Pink Candy by Caroline

Hot choccie yumminess...

Take a look at what Abi made me a couple of evenings ago....

 

'Ab, would you do me a drink before we sit and watch Big Brother?...." I said.  And this is what greeted me.  Milky Aero hot chocolate, whippie cream and marshmallows.  Sprinkled with chocolate powder.  Ooooh, it really did taste as good as it looks.  This is now my favourite nighttime drink - whats yours?

Please pop on over to Bubbly Scrumptious to see details of my Abigail Word Book, and if you want to hear what I sound like then pop on over to Fiskarettes to see a video I made.  How is it that we always sound different to how we think we sound?!

to London, to London...

This time two weeks ago I was having tea at Buckingham Palace.....

I've not been to London for many years and it was more fantastic than I remembered.  I loved it.  We did fit so much into our three days, each day ended with us exhausted, but it was fun.

 

When we arrived in London we went around Buckingham Palace.  It is open for a couple of months each year, while the Queen is away - and I can now say that I have had tea at Buckingham Palace, haha.

The above pic is Cam - he is never too pleased at having his photo taken and I do seem to acquired quite a few of his grumpy face, bless him.  They do make me smile though....aaawww. 

We then visited Ripleys Museum - full of weird and wonderful things and the kids thought it was fab.  Certainly a good way to spend two or three hours.

 

This is a mini covered in Swarvoski crystals.  Fantastic it is.

By this time we were starving and so went to Planet Hollywood - we ordered a whole load of gorgeousness to eat and our eyes certainly were bigger than our bellies.  Such a great atmosphere in this restaurant though - and the food was great.  I would defo recommend.

 

Abi - hhhmmmm what shall I have to eat...

We literally crawled to the hotel - our bellies were full and our eyes heavy and sleep was certainly welcome!

 

Walking through Hyde Park...

The next day we went on the open top Bus Tour.  This is fantastic and you can get to see so much of London.  One of the things I admire most in London is the history and architecture.  Some of the buildings are really impressive.  The Houses of Parliament certainly caught my eye - absolutely amazing.  The great thing about the bus tour is that you pay for a 24 hour ticket and can then get on an off any of the stops along the way.

We then went on a trip on the Thames.  Lovely.  We ended up in Greenwich (I think) and walked a long tunnel under the Thames to a little market - I got a gorgeously spotty bag.  We then got the tube back to the hotel - another exhausting day!

 

Jake...

On the third day we were travelling home later in the day and so we went shopping.  You really can't go to London without doing a little shopping.  So we visited Hamblys and Harrods and little shops inbetween.

An exhausting break, but great fun.  And I certainly won't be leaving it so long before I visit London again...

Prom...

Whilst Abi and her friends were calling it 'The Prom' the school actually referred to it as a 'Leavers Ball' - I think 'Prom' sounds better somehow.

Anyway, Thursday night was The Prom and Abi spent such a lot of time making sure she had everything just right for the night.  Luckily for me she is not a frivolous girl who likes to spend money for the sake of it, and she is so undemanding of anything.  She is sweet like that.  Some of the girls wore dresses costing £100's, had transport which cost the same again, let alone the rest of what is needed to finish the outfit and evening.

Abi was happy to go with the flow and I found it was me who said that perhaps she should have a new jewellery - she was happy to wear one she already had.  Just a little thing but an indication of what she is like.

We bought the dress from French Connection, and added the straps and the bow with the help of our next door neighbour.  It was totally plain and the good thing about it is that it can be restyled for another special occasion should it arise.  The shoes are gorgeous and very conveniently fit me too, haha.  So we will get plenty of wear from those.

Abi and her three friends drove to The Prom in a Mercedes car - gorgeously classic but quite tame compared to some of the transport we saw.  There was a horse and carriage, numerous stretch limos, sports cars and some fantastically loud cars like ones from Wacky Races!  It was quite a spectacle watching people arrive, have their door opened for them and then walking up the red carpet to where they would have their photo taken.

The red carpet...

