Craft eye candy heaven

**photo heavy post**

Hey dudes.
Im back to blogsome normalnessment.
Whenever I work a weekend I seem to lose momentum with blogging, home life, Belle cuddles, gymsters, dogsvilles - everything.
Except I don't lose food consumption which always takes a priority, as ever. **BURP**

The show was heaving this weekend, more so on the Saturday. Dyans stall is always a hive of activity and I was delighted when she offered me a spot for my CD's. The overall sales this weekend went spectacularly well in conjunction with my web sales with 3 shop owners requesting to stock them too. As my press release hasn't even hit full scale yet, Im hoping it progresses nicely so that I can sell this batch and then move on the collection 2. I had a lovely lady call me up already about collection 2 but have to say its work in progress right now. For me, its a lot of hard work and late nights. It doesn't come especially easy to me as I am a perfectionist whose nails are bitten down to the quick. And believe me, there was some perfecting to be done, including rejecting the first batch (that I had to pay for as well!!).

Dyan is going through the toughest time after recently losing her momma but she braved the crowds and observers and clients and performed with what she does best - Art. Im so in awe of her and how she is coping and how much really she is hurting deep down. That, to me, is dedication.I also taught a number of classes for Craftwork cards. Saturday morning was fun as a box of tools went astray and I had to teach 13 craft dudes with a light array of toolmanship. Challenges like that really throw you but in the good old British fashion, you survive if you roll your sleeves up. The end result being two projects to take home and new techniques to learn from. I love teaching with Sues products because everyone else loves them too. And so does this lady, Julie Hickey... the woman who started a trend all of her own.... beautiful cards xxI had a number of people give me gifts for me and for Ellie. This type of gesture always throws me as "thank you" never seems to be enough from my part. I was grateful for the mini dolls house bear that a lady gave for Ellie complete with a mini beaded bag. I got a cupcake made from socks with a little Easter egg on top, some Scottish tablet (OMG - amazing crumbly fudge), some kilt wearing gingerbread men and some Edinburgh rock. Also another lady sent belle the most prettiest stamped card... we are very very lucky girls having so many thoughtful people deliver such wonderful acts of kindness. Blub blub. Thank you ladies, you are truly kind :)

Caroline's cupcake sockies
Trisha brought me shed loads of Scottish treats...check out the kilted gingerbread man!I soon wiped the smile off his smug little face, though!Mwahahahahhahahahahaha

I also want to thank the girls who help make Patti Picklicious so inspirational. Jo, Jozza, Terrie and Lynda make the most amazing cards that were the talk of the stand. I mean, I chipped in with some of my own cards but I can't compare to this lot of beauties (all papers and images available to buy from the CD - which you can buy HERE):































Then as luck would have it Jozza came to pay me a visit with her buds Freddie Foo Foo of Fat Freddy fame, Kath and Tip Top (Yeeeks I forgets your real name but I like Tip Top!) Oh these girls were a hoot and if I wasn't so darn busy I would have walked the show with them - FO SHO!
I wonder what Jo is mouthing here? She was being pinched on the bum (but not by me, ugh... yuks... Nikki - hope you washe dyour hands!)This is clearly my best smile
My mum paid a visit to my stand and was waving a seriously vigorous pair of pom poms (!!!) for me and telling all the observers about how much she loved the CD - which she does; my momma is a cardmaker and teaches 5 classes a week. It was lovely to see her after a short spell of being apart.
And finally my Studes kit went on reveal on Friday night/Saturday morning. Im going to tell you that I hated the kit at first even though I ordered 3 add ons. Maybe it was just me having a good old sulk as it arrived 2 weeks after its posting and with me only having 4 full days to work on it... Im not sure. But when I began to form layouts with it, I grew to love it a LOT and Im chuffed to bits with what I turned out. It just goes to prove that you can work with a very little amount of stash, no matter what your budget or taste and still come out with little beauties for your albums.












Oh - and finally finally (my real finall, honest) there are these babies I made on the jewellery workshop t'other week. Im so proud of these little trinkest of mine... hope you likes :)


Sheesh... Im knackered after that.
See you soon :)

a little light lunchtime entertainment

Mwahahahahhahahaha

Winner of the Make Jewellery mag is.........

ANGIE
You have won the mag my loves. Its the first issue and has only just popped up in shops. I have to admit I did flick through it myself and don't want to part with it. Congrats hun, please mail me your address so I can post it to you.

So this weekend.
Pheweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Busy.
Fun.
Tiring but worth it.

Spent all day stuffing jiffy bags with CD's with help from the lovely belle. Lots more to stuff tomorrow and will enrol the dog in some shape or form. He can be a bit of a lazy sod at times and I think he needs to earn his keep!
I have paper cuts from handling so much paper but we all love papercuts, it comes with the territory!
No real time to upload piccies of Hazzer show but will get back to you with a fun report.

Need sleeeeeeeeeep

Loves xx

At the end of the day...

the sun goes down.... do you know what I mean?
No, neither do I.

Have you heard the phrase "where there is pleasure, there is pain"?
(Right in the rectum, if you ask me).
Well that little phrase was all about me today. Just me, nobody else.
Today was wondrous in so many ways but then it tailed off to be the most yucksvilles, stress driven heap of steaming cack I have ever experienced. I sweat more doing my admin and crafty projects than I have all week in the gym (totalling 5 hours, I may add, of ass reducing, chin smoothing, tummy toning, ribena berry coloured pewsey cheek burning workouts that hurt. To the point where I can't make myself laugh because every muscle in my body wrecks. WRECKS!).

So tomorrow (today, if we are being pedantic) I will wake up at the crack of a sparrows fart, drive to Harrogate with hundreds of lovely little CD's, teach a few workshops at Craftwork Cards and forget today ever happened at all (minus the nice bits when I ate some well deserved lard served with grease and chip fat and even then I snorted it up my nose because my mouth wasn't eating quick enough to cure the "woe-is-me hunger pangs").

If you can't get to Hazzer (my cool new word for Harrogate) you can bob along to my website and buy the little chimp there. But of course it would be much better if we could meet this weekend and get better acquainted over a few sheets of pretty papers and copious amounts of treble espressos laden with pro plus, crack cocaine and hemp. Need to invent "awake juice" that wont get me arrested. Have mentally catalogued that invention-in-the-making.

Don't forget to put your name in the comments box in the post below to be in with a chance to win the brabd spanking new "Make Jewellery" maggo. Its bloody gorgeous.

Its gone mad! ..... plus Calico Sneaks

Ok, I knew that I could be a bit overwhelmed with the launch of my CD's.....but its gone flaming mental. Im buried under a mountain of orders. Cd's blocking the hallway - the little chimps have gotta go - and they are!

THANK YOU!

