Tis done!

YAAAAAY!
Got my tattoo done 2 hours ago- and man alive I freakin love it!
I can't stop looking at it!

So first off a huge shout out and massive thanks to Rhonna Farrer for the designs...much love to ya doll (love the new hair too!) will email the pics over to you :)

kk- first pic- the outside of my foot



and a close up- it is still quite grubby because the ink ran through the lines of my foot, this will clean up when I have a shower so it will look a lot tidier



Love it love it love it!

*T* day....

*T* is for...tomorrow, Thursday....and TATTOO!
Yes, as of tomorrow I will be sporting a new tattoo on my foot. I am way too excited about this-much as I know it will be agony! BUT- I have to do it. I have one small tattoo of a star-on my arm, and there were many reasons behind the design and actually having it done. So tattoo two...not telling ya what it is! *pokes tongue out*
You will have to wait and see! I can say I am very grateful to a very special lady, and will post my eternal gratitude to her when it stops stinging lol!

So busy week again- and I know I have been terrible at blogging again- I warned you from day one this would happen lol!

Had Molly, Caitlin and baby Willow for the day last week...love those gals sooo much!
This is Molly-who has got sooo pretty. The older she gets the prettier she becomes- and I know she will be a real heartbreaker. Mind you the has the diva attitude too- always has had, and is the biggest drama queen you will ever meet. Cait is picking it up now too- after a lovely day playing in Amy's garden, picnic lunch, and park we took the girls to pizza hut for tea. Left Caits pizza to cool a bit, and she crossed her arms, pouted like a goodun, slammed her arms down and wailed 'it's not fair'! Just like her sister does!
To look at Molly you honestly would think butter wouldn't melt!

Cait and Willow's christening is booked for August bank hols, and we are having a grown ups bouncy castle for the day- wooohaaa! Plus of course- I will officially be their Godmother now *beams*

Lots of other stuff been going on...fell in lust with another man at the weekend too- shame he lives abroad lol! Mart- if you happen to be reading this- firstly- congrats for finding the addy bar and typing in it- and secondly yes I still love ya to bits I aint leaving ya just yet *mwahahaha* love ya bubs -x-

Best of british prize part one arrived yesterday- it is lucky I still like the older studio k stuff. I think I was quite lucky with my prize, some of the stuff is truly awful (the 12x12 paper- wtf is that all about then fellow BoBs?!) but at least I can use most of it in some way- even if it is just for atcs. I'm not ungrateful- honest, the whole thing has just left a bit of a bitter taste.

Sooo will update again real soon! HONEST!

Charm tutorial

Just a short one for our toothfairy ;)

A note about jumprings- when you open them you should do it sideways, pushing/pulling it apart, not stretching it out as this will weaken the ring. Look at this pic to see how it should look when open.












OK let's go! To make a simple charm:
Take an eyepin (you can use a headpin too but won't be able to add a 'dangler' on the end) and thread your beads on. Using pliers make a loop on the end to stop the beads falling off.


Attach a jumpring to your dangling charm, and add to one end of the eyepin. Add another jumpring on the opposite end, and attach the the lariat.




To make 'jumbly' charms!
Thread heapins with beads, and make a loop in the end of the pin as before.



Cut a small length of chain, and attach headpins with jumprings.



Keep going until you are happy with the design, then attach to the lariat.

Meet Simba

So you all listen to me waffle on about this boy, but hopefully here he is for all to see (and hear!). Only two very short clips, will try and get some better ones. Did this on my digi camera last night- just random filming.
Anyway here he is- hope this works!
1st one- this is a piss take sneeze (2nd sneeze is real)...love how he reaches to cover his mouth/nose!


and 2nd one- not sure what the waffle is at the very start, but the rest is him talking to the cat and initiating a game of peepo!

*mwah*

Thank you for all your comments, love and stuff.
It means a lot to me.
I am ok, it's just a blip (I hope)
Basically Mart and I have had a big heart to heart with a LOT of tears. We decided that maybe we should split up, problem was I don't think either of us really want that. We both want different things in our long term life plans, but I don't think he is totally convinced in his own head that he knows what he wants. Since this heart to heart he has been on the phone every single day, over and over and can't leave me alone, this is not a man who wants things to end- I am more certain of that than I ever have been.
Which just makes things all, well, so up in the air!
So neither of us are sure where things go from here really.
I don't know.
I love him SO much, and can't see us being apart. Acht time will tell I spose.
Had Caitlin and Willow round today- can't believe Willow is nearly 9 months. She is such a treasure- and Cait- well she is a rule unto herself! Totally lush, totally affectionate, and I totally ADORE her!
They are both to be officially made my God-daughters in August. Complete with bouncy castle that takes adults and kids *snigger* should be a great day!
Fab pic of Willow-


and one of Cait and Willow- love this pic so much- not sure why tho lol! Check out Willow's spikey hair lol!

I know. I know.

I haven't updated in ages! Life is really hectic and somewhat difficult just now, so not really feeling like blogging and depressing everyone else too!
Had a huge falling out at the stables last week, big time, but all is sorted now...suffice to say that nobody will talk to Jasmine in the way that the stable owner did, ever again! grrrr
Pic is of a random layout from the weekend, one of the challenges set by the fabulous Mel and Jill at ATDML Lots of really great challenges. Was a bit sad I couldn't go to Bonanza, couldn't afford it full stop. Orlando asked me to work, but travelling times and costs would have been a nightmare. So I settled in for a weekend of challenges instead and bloody enjoyed it! (and managed to win two of the challenges-yay!)
Anyway hope everyone is well-am still reading all of your blogs to keep up, but not posting a whole lot! Will update again very soon-honest!

and now fo something a little different...

