Size Matters!

It really is a bad sign when you spend a fortnight trying to decide what size Christmas Journal you're going to do, but this is what I've been doing. I didn't want to go down the 8x8 route as I did last year as it seemed, well, too square to be honest! A4 seemed a good alternative, but seeing as I haven't scrapped in eons, maybe a bit ambitious. So then, A5? Half the size, half the time surely. Hmmmm, too small maybe. So I went to my trusty trimmer and cut out different sizes to see how they looked (too much time on my hands maybe!). Anyway, said trimmer has 8x10 highlighted on it- radical!!! But, it looks nice, right size- not too big, not too small, not too square. So this is what I'm going for. Now maybe I can move on to more important things (though I very much doubt I will).

It's That Time Again!

Yes, it's almost time for the 'Journal Your Christmas' to start again, so I thought that it was also time to ressurect my blog. It makes it so much easier to upload photos, and gives me the kick I need to actually create the journal pages in the first place. No pictures yet, but I'll get a photo of the Chrissy stash ready and waiting to be used (I just need to find my wide angled lens to get it all in! ;) )

Bad, bad, bad blogger!

Yes, it's been ages since I blogged, but the reason is an extremely slow internet connection that is driving me to distraction! I waited 2 minutes for my blog to fully load, before I gave up and decided just to post. So you will be seeing stuff on my blog that I can't!!!!

Moan over, I have been doing stuff. I made a bag out of some scraps of fabric I've had lying around. It's padded and great for carrying my 12x12 papers to crops- I can even get my whole Scrapagogo kit in it- box and all.

I've knitted a very long scarf, which is great because it wraps round my neck so many times that even when it's freezing outside, I'm too warm :o) It's done in Rowan Cocoon, which is a mix of 80% merino wool and 20% kid mohair- lovely to knit with, but a bit expensive.

I've also knitted one fingerless glove (I promise to get round to the other one!), made half a mini book, done a few layouts, bought the Barcelona skirt pattern on this site to make as soon as I can get material (great site by the way- with fast delivery).

I did a very simple stamped and water coloured card for my Mam for Mother's Day, and got cards off the children for myself and Peter Kay's autograph for me from Fifi.

I also want to make some special things in the next couple of weeks which I'll have to keep a secret- mean aren't I ;o)

So, is that OK for you Mrs Nwti? :o)

How did I guess I'd be Anne Elliot!

Well on my travels round the internet (on the infrequent occasions it's actually been working!), I came across a silly quiz to find out which Jane Austen character you were. I was feeling particularly silly at the time, so I took it. I knew before I started that I'd end up as Anne Elliot, and I did. Have a go- it's silly fun.

I did 3 layouts yesterday at a Scrapaholics crop. The first was using their kit. It had some Bazzill In Stitch'z templates in it, so I tried those. I'm not sure what I think of them. I like sewing, but onto card? I also had some in my January Scrapagogo kit, and these are just borders so less time consuming. I used them on the 'Wet' LO- poor Bobs. He will insist on playing football in all weather. The last LO is of Bobs again- fishing in the garden. Being the mother of a boy is never boring :o)

Happy New Year!

A bit late, but I don't enjoy New Year at all. Start to think how much my life mirrors that awful film 'Groundhog Day'. But, self pity never got anybody anywhere, so less of that and more positive thinking.

I'm still doing the Christmas Journal, though I'm a few days behind. I've signed up for an A-Z journal and that's only once every 2 weeks so that should be OK. I've also signed up to do at least one layout a week! Oh come on, I've got no essays to worry about, I should be able to do it.

As for resolutions, I'm so useless at keeping them, that I've not bothered this year- my scrapping targets are the closest I've got. I suppose I should be thinking about going back to work, but haven't a clue what I can do or what will happen with the children after school and in the holidays!!! We're too remote for them to be left in the house on their own and a bit old for child minders- hmm, I really don't know.

Best and worse scrapping buys- I agree with you on the best Anna, my Bind it All. Who wouldn't want to make their own books! I love it. Worse buys- paper decorations from QVC. I did one and it looked so naff I gave up.

