Lots of photos!

Here are some piccies of what I made for Em's birthday, (child not included!):

And my mum made her this:

And then this is what I did for the photo swap challenge for Nickynoo - hope she likes it!!

And last but by no means least, this is the STUNNING keyring I got today from my secret sender round 2 - it is amazing and physically took my breath away when I opened it!!!

I love the post man!

Two fab bits of post today!

One was confirmation from my college to say I had got onto the postgraduate teaching course! Start in Sept - so when I am moaning in October cos I can't do it, remind how excited I was!

And the second letter was a card from Nerdbird...............it was a beautiful card....................but the piccie of Dr McDreamy that was inside was bloody lovely!!! Am deciding which wall he is going to go on in my craft room - yum yum!! I laughed so much, really did brighten my day!

New conservatory is in day 3. Hands up who rips down their own conservatory and puts up a new one whilst we have flash floods and nightmare weather? luverly!

I have finished the photo swap challenge. It was my challenge and it was really hard! I got a gorgeous photo off my partner, Nickynoo. I just got stressed with it being for someone else! I am quite happy with it in the end, just drying so will show you tomorrow.

And me and Ollie are going on a day trip soon - am such a giddy kipper! So excited!

Who's birthday?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EM!!!!

yeay!

We have had a fab day! First we all went swimming, was really good fun!



Then we went to Pizza Hut - how do they make those pizzas soooooooooooooooo good?!



Then we went to the piccies to see Shrek 3 - OMG that film is so cool! Some very cheeky jokes that only the big people laughed at, but a really good family film - we all loved it!



THEN we went to Ikea, well it would rude not to! We came out with some silver tubs, coat hangers and a blanket - so not entirely worth the 20 min que in the car park lol!



Then daddy made the mistake of saying that if Ol could read a certain word, he would take him to Toys R Us and he could have what he wanted - so Ol then read out the word which was aquarium! Daddy nearly fell over in shock and he did honour his agreement and Ol now has a big bucket full of dinosaurs! So should I tell daddy that while he was paying for Ikea, Ol asked me what the word said and so I told him? Nah I don't fink so!!



So all in all a good day!

Mel's Challenge

This is what I made for Mel's challenge. I was challenged to make a teacher pressie.

The set is from Ikea and friends can expect some similar xmas pressies ;o)

The quote on the tray says:

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awakenjoy in creative expression and knowledge.

Albert Einstein

Thanks Mel x

Fun CJ

Have been doing a fun cj tonight - really enjoyed this one.

The title was piece of cake and we had to do a dlo to our fav cake, I think I pushed my artisitc license ;o)

I finished a Buffy lo yesterday and I have to say it is one of my favs I have done - of course I didn't scan it! I covered the page with vellum so it looked all olde worlde - personal fave!

Charlie Jack!

Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while - just didn't have anything very interesting to say ;o)

Now I do! Charlie Jack was born on Saturday, mummy went into labour at 12.15am, Charlie born at 1.00am! Mum and baby home at lunch time and mum bought big sis to school today (while wearing make up and jeans!!)

I have told her how much I hate her and also asked if she is actually SuperWoman!!! Four kids under 6 and she is sooooooooo cool and calm!

Erm what else has happened.... feeling a bit passionate about beads atm - which some people may be aware of lol! And doing some cj's atm...........which is always good. Mel has challenged me to make a teacher pressie by the end of term - which is fab!!

Sadly, a very good friend is going through a terrible terrible time atm. She knows how much I care and we are looking after her as much as we can. xxxxx

This is a good day!!

Ok things are definately on the up!!!

1. Alice came home - phew! Thank you to everyone who has helped me over the last week or so, you really have pulled me through {hug}

2. I found I am getting credit from the Stamp Man for doing some work for them! So each month I get to go in an pick up some bits for an agreed amount! woo hoo!

3. My old bank (grrrrrr) has agreed to refund all my 'unfair' bank charges - which those of you know me know how bad i am at money, so will appreciate how much money this may amount to!! Let's just say dh is very happy!