'effin 'ell!
I did it.
I succumbed.
At last.
Yes I did the effer dare!
I have been meaning to do a layout about my fave smells since like forever. So when I saw the latest dare, it pushed me to get it done.
And boy am I glad I did.
For someone who normally does clean and simple (ish) layouts, I let my arty, random side out in atc's altering and sometimes painting. Today I let loose and did it all on a layout. Bless the effers for making me do it-even if none of them are aware of it!
So- I painted a somewhat contemporary/abstracty version of tulips on acetate...and kinda shoved things around and plonked bits of paper on til I was happy.
And I am.
Really pleased I did this!

Now- I realise my scent of choice is rather random-but it honestly is the best smell in the world-to me.
I love snuggling up with simba when I have showered him (normally followed by a blast with a hairdrier just cos he loves it) and burying my nose in his feathers. It really is a yummy smell!
So-thank you effer girls!

We are having a mini celebration of national scrapbook day at the lounge I know it is for the USA, but heck-we wanted to join in too!
So, on two days notice we have organised a mini cyber crop.
I have done two classes, and hope the girls will have a go- they are both really easy clases, but I hope it gets them thinking a bit!

Gonna submit this post now-before my laptop cuts out and I lose it all again!
Oh and huge congrats on a very worthy winner, noodle-our grand winner of the scrap yourself challenge (see kirstys blog for the layout)
ttfn ~x~

Tag you're it!

Been tagged by shell and anna cheers dolls! ok so here goes...

Five things in your fridge?
1. milk
2. cheese
3. simba's fruit bowl
4. pesto
5. drinking yogurt

Five things in your car?
Not my own car but:
1. kt tunstall tunes
2. disney sweeties
3. umbrella
4. sunglasses
5. socks!

Five things in your bag? (my bag is like a tardis-lol)
1. lip gloss-most important
2. purse
3. keys
4. ibuprofen
5. scrapbook inspirations magazine

Five things in your Wardrobe? (too much in fact it is a triple wardrobe and is at bursting point!)
1. my new brown and cream wrap dress
2. shoes...lots of
3. pashmina
4. my 'funeral' suit
5. my favest gypsy skirt

Five things you would watch on sky plus?
1. friends re-runs
2. old eppys of eastenders
3. music channels (love vh1 80s days!)
4. qvc craft days
5. a damn good film!

On my DVR or video player
1. lost
2. the green mile
3. friends
4. scary movie 3
5. harry potter

Five people I'm tagging: (if they haven't already been tagged)
Shirleen
Kirsty
Beffy
Tracey-monkey
jaffs

How much?!

Eyes tested..specs ordered! I fell in love with the above beauties ages ago...


so bought these as well! Simila design only in a browny reddish colour!
£200 later! (FCUK £125 per pair plus coatings, but they gave me £99 off if I bought a 2nd pair)
Bless my Nan- she bought them for me, I didn't want her too but she hid a stash of money in my bag and threaten to hit me round the head with a saucepan if I gave it back!
I've had the same specs for about 6+years and my eye test confirmed that my astigmatism has changed so I would have had to had new glasses anyway...these are falling to pieces-with the help of Simba. I know this is a boring subject but a huge thumbs up to dolland and aitchinson. They have been FAB today. They asked if I get headaches, which yes I have been...however when the optician looked inside my eyes she looked a bit alarmed and asked if I have had nausea and vomiting. Again yes (part of my original symptoms which is why they took so much blood!)...she has instructed me that if it continues she wants me to be refferred to a neurologist! Which again gives me the worry that it is infact a brain tumour like we orignally thought...but the optician will ring if she finds any abnormalities with the extra tests they did. They gave me lots of extra tests while I was there, just to check everything over cos of these headaches...and one nice chap took me into a dark room and asked me to dress up like a pirate and play space invaders with him! Oooher! Service with a smile eh?! (it was actually a cool machine to test my peripherererereral field of vision...or summat!)
Soooo get me new specs next week...cant wait and I am sure you are all thoroughly bored now!

Got the latest scrapbook inspirations mag today, Best of British is announced in this issue and it was great to see me and Anna in this issue. Thanks to Jane Dean for the tip off lol!
The layouts look great but I have to agree with every word Anna uttered on her blog yesterday about it all...still, we should be incredibly proud with what we have achieved :)

freeeeestylin...

I sooooo need to get hold of this book but keep missing out! It is selling like hotcakes here in the UK and I think I am gonna go buy it in the US! I just cannot wait any longer!

Just a quick post, will do a more thorough update when I get the pics back from Sunday, they used Victorias pics in a couple of newspapers and she was on the front page no less!

Anyway back to freestylin...if you haven't seen it already go wrap your creativeness around the freestyling blog

I have been in need of a creatively artistic outlet for a while now...my layouts are so clean and simple-which is great and that is how I love it...but then I have to go a bit wild and usually channel it into atcs/altered stuff. To the point that today and yesterday I have been painting! Proper painting on canvas pads! Very contemporary and 'loose' but so needed. I think it is good for me that I can 'hear' my inner artstic voice! Anyhoodle...go check out the blog!

Good news, bad news

So, doctors yesterday and last test results are back...
Hormone levels are going back down which means that it looks far less likely that it is the brain tumour (non cancerous usually) that we feared...however my liver enzymes are still really high so they want to retest that again in about 8 weeks, as that could be what is causing all my symptoms. Now I will point out, when people say liver you normally think 'alcohol'...I can assure you I am not a big drinker, in fact I haven't had a single alcoholic drink for ages (I think the last was february!). So not all bad! I have decided against treatment just now. I really don't want to pump my body full of drugs to try and treat the symptoms, at least until we know exactly what we are dealing with. Doctor was very supportive of this, and left the decision to me. I love doctors that let you choose your own path with things like this!

Did a bit of scrapping at the weekend for the uks cybercrop, made a few atcs too. Fave layout from the weekend is this one (poopsie pic sorry- it is all straight irl) which was a challenge by Tara Whitney love love loved doing this one...