And guess what landed on my doorstep this morning?
The 1st issue of the "Make Jewellery" Magazine by Crafts Beautiful/Aceville dudes (have I told you how much I love the team at this publication house - they are the BEST!). As a relatively new fan of making your own jewellery, let me tell you that making your own jewells to bedeck your decolletage, lugs and wrists is FUN.
Pop your name below to win a free copy of this amazing mag and get your butts over to Crafts Beautiful to share the hype. Its their party weekend next weekend to celebrate the launch of the mag and you could win thousands of pounds worth of crafting prizes. I have a free download loosely based on their Masquerade theme for the party - all in beautiful pinks, hot pinks and black.... a real mysterious and magical collection of papers. Go and join the fun forum to start the party now!

Ok, off to go and organise these flaming CD's else mark will knock me over the head with them later.
And that will hurt!

**edited with Studes sneaks** Its reveal night tonight and Im checking in real late. Better late than never though :)






Ok - going.
Going mad
Going to Sainsburys for shopping.
And yet.
Going bonkers cos there is not enough time in the day.
Going now, really.
Look ------>
Im gone.

Blogging does have its positives

You know, Ive been blogging for over 3 years now. It has brought many opportunities from many possibilities but it also has brought so much heartache as well.
I really do wonder why some people judge you for writing small personal things and whom would claim "I would never share my private life on a public blog". And you know, that's cool. We all make our own choices but in my defence, there is a LOT of stuff that happens in my life that I don't blog about.
Anyway.
Lots of work opportunities have come my way which I find has paid off the late nights where I felt I must blog a particular event or situation. I do find blogging therapeutic before bedtime as it allows me to drain what is on my mind so that I can have a bloody good nights sleep. Its a fab form of communication so that my family can read up on what we are doing plus (and I cant stress this enough) I can go back to any blog post from the past 3 years and recall events so trivial or so huge, that I can live the moment again. Its also helped me catalogue the crap times we have endured with hospitals; which may help other parents going through the torturous journey of getting a diagnosis.
For me, blogging is about sharing information and experiences. I never know just how many people it touches or reaches but if it raises awareness, strikes a cord or makes somebody laugh, then its been worth every word typed, you know?
So it brings me to this.
The other day I blogged about Belle getting a dolls house. A project we could work on furnishing and getting excited about designing our own wallpapers and colour schemes. Well quite out of the blue a lady called Sue emailed me and asked if Ells would like some furniture from her days of collecting dolls house stuff. I mean, how generous is that? Just out of the blue! Well no sooner had she offered did we receive the parcel of which belle opened tonight. Well, that little girls face was better than all the Christmases she has had rolled into one. Bit by bit she unwrapped the beautiful pink tissue papers to reveal lovely little pieces of furniture. Each opening was a squeal of delight and I caught some best bits on camera.

She adores this old fashioned range cooker
This lamp is her second fave (and it will work once we rig the house with real electrics!)Ells can't get over how dinky and cute these candlesticks areHere s the whole shebang a bang
Ellie would not play with dolls when she was a kid but fell in love with the Momma doll. Its heartbreaking to see a 13 year old girl be so attached to it when she should be hanging out or texting with friends. Only last night we saw girls in her peer group shopping in town on their own, no doubt catching the bus independently, making decisions like your average 13 year old without having to be reliant on their mommas to push them in an awkward buggy. But, you know, Im not ashamed or embarrassed for her; Im kind of happy she feels so attached. Its just her way and Ive got to let her play it all out. Maybe we can get through to her via this new hobby. Perhaps get her to open up a bit more; discover what is inside the mind of this little girl, lost.

Thank you Sue, you are very thoughtful and Ellie is such a happy girl today :)


FINALLY!
Look what comes tomorrow!
He he heeeeeee
When I went to order these CD's, I enquired how long it would take. When the peeps said it would take two weeks I exclaimed "Well Leona Lewis CD got printed the night she won the x-factor, why so long?". One of the guys quipped "This isn't the Craft-factor, you know". I laughed so hard I ruptured my spleen. And still had to wait two weeks (4, if I dont include rejecting the first batch).
Anyways, no doubt I will be linking you all up to its whereabouts tomorrow :)

Childhood treats

I go to the post office a LOT and sometimes I take Belle with me. Usually I am just flying in and out of the shop so I don't get to mooch at their wares. But on occasions when I do take my lovely girl, I let her buy some sweets. I had a bit of a sweet tooth call to me whilst there this afternoon so I ventured over to the display and spied candy sticks (when I was a kid they were called sweet cigarettes). I LOVE CANDY STICKS. They taste exactly like they did when I was a kid. And then I spied little bottles of Dandelion and Burdock - my fave flavoured pop. It usually tastes better with Fish and Chips and normally I can only stomach half a can.
But these little handy bottle sizes are perfect and it certainly brought memories flooding back. Also, a curly wurly fell into my hands - funny! So I bought it.Belle and I came home and ate in relative comfort.
Then we burped.
And life carried on as normal.

Sometimes I just love my life.

The BEST mothers day

We didn't do much, really.
Not bothered though as I spent it with my two crazy kids as hubby thought going to watch Liverpool stuff Aston Villa 5-nil was a better option and I partly agree.
I got up late as I wasn't feeling too cracky and learned upon waking that Jade Goody had died and it made me feel sad. Mothers day of all days. Love or hate the girl, you can't deny that she was an exceptional mother to those lovely little boys. I personally held no judgement over her but I can see why some people disliked her. My only concern of late was when I watched her wedding on Living the other night and saw the way she spoke to her own mother. I didn't like it but then again, I have no foundation to base an opinion on it. Still.....
So Belle and I spent the afternoon together. She bought me an adorable elephant to sit on my knicky knacky table. I collect elephants (of a fashion) and it was thoughtful of her to get me this lil cutie. She also got me chocs, Black Magic mini slabs....oooh, naughty!
I wanted some more pictures of my two kids and their amazing bond. I wanted some posed (of course) but I much prefer the ones where they are not performing (as such). Ellie HATES having to sit for me - as you can see.....so its best to let them play as normal. Belles hair was looking especially frizzy yesterday and she looked at the pictures with me last night and for the first time ever said "Im such a lucky girl having pretty hair". 13 years that's taken, you know! When she was born those curls were there, stuck to the back of her head in the tightest circles. Had I of known then what I know now, I would have photographed them but you know, there are thousands of occasions in my past I have not got on "film", but there you go.

