to see so few stands this time round, but I still enjoyed it.<br /><br />ATF went up the other day too, here is mine (created with the few things I could reach in my scraproom)...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=056eds.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 524px; HEIGHT: 325px" height="383" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/056eds.jpg" width="576" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a wedding card I made...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=026ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/026ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I thought it would be nice to stamp and colour on the inside too...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=024ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/024ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and whilst I am at it why not jazz up the envelope as well...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=027ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 437px; HEIGHT: 228px" height="272" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/027ed-2.jpg" width="466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and one exciting thing did occur last week...<br />The proud Mama and her babies,<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=052ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="509" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/052ed.jpg" width="625" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now the plan was that in a few weeks the pond was going to be totally cleaned out, I have left the fish to go into their lil hibernation type thing that they do, not fed them, had the pump off etc, and it now needs a spring clean ready for the new season, however I now really don't want to disturb Mama frog and her froglets. I couldn't give it a thorough clean before everything slowed down for the winter last year as we had tiny baby fish in there...typical...now not sure how to tackle it but it needs doing one way or the other.<br />Really need to look at a bigger pond for this year too, thankfully when we bought the new pump and filter system we got one that was strong enough for a much bigger and higher stocked pond...<br />you see, this pond was a rescue effort from my brothers new house...one pond, and some goldfish, and that was how it was meant to stay. Since we have had it the fish have turned it into playfish mansion and bred like crazy, and so has the local wildlife, there are loads of damselfly nymphs in there too, along with the lil froglets. Plus of course we have Bertie the little koi in there too who will need more room as he grows. We'll sort it somehow, just not sure how yet...<br /><br />Hoping to get working on some new stamp designs today :)<br /><br />Anyhoodle, 'nuff blathering, not sure when I will be back to update...hopefully a lot sooner than this time round!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-4968468406150958573?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-637803269847326912009-02-16T14:38:00.004Z2009-02-16T14:52:56.634Zwell I made it...just! <div><div><div><div><div><div>so, my birthday was...interesting!</div><div>There was sooooo much snow! Like, heaps of it. (just like the day I was born!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a nice day all in all, I didn't open anything until the evening as I just couldn't face it! More on that in a mo...</div><div><br /></div><div>Had a gorgeous lunch at hotel du vin, I don't have the photos of that yet as numpty here didn't take her camera, so they are all on Mum's.</div><div>Indulged in pimms, the best chips in the world (seriously, if you ever go to hotel du vin you must sample their fat cut chips...yummers) and as I was in full blown wrinkle meltdown I...erm...might have gone a bit mad in espa (downstairs in the hotel)...like....erm...£270 mad! *blushes*</div><div>It comes in such a pretty bag though!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AvMoPOI/AAAAAAAAAgU/uZg93Eg-Aqg/s1600-h/008ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406388316749026" style="WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AvMoPOI/AAAAAAAAAgU/uZg93Eg-Aqg/s320/008ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>On the subject of bags...some of my gorgeous pressies...</div><div> </div><div>I had one of these; from one of my most favourite shops in the whole wide world (bless you Amy for driving all the way to Chipping in the piles of snow to get me this *mwah*)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8BL3KhJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/BT3XiPUJGKI/s1600-h/003ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406396011349138" style="WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8BL3KhJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/BT3XiPUJGKI/s320/003ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also had one of these...LOVE this!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AnYVMsI/AAAAAAAAAgc/k3XM5Vl_wOk/s1600-h/004ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406386218349250" style="WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AnYVMsI/AAAAAAAAAgc/k3XM5Vl_wOk/s320/004ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and one of these (thanks Chris)</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AyFCgcI/AAAAAAAAAgk/JCf2NMW0FHM/s1600-h/005ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406389090222530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8AyFCgcI/AAAAAAAAAgk/JCf2NMW0FHM/s320/005ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>and one of these (thanks Chris again!)</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8BK74t3I/AAAAAAAAAgs/SwV26w1qz4s/s1600-h/006ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406395762718578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8BK74t3I/AAAAAAAAAgs/SwV26w1qz4s/s320/006ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>and the msot special....one of these...</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8MOwmGDI/AAAAAAAAAg8/KHKB7iv75_A/s1600-h/001ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406585767663666" style="WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8MOwmGDI/AAAAAAAAAg8/KHKB7iv75_A/s320/001ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>containing one of these (and yes, it is very real!)</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8MO4wBEI/AAAAAAAAAhE/lyDhJsBlWB8/s1600-h/002ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303406585801868354" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SZl8MO4wBEI/AAAAAAAAAhE/lyDhJsBlWB8/s320/002ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>as well as loads of other gorgeous gifts, cards, texts, messages, emails, phonecalls and visits. Thank you all for making my day of horror far more bearable, and actually something I could enjoy :)</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-63780326984732691?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-77678241997108141892009-02-02T13:19:00.002Z2009-02-02T13:33:10.187ZI know my posting is somewhat erratic (or non-existent for the most part) just now...well I am in a bit of a meltdown. This Thursday sees me turn 29 years and 12 months old. I am NOT going to say that number beginning with 'T'...nuh-uh.<br />Once it is done with I will be fine (I hope) and I pray it is an anti-climax and I shall not awake on Thursday with grey hair, wrinkles that you could make trenches from and breasts swinging round my knees.<br />I don't know why, but for years I have been terrified about hitting this milestone. If the snow stays as it is, then I am off for lunch to my favourite hotel du vin, in fact, even if it reaches three feet I am STILL off to hotel du vin (in my bimbo boots, I can stab the stiletto heels into the ground so I don't slip), and I shall be stocking up on my favest espa products (divine, love their stuff) and a new range of Jessica nail polishes.<br />And for someone who rarely drinks, I shall be sampling rather a lot of pimms, maybe if I get trollied I shall forget the milestone-that-shall-remain-unsaid is actually upon me.<br />Don't get me wrong, I am ever grateful that I am still here, and relatively healthy (not that I have felt healthy for a while) and that for the most part my family and friends are still with me.<br /><br />Anyhoodle, woke up today to a nice little (compared to other parts of the country) sprinkling of snow, and it has been coming down thick and fast ever since, with big fluffy flakes, rather than the icing sugar that was falling last night and earlier on today.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=001ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/001ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=010ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/010ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hope you are all grabbing the opportunity to get out with the kids and making snowmen, snow angels and having big snowball fights and getting a bit of sledding time in.<br />Of course, as usual the UK has pretty much come to a standstill lol, we are useless when the white stuff falls!<br />Stay safe everyone, and enjoy it x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7767824199710814189?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-31435311755516261582008-12-30T12:42:00.001Z2008-12-30T14:58:02.912ZGosh- where to begin! Well since my last post, I am healing very well, had to go and have my stitches removed as my body was trying to reject one of them so I thought I had an infection, she couldn't remove one of the stitches, but she trimmed it right back and a week later it came out on its own. So I was thinking I have no stitches when a week ago I found another one! I got the bugger out though lol, so I don't think I have any left now!<br /><br />Since then I got struck down with this awful flu going round. I was in bed for days (which I just don't do), and it was just horrid- anyone else who had it, has my sympathy. I had such random symptoms with it, earache, which I never get (even when I had an ear infection!), sickness, diarrhoea (TMI lol), aches, shakes, fever, cold, cough, VILE!<br />So then, before I know it Christmas is right there and I am not organised in the slightest!<br /><br />Random rant- our sky hd box is bust, so we didn't have many channels, and they can't come out til the 31st even though we rang them a week and a half /two weeks before Christmas. The tv has been shocking anyway- just how many carry on films do they think I want to watch?! The Royle family was FAB though-I laughed all the way through it.<br /><br />I made this to go on my Grandad's grave for the Christmas visit to the cemetary, I miss him SO much.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=001ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 416px; HEIGHT: 308px" height="396" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/001ed.jpg" width="493" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I managed to get Simba a cute stocking this year, and as usual his toys wouldn't fit, so they overflowed onto the fireplace! He wasn't too fussed with opening things this year, too much going on bless him. He had some yummy treats too which he has started to demolish!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=013ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 337px; HEIGHT: 579px" height="544" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/013ed.jpg" width="314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Jessica's stocking, she couldn't wait to get into it, she sat very patiently next to it though and waited for a human helper! She scoffed loads of treats on Christmas morning, forgot to chew them in her excitement and got one stuck in her throat! *rolls eyes*<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=012ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="485" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/012ed.jpg" width="342" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She went mental over these mice, a set of three leather rodents. We had leaping and twisting in the air with them, she was hiding them under her tummy and all sorts- I didn't realise they had catnip in them which explains it...I thought she was just a bit kinky with a leather fetish! LOL!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=014ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="361" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/014ed.jpg" width="361" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I bought this pad of notelets for my Mum, they are a huge hit!<br />When we go to take my Nan's shopping, we have to park in a small layby, as she lives in a Close with no road. If you park properly there is enough room for five cars, but some eejits keep parking the wrong way round so you can only get two cars in (they don't even live there), which means we often get blocked in, or have to park far away and lug the heavy shopping a long way. Even worse is when we have my Nan with us, and have to make her trek, which, when you are registered disabled is NOT fun.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=010ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="488" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/010ed.jpg" width="313" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As usual a mahoosive Christmas dinner, most of the pics are on Mum's camera, which I have here but can't find a lead to upload so will add those another time. So I am not in this pic, mwahaha! We had extra guests this year, which I was a bit apprehensive about- but all was fine, and we all had a lovely time :)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=003ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="261" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/003ed.jpg" width="489" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Simba tucking into his dinner. He had already demolished his sprouts (he adores them) and yorkshire pud (we have them with everything lol) and had moved onto a turkey bone. It was bliddy huge and he was doing some fab weightlifting with it! Too funny! He managed to balance it on his perch as it was just too heavy for him, the little love! I know it is somewhat cannabalistic, but it is good for him, and packed with calcium (and quite simply he just loves it!) Blurry pic, due to massive excitement levels!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=ed005ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/ed005ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The tree (after most of the pressies were demolished), and some of my fave decs (can you spot the theme LOL it is soooo me)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=015ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/015ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=016ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 413px; HEIGHT: 226px" height="301" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/016ed.jpg" width="494" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=017ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="525" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/017ed.jpg" width="301" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=018ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="240" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/018ed.jpg" width="336" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And saving the best decoration til last *awwwwwwww*<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&current=003ed-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/003ed-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />On Boxing day we went over to my brothers, my nephew got two BB guns for Christmas. Now, I think I rocked the boat a bit, as they were coming to mine on Christmas evening, and I asked him not to bring them. I don't like guns at all, in any form, and won't allow them in the house for many reasons, apart from anything, as I discovered on Christmas morning at my Nan's when I was shot with one of them (i wasn't the only one either) as they thought the magazine was empty, it is just too dangerous around my animals and I won't risk it. As it was he spent most of the time in another room on the wii anyway.<br />So back to Boxing day, we went round and my Mum thought she would get in on the action and shoot some toy soldiers! Hillarious!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=ed008.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="215" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/ed008.jpg" width="479" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />As a final note- (I'm tired now and think I have given myself RSI with all this typing) our local pier shop are selling off their fixtures and displays. I snagged this little lot for a fiver plus I have another of the trays too- they are really thick perspex. They have massive shelf units at around £200 depending on the size, spinners, wire bins for a tenner, loads of stuff.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/?action=view&amp;current=011ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="209" alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/christmas08/011ed.jpg" width="492" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anyhoodle, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas xxxx<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3143531175551626158?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-33458103175424855702008-11-21T12:58:00.003Z2008-11-21T13:16:48.811Z...for the get well wishes. Progress is of course a little slower than I hoped for *pfft* but I am doing well. I have to keep reminding myself that although it is fairly minor on the outside, the inside has indeed had major surgery! This is mostly for me to refer to- feel free to skip it!<br /><div><div>So, I can bend a very little bit, but things like feeding the cat are impossible (don't worry, Mum is feeding her for me I'm not starving her!), can't lift much yet either, it feels like someone is trying to pull my insides apart when I try. </div><div>I am increasing things bit by bit, yesterdays task was to wipe the bars of the parrot cage, which was fine, can't do the trays at the bottom as I can't lift them, but that is todays task, with some help of course. </div><div>I can finally lie on my left side, which is the non-cut side, after sleeping on my back for a week (which I never do- always sleep on my right side typically) it is bliss. I have to wedge myself in a little nest of cushions to stop myself twisting and turning too much, that was mainly because when I got onto my side it felt like my organs were falling to the side (and I have to remember I have clips and stitches internally)! It's so bloody fun! *rolls eyes*</div><div>Cabin fever got the better of me by Wednesday, so I got Mum to take me over to asda, we had tea there (bonus- no cooking) and hoped to get some pressies...well £70 later and not much Christmas-ness to show for it, I felt so much better for the change of scenery!</div><div>My concentration is now much better...anaesthetic has a lot to answer for! So I am doing a bit of hand sewing, and can pootle about online now, I couldn't settle to do anything for quite a while-not even read!<br />I have just discovered that I now cannot tolerate cheese :( Not happy about that, maybe it will improve with time, I dunno.</div><div>Swelling is still ridiculous, my tummy is huge, although it has gone down a bit, my trousers that were huge on me before surgery, I still cannot do them up, so am living in pj bottoms in the house. </div><div>Split one of my wounds the other night too, it was a part of my bellybutton wound (typically, as I hate bellybuttons, freaks me out big time!) I think what happened was that I wasn't too careful at keeping it dry in the shower, and this part was glued together and the glue has disolved. Need to be really careful with that now, although it looks fine.</div>Simba has been a total angel- it must all be very strange for him, for the first time ever, someone else had been making his breakfast, his cage was cleaned differently, various people looking after his Mummy, and he has been wonderful love him. I am sure he knows something is wrong with me, as he has been so very very gentle with me, and listening to my commands first time every single time. *wubs*<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Anyhoodle, enough boring waffling!</div><br /><br /><div>As I haven't been able to sit at my desk to scrap, I made a digi layout for this weeks <a href="http://a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> theme. It's a touch tongue in cheek, but at least I managed to join in, I haven't missed a single upload yet, and glad I didn't have to miss out on this one. The theme was 'stories'. I haven't done a digi layout for aaaaages, and really enjoyed it :)</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SSaz-wmLnuI/AAAAAAAAAfA/1tCf1ix7a24/s1600-h/onceuponatimesm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271098304662052578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SSaz-wmLnuI/AAAAAAAAAfA/1tCf1ix7a24/s320/onceuponatimesm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>This is from the upload before, and was altered art. So I made a photo necklace of my gorgeous wee man</div><div> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SSaz-zzo24I/AAAAAAAAAfI/j39IDEmn2TQ/s1600-h/008edsm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271098305523800962" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SSaz-zzo24I/AAAAAAAAAfI/j39IDEmn2TQ/s320/008edsm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Toodles!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3345810317542485570?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-10530797293781340052008-11-14T13:28:00.004Z2008-11-14T13:42:24.036ZFor those who don't already know (Jen, thanks so much for updating everyone) I am home.<br />Surgery went well. For a horrid moment I didn't think they were gonna operate when they were admitting me and discovered I had a high temp.<br />They gave me some paracetamol to help bring it down and the anaesthetist decided to go ahead. Just as well really as my gallbladder was rank apparently! My surgeon came to see me as soon as I came round from the anaesthetic in recovery (I came round really quickly apparently) and basically he said that because my stones were so huge the bile couldn't get in or out and was trapped there and the whole lot was rank and turned to pus (niiiiice!). So that could explain the temp, and meant if I hadn't had the sugery I would have had another very nasty and painful infection soon.<br />They let me come home the same evening, which was fantastic. Slept lots and lots, and had a wonderful night's sleep at home. Was incredibly sore yesterday, very painful but nowhere near as bad as the infection I had back in May.<br />Last night was rough, didn't sleep well, couldn't get comfy at all, but I am in much less pain today, much more comfy than yesterday. Can't bend at all, need help to sit up to get out of bed, but other than that it's all good, apart from looking about three years pregnant!<br />Mum is looking after me and my need for lots of tea, as well as looking after Simba which is a massively huge help, and Amy came to look after me yesterday morning as Mum's boss is a total and utter bitch, and wouldn't let her take the time off even though she knew about this as soon as it was booked, and I had to have someone with me for at least 24 hours.<br />I had four stones in the end, three whoppers and one slightly smaller one which was hiding when I had my scan. And Mum packed them in my suitcase to bring home- she thinks I should make a nice necklace *barf*<br />Got four holes in my tummy, and my bellybutton is the painful one (it is the biggest one apparently, I still have all my dressings on, and can't see that far as it is right inside and my tummy is still very swollen). One has been bleeding which I have to watch closely, but no sign of fresh blood today which is good.<br />Still tired, but getting there :)<br />Love n hugs xxxx<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1053079729378134005?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-12190286331909668972008-11-11T23:12:00.002Z2008-11-11T23:14:41.822ZSurgery in the morning, got to be up in a few hours, so will be MIA (though not so much 'in action' lol) for a while. Will blog when I am able :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1219028633190966897?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-82732926758998765432008-11-09T18:14:00.004Z2008-11-09T18:22:07.546Z<div><br /><br /></div><div>to avoid stressing too much about my op (although the nerves haven't really kicked in YET!), a couple of things that make me happy...</div><div> </div><div>For the first time, my Mum's bird of paradise plant I bought her has flowered :D It is so darn pretty. I bought it as a thank you present when Simba had to stay at birdie hospital, and she drove me all the way to Swindon every single day to go and visit him :)</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SRco7E28P8I/AAAAAAAAAXM/PyKMv2F3fLQ/s1600-h/004ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266723284614660034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SRco7E28P8I/AAAAAAAAAXM/PyKMv2F3fLQ/s320/004ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>My new favest shop in the world. Frankie Doodle's. Man alive this is a total treasure trove. It's only just opened and I found it purely by accident (Amy and I were on the way to a kitchen shop lol) It is full of the prettiest, shabby chic-est, lovely, wonderfulness! As I went in and gasped, the owner told me I would find nothing useful in her shop, everything is for adornment, amusement and self-indulgence- ahhhh my kind of shop! And just how gorgeous is it when you come away with a pretty ribbon tied bag and everything wrapped in pink tissue paper :) I might have added a few more birds to my collection too (shhhhhh!)</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SRco6nWPNoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/xiWPMNaALd8/s1600-h/022ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266723276692862594" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SRco6nWPNoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/xiWPMNaALd8/s320/022ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8273292675899876543?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-35504771036393428702008-11-06T21:50:00.003Z2008-11-06T23:33:58.409ZA slightly late halloween update!<br />Life has been so hectic!<br />Halloween was fab as usual, more trick or treaters than last year- didn't think that was possible! We even had a dog dressed as a pumpkin which was lovely- they were collecting for the dog's trust which was nice :)<br />Pics-<br />First our annual trip to the pumpkin farm, major roadworks along their road and in true 'Over Farm humour' we arrived in all the traffic to this...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=002ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/002ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />LMFAO! There was another pumpkin man at the entrance with his pumpkin like arse hanging out of his jeans too- couldn't grab a pic in time though!<br /><br />Beautiful frosty pumpkins<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=009ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/009ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This years theme was dinosaurs<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=004ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/004ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Choosing our wares- or not, lots of manky trodden pumpkins!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=014ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/014ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My beautiful Rafiki, who was as gentle and loving as ever, and got kisses galore from me much to Jasmine's amusement, then both the girls joined in :D<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=019ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/019ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Valerie- as cheeky and hungry as ever!