I can now confirm I will be going to a fab event in September at cotswold keepsakes and cannot wait! An afternoon of classes with our very own Kirkyloolaa and none other than the equally gorgeous Emily Falconbridge Do you know I have never ever been to a crop/class/retreat...so I mega excited about this!

Mum had a fab afternoon sunday...she was the star attraction at a service held at the beautiful Gloucester Cathedral. Will update more on that when I have the pics...but it was all rather swish! And the newspaper wants to interview her too! ooohlala!

Busy bees...

Look at her go! This was taken with a lot of zoom too! Jasmine has also learnt recently how to ride her bike without stabilisers...so we took her out on the cycle path, and man oh man can she ride well! Never one to do things by halves lol! So proud of her...she is having a bit of a rough time at the mo...it is just a phase, but infuriating and saddening at the same time. I am naming this the 'obsessively worry' phase! So I bought her a worry angel in a cute box (J loves trinkety things) so that may help...or it will sit on her shelf in her bedroom! We had a lovely day Saturday, just me and J, nothing exciting. We spent the morning playing on the playstation, sorting beads out, then shopping. But it was sooo nice! I did however get collared into promising her that if/when I get married she can be my bridesmaid- this was all born out of a love for the bridesmaid dresses in debenhams!



What a cutie! And this time I don't mean J! This is a gosling, not very old at all...and he was BEAUTIFUL! Totally cuddly snuggly lushness! And now I want one!
Saw the lambing, some only just born, and it was wonderful...this was at our local farm park. Lots and lots of baby critters...lambs goats ducks chickens (Del Rodney and Albert!) lovely day had by all until J threw a wobbler so we abandoned the idea and went home!


Off out to the stables in about 10 mins...in the rain yuk!
Hope you are all well -x-

She never fails to amaze me...

...and I truly mean that!
I said it wouldn't be long until she took her first jump, but I didn't think it would be this quick!
Yes, Jasmine did her first (and second) jump this week! She has only been cantering for a few weeks, but she bloody did it! AND she stayed on. She nearly came a cropper after the second jump, but she held on round Lettie's neck and rectified the situation pronto! That's my girl...and she is still only FIVE years old! That is what is so shocking I think!

Had a busy week this week, decided to redo my studio (that's what I call it when I am feeling posh!) added some new cheapo units from argos, and I can feel the mojo flowing through already! Bliss...here is to a better organised creative experience!

Will do a better update tomorrowish...just thought I would let you know I AM alive still, and wish you all a very happy easter :)

Out of the mouths of babes...

Bad bad blogger- I am sorry it's just been one of those weeks!

First off a huge thank you to the girls at scrap pad. Fab fab fab cyber crop this weekend!
Will post some of my creations below.

So, the reason for my title today?
Jasmine. My sweet lil angel!
Meant to blog about this before now, but hey ho better late than never!
She gave me a little handmade envelope, containing this treasure:





How lush is that! For those not au fait with 5 year old's spelling it translates as:

I love you because you are
beautiful
kind
helpful
pretty
cuddly
nice
Love Jasmine

OMG I welled up, she flung her arms around me, kissed me and said, 'I made this for you because you are all of those things'
Lump in the throat or what?!
I am so blessed to have this little darling in my life.
You can always count on her to make you feel better no matter how lousy things are!

So, other happenings this week...erm normal stuff...Jas is on half term so we have been at the stables (in the glorious sunshine) her riding is just amazing now, I am so proud of her...she can canter really well now. Bear in mind she has only done cantering in three lessons! It won't be long until she is jumping!

Docs this week too for results from blood tests, doc can't figure out what is going on, one of my hormone levels was high, and one of my liver enzyme levels is through the roof. So she has put me on some meds to try and prevent the headaches. To be honest I haven't even got the prescription, and don't think I will. It knocks you out to the point you physically cannot get out of bed. No way. Not an option. She did say I could regulate the dose myself but I really don't want to take that risk.
So she has re-ordered the blood tests, so another four bottles of blood sucked out my arm! Had angel nurse though, and never even felt the needle go in, even though I watched the whole thing! Thank Christ she is permanent at my surgery now!

Other news- some of you know we were taking an official body to court (daren't say too much on a public blog lol) on behalf of my Grandad. He started it all before he died. Anyway, they admited liability from the start, and made an offer. The bloody solicitor accepted the offer. We hadn't decided, and certainly hadn't given the solicitor instructions to accept!
Nan just wants it over and done with, so we are leaving it be.
And do you know what my Nan is gonna buy with her piddly amount (considering the circumstances it really is piddly)? A pair of slippers! Bless her. I love my Nan!

Cyber crop creations:
Didn't get as much done as I would like, but there is time to do more!
A couple of my faves-these were classes by Anna.



Love love love this layout- not often I am this happy with a layout, but combine my bootiful, fave lil man, with my favest lishest urban couture paper (thanks again Ali!), and my fave style of scrapping, and, well YUM!




This was a coaster class by Anna, but as I didn't have a coaster (shocking behaviour) I made a mini wall hanging. Of course as I was so happy with my layout, I made this to match. It is now hanging in my scrap room from a shelf unit. (pic shows it on my new easel lol)

Hope everyone is well...hugs to Beth who is feeling a bit like I do today! Chin up chicker!
ttfn -x-

Houdini...or Houdinky if you will...

So, let me set the scene. Mum was here, and I was upstairs. She comes up and says I need to get back downstairs. So, I follow her down...and there is Simba happily playing on his cage. Note how the front and back door to his cage are both shut AND LOCKED! Around each side of his cage are thick pieces of perspex that are slotted in on the outside, the cage is designed like that to stop bits of food and stuff being flicked over the floor. Simba has managed to remove one of these, from the inside of his cage...and the next picture shows the tiny hole he managed to squeeze himself through! I was gobsmacked to say the least. And he did it all without being heard, until he appeared hanging off the door frame going 'ooooooooooh' to Mum! ROFL!
Clever little schnoodle he is!

tis a social whirl!

