My Life Most Ordinary

only 3 more sleeps

2011-12-22T14:33:00.000Z

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. It seems to have come round so quickly, yet this last week is going sooooooo slowly! It's my last day of work today until the new year so after my 2 after school children go home, it's just me and mine... really looking forward to it!

I have a few LOs to share with you.
These were created with the November Sarah's Cards kit, which was so lovely to work with.

These are the LOs I created for my December blog post. I used Echo Park Times & Seasons, which is much more versatile than you might first think.

You can see the blog posts here and here.

I'm busy busy busy playing with the January kit, and getting my January blog work finished, so I better go and get photo printing so I can do something tonight, rather than faffing....

Be back in the new year. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

xxx

Having a poorly sick day...

2011-11-14T12:46:00.001Z

I have Things 1 and 3 at home feeling all poorly sick and sorry for themselves, so whilst they are asleep on the sofa I thought I might actually update my blog. Well it was either that, or do some ironing, and when it comes down to it, blogging beats ironing hands down!

What's been happening since I last blogged way back in September? Well, to be honest, nothing worth writing about. Life has pretty much gone on the same way it usually does for us... school/back from school/after school activities/busy weekends trying to complete unrealistic to do lists... lol!

One thing that is worth writing about is the 3rd Sarah's Cards Ltd retreat that took place in Warrington at the beginning of November. It was another fun weekend with lots of laughs, too much food, and in my case very little scrapping!

You can see a post about the retreat on the blog here. I can't believe it's only 4 months until the next retreat in March!!! There are still a few places left and you can grab yourself one of them here. There were 6 fab LO classes, and the LOs can be seen here. My mum came to the retreat this time as a late birthday/early Christmas present. She was really nervous about going as she didn't know anybody (apart from me obviously), but she was soon befriended and chatting away like she'd known everyone for years... and she soon got a 'fresh air' buddy too! She loved it and had a fab time, making lots of new friends. Here she is with 2 of her table friends, Dr Eileen and Trina.

Now it's bad enough having to have the DT photo at the end of the retreat, but this year I was forced into having a small group photo too... lol! It's been printed out and stuck to the treat cupboard door so I don't go in there... look at that tummy!!! Oh dear!

Like I say I got very little scrapping done... I only completed 1 LO!!! As it happens it was a LO for the November challenge on the Sarah's Cards blog, set by Nat. The theme is to think NEGATIVE. I went down the using the negative space in my alphas to create the eyes design feature.

I bought the Pink Paislee Phantom range, including stamps, stickers and transparencies as soon as they came out, because I just knew they'd be perfect for the Halloween photos I have yet to scrap from previous years... but of course I started with photos from this year first! As well as the challenge LO, I also did this LO of Drew studying 'little Oliver' dressed as Harry Potter. I don't know if it was the glasses or the scar, or just how incredibly cute he looked, but Drew was fascinated with him. The photos were taken at the 'First Annual' Garratt Halloween Party... there you go Jen, it's out there now, you HAVE to have another party next year! There will be lots of LOs appearing from the fantastic afternoon, so watch this space, this space and this space.

I used the chalkboard stickers to make the spider embellishment, the very cute Halloween stamp set from American Crafts and a strip of gorgeous Amy Tangerine mix tape., the background grid paper was also by Amy Tan.

I can share a few more LOs that were created using the September kit. This was a gorgeous kit to work with, and even though at first glance it looks like a 'girly' kit, it was really easy to use on boys LOs. There are a couple left to buy.

My blog post goes up on the 1st of each month, and this month I decided to use a mix of papers by Lily Bee and Studio Calico. Here are my LOs, and you can see the blog post here with a tutorial on how to create perfect stitched titles, and the flower embellishment using a circle punch here and here.

Righty ho, that's all there is for now folks... I'll be back one day... I may even make the effort to blog again before Christmas... lol!

XXX

Testing, testing...

2011-09-12T20:15:00.001+01:00

Just seeing if blogging using a phone is as easy peasy as the app write up says it is!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another New Year

2011-09-11T14:28:00.000+01:00

I guess it's the teacher in me that I still work on an academic year... I can't believe we're well into September already!!! Harry started full time school o Monday, which h is so far really loving. It means that I only have 2 small children at home at any time now, and on some days it's just me and Drew... which is fab! Harry was very excited about starting school and on his first day (which was just a half day) he sat holding his bags all morning just waiting to go.

He's not so keen on the school dinners, so we're going to have to see how that one goes.

A few weeks ago Rob and the boys did a bit of tree surgery, removing all the dead leaves from the Cordyline tree. I got some great photos from the afternoon, and can't wait to scrap the sequence of Drew picking up a snail, studying the snail then realising he didn't like the snail touching him!!! Here are a couple from the sequence.

Harry had the very important job of project manager, so got to wear the high vis vest and hard hat....

After a summer of being scared to go on the trampoline Drew discovered this week that he now REALLY like to bounce. Trouble is we have to lock and hide the keys or he lets himself out to bounce no matter what the weather or the time of the day!!!

On Friday Drew and I had an afternoon in the garden together... he's such a monkey and wouldn't let me take his photo, so out of over 100 photos taken I got lots like this....

I'm not looking...

I'm still not looking...

But I did get this cute one of him telling me to go away...

Then he escaped into the playhouse, so this was taken through the window...

And I got loads of him hiding behind the playhouse and peeping round at me.... I love this one in particular...

On the scrapping front... I've recently bought lots of the new yumminess coming into Sarah's Cards. My favourite being the Pink Paislee Phantom range... can't wait to start playing with these. I also bought some MME Lost and Found 2 Breeze papers, which I used for the September sketch challenge over on the Sarah's Cards Blog. I've started to look through some of my old photos to scrap, and decided to use my favourite one of Oliver when he was 5 days old. His first few scrapbooks are really basic as I didn't have any tools or pretty papers, so I feel like I should re-scrap some of the photos so that hi are as nice as Thing 2 and 3's.... it's just my very valid excuse to buy more papers and scrap baby photos!

I used the same range of papers for this LO of my lovely friends who got married at the beginning of the month. It was a refreshing change being able to use sparklies for sparklies sake.

Here are a few images of work I've done for the Sarah's Cards Blog. This month I started an Art Journal using kraft envelopes as my base. You can see the blog post here.

I also did this LO using a kraft envelope as a pocket, using these Glitz stamps, which are also in the sale section so you'd be foolish not to get!!!

These LOs were for the July blog post.... but I forgot to blog them on here, because I'm good at being forgetful like that!

Ok, that's it for a few more days/weeks/moths/years... I doubt it'll be the last option, but it's not likely to be the first... lol!!!

Another year older...

2011-08-17T18:57:00.000+01:00

Another year wiser.... hhhhmmmm, well I'm not so sure about that, but it's better than saying another year closer to 40... or as my friends all said, half way to 70!!! July was a busy month here, with my 35th birthday, and Thing 1's 8th birthday... scary how quickly that came round too!
School broke up for the summer so it became extra busy in this house... which is why I haven't blogged in an age! I'd apologise, but seriously, is anyone really bothered that I didn't blog... lol!

Last week Rob and I both took a week off work and we went out for day trips with the boys. The weather wasn't forecast to be great but we actually got lucky and were only rained on once... and that was while we were on a water ride so it doesn't count!

We went to Chester Zoo first. Drew was only really young last time we went so it was great seeing him watch the animals properly for the first time. It wasn't a scorching hot day like the last time we went so the animals were really active, which was fab... especially the monkeys and orangutans. All the exotic animals in the zoo and guess which were the boys favourite???

The dinosaurs!!!

There is a fab summer exhibition of life size moving (so obviously real) dinosaurs, and I have to say they were pretty impressive. Luckily we went straight to them first so we got up close before the crowds of chavs with their rude kids got there and pushed in!!!

On Wednesday we headed over to Rotherham to Magna. It was meant to be a rainy day so we planned this to be an indoor visit. However the weather stayed dry, and the kids spent the day in the BIGGEST outdoor play area I've ever seen... it just went on and on, and was fab! It had a water park area too, although it was too cold for the kids to go in that... well my kids anyway, there were some kids in there... turning a lovely shade of blue!!!

It's a good job the activity park was so good as Magna itself was SHITE!!! Seriously... don't bother, it's dark, it's smelly, the 'fun and exciting' interactive exhibits are not fun or exciting, and they are few and far between. What was funny was seeing all the adults walking round with a 'WTF' expression and all the young kids clinging to their parents legs or crying in pushchairs because of the dark and the spooky sound effects playing! We plan to go back, but only on a sunny day to use the park and water area.

Oliver finally got over his fear of climbing, and realised that actually he could do it and it wasn't as scary as he thought it would be... YAY!

This one took some mastering as it was quite steep and a bit slippy, but he got there in the end.

A bouncy thing they all enjoyed... and see the big kid in the background having fun too... lol!

Harry and Drew loved this sand area, and actually played really nicely together for ages.... I had to get photographic evidence of that!

Thursday was a day off... I was meant to catch up with my paperwork, but that didn't happen..... but I did watch quite a few episodes of SATC... lol!

Friday we went to Drayton Manor for the day... Oliver was very excited to be able to go on proper big roller coasters (and so was I). Thomas Land was a massive hit with Harry and Drew... if you have little people I can highly recommend a visit here... even if they are not Thomas fans, it's just so much fun.

Oliver and Rob are on this... so proud of my big boy being brave... this is one ride you won't ever get me on... ever! Been there, done that, vomited and cried... don't need to do it again... EVER!!!

Harry overcame his fear of people dressed up in costumes to have his photo taken with the 'space peoples', Drew freaked out when the space peoples started following us!

We went straight from Drayton Manor to my parent's house in Edwinstowe, as it was the Robin Hood Festival, and as they live a short walk from the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, it would have been silly not to go. The boys loved the open air shows, the birds of prey and the jousting... silly mummy forgot to take her camera!!! It was absolutely heaving, and when we were walking home and could see all the traffic problems caused by the massive amount of tourists, it made me very glad I don't live in that small village anymore.

And so back home and back to work. I have loads of work to do... childminding paperwork... boooo! and DT work...yay!
There are 4 new members of the Sarah's Cards DT, and I'm so chuffed my friend Helen got a place.... I LOVE her work. Go take a peek... it's fab!
Here is some work I created for the July kit.... I used the Teresa Collins stamp maker to make the Henry Hoover stamp... super cute isn't it?

This LO was of Drew pretending to be asleep so he didn't have to answer me when I asked him if he had pooped!!! This is his new thing... I don't want to talk to you, I pretend I'm asleep... lol!!!

A summery LO of Ginger bear squinting in the sun... wearing Drew's hat!!!

The Sarah's Cards blog is still a fun and exciting place to be for loads of crafting inspiration... you seriously should check it out every few days, the ladies are producing some amazing work... I'm so lucky being a part of this team.

For my July post I had a play with the Maya Road Resist. Here are the 3 LOs I created, and you can see step by step photos on how I created the LOs here and here.

Each month there is a challenge on the blog where you get the chance to win a £20 voucher to spend in the shop... £20!!! I can't think of any good excuse not to play along. This month Rachel set the challenge, to use 5 different pp on a LO. Here is the challenge, and here is my LO.

My time on the Twisted Sketches DT came to an end, and due to work commitments I didn't have time to extend my term, which I was very sad about... but I look forward to playing along with the fab new Twisted sisters from time to time. For my last ever LO I created a collage of all the work I had created whilst I was on the team... I drew the title like it is on the blinkies and used the pink/black/white colour scheme.... I have to say I really like how this turned out!

And lastly a 'just for me' LO... I started this at a mini crop at my house... fannied about with it for far too long, but it came together in the end. No patterned paper, just lots of misting, a bit of graffiti and black outlines... simples!!!

Hope you made it through to the end of that post... lol!

I really should try to blog more often... I will, one day... soon... maybe ;-)

ta ta for now

So little time!!!

2011-06-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

I can't believe we are almost done with June already... eeeeeek!!! where is the time going? I've so much to do and just never seem to have enough time... i could do with a pause button!

Well enough moaning... I just popped on to share the LOs I did for the Sarah's Cards blog.... of course if you've already been over there you will have seen them, but I like them, so you can just look at them again... lol!!!

I did a step by step class on how to create your own unique painty background paper... the post can be seen HERE.

I did a clean and crisp LO too... for those people who don't do paint and mess!!!

And an inbetweenie LO that was not as painty and messy as the first, but used similar techniques.

Then I completed the post with a fun and silly LO of me and Nat sporting some rather fetching moustaches!!!

This months challenge over on the Sarah's Cards blog was set by me... the challenge is to use clothing as inspiration for your scrapbook pages. Here is my example LO, and a few close ups....

Play along with us, leave a link on the blog to your work and be in with a chance to win a £10 e-voucher to spend in the shop.

I've also been playing with the Sarah's Cards July kit, which at first glance I thought I'd struggle with as it's pink and feminine... but I actually had fun with it. Here are a couple of sneaks....

I've somewhat neglected my Twisted Sketches promoting duties... I'm so bad! Here are few LOs I did...

*Curve*
This picture was drawn by Oliver at school and was the only thing we kept from the bag of year 2 work that come home at the end of the year. It was already cut into this curve shape... perfect!

*Stop*

I think I said this word at least 50 times whilst trying to get a 'nice' photo of Oliver and Harry together.... had was playing the clown, but as it turned out, the photos of Harry the clown were fab!

*Summer*

What could more summery than a mahoosive deckchair by the sea. This photo was taken at Butlins last year... it's taken me so long to actually get round t scrapping it!

*Time*

It's Carnival time.... well Manchester Parade Day time to be precise. A fantastic day spent with family and friends, and photos scrapped on the same day... go me!

WOW!!! That was so much easier blogging with the new updated blogger... you never know, I might actually blog more often now it isn't so traumatic!!!

See you VERY soon

New Look Sarah's Cards Blog

2011-06-01T17:04:00.002+01:00

The DT are running the show!!! And every few days a different member of the DT will be bringing you exciting and fresh projects, complete with step by step photos. There will be monthly challenges where you can win stash or vouchers for the shop.

Want to be a part of it all? You know you do... get yourself over to the BLOG and leave us a comment so we can come and take a peek at your blog/gallery.

2 posts in one month!!!!

2011-05-23T09:47:00.003+01:00

I know, I'm shocked too.... 2 posts in the same month :o Good job I'm sat down as I type, or I might fall down!

Just thought I'd share with you what I created using the May kit from Sarahscards. I know I always say how lovely the kits are, and you're thinking, well she's not going to say she doesn't like them is she.... but this kit was just STUNNING!

The whole DT fell in love with the My Mind's Eye papers at the retreat in March, and this collection didn't fail to impress either. The colours in this kit were just PERFECT for scrapping pics of my ginger bear.... and my cute new guinea pigs (one of which is also ginger).

Firstly I did this LO of Harry tucking into one of his Easter eggs... WHOLE!!! Still loving my ribbler, even though it has been unused for a while. This LO came together really quickly, and I was really pleased to find that the Ranger white pen actually writes well on photos. I've bought so many pens in the past that have failed miserably, but this one is fab.

Next came this LO, again of Harry, being all lovely and quiet, playing on his own on the trampoline. As boisterous and feisty as Harry can be, he can also be incredibly sweet and loving, and calm! Harry would have suited being an only child, as he is really comfortable and happy in his own company, and gets easily wound up by his brothers. I kept the LO really simple, and the photo small finishing the whole thing with a mist of rich coffee... which is nothing like rich coffee colour, but did work perfectly well with these papers. The colours in the photo are slightly off, and it does look much better in real life!

And now to introduce Ron and Eric, our new guinea pigs. Ron is the ginger and white one, and is named after another famous ginger, Ron Weasley. And Eric may not be blond, but he is named after my favourite vampire (now there's a surprise), Eric Northman. They're settling in really well, but are eating us out of house and home... man those piggies can get through fresh veg like it's going out of fashion!!!

When I opened this months kit, I picked up the two ribbon flowers that were included, said 'Yuk' and tossed them to the side... they are so not me at all. However, after pulling one apart a bit, and cutting off the nasty green leaf, it started to look very chewed and distressed, and ended up working really well for this LO. Just goes to show, don't dismiss things just because you don't like them on first appearances... most things can be altered somehow to suit your tastes.

Not long now until June 1st.... I'm ready.... are you?

Do you like my new Blog Header???

2011-05-15T16:53:00.002+01:00

I've been playing with some new goodies from Sarahscards and made this header with some of the left over bits and bobs.

Changes are a coming on the Sarahscards Blog... exciting times ahead.

1st June...

Be there....

April's post is here!

2011-04-25T10:50:00.014+01:00

Thought I best get this posted before the end of the month... seriously how fast does time go? I can't believe we're almost done with April already!