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/?action=view&amp;current=017ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2008/017ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Onto the big day...bear in mind this is the one and only time of year I 'do' tacky, and after what I have bought in the post-halloween sales, next year will be great ;)<br /><br />My witches kitchen jars, these look so fab in the dark with a few candles behind, the colours they glow are amazing, and they were such fun to make (mostly left from year, with a couple of new additions like the hands and feet)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=001ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/001ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now- I thought I was being a bit excessive making in the region of 50 biscuits (icing them with my naff piping set was a total mare) but they all got scoffed<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=003ed-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/003ed-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=015ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/015ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My pumpkin shaped jellies, these were really cool, and the ones that didn't come out of the moulds properly were mushed up with red food colouring<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=007ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/007ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My nails (heehee)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=004ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/004ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Uncle Vlad- this years pumpkin (I had some tiny ones from the farm which I put on the stairs too, didn't have time to carve them though)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=012ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/012ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jas and Amelia- who were both ace as always :) Amelia kept everyone entertained with the hokey cokey, dingle dangle scarecrow, and five diggadiggares (aka chocolate eclairs, new song to me but so bloody funny to listen to her version)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=020ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/020ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Molly Cait and Willow<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=018ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/018ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These two were so funny together. Willow was posting smarties into Amelia's mouth, and they kept cuddling- too too cute *wubs*<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=017ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/017ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Other stuff- had my pre-op assessment, all ok for surgery to go ahead (this wednesday eeeeek). Off to the hosp tomorrow to have my blood transfusion levels taken and then it's a case of waiting. There has been so many annoying little things to get sorted. Amy is coming over to sit with Simba to give him a bit of company so that is a huge weight off my mind :)<br />see ya soon x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3550477103639342870?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-50743327671863224522008-10-24T11:14:00.002+01:002008-10-24T11:46:45.498+01:00hokey cokey and all that!<br /><br />As briefly as I can...<br />Victoria was discharged from hospital, I don't think she should have been but who am I to a consultant other than a concerned Auntie!?<br />Sure enough not long after she was admitted to Gloucester again. Now, this was all quite amusing in a sadistic kinda way!<br />SIL rang my Mum to say V was having probs, pains in her chest and trouble breathing properly, and whilst on the phone to her my Mum fell down the stairs. Carried on chatting, decided V needed to go to A&amp;E but SIL would call one of the consultants ahead, who arranged the paed consultant to come in to meet us there.<br />Now, a week before this I started having back pains. More about that in a mo...<br />So, Mum's foot/ankle was black immediately, and very swollen, so I took charge and decided that she needed to be seen too.<br />So, SIL picks us up en route, we all bundle into the car and arrive at the hospital. Picture the scene, there is Mum hopping towards a&amp;e, V who can't walk properly at all, but rather than wait for me to go ahead and get a wheelchair SIL decides a piggyback would be quicker. I can't lift her cos my back is hurting, she is 11 and nearly as tall as me (I am 5'10") so SIL has to do it, but can't lift her. We got there in the end!<br />So, into A&amp;E, booked in, get V into one bay, and get Mum triaged.<br />V, although in great spirits overall was very teary, and all she could do was reach her arms out to me for a cuddle through the tears- it broke my heart :(<br />So with wheelchaired Mum, I trot of to xray to get her sorted, apparently no break (I am still not convinced though)<br />Back to V's bay, and she was so upset love her. The consultant thinks it is Guillan Barre syndrome (hmmm that sounds familiar lol) that makes 5 consultants out of 6 who think it is GBS so why won't they diagnose it as that?<br />Mum and SIL go off to check an appt that V was meant to have the next day, and the ward sister arrives with pain relief for her. And as usual I am left holding the baby so to speak. Morphine, UP THE NOSE! She was so so good bless her, having to snort half a syringe of liquid is not an easy task!<br />Shortly after she was on cloud cuckoo land and kept telling me how much she loved me BLESS! SO funny, and so nice to see her out of pain :) She is home again, has her own wheelchair as she just can't manage without one, and is doing two hours at school.<br /><br />So, last week, after two weeks of back pain and no sleep I went to see the man who is now often referred to as 'THE GOD'.<br />Mark Lester, my oh so wonderful chiropracter.<br />Love this man.<br />I had loss of grip in my right hand too- mobile phone into a mug of tea, mug of tea slipped straight through my hands, and my fingers do this weird juddering thing and I can't close my fingers.<br />Sure enough I have trapped nerve/s in my back. He got all my muscles relaxed, cracked my spine back to the place it was meant to be, and a good session of accupuncture (so relaxing- odd but true, it was lovely).<br />By Sunday I wanted to marry the man!<br />I am so much better, still a bit sore, but getting there. Off again today for another session with the God!<br /><br />Hence my absence! *takes a breath* Ohhhhhhhhh and also I have my pre op on Tuesday, and surgery at the beginning of November.<br /><br />So onto a few crafty chic makes...<br />Made this for Halloween with a 60p broom from asda. The rest was totally made by me, I cut the wood, painted did the glittery lettering etc<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=005ed-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/005ed-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=007ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/007ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also made the following, which are for sale, gimme a holler if you wanna bag one (or more!) before they get chucked on ebay.<br /><br />Christmas countdown blackboard. £5 plus p&amp;p, comes with chalk attached already and I can move the chalk for a leftie or righty to make writing easier. (don't panic by the way, it isn't 34 days till crimbo, just a random number lol)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=001eds.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/001eds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pearl and crystal hanger, £6 plus p&amp;p<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=002eds-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/002eds-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Rosehip and eucalyptus (grown by moi) heart hanger, with a walnut stained gingham tie. (I can change the tie to green or blue if requested) there are two sizes of these small £3 plus p&amp;p or large £4 plus p&amp;p. The leaves are fresh at the moment, but will dry out lovely, plus the rosehips are already dried, so this will last and last :)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=005eds.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/005eds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If anyone wants more pics, or sizes etc just shout, and I will sort that for you :) Most items are on rusty wire, and may have sharp edges of wire (although I try to cover them as best I can) so please hang them out of the reach of kiddos and pets :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5074332767186322452?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-1680892609192284792008-09-25T12:51:00.005+01:002008-09-25T13:22:03.900+01:00So, as brief as I can make it I shall try to explain my absence!<br /><br />Apart from being generally manic...<br />My beautiful niece is very poorly, she has been transfered to Bristol Children's Hospital (over an hour away from home) and although she is making very good progress we still don't know what it is.<br />Up until Sunday, she was wheelchair bound...just couldn't walk or put any weight on her legs at all. They were totally 'numb' with no reflexes at all. She can walk a very small amount now, but still needs her chair. She has lots of other weird things going on as well (wont go into all that just now). She has had biopsies, needles galore, mri scans, lumbar puncture, and the list goes on, poor lamb.<br />She has had one diagnosis so far, vasculitis.<br />She has had consultants, toxicologists, opthamologists, neurologists, physiotherapists, again the list goes on.<br />Apart from all the horrid painful things they are doing to her, she is in really good spirits. The biggest request has been for Auntie Rena's homemade meringues in assorted colours!<br />So travelling back and forth to the hospital has been the main part of my life for the last few weeks. Poor kid had only started secondary school a couple of days before being admitted too (she has been in three hospitals over the last couple of weeks!)<br /><br />I have seen my consultant, and shall be having surgery within the next six weeks too. Have to go to Cirencester to have it done (not sure how long it will take to get there, about 45 mins I guess- but I have my pre op assessment two weeks before so will time it all then) but there <em>are</em> bonuses to me having surgery there rather than Cheltenham. If I have it booked in for chelt, my bed will get bumped for someone else as they do a lot of surgery on cancer patients, so they will take precidence with my bed (and so it should be)- so going to Ciren will avoid that. I will be in for less time if I go to Ciren too- that was the clincher! Mart has been just gorgeous about it all, so reassuring and loving and wonderful. Love that man x<br /><br />Managed to drop my mobile in my mug of tea yesterday and it is not happy- so if you try to get hold of me and I ignore you that is why!<br /><br /><br /><br />Lost the second koi :(<br />Managed to save the remaining koi- fish are all doing well now after two rounds of treatment, took koi over to see my nice chap for a scrape and scope, and he is doing good :) On the way back some pillock smashed into the back of the car. Thankfully no real damage, but a mammoth headache, neck and back ache for me! Koi was fine though thank God!<br />Spent ages watching the fish this morning and counted NINE babies! Seriously gonna have to extend the pond if they carry on breeding like that!<br />Bought lots of new stuff for the fish, a pond vac, new pump, new filter, uv light...skint much?!<br /><br /><br /><br />So our new mantra- one on my mirror that I look in every morning to brush my hair...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SNuBb-W9NAI/AAAAAAAAAWc/GDC7ZWZdZSc/s1600-h/001sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249932108226180098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SNuBb-W9NAI/AAAAAAAAAWc/GDC7ZWZdZSc/s320/001sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />One in a frame on the windowsill,<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SNuBcUEnR8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/OW6DnBYLDGk/s1600-h/002sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249932114054825922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SNuBcUEnR8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/OW6DnBYLDGk/s320/002sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and Mart has one in his van (where he spends the majority of his time!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF </a>went live last week, I can't be arsed to find mine just now so you can see it there lol!<br />So other than minor stuff, such is my life just now! *See* you all when I can x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-168089260919228479?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-48591840935533046102008-09-12T14:27:00.004+01:002008-09-12T14:57:03.297+01:00****edit**** Not sure why but the left edges have been cut off the pics- I didn't do it, it happened when they uploaded...you get the idea though!<br /><br />I will do a proper blog post soon...let's just say the last couple of weeks have been not only busy but a bit of a 'mare too!<br /><br />So for the shabby ones!<br /><br />Here we go- a bajillion pics for you to look at...if you nod off I don't blame you! They are a bit random- I just wandered round snapping some of my faves! A lot of my trinkety bits come from a garden centre called Blooms (part of the wyevale group of garden centres). I like to get bargains so most stuff will have been fairly cheap! You will probably notice that I have a major obsession with birds, birdcages and birdhouses!<br />ok- just for Maria- the tardis...aka my bath...I had to stand outside the room/on the toilet to get these pics lol!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=031.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=030.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This hangs in my studio and was from Maria- I totally love it and it inspires me all the time<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also in my studio- Tallulah, who sits on top of my clock which used to be a boring cheapy black plastic horror of a timepiece!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=026.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Collection of trinkety bits (birdhouse prettied up by me- it was plain pine before)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=023.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=025.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was a mega bargain- in John Lewis/Waitrose, filled with miniature pink rose plants, I took the pots out and am gonna use the basket for something else- cost me about £3<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=024.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sewing for those who asked (fabric from the range store, less than £4 a metre)- my doorstop, which is a funny shape at the mo, until tomorrow when I can get some weighty beans or something to stuff it with properly!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=020.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the draught excluders I whizzed up last night- the other one is the same but over double the length<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I don't know what I love about this dove! I really don't! But love it I do, I bought it at a yard sale when I was in the States some 20 years ago! And it has always been out on show ever since!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=021.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Onto my bedroom...<br />Now, this has been a mammoth project. The bedroom before was a horrid mismatched cluttered tiny mess. I wanted to get rid of all the furniture and start again, with the aim of creating something light, airy and a place to be able to relax. I started by choosing the floor (a gorgeous whitewash effect laminate) then everything else kinda followed. It is mainly black and white with the odd bit of colour dotted about. I LOVE IT!<br />Some of my fave bits...<br /><br />This was a seriously cheap jewellery box from ikea in plain wood. A lick of paint and a bit of work on the computer to make a bird decal and voila<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=005.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The matching jug- this was a quid in asda, originally silver, painted with black hammerite, crackled with white emulsion over the top and another bird decal<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few trinkets on my shelf, some were gifts, some from sales (need to get my pics in the frames!)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=014.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was from a fab shop in Worcester called Rhubarb (the earlier pink birdcage came from here too)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=016.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gorgeous birdcages from Blooms (one was a gift)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=017.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Doorhandle from B&amp;Q for a couple of quid- it is meant as a cupboard handle but with much swearing I made it work!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=019.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bird collection from blooms- They were a bit too cream coloured for the room so I slapped some paint on them.<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=018.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This the is actually a soap dish but I use it for reciepts and stuff!<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=011-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/011-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=012.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also from Blooms and again stippled with white paint<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cake stand from homebase about £6, again too cream so painted with white gloss paint<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These units were from lidl (about £25-30 each) and were brown wicker with green paint, I redid them with black hammerite and white emulsion<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=008.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Matalan £15 (I adore this)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=010-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/010-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The piece de resistance (if you have made it this far!)- my mural. Now the original plan was to buy the same design, which was very expensive, as a decal...I was fully prepared to pay out for it, but they only did it in pink and it was facing the wrong way. So I adapted it and painted it myself on the chimney breast. This makes me happy :D<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/?action=view&amp;current=015.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/home/015.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-4859184093553304610?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-7072150321090485202008-08-25T15:53:00.004+01:002008-08-25T16:09:27.431+01:00manic-ness here again!<br /><div></div><br /><div>Just got home from the aquatic centre, after thinking something was awfully wrong with the pond. One koi died last week, and another isn't looking too spritely- but nothing obviously wrong. Not eating as well as normal, but he did eat a bit of prawn yesterday which is good :)</div><div>So nitrite and ammonia levels are all perfect, pH is in the normal ranges, but at the higher end (alkaline which I found suprising) so I am doing a partial change to correct that, and then the water levels are totally perfect. If the koi doesn't pick up they have very kindly offered to check him out for me- they are superstars at that place!</div><div>To top it all off, it looks like I will have to buy a new pump and filter system, so that's a couple of hundred wiped out on that! It's only working intermittently at the mo- not impressed!</div><br /><div></div><div>The latest <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> layouts are up and I missed some out on my blog as I have been so busy I couldn't blog!</div><br /><div></div><div>Challenge 32 was my turn to set the theme...</div><div>'I wish I'd known...'<br />I wish I knew then what I know now. Did you never believe how difficult training would be? Did you just not realise how destructive your chosen pet could be? How full of energy they would be? How expensive? How much of a bond you would have?</div><br /><div></div><div>and here is my layout- must get some new albums, as I keep all my challenge ones together to build a great portfolio of Simba's life!</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SLLJuippVxI/AAAAAAAAAWM/D0b-ay-b618/s1600-h/002ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238471117997954834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SLLJuippVxI/AAAAAAAAAWM/D0b-ay-b618/s320/002ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>The latest one is:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Summer time fun.<br />Does your pet like to play in the paddling pool or splash around in the stream? Is there a cold treat your pet enjoys or do you even take them on holiday with you? Or do they just like to laze about in the shade?<br />What does your pet like to do at summer time? I think there is a prize for a readers layout too for this one :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>and here is my take on it: </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SLLJu_wmnaI/AAAAAAAAAWU/oRDyRRvZtDQ/s1600-h/001ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238471125811764642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SLLJu_wmnaI/AAAAAAAAAWU/oRDyRRvZtDQ/s320/001ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Next one is due to go up next week :)</div><div></div><div></div><div>Almost forgot to add this...</div><div></div><div>Lousy photos, as they were taken on my phone (one at night, one in tesco)</div><div></div><div>Jess kindly brought me this wee guy! Not a mark on him, and he was so tiny and so cute, he hopped up onto my hand while I closed the window to prevent Jess following me, let me take a pic, and then off for his release back into the garden!</div><div></div><div></div><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=058ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/058ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Then there was this lil guy in tesco (why do these things always happen when I am around? LOL!)<br /><br />I think he was a bit confused and needed the branchlets department rather than the twiglets...can you spot him?!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=055ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/055ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=056ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/056ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-707215032109048520?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-24973590581079031082008-07-23T12:32:00.005+01:002008-07-23T12:51:01.394+01:00...to mark the occasion.<br />Happy Birthday to my beautiful boy who is 7 today :D<br /><br />My life just wouldn't be the same without him, and every single day I count the blessings that this lil guy brings to my life.<br /><br />Love you Bubby x<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SIcZL2jLlMI/AAAAAAAAAV8/iJtchd87IeU/s1600-h/DSCF2292.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226173583999079618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SIcZL2jLlMI/AAAAAAAAAV8/iJtchd87IeU/s320/DSCF2292.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> went live last night with the latest theme, confessions/naughty little secrets, here is my layout about Simba's lollipop love!<a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/"><br /></a>I should point out that this is a very rare treat. When Simba was a lil baby Mart would sometimes come home eating a lollipop, and him and Simba would share it. As Simba hadn't had one for a looooong time, he had some of this one as a little treat a few weeks back. He has a little lick of it, then I crunch most of it off and leave a little bit on the stick for him to hold and eat himself, and when he is done he likes to shred the paper stick! love him!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SIcZMOR4jkI/AAAAAAAAAWE/KUKQHmgvqgU/s1600-h/029ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226173590368980546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SIcZMOR4jkI/AAAAAAAAAWE/KUKQHmgvqgU/s320/029ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2497359058107903108?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-6390291892552185612008-07-09T11:32:00.003+01:002008-07-09T12:43:46.179+01:00Howdy! So- what's been happening in my little world? Well- the pond is doing fabulously, as are all the plants. Strawberries in abundance, annnnd I have little tiny mangetout growing :D<br /><br />I spotted some *weirds* in the pond the other day, having no idea what they were I had to go on a trawl of t'internet. They are tiddly lil things, that seem to be mostly in the ridge at the top of the pond in the shallower water- they have what looks like three tails, are bloody fast, and seem to change colour slightly to camouflage. Turns out- they are damselfly nymphs! So all that naughty action with the damselflies that I posted pics of a while ago has come to fruition I guess! Baby fish are growing well, I didn't see them for a few days but spotted them on Monday :) One is a real porker!<br /><br />Crafty stuff- after lots of manic deadlines, I can add some pics now. I am going to try and add as many pics as I can to my blog- after a worrying thought with all the rain we are having.<br />My scraproom was badly flooded the year before last, and the really upsetting thing was that all of my Best of British winning entry layouts were totally trashed :( If by some chance it were to happen again, and perhaps my hard drives went too, I would have no record of my work, and would find it difficult to recreate some of them if needs be. So I am going to try to get most layouts uploaded on here for that reason.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.makethemomentlast.co.uk/">MTML</a> guest design spot:<br /><br />little bird house (this makes me happy!)<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=019ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/019ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Flips open at the top, under the flower panel<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=020ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/020ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />double flap card<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=023ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/023ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=024ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/024ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=Untitled-1ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/Untitled-1ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=hogsnkissesed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/hogsnkissesed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />love this one- he is such a darling!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SHSkA6-QxsI/AAAAAAAAAVw/AZUAR6ephCg/s1600-h/032ed2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220978203766605506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SHSkA6-QxsI/AAAAAAAAAVw/AZUAR6ephCg/s320/032ed2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and my other lil cutie<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=035ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/035ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> Theme this week was 'Nemesis' as set by <a href="http://www.cathaircrafter.blogspot.com/">Lori</a> I thought it might be a bit tricky to do a layout of Simba with this- but once I thought about it, it was really very easy!