Well the last week has been anyway!
Been to the stables, dinner with friends, watched teenage-end-of-the-world-forever-blubbing, and hobnobbed at the nec since my last update!
This is clevercut's stall at the nec, so happy that things are going so well for them :) Had pressies too ;)
Had a great day catching up with people, shopping galore, and of course gossiping!

Paul made a fabby board with all the samples on that I did, I almost blushed in public!
So, this week I need to catch up on everything I didn't get done last week...and of course I have the dreaded docs in the morning-hopefully she should have my test results back...I have been really calm through all of this, but am cacking it now! It isn't helping my creativity either...I have been sat at this desk for about 5 hours trying to make atcs, and it just isn't happening!
I have also been doing my own take on Rhonna Farrers {21 day challenge, see here http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/ for details. I am finding it great so far. I am trying to do a 'pretty quote album' filled with all of these fabulous quotes that Rhonna has put together...I figure they will either inspire me or give me a good kick up the behind when I need it! It is fairly therapeutic too :) Thanks Rhonna!
So here are my efforts so far, I have hidden bits when I felt I needed to add personal stuff :)
Day one- used this as a kind of intro page
















Day two- glitterama!



Day three- this is actually pink swirlies, but the pics are so naff it looks white (in my defence I was taking them just before I had to rinse the dye out of my hair!)

Right gotta run-it is 8.20 I am bidding on ebay in some nasty war with someone else, I need to have a bath and be all sorted by 9pm when I need to be back to listen to a live gig KT Tunstall did in a pub which is on the radio!
TTFN -x-

Laydees wot lunch...

Well, what a fantabulous day! Did lunch with these beautiful ladies today- Boo, Angela and Katrina. We went to wetherspoons for some fabulous food (and puds!) managed to waffle four hours away, and then did a bit of shopping too! The day flew past way too quickly, and I hated saying goodbye :( But, we will do it again soon laydees! Had an absolute blast-laughter, great company, shopping and good food-brillo pads!
Lubs ya laydees! (and Boo I am so stealing your soup dragon next time I see ya!)

My love affair with a certain BoB!













OK so we are now officially allowed to talk about it! I was very priveledged to be named as one of the winners of Best of British scrapbooking and cardmaking :) To say I was chuffed to little mintballs doesn't even begin to explain my excitement. I entered the advanced scrapping category, and am still somewhat stunned that I was picked as a winner. Mart made me promise that I would enter, so I did! Congratulations to all of the other winners too, especially to Anna, Jaq, Anam and Karen. Good on ya gals! What was quite amusing, is that I marked it on the calender (see pic above) in my excitement...and now I'm getting comments about whether I am having an affair with somebody called Bob! Even my niece asked me!

I seem to be losing my battle with scrapbooking this week, I think it is just the frame of mind that I am in. So to combat this I have been doing very fast and simple layouts. And dya know what? I feel sooo much better for it! It really is art for art's sake, but it is working. Who said you have to spend hours on one layout? Well they were wrong with a capital wuh!


This picture has already been scrapped. So there are no 'heritage' reasons for it to be done again. It really is art for art's sake...as was the work jasmine was doing when I took the pic. I think that sometimes it's great to make something 'just because'.
I did have fun doing this layout...and chose the colours mainly because I wanted to use the gingham brad in the middle of the flower! I made that myself! Well not the actual brad, but I covered it with gingham fabric and I love it!

Next week sees the NEC opening its doors to mad crafters again, and I shall be among them! Really looking forward to it this year, Ali and Paul will be there with clevercuts for the first time-so excited for them! I am soooo buying urban couture. I have resisted for so long for financial reasons, so I swear if nobody has it at the nec, heads will roll!

See ya the morrow!

Ok-so todays mission is a little bit of market research for Kirsty! (see her blog for details on the eyelash disaster lol)
This is what I use, photos don't show it up too well but I promise this stuff works.
The product:



The eyelashes before mascara (I know they are fairly long already I promise there is nothing on them)



And the other eye, with mascara on: bear in mind this photo is zoomed out a bit compared to the other pic-



Dontcha just love the camera lens (and my hands) reflection in my eyes!!
Might update again later...but for now-take care blogettes...I am off to scrap!

I bruise easily...

...so be gentle when you handle me!
To be fair the nurse in question was fab and very gentle. The last blood test I had killed so this was a relief today! So, off I go to the doctors, expecting one vial of blood to be taken...that's ok I thought...I'll get the three taken I need for breast cancer research at the same time(will enlighten you on that in a mo). How wrong was I?! SIX BOTTLES OF BLOOD! That is what she sucked out of my arm! Six flippin bottles! All through the biggest needle I have ever seen! It was fine though, and I am not even aching from it. I normally bruise terribly, but not too bad...so far!
Anyway-my main point- take yourself off to this site if you haven't already http://www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/ and SIGN UP! You don't have to do the blood tests if you don't want to, but of course it is far more beneficial to them if you can :) This is the biggest study of its kind, using everyday, normal (I use that term loosely!) women over 18. All you have to do is fill in the questionairre, and send the blood off if you can which you have done at your gp's surgery. All the envelopes you need are included, all prepaid, kit to take to your gp's surgery for blood tests, everything. They will contact you every few years to record any changes, and that is it. This brings us ever closer to finding that all important cure for one of the biggest killers of beautiful women everywhere. Big snogs to all of you that take the time to do this :)

The new me perhaps?