We've had a busy few weeks, mainly taking advantage of the gorgeous weather and enjoying playing out in the sun. My boys are all outdoorsy types and love nothing more than being barefoot in the garden. We're really lucky that we have a little park just across the street from us, so we also spend a lot of time over there with friends. We must look a strange sight once we are there, as we settle for the afternoon.... picnic blankets, bikes, police car, fire engine, football, food and drink supplies, hats, sun creams, first aid kit (which came in to good use last week when Alice fell and cut her chin open).

We went to my mum and dad's for the Easter weekend, which was lovely... I just needed to get away from home for a bit... it seems there is a bit of a witch hunt going on round here at the moment, and I've been reported to Ofsted AGAIN!!! I'm so fed up with it all. Seriously, someone seems to have a problem with me, but rather than just confront me about it, they prefer to go down the nasty route and tell lies that could potentially cause a lot of harm! Fortunately the allegation this time was so ridiculous, and the inspector that came was lovely, and was more than happy with what she saw, that no further action will be taken, and my name is clear.... until the next time!!! The worse thing is that it is likely to be someone close, someone that is maybe even considered a friend... maybe even someone who might read this! Well, I've always been a firm believer in karma, and what goes around comes around. I hope it comes back to bite them on the arse BIG time! If you are considering becoming a childminder... I'd think it through again. Whilst the job itself is great, and the kids and their parents are fab. There are some really nasty and spiteful feckers out there who can spoil it. One more strike for me, and I'm out!!!

Anyway, rant over...

On Saturday we went to sunny Mablethorpe for the day... After an eventful journey there which saw us having to stop 3 times!!! Drew is now in a booster seat, and as a result can move about a bit more than when he was in the baby seat.... he decided that he would open the back door of the car whilst mummy was driving!!! My heart nearly stopped when I first heard the increase traffic noise, then felt a draught, then turned and saw the door swinging wide open!!! I've got a bit of a problem with child locks on doors in case there is an accident and the kids need to get out, so have never used them. Oliver and Harry have never played with the doors.... but I guess it should have been expected that Drew would be different! So locks are now switched on on his side!!

It was the first time Drew had been since he was a baby, and he totally loved it. Straight in the pools the tide had left behind, dripping wet through within seconds of hitting the beach! Oliver has recently started playing cricket, so was really pleased to get a cricket set and soon found some older boys to play with. Harry was happy puttering round doing his own thing, and because there was a slight breeze he didn't suffer from the heat like he usually does. After a day on the beach it was time to go to the fair and the arcades, where Drew discovered he too loves the little rides! Oh boy, it's going to cost us a fortune!!!

All boys were totally cream crackered on the way home and went straight to bed once we got in... without a bath, what a bad parent I am!!!

We hoped for a lie in, but it seems the excitement of the Easter bunny having visited was just too much to keep them in bed! A super quick egg hunt took place, and all 3 boys collected quite an impressive amount of Easter shaped confectionery!!! Now it just needs to be kept well away from me!!!

The thing is, when it's sunny, I don't really get anything crafty done! I have done some scrapping, but really only the minimum I have been required to do. I am definitely a winter scrapper!

Anyway, I can share a few LOs that I have done for Sarahscards.

These were created using the March kit which was October Afternoon, Modern Homemaker. Although I loved the papers, I have to admit I did really find them difficult to use. I did this LO first, using a photo showing just how long Drew's eyelashes are... ridiculously long for a boy!!!

Then I got a bit creative and messy with the next LO. I wanted to echo the painty mess from the photos, so got busy with some mists, a bit of acrylic paint and some staz on. I also used my cyclograph from when I was a child.... after all these years its still fab to use.For the last LO I got really messy, and had fun adding paint, embossing powders, mists and then going to town with some stamps. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this LO. I know it won't be to everyone's taste, but I think I have finally found my style... I can see me getting messy more often now! I like that you can still see the pattern of the paper through the many layers of paint, mist, powder and ink, but the colour has been changed to suit my photos. I think that everyone should at least try this technique.... it's a lot of fun!I then got to play with the new Ad Lib collection from Bo Bunny. I really liked these papers when I saw them as a sneak peak from CHA. They are fun to work with and quite versatile. This LO also used the Ad Lib papers, and was created using the March sketch from the Sarahscards blog. I also used the fab doily stamps from My Mind's Eye... quite girly for me, but I can see them getting used a lot! At the March retreat, the DT were all given 4 sheets of paper from AC Campy Trails to create a LO. I found this really hard, as the papers weren't exactly what I would have chosen. This is the LO I did, and although it is alright, and goes well with the photos... it isn't really a me LO!!! Go here, to see the fab LOs the rest of the DT created.The following LOs were created for the Twisted Sketches. This sketch had brads as it's twist, I have hundreds if not thousands of brads and eyelets in my stash.... buried away at the bottom of my tote, it's about time I got them out and put them somewhere where I will see them and remember to use them!

The twist for this sketch was 'glitter'. I had the perfect photos of when Drew found a brand new pot of glitter under the pushchair and managed to get it open and tip it all over himself and the floor before I discovered him!!! I used cute glitter thickers too.

This sketch had 'card' as it's twist.... I decided to scrap the Christmas card that Oliver made at school when he was in reception. I got him to print his hand on the LO as a mat for the date and title.

This LO added at the end is a just for me LO, using a Studio Calico kit. The tag actually read 'Oh so Happy', but a bit of careful writing and it easily became 'Oh so Harry'. The colours in these papers were just perfect for scrapping my ginger bear!

Right well after that mammoth upload and fanny about getting the photos in the right order I better go and do something productive!!! I have just realised that I haven't even posted pics of the two new additions to our family... Ron and Eric the guinea pigs! will be back soon, with photos... and hopefully a couple more LOs to share!

Here it is...

2011-03-13T16:51:00.007Z

My monthly blog post... he he he ;)

So what's been happening in the Stevenson house since the last time I blogged? Well this little man turned 2 *sob*. There's just no way of getting away from the fact that he isn't a baby any more. He had a great birthday, getting lots of really NOISY toys.... seriously, why did I think it was a good idea to buy the noisiest boy in the world a microphone!!! Although to be fair that particular toy lasted less than a week, as he preferred to drag it around rather than use it to sing into. So I took it back, and got some rather lovely, and quiet garden toys in it's place!

Mum and Dad came up for Drew's birthday then took him home with them for a few days. I bet it was really quiet not having him in the house, but I wouldn't know because I was at the Sarah's Cards retreat in Warrington.! I can't believe it has been a year since the first. Another successful retreat.... except for a few hiccups on the hotels part. I was teaching again this year with Jen as my glamorous assistant. We had to decorate our own aprons, and seeing as we are both Twilight fans, that seemed the only way to go! The aprons started off really pretty, with a frill and everything... but that soon got cut off, and after a bit of paint and mist, iron on transfers, machine embroidery, slashing with a craft knife, and the addition of some sparklies, the Team Edward v Team Jacob war began! Obviously Team Edward was the clear winner... who'd want a boyfriend that may look good, but smells like a dawg!!!

This was my class LO. A clear LO with a mini book on it. The class seemed to go down well, and the results were all very different and personalised, which is fab.

It was absolutely fantastic to meet up with the DT again... and a great Saturday night was spent in the bar with Vanessa, Nat and Gems. I'm feeling a trip to Wales in the not too distant future ;)

All in all the weekend went waaaaaaaaaaay too fast, but at least it's only 8 months until the next one in November.... whoop whoop!!! On the Friday night the challenge was to use a sketch to create a LO. This is my interpretation. There were lots of fab entries from the delegates, and it was really hard to choose a winner. You'd think that having a weekend to scrap, with no housey/childreny interruptions, you'd get loads done.... not so! I only got 2 LOs done. But just look at my second LO, isn't it fab! I absolutely love it! It's my new favourite style... lots of layering and lots of randomness. It doesn't have a title, but I don't think it really needs one. The acetate calendar in the background, is part of a mini book from Sarahscards. I really like using it, and have loads of pages left, so expect to see them appearing on a few more LOs in the not so distant future! I also bought a few sets of new stamps at the retreat. My favourite being these and these by My Mind's Eye... (even though I've just spotted these which I also need) but I just couldn't resist this cute lil donkey, and this super cute fawn! Because obviously they will get used ALL the time ;)

Over at the Twisted sketch blog, it was time for Team B's LO. The twist was *frame*. This photo of Oliver and Harry taken at their art exhibition in school was perfect to use. I overlapped a number of frame stamps on white card to create a patterned paper to cover the twist. Both boys like the LO and argued over whose album it was going to go in.... guess I'll have to do another the same! Go check out the fab inspiration from the rest of the DT, and don't forget to add a link to your LO so we can visit and leave a comment. I recently became a Studio Calico kit subscriber.... OMG how did I resist for so long! I've only had 2 kits, but I am seriously in love. Today I finally made myself actually start using the kits!!! I did this LO, in super quick time this afternoon whilst Dink was having a nap and the other two were off doing whatever they were doing! I really, really love the wood grain paper by My Mind's Eye, and the wood grain fabric strip that was included.... and just how cute is that bumble bee stamp!

Right... off to do some more and ignore the hugely big ironing pile... I may just adopt the iron as you go method for this week ;)

I'm so bad...

2011-02-20T11:39:00.004Z

At blogging, but at least I admit it. I don't even have a good reason as to why it's been so long! I've been busy with the kids... nothing new there. I've been doing lots of walking in a bid to tone up, and keep me out of the kitchen to prevent snacking. The weight is coming off slowly... 1 stone and 1/2lb, so far... still a looooong way to go, but I've got the support of some really good friends this time, so hopefully it will keep going in the right direction.

In 2 weeks time I will be at the second Sarahs Cards retreat in Warrington. So excited, and a little bit nervous too. Really hope the people attending like my class. Can't wait to spend more time with the rest of the lovely DT, and all the lovely ladies who will be attending.

Over on the Sarah's Cards blog, this months sketch challenge was designed by me... play along and leave a link to your work for a chance to win a £10 e-voucher for the shop. This is the LO I did.... I love these photos of Drew in the snow.

My first Twisted LO is live this week.... I should have posted a link earlier, but there is still time for you to play along. The twist is 'soft', any way, any how... I went with the Andrex ad line, soft, strong and very long after finding the creative mess Drew had left in the bathroom! I tell you, that boy might be a nightmare at times but he does provide loads of great scrapping opportunities!

The LO that won me a place on the DT went up a couple of weeks ago. I have to say I really like this one. I selected a few of the 100s of photos that Harry had taken of himself on the DSi... I think these will be great to embarrass him later in life... he he he!!!

I've been playing with the March kit for Sarahscards... it's a yummy one, and I've gone quite experimental with it... I'm not sure the LOs I've created will be to everyones taste, but I'm loving them, and they're right up there in my top ten favourites of all time. Here's a sneak of one of them...

And here's a sneak of a safer, none messy LO...

Right got to go, things to do (boring stuff mainly) and places to be (a date with Things 1 & 2 at the cinema to see Tangled). Back soonish

xxx

Sketches to Scrapbook Winter Release.

2011-01-28T16:11:00.003Z

A new Winter release of the fabulous, must have sketch app for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch is available to buy. I was lucky enough to contribute again, and have 2 LOs this time. This first sketch was of the first time Drew 'walked' in snow.... he wasn't at all sure about it!This LO was of Harry's first nativity play, where he and the rest of the nursery children were twinkling stars. I used the actual star that Harry painted and glittered to wear, and love the fact that I have actually used glitter alphas.... I think possible for the first time ever!There is a Lite version of the app which can be downloaded here, but considering the full app is a bargain price of $3.99 you may as well splash out and download it here.

Still not got the original release app??? To celebrate the new release the original has bee reduced to $2.99 and can be downloaded here, this is for a limited time only so be sure to grab a bargain!

Exciting news.... for me!

2011-01-22T15:51:00.005Z

I'm a Twisted Sister.... YAAAAAAY!!!!

I've loved the Twisted Sketches Blog since it first started and have enjoyed playing along with it. I fully intended to enter the competition for the very first team of Twisted Sisters, but got my dates all muddled up in my head and missed the deadline.... such a typical me thing to do! It was great to see Rach make it onto the first team though. Then I always seemed to miss the posts announcing that it was time for new teams, but still I didn't mind as another fab friend and talented scrapper, Jems, got a place. And now it's my turn.... whoop whoop for me:) I'm hoping that this is the kick up the backside I need to get me regularly blogging again.... it might work for 6 months, you never know ;) So watch this space to see Twisted LOs very soon. Once it's gone live on the blog I'll share the LO that got me a place on the team.

I can share a couple of LOs I have done for Sarahscards. I was sent some papers from the American Crafts The Classics range. Now I have to admit when I first opened the box and saw them I though 'eeeeeek' and closed the lid. After playing with them though, I have to say that I actually really like this range... in fact I am defo going to have to be buying a few sheets of the lovely peacock feather paper as I can see that being used on quite a few LOs.

Here are the 3 LOs I have created so far.

This fab photo of Drew stuck on the sofa was actually from a series of about 4 photos I got! He forgot there was a new toy box behind the sofa that blocked his escape route, and yes I am a cruel mummy for getting the camera before helping the child.... but come on, it had to be done didn't it... lol! Serves him right for trying to escape me... mwahahahahah!

The second LO was a very 'un me' LO created for my lovely friend, Jenny. Very strange not to use any mists, inks or distressing... not something I'll be doing often, as even though I like the LO, I don't love it iykwim. I'm sure Jenny will love it though, she's a wannabe scrapper... I'm sure I'll lure her over to the dark side soon!

The last LO is my absolute fave! It's a me LO. It has misting, scraps of paper and random stitching... and not to mention a photo of a super cute baby!

Right, as always this post has taken me forever to upload.... is there a quick way to add photos to a blog, because this is what puts me off uploading more often!!! Must go and cook tea for the family... curry, rice and naan bread.... yum yum!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T10:13:00.007Z

WOW, just how fast did last year go? I can't believe Christmas is done and dusted and the kids are back to school already! And in all that time, I didn't update my blog once.... he he he, some things never change huh!
So what's been happening? All the usual, getting ready for Christmas, lots of festive activities with the children, resulting in glitter, glitter everywhere!!! A bit of scrapping here and there, although that took a back seat whilst I played along with the Journal Your Christmas. My first time playing along, and I have to say I loved it. I've not quite finished, although I know what I'm going to do, and I decided to stop on Boxing day rather than continue until the 6th Jan. I didn't go for a typically festive themed book, as I don't really like all the Christmas papers and embellishments.... although I seem to have accumulated quite a few over the years!

Anyway, here are just a selection of photos from my journal. I can share some LOs created for the Sarahscards November kit. The colours were just gorgeous, lovely and rich and perfect for the ridiculous amount of photos I have of the boys playing in the trees at Sherwood Pines and Sundown Park.

This LO was done at the little crop get together we have at my house. It was one of those LOs that wasn't planned but had to be done just so I could use the gorgeous new stamps I had just bought! I am just loving the Glitz range of stamps at the moment. Only got a couple of sets, but I have my eye on the rest. I neeeeeeeeeeeed them all!!!!

Sarah of Sarahscards has a personal blog to showcase the fab quilts she has been making.... you need to check them out. They are amazing!!! I am thinking that I need to learn how to do this, because I can see me getting cozy under a gorgeous snuggly quilt.... oh dear, I think this could get expensive!!!

Sarah made me my very own quilted bits pot.... in pink, because let's face it, there's never going to be enough pink in this house!!!

Right, I have ignored the boys for long enough whilst fighting with blogger to put the photos in the right order... I will be back soon, as I do fully intend to update this blog each week ;)

Sketches 2 Scrapbook Is Here!

2010-11-20T17:56:00.004Z

The Scrapbook Sketch App for you take to crops is available on itunes now.

There are two versions: a FREE Lite Version with 12 sketches in it for everyone to demo the app, and a FULL version with another 104 sketches for the low price of $4.99 (US Dollars) - the FULL version also gets you the sketches from the free version (so a total of 116 sketches).

Here is a link to the FREE version: itunes/scketches2scrapbook/lite

Here is a link to the FULL version. itunes/sketches2scrapbook

Here's the description from the itunes store....

Sketches2Scrapbook is a Scrapbooking Sketch application that will allow you to think creatively on the go with over 100 unique sketches and layouts to keep you inspired.

Most Scrapbookers are people with busy lives – always on the go and trying to fit scrapbooking in with everything else. When they do get to scrapbook, they bring their phone with them... to the crops, at the store, to their scrapbooking space.

Sketches2Scrapbook is a totally self-contained system where you can search the sketches for the one that suits the layout you want to make - you can search by style, by number of photos, by embellishments, even by the number of different papers you want to use.

Once you have your sketch selected, you can flip to see a sample layout made by some awesome Scrapbookers from around the world. Each of the beautiful layouts comes with a supply list of all the products they used to create the sample layout.

This App will help you to find the perfect sketch for your photos saving you both time and tote space – no need for magazines and books taking up valuable paper or embellishment space, no need to sit in front of your computer or print our online sketches to take with you. And when you are out at the store, you can use the app to pre-plan your layouts and even use the supplies list to remake the layouts with your own photos.

