Pink Candy by Caroline

Something for me...

So, I bought myself an iPad. Something just for me. Not sure yet if this is an extravagant and costly mistake or a good investment.

One big downside is not being able to upload photos onto a website (unless you do it via PhotoBucket or something like) - something I would have liked to be able to do.  But then it does so many other things that I might be able to actually stick to work stuff at work and keep the fun of the iPad just for home. ;o)    and there a so many apps that I am sure I will have fun using those. Love the funky touch screen keyboard too, so easy to use!

So the jury is still out on the iPad. I am hoping I have not wasted my money though! Do you have one?   Let me know what you think...

Chocolate bunnies........

Well, this little lot is mine - all mine!

.....and yes, I have starting eating the Thorntons.  Actually I scoffed those three with a cuppa tea for brekkie!  lol

Happy Easter - hope you all get lots of choc and stuff...........x

Hot daaaaamn.....

It bugs me no end that I fail to keep this blog up to date.  I even signed up for Shimelles Blogging class in the hope of improving that, but I've not been able to keep up with it!  I have printed all the prompts off with a view to reading them though, so thats something I guess! 

Went to see New Moon last Tuesday.  Tuesday is a girly day as Abi has the day off from college so we both went to see it.  Fab film - I think I may have to go and see it again.  Abi is in the 'Jacob camp' but even though he is very gooooorgeous, I am more an Edward fan, lean and mean, hehe.  We had a laugh though - there is a part of the film where Jacob takes his shirt off and Abi said 'daaaaaaamn' in a slightly louder voice than she wanted and most of the audience heard her, lol.

Can you believe Christmas is nearly here?!  Its going too quickly for me, although I am organised as far as presents go.  I only have the boys to do and I am done!  Lots of cards to make though and the decorations to do - need to get a tree this week.

Bit worried at the moment though - FIL is in hospital and he is very poorly.  He has an infection in his liver, which is something he suffered from a few years ago.  I worry every time the phone rings.  Keeping fingers crossed he recovers quickly.

And our very last guinea pig died Thursday night, so sad.  He was very old, over five years old, and had been gradually slowing down over the past few weeks.  He died in his sleep, bless him.  I loved Wiggy (he was very long haired and looked like a wig with legs!) and miss him already.  I would stand at the kitchen sink and be able to watch him in his cage outside and loved hearing his squeak when a bag was rattled as he thought it was food.  We had been bringing him in every night for the past couple of months to make sure he was warm and away from the night chill.  The last couple of pets we had died from ill health and had to be put down by the vet, so I am thankful he went in his sleep.  RIP Wiggy... :-(

* * *

I am going to do Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas - I am determined too!  I made an Advent Diary for a project on Fiskarettes and will make a little compartment to keep the tags in too.  Fingers crossed I can keep up and be organised this December...

 

We have opened our chocolate advent calendars!  We all have one, how exciting!  Can't remember the last time I bothered with one for myself, but why not, eh?!  Have you had yours?......

Another year older!

Well, my Birthday weekend was very nice.  Abi, bless her, made sure I had a lovely day on Saturday.  She is so thoughtful and nothing was too much trouble.  The boys did their own thing as usual but when I managed to grab them to make me a cuppa they did so without any fuss.  So nice!

I've treated myself to some Copic Ciao marker pens.  I love bright and bold and these will do just that, I hope!  There might be some technique I have to master to do all the shading, but we will see.  Can't wait for them to arrive now!

Abi added to my little collection of Momiji dolls.  I have three now - all bought by Abi - and the latest one is Ollie, a spiky haired skater, haha, love him.

 

On Friday the Yr 9's, at the childrens school, had a visit from Tony Anthony.  Jake was telling me all about him so he obviously impressed Jake a fair bit.  He gave them all a copy of his book and Jake very kindly passed it on to me as my birthday present, lol.

Anyway he travels around the world telling his story and its quite interesting.  If you pop onto You Tube and type in Tony Anthony you can hear the speech for yourself.  I think the book is going to make interesting reading.....

In a previous post I mentioned that I was going to make a little notebook with the Cath Kidson papers I bought, to match the Cath Kidson chairity bags.  Well I made two in the end as I have two bags and here they are.....

The pages are thick card and there are some Cath Kidson pockets and nice little Making Memories Noteworthy journalling sheets scattered inbetween these card pages.  So it makes a neat little notebook!  If you are interested in bidding for a notebook and coordinating bag - the amount you bid is up to you! - then pop along to the Think Pink Blog and have a look.  There are loads of gorgeous goodies to be had!

Busy being a Fiskarette....

September was a busy month that seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye!  Busy on the shop (some people are just soooo organised for Christmas!), busy getting the children back to school, busy on the forum, busy in general!