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SHSkA6S4KrI/AAAAAAAAAVo/BYraL8TPFDA/s1600-h/002eds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220978203584637618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SHSkA6S4KrI/AAAAAAAAAVo/BYraL8TPFDA/s320/002eds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Had a horrid appt yesterday, spent the whole day with butterflies in my tummy but after it was done I treated myself to new shoes (£4.50) in asda sale- amazing how something can make you feel so much better!<br /><br />Got my consultants appt at the hospital in Sept, should be interesting- this will be the decider- will they/won't they operate. On one hand I don't ever want to have to go through all the pain of an infected gallbladder again, but on the other hand, it may never happen again anyway! Guess my fate is in the hands of the consultant now!<br /><br />Had the virgin media engineer out this morning to sort out my internet probs- got a new modem (at last) and he disconnected some old connections so it should run faster now *fingers are crossed*<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-639029189255218561?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-63169637985735504172008-06-30T23:39:00.002+01:002008-07-01T00:15:13.317+01:00That's what I am - p o o p e d!<br />Had a mad few weeks in one way or another!<br />I have started my course, and been a good student and studying hard! Loving it!<br />I have had this god-awful-fluey-cold-tonsilitis-painful chest-cough-bug thing (that's the proper medical name for it yannow). Not loving it! It's really wiped me out to be honest, as well as having chronic hayfever on top of it. On that note though I got one of those medinose doobermies at the weekend, they are half price at lloyds at the mo, £15, and will be money well spent if it helps (you shove the probes up your nostrils which glow bright red and it inhibits the histamines released to combat the pollen- be warned- you do look like a loon, and family members will laugh and are not sympathetic to your plight! lol!)<br /><br />Had some guest design team work to do for <a href="http://www.makethemomentlast.co.uk/">MTML</a> Jackie sent the most gorgeous kit for me to play with and I just loved it-it even had BIRD stuff- YAY! Combine that with Jen Wilson and it is a total 'me' kit! I wished i had done some more bits (I may still do if I can find a nano second spare) but being ill really whipped my time away! Will pop some pics up once it is online at the store.<br /><br />We had a very sad event last week- I went out to check and feed the fish in the pond, and all was fine. When I got home, from what I can establish, one of the koi managed to flip itself out of the pond and was deaded :( This was just in a few hours, and my nephew discovered it when he went out to see how the baby fish were doing (I found another new one yesterday too).<br />So, we decided that as that left just one koi, that he needed a friend, so we went off to Stroud yesterday (the only place I will buy the koi from) and came home with two more koi. One the same type as the original one left in the pond, and one silver one with orange spots! As I was a little concerned about the silver one being ostracised by the others I had to check with the staff at the shop who looked rather bemused at my concerns over racism from fish! LOL! As it is, the new blue one, and the original blue one seem to have paired up quite nicely, and silver one is schoaling with the goldies ;)<br /><br /><br />Here they are acclimatising in their bag, you can see original blue koi on the left (Misty- yes the koi have names!) checking out the new additions to be<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliITdYNqI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Nw2aMSOVO4w/s1600-h/004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217809538087401122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliITdYNqI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Nw2aMSOVO4w/s320/004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliI1jl9aI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Q8oxdLSNhUY/s1600-h/005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217809547240273314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliI1jl9aI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Q8oxdLSNhUY/s320/005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of my goldies (they are normally really camera shy!)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliKD64ClI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/hp5yjKbNAlw/s1600-h/009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217809568275892818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliKD64ClI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/hp5yjKbNAlw/s320/009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A Mother's meeting going on around the bag!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliK7N2PFI/AAAAAAAAAVY/9JHj7vHLw0g/s1600-h/013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217809583119416402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliK7N2PFI/AAAAAAAAAVY/9JHj7vHLw0g/s320/013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />freeeeeedom!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliL58fWyI/AAAAAAAAAVg/eVh1JScIs3c/s1600-h/014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217809599958047522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SGliL58fWyI/AAAAAAAAAVg/eVh1JScIs3c/s320/014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They have settled in really nicely, and are quite happy- they came up while I was feeding them today and weren't at all nervous :) I think they are to be called as follows- The silver one is Jasper, and the blue one is Samson. I think. that may change!<br /><br />Been doing a bit of pottering in the garden (internet connections have been a total mare for the last couple of weeks- not sure what is going on but we have had days with no connection at all, so I have been forced outside into the real world!)<br />Baby corn is coming along fantastically, I chucked the seeds in a propogator two weeks ago and already they are about 8 inches tall, they went outside earlier so fingers crossed!<br />Strawberries- well, Simba is in his element, some days he can go through about half a dozen or so, and in the last week I have picked bowl fulls! Had some rasperries too. Sugarsnap peas are growing nicely, as is the mangetout and my second pot of garlic chives. These were all new additions two weeks ago, and for a change I have added a blueberry plant too. If you have a wyevale store near you, (presuming they all do the same offers) there was a promotion on the seeds, all seeds (apart from grass seed and bird seed!) are half price. So I have stocked up on more veggy seeds for next year.<br /><br />New layouts are up at <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> on the theme of 'the soundtrack to your pets life' Now, with Simba, I often have to do a slightly different twist for my layouts to fit the theme, due to parrots having a totally different character to other pets. This is a good thing- it shows that you can adapt the themes to suit any pet! I decided to use his favourite songs, that he whistles and sings and dances to, and as I was writing the titles I realised just how apt they were for his personality! 'Don't worry be happy'- as he always is...'The great escape'...hmm need I say more?! LOL! even I was Bill Kaiser's batman (which is his favest fave song) reminds me of him hanging upside down from the door frames like a bat!<br /><br />Anyhoodle- didn't intend such a mammoth post, and I still haven't wittered as much as I could lol so I shall save some for next time lol! *rolls eyes*<br />love n stuff x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6316963798573550417?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-53852757570354174782008-06-04T23:31:00.005+01:002008-06-04T23:59:07.781+01:00so not quite springwatch, but in it's own way I guess it is. I sat by the pond for ages today in the glorious sunshine, and took loads of pics. There is so much going on down there and I am amazed at how established the pond is already- we only put it in last year, it was at my brother's new house, and they didn't want it so we took it, and the water, fish, plants etc to keep it as normal as could be. We added a couple of koi at the end of last year, as we only had goldfish and they are doing great too. We did have a newt but not seen him about for a while so he may have moved out. Lots of eggs, think they may be snail eggs but not sure!<br /><br />So we have a resident toad who moved in at the weekend and is showing no signs of leaving :D<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=006ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/006ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There are some teeeeny tiiiiny fish in there too, not sure what they are yet, or if they will survive but fingers crossed for them. The snails are breeding like wildfire too<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=034ed1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/034ed1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />as are the damselflies, there were two pairs, plus one more male about today, ignore what they are doing and they are very pretty :D (although they didn't need to land on my arm and stay there lol)<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=008ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/008ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=015ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/015ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=011ed-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/011ed-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=018ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/018ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=027ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/027ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=028ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/028ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&amp;current=030ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/030ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I never thought a pond could provide so much relaxation and amusement! A little tip, if shooting in macro across a pond be aware of where the lens is in relation to the water- OOOOPS! lol!<br /><br />This is last weeks <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> layout on the theme of bath time. Simba does SOOOO love his showers (and his blow dry with my hairdryer afterwards to stop him getting chilly!) A huge welcome to our two new DT members too who have a fabulous talent for scrapbooking pet pages :D<br />The little clear rings- no idea what they are but I think Angela gave them to me in one of her fab Granma's pickled inspiration jars (thank you) I filled them with glossy accents to make it look waterlike, also used GA on the letters, and added dots of it on the borders (hard to see in pic) ***GRRR have edited this post 4 times now, and blogger keeps chopping part of the layout off- so you will have to imagine it instead heehee***<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/?action=view&current=004ed2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/004ed2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Oh and last bit of news (for anyone that cares lol) I am hitting the books again, I am starting my nail technician training very soon! Amazing how a lousy (and expensive- £18 for basic mani, I asked for french polish too and she didn't have any white, I mean come on!) manicure can spur you on!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5385275757035417478?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-30658419738223025322008-05-29T15:52:00.004+01:002008-05-29T16:29:32.102+01:00and all that stuff!<br />It has been super hectic here! House guests, both human and animal (current guest is Sparkle the super huge african land snail), christening, wedding, all associated appointments (mani/pedi etc) gift buying, birthdays and so on!<br />SO Sunday was THE day- christening first then on to the wedding.<br /><br />Christening pics...<br /><br />Laughter caused by Amelia SPLASHING with both hands in the font as she was being baptised (thankfully Rev Tim is so laid back, as long as the kids are safe they can wander around the church during the service etc) LOL! It was too funny!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRhvILBI/AAAAAAAAAU4/82P6tyCDIFc/s1600-h/DSCF3031ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205819522237869074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRhvILBI/AAAAAAAAAU4/82P6tyCDIFc/s320/DSCF3031ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just look at her- she is such a little imp!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7F_BvIK2I/AAAAAAAAATg/b-yi1jWArBM/s1600-h/DSCF3042ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205815905875405666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7F_BvIK2I/AAAAAAAAATg/b-yi1jWArBM/s320/DSCF3042ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Parents, godparents and the most beautiful girlies (they really did look so so pretty)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7F_RvIK3I/AAAAAAAAATo/bMvrDRuvmPs/s1600-h/DSCF3060ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205815910170372978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7F_RvIK3I/AAAAAAAAATo/bMvrDRuvmPs/s320/DSCF3060ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, christenings done, off to the wedding!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H0hvIK4I/AAAAAAAAATw/7hj-74og2ks/s1600-h/021ed2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205817924510034818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H0hvIK4I/AAAAAAAAATw/7hj-74og2ks/s320/021ed2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Always a cute kid to oblige with photos!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRBvIK_I/AAAAAAAAAUo/e5G8UkhOaWk/s1600-h/460ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205819513647934450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRBvIK_I/AAAAAAAAAUo/e5G8UkhOaWk/s320/460ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H2BvIK5I/AAAAAAAAAT4/ASplcZ4hU9Y/s1600-h/042ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205817950279838610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H2BvIK5I/AAAAAAAAAT4/ASplcZ4hU9Y/s320/042ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JQhvIK-I/AAAAAAAAAUg/Tk-It76ndhE/s1600-h/457ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205819505057999842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JQhvIK-I/AAAAAAAAAUg/Tk-It76ndhE/s320/457ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H2BvIK5I/AAAAAAAAAT4/ASplcZ4hU9Y/s1600-h/042ed.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H2hvIK6I/AAAAAAAAAUA/ojAG-tbWWKc/s1600-h/044ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205817958869773218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H2hvIK6I/AAAAAAAAAUA/ojAG-tbWWKc/s320/044ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H3RvIK7I/AAAAAAAAAUI/ZUSiPnjK0XU/s1600-h/048ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205817971754675122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H3RvIK7I/AAAAAAAAAUI/ZUSiPnjK0XU/s320/048ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Confetti in the cleavage Chris?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H3hvIK8I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/dSG-Qui_vmQ/s1600-h/050ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205817976049642434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7H3hvIK8I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/dSG-Qui_vmQ/s320/050ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Awww Groom blubbing! (sorry Rodg!)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JQBvIK9I/AAAAAAAAAUY/MIH8kIvxKxU/s1600-h/057ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205819496468065234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JQBvIK9I/AAAAAAAAAUY/MIH8kIvxKxU/s320/057ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Me and middle bridesmaid Caitlin, she had a whole box of toys and stuff in her place, and bless her she was so so excited about every single item! More impressed than she was with her dinner which she 'didn't ask for' LOL bless her heart!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRRvILAI/AAAAAAAAAUw/6PIsgXScNyI/s1600-h/471ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205819517942901762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SD7JRRvILAI/AAAAAAAAAUw/6PIsgXScNyI/s320/471ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />More waffle to come soon- gotta go out in 2 minutes and am sat here with wet hair!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3065841973822302532?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-52464607723382318652008-05-01T12:55:00.004+01:002008-05-01T13:38:32.243+01:00Back again! I have my hospital appointment through (was really quick to arrive which impressed me as apparently GP's are renowned for sitting with referrals on their desks for weeks on end before sending them to the hospital).<br /><br />So off for scans to see what kind of state my gallbladder is in, whether there are any stones or anything lurking in there, and then two weeks later I get the results and my GP makes the decision whether I am to be operated on or not! *eek*<br /><br /><br /><br />Onwards and upwards...I was one of the testers for this lil gadget for design objectives...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmwwXxgP6I/AAAAAAAAAS4/szPAeT6hHh0/s1600-h/1645.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195377990210437026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmwwXxgP6I/AAAAAAAAAS4/szPAeT6hHh0/s320/1645.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have looked at these in the range a few times, as I liked the idea of the teensy little strips that can be used a couple at a time, or in one big line. I have used their mounting tabs before which I loved. To be honest the price made the decision for me, however if refills were an option (at a reasonable price) I would have forked out the £4.99 for the actual runner.<br />So, I set myself a little challenge with this baby. As I was doing my <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> layout for this week, I thought I would see how much of the layout I could stick using just this product.<br />This is the layout...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmvtnxgP5I/AAAAAAAAASw/R32A156oWGQ/s1600-h/DSCF2368.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195376843454168978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmvtnxgP5I/AAAAAAAAASw/R32A156oWGQ/s320/DSCF2368.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So there is the usual photo, card and paper, and then a flower and chipboard to stick down too. The adhesive coped really well, and I liked the fact that it held well, but had a little bit of a 'give' to allow me to reposition the item fairly easily.<br />The only thing that this product didn't hold too well was the chipboard, I did find that it popped off slightly (particularly the circle) but I have left it as is and will check again to see if it has 'taken' a bit better as time has gone on. I also decided afterwards to use a foam pad under the chipboard heart, and it was easy to remove after sticking it down with the runner.<br />Loved the fact that you could use it in a curve, it was ridiculously easy to use, and love that you can use the tiny strips for smaller areas. I will be putting this through its paces I can assure you!<br /><br />Onto the Q&amp;A bit-<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">1. How often do you use adhesive?</span> Every time I craft, so not a huge amount at the moment (whilst I have been poorly), but usually most days.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">2. What is the main type of adhesive you use? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Gosh- I have a massive collection of adhesive, but I guess the most used is herma runners (repo and permanent), followed by DST, pva, glossy/matt accents and foam pads depending on the task in hand.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">3. What do you look for in an adhesive? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Good stickability, price, ease of use, a product that is not wasteful.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">4. How easy is the product to remove from its packaging? </span><span style="color:#000000;">very easy</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">5. Does the product appeal to you - i.e. does it look good? </span><span style="color:#000000;">It's ok, I don't really pay a lot of attention to the aesthetics of things provided they have a good design for usability and storage, which this did.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">6. How easy is the product to use? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Very very easy, it has a really comfortable, easy to use design.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">7. How well does the product perform? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Very well, apart from the chipboard which I will check on again once a bit of time has elapsed.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">8. Do you like this product? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Very much so!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">9. Do you consider it good value for money? </span><span style="color:#000000;">It is good value in terms of usability, but too expensive for a non-refillable dispenser.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">10. Would you consider buying this product in the future? </span><span style="color:#000000;">Yes I would.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">11. What would make you more likely to buy this product in the future? </span><span style="color:#000000;">If the price came down a substantial amount, or if refills were available for a good price.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">12. What would make you less likely to buy this product in the future? </span><span style="color:#000000;">If it stayed at this price I would certainly think twice about buying it. </span><br /><br />I would rate this at 8 out of 10 only losing points on the price and being non-refillable.<br /><br />Well- photos of this gorgeous wee munchkin! Check her out!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmvtnxgP5I/AAAAAAAAASw/R32A156oWGQ/s1600-h/DSCF2368.jpg"></a><br />cocky madame, closing her eyes and pointing whilst walking!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzwnxgP7I/AAAAAAAAATA/oXssczBsaGU/s1600-h/013ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195381293040287666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzwnxgP7I/AAAAAAAAATA/oXssczBsaGU/s320/013ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />scrummy chubby legs!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzw3xgP8I/AAAAAAAAATI/17Zz_J1BmhM/s1600-h/019ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195381297335254978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzw3xgP8I/AAAAAAAAATI/17Zz_J1BmhM/s320/019ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzxnxgP9I/AAAAAAAAATQ/hoMq-aGguyw/s1600-h/020ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195381310220156882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzxnxgP9I/AAAAAAAAATQ/hoMq-aGguyw/s320/020ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />being a smarty pants and carrying 'doggy'<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzx3xgP-I/AAAAAAAAATY/qFuScBdcXIg/s1600-h/022ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195381314515124194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SBmzx3xgP-I/AAAAAAAAATY/qFuScBdcXIg/s320/022ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />she got really into walking the entire length of the lounge and diner between me and Amy (just under 40 steps yay!), spinning round and off she would go again. Unfortunately, just after this last photo she was chortling away (my fault!) and fell backwards straight onto her head :( Hoping it hasn't put her off, I think she is getting Jasmine's share of bumps, as she was a cocky so and so when she started walking!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5246460772338231865?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-27817777201764407512008-04-23T23:15:00.003+01:002008-04-24T11:32:01.807+01:00sorry for the absence but for those who don't already know my life has pretty much been looking like this for a while<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SA-1UnxgPyI/AAAAAAAAAR4/gFWAtxjgNjI/s1600-h/001ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192568261260099362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/SA-1UnxgPyI/AAAAAAAAAR4/gFWAtxjgNjI/s320/001ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />yup I have been pretty darn ill! In so much pain I could barely stand, and generally just yuk.<br />Didn't help that I was misdiagnosed twice, once at the doctors, and once at the hospital :( So by the time I was correctly diagnosed (minus a fair thwack of the ole red stuff too) and they realised it was an infection it had really set in and I was in agony. I often think Amy was plonked in my life for a reason, and yet again my theory worked out. She arrived (flowers in hand) on a really awful day when I had been sobbing in pain all bloody day- she spoke to the nurse at my surgery when I couldn't talk through the tears, and got me seen again immediately, this time with the right diagnosis! Love that girly (thanks darling, you always get me fixed!)<br />So I am now feeling a lot better than I was *crosses fingers* but get so tired really easily, I must listen to my body more, and stop at the right time rather than pushing myself and being absolutely wiped out as a result.<br />Got a date for scans to be done at the hospital to confirm if it was my gallbladder that was infected, and then back to docs again to decide whether I am to be operated on. *lallalaaaalalaa* not thinking about that now!<br /><br />Good news (Ali you listening?!) Amelia finally walked last Tuesday! she wobbled a couple of steps in the kitchen while I was making a cup of tea- she was heading for the pantry! After that she was up to 15 steps in no time at all!<br />Will try to get some pics of her tomorrow, managed to catch loads on camcorder too *yay*<br /><br />I am slowly trying to tackle the tip that is my scrap studio too- everything is being hauled out and resorted, will get pics when I finally finish- it will be slow going (so I don't knacker myself again lol) but I will get there and finally conquer the organisational hell!<br /><br />Love and hugs x<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2781777720176440751?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-65250341452136214282008-03-07T18:53:00.010Z2008-03-07T23:36:26.244ZI seem to be forever making stuff in photoshop but never get round to sharing it- so here is a lil freebie for you- they are A4 size and you can download in png or jpeg :) They are a bit of a mish mash of colours- 3 brights, and 3 slightly more neutral (and good for 'man stuff')<br /><br /><br />Usual 'rules'...Personal use only please UNLESS you have my permission, just drop me an email- I don't bite (honest!) A credit would be nice if you use them and upload projects to a gallery<br />If you use them- please link me up to pics just so I can be nosey lol!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R9GQgyvx2iI/AAAAAAAAARw/ksw4KEljgA0/s1600-h/spsg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175076339877796386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R9GQgyvx2iI/AAAAAAAAARw/ksw4KEljgA0/s320/spsg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />jpegs;<br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098851/1977537a/scrappyparrotdotfreeone.html">one</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098846/9e08f798/scrappyparrotdotfree2.html">two</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098855/1e1a9763/scrappyparrotdotfreethree.html">three</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098849/eb7ea09/scrappyparrotdotfreefour.html">four</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098847/e90fc70e/scrappyparrotdotfreefive.html">five</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098853/f7793256/scrappyparrotdotfreesix.html">six</a><br />pngs;<br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098852/807e02c0/scrappyparrotdotfreeone.html">one</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098857/f014f64f/scrappyparrotdotfreetwo.html">two</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098856/8713c6d9/scrappyparrotdotfreethree.html">three</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098850/6e7063ec/scrappyparrotdotfreefour.html">four</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098848/79b0da9f/scrappyparrotdotfreefive.html">five</a><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/40098854/691da7f5/scrappyparrotdotfreesix.html">six</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6525034145213621428?