And all for a bargainous price! It is amazing how a few little things can make you feel heaps better in yourself! Now in true mastercard style:

Contact lenses: £30

New haircut: £7

Super lengthening mascara: £8

Teeth whitening: £15

The yummiest lipgloss in the world: £4

A bit of sunshine in a bottle: £6

Feeling like a 'normal' woman....you know the way this bit goes! ;)

Docs was ok yesterday, ruled one possibility out, and off for more tests tomorrow. Sure it will be fine :)

Just a quick one ;)

Manic day again today, mobile phone lariats arrived along with some gorgeous beads :) Ooooh I was in my element! Took Jess to the vets for her booster jabs, and she was a perfect angel as usual...and again got a perfect bill of health :)
Simba wouldn't come out of his cage tonight, most bizarre...until I realised that it was because he could see the pet carrier in the hall...moved it out of his sight and he came straight out...funny boy must have thought he was off to the vets too!
Have my doctors appointment tomorrow (for those of you who know the situation), still not worried but a little bit anxious now...will not worry until I know what I am dealing with as there is no point wasting my little bit of energy on worrying!
Hairdresser was ill yesterday, so after my doc appt she is coming round to chop my locks, then I need to be brave and get my head shots sorted out for the show in olympia 2! I hate being the 'wrong' side of the camera!
Hope you are all well and happy...really pleased to see how Kirstys challenge has swept t'internet!
TTFN ~x~

honest guv...it IS creative genius!

If only I could genuinely make that claim! I spent a frantic morning yesterday trying to pack parcels to go off to the post office, since it is a trip I can only make once a week as they closed all the local post offices down. This is the resulting mess! Well partly...it is other stuff too that was littered about the house and thrown back in here. So that is my main task for this afternoon...I neeeed space! Wondering where my hairdresser is too...think she has forgotten our appointment, and my hair is in desperate need of about 10 inches lopping off!

I know I didn't post my little announcement, but not entirely sure how much I am allowed to say yet. Suffice to say I had some VERY exciting news on Friday, and you may call me BoB! *snigger*
Many congrats to the others that had the same fabulous news too.
Also I should hopefully have a step by step project in crafts beautiful magazine in Junes (on sale May) issue. Nowt too huge, I think it is going into a little book that comes with the mag.
It's all go at the moment!
Hope you are all well
TTFN ~x~

Challenge accepted...

Here is my effort for Kirstys (www.limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com) challenge...as spotted on Annas blog (www.scrappingtonight.blogspot.com)!

watch for another update later ;)

OH YES! I scrapped!

And got mucky with paint! (face in pic blurred on purpose it's not like it on the real pic lol).

The flowers and stems mimic Shelbys top (which you can't see from this pic) and I chucked some swirls and dots in for good measure ;)

Manic day yesterday so my creative time I had planned didn't happen! So today I have scrapped! Need to tidy up big time...my studio looks like a mammoth paper bomb has gone off!

Exhaust-ed

Is what I am! Absolutely cream crackered! In other words, I am pooped...but that woulda been a whole different pic for today! ;)
Had a horrendously manic couple of days, 7am starts, 4 hours sleep...blisters, aching muscles and bones, the list goes on!
So tomorrow is 'me time' I need to do mundane housey things, and hope to scrap! Managed to bag a bargain of a printer on ebay, I have been without a printer since about last October, and I can cope no more! Am totally skint now, but hey ho! Not too long til payday. Hopefully along with my printer, I am hoping my mojo may find its way back home! The ideas are there, but by the time I get the pics sent off, printed and returned I have lost all the inspiration I had!
About to retire to my boudoir, so just a quick entry on my blog today! Shirl my love, you need a fuji...my photography has improved big time since I got mine, and the quality is second to none in my opinion. And that goes for every fuji camera I have ever owned!
TTFN blogettes ~x~

Two lips...

Nothing particularly exciting to share! So thought I would add a pic of my beautiful tulips I had bought for me.
Done major amounts of shopping this weekend, not spent much though! Been working on a little project for www.bumblebeecrafts.co.uk today, nearly finished it too!
Got a seriously hectic start to the week...gotta be up at stupid o'clock tomorrow, and Tuesday!
Might even attempt to get a layout done tonight! Need to make some jewellery up too when I get a free day!
Hope you are all well -x-

Bottlecap pendants

As promised, here is the pic of the pendants I made. I chose to put these ones onto a card, as they are for Ali, using {again} the fabulous foiled again range from clevercut.
Rather than threading a chain/thong/whatever through the jump rings, I popped some organza through and mounted them on delicious basic grey.

Other news~ we have had an out of court offer from the council, I don't want to accept it as I feel like I am partially putting a sum on my Grandad. We shall see.

I have finally fathomed out brushes today, and after a chat with Anna last night....well lets just say that I have lost most of today faffing with all things swirly, pretty and grungy!

Signing off as I can't be arsed to type anymore {getting lost in footballers wives lol}
ttfn blogettes -x-

Of all the pretty things...

I love flowers. I have been missing my Grandad terribly this week, and decided to pay a visit to the cemetary to take him some flowers and oodles of bird feeders around his grave. He used to feed the birds in the garden every single day, and loved to sit an watch them, so I always make sure the birds are well fed for him and he has a bird bath on his grave.


Slightly manic day today. Had a serious case of the 'can't be bothereds' this morning, tidied up and that was about it. Chris brought the girls round this afternoon. Willow is now 6 months old already, Cait is just a dream of child, a hyper dream, but an absolute peach! Poor Molly walked in sporting her best pet lip, poor mite had been sick in the night, slept til gone 10am, stayed off playgroup, and seemed much better. She went really downhill though this afternoon. Raging temperature, looked like a zombie, and violently shaking (not convulsing just shaking). Then her lips turned blue, so I checked her hands and her little fingernails were turning blue as well. Nurofen made no difference, so I packed her off to the docs this evening. Poor mite :( She looked so rotten and sorry for herself.

So, all my plans for today totally went out of the window...maybe tomorrow will be a slightly more productive day!