With 104 sketches, you have enough to make 2 layouts every week for a year plus the 12 free sketches for 1 extra layout each month (the Lite version comes built into the full version as extra sketches) – that’s a lot of inspiration especially with the sample layouts added as they are inspiring in their own right.

Sketches2Scrapbook is a way to give you more time and space to scrapbook by keeping all the sketches you need at your fingertips.

I've downloaded mine and have to say I think it is fantastic. The sketches are fun and versatile and varied to suit all tastes.... and don't forget that if you rotate and flip them, you actually have far more sketches than the 116 stated! The LOs included are super, and having the list of all supplies used on each LO makes shopping for the things you simply have to have right now, immediately, straight away, easy peasy.

In my honest opinion, this app is an absolute MUST HAVE for all scrappers with an iPhone/iPad/iTouch, and at such a bargain price there's no reason not to go and get it RIGHT NOW!

It's been a while...

2010-11-17T09:55:00.008Z

Well just for a change it's been a while since I last blogged. I think about it often though... so it's not a fully neglected blog, not just yet!

So what's been happening in the Stevenson house since I last updated?

My grandad (mum's dad) got taken into hospital as his cancer had got worse.

My (and I use the term very loosely as I really do not consider her to be part of my family) Nanna reported my mum to the police for harassment.... twice! The two incidents of harassment being

1, knocking on my grandad's door (when she knew his wife wouldn't be in) to see him. As t turned out he was in the hospital, but a neighbour reported that mum had been there.

2, sending a card to my grandad at the hospital.

Now I don't know what was more outrageous, the fact that Nanna actually reported this as harassment, or the fact the police turned up at my mum's house at 11.45pm on a Friday night!!! Like, seriously... do Nottinghamshire police have nothing better to be doing on a Friday night!

To cut a long story short, mum refused to sign a document agreeing to stay away from Grandad, thanks to a really lovely sister at the hospital, she got to go and see him outside of usual visiting hours. They both got to say goodbye to each other, and make their peace with each other alone, without the interference of malicious family members.

Grandad died a week later.

After posting a comment on my cousin's Face book status basically saying R.I.P. Grandad, I got

some hate filled messages from my so called Nanna, basically saying that Grandad never loved me, why would he when he had two other grand children that were his whole life... blah, blah, blah!!!

One good thing that has come out of this whole sorry mess, is that I got in touch with my cousin for the first time, and got a lovely message from her. Even though we grew up in the same small village we don't know each other as our parents do not speak to each other.

Anyway enough of the doom and gloom! I have had some fun too!!!

I went away for a child free weekend with the Sarahscards DT to Bottomhouse Barn.

Same place we went to last year, and we had a fabulous time again... in fact it was better this year, as we all knew each other better, and more of us stayed for 3 nights instead of just 2.

Here are a few photos stolen from Rachel's blog....

and some other stolen from Rachael's blog....

On Saturday night we played with sparklers.... what a talented bunch we are... look what we did...lol!!!

Clever Gemma, took the photos and arranged the montage.

I only managed 4 LOs over the weekend.... but to be fair, we did do a lot of Twilight watching, so there's only so much paper shuffling you can manage with distractions like Edward Cullen!!!

This LO was done using the current sketch on the Sarahscards blog.... make sure you play along and leave a link to your work for a chance to win a £10 voucher for the shop.

I used mists on this LO, but instead of spraying with them I unscrewed the lid and used the tube to drip it down the page like blood. Not as messy as you'd think and I really like the result too. The papers are My Mind's Eye Haunted, and are so gorgeous. If you haven't got them, you need to... they are flocked with black velvet and are just divine to touch. They are so much better in real life than on a computer screen. You can find them HERE.

This LO was created using the same papers, and the same drippy mist technique... one trip pony, yeah yeah yeah!!!

This was also done using the My Mind's Eye papers.

This LO was the first I did at the retreat. It doesn't have a title, but I don't think it really needs one. The photo is of Drew and his buddy Sam. Sam is the son of good friend Jen.... who doesn't blog anymore!!! Sam is actually 4 months older than Drew... not that you'd think that when you compare weights!!!

I used a mix or Indie Girl and Webster's Pages... both of which are just scrummy.

This LO was a mix of all sorts, and didn't really come together until the last bit was glued into place! Photo of Harry doing his first stomp off to sulk when he doesn't get his own way. I'm not saying he didn't sulk before this, but this was the first day he deliberately walked off to lean with his back to us, all because he couldn't go on the horses as we had to go and book in!!!

I was sent the Crate Paper: School Spirit papers to play with, and here are a couple of pages I did... using Maya Road mists and Prima masks too. I am just loving misting right now... the only problem is when you do a page without misting it just looks so wrong!!!

Lastly... I'm really getting into ATCs at the moment. I did some a few years ago, but didn't really take to them all that much. After playing around with mists and scraps, I've found that I love the speed and ease of ATCs... here are a few I did the other day.

My plan is to do loads and have them framed in a big frame for in my bedroom... just got to decide if I want a theme/color scheme/random collection.

These ones were done for Oliver, because he complained that all the others had been too girly!!!

PHEW!!! and breath!

Well, that's all for now folks... no doubt I'll be back with another monster catch up in a month or so ;)

Exciting times.

2010-10-18T17:40:00.006+01:00

Everyone in the scrapping world knows about Anam Stubbington and the amazing work she does. She has been one of my fave scrappers since I stumbled upon this hobby way back in the day. The creator of inspirational sketch/challenge blog Twisted Sketches, and on many design teams, she's now the mastermind behind a new app for iPhone scrappers!!! I am really lucky that I got to be a small part in this new venture, which I'm sure will be a massive success. What a brilliant idea for when you're at a crop and inspiration runs dry... a bank of sketches and LOs in your pocket to get the creative juices flowing!Sketches to Scrapbook is to be launched early November, and has a blog, a Facebook page, and a twitter page... just so you can keep up to date with what's happening.
So what else has been happening here. Well I have still been busy reading. I've been doing a ripple crochet blanket for my lovely friend Catrina who is about to pop with a baby girl. I love the ripple pattern as it so easy to do and needs almost no concentration so it's good to do in front of the tv.... I just wish I'd discovered it when my boys were babies!!! I have some LOs I can share. These LOs were created with the Sarahscards September kit, which was made up of Jillibean Soup, Old World Cabbage. It was a gorgeous kit to use... I'm sure I say that about every kit though don't I... lol!!! Seriously I loved the fresh colours and the patterns of the papers.

This LO was done for the September sketch challenge on the Sarahscards blog... a bit late I know, but if you didn't play along you could still use the sketch as inspiration. I love using multiple photos although it has been a challenge getting used to using them on the A4 LOs... I like how this LO turned out though.

The next couple of LOs were done for the October sketch challenge which is currently running. I loved this sketch so much I have actually used it 3 times... I can only share the 2 LOs though as the other was for someone else and I didn't take a photo!

Crikey... when I do a catch up I do a catch up don't I... lol!!!

Head in a book!

2010-09-30T15:47:00.002+01:00

That's where I've been for the past week or so! Well technically I haven't as I've been reading on my phone, as I'm really into Fan fiction at the moment. I've found some really good reads over the past few weeks, but at the moment I'm hooked big time on a True Blood fanfic. Normally they are only a few chapters long so are a quick read when you have a few minutes spare... but this one is 96 chapters long and it is bloody brilliant!!! This and a visit to mum and dad's at the weekend has meant that scrapping time has been cut to, well... zero really!!!I did do this LO a couple of weekends ago which I was really happy with. The photo is one of my favourite of Dinky from the summer, so I kept the LO fairly simple. I was quite impressed that I used some really old stash though... who else forgets that they have a billion brads and eyelets hiding in that underneath cubby in their table tote??? I rediscovered mine, and used some to 'tick' the boxes on the stamp.

Right, this really is a super quick post as I have a book to get back to.... only 30 chapters to go then life will resume as normal... lol!!!

Happy afternoons...

2010-09-16T13:15:00.003+01:00

At the moment I feel like a lady of leisure 3 afternoons a week! Once I drop Harry off at nursery, it's just me and Dinky, and he goes for an afternoon nap.... oh yeah!!! Now I *could* do some housework, but it would be foolhardy to run the risk of waking the baby wouldn't it? Well it's an excuse that works for me, so I'm sticking with it. Besides which I'm going to make the most of the next couple of months being quiet, as after Christmas every afternoon will be busy as I will be looking after another little boy. Actually a cutey little baby.... really looking forward to having a little baby in the house again, with the added benefit of being to hand them over at the end of the day :)

Not really done much to write about... but wanted to share this LO I did yesterday.

Drew has such strange eating habits. He'll eat his picnic dinners in a bizarre order, often taking a bit of something savoury, followed by something sweet and then back to savoury.... bleeuuuurrrggghhhh!!! On this day it was a combination of chocolate muffin and cheesy wotsits... how disgusting is that!

I used the Mica Mists again.... the obsession with misting everything in sight will end soon (I think), but for the moment, if it doesn't move, it gets misted! I used October Afternoon and Bella Blvd papers, cream and kraft card. And yes I used 'that' stamp again!!! I also used the cute little hand stamp that I bought a few years ago at the Harrogate show. No idea who it was by but I just knew I'd need it someday! The chocciness guaranteed label was saved from some food packaging ages ago and was just perfect for this LO.

To tie in with the orange and brown theme, I dipped the edge of some chipboard in orange paint and used it to stamp the stripes.

Right off to squeeze in a little more scrapping time before the school run.

Scrappy day

2010-09-12T18:53:00.005+01:00

Today was the mini crop get together at mine. Jen, Lianne and Sarah all came to play today, and I think we were quite productive really... well I only got 2 LOs done so I guess I wasn't that productive!!!

I love having days where I don't have to be a mum. It makes me appreciate the kids more, and it makes Rob appreciate how hard it is being a sahm!

The first LO was a very simple one to do. I used candy red mica mist on the My Mind's Eye background paper, using a die cut shape as a mask. I used a scallop circle punch to create a kind of overlapped photo mat.... a great way to use up scraps, and quite effective. I used a couple of stamps I've had for years and never used... they came in Scarlet Lime kits, and have just been hidden away unused and unloved. The alpha stickers also came in a kit, and I can't believe I've had them for so long without using them. I borrowed Sarah's 3 in 1 butterfly punch and added staples for the butterfly bodies... love this punch and defo think I need to add that to my 'need' list!!!

The second LO (sorry for the rubbish photo) is of Harry on his first day at nursery. He has been so excited to go to 'big school' and wear his uniform, but looked a bit startled when we were in the cloak room finding his peg. I played around in photoshop to have just the peg picture in colour. I used a mix of old and new papers, most of which I have no idea what manufacturer they are by as the strips have been cut off. Not entirely sure I love this LO, but it records an important day in his life, so it will always be special because of that. I still have to scrap a photo of him in his uniform... which has come home in an 'unfit to get another day out of it' condition every afternoon!!!

Another big day, this time for Oliver. He moved up to juniors!!! How did that happen??? Of course he had to have his photo taken too... and not being used to be woken up and rushed to get dressed and have breakfast the light was 'too bright' when I dragged him out into the garden to have his photo taken!W eventually got a decent shot without the silly face!!! Now I just wish I could find the perfect pp that has school uniform blue in it!!!

Right off to tidy up all the stuff that is still all over the dining table... I think it could be a disaster waiting to happen if I left it out for the looked after children coming for breakfast tomorrow!!!

I need more money!!!

2010-09-05T10:05:00.009+01:00

To buy all the gorgeous new stash that Sarahscards has coming in on an almost daily basis!!! We've had a couple of unexpected, hefty bills this month so I'm really having to be restrained on what I can buy. I did have a little shop the other day and a couple of bottles of the 'That Special Touch mica mists' fell into the basket. They are just so gorgeous and pretty... I really will be investing in the rest of the colours.Last night I had a play with the Teal and the Pewter, misting some Pink Paislee grid paper for my background. I used some random alpha stickers on a another piece grid paper from a different manufacturer, but not sure which. After misting this piece I carefully peeled off the stickers and outlined the title with black pen adding shadows too. The gorgeous coffee stain stamp got used again... now I've found it, I think it'll get used a lot! The pp is by Cosmo... a really old range with cogs and stuff on. I used an Autumn Leaves stamp on scraps of American Crafts Halloween spotty paper, added a new Jenni Bowlin boy ticket, before journaling and then getting busy with a stapler. I'm sure I probably say this about most of my LOs... but this one is my favourite in the new size. I think it's very me!
The black eye was the result of Oliver being thrown into Harry by his friend Adam!!! Sounds very dramatic, but anyone with boys will totally understand that they cannot simply play... they always end up play fighting!!! And they had been told so many times to stop/be careful etc etc, but of course it all ended in tears! But to his credit, not many tears... he only whimpered a bit, and it wasn't until he came in for his tea that I realised he actually had a black eye! I think he is secretly very pleased with his tough new look... it's certainly getting a few comments when we go out!

I can share a few more LOs with you now. These were done using the Sarahscards July kit. I had a bit of a panic when I first opened the box and saw all the swirls as it all screamed 'girly'. But once I got playing I actually had fun and was pleased with the results. This next group of LOs were created using the Fancy Pants Like Father Like Son range. The colours and patterns were lovely to work with, and even though it is like the title suggests aimed at the menfolk in your life, it can be used to create a more feminine feel... like I did on this LO by making the flowers. They are really easy to make and there is a tutorial up on the Sarahscards blog as to how I did it.
I also got to play with some American Crafts Zing embossing powder. I've had embossing powders before and they've been ok for cards, but I've never really like the results enough to use it on a LO. Until now! The quality of the Zing powders is brilliant. The colours are rich and vibrant, and it melts so easily and evenly leaving a perfect result every time. Check out the colours available.

This LO was created for a challenge on The Twilight Addicts forum on UKS. I worked out how to make these cute butterflies one night while watching the tv. It was kind of an accidental find... I was fiddling with a number 8 I had made to use on a LO, which I then decided I didn't like. I folded it up whilst watching something or other and when I had folded it all up, realised it looked like a butterfly! I wrote an illustrated tutorial for these too and this can also be seen over on the Sarahscards blog. I'd love to see how you use these butterflies on your work :)

Right I seriously need to go and get dressed!!! This blog update has taken an age!!! Why can't blogger be good and just upload photos to where you want them to go without having to do the mad rearranging thing?!?!?

Just a quickie

2010-08-31T09:19:00.002+01:00

Literally a quickie post while the kiddos are eating their breakfast. Busy week ahead with a new little girl starting, one leaving on Friday, and then a mix of kids inbetween and the start of a new school year!Last night I did this LO... not for any DT, not for any sketch challenge, just for me. And I have to say I really love this one. A mix of Basic Grey and October Afternoon papers, kraft, of course... everything looks good on kraft, Jenni Bowlin memo book page, and the gorgeous new stamps from My Minds Eye.

Have a great day everyone

Bank Holiday chilling.

2010-08-30T12:45:00.008+01:00

I love Bank Holidays... we're not doing anything today, but it is just really nice to not have to do anything or be anywhere. And of course Rob is off so I don't have to put up with ginge, whinge and whine on my own... lol!!!

Yesterday we went to an amazing Christening and 3rd birthday party. It was such a great day being with friends and meeting lots of lovely people. The kids loved it too as there was non stop entertainment from start to end. Harry loved the pony rides, even though he was a little disappointed that there were only girl ponies! The bouncy castle was a hit with Oliver and Harry, as was the magician. Drew loved stroking the pony but wouldn't go on one and was mainly just happy to walk round with his balloon and dance to Michael Jackson! Oh and wander into the kitchen and give me a heart attack when we couldn't find him!!!

This was the amazing birthday cake... from the minute we walked in Harry had his eye on it, and even though he was disappointed he couldn't have the big one he ate 4 throughout the afternoon!!! I was very disciplined and stayed away from all cake and deserts, but did have to lick some of the frosting off my fingers and it really did taste as good as it looks!!! Here is a picture of the birthday girl, Grace, blowing out the candles... she's going to be in Harry's nursery class when they start next Monday.

I wore some fab new shoes, which are very high and very gorgeous... and now I am suffering with blisters that have blisters... do we ever learn when it comes to shoes... lol!

When we got home last night everybody was shattered so it was an early night for the kids, Drew went to bed still holding his balloon, and Harry and Oliver with their magic wands. I squeezed in a little scrapping time and did this LO of Drew in the lido at Butlins. Not sure I'm really loving it, but it's done and didn't take long so it'll get filed away in my new kraft files.

I went to bed early to watch Eclipse... again!!! I love that film so much, and what better way to fall asleep thinking about tasty vamps, although I have to say I quite like Billy Burke at the moment ;)

Right, off to take advantage of the bit of sunshine we have today. Have a great BH Monday.

