Dens Crafty Diary

Just one sketch 3- mirror image

2012-02-13T14:39:00.000Z

Well,things here at Den's towers are slowly becoming less scary and frantic.I hope I have organised everything -just 'that day''to get through now - I would like to once again thank everyone for sending me such lovely emails and cards- I truly treasure your friendship and kind words..
and now on to Just one sketch - number three,mirror image. Am I the only one who sat for ages making sure I'd got it totally correct -AND then went and got a mirror just to make sure ??? Yes - oh well !!
Here's my mirror image - I love these Kaisercraft Bonjour papers

On to number four this evening - back soon

Just one sketch - 2

2012-02-08T22:08:00.002Z

Here's my number two sketch after rotating the original. For some reason lately I'm in grungey mode - don't you go through phases like that? Sometimes I'm all flowery and flouncy -then I get' Holtzey 'inky moods -weird?- maybe!
Here's the original sketch I'm working from - I forgot to show it last post..

and here is the rotated version

I used paper from a Tim Holtz Kraft Resist pad for the background which I inked with a mix of faded jeans and vintage photo inks.

Things are pretty crazy around here at the moment,so so many things to do and organise and so so many phone calls to make and receive.

I just needed to shut myself away this evening and forget everything for an hour or so -scrapping is good therapy..

Just one sketch -1

2012-02-04T18:19:00.000Z

First of all I'd like to say thank you - I'm overwhelmed with all the kind comments and emails I've received from everyone - it warms my heart to know there are so many lovely people out there..
I've had a lovely day today, yesterday was filled with going up to London to the registrar's office and dealing with lots of stuff - so today I decided to go and join the ladies at the Eclectic Keepsakes crop.
I didn't stay that long as I was a bit worried about the snow descending upon us but while I was there Karen convinced me to have a go at Just one Sketch. I've duly signed up and have managed to find a sketch to work from - thanks to the very lovely Janice.

Here's the layout I came up with... I rused Kaisercraft papers and a Wendy Vecchi stamp

As usual we had lovely cupcakes and lovely company, and I really enjoyed it.It was nice to be back!

Unspeakable heartache

2012-02-02T23:15:00.000Z

Today I lost one of the most important people in my life and I will miss him more than words can say.......

but we had some happy times last year and for that I am grateful.....

Yahoo - it worked

2012-01-27T13:30:00.000Z

I'm scheduling this to post tomorrow(Friday).. so fingers crossed it works.....
I am SO relieved, I've been fiddling about on here for at least three evenings on and off - having nearly completely given up and lost my blog in the wilds of cyberspace forever and all because I wanted to put a new header on! I lost the background and couldn't get to the website I found it on originally so changed the layout ...then it kept telling me I'd run out of space in my Picasa web album ( I didn't even know I had one !!) Then it gave me the option of downloading Google Chrome - which I did and totally lost the plot as it wanted Windows updates too......
I'm now using this via Google chrome and am not looking forward to the others in the house asking me what has gone on and how they get on t'internet....
I think I've finally got it back to resemble something like it used to look like (ish)
Change is as good as a rest they say don't they?
Anyway, on to crafty things...
I was feeling a tad grungey a few evenings ago and decided to break into the latest GottaCraft kit. I always love what Sandra puts together.I challenged myself to use some Tim stamps as it just seemed to lend itself to them.

Dad is still in hospital and still very poorly, so I'm still backwards and forwards every day.I'm trying to fit some crafty stuff in to keep normality here.

ATDML guest designer- Simple Stories

2012-01-21T12:30:00.001Z

I was chuffed to be asked for a second time to be a guest designer for A Trip Down Memory Lane's gallery this month.

The range to work with was Simple Stories .It actually got me crafting again as it's been a bit un-crafty around here lately,and when I shut myself away in the room of stash I actually really enjoyed it.I surprised myself and came up with quite a few once I got going.. Mel has been poorly and I was a tad late getting my creations to her so they are not on the gallery as yet,but you can see the other great projects the team have come up with here... their designs are all varied and beautiful as always....Here's what I came up with.

The main themes for these papers were travel and life documented,but the ladies also said if you had any 'yearography' projects to send those too....

This is one of my favourite photos of my middle son and his girlfriend - I used one of the new EK success dimensional flower punches for the flower..

I was really on a roll and got going on a mini book too

I won't bore you with too many of the pages

......and I made a tag too...

I've been itching to blog these as I haven't had a lot else to talk about really - Dad is in hospital again so I'm over there after work every evening and by the time I get back and have dinner it's too late to do a lot else.Hope you all have a great Saturday.

Hello world

2012-01-08T20:40:00.000Z

Where on earth has the last week and a bit gone??
My life at the moment has been in and out of the car travelling to dad's - shopping - washing- making numerous visits to the chemist and the hospital as well as working-. So life - as we know it Jim -has kind of been on hold.. Dad is starting to feel a tiny bit stronger each day - we have to go back and forth to the hospital weekly for warfarin blood tests to check levels and have some care into place now ,so I hope things will start to even out a tiny bit now.
I've really really missed my bloggy visits and am now taking some time out to have a surf around and see what has been going on...
I really really want to try and do Project Life this year, but it's printing photos out (or having some to print!!) each week that is the problem for me - and do I really want to be reporting on hospital stuff and all that ? I suppose that's what it is - life !

I hardly took any photos over Christmas and New Year but have one of a card I made in December for a friend and also a couple of random Christmas ones of a certain little dog who had a new coat - his real one's not warm enough !!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR Blogfriends

2011-12-31T17:08:00.000Z

With love to you all - here's to a good 2012

Happy Christmas

2011-12-25T20:30:00.000Z

♥ From me and mine- to you and yours..♥

Hello Blogland

2011-12-24T15:54:00.000Z

Things have been extremely manic for me over the past couple of weeks,I feel like I have been away for years!
Dad had a hospital stay in London for two weeks while they sorted him out, so we were visiting him after work in the evenings-he came out last week so I have been staying over there being nurse. There has been lots of organising to do but hopefully things are sorting out a bit now. He is feeling much better and needs to build his strength up so am trying to tempt him with different goodies here and there. He lives in a village and the internet on my phone is very hit and miss so haven't been able to keep up with any blogs or emails.
So I'd like to say sorry to you lovely friends out there who I wanted to send a card to- I managed to stamp the Christmas trees on the cards and that's it!
They are all sitting in a bag waiting for me to finish them. I've just popped home to sort a few bits out and want to wish all of you a really Happy Christmas and hope you have a wonderful time.
Luckily himself picked the turkey up this morning so i think we will have Christmas dinner tomorrow!
Have a great time
XXXX

Waking up the neighbours

2011-12-11T12:09:00.000Z

or at least that was the title of a Bryan Adams album that was released 20 years ago,and the name of his latest tour.
We went off to the O2 arena Thursday evening- and as we walked from the massive car park it was absolutely ferreeeeeeezing -and there was suddenly a festive air when we saw this and heard 'All i want for Christmas is you' being blasted out by the singers beside the Coca Cola lorry

We got there a bit earlier than normal,met up with Brother and Sister in law and our eldest son and his friend

Bryan didn't disappoint as always and put on a great show -It was a lovely evening and made a really nice change.

JYC- It's beginning to look ...

2011-12-07T20:43:00.002Z

a bit like Christmas around here...
I'm just documenting December/Christmas as and when I can this year as I did last year
I went straight to my Dad's after work last night - and when I got home - two people had been very busy - what a lovely surprise..It looked very festive - wanna see ?
The tree was up

Glitzy Santa - old but we love him..

This reindeer has to come out - he was always a real favourite when the boys were little and TY toys were all the rage- remember them ?

and mr snowman

and we always have our little blue wooden tree with the tiny ornaments - we bought this in Germany two years ago when we went to Oberammergau- every shop window was choc-a-bloc with wooden decorations.

and he is affectionately known as 'arrr missmass ' the boys' name for father christmas when they were little..

and I just had to have a try at one of those - reflective bauble photos ...

hmmmm - not bad- not brilliant either !

There is such a thing then

2011-12-05T19:15:00.000Z

As a man who cooks!
What a lovely surprise to come home from a busy day visiting Dad to see number one son doing pasta for him and himself..

and for anyone who would like a smile for this evening - a pic of yours truly when I was fourteen ........ years ago!

tee hee..

An Eclectic day

2011-12-03T22:07:00.000Z

I'm sitting here snuggled up in the armchair feeling very tired now- we had such a lovely day at the Christmas crop today.
We started the day with a great class from Debbie Jewell. She had designed a fab double layout class where we have the facility to go back and add our photos at a later date. Each number on the page is accompanied by a piece of acetate to the side or above or below, where we can put our photos under.

Karen had as always made some lovely cupcakes- mince pie ones and peppermint - they were both gorgeous...

Then it was on to my class (gulp) - a Christmas Tree card stamped and inked with some jewels and stickles to glitz it up a bit .I thought it would be nice to make an envelope that was a bit special just for something different.

We used the enveloper to make the envelope and hopefully everyone enjoyed it.

Then, Karen called Deb and me to come outside as she had a surprise for us..How lovely- there was a package from the very lovely - kind- thoughtful- Deb Turtle. She had sent a parcel over from the States for us to open together when we were at the crop. Inside were some lovely goodies for us to eat and also a little note each.THANK YOU so much DEB - what a lovely thought.

we all had a 'bring and share' lunch- lots of nibbly bits and pieces. Cakes,quiche,sausages,crackers,sandwiches,and so much more..

Then we had a great CD calendar class by Ann Freeman, It's a really clever idea, I only managed to get the front cover done, am still working on the month pages

. It was such a lovely day and spent with some awesome company.

Are you ready ?

2011-11-30T15:11:00.001Z

Nope- neither am I....

I don't think I have ever been so UNready ......I've got kit. ( I can hear my friend Deb tutting - yes I really did need it honest ! ).I really want to document December - but can't make my mind up quite how to do it.
Things really are quite different this year - life is trotting by very very quickly at the moment...

I think I will probably try and make a small- ish booky journal - I really do think it's a good thing to have the pages ready so i'm going to get cracking tonight and make a start.

I've been busying myself with preparing my class for the Eclectic Keepsakes crop this weekend - and now i'm happy with that I can think about other stuff.
I might just make an envelope album actually- hmmm.' Anybody else out there doing JYC and what are you doing this time? Honestly - there is never a dull moment in our house,after number two son moved out a month ago - and thinking the house would be empty and boring - number one son has moved back home ! Love it !

Christmas Cropping - a couple of spaces left on 3rd December

2011-11-23T09:53:00.000Z

If anyone fancies a day of scrapping,some great company, festive food-and three classes - taught by the lovely Debbie Jewell, Ann Freeman and little old me - there are a couple of places left. It is sure to be a friendly warm and all round fun festive day.