Everybody's changing...

and I don't feel the same! Thought I would quickly change the music for everyone...love this song...Keane rock!
*tummm teee tummm lalalalalala oooooh*
Oh and main pc is up and running again (had to buy a new wireless system) so should be updating more reglar now!

A heart bursting with love and sadness

I had resisted the urge to post this for long enough. I just wanted to extend my love and sadness to poor Lemon and her daughter on the tragic, sudden loss of Andrew. Lemon darling should you ever read this, you need to know just how much you are loved. Our hearts are aching for you, and we all love you very dearly.
Also my thoughts and love are going out to 'E' (not adding full name in case she doesn't want it to be public knowledge) on the very sad loss of her father.
My deepest sympathies to you all, and a heartful of love to help you through your grief -x-

Foiled again

Been playing with the new range from www.clevercut.co.uk for the last couple of days. What can I say? Wow! These are so easy to use, and shiny shiny spesh! An absolute bargain at 89p for three whole sheets of lovely images. Have i sold you on them yet? Anyway one of the projects I did was an art journal. Somewhere to record inspiring quotes and techniques etc...and an outlet to release the arty farty part of me. So here is a sneak peek..Ali, it will be winging its way to you soon!

Ali stinks, Paul is childish and Levi is a monster!

Of course none of the above is true but Paul said he would be checking to see if I had written the above...so just to please him I have!
I know it has been, like, forever since I updated so prepare for a mahoosive entry! I finally managed to get a pic onto this bliddy laptop, I couldn't have blogged without it!

Isn't he a peach?!
So, Ali, Paul and Levi came down wednesday to do cheltenham craft show...Levi stayed with me, and we had a ball..I am still recovering! We wore eachother out, but it was all good fun and now I really miss him!
Thursday I met up with Angela (Newgranma on uks) who is an absolute diamond, can't wait to meet her again...what a love she is. We spent ages gossiping and got hardly any shopping done!
Stopped off for my gossip fix with Orlando, and spent the rest of the show gassing with Ali and Paul.
Friday, out for dinner with Ali and Paul who both totally spoiled me and a wonderful evening was had...even though the restaurant had run out of scampi which had been mine and Alis choice!
Saturday-in a word- MANIC!
Victoria came round in the morning to make invitations and centrepiece for her Brownie 'hostess badge'. We walked Levi together, she and Levi played in the garden for ages!
Then the afternoon quickly arrived and a mad dash to get ready for the afternoon excitement!
Went with Amy and Jasmine to see snow white on ice. WOW! If you get the chance to go, I totally recommend it. It is like ballet on ice with a story and bubbles, and contortionists, and live doves released into the audience with lots of funky amazing ice skating moves thrown in for good measure...oh and some pyrotechnics too! It is produced by a russian company, and a lot of the skaters are olympic medal winners too. So fabulous moves, and a great day had by all. However if you do go...a word to the wise...don't sit too close to the stage...some poor old woman in front of us got smacked in the head with a shard of ice that came flying off someones skate! I pissed myself laughing (so cruel, I know but she laughed too!)
Saturday evening, Levi went home, and the house felt totally empty.
Sunday spent recovering and shopping, and yesterday and today I have done some tidying, and whipping up some projects using the new 'Foiled again' by www.clevercut.co.uk
Hope you are all well -x-

Thanking you!

Well here I am, another year older. Please- let it stop now!
Just a quick update to thank you all for my wonderful cards and pressies.
I didn't peek until yesterday I pwomise!
I was bowled over by all the gorgeous cards and gifts I received, absolutely scrummerlish!

Best of British entry has been emailed in, and I am cackin my pants now! I don't know why! And now the wait. Til around the 15th of March til we find out who will be crowned the winner!
Good luck all, I know lots of fab ladies have entered.

Get that girl an ambulance lol!

Ok so it's not quite that drastic! No ambulance was required but almost needed a couple of stitches! I just had to tempt fate didn't I?!



Simba and I had a little collision...and I came off far worse! So just to remind you of the damage parrots can do (altered to black and white for those queasy blogettes!) and a moral for you...don't try and look up a parrots nose when he has just woken up! There was a reason for me looking up his nose...I think he had an allergic reaction to something! He was not impressed!
The blood was running down my face and wouldn't stop...poor Simba didn't know what was going on! Managed to get it to stop by holding the egdes together...eventually! Jeez parrot motherhood is tough going at times

Now, I am thinking a lot about sense of community today after a phonecall from my Nan...off to see her in a bit. After the incident with the trees, the support she got was fabulous. A gentleman who used to visit my Grandad a lot heard what happened, and came to see her. He is arranging some blokes to come and take the trees out on Tuesday, and they will take all the rubbish away, and the local priest said they can put it in the church skip. My Nan has nothing to do with the church (it is catholic-she isn't), but they is a social club attached to it, and my Grandad used to spend a lot of time there. Also another lady came round and cleaned up most of the mess for my Nan.
Apparently a house by the church was 'done' as well. Same thing, two lads, set fire to the trees, except they had a fence too and the fence is now gone.
The council have been most unhelpful. They just keep passing us round to different departments. Thank God for community spirit! Although when the priest said that if he had a gun and saw the lads that were doing it he would shoot them! :0

Well, another year older tomorrow...I don't like it! A nice quiet day (I hope) trying not to think about how fast the years are going now!
Happy birthday (for tomorrow) to the wonderful Izzy who shares her birthday with me :)

What time does the ambulance arrive?