Edited to add this LO I whipped up this afternoon. I used this weeks Twisted sketch, the twist being 'tree'. A bit of a mix of papers from my scraps box, and I used the fab Queen Kat coffee stain stamp after being reminded I had it when Jen used it on a LO.

TTFN

New starts!!!

2010-08-24T15:03:00.004+01:00

It seems I get worse at blogging when I make statements about blogging more often... I was going to give up on the whole blog thing for a number of reasons. Firstly Facebook... so many people use it and it is easier to upload and share photos on there, Secondly, I don't actually think many people read my blog, so it feels like I am just writing to myself.... which isn't really a problem as I often talk to myself! And lastly, time. I never seem to have enough time to get round to blogging, but then again if I din't lurk around boards I no longer post on I would have more time to blog... lol!

So this is a last attempt to maintain a 'fairly' regularly updated blog. If I fail this time I'm not going to beat myself up about it, c'est la vie!!!

So new start number 1 = update blog (Iwill get round to changing the appearance later)

Sadly the Warrington crop run by Sarah and Lianne from Sarahscards has closed down. All because some people can't help themselves and have to maon and whinge about how things were run. This brings me to new start number 2 = meet up with friends to chat and scrap once a month.

Sunday was the first of these mini crop meetings and it was great to catch up with Jen, Helen, and Vanessa. Unfortunately Sarah and Lianne were busy that day, but they will be coming to play aswell.

New start number 3 came from Helen, Jen and Vanessa's influence on Sunday. I have decided to give A4 scrapping a go. I really love 12x12, so can't imagine that I am going to give it up entirely. But with the amount of LOs I have laying around waiting to be filed in albums, and the cost of 12x12 albums in comparison to A4 filing solutions... A4 seems the way to go.

I did this LO on Sunday which is not at all my usual style. I really like it, but it is very 'tidy' and organised with the photos being set ut the way they are... I like it but I bet I'm back to iggledy piggledy soon ;)

I also did this LO on Sunday... it started off as a 12x12, but just wasn't working. After being pulled apart and resized I have to say I am really loving it.

I did this LO very quickly this morning for this Twisted sketch, the twist being 'rough'. The edges were all distressed, and the 2p prints turned out very roughly, so I think that box has been ticked!

Righty ho, the dvd that is entertaining the kids while it tips it down outside (again) is coming to an end so I better go and be the entertainer myself!!!

Hopefully back again soon... I've started on another Twisted sketch, so will come back to share.

TTFN

Late night scrapping!!!

2010-06-07T18:42:00.003+01:00

Makes you poorly... fact!

Last night I decided to scrap and managed 2 whole LOs in one evening... hhhhhmmmmmm, so how come I only manage to do the same in a whole day at the crop?!?!?! must be Jen and Helen's bad influences. Anyhoo, I went to bed feeling a ok but woke up with a sore throat which as the day has gone on has been joined by ear ache, stinging eyes and a stiff neck!!! Oh joy!!!

It was my turn to take Oliver to gymnastics tonight, but I just couldn't face sitting on a school gym bench for an hour listening to all the kids, and trying to stop Harry from throwing himself into the sponge pit. So off Rob has gone, bless him. Oliver asked today if he would be as good as Spellbound when he is 8 if he keeps going to gymnastics. Well.... if he masters the head stand, and stays up in a handstand for more than 1.5 seconds then I'm sure there's a chance.... lol!!!

Anyway, enough waffle... all this typing is hurting my throat ;)

Here are the LOs.

This one uses the Lily Bee Hello sunshine range and a little piece of American Craft (the orange spotty paper). Lots of layering of bits and pieces, a couple of punched borders, an old Hambly overlay, a bit of machine stitching and the good old dymo.

After playing around in Photoshop I created an aged look with my photos. I prefer this finish as the colours in the original photos were really bright and in your face. The backing paper is from Cosmo Material Girl range, and the rest are October Afternoon Thrift Shop. I used a sheet of acetate to create a see through window between the backing paper and the Kraft.... I really like this, although getting a good photo of it isn't easy. The flower embellishment was made by twisting a strip of paper around and stapling it into place on a circle base. A couple more coiled strips were added to underline to photos... have to say, I really like how it turned out. I really need to buy a poky tool though... punching through card and acetate to sew round the pp really hurt :(

Right off to go and change thing 3 into his pjs, and I might even have to get in mine too.

Walking on sunshine, splashing in puddles!

2010-06-06T11:29:00.010+01:00

Well what a gorgeous week we've had here. Rob has had a week off work and the sun has shined all week. And today it is raining, just so that he doesn't feel bad about going back to work tomorrow... how thoughtful.

This week we have spent a lot of time over in the little park across from our house with another childminder and her children. It's great because we can walk over with all the play vehicles/blanket/parasol etc and we are pretty much set up for the afternoon. And we are just a dash across the road for any toilet needs (although to be honest the boys prefer the novelty of peeing in the bushes).

Drew really loves playing with the big kids, and on this day Harry was being a lovely big brother and pushed him round the park in his fire engine.

On Thursday we went to Chester Zoo for the day. We took Freya with us too, and I have to say all kids were amazingly well behaved. Considering how hot it was, it could have easily gone the other way. Of course a trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without photos on the shiny backed Garratt elephant ;)
Last Sunday was Warrington crop day... I only got two LOs done, but I was pleased with both of them so that's all that matters. One is for an upcoming challenge over at the Sarahscards blog, but here is a little preview.

This one is to record the fact that Drew, who is a complete mummy's boy, absolutely adores Grandad.He will only go to myself or Grandad... much to the annoyance of Mama, and I just loved these photos taken over the Easter weekend. The papers are October Afternoon Thrift Shop, which I am so loving right now. I think this is a range that could be used for so many different topics.... it's just yummy! I had a moment of weakness in the shop too and bought this fabulous EK Success border punch. It punches and embosses, and it is small and compact so stores really easily. There are so many new punches in at the moment... I'm fearing a falling out with Rob over how many I NEED... lol!!!

This was perhaps the fastest LO I have ever done... ever!!! Mainly because th photos are on an A4 sheet and I just didn't want to cut them up. I loved all of these pics and I really like the new templates I have found on Windows 7... so all I added was 3 sheets of coordinating papers, et voila... done!!!

I can also share with you the 3 LOs I did using the May kit. Not my usual colours/patterns, but I do love the 2 LOs I am keeping, and the wedding one was given to the bride and she loves it... so all is good.

Yesterday I went to Argos to buy new rechargeable batteries for my DSLR, and came out with.... a water play table and a couple of bags of play sand! I can't be the only one who does this kind of thing.... Rob just expects it now when I go to get anything, he doesn't really say much he just shakes his head or rolls his eyes. Even he has to admit though that this was a fab buy for £20. Drew stood at it all afternoon and loves it. He was top to toe wet but only whinged when we had to drag him away from it for his tea. After his bath he kept trying to escape back into the garden for more playtime... it seems we have another outdoorsy child, none of mine really like to be indoors much. Of course the water play was enjoyed by Things 1 and 2 also... although Bear is not one for getting his clothes wet.... as the neighbours will be able to testify with the noise he made after getting full on splashed by Dink!!!

So that brings us back to today... raining and miserable... a perfect day for housework.... Yeah right!!! Today I plan to play with paper, and scrap some of the photos from yesterday!

Missing in action... again rolls eyes

2010-05-15T17:05:00.005+01:00

No more apologies... life gets in the way and blogging has to go on a back burner... hey ho! So what's been going on in the Stevenson household since I last blogged? Well life has been pretty much the same old... school, looked after children, Beavers, gymnastics... you get the idea. We have has some good weather though so we have spent a lot of time outside which is always a good thing.

Drew is almost walking... he can stand unaided (when the mood takes him), and I think it will be only a matter of time before he is off.... and then boy will I know it!!! I had a scare with him on Thursday when he started to choke. I did the whole patting on the back thing but it didn't work and he ended up going blue, passing out and stopped breathing. Emergency first aid training kicked in and after a couple of hard slaps on the back a screw came flying out!!! yes a screw!!! He'd been playing under the dining chairs and had somehow got a screw out and obviously though it looked tasty!!! Very scary, but all turned out ok.

I've been doing bits and bobs on the crafting front. I'm getting quite into wool again, and have a couple of projects under way... not sure how they are going to turn out yet, but we'll keep going with them and hope for the best!

I've done a bit of scrapping too... Here are some Sarah's cards May kit sneak peeks. Not my usual colours for scrapping with, but a very pretty and delicate kit.

I also got to play with the gorgeous Jillibeans New England 'Clam Chowder' papers... so up my street and a lot of fun to use.

And don't forget to play along with the challenges over at the Sarahscards blog. This month the challenge is to use paint on a LO. There are some fab examples from the DT.

This is my LO, and is probably the first LO I have done with no patterned paper in, well... ages!!! I really like how it turned out. I created the splatters by squirting paint dabbers with a water mister, then stamping them down on to the card. VERY messy, but great fun... and the kids like doing it too. I also used the dabbers on acrylic stamps for the title and the whirly circle embellishments.

Have a go and leave a link to your work... you may win a prize and as they say, you've got to be in it to win it!

Swimming babies.

2010-04-11T16:59:00.006+01:00

This morning we took the boys swimming. It was the first time Drew had been, and to be honest only about he 4th time Harry has been. We went to the pool at my gym, which is soooooo nice and warm. Harry was a bit unsure at first and did the whole clinging like a limpet thing, but as time went on he was happy to start kicking about and 'swim like a shark'. Drew LOVED it from the moment he got in. The only downside for him was that me being a bad mummy left his swim nappy at home, so he went swimming in an ordinary pampers!!! I swear to god it weighed the same as he did when we got out the pool...lol!!!The bonus of going to a private pool was that we could take photos... ok so they're not the best, but at least we have a record of Drew's first time in the water... we didn't get the opportunity with Harry because of all the over the top rules about taking photos in public places. I'm all for child protection, but seriously the world has gone a little mad... you can't even take pics of your own child in a library now!!!

Today has been another beautiful weather day, and this afternoon has been spent in the garden. Rob dug out dome trees that had been killed by the snow, Oliver collected snails, worms and bugs *ick*, Harry picked a dandewion for me *awwwwwww* and Drewpot discovered the playhouse. So 3 dirty but happy children... don't you just love sunny weather?

I've been going to the gym most nights, and I feel so much better for doing so... even though you can't tell any difference yet. Just how is that fair that you tell as soon as you gain weight and can gain so easily, but to shift it takes an age and you have to lose loads before you can tell!!! Any way, I'm not giving up... already the programme I have been given is getting easier to do, so that has to be a good thing right?

I've not been doing much scrapping lately. I finished this LO that was started at the crop a couple of weeks ago. It's one of those things that had to be recorded before it was forgotten... Pegward Cullen... the £1 peg bought by Oliver from a mini industry sale at school!

I got a lovely parcel from Sarahscards this week with these papers, alphas, stickers, sprouts, bazzill half edges and tape in... sooooo excited to play with these and have already done one LO... here's a sneak peak of the first LO, but keep an eye out on the Sarahscards blog to see what I do with them. Don't forget that there are monthly challenges to play along with, and you can win a voucher to spend at the shop... free stash has to be good thing, so why not play along and leave a link to your work :)

Righty ho... it was just a quick one... I need to get back to my book, which has just got to a very good bit... you'll never guess what it's about???

Vampires of course... lol. I'm so loving the Sookie Stackhouse series... I just wish I had an Eric in my life *sigh*

Busy busy busy!!!

2010-03-30T10:37:00.003+01:00

Well it's all systems go in this house at the moment and we never seem to have a spare minute!!! Oliver has joined Beavers, which he is loving... no pics yet as he won't have his photo taken until he has been invested into the colony and gets his woggle!!! This will happen after the Easter hols, so I think there will be a LO coming soon.

We have started to potty train Harry. Or should I say TRY and potty train Harry!!! It's early days but it's not going well. He is just so stubborn and there is nothing we can use to bribe him. I'm not giving in this time though... he's not going back into nappies during the day... seriously it's just wrong trying to squeeze a child of his size into a nappy.... lol! So lots of wet patches and a mountain of wet undies... any tips for success would be gratefully received.

Drew pot has started to pull him self up at the furniture which he thinks is very clever. He's still a little whinger, but he is also very funny at times, so with that and being extremely cute, things are getting slowly better with him.

I've joined the gym.... last night was the first time I went, and OMG I can feel it today. Tonight I have a personal trainer session so I am expecting to really hurt tomorrow. This is it this time... I'm not going down the fad diet route anymore. I'm big and that's that, so I just plan now to try and do the best with what I've got... I have to say I actually enjoy going to the gym, so maybe this will be the first hobby I have that doesn't involve me sitting on my bum!!!

A few LOs to share. These were from the March Sarahscards kit. Not papers I would have bought myself, but they were lovely to use. I really like the bold floral patterns, and think that they work well even with the boy LOs. On this LO I used scraps of card to make the same flowers from another sheet of patterned paper, but bigger. I loved the design but the printed design was just too small for what I wanted... I think this works well.

I have to say I am really staring to like working with the smaller size for my BOM too.... although I doubt I'll go over to this size totally.

I printed my favourite piece of music, The Meadow by Alexandre Desplat (yes it's from New Moon), onto patterned paper to form the basis of the LO. I love this LO.... although it doesn't fit in a page protector!!! I really should think these things through before I start!On Saturday we went to the Build a Bear factory at the Trafford Centre. The idea was that Harry could choose a bear who would become his potty training friend. He named the Bear Brian, after Grandad, and chose an outfit, shoes and pjs for him.... Brian also wears big bear pants!!! I think it is helping a bit, as Harry does like to sit Brian on the potty, but not as much as he likes putting his pjs on and taking him to bed.... lol!

I did this LO of Harry and Brian at the Warrington crop on Sunday... not a productive day for me... but what's new there. I only got this and about 3/4 of another LO done. I would like to say I have someone to blame, but I think in truth I have only myself to blame... I talk too much and faff even more! Oh well... crops aren't supposed to be all work and no play are they ;) I also succumbed to the Woodware tab punch. I needed it, I had to have it.... it's now mine, and I love it very much. If there is ever a punch you will use all the time this is it.... love love love it! (Rachael Elliott... your fault, again...lol).

Right ho, another brief update... I will be back over the Easter weekend... probably in an attempt to put off getting my EYFS profiles and planning up to date!

Have a great bank holiday weekend and don't eat too much chocolate!!!

Scrappy weekend!

2010-03-15T12:39:00.005Z

Well here we are... another weekend has flown by, and we find ourselves back on a Monday!!! We had a good weekend. It was quiet, we didn't do anything, but sometimes that is good.

Yesterday I got these flowers from the boys... it wasn't a surprise as they were made as a planned activity last week... but I acted surprised, and Harry was very proud to tell me that he had made them for me.... awwwwwwww.

I got me time yesterday to do some scrapping. I only managed a couple of LOs but that's better than nothing! This LO went together quite quickly, and I used some of the gorgeous birdy Crate (I think) paper that came in a Sarahscards kit a while back... although to be fair you can't actually see that much of it!!! I just love the large picture of Drew... he was so surprised every time he managed to roll over, and this time I caught the surprised expression before he broke out into a big smile at his cleverness!

The second LO was done for a class over on UKS. The Twilight Addicts social group are holding a mini cyber crop over 2 weeks, and this is the first time I have managed to play along... although I do hope to get more done this week. The class required you to use a favourite LO as inspiration... I have so many LOs that I like but this one (scroll down to Paola Etta) caught my eye the other day whilst I was blog hopping. You also had to use something blue... I used a blue tape measure cut from a sheet of Cosmo, and some blue Jenni Bowlin alphas, and use something fantasy related. I have included the butterflies as my something fantasy related and although you could argue that they aren't... in Breaking Dawn Bella watches Rennesmee sleep and describes it as 'a flickering of colours like a handful of butterflies were scattering from her thoughts', so it's good enough for me. The final element was that the title be a line from one of the Twilight Saga books. I chose 'You are the most important thing to me now. The Most important thing to me ever'.

I love how this LO came together in the end, and I have to say I am so going to have t buy that butterfly punch!!! I borrowed one at the retreat last weekend, and did a few punches to take home... I also kept the bits I had punched out from, and I'm glad I did as I like how I used them here. I have been eyeing the punch since Sarah got it in stock, but thought i wouldn't use it much... but now I just don't care... it's so pretty!!!

Right, I am off to take advantage of having no looked after children today... I might go and get the water tray out for Bear and Drew pot. Having to only dry and change 2 children is better than 3!!!

Retreat weekend!!!

2010-03-08T12:58:00.004Z

After all the months of waiting and planning the first ever Sarahscards retreat is over!!! And it can be called nothing more than a roaring success. I took my camera, fully intending to take a ton of photos and took the grand total of.... NONE!!! I am so bad, I sometimes wonder if I can call myself serious scrapper... I mean how many serious scrappers manage to take no photos whatsoever!!!

It was great to meet up with the DT again... although Nat was missed (so inconsiderate of your friends to get married that weekend!!!) It was great to meet UKS teamies and to finally be able to put real faces to UKS names.