It really was made to be a very special event for them all and from all accounts it was a good evening.  Abi enjoyed herself and arrived back home gone midnight and dying to take her shoes off, haha.  The first real experience of wearing heels, as she mostly wears flatties.  Bless.  She is growing up fast.

Abi and Tasha - BFF

It was a real occasion for her to remember for the rest of her life.  I wish I had something comparable to remember my leaving school.  I can't even remember if we had a disco or anything - thats how memorable mine was!

Abi is going with my Mum and Dad to Newquay, Cornwall for a few days tomorrow.
I am going to miss her sooooo much.  Its been really nice since she has left school as we spend quite a lot of time together, she is great company and we do have a laugh.
Still, I've got my boys, love 'em, and she will be back before I know it....  :-)

Snow Pics - better late than never...

I know the snow has passed for most of us, for now at least, and whilst the sun is shining as it is today its difficult to remember just how bloomin' cold and snowy it was!  But here are a few pics of the kids when they had a Snow Day from school. 

Cam and Jake are sliding down the hill at the local playing fields which are at the bottom of our garden........Cam is on a snow board and Jake has a bin bag, bless him...haha

and here they are sliding down the hill!

and not forgetting Abi, who still manages to look gorgeous despite the wet and snow.....she really knows how to play the camera - isn't she lovely.....x

and onto VD day (as Karen put it until the different connotation of that abbreviation was pointed out, lol) - Darren doesn't usually bother as he thinks it is too commercialised.  And he is right too as I found when looking in a card shop and seeing valentines cards 'to my cat', whatever next.......  but this year he did bother, bless him, and he gave me a lovely card and a scrummy box of choccies, which I am still eating.  Thing is, as I know he doesn't really bother I didn't either.  Still, I didn't feel guilty, haha.......

And I have been asked to show more pics of my mini books that went into the Jan issue of Scrapbook Inspirations.

So I have gone into detail over on Bubbly Scrumptious........x

Caroline x

Serendipity - don't you just love that word?!....

I am so glad I have gotten back into cardmaking.  I had got to a point where I just didn't make them anymore and really thought I just couldn't do a decent card.

Taking part in the Think Pink challenges gave me the bug again and I am so keen now to actually make some to send this Christmas!

Challenges in general are helping me to make them too.  The weekly Fiskarettes challenge makes sure I do some crafty project and that has been cards most of the time.  I just wish I had time to participate in more. 

This is a card I made for a challenge on Bubbly Funk forum, where we are doing weekly challenges in the run up to Christmas.  This was a Serendipity card which I really enjoyed making.  Its free in a roundabout kinda way too as its made from scraps!

Please excuse the darkish pic - I really was fighting the daylight here and this was taken around 4.30pmish when it really was the very last of the light.

I love sewing onto cards - I'm sure I have said this before.  But I think it really helps to enrich the feel of a card.

This is one that is for the current Fiskars challenge - Christmas Flowers.  I used gorgeous Cloud 9 and BasicGrey papers and embellies.

I am so loving the aged, scuffed look right now!  I achieved the edges of this card by inking and then running over it with my fingernail.  I then realised I have actually got a little distress tool, so I might try that next time!

Last Wednesday - 19th Nov - was Cam's 11th birthday.  Bless him.  He wanted money to go visit Games Workshop where they have lots of War Hammer goodies.  He spent a small fortune on some plastic bits that assemble as warriors, soldiers and the like and some paint.  So he is now addicted to model making and painting.  I am pleased really cos its creative and he is enjoying it - despite Jake telling him it is nerdish!

Here is a pic of him blowing his candles out.  My Mum and Dad treated all three kids this year to a birthday cake with their photo on it.  I say treated - not sure the kids see it that way with a huge cake with some photo they would rather forget on it - but its a lovely thought.

I know that once Cam's birthday is over that Christmas is well and truly on its way.  I am pleased so far though cos I have everyones except the kids.  I will concentrate on theirs in December.  I do have some presents to make too though - for my parents and the in-laws - but I do have the bits to make them with so thats good.  I am doing Journalling Jars and Notebooks for the parents this year.  I want to get their memories and thoughts onto paper for us all to appreciate.  I am sure they will enjoy it and it makes for something a bit more interesting than adding to their wine, food, jewellery or tie collection, don't you think?!

