Just What the Doctor Ordered

After last week's events, this weekend has been absolutely brilliant.

Back at the beginning of the year, we decided that we would hold a sleepover crop and it couldn't have come at a better time.

A fabulous bunch of girls scrapping, laughing, laughing and laughing some more then getting a few hours sleep before scrapping and laughing a little bit more.

It was also Tracie's 50th birthday and we did our best to make it memorable for her...

A big thank you to you lovely ladies from cheering me up just when I needed it the most.

Today, we celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary and I honestly couldn't wish for a better person in my life.

Yes, I moan about him, but I love him more than I could honestly ever describe.

I am one very lucky girl.

It's also the official announcement today that I am on the Counterfeit Kit Design Team (go me!) and this is the photo I used to introduce myself over on the blog.

This photo also fits #21 on the Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt 2013

1.   Open air market 2.   Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater) 3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building 4.   Airplane 5.   A sunset 6.   Someone or something taking a nap 7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny 8.   A tower 9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong 10.  A bench that is outside 11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc. 12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see) 13.  A fence 14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic 15.  A fire truck or police car 16.  A windmill  17.  Candle(s) 18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop 19.  A fisherman 20. A dinosaur 21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)

Have  you joined in yet?

Odd Sock Friday

Farmer's Market

that was this month's Blog Hop Challenge over at CKCB

If you're hopping along then Julene would have been your last stop and you will have already seen some fabulous work.

Don't rush off too soon as there is much more to see after me too. 

The full list is at the end of my post just in case you're not hopping but want to (Go on!)

A random brainstorm threw up the following words

In the UK, Food Festivals are popping up all over the place. Similar to a Farmer's Market, stallholders sell fresh produce which is usually homemade. Cheeses, alcohol, bread, cakes and chocolate are the stalls where I always frequent in the hope of sampling the yummy delights.

So, back to the challenge.

I have chosen 

COLOURFUL and SMELL 

to inspire me today as these two words tie in perfectly with the photo on my layout!!!

DD always wears odd socks. 

She says she likes to be different but I think it is because she can't be bothered to find the matching sock.

Her maths teacher recently enrolled her in his "Odd Sock Friday" Club - oh how little things can make a person happy!

I would love you to leave me a comment before you hop on over to the next blog to see how a Farmer's Market inspired Chipper

CKCB         http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/

Lisa H http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com

Maggie http://maggiebscrapblog.blogspot.fr

Julene http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com

Lesley http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk

Chipper http://hotfudgesundaewithacherryontop.blogspot.com/

Dawn         http://www.dawnsscrapbookcottage.blogspot.com

Leslie         http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com

Becca         http://lajoliefleurrouge.blogspot.com

Angela http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk

Jemma http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Bad Ending

My week started on a big and ended on a real low.

Monday was my first of three concerts this week and seeing Mark Owen perform without the boys in a small venue was just fab - had a brilliant night.

Wednesday was two of three. It was Robbie night with my sister. Had a great meal at 1847 Vegetarian Bistro in Manchester before dancing the night away to Olly and Robbie.

Friday, and three of three, Robbie again but this time it all went horribly wrong :(

About 30 minutes into Robbie's performance a very delightful woman decided she would deliberately kick my daughter very hard in the back and catapult her head first into the row in front. We had already asked for this woman to be removed as she had already pushed me down the steps. The stewards did nothing and didn't even call the police when the main incident happened. Disgraceful behaviour from all concerned. The police say she will probably just be cautioned as a witness is saying the woman fell (tut, tut for lying)

If you know the woman in the following photo (blonde hair sitting behind us) I would be very grateful if you could prick her conscience to tell the truth about what her mother did to my daughter that night.

Imogen is OK but if we had been sitting on the front row of the tier I dread to think what might have happened.

She has a bruised leg, ribs and a sore neck. please do not let this woman commit such a horrible action again....

Thank you.

Do You...?

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, feelings (deep feelings) were never discussed.

There were things ( a lot of things) that I couldn't talk to my parents about. 

It wasn't their fault, just how previous generations were brought up.

I have never told my parents that I love them and the only time my Mum has ever said it to me was the day

 my daughter was born.