These two really are a tight knit team. She has learned to be the alpha female by being assertive with him as he can be a bit rambunctious at times so you can see her holding him firmly to stop him jumping up.
Its like she is willing him to be good here!
Cuddle up, my pretties
This is my fave of the day, i think :)
They get more playful as the fun sets in
Loving those crazy socks, belle :)
This montage below looks far better when you click on it and see it biggerYou know, its funny because he can be laying one second and then drops off for a nap the next until we disturb him and he looks about to check if any stranger may have dropped by (for him to growl at, naturally)Then we go and start the tea for when Mark gets back from the footy. We made meat and potato pie (erm, Yummers!) and she helped stir and mix and stuffAnd then when I was making pastry, she waddled into the lounge with her bro and when I came to bring her a drink 15 minutes later - they were fasto on the armchair. God, I love these two so much.
Him in focus
her in focus
A perfect Mothers day.
Hope yours was too (if you are a girl of course and are indeed a mother or have a mother......pah, you know what I mean).

Bejewelled

I's popped along to a Claire Aristides bead workshop today on behalf of Crafts Beautiful to be a Press representative at their Manchester workshop.
It was bloody fantastic.
I can't regale much of the day as its for an article and I cant even share pictures of the earrings, bracelet and necklace neither (which I would have never have had the knack of doing before now).
BUT......
I did come home and raid my own beads and finding from purchases in Nevada last year (ie bargainous priced beadlets) and made some jewellery using my new found techniques whilst sitting with Hubby watching "I am Legend" (made me have heart attack every 5 minutes. The film, not the beads). Besides damaging a tendon from being over zealous with crimping this afternoon, I managed a pair of earrings, a knobbly necklace and a bracelet during the entire film.Am pretty chuffed that I could whizz them out so quick. I loves them.
Anyway.
Dyan tagged me this morning and the trick to the tag is that you must take a picture of yourself there and then - at the opening of the email. Well since I only got to read it at 5pm tonight and looking knacker-ooed from beading all day, this is how I looked. Im not sure who to tag because somebody might get upset that I didn't think of them (ever the diplomatic soul am I). So if you wanna play along - take a pic of yourself as you read this blog post and share!

Oooooh before I forget -
The tag ensemble kit goes to number 16 on the list and that person is:
ANDIE - congrats my sweets xx
Please mail me your name and address to this email HERE and Ill bob it in the post. All you will have to do is ink it and arrange it beautifully for your own book of pretty taggo's xxI'll bag another set of leftovers for another interested party tomorrow. I want to spread the tag love, you know?

Finally I have received the most massivest pile of beautiful and I mean amazing hand made cards for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you wish to send me some so that I can foreward them to servicemen who have no access to pretty stationary and greetings cards, please do before the end of April. Email me here if you wish to donate some get well cards, happy birthday cards, just a note etc cards for them to write in. Thank you to everyone who has donated to far, I swear they are too gorge to give away!

Fun Fab Fridays

Today I gorged on a luxury microdermabrasion at my local salon. Ive been saving for ages and today was the day nearest my saved stash total. First I gots a back massage then a full facial microdermabrasion (Crystal Clear, try it...its lush) and then a head massage - for a very special price. Gill, my therapist and confidante sure made my hair look real purdy on exit of the session - NOT. I swear a head massage is not the best hair style a girl can wish for but man, I felt fabulous when I got home. The dog took one look at me in my sedate state and didn't recognise me. Im generally neurotic at midday so the poor sod was a tad confused.

When I got back I booked him in for the vets as he has been real gruffly for the last 48 hours. That appointment was for later in the day so I spent most of afternoon unpacking my Studio Calico kit which is a bit lish, if I dare say. Its very "boy" themed which obv will be spent on the dawg but of course there are elements which I can use for the Bellemeister too. I also had to make preps for a beading course that Crafts Beautiful are sending me on tomorrow. Im so, so lucky for this opportunity because Claire Aristsides workshops are stunning and I will come home with a couple of pieces of jewellery after a lovely day learning ultra chic beading techniques. Lummy, do I really have room for another hobby on top of scrapping, cards, tags and photography? I think I doooooooooo.

Went to collect the Bellemeister from school and had to take a trip into town for a few errands. It also coupled with a trip to a fancy schmancy dolls house shop as Belle and I are about to embark on dressing one up. Belle was absolutely fascinated with them when we saw them in a shop window recently. She doesn't want one to "play" with. She just wants to build each room with proper light fittings and real carpets and beautiful pieces of teeny furniture. We bought this house already decorated on the outside in her fave colours. It had been reduced by 25% so it really was a bargain. I much preferred the plain houses in the shop which includes shopping parades, manor houses and even conservatories. Its a beautiful shop that lots of pocket money will no doubt be spent in. The plan is that I will create some of my own designed wallpaper for the interiors and the rest of the house decor will be a working progress. Ive never seen Ellie so excited before. She never was a child that played with dolls or girly things so this notion of her getting into interiors is quite exciting for her (and me, of course!).

Whilst out we went to get a few provisions for the weekend and I popped into our local Quality Save - how cool is this shop? I bought Oil of Olay tinted moisturiser for 75% less than Boots and Nivea facial wipes for next to nothing. I mean, what is wrong with me not shopping around these days? I also bought these three tea towels which I am going to sew into two totes. Guess how much? Well blow me down, only £1.49 for the three. Bodacious bargains, dudes. The chequered tea towl will be used for handles and accents on each "bag". Tea towel bags are the future, you know!

When we got back we had to take Eds to the vets. One injection and three tablets later coupled with a hideous £40 vets bill, he is on his way back to recovering from a crappy cold. Jeez, when I get a cold its costs me a box of tissues and a night bundled up in my pj's. Little sod. Anyhow, the Vet was really good to him as Eds was shaking like a leaf in the examination room (and its not surprising as the smell of fear from other pets fear pheromones clearly drove him ditzy) but our Vets fave breed of dog is a Dachs so we knew he was in good hands.

Finally, I have a RAK for one tag loving tag lover. If you want to win these little bits to assemble one of your own, leave your name in the comment section and Ill draw a winner tomoz night. Really, its only basic but its a fun little project for a rainy day.

Gotta get an early night, beads abound tomorrow and I need my hands to be at their busiest and best. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy mothers day on Sunday. Which reminds me, Mark so wants to give me £50 to spend in some crazy craft shop somewhere. Well that's what Im leaning for and I know he reads my blog. Ahem!

Come walk with us

After last nights tears we brushed ourselves down and took the boy for a walk. Last nights evening sun was perfecto if not a little hazy.

Before we set off (and as always) Eddy will run out the front door and bark. He always barks when he is let out, probably to let the world know he is on a mission and will attack at random. well, actch, that's not true. He just barks at air molecules and on the hope that someone will be there to appreciate it. As soon as he runs out and barks he goes and pays a visit to the tree outside the house. Ellie calls this the Snarly Barky Growly Wee-wee tree. God, that makes me hoot with laughter when she came up with that. And its true of her observation. He runs out, growls, barks, snarls and wee's!

Anyway.