4. I have found a new beady forum - which the talent on there is amazing!!

5. The sun is shining ;o)

6. I am caught up with my o/s cj's so can start on the new ones now.

7. It's Friday lol!

I do have one person to worry about, but hopefully soon this will be resolved xxxxx

Update

She might be ok.............it's looking much better xxxx

Just not fair ;o(

Well you remember the baby card I made last week for my friend? Well baby Alice is not doing good, not good at all.........and I was very worried, then very sad and now I am in the angry stage.

She is a new born baby, not someone who has made a choice or something like that so why is she suffering so badly? Who know's.........

But I have made an offer to look after their little boy (who is autistic) as he is living with grandma and grandad (who are both over 70!). I am now feeling a bit overwhelmed as not sure I can handle him but Ol is very excited and I know he will help alot.

An autistic son and now this, for the most wonderful loving couple I have met - now where is the justice in that?

Sorry - am mad! I even prayed last night, hope He was listening and can help our little girl.

xxxx

couple more

Here are the last of my LO's from Sue Big Challenge.

This one is one I have wanted to do for a while. The wording is from a Karen Foster 12x12 rub on and when I saw it I knew exactly which photo to use!!

This one is about my god children. I don't like it and at some point will re-do it.........when I have had a chance to walk away! There is journalling inside the invite (which is the invite for Max's christening) about that the is no bigger honour than for someone to ask you to be their children's god parent and that the vows I made to them I will promise to keep. Sorry - I do feel very strongly about being a god parent *blush*

Some more

I am slowing down a bit cos I am struggling with a LO and it is really doing my head in!!!

But here is what I have done tonight:

Challenge Updates

(This is for Alice who was born today {hug}

Ollieism

Mummy?

Yes dear

Do you know a long time ago some men had an arguement and they had a war in aeroplanes.

Really dear

Yes mummy and they dropped bombs on each other

Oh dear

Yes and they were stink bombs and that is why people had to wear those masks on their faces.






So there you have it, WWII and the Battle of Britain was all about stink bombs and that's what the gas masks were for - you gotta love being 5!



(My fav is still, mummy, you know that Jesus man..............well he has the whole world in his hands you know!)

Big Challenge - Day 2!

Well here are my entries for the next set of challenges!

Apologies for the naff piccies and for anyone under 30, I appreciate that you won't have a clue what the last piccy is about lol!!

Challenge 1

and we're off! This is the card for Sue's first challenge.

Use a buckle.

(sorry for state of scanning *blush*

How many?!

Have picked up the next lot of Stamp Man ATC swaps.........now we don't have a forum, and it's only advertised on the website.................

67!!!! 67 flippin swaps!!!!

Wish me luck - I may be some time ;o)

x

I've been tagged!

Kathy has tagged me to write 5 - 10 reasons why I blog........

This is a hard one! Ermmmmmmm

• If something exciting has happened and I want to tell all my friends.
• If I have anything to show you that I have made.
• If my boy has done something that needs reporting.
• If I have watched something that has made me mad (ie Eurovision!).

errmmmmmm - can't think of anything else!!!

• actually no that's not true, reading other peoples blogs inspire me to do mine.

ermmmmm that's it really Kathy I'm afraid! Other than I enjoy doing it and especially when I go back and read what I did a few months ago..........ooooooh that's another one!

Look at my Ollie!

Look at what Carol has made for me!!! We agreed to swap a photo and scrap it for each other - how the bloody hell do I follow this?!!

Thank you Carol - I love it (and even DH said WOW!!)

xxxx

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k16/carolm66/ollie1.jpg

Flippin Eurovision!!

Something has to be done about this flippin political voting!! Bloody ridiculous!

But hurrah for Ireland and Malta - phew!!!

Woo hoo!

Had my interview today for starting my Post grad course in Sept. Think it went ok, will find out in a few weeks time.

And am now watching the Eurovision semi finals - god I love eurovision! Have watched it since I was a child, start to finish.......and I don't care how much my family and friends take the mickey - I LOVE EUROVISION! And yes it is a lifelong ambition to go to a final!!! Go go Scooch! (although am loving Greece, Sweden and Spain but don't understand Ukraine)

Steph's Buffy Box

Well here is the altered box for Steph. This is a fantastic altered swap hosted by Mel on CBC. I have really enjoyed this swap - even if it was a bit stressful lol!!

Challenge 2

Here is my LO for Nicky's challenge.