Ripple-icious

2011-11-21T20:30:00.000Z

Life has been extremely busy for me lately,my Dad has been poorly for a quite a while now and we have been backwards and forwards to hospitals for tests,so crafting of the paper variety has taken a bit of a back seat.
Mind you -all this sitting and waiting at appointments has given me the chance to work on a bit of hooky stuff. I've made a couple of Ripple blankets in the past and when I saw Lucy over at Attic24 was embarking on a new one - decided to join in. Hers is made with really bright vibrant colours.I've got sooooooo many balls of wool which I've only used a bit of- when I had a look through ~~the massive pile~~ the few that are left, I've luckily been able to follow her colours(ish) without having to buy any more.( Is that a bit of a worry that I have so much left I can make another whole new blanket???) lol

Anyway, here's the progress so far -

This is it last week... folded over on itself a couple of times

and this is how it looks tonight - and oh look at all those ends that have to be sewn in just peeking out at the right hand side....

Will be back with a bit of scrappy stuff soon.

A Spooky Gotta Craft Layout

2011-11-15T18:30:00.000Z

I started this layout a couple of weeks ago - I loved the last kit that Sandra put together and thought it would be perfect for scrapping the photo of the moon I took in the garden. It's not the sort of photo I would think to scrap normally, but I did like it and I was dead chuffed when Deb Turtle asked if she could use it on one of her blog posts..so here we go,one spooky moon layout..Maybe I could use the rest of the kit on an 'Alice Cooper ' layout ....?hmmmmm

Shimelle's Christmas weekend

2011-11-12T11:52:00.000Z

Shimelle is hosting a Christmas weekend on her blog this weekend and she asked us to blog a favourite festive layout or project that we had previously made- I designed this one for my very first class I taught over at Eclectic Keepsakes last year. I love it as My Mind's Eye products are a particular favourite of mine and - of course it features my three boys (men)- all in their new Christmas jumpers.

Me? Sewing?......

2011-11-05T22:17:00.000Z

Today was the monthly Eclectic Keepsakes crop.To say I was out of my comfort zone for the class would be an understatement...
Anyone who knows me knows that I don't do sewing - I can sew - but I really am not comfortable hand sewing and definitely not machine sewing. The last time I used a sewing machine was back in the '70s when I was at school.
The class today was to make a 'scrap catcher'.My friend Jane had made one for each of us last year after seeing one at a crop and I must say that I would be lost without mine- It sits nicely at the side of me and collects all my scraps and bits- and it holds a lot too!
So anyway, the time came for the class and the ladies sat down at the machines with their kits and instructions that had been prepared by Jane,who was on hand to lend a hand as and when was needed.

Then it was my turn and yessssss... with a bit of guidance from Jane I made one! I'm so happy- job done!

The butterfly material is Laura Ashley and we could choose from Blue,Yellow or Pink gingham for the inside.They are great to take to crops so you always have somewhere to put your scraps of rubbish in. I believe there are one or two kits left. If anyone is interested in one- please email me at dlh44(at)hotmail(dot)com for details.

I managed to finish another couple of layouts from the weekend retreat as well today.
This one was Suzanne Torr's class

and this one was designed by Mel..

So - it's been quite a productive day today!

Tales of a crafty weekend

2011-10-31T22:38:00.000Z

Well,that was all over far too quickly.As always Mel and Jill had arranged a wonderful weekend.
I always love the moment we arrive walking through the lovely reception with the fire burning - saying hi to everyone then finding our place in the crop room...

Then checking in and seeing the lovely view from your room overlooking the golf course......

The first class of the weekend was with the lovely Ann who had made yummy Oreo cupcakes - what a great start

I have quite a few projects to finish and Ann's class is one of them- it was a lovely calendar.
Here are a couple of the classes I did manage to finish....
This was Mel's layout using Simple Stories Generations papers. It had a couple of interactive elements - the fold out part at the front and the family flap at the top had a magnetic snap so you could open it to reveal smaller tag photos..

Then another class was one of Karen's - another one of her stunners - using Authentique papers. I love the colour combinatons, We made the tags and decorated them first, then they were added to the layout..

I've got loads to finish - can't wait to get stuck in - it's always a tonic to spend time doing what you love in the company of like minded people and it's great to meet new friends too.

Sunny scrapping

2011-10-28T10:42:00.000+01:00

I'm off to sunny ( at the moment ) Colchester for a scrapping weekend -can't wait won't wait - tell all when I get back!

Someone knows something is going on!- he keeps hanging round my cases and bits- hope they spoil him while I'm away .

Being brave with patterned paper

2011-10-26T08:28:00.000+01:00

Shimelle's prompt two was to use patterned paper for a background.
I've had this paper in my stash for quite a while and the colour never inspired me,so just because, I decided to go with it - then I decided to go all out and use one of the papers from Tim Holtz's collections that I never thought I'd use just to give it a go. I've used this photo before but it was sitting in my box on the top and the colours seemed to fit- so this really is a ' using up of odds and ends layout - I hadn't got enough 'e's either for the title so 'luv' was used instead - but then the word 'luv' was very 'in' during the '70's wasn't it??-
Checkout the flared jeans and awful sandals !

Shimelle's paper party- just me.

2011-10-19T08:24:00.001+01:00

I didn't have a wide enough lens to get all my paper in the shot for Shimelle's first assignment 'post a picture of your paper stack' - stacks more like for me ! Not only that, my stacks are so untidy at the moment...mind you it did make me feel so much better seeing some of the collections that people have posted on the forum!
So moving on- using strips of paper - yep I can certainly find lots of strips of offcuts - think I might have gone overboard on the colours a bit though- I happened to have a photo of me in yellow and also a piece of bright yellow cardstock that I nearly put in the bin the other day..typical me, when left to my own devices,always have to have butterflies, a bit of bling and flowers-but that is me and looking back I'll smile at that I bet.

Most of the offcuts and stickers are Echo Park and as always Shimelle has inspired me already.

Our weekend

2011-10-18T14:26:00.000+01:00

Was spent driving down to Sussex via the M25 loaded up with mattresses and flat packed drawer sets and numerous other bits and pieces for son and his girlfriends new home...
Don't we all have one of these moments - when you are absolutely sure those instructions are wrong...

Those slats just won't fit that way .......

So after much reading and flipping and slotting - it eventually looked like a bed!

our other son popped round from his house where he stays whilst at Uni -mum did the usual - 'come on time for a photo ' bit in the kitchen...

It didn't take long before it started to look more like home

We spent a lovely afternoon wandering round the town and had a nice meal

I loved this clock- towery building in the middle of the town.I loved it as there was a Cath Kidston AND a Body Shop so I had to have a wee wander round them..

Then it was time to wend our way home back via the M25 - thankfully both ways were no problem - no nasty jams or anything Happy knowing they were sorted (ish) starting out on their life together.

Talking of which- I did a little digi - layout via WiddlyTinks last night of us starting our life together- ALL those years ago!!

Life takes over sometimes

2011-10-14T18:11:00.000+01:00

Sometimes there are things that are all consuming in your life and they tend to take over for a while.
It's like that for me at the moment. Middle son moved out to live with his girlfriend yesterday - as a mum you feel a teensy weensy bit sad but happy for them too.
I wandered round his bedroom last night after he had gone and was looking at the photos left on the wall of him as a youngster - then found his Pokemon album and some wrestling men in the drawer. Weird - very weird - second son all grown up now!!

He'd left a few bits behind -even left his massive Coke bottle with pennies in!

Also, I have had a very poorly Dad. Being an only child - it's been a busy time coping with all the comings and goings to and from hospital for tests and things- and also coping with what has been going on. It has also meant that I have been staying over with him to make sure he is ok a couple of times too.
He has some big problems with his health and I'm praying that he will be ok. I've been in a bit of a whirl this week as he has to continue his hospital visits at another hospital now and may have to have treatment or an operation.
So all in all - life has taken over in a big way over the past couple of weeks for me. I've missed my crafting and really want to just get 'back to normal'.'
It's always difficult when you are not feeling so cheery as usual to do a blog post,but I suppose that's what it's all about really - blogging life- good and bad.
Anyway, on a cheerier note,himself has just gone upstairs with the hoover and there is lots of 'busying' and thumping- think he might just be tidying up where the room has been left with all son's remnants !- Yep I can hear drawers clattering and the radio is on so he is up there for a while!
Better go and sort dinner for two- home made scotch eggs and chips I think - or maybe lamb chops - can't decide!
Back soon with some catchup layouts .

September favourites

2011-10-05T22:49:00.000+01:00

I like the idea some bloggers have of doing a little round up of their favourite moments/ photos from the month, so here are some of mine.... just because..

Spooky moon taken from our back garden

Grandad's dahlia

A happy hubby when his team won

A blurred photo - but it cracks me up every time I see it !

My first really big pointer on words with friends

A beautiful weird rainbow sky just today taking the dog out

Okay, so technically this one is October - just realised.!

Been Croppin'

2011-10-01T19:29:00.000+01:00

It was off to Cambridge today to meet up with some old and some new friends for Hilary and Ifa's crop.
Ifa had designd two lovely classes using the zingy Echo Park Happy Days collection.

This is layout one - we did some stamping and embossing for different elements of the page. I stamped the words beautiful summer- the swirly flourish at the top with the bird,and the little signpost.I loved this little signpost stamp.

Then it was on to the second layout...

There was more stamping to do if you wanted to on this one. I really liked Ifa's use of smaller photos on these layouts,it reminded me that you don't always have to use bigger ones.Photobox don't do small ones - so I don't really use many. This made me get some paper and print my own and I'm really glad I did.
On a different note, whilst driving there and back today - just minding my own business - why is it everyone is always in such a hurry on the roads nowadays?, I'm probably sounding like a right old grump but honestly,the roads are like a bloomin ractrack aren't they?
I've just watched Strictly and now it's X Factor time- himself has just gone to get the takeaway curry - great way to spend a Saturday evening !

The second layout

2011-09-30T18:44:00.001+01:00

This is the second of Michelle's layouts from the weekend. We used a paint splatter technique on the paper to start us off - made a bit of a mess on the pavement outside!

I must admit I wasn't loving the threading of the beads for the wirey bit at the bottom of the layout but eventually liked the end result, although it was very nearly abandoned a couple of times- I couldn't get the knack of keeping the shape and threading the beads... there was a lot of ' leg jiggling ' going on !I definitley think if ever the chance arises - jewellery making is not for moi !

It's going to be another crafty day tomorrow as I am off to a new one for me- with Ifa Zainon - I shall be meeting the lovely Deb there too- so we should have a fun day.

Now- it's Friday-its the return of Strictly Come Dancing tonight - can't wait won't wait!

3 Jolly Scrappers

2011-09-26T19:01:00.000+01:00

I had a lovely day yesterday,at a workshop run by 3JollyScrappers with the lovely Michelle Jackson Mogford.
A day's scrapping is always a real tonic to lose yourself in for a while.
Michelle had designed 3 layouts with the kit - I only managed to finish one - part do another and haven't even started the third yet I'll post the others when I've done them - here's the one I did finish - loved it.

