A Creative Muddle

I wish they'd make up their minds!!

2012-01-12T18:57:00.000Z

So today I was told that the woman who told me that dad is staying in the home for free shouldn't have. He needs to be assessed! Apparently, as he has now become "predictable" in the home, he could very well have to pay the £850 a week. He was unpredictable at home... well aren't most people now predictable in the nursing home with 24/7 nursing care?

The latest happenings in a very long year...

2012-01-09T23:04:00.000Z

My dad is now in a nursing home.

Dad has had bowel cancer for over a year, and it had spread. For the past 3 or more months dad wasn't interested in anything and spent all of the time laying down on the settee in pain.

On Christmas Day, instead of the usual day at dad's, it was dinner at ours and then we took dad a dinner to his house... but he didn't want to eat it.

On Wednesday 28th December, I made my usual trip over to see dad with his shopping, but when I got there he was still in his pyjamas and dressing gown, and looked very ill. He actually said that he thinks he should be in hospital. I called one of Dad's very good friends to come over, and then we decided to call an ambulance. I knew the paramedic, Andy, from work. Andy spent an hour with us. He said that he wasn't taking dad into hospital because that's not where he needed to be. I kept trying to change his mind, but instead he called the GP out and had a go at him because nothing was in place care wise for dad, and recommended that the GP got him into respite care asap. I knew the GP from work as well, lol. Anyway... the GP said that he would fit dad with a pump to stop him feeling sick - dad had only picked at food for 7 weeks coz of feeling sick, and then nothing to eat for 5 days. So that afternoon the pump was fitted, and the following day an emergency crisis bed was found in a nursing home. Couldn't have been a better one, and his brother in law is in the same one!

So today I asked what was going to happen to dad now that the two weeks respite was due to end this week. I was told that it's not just respite, he is there until I don't want him there, and he doesn't have to sell his house either to pay for it - £850 per week!! Social care are paying for it. I should think so too... if he'd been a foreigner coming into our country he wouldn't have had to pay.

Anyway... dad loves it there. They get entertainment once a week, the nurses/carers are fantastic, always ready with a smile, I can't fault the place. This is the first week in a very long year where I have felt relaxed...

A Christmas Warning!!!!

2011-12-21T13:51:00.002Z

Warning:

Anyone planning to dash through the snow
in a one horse open sleigh, going over the
fields and laughing all the way are advised
that a Risk Assessment will be required
addressing the safety of an open sleigh for
members of the public. This assessment
must also consider whether it is appropriate
to use only one horse for such a venture,
particularly where there are multiple
passengers.
...
Please note that permission must also be
obtained in writing from landowners before
their fields may be entered. To avoid
offending those not participating in
celebrations, we would request that
laughter is moderate only and not loud
enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are
now available for collection by any
shepherds planning or required to watch
their flocks at night. While provision has
also been made for remote monitoring of
flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally
heated shepherd observation hut, all users
of this facility are reminded that an
emergency response plan must be submitted
to account for known risks to the flocks.

The angel of the Lord is additionally
reminded that, prior to shining his/her glory
all around, s/he must confirm that all
shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment to account for the
harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the
overwhelming effects of Glory.

Following last year’s well-publicised case,
everyone is advised that Equal Opportunities
legislation prohibits any comment with
regard to the redness of any part of Mr R
Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R
Reindeer from reindeer games will be
considered discriminatory and disciplinary
action will be taken against those found
guilty of this offence.

While it is acknowledged that gift bearing is
a common practice in various parts of the
world, particularly the Orient, everyone is
reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject
to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must
be registered. This applies regardless of the
individual, even royal personages. It is
particularly noted that direct gifts of
currency or gold are specifically precluded,
while caution is advised regarding other
common gifts such as aromatic resins that
may evoke allergic reactions.

Finally, in the recent instance of the infant
found tucked up in a manger without any
crib for a bed, Social Services have been
advised and will be arriving shortly.

Christmas digi scrap!

2011-12-20T23:17:00.000Z

I used part of a gorgeous kit by Just So Scrappy... love it!!! Click here to get it too!

A few images of our Christmas...

2011-12-15T14:41:00.000Z

... so far!

When you're making gingerbread you need.......... a lot!

There's something strange in this pic............ the telly's not on!

This Christmas is going to be very strange. With my dad being terminally ill with cancer it's all change this Christmas. We normally spend the day at dad's, but he gets tired really quickly and lays down for most of the day as he's in less pain then... This year Christmas dinner is being cooked by Justin. Darryl, Abby, and Elijah are going to Abby's nan and grandads, but still coming to ours on Christmas Eve. I'm working both Christmas Eve and Day, but finishing Christmas Day at 11am. In the afternoon we're going to go to dad's and take him a dinner, we'll spend about an hour and a half with him. Darryl and Co are going over on Boxing Day to see dad.

I will post pics later of how my first attempt at gingerbread turns out!!

A cosy candle...

2011-11-27T23:04:00.000Z

I saw the pattern for this lovely Christmassy candle jar trim on Attic 24, click here to go to the pattern. I took the photo with my mobile phone so it's not that good. I enjoyed making it and it was quite fast. I added some Flowersoft Polar White snow stuff mixed with crystal glitter. Tomorrow I'm going to buy some cotton yarn so it's not quite so fluffy.

Below are some gorgeous photo's of my grandson, Elijah. Hasn't he grown?! He's two years old now bless him... He's such a happy little chap.

I love Teddybo!

2011-11-10T13:57:00.002Z

I have found a fab site called Teddybo, click here to go to their site.

I love teddies, so this site is made for me!!

I created this card using one of the fabby teddybo digi stamps. The image comes with a blank sign and also another one with text on. I made up the text on this sign. Do you think my mince pies are too expensive?? lol

This is for this weeks Papertake challenge.

The gerbils escaped!!!!

2011-11-03T13:59:00.001Z

I was busy upstairs creating this card and hoped it would fit in with some challenges this week - I've not entered any for ages!!

Card made for the Papertake Weekly Challenge.
See below card for the gerbils adventure!

...and whilst I was making this card, I could hear the gerbils, but the noises didn't sound like they were from within the Rotastak. I couldn't believe it when I saw Blackie sitting on top of the bedroom unit and Sid was running around the floor! I managed to pick Blackie up as he's always been the more friendlier of the two, but with Sid it took me an hour and a half!!

I sat on the floor with a box full of goodies for him - toilet roll middles, sawdust, and food... ready for him to climb into. But no. He spent most of the time climbing the three storey's of Matthew's storage unit.

I put the Rotastak onto the floor, blocked off the inside hole and then put a loo roll tube inside a now open bit of tubing... I'd forgotten Blackie could go up straight vertical tubes, and then he poked his head out of the hole I'd just made, lol... I soon poked him back in.

Anyway... Sid had decided that he was going to nibble a big hole in the cloth cover this storage unit has... so I let him get on with it, and then placed the box full of goodies the other side of the hole, to which he climbed into once he'd climbed through his hole... ahhhh...

I then put him back into his home, both gerbils were very happy to see each other again.

Catching up.

2011-11-02T14:20:00.005Z

I've not written to the blog for almost two months. It's been difficult as my dad has a terminal illness, and it's only going to get worse, so it's hard to write upbeat in here... but...

I've made a few Christmas cards over the last couple of days, and also my son enjoyed Halloween.

Here are some photo's of both!

I know he looks pretty much the same as he did last year, lol... maybe next year he can have a new costume...

We loved our pumpkin this year!! It's the best one Justin has cut.

Halloween Baking. My Almond, raspberry, and orange spider sponge cake.

Rocky Road anyone?

The above card used a free stamp that came with this month's Cardmaking and Papercraft, but I think the stamp was exclusive to Sainsbury's. I love Fizzy Moon!!

I've found that it's easier this year for me to just use decoupage sheets for my Christmas cards. I've of course added extra glitter, and 3D gloss for noses.

Justin has published a book!! It's a specialist book for lovers of the Gizmondo games machine. Nice glossy cover as well!! He put a dedication in the back for a few people including me and Matthew.
And below is Matthew trying out the new picnic bench over by the riverside park in Huntingdon.

A few weeks back I emailed Scrapbook Magazine with two of my pages... and here it is in print!!

Recently I bought a Kindle. I love it! I have read five books in the last two weeks. Two of the books I read which I loved were...

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. Click to buy on Kindle UK site. A very atmospheric ghost story set in the Arctic. Fantastic.

And...

Asylum Lake by R.A. Evans. Click to buy on Kindle UK site. Another ghost story, set around an abandoned Asylum. I can't wait for the sequel to be published.

A jewellery phase?

2011-09-15T12:01:00.002+01:00

So this phase I'm in now is about making jewellery. I used to make earrings, and sold them on Ebay, then for some STUPID reason I gave all my beads away!! Luckily I kept my tools, and this week I decided to buy some more beads and make a few bits and pieces.
They are all for sale... so if anyone is interested, leave a comment :D
Any of the ear wires can be swapped with sterling silver wires, but this will incur another £2.

Bracelet and silver plated earrings set - £6, plus P&P.

Beautiful beads - Burgandy "moon" glass beads, amethyst silver lined Japanese Toho beads, pink Swarovski crystals, tibetan silver spacer beads, and glitter glass Stardust beads.