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-51700543049908533002008-03-02T13:15:00.004Z2008-03-02T13:27:18.591ZHappy mothers day :) Hope all you mammies are well and truly spoilt :)<br /><p> </p><p>Had a gorgeous day friday- nearly 5 hours of pampering and slumping in the bar. Had an espa facial, arm/hand massage, neck shoulder chest top of back all massaged too as part of the facial, then apart from the gorgeous face part, the most wonderful head massage too. I have never ever been so relaxed, and yesterday I struggled a bit- I was pretty much good for nothing! I have real trouble relaxing, so it was very good for the body and soul. Plus who doesn't feel great about spending over £300 on pampering and not having to worry about the cost?! LOL! It really was heaven! And my skin is still glowing!<br /></p><br /><br />Grey and dreary here, lots to do so a quick post with another film poster...mwahaha!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R8qops-i5fI/AAAAAAAAARo/S-D6Ow_Kbq8/s1600-h/constant-hard-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173132556390032882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R8qops-i5fI/AAAAAAAAARo/S-D6Ow_Kbq8/s320/constant-hard-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5170054304990853300?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-11509067641393452472008-02-27T21:42:00.002Z2008-02-27T21:53:23.246Z<div>what a bliddy night for those of us unfortunate enough to experience our 5.3 earthquake!</div><br /><div>I was sat in bed on the lappy, and someone in a chatroom I was in posted that they had an earthquake- I read it, and then it hit. The cat fell out of bed, I leapt out of bed to go and calm Simba downstairs, knowing what a panic he would be in having experienced the last one in 2002 with him. The force almost knocked me over! Simba was way more freaked this time round, poor lil sausage had grazed both sides of his face, and as he came out of his cage he flew in a panic, hit the floor then flew back up to mama's shoulder where he stayed. Got him back in his cage after about 20 minutes soothing him, but he was so scared he would only hang from the top of the cage, so I had to make the decision to sleep on the sofa with him. I couldn't leave him on his own in that state love him.</div><br /><div>Finally managed to settle him at around 3am. He is coping fine today on the lack of sleep- me, not so much!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Poor Jess had a bit of a week, another cat attacked her and resulted in most of one of her claws being ripped out of one of her back paws. She is a lot better now, after much limping and cleaning it up. It certainly seems less sore tonight. To top it all off I woke up on Sunday morning at 5am to find the very same cat in my bedroom having chased Jess in there. I was not impressed. The cat then tried to get out, but as the cat flap was set to 'in only' it smashed its way through instead. Proper smashed too, snapped all the fixings off the door so I now have a draft coming in where the cat flap was- trying to find another the same but it's not easy!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Got a new speedy laptop on Saturday, so am whizzing about now- 2gb of ram heaven!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Off on Friday for a girly afternoon of facials and spa treatments, then we are gonna go to the bar and bistro too- can't wait and my poor skin really needs it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Discovered some great pics last night (thanks Rob!) there was a comp running to change a movie title by one letter...I roared at some of them til I cried heehee! So I thought I would leave some of my faves in my next few posts. Some are far too rude to post on here even though they are side-splittingly funny. Thanks beta!</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R8XbncxDdZI/AAAAAAAAARg/vEZxsorSfwY/s1600-h/DirtyBarry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171781217888204178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R8XbncxDdZI/AAAAAAAAARg/vEZxsorSfwY/s320/DirtyBarry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1150906764139345247?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-46035829492443642832008-02-22T12:10:00.004Z2008-02-22T12:29:32.092ZLess than a month- whassup with that?!<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>Busy busy busy here. Went to the trade show at the weekend, was great to catch up with people, that's always the best bit. There were some gorgeous stands there, but nothing really jumped out at me :( Although I did reeeaaaaally like the Laura Ashley stamps! It was nice to see how many more stands there were, since I last went (3 years ago!) but it was smaller than last year apparently. </div><br /><div>Had a nice lil surprise in the post on Friday. Got home from the stables to find a special delivery package on the side...no idea what that is...opened it up to find two little embossed boxes wrapped with lashings of ribbon....a little folder...and a letter- telling me that I had won a competition (from vicks)- cool beans! Thinking it would be a little prize, I was still really chuffed...as I read further I realised this was a biggy...£1000 to spend at hotel du vin- OH YES! So on Friday Amy and I are off for a facial and a slump in the bar and bistro- all gratis! ANNNNND with no kiddos! Much as I love 'em, sometimes a little child free treat is just the bees knees! ;)</div><br /><p>Talking of the kiddos- how proud am I of this munchkin?! VERY! Jas has been really pushing forward with her riding- we had a great lesson out in the field the other week, she rode with a couple of oder children and adults, and did FAB. She was flying over the same height jumps that the adults were doing :DBut check this out- on Tuesday- her first triple jump ever! *beams* Hard to believe she is only seven.</p><p><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H-NdCk52-ns"><br /> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H-NdCk52-ns" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object></p></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Onto other things- this cushion is being privately auctioned on Kirsty's blog <a href="http://www.limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot,com/">here</a> to help raise money for Belle's trip to the US, with the hope of finding a diagnosis for her.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R76-MMxDdYI/AAAAAAAAARY/nKiNmyaDxkk/s1600-h/DSCF2327ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169778539062588802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R76-MMxDdYI/AAAAAAAAARY/nKiNmyaDxkk/s320/DSCF2327ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>It is approx 8" square (ish), backed with black and white spot fabric, sewn on a vintage (early 1900's) singer machine, and a bit of hand sewing too. The front is felt embellished, with a little made with love charm and a little bit of swarovski bling...it comes as a complete cushion (no removable cover) and is finished with a bit of wonky stitching for that lovin' handmade feel ;)</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> went up again on Tuesday, this weeks theme was exercise- Simba flies about to keep him fit, then we have plenty of lunatic acrobatics too- while he shouts 'reeaaddddy...steadddddddyyyyy GO!' If you would be interested in doing a guest design spot for us this year, leave me a link to some of your work, and your blog/email addy :) We are always on the lookout for inspirational pet stuff, lets face it, the blog was started due to a lack of inspiration and nice products for those of us who like to have albums of our critters.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R769OsxDdWI/AAAAAAAAARI/4qKq77JZjCg/s1600-h/atfexercise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169777482500633954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R769OsxDdWI/AAAAAAAAARI/4qKq77JZjCg/s320/atfexercise.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Lastly a cute pic of my lil guy- playing on the windowsill in the sunshine :)</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R76-L8xDdXI/AAAAAAAAARQ/ZiqbiRYny0g/s1600-h/DSCF2298.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169778534767621490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R76-L8xDdXI/AAAAAAAAARQ/ZiqbiRYny0g/s320/DSCF2298.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-4603582949244364283?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-74647567941048317112008-02-08T12:30:00.000Z2008-02-08T12:49:58.230Zseems this is turning into a monthly blog at the mo lol!<br /><br /><br />It's been a manic one!<br /><br /><br />Besides decorating and having a mare of a time with faulty stuff that has to go back (yes another broken bed lol and grrrrr), and being poorly (still not right) I have turned another year older this week. So now I am 28 and 12 months old. And next year I will be 28 and 24 months- I am not hitting that big milestone- nuh-uh. *shakes head*<br /><br /><br />Monday (day before my birthday) Mum took the day off work to take me out for lunch. fab food, fab time. On the way back there was a big crash, which we narrowly escaped. So I attended the wounded, gave my statement etc, and this morning have a massive book of questions from the solicitors to answer, and they would like me to stand as a witness should it go to court- ack- hate it. (but will of course do it)<br /><br /><br />Tuesday- gorgeous day with amy and my girlies, and the stables too :) Apart from my gorgeous gifts, I had some special gifts from my girlies- Amelia sneezed yogurt in my face and hair, I laughed so hard I cried, and then she was roaring cos I was laughing too lol! Jasmine- well- what can I say, she tried in vain to fart 'happy birthday' to me- dontcha just love 7 year old humour?! :D<br /><br /><br />Will leave you with the last two <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com">atf</a> layouts :) Plus- I was very proud to have done 31 layouts, that is one for every day in january, as part of big picture scrapbooking LOAD class :)<br /><p>mucky pets<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R6xOZKA78BI/AAAAAAAAAO4/82BWaD6uz9U/s1600-h/mucky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164589066779095058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R6xOZKA78BI/AAAAAAAAAO4/82BWaD6uz9U/s320/mucky.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p>your home from your pets view (no way was I climbing on curtain poles to take pics lol!) it is straight in real life- pants weather means using the scanner. and yes, simba is upside down in those pics (I didn't turn them round lol) he is hanging upside down off the door frame which he just loves to do lol!</p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R6xOcaA78CI/AAAAAAAAAPA/DWVVdfE5AzA/s1600-h/atfbirdseyeview.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164589122613669922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R6xOcaA78CI/AAAAAAAAAPA/DWVVdfE5AzA/s320/atfbirdseyeview.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7464756794104831711?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-34412217192695139992008-01-08T19:40:00.000Z2008-01-08T19:47:09.815Zsince I blogged- but I am not gonna dwell too much- been ill for the last month, and just as I was getting over it BAM I got another flippin bug! Feeling a little better...getting there slowly!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> is back as of this evening. On the theme of resolutions. I can honestly say that Simba is being a real superstar at the moment, such a well behaved lil chap love him, so from both sides- NO resolutions!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R4PSWqIF8GI/AAAAAAAAAOw/glvj18HkXwM/s1600-h/jan7thnoresolutionssm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153193685349167202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R4PSWqIF8GI/AAAAAAAAAOw/glvj18HkXwM/s320/jan7thnoresolutionssm.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>credits:K Pertiet card and frame, miss mint word labels, staple and paper heart, R Penn paper, Lynn Ridge paisley paper</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3441221719269513999?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-67379631999624343432007-12-07T18:30:00.001Z2007-12-07T18:31:22.910ZMy nutty friend.<br />I will you so much- more than you will ever know.<br />You show 'em how it is done in the big crop up in the sky- goodness knows you always did everything in true 'Jan style'<br />Love you- god bless -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6737963199962434343?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-84344880185854923932007-12-05T13:00:00.001Z2007-12-05T13:19:05.035Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahm2mzZ6I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Z0ndvwgBzOk/s1600-h/IMG009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140473713555367842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahm2mzZ6I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Z0ndvwgBzOk/s320/IMG009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />oh yes indeedy! Went to Swindon for the day yesterday with the aim of buying Christmas presents...well I bought lots of things for me but not a lot else! No pressies! I did indulge in a couple of eggnog lattes, Mum had gingerbread as per cacky pic taken on my phone, and in the first shop they over-indulged me and gave me an extra freebie- masses of whipped cream atop my already calorie laden giganticus latte! Oh yummers indeed!<br /><br /><br />Great day with Mum though, biggest bargain? Four bras in next for a whopping tenner (yes for all 4 of them!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahnGmzZ8I/AAAAAAAAAOY/qnJLtooXlDY/s1600-h/IMG011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140473717850335170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahnGmzZ8I/AAAAAAAAAOY/qnJLtooXlDY/s320/IMG011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This pic is for Amy- yes this is your daughter on the shelves of Borders! I got a couple of weird looks when I took this pic- but if they had been brash enough to look closer they would see that the person taking the photo is the very same person in that little pic at the top of the page! Surely that is allowed!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Couple of random pics!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahm2mzZ7I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/mEoxqEsUEs0/s1600-h/IMG005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140473713555367858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahm2mzZ7I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/mEoxqEsUEs0/s320/IMG005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is Lola- aint she gorgeous? She really is a beautiful pup- and I love her! She belongs to my God-daughters Willow and Caitlin, and the rest of the household.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahnWmzZ9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/L2b2_e7mXag/s1600-h/DSCF2254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140473722145302482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ahnWmzZ9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/L2b2_e7mXag/s320/DSCF2254.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Random pic of Amelia from last week, nowt like a chocolate coated baby! YUM!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ajbGmzZ-I/AAAAAAAAAOo/j2lfvoCnNUk/s1600-h/DSCF2273email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140475710715160546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R1ajbGmzZ-I/AAAAAAAAAOo/j2lfvoCnNUk/s320/DSCF2273email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF</a> layout for this week, theme was habits. Simba is truly defined by being a creature of habit. Everything involves some level of habit with him.<br />Used- bazzill, anna griffin papers (I am down to my last couple of inches of these papers, and I need more, they were a purchase many moons ago from a sale at hockles with Kirsty and Jen!) lots of misc brads, buttons and poundland velvet alphas :)<br />I am using my layouts to build a sort of portfolio of Simba, and the album is looking great so far, I love having a record of stuff like this :D<br /><br />ATF are having a break now over Christmas, but will add some projects to keep you pet lovers going over the festive period, so keep checking the blog, or sub to bloglines.com to find out automatically when we have uploaded.<br />If anyone has any ideas for future themes we are working on the list for next year now, so let us know. I will also be scouting for guest designers soon, so link me up to your layouts, we like to use everyone, known, unknown, published, not published, on design teams or not, everyone is welcome :) We already have a couple of people lined up, but want more and more! So please, please show us your stuff!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8434488018585492393?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-64963818618563388142007-11-25T12:51:00.001Z2007-11-25T13:44:42.884Zok, I just had a chain mail sent to me from a friend. Now, usually I don't bother even reading them, but for some reason I did and OMG! Here is the relevant part to me (will add my own notes to it in red lol!):<br />AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water<br /><br />Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in<br />long-term relationships <span style="color:#ff0000;">true</span>. Can be clumbsy at times but tries hard <span style="color:#ff0000;">very true</span>. Will take on any project <span style="color:#ff0000;">also very true</span>. Proud of themselves in whatever they do. Messy, and unorganized <span style="color:#ff0000;">has the person who wrote this been sneaking into my house?</span>. Procrastinators <span style="color:#ff0000;">uh-huh</span>. Great lovers, when their not sleeping <span style="color:#ff0000;">this made me laugh out loud- last sunday morning mart and I had a humdinger of a row cos he woke me up thinking he was gonna get some loving!</span>. Extreme thinkers <span style="color:#ff0000;">yup</span>. Loves their pets usually more then their familiy <span style="color:#ff0000;">more than my family? They ARE my famly!</span>. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story <span style="color:#ff0000;">too true</span>. Unpredictable <span style="color:#ff0000;">yup</span>. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter, But will Knock your lights out <span style="color:#ff0000;">this is sooooo true- I avoid confrontation if I possibly can- however if you seriously piss me off, it takes a lot for that to happen, but if you do you will never ever live it down!</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here are the others if you wanna read your own, plus that means I am forwarding it to everyone so I can't possibly get the bad luck PMSL!<br /><br /><br /><br />ARIES - The Aggressive<br /><br />Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />TAURUS - The Tramp<br /><br />Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight.Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! 15 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />GEMINI - The Twin<br /><br />Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Gemini's will not take any crap from anyone. Gemini's like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Gemini's can be very sarcastic and childish at times, and are very nosey.Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />CANCER - The Beauty<br /><br />MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind. Very romantic. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life. Entirely creative Person, most's are artists and insane respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often. Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party. Most cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever. Cancers make love with a passion beyond compareSpontaneous. Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! 12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />LEO - The Lion<br /><br />Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy, but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A leo's problem becomes everyone's problem. Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />VIRGO - The One that Waits<br /><br />Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover. Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything. They think they know everything and usually do. Respectful to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do something untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect. The do not forgive and never forgetThe one and only. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />LIBRA - The Lame One<br /><br />Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with... you might end up crying... Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Kinda dumb at times. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />SCORPIO - The Addict<br /><br />EXTREMELY adorable. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once. Loves to be pampered. Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want. Attractive. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme. Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it! Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good friend but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One<br /><br />Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. A loner most of the time. Loses patience easily and will not take crap. If in a bad mood stay FAR away. Gets offended easily and remembers the offense forever. Loves deeply but at times will not show it feels it is a sign of weakness. Has many fears but will not show it. VERY private person. Defends loved ones will all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up crying. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover<br /><br />Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some. Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it. Proud, understanding and sweet.Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Alwaysgets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especially Gemini's in sports. Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants.Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. 24 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br />AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water<br /><br />Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being inlong-term relationships. Can be clumbsy at times but tries hard. Will take on any project. Proud of themselves in whatever they do. Messy, and unorganized. Procrastinators. Great lovers, when their not sleeping. Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usually more then their familiy. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter, But will Knock your lights out. 2 years of bad luck if you do not forward<br /><br /><br /><br />PISCES - The Partner for Life<br /><br />Caring and kind. Smart. Center of attention. Messy at times and irresponsible! Smart but lazy. High appeal. Has the last word. Good to find, hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. Lover of animals. VERY caring, make wonderful nurses or doctors. They always try to do the right thing sometimes get the short end of the stick. They sometimes et used by others and hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good Sense of Humor!!! Thoughtful. Always gets what he or she wants. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but need to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Last weeks <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> awwww look at the babies! Here is mine-<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R0lzP3i23AI/AAAAAAAAAOA/fELxQhjetI4/s1600-h/DSCF2250email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136763566438145026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/R0lzP3i23AI/AAAAAAAAAOA/fELxQhjetI4/s320/DSCF2250email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So many changes in Simba in the 6 years I have had him as part of my life. (A very big part of my life!)<br />Bazzill, KI memories cs, can't remember what the paper was lol possibly autumn leaves, clear buttons backed with jo sonjas paint, dovecraft brads, stamps away journalling stamps (soooo love these) heidi swapp chipboard, paperchase stickers<br /><br />Vicki- your custom card order is on it's way- should be with you Tuesday :)<br /><br /><br />I would at this point like to echo what <a href="http://sweetshirleen.blogspot.com/">Shirl</a> has said on her blog. We are all facing a very sad loss, one person in particular, and my heart is breaking for her. This woman is one of the most remarkable women in the world, and still has her sense of humour- I don't know how she has the strength after everything she has been through. Love her lots -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6496381861856338814?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-23409801247679205262007-11-16T12:51:00.000Z2007-11-16T12:55:57.136ZSo the thing I couldn't talk about? At long flippin last! Amy's bloke popped the big question last night! And she said yes (but let him stew for an hour and a half first- that's my girl! LOL)<br />This has been going on for months- we all knew it was gonna happen, but when? So he bought loads of helium balloons, roses, candles etc, the ring had been delivered to my house aaaaaages ago, and at last he finally did it!<br />So, after lots of frantic phonecalls (the best was when he got sprung with a car full of balloons when Amy drove past him coming back from the school run!)he did it- *insert big sigh of relief*<br />CONGRATULATIONS!<br />Love you lots -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2340980124767920526?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-77888539518526041522007-11-15T15:32:00.000Z2007-11-15T15:36:34.718Zsorry! Well actually thats a porker- I'm not really sorry! mwwahahahahaaaa! Been really busy- nec was great, I am skint! It was fab seeing my stamps for sale (even if Paul was saying that they are going on ebay cos he can't shift them the swine! LOL but thanks so much for all my goodies) really exciting and strange, and I took pics of them hung up on the stand for my own amusement! This is a big thing for me!<br />Spent a fortch, came back laden with goodies (over a hundred rubber stamps- the shame lol!)!<br />Met up with the ninja one, was fab to see her again, until next time Ginger!<br />Really missed the card fairy stand not being there any more *sob* <br /><br />Anyway- am waiting for some news on something I can't possibly talk about *looks shifty* and I WANNA KNOW NOW!<br /><br />gona go sort out laundry ad crack on with card orders- ttfn!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7788853951852604152?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-83098606299611789602007-10-31T21:05:00.001Z2007-10-31T21:29:08.778Zand boy oh boy have I been busy! It's just quietened down now, and we only just ran out of treat parcels!<br />ETA NOT SURE WHY THE WHOLE PICS AREN'T SHOWING- LOOKS FINE IN PREVIEW- WILL PLAY WITH IT LATER ON<br /><br />Lots of pics and not many words tonight methinks! A lot of these are just so I can look back next year for reference!<br /><br />The guests...(sorry for blur- darn kids were too hyped up to stand still lol)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2126ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2133ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2134ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2107ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nibbles...