Tagged - twice

Thanks to Quackas and Ruth for tagging me xx

What was happening 10 years ago - I was a legal Conveyancer and I was a single mum to a scrummy gorgeous 2 year old son.

5 things to do today -

Wrap a present, shop for refreshments for school production, finish off the props, sort out the stage make-up ready for matinee performance today, find out if I'm still going on a Drama residential course this weekend (which I'm not - yay) !!!

Snacks i like - anything savoury, but especially Mccoys crisps, pasties & prawns.

What would i do if i was a millionaire - buy a huge house with lots of land. Convert the garden into a football/cricket pitch and install a huge craft room especially designed for me. Sort my mum out - and then go and visit ALL of my friends in Canada.

Places i have lived - The Wirral, Rochdale

I tag,

See below right for my new tag from Ruth. I also tag the same people above.

Guest Designer

I was really honoured to be asked to do some design work for Carolinez Crafts this month. The fabulous kit I have been using can be seen HERE. Talk about good value for money. I am still working on projects using the kit, and will add these as I get them finished and photographed. Included in this Love Elsie kit, is loads and loads of embellishments, obviously fab papers (heaps of), cardstock, buttons, Love Elsie brads, ribbons ... loads !

Other News

Well its our school production of The Wiz coming up this week. Yesterday was spent doing a full dress rehearsal. Typically, some of the kids can't remember lines, and others can't remember all the words to their songs ... some of the props are still in the making (naughty naughty me) .. and our first matinee performance is tomorrow !
*insert shocked smiley*
However, as it normally the way, by our Tuesday evening performance, all should be well !

Just in case, please keep everything crossed for us !!! I'll post photos after the event.

Love to you all xxxxxx

What type of fruit are you ???

You Are a Banana

You are mellow, easy going, and a total softie on the inside. People find it really easy to get along with you. You suit most tastes. And while you're very sweet, you're not boring or ordinary. You have an attraction to the exotic, and you could show up anywhere... doing almost anything! You are spirited, energetic, and a total kick to be around. You're also quite funny. Your sense of humor is on the goofy side, and it fits you well.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

I thought this was quite funny, so what fruit are you ???? Please let me know !

Unexpected Gestures ...

I'm not feeling my normal jovial, happy self at the moment. In fact, up until 5 minutes ago, I was feeling downright blurdy miserable.

However ... I received a random PM on Splitcoaststampers from someone that I have never ever 'spoken' to in my life. I won't go into the details of the PM, but I burst out crying because of the kind words contained therein. It was literally nothing, just a few words. But it was unexpected kind words at a time I never expected them. I know the person reads my blog, so I really just want to say thank you ... your timing was impeccable !

Anyway, upwards and onwards.

I went to the Warrington crop on Sunday, and had a lovely day. Great company, great class (Lianne) and a lot of fabulous stash - what more could a girl ask for !!?? Well UNITY actually - I know, I know I keep harping on about them, but if you haven't checked out their online store then you are deranged. They truly cater for the scrapper and the cardmaker - the quality of the stamps are amazing for the price - a real bargain ... and the service by Angela is 2nd to none.

Anyway, the above Book of Me and cards are made using two of the 'kits'. Me, Myself and I and the gorgeous Owl always Love You.

Thanks for popping by - catch ya soon xx

Acrylic Layout

..... this layout was made using the fantastic stamps from Unity Stamps. Everything except the Upsy Daisy papers was made using the Me, Myself & I stamp set.

You *must* try out this stamp company. Apart from the fact that the mounting system is such a fab concept, the stamp sets (and singles) are amazing .. you wanna see the way they arrive to you. I won't spoil the surprise, but the care and attention is amazing.

Nothing is too much trouble for the owner Angela to sort out for you, and you can meet the DT on splitcoaststampers on the Unity thread, and they too are available to help you with anything - a great crew !

Jungle Fever !

A couple of cards and a layout I made using BG Mellow and Scenic Route Grafton papers from Scrappydo's. The stamps are from Clever Cut and Autumn Leaves.

Well hubby is home from hospital. He's doing really well, although he has good days and bad days. He's slowly able to do a bit more every day, and the stitches are coming out tomorrow and then he starts physio ! Phew ! Its a busy time for us, and I'm worn out fetching carrying and doing all the driving - but it will be worth it in the end !

Its nearly the end of the football season - not sure if I'm happy or not. However, I am happy that my boy won man of the match today (YAY) and will be the Captain for their last match next Sunday. Bless ! Oh well .... on with the cricket season now !!!

Phew - just getting round to updating !