The papers were Glitz designs.We did lots of inking and flower making - I really liked the idea of the door revealing a second photo too.
It was good to come home to Downton Abbey last night -I'm really enjoying this second series,anyone else out there liking it too ?

Picture from
Google Images

LSNED days 20-21-22

2011-09-24T17:00:00.001+01:00

Day 20: If I think about what kind of defines me or what is my signature or what is just me- It would most definitely be -florals...whenever there is a choice to be made.I can't help it, I always go for florally stuff.
When I first got married 30 something years ago, the one thing I soooo wanted was Laura Ashley florally/cherry curtains in my kitchen...I managed to find a pic on google images that is almost the same as they were....I' ve always been a florally/swirly type of girl. My latest Cath Kidston cushions are not that dissimilar !

Day 21: There are still signs of summer hanging around especially when the sun comes out for a while- and upgrading my phone was such a good idea....

Day 22: This year things are not so easy as they have been in the past couple of years for me.There are changes around me with more boys leaving home for their new lives and my Dad's not so good and is having quite a trying time of it lately. I'm hoping that I have the mix just about right and am managing to still spend time with my favourite hobby - preserving those memories be them good,bad or inbetween- so - no regrets on any front really...hopefully I am being a good mum, good daughter, good wife and good employee!

Shiny head club :-)

2011-09-23T21:33:00.001+01:00

It's a bit of a joke in our house - my other half always has the mickey taken out of him about his 'shiny head'. I must add that he is ~~very~~ quite capable of dishing out a lot bit of mickey taking and does take it back well...
I had this photo from our holiday and was going to make a layout- when the boys joked that it looked a bit 'shiny head clubby' so it put me off and I left it out..don't ask me why, but I was fiddling about with some pink and bluey scraps of paper last night- one being the really glitzy shiny glittery My Mind's Eye paper left from Ann's class at the Eclectic Crop,and the idea just came to me to use the shiny head photo on the shiny paper.

I sprayed quite a lot of glimmer mist over the whole thing too..

Just to make sure it was shiny!

Back AND front !

2011-09-22T08:23:00.000+01:00

When our son graduated last year, I took the usual 'lots' of photos and have scrapped some of the main ones that I really liked, but as always - I still have quite a lot that I love and haven't done anything with.
I kept saying before and on the day 'we must get a photo of your back as well as your front' and it became a bit of a leg pull for the others about me - mum wants a picture of the back etc etc.... so without further ado here it is. I used Sandra's latest Gottacraft kit -which as always had a great mix of papers and embellishments,I added some of my own letters for the title.

LSNED day 19

2011-09-20T18:00:00.001+01:00

I learned that - I am a very bad girl when I see new Christmas papers and things...I've ordered some of this...

and one of these......

It's fun having something to look forward to making though isn't it??

What with these and my card kit I should be kept quiet for ages AND totally organised ..... (hmmmmm) !

LSNED day 18

2011-09-19T18:46:00.001+01:00

I learned something today that I kind of already knew ......
It really really does make such a difference to a certain male person's mood around here when he comes home from watching his favourite ~~obsession~~ team play footie and they have won- there was me minding my own business trying to take a 'self portrait' and in he comes and says- oooh let me be in it !.....

LSNED day 16 and 17

2011-09-18T20:11:00.000+01:00

I learned on the the 16th- that when Dads are on their own in the world- and are up against it -you worry about them just as much as you do your sons...in just the same way,but are in a funny way still their little girl

Day 17 : I learned that you can get that blind put up eventually if you just drop a little hint that it's been hanging around for 3 weeks and aren't there any of the right screws available - especially if you have a willing er helper .....

LSNED 11 -15

2011-09-16T21:29:00.000+01:00

It's weird how you go along on a roll and then you lose a day and it throws you all out - I've been keeping things in mind every day

day 11: Hinself's Alice Cooper obsession will never wane

day 12: I love to sit and do a bit of hooking when there is lots going on round me - it calms me.

day 13:Worrying all day about having a troublesome tooth out doesn't help at all !

day 14:I really can't create in a 7 inch square of space in my craft room - I must put punches and things away as soon as I 've used them.

Cue embarrasing photo...... perhaps if I post it small it won't look so bad .....

day 15: my reasons for doing this ...I haven't really stuck rigidly to Shimelle's prompts but this year I'm doing it more as a kind of diary for me and I'm enjoying it. I really like looking back on these projects year after year to see how life has changed for me.This time last year i was looking forward to seeing Michael Flatley.
Three layouts from exactly this time last year - has my style changed ? don't think so - and I still love that pale blue and white damasky Jenni Bowlin paper! do you have one ( or more ) papers that you absolutely love and no matter how old it is you still love using it?

4 x 6 Photo Love 7

2011-09-15T21:59:00.000+01:00

Shimelle is certainly keeping me busy lately and I must admit I am rather likiing it....
I've loosely tried to keep up with LSNED this week,so will be blogging pages soon.
I certainly learned yesterday that worrying all day about having a troublesome tooth out didn't help one little bit - and the more you worry - the worse you feel so it's best not to.
Here's my July photo love layout - better late than never eh?

Shimelle's Starting Point Challenge

2011-09-14T14:37:00.000+01:00

This is Shimelle's starting point ....

and this is what I came up with..

and now I'm off to the dentist's - wish me luck !

Hooky stuff

2011-09-13T21:02:00.000+01:00

I still love to sit and do a bit of hooking, it's taking my mind off the fact that I have an appointment at a special dental clinic tomorrow to have the tiny bit of tooth that's left out -I might be a bit quiet tomorrow evening!

I've been sitting doing some at lunchtime sometimes at work too -it does grow quickly when you get going.

It's dark so early now,time to settle down - dog at my feel, hook in hand, cup of tea, lovely!

I really want to have a go at Lucy's Blooming Flower Cushion as well, note to self - really must not start any more yet! but it does look fun.....

Alice who ?

2011-09-12T20:07:00.000+01:00

Imagine my delight when I got home last night to find a very excited other half beside himself...
My son picked a parcel up for him on Saturday from the sorting office and he hadn't had chance to open it until yesterday.....
There it was spread out - all over the kitchen (where else?)

There was much excitement because he had two posters - one of which had himslef's name printed on it (he's actually highlighted his name in pink highlighter - but I don't think you can quite see it ) the reason for this was if you subscribed to this one off 'special' you got a poster with your name on it amongst x amount of others....apparently it is being framed and put in the lounge ( I don't think so ) Might have to break that one to him gently!
Not only did you get the new album, you got a special magazine,a mask ( to go with the other one from the concert that sits on his memo board), the new album, make up, a special edition magazine, AND -

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear- a rubber stamp.....
My lesson learned today ? At 50 something - his obsession will never wane.....

It's obviously riveting reading.........lol

Lots of layouts and day 10

2011-09-11T21:01:00.000+01:00

Wow - where did the weekend go?

We were straight out from work Friday evening.We thought we were going to watch a band play in a pub - but it turned out to be a few different bands in a marquee in the garden of the pub..a charity ball in aid of cancer - with canapes and an auction and we had a really nice time !
Then on Saturday it was off to meet the lovely ladies at the monthly Eclectic Keepsakes crop.
The class in the afternoon was designed by the very talented Ann Freeman - loved these layouts. They were using the very gorgeous My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 2 papers..
Here's the first one ...

The second one was perfect to use the latest photo I took of all the men together ....

I had chance in the morning to catch up on my LSNED pages ...

So - that leads me on to day 10 - I learned that I really like playing with my new Photobooth app that I downloaded to my iphone - willing subjects - Deb - himself and then thanks to Deb for taking some of me for my page.

and today I've been to a local crop and made another couple of pages, I'll share them later..and now I'm off to collapse in a heap and watch the X Factor..

LSNED day 8 and 9

2011-09-10T01:53:00.000+01:00

Sometimes you can get spooked two days running....
day 8 .....
I got a little bit spooked taking the dog for a walk a little way away from home and decided NOT to go down the long long path and across the field that I hadn't been to before, sad really that I don't feel comfortable walking the fields and lanes like I used to when I was a child.......but do you ever get that feeling that you are just not comfortable?
the lane was going a long way and was right beside an open field on one side but I didn't like the way it had hugh bushes and stuff each side of it which made it kind of enclosed.....

Then, day 9 - was definitely spookesville last night ....I just had to get a photo ...the moon behind the clouds being blown past it looking from our garden....

LSNED day 7

2011-09-08T17:50:00.002+01:00

After taking dads to hospital - and sitting waiting with your crocheting...

- it really is nice to treat yourself on impulse once in a while ......not everyone's cup of tea but I love him!

LSNED day 6 - delightful dahlias!

2011-09-07T20:23:00.001+01:00

I learned today that ....

Grandad's dahlias can get really tall - he is standing up in the background - and he's not that tiny!

and here's my page for day 5 AND you won't believe what happened today either ....

Yep - this is another one - this time for £5 ......must know when to stop and not get carried away though ! Although it makes me want to buy a Euromillions ticket!

Here's the second one ...

LSNED - pages so far and day 5

2011-09-06T19:44:00.000+01:00

and what did I learn on day 5 ....
that you can sometimes win on a scratchcard ....yay me - £20 ! .tee hee :-)

LSNED day four

2011-09-05T23:01:00.000+01:00

I gave in to myself the other week when there was a Christmas Craft Day on tv and ordered an Anna Griffin card kit.
It arrived after a couple of days and I keep promising myself that I'm just going to sit and make Christmas cards one Sunday - soon....

......Lesson today... It really is never too early to start Christmas and it's ok to 'cheat' a bit when you've got loads to make...

LSNED day three

2011-09-04T20:30:00.002+01:00

What have I learned today ??

No matter how many times we do it - my heart always hurts on the day of the Uni drop off.....

I've finished the book cover now- I decided to leave the tape off and leave it as it was and have added a couple of grungeboard hinges which I painted black then had a good old spritz with Antique Gold.

LSNED day two - help please

2011-09-03T21:16:00.000+01:00

I've been making my book cover today and I've certainly learned that I really really do like messing about with inks and paint and stuff and should do more of it ........The album started life like this

An American Crafts 8x8 album.

I've painted it and alcohol inked it and covered it with some Tim Holtz Craft Resist cardstock- then inked over the Craft Resist ........so far it looks like this...

I could do with a bit of help - I can't make my mind up whether to leave it like this or add this abc tape - I will probably ink over the tape to make it not so white - opinions please........

I keep putting it on and taking it off and still can't decide.
I think I might add some hinges on the spine too.....

LSNED- Day one - what did I learn ?

2011-09-02T08:20:00.001+01:00

Work really can be quite fun sometimes ..........

Not only do we get nice visitors

One of my colleagues has a Dachsund - she came in for a quick visit ....I had a job getting a decent photo of her on my phone as she was right up the other end of the office...settling down beside her owner...