How old?!

I know my birthday was over a week ago (and Abi's 16th has been inbetween too!) but I have only just recovered from what Darren bought me.

He arrived home from work last Monday and went straight to the kitchen.  I was told to disappear for a bit!  Anyway, with Abi's help he got it all sorted, although she did come and say that I would like it but I would laugh.  Oh gosh.  What has he bought me?!

Darren is not a great gift buyer and has bought some weird and wonderful gifts in the past.  I mean, one year I get flowers and chocs, another year a facial steamer, and then the next year its a car!  A bit obscure to say the least although something to look forward to even if its for a laugh, haha!

So I go into the kitchen and open the first pressie.  Its a back up drive for my computer.  Great, I thought.  Seriously haha I really did need one.

Then, on the kitchen worktop was a huge pile covered up with a couple of tea towels.  I was quite pleased though cos it was a huge pile of cakes!  Although when I counted them there were 50+ fresh cream cakes!  OMG!!  How many can a family of five eat for goodness sake!  Saying that though the kids soon polished off a fair few and then I had to have one or two or five.

Darren is a man of extremes - its all or nothing, lol.

As well as a mountain of cakes he bought me a birthday cake.  On that cake were candles which were numerical.  So there was a '4' and there should have been a '2'.  It was my 42nd birthday.  This is what was on the top of the cake........

He thought I was 43!

The kids had to remind him how old I was and so he improvised....humph

Then he had the nerve to say that at least he wouldn't have to buy any candles for next year!  ROFL

A quickie.......

I seem to have been AWOL on this blog this month!

I have been away for a week - went to Looe in Cornwall.  Gorgeous little place, and we stay in a really old cottage just up the hill from the harbour.  On our first day there we spotted a regular visitor to the harbour - a seal!  I managed to take some pics but he only popped his head up from time to time so it was difficult to actually get one but this is OK I think....

The locals reckon he is the son of a regular seal which visited Looe Harbour for 25 years and who died in 2003.  They have actually just put a statue of him in the harbour, which is a nice addition since we visited last.

It was really cool to spot a seal I think.  Quite a novelty for someone who hasn't seen one in real life (other than a zoo) before!

It was a relaxing week, and despite the cloudy days we were able to get out and about and did plenty of walking.  The one member of the family who enjoyed the holiday to its fullest was Sam.  Bless his heart he loves the rocks and sea......

I have a ton of lovely pics to scrap and now I am back home and gradually catching up on things I want to scrapbook some, so fingers crossed I can find the time! 

My young man......

A couple of weekends ago we went to BIL's house for a BBQ to celebrate the inlaws 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Abi was holding the camera and she managed to get some fab shots.  My fave ones are those that are taken when people aren't aware, and when they aren't staged.  Completely natural.

This is one of my faves of Jake - 13 years old, he's as tall as me (5'7") and gorgeous.....

and in a pensive mood - cos he is now 13 and these sort of events are a tad boring for him, haha......

He has a wicked sense of humour and loves nothing more than annoying his brother and sister.  The most common thing I hear from the kids is 'Muuuuuuuum, tell him!' and I know straight away they are referring to Jake.  Little bugger.....x

These photos are crying out to be made into a scrapbook page, don't you think?!

Pop Art......

Well, with me moving into my own room we have been busy decorating and sorting out what is now our new lounge.  Part of this new room is a large canvas which Darren has took upon himself to paint.  He is a very good artist, even though he wouldn't say so himself, and came up with the idea of convering a photo of the children into Pop Art and then projecting it onto the canvas to draw and then paint.

Here is the original photo which Darren worked from......

and this is the canvas - a work in progress

and here it is in its special place in the lounge!  How fab is it!!  We also spent ages trying to find the perfect rug and the perfect cushions, not to mention the perfect plants and we are very pleased with the finished effect.  The kids must like it too as they spend much more time downstairs with us, which is lovely.