Childs silver plated charm bracelet - £3 plus P&P.

Tibetan silver charms and a Swarovski crystal, a Stardust glitter glass bead, and Japanese Toho Beads.

Bracelet and silver plated earrings set - £6 plus P&P.

Gorgeous sapphire blue Swarovski crystals, dark blue glass faceted rondelle beads, AB clear Swarovski crystals, clear silver lined Japanese Toho beads, tibetan silver spacer beads, Stardust glitter glass beads. Very pretty and delicate looking.

All come with an organza bag.

A Photographer in the Making.

2011-08-25T09:55:00.000+01:00

I seem to be using a lot of greens/blues in my layouts lately.

This was a day out in Godmanchester by the river. Matthew is using the camera he got for Christmas, to take lots of photo's. He is a good little photographer and took over 200 photo's this day!

I used K&Co Kazoo Kids for the paper, and the Cricut E for the cut out shapes and text.

Lot's of scrapbooking this week.

2011-08-24T09:41:00.001+01:00

I've had fun this week creating lots of pages. Here are two more!!

The above page is showing two of the houses that I've lived in. The top one is where my dad now lives, and as you can see on the page, I lived there from 1974 until 1988. The house at the bottom is the house that I currently live in. I've lived in one other house, and I'm sure I've a pic of that somewhere... that house I lived in from 19966 to 1974. Papers are Daisy D's and Creative Creations.

For this page I chose a photo I liked of Matthew with Justin, over Hinchingbrooke Park (is there anywhere else?!). I used a mix of papers from K&Co Mira and Blue Awning, and a few bits cut out on the Cricut. The "With Dad" are letters taken from the To the Moon kit by Fancy Pants. Other elements cut out from a Nitwits collection called, I think, Into the Meadow.

He's getting big!

2011-08-22T18:49:00.004+01:00

My Grandson, Elijah, this summer. Created with papers from an old paper pad from K&Co. I made the little kite lol :D. Isn't he gorgeous??!

Below is a page all about my crocheting. I used the freebie papers from the months Scrapbook magazine. I also crocheted the little cream doilie.
I love Shaun the Sheep! I got it as a free pattern online, but can't remember where... but I'm sure I listed it on here somewhere, I'll have a search for it... I love crocheting Amigurumi animals, they're so easy, crocheted in rounds. I'm making a snowman at the moment, slowly...

FOUND IT!! Click here for the free Shaun the Shepe crochet pattern.

100% Boy!

2011-08-20T18:09:00.000+01:00

I've got this weekend off work, and so far have had a lovely day! This morning we had a full english breakfast in Sainsbury's, then it was to the market where I bought some more card... the market stall is only there on a Saturday, and I'm normally at work, so it's nice to get to have a snoop round the stall.

This afternoon, after I watched football with Justin, he went on the computer, so I went up into my lovely little craft room and came up with the scrap page...

I scraplifted it from this months Scrapbook Magazine.
I fell in love with the bright colours and the business of the page... I strive to make ALL my layouts like this, but fail miserably, lol.

I used Fancy Pants To The Moon collection kit for the papers and some of the embellishments. I used my cricut for the wheels. The 3D train at the top is from a little selection of baby embellishments someone sent me years ago, and the robot on the right hand side was with a little selection from the 99p shop!!

I absolutely LOVED making this page.

A little bit of crochet.

2011-08-14T19:56:00.002+01:00

I bought a new teapot this week, together with mugs, milk jug etc as a matching set from Wilkinsons. I love it! I realised when I got home that I needed a tea cosy, so set about making one... the white one, then I made another one, the pink one, lol... then that got me into my crochet again, so decided to get out the double bed blanket, and I finished it!!! 56 stripes in total, two rows to a stripe... over 28,000 treble stitches!!!!! I love it that the sides got right over the edges of the bed. I started with a chain of approx 250. I got the idea from Attic24 - link over there on the right blog list. I'm now making Matthew a single bed granny stripe blanket... I wonder how long this one will take??

The first three photo's are mobile phone uploads, so the picture quality isn't that good, and then there's the two photo's of the bed blanket. The colours seem richer in real life.

See my tea cosy crochet pattern at the bottom of the post... my first attempt at writing a pattern...

So the tea cosy pattern. It's basically two sides sewn together. I have written in in the Rest of the World terms, not US.

This is for a 6 cup tea pot.

Hook size 4.5mm

Chain 30.

Row 1. Skip first stitch, then dc into the rest of the stitches, chain 3, turn.

Row 2. Tr into each stitch, chain 3, turn.

Row 3. Tr into each chain space, chain 3, turn.

Keep going until you reach your desired height for your teapot. I personally continued in pattern for 11 more rows.

You will need to crochet/sew the sides together, leaving a gap for the handle and the spout. I then made a chain of 100 and weaved this through the third row down from the top and tied it...

Still Life.

2011-07-29T15:24:00.005+01:00

My cousin, Mandy Disher, takes the most fantastic photo's. Click here to visit Mandy's website.

So... trying to copy her style (hahahaha, yeah, don't fall about laughing after you've looked at hers and then come back to my effort... it's my first attempt!!) I cut some rosebuds from the bush in the garden, and "arranged" them in the glass vase. Fiddled around with the computer stool/chair, the back window cream curtains, and various exposures, and came up with this... with added textures of course!!

But then... I thought it looked bit stuck on, so here's another attempt!!

Photo for today.

2011-07-26T22:23:00.001+01:00

Today's fiddle with textures and Paint Shop Pro x3 produced this. I really like it...

Just love this one...

2011-07-24T23:15:00.000+01:00

Alas, this isn't mine...

2011-07-21T12:43:00.002+01:00

I snagged this photo of my friends cat from her facebook album... His name is Albert, isn't he gorgeous?

I had a fiddle with some textures etc in the brand spanking new Paint Shop Pro Photo x3 which you can download a free trial by clicking the link above. I've got the purchased version and I love it! You still get the full version for 30 days in the trial version.

So anyway, here is the gorgeous Albert.

Here are a few more photo's that I took at the garden centre, all are available to purchase via the redbubble icon at the top right of the page. I wouldn't mind a couple of them on canvas myself!!

Photography.

2011-07-19T21:14:00.001+01:00

I have loved photography ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper. My first "proper" camera was an Olympus OM10 35mm SLR. I loved it! Photography had to take a back seat for many years, but my love of photography never dwindled.

6 or so years ago Justin bought me a digital SLR, my Canon 400D. I'm still fancying that lens that I mentioned here the other day... but I'm leaning towards a macro lens now...

Anyway... today, I went out for the afternoon with Amanda, a friend that I've known since starting infant school many moons ago. We were debating where to take our camera's, and ended up settling on a garden centre!! What a fab place to take lots of photo's of flowers! There was torrential downpour while we were there, so it's a good job we hadn't gone to the park!

Here's a few of the pics that I've been fiddling with, adding textures to etc. The top one was taken in our garden.

They are available to buy - without watermark and larger, as a card, laminated print, matted print, framed print... see the RedBubble icon at the top of the page.

Twinlakes part deux.

2011-07-06T19:38:00.000+01:00

The second page is now complete... To the Moon by Fancy Pants papers used.

Today I purchased some of the new Christmas Forever Friends stuff by DoCrafts. I love it! The A4 die cut pack is fantastic, I can't wait to use it... but Matthew is upstairs in the craft room hogging the desk creating his own Christmas scrapbook page.

A little bit late...

2011-07-05T21:51:00.002+01:00

...making this one! It's a page with photo's from when we went to Twinlakes last June! I received my fab scrapbook kit on Monday. It's from Fancy Pants, and called To the Moon. I love it, it's very bright and colourful. I enjoyed making this page, and I need to make the right side as well. I have printed some of the Skegness photo's today, and might do a couple of pages of those tomorrow.

We have booked a holiday to Skegness Butlins next June, for four nights. I've been reading reviews for Butlins... not all that good, but most people only write a review if they're complaining anyway... oh well, there'll be plenty of things to do. Matthew has £35 saved up for it already!

Hunstanton??? NOOOOO, Skegness!

2011-07-03T22:52:00.000+01:00

The day started well... all of us up early, in a good mood, looking forward to a great day out. We originally were going to Hunstanton, but then showed Matthew Skegness on the internet and he said we could go there instead.

Matthew had a bath, Justin a shave, and I straightened my hair... then disaster! Half an hour before Justin's dad and step mum were due to arrive, water began pouring from the header tank out onto the patio area by the kitchen. Justin will be the first to tell you that he's useless at anything to do with DIY. Luckily, his dad isn't...

Steve (Justin's dad), turned off the water and went up into the loft and said the fault was the ball valve was kaput. Weird it should go all of a sudden. Anyhoo... on the way to Skegness, we made a quick stop at Homebase and picked up a new ball valve, and headed off.

Skegness is brilliant! SO much to do! Unfortunately we only had about 5 hours there so didn't get to do too much. Matthew loved it there!