Then she popped up to my end of the office to say hello so I snapped a quick photo.....

Not only that .....

the Accountant pretended to be her.......

Shimelle's sketch of the week

2011-08-29T18:12:00.000+01:00

All dressed up !

One of quite a few photos of the day -may be a bit weird to take this - but you know what us scrappers are like- preserve every bit of the memory! Even the shoes..

Friends and Blogland

2011-08-27T10:32:00.001+01:00

I had a lovely suprise in the post the other day -

this had come all the way from Arizona USA.

I happened to mention when we last had a bar-b-que that the men/lads here all love Paul Newman's ranch style dressing.

Deb Turtle did no more that pack me up a pack of this yummy stuff - and I can report back that 'they all loved it' Deb! ..himself even had it all over his hot pasta the other night!

Thank you so much Deb - it warms my heart to have such lovely friends - especially as you have such a busy time at the moment ♥

Speaking of friends, I had a lovely time out yesterday catching up with another Deb,

We caught up on all the latest news, discussed scrapping projects and generally had a nice time. She had some lovely cupcakes for us - and did we think to take a photo of them? nope.

At last I've done some scrapping -yay! - here's my take on Shimelle's latest Starting Point challenge....

A day in the life ....

2011-08-25T20:18:00.001+01:00

of me....
I booked two days holiday for today and tomorrow a couple of weeks back- thinking stupidly that the weather would be nice as it's August but hey ho that was not to be !
Today started with rain - and more rain....and also youngest son has been suffering with a bad back for about a month now.Despite several visits to have it manipulated etc it is still not good and he has been complaining of a pain in his chest recently so it was off to the doctors this morning....

This probably sounds a bit daft - but when you work full time - it's so nice to just do 'boring normal' things -those things that you always have to fit in at lunch time in a rush- like doctor's and dentist's appointments.
Also- imagine my delight when I switched the tv on and guess what was on ...(like it wasn't planned !)

Nothing like a bit of Anna Griffin to cheer a miserable day up

It was off to the soggy town to drop son off to the doctors - even the bunting couldn't brighten up the high street..

Our little museum was deserted -

So I sat and waited for him in the car - doing a bit more of my 'Christmas' blanket while I waited.

Luckily he wasn't too long and came back armed with painkillers and antibiotics - so it was home for lunch -
then before we knew it - other son had arrived as it is himself's birthday today and they are all off to North London tonight to watch Spurs together.

It was so lovely to have them all here at the same time as it won't be long before youngest son is back at Uni and then middle son is moving down to the same area with his girlfriend (the boys were at the same Uni )

So I did the 'Mum' thing and made them all stand together for a group shot before they went off .
Deb Turtle - if you are reading this - you will laugh at one of himself's birthday cards .....it had to happen one day......

So that was my day today - and now Anna Griffin is on again so I'm home alone and curling up on the sofa for a bit of crafting-does anyone else out there still like Anna's stuff?

Just because Ruth and Liz did it ...

2011-08-23T20:48:00.000+01:00

... the dreaded self portrait - I just read Liz's blog and thought I'd do one too...hmmmm my eye still looks a bit small - no make up - this is me after cooking dinner and finishing up tonight !

and a card I made at the weekend for an anniversary

Where did that week and weekend go ?

2011-08-19T14:44:00.000+01:00

Last Friday was spent travelling 'Up North' to near Durham to a wedding.Our middle son used to play football with the groom and we have stayed friends with his parents over the years.

We were so pleased when he asked us to his wedding although it was a long journey. The venue was a beautiful hotel- almost like a castle to look at.

We had decided to make a few days of it as it was such a long way and were going to leave at about 11 o'clock Friday morning.
True to form I woke up with a cracking headache on Friday and you know how it is- I was stressed because I felt lousy and the more stressed I got the worse my head got.Anyway,in the end I decided I couldn't travel like that and put myself back to bed.
Eventually it started to wear off and we left at about 2.30 in the afternoon.
The hotel was lovely, a bit mediaeval inside.

We spent the evening catching up with friends and meeting new ones in the hotel - and I caught a glimpse of the reception room being prepared..It was a beautiful wedding - the main colour was a rich blue (one of my favourites)

This was in the morning when the flower decorations had been placed on the tables

The cake was beautiful in blue and white and had lovely delicate butterflies all over .The church was a dear little one and really lovely inside

Luckily the weather held out and a good day was had by all ...

A kind man offered to take a photo but it turned out a tad fuzzy!

and when it was time to go home the groom's Dad gave me one of the table decorations - its still looking resplendent on my sideboard at home!

An Anniversary and Weekend Cropping

2011-08-09T20:34:00.000+01:00

I promise I won't do this too much but after Storytelling Sunday I thought I'd tell you that it is our 31st Wedding Anniversary today.......
yep- a classic !

.....

But then I did get these delivered at work today which was a real surprise

It was time for the monthly Eclectic Keepsakes crop on Saturday. I missed the last one because I was on holiday - so I was really looking forward to it.
There was a smaller class this time as lots of people were on holiday so we were all together in the middle of the hall.-which was nice as we all got to chat to each other.
Karen had made some lovely cakes,and as always very thoughtfully made a couple without chocolate on for me.Sorry about the photo but I was using my phone and it didn't come out very well.

We did our own thing in the morning as usual - then in the afternoon it was time to do the class Karen had designed using Fancy Pants Beach Babe papers and chipboard and some Echo Park hybrid elements.
I was a bit unsure about photos as we don't 'do' beaches but I was really pleased with the photos I chose in the end.

The time absolutely flew by, before we knew it - it was 6 o'clock and time to get home for some bar-b-queuing ..a lovely end to a lovely day.

Storytelling Sunday - The Note

2011-08-07T12:18:00.002+01:00

Let me start this little story by saying that the person who is 'featured' is very happy to be blogged and gave his full permission!!
Bear with it as it goes on a bit but I have to set the scene ......

If you want to read some more stories today - head on over to Sian's blog here

Now, any of those who know my other half and me know that he is -er very organised, very tidy, has to have things in neat rows and when we go shopping, the tins have to have the labels facing the front when put away in the cupboard- clustered together - beans with beans,sweetcorn separate,tinned toms with tinned toms - no mixing up ....If he hangs washing out on the line, the socks have to be hung up in pairs all facing the same way and when shirts are ironed - the 'proper long sleeved shirts' have to be hung on metal tirangle hangers and tee shirts go on the wooden half circle hangers.........oh and the hangers must all hang over the rail the same way....with the hook away from you...You get the picture?

Now this is very handy at home obviously as he has to have the house tidy and things have to be in their place but sometimes it can get a bit wearing.
I would like to add that I am not a scruffy untidy person but I like home to be home and don't nag every second of the day for the boys to tidy up. I normally have a blitz maybe at the weekend etc etc...
When I go to work in the mornings I very often make them laugh by taking a note in that himself has left by the kettle for me - there is always a note left by the kettle from himself before he goes to work - nearly always for me but sometimes for the boys.......

'Denise ......Please pay cheque in....
'Denise......Please hang washing OUT- not indoors...
'Denise......Please get my tablets
'Denise......Please get sandwich fllings x 6 - NOT egg mayonnaise, NOT tuna crunch and watch sell by date ......

This last one was one that particularly wound me up me as I do the shopping and as I work right near Tescos am in there after work nearly every day buying stuff for dinner.I'm quite aware that the sell by dates can be better on the things at the back of the shlef rather than the front - I did take this note to work and the girls all really laughed !!

One friend of mine suggested keeping all the notes and making a scrapbook of them all - I actually might do that...

Anyway - Friday night for the first time in about a month I decided to get my crocheting out and do a bit and made a couple of squares.....
.
Hope you're still with me !!

Picture the scene , it's yesterday morning (Saturday) - I got up and was really looking forward to a day scrapping at Eclectic Keepsakes monthly crop. I haven't done any scrapping since I got back from hols mainly because of my eye so was really looking forward to a crafty day.... got tote, got photos, got stuff ready, now for tea and toast and make a sandwich....

Over to the kettle .............

Close up.....

Roughly translated says 'Please tidy up your wool and throw away anything in fridge we don't need TA.

So - after 31 years of marriage I kind of just take no notice of these notes really and don't let them wind me up BUT I would like to show you the mess of wool that he wanted tidying up that had only been there since the previous night ..............

Did it need tidying??... I don't think so !

I hope you enjoyed this slightly different story today - I thought it might make you smile - particularly Deb as she has often heard some of these stories - especially the one about Tescos not doing Banana Angel Delight - how can they possibly have three different types of Angel Delight in one flavour - Bird's,Tesco's Own, and Value - yet they don't do Banana ?? ...but that's another story!
Bless him.....

Sore Eye Syndrome

2011-07-30T23:43:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling sorry for myself at the moment, my eye problem has raised it's ugly head again and I have had a week of coming home from work and not really wanting to do much that needed concentrating on....so there's nothing very exciting going on crafty wise!....cue bad eye face pose .........beware- no make up shot!

It doesn't seem to want to go away quickly so am persevering with the ointment for a couple more days....

It really does make you appreciate your eyes when something like this happens doesn't it?

My nickname at the moment is 'Cyclops' I seem to be the only one who doesn't think it's funny !!!

At least it has been a nice sunny day today.

As there are a lack of scrappy pics at the moment,here's a couple more pics of when I went for tea at Buckingham Palace - nice smiley memories!

View of the Palace from our car park- you can see how close we were parked which was a great help for Dad.

Proud Dad

Me messing about in the car on the way

Only crochet craftiness this week

2011-07-24T15:55:00.001+01:00

This week has flown by and I haven't been in my craft room at all - so no crafty creations ( apart from my crochet silvery grey blanket with the flowers on shown here . )I've done a couple more squares

I'm loving this pattern but have decided I don't like the Aran weight yarn that the flowers are made from as they seem a bit thick and 'mushy' to me . So I have decided to stick with the double knit weight and also to do all the flowers in this lilac colour rather than different colours. I made a couple of flower squares with the Aran weight but didn't like them so have filed them away in the bin !I had this llac yarn for something else and never got round to starting it so - perfect!

It's all Debbe Bliss Cashmenrino and is lovely and soft - and passes the 'hold it up against your face' soft test !

Oh and I did finish my bag before holiday and did take it away - didn't get time to line it though - ahem - but the one and only photo of it and me is a naff picture of me so you'll have to take my word for it - that it did come away with us..

Oh alright then - I should stop being so vain shouldn't I ?

and we went to a friends barbeque yesterday- at least it didn't rain although it was cloudy.it was nice to catch up with her again- she used to work with me and moved away to Norfolk but has just moved back down here so it was nice to see her again.

So.... that's a bit of a round up of my week - I'm wanting to go and get my playbook done for Shimelle's Explore class- Macaroni Cheese with sausage and bacon in it tonight (as apparently it's not dinner if there's no meat in it according to himself) - so once I've made that I might just go and get crafty in my craft room ...enjoy your Sunday - hope it's sunny where you are- it's lovely here.