<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2117ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My witchy things in the kitchen<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2109ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and in the dark...wooooooo<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2124ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />close up of vampire blood (so proud of my scientific moment)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2111ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />mega close up of blood...oil, water, food colouring and salt- love how it went all gloopy!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2116ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />close up of oozing grubs- cornflour gloop, food colouring, cut the tops off q-tips<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2115ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />hmmmm lid kept falling through one of the pumpkins, so I wedged spider rings in to keep it on!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2118ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In serious danger of collapsing, (I gutted it too thin- but it survived the night!)<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2120ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Eye of the beholder...<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/halloween%2007/DSCF2119ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Great night- kids were all polite and well mannered- had some real little cuties round, tiny pumpkin toddlers galore!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8309860629961178960?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-53590034935478497992007-10-30T15:32:00.000Z2007-10-30T19:51:31.822Zit's been a really super hectic couple of weeks with lots of horrid things happening :(<br /><br />I have been armed with my big shoulders for other people to use (that is what they are there for) and they have got very damp on more than one occasion lol!<br /><br />Still- things are looking better- onwards and upwards eh?<br /><br /><br /><br />So the preparations for halloween are underway, getting there slowly but tomorrow is gonna be manic- so much still left to do- 2 pumpkins to carve, witches kitchen jars to finish, decs to go up and so on...<br /><br />managed to get the treat packages made up though, same as last year (so much easier to give each child a package rather than the shy ones taking one small treat and the greedy ones taking handfuls- this way they all get the same)<br /><br />The lounge....<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQYrq8HFI/AAAAAAAAANk/XYjAHt_fAlU/s1600-h/DSCF2072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127155085754506322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQYrq8HFI/AAAAAAAAANk/XYjAHt_fAlU/s320/DSCF2072.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and the finished articles...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQXrq8HEI/AAAAAAAAANc/Mya_dP4PlRM/s1600-h/DSCF2073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127155068574637122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQXrq8HEI/AAAAAAAAANc/Mya_dP4PlRM/s320/DSCF2073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last theme at <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF</a> was pets and their owners...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQarq8HGI/AAAAAAAAANs/yNUmxohpcpc/s1600-h/DSCF2071email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127155120114244706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RydQarq8HGI/AAAAAAAAANs/yNUmxohpcpc/s320/DSCF2071email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />supplies- papermill card, a fab gsd file that I cut on my robo but I am so sorry I cannot remember who made it- if you let me know I will edit with the correct credit to the creator, lots of angel kisses and primas, twinkly gems, and some craft robo letters that I layered up to give a bit of dimension and some brads<br /><br /><br /><br />Had a flippin nightmare today- we inherited a pond from my brother the other week, so after shifting a couple of tonnes of soil we got it in, complete with plants and fish, it all went really well. The pump and filter system was all working great and the water was clearing nicely. So on Sunday we shifted another tonne or so of soil, and moved the pump and waterfall, all looking really nice, ready for the next stage in landscaping. So this morning I went to peg out the washing, and there is obviously a major leak somewhere, no idea where, but the water has dropped to almost half- in one day! So I have now spent the morning measuring and treating tap water (after carefully saving all the pond water and rain water so we didn't have to have any tap water in there at all), leaving it to get to the right temp, and am about to go and lug it all back down to the pond again. One is not amused! GRRR! Still Mart and I have had a lovely snuggly day *wub*<br /><br /><br /><br />Will be back with the halloween updates as soon as I can!<br /><br />ETA FOR KIRSTY: Last year we made up about 70 little packages like the ones above...we ran out and made up about another 30-40 and they all went too!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5359003493547849799?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-12331050807690836472007-10-12T12:04:00.000+01:002007-10-12T12:42:30.203+01:00I've been tagged by the delicious <a href="http://scrappingandnewfs.blogspot.com/">Katy</a><br /><div>Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.</div><br /><div>1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.</div><br /><div>2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.</div><br /><div>3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).</div><br /><div>4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok here is mine...</div><br /><div></div><div>1- I can bend my fingers backwards, and my toes too- in fact my toes bend so far I can lie them against the top of my foot (I know gross huh?!)</div><div>2- Like Katy, I am petrified of clowns *shudders*</div><div>3- I am fantastic at keeping secrets</div><div>4- I have 5 goddaughters and one godson</div><div>5- I am currently relearning how to play my fave tunes on the piano (I gave up lessons many years ago)</div><div>6- I work best under pressure (although I don't like it)</div><div>7- My kneecaps are in the wrong place (no they aren't on my shoulder lol they are shifted round at the wrong angle so my legs never look straight! There's no hope really is there lol!?)</div><br /><div></div><div>I am gonna tag (sorrrrry!)</div><br /><div><a href="http://muckyfingers.typepad.com/my_weblog/">The mucky one</a></div><div><a href="http://jaffers-jibberings.blogspot.com/">Jennie</a></div><div><a href="http://patternedpaperprincess.typepad.com/patterned_paper_princess/">Paula</a></div><div><a href="http://jo-again.blogspot.com/">Jo</a></div><div><a href="http://soojjay.blogspot.com/">Soo</a></div><div><a href="http://sweetshirleen.blogspot.com/">Shirleen</a></div><div><a href="http://designrecollections.co.uk/blog/">Heather</a></div><br /><div></div><div>And this weeks <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF</a> layout on the theme of routine</div><div>The stamped panel is actually acetate, but because of its see-through-ness I had to pop a bit of card behind or all you would see is my green carpet!</div><br /><div>Supplies: bazzill, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, random brads, basic grey gypsy paper, buttons (most of which were nabbed from my Nan's button tin), Rhonna Farrer stamps, sakura gel pen, teeny crystals. I also filled the 'holes' in the letters with ranger matte accents (hard to see on pic)</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rw9c_1grcEI/AAAAAAAAANU/uhxW6HgBd0M/s1600-h/DSCF2063email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120413553109200962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rw9c_1grcEI/AAAAAAAAANU/uhxW6HgBd0M/s320/DSCF2063email.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1233105080769083647?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-21649016732115786842007-10-08T16:10:00.000+01:002007-10-08T16:25:11.028+01:00Ok so I wasn't gonna upload this to my blog but ho hums now I am!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In aid of Breast cancer awareness month, the girls at <a href="http://www.itsacreativeworld.blogspot.com/">it's a creative world</a> have challenged us all to get our knockers out and scrap a page about them. Not one to miss out on a challenge, particularly when it is about a subject so close to me personally, I did it, and here is the layout<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RwpJGVgrcCI/AAAAAAAAANE/7khntzIalgc/s1600-h/knockerssm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118984299662241826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RwpJGVgrcCI/AAAAAAAAANE/7khntzIalgc/s320/knockerssm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Supplies: Bazzill, crate paper, basic grey paper, anna griffin, stamps away and rhonna farrer stamps, karen foster brads, part of a necklace I ripped apart, bit of hand stitching and inkyness<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I also thoroughly recommend you visit <a href="http://www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/">this site</a> and if you can take part in their study into breast cancer and its causes, please do. I signed up when it was first launched, and if I remember rightly you don't have to give blood (I did and it was no big deal) but if you can all the better :) There are questionnaires to answer every so often, and hopefully they can make some headway into curing this awful disease.<br /><br /><br /><br />Also, forgot to upload the last challenge from <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RwpLFFgrcDI/AAAAAAAAANM/GXbJWXYFn_Q/s1600-h/DSCF2005email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118986477210660914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RwpLFFgrcDI/AAAAAAAAANM/GXbJWXYFn_Q/s320/DSCF2005email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Supplies: bazzill, sei paper, Heidi swapp chipboard letters, Queen and co chipboard letters, American crafts thickers number, lots of random buttons and brads from my collection, and some chipboard brackets from poundland :)<br />Next challenge goes live tomorrow and the winner of our fab prize is being announced tonight<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2164901673211578684?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-62064435141459088622007-10-01T15:24:00.000+01:002007-10-01T15:37:41.340+01:00AMY I LOVE YOU!<br />For those who don't know- this is my truly spectacular bestest friend :D<br />If you don't have an Amy in your life, I strongly recommend you get one for yourself (cos you aint having mine!)<br />Today I received a most wonderful surprise. The doorbell rang, and there stood my Amy (with no children!), totally unexpected; armed with flowers and chocolates :)<br />Just cos!<br />Apparently she was thinking about how she tells everyone else how much she appreciates me, but doesn't tell me (she so does!).<br />So she had planned on buying me flowers on wednesday (which is girly wednesday when we always get together), but after a mammoth reading session on here today, and some tears lol, she decided it needed to be done right now.<br />So there you go! How lovely was that?!<br />It couldn't have come at a better time either, I have been noticing over the last couple of days that I think I am on a bit of a downer with my depression, lo and behold I suddenly feel so much better.<br />Amy you are a total angel- and I love you so much- I too, truly appreciate having you in my life, you are the only person who can decipher my blubbing fits when I ring you crying and really, nobody should be able to understand anything I say when I am in that much of a state. You always say the right thing at the right moment and make me feel better. You listen to my incessant random waffling, and somehow manage to make sense of that too!<br />I am a better person for having you in my life, not to mention the two precious god-daughters you have given me.<br />I know it is a two way street, but I need you to know how very much you are loved too. *sniff sniff* -x-<br /><br /><br /><br />Onto other things- check out <a href="http://itsacreativeworld.blogspot.com/">It's a Creative World</a> , get your wabs out for the camera, and scrap them :D<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6206443514145908862?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-67792482658695205672007-09-21T12:28:00.000+01:002007-09-21T12:34:03.037+01:00with a golden retriever asleep on my feet, and not wanting to disturb him, I whipped up this little number yesterday (said dog is asleep on my feet again so thought I would blog too!). The light is so ridiculous today that I had to go in the garden to grab a pic, whilst praying the sudden gusts of wind wouldn't take my card away!<br /><div></div><div> </div><div>Supplies: magnolia stamp, papermill card (very much like bazzill *yum*), basic grey infusion paper, dovecraft brads, prima flowers, lots of punched and inked leaves, k&amp;co letters to go, and a sparkly nailhead that was plundered from a belt!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvOrnFgrcBI/AAAAAAAAAM8/svJVP44pIWU/s1600-h/DSCF1999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112618689978134546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvOrnFgrcBI/AAAAAAAAAM8/svJVP44pIWU/s320/DSCF1999.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The birthday present went down very well- the phrase *you know me too well* appeared lol- well yes!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6779248265869520567?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-37998301002366604522007-09-19T13:28:00.000+01:002007-09-19T13:49:34.818+01:00Just a quickie while I have five mins (ooerr)<br />Thought I would share a few bits that I have been up to (other than painting and shifting furniture about the bedroom!)<br /><br /><br />Magnolia cards- yes I was bitten by the bug that is magnolia!<br /><br />This one was isn't finished, I coloured this using various inks, mm cosmo papers, treehouse memories paper, more yet to be added!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYBNs7f3I/AAAAAAAAAMU/HHiUI4q7x2g/s1600-h/DSCF1993.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111893461179268978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYBNs7f3I/AAAAAAAAAMU/HHiUI4q7x2g/s320/DSCF1993.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This one was coloured with watercolour pencils, MM papers, papermania brad, mm brad, cuttlebug die, studio g stamp<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYB9s7f5I/AAAAAAAAAMk/UL7LoA_n3As/s1600-h/DSCF1994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111893474064170898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYB9s7f5I/AAAAAAAAAMk/UL7LoA_n3As/s320/DSCF1994.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last weeks ATF layout- on the theme of nicknames- this wasn't how I intended it to turn out but I wrecked it too many times to mention! Discovered a cool technique though, the hearts are made from funky foam embossed with a cuttlebug- how cool is that?! It only happened as I had both items in my hands and *ding* a little lightbulb shone above my wee brain! Poundland velvet alphas, Imagination project paper, ribbon and stuff!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYBts7f4I/AAAAAAAAAMc/V69Ntgxf5lk/s1600-h/DSCF1988email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111893469769203586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYBts7f4I/AAAAAAAAAMc/V69Ntgxf5lk/s320/DSCF1988email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />ANNNNND I made a man card! (this is fairly unheard of!) This is to go with the gift below...junkitz paper, cuttlebug embossing folder, sizzix star die, studio g stamp, and a smidge of doodling<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYCts7f6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/6IrWH0iY4rw/s1600-h/DSCF1995.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111893486949072802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYCts7f6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/6IrWH0iY4rw/s320/DSCF1995.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now do I buy the best birthday presents or what?! LOL! It's a friends birthday, and he is rather tricky to buy for (although appreciative of everything). He would ideally live off coke and junk food, so for one time only his wish is my command! There is soooo much crap on that tray it is almost unbelievable! There is chocolate-so much, curly wurlys, twirls, dairy milk in various forms, toblerone, double deckers, (he loves footie too hence the choccy footballs), coke, cookies, jammie dodgers (well you have to dontcha), jaffa cakes, haribo, flumps, flying saucers...<br />I'll report back when I have given it to the recipient!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYC9s7f7I/AAAAAAAAAM0/7_mH6AuFGZ4/s1600-h/DSCF1996.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111893491244040114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RvEYC9s7f7I/AAAAAAAAAM0/7_mH6AuFGZ4/s320/DSCF1996.JPG" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3799830100236660452?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-80777258291161916742007-09-11T11:35:00.000+01:002007-09-11T11:42:32.375+01:00In memory of those who lost their lives, their loved ones, to everyone touched by this terrible act, to the rescue services and volunteers -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8077725829116191674?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-29421899886673195342007-09-08T12:07:00.000+01:002007-09-08T12:22:25.585+01:00Today is a very very sad day for the parroting community.<br /><br />A fantastic lady called Dr Irene Pepperberg bought a beautiful african grey parrot in 1977 from a pet store. She has made it her lifes work to see just how clever this species really is. Alex was the main subject of her work, and has been a friend and companion to her for the past 30 years.<br /><br />Sadly, Alex passed away yesterday, cause unknown.<br /><br />He was a truly remarkable parrot. He could recognise and name colours, shapes, objects (even from photographs) could count and was learning the alphabet. It wasn't 'parrot fashion' either. He would count the sides or corners of a shape to recognise what shape it actually was.<br /><br />Having bought and studied books and videos of Irene's work with Alex, I was, at many times, truly awed by what they had achieved. It totally rocked the 'specialists' in the field of avian work.<br />To read about Alex you can visit the <a href="http://www.alexfoundation.org/">Alex Foundation</a><br /><br />Alex was a true marvel and will be sorely missed- having lost a grey myself I truly understand the pain that Irene and the team are feeling right now :(<br />I am absolutely humbled by the work undertaken by the team, and forever thankful to them all (especially Alex) for proving that this species is really one of a kind :)<br />Fly high Alex -x-<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RuKEZYLfR-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/pv2An_WGQGk/s1600-h/Alex%2520_trees.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107790498913798114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RuKEZYLfR-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/pv2An_WGQGk/s320/Alex%2520_trees.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(photo of Alex from the alex foundation)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2942189988667319534?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-22666699776656832662007-09-03T23:53:00.000+01:002007-09-04T00:12:08.039+01:00mmmmmmmm dontcha just love Italiano? Not long got home after a gorgeous evening. We decided to dine at Giani's this fair evening, it has been a gorgeous day and what better way to finish it off?<br /><br /><br />Great company, a dear dear friend of mine came along, I don't see him too often and he is always really good company :)<br /><br /><br />As it has been so sunny and warm I wore my newest dress, with a lil cropped cardi and actually felt somewhere near a million dollars...a bottle of wine and some beer later I felt a gazzillion dollars (so no apologies for typos in this post!). Y'see Giani cooks stuff fresh so you do wait a bit longer, but it is so worth it. It is so damn laid back...but it did mean that I was well on my way to being sozzled by the main course ;) I rarely drink due to a dodgy liver, so it doesn't take much to get me plastered! mwahaha! cheap date!<br /><br /><br />Starter: deep fried mozzarella sandwich (I shared a starter), pure artery clogging yumminess, main course: mushroom and cream rissotto *mwah* twas most bootiful, and then I shared dessert, strawberry pannacotta cos there was no way on earth I could fit in tirimasu! Fab evening :)<br /><br /><br />Deadlines are all finished too, mostly anyway which meant I could sit back and relax and soak up the Italian atmosphere, including the very Italian waitor singing a very (loud) italian version of ' just one cornetto' LOL!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Had an eye appt today, and considering how long my last appt was (had a lot of probs and a warning of neurologists refferals), this was a breeze. I decided it was time to get contacts again, I stopped before because they were so expensive with my astigmatism. Well god bless specsavers- less than HALF the price I was paying with the other opticians! AND he has fitted me for dailies. Although they are not perfect because of the angle of my astigmatism he has ordered me a few pairs to try out and see if they will work. I did not, however, appreciate him turning my eyelids inside out FOUR times! :O It does mean that I can wear sunglasses again (if we ever get any of that golden stuff!) which I am sure is responsible for my pre-wrinkles! Followed by a latte in a lovely italian cafe (do you see a theme- I am sure my dad is really some italian bloke, I even have olive skin) yumtiddlyscrum.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My new bed has arrived, so gotta ask Mart nicely to go pick it up, it is so damn pretty, can't wait to get all decorated :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />anyhoodle, nuff waffling, here is this weeks <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF</a> layout, there is a prize this month too so get uploading yours :D<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtyUeYLfR9I/AAAAAAAAAME/AOWeEmILI0A/s1600-h/DSCF1957email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106119327138924498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtyUeYLfR9I/AAAAAAAAAME/AOWeEmILI0A/s320/DSCF1957email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />bazzill cs, paperchase wrapping paper which I am smitten with, doodlebug token, heidi swapp heart and tab, staples, paperchase stickers, angel kisses and brads<br /><br />toodlepip!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2266669977665683266?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-1012887345735141082007-08-27T23:40:00.000+01:002007-08-28T00:04:43.761+01:00<div><br /><br /><div>and another hectic week in my life lol!</div><br /><br /><div>Had my niece staying last week, as my brother treated his wife to a jaunt in Rome to celebrate her upcoming 40th birthday.</div><br /><br /><div>They had a fab time with beautiful weather, while the kids enjoyed going out with their grandad in the day, bowling and outdoor swimming galore! It really helped me too, as it meant I could get on with stuff in the house and bits of work that needed doing.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The studio is much tidier, it had gotten really bad in there, lots of bits that had no home and needed sorting, and were just piling up in my 'to sort' pile on the floor. I chucked a bin liner of stuff out, and did silly tedious things like popping chipboard shapes out of the sheet and throwing the negatives away as it was taking up far more space then necessary.</div><br /><br /><div>Paula has asked me to take some pics for her fabby new project <a href="http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/">Crafty Storage</a> I promise I haven't forgotten you hun, and will get on with it as soon as I can.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Spotted my stamps being used for the first time<a href="http://www.pencillines.com/2007/08/sketch-46.html"> here</a> on Anna's layout. Thank you hun :D</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Lots of scrapping in progress: <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot,com/">ATF</a> goes live with its next challenge tomorrow, with another brillo guest designer :)</div><br /><br /><div>Got a commission from scrapbook inspirations too, so need to get that finished. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Got mightily pissed off with a blog slagging off uk scrappers (as in people not the forum- although a fair bit of bitching about that too). Basically if you won best of british (which I did) or have anything published (which I do) and if you get paid for it (God forbid), or were a member of a private forum (which I am), or on a design team for anything (yup, me again shoot me now) than the mud was slinging in your direction. I had my say, and it was not deleted (and rightly so) as I work damn hard at what I do. And most of all I <strong>enjoy</strong> what I do. I do not make layouts just to get them in magazines, that is a totally seperate part of what I do. All the layouts I make that end up in a magazine are commissioned...they say 'will you do xyz for issue # whatever and we will pay you £whatever' why the hell would I say no? Paid to do what I love? Bloody right I am gonna say yes! </div><br /><br /><div>When I see the faces of the people who are in the published layouts when they see the mag, well, that is an added incentive to do it and a total bonus imo.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Anyway, enough moaning, gotta add some pics from my week right?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My niece decided to take a bath rather than a shower...I had bought some nice original source sorbet shower gel...well two thirds of the pouch later she decided to turn on the jaccuzi! The result...a buried yeti in somewhat human form...(popped a shape over her face as I don't want her bath pics to have her face in on a public blog- she doesn't belong to me! I know it looks odd but you get the idea)</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYLoLfR6I/AAAAAAAAALs/G7hOTsZzr_c/s1600-h/DSCF1948ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103519759528314786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYLoLfR6I/AAAAAAAAALs/G7hOTsZzr_c/s320/DSCF1948ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>A cutsey lil bug I found in my raspberry plant...</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYY4LfR7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/92NHj2HMOjM/s1600-h/DSCF1955sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103519987161581490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYY4LfR7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/92NHj2HMOjM/s320/DSCF1955sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And a gorgeous sunset just begging to be snapped so I can remember the glorius weather we've had this week when it is all dark and miserable in the winter!</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYZILfR8I/AAAAAAAAAL8/2YkiCWRs3-M/s1600-h/DSCF1949sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103519991456548802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RtNYZILfR8I/AAAAAAAAAL8/2YkiCWRs3-M/s320/DSCF1949sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-101288734573514108?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-73399239348513733622007-08-19T13:59:00.001+01:002007-08-19T14:08:13.654+01:00<div><br /><br /><div>this week has been so frantic- actually the last few weeks have been but I couldn't tell you the most exciting part.