 I knew I wanted mine and Imogen's relationship to be different, more open and I wanted her to be able to talk to me about anything ( and I mean anything).

I also want her to know everyday that she is loved.

I know my Mum and Dad love me and I want to tell them, just once, but don't know how to...

Anyway, this layout kind of comes from what I've just said - I love my sister but don't know how to tell her

If you're of my age, do you find you have the same problem, do you have a different relationship with your children?

Have you overcome the problem? If so, can you share?

Unplanned!!!

A very quick post from me today as I'm off to see the gorgeous Robbie Williams tonight.

I did this quick layout the other day using the negative effect of a mask that's used on another page. It seemed a shame to just wash it off. I love how the page turned out considering it was unplanned!

Tomorrow you will find me with a sore throat and probably a hangover - will I ever learn?

Warning - May Contain Nuts!

LOL

Not sure if this sign was supposed to be intentionally funny or not!!!
I've never eaten at GBK before. Being a vegetarian, I tend to avoid burger places.
Over the weekend, whilst visiting the London area it was either GBK or Pizza Express.
Now I do love Pizza Express but, on looking at the GBK menue, fancied a change.
The Beanburger was delicious and the skinny fries were to die for.
On ordering, the waitress gave me an empty glass to fill up from a huge barrel of Monkey Nuts.

The sign was just perfect for my entry for
 #7 A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
for the 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt
over at Gallo Organico 
 

 Are you playing along?
It's good fun, I promise :)


1.   Open air market
2.   Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater)
3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4.   Airplane
5.   A sunset
6.   Someone or something taking a nap
7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny8.   A tower
9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10.  A bench that is outside
11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13.  A fence
14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic
15.  A fire truck or police car
16.  A windmill
17.  Candle(s)
18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop
19.  A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)

Play Day

For my birthday I got the Craft Artist software and I finally had some spare time to play around, teaching myself how to make tidbits etc.

I learn better when I play around and work things out for myself - I tend to remember easier this way.

Instructions!!! Who needs instructions?

Anyway, here's a sheet of bits and bobs - feel free to print and use, I think I'll be playing quite a lot in the coming days to see how much money I can save myself

 

I hope to get better at it, they say practice makes perfect so I'd better do a lot of practising!!!

Difficult Choice!!!

 

 With half of the roads closed in our town today, what is the point in going out?

I can stay in my craft room all day and craft can't I?

Yes, the sun is shining but I can get my vitamin D in the garden later whilst drinking an ice cold cider :)

So, what will I do today?

CKCB have their next challenge up...

 

Challenge #3: 

Ice Cream Challenge:  Get inspired by your favorite ice cream flavor or brand

 

What a choice to have to make!!!

Pistachio, lemon, chocolate, orange - all favourites of mine but...

...probably my favourite brand/flavour would be a Nestle Maxibon

The Maxibon Classic is made of 

vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips, 

with a half-biscuit, 

half-chocolate shell, 

together with hazelnuts

 and crumbs of biscuit.

 

 

 

 

Can you see how I was inspired by my favourite ice cream?

 

A Trio of Cards

Today I finally got round to (with a bit of Pinspiration)
 making the three 50th Anniversary cards that my Mum has asked for...

  Luckily for me, the recipients don't know each other so the cards are almost identical!!!

Now to make cards for the same couples from me - more Pinspiration required!!!

That Friday Feeling

After a few very busy weekend, I'm looking forward to a not so busy one.

Actually not busy at all.

Nick has had his head in the books all week, Imogen has got a free weekend, the first for a long time and so we're all happy to chill and do nothing.

After my clear out this week, I have plenty of space to get crafting and that started with a super quick layout today using my June CKCB - there's not much of it left now so when the next challenge is posted I will have a challenge of my own to stretch it out.

This page took about 15 minutes, no fussiness or grand techniques here but sometimes it's just nice to get a layout done.

This is our dog, Olly, guarding DD's trampoline. 

She had agreed to let us sell it but I think he had a sixth sense!!!

Happy Friday everyone - I hope your weekend will be as relaxing as mine :)

A Good Sort Out

Yesterday was THE day for a major craft room sort out.