The rug, by the way, is super funky.  its made up of strands of kinda like polyester string and its fab.  Here's a close-up so you get an idea

haha, Darren just walked in on me on my hands and knees taking a pic of the rug.  Just told him its for my Blog and he said nothing.  Just lifted his eyebrows up, lol.

As we've been busy finishing the lounge, I've not had any creative time since my last post, even though I have loads to do.  I must get on and do an Anniversary card for the in-laws as its their Ruby Wedding Anniversary on Saturday and weather permitting we are having a family BBQ.  So fingers are tightly crossed that this rain will ease by the weekend and we may see a bit of sunny Summer!  My Mum and Dad are in Torquay this week - hope its not a complete wash out for them.

Can you believe the kids finish school next week!  Where has this year gone.....

Its persisting down.....

Well, with the kids being off last week on half term I don't seem to have got very much done at all.  They wanted to spend time with me, which is great, and a bit unusual as they usually do their own thing!  With the weather being so dire though, it meant they were indoors and around me more.  I make the most of it though as I know as they are getting older they need me less.... :-(

Bank Holiday Monday was a very wet and rainy day all day, and it felt a bit like Christmas as we had a roast dinner and then played some board games - or at least a board game, Monopoly, which lasted for hours.  Darren had put a £5 winning prize for the one who makes it to the end and wins.  He was so confident that he would win, lol.  But the kids were determined and in the end Abi won it, bless her.

I did attempt to get the Beaded DCM card done but never quite finished it in time, but I did incorporate it into the challenge for this week, which is:

The Design Team have been busy working on this weeks dare ' It's all in the Shape' set by me. I'm a fan of shaped cards so thought this was a great one to do for my first dare. You can do any theme but your card has to be a shape of some sort.

If you don't have any shapes check out the internet as there are heaps out there. So go for it and can't wait to check out what you guys came up with.

This is my take on the challenge and the Birdie Hanger was what I was making for the previous weeks DCM challenge and you can see the beads just behind the ribbon knots, lol.  I was going to make a normal shaped card to put this into, and then it can be given as a card-gift.  So I changed the card shaped to make a triangle to fit this weeks theme too.

and the hanger on its own would look this this - ideal maybe for New Home....

So I have done this weeks at least..... :-)

I also did the final entry into the Retailers CJ on UKS.  I should be having my book back soon, but this is the entry I did into Karens - I Wish.....

LHS entry

 

RHS entry....

I used my fantastic Prismacolour pencils for the left hand side of the layout.  I find colouring and drawing so therapeutic. 

Abi is set to go on a school trip to France on Friday.  Its for History and they are going to see the site of the Battle of the Somme and the trenches, etc.  They are there only for one day, but its a full day as they leave Worcester at about 4am and will get back at about 2am Sat morning.  She is so looking forward to it.  But I will be worried the whole time.... Fingers crossed its not a rainy day for her like it is here at the moment.

Famous Stars and Straps.....

I actually managed to get a CJ entry finished ahead of time last weekend!  This is one for the BF CJ and the entry was in Rosies 'Favourite Memory'.

Popped into town with Abi yesterday as she needed some new school shoes.  Mind you thats not all she managed to get out of me, not sure how she does it, really I'm not.  Shoes, two jackets and make up, and a she bought a sparkly belt buckle for a belt she bought where you can change the buckle.  Ridiculous price.  The buckle cost more than the belt and the belt cost £20.  She is buying that out of her pocket money though.  I don't mind treating her, but thats a bit extravagant!  I had never heard of this design either but its very fash by all accounts 'Famous Stars and Straps' - this is the buckle she bought...

I said 'Won't people think your name begins with 'F' if they see your belt buckle?'

Abi looked at me astonished and the shop owner chuckled at me and said 'Nooooo, I shouldn't think so.'  And then laughed.

Am I that out of touch?! lol.  At one time I would have known what the 'in' thing was, but obviously not anymore!  I did feel old......

