Ok - will try and do a daily freebie

and here he is. He is called Take Direction.

He is a right-click PNG file (he has a transparent background - seen here as black.. dont know why!) **for best results - click the picture, wait for it to open in another window. right click and save**
Use your magic wand, colour overlay and reduce opacity if you want to change his greeness to pinkness (if so desired - you know the score and you know you want him and you can have him :)
Give him a home on one of your layouts or place him on your desktop to give him some extra love and attention. He is chipped paint but looks good as a stamp. Put text in him and most of all love him. Ive called mine Chip - what you gonna call yours?

Still iDay appreciation, a freebie and an ode to the humble Jaffa

I have been so busy today doing PC work (well, mac work!!!) and making digi kits. Moulin Rouge will be available for download on Friday and you are going to love her. She will mix so well with Key Lime Twang as well as Oil Slick and Lemony Lick it - due shortly. In the meantime I made a very simple one piece element for you to use at your leisure. You can right click and save it as its a PNG file. Its called "Bling a ding ding" and you can have her full carat worthiness for FREE

Mark rang me tonight as he was lisetning to the video link (see belows post). Ive yet to convert this man into a mac geek becuase up to now he hasn't been enchanted by its beauty. So he see's this most inspirational - nay revolutionary - breakthrough known to modern man and when we discussed the US release price and guessing the UK release price I actually think he wants one too. I mean - if not for the phone you can love the iTunes. If not the iTunes you can reply on OS X with built in wi-fi (what is that all about - its scaring me with this wonderful phenomenon. Starbucks wi-fi will feel the strain of that little baby when all of its customers are draining the servers and bandwidth of the common world) Im so excited - I need to lay down.
But lay down I dont. Instead I venture off to the goody cupboard to enjoy my FIRST jaffa cake of the year. I seriously cannot believe I have left it so long. 4 weeks - I truly feel I have neglected the little buggers. Its easy to download 12 in one session and praise thanks for Apple and Oranges in one day! Thats 2 of my five a day anyway ;)

iDay - my personal "give thanks" to Apple

I know I will never be able to consume the amount of information and technology that is released everyday. I know that I will never be able to read every book ever written in my lifetime, I would need 70 life times to do that. I'll never swim the channel, I'll never make Primeminister, I'll never have dinner with Queen and I'll never get to snog James Dean Bradfield
But what I do realise and what I have been completely consumed by is this video

**here**

You need a good hour to watch this video - minimise the video and the screen you are woking in - and at least listen to it. IT IS AWESOME. I have NEVER EVER EVER felt so amazed in all of my life. Have you seen what these guys have developed? I have been sat here for the last hour being completely blown away with not just one idea but 3 massive ones in one small phone. This is a super phone, the monster of all creations and the one thing I am going to save very hard for. You know, I dont think its going to come cheap but when you have a phone this unbelievably believable - it is worth the sweat and tears saving for. And although I think the main beneficiary of such creations is aimed at the high flying corporate savvy type (which I ain't) for music lovers alone it is worth it. For mac users, it is worth it and for phone users it is worth it. The world will become mac geeks in one simple device. Mac geekdom - here we come.

Mondays are still babba & Weird Tagging

I was housebound today with various jobs to do and tax questions to be answered. I so wish I understood profit and loss in conjuncsh with being half a year vat registered, appreciate depreciation of assets and mumbo jumdo di lumbotically la-la. The phone was a like hotline live wire with various calls - all so very import dont you know. The sooner the deadline for tax returns has been met - the more lively I think my days will become. As I announced, last week, mondays are officially cack. I think it couldnt be further from the truth. cacka babba lalla.
To reward my misery, I munched through almost 12 of these little babies and will await my flab to quadruple in less then 4 hours whereby I will be confined to the house indefinately. To beat my mundaness of taxiness I scoured the cha news both yesterday and today. Did you manage to catch Elsies new line? She udpated from CHA and gave us a snippet of her yummliscious line and as I have a girl I thought I might plum for the pink. I actually prefer the blue. Im so proud of her. Elsie was my first love and she will be my last. Elsie of the future and Elsie of the past ........ who sang that bloody song? John Miles? I think I actually remember liking that.
Anyway, Im off to go and have an early night and dream about eating a tonne of biscuits - guilt free.
***oooh edited to add........ Im off to Barcelona in a week and half and wondered if any of you that may have been could point me in the dirrection of yummy places to go, places to eat (most import) and what to expect. Im so excited just about the Tapas so anything else is a bonus. Ooooh and the weather - whats it like in Feb?
***double edited - I got tagged by Jo. I have been tagged a gazillion gtimes inthe past and always forget to answer them but this tag is about revealing 6 weird things about yourself. Its debatable about my weird quirks and stuff - whats normal to some is far out for others - so here goes:
1. My party piece (and kiddy scaring act) is that I can turn my eyelids inside out and keep them like that until my retinas burn and eyeballs are almost dry.
2. I am fastideous about the cleanliness of my bathroom - you really could eat your dinner off the toilet seat - its like a brand new toilet everyday.
3. If I check something to see if it works or to test it, I have to do it in even numbers. Like flicking pages in a mag, turning switches, sorting items.
4. I put my mascara in my right eye first, then my left - always And when I squirt deodorant under my arms, I squirt left, then right and then a little bit extra on my left after that.
5. I have this phobia of having my knees touched. I wont let anyone touch them and god forbid if i even have to have treatment on them - if rather have gangreen that have me knees touched.
6. Im am all together too weird. You may concur.

We **HEART** Charlotte

I had a wonderful day yesterday with Carmel and her rather delightful daughter Charlotte. Have you seen those eyes? I kid you not, the editing on these photos was minimal - big ice blue saucers for eyes, a toothy grin, a girly giggle and a new freind for Ellie. I loved spending time with them yesterday - it was more than a photoshoot in all honesty. It was magic. It was effortless and it was girly laughter all the way (booo to boring men who watch footy!!)

Love, love, love our new freinds and we love, love, love these photo's.

Then I had a really big massive play with my 85mm 1.8 on Thursday night after school. Ellie has not been out much this winter and with the nights getting a little lighter, we took a trip to my favourite place in our area - The 3 Sisters park. Its here I take most of my pictures and its here that Ellie and I come to escape suburbian town life, grit and fumes. We walk the lake and paths, we go to the hide to spy on the bull finches, squirrels, robbins, blue and great tits plus we have adopted a little wild rat who makes us laugh as he scurries about the bird feeding areas looking for seeds. We have called him Ratzo (so original!) Here are a few snaps of Ellie just being Ellie. Im beginning to more than love the 85mm. Do not ask me where I get the time to do all of this but let me tell you, I have very dark circles aorund my eyes right now. Im obsessed with anything and everything x

You can download me for **FREE**

Im only a small kit but when you bundle all of the future mono colours together - you can mix and match to your hearts content. Look out for Moulin Rouge coming out soon.... like, real soon. Hey sisters, go sister, goal sister ....................... creole lady marmalade. You know my aspirations to be a severe digi chick is far outweighed to wanting to be a pop starlet.... its true!

**Download me for free here**

and thank you

Key Lime Twang

It's fruitilisciously zingful and will be available to upload tomorrow night. I cannot uoload to my 4shared site tonight...Im a little a angry. Are there any other reliable share sites out there? Id really like to know!
The kits I made prior to this (jack frost, ice maiden and juicy jaffa) have been discontinued but from now on - the monochromatic kits will be released in the following colour order:
Key Lime Twang, Moulin Rouge, Oil Slick, Lemony Lick it, Chicky Chick Choc, Feelin Blue and Deforestation (can you sense a "love green" thing goin on?)
Then I wil be releasing full kits in amazing colour pallettes for sale in a kit club at Digi-me-doo.
Its all go, its all digi but I still love my papers and stroke them adoringly each day.