It was loooooooooong overdue.

I've sorted stamps, alphas, papers, embellishments, bling and everything else.

When I order things, I will have a look through then just stick it all (still in its bag) 

on a shellf and forget about it.

You should've heard the oohs and aahs when I stumbled across certain items.

I had 12x12 boxes of kits that I'd put together for crops etc - the items are all now back in the rightful; places and I know exactly where everything is.

I now have a very tidy space to get on with some crafting :)

Next job is to list all my "unwanteds" on Crafty Sellers Facebook page - that'll be a long and tedious job.

Long Weekend

I can't quite believe how tired I am.

The weekend has certainly caught up with me.

DH, before he left for work this morning, told me to do nothing today apart from "ME" stuff so that's exactly what I'm doing.

I've painted my nails, caught up with some programmes that have been on the planner forever and now I'm in my scrap room contemplating doing some scrapping.

So, having not quite decided yet, here's one I did earlier using June's CKCB kit "I Pressed the Button"

I don't normally like fussy papers like the one I've used as my background, but with the photo being in B&W, I though I could get away with it.

I love how this photo of me (captured just a few years ago!) shows how I adored -and still do- Farley's Rusks.

I can probably say that they are still one of my favourite food and I am often found buying boxes of them when Asda have their "Baby" event.

Is there anything that you still like from your childhood?

Care to share?

Guest Rebel!

Last month I was invited to join Punky Scraps as a guest rebel for the month of June.

They have such a talented design team that I was quite worried about making the grade.

The team hold a monthly challenge which includes a mood board and a sketch.

The challenges are set on the 10th of each month and you have until the 15th of the following month to link up your project.

So, the June mood board and sketch goes like this...

 

and my attempt at interpreting it !!!

Why not pop over and join in?

You still have 5 days if you want to join in with May or just jump right in with June?

Blog Lovin' (or not)

I do a lot of hopping around people's blogs and follow quite a few.

With Google Reader disappearing soon, I tried Blog Lovin' but wasn't a fan.

A friend mentioned another blog following app, Feedly, which she had downloaded ready to try out.

I can honestly say that it is still not as good a s Reader but I am getting on with it much better than Blog Lovin'

Anyway, blog following is a great way to get ideas, join in hops and other weekly/monthly challenges.

Reading Jemma's blog post had me hopping over to Gallo Organico and the following post...

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt

Hop on over and take a look at the the list.

What a great challenge!!!

Here is my first photo...

 

#9 A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong

I took this photograph yesterday whilst on a trip with my Mum.

These padlocks are attached to the chain links  alongside the River Mersey in Liverpool and each one has a message engraved on it to signify a memory.

I spent a while reading the messages, which included marriages, deaths and births.

What a beautiful way to record a memory 

( I do hope the council don't come along with bolt croppers)

1.   Open air market
2.   Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater)
3.   City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4.   Airplane
5.   A sunset
6.   Someone or something taking a nap
7.   A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
8.   A tower
9.   A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10.  A bench that is outside
11.  An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12.  A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13.  A fence
14.  A stained glass object or a mosaic
15.  A fire truck or police car
16.  A windmill
17.  Candle(s)
18.  Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop
19.  A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21.  A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)
Bonus/substitute items.  If you find any of the above items too difficult, feel free to substitute either (or both) of these items.  You can substitute up to two items, but you cannot substitute Item #21:
A person wearing an outfit (or item of clothing) that symbolizes your country
A sundial

A Box of Loveliness

A little while ago a very lovely lady, Mary Mcgregor posted a "Pay It Forward" message.

I was very lucky to become one of her 5 recipients to receive something handmade in 2013.

And wow, is it homemade.

 I was in total shock when I opened my parcel, as not only was there a beautiful handmade quilt in all my favourite colours but also some Hotel Chocolat "Vintage Chocolate Buttons", some absolutely yummy rolls of washi tape and a journalling book.

I was like a child at Christmas who still believes in Santa.

I just couldn't stop smiling and still can't at the the thoughtfulness that Mary put into my box of loveliness.