This is not my usual style but I am quite happy with it! I really want to put something in the bottom right corner but I am trying to resist as I think the paper says it all!!

Baby Nerdbird

Phew, now we all know I can say hellooooooooooo to Oliver George, who arrived this morning.

Welcome to the world and thanks for giving me a great excuse to baby craft!

xxx


Ps well done mummy and daddy, and congratulations to big brother Will!

Photos

At the moment I shove all my photos in a scrappy box, so I decided to tart up a WH Smiths box.

Here it is so far, my next job is to do inserts to file the photos.......

AND I have just had a VERY exciting text and I want to tell everyone but I can't - how hard is that going to be!!!!

Happy Scrapbooking Day!!

Had a fab day. Was taken to Topaz Crafts, met Dawn Bibby. Was happy until DH was overheard saying and I quote 'hey it's that woman off the tele, you know the one you don't like'!!! So he had to spend lots of money on stash - just to make up for embarressing me lol!

Also did another 12 lengths at swimming but I paced myself better this week, so am not so knackered now!

Anyhoo, have been a bit creative tonight. Here are two challenges from Bex.

The first one is a colourwheel challenge, we had to go to a website and spin the colour wheel and use the colours given. Mine were pink (phew!), blue and black:

There is journalling under the picture which says: This picture was taken because we thought we were going to lose Rushka (the dog!) and mum did not have any photos of her - so we decided to have some proper photos taken of her and she loved every minute of it!!!!! She lasted another 2 years after these pictures!'

The next one is a page dedicated to someone who I admire. This had to be Carol - the journalling says why.

Two down - few more to do xxx

been playing!

Thank you everyone for your kind words, mean alot xxx

Well today I have been playing. Have been meaning to do a little something for a while and here it is!

My next job is to do index cards for it so I can organise my photos.......bets on whether I get round to doing those!!

so.............

Hello! I have wondered whether I should blog what has happened to me over the last couple of days .............. I'm not going to go into too much detail cos after all this is a world wide web but *deep breath*

I went into hospital the other day for an operation. I was put on the waiting list 6 months ago, having received all the counselling. I also had my pre op assessment last week which confirmed I was ok to have the op. I had several panic attacks the night before the op, worst one came when Mel and Carol were nice to me on msn and I could not stop crying! I fasted from 9.00pm and had a terrible nights sleep (well lack of sleep!).

Then that morning I went to hospital, terrifyed. Bloods taken, many discussions with drs and consultants and got changed to go to theatre.

Then I was told I was too overweight to have the op and they had decided to cancel it.

So I had to get dressed and was asked to go home, lose weight and come back in 12 months time!

Yesterday I was upset and felt very humilitiated. My friends generally checked on me every hour on the hour! and they got me through the day. Dh was completley perfect and sister was fab too.

Today I have woken up angry. Very angry. Not that I wasn't allowed the op, not that I may not have the second thing I really want, but I was put through so much and they were the ones who said I should have this op in the first place!!!

So I hit my room and got creative, altered a clock for Sue's big challenge (can't show you!) and Steph's Buffy cj box (can't show you!) and Bex's cj (yeah you've guessed it!!).

But one other thing I did was to scan some old baby photos, which has really helped me today. This is why I am getting over it and moving on, and this is why I am one of the luckiest people I know.

Beady challenge

Here is my beady challenge from CBC. The challenge was to send some beads to a partner and make something with whatever beads you got back.

My partner was the fabby Helen and the beads I got were gorgeous! Pink!!!!

So here is my little effort and thank you Helen. tfl xxx

Bex's Challenge

And here is my attempt at Bex's sketch challenge. Mum and dad's wedding day. tfl xxx

Just for Mel!

Here's my gorgeous 'space' - not finished yet but getting there!!

And yes I know how spoilt I am!

I was going to tidy and get it all showroomy but then that wouldn't be real - so this is my real craft room, worts and all lol!!

Been busy!

Sorry haven't been here for a while - just sooooooooooooooooooo busy!!

Last weekend was a very busy one! First at Ollie's swimming lesson I decided to go for it and went in the 'big' pool while he was in the ickle one. I challenged myself to do 10 lengths, but managed 12!! I know it's not a huge amount but for me it is good! And I stressed so much about the old swimming cossy thing, and it wasn't too bad! So my big achievement!