Friday started out with lots of lifting and carrying to set the shop up and get everything ready. This had advantages as I got to see just how much gorgeous stash there was, but the disadvantage of needing to spend a silly amount of money on the gorgeous stash. Favourite purchase this weekend has to be the Martha Stewart birds on a wire punch... it is seriously fantastic and even if you think you wouldn't use it that much, I think you really would. I used it on 3 of the 4 LOs I did this weekend, so in my eyes it has already paid for itself.

The classes all went well, and the delegates seemed to be happy with the one that I designed... either that or they were just being very nice to my face so I didn't cry... wouldn't want to be going all Tracy on everyone now would I ;)

The class kits were amazing and you got so much in them, that you'd easily be able to create more LOs/cards with the left overs. With my kit you got a woodware paper ribbler.... I love mine and use it all the time. It was really funny seeing just how difficult it was for some people to be able to rip and screw up paper... there were a few jaw muscles tensing, but I was really pleased that people were happy to step out of their comfort zone and give it a go.

I was quite impressed that I managed to finish 4 LOs... especially considering that I actually like them too. I thought I was a slow scrapper, but I have to say that I can probably hand that award over to Rachael. Although her LOs are so amazing they look like they have taken a lot of time and effort, so I'll let her off. The papers she used on her first LO soon sold out after everyone saw how she had used them (I'll post a link to the LO once it has been blogged). And tut tut to Rachael... you have only made me really, really WANT a pretty butterfly punch AND a super duper tab punch!!!

This LO was to remember one of those to remember the silly things kids say when they are little. When Oliver was about 2 1/2 I refused to share a bath with him after he had done a wee in the water. He said that it was ok as he had only done a wee in his own side of the bath, not mine!!! Boys eh... dirty, dirty, dirty!!! The papers are by Prima and are just so much fun... I had to have them and the chipboard too.

This LO was obviously to show what Drew got for his first birthday... I don't like doing the typical birthday party LOs, but do like record their birthdays in their albums... I love this LO.

I love this photo of Harry and Drew pot asleep on Rob. When Drew was a tiny baby he would only ever go to sleep in the papoose, and on this day Harry snuggled up too and had a nap... it was one of those moments when I really did think awwwwww, I want another!!! The thought probably disappeared the moment Drew woke up.... lol!!!

This LO is of Drew and Jonas... my best friend's gorgeous little man, and was based on Sarah's retreat class. I really hope Drew and Jonas grow up to be friends... his mum is the best.

Right I really should o and catch up with the washing now... it would be a shame to not take advantage of the sunny weather we are having at the moment. Be back later in the week (hopefully)... and maybe even with more LOs to share.

No more babies in this house :(

2010-03-03T10:30:00.005Z

Yesterday Drew pot had his first birthday... I can't believe that this past year has gone so so quick!!! And even though I do not want any more children, there is a part of me that is very sad that my baby is a toddler.

He had a fabulous day, and got the biggest sit in fire engine ever.... well apart from a real one!!! Of course we had tears and tantrums from Bear who thought that it was his and didn't want anyone else in it! We had a little party at lunch time with a few of his friends, and the chocolatiest bear cake after tea.... so chocolatey that we have given a couple or paws away as it runs the risk of causing serious artery furring if it stays here!!!

Today Drew has gone to stay at mum's for a few days... so sad to see him go but he will be spoiled rotten and will have lots of fun.

One of the reasons he has gone now is that this week is the Sarahscards retreat in Warrington. So excited but also very nervous about having to stand up in front of so many people and teach the class... I'm sure my LO is no way near as good/interesting as the others being taught. Also I haven't taught for ages... and even then it was to teenagers not adults. Still a weekend in a hotel with no children has to be good right?

Last Sunday it was crop day and I had a great time as always catching up with skinny Jen. I managed to get slightly more done this time, and just had to finish a 3rd LO off when I got home.

This one was to mark the sad day when Oliver decided that he didn't want trainers from the discount sports shop, but wanted the rather pricey Adidas Stormtrooper trainers. I thought it would be a few more years before this happened... not at 6!!! Still the paper the trainers were wrapped in is lush, so had to be used on the LO.

This LO is of Bear dressed in Oliver's cowboy costume... he only likes it because he gets to play with not one but TWO guns at the same time.... double trouble!!! And can't do LOs for itsy and bitsy without doing one for ditsy!!! This was to mark the day that Drew finally started to crawl... and yes he is a little terror now and leaves a trail of devastation behind him.... but he is also a bit more content now he can get about (emphasis on bit). I used the delicious AC heatwave paper again... I just love this and will so have to buy yet another sheet... although I don't think I'll be cutting all the little arrows out again... what a pain that was!
Right that's all for now folks... off to get the car valeted after too many travel sick children episodes... it is loooooong over due!!!

Back after the retreat.

I'm back.... again!

2010-02-22T12:43:00.005Z

Not doing very well with the new years resolutions am I? Well to be fair the only one I'm not keeping up with is the blogging... oh and the weight loss, I guess something things never change!

So where have I been and what have I been doing this time to count for the lack of blog activity?

Well unfortunately not been anywhere, but I have had a mini trauma. At the end of January someone reported me to Ofsted for a number of reasons... I didn't know about this until I got a knock on the door from a particularly uppity Ofsted inspector one afternoon. She went through all the complaints/allegations that had been made, and by her attitude it felt as though I was guilty until proven innocent. Fortunately I had all paperwork up to date, and the children I had with me that day responded well to her questions. When she left her parting shot was about discussing the case with a colleague to decide if any further action was going to be taken. So as you can imagine I as left pretty shaken and upset. Even though I knew that all the complaints were totally untrue, it still shook me that someone could be so spiteful as to want to try and get me into trouble. It was only last week that I got a letter from Ofsted stating that there 'was no evidence of non-compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Welfare Requirements'.

So after all the tears, then the anger I am now calm and collected. My initial thought was to try and keep it all quiet, but I have nothing to be ashamed of. So there you go... reported and cleared and still being a good childminder.... even if I do say so myself.

So now all that is done and dusted I will once again try to make every effort to blog update each week.

I have a few LOs to share. These were done using the January kit from Sarahscards... gorgeous delicate colours, and even though I'm not a huge fan of floral papers I really liked using these. This LO was done last night... back to my favourite bright mix and match... I had a bit of an American Crafts thing going on last night... there are 3 different ranges on this LO and I have to say I am loving the new Heat Wave range... will be defo buying more of this at the crop on Sunday.Right not really much more to say at the moment... it was meant to be a quick post while the kiddos are napping after being at playgroup this morning... will be back soon as no traumas are planned to be happening in this life anytime soon ;)

Twisted sketch...

2010-01-18T09:39:00.004Z

This week I made a start on my Book of Me... I know, I know, years after everyone else was raving about the importance of scrapping about yourself... but hey ho! I also decided to give 8.5 x 11 a go, and although it was quite daunting with such a small space I think I could get used to it! This LO ticks two boxes... I used this weeks Twisted sketch, and also covered the elements of the weekly challenge on UKS. I haven't done a challenge over there for a couple of years, but as it was set by the Twilight Addicts social group I thought I should play along. The theme had to be forbidden fuit, to be interpreted how you wish, and you had to include ribbon and bling. My forbidden fruit was the guilty pleasure of being able to listen to the Twilight saga whenever I want... especially whilst doing boring houseworky jobs, or more importantly to block out the noise of the kids when they are driving you to distraction!!! It doesn't make me a bad mum... it keeps me sane!

The Twist this week was to use stamps... I used the Fancy Schmancy tag stamps... perhaps one of the best buys from way back in the day when I used to buy everything!

I also did this LO using the sketch over on the Sarahscards blog... have a go and post a link to your work and be in with the chance of a prize.

This weekend we took the boys to the Manchester Museum to see Stan the T-Rex. Oliver has been a few times but Harry hasn't been since he was a baby... and he absolutely loved it! The noise of him shouting excitedly every time he saw something new echoed around the museum... it was great. Harry liked the 'big chicken'... commonly known as an Ostrich, but he didn't like the Egyptian mummy's toes. In fact these are his actual words.... 'She is caring me, I don't like her toes... I want her to put docks on'. awwwwww bless. Drew was very well behaved but not that impressed to be honest.
On Sunday Harry finally got to ride his bike outside. He has an interesting pedaling technique but true to form he will not be told or shown how to pedal properly!!! We didn't stay at the little park long as it was freezing but Oliver loved having Harry follow him round on his bike... of course both boys came off so ended up with mud up the back of their coats!!! Like I don't have enough washing to do...lol!!!

So it finally came to Sunday night bath time... all in together... sharing this photo just because it's cute!
Right... I am off to play with moon sand and dinosaur stickers with thing 2, who is currently stood at the side of me holding the moon sand case and tapping me on the head with the stickers!!!

Happy Birthday to Bear!

2010-01-08T11:07:00.003Z

I cannot believe that my little ginger Bear is 3 today!!! Just where has the past 3 years gone? He wanted a bike for his birthday... a pink one actually, but we chose him a red one... in case he got fed up with the pink in a few weeks time!

He also got a glow station from Oliver and some more Disney Cars characters from Drewpot, and the monsters vs aliens dvd from Jaspa.... bought with his own doggy pennies ;)

Obviously we can't take him out on his bike with all the snow, so the dining room table is currently pushed up against the wall so he can ride it around in the house. He's not mastered the art of steering yet so I think my walls are going to suffer a little today!!!

Another fabulous person shares a birthday with Bear. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Natalie... hope you have a great one hun X

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and brrrrrrr!!!!

2010-01-07T09:53:00.005Z

Ok so I've been a blog neglector again! But I am going to make an effort this year... really I am. Tis one of my resolutions for 2010!
2009 was a good year in so many ways.... Drewpot Stewpot arrived safe and well, but with him he brought a whole new load of problems.... mainly the fact that from day one he has been the most demanding little so an so! As a result a part of me kind of went in to hibernation. The part of me that dealt with the everyday stuff continued functioning, but the part of me that makes me me, stopped. As a result I did very little creating, stopped going on forums and basically stopped being me.
2010 is going to be different.... this is the year I am going to be somewhat selfish. Obviously the children are the main priority in my life and I love them to pieces, but I am determined to start doing more things for me. Which brings me on to my resolutions.

1. To play the piano everyday that I am in the house.

I played the piano years ago but had basically given it up once I left home. I decided to buy a second hand piano just before Christmas.... as you do, and now that it is tuned I am loving playing again.... although it is taking some getting back in to as my mind and fingers are clearly not as quick as they once were!

2. To scrap every week, and share the LOs.

Over the past few months I have only scrapped when I've had to, as in DT work. Even though I still enjoy it, I have stopped thinking in 12x12 like I once used to and this makes me sad. So I am going to get back into scrapping which will no doubt see the bank balance go down and the dining room become more messy!!!
The sharing part brings me back to the blog... I will try and post at least once a week, I'm not promising any more, but once a week should be doable.

3. To get back in the swing of things with online friends.

I am so lucky to have made some really great friends over the past few years, and we have shared way too many hours on the pooter laughing at and with each other and having many DC moments.
I am not prepared to let these friendships fall by the wayside due to basically neglecting to post on team threads. Already we seem to be getting back into our groove.... I like it a lot.

4. To draw something every week.

I'm an art teacher, so obviously I can draw. I used to draw and sketch all the time... BC. Now all I draw is the silly things the kids ask me to do, usually on the aqua draw or the megasketcher...lol!!!
I got some lovely pencils and cartridge paper off Santa and I am going to start drawing again...

There are obviously the usual resolutions about eating less and exercising more blah blah blah... and I am taking those into hand. Jen is my motivation.... I want to be a skinny minny too ;)

So there you go, my promises to myself for this year.

A great start to the year was getting back to cropping at Warrington. I was lucky to make it off the reserves list due to the snow... got to love the bad weather sometimes;) It was so great to catch up with friends again and to scrap outside of the house... although to be fair, not a lot of scrapping got done... but it was tres cold to be fair!!!
Yes there is a mistake on this LO... but I quite like it and I'm certainly not going to un-thread all the beads just to turn one round!!!

The second LO was just a thrown together one... I'm still not sure if I like it... I don't find Christmassy or birthday LOs easy to do... I don't know why?!?!?!

I started this LO at the crop, in that I chose the papers and the photos but that was it... does that count? I finished it this morning after using this weeks Twisted sketch as inspiration. I rotated the sketch and moved the title, but apart from that kept pretty close to the original ;) The twist was 'white' and what's more white than snow.... and at the moment we've got a lot of it!

Drewpot loved Christmas... he thought the wrapping paper was a lot of fun, and still has shown little interest in the toys he got! Oliver and Harry were very excited about seeing Santa.... and this year we got a good photo.... I'll scan and share later. They too were very pleased with their presents, but I typically don't have many pics from Christmas... will have to see what mum has on her camera! All in all it was a lovely Christmas holiday, then all ready to go back to school... one day there and then the schools close due to the snow!!! What's all that about, I'm sure we went to school when it snowed!!! It was ok the first day... yesterday was a bit strained with Things 1 & 2 constantly bickering with each other, so we shall what today brings... could be two mounds under the snow... one a 6 year old size and the other a soon to be 3 year old size.... lol!!!

Twisted sketch #23

2009-11-18T12:44:00.003Z

Just a quickie post between nose wiping (mine, Bear's and Drew pot stew pot's). I started this LO at the DT retreat a couple of weekends ago... well I selected the papers and the photos to use but that was about it! I sat down this morning to actually get on with the LO and based it around the latest twisted sketch... a simple LO but sometimes photos don't need oodles of fuss. I used a notebook effect punch and a martha stewart 2 dot punch.

Back again soon...

Worlds Worst Blogger!!!

2009-11-15T14:31:00.004Z

I am, it's true... I just never seem to have the time to blog anymore... or maybe it's the fact that I don't have anything interesting to blog about!

So what have I been up to since the last time I posted? Not much to be honest... although I did have a fabulous weekend away last weekend with the Sarahscards DT. We were treated all weekend by Sarah and Lianne and just got to chill and play with beautiful stash. The team are such a talented bunch of ladies... it was great to be able to see how others work, and to learn new techniques. We stayed in this stunning converted barn... how nice is that?

I got a few LOs done... probably not as many as I should have done considering I had the whole weekend... but to be honest, I made the most of being able to sleep in as there was not a child in sight...lol!

This LO was done as part of a speed scrap challenge we did. We all gave our photos to someone else who then chose at least 3 papers for us to use to scrap those photos. Then we only had an hour to get the LO done... quite a challenge for some of us slow scrappers! Rachel chose my papers for me... and I have to say even though I probably wouldn't have chosen these papers to go together myself, but I really, really like the LO.

These are the other LOs I did... I like them all apart from the pink one.... I guess I just don't feel that comfortable with so much pink!

The LOs are straight in real life... I just rushed to take the photos this morning!!!

Right I absolutely will make every effort to try and blog every week... and to visit the blogs I have been neglecting recently.

DT LOs to share.

2009-09-27T14:22:00.005+01:00

I actually wrote a whole post yesterday went to upload and realised I had cleared all the photo from the pooter!!! Stupidly I also didn't save the post to draft so I am having to type again.... if I had a whole brain I'd be dangerous!!!Not really much to say to be honest. Not done any fun stuff, just same old same old, take some kids to school, stay at home with others, go and fetch kids from school, entertain children until the parents come to pick them up!

Pretty much sums up my Monday to Friday...lol!!!

Last night I did scrap which felt good. I played along with the Twisted sketch 16 the twist being to use stickers. I really like the LO and the use of stickers, even though stickers aren't usually my thing unless they are alphas. Rob pointed out last night that my LO doesn't really look like the sketch... he may have a point but it was used... honest it was. The photo was taken last weekend in the park over the road. I just have to get used to having pics of me taken... it's a bit strange scrapping pics with me on!

These LOs were done using the September Sarahscards kit. The colours were right up my street, although I thought I'd struggle using the kit as it was retro kitchen themed. As I didn't use the really kitcheny stickers and papers I have loads left to make a wall hanging thingy for my nearly finished kitchen.

I think I probably say it all the time, but this really was my favourite kit yet... gorgeous colours, gorgeous papers and lovely embellishments... and a few left over bits from previous kits were also perfect to be used too. There are a few kits left available to buy as a single purchase here. Or you could just sub here, you won't be disappointed.

We've spent quite a bit of time in the local park over the past couple of weeks since Oliver learned to ride his bike without stabilisers. The first thing he asks in the morning when he gets up is 'can we go out on my bike today'. I can see me getting fed up with Thornley Park very soon. Anyway here;s a pic of the boy on his bike... I might scrap this one tonight.

Right better go and do something boring like ironing so that I can justify playing tonight.

Upside down.... Inside out....