Also exciting in that I was appointed as a Fiskarette Ambassador, along with another lady - Jayne!  Go see the Fiskarette site and sign up!  You are able to contribute to lots of projects, articles, competitions (and the prizes are FAB) and lots more.  It has a real community feel to it and we hope to be able to expand on that - so what are you waiting for!  Go and see.....

October looks set to be busy for me too.  The first two days of the month was spent in Nottingham with Fiskars, training.  Great fun though, and met some lovely people.  Got to know lots about the history of Fiskars, all about the Fiskars tools, and also the aim behind the Fiskarettes Blog.  It all seems very exciting.  Stayed in a lovely hotel in the centre of Nottingham, mind you I didn't sleep too well, although I never do away from home.  I was only away from home for two days but I did miss my family and just the comforts of home.  I am such a home body.  Nice to know that hubbie and kids missed me too, bless.....Not forgetting Sam too - his tail was like a helicopter blade when he saw me, I really thought he might take off as it was twirling so much, haha!

Looking forward to the Think Pink sale in Sussex on the 18th October too.  Anyone who lives around that area please come along - it promises to be a fantastic day with lots going on.  See the Think Pink Blog for more details and info on how you can help!  The Auction is live for this next week too, so go and see if there is anything you would like to bid on.......

I am hoping to have a mammoth crafting session over the weekend.  And seeing as its my birthday being able to do that uninterrupted would be the best prezzie I could get, but we shall see!  Here's hoping anyway......

*Tagged!*

I've been tagged by Karen.......

I am sure I was tagged by a couple of other people a while back and I forgot to do them.  Apologies to whoever that was, and if you want to tag me again I will do it, honest....

1. If a movie was being made of your life who would you like to be cast to play yourself? And why?
I would like Jennifer Saunders to play me and in the style of Edina from Ab Fab.  My daughter says I am like Edina and my friend is like Patsy.  I do laugh at the thought......wish I had her money though too, lol.

2. You are spending a whole month on a desert island for charity and you have to choose your favourite celebrity to spend the first two weeks with & your least favourite celebrity to spend the second two weeks with, who would they be & why?
There are lots of fave celebs I wouldn't mind spending some quality time with (hehe), but at the moment it would have to be David Duchovny as Fox Mulder (X Files).  We could investigate some happenings on the desert island and then he would have to comfort me when I get scared.....

Least fave would have to be some airhead woman or someone who is famous just cos they are rich.  You know the ones, but I don't like to name names.... Paris Hilton...

3. What are your three favourite crafting products?
Chipboard, Big Shot, Cropodile

4. If you could invent something to do anything what do you think it would be?
Something that enabled us to live forever, should you want to.

5. What are the last three books that you read?
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz, The Potters House by Rosie Thomas, and am reading Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult at the mo.  I have a huge pile of library books to read - a couple more by Jodie Picoult, a couple by Dean Koontz and some by Stephen King.  Will keep me going for a while - will have to renew them though as I am not going to get through them all by the due back date of 23 April, lol!

Also have a new BF Book Club book to read - The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.  If I didn't have my books to escape into, I am sure I would go mad.

6. Qvc or create & Craft?
Neither

7. Docrafts or Dovecraft or DCWV?
Defo not DoCrafts, Dovecraft is good, DCWV is a little bit gooder.

8. What is your claim to fame?
Having a PM on UKS from Ty Pennington, when he dipped in during a CyberCrop last year.  I had made an offer to help him, in suggestive tones (hehe), and he PM'd me to thank me for my offer.  Cheeky man.  Cheeky, sexy man.  Sexy man. Sexy...

I am going to tag - any of the Bubblies who fancy giving it a go.  There are more than five and I would hate to miss anyone out....

Edited to add a couple of pic of Ty Pennington - sorry, I just assumed everyone would know who he was, lol.... I mean, how could you not who he was!!  Where have you been??xx

Ty Pennington - Extreme Makeover.....

I believe in angels.....

Doesn't time fly!  I've been so busy the past few weeks I can't believe we are mid-way through April already!  And no sign of Spring either, bummer.

The new style Bubbly Funk monthly kit is being posted on Tuesday and the Bubbly Scrumptious Blog is available for those who bought the kit too.  It is themed like an e-magazine, so over the months we will build up a whole load of useful and usless info, lol.  Thats what magazines are about isn't it.  Bits and pieces of this and that, with the Kit projects being the main posts throughout.  I hope everyone likes it as I do think it will grow into such a valuable resource, and not just crafty bits.  It is going to be something you can flick through whilst having a cuppa, and also the kits projects will give some winderful inspiration.

So this alone has kept me very busy, together with the Kits for the UKS CyberCrop taking place at the end of April.  Not complaining though, as I do love it.