Happy Easter

Last weekend (gosh that makes me realise how long ago I blogged!) the boys and myself made a whole load of gorgeous choccy muffins.  The boys don't very often express an interest in baking but they both fancied a go when i suggested it, bless 'em.

So we made two batches of 12, making 24 gorgeously chocolatey muffins, because 12 wasn't enough, lol !  It is a Cadburys recipe and it makes the bestest Chocolate Muffins in the whole wide world.  Then blow me down, those 24 had gone by Sunday lunchtime and so Abi made another 12.  Thats how piggingly fabaroonily scrummy they are.  Pig out weekend it was.  Muffins all the way.....

Jake was camera shy for some reason, might be because he hadn't done his hair, lol, and so wasn't keen on me getting a full frontal shot.  But I did manage a couple of sneaky sideways pics of him making the muffin mix, with Cam too.

JAKE - WEIGHING INGREDIENTS

CAM - CRACKING EGGS

CADBURY CHOCOLATE MUFFINS - see recipe under Pages, left hand side.....

In my last post I mentioned that I had done a couple of layouts for my friend, who has a beauty business.  She wanted a couple of layout showing her room, which she could display on her table when she goes to shows and fayres.  I came up with two very simple layouts, in her chosen colour schemes, which she was very pleased with.  I kept it simple so that there would be minimum damage due to handling, as they will probably be handled a lot.  I also backed them onto 12x12 chipboard to make them sturdy.

Anyways thats it for now folks.  I have done a CJ (albeit a little late) and will sort out the photos for that for another post.  I'll sort out the Cadbury recipe for the muffins too and createa recipe section on here for those that are interested and who haven't got the recipe already!

Have a wonderful Easter folks...........xx

That spring feeling........

We started a Book Club on the Bubbly Funk Forum (hereafter know as BFF, lol) and our first read was The House at Riverton, Katie Morton.  I haven't picked up a book for months and months and so was glad to get into one again.  Anyway finished it within 10 days or so and feeling bereft of books I paid a visit to the local library.  Haven't been for ages but picked up three for now.  I love a bit of suspense, occasional horror and books I know with absolute certainty, I will not be able to put down.

Dean Koontz and Stephen King do it for me every time.  I know I am guaranteed a bloomin' good read with these guys.  Anyways, just finished reading Velocity by Dean Koontz.  The only problemo with reading is that it eats into my day and I know I have one zillion other more urgent things to be doing.  But I just have to get to the end of a chapter, and then maybe just start the next one cos its a short one - you get the picture.

I love reading though.  Transports you away for a little bit.  Whether that be into the mind of an old woman or into the mind of a homicidal maniac, either way you are in their lives for a while.  I kinda imagine that when I have finished reading the chapter and put it down for a while, that these characters are suspended insitu until the next time I give them life.  Or sometimes I think that even though I am not reading about their life, they are still living it and going about their daily business.  Ho hum.....

I managed to finish the Feb Sketch for the BFF (do ya remember what it stands for, lol) and so thats another page for my album.  Must try and do more than just one a month though, eh.  Have some yummo pics of the boys to do too, so that is my creative focus at the mo - scrapbooking.  Love it......

Here is the sketch, which, incidentally, I always make up after I have done the layout.  I don't make up a sketch and work the layout to suit, its always the other way around.  Purely so that people can use the sketch in a simple form if they want, and it kinda gives permission for people to scraplift, which when I do a sketch is fine by me......although it is nice to be given credit for the sketch....

Half term now for this next week.  Have such a lot of exciting things planned - dentist *open wide*, opticians*can you see it yet* (in a Rolf Harris twang), hairdressers *oops*.  The kids are gonna love this week I can tell you.  We plan a whole day sorting out the loft too.  We all need to have hands in on this one, as the loft is chocka with all sorts, that once sorted can go to charity.  I reckon there will be enough for them to collect in a van!

oooh, that Spring cleaning feeling is upon us folks......such fun.......:-)

Piggy pig.....

