Jump!

Oh wow, I haven't scrapped in months but last night I had the urge to complete a page. Ashleigh had all my scrapbooks out yesterday looking through them I think it was this that urged me to scrap.

I had bought the sassfras lass papers absolutely months ago and had only ever used some on cards but there were a couple of papers I wouldn't cut into as I did want to scrap with them at some point.

The picture was from almost 2 years ago so nothing on the page was up to date ( and as we know in the world of scrapping you must be seen with the most up to date stash) well not me I am using what appeals to me and not just whats new on the market.

It felt weired filling up the huge amount of space because for months now I've only been creating cards, I pushed the papers around the page for a while and then it just all came together, I think I may just complete some more today, could this be the onset of more scrapping? watch this space!

Blog Testing

I voluntered to be a blog tester for a craft related product. and as i said in my post yesterday it was for E-Z runner scrapbook adhesive by 3L, we had a series of questions to answer about the product and here are my answers.

1. How often do you use adhesive? almost every day
2. What is the main type of adhesive you use? double sided tape, pva glue and glossy accents
3. What do you look for in an adhesive? mainly strength
4. How easy is the product to remove from its packaging? very easy no problems at all
5. Does the product appeal to you – i.e. does it look good? looks great and the colour is

nice and bright so no loosing it on your craft table.
6. How easy is the product to use? very easy, i dont normally use tape dispensers as i often

have problems with the jamming of breaking, this one i took to immediatly
7. How well does the product perform? its runs very smoothly, its time saving and strong
8. Do you like this product? yes
9. Do you consider it good value for money? Mmmmm good question i like it for the fact that

it is time saving but 4.99 for 28' its a little expensive
10. Would you consider buying this product in the future? if it were on offer somewhere

definatly yes
11. What would make you more likely to buy this product in the future? if the length was

increaded or the price decreased or it was made into a refillable version and the refills

were reasonably priced
12. What would make you less likely to buy this product in the future? the price

I must say it is a great product i like the fact that it has very small cut sections of adhesive but im not sure i could justify the price as a full time adhesive, but it is very handy to have on hand to use for time saving moments, or when you dont have time to let a wet adhesive dry.

It made making cards a little quicker than normal, was great for adhering ribbon, and strong enough for securing chipboard.

All of the above cards were made using the E-Z runner, stamps are cupcakes and birthday messages by hero arts (coloured with water colours) papers are a selection of s.e.i jolie chocolat and bazzil card stock, all finished off with a little accent of stickles, doodlebug sugar coating or liquid pearls.

Creative Weekend

Wow, its the weekend and ive got some new stash to play with, (just look at that sei paper pad isnt it just lush every paper is gorgeous, foil and glitter so luxurious) i received some goodies in the post this week and ive managed to keep my hands off them as i was waiting untill tonight, Ive got no plans for the weekend so i have a full 2 days of inunterupted crafting, infact i may have longer as we broke up from school today for 2 weeks. I also have another parcel due from the states with lots more stamps (i cant wait) im so easily excited.

I also got a small parcel from becks and the design objective ( do crafts to me and you) the parcel may of been small but im expecting big things from the product, I signed up to do a blog review on a product and after the weekend i shall be giving my review on the E-Z runner scrapbook adhesive.

On my last post i said i might have some news to share well unfortunatly i havnt although i will tell you about it. I had applied for a new job as i was unhappy with my salary in my current job, out of 70 applicants i managed to get an interview i got down to the final 2 but was pipped to the post because i didnt have shorthand skills, but it all worked out in my favour as my current employer doesn't want to loose me so i am having my salary reviewed. (yipee)

Have a great weekend.

Where has the time gone?