I did manage a CJ entry for the Retailers Cj on UKS, which I posted last week.  this is the only crafty thing I have been able to fit in of late.  The theme for the CJ is Magical and Mystical......

I love Angels and the whole spirituality surrounding them.  I have a number of books of peoples wonderful experiences with Angels, so it is nice to believe and I do.  Several years ago I used to go to a Spiritual group which met up every week, and was headed by a lady who had medium-like qualities and would be able to give us messages.  Darren thinks the whole thing is a load of nonsense, but I believe.  I would hate to think that you live and die, thats it, and nothing after.  Darren is very logical and practical which is fine, but I am the opposite and want to believe there is more. 

I also believe in the power of positive thinking.  And that negative thoughts breed negative happenings and the same with positive.  The book 'The Secret' is worth a read to anyone who hasn't already.  I've only read part of it, and watched the video, but it changed the way I think, and for the better.

My Spirituality has taken a back seat the past few years, as all I do is craft related, lol, but its still there with me, with every breath I take, even if I am not seeking to know more at the moment.  There is a time and a place and I believe my energy needs to go on the business and my family, of course, at the moment.  So I don't go to any Spititual groups or anything like that at the moment, but I am sure I will again, as its something thats always there with me.

To this end I always want to think the best of people, and I always assume first that peoples motives are honorable even if further down the line they prove not to be.  I can be happy in myself that I gave them that chance, and then just feel sad if they prove not to be as nice as they should be.  It is their problem then and not mine, as I gave them a fair go. 

Oh gosh, that was a bit deep wasn't it.  Don't know why, lol.  Anyway, do you believe in Angels?

I have a daily calendar with an angel sentiment on each day.  Todays one says

"Wherever we are, if we open our eyes to truly see, we find the wonder of God's handiwork."

If you are blessed with good family and friends, then this sentiment rings true, don't you think....and the beautiful things that nature provides, which are around us every single day.  Take time to really look....and really see....

What?.....

I've spent the past seven days with my right ear completely blocked.  I have a cold too and as my mum had the same thing the week before and hers cleared as her cold did, then I haven't yet gone to the docs.  My cold is still here along with my blocked, buzzing ear so I am giving it the weekend and then going to have to go and pay a visit to Mr Doctor.

Even if I hold the phone right close to my right ear, I can only just about hear them.  One of my most common words this past week has been 'What?', as in 'pardon, what did you say?  Can you repeat yourself as I am ever so slightly deaf in the one ear'.

Anyway, I'm not after sympathy as on the scale of things I am OK :-)  Not got any crafting done this week, infact not got much of anything done.  Darren was home all week and decorated the bathroom and the dining room which now look gleaming after a spot of fresh paint.  He was on about doing the kitchen next week too.  The need for Spring cleaning affects even the male species, lol !

I have to get and craft plenty this weekend though as I have CJ's to do and a DT package arrived at the beginning of the week.  Recipe cards to do too.  Oooh, a bit off tangent here, but isn't it nice to see some sun!  Its been so dark and dismal this past week and raining loads, but the sun is streaming through the window at the moment and it does lift the spirits, doesn't it.  Sooooo looking forward to the spring and warmer weather now.

This is a pic I took from my desk window.   Cheeky little squirrel hanging on the gate up the garden on his way to next doors elaborate bird feeder. You can just about see him bringing attention to the fact that a slat on the gate is loose.  He was actually making that swing so he could give himself extra leverage to leap off!  I do love seeing them although I know not everyone does.  A pesky squirrel indeed keeps planting nuts in my parents flower pots and chucking their bulbs out!  I find that quite funny and sweet but my Dad has a few choice words for it......... :-o

Soooo excited.......

Just a little bit of exciting news......I have been chosen to be part of the Charmed Cards and Crafts Design Team!! 

They stock lots of lovely goodies so I will be looking forward to the first set of projects in the new year.  Thanks for the opportunity CCC............. ;-)

Tagged

I've been tagged by Karen - thank you....... :-)

Seven random facts about myself.......

1.  I have blonde highlights in my hair and even though everyone thinks they are put there intentionally, they are in fact 100% completely natural.  Even the hairdresser didn't realise they were natural until I said and then he had a closer look and could see there were no dark roots, hehe.

2.  I have a 'thing' for shoes and really believe they can make or break a complete outfit.  I don't mind what I spend on a good pair of shoes.

3.  I love quiet.  My hubbie prefers some noise.  Hhhmmmm - a bone of contention sometimes.

4.  I sometimes snore and have even heard myself, lol !!   Although, I hasten to add, its usually when I have had a cold or similar thing.  Don't snore normally......I don't think.......

5.  I have to have chocolate every day.  I mean I really have to have some chocolate.  Usually at the end of the day and with my last drink of the day.  Otherwise the day is spoilt.