I wanted to share some of my favourite parts of my hour long walk that the boy and I trot every day. Belle was desperate to come with us and enjoy a little "on the go" picka-nicka. That will be pop and choc in our case but still, eating al-fresco is the best. I thinks Dachs really only need a 15 minute jog but we feel that even though he has the teeniest legs in the world, a long walk will be good exercise and the opportunity to socialise with all his pals. He has a red setter dude, a German shepherd (called George) , a few choc labs, a Staffordshire bull terrier (called Kenneth!), a bassett hound (who adores) and various other random walkers who always stop and greet us.

The route I take always trails through woody areas and along wooden bridges and walkways. They lead down weendy-windy paths which is so interesting compared to some of the boring long and straight ones. Mark got home in time for us to all go together which made this one of the best walks we had had in ages, although dusk was setting in it was still warmish tinged with a slight chill. What I love about our walks is that Belle always points out something interesting; a world we don't appreciate at her eye level but leads to great conversation and inspiration. I doubt that Id like to take the world on from Eddy's perspective though, he is far too near the ground and that equals spiders and dirt. As he is from the Hound family, he constantly enjoys a good sniff and seldom plays. His tail is like a happiness barometer, the higher it is - the more of a manly hunt he is on. If it wags at high altitude, he is enjoying a good old sniff about and when its lowered, he is relaxed and happy!

Ellie stood at the many kissing gates. Ok, well not a true kissing gate but a good excuse for a smooch anywayOne of the many brooks
This is my fave part of the park, it opens to a bridged walkway through the woods. In the summer I plan to come down here to spot Kingfishers.
Many, many mossy gates blends into the scenery
This barbed fence trails for a few hundred metres, Im not sure why I like it... I just do.
This is the new part if the park I discovered before christmas. I cant wait for spring to fully flourish as this arching tree lane will be beautiful for photos with clients.
Me at the entrance to my fave spot of the park. Check Mark out with his angular styled shots!
My dudes on my fave walkway
Can you see why I love the weendy-windy?
we meet an old man on occasions who has pockets full of nuts and seeds for our little squirrel and feathered friends. He lays his treats on the posts and fence panels, so sweet.
We found these two duckies in the long grass, settling down for the night.
My angel, my love; in the long reeds.

Who can resist the fluff of a pussy willow? Or Maz might correct me and tell me its a furry seedling from a tree quite far from the willow family.
Weendy-windy paths go hither and dither
At one stage Eddy refused to cross these bridges as he got a paw trapped when he was a pup. Now he is a manly one year old, he trots over without a sniff or a care.
Poking though all that green and grey lays a solitary Daff. Me loves Daffs.
This swan hissed at us as we walked by, miserable little sod.
Now you see that boy looking at me? He is feeling guilty that he has to feign affection to Mark. His love really is for me and not Mark, OK?!!
So.
I have another lil tag to share with inks that I screwed together and it turned out like this! I love this one, the picture is simply beautiful. the curls remind me of my belle-la-belle. Ive used my new heidi swapp clock stamps which I bought from my new favourite shop, Craft Obsessions (where I also bought the beautiful birdcage stamps). They have a great collection of wot-nots including this baby which is now holding all of my tools and prettifying my room. They also helped feed my timmy addiction in small purchase splurges as well as my slurpage needs for "to die for" glimmer mists. Try them, their customer service is fabulous.

Ok - Greys Anatomy and then bed!

Loves xx

Little Girl, Lost

Sometimes I think I am on top of this "emotional train wreck of a mother" journey to hell.
I wake up and think that Im going to deal with whatever brick walls we hit and I do.
Then on some odd days I see a little knock or a graze on our daughters confidence and those 10 steps foreward become 15 steps back.
And I hurt; enough for the both of us.
This girl has lost her confidence in the swimming pool just as she got her first certificate only a few weeks back. It's as if the euphoria has vanished and the fear has started all over again. She came out of school heartbroken that she didn't feel big enough to get back in the pool today and frightened and convinced that the encouragement she often receives was more of a "you must try harder", instead, from her aide. I know for a fact her assistant is very affectionate towards Ellies needs but Im thinking some communication has broken down.
I know it can be resolved.
In the meantime I brought her home, cuddled her lots, talked in depth about the difference between encouragement and barking orders which in turn helped bring out this half effort of a smile. Still, it's a pretty little smile and you know, tomorrow is a new day.
And the pool can wait and her confidence will come back.
It's just a blip, I can handle it and so can she.
Repeat this mantra in your sleep, Kirsty.

Moving on.

Have you seen today?

Have you looked outside?
Over here in the (usually freezing cold) Northwest it is glorious.
Belle and I plus pooch (always the pooch, you know) are going for a long and lazy walk around our favourite park. We are taking fizzy pop and treats and we night cop a squat under an old oak tree and take in the blessings of spring.
Im going to try and forget I have a splitting headache.
But might have a moan about it when Mark gets in so that he might make the dinner whilst I lay in a lazy old fashion on a pretend "chais longue" as Belle tends to my fevered brow and the dog licks my feet.
Mwahahahahahahaha

Tig, Tag, Toe

I'm back to scrapping this week (in anticipation of Aprils Studio Calico kit and currently working on Bubbly Funky bits and pieces) so I shan't bore you all senseless with much more of these for a while. Or maybe I will.
The mustard one is my favourite.

I might replicate that for a tag swap which I will arrange sometime this week; quite excited about that! If you are interested, leave a comment so I can guage the size of the swap. Might be just 3 of you ... maybe 30, need to prepare for that!
Today was admin, admin and more admin plus a spruce up of corrupt files on my Cd master file :( I added an extra collection for the inconvenience (called Picnic) with juicy colours and pretty pears so its all good. Tok the dog for a mammoth walk plus I spent a good hour in the gym tonight and almost passed out from the beasting!
Got an exciting day out tomorrow, who knows what may come of it. Still its a day out and away from the monotony of my day. 'Fraid the dawg has to stay home although I have a sneaky feeling that his Nan might just make use of his company for a whole day as they are besotted with him as we are.
Im off to climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire after I've finished watching the Visage comeback makeover (Living TV, tonight and may I add that they are both FUBAR'ed from drugs and alcohol abuse - so funny to watch). I'll leave you with my fave Visage track from those wonderful years we know so well - the 80's.

If you don't remember them or wasn't even born, you are far too young to be reading this!

Sand, Sea.......