First stop was Harry Ramsbottom's fish and chip restuarant. Lovely!!! Then we went into the amusements, Matthew likes the 2p falls thingies. After that it was onto the pier, then icecream - I really shouldn't have had that being lactose intolerant... I felt ill until I got into bed that night after that! But the icecream was GORGEOUS! It was whippy icecream and the cone is filled with icecream... mmmm... but I did suffer afterwards, lol. After the icecreams, it was on to the beach and we all, except Steve, had a paddle in the sea, it was really warm.

Matthew, Justin, and Steve, then had a game of cricket. Then it was onto the gift shops to get some rock/fridge magnets etc, and along the sands back towards where we were parked, but first a drink and a final play on the sand. We then had another go in the amusements then a quick nip to the loo.... 20p it costs to go to the loo in Skegness! Silly me didn't realise that after 6pm the turnstile on the exit bit was left open, so I needn't have paid that time...

We got home around 8.30pm. Justin and Steve went up into the loft and fixed the ball valve... which was a bit touch and go because the bit it had to fit too had corroded quite abit. After that, it was Frankie and Benny's... lovely as usual, and we got home around 11pm. Joan and Steve went back to The Marriot, Matthew watched Thursday's Eastenders, and then we all went to bed at half 11.

Today we were woken up by Matthew at half five this morning saying that the bathroom was flooded! For some reason the cistern had allowed more water in and the overflow pipe had leaked, lol... plus we saw a damp patch on the bedroom ceiling, which we think was caused by yesterday's disaster. We still have no idea why the cistern did what it did, but it didn't do it anymore.

We went to Bury St Edmunds today to visit Justin's 2 aunts, 2 uncles, 2 cousins, and Nan and Grandad. Everyone was really lovely. We'd go to one of one of the aunts and uncles bungalows... the other pair live opposite. The bungalow had a lovely garden, with a fab veggie patch and greenhouse. Matthew had a laugh with his great Uncle Stephen, and great uncle Mark's chocolate labrador. Mind you, it's the wives of those that are Stephen's (Justin's dads) sisters...

Matthew's Great Grandad gave Matthew £20!! He's putting it in his holiday fund... next year we're staying at Butlins!

Home by around 6pm, all worn out... Joan and Steve then had to drive to Devon...

Here's some pics!

LOL @ my hair!

River... not a great title for a page!

2011-07-01T18:14:00.000+01:00

Today I made a page with some photo's taken from a day in Godmanchester (there are more to come! Well, one more anyhoo!). This is a place called The Rec to us locals. It's a very pretty place, and has lots of weeping willow trees.

I used a mix of papers - K&Co's Mira, and Blue Awning, and a Fancy Pants Beach Bum flock sheet... some Prima flowers, and some jewels.

The colours seem to be very strong in this photo... I took three photo's of it, each with different modes on the camera, and each looked different...

Tomorrow we have Justin's dad and step mum up from Devon. We are going to Hunstanton, Matthew loves the rock pools there. Sunday we're off to Bury St Edmunds to meet Justin's grandparents for the first time - that's me and Matthew meeting them for the first time, of course Justin has met them!! :)

Sunshine and Love. Oh, and cake!

2011-06-30T10:03:00.003+01:00

Last night I created another page from the day out in April at Hinchingbrooke Park. I know it seems that that's the only place we go to... well we don't go to many places lol!

I've fallen in love with a camera lens... It is a Canon 85mm f1.8. If you look on a blog to the right of this page, Slugs on the Refridgerator, the lady on there uses this lens... I want it!!! Click HERE to see the lens.
Today, Matthew is off school as the teachers are on strike, so we made a cake. It's got almond extract in it... tastes like a bakewell tart lol.

Before Matthew decorated it...

Don't you just want to stick your finger in and get that bit of jam off?!
...and after Matthew decorated it.

Showing off "his" creation!

"Oops, jam on my finger!"

Sports Day 2011

2011-06-29T20:26:00.001+01:00

Matthew had his school sports day today. He was in the green team, and they came second. Matthew likes Sports day, apart from the skipping rope bit lol...

Below are some photos from today, and some more of my lillies, and also a scrap page of the now famous (surely!) Hinchingbrooke Park.

The dreaded skipping rope!

Matthew with one of his favourite teachers - Mrs Baldock.

I didn't know till tonight that these are lilies! (I changed yesterday's post to say lilies now.) We used to call them the palm trees when they were growing lol.

This is the lovely Hinchingbrooke Park again. These photo's are from when we went in April. I used a Just So Scrappy digital kit and printed out the elements. I do like the cute little ducky hiding from them by the bullrushes.

Dull and Gloomy.

2011-06-28T13:25:00.003+01:00

That’s what today is. Yesterday it was hot – 29c! Today it is dull and gloooommmmyyyy, but still hot, well, muggy, and we have had a few rumbles of thunder. I hate storms. I hope it’s ok when it’s time to pick Matthew up from school… or he might just have to wait there, hahaha.

I decided to grab the camera and take a few shots of the garden, in it’s full gloom. My pink roses are on a bush that must be around 16 years old. It was bought as a small patio rose, lol… it is lovely. It must have a thousand flowers on it when it’s in full ~~gloom~~ bloom, and I love it! It will die off a little bit towards the end of the summer, but will still keep coming back right up to the beginning of January!

Underneath the rose bush is a couple of stacking pots, with Sweet Williams, and Stocks, both well past their best.

The old recycling tub now has carrots growing in it, there’s potatoes near the back fence, and some other flower which I’ve now forgotten the name of in the shaped tub in front.

Sweet Williams, Viola’s, Marigolds, and Stocks.

Beautiful Lilies, grown from a pack of bulbs from the 99p shop!

Rain splashes on the windows lol… just for something different!

I hope the weather is nice for the weekend. We have Justin’s dad and step mum down, so we’ll be out for the day. We’re going to Hunstanton, Norfolk on Saturday, and on Sunday we’re off to Bury St Edmunds to see Justin’s grandparents! Me and Matthew have never met these people!!!

We’ve been watching Wimbledon since it started… and now we’re going to miss both the women’s and men’s finals lol… oh well, Justin was pleased that it wasn’t Silverstone’s Grand Prix this week.

Our boy {Gorgeous}

2011-06-18T22:33:00.001+01:00

I created this page yesterday... not one of Justin's favourites apparently, lol. He prefers them with more than one photo on. I told him that sometimes you only need the one photo to tell the story... the story being that I think our boy is gorgeous lol.

I used more of the Beach Bum papers. I just love them!

Hinchingbrooke Park Page… and the trouble with ivy.

2011-06-17T12:33:00.004+01:00

Here is a cute lil page I created yesterday of a day out to Hinchingbrooke Park. Other photo’s from the day out are on the blog here.

I used lots of bits of the Do Crafts Woodlands decoupage collection, and a few of the acrylic stamp images.

I need to print the photo of Justin’s bum up in the air to put on another page. Anyhooo… here’s the page and a few close ups too.

Now about the ivy…

I have some ivy growing up the shared boundary fence along the side of my house… it’s not much, just a tiny bit pokes up above the fence every so often. My neighbour leans over my side of the fence and cuts it back to 2 inches below on my side. Now you would think that she can’t do that, as I did… so I cut some more ivy and HOT GLUED it to the fence, lol… Well when I got back from Tesco’s with dad today, it was GONE! She has allsorts hanging over the fence on our side, but I leave it alone… so imagine my shock when I do a bit on online searching about boundary fences, and find out she’s right all along!!! I cannot grow anything up my side of the fence because she paid for the fence… better no glue anymore on then!

Jack Frost

2011-06-09T14:40:00.002+01:00

Whilst most of the country last December was under 10 foot of snow, we just had frost... but it was amazing frost!! It was SO thick and lasted for most of December. I LOVE winter, so this suited me fine...

I've been talked into helping to run a photography club for the year 5/6's at school from September... the kids have to have a digital camera, and most of the kids do nowadays. Matthew loves his. I got talking to a teacher he sees once a week about what he likes to do, and after mentioning crafting and photography. We'd print the photo's after viewing them on the white boards at school, and then get the kids to create a scrapbook of their work. Matthew will love it!

Anyway, back to Jack Frost...

... here is the page that I created this morning. I used some Sandylion papers I've had for ages.

We had a trip out last night...

I always ring dad, since he's been home from hospital/rehab, between 6pm and 7pm every night when I've not seen him in the daytime. Last night, I rang every 5 minutes from half six to have seven, no answer! We got a taxi to take us to dads... and fearing the worst, I sent Justin in first!!! I'm really no good in a crisis. Anyway, there was dad sat on the settee watching telly!!!

I'd told dad to put his phone on the coffee table during the day, it's one of those cordless ones, and thought it would easier for him to answer/use instead of getting up all the time. Well the stupid thing doesn't like being off it's cradle, and won't ring!! So that was the end of that idea... dad then had a nice trip out driving us home, lol.

Fun Scrappin'.

2011-06-08T13:22:00.001+01:00

I've been having fun scrapping more pages. I've used lots of the Fancy Pants Beach Bum collection. I really love it, bright and cheery!

This is from a day out at Hunstanton, Norfolk, in 2009!! I used the Cricut to cut out the various shapes, and the lettering. I coloured all the letters in with ProMarkers after cutting white card.

Glittered letters!!!!

Just in case you missed the little heart and arrow, pointing to a protective hand...