Our oldest guinea pig, Kappa (short for Kappacino) who is about 4 1/2 years old, had a visit to the vet today.  he was suffering a prolapse *yikes* it did look absolutely awful and I was ever so upset.  I really feared the worse and thought they would say to put him to sleep.  That was one of the options but they did think it worth trying to see if they could do a little surgery and put it all back in.

I was in bits at the vets.  I try to be strong but the tears come regardless, I just can't hold them in.  Abi was with me as its her guinea pig (or piggy pig as I call them), and she was very strong and brave.  I was a mess.  Anyway, Kappa was operated on and stitched up a little bit and is now home and recovering, fingers crossed.  They did say it could prolapse again and then we have to consider the other option.  But he seems OK for now so I hope he does improve as he is a sweetie, I do love him. 

We have him and Wiggy (my piggy pig) in Abi's bedroom at the moment so she can keep an eye on them, as he needs to recuperate and even though they stay outside during the day we always bring them in at night anyway, they usually sleep in the utility. We have separated them but they seemed so pleased to see each other albeit through a wire cage.

Ho hum, this is the bit of having pets I don't like.  Fingers crossed he recovers.....

That preoccupied my day really, inbetween working and post office runs and such like.  Here is an old pic of when Abi gave him a little bath.  This was taken ages ago and I was trying to find a fab pic I have of him sitting in a plant pot, but can't find it so this will have to do for now!

Will let you know how he is tomorrow.......xx

Merry Christmas!!

Well, the Big Day is done and as a family we had a spiffing time over the past couple of days.  Just simple family fun and togetherness.

The whole atmosphere, wherever you go, from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day, is magical isn't it.  Those days inbetween Christmas and New Year are cosy too, but I think those three days are a little special and you can feel it in the air.  I do love this time of year.

I said to the kids that they couldn't wake us up before 6am.  I thought they might last out til 7amish, as in previous years Darren and myself have been up first waiting for the kids to wake up!  This year though my two boys woke me up dead on the nail of 6am.

Abi wanted a bit longer in bed but she was persuaded to surface around 6.40am and we all went downstairs.  Christmas morning in blissful isn't it.  Still dark, lights twinkling and wrapping paper covering the lounge floor as they open each present.  They were so pleased with everything they received too........phew!!

I love watching them open their pressies.  Their faces when they see what they have been given, is priceless.

 

I have been very lucky this year and had some gorgeous gifts.  As a couple Darren and myself received some fabbo chocs and food, which is always nice.  Plenty of money given to us all too - sales here we come.......  And some gorgeous gifts, a few which are here........

Darren, bless his heart, bought me the model car.  He spent a fair few days trying to find the exact copy of my car, as its not a normal MX5, but something a little special, and he found this copy in Japan and he had an anxious wait for it to arrive to him in time.

My daughter, bless her heart too, bought me my very first Momiji.  They are cute aren't they.  And whilst I am not a nick nacky ornament kinda gal, these are fabbo and I will certainly find a special place for this one.  Its called 'Smiling'........

 

I hope you were all Smiling this Christmas too...........xx

Ooooh, Mrs Scrooge....

Went to see Cam in his Christmas school play this morning.  They usually perform in December but I think they are trying to spread events out this year, which is a good idea as the school seems to have so much to fit into one month with the Christmas disco, parties and plays.

They performed an adaptation of Scrooge.  Miss Scrooge was a mean teacher forced to face her past, present and future.  Cam played Mrs Scrooge, Miss Scrooge's Mum!!  Bless his heart, he was fantastic!  Cam was dressed in one of Abi's old dresses, an apron, long pink socks and some high-heeled sandals.  He came clopping onto stage holding a mixed bowl filled with paper which was thrown via the mixing spoon onto the nearby audience.  He also wore a black curly wig, and lipstick and eyeshadow and he looked and played the part soooo well.  I was well impressed.  Cam is quiet and quite shy but he was loud, clear and a real star.  The whole performance was wonderful and has started off the Christmasness for me.......

I managed to grab some photos of him after the performance - have a look.........