2009-09-19T14:49:00.004+01:00

Well the title of this post pretty much sums up our house at the moment! We are in the middle of having a new kitchen fitted, so everything is in turmoil. It's looking good though, but is still a long way of finished as we have to have new floor put down and new tiles and a new blind... but it's mmmmmmm shiny with more cupboard space than you can shake a stick at. When I started to put things back we had a whole cupboard just for angel delight!!!

Because of the upheaval of things being everywhere and the kitchen fitter being here, and then having to clean up each day after he'd gone I have had pretty much no time to scrap... until last night. I actually made myself sit and do the latest Twisted sketch in an hour or less, and I really quite like the end result. I bought the Look at Me transparency way back in the day when I bought everything that was going, and found it hiding amongst some really bad dated papers... though it went pretty well with these photos.

Dinky isn't so dinky anymore but the name has stuck.... he's so going to hate it when he's 18...lol! He is really into everything at the moment and just loves playing with new things... well new to him things.

Oliver has learned to ride his bike with no stabilisers and we have gone from screaming at him to pedal, to screaming at him to slow down... it's scary how fast he whips round the park. Bear is still very 'bear like', probably the most awkward/defiant/grumpy but at the same time adorable/lovely/sweet 2 year old ever. At the moment fast asleep clutching a chocolate snowman.... yes the Christmas confectionery is on the shelves already!!!

Right, I am off to upload and sort some more photos, before I get tea in the oven for the boys.... because mummy is out tonight.... woooohooooo!!!

It's been a while...

2009-08-24T21:48:00.006+01:00

Just where does the time go? The past month has flown by in the blink of an eye... it only seems like yesterday I was planning Oliver's birthday, now we are thinking about his return to school next week!

We went away for a week to Butlins at Minehead which was fantastic. I have to admit I had a few preconceptions of what it was going to be like.... I'll be honest and say that I thought there would be some 'rough folk' there, and that it would all be a bit naff... but I put my hands up and say I was wrong. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we had gorgeous weather all week. From 10 in the morning to we dragged them (Harry kicking and screaming) back to the apartment they were entertained and busy all day. Dinky was calmer than he has been since he was born and loved looking around taking it all in. I took so many photos, but won't bore you with too many...
We only made it to the beach once, even though it was a stunning beach and only over the road.

Excuse the slap head... I was trying to get a bit of colour on the deathly white, always hidden by a fringe forehead.... it didn't work!
Harry discovered he loves rides. Good job they were (almost all) included in the price or we would have been declared bankrupt by the end of the week!Titan the robot was a big hit with the boys... you can see his routine here.... a different Butlins but pretty much the same thing. Since we found this clip, Harry insists on watching it every lunch time whilst he eats!

The weather was so nice we spent quite a bit of time at the lido... Oliver loved playing with the inflatable, although Bear spent most of the time trying to drag him off it!

I asked Rob to make sure he took photos of me with the boys as I have very of me with them. There were a few I liked, and there were lots that were terrible. I found my 'before' photo to use when (and I say when because I will get to goal this time) I get to my WW goal.... I'm not sharing as it is truly hideous!

When we got home (after a nightmare journey) it felt like I'd never been away as I then had to get all the washing and ironing done....bleuuuurgh!!! You need a week off after a holiday just to get yourself back to normal.

A week back at work, then it was off again to see my best friend Annie and her lovely family. We met at Warwick castle which is just stunning. Oliver has already asked if we can go again, so it must have been a hit! Oliver enjoyed watching the jousting, but when asked what his favourite part of the day was, it was playing in the trees with Harry and Lola!

Lola is just the most adorable little girl, bright as a button and so funny with a dirty laugh that should be bottled. It was the first time we met her little brother Jonas and he is just gorgeous.... so much like his mummy, so that can't be a bad thing. I just love these pics of when Drew met Jonas.

I am so, so lucky to have such a fantastic friend, ]I just wish that we weren't so far away from each other :(

So busy busy busy with no time to scrap for ages. I was going to do a LO tonight, but this blog update/photo overload has taken way longer than expected... so tomorrow night, who knows! I haven't played along with the twisted sketches for ages.... so maybe that will be the first thing to get on with!

Back soon...

Summer Holidays

2009-07-29T13:55:00.006+01:00

Oh how I used to love summer holidays when I was teaching... they have very much lost their appeal now I am a childminder... especially as one of the children I look after is VERY weird and high maintenance!!! Roll on September...lol!!!

We've had a busy time just lately. The kids broke up from school last Wednesday so Thursday and Friday were mad busy entertaining a house full. Saturday we went to Mablethorpe for the day which was fab. The sun shone, but not too hot so Bear could enjoy himself too without fear of getting too 'over done'. We spent a small fortune on sand toys, donkey rides, the fair and the arcades.... you wouldn't believe how fast my eldest two can burn through money!!! I was very impressed with how brave Oliver was on the rides.... he went on some big ones with me, but of course there are no photos of those as Rob didn't think to actually use the camera he was holding!!! I did get this pic of him with his dad on the umbrella ride though.... very high! A very late night for all followed by an early start as it was Oliver's 6th birthday on the Sunday, and it would be rude to sleep in or allow others to sleep in on your birthday wouldn't it!!! He got way too much, again.... and his treat for the day was a trip to see Walking with Dinosaurs at the Sheffield Arena. He absolutely loved it but is now more than ever convinced that he is a velociraptor!!!

Back home on the Sunday evening to a house we left in a tip and more dirty laundry than you can shake a stick at!!! And of course it is raining pouring so now we have wet washing draped everywhere!!!

Tomorrow is Oliver's birthday tea, which is not to be confused with a birthday party but seems to be fast turning into a party with more and more children coming!!! how did that happen?!?!?

Last night we had a kitchen designer/fitter round to plan our new kitchen which is going in at the beginning of September.... hoooray!!! no more wood, wood, wood everywhere!

Anyway, with all this going on I haven't had chance to scrap... although I am planning to do a couple of LOs tonight. I can share these LOs with you now... they were created using the Crate paper Orbit collection from Sarahscards. Lovely papers to look at and stroke, but quite a challenge to use... although now I have used them and am happy with the LOs, I think I need to buy more of the papers, as I can see the potential for them for future LOs.

And these LOs were done using the July kit... The reason the snail was called Denys is because that is our neighbours name, and Rob gas told the boys to put any snails into next doors garden so they can eat their plants instead of ours!!! There is no hope for my boys!

At the weekend we are meeting up with my best friend Annie and her family. It was meant to be a zoo trip/farm park visit but it looks like plans may need to be re-thought due to a lousy weather forecast. Could be a visit to Cadbury's World or Think Tank then!!!

Right better go and detect which child is emitting a rather unpleasant smell.... back soon.

I'm so old!!!!

2009-07-19T17:28:00.002+01:00

It was my birthday on Thursday... 21 again!!! I wish... 33, another year away from my 20s *sob*. I had a great birthday and was spoilt lots... Rob arranged a lucky dip present box, filled with polystyrene bits.... a good idea, until Harry decided to tip them everywhere... about 10 minutes after I'd hoovered up!!! I swear I am still finding bits now. My main present was new point and press camera as mine had slowed down so much it wasn't worth taking anywhere as by time it took the photo the moment had passed. So now I have a snazzy little thing which will be taken everywhere. I also got quite a few bottles of wine from various friends which has not helped at all with the weight watchers plan this week... but hey ho it was fun drinking it!

So what will my 33rd year have in store? I am determined that this year I will get to goal at ww, and continue to be more active. Recently I have been doing workout dvds and been jogging and using the outdoor gym equipment at the park with friends, I can tell a difference but there is still a long way to go....

I also plan to start a 8.5x11 scrapbook that is all about me, after being prompted by the lovely Jems to tell my story. Not sure how into this I'll get, but anything will be better than nothing, and as yet there is very little about me in my scrapbooks. So all I need to do is order a new size album and I'll give it a go...

Last night I played along with Twisted Sketch 6... this weeks twist being to use stamping. I used 2 journal stamps,a date stamp, a ledger tab stamp and a number roller thingymajig. The photo is one taken of drew with our very good friend Sarah and her children Hannah and Adam. Sarah was great when I was expecting Drew and was on call for when things kicked off.... she came to look after Oliver and Harry whilst Rob and I went to hospital. It was only right that she was the first person outside of family to hold Dinky when he came home.... and he has lots of cuddles since. I used a mix of papers to pick out colours from the photo, and although they may not 'match' I think they work well together, and I am quite happy with the LO.

I was really pleased to learn that my Bear has a bubble gun LO was chosen to win a RAK for sketch number 3... it made my day.

Right better go and put away all the ironing that I did this morning before my Sunday night jog in the rain!!!

Scrapping sneaks...

2009-07-15T09:53:00.002+01:00

Sarahscards sent me some gorgeous Crate Paper goodies to play with. They were perfect for scrapping pics of my three beasties... here are a few sneaks until I can share the whole LOs. Only 3 sneaks but I did do 4 LOs... we have lost a pic somewhere in cyber space;)
I have just realised I used my new Martha Stewart border punch on all 4 LOs too.... oh well, at least I can prove to Rob that it was money well spent.

Busy busy busy!!!

2009-07-14T10:09:00.002+01:00

The boys and I went to stay at mum and dad's for the weekend and Saturday was spent at Sundown Adventure Land.... I wonder if my boys will ever get bored with this place! No photos to share as they were all taken on mum's camera... I get a new point and press for my birthday but Rob wouldn't let me have it early....booooooo!!!! Quite a few firsts happened this weekend... Oliver went down a fireman's pole on his own, Harry went on a ride and didn't cry, Dinky Doo started on baby rice. It's really quite scary how quickly time flies... I can't believe my baby is ready for solids so soon.... sob! He is loving anything banana flavoured and ADORES Farleys rusks.

We are on countdown to the summer holidays.... it can't come soon enough for Oliver, but the holidays have lost the appeal they had when I was a teacher... being a childminder it means I have to work even harder during school holidays. We are having a week off though to go on a family holiday to Butlins in Minehead. Both boys are so excited, especially once they found out that four arms from Ben 10 is going to be there!

Last night I sorted through loads of photos that I want to scrap and put them with papers that I am going to use... hopefully doing this will mean I can get on with some serious speed scrapping. It's always the choosing stash that takes me ages, so we'll see. Last night I did sketch 5 from the Twisted blog. I kept pretty true to the sketch this time too. The twist this week was to use fabric on your LO, so I made this cute little bird in a tree from felt and stitched it to the LO. It goes pretty well with the gorgeous BG bird paper and I am quite happy with the overall appearance of the LO. The journalling reads "We warned the photographer that you wouldn't smile, but she was adamant she would be able to make you. She tried all the tricks in the book but you wouldn't give in. We love these photos of you".

Harry is such a serious child sometimes... he doesn't give smiles out to just anyone, and he certainly won't smile on demand. The photographer was bemused that all the photos we chose to buy had harry with his fingers in his mouth, his shoulder turned to the camera or his arm up.... but we love them because it shows the real Harry.... the one we know and love.

My friend Jemma was the guest designer for this weeks sketch, her work is fabby and this has been recognised again as she has a new DT place over at Dotty Divas.... way to go Jems that is so stinkin awesome ;)

Right better go and get boring stuff done so the fun stuff can happen later :)

It's raining, it's pouring!!!

2009-07-06T12:04:00.003+01:00

The great British weather eh!!! yesterday it was scorching hot and we were slapping on the factor 50, today it's wet, wet, wet and we have welly boots and ponchos on! Hey ho... at least I got to finish this LO this morning while Bear and Dinky had a nap on the sofa.This was done using the 4th twisted sketch which I turned on it's side. I used the gorgeous Little Sprout papers and stamps from Sarahscards, and a few October Afternoon rub ons that I have had for aaaaaaaages. The transparency is a wood grain Hambly overlay that my friend Jems sent me aaaaaaaages ago and I have only just been brave enough to use it.

Right off to shop for a new mobile phone, hair straighteners and an electric toothbrush.... all of which have given up the ghost over the weekend!!!

Twisted number 3

2009-06-25T12:31:00.005+01:00

OK so I know I have done them out of sync, but hey ho... I plan to do sketch number 2 tonight! I had a go at sketch number 3 last night (I turned the sketch on it's side), and all was well until it came to the fine bling... I had fully intended to use the clear stickles I had.... or thought I had. When I cam e to use it though I remembered squeezing the last of it out onto Oliver and Harry's reindeer snacks boxes before Christmas...lol!!! Darn kids... who'd have em!!!

All was not lost though and after a bit of a rummage through my stash I found this holographic embossing powder left over from way back in the day when I used it on cards. I used a Queen Kat stamp which is actually a coffee cup stain but works quite well for bubbles when used subtly, and some circular hero arts stamps clear embossed with the holographic stuff. A few magic buttons were added here and there too... just because!

We bought Bear this cheapo bubble gun a couple of weeks ago because Oliver got some new gormitis, and it was a good job we also bought the large refil bubble solution as he stayed outside blowing bubbles for pretty much the whole day.... much to the annoyance of our neighbour as they kept popping on her conservatory windows, he he he he!

Think I am going through a green phase at the moment... all I seem to wear is green, and last night the only paper I wanted to use were green.... oh and now I think of it Bear and Dink are in green today too...lol!!!

Right off to enjoy the summer sun while it lasts... probably be chucking it down tomorrow!

Laters potaters (yes I know it is spelt wrong but it's how we say it in this house :P)

Parents, scrapping, missed deadlines and poorly sickness!

2009-06-23T11:24:00.003+01:00

The title pretty much sums up the past week in this house! My mum and dad came to stay for a few days which was lovely... even though I always fall of the diet wagon when they are here! We were hoping for a day at the seaside but it didn't happen due to the good old British weather. We took the boys to Slide and Seek instead, which they enjoyed. They went home on Sunday afternoon so Sunday evening was mine to scrap away...

I fully planned to do the 1st twisted sketch to submit for the DT contest only to realise that I had missed the deadline big time...lol!!! I got it in my head that the deadline was the 26th when in fact it was the 16th... oh well, I had fun playing with the sketch anyhow. Here is the LO I did (after turning the sketch sideways). One of Dinky Doo's first photos which shows him NOT enjoying being weighed! His birth story is on written on a tag book which slides behind the photo. The papers are all from Sarahscards, I bought them on a whim just because they were so pretty and after looking at them a few times wondered why I had bought them as I was unlikely to use them having 3 boys... but I have to say I think they work quite well for this photo.

I have also been scrapping with the July Sarahscards kit, which has some stunning papers in it, and the most adorable chipboard apples... here are a few sneaks of what I have created.

On to the poorly sickness!!! My turn this time and I was struck by a 24 hour bug thing yesterday which rendered me pretty much useless for the whole day :( On the plus side though, when I wasn't throwing up I was fast asleep, so I have had the most sleep ever since I was 7 months pregnant, and my stomach is the flattest it's been since Drew was born... every cloud eh ;)

Well I better go and do something productive, to make up for yesterdays getting nothing done whatsoever. Back soon with Twisted sketch 2.

Cool and new...

2009-06-10T20:18:00.001+01:00

Sketch challenge blog.... are you TWISTED enough to play along?
Can't wait to join in, and love the first sketch that is up.

Fantastic Blog Giveaway

2009-06-07T17:07:00.001+01:00

Go to this blog for a chance to win some goodies.... and it's a great blog too so you won't be disappointed even if you don't win:)

Just a few pics to share...

2009-06-06T09:46:00.006+01:00

A couple of weeks the boys had their photos taken at Pixi Foto in the local Mothercare. I went with an idea of what I wanted and wasn't going to spend a lot blah blah blah... but they get you!!! 80% of the photos they took were gorgeous and I could have bought them all if money had been no object. In the end we went for an individual one of Oliver and one of Harry,

and a large group arrangement made up of these photos

I have scanned the pics to be able to print them out to scrap for their albums.... naughty I know but hey, I paid a small fortune for them I will do what I like with them!

Been a busy couple of weeks here with the kids being off school... thank the lord they go back on Monday so I will just have the little ones to entertain and feed. The weather is lousy here today which is good as I can be indoors blitzing the house so that I can actually get some scrapping done tonight... and I am so going to make sure I do. I haven't done any for ages as I got caught up in the whole Britain's Got Talent thing... the best people won, I could sit and watch Diversity all day they are amazing. And what can I say about Simon Cowell.... I'm afraid I'm on the phwoarrr side of the fence where he is concerned... am actually considering auditioning for BGT 2010 just to get a wink from him...lol!!!

And as for Big Brother this year... I watched the launch show just to see what bunch of misfits they found this year.... not sure if I'll get caught up in it all though, time will tell.

I can share these LOs with you now that were created using the May Sarahscards kit. Another gorgeous kit to work with, I sub on behalf of my mum and she hasn't been disappointed with a kit yet.... each month she says it's the best kit so far, so if you are looking for a kit to sub to Sarah and Lianne do put together lovely papers and emebellies... you will not be disappointed.

Right off to shower and dress so I don't look like a tramp all day.

Just to prove...