Then it was ANOTHER party! Again at the farm, had a fab time except when I thought I would get some arty animal photos and came across a HUGE bull! We made total eye contact and he started walking towards me, putting his head down. To say I was scared was an understatement!

Then Sunday I worked. Don't usually work on a Sunday but I did an annual disaster test. I made the scenario particularly horrific but they did ok!

Monday was tea at Jamie's house, where Ol blocked the toilet and her DH had to come home and sort it *blush* but the boys had a wonderful time playing and they played really well.

Have got a date for an operation that I need to have - next week! OMG bit short notice but at least it will be over and done with!

Have new round of cj's to play with - fab! Can't show you cos one is Bex's and one is Steph's. Also doing a beady challenge with some gorgeous beads that Helen has sent me and an altering swap from Steph - may just have a Buffy theme ;o)

wow wow wow!

So my friends have proved how beautiful they are {hug}





Tonight 7 girls are taking me out for a meal (chinese my fav!) to cheer me up. I didn't know till 30 mins ago. They have arranged with DH so I can have a fab night out and not worry about my boys!





And then I got home and found a parcel from Steph Nerdbird. So my first thought was 'pants, I forgot to send out the altered swap thing'!!! and then I saw what she had sent me - see below:

It's a book of friendship with lots of gorgeous quotes about friends. And a gorgeous note for me too.

How flippin gorgoeus is that? And how wonderful is Steph?!! So thank you Steph, I love it and I will treasure it - and it worked ;o)

I'm so bloody lucky!

Sad

The drs gave me some bad news last night, wasn't what I was expecting so did not have time to prepare! So my reaction was classic and quite scarey tbh! Have had a good cry and Em helped by insulting me (she was soooo rude!!) and Sue has just given me a reality check (which she is very good at) and Carol has just made me psml and pointed out something soooooooooo funny! And have had lots of real and virtual hugs - which is always appreciated! Have been very spoilt at work too, so have had a lovely day there too!

Am feeling the need to be creative as that is my escapism (that and chocolate lol!) so prepare to be bored by my bits and pieces and accept it is how I get through this stuff!!

Good to be part of a loving family and have wonderful friends xxx

Note to self

Don't bother putting on any more Buffy LO's, the philistines don't understand.............


(I actually quite liked this one - shame no-one bothered to comment on the actual lo! ;o) )

Buffy LO

Here's one of my latest cj lo's - yes sorry all it's a Buffy one!

The subject was Best Worst Bits and we had to do a page about a sad episode. So I did Fred dying, which always makes me cry!

And no, still don't expect you understand!

helloooooooooo!

Hello all!

Am just getting ready to go out as Sue is leaving the Stamp Man, so we're all going out for a chinese (my fav!). Am gutted Sue is leaving but will be keeping in touch! Talking of the Stamp Man - I am going to be sorting out a few ATC swaps this weekend................................47!!!! OMG!

Well Life on Mars is finished and I loved every minute! The ending was fantastic!

Am ok with the cj's - just waiting for my next Buffy one and have Bex's to do (which is ace!). All others are done and ready to be posted.

Having a good week and managed to help a friend last night, not that she needs any help ;o)

Other than that not much to report! as you can probably tell lol! so will see ya soon xxx

And another one - just for Sue!

Believe it or not, Sue and I had a serious conversation tonight on art and our favourite pieces! Sue hates my fav and I hate hers lol! But this one is a take on Dali's Rose Medidative - just for her ;o)

DCM Challenge

Well here is my attempt at this week's DCM challenge - Art Attack!

I dare you to make a card inspired by a work of art. If the original art is out of copyright (this happens when the creator has been dead for 70 years or more) then you may use elements of the original artwork in your piece. Otherwise its inspiration only. Look out for colours, patterns, textures, compositions, shapes or themes that inspire you, and remember to show us the piece of art that inspired you to create so we can see the common ground.


The picture is La Belle Dame Sans Merci by Sir Frank Dicksee. This is my all time fav picture although I do love alot of the Pre Raphaelites. I did own a oil copy of this, was taking it to the framers to be fixed and it was pinched off my backseat ;o( but one day I'll get myself another one!