The double layout below is from when we went to Devon in 2008!! This was a day out in Ilfracombe - where Justin left before coming to live with me in sunny Cambridgeshire, lol.

And this one is from a day out in Woolacombe Bay, again, Devon in 2008.

I still have another Hunstanton page that needs to be photographed... I forgot last night.

Here is a photo of the fabby granny stripe blanket's progress. It's very slow, lol, but I pick it up every now and again.

And as you can see, Matthew loves it too!

Christmas Eve scrap page.

2011-06-05T22:57:00.000+01:00

I'm enjoying scrapping at the moment. Today I decided to do Christmas Eve 2010... although I still need to do 2009!! Nevermind, I will get to it... Oh I think I need to do 2008 as well actually, lol... Well anyway, back to this one. I used Nitwits digital scrapbook kits and printed off the elements that I wanted, and the patterend papers. I love Nitwits stuff! The ones used are Twas the Night and Nitwitville. (Thanks Jacqui!!)

Tomorrow I shall work on Christmas Day, and also make a bye bye happy retirement card for one of the nurses on A&E.

Below is a photo trying to show the flowersoft used on the bobble and the edging - thanks again Jacqui xxxx

It's still Christmas in my world lol.

2011-06-04T22:56:00.000+01:00

I've done TWO pages today. The first one is a simple one... I'm always saying how much I love Christmas, but never really said why, well apart from saying "oohh, I love ....." etc etc. So I thought I'd create a page saying why. It's now going to be the start page to the album.

The second page of today is of Christmas morning, and Matthew opening up his presents.

I used a mix of papers and embellishments from various bits I've collected over the years. The embellishments on the second page are some that Jacqui sent me for Christmas.

It's taken me 5.5 years to scrap!

2011-05-20T16:51:00.001+01:00

I'm talking about the Disneyland Paris scrapbook page... these photo's are from our Christmas time trip in 2006. I've only made a few of the pages so far... Justin bought me a gorgeous Disney scrapbook album, and papers set, so I really do need to scrap some more of them.

The picture isn't very good - it was taken with my phone (a Samsung Galaxy S).

The page below is the last of Christmas 2010. The large cracker in the centre opens up showing more of our presents... we got loads!

4 hours!

2011-05-16T22:26:00.003+01:00

That’s how long it took me to create this double scrapbook layout. I really enjoyed making it. I had a lot of fun.

I used papers from Bo Bunny and My Mind’s Eye. Embellishments from various packs laying around. I made the little pocket and put some tags inside. I glittered lots of things too.

The next page I need to do is the presents… I’m going to have to put some hidden, or folding out or something… I was meant to do the Christmas Dinner layout as a single page, but it turned into a double, so there’s a single page needing a layout now.

Click on this layout, to get a better view.

A REAL scrapook page!

2011-05-10T16:24:00.001+01:00

I decided it was time that I made another real paper scrapbook page, instead of digital. I love the touchy feely of "real". The digital layouts are great too, and they look fab in the 8x8 album I've put them in now that they've been printed.

Anyway... here's a page I created this afternoon. I used Bazzill Basics plain cardstock, My Mind's Eye, and Daisy D's patterend papers. Added embellishments from Do Crafts Silent Night range.

Click on the image to read the text.

A close up trying to show the glitter around the lettering... although it wasn't dry lol, so looks a bit gloopy.

The Aquarium...

2011-05-02T15:14:00.002+01:00

...got an overhaul.

It was about time. We needed to restock the tank so we decided on Friday to go and buy some more fish. The photo's below don't really show the fish very well, and I don't think you can even see my favourite, Kribensis... The Sailfin Mollies are nice too. The tank has 16 fish in it... although a lot of them are hiding in these pics as they'd only just been put in lol.

With Flash.

Without Flash.

So we had a barbie...

2011-04-26T21:59:00.001+01:00

And it was yum. Justin was busy cooking away when I got in from work on Sunday. Darryl, Abby, and Elijah were here too. Matthew had a great time as well.

Here is a page I made of Elijah peeping out of Matthew's Bob the Builder house, and some other photo's of the day.

Dawn Inskip kit - Fairyland.

Nice to see their normal faces for a change!

Three things today!

2011-04-25T17:03:00.001+01:00

I have three things for you today, two pages, and a video! The video is of the little mouse that's taken up residence in our ivy. "He's" been there for 5 to 6 weeks now... eating the bird feeder food that the birds drop!

Matthew blackberry picking - August 2009. Dawn Inskip - Farmyard Fun digital scrapbook kit.

Elijah cuddling up to his monkey. I used elements from both the Dawn Inskip Farmyard Fun kit, and Just So Scrappy Sweet Treats kit.

We had a BBQ yesterday afternoon. Justin prepared and had started cooking it by the time I got home. We had Darryl, Abby, and Elijah over, and Matthew built his old Bob the Builder playhouse for Elijah to play in. We had a lovely time. No doubt another scrap page will find it's way here in the next couple of days.

Other news...

Dad decided to go to the shop for the first time since coming home from hospital and the interim care place... he walked up there, got his shopping, and the lady stood next to him in the queue put dad's shopping up to the checkout till for him... and THEN, asked dad if he wanted her to give him a lift home!!!!!!!!!!! He said YES! He didn't know who this woman was!!! LOL! Tut tut, dad you should know better than that! What if I'd of been asked to get into a car??! LOL

Elijah in the pool, and Hinchingbrooke. Post is picture heavy.

2011-04-22T20:38:00.001+01:00

Little Elijah has got his first paddling pool, and as Darryl and Co dono't have a garden, they filled it round ours. He had a lovely time. So of course, I scrapped a page of him... but this is before he got in the pool, and the second one is from a couple of winter pics Darryl and Abby took.

Kit used Summer Fun from Just So Scrappy.

Kit used Winter Frost - Just So Scrappy, and the cluster frames is from the Brrrr collection, Just So Scrappy.

Below is a mix of pics taken from Hinchingbrooke Park today.

Woohoooo a paper page!

2011-04-20T16:11:00.001+01:00

But first... another digital lol.

This one is of me and my lovely Justin. I used the Cherish kit available at Just So Scrappy.

The following page is a paper version of the Elijah, Wonder, digi page. It is lovely in real life!!! All touchy feely... ahhhh.

I'm going to have to slow down on these!

2011-04-19T13:38:00.002+01:00

I'm going to have 20 printed when I've finished 20, and then put them in one of my 8x8 albums I have. I have a nice Forever Friends album that hasn't had anything put in it yet...

The first one here is of my gorgeous son, Matthew, having a bit of a chuckle about something. It was during a day out at Hinchingbrooke Park.

I used the Denim and Daisies kit again. (See post below for link).

...and here is me! LOL! Created with Happy Days kit and addons from Just So Scrappy.

And here is a gorgeous one of my grandson, Elijah, looking inquisitively at the camera. He is growing up fast!

Kit used is the same as the one above of me.

I'm getting addicted...

2011-04-18T19:09:00.001+01:00

To digi scrapbooking!! I love looking at all the fabby kits you can download as well. I still love paper scrapbooking, but I haven't made a page in over a year!! I really need to do some because I have some lovely papers and embellishments to use... and a brand new Christmas album too, not forgetting a Disney album to scrap the two trips to Disneyland Paris photo's...

But, for tonight, here are two more layouts I've conjured up today.

This first one is reflecting on a farewell party that my friend, Jacqui, gave the kids before departing to Oz... and the second layout is a couple of photo's taken in October 2010 over Godmanchester river.

Kit - Just So Scrappy - So Jordon.

Kit - Just So Scrappy - Denim and Daisies.

A touch of yellow?

2011-04-17T22:32:00.002+01:00

2 more pages created over the weekend. The first one is of me with my best friend, Jacqui, a few months before she left for Australia.

I used a kit from here called Sunshine of my Life.

The following page is a challenge on UKScrappers. We had to follow a sketch and something had to be altered... well it's a digi scrap page, and most things tend to be altered slightly to fit how you want them...

I used a kit from Just So Scrappy, Denim and Daisies, a massive kit on sale for $1.50!!! So it was a bargain! Most of her kits are that price at the moment, with Brag Books all being FREE! It's an amazing site for digi scrappers.

Please click on the photos for a much better look, clicking on the new image will give an even better look!

Like Father Like Son.

2011-04-15T22:17:00.001+01:00

Have you noticed how I go in phases of what craftiness I get up to?? So now I'm in a digital scrapping mood, lol... I wonder what's next?!

Anyway, this is a photo I love. It shows my son, and his son. Darryl and Elijah. I love it because they're both strolling along in the park, and their same leg is in the air...

Papers etc from Shabby Princess - Promise Collection.

My son - Beautiful.

2011-04-15T16:03:00.001+01:00

D'oh, just realised, I meant to add the date to this page... well it's the 27th October 2010, lol, I'll add it to the right hand bottom corner later.

I love this photo, it was taken in Godmanchester over the river. Matthew had been having fun taking lots of photo's with his little digital camera.

I used a kit from Shabby Princess, a freebie kit, and the scrolly overlay wotsit was from Digital Scrapbook Place.