2009-05-14T11:49:00.003+01:00

I did scrap last night, and i said I would be back today with the LO. A very simple LO as I got distracted by The Apprentice. This will be one half of a double LO on which I will write about just how demanding he is. The text on this side reads 'You are cute, you smell delicious, your smile melts my heart, I love you so so much but you are a very demanding pain in the bum.'Ok better go and get Bear and Freya some lunch.

Back soon.

Scrapping... my sanity saver!

2009-05-13T11:18:00.003+01:00

Dinky Doo is still a nightmare.... Nuff said!!!

I'm really lucky though as I have good friends round me that can see I am at the end of my tether with him and are helping me out when I need it. I keep telling myself it can only get better, because it really can't get any worse! It's a good job that he is smiling and cooing now... it does melt my heart and eases the stress of the clinginess and constant screaming if I put him down for more than 5 minutes. I managed to get these photos of Dinky the other day by having the hoover switched on (a noise that seems to calm him). It was nice to have both hands free and to get more pics.

I have also started scrapping again at night time.... Rob takes over with baby duties at 9:00pm so I get to do what I want. Now really I should be doing exercise to get rid of some of the lard... but playing with pretty paper is so much more fun!!!

I have done a few LOs with the lush May kit for sarahscards which will be shared soon. And last night I managed this LO. Now it may seem strange that the title for this is Mummy's Little Angel when I go on about what a nightmare Dinky is.... but at 5 weeks old he wasn't too bad in comparison to now. Tonight I will be doing another LO that tells it like it is... so hopefully I will be able to upload this tomorrow.

Right, only a short and sweet entry as typing with one hand is slow and is a pain!!!

Back tomorrow... hopefully :)

We are still here... honest!

2009-04-24T12:51:00.008+01:00

Thought I better upload again before weeks turn into months! Not much going on really, still pretty much in the same position as last time... either pinned down by a feeding Dinky Doo or walking round with a Dinky Doo strapped to the front of me!!! Seriously, he's 7 weeks old now and still as clingy as ever... if not more!!! This photo was taken at the weekend, and even though I hate pics of me, I have pledged to have more taken with the boys as currently there are very few. A bit morbid to be thinking about, but if the worst did happen there would be hardly any pics of me with any of the boys. So time to get over the how awful do I look in this pic paranoia and make sure I am in photos too.

Although Dinky Doo will have to have a name change soon as he is not so Dinky anymore... yesterday we had him weighed and he is a whopping 10lbs 10oz now! He's grown out of his new born clothes which was a sad day... putting them all away never to be worn by a baby of mine again... sob!

This was my favourite babygro which was worn, washed, ironed and worn again constantly... and I just loved this photo with his eyes wide open.These photos were taken a couple of days ago after Drew got the lovely outfit in the post from Dr Eileen, a very lovely UKS team member... thank you Eileen, he looks adorable in it, and Bear loves the Bear toy.

Speaking of Bear... does anyone know how to stop a 2 year old bulldozer from having constant bruises on his face?!?!? I swear people will start to think I am beating him up soon... we've had 4 big bruises on his face in the past 3 weeks! This first pic was a cracker of a bruise that went straight down his forehead and face after a collision with the school railings!!! It was one of those moments where the whole playground went silent... except Harry!!!The latest was done whilst in Daddy's 'care'. Only a man would let a freshly bathed child go out to play on the watered lawn in his pjs... an accident waiting to happen and it clearly did! The black eye doesn't look to bad on this photo but that is because Harry is squinting... he really does look like he's had a bit of a to do with Ricky Hatton!!!

Bear maybe a bruiser and always in some sort of trouble or other, but at the end of the day he's also still my baby and still needs his afternoon nap.... seen here snuggle up on Daddy along with Dinky Doo in his papoose!

harry also has a new love in his life... her name is Marigold and yes she is a cow! We have been to Reddish Vale Farm Park a couple of time over the holidays and I have to say it is love. He goes on about her all the time, pretends he is on the phone to Marigold and carries 3 pictures around with him pretty much everywhere!!!

At the same farm park there is an area where the kids can play in the straw. Strange how the only two children actually in there were mine, and typically Oliver came out the worse off in the straw fight that lasted 15 minutes and would have been longer had we not of broken it up before Bear got too carried away!

Yesterday I had an Ofsted inspection so am waiting for the results of that. It'll be interesting as when the inspector knocked on the door I had Dinky in my arms having just thrown up all over him and me. Harry and Freya had tipped most of their dinners on the dining room floor and the house was a general tip. She didn't give much away so I'll just have to wait and see...watch this space!

One last thing. A big fat congratulations to my best friend Annie, her Rob and beautiful girly Lola on the safe arrival of Jonas Henry.... we can't wait to meet him.

T.U.B.

2009-04-04T09:36:00.005+01:00

Totally Useless Blogger.... Rach gave herself the title but I think I can say that the crown is definitely mine!!!

I cannot believe that I have been AWOL for soooooooo long. But to be fair I have been a bit busy!

Baby number 3 arrived on the 2nd March, 3 days before his due date. I had to be induced to high blood pressure and 'grossly abnormal' bloods, but he didn't want to hang round.... so after a 44 minute labour Drew Isaac Stevenson came screaming into the world.... and to be honest he hasn't really stopped screaming since! OK so that might be a bit mean... he only screams when you try to put him down, so as long as he is curled up on my chest, or snuggled into the crook of my arm he is absolutely content and cute! Of course this means that housework and internet time are limited and I seem to remember a hobby called scrapping.... seems such a long time since I did any though!

We were expecting Drew to be another big baby after the whopper that was the Bear, however he was only 8lbs born, and at 4 1/2 weeks he weighs 9lbs 1oz.... still quite a bit smaller than Bear was born!!! We were also worried about how Harry would react to having a baby around, but he has surprised us and is very gentle and protective over Drew (nick named Dinky Doo, as Bear calls him Doo and he was very Dinky).

Anyway enough of the baby talk for now... here is a piccie of the little guy, although I really need to get more taken.... bit difficult though when I am holding him all the time...LOL!!!

As for scrapping... I have been promised scrapping time tonight whilst Rob is on Dinky Doo duty.... yey!!! I bought some lovely stash before I had him and can't wait to get stuck in and use some. There are a few LOs I have done for the Sarahscards DT that I can share with you now. These were made using MME papers which are gorgeous and thick.... a bit too nice to be cut into to be honest. These ones were made using the January kit.... I also got to play with the March kit which was full of fresh spring colours... I am going to make much more of an effort now to be back scrapping/blogging/blog visiting! I had a spooky dream about a friend last night and need to go check their blog to see if there is anything in it!

So much to do, so little time..... or energy!

2009-01-17T19:40:00.007Z

Has it really been so long since I posted last? er, yes.... sorry!

The exhaustion of late pregnancy has kicked in... mentally I feel fine, physically I am knackered and achy and swelling! Oh joy, but I am not complaining much, I am really privileged to be expecting my third boy... just wish I could be one of these skinny minnies who just gets a small baby bump and doesn't put on any weight anywhere else. I have A LOT of weight to shift after this baby arrives :(

I have been asked to share bump pics, and this is the only one I have as of yet. It was taken on New Years day when I was 31 weeks... please excuse the sticky out bits... what can I say, it was cold...lol!!! I plan to take another when I am closer to due date, which is only 6 1/2 weeks away.

Well Bear is now 2. He was beside himself with excitement when he ripped into his kitchen (which was rather tricky to wrap up). He happy danced and squealed, and hasn't stopped playing with it since. It seemed a really good idea at the time to buy the 120 piece food set, and the bag for life with its 20 pieces and the tea set with all its bits and pieces.... add these to the 50 piece accessory pack the kitchen came with and you have one very busy mummy forever picking up spoons, imitation fruit and veg and trying to find the missing bit of pizza!!!And of course a birthday isn't a birthday without chocolate cake!!! Although he had to wait until the Saturday when we were at mum's.... but it was a yummy cake and worth the wait!
So what else have I been up to... on Wednesday I finally met gorgeous baby Sam. He is so scrummy I could have stolen him and taken him home... but as Jen looks so taken with him I thought it might be difficult to sneak him out the door. Photo stolen from Jen's blog, and yes my legs really are THAT big!!!Today we took the boys to Bruntwood Park to run off some of their energy. There was one muddy puddle and which of the boys do you think found it???

Of course it was Bear!!!
Needless to say the grey coat wasn't grey for long, and the new Clarks shoes were just brown, rather than the khaki and orange they should have been!!!

Oliver never liked getting dirty when he was younger and still isn't that keen... this didn't stop him laughing and encouraging Harry to get really dirty and wet! Although to be honest, he really didn't need that much encouragement.

This morning I received a gorgeous bundle of goodies to play with from Sarahscards, and so wanted to get a 'nice picture' of the boys together. Shouldn't be too hard should it?!?! Well you try getting the two of them looking in the same direction at the same time, preferably smiling and not pulling a stoopid face or having their eyes shut. It took a series of over 30 photos to get 3 'nice' results. So tonight I plan to scrap!

I also had a teensy little spend with Sarah and bought this stunning wooden book... I plan to make a mini book of all Thing 3's first visitors. And the fact that we have decorated his room vehicle themed, and this book just had to be mine.

The January kits have been posted out, and my mum as a new subber (my treat as she is now a non smoker... well done mum, keep up the good effort) will be getting a box of gorgeousness on Monday. This LO has already gone live on the Sarahscards blog, so I can share it with you on here too. If you haven't already saved the blog into your favourites you really should... there is lots of stunning work on there to inspire card makers and scrappers alike.

There are still a still amount of kits for single purchase available here... you won't be disappointed.

Right, I think that is an update enough... sorry for boring you, but well done if you got this far!!!

Ok, so it's been a while!

2009-01-07T18:17:00.005Z

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year and anything else I missed in my absence!!!

We had a fab Christmas. Mum and Dad came to stay for four nights, the boys got way too many presents.... although due to a massive clear out before hand the house isn't bursting at the seams like it was last year! Here are a couple of pics, of the boys with their stockings on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and the huge pile waiting for us downstairs.

Yes, Harry does look like an Inuit baby when he wakes up in the morning... his eyes do go back to normal after a couple of hours and a warm bottle of the white stuff!!!

Yes, it is a huge pile of presents but it was for 4 adults, 2 children and 2 dogs!!!Santa was good to me too. I got loads of pamper products which I have decided to save until after the baby is here. And Rob got me a Wii Ft which was a total surprise. For obvious reasons I haven't been on it yet, but I have watched others and it looks so much fun, I can't wait!

Have been busy on the scrapping front too, although quite a few of the LOs have been for Sarahscards DT so can't be shared just yet. Unfortunately the Rough Draft blog went t*ts up last week so there will be no more fab sketches from there to work with although I will still stalk the DT members blogs for inspiration. Sunday was probably my last Warrington crop for a while and I managed to get 2 LOs done. This one is quite simple but I didn't want to distract from the photo too much. The reason Rob loves the photo is because it is a rare occurrence capturing a Bear smile!!! He does smile a lot, just not when there is a camera about, so this one makes a refreshing change! The lovely shaped paper, the stripey paper and the alphas are all from Sarahscards.... how annoying is it though having to poke out all those eyelets!!!

This was one of those photos you had to get in a really awkward position to take... just glad it wasn't on a day when the window cleaner was round!! Bear had fallen asleep on the living room floor, as he does, and I had to get down and at his level to take the pic... not easy when you are the size of a MOOSE!!! The cloud paper and the striped paper are by Bella Boulevard and can be found at Sarahscards, as can the Thickers. All the other bits and pieces were from a Scarlet Lime kit. The LO is quite touchy feely as I scrunched the stripey circle so it stands up slightly from the backing card.Well today is the last day of my Bear being a 1 year old!!! Can you believe he will be 2 tomorrow.... I can't. The past couple of years has gone so quickly and my baby is getting to be a proper little boy :( I will be back with more pics tomorrow of him with his pressies... I am so excited as we have got him the sizzlin kitchen from ELC which he goes crazy over every time we go into Mothercare on the retail park near us. So tonight once they are in bed and fast asleep it's mission build kitchen and wrap kitchen and all the various bits and pieces we have got to go with it!!!

Well here's hoping the school is open tomorrow (burst pipe today which resulted in a houseful of kids). I want Bear to have the morning with his presents on his own, before he has to share them with the others.

Still no disc!!!

2008-12-15T13:40:00.003Z

So I have taken a photo of the photo instead!!! Not great but you get the idea. So we queued for about 20 minutes to see Santa, and Harry kept shouting and getting excited each time the door opened for another child to go in... but the moment we stepped into the castle, all hell broke loose! The tears and screaming started, and this was the best photo out of about 5 taken. I kind of expected a bit of resistance from Bear, but didn't expect him to have a full blown screaming fit! The minute I lifted him from Santa's knee he started to smile and talk to Santa like they were bessie mates.... boys!!! Santa doesn't look very happy on the photo either, but I guess it takes it out of you having to be nice to soooooo many crying children in one day! Oliver was very full of himself that he didn't cry, and was super impressed with the Biker Mouse toy he got. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas he told him 3 things on his list, then Santa asked Harry what he wanted.... Oliver interrupted to say that he still had 2 things on the list....LOL!!! Got to make sure you let the big guy know everything you want eh?!?!

Question!!!

2008-12-14T20:42:00.001Z

If you were a scanner software disc where would you be?

Bad blogger.... again!!!

2008-12-11T20:27:00.006Z

Ok so just for a change I have been a very bad blogger!!! But in my defence I have been busy crafting! I have been bitten by the knitting bug again... it happens at this stage of pregnancy, and is a hormone thing and not at all granny like... well that it my story and I am sticking to it!

I have been doing lots of craft activities with the children too, so our house hasn't been glitter free in weeks. I turned to say something to Rob last night and noticed he was twinkling in the light of the Christmas tree with some stray glitter on his face..... of course I didn't tell him, and it was still stuck this morning so off he went to work looking all bootiful and sparkly.... he he he!!!

I have been scrapping a little here and there too, although this is getting tricky already as thing 3 doesn't like me sat hunched over a desk and puts the boot in when I do... very dangerous when armed with a craft knife!

These LOs were done using the last November kit from Sarahscards... can't believe I haven't got round to sharing them already!

These ones were done using the December kit which is currently on sale here.
This LO was created using this sketch over on the Rough Draft blog... ok so it is loosely based on a rotated sketch, but I was really happy with the outcome. Don't forget to share your LOs for the sketches to be in with a chance to win a RAK... but more importantly because the sketches are fab and really get the creative juices flowing!This LO was done at the crop a couple of weekends ago... a just because LO straight from my head, but using all the new goodies I bought from Sarah on the day.... seriously I don't know why I bother taking stash, I always use the stuff I buy new!

We went to Mum's at the weekend for the last time before Christmas, mainly because we wanted to take the boys to see the Santa there. We have a classic photo, but I can't for the life of me find the scanner software to upload it tonight... will have a hunt in the morning so I can share with you tomorrow.... guaranteed to make you smile!!!

We have a bear back in the house!!!

2008-11-22T14:41:00.003Z

Just got back from Meadowhall, or should that be MeadowHELL!!! OMG just how rude to people get in the run up to Christmas. One woman bashed her shopping bags into Harry's face whilst he was sat in the pushchair, and didn't see it as a problem when I pulled her up on it. Karma is a bitch though, because she turned round to hot tail it away from the wrath of Looby Lou and broke her heel...LOL!!!

Anyway, we have a bear back at home where he belongs... all is calm at present as the boys are pleased to be back in each others company... we'll see just how long this lasts though!

Huge Congratulations to the Ga family on the safe arrival of baby Sam... he is so flippin cute it make me want mine here and now... although I shall allow him to cook for a little longer as we haven't decorated his room yet, and more to the point we only have 2 of the letters we need for his door!!!

Sketch 7 is up on the Rough Draft blog, and I have to say that it was the most fun sketch to work with... I loved it, and was really pleased with the outcome. I took this photo ages ago and it has been pinned to the inside of my workstation just waiting to be scrapped... so glad I did get round to it and I love the papers I used... and there are those puffy thickers again... yummo!

Have just got the December Sarahscard kit to play with and even though it is Christmas themed, which I don't usually love... the papers are double sided and can be used for non Christmas LOs too. That said, I still have so many past Christmas photos to scrap, I am hoping that this will make me get through some of them!!! So tonight it will be Casualty, a glass of diet coke and Christmas scrapping. Gosh I know how to live!!!

Right off to watch Ice Age 2 with the boys...

Thought it was about time...

