Our Aquarium...

... got some new fish today!
Dad picked us up at 10.30 and we went to Pets at Home and bought 16 new fish and the ruins. You can't see many of the fish in this photo... Matthew has been naming some of them today. The white one is called Grandad coz grandad wanted us to get the white one, lol.
The rest of the day was taken up by making up a 3 door/3 drawer wardrobe. Justin decided that we didn't have enough room to make it upstairs in the bedroom as it needed laying down to make... so... we brought the bits downstairs and proceeded to put it together. Justin stated that everything was going together a little too well... he then decided that there was absolutely NO way me and him were going to be able to carry it up the stairs into the bedroom... so he unscrewed it, lol.
He then built it with it standing upright!!!! It was difficult, but it was the only way we could do it. It took us till 9pm to get it finished, and it smells gorgeous!!! We just need to sort out a few bags of junk in the bedroom, and we've already sorted out a bag full of rubbish to chuck out!

The fish in this tank are...
1 Krebensis (Purple Cichlid - gorgeous fish!) it's actually yellow and black, it's tum is purple/pink.
1 Plecostomus (sucker fish)
6 Neon Tetra's
1 Opaline Gourami
1 Golden Gourami
1 Red Honey Gourami
1 White Molly
1 Orange Molly
1 Glow Lite Tetra
2 Golden Barb

Flipping Friday already!!!!!!!!! GGGRRR!

I know, everyone must think I'm mad moaning about it being Friday... well it's coz I've got work tomorrow!!

Anyway, here is a link to some photos of the Empire Movie Convention that Darryl attended last weekend. Darryl is in images 2 (black jacket looking behind him!), 6 (fourth one from the right on the front row), 9 (third one from the left, next to David in white t-shirt), and 13 (just David this time, in the white - you may remember him from the Pyscho picture from Darryl's birthday way back in Feb!). There is also a video link on that page and Darryl is on the video but about 7 and a half minutes in... and says "I'm looking forward to Watchman", lol... all of 3 seconds!

Below is a card that I received from Jeannie on our cardmaking group. The swap was a die cut/punch swap. Great card Jeannie, thanks!

This next card is an Anniversary card that I made for Cheryl, it's her anniversary tomorrow... I'm not sure how long she's been married, I'll ask her tomorrow.

The last photo is a picture of our new units and the coffee table that I got so stressed about when I put the legs on upside down. I'm glad it was partly assembled otherwise I'd of gone completely round the twist. I think that's why Justin ordered the units ready assembled, lol. Click on the photo for a much better view, plus a closer look at Lisa from Big Bro 9 putting on her make up, hahahaha.

Busy busy busy!

Hellooooooooo.
We've been really busy this last week. We decorated the bathroom and updated it abit... just added some cupboards really, and painted it. We painted the bath panel and shelves white - they were a dated mahogany! We've also had two new units in the lounge and new coffee table, and cleaned out the fish tank... which has two fish in it, lol, but we are restocking it on Monday. I shall add some photos tomorrow to show you.
Darryl has been busy too! At the weekend he went to London to a Movie Convention by Empire Magazine. He went with his step brother, David, and they got front row seats! They saw Guy Ritchie and listened to what he had to say about his latest film. I will add a link later to the photos on the Empire website and point out the ones of Darryl. He came back both nights with tons of free gifts. He had a great time.
Yesterday, Darryl and dad, went to Buckingham Palace and Clarence House. Dad got told off for taking a photo in Buck Palace courtyard, lol. Darryl came back with some biscuits and tea bags from Clarence House.

5th Birthday card for Lucy.

I made a card today for my ex husband's daughter, Lucy, for her 5th Birthday. The top picture isn't very good, sorry. Lucy is doing very well at the moment. She had more chemo yesterday and is now walking! She hasn't walked since February this year.

Today we've been to Dad's for the day. Abby came with us as well. We went for a walk over the river and to Portholme (largest meadow in England). We were out for almost 2 hours!!! Dad had got the veg ready, and also managed an hours sleep. Dad is on his third course of antibiotics for his chest infection... he says he thinks they're working this time, but admitted that he has lied about that in past so I don't worry!
We had a lovely roast chicken dinner. I do love a roast dinner!!

Justin is in the bathroom painting the walls. I have been painting the bath panel and the shelves - the mahogany stuff in there was beginning to look very old. We've bought a new bathroom cabinet and a small narrow cupboard to go beside the sink. It's beginning to look lovely and fresh up there now. I'm hoping he's going to put the cabinet together later coz it's the only mirror we have in the house!!

Some photos from Devon.

I actually took 180 photos, and here's just a few...

The love of my life...

View at Ilfracombe

Matthew playing with his fishing net in Ilfracombe.