Cos that is all I need to complete the set!
Last night we had a frantic phonecall...
my Nan had someone ringing the doorbell about 8pm last night, and won't answer the door after someone entering her home and stealing a handbag a couple of months ago. She called out 'who is it', at which point the letterbox opened and a bloke shouted through, your trees are on fire I have called the fire brigade! I think my Nan got in a bit of a tizz, cos she wouldn't open the door, and wouldn't go and look out of the window either...she has been really knocked for six after a long painful bout of pleurisy. So she rang here. Mum went up there (i was out for the evening oblivious to this at first) to see the fire engines leaving. Two nasty little scrotes (police term here for naughty boys, particularly teenagers!) had entered her garden, and purposely set fire to the tree like things (big leylandi type efforts)which are practically touching the house. This bloke had seen them, and called 999, so they legged it. They did a real good job of it too. My poor Nan, she so doesn't need this right now. After looking after my Grandad, then suddenly losing him (totally unexpected) then getting a long spell of shingles, chest infections, nasty heart probs, leading to being in hospital with it and being diagnosed with bad angina and then pleurisy, then being burgled...this just takes the piss. All this in just over a year. :(
On top of all this...my Grandmother (paternal) is in hospital with something nasty that I can't remember the name of, no point me going in cos she doesn't even know who I am...I saw her in sainsburys after christmas and she looked at me and sailed straight past. My Dad has had a nasty accident and is receiving treatment everyday, don't see my Dad at all, but do feel sorry for him.
Then at 8.30 this morning I get the police knocking on the door! Totally unrelated to any of this, but got everything sorted (nd no I haven't been bad lol).
So...ambulance anyone?!

Tag you're it!

Thanks

Anna

I have been tagged!

First times you got kissed, how was it ??
hmmmm I remember my first proper snog! It was my best friends older brother Leicester, and it was ming-a-ling!
First time you drove a car ? What kind of car was it ?
Never ever driven a car...it scares the sheeite out of me!
First time you scrapbook and do you still like your page ??
Spring/summer 2004, started an album as a gift for my Mum, after I vowed never to scrapbook! Best gift I have ever given! I do still like my page...ok it was nothing fantastic but the start of a huge journey for me.
First time you went on a date, where did you go and with whom??
Honestly can't remember! First proper boyfriend I guess at about 15-16!
First time you fell in love and how did you know ??
hmmm was about 16....and totally head over heels for a guy called Rob...we split up and got back together a year or two later. How did I know? Because in some way I still love him after all these years (I hate him too!)
First time you cooked for someone ? Was it yummy and what did you make ??
can't remember...but I do remember making a cup of tea at a very young age for my Mum and Dad using the hot tap cos I knew I wasn't allowed to touch the kettle!
First time you got on a plane?? Where did you go and were you scared ??
I was 9, and went on a huge plane from Gatwick to the usa with my Dad. I was in floods of tears cos I had just left my Mum crying at the gates. It was a very sad affair as I was going to stay with my Auntie who had terminal cancer. Had a ball with her though in the time I stayed with her, and ended up there for longer than planned. God I am so glad I did.
First time you shaved your legs ?? And did you cut yourself ?
I went through the phase of asking my Mum if I could shave my legs, until one day just before we went out she shaved a patch off my leg with an electric razor...bitch! Didn't have time to sort them out as we had to leave the house!
First time you put on make up ? Looking back how did you do ? Did you look like a clown or do a good job ?
Can't remember the first time...I was obsessed with Barbie make up at a young age (remember the nail varnish too that peeled off by itself lol) I remember by brother buying me a load of barbie make up one christmas...I was so chuffed!
First time you moved out of home? Was it into an apartment or house ??
Gosh...I spent most of my time at about 17 at the house of the family I worked for as a nanny, although still had the odd night at home and lived from suitcases. I then moved in with my boyfriend and left the nannying job for an office job. It was a bedsit/flat, quite a nice little set up...I eventually left him and moved back home. I then had every intention of moving out again, but got into some bother, and had to stay put (that info is certainly not for blogging lol). By this time it was just me and Mum, and neither of us could have afforded to live alone so I stayed put. Shortly after that I had a bungalow, but decided to stay with Mum. I was happy and so was she, so we sold up. Then I got signed off sick, and can't afford to move out, so am with Mum again for the forseeable future!! Jeez essay!

3 peeps to tag....

Scoobylou

Caroline

Cath

You're it girls!

Embrace the space!

That's just what I am doing...white space on my layouts IS A GOOD THING! That's it, decision made! I never totally clutter my layouts, but am leaving more space on recent ones, I like it...it fills me with calm!
Getting a bit arty farty lately (maybe that is why my layouts are becoming clean and simple again-I can use altering as a messy outlet!?), the weekend has been filled with plying with floor polish, making pretty background panels for atc's and stuff!
Had a good chat on the phone with Jen last night, and we actually realised just how much altering we have both done. In fact between us, we built up quite a varied portfolio of alteredness! Loads of techniques between us! In fact I found a gorgeous embellishmenty type thingy that Jen had made for me a couple of years ago, from resin.
Altered art certainly seems to be very popluar at the moment, and this explosion got me thinking. Why is it suddenly so popular? I think a large part of it is to do with so many people having home internet now, and the magazine market is now open to altered art being incorporated within an existing style of mag. So the word is spreading, people are sharing their work more, (well some people are) and more and more advice and techniques are being made available to people.
Will try and get some pics up (they are on the other pc) of the backgrounds I made...lots of experimentation with colour!
Hope all my blogettes are well and happy -x-

why is it?

That some days I spend hours doing one thing and never seem to get anywhere at all..and other days, like today I can achieve all of this by 4pm:
get me and simba up and sorted, get simba and jess fed, prepare todays and tomorrows dinners, catch up on all forum posts, put an order together online, take a phonecall, play with simba for a while, go to work at the hospital for the afternoon, complete two circle journal entries, tidy my scraproom (kind of), check forums again, manage to make and eat lunch in between! How?

Still lots more I could be doing lol!

My scrapbooking seems to have gone topsy turvy, since around October ish I have gone back to my roots of more simple layouts. I am very fond of A4 layouts again too...something I have dabbled with before but this time it is a real passion!

