I teach and I learn

I teach one to one photography for people REALLY suffering how to get to grips with their DSLR. I only teach them what I know; I am not a pro pro pro photographer in the sense that I know it ALL. But what I do teach opens up the eyes of each student and has them emailing me their efforts within days of taking a class with me. I teach at a pace that won't freak them out and I make sure they leave knowing full well the 6 basics of DSLR photography - Shutter speed, Aperture, Manual, Raw, ISO and White Balance. The rest, I think is how you learn to compose your shots and create a style unique to you.
This is Raine.
She is such a doll and we had the best day ever. She took to photography like a duck to water - look..... its wonderful seeing people come out Aperture priority and work on full manual. I, myself, don't trust Aperture Priority because I think it can blow out the whites now and again and much prefer Shutter priority if it came to the push. Although 99% I shoot bog standard manual. Wooo, get me.

You know, I love to teach - I really do; I make it fun and I cease the opportunity of presenting a gift of knowledge.
BUT
There are times when I feel the need to brush up on some of my own skills and today I did that with a local photographer. I'm hit and miss on exposure (and I thought Id had it nailed at one point; but that's what you get when you run three cameras with varying outputs) and hate having to rely on photoshop to get me out of a pickle. Its not what a photographer is supposed to do. And seeing as I had a light meter in my possession since April 2006. Brand new and all the way for California. the manual was like reading chinese. maybe it was chinese.and never used the bloody thing cos it scared me; I thought Id get him to teach me.
ITS THE BEST THING I EVER DID.
So when I got home I went round the lounge during the day and night to practice my new found metering skills (I don't trust on board meters as they work on reflective light and that is pooey pants if you ask me).
Before I took this picture it was pretty dark. I was using my old techniques of taking a picture, look at the play back and teak a stop up or down. Not anymore!
My old/new light meter is my new best fwend!I thought Id have fun with this one but I have duel light here coming from the Mac screen and night time lighting. Still, its fun showing off my four ringsIm pretty chuffed with the results but will be more resolute once my grey card arrives in the post. For me, white balance is a bugger to correct or even get right. I want to work on custom or grey card assisted management.

So now I know how to use the flaming light meter and hey presto; photos perfectly exposed.

Finally - want to win this little add from the Prosperity Add on (a Studio Calico speciality, no less), as part of the National Scrapbooking day (2nd Mar)? All you have to do is leave your name in the comments selection below and I will pick a winner sometime after the Bank Holiday.

Oh - really, this is final ok?
Nail Watch.
Those bloody nails! I took this, this morning before the hair appointment to get rid of my yuksvilles roots and came back to these spangly mcwanglies.
hurrah, fully demonstrable nail-ations.

Ok - need sleep....Im off to London (to buy a heat magazine) in the morning. Bank holiday travel so I expect I might not even get there. Tune it 3pm and don't laugh.

Escape the rush

t'other night, Mark and took Eds on one of our infamous woodland walks.
If it was not for these walks I would die. Im in this house all day long and it does my head in. Sometimes Ellie joins us, other times she just wants unwind after school and be absorbed by her new appreciation of books (rr even worse, Hannah Montana etc etc).
Ive shared so many many pictures of our local park but they truly are what makes me happy. I take my camera 90% of the time in hope that I might just find something I like and on this occasion we saw this little fella (and little is key here!) jumping between the rails. Look realy hard now! **sigh, I wish I had a 400mm**Then we saw these cutiesThen this wee dude
We get lost in our own thoughts in this part of the woods, on the decking as we call it. We look for two freindly squirrels and always find, them going about and minding their own business. Then we come across empty lanes overhanging with new buds and leaves. In a few weeks these lanes will be packed out with walkers and more foilage to add interest (and Im more likely to get bitten - booooo!)And then, at the end of the walk there are cuddles and hugs as he clearly is ready for 2 hours snoozing after a good 2 miles trekking.

And lastly, Ill leave you with nail watch. Ive had to put my shades on becuase I look ill right now. Ive had so much onthis week that I think I might die from my head exploding and willing my bloody nails to grow. I am so excited about Friday - hopef tomorrow (when I go get my roots retouched) that the stylist will buff them up for me. **see, they is growin!!**Oh and afore I forget - I have a free download on my other blog here

Time being sucked right up

Is there somebody out there with a time sucking vacuum cleaner cos if there is, will you bloody turn it off? Thank you!
Ive got a ton of wonderful photos to share from the wonderful Gill and Elaine who have sent lil Belle some dolls house miniatures but they are on a memory card that I cant seem to locate (Prays that my munching mutt hasn't crunched them into his bucket gut).

Until then, I have got some lovely photos of Belle and Eds under a snowing cherry blossom tree. This evening was lovely and warm considering it chucked it down all day. As I ventured to the post office, the sun came out and waved its magical gloriousness over our flower park which is a haven for taking pretty pictures.The dog thought it would be hilarious to chase wee kiddies on their scooters frightening them half to death and I screamed and screamed for him to come hither but you know, that little sod has a mind of his own when he is off the leash. Or perhaps he was doggy speaking to the kids to come and admire his spangly new collar. Isn't it fab? I got it off Etsy from this bonkers girl HERE

I didn't ask belle to pose for me tonight, I just sat and chatted to her as I snapped. She is most happiest doing this and of course so am I. The dog dashed to and fro chasing falling blossom snow and his tail. Then he would rush up to us for licks and jumps and cuddles. Then he would just run around like a psycho dachshund on a barking mission to scare one and all.