Picture is of Bobs on Christmas Day- I really don't know what he's up to- some mischief no doubt :o)

Well, Christmas has been and gone, and lovely it was too. Very quiet, lot's of nice food and lazing around on the sofa- perfect. The children have had great fun. Bobs loves his pool table and has been challenging Mr. Stig to many a game. The only drawback is that as the table is in the same (fairly small) room as my scrapping table, I risk a head injury being in there at the same time as them. Fifi has had great fun with her camera and has not only got some hilarious photos, but has worked out the video function too!
My poor oven packed in the day after Boxing Day. Thank goodness it lasted past Christmas itself! It's going to be a pain to replace as I wanted a different size next time round and that involves moving the kitchen round- oh joy, more work. It's just going to have to wait and luckily the small top oven is still working so that will have to do for now. Not wanting to feel left out, the dishwasher broke down a day later!!!! This can't wait, so one has been ordered- good prioritising don't you think ;o)

Journal Catch Up

Well, I've had a major catch up on my Christmas Journal. In fact, I was so involved in getting it done that some of the pages are in the wrong order! Never mind, catches my state of mind at the moment :o)

40!

Well I've got over my 40th birthday! Not so hard. I didn't wake up with any extra grey hairs or wrinkles- just the same amount as before.
I'm now way behind on my journal pages, but hopefully will put that right today. Will post more pages when I have them.

Yey!

Just a quick one to tell everyone that I passed my Degree!!! I am now the exceptionally proud owner of a first class honours degree in Health and Social Care. Yes me. I still can't believe it and Mr. Stig had to check my print out before he would belive it (what faith he has in me- NOT!).
Well, I'm off back to the bubbly :o)

Catching up.

Just thought I'd post pictures of days 4,5,6&7 of my Christmas journal. I'm really enjoying doing it and have only been a day behind for a couple of days, but I've caught up now. I'm enjoying it so much, I've been thinking of other things I can do when it's finished. I may even carry on journalling, but maybe not every day lol.

Day three and still up to date- so far!

Yes, third of December and I'm still up to date with my journalling. I know it's only three days, but normally I would be behind by now. It's great seeing everyone else's work, though quite intimidating as so many of the girls are very talented. Here are my efforts so far.

Having problems with our broadband again as it's just getting slower and slower!!! Really don't know what we're going to do if we lose it altogether :o(

And we're off.

Yes, the journalling has begun. I'm still not down to the promised 'Spend no more than 30 minutes per page', but maybe with a bit of practice I'll get there. As you can see, my scrapping table came. It's very small, but just right. It looks a lot messier already. I'm thinking of decopatching it, as it looks very plain at the moment.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas...

...and I'm getting excited already! I've done my covers for my Christmas journal and I'll get some pages ready using the maps from Shimelle's prompts and I'll be ready :o) Well, as long as my scrapping table comes as it's supposed to on Saturday. Only a little table, but mine- just for crafting. One which I don't have to tidy away so that we can have tea.

I've got my box of Christmas stash just waiting to be cut up- can you tell I'm raring to go!!!

E.T.A. Forgot to say that the papers are from My Minds Eye Signature Christmas collection. The Santa in sleigh is chipboard from Heidi Hi Crafts which has been dipped into UTEE and embosing powders using a melt pot and the 2007 is from my stash pile that I coated in the same way but didn't like the colour so finished it off with a dusting of Perfect Pearls.

Shopping trip from hell!

Teacher training today for both children, so it was the ideal time to go off and get new Winter coats for them. They have grown so much since the Summer, and it won't be long 'till I'm the shortest member of the family!

Bobs hates shopping and was completely miffed when he realised that we were going to be buying more than PS2 games. He quickly got what he wanted with only half a glance at what he was buying (must be a male thing), Fifi however couldn't find anything. We trolled from one shop to the next, but nothing was quite right (must be a female thing). Anyway, to cut a very long and boring story short, frustration got the better of both of the little darlings and after much sniping at each other an all out fight broke out in Asda. There was shoving and tears and a lot of 'she said, he said'. So, there was only one thing for it- they got the look!!! I'm sure this 'look' is innate in our family, because all female members above a certain age can do it. No words needed, the 'look' says it all lol. We finished our shopping trip in relative peace Fifi even found some clothes, but the nightmare wasn't over- we got stuck in traffic and it took us two hours to get home.

Christmas shopping is all being done online this year :o)

The picture is of Bobs contemplating the TARDIS in the Dr. Who Exhibition in Cardiff. Totally unrelated to my shopping trip, but we're having Dr. Who withdrawel symptoms in our house at the moment.