Forgot to share

I forgot to share some of my cards from the weekend, i had to make these 4 cards very quickly and i had them packaged ready to go when i realised i hadn't taken a picture of them, in my last post i said i was going to take more pics and this is what usually happens i make them, package them and forget to photograph them. So i apologise for the reflection but better than nothing at all to share.

The 2 house mouse cards are stickers, i have had these for about 3-4 years and have not used them so i have vowed to try and use old stash up and I'm actually quite happy with the way they have turned out, even though it was like cheating not very hard is to stick a sticker down? Although i do like the look of my new ribbons on the card.

The other 2 cards were made using wood ware and autumn leaves stamps, stamping up card stock and again my new ribbon.

Ive added a ticker to my site as i didn't think anyone visited but i was pleasantly surprised to see almost 200 visitors in just over a week, yeah i know some bloggers get that in a day but its a big thing to me, so pop in and say hello so i know who you visitors are.

Cards to share

I forgot i said i would share a few more cards with you, a couple you will of all ready seen over on UK Scrappers. i have decided to start show casing on here and only post a few over on uk scrappers. It gets a bit boring when you see cards on UKS and then the same cards are on the blog also, unless its a tutorial or supplies list then thats ok sometimes its a great help.

I must remember to stat taking pics of all my creations half of the time im working to a tight deadline so i dont get chance to take pics, then i get dissapointed when i can't put my creations on here, i vow to try and take more pics.

Here are details of the above cards

The scooter boy card

stamping up card stock

East of India ribbon

woodware boy stamp, autumn leaves star stamp.

celebrate card

penny black stamp, greeting is HOTP stamp

the papers are from my scraps so not sure what they are (sorry)

wedding card

SEI card stock

hero arts heart stamp

More to share tomorrow (hopefully)

East of India ribbon

Oh! im in Ribbon heaven. I have been admiring ribbons from the make East of India, i have had an online supplier in my favourites for ages i keep adding things to my basket then not going through with the checkout as i always think do i actually need more ribbon?

so where is this leading? I went to Middlesbrough yesterday and my Dad dropped me off just outside of town so as i was walking into to town i passed a shop called changing rooms, i know its been there for ages but ive never took much notice, as i peeped into the window i saw the sign East of India, quickly i opened the door to sheer heaven 3 floors of nicknaks ribbons a whole shop of gorgeousness. The shop lady was so sweet after picking up many rolls of ribbon the lady passed me a gorgeous basket to place my wares in, i then ventured to the other 3 floors, i know this is a shop i am going to frequent more often, who would of thought after searching the Internet for east of india ribbons there were some on my door step all along. For anyone in the area Changing rooms are having a late night on Thursday till 8.30pm, all new stock will be showcased and there is 10% off all orders. The picture is a few of my buys ive hidden some of them as i know what Martin will say, they will just start appearing in my craft area and then he will know no different. LOL

I would also like to say a big thanks to Monica for getting mu stamping up order to me so fast, if anyone is wanting to order id highly recommend Monica her blog link is on the right.

Back To The Gindstone

Its back to work for me tomorrow after having 2 weeks off, as are the kids back to school too. Dont you just hate going back to work after having time off, i know i will be back in the swing of things after one day its just the initial getting up out of bed and dragging myself there. We have had 2 weeks of unstructured days, PJ days and really just doing nothing. But looking on the bright side in 2 weeks we will have another day of for may day and then another 2 !?@ weeks later we will be off for whit week, so cant complain.

I also forgot to tell you of my misfortune the past week, i was round my mams last week when i got a phone call from Martin telling me the cooker wouldnt work so after having it looked at it turns out we needed a new one. At the moment we have electric but ive always wanted gas i did have a gas cooker years and years ago but since that have always bought electric,(weve actually been through 3 electric cookers in the last 7 years) when we went shopping for a new one i decided to go for gas it arrived and we didnt go for connection as we know a gas fitter already (who will also be cheaper).
The cooker arrived on wednesday all ready for fitting and our gas fitter is on holiday so now we have a new cooker but no means of cooking until next week (just my luck) on the plus side to this we have been getting lots of meals cooked for us :-)
In the same week you wouldnt belief it but the computer chair broke and to top of the bad luck my makeup bag fell down the toilet (YUK!) so everything went in the bin and it cost me an arm and a leg just to replace the basics let alone the sparkly, dazzley bits i had collected along the way, that you wear on a night out in the town.
Hopefully that was the end of the bad luck run. I will be back with a few cards i have made today.

Gran & Grandad

Remember i told you about the 2 babies about to arrive in our family?

one was my cousin and i told you i would let you know about the other.

Well now is the time to tell you, I'm not sure weather you know Martin has an older son Chris.

He and his girlfriend got engaged last year and now they are expecting, we have known for a while and I've been shopping like crazy as they know they are having a boy, i know it takes away the surprise but its great to know for shopping reasons.

The baby is due at the end of June hopefully it will wait until we get home from our holidays its due on the 29th and that's the day we are due home.

so now you know why Ive titled my post Gran and Grandad, i know I'm far to young to be a gran but a gran i will be. In my extended family everyone is a gran, i had a gran my mam had a gran etc etc. its just the way it is.

And also we are very proud of Chris as he has passed all his tests to join the RAF, its something he has always wanted to do and with the baby due we thought he would give up on the idea but no hes more determined, hes worked hard for 2 years in a steady job but he wants more out of his life and we are really proud of him. He starts his Basic training in August so we will get lots of pics at his passing out parade.

On a crafting note I've downloaded a set of images from charmed cards and crafts they are called George and they are fab for mens cards so if you like pay a visit here http://www.charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/acatalog/Digital_Downloads.html

feeling great

Its amazing how a few days off can make you feel. I have been feeling quite lethargic and yuk for the past couple of weeks (and the weather doesn't do much to help). Ive been off with the kids since Monday and apart from a stinking headache yesterday I have been feeling great, I wish it was the school holidays more often LOL

Yesterday i dug the boys bedroom out (that's what probably brought on the headache) it took me 4 hours, i took the bunk beds apart, (so now they have individual single beds) threw out or recycled toys that they had out grown, recycled clothes that no longer fit, and got rid of a load of rubbish. 8 bin bags later and we have a tidy new bedroom (any bets on guessing how long it will stay that way?)

Ive no need to tidy Ashleighs room as she keeps her room spotless, she just moans that she hasn't got enough room and i do feel sorry for her as she has the box room so there is not much room in there, i have promised to do a little touching up in there next week and maybe get a new light and lamp shade just to shuzz it up a bit.

After yesterdays spring clean i decided to craft today and have made cards ive had quite a few requests so i made a start on them,i managed to complete 3 baby cards, 3 get well cards, 2 new home a few general b/day cards. Ive also had a request for something to do with music for a girl and a mountain bike one for a man, I'm a bit stuck so they will take a little thinking about, they are not needed until May so i have time.

Talking of babies we have a couple due in our family. First due is my cousin on 2nd May this will be her first baby and we are all hoping for a girl as we have lots and lots of boys in the family the last girl we had is now 9 so we are desperate for a girl. The second i will blog about later (no its not me!)

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.