Sorry for not updating, but I have so much going on at the moment. Hubby is due in hospital at the end of the month, and we're still panicking over his anaesthetic because he's allergic to them. We have a visit to the anaesthetist on Tuesday, so fingers crossed he can work something out for the operation.

Anyway, the cybercrop is also underway at UKScrappers, and I'm very proud to be a 'Queen' this year, as I am leading the Comedy Kings team. Lots of work, but heaps of fun, and I have the bestest team in the whole wide cybercrop world !!!

Hope you like some of the DT work in this post.

The first two images are a layout and card that were made using the lush American Crafts Spring & Summer papers from Angela at Angel Crafts.

These last three creations (layout, handbag charm and mini-matchbook) have been made using the fabulous Scenic Route, Grafton range from Jo at Scrappydo's, and it took me forever to want to cut into them !!

Ooops - again !

Gosh its been a while since I last blogged.

Photographs are of the acrylic album i've just made mainly using Bo Bunny and Tinkering Ink papers, grungeboard, flourish stamps, bling, blooms and other things !


Sooooooooo...... what does your name mean - Carole means ....??


You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.



You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.



You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Anyway, have a lovely day xx

Tagged and DT work

Just before Christmas, I was sent a fabby DT kit from Angela and Angel Crafts. It contained the most beautiful Rouge de Garance papers .. and believe me, I really didn't want to cut into them.

Anyway, I got Christmas out of the way, and the following work is what I managed to achieve with the kit - a Birthday card and card holder, another card and a layout of my gorgeous Sophiekins ... isn't she just adorable ?!!

Anyway, i've been tagged by Willow (you must check out her blog to see not only her fantastic work, but also her incredible tattoos )!!!

Rules

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog1:

1. I love the colour pink and red
2. I'm a mad Liverpool supporter
3. I love WWE wrestling, in particular the Undertaker
4. I'm a union rep
5. I had a famous uncle, but he's passed away now.
6. I always wanted to be an actress
7. I used to be quite adept at playing the piano and guitar

I will tag :- (will come back to it tomorrow)

Merry Christmas

.......... and a Happy New Year to everyone xxxxxxxxx

Christmas is Creeping up on us ........

Here's a selection of 'envelope' cards that I've been making from the Figgy Pudding kit that Jo at Scrappydo's sent for me to play with !

The ribbons I used were from Lianne @ Little Silver Hat ... Talking of LSH (little silver hat) - wait until you see their December kit .. .if you have a spare minute have a look at this months kit - it is without doubt one of the lushest blingiest christmas kits ever !

I also made the XMAS wall hanging and altered a Kaizer wood tag book using the Figgy Pudding. The Basic Grey chipboard and stickers are fabulous to use, and save so much time in covering, sanding and inking.

Growing Up

My boy hit 12 on Thursday. I know I keep saying this, but where is the time going ? I'm missing some of his years ... did I blink and someone stole a couple of years from me ?? Well if they did, I want them back.

Christmas

I am nowhere near ready. No sirree, not even close to getting ready. I have Aaron's main present, my mums more or less sorted, and thats it. I'm going to cop out this year, and send money/vouchers to the kids I normally buy for. I'll make them a nice card for it to go in though ... dya think that will easy my conscience ??!!!!! LOL !

RIP Diane xx

Your battle is over and I hope you are now at peace.

My heart is breaking and I'm missing you already. You're my hero. xx

Diane:- 1963-2007

Education must change

When oh when will the government give those working in education the powers back to discipline pupils ??

To me anyway, discipline begins at home. I expect good manners and thoughtfulness from my son (and husband). Manners are manners and as the old saying goes 'manners cost nothing'.

Who is the idiot in government who allowed pupils to laugh in the face of teaching staff, refuse to do any work whatsoever, and then when disciplined - take it to a higher level so that the teacher is then in trouble for disciplining the child ??? Is it the Heads fault ? Is there that much pressure on Heads from the government, that they have taken 'inclusion' to this extreme ??

Its madness. Sheer and utter madness.

Having had reason to discipline three disruptive pupils this week - yesterday I was 'officially spoken to' by my Head of Department. In two of the incidents, pupils were removed from the class for being disruptive, and in the third incident a Prefect refused to do any work .... and I am being 'officially' spoken to ?????? Why ? For disciplining pupils !!!!!!!!

FFS what is this world coming to ?

When are the government going to realise what is going on in the teaching profession and give teaching staff the right back to punish these disruptive kids ?? What is going to happen when they go out into the big world out there and start working ??? What will happen when these kids start fighting and abusing their work colleagues ? Who will be to blame then ....


Oh yes - the schools !

