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)

Round and Round

Em and Carol's last challenge was Round and round. Knew exactly which paper to use and also my all time fav piccy of me and my sister on her wedding day (about 20 years ago!).

Terrible photo of the lo - sorry! Must try and suss this photography or scanning thing out!

Fab weekend!

On Friday we went to Millie's bday party, which was fab!

Then on Saturday we went to my best mate Bex's house. Had a really good time. At one point the boys were out in the garden and we were sat playing on the scalextrix lol!!

Here's some upto date piccies:

The dog is Meg aka Meggie Meg - and I am sooooooooo going to do a scrapbook page about her. The title will be 'Princess' cos she so is a little princess!

Then today I went to the Papercrafts show at Harrogate. All on my own, with pocket money! Had a wonderful time and bought a couple of things.................

And saw Tracie and Jacob, who is looking gorgeous - even through the snot!! *edit - just to clarify Jake had the snot not Tracie lol*

Then we went to two birthday parties this afternoon!!

Ollie was so tired he actually asked to go to bed!!



So then I finished my cbc cj - sorry even more photos!!

Night out!

Ollie had a night over at grandma's last Saturday! First time ever - everyone seemed to survive ok, so hopefully it may happen again lol!

Went to Margaret's to help with the scrapbook..... agreed it was too emotional to do the baby photos so soon so she is going to do some older ones first. I really enojoyed myself (if that doesn't sound too silly!) nice to sit and just talk about stuff.

Daddy is decorating Ollie's room, from a baby's nursery to a proper boys room. He chose an underwater theme. Can't wait to see it, should be finished soon!

Went to school today to make Mother's Day cards with the kids. Fab!

Nothing much else to report - except the Big One is priority in our house at the moment! Can't wait to scrap this one!

CJ's everywhere!

I've got soooooooooo many cj's to do - it's fab!!

I'm getting my first ever one back in the next few days and I can't wait! I've got two UKS ones on my desk - one done one to do. And I've signed up for the next one on CBC - great team and fab subjects. My subject for this is 'My Song' - you know the one that always gets you singing, dancing, driving that bit faster.........well I mentioned it today at work which sparked an hour conversation about fantastic music! They may not understand me but they are liking the subjects (except the Buffy one where they just think I am bonkers!).

Don't know if you remember my post for Iain, well his mum has asked me to help her make a scrapbook of his life for his brother. Am quite choked about it actually - never done one quite so emotional, but am happy to help where I can.

Well that's it for now - I'll try not to sign up to do any more cj's (but I can't promise!)

New Pages

Here are some new pages I've done - not good photos sorry!! Must get a new editing application on this pc!!

The first one is for Em and Carol's SB challenge.

I do not like green eggs and ham.....

Well me and Ollie went to see Suessical today. To put this into context since my boy was one years old, we have had to read a Dr Suess story at bedtime (anyone who is not sure what this means, it is the most annoying, tongue twisting, meaningless literature ever - which I have to admit, I love too!). So when Claire asked if we wanted tickets, I had to say yes!!

This is the first time he has seen a stage show so I wasn't sure if he would like it. In fact I thought we would be there for 10 mins. and we'd have to leave.........

HE LOVED IT!! He clapped and laughed and giggled all the way through! I spent more time watching him rather than the show!!

The kid who was the Cat in the Hat was awesome and the rest were very talented too.

What a brilliant experience, and he had it with me! woo hoo!

Getting the beads out!

Well I have had a good week, book day was ok Ollie was a dragon in the end (thanks to Woolworths!). Made a big decision on where I want to go workwise, so am applying for some bits and pieces - will let you know as and when something happens!!

But this week I have also had two beady orders. One was for a Mother's Day pressie from an angel on cbc - looking forward to making it tbh as I am doing delicate, which I don't usually do lol!