Wow where has the time gone its ages since i last posted but then again i have been busy.
here are the updates to what ive been upto.
The first Westlife concert in Newcastle was fantastic, Ive never been to any that ive said it was only alright, only the boys can outdo themselves year after year, I never tire of them.
Then last weekend i was at Manchester to see them but this was a very boozy night (or should that be weekend) we travelled by train on friday morning (very early i might add, 7.20 am)we arrived just in time to geo to weatherspoons for breakfast, that set us up for our retail therapy, a few hours of shopping and we were in need of refreshment, how lucky were we to find a pub that sold cheap beer, Lager was only 1.60 a pint needless to say we didnt do any other shopping.
We prized ourselves out of the pub and made our way back to the hotel where we had a sandwich and a little more refreshments ;-) then it was quick upto our room for a shower and ready for the big night out, we arrived at the arena just in time for a drink and to find our seats, the concert was fab and they done a few extra bits as it was St Patricks weekend, well to cut a long story short we went back to the cheap pub, got to bed at 4.30 and was in no fit state the next morning to shop. Later in the afternoon we arrived at the train station to find that our train had been cancelled so instead of 1 train journey home it took 3 trains and a bus, so i didnt get to sleep all the way home as i had expected to :-(
so that was my excitement, and its took me untill this weekend to catch up with every thing.
Ive also got something exciting in the pipeline in the next couple of weeks (not craft related) so fingers crossed i can spill the beans at the begining of April.
Although on the craft front i cant wait to recieve the mystery parcel from becks http://www.scrapgenie.blogspot.com/that i have signed up to blog test for her, i remember she said they will be posted at the end of March so watch this space.

One more sleep

I haven't got much to blog about today so thought id remind you of my excitement for tomorrow Only one more sleep until i go to my annual westlife jaunt, those of you who know Me know that every year when westlife are touring i go to see them at least twice at different venues, i know i can hear you all shouting why would i do that, the answer is simple, they put on a fantastic show like none I've ever seen before and once is never enough.

It was Ashleigh's birthday on Saturday she had a great day and got lots of goodies and with her b'day money she bought her self a new phone, she was a little disappointed as she thought she would of got to find out what secondary school she was going to but we didn't find out until today, she got her second choice school (which was actually my first preference) at first she wasn't too happy about it until she heard her best friend has also got into the same school as her

I havnt got much to share on the crafting front as ive been helping in Mams house again today and yesterday i mad e a roast dinner and had everyone round so i was cooking for 12 (poor me, where was my mothers day treat?) well i did get to have breakfast in bed, and Martin has given me some money so i can treat myself, if i dont buy anything tomorrow in the Metro Centre i might treat myself to a stamping up stamp set.

All Good

Hospital went ok, Kidneys are fine but im still not drinking enough, i go back in 6 months for xrays just to make sure all is well. Im really thankfull for the NHS.

Have been busy with mothers days cards the past few nights, i had lots of orders from work to fulfil i think i made 14 in all, a few of which i repeated, ive posted a few pictures (although not good, still waiting on a camera)

Its Ashleighs birthday tomorrow she will be 11 she is really growing fast i dont know where the time has gone, we are going to town shopping tomorrow and then we are all going out for tea somewhere nice. Shes got lots of pressies off friends and family waiting for her and she is so excited for tomorrow she said its like xmas all over again.

Im really excited too as its now only 4 days till i go to see westlife (i know im like a big kid) at newcastle metro arena, roll on Tuesday.

Hospital

Tomorrow i have an appointment at the hospital, to check out my kidneys, in August i had Kidney stones and ended up being hospitalised so now i have to have 6 monthly checks, and tomorrow is the day. What they will do i dont know! I will get a lift there but will have to get a bus home so thought i might as well pop into town on my way home (any excuse for shopping)

After the hospital i will then need o go round to mams newhouse to paper the hall way then that will be all the papering completed, the kitchen fitters are going tomorrow to plan the design then she can get it ordered and hopeflly fitted before the week is out.

All this work means im having to create in the evenings if i can be bothered, well tonight i was bothered and ive made lots to share.

cards

Here are the cards i completed last night, thre were a couple of others but they didnt scan too well.

Ive got to go and iron te school uniforms now as its back to school tomorrow after a week off.

Cheap Gifts

I don't mean cheap as in cheap and tacky i mean cheap handmade goodies, i made these on Valentines day for the kids to give to their friends and also made one for my Nieces birthday. Ashleigh came tome on the evening before valentines day and asked if i had a gift she could give to a boy at school, i didn't so i quickly whipped up a few of these beauty's they are simple to make, the wording was printed on the computer then i stamped and coloured the image, you could fill them with anything you want. Great for party favours or little thank you gifts, you would pay fortune for personalised gifts in a shop. I'm sorry about the picture but my camera has died so at the moment I'm having to scan everything in and its cr*p.

Mums house is all coming together she hopes to be in it within the next 2 weeks, then i an get back to creating more, i did however stay up last night and whipped up a couple of cards, i will share them later when i've scanned them.