If you live in the North West of England - wasn't it gorgeous today?
We head out to Ainsdale beach to take the boy out for walkies and Ellie for a picnic. Marks parents joined us as we blew out the cobwebs and inhaled the freshest of air.
The beach was stacked with sitting Terns that flew up in a flight creating flickering black and silver clouds. This picture is nothing special but I love how the horizon is all shimmery from the warmth of the day.Eds goes bananas on the beach running to and fro between mark and I. Belle laughs her head off at how fast he darts across the sand often turning a full 90 degrees at the scent of something being blown downwind.Sandwiches are the best picnic filler; this lady loves hamble sambles to mostWe found this mutilated dolls body on the beach. Mark tried out his forensic skills by drawing around her before we called the feds.We did a little nature walk (ie Geocaching for Mark, tut!) and whilst he went treasure hunting, we enjoyed these little delights.We came home and sparked out on the sofa for an hour or so (well, the dog and I did, after his bath 'cos he was stinky, smelly, beachy flavoured and that's not nice). After that gorgeous nap and lets admit - a nap after a day at the beach is HEAVEN, I went to the gym to pound the treadmill and create earth tremors across Greater Manchester.
then it was home for Chilli and Dancing on Ice. I'm so excited about this seasons dance off because Mark has bought Belle and I tickets to see the tour in April, in Manchester. I can't begin to tell you what a lovely surprise it was for him to do that - thanks Marko xx

**sigh**

Yests nightmare is not worth harping-on about, really.
Nobody died and nothing terribly horrible happened.
In short, I guess Im a victim of modern technology which resulted in me having to reject my new CD's and ordering a re-run. It's quite my fault in one way but also the result of corrupt files from the Pc crashing before they were sent away. The launch at Harrogate is still going ahead though and for that Im glad I fore-thought any potential hazard and prevented the launch from going belly up too near the date. Well, there is chance something else could happen but Im leaving that all to chance, luck and hope-nots! Last nights Comic Relief made me put my own life into perspective (BBC1 - a 6 hour sit in by me, in front of the Tv with tissues and tena ladies alike) . Loved the Smiffy and England team sketch the best. Long live Smiffy.
Asides the drama, I rounded off my next collection of pretty tags for me to admire and stow in a new little storage book Im in the process of making. Hope they make your heart sing like they do mine.Which one do you like the best? I like the last one the mostest :)
I should really organise a tag swap, shouldn't I? That would be fun.

Yeah, Friday 13th

It has turned out to be the crappest day ever, in the world, like - ever.

Our boy is One!

Happy Birthday to our Boy wonder - Eddy Edsvilles Evil Gaseous Explosion Pants. Be warned - this post is dedicated to the dog. No craftiness tonight, soz, but lots tomorrow!Years ago I was one of the many dudes who thought pets were just "pets". They existed, you fed them and cleaned up after them whilst they provided entertainment when one could be bothered. I'd hear people talk about their pets with such vigour and Id think "Its a pet, Im detached. I don't actually care that much". ETA: I don't think I was being callous; I just wasn't emotional about it.
By god, comes the time when we get our own pup and we fell under his spell and now I am that person I didn't care for. And Im now all so aware that I bleat whole heartedly and persistently about our little guy like he was a real baby/child. He is one of us, we didn't buy him to sit in a corner and bark when someone came to the door. Nor did we buy him to be looked at and go "aaaaw, ey - look". We certainly didn't buy him to beef up our ego's or to prove who the man of the house is. We wanted a companion, a friend and a living cuddle bun that needed our affection to be thrust upon him.... and we got him. We wanted to reward his fabulous behaviour (exception smelly bum moments) with heavenly long walks day; distances probably too far for a miniature Dachs, but still.
So tonight we fussed over him a little bit more extravagantly more than usual and fed him best steak and scraps of swiss roll. He was utterly spoiled. The best bit about today was after school, I took these pics of Belle being Belle and Eddy being Eddy. Just looking at these pics, it suddenly dawned on me that without these two precious creatures in our lives, our days wouldn't be as colourful or as delightful as your average little family stowed away in a pokey 3 bedroom semi in Wigan.

My loves xxDon't ask how both belle and I managed to keep that critter still!
Ellie sits between the dog leaping from the pouffe to my lap - I ADORE THIS PHOTO!Mark cashes in on the action after work.
And so do I (need to thank Tina Cockburn for editing my rouge cheeks tonight :))


These two have an incredible bond and let me tell you this right now - for starters, this picture was NOT rehearsed.We love this little boy as much as we love our darling girl, both of whom offer different forms of love but its still love.... and we are soaking up every single morsel of it.

As Helen Keller so rightly quoted:

The most beautiful things in the world are not seen nor touched. They are felt with the heart.

Finally, would like to add a spesh thanks to Maxine for her gifts she sent to belle and I today. She sent Belle a kitty bag. Belle **hearts** kitty bags and kitty anything. Doggy anything; animal everything. Thank you sweets xx

Pencils in a pot

I simply adore the smell of pencils and having a pot of these iconic yellow pencils with their pink rubbery rubbers at my desk makes me feel all earth momma and pretentious (that I can draw, for starters!). I bought these pencils for a bargain today. I bought them not because of their functionality but because of their scent. You can buy smelly candles, burn them and they are gone. But woody pencils scents last a lifetime. Also, I tested the macro facility of a lens I bought ages ago and never really used - a macro 70-300mm. I had forgot that it had macro facilities and so I played and fell in love again! Hurrah for yellow pencils for casting their woody smell upon me to re-discover that!

I was out shopping today mainly for the boys birthday tomorrow. He will be one year old. We don't have many pictures of him as a baby as they were obv taken by the breeders. I do have the first ones of when we went to pick him last May. Eddy is on the right, oooooh....cuuuuuuuuuute.
Oh we loved him the very nano second we set eyes on him. His snout was stubby and his ears ridiculously big (like his momma, clearly... see post from two days ago!). Anyway, we bought him lots of meaty morsels and chews instead of toys because, put simply, he eats the buggers. His idea of playtime is sat on Mommas lap being pampered and adored and that's my kind of dog - just a chilled little sausage.

Am in the middle of sewing a little hidey curtain for my office with some fabric I bought in IKEA. I simply adore it and it will hide all the supplies that have little use for (but are a must have reserve that I can't bear to part with - you so know what I mean!). The new desk has been installed and has been a godsend on giving me extra work room. It also has amazing storage underneath. Will share pics when the curtain is whizzed to perfection. I also want to share some fabric that will be making an appearance in our bathroom. Luckily all our furniture in the bathroom is crisp, white and modern. The decor only needs the walls and carpets to be painted and changed when a colour scheme enters my head. It started off yellow and white, then purple/lilac and white and now its brown/duck egg and white. NOW we are painting the walls pillar box red! I know, slutty or what? Im only hoping that we can find a vinyl silk in that colour because its too crazy painting a bathroom with matt emulsion.

Ok going now. Im knackered.

Meerkat Manor

I **think** my dog used to be a meerkat.