Explore Day One - Me Myself and I

2011-07-18T22:48:00.000+01:00

Day one : 'Take a self portrait ..and maybe show the tool you use to take it with'....mm...not too scary ....' take a few shots so you can pick a good one'- took loads and they were all out of focus - should have used the other camera - never mind. it was spontaneous and this is about the most sensible of the lot!

Note to self......after just coming back from holiday,am feeling relaxed - so just make sure you take your time over things, 'calm down and carry on ' as they say. You don't need to do everything at 100 miles an hour .......

Why did I take particular interest in this class?

I love all Shimelle's classes and love receiving those little friendly emails in my inbox every day and look forward to making more friends via Blogland. As always theses classes help me to sit back and look at things around me and inspire me to scap things in my life I would normally think are boring-but then surely that's what scrapbooking's all about isn't it?

What a difference a day makes

2011-07-16T20:25:00.000+01:00

From this yesterday.......

Having a nice relaxedl Pina Colada in the warm balmy evening overlooking the lovely harbour .....

to today .....

and......

rain ,rain and more rain...

and oh what a lovely ~~mess~~ tidy house we came back to - you only need to wash up once a week right ? and could we find a glass or a bowl in any of the cupboards ?? Oh and the dog lead has gone missing - bless 'em!

Nontheless - we did have a nice break and I did miss my scrapping and can't wait to get back into it...

A quick sunny hello

2011-07-11T19:03:00.000+01:00

I'm being a very lazy girl and am having a break in sunny Portugal - luckily my middle son has lent us his netbook so I've sneaked down to reception where there is a free wifi connection to have a swift surf ( is there such a thing !!) Anyway -himself has done his usual despite me nagging him the first day to be careful and looks like a patchy lobster- so he has had to wear his tee shirt and keep in the shade for two days. The weather is glorious and at last my eye is beginning to feel like it is my eye again and not a grit filled furnace. I think rest has had a lot to do with it. when you sit and think about it - you do use those computer screens lots don't you?
I missed going to the crop on Saturday and am missing my scissors and paper and 'licking and sticking' as himself calls it - but am taking lots of photos of random things...ready to catch up when we get back.
Hopefully the house is not too much of a mess - no doubt they will have a mega tidy the day before we get back...and all the washing will be done .......and apparently the fluffy bundle is not himself and not eating his dinners...I'm sure he is getting lots of cuddles though.
Will catch up with all your blogs very soon - must go- am going to try Monkfish and Prawn Cataplana tonight -Yum ( I hope) .

4 x 6 Photo Love 6

2011-07-06T19:25:00.002+01:00

I've been suffering a bit over the last few days. My eye has been watering from the corner and it was so bad today -it had gone really puffy and red and looked very small compared to the other one and I had a rotten headache too - I'd tried eye wash and dry eye drops but they didn't help. So I went to the pharmacist today who has declared I have an infection in it and has now given me some antibiotic drops to be used every two hours.I'm paranoid about antibiotics as I have a serious allergy to Amoxycillin and am also allergic to Penicillin and Septrin- I'm a nightmare when It comes to anything antibiotic-y..anyway I've started the drops and it does feel a tad easier.So I haven't felt much like doing too much using my eyes after a day looking at the screen most of the time.
Anyway - feeling sorry for myself half hour is now over !...... Has anyone signed up for Shimelle's new class 'Explore' ?

I have and as usual am looking forward to it...I've just photographed my layout for the latest Photo Love - using 6 photos this time - I used photos of my eldest at various ages..

and here is one from the Craftystash crop I went to a week or so ago - a certain little dog who did not enjoy his bath and had a very sulky face and would not look at me at all .....

Two Jolly Scrappers went to Three Jolly Scrappers

2011-07-04T20:01:00.000+01:00

My friend Jane and I went to a new class yesterday at 3 Jolly Scrappers and we both really enjoyed it.We missed our third scrapper Deb though.
The journey was pretty straightforward and only took an hour - the weather was gorgeous too.
It was a lovely friendly class and the two ladies who run the crops/classes were lovely-especially (Deb you will love this ) when I snipped a big 'v' into the top of my finger when I was making paper flowers....they were on hand straight away with the first aid kit and double plasters (doh!).
There were two classes taught by Annie Hafermann

The first was a double layout

In the afternoon we constructed a mini book - which I haven't finished yet

Oh and on another subject,I took my bag to work the other day to try and get the ends sewn in etc and was minding my own business doing a bit more of the straps in my lunch hour and the boss came up - next thing I knew this was happening......

Who said Accountants are boring with no sense of humour???

The Bag's coming on ....

2011-07-01T18:37:00.000+01:00

After the excitement of Wednesday I sat and did some more to my bag last night - It's getting there.Handles made now and the bag is looking a bit like a bag - just lots of ends to sew in.

I had a go at one of the other squares too- with the little flower on the front - like the picture below-not too sure I like the pink I've done it in though !

I was having a wander round the garden earlier and we have these amazing conifers appearing on one of our silvery grey fir trees.I wonder if you can pick them and keep them?

and the Yukka is starting to flower- It hasn't done that for a couple of years so I shall be watching that one ...

Right, time for me to go and get myself ready, I'm actually going out with one of my old school friends fot the evening- haven't done that for ages..Enjoy your Friday whatever you are up to..

The one where....

2011-06-29T21:45:00.000+01:00

I had tea at The Palace......

Warning - photo heavy post !!!

Won't chat too much - sadly we weren't allowed to take photos inside the gardens.I must just say though that I was actually about 5 feet away from The Queen so it is probably the closest I will ever get to her. I would so have loved to take a photo but I didn't want to get thrown out !! Prince Phillip was there too and the Count and Countess of Wessex (Edward and Sophie) and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of York.
Here are a few memories from the day.....

ready for the offf in the garden...

On the way -past Marble Arch

Lots of these driving around

Here we are, uh-oh look at all those people...

As Dad can't walk very far he has a disabled badge and we were lucky to get parked right by the Palace and only had to walk across the road - and we went straight in too...

I would have loved to have shared photos of the lovely tea we had, there were cups of tea with little tiny bridge rolls and tiny cucumber sandwiches, tiny scones, ginger cakes - victoria sponge and many other tiny nibbles.

The weather thankfully was sunny all the time. The brass bands played during the afternoon as we wandered around the beautiful gardens -it was hard to believe that we were in the middle of London and was truly something to remember and I am so glad that Dad enjoyed it too.

Crafty Sunday

2011-06-26T19:10:00.000+01:00

Today,I've been to the monthly Craftystash crop again and managed two finished and one nearly finished third layout.Oops-I've just noticed those two stray birds shouldn't be there just above the right photo !!

When I got home there was a very upbeat,bouncy husband....for his Father's Day present, the boys bought him a very special ticket to go and see his hero Alice Cooper ( I know, I know !) He is doing a one off concert at the 100 Club in London tonight and there were only 350 tickets so he was ready and waiting for me to take him to the station - just had to get a photo ......All I can say is - I'm glad I'm not sitting next to him on the train ..........

A Workshop - and bag progress....

2011-06-25T22:34:00.000+01:00

A friend of mine Hilary is arranging a workshop with Ifa Zainon in July and I promised Hilary I would mention it here in case anyone fancied a day scrapping on the outskirts of Cambridge.It is on the 9th July from 10.00 - 4.00 in the Trumpington area .Sadly I won't be around that day but the classes look lovely from the sneaky peeks Ifa has posted on her FB page...There is a kit provided for £35 for two classes,refreshments and a light lunch .
You can find all the details here on the their Facebook page .. Or you can contact Ifa on her email- huzaifah_zainon (at)hotmail (dot) com .Love the look of those little flowers..

How am I getting on with my holiday bag you ask .....well,I've managed 15 squares so far...I was crocheting like a woman possessed last night - AND I've sewn all the ends in so far!! I've got 27 to make and then the handle ...

Am off to do a bit more now ....enjoy your weekend whatever you are doing,lots of barbeques tomorrow as it's supposed to be very hot - please let it be nice weather for my special garden party next week!

Hooky Happenings

2011-06-24T01:16:00.000+01:00

I'm at it again- In order to get my oldies photo box out the other day for a cybercrop layout I had to move ~~mountains of krud~~ a few little bits out of the way and one of them was a crochet book ...you know how it is - I ended up sitting on the floor surrounded by dog, photos and other bits and pieces and flicked through this book .....
I remember seeing this blanket when I bought the book - but it worked out ridiculously expensive so I shelved the idea- and I couldn't find a colour near to it in another range........anyway - I got the bug again and have decided to order a few balls at a time as I go along....
This is the blanket -isn't it just gorgeous?

this is the book it came from -

I've also decided to make one of these for taking away in the summer .....

but I 'm going to make it in blue ... three squares done so far ...hope I get it done before our hols ... it might be just nice to sling over my shoulder with bits in on holiday...

there are about 27 squares to make so I reckon I might get a few done if I have a bit of a blitz over the weekend... watch this space !!... Not too confident about the sewing of the inside bit though .....

Another Cybercrop Layout

2011-06-20T22:59:00.000+01:00

This time it's one of Jane Hewitt's - using October Afternoon papers - I had such fun rifling through the box of old photos of the boys and you will definitely have a giggle at my 'big hair' and wild cardi in one of the photos - well it was cool at the time - honest !!

Here's a closer look at the photos - no sniggering !

A Blog Hop for a blogaversary...

2011-06-20T00:01:00.004+01:00

The lovely Sandie from itchifingers is having a 'blogaversary blog hop' today in celebration of having her blog for a year....and I was thrilled when she asked me to take part.... here is the link back to her blog if you get lost or find any of the links not working - and hopefully you have come to me from Alexa's blog
We are all going to post on the theme of celebration....
At a risk of being boring - I'd like to share a very special celebration day for me - which was for my 50th birthday...
I have been a lifelong fan of The Osmonds since my teen years and for my 50th birthday my OH treated me to a meet and greet package when the Osmonds came over for their Anniversary tour. This tour was slightly different to normal as ALL of them were performing together, this included Marie and Donny who normally perform separately to the brothers... I got to see them rehearsing and doing the sound check for the concert-there was also a question and answer session. I got to meet - hug- and chat to all of them and then had front row seats for the evening concert...I know everone has different tastes but for me, this fulfilled a lifelong dream and it is a day I will always remember...here are some photos from the day - I also met Antony Costa as he had come to watch his 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' buddy Jimmy Osmond .

A photo of them alltogether after their rehearsal..

A shot of Alan and Donny - Alan doesn't perform so much now..

Getting a close - ish shot of Donny...

Yours truly with Antony Costa...

So - that's one of my favourite 'celebration ' memories...I hope you enjoyed reading it (even though you MAY just have heard this story before !!)

This post has been brough to you by the letter F.... the letter you need to collect for Sandie's giveaway.