I have had time to chill and browse my favourite blogs,stamping caz has decorated some candles here http://stampingcaz.blogspot.com/ just scroll down a little, i visit this blog everyday for inspiration.

Over at Becks blog you are in with a chance of some free stash here http://www.scrapgenie.blogspot.com/ you just need to leave a comment then test and review the product, (this is a scrapping related product). This is another of my favourite blogs updated almost daily sometimes twice she showcases some yummy stuff.

I will get around to putting all of these on my blog in case the comp crashes and i lose all my favourites at least i will still find them all here.

New House

I havnt been doing much crafting this week as my Mum and Dad have just got a new bungalow, (its a long story), they currently live with my sister and her family, the house was originally my mum and dads and they sold it to my sister many years ago as she didnt have any children or a hubby, and the plan was they were just going to stay with her until they were carried out in a box (their words not mine). Since they sold it my sister now has a hubby and 2 children so mum and dad decided they would move out so that they can have some peace and quiet from the kids, mum is partially sighted so its hard for her with all the toys about. They got the keys to their house last Thursday so since then we have been cleaning, decorating and knocking walls down. We are just waiting on a new kitchen then it can be decorated then the whole house can be carpeted and move the furniture in, so i recon another week or so and i can get back to normality as i seem to of been round the new house 24/7.

Sam is still spoty from his chicken pox but he has been well with them, he hasnt scratched much or complained. I have noticed he need a haircut before he goes back to school next week but ill have to wait untill the spots disapear from his head as he got lots on his scalp. My 2 nephews have also caught them so at least they have all got them together.

Its Ashleighs birthday next week so i bought her a cuttlebug and whilst i was at it some goodies slipped into my basket for myself too, i got 8 new stamps, some chalk inpads and lors of embellishmnets, so roll on next week and i can craft.

That is after ive come home from work, my lady of lesuire was short lived as work have begged me to return to work so with a few negotiations i have agreed to return, but i will reveiw the situation at regular intervals so watch this space i may get to stay at home after all.

Did i mention im going to see Westlife at the metro radio arena on the 4th March, i can wait, we will visit the metro centre for the day and then watch the concert, and as every year i dont see them just once we also make a weekend of it and go elsewhere to see them so this year we are going to Manchester to see them on the 15th March.
Its seems we were only at the merto a while back, we were there taking the girls to see highschool musical on ice, i can recomend it , it was really great.

wow that was a long post . Well done if youve read this far.

Chicken Pox

Yesterday my son Sam seemed to have a few red marks under the skin, i noticed them when i took him out of the bath, there was only about 5 so i didnt think anything of it. Today when he wore up he has about 20 and they are all raised like a blister so off to the doctors we went, only to be diagnosed with a mild case of chicken pox, so he will be off school untill they scab over. As he breaks up for 1/2 term on Friday i doubt he will be back at school this week so he'll have 2 weeks with me (oh what fun!)

At least we wont have to get ready as soon as we wake up, we can lounge around a little and chill out together.

The photo is a card i made last night using a magenta stamp i watercoloured it and then added stickles for a little highlight, you cant actually tell from the photo but i also made the flowers 3d by stamping in duplicate and cutting out the image.

Im loving the background paper i got a bargain in a local shop it is a paper mania scrap pad 40 sheets of 12 x 12 for an amazing 3.99 and it is really thick almost like a card stock thickness, and every sheet is gorgeous i could kick myself for not buying more or getting the other set which was more vintage floral style, i will go back on wednesday and see if they have any left (fingers crossed)

NEW START (again)

Well it has been ages since i blogged, so here i am to start all over again, i know ive said that time and time again but this time its all go. (but dont hold me to it , LOL)
Ive back into my cardmaking big time, scrapping is in the back ground for a while, im still completing the odd page but not at the speed in which i was scrapping before.

so what has happened in the past few months (not a lot) ther have been a few happenings at work which resulted in me walking out last thursday, my boss has given me time to think about my desision to return to work (with pay!), i think i have made up my mind not to return, so i may become a lady of leisure, just think of all the crafting i can get done.LOL

whilst out shopping last week i came across a craft stall on the local market in stockton called suzi crafts, ive discovered its also an online store which has an attached forum, so i came home had a browse and joined the forum, its only new so there are only about 34 members but everyone is so friendly and really helpfull so i urge you to take a look for yourself and come on over to http://www.suzicraft.com/ and join the forum, the more the merrier, you can showcase your projects and chat about cardmaking and scrapbooking, in fact all things arty, so what are you waiting for?