Posy hair bobbles are so summery (even if they are black). She wore this to school today.The dog interrupted play by edging off our close circle to bark at air molecules and grass moving inthe wind. If it moves, he has a right monk on!
belle goes to placate him but its no good - he is king of the bloody park!
Arms stretched with a 50mm is not good for neck ligaments but fun enough for pictures!Ellie was talking to me here when a chill blew up and she hugged herself. I think she looks kind of sweet if it wasnt for the pet lip; signalling us to go home :)separating the falling blossom from the old fallen blossoms that have turned a putrid brown.

I love this one of her reaching to scoop some blossoms. Ellie is very supple and you know, she can lift her legs behind her head. Blech to look at.
Came home to dilly and dally as usual and discovered my nails have grown a little longer **Stunning picture alert!**
(Im determined for them to look a little QVC-ish at least before I go to Larndan). Also, my QVC slot has changed to just after 3pm. Im on with Craig Rowe so it should be fun fun fun!

Right - BED!

Celebratin' more british talent

Man we love this programme - its a saturday night feast.
This is the pick of our house - THE PICK!

This dolly here is such a darling, such a fabulous talent:


These dudes - DUDES will give everyone a run for their money too. Ellie was so excited by this:
CLICK HERE

And to add, nails have grown a bit more!

Nail watch

Eeeeek, possibly a millionth of a milimetre has grown since Friday. Still, there is time......
Bad hat = Bad hair day
**Man, my hands are looking OLD...need hand cream and lickety split quick too

Sneaks at Studio Calico

Been working hard on many many things this week.
And next week I shall be making many many more for I am on QVC next Friday (National Scrapbooking Day Event even though Nat Scrap Day is off-ish 2nd May) and need to make sure things are ship shape and tickety boo. No, its not my CD (yet) but a software product that is fun and dead easy to use. Now normally us demonstarators are preferred to have spangly, long nails but I chewed mine off a week ago and I need a "grow quick recipe". Your answers or help on a TSV at my address please :)In the meantime, whilst I do handstands in manure (thanks Darcy!) to help the nails mature please take a wee peak of Mays Studio Calico kit. Loved the vibrant mix of colours and cork....mmmm, cork.







If you are in Burnley tomorrow and are at a loose end, pop into Craft Range and come and say hello (preferrably with some nail growing advice; and no, I cant wear acrylics nails, unfortch)

Hugs x

Patron Saint of England

Im starting to get really p***** off with the fact that St Georges Day (23rd April) is not overly celebrated in England.
I admit Im guilty that I don't do it publicly but then again nobody puts "anything" on (events wise) so I'd look a bit of a div standing in my street waving the St Georges cross.
**for my International readers, the Union Jack (the Uk flag) is made up of individual flags from England (like a red plus sign), Ireland (like a red cross sign), Scotland (blue flag,white cross) but not Wales (weird) and the red "St George's cross" is the Englandy bit**

St Patricks Day (he being the patron Saint of Ireland) is celebrated in full style - even in the USA, which puzzles me.
St Davids Day (he being the patron Saint of Wales) sees a throng of daffodils worn by the nationals.
The Scots get to have a fantastic Burns night on 25th Jan where haggis is served in abundance and drams of whiskey sloshed down with it. **edited to add - I forgot they even have St Andrews day so that's a double whammer!**
What the hell is wrong with us? Have we lost our passion? Does anyone really give a damn?

But oh! Come a football event and the flags are cracking outside our bedroom windows and on car aerials or hanging from our knickers (and then we lose!) And yet given a whole day to being English (and non footbally), nobody wants to know. Hell, its even a government holiday in Newfoundland in Canada - CANADA! What about us?

Going to sulk until someone does something magnificent about it. And its no good approaching our Prime Minister because he is Scottish... LOL!

**edited to add (again) Just been reading Wiki about it and apparently its customary to sing Jerusalem in every church and cathedral on this day. I love that Hymn, we had that at our wedding. Might go into town, stand on a bollard and sing it my bloody self!.........."And did those feet, in ancient times, walk upon England mountains green.....sob! Or even better I could blast this out from my iPod and get majorly patriotic. Will somebody please make this our national anthem?**

If I ever flourish

.....to be as fabulous as this photographer, my life will be complete and I would die happy.
Natural light, no fancy gimmicks, no over bleached white out actions - pure and natural photography, like it should be.
And most of all, he shoots mainly in landscape, even portraits of people....in LANDSCAPE!
Just like our eyes see the world; so does his camera.

Just checked out his blog and he has posted this CRAZY video...watch and hold your breath. **Kids, don't try this at home, ok?**

That piece of music is awesome.

Erm, Happy Earth Day?