What is Justin looking at??

A Picturesque view at Woolacombe.

Back from Devon!

Helloooooooooo.
We are now back from Devon!!

Here's what happened...

Got the 10am train from Huntingdon to King's Cross, then a tube (I HATE tubes) to Paddington train station. They had a little stall there selling "Paddington Bear's at Paddington Station", I was going to buy one on the way back, but more about that later.
Got to Paddington without a hitch and onto the Penzance train. The journey from Paddington to Exeter was 2.5 hours, then it was on another train from Exeter to Barnstaple where Justin's dad picked us up. Total journey time was 5.5 hours. It was lovely to see Justin's dad and Joan again.

Justin's dad and step mum live in Fremington (North Devon) and it's about 5 minutes drive from the coast. We got unpacked and they took us for a drive to Instow Beach. It's an estuary - lovely sandy beach, and it looks across to a little town called Appledore, where the Jackson 5 are currently living! Apparently Tito is seen on the beach eating ice cream most days. Matthew loves the beach. We had a gorgeous salad for dinner, followed by a fresh fruit salad, equally gorgeous! We were up until around 11.30pm and then bed, knackered.
Tuesday after a cooked breakfast, was spent in Clovelly, not that we got to see any of that because it was absolutely chucking it down with rain, so we went to a place called The Milky Way http://www.themilkyway.co.uk/ Matthew got to go in pens with sheep and goats, go on a massive play climbing thingy, a children's rollercoaster with Joan, first time on a roller coaster, it was great fun! Back for a dinner of roast beef and yorkshire pud and roast potatoes, after dinner we went to Westward Ho amusement arcade where Matthew played with the 2p fountain machines, great fun again! Back home for drinks before bed.
Wednesday we went to Woolacombe and spent the day on the beach. Matthew got soaked so I had to buy him another pair shorts and a beach towel as we'd forgotten to take any. In the evening, we left Matthew with his nan and grandad, and me and Justin went to Barnstaple to meet up with Justin's old friend in the pub. We spent 3 hours having a laugh. I'd never met him before, but he was lovely. Matthew, nannie and grandad played Monopoly!!
Thursday we went to Ilfracombe where Justin's mum and brother live. After meeting up with his mum we went and had coffee in a little cafe, then we climbed Capstone hill. Justin's brother, Adam, and his girlfriend, Emma, turned up when we were half way up so they came up with us. We then walked round to the harbour and looked in some of the little shops, then it was down to the pier to see a boat come in carrying passengers from Wales. We then had some chips by the harbour and got told off by the Town Crier for feeding the Sea Gulls! After that we bought some bits in some of the little shops, Matthew had an icecream, then we went in the pub and sat in the garden. We played in the amusements there and also played crazy golf. We got picked up from there around 8pm. We then went and bought some flowers for Justin's brothers grave and took them up there...
Back to the house and Joan gave Justin some whiskey, lol.

Friday morning Justin's dad had to go to work, which was a shame. Joan took us to Fremington Quay, and we stopped at a little restaurant and had coffee. We had to get the 2.39pm train from Barnstaple to Exeter... that's a right bone shaker of a train! We also stopped on the line for ages. Apparently there was a man on the line with a backpack! Then it was Exeter to Paddington. Matthew talked non stop to the woman that was sat at our table. She teaches 10 year olds so she said she was used to it. We had to then get a tube from Paddington to King's Cross. We went down to the Circle Line and got on a tube... which then terminated at the next station!!!!! So I think we were on the Hammersmith & District
line instead! We had to wait about 20 minutes for the correct tube to come in... I'm well stressed by now! We got to King's cross to find out that our train was on Platform 10... where the hell is that?????????? Found out, and we legged it to the train, only to find it was jam packed so decided to get the next one. I was shattered by the time we got home, but we had a great holiday and are going again next year!

I had to go back to work today, it was a long day... Justin goes back tomorrow - I shall miss him like mad! Joan had to go back Friday night... It seems strange not to see Joan and Steve every day at the moment, and Matthew would go back tonight if he could. He said he's going to walk if we won't take him, lol. He also said that he wants us, and his grandad that lives here, my dad, to move to Devon. I think he enjoyed himself!!

Sorry... Debbie asked me what happened with Paddington Bear. Well the trouble was, we were late arriving at Paddington Station due to a bloke standing on the tracks with a backpack on our train from Barnstaple, making us late into Paddington... so Paddington Bear is still at Paddington... (I've since amended the text above)

Off to Devon tomorrow.

It's been a stressful kind of day. Matthew tries to help with things - packing etc, but he doesn't really help, more hinder, lol. But, we've all had a lovely shower and now we're feeling refreshed. Justin and Matthew have had haircuts too.