Dare s'up

they totally are!
This is a digi using papers to be released as soon as I get round to finsihing the whole darn kit!!. This will be a freebie kit entitled Key Lime Twang. Not all the embellies you see here will be in the kit as some of this was made up with artwork from Atomic Cupcake, brushes from photoshop magazine issue 16 and fonts I have converted to embellies. Love these papers - hope you will too.
Layout challenge was set by Ali McGovern - Shake, Rattle and Roll. The whole theme to include stuff to do with the kitchen and as I don't cook on a Friday, I dedicated my digi efforts to M&S (thats Marks and Spencers to my overseas buddies - simply the best food store on earth!).
Gotta love M&S ................. YUM xx

Apologies

to the readers of Quick and Crafty magazine.
I had a piece of work published that included the slang for plop/poo/cack/merd (see wording in the layout here) and it was entirely my fault for submitting it without thinking!
Angela Kennedy of Aceville publication rang me before christmas to run a feature on moi. Ooooooooooh, I was so taken aback but went with the flow of them focusing in on the photog and crafting I do. I had to supply a number of bright layouts, some other craft works and photo's plus some text answer to their questions. It was wall fun to do and I do rather like Acevilles monthlies as they such bright and bold mags.
So I open a copy of it today and read the 4 page spread. I do get such a wobbly tummy when I see my stuff in print, worthy of cutting out for scrapping all over again!. BUT!!! As I sat in my fave cafe quaffing decaff this morning I burst out laughing and then a hot flush came over me when I saw that they had printed it. I mean, it is actually one of my fave layouts becuase the patterned paper is actually wallpaper and I love the stitched ribbon effect. And really, Im not ashamed that I expressed myself so honestly.
What I am sorry about is that it is there for all 15,000 plus readers to digest over their cornflakes or afternoon tea. Again, I am so sorry you have to see that I used this word so candidly but on reflection - its a crafters word for "dammit, thats another papercut amongst many".
Poo!
On a lighter note - well there isnt one. Im just sat here all kind of embarassed. Sorwy xx

i hate tax returns

because they are so finickity foo-fa-laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Good new is that the tax man OWES me money this time. Hmmmmmmm - a foreigh trip could just well be on t'cards. Or simple, pleasing and yet copious amounts of cheap trinket like below.
**also**
Just thought Id share my new scarf and beads with you - look... they match. My latest purchases from Primark ... all this cost me £3.

Freebie mono kit will be uploaded tonight. Have to decide for Cup Cake Candy or Digi-me-doo on the logo front. HELP ME!

oooooooooooooooh!

Exactly one year ago I was asked to make 16 layouts for a series of 4 books at Seach press. I haven't seen hind nor hair of them since but what I do know is one of them made front cover of the first two to be released. Hurrah.
Wish I had something gut wrenchingly interesting to tell you what I did with myself today. Let me sit here for a minute or two. Tum ti tum ti tum. Nope, Nothing. YAWN.

New freebie digi kit released tomorrow - Key Lime Twang. Its niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice :)

Productive Tuesdays

Did not feel good at all this morning - chest still hurts and coughing like an old hex. Am convinced I have something more than bronchial chest activity ... am suspecting pneumonia but not like horrendous pnuea, just a little. Any cyber docs out there wanna give their verdict?

As soon as I came back from dropping belle off at school I went to bed for 4 hours to shake it off and woke up fresh as a daisy. I had parcels to pack off today AND Technique Tuesday/Sticky Mitts to organise. I also have a shoot with a lady whose name reminds me of toffee on saturday, we got talking on the phone (her name is Carmel) and after like 4 years chatting I discovered she is a plicewoman. That means I have to hide my stash of crack cocaine, heroine and cannabis when she arrives. Damn!!!

The kids finished off their collages from last week and made this valentines card. Each kid put their own "stamp" on it but this was the map and they chose different little routes to make it their own. Belle loved it which was so important for me to watch. The kids went home with two finished projects, full bellies and a tick in the box for inking and ripping techniques. (look at how cute this kid is, peering over her glasses. She does this daily - I WUBS HER!)

I also launched, in conjuncsh with Katie some amazing freebies (see belows post!). These took an age to do and although our creativity is diverse, the complimenting colour palette meant we could design the kits in our own homes. Ive yet to meet Katie even though she only lives half an hour away!

When I dropped the kids off at home (yes... I pick them up from school, I teach, we make stuff, I feed them ham toasties, I water them and take them home!!) I went to the gym to beat myself up. Its a fabulous feeling coming home all refreshed and wanting to get going again. Belle was in her element... I think tuesdays could well be her favvo day!

I came back into my den after spanking ellie and sending her to bed with no supper (and we MIGHT live in a shoe!...duh! Kidding!) and I came to catch up on the PC. My PC has been my saviour this last few weeks. Prior to crimbo I got sick of it and forums and stuff but now we are buds and to make me feel at one with it again, Ive decorated the desk where its sits with this wonderful tea light lampshade and my favvo smelly candle - "Bay Leaves" by Prices Candles (have you whiffed their Fresh Linen range? WOW!). Whenever I get a new candle, i always engrave into it with a pin ... dont know why, perhaps Im fascinated in secretly becoming a wax artist! Its kind of snug in my den now and judging by the amount of work I do in here, I want to be surrounded by pwityy things to help me re-energise.

Im off to finish off a lot of stuff, make a quick digi kit and then bed.

All in all - a very productuve tuesday even though I slept 4 hours of it. Can't be bad really, its like buying one and getting one free.

Ta-daaaaaaaaaaaa

Do you love?

Do you love love love?

This is Katie and I's FREEBIE kit "just Minty Mocha" - its massive, its just luscious and its for boys and girls and you can just lick the screen and savour every ounce of sweat gone into making these.

Im so excited - I need to go and squeal under a cushion (cos its a loud squeal).

**NOTES BEFORE DOWNLOAD**

4shared sites can be misleading. You have to wait for the page to load, scroll down a little, and wait for a box prompt to show up (takes 5-10 seconds) - then load up on the good stuff!

JUST MINTY MOCHA SET 1 JUST MINTY MOCHA SET 2

crappo mondays

Mondays are officially cack.

Anyone who gets up on a monday proclaiming its going to be a great day are mentally insane, eat sprouts, wears polyester and earns in excess of £100,000 a year.

I was so deflated today, so much so that a planned visit to the gym had to be called off. I know Im the most super fit athlete that ever graced Wigan and Im certain that other gym members wain in my trailblaze of health, strength and stamina. And then I wake up.

And yet again, I scoffed the entire biscuit aisle of asda this weekend - I NEED TO WORK OUT. Tomorrow, definately tomorrow. Yep - got that programmed.

Took a visit to a local wholesalers today to build up the stock of knickety-knacketies for the kids classes tomorrow. Im really looking forward to it. The kids are over excited about it so all is well on that score. Just need to go to the gym.

Sat here making the absolute finishing touched to a digi kit that, shall we say, is a gazillion times better than my previous starter kits. Ive teamed up with the hottest digi chick in the WORLD to help bring you the most scrumptious freebie this side of the compuetr monitor. All will be revealed this week I think. This week - the week where the gym counts!

And did you see katies freebies today - OMG... she so totally should have been doing that sooner. I loves her little bits and they are now stored neatly in my digi files ready to take a battering. Like my thighs, in the gym, tomorrow.

Where are those viennese whirls?

Burtons Teacakes, anyone?

ooooooooooooh these take me back.
When I was a kid, I remember these being a massive treat for me, my sis and bro (like wagonwheels, Im sure these were bigger) and today Mark and I gorged on them with wild abandon. I love reminding myself of my youth and such pleasures like this make me feel nostalgic beyond comprehension. Just in the past week I have been listening to Century FM who often play 80's music hits and as I sit and listen and I drift away.