He loves to sit up and look out the window on patrol and bark at everything - even the blades of grass dancing in the wind. Don't ever dare to be an air molecule in our house or else he will have you! If it moves, its a thunderous bark. If it stands still without so much as a quiver, its a slight bark. He is driving me nuts when he sits on Meerkat Manor (top of the chair). But how can I complain? After all, its his look out post and he is taking my personal security quite seriously. Valiant and noble is my sausage dog; my best friend.

In fact, my darling dog was in such a "one minute lazy, the next barking incessantly" state today that I went about taking shots of him being uberliscioulsy cool.



Eddy poo pants, we lubs you xx

Attic Treasures

Had a bit of a downer day on Sunday and needed a little pick me up. Did not go to church as planned. Am simply not ready although the dog needs to go and confess after his recent spate of chewage and not owning up to it. And I only know he did it as evidence is strewn in the garden and we know that "Mr I Didnt do it" never ventures outside.

So, as Mark had to go into the attic for a couple of things, I asked him to pull out my treasure box. Id been thinking about that box for ages and hadn't delved into it for some 6 or 7 years. In that cardboard box is all my notes and treasures from when I left home at 16. In amongst the personal gorgeous memories of mine are school ties, majorette medals, little notes, photos, my confirmation bible (from my parents in 1982 - precious!), old tickets, RAF sign up paperwork, school books and cards (countless birthday cards which I cant bear to throw away). I must have secretly known Id end up scrapbooking and Im so excited I didn't cast them aside.

Also in the box are letters, literally hundreds of letters from when I joined the RAF and the days where receiving a handwritten letter was a real treat. Im so glad I did not throw most of them away. I did chuck one batch away which I always regret because it was a massive pile from one person, of which hundreds of memories died with them but you can only go with what you felt was right at the time. And it was right at the time but you know, hindsight and all that.

When I married Mark I asked if he would mind if I kept the old letters from old loves. I wanted to respect his decision either way and because Mark is not your everyday sentimental old fool, he said he was cool with it. I suppose there is a cause for a massive debate over this but to be honest, I don't drool over them. They just hold so many memories for me. I re-read almost every letter laughing out loud and feeling sad in the same breath as I recounted my youth and wild hood ways. I proceeded to batch the letters in piles of whom they were from with the biggest pile coming from Mark who wrote to me whilst he served in Cyprus and Canada during our early marriage. I have all the letters from my Mum and Dad from when I started basic training right up until I served at RAF Ascension island in 1989, letters from my then 13 year old brother and 16 year old sister - I cant wait to drag them out when I see them next! I have scores of letters from old friends who Id love to find again (thinking FACEBOOK!). And, ahem, I do have lots of letters from boyfriends and boy friends etc etc. All of whom are distant memories but provided me with instances that I had forgot.

Im going to band each pile with ribbon and save them for whatever reason that I can't validate right now. Ellie might appreciate them but then she might not - who knows? But until I leave this earth, there is no way I am flinging those good times away. Each letter serves as a lesson learned, a mistake never to be made again or happy time that I should always want to treasure - who would have thought it, hey? Will take pictures of the piles in daylight tomorrow. Heeeee, happy days.

So - the photos. OMG, I was an 80's monster, totally! My hair went through various lengths and colour for starters! I very much had this look that could carry short hair off but displayed my ears with a great magnification. And I was, believe it or not, painfully shy and sensitive back then. I never felt comfortable smiling as I hated my teeth but you know, as time came on, I grew to love that they are part of me (OBV!). I kept all my photo booth pictures of which some were ripped off and were used for travel cards etc but here they are in order of when they were taken. You can laugh as can I but remember they range from ages 15 to 21 years old.

This is from 1985 making me 14/15 years old. me and my best friend at school (Tracy Smith). I distinctly recall wearing my mums white cardigan for this shot.

Me and Tracy again - circa 1986The day before I joined the RAF wearing my stylish purple shiney blouse, 8th June 1987. So Jayne Torville. Blu-tac comes as standard from days of yore.Home on leave during trade training, Sept 1987Look how much we have grown, Tracy and I early 1988Playing with blonde highlights and mucking mid 1988Late 1988Tracy and I again, 1989Good lord, scarey hair and ghosty complexion. Think this is about 19911993 - and sporting a Star Trek Romulan hairdo, classy. My mum used to rave about my loving this hairstyle (think pudding bowl and bacon scissors)This is my last in late 1993
Bloody hell, Ive had such a belly laugh over the last 24 hours over them. Im so glad I kept all these even if its sole purpose was just to cheer me up over the past weekend! On one sad note though, the dog chewed a photo that fell out of the box tonight and I went berserk! Luckily it was a replicated photo but still, time to get them on a page and in a book (thus preventing more said chewage) I think!

Have some more tags to share tomorrow. This girl has gone flaming tag mad.

Tag mad

To some papercrafting snobs, tags went out with the Ark. But quite recently Ive fallen in love with them and Im thinking its because Im enjoying working on a smaller canvas; instead of that usual, whopping 12x12 monster. I now get to use my favourite mini thingies (embellishments!) and what's more, I can make a project in 20 minutes instead of 2 hours. And since the advent of Glimmer/Maya/Blonde Moments mists as well as Tims teachings the other week, Im on an inking roll meaning inky fingers meaning I look like a minger.... hmmmmm. Still, Im experiencing a LOT of creativity so the mucky fingers will have to stay mucky.

This is a small batch of tags Ive been making of late.

I guess the principles of working like you would on ATC's have been used here albeit the tags are little bigger than your average ATC. And you know (of course you know!) Im no ATC/Stamp/Ink expert so Id love to expand on some super cool techniques. The Victorian images were free downloads from a couple of collage websites that took me months to find. Im obsessed with searching for beautiful images and have to admit they make my fascination with multi media a dream. I think to improve on this new found tag love, Im trying to locate good priced lace and muslim, need muslim fabric like I don't know what. If anyone has any cool sites I can search out, Id be so chuffed.

Going to get inky again tonight and hope that the congregation, tomorrow morning, won't notice my bluey/browny fingers as I hold up my hymm sheet.

Vegging

Saturday mornings, when I am not working, are the best.

Its 11.47 as I type and both Belle and I are still in our jammies after eating bacon and eggs and have slurped tea/ribena in abundance. The pooch is at my feet chewing on hide (butt in my direction, as ever) and Mark is out 'caching (I think he is nigh on 600 finds right now). In a bit Im going to go and turf my scraproom around, again, to make way for this:I need extra creative space and this will blend perfectly into my latest space saving race. Its only the desk attachment as I have three of those shelving units already and each pigeon hole filled with stuff I probably wont EVER use but feel I need, just in case. Things like little boxes and fabrics and lace and freaky stamps circa 2003.