In other news!! Justin is enjoying his new job, and the "old" delivery drivers are having a laugh when they realise they're still delivering things to him.

I changed the Christmas page...

2011-04-14T22:30:00.001+01:00

...into this.

I decided that the first version was too busy with the backgrounds... and here's what I came up with.

2 more digi layouts.

2011-04-13T14:39:00.001+01:00

I've been playing again... with digital wotsits. The top one, the Christmas one, I used NitWits T'was the Night collection, and used Craft Artist to make the page, and the bottom one, the Valentine one, I just used Paint Shop Pro, and NitWits From the Heart digi collection. I like the easiness of being able to plonk something on the "paper" in front of lots of embellishments, and then being able to click a button for it to sit behind them, one at a time... that's with using the Craft Artist software. I've not found out how to do that with PSP yet... that's something I'll have to search up this afternoon.

Some GOOD news and a scrap page!!

2011-04-12T22:21:00.001+01:00

SO the good news is....
Justin was made redundant on the first of April. He got a good pay off, which would allow us to be ok for about 6 months just in case he couldn't get a job... well, today, he got a job!!!! He starts tomorrow. Basically doing the same kind of thing he was doing before, controlling goods in at a mobile/laptop repair centre. So that IS very good news!!!

This evening I had a look at digital scrapbooking again. I do quite like it... I found a good place to get them printed at 8x8 size for around a tenner for 20 prints on thick photo card! A bargain I think.
Photo printing here.
Below is what I came up with. I used a Nitwits digital kit that my friend had sent me, and I think it's fab! Click on it for a better look. (Then click on the back button dad!!! lol)

A 2nd greenhouse!

2011-03-29T11:49:00.000+01:00

We decided last weekend to buy another greenhouse, this one is bigger than our other one. We're growing more veggies this year - tomatoes (cherry and normal size), cucumber, lettuce, beetroot, carrots, onions, spring onions, parsnips, strawberries, raspberries, and potatoes, plus lots of various flowers too! I love pottering about in both of our greenhouses, although we do seem to be calling the little one mine, and the bigger one Justin's... lol. It needs some more shelving, so I might just go and get the shelf thingy today from Wilkinson's.

Later on today I have to plant my second raspberry bush/cane whatever it is you call it.

Here is a pic of our smaller one... although not in our garden, this is a catalogue picture.

Dad update...
Dad is now home and doing really well, he's very pleased to be back home, finally!

Cookies n Coffee...

2011-03-17T12:51:00.000Z

Homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a coffee in my new mug...

The cookies were supposed to come out chewy... but the first batch, this batch, didn't... but still LOVELY!! I think the trick is to take them out the oven sooner... but how much sooner???? They are getting chewier with each batch that's coming out of the oven. I've read somewhere that you need to use melted butter to combat this problem... well that's rubbish, coz I DID use melted butter. Oh well, they taste heavenly anyway.

It's Shaun!!!!

2011-03-13T18:18:00.003Z

I've had the weekend off work this weekend, and I have finished him!!! I love him! He was very easy to make... he may not be perfect, but who/what is?!

FREE SHAUN THE SHEEP CROCHET PATTERN!

Other news...

Dad maybe going home this week sometime. He is managing stairs, very slowly, but progressing a bit more each time. Here is a brief description of what happened...

Dad had a major bowel resection on December 30th. Discharged from hospital on January 3rd. We get dad back home and he's VERY out of breath, and grey. I'd been told by the nurses that he was fit to go home, so who was I to say otherwise, even though I didn't agree before we left the ward. Anyway... after about 3 hours and after calling the out of hours doctors, I called an ambulance as dad was getting worse. We ended up in Resus in A&E (ER) and was there for another couple of hours before dad was taken up to Intensive Care. The following morning, I had a phone call to say that we should get to the hospital as they didn't think dad was going to make it - his blood pressure was dropping and they couldn't get it up and his kidney's had failed. When we arrived at the hospital, dad was doing better!! So dad spent two weeks in intensive care, then another couple of weeks back on the original ward, and then onto another ward as he wasn't able to go home yet, but there wasn't anything surgically/medically wrong with him then. So after another couple of weeks in that ward, he has now been in a self contained flat for about 3 weeks where he has a care team on site, and someone to help him in the morning, lunch, tea time, and bed time. They are now talking about sending dad home, once they're happy he can walk up the stairs. It's been a weird few months since Christmas... and I wouldn't want to go through all that again, and I don't think dad would either.

So... I need to finish my double bed blanket, and I'm really wanting to do a granny stripe waistcoat/vest sort of thing, but can't find a pattern...

So what have I been up to...

2011-03-01T16:13:00.001Z

...in between visiting dad! Dad, by the way, is in a new place in the next street to me for a few weeks, just while "they" can work out what help he would need at home. So, apart from my daily visits to him, here's what I've been up to...

Here is Shaun the Sheep (still in the making!). I finished his ears today and sewed them on, but I've still got to make four legs yet.

Here is the third baby blanket that I've made for the babies in A&E that don't survive... Crocheted in Wattle stitch.

Below is a little Easter Chick that I crocheted for someone at work. It's a pattern in this month's Let's Get Crafting knitting and crochet magazine.

A pink blanket, and beannie hat, for a baby due to be born at the beginning of April. The pattern for the hat was in the same magazine as the little chick.

I added a little duck (chick pattern!) to the finished package.

I've bought some new books also.

The one that I'm currently reading is The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keye s.

I purchased three more on offer, in Sainsbury's, the offers are buy 2 for £7, which makes them £1 cheaper than if you bought ONE in Whsmiths! The other three I've bought and which are now on my "to read" list are...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

Room.

Hothouse Flower.

Click on the links to see the books... I think I made good choices.

Granny blanket update!!

2011-02-14T19:00:00.000Z

Now this is getting seriously scrummy! I wish the colours looked as rich on here as they do in real life... nevermind.

The lilac blanket on the right is an old blanket I'd made... the wool for that cost £120! The stripey one has cost approx £40, all from Stylecraft Bonus DK wool, which is surprisingly wonderfully soft.

Below are mine and Justin's Valentine gifties to each other... There is a broken glitterglobe there... it fell out of the bag as I was taking things out to photograph............ sob... I was quite upset about that.

Below is a blanket for my supervisor and his girlfriend's baby girl that is due in April. The scalloped edge really finishes it off. I shall go around the double bed blanket with a black scalloped edge.

Birthday Digital Circle Stamps.

2011-02-07T13:24:00.001Z

Here are my latest digi stamps. This time, a selection of birthday greetings. Please click here to purchase from my Etsy shop. They are priced at £1.47/$2.30.

Valentine Digital Circle stamps.

2011-02-05T20:34:00.000Z

Here are some Valentine Digi stamps I've created. If you wish to purchase them, please click here.

I am enjoying making these digi stamps.

The image here isn't the correct size. Please click on them to get a better view x

My Etsy Shop!

2011-02-04T18:54:00.005Z

I've branched out into the world of digital greeting stamps! I adore the circle greetings and decided to have a go at making my own. They are priced at £1.47 each, I know, funny price, but Etsy sell in dollars and this is what it works out at...

Here is a link to my Etsy shop.

Glittered Cobwebs Designs

Here are the current digital circle greetings stamps sets that are on sale. They are not full size here.

I love ProMarkers - Keep it Sweet and Simple.

2011-01-19T17:48:00.001Z

I Love ProMarkers challenge this week is to Keep it Sweet and Simple... and I'm not sure this is simple, but it's definitely sweet.

Its' a thank you card for a lady that has really helped me out over the last three weeks since dad has been in hospital.

I used an old paper pad for the papers, new flowers I'd bought from Wild Orchid Crafts and a digital stamp downloaded from Funky Kits Home of Adorable Stamps. This stamp is Grace Standing. Love her!!

The photo isn't too great, it was taken on my mobile phone.
See post below for another post from today.

Passion for ProMarkers - All You Need is Love

2011-01-19T17:37:00.002Z

Passion For Promarkers challenge this week is All You Need is Love... ahhhhh... and here's my attempt.

I used a rubber stamp from the new Do Crafts Bunches of Love, and the red paper is from Lover's Lane, again Do Crafts, and the green paper is from a digital download freebie. Coloured with ProMarkers.

The picture below is trying to show the glitter on the flowers.

Happy New Year??? Not yet...

2011-01-15T22:34:00.003Z

Without going into too much detail, it's not been a good start to the New Year... My dad had to have a bowel resection and it's not gone to plan... firstly he was discharged way too early in my opinion, and was brought back to hospital by ambulance 3 hours after coming home, spent the next 3 hours in resus, and then another 11 days in Intensive care, one day back on a normal ward, and now back in Intensive care...
So... to help with stress, I've been working more on my granny stripe blanket. I love all the colours, and it's getting quite heavy now as well. I'm about half way up our double bed.

And here is the card I've made for the Intensive Care Unit, thanking them for looking after dad.

It's a digital stamp, and she's called Verity. Click here to go to the order page. I also finally bought the gorgeous Martha Stewart Doily Punch I've wanted for AGES! The papers are from the new Do Crafts Lover's Lane.
This also fits in with the challenge over at I love Promarkers. Be sure to check that out!