last night i was crafting and ive made a few cards, heres a small selection

this was made using sugar nellie stamps available from http://www.funkykits.co.uk/ also check out the new sgar nellies lola and simon and the little cotton rabit stamps coming soon.


this was designed using a house mouse stamp, this was requested by a collegue from work.
i will have more pics to upload later.
please dont forget to pay a visit to http://www.suzicraft.com/

Fight The Flab!

after weeks of threatening to take my body back from the cookie monster (or is that the cadburys monster), ive finally taken that step and joined a gym, im sick of feeling lethargic and lazy, I hate finding clothes to wear. i hate anything that clings or skims my body as it shows off all my flab. Well soon that will be no more as im in the right frame of mind my diet is on a kick start and i went to the gym and was shown around by the gym instructer ive signed up and my induction is wednesday, so untill then im having a couple of sessions at the baths. Mind you i did laugh when he said what do i want to acheive from going to the gym, i mean im not twiggy, ive got about 3 stone of extra baggage, i told him i wanted to loose weight and get into some sort of shape (preferably not the round that i am now! LOL) So i may be dying a slow death after wednesday as i havn't been to the gym in years. But just think in months to come i will be peeling off my clothes without a lump or bump in sight (if only!)

Ive also been scrapping this week and i uploaded a LO of Martin and Sam to Basic Grey and was shocked the next day to find an email telling me it had been chosen to go into the official online gallery, TOOT TOOT for me.

long time no see!

I know way back in January I promised myself i would blog more often, and already only 4 months into the year ive totally flunked, I know i should as then i can read back in months or even years to come and read these little reminders and look back on any pictures ive uploaded. (Note to ones self i must try harder).

So what has been going on in my little world since march?
ive been to see westlife (twice),
we had a great easter break with the kids, whilst i was in Glasgow Martin took the kids to York for the day but the rest of the time we spent together, going out for days and doing fun stuff in the house, we also all swapped bedrooms so that was quite a task moving furniture.

My Online friend and UK Scrappers team mate Marja gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Noemie, she is so gorgeous, she is having a few complications but im sure she will be home with them soon, so in case you read this Marja im sending huge hugs to you all.

Another of my online friends Suzanne got through to the final 3 of the making memories idol competition and whilst she didnt make final winner she is a winner in my eyes and everything she created was inspirational,well done suzanne.

Ive also scrapped myself but will upload pics later as its too late and the light is crap they will only turn out blurred. so lets see how long it will be untill im back again.

mothers day hangover

when i woke up this morning i had a slight hangover from the party celebrations last night, but the dull headache soon went away when i was greeted by the kids with my mothers day breakfast in bed, all those cuddles worked better than any paracetamol!

breakfast was boiled eggs and soldiers with a nice cuppa to wash it all down, my pressies were some lillies and a new pair of PJ's.

here's a pic of the party last night, i must of been a little tipsy to of put this wig on and have photographic proof, we had a great night even if i did pay for it this morning (aka the headache!)

Does my bum look big in this?

I've just been downloading some pics from the camera, as I've been naughty and not done it in a while, (well I've not took any pics in a couple of weeks)

To my surprise Ashleigh must of taken a picture of me whilst we were bowling a little while back. I cant believe she took a pic of my big bottom, just wait until she wakes up in the morning! LOL

I will have my revenge i will take a pic of her just as she is waking with her straggly hair and scrunched up face, then i will scrap it so i can keep it forever, but i will also tuck this picture in a secret little pocket and add some journalling for future reference. (i loves my little girl, she is my best friend really, my shopping partner, my dancing diva and all singing sister, i love you Ash!)

help! ive become a stepford wife

oh my god i think ive become a stepford wife, any one who knows me knows i dont do baking, and apart from general houskeeping thats it for me. well over this past week ive been home baking cooking pies and making soups casseroles etc. ive even been house keeping on overtime. i had my parents over last night and cooked a 3 course meal and th e dessert was to die for, banana fritters covered in syrup and topped off wit ice cream. move over nigella. LOL gotta go the oven is calling me!

happy birthday

happy bithday to my daughter Ashleigh, today she is 10 and boy how time flys, i cant believe it 10 years since she was born, i can remeber it so clearly.