AND a very good crafty friend is getting married (finally ;o)) and she has asked me to do tiaras and beadies - which once I stopped freaking out about, has got me all excited about beads again! I am so pleased she is getting married and honoured she would ask me to make her things for her and her bridesmaids. And I will get to see it on the day too - woo hoo!!

So today I sat with my big box of beads on my living room floor and had a rumage (ain't rumagging fun?!). TBH they haven't been moved into my room properly cos I have been doing paper crafts - but the shelves are going up tomorrow (dh permitting) and then beads here I come - so prepare to be shown quite a few tiaras as I may get slightly stressed about it!!

Great weekend!

I have had a great weekend! Saturday we went to Harrogate and I got spoilt! One of the things I got was a new 3 in 1 printer so now I can print, scan and photocopy to my hearts content without having to go into his office!! And I have spent quite a while sorting my room out and am loving it in there *sigh* (yes I know I am very lucky!).

Today we went to Karate, which Ol is starting to really enjoy - now he has got over his chronic shyness, which is one of the reasons that I have started taking him to karate as they say it helps with confidence.

I've got 2 cj's to post out tomorrow - this malarky is costing me a fortune!

Bought a new cd today - Mika and Life in a Cartoon Motion. AM LOVING IT!! Esepcially Lollipop and Billy Brown. Would def. recommend it!

Ok I have been tagged by Em so.......................

1. Find the nearest book
On the table next to me, ready to take to work tomorrow.

2. Name the book & the author
Not as exciting as Em's but - Wolf in Shadow by David Gemmell

3. Turn to page 123
OK but I haven't got to that page yet so I hope it doesn't give anything away lol!

4. Go to the 5th sentence on the page & copy out the next three sentences onto your blog.
"But then I have not refused, Mr Zedeki. That would be presumptuous'.
Zedeki drained his tea and looked around the settlement. His soldiers eye took in the placements of some twenty felled trees which scattered the open ground".

5. Tag 3 more people.
I tag Bex, Sue (when she gets back from USA!) and

Warning

I forgot to add my warning label that Em told us about AGES ago - sorry Em!

It is very true, I do tend to say what I think anyway...............so if I have a drink, I stop 'holding back' - which really is not a good thing!

Due to lots of unfortunate incidents I am now a tee total lol!!

Woopsie!!

Got told off today for not updating my blog - so sorry!!

Well I have been hugged (both actually and virtually) so much this week, I am feeling very loved and lucky. I know I am very lucky and I do appreciate what I have got - so I'm back to my 'normal' self and ready to enjoy life again.

(Can I just let you know that Em has been trying to leave messages about what an awful friend she has been, so I have not published them cos a) she isn't and b) it's my chuffin blog and I can do that!!! xxx)

So I've been crafting (woo hoo) and here are my ATC's for the Stamp Man's ATC swap. Now last month we had TONS of swaps (to the point I can't do them on my table any more they are now sorted out on my living room floor!) so I thought I better actually join in and do some as well as moderating it!! Now all we need is for Suzy Q to join in and we are really rocking! The theme this month is Vintage:



And here is my book for My Favourites and the first page which is dedicated to my fav book which is IT by Stephen King.

Now this is the second page that I did for IT. The first one had the front cover of the book, with Pennywise the clown and lots of blood..............which is what you would expect from this book. But I actually think this book is less about the horror (yes there is quite a bit of nastiness like the leper, werewolf, and my personal yuck of the eyeball!) but it is more than that to me. It is also about love and friendship. A bunch of misfit kids that become friends, save each others lives and make a promise that if 'IT' ever returns they will come back and defeat it. So when 'IT' does come back they are all called to fulfill their promise, except now they are adults and it is all a bit scarier! So they need more courage and honour. So there you are, my fav book from when I was about 15, which I read at least twice a year. Yes I am weird and I know I am starting to show a really geeky side to me through this blog (and Em, she is called Buffy not Duffy!!) but this is who I am!!

Sleep well everyone MMMWWHHAAAAA!!