Congratulations on one year of blogging Sandie....

and now I'd like to hand you over to the lovely Lynne who is the next person to hop to ...

Happy Hopping !

Being a munchkin - a challenge

2011-06-19T17:40:00.000+01:00

One of the challenges over at ATDML this weekend is to use stash you bought at the shop....
I used some of the new range of papers just in from Graphic45...I love their ranges and I couldn't wait to get my hot little hands on this one - The Magic of Oz- mainly because the Wizard of Oz was always one of the films the boys watched and watched over and over again when they were small and it holds a special place in my heart.... I remember walking down to the video shop ( that was the only way you got to watch any films in those days!) we would hire the video nearly every week. In the end, the nice man in the video shop said' you might as well have this video as you hire it so much'!
When my eldest did his very first play at school - it was -yep you guessed 'Wizzie Oz' as they used to call it..

So here is my layout using that lovely new range -of my eldest who is now 26 when he was 5 'Being a Munchkin' and my dear mum's hand is patting his face after just finishing his make up - sweet memories indeed ...

Next one !

2011-06-18T20:36:00.000+01:00

I've really enjoyed doing this double layout of Ann Freeman's as it has brought back some fab memories of a good couple of days away with himself exploring Harrogate and a Tim Holtz class thrown in as well :-) the papers used were 7Gypsies and really leant themselves to a grungey theme...

ATDML Cybercrop

2011-06-18T08:37:00.000+01:00

There's a lot going on over at the ATDML blog this weekend. Mel, Jill and the design team have come up with lots of classes and challenges all weekend.The first challenge was to 'tag it' - make a tag ot tags of some sort, so here's mine ...

I used mainly Girl's Paperie and some odd flowers I had and some little butterflies sewn together.

The first class was one designed by Mel using Fancy Pants -

The layout has an interactive fold out bit at the front -with - unusually forMel-quite a bit of measuring ! But actually it was no problem at all and a really good idea fir the front of the layout - it even has a magnetic closure ...

Right - I'm off to get the boring stuff out of the way - shopping and hairdresser's then I'm back to play some more later ..have a great Saturday .

Fit for the Queen?

2011-06-17T17:50:00.001+01:00

My trip to the Palace is getting very near now - just two weeks away. True to form I have some of my outfit for the day ready and still some to sort out ...

I've got the dress .....typical me - flowers, but I thought it was 'garden party-ish' and summery ( it doesn't look very summery today, but I'm hoping the weather cheers up a bit ! )

It's got cute little gems on the side ....
and I've got a hat/fascinator ..... it's got pinky tinges round the edge of the flower but you can't see it that well here......

So, being in a house with all men , I could do with a bit of female advice .......

I've got a pink jacket.......that I may or may not wear depending on how the weather is....now,I can't make my mind up ......I've got shoes and a bag in mind ....but haven't bought them yet.....

Sorry, I can't get the bag picture any bigger........What do you think???

Creamy hat and shoes ,pink bag,pink jacket ?

Or should I go for pink shoes and creamy bag ...or another combination.....

I think I am definitely sticking to the creamy hat - and am pretty sure I'm sticking with the pink jacket but can't decide on bag and shoes colour ?? Looking at the bloomin weather today I think I might have to buy a matching umbrella as well ........

Patchwork cards courtesy of Mel from ATDML

2011-06-15T00:09:00.001+01:00

After doing the class on Saturday where we made a lovely patchwork heart with pieces of paper- I was intrigued to see this post today by Mel who designed the class. The papers were Emma's Shoppe and I loved the combination she used (I'm not a lover of the crosswordy type paper in that collection - only because I can never seem to find anything that I could use it on....anyway - as I need a card for a friend's birthday this week I decided to rummage through my tote and find the scraps from the class - there were actually quite a few to play with. Once I started I thought ..hmmm just another one so I've got one ready if I need one - and I ended up making four ...I used an old favourite Happy Birthday Penny Black stamp and some self adhesive paper lace .

So - that was a really good idea of Mel's to use scraps up and I've now got 4 cards in reserve if I need them...Not brilliant photos I know but it's late and I took them with my phone .

Been cropping

2011-06-11T21:33:00.000+01:00

Today was the day for Eclectic Keepsake's monthly crop. As usual,in the morning we did our own projects- this was the layout I made with the new Girl's Paperie papers... I used a few little Prima flowers too and a couple of Girl's Paperie embellishments..

I really struggled thinking of a title for this - even looking in my little book didn't inspire me - so I ended up calling it 'silly grins' - at one point we were going to call it 'happy' - then Deb suggested i could make seven separate layouts of himself-all named after the seven dwarfs. I could definitely do ' happy' ,'sleepy' 'dopey' and 'grumpy' but lost the plot a bit when we got to 'doc' and 'bashful' !!

Deb,Jane and I sat with Karen and had a few giggles along the way.Karen had made some lovely cupcakes as usual,this time we had orange ones and chocolate truffles ones- sadly I didn't take any photos of them today but they were yummy.

Then it was time for lunch and then the class designed by Mel from A Trip Down Memory Lane...The layout was using Crate Paper Emmas Shoppe and was gorgeous...

I used an old photo of me when I was about 5 in a swimming pool in Cornwall.. I've always loved swimming and I remember the water being really cold and even that didn't deter me !

I thoroughly enjoyed my day catching up with friends.and as always it went very quickly.

10 things on the 10th from my day

2011-06-10T14:41:00.002+01:00

Shimelle is running a monthly feature called '10 things' where we can share any ten things we like on the 10th of each month...
Mine today is a bit like scrapping your day without the layout - I thought I might share some of my exciting fun filled day with you .....

Scenes from my desk at work.....

My 'saving for shoes' pot that I occasionally put some £2 coins into for holiday fund that sits beside my work trays ....with birthday teddy keeping watch...

Cheery faces on the my desk calendar this month...

Just in case anyone forgets my name on my memo board behind me !

Still got photos of my beloved Jess and Annie - no longer here but not forgotten...

Walking past my favourite little shop on the way home for lunch....

Newly planted flowers enjoying the rain outside the library on the way to the car....

My poor sore arm trying to carry three Tescos carrier bags, handbag,and hold umbrella up whilst fishing for car keys lost in the depths of my bag as always....
and trying to take photo as well!

Fighting to get in the car and holding umbrella up until the last minute so hair doesn't get wet ....

A quick burst of 60 Minute Makeover and a cup of tea ....

Aaaah - nice surprise - a boy's home early and someone is very pleased to see him ...

So that's 10 things from my day so far - how's your day going ??

A scrappy day out for Story Telling Sunday

2011-06-05T19:22:00.000+01:00

I suppose I'm not really sticking to the rules as this is technically not a real old story,but it tells a story of my days- so I can play right ?
It's been a busy busy time for me over the weekend.I've been out visiting an aunt who has flown over fom Australia today- she comes over every year - she is now 81 ( couldn't believe it when she told me today ).The main reason she used to come was to attend doll fairs over here and to go to the antique shops/markets to stock up on lace for her dolls. She actually used to pour the clay/porcelain into the moulds, fire them and paint them and then dress them.She doesn't do that now as the market has died off - but she visits her doll making friend.
So that was today - yesterday I was up bright and early with my tote all packed at 6.30 ready for the off to a hotel in Surrey called Branksome Place. I was going with Jane who comes to the Eclectic Keepsakes monthly crop that our friend Deb comes to as well.The day was run by the lovely ladies -Janice and Lorraine at Scrapagogo..I've been to a few of their weekend retreats and they are always extremely good.
We set of at about 8 o'clock as it was about an hour and a half's drive away - on the dreaded M25..
Anyway- we arrived safe and sound just as the day was starting.
The hotel was a weird mix of Olde Worlde and new hi tech.

This is the outside ....

this was where we had lunch

and then there was this 'Auditorium' where we had our crop tables - which was approached by a glassed open area with these lime greeney pillars ..very high tech indeed...

There were four classes during the day - we had only managed to book three of them .
I haven't finished the first one so will show that later..

This was Lorraine's class - the butterfly was made using new filter papers which we glimmer misted.Unfortunately I accidentally tore my yellow flower for the right hand side so I put a concertina one there instead.
This was Kirsty's class.....

We made little bunting flags out of ribbon and the background paprers were 'rumpled'and then flattened out again before we stuck them down..
All in all- a fine day out.It went so quickly too.

I managed one photo of Jane and me - I set the self timer on the camera, with camera sitting precariously on a sandwich box belonging to the lady opposite,by the time I had raced round to the other side of the table I missed the chair and had to kneel quickly to get in the shot so have a silly giggly look on my face .....and now himself has come home from his five a side tournament and said we are all off to the local Indian restaurant for a buffet- so who am I to argue ?!
So not technically a proper story but hope you enjoyed it anyway.I'll be off now and back to visit all your stories later..

4 x 6 Photo Love and a chocolate drawer

2011-06-02T08:29:00.001+01:00

Wow- we are on to 5 photos now,I love these classes that pop into your mailbox once a month to remind you, it keeps the momentum going for me.
I followed the design pretty much exactly,but when I'd finished it- it just seemed so bare on the sides to me. That's why I like the Coredinations cardstock so much as it's just a little more than plain card.

Anyway - I decided to stamp some butterflies up each side with a Tim Holtz distress ink.Now I'm not sure if I've overdone it...

My few days away in Somerset seems eons ago now. Mind you - when things are busy and stressful and life is going too fast, I have a flick through the photos I took and immediately I feel better!

Now for a question - has anyone else got one of these in their fridge ??

It's ironic really as I don't eat chocolate because one tiny square would give me a migraine.It took a few years to actually test the theory but in the end I decided that it just wasn't worth it as the pain of migraine is too horrible against the pleasure of chocolate.I digress- years ago when I used to work from home- I would take the boxes of books back to the accountant I worked for and one of the boys was nearly always with me. They had a chocolate /sweetie drawer in their fridge and since then we have always had one here. A friend from over the road came in the other day and was gobsmacked at our choccy drawer ( always a sure sign when the boys are home - it's full!) She couldn't believe how many choccies were in it and had never heard of such a thing .....I just thought- hasn't everyone got one ? maybe not !!

Shimelle's sketch of the week

2011-05-31T07:30:00.001+01:00

Here's what I did with Shimelle's sketch from last week.I used Jenni Bowlin Coredinations for the background and some Girl's Paperie papers and embellishments

This is an older photo that I have scrapped before but I love it - it was taken a while after my mum died and I'd been feeling really sad and down in the dumps- but as always -they made me giggle and laugh and it did me a lot of good- a really special memory for me that I wanted to use again with a bigger photo.

Sunday scrapping

2011-05-30T11:06:00.001+01:00

I had a really nice day yesterday - although I really missed my usual scrapping buddies Deb and Jane. I went to the Craftystash crop about 15-20 mins away.We used the Echo Park For the Record range of papers and the layouts were designed by Tracie Hudson.
I managed two layouts and did another one last night.