Whilst I was troughing through these little delicacies, I searched the depths of "youtube's" archives and listened to faves like Cars by Gary Numan, Mirror Mirror by Dollar, These Dreams by Heart, Can't fight this feeling by Chicago and The Model by Kraftwerk. Wow - it almost brought tears to my eyes.
My mum looks back on the 60's with as much affection as fondly as I look back on the 80's. And when I look back on the 90's, I can't say I was ever gripped by the whole era. Its bizarre but I have no desire to be so moved by my memories in the 90's even though it saw me marry and have a baby. Thats not to say Im callous - those days and times were and will always be special but I guess musically - you just can't top the 80's. My fave band, The Manic Street Preachers were set up then, Wham splitting up broke my heart and Bucks Fizz were so damn cool (did i really just type that?)
I find with music, it can can give me the same satisfaction for memories as much as photo's do. But I havent got many photos from my past, well actually not many prior to my digital camera days. This makes me feel so sad in a way. So listening to music helps me remember what I was doing at the time of its release and it conjours up a ton of not only fun memories but the struggles and challenges of being a teen.
ANYWAY..........
Besides making myself put on 16 stone today from 5 little teacakes (and im not talking sickly poor cover versions cunningly ripped off by the repulsive coconutty SNOWBALLS or even worse - Tunnock Teacakes... they never had the jammy bit in the middle) and scoffing home made chinese food loaded with crap that will no doubt stick to my ribs, my butt and my arteries FOREVER, I scrapped. Wasnt that a long sentence? Im stuck for breath, hang on. Gasp, gasp.

Granted its a digi again but it was so much fun to do whilst snug on the sofa surrounded by my gang. There was I in the lounge with my lappo, mark on another lappo and ellie on her DS. I think days of slobbing in front of the TV might as well be reminiscant of the 80's as well.

And finally (always room for a "and finally) Id really like to thank you for your support in light of yesterdays yakkiness. I truly am touched with your kind words but the champion of them all was from my darling brother whose open reply made me cry.

Love you too leigh, Im so lucky to have you as my fantastic brother xx

Why I Blog :)

I got a bit of a shock this afternoon to discover a very unsavoury comment left yet AGAIN in my moderated comments box to the tune that the way I scrap is retarded. It a horrible word isnt it? Not something someone would necessairily say in the UK but nevertheless it did get me thinking.

A continual spat of malicious comments bothers me only becuase they are left by anonymous persons. Other than that, I dont sit here and cry or worry or feel I should stop blogging. I blog for a number of reasons but really I don't think I should have to fully justify it. My favourite reason to blog and indeed scrap is so that I can look back on any given day, right the way back to Sept o5 and recollect. It jogs my memory and helps me search through my library of 23,000 photos to a particular favourite with such speed. It helps me keep on contact with my parents who live hours away, my husband who works away mon-fri and to let my freinds know what I have been up to.

Yup, sure you only get to hear the fun and exciting bits of my day becuase I sure as hell dont have just the sugary, fluffy life that it portrays! Its not to say that my blogging is a lie. I dont think you want to hear of the almighty screaming match I had with my cable supplier, the conversation with the girl at the checkout in Tesco or how I almost stepped in doggly plop. And whats funny is that I was told recently that some people think I am my blog - my goodness - NO! Im not all about scrapping and blogging and travel and teaching and magazine work. Im also a momma who struggles with her daughters disabilities, a wife who see's her husband 8 days a month, a loner who works from home and whose contact with any other human beings (in addition to her daughter) is other mommas who take their kiddies to school. I love my lot in life - I wouldnt have it any other way. But snidey, nasty and personal attacks towards me are unjust becuase whoever they are do not know me. I said back in august that you ought not to judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes and its such an honest piece of advice.

So there you have it.

If the anonymous poster would like to email me about their "beef" perhaps we could chat amicably. There proffers an olive branch, if ever I saw it.

Anyway, here is a nice picture to keep the positive chi in full flow. A pink rose which was kindly donated by a wonderful florist I met yesterday Called Anita Tootle - gotta love that surname.

Peace xx

Dare s'up

Dares are up - they are indeed.

This weeks challenge was to add "I can see......." so I plopped the word Family on there. Ive been wanting to scrap these pics for ages and ages. With digi scrapping, its so easy to drag and drop pictures onto a layout without having to go through the rigmarole of printing them out. Out of my C drive and straight onto the virtual paper. It's pips.

I made some more papers today (see link below) and have a couple of metal embellies being released on Monday with the Key Lime Twang kit. Im like a woman posessed.

Am sat here typing away this short blog entry listening to century fm - its total 80's night tonight and Ive just been swept back in time when Big in Japan by Alphaville came on.

I MISS THE 80's.

My teenage years were severely marked by the relatively new Madonna, 5 Star (yeeeeeeeeeeeeks!), A-ha, Duran Duran and super coolio hits from A Flock of Seagulls (bizarre hair), Martha and the Muffins (fnar fnar) and Roxy music. I cant forget my hero, Gary Numan (who I once spent the weekend with in my 20's - my fabbo claim to fame). Sigh. I'll always relish my bat wing jumper, ankle length skirt, ankle socks and white shoes with vulgar plastic beads, fingerless gloves and I had a freaking perm..... a perm? Gee wizz, not even when im 80 do I want a perm! At that time I went out with a lad called mel - now that is scarey name alone. He had naturally curly hair and we looked like twins when we went out down to the bus shelters down by the beach for a snog. Such classy hang outs we had.

Give me some of your fave 80's songs ... help me regale my youth with gustoxx

More Life Papers

Freebies 12x12 digi scratchy papersfor you to use and abuse

These are Life Papers 2 - in Bruise, Blush, Jeans and Dawn

Download here

**Wait for the page to load, then scroll down a little, then save**

ok - burned a hole in the wacom

Figuratively speaking o'course.

I really do need to upgrade my tablet. Its a bit small for what I need so if anyone wants to buy one second hand - give me a holler. Im open to offers. Its a graphire 4 and cost £79 brandest of new. As I do more intricate work it is advisable to go for a monster A4 size plate but I guess £400 isnt something I kind of planned on spending just yet.

I have been both paper and digi scrapping today. I made 4 papers today (see belows entry, today)and tonnes of you have downloaded it so judging by that, I'll get another batch of colours out tomorrow. Im just putting some final touches on the Key Lime Twang mono set and a supwise set due out next week. Ive really enjoyed playing with my computer these past two weeks - generally I will potter around the house or am out on shoots. so inbetween times Im kind of getting used to the constant glare of the monitor

Took no photos today - the wind was horrendous. It blew so hard the the studio has a crack in the ceiling and the neighbours tiles are all but off (except ours!) One of the neighbours fascias fell off too. Its too dangerous even to step foot outside your own front door without fear of decapitation.

Anyway - short and sweet again -I literally have no energy after crying through Grey's Anatomy tonight. For my US buds, we are so way behind as you know. This was the episode that Burke got shot and Izzy cut Denny's wire ............. bwah, sniff, choke, wail, sob etc etc.

Free digi papers

Everyday.........

I shall try and post a little freebie or two. I make these during my lunch break, it gives me something to do other than surf trashy entertainment sites that are meaningless. Ok, I love to surf trashy sites and wonder how many chips posh spice scoffed or what bath oil Kate Moss used last night! Enjoy my "Life Range" of papers, hand scratched by moi x We have weed, lake, toast and grit. Made up of multiple layers and textures - this will be a staple basic to your cardstock range :)

Download here

**Wait for the page to load, scroll down a little and then hit the download button**

And the winner is:

To view the youtube video - which will not behave and be embedded here - click HERE

Will the winner kindly forward me their address for their prize-acious prize kindly donated by A Trip Down Memory Lane
Short and sweet entry tonight as I am knicked. Booked to go on a P&O trip to Rotterdam with my morma, belle and lozzer today. The mini cruise is only £50 a person to go at the end of feb. You embark the ferry at 4pm and the it sets sail after your evening meal at 9pm. There are casinos, cinemas, shops, entertainment, tv rooms and shopping on board. You sleep overnight in a cabin and wake up on board for breakfast in Rotterdam. Spend the day in Rotterdam doing the usual sightseeing, shopping, eating (lest we forget photography!) then its back on board for a meal and set sail at night whilst sleeping again to get into Hull with breakfast the next day. £50!!!!! What the hell is wrong with these people, its like getting it for free. Am thoroughly excited!
Am very tired this evening, so I'll share you my latest digi page I made today.
Love atomic cupcake, love digi, love love love. ALSO..... big supwise coming next week as I have collaborated with someone completely uber spesh to make you a kit completely nothing like I have made previous. My current kits really are specifically aimed at "tryer outers" in mono colours. i do love them but you are going to burst when you see this new baby next week. Plus it has its own packaging too ;)
Laterz
**ETA** Omg - ellie was itching her back on the video (not backside!!) FYI, Ellie itches A LOT. lol

Technique Tuesday is born

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Back on track at the gym and pushed myself harder for not going yest. The extra 10 minutes hard slog is bound to have shifted 6 stones. Therefore I am a size zero again. I look ridiculously gorgous in skinny jeans and a boob tube. Aaaaah well, beats the canvas marquees I used to wear.