6.  I would much rather sit curled up watching a good film and with a hot milky coffee, than go out on the town and drink alcohol.  Getting old see.

7.  I can't drink wine anymore.  Its gives me a bad head the following day.  Probably hence the No.6 option above!  I am quite partial to a neat brandy though - purely medicinal you understand.........

I will tag DiO, Rosie, DiW, Kaz, Beth, Kathy, Joanne and Janice for this.  Ooops sorry, thats eight.  Hey ho.

Larf?! I nearly peed myself........

Oooh, I have been a busy bee this week and haven't even had time to spit - not that I do spit but you know what I mean.....

Anyway, Tuesday night was an absolute hoot !!  I haven't laughed so much in ages.  My face was aching from laughing so much.

They are two gorgeous Austrialian guys - one one was spesh a dish with long floppy hair and a lovely grin, yummo - and they were really funny.  Once you got over the shock of them being naked, except for a pair of socks and shoes, lol, then you could actually see the art in what they were doing.

Who am I kidding?!  They were naked men.  Naked, naked, naked.  No, truly, they were lovely, naked men contorting their willy's into unimaginable shapes........made my eyes water some of them.  But sooooo funny!  If you get the chance then you really, really must go.  A great night out.

I am trying to remember what shapes they made but here are some of them:

Hotdog, burger, snail, possum, bracelet, wind surfing sail, haemmerroids (sp? - eek, use your imagination), Eiffel Tower, boomerang, female bits (ahem)..........ooh and so much more......lol.........

I went with my bezzie fwend Wendy.  Her daughter is in the same class as my son Jake.  Now Jake got to talking about my evening out and what I had gone to see.  Wendy hadn't told her daughter, but she soon got to find out from Jake and she was not impressed.  A twelve year old girl finds the whole thing quite disgusting I'm afraid and I think she is quite embarrassed and shocked with her mammy.  lol.....

I am hoping to get on top of workie things by the end of the week and then I have the weekend to craft.  Now that sounds fine and dandy doesn't it.  But in truth I am panicing about a CJ and Recipe Card Swap that need to be done.  So much for having plenty of time to do it in........

Lucky, lucky, lucky............

I've been feeling a bit rough these past few days and just about been able to sort out shoppie things and this months Kit.  An evening tot of Brandy has helped me sleep, I have been that bunged up I couldn't breath.  Must be run down and working too hard.......

Anyways, had to get a new washing machine last night as our old one gave up the ghost last Friday and despite Darren trying his very best, he just couldn't repair it so off we trotted to get a new one.  It lights up and all sorts, lol!!  Eight years it lasted, which is good going considering the amount of washing I do every single day.  Had a funny thought though, if this one last eight years also, Abi will be 22 years old.  Hows that for scary!!

This is what I was all excited about on Tuesday............

Its a pressie from Darren to me - just two seats, so its not a family car it is literally just mine.  Something for me........and I love it.  Its a Mazda MX Eunos Roadster, a real dream to drive, luxury leather interior, pop up headlights (I was in hysterics when I first made them pop up), the roof comes off and you have the choice of a tan soft top or nothing at all.  Fabaflippinroony.  Total extravagance but wonderful.

I am lucky........

Pressie!!

OMG !! OMG !!

Darren has come home with the most wonderfully fabbo early birthday pressie for me.  I wanted to do a jig in the street but the neighbours would think I had completely lost it.

I will put a piccie on as soon as I can get one........speak laterz........vroooooomm......xx

Yawn......

Oh my, look at the time.........tick tock.

I am yawning but in my aim to be a better bloggie writer I am putting in a post before bed. 

I finished my ATC's - YAY says Rosie.......

'In the Pink' was the theme and needless to say, I liked doing these.  Cos I like Pink.

I also like doodling and have taken to adding doodley bits into quite a bit of my work lately.  Its a bit of fun.  Had to do a bit of sewing too.  Love sewing onto paper and my sewing machine is left permanently under my desk now for convenience.

Anyway its another thing off my massive crafty 'to do' list although I have put my name down for this months ATC's too, so having done this one but adding another to my list really negates the other doesn't it.  Oh well.  I have to get a bit of crafting in and other than these committments then I really wouldn't get to do any.

Realised today that we missed Abi's hair appointment on the 25th August.  Yikes.  Its no good ya know.  What is the point of writing things in my diary if I am then am too busy or forget to look in it to check.  So I have to phone tomorrow to grovel, apologise or just lie and then make another appointment. 

Now Big Brother has finished I am missing it already *sob*, although I am intrigued with the Channel 4 'Dumped' programme that started this evening.  That might just be a short-term substitute for a daily fix of a reality show.  As if real life ain't real enough.........lol *yawn* aaaaand sleep.