2008-11-16T09:57:00.004Z

I scrapped some of the pics from last Christmas, seeing that this Christmas is only 5 1/2 weeks away. I don;t know what it is with me but I hate scrapping Christmas and birthday photos... I find it quite daunting, as there are usually loads of random colours in the photos, and then I tend not to love the themed papers that you are 'supposed' to use. So with this LO I decided to use the current Rough Draft sketch, and go for a random mix of papers, only one being from a Christmas collection. Not the best LO in the world, but at least there is a record of the event in Oliver's scrapbook. Now I just need to do the photos from Christmas 2006... how bad am I!!!Well last night was the first night without Bear... and we slept like a dream. As much as I miss him when he isn't here, it is lovely going to bed knowing that you're not going to be disturbed... unless you count Rob shaking me saying 'You're on mate, push the button!' what the?!?!?! Maybe I shouldn't have made the melted cheese on tiger bread toast as a late night snack for him after all!!!

Right, busy day ahead... we are going into the loft to sort through baby clothes/toys/equipment to see what we are keeping and what can go. Rob is desperate to get his room back to tidy and at the moment it is such a tip... will take before and after pics and share later!

Have a great Sunday. And enjoy your last day as a family of 4 Jen, Tich, James and Josh.

How stoopid am I???

2008-11-14T14:03:00.002Z

OK so you don't need to answer that... I already know!!!

Tell me, why, when it is raining here (just for a change) do I decide to get out all of the 2-3 clothes from the loft and wash them (12 full loads later), then have wet washing draped over all the radiators, the tumble drier spinning itself into an early grave and the, which then results in the ironing pile from hell!!! Not good planning on my part! On the upside though, Bear has lots of (new to him) clothes to wear... some of which I had totally forgotten about.

In between the washing, drying, ironing and the odd child to look after, I managed to get this quickie LO done. Well it would have been quick if it hadn't been for the dymo journalling... just how long does that take!!! Quite impressed that I actually used some Blonde Moments paper and made it look good. OK so I stamped on it, put an overlay and lace papers over it, used a biggish photo, and added chipboard and dymo so you can't actually see that much of the paper... but still, I used it, and it's only been hanging around at the bottom of the stash pile for a few years!!!

Bear is going to my mum's tomorrow for the week, so I better go and make the most of his nap time and pack his bags.... wonder if I could persuade her to keep him until he is 18?!?!?!

Cabin Fever!!!

2008-11-10T20:06:00.003Z

So I survived my weekend of being a single parent, more importantly he kids survived the weekend too. The dog is walking a fine line between here and the sausage factory... he is being so naughty lately. You let his out in the garden and he spends all his time barking at nothing, you call him in and a few many later he wees all over the kitchen floor!!! We have started to take him out on his lead to make sure that he does his business, to see if that will do any good... if not watch the post box Ham Spam, you could have a playmate being delivered soon!!!

It was really nice having time just me and the boys, but having no car was not fun. Even though I didn't have to go anywhere, t was the knowing I couldn't that made it tough. By Sunday afternoon I think we all had cabin fever and were itching to get out... we couldn't even go to the park as it was tipping it down for most of the day!!!

I had so many good intentions about scrapping this, and scrapping that whilst I had the weekend evenings to myself, but at the end of the day, the lure of a double bed with fresh sheets was far more appealing and I was in bed ridiculously early Friday and Saturday night.... such a light weight these days, although not literally!!!

Last night I did make myself sit down and scrap, and I am so glad I did... I love this LO, one of my faves I have done for ages. You know when you just do something that you really, really like, even though you can't explain why... well this is just one of those LOs. I am loving the puffy thickers from Sarahscards (Sarah if you read this make sure you have some at the next crop, I NEED more), although OMG they are so super sticky!I had to move a couple and they ripped the backing paper, although you can tell, i think I got away with it... just. The pictures were taken on Halloween when I took the kids to the park. Whilst all the others played on the roundabout, Bear discovered the tyres. He tried for ages to balance on them, unsuccessfully, then gave it up as a bad job before trying to leap on to a fast spinning roundabout!!!

The tags were part of a Scarlet Lime kit, which we will be getting only one more of. It's the little bits inside the kit like this that I really like... but so so simple to do. I'm sure we could get an in crop swap thing going where we all use a couple of the stamps we have to create x amount of tags/cards etc, so every member of the swap ends up with gorgeous embellies to use... might see if anyone is up for this... let me know if you read this and are interested :)

I had a little stash spend last night, and hopefully the order will come tomorrow... stuff I absolutely definitely needed to be able to scrap this gorgeous pic.I intended to scrap this one last night but had nothing whatsoever in the stash pile that would do! So tonight I have to catch up with my childminding paperwork so that tomorrow night I can play... so with that I better go and get started.... boooooooo to paperwork!!!

Back in the land of the living!!!

2008-11-07T20:49:00.003Z

Well, to cut a long story short, back in the land of t'internet!!! Our not so old laptop decided to start burning through power cables like they were going out of fashion. It got to a stage where we could only get the blimmin thing to work if we pressed and held the cable, which meant that you had burnt fingers after a few minutes... not good! So our t'internet time was VERY limited, then one night, about to reply to a message the lappy what bang... literally!!! OMG!!! Just how traumatic is life with no internet connection??? It makes me wonder how we ever managed without it. All's well that ends well though, we now have a desk top all set up and are back in the land of modern technology so it's a happy house again.

So what's been going on since I last blogged?!?! Well good news on Thing 3 front... had a rescan last week and all is good with his heart. All 4 chambers could be clearly seen, and they checked blood flow in and out and that looked good too... such a relief. The sonographer also had a quick peak between the legs and there were still extra bits, so it is certain he is in deed a he.

Last week was half term so a busy week with looked after children here all day. We did various Halloween activities which went down well, but I tell you I was glad when 6 o'clock Friday came and they had all gone home... such an exhausting week! On Sunday i missed the Warrington crop (sob) as we had a Halloween party for Oliver and a few of his friends. We fully expected the adults to leave the children, but most stayed so we had a very full house... but a good time was had by all, and the best part was that 8:00pm we had two sound asleep boys, and a whole evening to ourselves... which of course we made the most of by vegging in front of the TV!

On Sunday night bear started with a few spots on his legs which we thought was the start of chicken pox. A trip to the docs on Monday and we were told it was the pox. However, on Tuesday the red blotches/spots had turned into bruises and he had a fresh new lot of red blotches... not to mention the fact that he looked as though he had done a couple of rounds with Ricky Hatton, his face was so swollen. After an online consultation with a doctor of little brain (but we love her just as she is), a retired GP, and the expert 'Ga' parents, it was established that it wasn't the pox but more likely a viral infection of some kind. Wednesday morning, prepared to have to go into battle with the GP's receptionist (do you need a qualification in arsiness to get this job???), woke Bear up and there was not a mark in sight!!! Well there were a few very pale bruise type marks but everything else had vanished. The swelling in his face went down and now he is completely back to normal.

This weekend I am a single parent family. Rob has packed up and gone off to the back of beyond... somewhere near the Isle of Skye for his friends wedding. He is djing at the reception tomorrow night, so the car was rammed full with speakers/light/decks/records and all the other thingamabobs that probably have technical names. He got there this afternoon after an almost 9 hour journey... which is the reason why I declined my invitation, not that I would have squeezed in the car anyhow! A 9 hour journey is NOT my idea of fun, no no no no no!!!

So tomorrow I plan to run the boys ragged at the park so that they go to bed nice and early so I can get some scrapping done. I have been playing this week with the November Sarahs card kit which is divine. 3 LOs down and 1 almost done, and lots left over to possibly make a couple of cards. I can share with you the LOs I did with the last kit using the Itsy Bitsy Spider papers from Piggy Tales.

I know I keep saying it, and it's not just because I am lucky enough to be on the DT, but these kits are seriously good. I have not had one yet that I haven't really loved... and I am fussy. Really worth looking into if you want to sub to a kit.

The last LO was done for the Rough Draft blog. It was my own design and Jemma made a fab sketch from it which has now gone live. The DT interpretations are fantastic, and all so different. Why not play along, if you leave a link to your work you could win a RAK, now that can't be a bad thing can it. I'm trying to scrap some of the older photos I have still stored away... I can't see me ever being 'up to date' with all the pics I want to scrap, but I figure there will be a time when the boys won't want their pics taken, so i will have plenty to fall back on... just need to record the memories and dates that go with them!!!

Right off to do something useful before it is time to go to bed. Better not have too late a night as I can't prod Rob to get up with the boys in the morning!!!

It's a boy thing!!!

2008-10-22T13:27:00.003+01:00

Yesterday we had our 20 week scan (even though I am actually 21 weeks). All seems to be ok with the baby, but I have to go back next week to be rescanned as they couldn't get a clear picture of the 4 chambers of the heart. Even though they said they were sure everything was fine, and that it was because baby was in an awkward position and would not move no matter how many times they poked, prodded or got me to change position, there is still a part of me that is scared that there is something wrong and they just aren't telling me! I tell you, the paranoia that sets in during pregnancy is something people never warn you about!!!

Good news is that baby is a boy *big smile*

So many people have offered sympathy when they have been told we are having another boy, and my mum couldn't disguise her disappointment at another grandson, but Rob and I both secretly wanted another blue.... and so did Oliver because girls smell! We have already been asked if we'll 'try again' for a girl... when the neighbour asked this,I said if we did 'try again' it would be for a baby, and we would be happy with what ever it was. That said, there definitely will not be anymore after this one. I can't go through the stress and worry of it all again, and to be honest I don't think my poor body could cope with another pregnancy.

So at the weekend when I go to mum's, I will be able to buy a few bits and bobs for the little guy, and hopefully find some yummy wool to knit a few cardigans for the early days... I say this like he needs them, he doesn't, I just like knitting little things.

So here is the latest pic of Thing 3...

I have been really busy on the scrap front lately too... some things I can't share as of yet because they are DT work. However I can share the sarahscards work that has already 'gone live'. This kit was yummy to work with, but to be honest, all of the kits have been yummy to work with, and I have to say the November kit I received this week is to die for... seriously my favourite yet. If you don't already sub, look out for the single purchase if/when it comes available... you will need it trust me!
Don't forget that sketch #2 is up over on the rough draft blog... it's a fab sketch and the DT interpretations are stunning. I am planning to have a go tonight when the boys are asleep... don't forget to share your LOs by leaving a link to your work so we can add you to the slide show.

Late night scrapping...

2008-10-12T13:43:00.003+01:00

a child that woke 5 times in the night, and an early start can only mean one thing... I feel like poop today!

Rob had his Saturday night bottle of wine last night and watched Rocky 5 (very sad) and I got on with some scrapping. I actually did 2 whole LOs last night... shock horror!!! One was using the delicious November kit from Sarahscards, all yummy greens, yellows, black and white. If you aren't a subber and you get the chance to buy the kit as a one off, you will not be disappointed.

The second LO was done just for me, no DT kit, no sketch, just me and a random choice of papers that appealed last night. The topic of the LO was inspired by a LO by Anam, and means another page in the new baby's album. I used a sound button on the LO which has a recording of the baby's heartbeat on... something I think he will like to listen to when he is older. We didn't hire a doppler with Oliver or Harry, but this time round I seem to be even more worried about something going wrong so we hired one at 14 weeks... it has been a god send, on those days when you really don't feel pregnant, have no movement and panic starts to set in.

The Lo is quite a touchy feely one as I used some velvet paper and velvet thickers. The red pp behind the photo is actually a plastic bag from a past Scarlet Lime kit so feels really shiny and cool to the touch in contrast to the velvet. The decorative edge paper is by Pink Paislee and can be bought from Sarah, it is yummy and I think I am going to need some more. The red hearts wrapped around the sound button are Bazzill decorative edges, and I love using these... they're not something I thought I would use a lot, but they are really versatile.... go on, pop some in your basket, you know you need them too.

Sketch 1 is up!

2008-10-11T15:55:00.003+01:00

Over at Rough Draft sketch 1 has gone live. I am on the Odd team (and yes it has already been pointed out that this is probably for a reason!) and this sketch was given to us (although I will be doing the even teams sketches too as they look fab too) I love how versatile it is and will very likely be using it again. For this weeks LO I turned it on its head but stayed pretty true to the sketch as in where all the elements were placed. I LOVED scrapping in pink for a change, such a refreshing change. The photos are of Harry and Freya when we went to the little park across from our house to collect leaves for our autumn collages. There was one puddle in the par and they found it, and stamped and jumped until most of the puddle had been soaked up by their jeans! I didn't stop them, as I think it is important to let children do things like this... and I can't imagine it's something I would have been allowed to do as a child.

So get yourself over to the blog and join in with us... don't forget to leave a link to your work so we can see your interpretation.

We went into Stockport this morning to do a little bit of Christmas shopping. I have done most of it already, but there was a weekend deal on the DS Lite that Oliver has asked for so we went and got that, and of course more bits and bobs fell into the trolley. I feel good that it is all under control though... I HATE shopping really near to Christmas when everybody just seems to get a bit more rude and pushy than normal. Just need to get Bear a kitchen now, we have narrowed it down to 2 possibles, but as they are in Argos we will need to buy them both to then choose which we like the best, then take one back. A kitchen seems a good idea now, but I'm sure when there are 100s of pieces of plastic food scattered all about I will wonder what we were thinking!!!

My friend Jen, is celebrating her first weekend on mat leave by going to the luxurious angels retreat in Crewe... I'm not at all jealous... really I'm not... honestly! So I am assuming she will be far too exhausted and scrapped out to be online tonight to distract me, so I am planning to get busy scrapping. I also have to do 3 cj entries... for a cj which is almost as old as Harry!!! How bad is that... but to be fair it is my fault, I keep meaning to get them done, then they get buried under other stuff and forgotten about for a few more months... well this weekend they will be done!!!

Better go and take a couple of photos whilst we still have a bit or light, all be it murky light.

Yey!!!

2008-10-06T19:54:00.004+01:00

I made it on to the Rough Draft DT!!! I am so pleased to be a part of this new venture, and as I already have the first sketch in my mits I can tell you it's a good one. This blog is defo one to watch and of course to play along with... there is a RAK up for grabs and all you have to do is leave a comment. Well, what are you waiting for?!?!?

So huge congratulation to the rest of the DT, and a big thanks to Zoe and Jems for giving me the chance to be a part of it.

So I though I better actually do some scrapping, so that I feel I have something to blog... and last night I sat 1 eye on Tess of the Durbervilles, and the other switching between the pooter and the LO, and did this.

The photos were taken on Friday when Harry decided to fall asleep in the dog's bed of all places! Now Jaspa was booked in for a hair cut on the Saturday so his bed was in dire need of a wash, and it smelt pretty rank. So after I lifted bear into his cot and he finished his sleep in the comfort of a feather pillow and duvet, his bedding and his clothes had to be washed as he smelt bleuuuurgh!!!

After school today we got busy with some leaves and glue!!! You wouldn't believe how much mess four 4 year olds and a couple of 1 year olds can make with a spot of glue... I'm sure I'll be peeling it from unexpected places for weeks!!! Harry loves doing crafty things, which I am really pleased about as Oliver shows very little interest at all.... which is very disappointing to a mummy who is an art teacher!

Not sure if I'll get any scrapping done tonight... Harry was up partying in the early hours and only settled in our bed, which meant this mummy spent an uncomfortable night with a child's size 6 digging into her back whilst clinging for dear life to the very edge of the bed! So it may well be an early night

My Life Most Ordinary

*only 3 more sleeps*

Having a poorly sick day...

Testing, testing...

Another New Year

Another year older...

So little time!!!

New Look Sarah's Cards Blog

2 posts in one month!!!!

Do you like my new Blog Header???

April's post is here!

Here it is...

I'm so bad...

Sketches to Scrapbook Winter Release.

Exciting news.... for me!

Happy New Year!

Sketches 2 Scrapbook Is Here!

Here's the description from the itunes store....

It's been a while...

Exciting times.

Head in a book!

Happy afternoons...

Scrappy day

I need more money!!!

Just a quickie

Bank Holiday chilling.

New starts!!!

Late night scrapping!!!

Walking on sunshine, splashing in puddles!

Missing in action... again *rolls eyes*

Swimming babies.

Busy busy busy!!!

Scrappy weekend!

Retreat weekend!!!

No more babies in this house :(

I'm back.... again!

Twisted sketch...

Happy Birthday to Bear!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and brrrrrrr!!!!

Twisted sketch #23

Worlds Worst Blogger!!!

DT LOs to share.

Upside down.... Inside out....

It's been a while...

Summer Holidays

I'm so old!!!!

Scrapping sneaks...

Busy busy busy!!!

It's raining, it's pouring!!!

Twisted number 3

Parents, scrapping, missed deadlines and poorly sickness!

Cool and new...

Fantastic Blog Giveaway

Just a few pics to share...

Just to prove...

Scrapping... my sanity saver!

We are still here... honest!

T.U.B.

So much to do, so little time..... or energy!

Ok, so it's been a while!

Still no disc!!!

Question!!!

Bad blogger.... again!!!

We have a bear back in the house!!!

Thought it was about time...

How stoopid am I???

Cabin Fever!!!

Back in the land of the living!!!

It's a boy thing!!!

Late night scrapping...

Sketch 1 is up!

Yey!!!

only 3 more sleeps

Missing in action... again rolls eyes