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The postman arrived with this ...</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rsg_XILfR4I/AAAAAAAAALc/PGoKsYTC7Q8/s1600-h/DSCF1864ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100396244562298754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rsg_XILfR4I/AAAAAAAAALc/PGoKsYTC7Q8/s320/DSCF1864ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My designs are now available from stamps away stockists *yay* </div><br /><br /><div>There will no doubt be more to come, it has taken me a long time to be brave enough to get some doodly designs across to the manufacturers!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am tres excited, and a little scared and embarrassed too. I had lots of really wonderful support over these, and am glad I bit the bullet and did it! (my grammar is so poor today!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Got to go out in a sec but will leave you will this weeks <a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">ATF</a> layout</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RshAcYLfR5I/AAAAAAAAALk/XMUk70Sraxc/s1600-h/DSCF1868layoutemail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100397434268239762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RshAcYLfR5I/AAAAAAAAALk/XMUk70Sraxc/s320/DSCF1868layoutemail.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>ttfn -x-</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7339923934851373362?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-71460632226853950132007-08-11T21:52:00.000+01:002007-08-11T22:02:26.616+01:00today was a sad day in my little world. I ventured into town with one goal. To buy my first anti wrinkle product :( (shouldn't pull that face cos it'll make em worse lol)<br /><br />Yes as I was putting eye make up on earlier I noticed the first little lines...so on my mission I went, and came back armed with eye cream and night cream. I'll beat the blighters! LOL! To make it worse Mart was looking at my passport the other day (I'd had it out for ID at an appt I had) and I can't believe how much younger I looked just 6 years ago! Still the sun is shining :D<br /><br /><br /><br />Water is all on and sorted now, so that is a big relief, although we have enough bottled water to keep us going for months I reckon!<br /><br /><br /><br />Fab news- ghost whisperer starts again on tuesday (9pm on living tv) cannot wait, seriously love this show!<br /><br /><br /><br />MUST get hold of some new basic grey, I am smitten with periphery so will have to go shopping soon- although now I have to budget for the ageing process my stash fund will be cut *snort*<br /><br /><br /><br />Nowt exciting been happenin, so a cutsey photo of simba swinging in for a smooch then spotting the camera and posing! Dontcha love the delicately positioned foot on my face?!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rr4jZlUSdqI/AAAAAAAAALU/1SryO7UcI8g/s1600-h/DSCF1789edit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097550750650889890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rr4jZlUSdqI/AAAAAAAAALU/1SryO7UcI8g/s320/DSCF1789edit.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7146063222685395013?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-18267597262748612512007-08-06T11:51:00.000+01:002007-08-06T12:06:35.205+01:00<div>Phew- busy old week here!</div><br /><div>Well the water is kind of back on- nearly two weeks of no water was getting rather tedious! I have never been so excited about flushing a toilet! We still can't use it for drinking, food prep, washing up, brushing teeth etc (although as of this w/e we can if it is boiled and cooled) so still relying on boiled water from the bowsers, or bottled water.</div><br /><div>Daily trips to go out and collect bottled water, lugging containers of water back from the bowsers, recycling water as many times as possible, trudging to the bottom of the garden to collect water from the butts to flush the loo (and typically this new toilet is sealed so we couldn't fill the cistern).</div><br /><div>Things are so much easier already. It's amazing how quickly you get used to it. I am of course slightly concerned of going to someones house and forgetting to flush the loo, or looking for a bucket to sling water in the pan! LOL!</div><br /><div>Then of course, 20+ kids for Jasmine's birthday party last saturday! We got plenty of bottles of water for drinks, managed to get everything done. Quite a few didn't turn up which was a shame, but unbelievably the sun shone through. We have a standing record for Jasmines birthdays, she has had beautiful weather every single birthday of her life, and a party in the garden each year. With all the rain so far we really thought it would lash down, we had a metal framed gazebo in case of showers- but nope, beautiful weather and a great time was had by all...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rrb_h1USdpI/AAAAAAAAALM/nd36EHqdZIc/s1600-h/DSCF1839.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095540985129236114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rrb_h1USdpI/AAAAAAAAALM/nd36EHqdZIc/s320/DSCF1839.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>we decorated the gazebo, and with it's pointed roof it looked almost like a fairy castle. </div><div>We had a few teary (nice) moments- Jasmine opened her pressies from her uncle- and they were all psp2 accessories and games...well bless her, they won't work with her original playstation, but 'don't worry Uncle Jon- it's ok and it doesn't matter' accompanied by a big hug. Bless her heart. Cue blubbing from me and Mummy. Then she opened the last pressie from Jon, which contained a pink slimline psp2- I think it took a while for it to sink in what it really was, and she was over the moon.</div><div>I asked Jasmine if she thought Jon would buy me a pink psp2 for my birthday, and she said 'oh I'll buy you one, I've saved my money to buy the big snow white doll, and Mummy bought me that for my birthday so I can spend my money on you'...I told her it was loads of money and she told me it was ok, she would save all her money- cue more blubbing from me!</div><div>Love that girl SO much!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1826759726274861251?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-13851340050894834982007-07-23T23:19:00.000+01:002007-07-23T23:37:08.360+01:00<div>Happy Birthday Bubby Boo! This gorgeous lil cherub turned 6 whole years old today. Where the flip has the time gone?!</div><br /><div>And of course cheeky photo of the day award goes to the birthday boy himself! Flippin nutjob!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqUrN1USdoI/AAAAAAAAALE/Y8cIoNadW1A/s1600-h/DSCF1777ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090522470462682754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqUrN1USdoI/AAAAAAAAALE/Y8cIoNadW1A/s320/DSCF1777ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Floodwatch- well the water ran out today, they reckon it will be at least 5 days til they can get in to sort it out, but realistically more like 7-14 days. Watch for the swarm of flies following me about! </div><div>*touches wood* we still have power, fingers crossed it stays on. The emergency services, RAF and army have been working tirelessly all through last night and today to try and prevent any more water getting in to the sub stations. </div><div>I was stunned at the news today. The river I was taking photos of today has completely burst through its banks. The bone dry road I was stood on yesterday while taking the pics (in my last post), is now thigh deep. That was in less than 24 hours. The river is expected to peak in the early hours, and I seriously hope it will start to calm down then.</div><div>Gordon Brown flew in by helicopter today, to be fair though he did get down on the ground and visit one of the badly affected areas. A promise of more money for the clean up operation was made too.</div><div>The thing that has struck me most is the bizarre atmosphere. It is SO strange, and I have no idea how to begin to put it into words!</div><div>Thank you for your messages, we are fine, honestly. I do hope it stays that way, but we can cope without water, and power if it comes to it (although a real 'mare for people with no gas, as the water from the emergency bowsers that the military delivered has to be boiled). We are in a very fortunate way compared to so many others. I did spend the early hours of Friday morning lifting loads of stuff up higher in my scraproom, I am only just sorted from the last flood, so figured I may as well get stuff out the way as I had a bit of warning this time!</div><div> </div><div>Lots of love everyone, and stay safe and dry -x-</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1385134005089483498?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-24942287297377932032007-07-22T17:41:00.000+01:002007-07-22T18:01:50.988+01:00I don't think I have ever updated so often! LOL! <div>I guess that's what comes from not knowing when you are going to have internet!</div><div><br /></div><div>Brave or stupid? Ventured out of the house earlier for a while! This is what I saw...</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOKWlUSdjI/AAAAAAAAAKc/KSg6vHqUBRA/s1600-h/DSCF1743ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090064124437755442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOKWlUSdjI/AAAAAAAAAKc/KSg6vHqUBRA/s320/DSCF1743ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>That used to be a field- there were too many scenes like this, but much to my amusement, lots of people were boating in the fields!<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYFUSdlI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Dsfb1PSFB4Q/s1600-h/DSCF1747ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090065249719187026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYFUSdlI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Dsfb1PSFB4Q/s320/DSCF1747ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>That is the river, complete with burst banks, the bit of hedge you can see was where the bank was originally...another view below<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYFUSdmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/XBH51Ayb9eE/s1600-h/DSCF1752ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090065249719187042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYFUSdmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/XBH51Ayb9eE/s320/DSCF1752ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYVUSdnI/AAAAAAAAAK8/SMtfg2Dgdbs/s1600-h/DSCF1755ed.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s1600-h/DSCF1745ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090065245424219714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLX1USdkI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Rev6g8iULAY/s320/DSCF1745ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Took that one from the car as we were driving through behind this van</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYVUSdnI/AAAAAAAAAK8/SMtfg2Dgdbs/s1600-h/DSCF1755ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090065254014154354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RqOLYVUSdnI/AAAAAAAAAK8/SMtfg2Dgdbs/s320/DSCF1755ed.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>and lastly, the gridlock...the bridges were covered with people, police galore, and news crews. Basically that is another part of the river (across the road from the above pics) and it had burst its banks there too, so all the roads were closed off. Nice to see a bit of blue sky though!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2494228729737793203?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-63553119637439388092007-07-22T12:20:00.000+01:002007-07-22T12:25:14.573+01:00quick update while I have internet again.<br /><br />The water situation is worse still. We are still ok here, the helicopters are out in force again, as are the RNLI.<br />The water is going off shortly, the processing plant is flooded and they cannot clean any more water, so once this is gone that is it. Everyone has been out panic buying, there is NO water in any of the supermarkets, grown men are pushing children out of the way to grab the last bottles off the shelves. People are trying to get through the floods to get emergency standpipes and bottles through for drinking water, but obviously that is no easy task. Not sure how long it will be off for, Sky news are saying wednesday night at the mo, but who can tell?!<br />Will try and update here as and when I have internet connection, it is easier and quicker than going round the forums!<br />Take care all -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6355311963743938809?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-19644162582203559842007-07-21T23:44:00.000+01:002007-07-21T23:55:32.581+01:00Back, but not long how for.<br />Our town has been hit really badly by the flooding (the front page of the Sun today showed a place about 5-10 mins from me-if you have seen it- yes it really is that bad!). All the rivers have burst their banks, around 200 families in the area and neighbouring towns/cities have had to be rescued by helicopter and the whole place is madness (I couldn't even buy a loaf of bread today, lots of supermarkets were shut and those that were open had hardly anything.)<br />Poor poor Mart was stuck in it. He got on the motorway at 2pm yesterday afternoon to go and see his Dad, and arrived here at 7am this morning after having slept on a roundabout. Poor love was shattered, cold, thirsty, hungry and aching. And he didn't complain one single bit bless him. A couple of hours in bed, followed by a hot bath numerous cups of tea and some much needed food (he hadn't eaten/drunk since yesterday lunchtime) and he was fighting fit again. I spose he is still one of the very lucky ones.<br />Several friends were stuck in it (including a breast fed newborn with no Mummy in the car poor lil mite) another friend picked Mama up to take her to the car to feed her and they just could not get through. It took them over 5 hours to do a five minute journey (poor Dad had been stuck in the car with three screaming girls for 7 hours- then the car broke down too!).<br />Still we are all safe and warm now, unlike some poor souls. If I could get through to help the less fortunate I would be there like a shot, but they are not letting anyone through.<br />I hope Angela (omg I have seen Stratford) Jo (omg seen evesham too) KT and Boo are all ok and safe, and anyone else I know in the surrounding areas.<br /><br />Consequently I have had no internet since yesterday morning, just checked it quickly now and found I have a connection, but no idea how long it will last so figured it was safest to blog incase it goes again. I haven't felt this cut off for a long time!<br /><br />Lots of love to everyone and stay safe -x- Oh and if you have emailed me I will get back to you as soon as I can, I have loads to sift through!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1964416258220355984?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-42490543078696650842007-07-16T16:22:00.000+01:002007-07-16T16:41:57.471+01:00so I am back yet again!<br /><div>Have had a really difficult couple of weeks, and really needed time to reflect, and, well, just <strong>be</strong>.</div><div>Onwards and upwards (I hope). </div><div>HUGE thanks to Ali, who called me out of the blue. Just to lend some support and a friendly ear. I love you SO much girlie, and of course it was lovely to talk to you, much love to you and yours (and am hoping you are an Auntie now?!) -x-</div><div><br /></div><div>Hard to say what I have been doing really. Bit of this, bit of that. Made a few bags, here is one I made, and am waiting for more stuff to arrive.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RpuOKcvcidI/AAAAAAAAAKM/KVZ07OKB3gA/s1600-h/DSCF1740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087816514210138578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RpuOKcvcidI/AAAAAAAAAKM/KVZ07OKB3gA/s320/DSCF1740.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I am really amazed that I can actually sew! You see, years ago I caught what I though was the sewing bug, and got bought a brilliant singer machine for christmas. I figured I was never destined to be a seamstress. You see, I could never get a single good stitch from this machine, and neither could anyone else who tried. My Great Grandmother was an amazing dressmaker. She would see a dress, coat, or anything in a shop window, go back home and have one knocked up in no time. All of my Mothers clothes were made by her. </div><div>I secretly hoped there was something in the genetics, but alas, 'twas not meant to be. </div><div>That singer machine was overhauled and serviced, to no avail.</div><div><br /></div><div>So a few weeks ago, I figured I would give it another go...but not on my machine...oh no, on my Great Grandmothers vintage Singer.</div><div><br /></div><div>OMG it works like a dream.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is one like this:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RpuP2MvcieI/AAAAAAAAAKU/CRNQZB3gFIY/s1600-h/vintagesinger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087818365341043170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RpuP2MvcieI/AAAAAAAAAKU/CRNQZB3gFIY/s320/vintagesinger.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>It sews every single stitch with the perfection one would expect from a modern machine like mine. Ok, so it has no fancy stitches, you can't reverse, it has no seam markings, and no fancy electric stuff...but you know what? It is SO totally worth it. Because now I CAN SEW! I really can! There is something quite satisfying about turning that old handle.</div><div>And of course it looks so darn pretty sat on my studio desk!</div><div>The next project I am tackling is an Amy Butler number...watch this space!<br /></div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-4249054307869665084?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-15775532546952601472007-07-10T00:22:00.000+01:002007-07-10T00:23:40.306+01:00RIP Baby George.<br />Taken way too soon, finally laid to rest<br />God bless -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1577553254695260147?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-51063456773384632032007-07-03T21:17:00.000+01:002007-07-03T21:44:18.857+01:00but only briefly.<br /><br />It's been a funny old time since I last blogged.<br /><br />Bathroom is pretty much finished, just decorating to do now, then the heated towel rail to go on.<br /><br />Had some really dreadful news last week, I don't feel it is appropriate to blog about it, but it's hit really hard, and left me feeling so thankful for what I <em>do </em>have, and made me realise a lot of what I <em>want</em> to have. Big thanks to Flossie for really being there for me, and for saying exactly the right words at the right time- love ya hun -x-<br /><br /><br /><br />I played along with <a href="http://www.thedigidares.com/">the digi dares</a> again this week, it is just too easy to scrap on the laptop, in fact I finished this in bed last night lol! (click for larger image)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RoqwErNSthI/AAAAAAAAAJw/hZMTSy14d5g/s1600-h/bubbabaloosm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083068723805468178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RoqwErNSthI/AAAAAAAAAJw/hZMTSy14d5g/s320/bubbabaloosm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So this was the dare from Janet:<br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">Growing up, the song UNANSWERED PRAYERS by Garth Brooks was one of my favorites. The key phrase in the song is, “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” I am sure we have all had things in life that we really wanted but didn’t get. Although it was sad/difficult at the time we can now look back and see why NOT getting it was the best thing that could have happened. So come on, scrap about the best thing you DIDN’T get.<br />DARE FLAIR:<br />– Use a quote or song Lyric somewhere on the page– Use at least one scanned-in item (ticket stub, CD sleeve, etc)<br />OR–<br />Try a technique that you have never tried before and tell us what it is (so we can tell you how great you were at it!)</span></em><br /><br />So, this layout is about my first parrot Baloo. Anyone who knows me even slightly will know about my passion for parrots- most specifically African Greys. The short story: I wanted one for years and years.<br />I bought the cage, the whole setup, and just by chance I wandered by a reopening of a large pet store. I vowed never to buy animals from there, but went in for a look.<br />And there he was. I could not walk out of that store and leave him there. Fingers poking in the cage, staff trying to teach him to swear, the wrong diet. Just couldn't do it. So I bought him. Picked him up the next day, and settled him in. We bonded very quickly, I have never known anything like it. Sadly, Baloo was very very poorly, and died just 12 weeks later. It totally ripped me apart. He was with the very best avian vet in this country, and I swear I prayed so hard for him to get better. He lost his fight, and is now in a better place, free from pain and suffering.<br />Ok, so I may not have made any difference to any other parrot, but I am so glad for the time we had together. I loved him more than anything else, and looked after him properly. I feel I 'saved' him from having a miserable end in a shop with no real mummy.<br /><br />So- back to the layout!<br /><br />The journaling reads:<br />We had just twelve short weeks together before you lost your fight.<br />My heart was totally shattered, but I have always maintained that I was so happy to have given<br />you 3 months of happiness, all the love I had and the best possible care, rather than leave you where you were on your own with no particular person chucking a bit of food at you as and when. I am so thankful for the time we had together, I learned so very much from you my bubbabaloo xxx<br /><br />I shed a fair few tears doing this layout- but I think it is healing to do :)<br /><br />I used the title 'What good have you done, by saving just this one' which is also from a Garth Brooks song, 'The Change'. Beautiful lyrics, gorgeous song.<br />Had nothing relevant to scan in tho :(<br />But I did try something new- I used blending, embossing and shadows on the journaling (never done that before and probs never will again lol- just played!) and burned marks onto the parts where the staples go into the paper/photo-it's subtle- but I think it works.<br />Oh and another new thing for me- using a clip then erasing the part it covers to look like the clip was slid onto the photo. If that makes ANY sense at all lol! Not so good with the words today pmsl- I blame the weather!<br />Credits: Paper; Katie Pertiet, brush; Jason at designfruit, staples; Gina Miller, stitched corners; Sarah Batdorf, clip; Shabby Princess, font from two peas (I think- sorry!)<br /><em></em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5106345677338463203?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-82981540510682042552007-06-24T15:22:00.000+01:002007-06-24T15:54:10.348+01:00Manic.<br /><div>That describes the last two weeks for me pretty much!</div><div>The story:</div><div>Two years ago we went to a local home and garden show and spotted <a href="http://www.worldofwater.uk.com/products/steam_showers/sc-2004-sh.html">this</a> somehow we ended up buying one with the whirlpool/jaccuzi function for our tiny bathroom. Measured up, yup the smaller size would fit, got a good deal on it, weren't ready to have it put in but that was fine, as long as we took delivery within a year. So, last September we finally had it delivered. </div><div>It has since been stored here- half of it in the conservatory and half of it in the garage (it is HUGE).</div><div>The plumbers were finally ready to fit it the week before last.</div><div><br /></div><div>So off we go, new toilet and sink, no probs. </div><div>They fit the base of the bath, but can't get the side panels up the stairs. </div><div><br /></div><div>So on Tuesday morning (bearing in mind we are running off a temp water supply at this point for over a week) we have to pay a glazier to take my bedroom window out and put the panel through. Result!</div><div>The plumbers come out to fit it, and are expecting the other workmen to have attached it to the bath base ready to plumb in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wrong!</div><div><br /></div><div>We go to bring the other panel up (are you still with me?) and </div><div><br />IT<br />WON'T</div><div>FIT!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, Wednesday morning I have to have the window out AGAIN! Argh!</div><div><br /></div><div>More probs along the way but finally the spaceship is in! We had 6 blokes in our tiny bathroom Friday night trying to get it together- thats two plumbers, two electricians and two oddjob men.</div><div><br /></div><div>And it is F A B!</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I may live in there forever!</div><div>I actually think there is a button on the control panel to transport you to another dimension!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6D8T3WYdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/lzmMBVYi5mQ/s1600-h/DSCF1686sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079642501868315090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6D8T3WYdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/lzmMBVYi5mQ/s320/DSCF1686sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6Duz3WYaI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/H8_YsJC4Cto/s1600-h/DSCF1688sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079642269940081058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6Duz3WYaI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/H8_YsJC4Cto/s320/DSCF1688sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6DvD3WYbI/AAAAAAAAAJY/proK2C7L5HU/s1600-h/DSCF1687sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079642274235048370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6DvD3WYbI/AAAAAAAAAJY/proK2C7L5HU/s320/DSCF1687sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6DvT3WYcI/AAAAAAAAAJg/N2X8Lo5YgBc/s1600-h/DSCF1685sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079642278530015682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6DvT3WYcI/AAAAAAAAAJg/N2X8Lo5YgBc/s320/DSCF1685sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Totally PMSL at the last warning on this label (sorry its a tad blurry)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6Duz3WYZI/AAAAAAAAAJI/Lk312XUbpUw/s1600-h/DSCF1689sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079642269940081042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6Duz3WYZI/AAAAAAAAAJI/Lk312XUbpUw/s320/DSCF1689sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>But we have a leak on the hardboard floor base! PMSL! Why can't anything be straight forward!?</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Had a little bit of much needed playtime this morning, so decided to play along with <a href="http://www.thedigidares.com/">the digi dares</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is mine- Simba is so funny with this and the tone of voice he uses- he quite often says- 'hello bubby' or 'are you alright bubby' lol. love that lil guy :D (click for larger image)</div><div>Credits: Gina Caberra delightful kit, and Kate Pertiet kraft paper<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6CRz3WYYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/R5HN51CRWJM/s1600-h/bubbysm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079640672212246914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rn6CRz3WYYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/R5HN51CRWJM/s320/bubbysm.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">A True Friend</a> went live with the latest challenge on Tuesday- I won't add the pics again here as there are so many. We have some great plans in store for the blog, Laurie and I have been in cahoots for a while now ;)<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8298154051068204255?