We bought a few bits in town to take with us. Justin got a Nintendo magazine, mainly because if he bought that I could get a book for £2.99. The book is called Stolen Time. It's a true story about a lady called Sunny from Ireland who was put on Death Row in Florida. I'm quite partial to the goings on in Death Row so should find the book interesting. Matthew has got a spot the difference book.
I have printed out instructions for Darryl for looking after the dogs and the house. Hopefully Darryl and Abby will have a good week, and realise there's more to looking after a house than going to bed late and getting up past midday!

I'll sign off for now then. Have a great week everyone and I'll catch up with CardScraps and all of your blogs later.
I hope you continue to improve with your chest infection dad, and the installation of the heating system goes without a hitch. See you next Sunday at 7am, without Cheryl!!!!

Cricuts...

I've helped talk two people in two days get a Cricut Expressions, lol... am I feeling guilty?? Not one bit. Congratulations Chris and now Paula!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooohooooooooooo.

That's Saturday been and almost gone.

Cheryl loved her notebook, and she almost got it thrown at her. She needs some St John's Wort I think!
A & E was busy from the start today, and we also had an infection control meeting which surprisingly, wasn't boring. That lasted an hour!
I've not done much else since coming home from work, I had an hours sleep on the settee which is always nice, lol.
Dad seems to finally be improving with his chest infection. Good job coz he's having a whole new heating system installed all next week. Have you used those Pledge wipes yet dad??
I've had two orders for cards today. I have to make a Christmas card for a little girl called Tiffany, and it needs to have her name on it, and a Birthday card for an 11 year old called Hannah, also to have her name on it... I shall get to work on those after we get back from Devon.

It's Friday already!

This week has just flown past. I can't believe I'm at work tomorrow... it's a good job I only work weekends, lol!
I altered another notebook yesterday, this time for me. I used K & Co Specialty Mira paper pad, love it! It's so bright and cheerful. I also used Prima flowers, Kanban bling gems, a Doodlebug brad, Stickles glitter, little silver key from pound shop, pink ribbon, lettering cut out with Cricut Expressions and then glazed over with Sakura clear glaze pen.

I made this card this lunchtime. We'd been in Tesco's this morning and there was power cut, and when we'd got home it had knocked out Virgin Media so we had lost our internet connection, so I made the card. It's to thank Justin's dad and step mum for putting up with us next week when we stay with them in Devon.

I used 4 Magnolia stamps, Tilda in swimming costume (image from Shell), wooden stile (Shell's image), the summer background stamp, and the tulips stamp. I also used Papermania Venetian Skies paper, Kanban bling gems, watercolour pencils.

Oh, and I did clean the oven out and racks... what a pain that was! I scraped my knuckle on the rock hard gunge... I then went up town and bought some Oven Pride. Brilliant stuff, but I couldn't give it the four hours it needed coz the mince I'd got out the freezer in the morning, I'd left out all day, and when I went to cook it it had gone off, lol... so had to shove in some lasagnes and garlic bread... so mad dash to clean the Oven Pride off the racks and inside the oven. The potatoes were all cooked as well for me shepherds pie! I should be like a woman at work and clean out the oven every day even if I've not used it... yeah, can see that happening!

Justin - my guitar hero.

I altered this notebook for my friend Cheryl. If she's in a bad mood/got hangover, I shall throw it at her! LOL!

Justin having fun playing Guitar Hero. He has now completed the Easy levels... and putting off starting the medium ones!

Plan for tomorrow... clean the oven out. I have had a can of Mr Muscle oven cleaner for weeks... so best get to it tomorrow.

A "Chocolate Box" bridge.

A picturesque bridge in Godmanchester.

An 18th Birthday card for Abby.

Today's card is an 18th Birthday card for Darryl's girlfriend Abby - she's not 18 until September so how's that for advance??! Not like me at all. I'm normally making the cards on the morning of the event, so I must have my mojo back now!
I received two more rubber stamps this morning, this time from Shell. Gorgeous tree with hanging hearts, and Tilda with balloons (stamp used in a the card above). Shell also sent me some stamped Tilda images.
I used Papermania Exquisite paper pad, bazzill black and pink card, pink ink stamp for edges, die cut flowers, hearts etc, cut with Cricut Expressions, holographic boarder strips, Stickles glitter, a little silver key (from the pound shop!) and a Doodlebug Boutique brad. The more I look at this card, the more it grows on me.