Due to Dyans bereavement/shop closure my class has been cancelled for tomorrow which means I have a whole sunday free - wooohoooo. This full weekend off = happy wisemans. Plus Im going to church tomorrow (think Belle wants to come too) to blow off the old religious hangs ups so with that in mind, we are really going to make today a real lazy day. Although at 4pm Im going to have to make an effort to get dressed so I can walk that little sausage dog of mine. Boy does he like his walks. Its funny, you know, after each walk that dog gets so sleepy. So by about our tea time (roughly 7pm) he sits begging at my feet but with his eyes closed and nodding off. I think its hilarious. That dog would beg for food in a coma, I know it. And Im soft enough to give him tid bits anyway. I just cant resist those sooty little eyes, full of want.

Am planning a home made chicken tikka for tea, have just marinaded some chicken in fat free yoghurt and tikka spices and will dry roast them later a serve with home made bombay potatoes and rice. Mark can't believe his luck with all this voluntary domesticity from my part and whats more, he is going to have a friggin heart attack when I surprise him with home made onion bhaji's too. Go me.

Coming back laters to share pics of some spray inked projects, stay tuned.....

**edited to add this pic but its not eddy. I mean is it cruel? No, its called "living the dream". he he heeeeeeeeeee. They love it really, just as long as they are centre of attention!

Bum diddy bum bum

I wonder sometimes just how much of my dogs face I see on a day to day basis.
Not a lot it seems.
I sit on the settee doing graphic work on my laptop with my feet on pouffe and the dog lays at my feet on the said pouffe with his butt permanently facing my direction. He lays curled in a ball on his front (butt facing me) or lays like a chicken waiting to be dressed and all his crown jewels on vulgar display (butt still facing me).
When we go for walks and I mean we go for walks longer than a dachsunds can probably withstand due to their v. short legs, he walks ahead of me - BUTT IN MY FACE. Occasionally, as all dachs do, he turns to check that I have not done a runner on him.

And I still love that little doggy, butt or no butt wedged in my mush.

Came back from shops after school run and am perplexed by this little mathematical conundrum. A 15 piece box of Birds Eye chicken dipper costs £1.32. And yet a bag of 28 dippers costs £3.40.
Yeah, exactly.
Sainsbury's need to re-work that little rip-off straight away.

Glimmer/Maya/Blonde Moments pearl Mists

are the best thing ever.

That's all I have to say.

Evidence to prove my claim coming in less than 24 hours.

The end.

PS: Sold my Slice and now I must zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Da Slice - For Sale

Brand new, bought last week (used it to test it, twice. I cut a letter A and a circle - wooo, go me).
Between buying it and owning it I had a good friend come round and show me how to use my Craft Robo properly. This coupled with my new found Illustrator skills leaves me more scope to design my own shapes on the Robo where as the Slice won't. So its pointless having two cutters and one which I dont get along with.
See Margie demoing it here
So if you want to buy one that's had v. little use and is spanking new - mail me at this address here
I paid £142.95 for it having to sell off a lens to do so (boo hoo), so you could make me an offer and yes, I take paypal.

Please read the post below for "Cards for Heroes" update :)

Funny girl

This little pud walked out of school with a red nose on her face and that cheeky little thing had me laughing in the car so hard, I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. Belle is not "in your face" nor is she confident in showing her wicked sense of humour to all and sundry. She normally has to check you out before she can feel comfy displaying her minxy, cheeky side.The UK celebrates Red Nose day every year for Comic Relief (I love this more than Children in Need; humour whilst raising cash is my favourite type of charity) and every year they have a new style nose which they sell in shops and clubs and street corners - just about anywhere. Ellie foreit a large lunch at school to pay for her red nose opting for a large Yorkshire pudding with gravy to skip on the large costs of her usual chicken and pasta; just so she could buy a nose. I was most surprised at her candor and unsolicited purchase. The slogan of "do something funny for money" is banded about something crazy right now and she is opting to give some of her pocket money for the cause. I love that kid, she means so much to me. I asked her tonight (like I do every night) if she had a good day at school to which she replied "I survived". Bloody hell, what are they doing to her ....he he heeeeeee.

As prommed, I thought I'd share sneaks of the canvas Im teaching this weekend in Harrogate.Do come along, it is always such fun and I mean that. This stands on a giant, decorated peg and has so many lovely textures to it but then I would say that. Even Mark, cough cough **likes it**.

This week both Jenn Olsen and I are in charge of the Studio Calico blog and Jenn thought it would be a good idea to break the hardcore paper lovers into digi, gently of course. She offered a free tutorial for a gorgeous hybrid layout yesterday and today I offered free downloadable/printables for a basic hybrid page that you print onto Kraft cardstock. Coo-el! All the above cut out to make a super duper hybrid layout! Do go and have a gander when you get a mo or two.

Patti Picklicious blog has been updated with more samples for you to have a good old nosey at too xx

Finally, here is a small selection of the cards we have received from brilliantly selfless crafters for soldiers in Afghanistan. We are still collecting but you know, a ton of the cards are far too pretty to give away - really. I mean, we will give them away but look at this stunner that caught belles attention earlierPlease continue to send in your cards for soldiers to send back to their loved ones. Remember, they have no card shops over there and I tell you what is most sought after - get well cards. Email me here if you want to contribute

Right, going to go and lay off this feeling of unrest and lethargy. Me needs vitamins, Im sure of it.

Sleep perfect sleep

I threw the towel in at 1030 last night...............I know!!!!!

I haven't felt this good since I felt this good last. LOL
Am ready to face the day with a root treatment at 10am (I haven't had my hair coloured for 3 months to save money).
I have pictures to share of my canvas project later on (Don't think Dy will mind).
I have card projects to make.
Then I have printable papers for the Crafts Beautiful online party (3-7th April). Their themes is Masquerade and the printables I have are so perfect for that.

Talking of cards, Sue at Craftwork cards has cancelled this weekends classes at Craftwork Cards due to no staff cover at the shop (ie they are all at the SECC - so go and check them out there...fab stall, always something magnificent to buy form there). No matter, Ill be teaching at the Harrogate Show on the 28/29th at the workshops, as well as demoing my new Cd at the Art From The Heart stand that weekend. Im really looking forward to that.

So if you are at a loose end from Sue's cancellation and fancy making a canvas (with one of your treasured family photos), do pop along to Dy's. The number is at the top of this blog to make a booking.

Gotta go and get me roots done - the joys of being a fake blonde..........