Apparently is Earth Day today.
Nobody emailed me about it and nor did my local environmental officer either.
I only found out on twitter (of all places, fancy gleaning such information from an alleged trash site!).
Then, upon further investigation I learned that its been earth day on the 22nd April every year since 1969........wtf?
Where have I been hiding for the last 38 years?
How am I supposed to celebrate or embrace it if I do not know?
How do I celebrate it anyway?
Do I go naked and hug a tree? Do I make a special effort to recycle? Shall I plant saplings in the garden (only for Eddy to kill them as he takes his business)?
Im confused.

I have one contributing solution to making the earth a little more greener.
And it goes like this:

Will those people who work in offices in town centres please switch out their lights when they go home. I am sick to death of seeing empty offices with lights on - NO NEED. And also, is their any need for motorway lighting anymore? There are thousands of stretches of motorway that don't have lights (that's what car lamps are for) so what is the point of the stretches that do?

The end.

PS: Im more likely to be holding out for celebrations for St Georges Day tomorrow - yay!

Make hay whilst the sun doth shine

For the pat 3 years we seem to have had incredibly warm April's and May's. Then comes the June's, Jul's and Aug's and the weather goes into mega crap rain and gloom.
So we were making hay cos the sun was shining!
I love that saying; it makes me feel summery and happy.

Yest we spent a lovely afternoon on the garden swing, eating salad and nibbles and drinking ice cold diet coke. I guess it was Belle's and my diet coke break except it was marginally less enjoyable than your average advertised diet coke break where an electrician or workman comes to strip down to reveal his bare torso and offers to peel grapes and fans you under a palm frond. I really wish diet coke breaks existed. **sigh**
Instead I get to feast my eyes on this fella here.... he will do for now ;)Oh and this fella, trying to cadge a morsel of our lunch!A quick visit from Nana supplied Ellie with her Nana top up; I really love this photo :)All this whilst bed linen dried on the line......now that is the best fragrance in the world!And left over pastry from our homemade chicken pie was cut into these delightful flowers and topped with jam - simple, rustic and delicious.Today has been just as glorious. Belle has an extra day off school for teacher training so we went to town to try on shoes. Trying on shoes is just as fun as buying them but I didn't come away with any expensive ones, just these babies for £4. Belle got wardrobed up for the summer (she has outgrown her trousers and jeans - eeeek, I only notice through her clothes that she is growing) and she came away with some cool tee's and light summer jackets. I bought some beaded necklaces from junk jewellery shops to cut up and use in my own designs because its works out to be fabulously much cheaper.

Then both Belle and I went for free reads at Waterstones. I love free reads. I pore over vintage fashion, photography books, design and interiors and anything else that catches my eye. If I had the money, I would have a library dedicated to my own personal wing of a mansion completely chock block full of beautiful hard backed books with perfect imagery in them. Instead of a huge armfull of books I came away with this and belle got another magic Puppy book to add to her growing collection. I think the books are way below her peer age but they are geared towards her reading age and she can finish one in about 3 or 4 hours; which keeps us both very happy.

Another day of sunshine tomorrow, might streak nake-o down the local village. Well, why not? its warm enough.

Isnt she lovely?

A few details from a beautiful ceremony yesterday.
She wore pink, he wore a beaming smile.
These two people were so thoughtful and considerate despite it being their day; they really made a fuss of me and all of their guests too. Both of them shaking like a leaf but they weren't nervous - just excited and happy. And yes, tears welled in my eyes. **weep**




And last but not least, this angel here has grown to be a real dolly. This is Sophie in Nov 2006 and she grew up to be the most beautiful flower girl I have ever photographed
Isn't she a beaut?

And they all lived happily ever after.

Elise and Mark, you made my day; I hope I made yours too :)

T & D

G & T....................gin and tonic
A & E....................accident and emergency
M & S...................marks and spencer
T & D.....................aha! You know what I mean!

Man alive, did I ever have the best night ever? Did Ellie get spoiled rotten with celebs and her new found love of ice dance? Im not kidding you but the moment you sit in your seat at these ice dance events, you are entertained not only by the pre-show compere but also the electrifying atmosphere.
It was the best £40 (ahem, a ticket!) ever spent.
Really.
But before we even got there we had already enjoyed the sights of a buzzing, warm evening in Manchester. This is "The Triangle" area of Manchester, isn't it gorgeous? Friday night after work drinks were in high spirits; it was a beautiful, warm spring evening!This building is awesome. You cant see it but that building slopes down the back like a ski slope.
The manchester "eye" behind some freaky sculpture.
I'd never go on one but they look impressive.
The food? Oh Man - TO DIE FOR!
And to die for food isn't an equation that Ellie is used to. Why? Well Ellie eats because we tell her too. Given her half the chance, she would pass up a meal. But we feed her roughly 6 times a day (breaky, mid morn snack, lunch, afternoon snack, tea and supper) and she manages quite well but at a snails rate and without passion most of the time. So when we both decided to try the Wagamama noodle bar, she became armed with a new found excitement. Ellie is a pasta freak as it is and noodles are not far from the similarity. We got inside and took a bench seat and she was reading the menu with new eyes. She couldn't believe that it was a noodle bar. Noodle this, noodle that.......crazy frikkin noodles! Another thing about Ellie is that we often caller her a noodle doodle if you she does something silly. I think the world noodle sums her up at times. Noodles are the new black, the new die cutting phenomena, the new T&D - the new superfood!