Drink: The usual tea, fruit juices and water. My 5 a day regime is looking rather regimented (but can you count a bounty bar (coconut=fruit) and a jaffa cake as part of your five a day?)

Cigarettes: None - My lungs are in purest form aside from the coughing I am still experiencing (see health)

Mood: Was in a great mood up until 5 minutes ago. Now Im just p'ed off. Long story, nothing you would be interested in but it sure is eating at me.

Health: I am still coughing. Why am I still coughing. Im sick of it.
Photos taken: 14 - of my newest students (see below). The pic just here is one of my faves from last year of belle. I dont like to post a blog entry without a nice picture and she looks uber cooio with mega funkerama vibes on top.

Scrap supplies used: Lots - and the kitchen reeks of booze (from alcohol inks)

So tell us about technique tuesday, Kirsty......

Well actually the kids wanna call it Sticky Mitts so I might have to compromise and call it Sticky Tuesday! We played with distress and alcohol inks tonight and the kids are half way through a "all about me page". I cannot believe how bloody fantastic these kids are and Ellie - well that kid suprises me all the time. She has a ball and with the chit chatter, cheek and cheer was on the menu in our cosy kitchen and left with the legacy of this day with inky fingers literally stained for a month. I remember when Anna made a layout on my hands using alcohol inks on my finger nails last year........ lets just say they were green and yellow for 9 days. Not nice close up photo;s of my hands but memories all the same :)

Last chance to put your name down for the comp on Mondays blog entry. Ellie and I will do a You Tube broadcast showing you the lucky winner for the youtubing world to see (weds night). I guess about 95 hits dont you? Somehow I dont think its worthy of a 150,000 youtube special but its all fun!
And finally ... here is the 3rd monochromatic easy page kit for newbie digi's. Welcome juicy jaffa in all her zingyness. Credits go to janita at Shisheido for the permission to use one of her brushes xxI love her - I cant wait to release chicky chicky chick choc brown to go with her but I think the next release is actually Key Lime Twang, so do hang on for that. Until then - please down load this here (the rest of my kits will finally lay to rest here too)

When you have found this page please pay attention to this message in gween **Scroll a little down the page, wait for it to load then click download**

Gone banana's - literally

Diary Pointers:

Weight:Had a crappo morning and punished myself by NOT going to the gym so I am therefore approximately 723 stones

Drink: The usual tea, fruit juices and water. At least my liquid intake was holier than thou.
Cigarettes: None - my savings of approx £6 a day from not smoking makes me richer by £186 a month

Mood: Was in a foul mood but was soothed by Mr Brand (see below)

Health: I am still coughing. The paracetamols that the Doc suggested I take for it are obv not working. I hate him.

Photos taken: 5 - of this pile of wacky fruit.
Scrap supplies used: None - was not in the mood but did have a sort of my bazzill and put it in colour order

So why have you gone nuttily banana's, dear Kirsty?

Without boring you all senseless, I had a bit of an issue with belle's school today. I think what it boils down to is lack of funds, ignorance and communication. In sum, if you have a child with needs slightly more serious than your average joe in the UK... you stand a cat in hells chance of having their education being geared around them unless you physically hold a pitchfork to the schools throats and beg them to take you seriously. They are getting on my nerves, to be honest, so Mark and I are taking action. I was a few breaths from being barbaric with the Deputy Head. And I never fight, shout nor quarrel with anyone. Nuff said.

Watched a whole episode of Russell Brands Big Mouth. Now, don't get me wrong I love a man in tight jeans but I don't actually "get" his hair, However, there is something freakishly delish about our Russell to the point where Im actually exuding love hearts from my eyes, nostrils and ears. Im a married woman but that dont stop me from window shopping, ya hear? I found myself smiling at the TV and inwardly laughing at his exhuberant persona with the wonder of ticklish profanity which wasn't, dare I say, uncouth (nevertheless, too much profanity on the tv these days).

In addition, I have updated a wee board of photo's of my sweet SIL to be, Kerry to my website. This is a series of finishes I can provide on both mine and YOUR photo's. The top left photo on this board here is the original and the 3 other finishes are what can be achieved after I have waved my magic wand over them. The original is a really nice picture but for those who want to have a bit of an arty finish might want to try my magickery. I have been providing this service since July last year and I get a handful every week to edit. But not a great deal of you know I do this - so if you would like to have a bit of an artsy finish, go here

Have you ever been to a retreat in a country house, in the depth of the glens of Scotland? Well, affordably, you can! My freind Roz and Angela are holding a Luxurious Angels retreat in Lockerbie Manor in March and Im so excited to be going along to play. Erm I mean teach. I have this fabbo class lined up, its my new black of 2007. Please come along and join in the midnight fun as we play bonkers party games which might include a box of Bertie Bassets and Blonde Moments papers being turned into ridiculous underwear!

And finally - log your entry from yesterdays blog post to be in with a chance of winning a kit kindly donated by A Trip Down Memory Lane plus.... I have a copy of The Scrapbook Magazine to chuck in there PLUS a super duper, mystewy supwise. I will also ship it worldwide for my overseas chummies in Oz and US.

Deck my studio with sprigs of holly

Diary Pointers:
Weight:After eating a very scrumptious sunday roast with yorkshire puds (plus left over mixture to make pancakes!!) I am now the world most overweight person again. No gym today as Id never get through the doors and probably break the running machine.

Drink: The usual tea, fruit juices and water to wash down afore mentioned lard.

Cigarettes: None - this is my one saving grace for todays sinning and therfore my Halo is sparkling beautifully.
Mood: In a rand old form of spirits today

Health: Coughed only a few times but that was from the cooking oil fit for spontaneously combustion. How hot does yorkshire pudidng fat need to be? Its a death trap trying to make them, I tell thee.
Photos taken: only 3 and third time lucky to get this super duper shot of my famous holly.

Scrap supplies used: Not many today but had a good clear out and touched almsot everything I own. So am feeling fulfilled on the strokability factor.

So why is it like Chrimbo in your studio, Kirsty?

Been busy taking macro shots for my stock photo portfolio over at a manufacturer stalked photo site. Am hoping and preying to get a couple of jobs with them and will have to admit that this close up work is refreshing. I have this massive dream that Marks and Sparks will spy it, whip me up and pay me gazillions for taking pictures of their luscious food for snazzy mags and therfore be crowned the female David Bailey of our time. I mean, I love kids and I love taking pictures of people but with this close up work there is no chance of blinking, movement and tears!

Now I did promise a sprig of holly to a woman in Minnesota who says they don't have it up there so if she comes forward I will send her some. Yes, well I do know that christmas is over and done with but perhaps the novelty will be fun and you never know, she could take a clipping and try and grown one.