Ah well.

I got some results in yesterday, which confirms something I already knew......mind you, even though I already know the results, it's funny how I still feel gutted! I needed to talk to my friends last night and they were either offline, busy or flying to Florida ;o) then someone I didn't expect to ask, asked if I was ok. It's funny when you find a friend somewhere where you weren't expecting. Thank you friend xxxx

A4 Challenge

Righto - here's my attempt at Em and Carol's latest SB challenge! The photo is Ollie when he was first brought home from hospital. I've always wondered what to do with it but now I have used it and am quite happy. I've put it onto a canvas, which changes it completely!! I've been looking at my gorgeous craft room and the empty walls, so this is going up tomorrow!!

Thanks Mistresses of Scrap xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hellooooooooooooooo

Am back from my jollies, had a great time apart from forgetting how hard it is to go on holiday with a certain person! Of course as soon as I walked into the cottage it all came screaming back lol!

We all had a nice time and Ol was so happy! He had all of us (including the god that is Uncle Robert) plus great days out.

http://www.trottersworld.com/

This was a lovely day, would recommend it if you are in the area.

Here's some photos - will be scrapping them soon! (the one at the bottom was taken by Ol - not bad for a 5 year old!!

Back to school and work tomorrow worst luck, all uniforms and suits are ready to go - I hate that about Sunday nights! Just that reminder of what you have to do tomorrow lol!

Poor Casper ;o(

My eldest cat is a poorly boy. Looks like he has been fighting and has got really beaten up, which is surprising cos he usually beats the crap out of everyone! So we ended up at the emergency vets getting painkillers and antibiotics (thank goodness for insurance!). Seems like he has hurt his chest.....

So whilst vet is checking him out he discovers swollen kidneys and a enlarged thyroid - has prepared me for the worst I think!! Have to keep an eye on his weight and take him back..............soon, he said!

But he is 12 and had a good innings......

DCM Challenge

I've been a busy bee tonight!

Here's a card I did for DH's valentine card, also works for the DCM challenge lol!!

Then I did this for my sister's birthday:

Thank you DCM for the inspiration - I love using photos on cards!!

I also finished one of the pages for the cj's I've got..........don't know if I can show you! Will find out and if I can I'll post it......the subject is 'It's not easy being green' and we have to do a page dedicated to green. I thought for ages what I could and then suddenly realised I lived in the Dales!! So me and baby went for a drive on Sunday and took some of the most gorgeous photos. Has reminded me of how gorgeous my environment is!!

Buffy and Angel

Well I've finished my cj. Have quite surprised myself actually. It is very gothic and lots of symbolism (black feathers representing angel, lace representing Buffy), there's no pink or primas either!!!

I don't think any of you will like it as I suppose it is an acquired taste, however I now get what Bex was saying about her last cj, when she called it her baby!! I really have enjoyed doing this, it was out of my usual style but I could still do it!! Can't wait to get the others to do!

And yes I know I am a total geek and I am extremely sad, but I had fun!!!

I may wet myself!!

I have been on a standby list on UKS for a cj that I sooooooooooooooooooo wanted to do - and Nerdbird took the last place (;o) but I have forgiven her!) - well today I got a pm to tell me I'm in and can I get the book ready for posting on MONDAY!!

I am so excited I may just wet myself - a cj dedicated to Buffy and Angel.................can it get any better than that!!! obviously if you are not as sad as me and Steph you just won't appreciate it I suppose!!

Right - off to do some manic cj'ing ;o)

xxxxxx

Page of Me

Em and Carol's last challenge was a page of me...........so I did the worst photo of me in the 80's with my ridiculus curly frizz!! The tags behind the photo are descriptions of what I loved in the 80'a like the films and the music (including Bucks Fizz winning Eurovision!). Sorry for the pants photo - no matter where I took it the photo did a shine! Must be that terrible hair - even the camera hates it ;o)