So anyway, we ordered our food with the most amazing and attentive staff - they were so excitable; it made you want to be a noodle! And I couldn't get enough of her jibber jabber; I had to film it with my little pocket camera thingy. Its noisy but I love to see that peach tucking in to food like we all should tuck into food. She kept saying "Dads gonna love this place" and "when are we going to come back". All that excited stuff you get from a kid.....its inspiring.

Love that the staff can centre a picture and chop my flaming head off!
The Belle monster - tucking in good and proper!
Stealing some of my sticky rice (I did have noodles, as well, honest!)
They are under this lot of magnificent veg and herb carvings!No sooner had we scoffed more noodles than the entire population of China did we have to walk over the the MEN arena. It was swarming with T&D fans all buzzing and headed for their seats. We bought an official 25th Bolero anniversary programme that came with a Gold medal and purple ribbon (Elie put that on straight away! Plus its a beautiful programme of which we shall treasure).
And so on to our seats.
Im not kidding you it was heaving - Im guessing on 20,000 people (I know it can hold 28,000+) but the rink had taken up the centre portion denying the arena of its full capacity. We got in our seats and were treated by some fun compering and audience participation. EVERYONE joined in except Ellie who dare not stand up because the seating was steep and she thought she might fall. She still sang along and laughed at me getting all excited every time we saw pictures of T&D on the big screen before the opening performance. I'll not bore you with a blow by blow account but just this, quickly.......... the opening sequence involved masked dancers that ended up in the middle of the rink surrounded by falling curtains. They dimmed the lights and from within the curtains there were ice dancers re-enacting Barnum, Mack and Mabel, Passo Doble and Bolero but all you could see were shadows. Then the curtains dropped and instead of 10 ice dancers in there, you saw T&D in their Bolero "get up", on their knees and then started to do the Bolero thing. **SOB** It was a mystical moment. Truly exciting and emotional.

So the night goes through the dances from the pro ice dancers and the celebs of the last season and the two seasons before with being our favourite out of the lot. No nasty Jason Gardiner in the judging panel which Ellie was disappointed about but he was replaced with ahem **insert scream** Duncan from Blue. Swit bloody swoo. Camera was on slow shutter speed here so his arm is kind of erm, missing!Of course Karen Barber was there to soften the blow too (we lubs her). Also, adding humour to the night was Todd Carty whom Ellie adored and laughed at all the time he was on. Suzanne Shaw performed some amazing twists and jumps which we loved too. Oh, Im just going to shut up now because Im boring myself now because Im no good at relaying the nights events for its something you have to go and see for yourself (or when the video comes out in Oct/Nov!).

I didnt take any routine photos as my camera was only a pokey point and shoot but this is the end line up - you can just make out T&D!This is the moment where the Bolero dance off was between Ray and chris. we begged for ray to win actually although we cheered chris on from the start! Chris won but Ray danced better.
In sum, we ate, we laughed, we danced, we shouted and we boo'ed and then we went home and Ellie wanted some chicken from the Golden heart attack Arches (This kid is on a growth spurt, I swear!) so she ate them and then promptly fell asleep; with her medal around her next and clutched next to heart.

This is us in the car (not driving before you all have heart failure!). I looked whacked!belle with her coveted commemorative medallion!

**sigh**
Good times indeed :)

By the way, wondered if any of you have seen this programme by a Canadian team... check it out HERE

Am going to go to bed for a lovely nights sleep after attending a beautiful wedding ceremony today and will prob share a few piccies.

Eventch!

Yest Paul came over to craft and techniquey-fy, drink herbal tea and generally gas (in the UK that means talk, ok?!). Time flew by and 5 hours went like 5 seconds. I was particularly enthralled when he showed Me what fancy things I could do with lavvy roll.
Im not espesh techniquey, I would probably say Im more of shift it about a page and stick kind of girl. But since ive been inked by The Holtzmeister, anything goes - you know?
Here is Paul showing me how to make lavvy roll into soemthing of a phenomena! and then here is Ellie and her friend Beth having a go.
I found the best way to use this technique was better on cuttlebug embossing folders as opposed to stamps.
We loved it Paul! Thank you.
I cant believe Ellie had a go although she was **encouraged** a little. She didn't bother painting it the next day when it had dried but Beth and I did and this is the fruits of our labour.
This is Beths lovely card uisng pink painting to pick up the embossed effect of dried lavvy roll

And here is mine whcih i scuffed green paint o'er the top of.
And here it is close up so you can see what dried lavvy roll on embossing folders can do!
Now I can make funky textures from lavvy roll and embossing folders....for fun!

As its late and Ive not long got back from the most amazing night of my entire life (and Ellies), Im going to wait until tomorrow to share pictures of our heart stopping, enthralling night at the MEN Arena watching Torville and Dean. We were both so so excited and happy and scared and wowed buy the whole night. Im limited to using very basic words that wont do the whole night its justice - spectacular, entertaining, happy..... it goes on. I believe there are tickets left for Sunday night if you are at a loose end in Manchester! The pre-show entertainment is just as magical as the show itself.