So now the fun bit for tonight. COMPO TIME!! I lubs compo time because its like sharing the luuuuuuuuuurve. My friend Mel over at A Trip Down Memory Lane has kindly donated a box of papers/cardstock from Chatterbox with a very cool transparency sheet too. To be in with a chance, all you have to do is go on to Mel's webesite and find the name of Location of their retreat being held next November. Myself along with Clare, Debbie, Hannah, Dawn, Becks, Debbie, Mel and Annie will be there to make this weekend go with a massive burst of fun and inspiration. Put your answers in the comment box and those who reply will have their names put in a hat and drawn by Belles fair hand. We will YouTube the results on Wednesday.

Good luck xx

Saturday Yawn

Diary Pointers:

Weight: mmmmmmm - its the weekend, I should lay off the scales. Im bound to be about 430 stones after going to Frankie and Benny's last night with my hubbo and little Belle. No gym today neither as I am obviously too fit.

Drink: The usual tea, fruit juices and 2 Stella's (mmmmm, how did that happen?)

Cigarettes: None whatsoever, my lungs are clearly the height of smokelessness.

Mood: In a fair old state of delightfulness

Health: Coughed a couple of times, couple of hot flushes other than that - the NHS fear no visits from me for a while.

Photos taken: 12 - got to do my POTD at deux pois in the studio using this very unusual ornamental chrysanthemum. Isn't it gorgous? Would love to have a job taking pictures like this for magazines. I love flowers.

Scrap supplies used: Very lots and I am one happy scwapper.

Been making things today. Aside from usual chores of shopping etc blah and blah, I finished off Jane Deans CJ! Hurrah. She did give me a gentle geordie nudge (well, maybe a northern bashing!) so that prompted me to finish. Ive done another digi kit based on the colour orange. The name of which I will reveal on Monday. I love it. Its so juicy.
We are off geo-caching tomorrow and Mark has planned our massive route around Parbold. We have 7 to find so no doubt the camera will be coming with us to capture the beauty of Parbolds surroundings.

After going out for a meal last night we took belle to see Night at the Museum. Its so cheesy and corney but worth it for a few laughs. We love Ben Stiller but weirdly, I didnt like him in "There is something about Mary". To be honest, i thought that film was cacka babba lala.
Now - if you were suffering from insomnia you would be asleep by now and Im so sorry for you if you are not. But well done for getting this far :) **edited - Just as I uploaded I heard a song that just made me get up and have a quick bum shuffle round my den. who remembers Fantasy Island by Tight Fit? OMG - I just had reminiscant thoughts of scarey perms, plastic earrings and fingerless gloves ... mwahahahahahhaha

To whoever: when you keep leaving unsavoury and mean posts on my comments section (which, sadly I have to govern and you have left roughly 12 since August) please post them where someone might think they are funny cos they only get deleted. You can keep posting them but you won't drag me down :)

This is MY happy, sunny place

Dare s'up ... love saying that

Diary Pointers:

Weight: I have no idea - hopefully maintained but I was a bit wobbly unwell this morning and slept from 1120am to 3pm. Perhaps my body is TELLING me to gain weight seeing as I am Micha Barton part deux with the added bonus of Nicole Ritchies shoulder blades.

Drink: Usual Tea, Orange, Apple and grapefruit juice... ooh and a sneaky diet tooth rot (coke)
Cigarettes: None, I do not approve of coffin nails

Mood: Confused at this sudden feeling of being unwell then well again.

Photos Taken: Nada but have supplied a random photo from last year as my blog loooks bare without a nice pic-a-roo. This was taken on Venice beach, california when I went over to the US in April. I forgot I had this picture and after sorting my pics out tonight, I fell back in love with it. Mark might be going to Arizona this year with the Army so hopefully will get to bag a week there just bumming around taking pictures of erm, sand?

Use of scrap supplies: Digi'd again and made a few cards. Also got to hide under my desk with my Blush collection for a secret snog. Ssssssssshhhhhhhh, do not spread that about.

So the dares are up Kirsty, why do you love it?

Because I get to make a layout on command and force myself to create which makes me a happy hector. This is my bro and the title this week was Cold and Frostty. Im not often inspired by titles so I chose to bung it in the journalling. My bro, let me tell you, is a very serious and moody character. I guess he is like me in some respects. But tear away the layers of this strapping man and you will find a funny guy with a heart as huge as India. You dont often get to see it but when you do its truly priceless. I lubs him dearly and so happy to see him settling with my SIL to be - Kerry. I can't wait to have another sister, to spoil with laughter and fun. I do feel so lucky to have him as a brother but also someone who I can snuggle up to and feel safe just like I did for him when he was a boy. Leigh used to creep up to my lower bunk (sis always got her own way and had the top -pooey) and beg for me to cuddle him as he was afraid of the dark. We were very very close as children, maybe not so much now, but I loved the responsibilty of being the older sister and for him to look up to. And now the roles have reversed and I literally look up to him and look how far he has come and sigh............ Those are and were t'days, let me tell you kids.

**digi credits go to rhonna farrer, scrapgirls, j. sprague, shabby princess, my own spotty brads and the starry star sticker is my own cweation from a digi download to be released called Punk Rocker**

Numb wrist action

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Im almost down to a size zero because I have lost a staggeringly real 5lbs in my first week. Posh Spices' pouting and skeletal title has been whipped away from her "LA dreaming clutches" and David Beckham is MINE. Went to the gym today and bound to have knocked at least a centimetre off my thighs from cycling to, what felt like, Leeds and back.

Drink: Tea and Water and fresh orange with grapefruit and apple juice
Cigarettes: None - I am too fit to consider puffing on the evil weed
Mood: 5lb-lessly delerious
Health: Coughed once today and that was only becuase I had to check the scales to see if what I was reading was right
Photos Taken: 3 for this self portrait for POTD at 2 peas. Why, even my face looks drawn and there was no editing except for converting to true b&w. Hurrah - even the camera loves me. Mmmm thinking about it, Im overexposed on the left of my cheek. Poo.
Use of scrap supplies:Lots of digi and lots of paper - hurrah... even keel

So why the numb wrist action, Kirsty??

So I made another page kit.
I enjoy it, it passes the time when Belle is in bed or at school. I learn something fabulous all the time in photoshop - its therapy! I made Ice Queen to compliment Jack Frost for the girlies. When I add up how long it takes to make a kit I would say 3 hours - buts that's on and off over a day and I swear its a good finger and wrist workout! I use a Wacom tablet - it would be nigh on impossible to create such little tricky bits else.
You see this spotty flower? She is my fave creation and took a fair while to make up. Its so simple to turn a generic shape into a 3d effect image. They remind me of Doodlebug petals and I intend to release a large catalogue of colours to buy from next monday. Each week Id like to release a small batch of pretty and unique embellies to compliment the kits I make. The kits will form a library of every colour conceiveable - thats why I release them in a monochromatic finish. Then as the library gets bigger, you simply mix and match the entire collections together to make quick little pages to allow you to play or even keep as part of your memory making. Believe me - I love to mix teal with red, yellow with purple and lime green with cyan blue. So as I steadily release page kit by page kit you will be able to do this too.
Thanks for stopping by to download Ice Queen - she is a pretty little thing. My labour of love.

Its so flippin cold

Diary Pointers:

Weight: Been to the gym again so therefore I have lost at least 5 stones - I am the fittest person to have ever graced the earth

Drink: Tea, water, juice and condensed air from going from hot to cold to hot rooms

Cigarettes: None - I am the epitome of chargrilled free lungs

Health: Coughed once today - am therefore "well"

Mood: Stinkingly elated

Photos taken: 8 - mini studio light replaced and have Scrapgenies "sssssssssshhhhhhhhh" on film. Well digi film, you know, compact flasha-rooooooo, POTD is a photo I actually took last May - I love it...... lil ladybird wandering free in the wild until I come and poke my buge lens in its mush.

Scrap Suplies used: Have physically made a paper layout today. Still love it but equally love pratting with digi. oh and I still o ve photpgraphy and being mormy and I made a card too for a yummo woman in Evesham.