I took this photo to try and show the gloss on her eyes, and also my "not bad" colouring of her hair. I'm not normally good at colouring hair or fur, but I like this attempt.

Passion for ProMarkers Mega Challenge.

2010-12-30T16:11:00.001Z

This is a card made for my friend, Jacqui, in Australia. I'm entering it into the Passion for ProMarkers Mega Challenge.

I used the gorgeous new stamps from Do Crafts - Love Boat, and the papers are from the new Do Crafts Lover's Lane.

I used my fabby ProMarkers, and also stickles glitters. Added embellishments are paper roses, leaves cut with Cricut, hearts from Do Crafts and a heart jewel.

Jack Frost!

2010-12-07T10:22:00.001Z

I know I've been quiet again, sorry!!! But here's some lovely frosty photo's I took on the way to school today.

Winter had come early for us here in the UK, considering it's still Autumn till about the 20th December! We have had snow here, but nothing like they've had in Scotland.

I'm awaiting delivery of a Samsung Galaxy S phone... as I waited Friday, and yesterday... it's on the van for the second time, so I'm hoping that it gets here today!

Legoland Fireworks.

2010-11-11T12:12:00.001Z

We spent Saturday 6th November with Justin's dad and step mum in Legoland in Windsor. We had a great time. Here are some fireworks from later in the evening, some photos of the day, and a couple of photos of Matthew with sparklers from the night before at home.

At the bottom of the post is a couple of photos from the last time that I saw my friend Jacqui, on Monday, she left for Australia on Tuesday to live... sniff. We're about to have a video call on Skype! Woohoooo.

The photo above is of a poor Polar Bear... it did look like the other one on the left... but Jacqui picked it up and it's head fell off!!!

Below Jacqui and Justin are having a twirl around the carpark at Justin's workplace.

CAKES!

2010-11-04T12:19:00.001Z

A post for Dawn, lol. Here are my cakes!!! Justin LOVED them until he found out that the icing/frosting was made using Philadelphia cream cheese, lol. You can't taste the cheese, and I prefer this to normal butter icing, it doesn't seem as sweet even though a ton of icing sugar was used.

I later heard Sprinkles hitting the kitchen floor, so I got up to investigate and there was Justin with a whole cake in his mouth hoping I wouldn't know!

The top cakes are decorated by Matthew, he loves the orange and lemon slices, and sprinkles. Now, if Justin had sneaked one of the cakes from the second picture, I would have been none the wiser!

The cakes below are topped with melted white chocolate.

Charisma Card Challenge.

2010-11-04T10:01:00.001Z

Charisma Card Challenge this week fits in nicely with card I've made for Justin. This is my second attempt at using the side step fold, and I must admit, I'm going to make more because I love the effect.

So, the challenge is to make a card "with love @ Christmas", and as this card is made for the love of my life, my other half, then I thought it would ok to enter.

I used my Forever Friends 3D elements stickers, Forever Friends papers, and Penny Black stamps along with some freebie stamps from a magazine. Coloured with ProMarkers, and glittered with Stickles Stardust.

ABC Challenge card, and I love ProMarkers challenge!

2010-11-03T09:55:00.004Z

Here is my entry for this weeks ABC challenge

Have a look at the blog and enter a card as well. The theme is "G is for GLITTER"!! People who know me will know that if it's not got glitter on it, then I didn't make it! Although I must admit, I'm having trouble seeing the glitter from this photo, lol, but believe me, it is there!! It's on the snowman and penguin's hats, I've added Stickles Stardust to the text as well, and it's also on the backing papers.
Also the challenge over at I love ProMarkers is to use snowflakes!! I have 3 silver Cricut E snowflakes, and snowflakes on some of the backing papers, and also not forgetting all the snowflakes that would have had to have fallen to make the snowman!! :-) LOL!
So, if you own some ProMarker pens, head on over there to enter your own snowflake card.

This is my first attempt at a side step card, and I really enjoyed making it. I used some decoupage sheets from DoCrafts Christmas range 2010, and the text stamps that came inside the September/October goody bag also from DoCrafts. The snowflakes were cut using the Cricut Expressions.

A few Halloween Pics.

2010-11-01T12:33:00.004Z

There would have been more but the camera battery conked out after taking 3 photos outside!

We took Matthew out trick or treating with his friend, Arick.

We only went out in our street, and two others, and we only go to houses that are decorated as well. They both had fun anyway, and came back with lots of sweets, then I felt sick.

A ceramic pumpkin. (Matthew still calls them Punkings)

All the sweets he had and came back with.

I thought this window was really good, and the woman inside gave them a mix of all kinds of sweets in a little bag.

Matthew with his friend, Arick (left)

Another day out!

2010-10-28T09:49:00.001+01:00

Yesterday it was a day in Godmanchester. I took these photos over "The Rec" park. Matthew and I spent two hours over there taking photos. Matthew took over 200 on his little camera! He has good eye to see what makes a good photo, so maybe next Christmas a better camera for him.
After the park it was back to dads for a lovely pork chop roast dinner, yum as usual.
A photo of one of the many weeping willow trees.

Matthew sitting under the tree waiting for the ducks.

I wouldn't mind this being my back garden!

Then of course you need the odd boat or two.

The Causeway.

One of two little bridges leading over to the locks.

Hi Matthew!

The Chinese Bridge with St Mary's Church in the background.

Just a great looking tree in the churchyard.

A day out at Hinchingbrooke Park.

2010-10-25T19:26:00.002+01:00

We had a lovely day out today at Hinchingbrooke Park. Justin had the day off today, and Matthew is on school holidays for this week.

It was a warm day but chilly too, lol, I can't describe it as anything else. Warm in the sun, chilly in the shade??

I used my Sigma zoom lens, which isn't too great. It was a cheap lens (still over £100 though!) and it doesn't like auto focus I found out today, so these are manually focused. We were out for nearly 3 hours! We went on our bikes, and I haven't ridden my bike for about 6 months... I had to walk part of the way. I'm so unfit!

We took a small picnic as well, stopping off first time in the woods, and the second time by the lake to eat. It was a lovely day... back home and then Justin cooked a lovely roast chicken dinner, which he should have cooked yesterday!

Penny Black challenge, and Charisma Cardz!!

2010-10-14T14:32:00.002+01:00

The challenge this week at Penny Black challenge blog (Charisma Cardz below this image)is to create a card with more than one PB image. So here’s my entry.

The girl, the sentiment, and the robin, are not Penny Black stamps, but the two snowman, the lamp post, and the trees are from the Jolly Folly Penny Black stamp set.

Coloured with ProMarkers, glittered with Stickles Stardust glitter.

The card below is for the Charisma Cardz challenge, although the top one could have been as well as it’s for a “more than one fold” challenge.

Anyhooo, here it is. Another Penny Black stamp, coloured with ProMarkers. Glittered with Stickles Stardust glitter.

Latest news...

2010-09-27T16:48:00.004+01:00

We had to have our 14 year old dog, Sophie, put to sleep on September 19th. She had been getting wobbly on her legs, but while she could still get herself up on the carpet she was fine, but then came the day when she couldn't each time. We decided that it was time, so walked her slowly to the vets on the Sunday night. She fell over 4 times on the way there, but then spent the next half an hour pacing the surgery. It's strange without her here, but we're slowly getting used to it.
Other news.
I got the new laptop, and it's lovely! It has a webcam so I chat every other day with my friend, Jacqui... it will come in handy as she's off to Australia to live in October.
Justin had Friday off work, so first we went shopping with dad in Tesco's where Justin bought himself a new top, and Matthew jeans and two t-shirts. After that, we went into town and he bought me some new black trainers - I wear them at work, supposed to be black shoes, lol. We went and had lunch in a little tiny cafe. It was lovely.
I had the weekend off work, so Justin, Matthew, and I went to Peterborough on the train. First we called into Darryl's to wish our little grandson, Elijah, a happy first birthday. We got to Peterborough about 10m, and headed for breakfast in McDonalds, and then went and done some shopping. We went into lots of shops, and Justin bought some more tops. I got one of those flimsy scarves, love it!!! We had a snack and a drink in the coffee shop at the top of Queensgate, and then more shopping. We met up with Darryl, Abby, and Elijah! Had a chat with them, and then Justin bought me a GORGEOUS bag, I love it!!!!

After that, it was lunch, then we walked to Asda, where Justin bought another top, belt, and me a belt too. Then it was off to Pets at Home so that Matthew could see the gerbils, as he's having two for his birthday in one of those Rotastak cages. We spent about half an hour in there. We then went back to Queensgate and Burton's and Justin got a thin stripey jumper.
We had a great day, and got home about 3.30pm.
Sunday, we went into town and Matthew got another new top. I bought myself a jacket/coat, and a pair of suede boots.
It was nice spending time with them at the weekend, we don't get many weekends together.

Granny Stripe blanket update!

2010-09-16T09:14:00.002+01:00

Ok, so it’s day two in the granny house. I’ve now completed 24 stripes… Justin reckons it’s going to take about 154 stripes to fit the bed nicely. Hmmm. I’m loving this blanket, it’s never boring as there’s a colour change after two rows.

Here’s the progress!

I lightened up the bottom two photo’s trying to show the purple wool as in the other photo’s it looks black.