I love cutting out,so this one was right up my street as I could sit and snip to my heart's content cutting lots of flowers and leaves out.I added a few of my own flowers too.

The next one involved a tiny bit more cutting,making the flags and punching the little flowers out. I really like these papers - they are lovely and bright and happy..

The last one Tracie had used lots of black and white photos - which I didn't have,but then last night when I was looking for a normal sized photo or two to use,I came across a couple of photo collages I'd made in Picasa - so bingo-I cut them up and they worked out well !
The time went really quickly and I managed two layouts in class-might be something to do with the fact that I didn't chat lots like I normally do when Deb and Jane are with me !

All together

2011-05-27T14:29:00.001+01:00

It was Grandad's (my Dads) 83rd brithday Tuesday - so we all had a take away chinese at home. It was so nice to have all the boys here together for his birthday.

and I got snuck up on while I was having a sneaky snuggle on the sofa ....

I'd forgotten that I'm not the only one who sneaks up with the camera when the boys are around.

Then,suddenly and for no reason at all on Wednesday evening - our broadband went kaputt..After me spending nearly all evening trying everything I knew - I received a text message from O2 to say there was a line fault and they were dealing with it.How annoying is that when you haven't got the internet? We were all lost !!

So with the spare time I managed a couple of layouts...

This was using the latest Jenni Bowlin kit...It's Jane and me at Eclectic Keepsakes crop munching one of Karen's yummy cakes..

and this one is using some of the gorgeous yummy Girl's Paperie papers and embellishments and is of Deb and me taken one year apart, look at our changing hairstyles! I wanted to call it something like 'changing hair ' but I just couldn't for the life of me think of a good title-so it ended up being Good Times !
I'm writing this in my lunch hour and it's time for me to whizz back to work now, have a nice Friday,I'll catch up visiting blogs later .

A Royal Invitation

2011-05-21T19:18:00.001+01:00

Well, how excited was I when grandad phoned me at work the other day to say he had received a very nice letter in the mail that morning.
Off I went home in the evening and there it was- my garden party invite. So I am now officially going to London to have (sort of ) tea with the Queen...well, at Buckingham Palace - in the garden with the Queen present !

Cue excited little noises and photo with my pathetic attempts of concealing my address - but you get the drift!

I agree with Ruth when she said on her blog the other day that there must be something in the air as she had scrapped up a storm last week. I've done quite a few little layouts too. Probably because I have a few photos from Somerset to use and also some of the gorgeous Bo Bunny Gabrielle range ( you might remember I was given them last month to use by the ladies at ATDML when they asked me to be a guest designer for them - shown on this post. I absolutely loved these papers and after I'd used the ones they sent, I bought the whole collection !

Anyway, I used one the other night to scrap a photo of Grandad in Somerset...
Right then, time to away to have a shower,we are off out to dinner at our friends house so enjoy your evening whatever you are up to ..

Silly Faces

2011-05-16T22:25:00.000+01:00

I wasn't going to scrap this photo as my two had to go and spoil it by being silly and pulling faces but I figured it's what they are like most of the time when Mum gets her camera out, so why not make a layout anyway..
We only had two of them here on this particular day over Christmas but we did have some of the other members of the family together with two of the girlfriends- and the dog of course !
I used the May Gottacraft kit and just added a few of my own buttons,a bit of orange ribbon and a couple of vintagey brads,and a couple of mini roses which I'm liking at the moment.

I'm sitting here in the armchair with the laptop on my lap and in the background on TV is 'Made in Chelsea',I find it quite watchable in a weird funny sort of way - anyone else watching it?

Eclectic Keepsakes Crop

2011-05-15T11:16:00.000+01:00

What on earth has been happening with Blogger this week??
I've been trying to get on and comment on blogs and post but keep getting various messages saying 'Blogger not available ' or lots of gobbledeygook. It's also chewed up a post I made and wiped all my comments...
Let's hope this one works...I'm not sure if I'm up to date on people's latest posts - so don't think I'm abandining you if I haven't commeneted- I'm just not sure it's taking me to your latest posts...

Anyway it was the monthly crop at Eclectic Keepsakes yesterday .We had a lovely morning as always doing our own thing,I did a page with the boys together..I used a new Glitz paper together with some leftover Sassafrass stickers and some old letters I've had for ages.Karen made some yummy cakes as always.

She made some blueberry ones and pinepaple ones with lovely glittery icing and a bonbon on top.It was nice to spend the day with Deb and Jane too.
Then in the afternoon it was time for Karen C's class.

The brief for the layout was to have two black and white and one colour photo - which I hadn't managed to get ready (not that DEB teased me much about it !)

Anyway, I used three colour photos of the boys which I thought looked ok in the end!

It was a lovely class and a great time was had by all .. Loved the cutting out- and did manage the sewing after pricking my finger-making it bleed and going over the edge in the first seconds of doing the sewing! - much to the other's amusement !! Such a good job that Deb had some plasters with her ..

4 x 6 Photo Love

2011-05-11T22:40:00.000+01:00

I'm usually quite quick to make a layout for Shimelle's Photo Love each month, I've been meaning to sit myself down and really watch her video for this month's using four photos,so I sat and watched it over the weekend - then I knew how to do the little hidden journalling bit..I really like the concept of this one.
I've got lots of Somerset photos - and these four just seemed right to use - although I do want to do a separate album just for Somerset photos and a separate album for 4 x 6 Photo Love layouts.
I'm waffling on a bit here aren't I ? !!!

This really was the most beautiful setting to have tea and cake in.As you walk round the garden there is a little stream wending it's way down the hill with a bridge over it and a little bank leading to a wood. It really is the sort of place where you could believe fairies live.:-)

Anyway- middle son is off on holiday tomorrow so there are cameras charging,phones charging, ipods charging,trainers everywhere,case being weighed every five minutes - the dog knows something is going on -he's sulking in his basket !

Scrapping our Skype meeting

2011-05-09T16:25:00.001+01:00

A little while ago- one Sunday afternoon,some of us in blogland got together for a chat on Skype.
We had all arranged to be at our laptops/computers at a certain time all courtesy of Deb Turtle ( I always feel weird calling her that, but her blog name is Paperturtle and I suppose we recognise who it is by saying that!) Anyway,I digress- Deb-from Deb's world and a friend of mine who lives not too far away - just to confuse the issue - came over to mine and we got ready in front of the laptop. We had a lovely couple of hours just catching up and generally chatting and I've at last done a layout to keep as a memento of it..I used some more of the papers and cardstcok and bits from the Gottacraft kit again..

Journalling reads .....

On the screen from left to right is Deb and her daughter Carrie ,then Ruth,then Rhona.Next row down is Mel and Karen .Then at the bottom is myself and Deb..

I must say- after a few tiny little teething troubles it all went very well !

Hope we can do it again soon

Gottacraft and flower overload

2011-05-08T12:37:00.000+01:00

As it was National Scrapbooking Day yesterday and I was home alone last night -rather than tidy up and do chores I decided I should celebrate the day by doing some scrapping...
Two or three times a year we get together with my cousin and his wife for a curry or a meal out somewhere,normally to celebrate our birthdays which are a day apart and Christmas.
We always end up having a really cheery time as he is naturally funny and makes us laugh constantly.Good for the soul..
I've had this photo of his wife and me from last November but hadn't got round to scrapping it.
I also hadn't broken into the latest Gottacraft kit either - so when I saw the lovely red polka dot paper,I knew just the photo!

The only thing is - I think I might have gone a bit overboard on the little flowers!
I've got a little (huge really) stash of vintagey lace and beads and buttony things and raided that too.I never think to use little flowers on layouts but thought they might look ok for a change.It was one of those- I'll just add another one times !

Do any of you scrap photos more than once? I've got a really good one of the four of us that I did a layout with a few years back when I first started scrapbooking and I really feel like doing another one with newer papers and bits- there are such lovely papers and bits around lately aren't there?
Right then, time for me to get going -shopping calls and then I might just do some more crafty stuff.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

Den's Pamper Parlour....

2011-05-07T17:13:00.000+01:00

If you love dogs or have a dog, this might make you smile ...

Nearly Friday already

2011-05-05T22:43:00.000+01:00

I've had one of those 'not done any scrapping or anything' weeks this week.Since I got back from Somerset I've not done one single crafty thing.
Do you ever get times like that? You go along on a really even keel doing lots and really being in the swing of it - then something comes along and kind of breaks the momentum and you lose it for a while and can't get back into it easily?
There seems to have been plenty going on around here - youngest son's birthday on Monday- we went down to see him at Uni for the day, took him for lunch and did some shopping.
Anyway, I had a little play with 'Phototinks' tonight just to get back in the swing of it and did a couple of their
quickie - digi layouts.

Still,I have got May with May's class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking to get me scrapping now -anyone else doing that ?

Wasn't it grand ??

2011-04-30T10:47:00.000+01:00

Isn't it nice to have blogs nowadays where we can record things for posterity? I'm posting this as a nice memory for myself and for anyone else who enjoyed the day.I know everywhere is saturated with photos at the moment -but I will have my own little blog memory to look back on .They are only pics from my tv - but a nice memory of a grand day.

watched in the company of two of the men in my life ...

oh and a certain little fluffy bundle ...

enjoy your Saturday whatever you are up to .

A Special Day

2011-04-29T15:10:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling a tiny bit emotional today, for two reasons..

One is for the wonderful pomp and ceremony that is the Royal Wedding - how lovely to see so many happy faces for once - there are so many miserable and gloomy news items on the news nowadays with wars and horrible things going on .How nice to have something happy to celebrate and bring the people together..

Photo -Courtesy of Google images .

The other reason for feeling a tad emotional is the wonderful friendships and bonds that have been made via Blogland make me feel really really good.

I've just read some wonderful posts from lovely people- one from my dear friend Deb and others from people who I like to count as friends although we have never actually 'met'- in person.

They are all part of 'team teal' and they are all wishing Deb Turtle's mum Marti -who is fighting a battle with cancer at the moment a very hapy birthday today via a circle of blogs from places all over the world.

I hope it's okay to join in the circle- hopefully ,the more the merrier and the stronger that bond of love and prayers and positive feelings for her can only be good ?

I don't have a teal bracelet but I will be thinking very positive thoughts all day and wishing you a lovely day Marti .

Here's to you Mummy Turtle - Happy Birthday from me and love to you Deb and your family ;-) x x x

My Day in Photos

2011-04-27T07:45:00.001+01:00

See more days here

Afternoon Tea - Somerset style!