So, Kirsty - why are you moaning about the weather?

I am sat here with winter woollies on, a steaming cup of tea and a sniffly nose. Up until now, wouldn't it be fair to say that the British weather so far has been pretty mild? But then, the shock of almighty this morning, I felt like I had opened the fridge door when I went through the front one this morning with Belle to school. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Talking of all things chilli I had to share the layouts made today since I offered a free page kit last night. It would seem the world has gone digi mad all of a sudden with 4 girls trying it brand new today - and with these results you just wouldn't think it. To compliment (at polar opposite, mind!) this January kit Im going to do a girly pink one entitled Ice Queen and am embarking on Februarys theme being "Lub you lots". Really, they are just fun kits - nothing on the grand lines of Chatterbox or Basic Grey. Enough to get the creative mouses flowing - so to speak! I am still learning all the time between photography editing and elements of real paper scrapping and soon Id like to make the kits bigger and better. So bookmark this blog for more details on downloads coming soon xx

As the saying goes (raised by the immortal Bruce Forsyth) "Didn't they do well? Im agog with how super uber willing the newbies, like me, are.

The postman hates me

Diary Pointers:

Weight: Have prolly lost 3 of the 25 stone I put on this weekend. Been pounding the gym and departing the building looking a lot more flushed than your average plum

Drink: Tea, water, Apple juice, grapfruite juice and orange juice. Am health guru and have vitamin C oozing out of every pore
Cigarettes: None becuase I dont smoke

Health: Cough almost gone - Im am almost fit as a fiddle

Mood: Violently happy

Photos taken: None - cant unscrew my bulb for studio work and not in the mood :O

Scrap supplies used: None - am only digi scrapping this week to beat the bug out of me

So why does the postman hate you, Kirsty?

Man, he dreads his deliveries to my house this week. For the past few days we have taken delivery of one thing or another but my most favourite deliveries are of those I am not expecting. Today I received a crumpler bag to protect my Mac book which is more practical than fashion. I knew that was coming. Then my large black backdrop arrived which, again, I knew was coming. But then I got this monster box. Now all my deliveries were accounted for so I thought "mmmmm Nikon have sent me each and every lens from their range - just for me becuase I love them so much". And then I slapped myself about the head and realised this would never ever happen.

I analysed the postcode - TW18? mmmmmmmm - no idea. I was beat and so set about opening the box of all boxes. I removed the wrap and bubble wrap and pouches (I LOVE BURSTING THOSE and giving Ellie a heart attack. In fact the noise is akin to an excocet missle landing in the hallway!) In there was the most amazing donation of chipboard and flowers and inks and stamps and yummylishus things from a lady who contacted me last week. Now I say Lady because I dont have her name and there was no letter in with it . Last week a lovely and kind UK Scrapper said she was having a clear out and wanted to send some stuff over for our Technique Tuesday classes that Ellie and I are hosting for kids in the area. I had totally forgotten about it and as I delete all emails as I receive them (roughly 70 a day) I never kept her details. So this is my call to trace the generous scrapper and offer her a photoshoot as a token of my absolute delight. These kids are going to me making better layouts than me at this rate with the amazing - and I REPEAT - AMAZING products.

The picture you see above is a free page kit I made last night. Of course my skillls need fine tuning but its available to anyone who likes digi scrapping. Here is the layout I made with it - very basic and quick yet pretty. If anything its makes a nice screen saver! So get yer butts here for a free download.

Am in total digi heaven but must get back to my one true love - that's basic grey, the aroma of chipboard and the taste of may Arts ribbon. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Ciao xx

Been creating again

**Diary Pointers to be uploaded at the end of today!**

I sure have been busy creating . Had a really good round up of things to be done today (and have added new teaching dates on the left here) and found myself with some time to change my banner. As I delve more into digital and graphic art, I just can't seem to put my wacom pen tool down. **Edited to add - I made 10 spotty brads for digi download, for you - FOR FREE. Don't ask me how I just conjoured up this ability to create digi images but I did it all by myself and without any templates. If you digi and want them go here** Things are becoming a little digi insane and I do worry that I have neglected my paper scrapping somewhat. Fear not, I am mid paper scrap right now using some lovely Ranger paint dabbers. These are ingenious - Im begging them come out with more colours soon.
This weekend, mark spilled some more beans about my birthday trip to Barcelona. Up until that point I was excited but after my new news - well, Im flummoxed as to which adjective I should use to illustrate my joy. Frikkin awesome I guess but really - was there a a need for profanity? Who cares, all I know is that we are going on a double bubble "get up" which means jacuzzi and champers on the roof of the hotel overlooking the old town. I needn't care that it will be early February.... the fact that I am in my dream destination with my man, my camera and my thoughts is enough for moi. I only thought we were going for 2 days but no. Its treble that so the need to work a little harder in the gym is beckoning so that I can treat myself to a couple of Tapa's out there and slug on some Tempranillo.
Today has been so dark. Dark and gloomy days make me feel so miserable. I need sunshine and needed it more today becuase of the blues of having to come down after a great weekend. Little belle came and gave me mega squidges this afternoon which cheered me. Im certain that kids have this in built detection system that alerts them to mothers moods and she just came up to me and greeted me with the most wonderful hug - without asking. I mean, I wasn't desperately sad or anything. I guess I just let the weather affect me somewhat and to me - I suppose she was that little ray of shiney sunbeamy lubbly lub. Infact, as i hit the submit button Im going to go and steal another cuddle.
Ciao

Its my Bro!

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Have eaten the entire contents of the fridge and cupboards with our guests this weekend so prolly weigh 25 stones.
Drink: Tea, water, juice and am dehydrated badly - effects of excess alc consumption last night
Cigarettes: None, as you know I dont smoke but due to random coughing spurts Id say Im on about one a day in relation to those who do smoke.

Health: Coughing subsided slowy but generally feel great .
Mood: Excruciatingly settled
Photos taken: 16 shots of my bro and his fiance. Studio shot here is for POTD. See artwork I created from yesterdays shoot below too!

So who is this dude, Kirsty?
Why, this is my mean and moody Bro - you know the tough nut exterior who, deep down, has a soft and mushy heart. That tough shell don't scare me, he is my little bro and he was brought up to respect his elders for starters!!!! You wouldn't believe the rigmarole attached to getting him to sit and have his piccy taken. I had to wait for the half time whistle during the Man U and Villa match this afternoon. His fiance, the delectable Kerry, wanted a nice picture to fill her frames so I took plenty for them to choose from. I love it when I have willing models but would rather not have Mr Grumpy plop pants itching to get back to his beloved footy (yawn). Still I get to practice more, Kerry has a frame filled and my bro remains Mr Delightful in all that he does! I did some graphic art this afternoon on one of the pics from yesterdays shoot. If only I had the time to do this more often - truly.....its so exhilerating to be able to sit in bed and play with pictures to make lubbly things like this. If any of you have a B&W picture and want something like this - I can have a go for you :)

Had a quiet day doing what I love doing most of a Sunday and that is chilling out like vegetables on the couch. Mark made hearts attacks for breakfast (that is the fully fry, to you and me) which left us in no mood for lunch but enough to await another heart attack for tea. I love having guests round to our home but somehow we manage to bypass the diet and head straight for artery hell.

The dents in the viaducts around Wigan will be my doing as I go for a run tomorrow afternoon. I have to pre-warn our surrounding counties of Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cheshire that earth tremors at roughly 1300hrs are infact the aftershocks of my feet pounding the tarmac in order to shift one measly ounce.

Pah! How much is liposuction?