Need shut eye now, I have a wedding to shoot tomorrow and the bride is in pink! Happy, happy, happy :)

Fabulous!

I typed a massive and I mean a massive long blog post and the PC crashed and I jumped onto the Mac to start again but I got sidetracked by the beauty of YouTube. Im going to bed with a right monk on, I spent ages on that post...... Ill have to do it all again tomorrow.
Quick review - had a lovely day with Paul. I have some great pictures to share of some new lavvy roll techniques going on in this house - Ellie even got involved!
Until then, learn to love this (if you already don't love it)...... Caruso by Bocelli. **sigh**

I want to go and see him in Liverpool on 6th Nov this year but have nobody to go with.......are you going? Wanna come too?

She's grown

Oh my sweet love, Belle.
You are the apple of my eye and the reason why I wake up in a morning (and not just cos I have to take you to school - bwahahahahahha).
You are growing up right before my eyes.
You were venturing off for a sleepover today and wanted to fit in. So we selected your most groovacious outfits and I applied some make up; but just a touch.
You gathered some "girly night in" stuff to take with you and you sat at the window waiting for Beths mum to pick you up.
Each second felt like an hour and it wasn't long before you sat on the sofa to concentrate on not watching cars come in and out of the street.
I grabbed my camera because I didn't want to forget the look on your face or miss the intensity of your excitement.
And you gave me this prize shot here.Regular blog readers should know how very difficult it is to get a picture of you because of your photophobia. How I have to always use a slow shutter speed in a dark room and suffer the fact I cannot get a clear focused shot without having to resort to ridiculous ISO levels AND then.......I have to lighten it all in photoshop. I could cry at how I love this picture though :)

And then you talked to me as I snapped some more and the camera loved you today!You see the picture below? And you see the wall vinyl we have...and the blank canvasses? Im stuck for photos to go on there (have for a few weeks now)
Me thinks I have got at least one to go on there now. I cant wait to fill these canvasses with lots of 7x5 prints in sepia tones. The "Family" title will adorn one of the canvasses somewhere; I think I am going to have to work it like a layout. All in good time, me thinks :)

Also.
We opened up some post that had been sent in our absence.
Again, more dolls house teenies from Claire Crompton - thank you Claire, Belle is besides herself, I dont think we can thank you enough!
The dog didnt seem to care for this mini fruit and veg ensemble... but we did!These mini mini yummy dinni tarts were the delight of the whole package!
Belle loved the gumball machine....... we LOVE miniature!
And Darcy sent this sock monster along with some cards for Soldiers - its just fabulous and Ellie loved it immediately! I'll read the inscription that came with it tomorrow, I can't seem to put my hands on it right now. Think Belle sneaked it off to her sleepover!And Lizzie sent some cards for soldiers using my free download papers from the patti blogas well as some notebooks she made using some papers from my CD. Three for me and one for Belle - I mean, goodness me..... people are way too generous for me to keep up with their thoughtfulness.
thank you all so so much :) Really. I truly mean it. THANK YOU :)

Before Belle left me (boo hoo) we caught up on some Eddy loving. She whispered little "I'll miss you's" in his ears, cuddled him tight and kissed him gently. SOB!He looked at me as if to say........ give me some bloody peace, will you!
So i did but I couldn't help snap a pic of his crazy ear stuck up the side of the sofa. Silly, crazy, lovable toad!
And then, something crazy happened.
Like.....REALLY.
Both Mark and I went out for a meal.
I mean.
Holy Frozen Dinners!
I forgot what to do.
We have not been out for bloody months.
SERIOUSLY!
I had to mind my manners and try not to kick off my shoes and put my feet up.
Have you tried to stifle belching in public places?
Hmmm?
Its hard.
But we had a lovely meal at Gallimores in Wigan.
It was weird not being out without our lil girl..... I kind of felt like my arm was missing.
Still.
Good food, good company and nails bitten to the quick as I think about my baby.

Get wind of these...

Im starting to appreciate vintage ephemera a LOT since I have faffed with tags and such over the last few weeks. Life ticked along nicely until I got told a tale that a UK distributor was getting hold of THIS LOT!
ERM, me in heaven.

and there are plenty more where those came from too. Check out Dark Room Door, an Aussie company no less :) UK stockists soon to follow!

In a nutshell

Flippin heck, so much happened last week that I didn't blog much about as I didn't have access to uploading pictures from my camera as well as I normally do at home.

