Scrappy weekend!

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!!!

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 :(

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!

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...

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!

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!!!!

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!!!