2011-04-25T13:00:00.000+01:00

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that this year has and will be 'the' year for afternoon teas for me- I've had a lovely Tea at The Ritz for a Christmas pressie, tea at Betty's Tea Room in Harrogate when I did Tim Holtz's class - a very exciting invitation to -ahem- Buckingham Palace for one of the Queen's garden parties to accompany my Dad.(Which is creeping up quickly now -must sort a hat and outfit out !) ....but undoubtedly one of the prettiest places to have tea must be Periwinkle Cottage down in Selworthy,Somerset - oh and the cake what a huge portion !!! Bang goes my being good !! It was yum though - I took half of it back to the hotel and ate it in the evening ...

and this was the gift shop ...

one of the prettiest gift shops I've ever been to.....

and these are some of the things we saw as we were travelling around and about...it made me feel extra good especially as we know that our ancestors right back to the 1700s all lived around and about here..

Exmoor Ponies

Lorna Doone church....and Lorna Doone Farm.....

Yours Truly at Porlock Weir

and Grandad at Porlock Weir ...

Blimey,I've got a bit carried away with photos again. I really enjoyed my time there and it made it so much better seeing it in the lovely sunshine- no doubt if it had been raining it wouldn't have seemed so magical!

Have a lovely Bank Holiday Monday - who's looking forward to the Royal Wedding ? I am !

Teddy grabbing

2011-04-23T22:44:00.004+01:00

I'm back into the swing of everyday life now,I had such a relaxing time down in Somerset,it was like going back in time. It did make me realise how busy and stressy my life is though.It was very refreshing to see those old style petrol stations and go into little village shops- it was just like Postman Pat land!

One of the things that was fun was when we went to Minehead and had an ice cream sitting on the seafront,opposite was a line of those 'grab' machines-the ones where you put a coin in and have a few goes to get a toy....well my Dad always had a fierce reputation on those things and could always get a teddy or three.He didn't disappoint this time either.I casually mentioned I might like a 'William and Kate' teddy and we were off..He got one - then another- then another-

We ended up with quite a haul - he virtually cleared the machine !

I got a bit embarrassed holding all those teddies!..It was lovely to see him smiling so much though. We sat them all in the back of the car.

So- now Ive been catching up on posts for the blog hop last week of Mel's - wasn't it great, I thoroughly enjoyed hopping to everyone and meeting new blogfriends.

♥ ♥

I've downloaded the prompts for the next installment of Shimelle's class- Beyond blogging for scrapbookers-and installed the Google analytical thingy and I haven't looked or checked it either !-which leads me on to a question and actually it's a question I've often wanted to ask..

Do you like it when I blog about things like I have today, as well as crafty bits - or do you prefer it when I just post crafty projects ? I really enjoy reading about other people's lives and recipes and things -so I'd be interested to know what you think.

Back from ' ooh arrr' country

2011-04-21T15:15:00.000+01:00

Just to say that I'm back from a lovely break with my Dad down in Somerset.Cutting a long story short, I traced my family tree a while back and we found that all our ancestors from my Dad's side came from Somerset.They were all from an area where my Mum and Dad used to go to regularly a few years back. When I traced the ancestors - it was a real wish of my Dad's to go back and try to find details/graves of any of them from some of the churches down there. It was quite an emotional trip for both of us without mum but we've had a really lovely time..Unfortunately we were in a small village in a tiny but lovely B&B but there was no Wifi access so although my scheduled post worked on Sunday I haven't been able to comment and catch up on the blog hop....and Dads of 83 don't quite get the neccessity of the internet!!
Anyway- am back now and I shall be catching up with you all very soon !
We saw lots of these ......

just been born....

and quite a lot of these ...!

be back soon to catch up with you all xx

Alphanumeric Blog Hop

2011-04-17T14:00:00.018+01:00

Good Sunday afternoon to you,welcome to my little part of Blogland where we are all enjoying a hop skip and a jump all over the world celebrating letters and numbers,all courtesy of the lovely Mel of ispeakmelsh fame who came up with the idea.
Here is a full list of links for all the lovely people who are playing today.....

I Speak Melsh: http://ispeakmelsh.blogspot.com/

BE Glorious: http://beglorious.blogspot.com/
Captured On Film: http://mrsbeee.blogspot.com/
Chatty Crafty Arty Pig: http://chattycraftyartypig.blogspot.com/
Creating Room: http://creatingroom.blogspot.com/
Curiouser and Curiouser: http://journalofcuriousthings.blogspot.com/
Daily Life - Bits and Pieces: http://www.melissagross.blogspot.com/
Deb's World: http://debs14.blogspot.com/
Den's Crafty Diary: http://deecie.blogspot.com/
From High In The Sky: http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.com/
Gallo Organico: http://gallorganico.blogspot.com//
Ginger's Life Of Spice: http://gingerslifeofspice.blogspot.com/
Handmade By Kirsty: http://handmadebykirsty.blogspot.com/
Havoc and Mayhem: http://www.havocandmayhem.com/
Heather's Scraps: http://heathers-scraps.blogspot.com/
Helena's Creative Maven: http://helenascreativemaven.blogspot.com/
Holaday's Happy Hearts: http://holadayshappyhearts.blogspot.com/
Jeant-Jinnag: http://jeant-jinnag.blogspot.com/
Just Jimjams: http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/
K's Crafty Corner: http://kscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Life...As I See It: http://jillconyers.blogspot.com/
{Life Behind The Purple Door}: http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com/
Lisa E Design Blog: http://lisae-design.blogspot.com/
Living Life One Blessing At A Time: http://livinglifeoneblessingatatime.blogspot.com/
Mary's Musings: http://craftycreation.blogspot.com/
Michelle Loves...: http://michellelovesallsorts.blogspot.com/
Obstinate Pursuit: http://obstinatepursuit.blogspot.com/
Over At Our Place: http://overatourplace.blogspot.com/
Paper Turtle: http://paperturtle.blogspot.com/
Peonies and Pennies: http://peoniesandpennies.blogspot.com//
Random Reflections: http://www.kbwalker.blogs.com/
Rosalind Revival: http://rosalindrevival.blogspot.com/
Scrap Dreams: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/
Scrappyjacky: http://scrappyjackylive.blogspot.com/
Scrapworthy Lives: http://www.scrapworthylives.com/
Staring At The Sea: http://fiona-staringatthesea.blogspot.com/
Surefiredaisy Says: http://surefiredaisysays.blogspot.com/
This Kalil Life: http://www.kimberlykalil.com/
This Little Life Of Mine: http://tracyscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Xnomads' Blog: http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/

What a lovely compliment to Mel that so many of us want to participate ;-)
Now,hopefully you have had a nice visit with Deb and have linked from her to me ..
So on to the reason you are here.We are here to celebrate the number ♥ 9 ♥
Now let me tell you a few random silly (and some may say spooky) facts about John Lennon and the number 9
If you are a Beatles fan you will probably know these - if not you might just find them interesting.....

John Lennon's lucky number was 9. Everything in his life revolved around the number 9. He was born on October 9th, met Yoko Ono on November 9th . His son was also born on the ninth.
When he was shot, on December, 8th 1980, it was already December 9th in his hometown of Liverpool, England. He was pronounced dead at 11:07. Add those numbers up: 1+1+7=9.
Liverpool has nine letters

John Ono Lennon and Yoko Ono Lennon's combined names contain nine O's
John's elementary school bus number happened to be 72. 7 + 2 = 9
He even lived in apartment 72 in New York. Yet another 9.
McCartney, his best friend through most of his life, is spelled with 9 letters.
Coincidence? maybe but I thought it was interesting and fun!

I hope you enjoyed that little insight into some facts including the number 9 - and here are a couple of projects I made specially for this blog hop - a configurations box - yep it's got nine spaces and a layout with nine little photos of yours truly through the ages - makes me sound prehistoric

So without further ado, next up is someone whose blog I know you all love - and if you've not been before - you will love it and go back for more !

Over to you -Sian

Letters and numbers......

2011-04-16T10:45:00.004+01:00

....and a bit of hopping,some friendly banter,maybe some crafty projects,maybe some photos,a bit of bloggy togetherness-all arranged by Mel,and it all happens tomorrow.....see you then....

Sunday 17th April 2.00pm BST..

Mother's Day revisited

2011-04-15T07:00:00.001+01:00

After spending Mother's day on my own and feeling a bit sorry for myself,this Sunday was much more like it!
Youngest son was back from Uni, eldest son was back from Vegas and middle son was back from spending a weekend with his girlfriend.
The sun was shining all day Saturday and the forecast was good for Sunday so off we went to Tescos and stocked up with barbie food.

We had a lovely day all together so it made up for the weekend before..These will probably be Photoboxed and on a layout pretty soon- AND I managed to get them alltogether and nearly all smiling too ;)

Someone else was pleased to see them as well.

and I didn't even get too cross when they insisted on playing cricket in the garden.

and while they were out in the garden playing board games I made a layout.....Perfect day!

My idea for Mel's alphanumeric blog hop on Sunday is coming together now - I think !!!

Dens Crafty Diary

Just one sketch 3- mirror image

Just one sketch - 2

Just one sketch -1

Unspeakable heartache

Yahoo - it worked

ATDML guest designer- Simple Stories

Hello world

HAPPY NEW YEAR Blogfriends

Happy Christmas

Hello Blogland

Waking up the neighbours

JYC- It's beginning to look ...

There is such a thing then

An Eclectic day

Are you ready ?

Christmas Cropping - a couple of spaces left on 3rd December

Ripple-icious

A Spooky Gotta Craft Layout

Shimelle's Christmas weekend

Me? Sewing?......

Tales of a crafty weekend

Sunny scrapping

Being brave with patterned paper

Shimelle's paper party- just me.

Our weekend

Life takes over sometimes

September favourites

Been Croppin'

The second layout

3 Jolly Scrappers

LSNED days 20-21-22

Shiny head club :-)

Back AND front !

LSNED day 19

LSNED day 18

LSNED day 16 and 17

LSNED 11 -15

4 x 6 Photo Love *7*

Shimelle's Starting Point Challenge

Hooky stuff

Alice who ?

Lots of layouts and day 10

LSNED day 8 and 9

LSNED day 7

LSNED day 6 - delightful dahlias!

LSNED - pages so far and day 5

LSNED day four

LSNED day three

LSNED day two - help please

LSNED- Day one - what did I learn ?

Shimelle's sketch of the week

Friends and Blogland

A day in the life ....

Just because Ruth and Liz did it ...

Where did that week and weekend go ?

An Anniversary and Weekend Cropping

Storytelling Sunday - The Note

Sore Eye Syndrome

Only crochet craftiness this week

Explore Day One - Me Myself and I

What a difference a day makes

A quick sunny hello

4 x 6 Photo Love *6*

Two Jolly Scrappers went to Three Jolly Scrappers

The Bag's coming on ....

The one where....

Crafty Sunday

A Workshop - and bag progress....

Hooky Happenings

Another Cybercrop Layout

A Blog Hop for a blogaversary...

Being a munchkin - a challenge

Next one !

ATDML Cybercrop

Fit for the Queen?

Patchwork cards courtesy of Mel from ATDML

Been cropping

10 things on the 10th from my day

A scrappy day out for Story Telling Sunday

4 x 6 Photo Love 7

4 x 6 Photo Love 6