So here are my pics from my visit home and little tales in between:

Mum and Dad on their Ruby wedding anniversary. We all went out for a lovely Chinese meal and her best friend came along with her husband and granddaughter, Esmie :)This is the card I made for themThis is us at the restaurantIsn't Esmie gorgeous ?
These are odd pictures I took when we went to the park during a lovely day last week. Loving Ellies curls hereA beautiful peacock Butterfly, its so early to see them this time of year
Ooooh, cheeky!We love the walled gardens at Sewerby, so vibrant and calm :)Ellie waded into a throng of daffodils and looked out for the gardeners who might have aimed pitchforks at such tomfoolery...ooops, being a photographer gets me into scrapes!
Shoe watch - Dyan will be happy! I bought 4 pairs of shoes whilst I was away and all 4 pairs came to less than £30 including these designer babies below!These little pink things cost £1.50. They are soooooo comf and are perfect for the garden and wet spring day walks.I love these little suede effect shoes too.I also spent a day with Caroline last week. Ellie enjoyed herself so much that she didn't want to go back to mums house. We jibber jabbered all day and ate scones and talk craft. Perfect, if you ask me! Carolines house and craft work projects are beautiful.This is one of her sons, jonni. Ellie is smitten with him :)
YUM.
Caroline has a beautiful Etsy shop and I spied this in her house and bought it. Its a french wooden frame with proper french gauze. I love it so much, i cant wait to add my photos and little quotes on it :)And here are a few seaside walk snaps. I love the beach at my parents. there is always a brisk wind and a hellish chill but Eddy loves it as much as I do plus there are always interesting things to take pictures of :) This run of red railings goes on for hundreds of metres. id hate to paint that bugger!I don't know why I like this angle, I just do.
Seaweedy beach breaks look a bit bloody monstery. Good job I had the dog to protect me!
The boy, our lovely wee boy!Leaving little tippy tappy foot prints
And ears flapping like Dumbo!I think this is my very favourite picture.Or maybe this one?Or, erm, this one....help me!The sunset on the beach casts a gorgeous colour on Eds.And creates beautiful low sun shading on the sand ripplesAnd lastly if not randomly, Ellie and I made jewellery whilst chilling out at my mommas. this is for her BFF, Beth. Ellie chose the beads herself but muggings, here, had to knit it all up. Fiddly little thing if you ask me but fun!And now Im home and things are getting back to norm although my scraproom looks like a bomb site. Im ashamed of myself to be honest. Instead, Im sitting here linking to the Susan Boyle video like it was my first time, every time and cry every time too. Life isnt all sickly treacle and molasses like this video but it would be lovely if it was. I get ribbed for wishing for a happy life by lots of people - losery mean bags they are, why shouldn't we hope for happiness? Huh, while ever there are people like Susan on this planet I think those with dreamy dreams should continue to hold out that one day they might come true :)

Going to snuggle up with my little dogster as I am wide awake and I have two Greys Anatomy's to catch up on. Some chocky buttons are calling out my name too and I know that somehow they will just fall into my mouth as Im lounging :)

Perky.....even after a bank holiday lounge

Oooh Im feeling so perky after a weeks break at my Momma's.
Ive tonnes of photos to share so will be back laterz, me old taterz.

Have a little light entertainment until then:

PS: Im changing my blog style again, Ive gone right off it. I wish I could have something and stick with it. Its driving me crazy that we live in a world where freedom and choice is but limited to changing frikking backgrounds - that and nothing else.

Approx 15 times

I have watched youtube today (see the blogpost before this and double click the first clip to take you as the embed profile has been disabled).
If there is any emotion I love, its happiness through tears.... to quote a Dolly Parton line from Steel Magnolias.
After last weeks untimely deaths of two of my family members, things like this are truly uplifting. And to say that this clip and others like it including Susan Boyle has had more than one million hits in less than 24 hours and is the most talked about TV clip in the world today (check out google blogs), this kind of story is the happy ending we all dream of :)

Also.........
Happy 40th wedding anniversary to my Mum and Dad today.
Pics to come xx

Britains Got FABULOUS Talent!

So did you watch Britains Got Talent last night?
Oh we had such a good night watching that.
We laughed so hard and I mean "ruptured our spleens" hard. We loved the Greek Cypriots version of the Riverdance but I was most compelled with Susan Boyle and her amazing talent which if I am honest, thought was going to crash and burn. I am actually ashamed of myself for that but the girl did good. Hidden treasures like that deserve more than their 15 minutes of fame. What a star she is! (double click the video link as the embedding has been disabled...it will take you direct to YouTube... you HAVe to watch it!)

So the two Greek Cypriot two geezers? Laugh? LAUGH? I thought I was going to be hospitalised. My mums house erupted in fits of laughter and tears. If you didnt see them, watch them here:

And to finish, these were just superb...no words to add other than Flawless:

I can't wait for the next show. Really, we are already booking a date with the sofa's next week for that one!

:(

Dedicating these tags, all without their usual quotes, to my cousin Gemma and "Uncle Barry" who both sadly passed away over the past two days. The last tag is dedicated to my Uncle Philip who has been trashed by these recent family deaths and who my heart is breaking so hard for, it feels that Im suffering all of his pain too :(


Thinking of you Unca Sippy/Ferlert/Phil/Hulk
(and also Auntie Barbara and her kids and their kids and even their kids)
xxx

Rest in Peace Gemma and Barry

light entertainment

For you lunchtime surfers needing a bit of relief:
he he heeeeeeeeeee

Seaside air

pheweeeeee.... am sleeping lots.
The north sea air and the biting wind is swilling out every last ounce of drudge and instead renewing my lungs with that heady potion we all long for - the ease of "dropping off". I should bottle it and flog it on ebay to make a fast buck but to really savour it, you ought to get to the coast and try it for yourself.