Lots to complete on the scrapping front, plus atcs for the lounge swap, if I continue to have days like today...piece of piss! lol!

I've been tagged...

Thank you Anna so here goes...


Four jobs you have had in your life:

nanny, nursery nurse, shop assistant...that's all sorry-unless you count staff cover in a garage!

Four movies you would watch over and over:

The Green Mile, Beaches, Don't tell Mom the babysitter's dead, Bad boys

Four places you have lived:

Always lived in Cheltenham!

Four TV shows you love to watch:

Lost, Desperate housewives, Friends, Cold feet

Four places you have been on vacation:

Portugal, Menorca, USA, Blackpool!

Four websites I visit daily:

The lounge
2peas
and these two aren't everyday but I do visit often as I am planning to morph into a fabulous combination of these two ladies! Cathy Zielske and
Tara Whitney

Four of my favourite foods:

My Mum's veggy casserole and dumplings *yummers*, anything pasta, pizza, tiger bread!

Four places I would rather be right now:

with my man *football widow here sob*, scrapping someplace fab, having a girly evening with my pals, anywhere warmer than cheltenham!

Four bloggers I am tagging:
hmmmm...since most of you have been tagged somewhere down the line this may get tricky! Ok...sorry if you have been tagged already but nowt is on your blogs as of now! Amber...Jane...Beth...and Shirl :) TAG YOU'RE IT!!!!

I must I must I must improve my blog updating! Will try really hard...bit snowed under at the mo! Still have this commission album to do, plus loads of other scrap related stuff, and the card for CB mag to duplicate and send in, plus loads of other bits and bobs that I am blocking from my mind right now!
Today I managed to bag some of the new gorgeously deeelish URBAN ADDITIONS can't wait for them to arrive so I can lick them.

Todays blog photo was taken yesterday evening, from the track in the forest we take the ponies and horses through on our hack. This is at the top of the hills in Leckhampton, a really beautiful, peaceful area...I forget all my troubles while I am there. I have discovered that I seriously need to fashion some kind of camera bag to stop me looking like a touristy prat with my camera round my neck. This isn't usually a problem, but 1) if you are riding a horse or leading a pony it just aint gonna happen any other way, 2) horses will try to eat a camera around your neck, and 3) a big lensed camera will not fit under your coat no matter how hard you try.
I also discovered that I need proper knee length riding/stable boots, knee high mud versus ankle length joddy boots just aint gonna work!

Personal life is turmoil just now...not my own personal problems per se, but everyone elses...gotta be strong...I have been feeling better over the last few months, it has taken me 4.5 years to get this far. I can't face going back to square 1 again. It will not beat me.
I think my noo years ressy should have been 'other peoples problems and traumas are not my problems and traumas' maybe this should be my mantra...it will never work though, I am way too sensitive for that.

Got a gorgeous house guest coming to stay at the end of Feb, that could be interesting and I am really looking forward to it...watch this space to see how I cope lol!

TTFN blogettes -x-

quick update!

ok quick update before I brave tesco (In the car! wooot) Main bit of excitement this week was being contacted by crafts beautiful magazine, as one of my cards was a winner in their competition, so I get a bundle of prizes, and they also want to publish my card in one of their mags/books- yay me! Card is in todays piccy...it is a mini paperbag book on a card, and I must admit I was quite pleased with myself after that one was made!
Gone a bit ATC mad this week...I swear in the last week or so I must have made about 60 of the lil blighters! Some I am really chuffed to little mintballs with...others will be going in the bin! Hopefully off to WHS in a mo too to try and get some page pockets, and any other goodies they may have...I have decided I actually have a magazine fetish of some sort, but this week I have torn pages out to keep and the rest are going for recycling...this does not include scrapping mags...they will NEVER be torn and I keep every single one *blush* I can't help myself!
Hope all is well in the land of my blogettes!
TTFN -x-

Nothing exciting to report really! Drank evil red wine last night (I never touch red) and today have had a headache all day, and been in a foul mood! Must not drink red again!
Spent the day with Jasmine yesterday, it is amazing how different she is after a week off school. My odds are on her turning into a lil cow once she starts back at school...she isn't naughty just so damn lary in term time!

Anyway, pic for today is of Kara, one of my god daughters. She is a funny lil munchkin. We have a bit of a special bond, even though I don't see her too often, but I was there when she came into the world.

Done heaps of housework/sorting out today, loads more to do tomorrow...just hope I have a bit of motivation. Really need to get some scrapping done, made some cute little accents tonight that I am well chuffed with...at least something scrap related is going right...mojo upped and left a while ago! All I wanna do is play with my camera!

'Appy Noo Years...from my scraproom to yours!

appy noo years everyone! Tried to do this at midnight but the laptop wasn't having any of it!
I hate new year. Not the January the 1st part of it...just the farce of celebrating beforehand. It isn't a good time of year for me, I accept it, but don't go out of my way to celebrate it! Totally pants pic of me...you can even see the tv reflection in my glasses...but it is ME...no airs and graces, just lil ole me., in my scraproom!
Hope you are all enjoying the festive season as it draws to an end. I have big hopes for 2006, don't worry I am not setting myself up for a big let down...if things happen then they were meant to be...if they don't then it isn't the end of the world. What are your goals for 2006? I want to take my scrapbooking to another level...for ME. I want to stick to my own style. I want to enjoy it again, and not do a layout because I feel I have to. I need to learn to say no to comission albums (done a few now!) I want to learn about photography, I have a fantastic new camera, and I want to make it earn its keep! I want to forget the minor irritations in life, and act like a child again!
I need to learn to stop waffling!...well mebbes that is hoping for a bit too much!
Whatever your goals, wishes, dreams and hopes, I wish that 2006 is your year.
2006 IS the year of the scrapper
xoxox