Just chillin (picture heavy again - sorwy)

This weekend didn't bring any great adventures but I loved it all the same.
Having stayed up until 5am Sat morning to celebrate the reveal and fastest sell out kit of the century at Studes, I slept until 1pm sat to shake off the party! By the time I was dressed and out for a saturday morning shop it was bloody tea time. I promised never to lie in again as I missed almost a whole day!
We did a little cooking, ok a LOT of cooking. Mark and I are experimenting on cooking on a tight budget because we have been way too extravagant by chucking in whatever we fancied into the trolley only to have to chuck it away a week later. It surprising how much can go along way without blowing the expense. We made a pork and brandy dinner with creme fraiche and sage (similar to last week) with roast veggies. Roast veggies are our favourite right now especially as sweet potatoes can be bought in abundance for next to nothing in Sainbury's basic brands. I also made a pud that I had seen being made on Come Dine With Me. I love that programme for food ideas but I don't like it when people are unnecessarily mean behind the other diners backs. I whipped up a Mango and Almond Fool complete with my hand fashioned chocs. You cant burn the fool, its non bake so you can see why I loves! Plus the mango is from a tin - I know, the shame! Delia would be so cross!

Mango and Almond Fool
500g tin of puree Mango
100g gound almonds
2 eggs
120ml double cream
1 table spon castor sugar
Half a block of dark choc
1 table spoon icing sugar to decorate
Serves 6, costs approx £3.00 (50p per head)
Whisk the double cream in a bowl until moderately stiff. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 egg whites and once stiff, add sugar and whisk again until stiff again. Pour puree into a separate bowl and fold in the whisked eggs, then fold in the cream until all combined evenly. Pour into serving bowls, but be assured this is fruity rich, you needn't want a lot!
To serve, sift icing sugar o'the top and add a couple of chocolate shapes.

To test meringue stiffness, you should be able to hold above ones head without dripping - like so:
To make homemade choc shapes, i simply melt dark choc on the microwave on the setting "one higher" than defrost. NEVER try to melt choc at 100% in a microwave or else you will set the bugger on fire (ROZ! Ahem.........). Make a temporary piping bag with grease proof paper, like so:

Roll out a large sheet and fold in half:
Take one edge and roll into a tight cone shape:trip the top off to make it a neat cone edge:place in a cup, ready to fill with melted choc:Once filled, carefully squish up the top open edge and snip away the bare edge of the cone tip to make a fine flow of chocolate:Make hearts and stars and swirls - even dachshunds!
Then pop in the fridge for ten minutes to set:
Pop onto Mango and Almond Fool like thus but don't eat the Dachshunds because that means you want to eat my Eddy...... evils.I went to bed before midnight for the first time in forever and got up late (again, so much for yesterdays promise). Mark could see I needed to catch up after some 4am drifts last week. I got up real late. Put it this way, I toyed with going to church today but was missed it (think medication is draining me) and even that starts at 11am! I think breakfast was an obvious miss and lunch was my first meal! LOL. Anyway, near my home is this beautiful Unitarian church, up on a hill which is over 300 years old. The fact that its Unitarian is intriguing because they accept all faiths and that to me is a bonus. Fancy that, ey? A commune where faith is low on the priority - life in general ought to be like that. Sadly they don't hold Evensong and next Sunday Im working away so my foot shuffling on that score is on hold. Ive had my reasons for not going to church in a long time but recently my sister and a couple of friends have explained how refreshing it is in certain churches. This interests me as the church I used to frequent was damning and cold. I just want to go and make my peace with Him although I think it's going to take some time as I have so many questions. Heeeeee!

Lunch was drag to be honest as I was pretty drained today. Fortunately I had soaked some split green peas over night to make a pea and ham soup for lunch cum breakfast. Split peas are so inexpensive (80p for a 500g bag, you only need 35g per person) and will make pans of soup from one pack. I added chopped bacon bits (i love butchers bacon bits, so cheap and chunky), sage and a tad of chilli and served it with Tiger bread (who loves this stuff? Ellie adores it). Its the most easiest soup to make in the world and will become a weekly event in our house. Mark clearly thinks I am the height of domestication albeit a bit of a lazy one this weekend ;)

By 4pm I was flagging again so we went out with the dog. Flippin heck, there was a nasty nip in the air and it sure dusted out the cobwebs. Little eds was in fine form being the investigative little pooch this side of Ashton and Belle - sweet belle swinging on the swing in the most unconventional style.
Here she is - her fave time of day where she can go out sunglasses free, still squinting though!Me and her royal highness in her golden throne on wheelsMarky mark (who would like to point out to his blog fans - lol, yeah right) that his fashionably 199o's Jack Wolfskin was once the height of fashion and has now been demoted to dog walks - yeah, and I have to walk next to him wearing it and duck behind bushes when passers by come near.But no sooner had we got in for coffee and tea was I sloughing on the sofa before I realised enough is enough. I forced myself to drink pint of ribena to zing me up, ate garlic chicken for tea, managed half and then bath time where a snooze soon after had me worried that Im sleeping too much. Who has ever taken Stemetil (anti dizziness pills) and suffered with drowsiness to this extent? Please let me know.

So now I can share my layouts in full for the March Studes kit. Yes, it sold out but April and Scarlet are gauging demand to get all three kits replenished in the nest week or so.
I'll start with this card but more so the emphasis n the typewriter stamp that comes with the kit. I love that stamp with all of my heart. I cut into it to feed paper through to make it look authentic!
Maya Mists are all the rage at Studio Calico right now. here I used a Tim Holtz mask (from my own stash I may add) and spritzed over some mists to make this layout using very little paper from leftovers in the kit.
Maya mists continue spritzed over some Tim Holtz grunge board (again from my own stash). think of the fun you can have making your own masks and templates! this is called Looking for Summer. I can't wait for summer and long walks with him.Jenni Bowlin journal "moo" card looked so much more handsome as I added alpha stamps to make it a "Mooving" card!
I made this tree for my sister to put in her office. Simple really but I hope she will love it.
Bag o Tags! I think this is my favourite thing this month. I made the bag from the kit bags by cutting them down and gluing them to make a little storage for my maya misted tags. I'm enjoying tags again, I never thought Id see the day!
Two of the three tags (Ive lost the yellow tag picture!)

Studio calico OWN paper line is out of this world. This months was dress pattern based so I made a layout about a fancy night out we had. I know some people liked the fact I used the models arm as a photo corner thingy. To be honest, that was more luck than management!
I wasn't sure what to do with the felt in the kit. I toyed with it for ages and somehow this came together.
Another of my faves (and featured on sassafras's blog this weekend, eeeeks!) - the title reads "Seven days without laughter makes one weak. Doesn't Ellie look ticklish?
My sweet niece Charlotte tucking into croissants is a joyous picture that deserves the title Devour.
Great kit, loads of leftovers....loved it so so much.


PS: I don't know how many of you emailed me (well, ok - it was a LOT) to ask where I saw those tops that I posted on Friday. Well they are from this store here and guess what? He says YES!

PPS: Dawn sent me this in with the papers I showed you last week - I had to share it, I think its beauts :)