Apparently my sister always smiles when she sees this piccy cos it reminds her of me!



So thank you DCM - loved this challenge!



xxx

CJ's

Have managed to do two dlo's for two different cj's - feel very relieved as have three sat on my desk atm!!

Here is the Buffy one - dedicated to the girls who rock!

I am quite happy with this although it does look better irl - loads of hidden journalling etc.







This is Primaflower's slef portrait. Had to do 10 things about me, hidden journalling, old and recent piccy.......








And yes I have totally lifted Em's idea of putting the journalling on a tag behind a big bloom - but she did give me permission ;o)

Our fun day!

We have had a brill day - me and Ol were tourists for the day and went to the castle (which I have never been to even though I have lived here for 16 years!), walked round the market (which I never do cos I live here!) and then to the Garden Centre to buy some plants. Then we planted them together when we got home.

FAB DAY!!

Book of Me and more

OK - I have faffed about for so long saying I want to do a Book of Me and have waited to be challenged.........but I'm just going to do one (please realise at this point how scarey that is - doing something crafty cos I want to and have not been challenged to!!!) There is a great challenge on UKS which has been going for a while so will be using some of those ideas.

Plus on UKS there is a gorgeous thread about 'What you wish you knew if there was no-one to ask'. Now I am in an incredibly lucky position because I have people here to ask but I am not using this opportunity - so I am going to take the bull by the wotsits and go for it!! Some of the stories on this thread are so sad, and I have good friends who sadly have their own stories to tell............sorry, didn't mean this to get deep and meaningful ;o(

So I am going to do a list of questions to give to Ollie's relatives and godparents to complete. And this is where I need your help!

So far I have:

Where did you grow up?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

What was your favourite book as a child?

Who was your favourite pop group?

Who was your first date and where did you go?

How did you meet ?? (enter spouses name here!)

How did they propose?

What was your wedding day like?

What are your happiest childhood memories?

Where were you when you heard I (Ollie) had been born?




So what else would you like to know about your family / friends?


I have to say I feel quite excited about this, not as morbid as I thought it would be! I'm not sure what size to do it on though........6x6 is too small and 12x12 is too big...........8x8 then? lol!

I've also thought about doing letters for people on special days if I am not here for any reason, like Ollie's wedding day, graduation, things I want people I love to know. So there you have it. Now I have told you about it there is no reason not to do it!!

And if you want to join me - that would be fab too!!!

Long time....

Since my last entry - sorry!!

Loads to tell you so will probably forgot most of it!

Weekend was wonderful, I got an appreciation of how lucky I am and felt all warm and snuggly!!

Bonkers neighbour has apologised for his behaviour last year, so hopefully this summer will be a little less fraught!

Had Ol's parents evening and was told our boy was 'impeccable' - what a dude!

Sister came all the way up to see us for the weekend. She missed us to needed to come over. Have arranged our next trip down to see them so August holiday is booked, plus Natural History Museum, Legoland and camping in the garden with Uncle Robert. Sometimes it is so hard having her 6 hours away but then when I do see her it is more special iykwim!

Have been honest with a friend over something that has been troubling me. She was very cool about it and doesn't hate me - so that's good!

Have been challenged by Sue to do an Ollie-ism page of all my fav quotes from him. A five year old is just a perfect 'ism'. I laughed so much in the car the other morning I had to pull over! And Em has challenged us to do some doodling, so will have a go (although mine just looks terrible!). Might do the two together and if the doodling is too bad I can say Ollie did it lol!

Watched Brokeback Mountain last night. Have never really fancied it but nothing else was on so I thought I'd give it a go. What an amazing film and such a beautiful love story!! Sobbed like a baby too! Hence the reason why I watch tv and films about death and destruction - no need for crying so ridiculously!

Have this week off so doing days out with the monster. And also sorting out the new rooms........haven't got round to doing that yet *blush*. DH wants to go to ikea on Saturday. Yes Easter Saturday!! Am trying to talk him out of that one!

Right, that's all for now. Crafting is drying or being done tonight so may get to show you something soon!

Oh and can I just piont out it is NOT a bug on my round and round lo. It is a knot in the wood, but thank you Kathy. You're right as always, they are very mean to me ;o)