Belle and I went to town today to get out of the way of my momma as she was teaching classes. I hated leaving the dog as he was in "eat stranger mode" today and with mums students coming in dribs and drabs, he had a lot of meat to contend with (ie barking like a rabid animal until he was told to "sharrup" for the millionth time). Anyway, I treated Ellie to lunch at our favourite seaside cafe (Higginsons on King Street, Bridlington) where it helps if you are over 60 to blend in with the crowd. They serve the BEST hand cut ham sammiches and not forgetting their fammus bacon butties. They serve a generous portion of 4 back rashers per breadcake and Ellie was in salty pig heaven. We also shared a cheese and tomato toasty too (the sea air gives you an explosive appetite and believe me, my appetite is pretty humongous at the best of times) which is now turning into lardy fat globules on my thighs **burp**.

After that, we only ventured into Boyes, a fab department store that is only seen in towns on the east of England (I think there is one in Bradford which is W. Yorkshire but still....its still east of Wigan!) You can NEVER go into Boyes and not be tempted by their fabulous offers. And Mark, you bought me two pairs of shoes today, ok? Both pairs for just £20 (Ive left Mark at home to decorate and titivate the house!) With my money I bought some beads to make Ellie's friend, Beth, a bracelet which I actually made tonight (pics to follow) and some toiletries which were practically at giveaway prices. If you are a Boyes fan, let me know...we can share the excitement together!

Tomorrow we are off to Beverley to spend the day with Caroline (some of you may know her as cannycrafter) and Im so excited. The dog is coming too; its going to be a reet grand affair. Ive just discovered on her blog that she has an outstanding ETSY shop....cor blimey Caroline, you are a wizz and also she is on the running for Scrapbook Apprentice (which I may add has absolutely nothing to do with me even though my picture appears on the logo) Still, im rooting for Caroline as her craftwork is superb.

Thats me, for today - in a nutty sized nutshell.

Going to luxuriate in some peaceful sleep (if the bloody dog will move over, the little sod is acting all "king of the castle-ish".... just because he is on his holidays too!).

Loves xx

More light entertainment

Im such a kid when it comes to comic strip cartoons - enjoy x

Mwahahahhahahahhaha

Blogitis

Im suffering from blogitis.
Its a viral condition many people have contracted these past few years whereby they suddenly become allergic to their keyboard, suffer loss of enthusiasm and turn to living a hermit existence under a duvet; munching heavily on peanut butter sammiches.
Ok not really.
Am enjoying an unplanned break at Mommas but seriously wish Id stayed home because even though I brought my work and products with me Im being taunted by the activities usually available to me with my free time. Instead I have plowed my way through a gut load of orders for Pattis' Pretties! I really had no idea how much these things were in demand. Ive even had to obtain more from my supplier to keep up with orders. And yes its a good thing but sheeesh - warning and all that!
I did manage to make some pretty tags over the weekend mind plus take some pictures on the odd walk with Eddy by the sea. Hopef tomorrow I might get the opportunity to upload some pictures and reply to almost 15 million emails.
Until then my sweet friends, enjoy this little morsel of brilliance. Ive NEVER seen this and I have seen almost everything they have done. And Belle and I are going to see them next week!

ENJOY!

PS: Message for Lyn who is having trouble ordering the dew drops. I cant email you as you have not left me a way of contacting you. Can you mail me at kirstywiseman@hotmail.com - I think if you are running your web browser through AOL you could be having troub. Either that or refresh your screen when you are in my website and clear your cookies (mmmm, cookies!)

Tagsvilles and bloods

Been making tags again. I had half an hours grace on my life this avvo and whipped up these little beauties with their inspiring quotes. Im going to give each tag a quote from now on so that Belle can learn from them and take inspiration in their meaning. Making tags makes me so happy. Im especially enjoying using spray inks but have to say that glimmer mist pumps are really poopy and seem to jam or clog up - anyone got any tips on whats going on?

Came across these little gems tonight whilst on a wholesale dash, you may recognise them as "dew drops". They are perfecto little acrylic, flat back "bubble/epoxy style droplet" embellies to make raindrop style effects on your cards/scrapbooks - even flower centres would benefit from their usage or use them for plain old decorative fun wherever you card needs some gentle blingo. A bag contains approx 100 of each colour - that's just over 900 drops (Hyacinth, Vanilla, Blush, Amber, Rouge, Topaz, Apple, Onyx and Crystal) for £5 plus 50p p&p (uk only). As I managed to buy them in bulk, I have passed the savings on to you; these sell for a lot more for a lot less in some shops. These are part of the Patti Picklicious embellishment range on my website and Ellie and I have called them Patti Pretties :) There are a limited number to sell - so snap them up whilst you can :)

Ok - we have been waiting frippin ages for the Mark and my bloods to come back with regards to a fauly "X" on Ellies genetic make up. The telemore tests analyse the fine tips of chromosomes and are very informative tests. The results show that Mark also has the faulty "X" which means that its just POLYMORPHISM - ie....not the cause of her problems but a natural occurence whilst populating.
Bugger.
Back to the bleeding drawing board, me thinks.

Another little light lunchtime entertainment

thought Id break the day up with another of my favvo comic cartoony

Also... get your hinds over to the Crafts Beautiful online party where there will be a weekend celebration of party games and giveaways (like thousands of pounds worth) plus a free download made my, ahem, moi!