Fun Fun Fun

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Still slim although thats just been blown with hideous amount of lard consumed. And no, no gym. Am too fit these days.
Drink: Tea, water, juice and erm.... 6 beers and at time of blogging there is room for more.
Cigarettes: Amounts to about one. I inhaled most of Kerry's ciggo's through passive smoking.
Health: Reeling back to coughing again - almost choked to death earlier today but that was prolly due to ice cream bar's bill. But thye cough is back but seeing as beer has medicinal properties, I guess its doing me some good on the chest infection.
Mood: Delightfully euphoric
Photos taken: 43- on photo shoot, ice cream parlour and family fun shots
What did I do today, then?My POTD is based on Kerry, my brothers gorgeous fiance. I needed to practice my lighting in my makeshift studio plus try out a new backdrop which has made all the difference with black backings. Both she and I are happy bunnies. I get the shots I need to practice with and Kez gets free shots to fill her frames - deal. I cannot wait for both her and my bro, Leigh, to get married this October. Belle gets to be a bridesmaid and I get to shoot the entire event. This is not just a gift to them but my pleasure and with her skin tone being so beautiful - Im going to have a very easy job. Not so easy with my brother though who hates having a camera shoved in his mush.
Whilst the boys were at the crucial match betweeen Liverpool and Arsenal both Kez and I plus Belle went to our new ice cream bar in our local town. Belle gorged on all ices that had toffee and fudge in the title, Kez opted for choc and vanilla's whilst I had a conglomoration of turkish delight, cappacino and coconut............ YUM. Belle was in her element with the exciting way they presented her treat as was Kerry. You think it will catch on? We came back home and battled our excess sugar intake on the playstation. I lost, belle came 2nd and kerry won - pah! We had just started the tea when the boys entered the house with faces as long as something really long from the planet Longer-wonger-ponger. yep - Liverpool got well and truly trashed by Arsenal. man - it's only a game.

Beers were drunk, spag bol was consumed and games were played for an evening that turned out to be tonnes of fun. You would think that after Liverpool getting a whooping (which they didnt deserve) that the boys would be crying in their beers - but no. A great night was enjoyed by all and as I type this blog during the match TV highlights, its good to sit here and update the blog without being caught up in the furore of "that goal should have been disallowed", "that was offside" and "the referee's a puff". Charming.
And finally - always room for a "finally" yet another digi that I made before bedtime last night. I think its my fave so far and yes - you really are seeing that stitched circle and black spotty ribbon again... yawn.Time to fly amigoes..... so much fun to be had.

Pink Polish and Speshals

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Im so slim that Im almost invisible. and then I wake up. Have this feeling I will lose at least 3lbs this week, in reality.
Drink: Tea and Water and fresh orange with grapefruit and milk and oooops - a Stella Artois x 2
Cigarettes: None - am completely fume free
Mood: Epecially remarkably happy
Health: Am coughing just a tinsy bit with no sputum, you will be glad to hear
Photos taken: 7 - all for two peas POTD. And also a double whammy for this months colour challenge on PINK. 85mm at 1.8, 1/40 (hand held again!!!!) WB sunny, ISO 100. Natural Daylight
Use of scrap supplies: None - cos I am queen of Digi again (see speshies layout below!). Although I did stroke and lick my real paper collection (as one does on a daily basis)

Ref the above: Pink Polish
Im getting used to practising with my fabbo-lish 85mm camera. Not ideally suited for macro work (obv, because you have to stand waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back) but good for the use of the 1.8 apperture (obv, because light in the UK in winter months is poo poo). So my POTD may not be something terribly interesting but I worked some new stuff out today just from practisement. I sure did.
Spesh dares are up. Hooray - I contributed because I had time! I had another bash at Digi and this weeks challenge was about "resolutions". I, personally, didn't particularly have anything splendidly resolutionary to scrap about so I focused on our Belle. This is her year - the year the NHS are going to fix her. She also starts secondary school in Sept and this little dynamite is set to start Cansfield High looking pretty slick.
Got my bro and his fiance this weekend. He will not recognise me with my one weeks fitness regime taking its toll on my used-to-be-wobby-and-still-is-but-pretending-I-have-a-slim body. Sadly he is only here for the football (booooooooo!) as Liverpool v Arsenal is quite an import match. Kerry and I will no doubt gorging on truffles and champagne like kept women whislt Ellie does the housework. Mwahahahahahahahaha.
Laterz xx

One small step for scrapping, one giant leap for Digi!

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Went to the gym again and did a 50 minute workout plus 100 sit ups. After only 2 days back into a fitness regime, I am fitter than any top athlete - am ready to take on the world. Therefore I am a size 10. Ate only health food today. I am but a mere credit to Gillian Mckeith. And Kate Moss is cacking herself.
Drink: Tea and Water and fresh orange with grapefruit
Cigarettes: None, I dont smoke although the sound of me seems like I inhale 10 a day - thats half of yesterday
Mood: Fair to middly - can't complain.
Health: A little bit under the weather - but fighting it.
Photos taken: 12 - all for two peas POTD. This was my best - indoor fake flower shot using 85mm at 1.8, 1/30 (hand held I may add) WB cloudy, ISO 100. Natural Daylight
Use of scrap supplies: None - cos I am queen of Digi. Well, queen of trying to be queen of digi. That's a long way coming dudes.

So - today, reference the above:

I can now digi scrap. Oh yes. Yizz, my top tip tool time tipster on the digi scrap font of all knowledge started me off today as I trialled some free programmes from this funky lil number of a site. Besides taking practically 4 hours to master the very basics let alone the cool stuff you can REALLY do, absorb Yizz's teachings, take small direction from Katie fab knickers ... I am besotted with it. No more sticky fingers, no more searching for a pink brad at the bottom of a large tin, this digi lark is cracking. I wouldnt say that my first page is to my absolute taste and design but its all I had to work with and most of all it was free. 24 Layers even on a new pc with dual core processing is no mean feat, my darn PC was groaning under the strain. But here she is marked wonderfully for me to look back upon in my years as a blogger and can count 4th Jan 2007 the day I learned to digi - oh yeah!

Edited to add this extra number I did using free stuff from Shabby Princess, Peppermint Candy and Rhonna Farrer. Again, not my usual style but until I get the full hang of this lark - these will do diddly ooooo.

I am an athlete

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Went to the gym for an induction and completed it. Blood pressure fine, ticks in all the right boxes. Did a 45 minute workout so am prolly a stone lighter.
Drink: Tea and Water and freshorange with grapefruit
Cigarettes: None, I dont smoke although the sound of me seems like I inhale 20 a day - thats three quarters less than yesterday
Mood: Hated today as a person, as an athlete Im proud, as a mum just great.
Health: Not dying anymore but still aching.
Photos taken: 16 - of a holly bush (see above) Love my 85mm now but only on still life - not humans. Am trying though. Camera did not sell from the reserved price. prob think I should re-list but without offereing so much extra with the kit. It will sell and now want to buy D70 (no point having the D80 as they take ploppy SD cards - no use when I have a gazillion Cf cards)
Use of scrap supplies: None today, been too moody trying to sort tax return out and order a new bulb from bulb people. Am sorting kits out for my retreat in february - you are just going to LOVE the papers we have chosen.
I have been in such a foul mood with myself even though I should technically waving my gold medal about like a true champ. Because I am an athlete and I won gold today in my personal achievement of going back to the gym again. I fought every coughing fit with energy, watched the jeremy kyle show whilst cycling the, what felt like, tour de france (or wigan in this case) and finished all I had set out to do. Hooray - I am a champion.
Then I got home to start back to work. My tax return is doing my head in so I have booked a meeting with a tax advisor to help sort me out. I think it will be a good return but you never know - those tax people spy the most stupidest purchase and make you o ut to be a millionaire that I clearly am not.
Moped around the house without Belle - she went back to school today. I had to carry her down the school path as her little legs had lost its regular exercise from being at home being the chill baby that she is. We get lots of strange looks and although she is a year 6 student and should be walking, the mothers who see us daily shouldn't be judging her when they know that she has difficulties. I find it hard to deal with, to be honest but I put on a brave face just for Ells. Sod em.
Am completeing CJ's tonight. Have fallen behind when I was landed with a treble delivery back in september - I should have tackled them one by one but thought Id be clever and do all three at the same time and never finished them with the run up to christmas being so busy with work. That will be a load off my mind when they go off tomorrow. So I will be stitching and beading whilst watching Desp Housewives when it restarts tonight. Oooh and celeb Big Bro too.
Watching Tv and crafting together never looked so promising until now (well, Im excluding the times when I bag a spot with Ms Bibby, o' course)

Blech, Bluergh, Hack

Diary Pointers:
Weight: Went to the gym for an induction so effectively I could have lost 3lbs but gave up halfway through the health check becuase I was feeling ill. Brownie points for trying though, huh? So have mentally lost 3lbs... hurrah for me.
Drink: Tea and Water and a cheeky cava and fresh orange.
Cigarettes: None, I dont smoke although the sound of me seems like I inhale 80 a day (thats double of yesterday)
Mood: Not very good. Struggling to crack a smile and enjoy being me.
Health: Dying
Photos taken: 34 - trying my 85mm out in the bathroom mirror reflection and it is making me cross with the camera shake on a tripod with no hands at 25ss, F1.8, ISO125, WB Cloudy. Cacka. Studio light packed in so no indoor pics. Double poo.