I rest my case. Sermon over. Anyone got any jobs going ??

Weekend Away

Last weekend, I went away with a group of like-minded crafters and friends, to the Lake District in a beautiful Manor House.

I haven't laughed so much in a very long time.

The talent on show was utterly amazing, friendships were forged, fingertips sliced and sides were split.

For a look at some fabby pics from the weekend, take a looksie here !!

Catch y'all soon !

The things kids say ....

I arrived at Lianne's the other day to be greeted by Sophiekins chatting away to 'Baby Pingi'. Baby Pingi goes everywhere with her, and I mean everywhere ! I was laughing to Lianne about the way she just natters away telling Baby Pingi everything ... and we were discussing how funny it is the way kids all of a sudden just get this huge vocabulary of words out of nowhere.

Lianne was saying that the evening before, her and Sophiekins were discussing her play zoo and about the times they've visited the zoo. Sophie was saying that she loved the elephants (she loves everything at the moment) and that she also loves the giraffe's ... Lianne asked her was there anything else she loved at the zoo and she said yes, she really loves the chicken sneeze. Lianne said to her "chicken sneeze "? and Sophie started laughing and said "Yes, the chicken sneeze make me laugh".

After thinking about it for a while ....... Lianne realised that chicken sneeze was ...............



the chimpanzees !!!!!
I must say, I haven't laughed so heartily in such a long time !!! Heh heh heh ... chicken sneeze .... Jeez, i'm laughing again !!!

Kids eh ?

Ooops - bad bad Blogger !!

Seems I haven't blogged for a while !!!!

So much has gone on the last few weeks that I'm only just catching up on myself ..

I've had man flu ... yes it WAS man flu honestly ! Not that i've changed sex, or ever wish to god almighty what a thought ... eeek imagine have a 'man bit' nooooo yeuch, gross yicky !!! Anyway, I digress ... I had man flu for weeks and weeks and weeks - well 3 all in. What a bummer, I was good for nothing, missed out on heaps and more importantly missed out on the UKS 5th Biffday Party cybercrop. Thankfully tho its being run over 3 weekends, and I have now caught up with most of the classes and challenges - well those I knew I could get done quickly within the timeframe.

The two pictures above, are the Mystery Kit challenge and the Pre-crop challenge. The mystery kit is literally what it is. A pizza box full of stash and you have to make what you can with it - I made the wall hanging (sorry for the crap photo, but i'm struggling to get a good one of it) .........

The party shoes are my pre-crop challenge entry.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR ME THEN PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO .... I WON'T STOP YOU I PROMISE .. JUST GO TO UKS GALLERY AND SEARCH either for my name or for my team Jiggly Jellies and find me there !!! Thank you xxxxxxxx

Anyway ........... I am now driving myself mad by the amount of times I use the word anyway ... it is just sooooooooooooo annoying, I must stop it ....

Good news on the health front - my blood pressure has come down massively - well the top line has, the bottom one needs a bit more work - but at least i'm heading in the right direction.

Can't wait for the North West Breast Cancer booby crop tomorrow !!!! I am soooo excited. Cherry and Bevvie are, as we speak, driving up here now and of course chaos will reign upon their arrival. Stewart calls them the 'gruesome twosome' and Aaron is in a permanent state of shock the whole time they are here. They enliven and enrich my life so very much and I am so very lucky to have them as friends.

Well, thats about it for now ... could I ask that you all keep your 'things' crossed for Saturday as we have another viewer at the 'old' house and it would answer all my prayers if this buyer buys !!

REMEMBER: If at first you don't succeed, redefine success. :)

Love to you all xxxxxxxx (well whoever is reading this apart from me) !!

My baby's gone ..... to High School !!

Well today was Aaron's first day at High School. He was up early, excited and apprehensive. He was straight in the shower, dressed and ready for the off by near enough 7am !!!! He even ate his coco pops in his blazer - PML !!

I must confess to having sobbed my ickle heart out this morning ... and worried about him all day. Thankfully tho, he is home and hasn't been bullied, didn't get lost, met up with friends and ate a hearty lunch.

He has however, come home as a young man. His whole attitude seems to have changed in one day .... he took his uniform off as soon as he got home, prepared his school bag for tomorrow and has demanded his tea !!

I'm sure i've blinked and missed some of his important formative years ... where has the time gone ??? I love this boy so much that at times my heart could break. I have so many dreams and wishes for him - the main one being that he grows up confident and independent - yet how does he become these things if I don't cut off the apron strings or at least loosen them ?

Its hard being a parent - but I wouldn't have it any other way ...