Today I’m also awaiting delivery of a new laptop! My current laptop spends the majority of it’s life frozen, or creeping along, or overheating, or making a horrendous grinding noise… so time for a new one!

The one I’m waiting for is a Samsung R530 in a lovely glossy red colour. Scroll down the page on the link below to see the colour.

Click here to see it.

BOO!

2010-09-14T11:31:00.002+01:00

Yeah I’m still around, lol, but I’ve been very quiet haven’t I?! I’ve not really been up to much lately craft wise, apart from catching up on a couple of knitting projects, but I’ve now started another crocheted double bed blanket. This is going to take a while…

The blanket is a crocheted Granny Stripe blanket, inspired by reading this fantastic blog – Attic24 Wow, the author has some fantastic photo’s on there, and it’s all about colour. I love this blog!! Be sure to check out the blog too, because I’m sure it will inspire you too.

The colours are a little bit stronger than the picture suggests. The “blue” in between the pale pink and yellow/orange is actually a dark lilac!

I started off with a chain of 252.

I shall also add some more colours on Friday… I need some darker one’s I think. EDIT: see further down, lol.

This is how far I’ve got.

Below are some newer photo’s of Elijah when we had him over for the evening while Darryl and Abby went to the cinema. He’s always such a good boy! He’s one year old on September 25th, that year went past in a blur!

Edit:

Ok, so I’m not well known for my patience… as soon as I posted the blog update I went into town and bought these fabby jewel colours!! I’m hoping the red is going to show properly, as it’s a gorgeous rich raspberry colour.

Table Runner!!!

2010-08-19T15:56:00.001+01:00

It’s finished!!

So, for my first attempt at quilting and patchwork I’m very pleased with it. My wadding came this morning so I was happy that I could do some more with what I’d made yesterday. I didn’t do any fancy patterns for the quilting, I just basically followed the edge of the rectangles. I also got on better with the binding than I thought I would, although my whip stitch needs to be less visible next time. I think I should have used cream thread instead of black lol.

I think next month I shall order some more Christmas fabric and make another runner, this time for the coffee table.

Patchwork sewing!

2010-08-18T15:15:00.003+01:00

My new sewing machine came yesterday. I love it! I ordered it from Sewing Machines Direct. Fab service. Russell emails you if you have any queries regarding anything, he is a great help. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Free next day delivery too!

Here is a pic of my lovely machine! Plus, you also get the free 5 pairs of scissors, and all those spools of thread which I’ve put in a box. 50 spools of 1000 metre thread!

Here is a pic of what I’ve been fiddling with today. It’s a Christmas table runner. I bought the charm pack from Quilttaffy’s Etsy shop. The fabric is from BasicGrey and called Fruitcake. I have ordered the wadding today, and I have some cream cotton that I can back it with. The charm pack came as 5 inch cut squares, and I then cut them to 2.5 inch strips. As this is my first project I didn’t want anything too big or complicated to start with. The next picture shows that my patches don’t meet up, but who cares?! I made it for us and for fun.

I can’t wait to buy another charm pack now!!

It was time…

2010-08-13T14:09:00.001+01:00

…that I made a scrapbook page! It’s been ages since I made one and I had an image of a page in my mind last night so got on and created the background, adding in the photo’s this afternoon. The photo’s are from last year’s Christmas Eve tea that we have every year. I’m pleased to say that Darryl has had a hair cut since these were taken.

I think the papers are from BasicGrey, but I’m not sure as I bought them as single sheets from my local Coleman’s. I wish I knew because I LOVE the stripy/spotty one at the bottom and the Text cardstock. I cut the sleigh with the Cricut using Joys to the Season cartridge, and used stickers from DoCrafts.

Dino! Morsbag.

2010-07-31T18:25:00.002+01:00

This is my 5th bag. I’m still waiting for some labels so that they are officially Morsbags.

This one I made from part of Darryl’s quilt cover from when he was little… awww.

I am really enjoying making these bags. They are not perfect, but who cares?! I started making this one last night and had to finish it today after work.

Front.

Back.

Two more Morsbags!

2010-07-30T16:04:00.002+01:00

I’ve been up in my little craft room today with Radio Cambridgeshire on, making another two bags. I got on better today despite the machine having a bit of a fit over it’s tension after it had been working perfectly. Nevermind.

So… I made another orange/purple bag from the curtains from yesterday, and a purple bag made from an old duvet cover of mine. Here’s the result… both need ironing still and a Morsbag label putting on… still waiting for the labels though.

I’ve made a Morsbag!

2010-07-29T15:27:00.004+01:00

What is a Morsbag I hear you ask…

A Morsbag is a bag made from cotton – old duvet covers, curtains etc to use instead of a plastic carrier bag. The idea is that you make them in the cheapest way possible and you must give them to people for free.

So today I went to the local Heart Foundation charity shop and bought a lovely pair of curtains, complete with pelmet, lol, and turned it into a bag!

My sewing machine is a 20 year old Singer FeatherWeight Model 100. So it’s only tiny. I realise now that I should have cut off the old hems from the curtains, coz my little machine didn’t like the thickness of it. The blue cotton I was using was far too cheap and snapped easily, but the cotton I’d got on the bobbin was very strong. I had to rethread the needle so many times because of the cotton breaking, the little clamp thing flew off, and I broke a needle! LOL! But, I had a fab time making it! I shall make some more.

Have a look over at Morsbags.com and have a read for yourself.

Not bad for never really using a sewing machine…

Here is my little sewing machine, and it really is tiny.

It’s PARTY time!

2010-07-18T09:05:00.002+01:00

Jacqui saying she’s hula hoopin’… I think it’s just stuck!

My friend Jacqui, and her boys, James and Harry, had their farewell parties yesterday. We were there all day helping out. They are off to Australia on September 2nd.

It was a fun day, and here are some photo’s from the day.

Bouncy castle fun!

I said “Harry! Stop! Now smile!” and this is what I got!

Harry just chillin’

Justin and Matthew having a bounce. Justin had been drinking Pimms lol.

Four nutters.

Matthew and James – they’re going to miss each other.

Wow, look at that BIG splash coming in from the right!

Me perfecting the hoola hoop!

A Christmas card already!!

2010-07-15T18:27:00.003+01:00

I decided to make a start on my Christmas cards for this year, us crafters have to start early you know! I’m going to try and make more than I did last year.

I've just seen I can also enter this for the July challenge over at Christmas All Year Round challenge blog. Have a look over there at all the other fab entries. Also Flourishes Boutique challenge blog, fab entries there as well!!

I used the Cricut Expressions and cartridges Joys of the season for the holly and the reindeer, Storybook for the Noel wording, and either Plantin Schoolbook or Accent Essentials for the ovals. The papers are from the new Papermania range The Silent Night… lovely they are. Some are glittered, or have gold leaf on them, gorgeous! This holly page has glittered red berries, and the green dotted oval has glittered dots. I also added red Stickles glitter to the holly berries.

Puff the Magic Dragon.

2010-07-06T19:29:00.001+01:00

Aww, how cute is this little dragon?! I’ve now got to make one for a friend as well, lol.

The crochet pattern for him can be found by clicking here.

On the weight loss front, I have now lost 25lbs, woohoooooooo. 3lbs to go until that’s 2 stones!!! I thought I would have looked much thinner than I am by now, lol, and still only two sizes down! Still, I’m happy with the speed it’s going, I was never in it for a race.

A Reindeer in June?!

2010-06-28T19:04:00.001+01:00

Ronald the Reindeer was born today!!! How fab is he???? LOL! (New photo’s of Elijah at the bottom)

Click here for the pattern if you wish to crochet him too!!

I think I done pretty well this time with him. I managed to get the sewing up much better and the limbs were more similar in size too. The antlers I went up a full hook size to make as they are the fiddliest bit, narrow tubes to make for those.

I also made a bag for my cousin’s other daughter, Katie – I made one for Amy first, so now it’s Katie’s turn.

Here are some new photo’s of Elijah. These were taken on Thursday 24th June.

My second Amigurumi bear!!

2010-06-23T18:46:00.003+01:00

I've made my second Amigurumi bear!! The face is better than the first one and the muzzle, but the leg and arm on the left of the photo are bigger than his other arm and leg, lol... more practice needed I think. I'm enjoying making them... I must learn to sew them up better as well.

An Amigurumi bear!!!

2010-06-22T14:27:00.002+01:00

I mentioned in the post below about buying Let’s Get Crafting Crochet magazine. I saw that there were lots of little Amigurumi animals crocheted. I didn’t fancy any of those – they looked too difficult for me really, but I found this fab little bear online at Learn to Crochet. If you click on that link you’ll find the written instructions, but also there are video links as well. You can see how the stitches are made and how to make the bear. So…. here is my first ever bear, lol.

Bear in the making!

A bear is born…

I can’t believe how easy he was to make!! I know he’s far from perfect, but he’s a cute little character. Watch this space for more!!

And here he is later on in the day with his sun hat on smelling the roses.

A few new photo's.