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-89008764249246490872007-06-12T13:25:00.000+01:002007-06-12T13:49:12.515+01:00So the 80th birthday bash was a roaring success :)<br />We started the day (at daft o'clock), went over to Nan's and restyled her hair in a similar style to the way the hairdresser did it- of course after 10 mins in the car with windows open it was all over the shop!<br /><br />Off to Tonyrefail in Wales. This was where my Nan was born and raised. We went to the exact house, which has just been sold so had newspaper in the windows, therefore couldn't see a whole lot.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8D3WYPI/AAAAAAAAAH4/E5KsXxXdwWE/s1600-h/DSCF1549sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075154291108765938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8D3WYPI/AAAAAAAAAH4/E5KsXxXdwWE/s320/DSCF1549sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have never heard my Nan talk so much! In a good way tho- this place is called this, we used to go here, I used to do this, I used to slide down that massive hill on a piece of cardboard...lol!<br /><br /><br /><br />We had a little walk about, much reminiscing, and Nan decided she would like to go to the local cemetary to her parents grave but was very concerned that she had no flowers to take, BINGO there is always a somerfield close by lol- so we grabbed some flowers and off we went...<br />had to take a pic of this<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8T3WYQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/DLMYqfZ1bG0/s1600-h/DSCF1553sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075154295403733250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8T3WYQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/DLMYqfZ1bG0/s320/DSCF1553sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then off to the hotel for lunch, Nan had no idea, and walked straight past her surprise guests lol!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8z3WYSI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Gs24fKoCq_k/s1600-h/DSCF1566sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075154303993667874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8z3WYSI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Gs24fKoCq_k/s320/DSCF1566sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Amazing food and service<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R9D3WYTI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Lo2gV6bvraw/s1600-h/DSCF1568sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075154308288635186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R9D3WYTI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Lo2gV6bvraw/s320/DSCF1568sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TGD3WYVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/8001BLFmgd0/s1600-h/DSCF1571sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075155562419085650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TGD3WYVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/8001BLFmgd0/s320/DSCF1571sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gorgeous surroundings<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TFz3WYUI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oJnFi0Orw48/s1600-h/DSCF1569sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075155558124118338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TFz3WYUI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oJnFi0Orw48/s320/DSCF1569sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The birthday gal<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8j3WYRI/AAAAAAAAAII/RKFVHHlBFMg/s1600-h/DSCF1557sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075154299698700562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8j3WYRI/AAAAAAAAAII/RKFVHHlBFMg/s320/DSCF1557sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then for some reason my brother decided we needed to go for a walk on Aber-something beach, beautiful clean sands and gorgeous warm water...<br /><br />so Nan hoiked her skirt up and waded into the water in her tights! LOL!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6U7j3WYXI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_NCXIZ2qT20/s1600-h/DSCF1601sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075157581053714802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6U7j3WYXI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_NCXIZ2qT20/s320/DSCF1601sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My poor Mum got dragged into the water fully clothed by Victoria and then had to sit her sodden clothes all the way home!<br /><br />Oh and of course, no trip to Wales (even tho it was mostly 28 degrees) is complete without some of this...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TGT3WYWI/AAAAAAAAAIw/cx0cIL6-NYY/s1600-h/DSCF1646sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075155566714052962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6TGT3WYWI/AAAAAAAAAIw/cx0cIL6-NYY/s320/DSCF1646sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All in all a wonderful day to remember, a full memory card, and lots of tired people!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rm6R8z3WYSI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Gs24fKoCq_k/s1600-h/DSCF1566sm.jpg"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8900876424924649087?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-21209446750944625672007-06-06T00:01:00.000+01:002007-06-06T00:30:19.698+01:00<div>Hoping t'interweb holds out for this post- it's been a right arse lately! </div><br /><br /><div>Challenge four is up at <a href="http://a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">A True Friend</a> and this one is all about the little details- yanow those little things about your pets that you just can't get enough of??</div><br /><br /><div>Simba's toes are a firm fave of mine, they are sooo cute! Ok probably not to anyone else but I simply adore them!</div><br /><br /><div></div>bazzill, studio g stamps (God I love these and so need the new releases like erm yesterday?), stazon, ki memories paper, imagination project papers, oooooodles of buttons (each one hand sewn and doodled on some), american crafts stickers, mm rub ons, various pens<br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RmXsWj3WYOI/AAAAAAAAAHw/mjpRT3M_Yj0/s1600-h/DSCF1509email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072720427631403234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RmXsWj3WYOI/AAAAAAAAAHw/mjpRT3M_Yj0/s320/DSCF1509email.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Other news- erm- well mostly I have been preparing for my Nan's 80th this weekend, she would not want a party so we have decided to take her to the house she was born in (in Tonyrefail, Wales) then off for a posh lunch in wales with just close family. Of course that was just the easy bit, it's getting everything bought and ordered. I mean what do you buy for someone who doesn't need or want anything? So I have bought her a plot of land in Scotland which then legally entitles her to use the title of 'Lady', some coins from the year she was born, a planter, chocs, and have booked for a hairdresser to go round to her house to cut and style her hair for her- she had her styled last summer and she looked so fabulous that she really shone!</div><div> </div><div>grrrr lost the rest of the post- but suffice to say that the cake is ordered, printed ribbon on its way, balloons to pick up, posh gift bags bought, table decs (in best possible taste of course) all ready to go- just hope we haven't forgotten anything! Just hope she feels really spesh :)</div><div> </div><div>ttfn -x-</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2120944675094462567?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-78852166089822589172007-05-29T01:11:00.000+01:002007-05-29T01:12:19.686+01:00<blockquote><p><br />ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.addictinggames.com/theimpossiblequiz.html">The impossible quiz</a></p></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7885216608982258917?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-76080779964433021502007-05-24T23:27:00.000+01:002007-05-24T23:38:24.911+01:00been somewhat hectic!<br /><div></div><br /><div>So since my last blog I have completed all of the courses I wanted to do, most in photography, and I am feeling all fired up and want to do more!</div><br /><div></div><div>The latest challenge is up at <a href="http://a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">A True Friend</a> on the theme of 'Playtime'.</div><div>Nice easy one for me, as Simba is a perpetual toddler in feathered form!</div><br /><div>He loves his bought toys, but also loves anyone who brings him a water bottle, or a cup from macdonalds, or a straw, or a milk carton! lol He loves his made up games (does anybody else in the world own a parrot who instigates games of peepo?), and his 'junk' toys.</div><br /><div>So I focused my layout on his love of junk toys and made up games/fave pastimes, the inner card from a double sided tape roll, scaling his way up a wicker table, swinging upside down off my hand and a water bottle (he even does the pouring water sound effects when playing with them).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RlYTdp371DI/AAAAAAAAAHo/Sr1M6LqXFXc/s1600-h/DSCF1467email.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068259830829667378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RlYTdp371DI/AAAAAAAAAHo/Sr1M6LqXFXc/s320/DSCF1467email.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Black card from stash, BG lollipoppe shop, star die cuts, die cut photo anchors, eyelets and brads from stash, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, chalk inks and a bit of doodlyness.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7608077996443302150?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-2825641684374533182007-05-12T20:24:00.000+01:002007-05-12T20:44:21.487+01:00<div>So, yesterday I toddled off to have my fortune told..I did not expect said fortune teller to be wearing pink crocs lol- we hit it off straight away ;)</div><div> </div><div>So what did she tell me?</div><div>Well, let me tell you first, that there is one thing about myself that not many people know about, even some of my closest family. I have always maintained that if someone giving me a 'reading' could tell me that one thing, then I would be totally convinced. </div><div>She did.</div><div>And got it spot on.</div><div>And I welled up lol!</div><div>I have to transcribe it all so will no doubt forget loads til I have done that.</div><div>So, out of my 15 main cards (I chose to have my cards read as you can get a lot more out of it and also ask questions), they all tied together in groups. Four of them told of a death (she did ask me several times if I wanted to know the bad, and when she turned the cards asked if I was sure), I wanted to continue, and although not entirely sure who it is at the moment, there is a death on the way.</div><div>I am NOT dwelling on it, Iam not worrying about it- what's the point?</div><div>Everything else was REALLY great and I came away with a hoppity-skip in my step.</div><div>I WILL marry and it will be a very good and happy marriage, and I WILL have kids.</div><div>I have spent so long pondering if it will ever happen.</div><div>I am very creative, good with my hands and anything I choose to do with this I can make successful. </div><div>She told me so very much about Mart, why he is the way he is, what he has been through, the fact that he works for himself and is hugely successful at what he does. </div><div>I will be buying property, and I shall also be very successful in what I do with the property (not sure what that's all about just yet).</div><div>One of the first things she picked up on (and i had subsequent cards that said the same) is that I get very depressed, and in a round-a-bout way get depressed about being depressed (yet I went in all smiles doing my 'happy me' bit that I have perfected), but there is light at the end of the tunnel :)</div><div>I came out shaking, and pretty much unable to speak.</div><div>Of course we were all sharing our experiences in the car, and the funy thing was that out of the four of us, the only link was my Mum, and she managed to tie us all in together, she had no knowledge of what relationship we were to eachother.</div><div>Like, she told my Mum she had two children, and she could see there being a wedding for one, and that it would be to a good man (my brother is already married), then when I went in she told me I was not married (I had no rings on anyway and had hidden my hands ;) ) but I would be getting married...</div><div> </div><div>All very very interesting! I will go again to see her (she stays here at certain times of the year- well about 20 mins away).</div><div> </div><div>This is where the reading took place...</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkYUzfhpCaI/AAAAAAAAAHY/TJ4pCkOp_gg/s1600-h/DSCF1462sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063757705893185954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkYUzfhpCaI/AAAAAAAAAHY/TJ4pCkOp_gg/s320/DSCF1462sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Afterwards, we were all in need of a good cuppa, so travelled to Bourton on the water, a beautifully quaint little village, hit a few shops, and had chips sat on the waterfront while feeding the birds.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkYUz_hpCbI/AAAAAAAAAHg/EtJYiXZNsvc/s1600-h/DSCF1464sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063757714483120562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkYUz_hpCbI/AAAAAAAAAHg/EtJYiXZNsvc/s320/DSCF1464sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>This place gets really manic in the summer, it seems to have turned into a real tourist spot over the last few years. But the kids, dogs etc all jump in the water for a splash around and have a great time!</div><div> </div><div>After that we headed over to Stow on the wold, hit a few more shops (I tell you, if you like antiques this is the place to go) but don't try and make a day of it cos you just can't!</div><div> </div><div>Then back home and another vet trip for poor Jessicat who has been a little bit poorly. Another couple of jabs later and she is on top form now- she can't stop eating (that'll be the steroids she is on) and is spending lots of time prancing about the garden like a ninny!</div><br /><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-282564168437453318?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-12644166537057323842007-05-08T22:54:00.000+01:002007-05-08T23:04:27.573+01:00no blog!<br /><br />TBH I've been busy busy but nowt so exciting that I had to drop everything and rush online to tell you lol!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.a-true-friend.blogspot.com/">A True Friend</a> challenge two goes live soon, really enjoyed doing this one, will add the layout here too when it is live.<br /><br /><br /><br />Been doing lots of digi faffing, learned lots of new things, and made some papers and bits too, have to say I am quite pleased with them, which is saying something as I am a fussy bugger!<br /><br />May pop them up here for download when I have perfected the art ;)<br /><br /><br /><br />Can't leave without a pic of something so here is a random digi...so very basic, but it took all of five minutes while I stopped for a coffee one day! Just fancied a play about so I did- that is the beauty of doin' it digi style I guess! Credit: shabby princess wild love<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkDy2_hpCZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/S8xjPA8NDPk/s1600-h/wildlovelayoutblog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062313007743830418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RkDy2_hpCZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/S8xjPA8NDPk/s320/wildlovelayoutblog.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-1264416653705732384?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-76367488040967556762007-04-24T19:26:00.000+01:002007-04-24T19:34:56.012+01:00<a href="http://a-true-friend.blogspot.com/2007/04/welcome.html">A true friend</a> is now live! <div>This is a fantastic new venture that I was asked to take part in run by the fabulous Laurie.</div><div>There are so many people who scrap their pets, let's face it they are a part of the family for most of us, yet there is rarely any inspiration for layouts featuring our furry, feathered and scaled pals. </div><div>That is where the blog comes in. Every fortnight there will be a new challenge set, the design team will add their take to the challenge, and will be inviting everyone else to do the same.</div><br /><div>Challenge one- 'introducing' is now live, and we would love to see lots of fabulous creations :D</div><div>I am so excited about this!</div><div> </div><div>This is my layout for challenge one, </div><br /><div>'Introducing Simba'</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ri5NWm8cyaI/AAAAAAAAAHI/TEBh-uI3_uY/s1600-h/DSCF1332intro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057064482390198690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ri5NWm8cyaI/AAAAAAAAAHI/TEBh-uI3_uY/s320/DSCF1332intro.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>White cardstock, basic grey paper, heidi swapp chipboard heart, gemstones, paint, stamps, acetate, MM cheeky clip and chipboard letters :)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7636748804096755676?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-37605906271032030912007-04-23T16:00:00.000+01:002007-04-23T16:15:22.508+01:00<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1423ed4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1429ed1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1430ed2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1431ed3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1427ed5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/DSCF1428ed6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, this my friends is product spread the entire length of my landing and back again! To say I am overwhelmed is somewhat of an understatement!<br />This was the package I received today from the wonderful people at <a href="http://www.imaginationproject.com">imagination project</a><br />How fabulously wonderful and generous they are...I am feeling all fired up to create after being in a rut for a while! These are the new products and are utterly gorgeous- all of them- I think I have most of the new CHA releases, plus more besides!<br />THANK YOU to Ginger, Kayla and all at IP- you have made a very happy scrapper today :D<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-3760590627103203091?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-67197540968469207052007-04-19T13:30:00.000+01:002007-04-19T13:42:41.685+01:00Fabulous jumping from J and lettie yesterday morning- especially as she had her first bad fall last week (pony refused and spun round, J fell off and landed ON the jump! she was fine tho)...can you believe that this child is only 6?!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh6atWobI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1E-FY5zSres/s1600-h/DSCF1343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055116762976526770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh6atWobI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1E-FY5zSres/s320/DSCF1343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the ever beautiful Amelia- (now four months!)<br /><br />In her bumbo (I nagged for her to have one of these marvellous inventions!)<br /><br />This is her 'shouting' face!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh7KtWodI/AAAAAAAAAGg/LL7iTsopv8c/s1600-h/DSCF1388.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055116775861428690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh7KtWodI/AAAAAAAAAGg/LL7iTsopv8c/s320/DSCF1388.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and some gorgeous close ups- she amazes me...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWofI/AAAAAAAAAGw/HR4UJsmWoYQ/s1600-h/DSCF1401ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055117621969986034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWofI/AAAAAAAAAGw/HR4UJsmWoYQ/s320/DSCF1401ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWogI/AAAAAAAAAG4/C3bRJwFLZ20/s1600-h/DSCF1400ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055117621969986050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWogI/AAAAAAAAAG4/C3bRJwFLZ20/s320/DSCF1400ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisqtWohI/AAAAAAAAAHA/OZHfWwlA0WY/s1600-h/DSCF1395ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055117626264953362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisqtWohI/AAAAAAAAAHA/OZHfWwlA0WY/s320/DSCF1395ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWoeI/AAAAAAAAAGo/3QNMI4I2Jx8/s1600-h/DSCF1402ed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055117621969986018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RidisatWoeI/AAAAAAAAAGo/3QNMI4I2Jx8/s320/DSCF1402ed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and some purty flowers just for good measure lol!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh66tWocI/AAAAAAAAAGY/p36Qt8c9KiY/s1600-h/DSCF1349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055116771566461378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ridh66tWocI/AAAAAAAAAGY/p36Qt8c9KiY/s320/DSCF1349.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hope you are all enjoying the beautifl weather :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6719754096846920705?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-25555481969290205652007-04-15T15:42:00.001+01:002007-04-15T15:43:36.491+01:00...to say huge congrats to <a href="http://jo-again.blogspot.com/">jo</a> and family on the arrival of Jessica Joanne (8lb 14oz) today :D<br />Can't wait for pics- lots of love -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2555548196929020565?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-52193618972976166632007-04-13T13:11:00.000+01:002007-04-13T13:21:44.984+01:00<div>Nowt exciting happening right now.<br /><div>Next door neighbour had someone come into her house in the early hours of this morning, they took her car keys- and nothing else- then pootled away in her car! Cheeky swines- still it's a blessing that they didn't make any mess or steal anything else. The locksmiths are here at the mo sorting the locks out (well obv. duh!)</div><br /><div>Thankfully I am a bit obsessive in my before bed routine of checking and double checking everything is locked, and since somebody let themself into my Nan's house back last year and stole her friend's handbag I am very viglant in keeping the doors locked in the day when I am in the house.</div><div> </div><div>Mo and Jo have been to visit a couple of times this week and given me the cardmaking bug again- so just a few to share- the bird and scallop phase are still with me (I don't think they will ever go) and I am so happy that birds are the in thing just now- it is SOOOO me!</div><br /><p>papermill cardstock, BG phoebe papers, DCWV papers, papersalon and dovecraft (I think) stamps<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh90gfiFr7I/AAAAAAAAAF4/dXJ93qF4fv4/s1600-h/DSCF1336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052885408502099890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh90gfiFr7I/AAAAAAAAAF4/dXJ93qF4fv4/s320/DSCF1336.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh91K_iFr8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/M6c63cr0fnU/s1600-h/DSCF1337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052886138646540226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh91K_iFr8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/M6c63cr0fnU/s320/DSCF1337.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Quite into making mini cards at the mo too!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh91cfiFr9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/mBg15uR07g8/s1600-h/DSCF1338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052886439294250962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rh91cfiFr9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/mBg15uR07g8/s320/DSCF1338.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5219361897297616663?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-76558616100114852282007-04-10T11:22:00.000+01:002007-04-10T11:58:51.629+01:00Hope you all had a goodun, I know I did in all the glorious sunshine!<br />Spent a good portion of sunday spring cleaning Simba's cage with the pressure washer- the temptation to blast unsuspecting passers by was all too much though!<br />Yesterday involved a shopping trip to Swindon, which means the papermill shop! YAY!<br />Been a bit manic here as usual, Friday saw me putting up a 10 foot trampoline for J, and then spending over an hour bouncing with her- I was exhausted but what fun!<br />I have managed to shed half a stone in the last two weeks- not bad seeing as I have had so much take away food!<br />Off to the stables tomorrow, and more trampolining!<br />Will leave you with a few DT image from <a href="http://www.ribbonmad.co.uk/">Ribbon mad</a><br />Hybrid mini book (credits to shabby princess)<br />This is made from one sheet of 12x12 plus extra card for the cover<br /><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtnB_iFrwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/IYedLLmOMVA/s1600-h/cover.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051744690958085890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtnB_iFrwI/AAAAAAAAAEg/IYedLLmOMVA/s400/cover.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Page one and two- this is what you see when you open the cover<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtqB_iFr1I/AAAAAAAAAFI/53RpEciRWXo/s1600-h/page1and2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051747989492969298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtqB_iFr1I/AAAAAAAAAFI/53RpEciRWXo/s320/page1and2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lift up the above two pages and you get this:<br />(12x12 scored into quarters, cut up one line from edge to centre)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtpAviFrzI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5ssewQbGDI4/s1600-h/inside+pages.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051746868506505010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtpAviFrzI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5ssewQbGDI4/s320/inside+pages.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This creates a flap so you can flip the pages down to get more layouts on, like this:<br />(the top two pages flip down so you can fold the book to close the cover making a book that is just over 6x6- but one sheet of card therefore makes 6 pages!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtpgviFr0I/AAAAAAAAAFA/y0xbTuu22ow/s1600-h/inside+pages+with+outer+page+folded+in.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051747418262318914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtpgviFr0I/AAAAAAAAAFA/y0xbTuu22ow/s320/inside+pages+with+outer+page+folded+in.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A couple of cards and a tag:<br /><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrTPiFr4I/AAAAAAAAAFg/MfHtOQ3v4ys/s1600-h/DSCF1317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051749385357340546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrTPiFr4I/AAAAAAAAAFg/MfHtOQ3v4ys/s320/DSCF1317.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrSfiFr2I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/hnIt70O8aeE/s1600-h/Copy+of+DSCF1316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051749372472438626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrSfiFr2I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/hnIt70O8aeE/s320/Copy+of+DSCF1316.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrS_iFr3I/AAAAAAAAAFY/2wZygSfJ9ac/s1600-h/DSCF1315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051749381062373234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrS_iFr3I/AAAAAAAAAFY/2wZygSfJ9ac/s320/DSCF1315.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the oh so cool doly bags- the ribbon kits come in these great dolly bags, which I altered (come on it would be rude not to!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrTviFr5I/AAAAAAAAAFo/fXoDb0fg7mU/s1600-h/DSCF1325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051749393947275154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrTviFr5I/AAAAAAAAAFo/fXoDb0fg7mU/s320/DSCF1325.