I tried to get him to pose with hand on hip and lips pursed together like a kiss, but he wouldn't.  Well he managed to hand on hip but the lippy thing was a push too far, hehe....

and I partic like his shoes - he said they were quite comfy *eek*, lol !!

What a star.........

I had to do my first Design Team project for Fidgeons last week and whilst I can't show you the full pic until its released in brochure format in Jan, I can give you a sneaky peek......

This was actually fun to do!  I really enjoyed received surprise bits and then being given a little brief on what was required and putting something together.

The scary bit is not knowing whether its good enough, but I was pleased with the end result and even Darren commented on it, lol !

I look forward to being able to show it to you all.

Oooooh, should be getting my car back soon.  Not sure if its going to be tomorrow, Sat or Mon now but I have quite enjoyed driving around in a Seat Ibiza.  Its a lovely dark grey and a very smooth ride.  Its a bit different to my little Mazda - it feels so high up for a start!  But its a comfy ride, and a fab family car, but not quite the same as my ickle baby, which will be coming back to mamma soon...... :-)

By the way this is not the actual car I am driving round in at the mo, but its like this....only pewter greyish......

Catch-up........

Met up with the Bubblies at the NEC on the 9th Nov.  DiW picked Beth up and then came to get me and we arrived in Brum at about 5ish where we met the rest of the gang.  It was really nice to see Rosie Di and Di again and fab to meet Karen, Tracey and Beth.  A lovely gang of Bubblies.........

I shared a room with Rosie and have to say it was the worse nights sleep of my life, as the bed felt like it was on a tilt and was rock hard.  Premier Inn's guarantee is that you have a great nights sleep.  So I told them I had a terrible night and asked for my money back.  So they duly obliged - Rosie and I got our money back.  Extra spending money.........

We went round the Craft Show at the NEC on the Saturday and within quite a short space of time I had spent too much money, lol !  But I bought some lovely stuff - lovely stamps, a glitter and flock kit, some fabbo decorative scissors which were £1 each and I later saw in another store at £4 each !!  Had to get some Sizzix dies and I've got some Glossy Accents but thought I would try the Matt Accent, so will see how that looks.  Oh, so much lovely stuff and so little time ;-)

I have been busy getting the November Monthly Kit and the Guest Designer Kit out last week.  That took virtually all week to do but they have been very popular so that makes it worthwhile!  I did think Thursday might come to a standstill when Darren had a wee accident in my car.

He was taking Cam to school and managed to get bumped by a motorcyclist.  The way it happened I think the motorcylist is to blame although it may come out as 50-50.  We shall see.  The insurance company is coming on Tuesday to see my car and decide what needs to be done.  It looks as though the front wing and bumper need to be replaced.  Luckily no-one was hurt but once the initial shock wore off I spent part the day fuming about the fact that it was MY car.  We had only just got it back from the garage who had replaced the clutch.    *sigh* accidents happen........

Did a bit more Christmas shopping yesterday!!  I don't think I have many more to get now so I am on target to get them done by 1st December, except for the kids.  So I am pleased about that.  Abi came with me and managed to get some clothes and boots out of me.  I don't know how it happens, honestly.  I told her I was Christmas shopping not clothes shopping.  To be honest though she rarely comes into town with me now as her Saturdays are usually socially filled with her friends, so I was really pleased to be able to grab her for some shopping before her mates did!  She is a pleasure to be around, truly.  And an extra pair of hands to carry bags is always a good thing........

I was pleased that this little beauty was in stock in Argos as I have tried before and always been out of stock.  So I got two.  One for all my ink pads and another for mixed bits like stapler, dst, glue stick, glossy accents, etc.  I love them.  They are baby pink cake stands and as they are tall they take up less room on my desk - fab!!

I have some crafty bits to do today although Darren is home from work as he's not very well.  Lets hope he's not a typically bad male patient, eh?!  I have too much to do, lol !  Cam still has his friend round too as it developed into a double sleepover, that is two nights.  They are sleeping still and catching up on the night before I think! 