Love to all you parents out there xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Most Excellent News Update

The wonderful DC who has been working on our case has just phoned. They have arrested and charged our burglar. He is going to court this week.

It turns out that it was his first burglary offence. He left home after disagreements with his partner and ended up in a Salvation home. While there he got in with two 'burglars with a record' ... whilst wandering around the streets during the day - they spotted our empty house ... and decided to come back one night and rob the copper.

When they actually got in and realised there were all the boxes here - they thought it was all their birthday's and christmases rolled into one - and took OUR belongings instead. :(

As the Police only have evidence for the one burglar, they can only bring in the other two, question them and caution them because there is no conclusive evidence that they were here except from the word of the burglar.

They're going to seek compensation, however as the man arrested hasn't got two ha'pennies to rub together ... I won't hold my breath on getting it.

Our lovely DC did say though that he is absolutely full of remorse and will probably never burgle again .... thank god .... and the other two who committed the offence weren't even from this area, and were only here because there wasn't a Salvation Army place for them anywhere else. They've now been moved completely out of the area - but will definitely be questioned and cautioned.

Halleluya !!!!!!!!!! :lol: I want to jump from the rooftops !!!

I really can't say enough about the service and kindness we have had from the Rochdale Police force... everyone involved in our case - from the two constables who arrived here on the morning of the break-in up, the lady from Forensics and the DCs .... have all been so kind and professional.

I'm buzzing - absolutely blurdy buzzing ! I KNOW they won't be back ... and I can be happy and safe in my beautiful home !!! YAY !!!!!!!!!

Once again ... thank you to everyone for all your kindness, concern and thoughtfulness shown to Stewart, Aaron and myself - we can't ever thank you enough. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I promise, I won't mention any of this again .... i'm sure you're all bored stupid now ... in fact, I might even start my jokes again !!!!

"The Shrine"

Some photographs of Aaron's bedroom. Unfortunately, its pretty bleak outside, so the photographs haven't come out as bright as they should have.

The posters aren't all up yet ... and his 'touch' Anfield plaque still needs to be put up - but we're seriously considering having it put up on the staircase so that when we all walk down the stairs we can 'touch' it !!! :)

I've done some work - yay !!!!

The layouts were made using the DT kit from Little Silver Hat ... I'm not a purple lover normally, but honestly ... I can't get enough of this kit - i've even been looking for more purple papers - which is just not me ! Lianne really does have a fab colour sense - she can combine colours that I wouldn't even dream of putting together. The quality of the ribbons is always exceptional - and Lianne offers a paper matching service - i mean how cool is that !!!!

The cards were made for Sarahscards. She very kindly asked me to 'guest' for her using her brand new released Card Kits. You have just got to check these out .... talk about great value for money - but not only that ... the kits are exciting and refreshing. The quality is typical for Sarah .. but believe me when I say - i've not used this type of quality blank card for a very long time. Included in the kit is heaps of 6x12 bazzill, 6x12 patterned paper (American Crafts - Play), 3-d foam, ribbons, buttons, flowers ... i can't remember what else - but i know that after making 15 cards, I still have stash left. I've tried not to 'add' anything to the cards from my own stash - but just show what is in the kit.

It really has been great crafting again ... I feel as if my life is now 'back to normal' and everything else is in the past.

Bella's

The lovely Kezza from UKS very kindly sent me a heap of stamped Bella's for me to try out - wow, they're fabby !!! I have spent nearly 4 hours just sitting and painting ... and I feel well chilled out .... watch out for my Bella cards !! Thanks again Kerrie xxx

New School for my Boy

Well Aaron starts High School in in 3 days ... he is getting really excited. His uniform is ready .. all his shirts and trousers are pressed, we've bought new sox and boxers ... his blazaer and tie are waiting for him ...... and we've had to buy over £150 worth of shoes, trainers and footie boots because he's grown a size - again !!!!!!!!!!!

How does it happen ???? Why do feet grow without any warning .... when did shops stop selling half sizes ? I am going to bind his feet Chinese style so that he can't grow anymore.

At the beginning of this year, I swear he was a size 3 ..... he's now a size 5 - two sizes in one year ???? Is that normal ... has my boy got 'alien' feet .... I'm stressing over feet now ... his feet look enormous !!

However, on the bright side .. he takes the same size as me now - so I can borrow his 'hip and trendy' trainers and look as if I'm 'with it' !!!

Dya think at my age i'd get away with it ??? Mwah ha ha ha ha !

Catch y'all soon ........... hugs 'n' snogs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good News !

The Police have been in touch and they have a suspect !

They're taking 'him' in for questioning today. Fingers crossed its our guy !