Tilda and her teddy

Here's the card I've been working on today. It's Tilda with her teddy. I used the Papermania paper pad - Venetian Skies, Papermania fabric flowers, navy ribbon, mirror card (that's showing up brown on the picture), white sparkly brad, Anita's corner peel offs, cuttlebug embossing folder - stylized flowers. I coloured the stamps with watercolour pencils and also faintly on the embossed image.
(I have changed the picture coz of altering it slightly - I added the greeting on the label, and added some holographic borders along middle section)

Other news:
Donna has received her little glass Angel that I bought for her, and it was hand delivered by one of Matthew's friends mum from school, Kathy. Kathy comes from Donna's town in Georgia, but her husband is stationed over here for three years, which are up next summer. Anyway, Kathy and Sean (Matthew's friend) have gone back for 6 weeks during the summer holidays from school. Donna emailed me to thank me saying she'd met up with Kathy. How amazing is that?!

Matthew is still playing outside with his friend, but does keep popping back for a drink. He came back one time coz they had both been watching a bloke with a punch bag in his garage and the bloke had told them he needed some weights... Matthew only came in to get some of Justin's!!! LOL! I said he couldn't, so off he went with the strop.

Oh dear.... poor Tilda!!!!

Oh dear...
On the post below is the pink card that I made last night... something is missing and I only saw that this morning, lol. Can you see what it is??

This morning I've been busy painting another Tilda, her teddy, and the bench... I looked up and realised that I'd put the paintbrush not in the water, but in my lovely mug of tea!!

Matthew has been playing outside all morning since 8.30am with a new friend. I'm not sure of his name yet and neither is Matthew coz he is Polish. I'll have to ask him later. He lives in our street just across the road (Dad, I think it was his families blue bin (wink wink!)). They have been charging round the street with toy guns and swords. They have played baseball and football... but had to put a stop to that coz they hit a car with the ball. They moved around to the back where the garages are, but Matthew fell and hit his elbow, so they gave up football altogether now. They're having fun running around, and are not bored... so that's good.

Tonight's Tilda Card

Here is tonight's Tilda card. I used my new Papermania pink patterned paper pack - Exquisite. I decided to "undercolour" Tilda for a more subtle look, and used Sakura glitter pens. I also ran a pink cherise ink pad around the edge of the card.

Heatwave!

Ok, not a heatwave as such, but it is very hot and has been for about a week now... maybe not a whole week, but getting on for one! LOL!
I've been using my Cricut today and cutting out mats and scrolly things, leaves... flowers etc etc. I may make another card tonight, you never know!
My supervisor bought the acetate card from me and paid £1.50... not the fastest way to become a millionaire... She told me to make some more cards and leave them in the office to sell, so today I bought some cellobags to put them in.
I bought three more paper packs today, all Papermania £2.99 ones. Pinks, blues, and the elegant pack... I'm hoping for some more inspiration to come my way.

2 bright cheery cards.

I've made two cards since getting home from work! That's a first... well maybe not a first, but a first in a very long time!! One of my supervisors at work requested a birthday card... with no guidance for me, great! So I came up with these two gems. The one on the left is using that gorgeous Rowdy William Magnolia stamp, and I used a sketch by Bev from All the things I love (link on the right). The one on the right is just tag on acetate.
Papers used are from K & Co Mira Specialty pad, Papermania fabric flowers, and the swirl cut with the Cricut Expressions. You can't see from the picture (althought you might if you click on it), that I have debossed (I got the Cuttlebug folder round the wrong way in my Sizzix) the white background to William. I think I managed to paint William better this time too!
If anyone has been wondering if Cuttlebug embossing folders work in the big Sizzix then yes, but you need the converter and it embosses/debosses beautifully.

Rowdy William.

Ok, so I changed my mind about Paula's card... and decided to make another one, but I do still like the first one, and now they're sitting together on the table they look lovely. I wish I could combine papers!!

K & Co Blue Awning Specialty Paper pad
Papermania fabric flowers
Doodlebug Boutique brads
Ribbon
Craft time 3D flowers
Cricut Expressions to cut the lettering
Magnolia Rowdy William stamp
I coloured in with watercolour pencils, and the odd bit of Stickles glitter.

Below are my Guitar Hero's. It had to be a joint effort when it came to Matthew playing, so he did the strumming, and Darryl selected the correct "string". It's a good game, when you can master how to play it! I shall have a go later, and Justin can't wait to get home from work, lol, kids, all of 'em!

Here is my first Tilda card!!

This is my first card using the Magnolia Tilda stamps. I think the plain oval needed embossing... I do like the card, but I wish I could make cards like some of the other girls, lol... oh well... guess I just need more practice. The card grows on you the more you look at it...

K & Co Blue Awning papers
Craft time 3D flowers
Papermania fabric flowers
Stickles glitter
Gems
Watercolour pencils
Magnolia Tilda with Flower stamp
Ribbon