Just take a look for yourself at this gorgeous masterpiece ...

My only dilemma now is where to put it as it would be sacrilege to hide it away.

Holding Back

I sometimes find it difficult to use my Counterfeit Kit before the challenges are posted because I'm always a bit wary about not having enough left to take part.

So, I've kicked myself up the bottom and decided that in future I will.

That future starts here and although I haven't posted Challenge#1, it is done and ready for the blog hop on the 24th (will you come back to take a look?)

Not knowing what lies ahead for the coming month from the CKCB team I have bitten the bullet and completed Layout#1 using my kit "I Pressed the Button" which you can see on yesterday's post.

In my kit I had forged my own piece of patterened cardstock using my A3 printer.

Unfortunately my printer is not very happy at the minute and prints faint black lines across the top of the page so rather than get annoyed and waste lots of cream cardstock, I made those lines part of my layout and added more for my journalling :)

Thanks for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it.

Decisions, Decisions!!!

I am so late with my Counterfeit Kit this month.

The crop at the beginning of the month usually falls a day or two after the "reveal" but this month they both fell on the same day which meant I didn't have my kit ready and I didn't scrap in any case!

Having just returned from Liverpool after a couple of days with my Mum, I've been busy playing "catch up" ("again?" I hear you cry!)

CKCB have a choice again this month and with some lovely kits from Scraptastic,

it was always going to be a difficult choice.

After the Storm

After the Storm Add-On

Destination Unknown

Destination Unknown Add-On

For some reason, I'm not into greens and therefore don't buy a lot with green content.

Well that made my decision a whole load easier didn't it?

Destination Unknown

Firstly I chose my papers although I have left the plain cardstock out as I nearly always use white!

Using my A3 printer (which is giving me a bit of grief at the moment) I recreated one of the patterned cardstock pieces from the kit.

Finally, I added in alphas, paperclips, homemade flags, tidbits etc
and also couldn't resist just a little bit of washi!

Introducing "I PRESSED THE BUTTON" aptly named from a previous post where indeed my destination was unknown until I pressed the button

Have you joined in with CKCB this month?
Go on, give it a go...

Neglected

With one thing and another, you may have noticed that I haven't been around much.

I have been here but just haven't had the chance to blog.

Hopefully, I am now on the other side of "busy" and back to a blog a day, although I can't promise anything.

I had some great birthday news on Saturday but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share just yet so I will keep my exciting news to myself for now.

Today I've been busy catching up with my card making, simple cards at that but hopefully the recipients will still enjoy receiving them.

I had a text this morning to say a certain somebody had passed their driving test.

Congratulations Catriona!

With my sister's birthday coming up very soon 

(I always used to wonder how she was older than me when I was born on the 1st of June and she on the 11th!)

I wanted to make something a bit different.

I'd seen a card like this being sold in a shop in Liverpool and thought it would be quite easy to make.

The hardest bit was turning the handle on the Big Shot!!!

What do you think?

As you can see, the rest follow a very simple style which is easily altered to suite the occasion and the recipient....

I really hope that my scrapping mojo reappears tomorrow as I have seriously been neglecting my stash.

Have You Missed Me?

Oh dear, it has been a while since my last post. Since booking my holiday and knowing that I will not be able to blog for three weeks, I've kind of given up on trying to blog every day.
That's a bit of a lie really, as I do a travel blog when we're away but that won't be here.
Today was crop day and I do love a crop day. However, today is also my birthday and the bottle of wine was just too tempting and I did zilch at the crop apart from eat cake, chat and drink.
Talking of cake, the most fabulous malteser cake (made by the wonderful Gillian) was happily consumed by all - thank you Gillian.
I have had such a brilliant day. Opening great pressies and cards before the crop, chauffeur driven to and from the crop so I could consume alcohol, great chat with some lovely ladies, lots of Pimms in the sunshine with my wonderful family and, on top of all that I was treated to my own magic show! Doc, Tracie's son turned up at the crop and after I'd chosen a card and out it back in the pack, he magically found my card but this time it had "happy birthday " written on it.

Totally amaze balls!

I am very lucky to have such lovely friends and family that have made my day so special!