Use of scrap supplies: A little. Stroked some of it so thats a good thing.

So Kirsty - tells us.......what happened today then?
I went to a place you call a surgery but I call a pit of germs and lergies. Here is how it all went.
Me: "I think I have a chest infection"
Dr Miserable Arse: "You have a chest infection, you say?"
Me: "I guess". Feeble hands clasping together, looking forlorn and ill (blue eyeshadow under the eyes heightens the effect. Did not iron clothes in an attempt to make him think I was unloved and uncared for........ dont think its working - poo)
Dr Miserable Arse: "Have you taken any paracetamol?"
Me: "Yes"
Dr Miserable Arse: "And you still have it"
Me: "No, I thought Id come here to guage if you had made any resolutions about cheering your god darn miserable arse up and to see if you had qualified in medical school- of course I still have it." cough cough.
**Lifts up top - now wishing I had put a white bra on instead of the usual grey one that got mixed up with the darks wash**.
"Put your stethescope on this modest sized chest whilst I wheeze and hack my lungs up."
Dr Miserable Arse: "Aaaaah you have a viral chest infection"
Me: "No shit, Sherlock" (because a viral chest infection superceeds my own diagnosis of a boring chest infection?)
Dr Miserable Arse: "Well there is no build up in your chest right now, I think its wearing off. Have you checked your sputum"
Me: (faint at the mere mention of sputum and heaving at the thought of having to deliver said specimen). "Well it watery and a bit salty"
I spontaneously burst out laughing which makes me cough really hard (good, I thought - just for effect)
Dr Miserable Arse: "Well carry on taking paracetamols and come back in two weeks if it doesnt clear"
What? But I AM ILL. I might not be here in two weeks. I might be in cough heaven. I need anti-bio's. It feels like someone is standing on my chest and my lower back is in the most agoniest of agony in the history of antagonising agonising back pain ever recorded since Spencer Spine broke his back in a backwards flip competition from the back of beyond. I contemplated feigning a coughing fit fuelled with as much projectile sputum this side of Lancashire. But in light of prolly putting my back out, I took a step back and curtsied to the Spin Doctor and walked away from the infected pit of misery in pain. Im sure I will have contracted Crohns disease or something equally as un-infectious from the lergies sat in there - all at deaths door and in dying need of being diagnosed with a headache from Dr MA. Pants and plop. It's a fight now between my anti-bodies, my wobbly body and nobody.
So with no prescription in hand means that empathy will be lacking in the caring department. I mean, its like a ticket to pampered poochdom is a prescription, isnt it? Instead I have to convince Mark that Im still ill. And yes, Im on the computer but its hardly back breaking sat in a warm den with a laptop cosying your thighs up, hot tea by my side, Manic Street Preachers singing to me with comfort and assurance. Pah! Im going to check into a Harley Street clinic and get some proper treatment. Blow the £1200 private fees.
I really have a cough and I really am ILL. Listen....... cough, hack, splutter, choke, belch, cough, cough, cough. Even a deaf and blind man on a galloping horse can see that. And I had a one to one with Elvis at www.thedeaddiagnoseyourillness.com and he said I need medical treatment too. Uh-huh.

But this cheers me up. Its a layout I almost completed yesterday but finished tonight by adding those blingy flowers you see. Its for the monthly BOM challenge that Roz and I set at UKS. A subject close to my heart and one I think is quite topical considering I might die from fibromyalgia or whatever.

Im off to cough up watery salt all night now and hope that a hot water botle might settle me down. If you are sending me flowers to cheer me up I like lillies with no stamens, pink roses without thorns and Irises that last more than 2 days. Thank you xx

Doctor in the house?

Diary Pointers:

Weight: Heavy, haven't lost that stone I resoluted about yesterday. Poo.
Drink: Tea and Orange juice (ok, Champers last night but that doesnt count)
Cigarettes: None, I dont smoke although the sound of me seems like I inhale 40 a day.
Mood: Crafty, stable, happy (concerned too, a freind got burgled last night)
Health: Groggy and hacky and wheezy
Photos taken: 9
Use of scrap supplies: Plenty
Ok - am suffering still from my Bronchial nightmare but my chest pains are killing me. I take a breath in and its like someone is stabbing me in the chest. The air feels ice cold (even though Im in a centrally heated house) and Im coughing like an old hag. Oh yeah, Im an old hag but Im doing the job justice then, huh? What with hacking, coughing, wheezing, catching my breath..... Im suddnely 84. Plus I don't like going to the doctors - you catch more germs whilst waiting around and basically I haven't got the time to be ill. So - your diagnosis would be appreciated (on the back of a piece of lime green bazzill).
Despite being hacky and at deaths door, it didn't stop me from being Professor Wiseman in her laboratory of design and disaster. I haven't scrapped for ME (on my own time and terms) for ages and today I completed 3 layouts. I can only show you a sneek as they are for a maggo project that wants bright layouts. I got to choose the subject and papers which is a weight off your shoulders, I can tell you. Needless to say that the vitality and zingyness of the profound use of orange has not provided me with the intake of vitamin C right now. I sure need a large injection of that to perk me up.

I then discover I havent uploaded these babies anywhere. Lost all confidence of uploading to public forums so Im being sedate and posting here. Love the book worm of ellie - I did this in Holland when I spent time with the Scrapbook Alliance (waves to the Alliance girls) Besides being ill, we saw our New Year in together midway "Uncle Buck" (one of our fave movies). We watched the spectacle that is the London Eye firework display (this picture was taken of the telly - wish I had of been there - poo)

and carried on with UB after that. Belle was wide awake and playing with balloons and galavanting round the house shouting "happy new year" to the dust, amoeba and boris (that darn ugly lizard we have on loan until weds). Id devoured almost a dozen Ferrero Rochers and was still picking the nuts from my teeth for almost 3 hours after. I love ferrero rochers but a dozen costs £2.99 where as a dozen jaffa's cost 79p. So Jaffa's by the dozen it remains to be on the "gorging yourself senseless in 12's" stakes. I recommend eating in 12s. Its a nice round number but often I struggle after my fourth turkey, so best kept for small food items (strike out sprouts and celery. In fact strike out all green food. Except bogies. Full of protein they are).

Time to sign off and tidy up my hovel of a scraproom. I can;t go to bed knowing its untidy, the thought freaks me out. I mean, imagine my MIL coming around at 3 in the morning to borrow a cup of sugar and let her see that. Woe betide, I say woe betide. So Im off - cough and splutter, choke and hack hack hack. You know, Im almost only 36 and this coughing lark is drawing my desire to seek out those tena ladies. Which reminds me - did you see those slippers you could make out of Sanitary towels? I might give that a go this week.

Links to all of my DIGI stuff

ok - something happened to my massive list of freebies.
And I mean it was MASSIVE. Going to get back to you on this one