Last night when she went to bed i decorated the house for when she woke up this morning, i had helium ballons, banners and bunting all over the living room looked lovely with all her pressents laid out on the flor surrounded by hellium ballons, she was so excited whe she saw it. She said mam can we leave it up for my party, (little did she know it took me almost 2 hours to decorate the house) I wasnt going to take it down for a day only to have to put it back up on saturday for her party.

she got some lovely pressents but ive a feeling her favourite was her new bedding (pictured above) that she had previously picked out on our visit to dunelm, i bought her the full collecion including wall hangings and pillows, she got a tracksuit, trainers and cuddly toys to open on the morning, then whilst she was at school i put her new bedding on her bed, she was thrilled when she saw it, i think she thought she wasnt going to get it. Its nice to spoil her occasioally. Now i have to see if i survive the girly make over sleep over party on saturday, please send me lots of energy vibes, i think i'll need it.

having fun

its half term week and so far we have had so much fun. on Monday we went bowling and this time even martin came along too as he has had a few days off too. We had 2 games and all or the bargain price of 13.20 now that's what i call a bargain for an hours and a half entertainment for the whole family, of course i did win both games, i even whooped martins butt, after he was gloating about how good he was (that will teach him. LOL)
On Tuesday, it was a me day and on the evening i went to see a spiritualist/fortune teller, i don't normally go for these type of things (well not since i was married anyway) I've seen plenty of fortune tellers in my time but never a spiritualist, it was very good. and i was comforted to know that it was my gran who had come through for me, everything she said was spot on, I know there is plenty of non believers out there, but for me there was no disputing what she said about my past and present. We jut have to wait about the future.
Wednesday we took the kids swimming and then out for a bite to eat, Martin went back to work so we didn't have a full Day but we did enjoy what we did.
Today we have been shopping i got Jonathan a PlayStation 2 from Asda for a bargain price of 49.00, so we then went to town to find some games, we came back with a game, a pair of trainers, tracksuit bottoms and 2 footballs. I also bought Ashleigh a tracksuit and a body warmer, JJB sports had a sale on so i went a little overboard, i also bought sam a few things.
My bargain of the day had to be the PJ"s i bought from primark they were only 1.00 per pair, Ashleighs having a makeover sleepover party for her birthday next week so i bought each of her guests a pair of PJ's its cheaper than a bar of choclate and sweets in the party bag.
It ill be Ashleighs 10th birthda so ive booked a makeover party for her, the lady comes to the house and all the girls have pretend champagne in champagne flutes, a mini facial, their nails painted, and a hair extension put in their hair (which they then get to keep) they have all sparkly makeup put on and at the end of it they receive a goody bag filled with makeup and beauty products, i just know she is going to love it.
Tomorrow i've got to pop into work for an hour but after that i am taking the kids out only i don't know where we are going yet, maybe a trip to the cinema?
And during this week we have decorated the kitchen and emulsioned and glossed various other places around the house so all in all a very eventful week.

washing hell

Where on earth does all the family washing come from? i swear my kids must change their clothes every 5 minutes. My washer broke over a week ago and i waited about 4 days for the repair man to come out, i know its a long time to wait but he is normally very reliable and his prices are very cheap he has been in the business for around 20 years so knows what hes talking about, when i first rang him he was in the airport ready to go away on a short break and promised he would visit on his return last Monday which he did, the bad news was it was going to cost over 100.00 to repair which we both agreed wasn't worth it, so on Friday we went and bought a new washer, and since then it hasn't stopped, the amount of washing that we had accumulated is ridiculous, i have caught up and have been in ironing hell since.
Another reason for not catching up on my blog sooner is the Internet problems I've been having lately, Martin switched providers and for about 6 days its been temperamental and hasn't let us connect (well only intermittently) it seems to of sorted itself out but for how long i don't know, we are thinking of changing to sky broadband so any comments about their service would be greatly appreciated.

forgot to add on a happier note i have booked my train tickets to go to Glasgow to see Westlife, i see them every year in Newcastle and then we choose another venue to visit this year it is Glasgow, I've been there for a day visit, but this time we are staying overnight so we will have a little longer to sight see, If that's possible from the inside of shops and pubs LOL.

we have also been to Jonathan's parents evening and it was very positive, he has his difficulties but despite these he is doing his best and even came top of the class in his science exam (that has given him and us a great boost) We also mentioned his lost clothing and even his teacher was astounded at the amount he has lost, he has told him to meet him at the staff room tomorrow evening and they will go through the lost property together and try to find them all.