2010-06-18T12:21:00.005+01:00

Above is a crocheted bag that I made with the pattern from this month's Let's Get Crafting - Crochet. I'd made another bag with the wool that came with the mag the day before yesterday, and gave that to my cousin's daughter, Amy, she loved it! So yesterday I went and bought the blue sparkley wool and made myself one. I've also got to make Katie a bag, Amy's sister, and my friend Jacqui wants one the same as this one, I'll get started on that one today. They take me a day to make. I've lined this one as well. They're just the right size for my purse, ipod touch, mobile, and keys and a bit more besides. I love the plaited strap.
Below shows a close up of the sparkley wool, sort of.

Here's a photo of Elijah when we looked after him last week when his mum and dad were at the cinema. He is almost 9 months old now.

COME ON ENGLAND!!
Dad and Matthew in their England tops the night we drew with the US 1 all.

The Twilight Saga....

2010-06-10T10:25:00.005+01:00

Well, I've finished all four books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! I loved them!! This is the fastest I've ever read any books. I began reading them last month and I finished the 700+ pages of Breaking Dawn yesterday at 4.50pm lol. I love the films too, but they leave lots out.

On the weight side of things, I've now lost 22lbs! 6lbs more to go then I will have lost 2 stones!! I'm eating lots of pineapples and strawberries at the moment, which reminds me, I'd better get to sainsbury's to get more pineapple and Mullerlight chocolate 6 pack yogurts!!

Twinlakes, Leicestershire.

2010-06-06T20:35:00.002+01:00

We had Justin’s dad and step mum up for the weekend, and yesterday we visited Twinlakes in Leicestershire. It was a lovely day, 26c. We had a great time at the park. It is one of those places what is fast becoming a thing for farmers to do. This used to be Red Rooster Farm.

We ended the day at Frankie and Benny’s back home.

Matthew really had a great time on the biggest rollercoaster (top photo’s) that he’s been on so far, and he loved the Sky Flyers where you lay down (above photo) on your front and it takes you up high and then you go up and down, quite fast too! He loved the petting zoo as well, and the little lamb at the top was born in April and took a shine to Matthew’s shoes giving them a good licking.

Wow! I ordered from Joanna Sheen...

2010-05-28T11:31:00.003+01:00

... yesterday at around 2pm. I ordered the gorgeous Popcorn Kids rubber stamp set, Bundle of Joy, and 3 more ProMarkers pens. My order was delivered to me by 9.30am this morning!! Less than 24 hours later!! I love Joanna's shop, it seems to have everything that I'm currently into. The delivery charge is FREE too!!
Click here to visit Joanna's shop, or click the image on the right of the page.

Popcorn set – Anything goes over at PFP

2010-05-27T13:04:00.002+01:00

I made this card and little bag filled with notelets from a Crafter’s Companion Popcorn Floral CD. I love Popcorn! I made this for my friend Jacqui.

The image on the front of the card was stamped using the Popcorn Thinking of You rubber stamp set. Coloured with ProMarkers. (I really must write down the colours I use, even though they don’t match the printed image, lol)

Head on over to Passion for ProMarkers for this weeks Anything Goes challenge.

I made two little bags with notelets coz they’re so cute!

Possibility by Lykke Li (New Moon Soundtrack) - lyrics (PL)

2010-05-26T19:29:00.001+01:00

I have gone Twilight MENTAL!! I started reading Twilight a couple of weeks ago, put the book down when I was about a quarter of the way through, then picked it up again. I finished the book in about 4 days, then read New Moon in just 24 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm now reading Eclipse. I can't get enough of it!!! I didn't think it would be my kind of thing... vampires, lol, but it's a love story, and they don't have fangs, so it's not your normal vampire type of thing. I'm addicted!!!
The song above is a gorgeous song from New Moon where Edward has left Bella and she's suffering from depression. Love it! Not that Bella has depression, the song!!!

Just a quick weight update!!

2010-05-17T10:29:00.003+01:00

Just a quickie to keep everyone informed of my weight loss so far.
This week I have lost 2.5lbs bringing the total to a loss of 1 stone and 5.5lbs or 19.5lbs. Woohooooooooooooooo!!

ATC’s for Swap-Bot

2010-05-09T22:03:00.001+01:00

The Hedgehog ATC is for a swap about Hedgehogs, lol… a Hedgemog as they’re now called since Jacqui sent me a text with a spelling mistake. I’m into making ATC’s again now, not made any for ages!!

Click here to join in with swapping at Swapbot.

The ATC’s above are for a swap with a free theme. Two cards are to be sent to 3 people. I had a lot of fun making these. I used chalks for the backgrounds, and ProMarkers for the little girls, and lots of glitter! I also dug out my old lacquer glossy tube things as well.

Just in case you’re wondering about the diet… I lost another 2 and a half pounds last week, so new total is 1 stone and 2.5lbs, woohooooooooo! I weigh again in the morning, but I’ve got a feeling there won’t be much of a loss this week.

Little Elijah, a little ted, and a little bit creepy!

2010-05-05T14:07:00.001+01:00

Here’s little Elijah from a couple of weeks ago playing with his Hungry Caterpillar. He’s always such a happy little thing. I shall have to take a photo of him on the odd occasion when he’s grizzly… but that’s difficult, he only ever seems to grumble a little bit when he’s tired, and that’s it!

And here’s a little ted. I stitched this Popcorn the Bear for my friend Jacqui, isn’t he cute?!

Yesterday afternoon sometime, I was lying on the bed waiting for Matthew to finish doing something and I was thinking about the heavy portable telly that’s in our room sitting on a wall bracket. It’s been there for about a year and a half quite happily. I was wondering where it would fall should the bracket snap or something.

Matthew went to bed after Darryl & Co left at 9.30pm. I started to watch Ladies of Letters on Catch up TV about 10pm. All of a sudden there was an almighty bang upstairs and Matthew started yelling. We ran upstairs and at first couldn’t find what would have caused such a racket. Matthew went into our bedroom and our telly was lodged between the bed and the wall… there was my answer, that’s where it would fall!!! Blimey! The whole bracket had come out of the wall complete with it’s little plug thingies that the screws go into inside the wall.

Another day at Hinchingbrooke Park!

2010-04-19T18:31:00.001+01:00

Another great day at the park. This time is was me, Justin, and Matthew, on our bikes! I managed to bike all the way…. almost. I had to get off at the top of the road towards Hinchingbrooke Hospital as it’s quite a steep hill… well alright, more of a slant, but it’s hard going when you’re not used to being on your bike!

It was a lovely sunny day, although the photo’s don’t always show that the sun was out. Click on the pics to make them bigger. Matthew took these photo’s of us. He’s quite a good little photographer. The second photo, where we’re laughing, was because Matthew was fiddling around with the camera and on about various camera angles, he sounded like a proper photographer. Even though he’s messing with the camera, see how clear the image is?! Not a bit blurry!

Such a lovely day…

2010-04-16T20:59:00.001+01:00

Another lovely afternoon was spent in Hinchingbrooke Park today. My friend Jacqui and her two boys, James, and Harry, picked us up at 1pm and off to the park we went. I took lots more photos, so this post is photo heavy. Please click on some of them as they look much better bigger.

Matthew enjoyed playing on these steps.

Matthew, James and Harry playing with sticks in the pond.

James trying to make a big splash with a stick.

Matthew practising for the 2020 Olympics in the Javelin and the Pole Vault.

A lovely windy path.

Harry with his light sabre.

James in the shadows about to pounce on Matthew.

Matthew trying out a wigwam.

A social gathering in the wigwam.

James and Matthew on a painful log??

Me and Jacqui… and Harry, lol.

My beautiful Matthew.

Matthew trying out his paparazzi skills.

A lovely scene.

HARRY! GET OUT OF THE WATER!

A tranquil Matthew.

A peaceful, calm scene…

And then… a short time later, Jacqui told me she’s moving in three months………………. to Australia!

Cute Card Thursday challenge.

2010-04-15T20:21:00.001+01:00

Sorry Uncle Dave, another card for you to look at! I’m all out of gossip at the moment!!!

So… I’m quick with this one. The challenge over at Cute Card Thursday is to make a touchy feely card. Well, you can touch the flowers, touch the lacy ribbon, and feel the glitter on her dress.

I of course used my lovely ProMarkers… and I remember most of the colours – Bluebell and Lilac for her top and headdress, Baby Pink, Pastel Pink, and Antique Pink for her flower skirt, Leaf Green and Lime Green for the flower stem, Tulip Yellow, and Gold for the flower she’s holding, Ivory and Blush for the skin, and I give up with the hair… I’m not good at colouring in the hair yet. Cool Grey 1 to shadow.

Cute Little Panda.

2010-04-15T10:24:00.001+01:00

I can’t find a challenge to fit this cute little panda card in… I normally pick the challenge then do the card, but I coloured in this little panda last night with my ProMarkers and then made the card.

I used one of the gorgeous little beads among the flowers. I’d inherited the beads from my friend Mandy who died, so I don’t know where she got them from, but they’re very pretty. You can also see from this photo that I’ve glittered the white leaves.

Today me and Matthew are off to the library in town. We need to take some books back, and probably get a few more out. Then we’re going to buy a few sweets and nibbles for next Tuesday evening – Darryl and Co are over for dinner and I’m making sausage and apple plait, and we’re playing poker afterwards. Should be a fun evening.