Feeling a bit dizzy and light headed today. We received the results of the Mark and my UK genetics blood taken in January. Once Mark is in the picture, Ill share the story.

a little light lunchtime entertainment

This just happens to make me laugh


Yes, warped... I KNOW!

Poo Poo mood

I have been in a relatively crap mood ALL day. I know, I know, I know. Im up and then down and then Im really up and then Im in the bog of down-ment. But you know, I could lie and say my life is the perfect peach everyday. But its not! So ner!

What didn't make the matter more digestible was a cat "spraying" in our porch. The smug little git is a real wind up merchant for Eds. He runs in our back garden, up the shed wall and sits on the roof goading him. And Eddy truly has a right to take a nibble out of him should he catch up with him one of these days. And even more so because our porch reeks. Well it did until Mark came home. I would have cleaned it myself but it made me all grouchy and fed up. I love cats well, more like kittens.... we don't deserve this. I swear to god, it friggin stinks to high heaven.

On a brighter note, Belle received some little trinkets today from Diane Wray and Jackie. It still flummoxes both Belle and I at peoples generosity and it can't go without a mention. Diane wanted to clear out her Victorian teashop collection and thought it would look good in Ellies dolls house collecsh. We both marvelled at how dinky the little pieces were and Ellie was in miniature heaven.
I love watching Ellie read. Look at the concentration!The mini cakes and breads and things were so cute and made us feel so excited!Ellie was so in love with the maid that Diane so kindly sent too. I know these things are not cheap. Bless you Di xx
This is the contents of the booty box she sent...... oooh, its so much fun!Then we discovered that Jackie had sent a phone charm in amongst some cards for soldiers that I am still collecting. Ellie loves it! Thank you so so much x I must take a picture of the flaming Mount Kilimanjaro pile of beautiful cards overtaking our spare room!

We also had a review letter come through the door from belles school. Ellie is statemented which means we should get to see the SENCO on a regular basis. Not so this year. Since last September we have not seen the SENCO once. The letter outlined the teachers feedback of Ellie progress and targets and we were distressed to read that teachers are picking up on her work presentation. Im wondering if they forgot she cant write properly or have the fine motor skills to give them something to meet their satisfaction? I think this is what has played on my mind all day. Some teachers write to explain that Ellie is becoming distressed in class at other children's behaviour. Hmmm, ok. Whose fault is it that Ellie doesn't like kids shouting and being rude to the teacher? I can't see to it, Im not there. She doesn't come from an unstable, angry home hence she is not used to dealing with rowdy behaviour. One teacher explains that Ellie is the cause of the rowdiness which is not in context with 12 other teachers feedback on her behaviour. So we challenged Elie with this and she explains that she puts her hand up to complain that children are throwing things at her or are pressing delete on her computer work (bear in mind, Ells takes an age to type a sentence). The teacher has not fully understood the root of Ellie dismay and pinned the disruption on her. Oh god, I AM GOING TO BLOODY SCREAM. This really has rattled my cage. Its kind of choking me, if I am honest. Mark and I are trying our best to bring our girl up to be kind and courteous and because we do, the teachers think we need to address how she handles what is clearly a school issue. Maybe someone can help me out here? perhaps Im blinded by that mother/child protection barrier. sigh :(
Mark could sense I was not in the best of moods when he got home and was all cuddly when he realised. It was the best present for me today and cuddles cost nothing and are endless. As I came "to" I jogged about the garden taking in the green that's springing up in my fave spots of the yard. That really made me feel happy. And in about the space of an hour I was back to normal and feeling human again.
My heather, still holding on to its autumn flora.the blossom tree peeping from the side of the garage.
We have a love/hate relationship with our holly bush. Sometimes we hack it right back and other times we love it for its perpetual lush greenery.
The sky was magnificent this afternoon. Spring feels so real now.
My favourite trailing ivy segment on our rickety fence. Trailing ivy makes me happy.Also...
Found out that from today that all local council swimming pools in the UK are now FREE to the general public as part of the governments initiative to get us all more active. FREE SWIMS! Hooray to that, we are planning a little splash on Friday night and to see how Ellie copes with a cooler pool and her new found swimming skills. I do worry about council pools though, kids think they make great toilets and sometimes I swallow water and ugh, it doesn't bear thinking about. Lest we forget the attack of the verrucas, hair all over the changing room and floating band aids (vom).

**Treat Time**
Whenever you want to shake away those blues and have happy tears - watch this. I loved watching this on X-Factor last year - classic TV viewing with tears to match!

A mid-week little light lunchtime entertainment

My sat nav is a litte sod.
It tells me to go up ramps on motorways and then tells me to get back on the motorway again. Then it tells me the petrol station I want is in the middle of a frikkin river. Then it takes me to a street that doesnt exist.
Its a little liar.
So imagine my suprise when I found out I could download Ozzy Osbournes voice for my Garmin. He even eff's his directions to you - I mean, its every girls dream to be sworn at. Eff this and eff that - quite the carming little thing, isnt it?
Check it out HERE and press play (Erm adult consent required!)