Pink Candy by Caroline

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........