Yep, my baby is ten years old tomorrow.  Where has the time gone????  I still see him as my baby though and he quite likes that - for now.  I'll make the most of babying him as I'm sure it won't last much longer, aaawwww.......  Abi is making plans with mates to share flats when they are at Uni or working, bless her.  I will hate that though, I can't imagine them grown up and gone.  So I'll just make the most of it while I have them around...........

Oooh, Jake has just sauntered in.  'do me a cuppa mate', I say. 'I love your cups of tea' (flattery gets you everywhere :-) 'OK' he says.........

Told you I would make the most of it while they were around........ hehe

Abi.......

It was Abi's birthday on Tuesday 9th October.  She is now 15 yrs old.  I can't quite believe it.

Being 15 is the first age I can really remember being myself.  It does seem and I think is quite a bit older than 14, iyswim, lol ! 

I gave her the building society account which I opened for her a while ago.  I have been putting money in there sporadically over the years and to a 15 years old its quite a hefty amount, although not too much so that I have to worry giving that amount to a 15 year old!  It was either give it her now or at 16 and I think she deserves it now as she is wonderful, truly.  Very sensible, level-headed, kind, considerate, compassionate - I could go on and on.  There is so much good about my daughter.  One of lifes really good people.  I do love her so much.

Shes been undecided exactly how to celebrate her birthday and because she has a lot of friends and was unwilling to upset or offend anyone we now have a sleepover half planned for ten girlies.  Just have to settle on a date but at the mo its next Friday.  Given a choice I certainly would NOT have ten teenage girls under my roof but I can see where Abi is coming from when she finds it hard to not invite people for fear of upsetting some of them.  So shes inviting all of them. Gosh........and *eek*.........

I didn't get any crafting done at the weekend as Saturday was taken up with shopping with Abi.  She managed to make a sizeable dent in her building society account and I came home with a big fat zero.  I tried loads of clothes on but nothing really did it for me.  It all seems so 'samey' and 'normal'.  I like to be a bit different but in a system clogged up with whats fashionable, I really find it hard to get clothes I like and that are 'me'.  *sigh*

Stingin'.........

Last night my baby boy Cam was stung by one of these blighters .......on the side of his big toe.  I was in the kitchen tidying up and heard hysterical screaming coming from the dining room.  I rushed in, as did Darren, to find Cam doing an Irish jig and frantically trying to get his sock off.

I have never seen Cam like that.  He was hysterical and his skin was clammy, he was crying , oh it was a shame.

Don't know where the wasp went, but Darren got the sting out, I put cream on it and he was cossetted by us both for the rest of the evening.  We were also keeping a beady eye on him in case of any allergic reation - you just don't know do you?!

Anyway, this morning he hobbled downstairs ready for school and it was with much grimacing and a few tears that he managed to get his shoes on.  Its very sore but the redness and swelling has gone down, thankfully. 

Am I mean, should I have let him have the day off school?  Hell no!!  He'll be fine, although I suspect he will be very wary of wasps from now on. 

Right, I am going to buzzzzzz off and get on with work........hehe........

So excited.....!!

Well, I've spent long enough designing and messing about with this blog, so I though I had better start posting in it!  LOL!!

I've had some good news in that some fantastic people have agreed to be Guest Designers over the coming months.  You cannot begin to understand how excited I am.  I admire these peoples work so much and its a real privilege that they have said YES to little ole me........                                              

Craftwise I haven't done very much myself recently.  Darren has been away from work for about 10 days now and goes back to work tomorrow.  We have had some lovely family days out though.  The Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, the Black Country Museum, Drayton Manor Park, cinema to see Transformers (fantastic film - wow and double wow), and .....where else.....can't remember now but we have been busy.  Its gone some way to making up for the holiday to Looe we missed out on beginning of August.  Spent a bit of time in the garden too and the kids have enjoyed being in the pool.......

 

I was all geared up for the kids to start back to school Tuesday and have found out today that Abi and Jake go back on Wednesday and Cam on Thursday!  So I have a little longer with them and a little more time in which to get their school shoes....phew.  Other than their shoes I am pretty much sorted.

Anyways, have you seen the time!  Night, night........