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrUPiFr6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/0DTPS7Hmpzo/s1600-h/DSCF1326.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051749402537209762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrUPiFr6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/0DTPS7Hmpzo/s320/DSCF1326.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RhtrS_iFr3I/AAAAAAAAAFY/2wZygSfJ9ac/s1600-h/DSCF1315.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7655861610011485228?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-77162799165607114212007-03-28T09:31:00.000+01:002007-03-28T09:37:57.148+01:00Just!<br />Thought I'd better pop in to let you know I haven't died!<br />Things have been really manic, so much on all at once, then Friday I was struck down in my prime with a horrid bout of tonsillitis!<br />Still- I didn't let it stop me (I had no choice!) and carried on as much as I could, although I did feel somewhat drained.<br />Anyhoodle- am better now, and trying to catch up with deadlines and stuff one by one!<br />Quickish post today, I should be able to update more regularly now (once I am all caught up with other stuff), got a new whizzy (PINK!) laptop (thank you direct line!), so I am surfing at speed once again. Blogger was a total nightmare on the desktop, everything was so much bloody hard work on there and soooooo s l o w!<br />Hope all is well with everyone...catch ya laters!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7716279916560711421?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-77809787430881877172007-03-16T13:32:00.000Z2007-03-16T13:52:50.692ZI have had many many conversations on various forums about tattoos. I have two small ones, a star on my right arm, and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rhonna</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Farrer</span> swirl on the side of my left foot. Mart, on the other hand, has quite an impressive selection! I have said so many times that I want to photograph them, but he does not like having his picture taken (I can count on one hand the number of snaps I have of him)- so last week while he was in bed (awake but led on his front) I grabbed the camera- sadly I got sprung, but for once he actually let me take some shots! I think he quite liked looking at them too cos he can't see them! Bear in mind this is just his back, he has some on his chest and one on each thigh too! When we first met, he had 3 in total- just look now! I have lost count! I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">squiffed</span> the names and dates out- it's his nieces and nephew, and Mum and Dad.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Overall view of his back- some go round the side a bit so difficult to get them in- I was very careful not to photograph his arse- only I need to see that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lol</span>!<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqdj6b-sBI/AAAAAAAAADs/x9WL1dW-19s/s1600-h/2007_03160002edit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042515973102284818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqdj6b-sBI/AAAAAAAAADs/x9WL1dW-19s/s400/2007_03160002edit.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br />This is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cover up</span> of an old tat.</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqdj6b-sCI/AAAAAAAAAD0/eg99-qROcR8/s1600-h/2007_03160003edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042515973102284834" style="WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 354px" height="377" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqdj6b-sCI/AAAAAAAAAD0/eg99-qROcR8/s400/2007_03160003edit.JPG" width="298" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This one is also a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cover up</span> and I think looks like a cabbage!</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RfqdkKb-sDI/AAAAAAAAAD8/ebGlkDdl-6Y/s1600-h/2007_03160004edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042515977397252146" style="CURSOR: hand" height="307" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RfqdkKb-sDI/AAAAAAAAAD8/ebGlkDdl-6Y/s400/2007_03160004edit.JPG" width="201" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Really don't like this one!</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RfqdkKb-sEI/AAAAAAAAAEE/nHzsTQC2OsM/s1600-h/2007_03160005edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042515977397252162" style="WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" height="322" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RfqdkKb-sEI/AAAAAAAAAEE/nHzsTQC2OsM/s400/2007_03160005edit.JPG" width="251" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Will try and snap the others when he lets me!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All the classes I was putting together are finished and ready to go- a couple of sneaky peeks-</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqgxqb-sFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RVt2fG7HquM/s1600-h/2007_03160007edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042519507860369490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqgxqb-sFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RVt2fG7HquM/s400/2007_03160007edit.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqgzqb-sGI/AAAAAAAAAEU/lc1u3ClzdZU/s1600-h/2007_03160008edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042519542220107874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rfqgzqb-sGI/AAAAAAAAAEU/lc1u3ClzdZU/s400/2007_03160008edit.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7780978743088187717?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-90223218137603785182007-03-05T14:25:00.000Z2007-03-05T14:50:24.607Ztypical! Got that nasty fluey cold bug again that's been doing the rounds! <div><div>Starting to feel a bit better now *touches wood* so have spent a busy weekend trying to play catch up!</div><div> </div><div>Lots of classes to prepare for and write up- getting there slowly but surely :) Thank you to my guinea pig emms! ;)</div><br /><div>Heard that lovely clunking sound on saturday morning- you know the one when the postie has been and left you something nice?!</div><div>Scrapbook Inspirations mag is in the building! This issue was the £5 challenge for me, piddled myself at my description- cheap and chic *snort*</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rewpu2Q2gYI/AAAAAAAAADc/pLk0Q-tqlyk/s1600-h/DSCF1297sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038447967937659266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rewpu2Q2gYI/AAAAAAAAADc/pLk0Q-tqlyk/s400/DSCF1297sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>Here is the layout I did- typically, said Mr Postie did rather crumple the mag-</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RewqlWQ2gZI/AAAAAAAAADk/Lv7-RANpfG8/s1600-h/DSCF1299sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038448904240529810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RewqlWQ2gZI/AAAAAAAAADk/Lv7-RANpfG8/s400/DSCF1299sm.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Had great fun making this one- I really really love doing work for SI mag- they are so easy to work with, always pay up promptly, and never fail to return layouts in pristine condition. I've only ever done work for creative scrapbooking before SI, and they were great too, but there is something I can't quite put my finger on about SI- love it!</div><div> </div><div>Sadly, the lounge and bumblebeecrafts closed it doors last night :(</div><div>This has always been my first port of call when I switch my computer on. In fact it is a habit that has been going on for so long, that I still clicked on the lounge this morning :(</div><div>It has been a huge part of my internet life for a long time, I quickly became moderator along with my fellow lounge honeys Shirl, Beth and Jen. I have made some fantastic friends, and they are friendships that will last. It was also the beginning of another love story- scrapping! Because of the lounge I started scrapping, which led to me being published, going on to winning Best of British, getting several design team spots, and doing bits of work for Scrapbook Inspirations magazine. So a huge thank you to Anna, for making this my online home for the last few years. I am truly sad to see it go, but, on to bigger and better things for you as a Mum, designer, and business woman :)</div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-9022321813760378518?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-87643561279265698172007-02-23T11:23:00.000Z2007-02-23T11:46:41.582ZI've been trying to sort my sleep pattern out a bit lately. After being ill so many times recently I could have slept not only for England, but Europe, and in fact the entire universe. When I get up I am still totally exhausted, even after more sleep than I should need. Something is obviously working, as it is getting easier to get up in the morning. I have increased my fruit and veg intake, and also started eating less 'white' foods. Rice is now brown wholegrain rice (tesco do a great one that still tastes like white rice), as white rice is stripped of every single thing that is good for you. So effectively it is an empty food. Bread is now brown too, and I have even bought wholemeal pasta! Not tried it yet (its years since I have tried it) but I think I will mix it up with white to start with! Hey- it's a step in the right direction!<br />I have been reading one of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gillian-McKeiths-Ultimate-Health-Plan/dp/0718148916/sr=8-2/qid=1172230074/ref=pd_ka_2/202-5144308-4635821?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books">Gillian McKeith's books</a> I am not dieting as such, but trying to be more aware of what I am putting into my body. Don't get me wrong- I am not following the plan in this book as such, just making small changes for the better. Like the rice thing- what is the point of eating it if my body gets absolutely nothing from it? Particularly when I can eat rice that tastes pretty much the same but is packed full of vitamin B!<br /><div>Whether I am feeling better because of the food changes, or something else I don't know but I am gonna keep on! It's all good!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A huge toot and a honk for <a href="http://fruitysuet.blogspot.com/">Suzanne</a> and <a href="http://wickedcaz.blogspot.com/">Caz</a> for being selected to go through to the next round in <a href="http://www.makingmemories.typepad.com/mmidol/">MM Idol</a> So deserved girlies! (had to pimp your bush lol)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So many things to photograph right now, and so little time- so will leave you with a recent layout that I actually love (very rare) </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rd7Ti8eMbcI/AAAAAAAAADQ/9GSF8SYztDQ/s1600-h/DSCF1265ad.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034694030748577218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Rd7Ti8eMbcI/AAAAAAAAADQ/9GSF8SYztDQ/s400/DSCF1265ad.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-8764356127926569817?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-25340189054624813042007-02-18T13:37:00.000Z2007-02-18T13:55:01.335ZSo I am back (again) and this time I am another year older *sigh*!<br /><div>PC is still running like treacle, and laptop has now passed away *RIP*</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First off some thank yous...for all the gorgeous cards I was sent, and gorgeous goodies too!</div><div>From Jen- BPS product playground- loving it!</div><div>From Shirl- AMM tote IN PINK! She is all filled up and I have used her every single day!</div><div>From Beth- paperartsy stamps and dew drop inks *slurp* have had great fun playing</div><div>Ali- thank you for the box of yumminess!</div><div>You gals all know me far too well!</div><div> </div><div>I had loads of goodies and was totally spoilt! My Mum, bless her, took the day off work so she could take me for lunch. We went to a fab pub out of town called the house in the tree, we have been there a few times, but not for ages. Always great food, a roaring open fire and happy people! The field mushrooms in stilton were to die for!</div><br /><div>Had a lovely morning with Amy and Amelia, and got this gorgeousness to add to my ever growing collection...another person who knows me far too well (I often think Amy knows me better than I know myself)</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ4UlnWsI/AAAAAAAAACs/nw6Nl_CmtPM/s1600-h/2007_02130084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032871407720553154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ4UlnWsI/AAAAAAAAACs/nw6Nl_CmtPM/s400/2007_02130084.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>All in all a lovely day :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The studio- this is coming along nicely, the floor is laid- see pic-love that guy, who gave up his sunday to lay it for me gratis- and furniture put together, still in a bit of a mess, gonna shut myself in there later and do some sorting out. Will take some more pics when I am straight! (if ever!)</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ40lnWtI/AAAAAAAAAC0/VbFniB5vdek/s1600-h/2007_02130003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032871416310487762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ40lnWtI/AAAAAAAAAC0/VbFniB5vdek/s400/2007_02130003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Amelia is totally flourishing! She is a beautiful baby who I adore so very much! She pretty much sleeps through the night every night already- which is fab for a breast fed baby at 2 months! She is a real smiler, and coos away at you when you talk to her. She is at the stage now where she totally recognises who is holding her, and who is talking to her- she turns her head to see you and beams!</div><br /><p>and, at last, she has some chunk on her thighs to grab!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ5ElnWuI/AAAAAAAAAC8/_NNK0lQFBnQ/s1600-h/2007_02130027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032871420605455074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RdhZ5ElnWuI/AAAAAAAAAC8/_NNK0lQFBnQ/s400/2007_02130027.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Oh and as a last point- thank you to Imagination Project- I won their comp for a fab box of cha goodies! *yay me*</p><p>ttfn- hope all you bloggettes are well -x-</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-2534018905462481304?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-70726079567401642862007-02-02T13:39:00.000Z2007-02-02T14:16:54.647Zso after being MIA for a bit- was poorly (again!)- then blimmin blogger was not playing ball! I have been trying to update all week, and finally I am in! Its taken me an hour to get this far though! Ho hums!<br />So- the scraproom floor is down and is boootiful! Furniture is put together and am slowly organising stuff and getting straight!<br />Once I am sorted I will get some pics up.<br />On to better things- the beautiful Jennie bought me a most wonderful pressie- I got the product playground class from big picture scrapbooking! I so wanted to do the class but decided it was too much money to spend when I could be paying off my credit card bills from christmas! Lubs you hunny!<br />Next thing- I have been tagged by Jo-<br />6 weird things about me...shouldn't be too tricky!<br />1- I have double jointed toes- but not my big toes, and I have double jointed fingers but not thumbs!<br />2- I have obssesive compulsive disorders, that is about as weird as it gets lol!<br />3- I am allergic to antihistamines (only some- but go figure?!)<br />4- I am allergic to too much heat- some of my glands shut down and stop working in certain areas if I get too hot!<br />5- My hair and fingernails grow at a superhuman rate!<br />6- My eyes change colour with the seasons!<br /><br />Anyhoodle- will try and update again- hoping to get my pc sorted- am working on the laptop at the mo which could be why I haven't been able to get in blogger, hope you are all well -x-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-7072607956740164286?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-7059462428156112872007-01-17T00:08:00.000Z2007-01-17T00:21:44.271ZIf you haven't seen it yet, make sure you check out <a href="http://embers.typepad.com">Emily's</a> art journal challenge- a WHOLE YEAR! And I'm so gonna do it!<br /><div><div> </div><div>Here is my week one and two, and as I got 'spare' cards in my deck, and just happened to find this rub on quote complete with paint splatters I though I would do a cover/intro card, just to remind me of why I am doing this journal, and making changes in my life for the better, a kind of physical version of positiveness :)</div><div><br /></div><div>the cover/intro card-</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1pwQLHjdI/AAAAAAAAACI/DQvqf_wd-C8/s1600-h/artjournalcover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020785437284208082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1pwQLHjdI/AAAAAAAAACI/DQvqf_wd-C8/s400/artjournalcover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>week ones prompt was 'was makes you proud?'</div><div>I painted the card, added crackle glaze, then rubbed </div><div>gold paint on top, wiped the excess off then added </div><div>lettering and a stamp.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1p4wLHjeI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZLrqS7mPB8Y/s1600-h/artjournal1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020785583313096162" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1p4wLHjeI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZLrqS7mPB8Y/s400/artjournal1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />week twos prompt was 'what is powerful</div><div>to you?' To me, love, in all its various guises</div><div>is powerful. So after painting this card, masking </div><div>a heart off and overpainting (though the colour looks</div><div>awful in the scan) I added the 'love' sticker to the</div><div>heart and journaled 'if I have love in my heart I can</div><div>achieve anything' added a bit of doodling, and scratched</div><div>some hearts into the paint et voila.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1qAALHjfI/AAAAAAAAACY/U8OY-kgGWMw/s1600-h/artjournal2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020785707867147762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/Ra1qAALHjfI/AAAAAAAAACY/U8OY-kgGWMw/s400/artjournal2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The bonus being that my little studio is all packed up right now so I am creating using whatever scrappy bits I can find! This is the only way I am getting to craft right now! I managed to find an old cigar box, and have painted that ready for my cards to sit in. I am planning on punching holes in the cards and hanging them on a bookring too so they are all in order!</div><div>TTFN blogettes -x-</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-705946242815611287?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-53606497094266529282007-01-15T11:32:00.000Z2007-01-15T11:52:47.221Z<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RatmZALHjcI/AAAAAAAAAB8/tqKmCvthRfM/s1600-h/bansticker2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020218789363944898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RatmZALHjcI/AAAAAAAAAB8/tqKmCvthRfM/s400/bansticker2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last night I received the following email...<br /><br />"Dear Wild Bird Supporter,Over the last two years, you were kind enough to lend your name to an impressive group effort to get the EU to stop importing millions of wild birds.As of January 11, 2007, I'm delighted to inform you that the EU has decided to do exactly that -- all wild bird imports have been banned permanently. The temporary ban on all live bird imports has been extended until June 2007, and the new regulation takes effect on 1 July 2007. Read more about the ban on our website at: <a href="http://worldparrottrust.org/" target="_blank">http://worldparrottrust.org/</a>.I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiastic support of this effort and hope you and your organizations feel proud to have been part of making this momentous decision possible.This ban will spare about four million wild birds a year... forever! Take a moment to picture a flock of four million birds and think of them flying free! Working together, we've all made this a reality.Happy New Year, indeed!Sincerely,James D. Gilardi, Ph.D., DirectorThe World Parrot Trust Glanmor HouseHayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HB "<br /><br />I have actively supported this cause, and this new ruling is THE BEST NEWS! THANK YOU TONY BLAIR! (never thought I would hear myself say that but i am so so truly grateful to him for his backing).<br />Bird exportation/importation is a very cruel and barbaric practise.<br />And before they even get to the stage where they are packed tight in mini cages with no room to move, defecate and even breathe properly (with no food or water), some of these poor creatures have been through the most horrific process.<br /><br />Take baby african greys for example (this is the same species as simba). They are taken from their nests, way too young for a lot of them to cope without being fed by Mummy, not weaned at all. The poacher then opens the baby birds wings.<br />and stamps on them so they can't fly away.<br />Brutal enough yes?<br /><br />Then bear in mind that some of those feathers may not be properly developed yet. These are called 'blood feathers', and it is like a vein running through the inside of the feather. That baby bird who has managed not to die yet from stress, fright etc can then bleed to death.<br /><br />If these poor birds have made it to this stage, they are bundled into cages with no room to move- interesting fact here to tie in with this- in the UK it is ILLEGAL for a bird to be housed in a cage that does not allow it to fully open its wing span and totally move around in every direction.<br />But it is deemed as acceptable to these beasts to cram them in a cage where they can't even breathe properly. All for a measly bit of money.<br /><br />Ok, so the above is usually the worst case scenario, and <em>generally</em> the illegal importation trade- but having these new rulings means this will be enforced more harshly. No birds coming in, and therefore these shipments of birds will be caught.<br /><br />At this stage I would like to point out that Simba is 100% British bred in captivity (and lives the life of riley!). We now have more than enough captive birds to breed from in this country, and all of Europe, so really, there is absolutely no reason for any imports, a fact which I am sure will have helped with this ruling. Many species of bird face extinction, largely due to these practises.<br /><br />As you all know (and if you don't you must have been looking on here with your eyes shut lol) parrots are a topic that I am hugely passionate about. I HATE people who buy a bird without learning about the HUGE commitment they are taking on, and subsequently get rid of the bird, for it to be passed on and on...then it ends up in a very over run sanctuary- this isn't like animal shelters at all, we have hardly any parrot sanctuarys, partly because parrot keeping is so specialised and requires a lot of specific knowledge. the fact that parrots are like little toddlers all of their life. they require an awful lot of work and dedication. and for that, to the people who selflessly open and run these places (usually out of their own money) I am so very thankful. It is these people who have to deal with the wild imports that have been taken on as a pet, and then discarded. Hopefully this move will mean that less birds will be dumped :D<br /><br />If you got this far- thn thank you! I am so happy I wanna shout this from the rooftops!! lol<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-5360649709426652928?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-62353327328859751442007-01-12T15:07:00.000Z2007-01-12T15:20:32.985ZNowt really exciting going on, so thought I would finally show the book I made at our workshop with <a href="http://www.embers.typepad.com">Emily</a> (huge congrats on your news btw!)- now it does have a few bits to be added to it (I pick it up and add to it when I am in the mood and have nothing else I am *meant* to be doing) and a couple of pages I want to completely redo, but this is how the book is right now, hung on my studio wall. There are loads of pics!<br /><br />Front cover- large photo overlaid with acetate and pretty stuff!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120031s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Family pages- me and my mummy bear...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120032s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and my lubberly nan<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120033s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />jasmine making a wish on a 'fairy'<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120034s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />pretty pink flowers- mmmm- this page is really cool, made with masking tape and paint<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120035s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />new shoes and french pedicures<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120036s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />two more god-daughters<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120037s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />my jessicat- this is one page I am redoing<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120038s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />simbadoodle, also redoing this page, I did this one and the 'jess' one at the same time, I must have been in an odd mood I have decided!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120039s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Simba's mad tomfoolery<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120040s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />photo collage of lots of things that I love- rubbed over with white paint<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120041s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />friendship page- my best friend with simba, who adores her!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120042s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Simba's toes- I adore his toes so much lol! This was done onto acetate- hence the shiny bit!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120043s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />last, but by no means least- this page is all about my simbadoodly and just how much I adore him. I know you all think I am stark raving- and maybe there is a slight bit of truth in that, but he is my companion and lifelong friend :)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/greyparrot/2007_01120044s.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17549719-6235332732885975144?l=thescrappyparrot.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>greyparrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14172673311670339286noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17549719.post-28839412833452205202007-01-05T16:10:00.000Z2007-01-05T16:21:34.369Z<div><br /><br /><div>Yup I lost my digi virginity!</div><br /><br /><div>I totally blame <a href="http://www.digiscrappingqueen.com/blog/">Katie fancy knickers</a> (that is what she really likes to be known as!), and <a href="http://www.yizzsyawn.blogspot.com/">Yizz</a> too- who has been on our case for an age!</div><br /><br /><div>For those who didn't see it, Kate wrote a fab series of articles for creative scrapbooking mag, and the best part was I UNDERSTOOD EVERY WORD! So, yesterday I bit the proverbial bullet and did my first digi lo! It is a thank you for the articles (even though the bumholio's are ceasing CS mag)</div><br /><br /><div>It is a Jen Caputo sketch, and Anne Langpap papers</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nb5IzaebvlM/RZ55VZ9L0iI/AAAAAAAA