Stig's Dump

Decorating

2010-07-16T08:50:00.000+01:00

So, I've had one day off since getting my essays in and it's time to get back to the decorating. I think we've spent so long living with bare plaster that we've stopped noticing it! Anyway, the hall is to become my study so I need to get going on with this before the next lot of essays.
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Essays!

2010-07-12T19:04:00.001+01:00

These essays are really killing me this time! One more full day to get them done before they get sent off whatever state they're in.
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Gooseberries

2010-07-11T13:34:00.000+01:00

My hands have been shredded picking these little blighters, but I had to get them before the birds did! I did leave a few for the birds though.
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Testing

2010-07-10T18:12:00.001+01:00

OK I know I should be working, but I'm just testing my blogging by Blackberry.
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Just a short gap then!!!

2010-07-10T09:25:00.002+01:00

Good grief, has it really been that long since I last blogged?! Well, I feel like blogging again, so I think it's time for a revamp.
So much has happened since the last time I blogged that I hardly know where to start. One thing that I see hasn't changed, from looking back at my old posts, is that I have essays due in and time's running out.
So, essays first, then blog redesign, then update :)
See you later.

Size Matters!

2008-11-24T11:14:00.003Z

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!

2008-11-16T15:42:00.001Z

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!

2008-03-05T09:28:00.007Z

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!

2008-01-28T13:27:00.000Z

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!

2008-01-05T20:02:00.000Z

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)

2007-12-29T12:35:00.000Z

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

2007-12-24T11:30:00.000Z

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!

2007-12-23T09:49:00.000Z

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!

2007-12-13T20:53:00.000Z

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.

2007-12-07T19:51:00.000Z

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!

2007-12-03T21:36:00.000Z

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.

2007-12-02T15:23:00.000Z

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...

2007-11-26T21:18:00.000Z

...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!

2007-11-23T20:46:00.000Z

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.

Oh no!

2007-11-22T17:35:00.000Z

Well today was another day of waiting in for a delivery. It was OK though, it was our new table and chairs so I was very excited. No more balancing plates on laps and dinner down your front (well maybe). The delivery time came and went, but I used the time wisely and finished off our team challenge LO. Finally, they came- hooray- or not as the case turned out to be. The first thing I noticed was that it was the wrong table!!! Unbelievable, we'd been waiting for 6 weeks. Ordered early to ensure we got it all well in time for Christmas, and then they send the wrong one. After sorting this out, I began to wonder why I had ordered cream covers on the chairs. With two extremely messy children, cream is not a colour we do in this house. So, I checked the order- Bali Straw. Sounds cream. I must have been having a mad moment when we ordered. That or the price had shocked me so much I wasn't thinking straight. But then Fifi came home. "I thought you'd ordered green covers because we're so messy", she said. Another phone call to the shop ascertained that Bali Straw was in fact green and we had the wrong chairs. You would think that maybe someone somewhere had our table and chairs by mistake, but no. Apparently it has been a complete cock up!

So will we get our table and chairs in time for Christmas- who knows :o(

I'm tempted to invite everyone over for a crop- well they did say we could use this table in the meantime ;o)

So I'm wondering.....

2007-11-21T12:57:00.000Z

.....do I have enough Christmas stash for Shimelle's journal? This is just the papers and odds and ends I've found. I need more ribbon (on it's way) alphas and then I think I'm ready. Really looking forward to journalling our Christmas this year as it's the first one since we've been married (15 years) where it's just been the four of us. Doing Shimelle's class will give me the push I need, and the inspiration- she has such good ideas.

I'm amazed at how many of us there are doing it, and from all over the world, which just makes it extra special. So, not long to wait now. Can you tell I'm excited lol.

Bobs is playing football for his school today, of course we'd forgotten his boots, so I've just had to dash to the school with them, getting soaked in the process. I just hope they win- they've not had much luck recently :o(

Right, off to decide how to cover my journal.

Sparklers

2007-11-20T14:30:00.000Z

I've started loads of craft projects recently, but none are finished yet so I thought I'd post this photo of Fifi with her sparkler on Bonfire Night. Sparklers, as you can see, make very good wands! I'm hoping to use the photo for a team challenge we've got coming up on UKS, so a layout is soon to follow.

I'm back!- I think.

2007-11-14T07:58:00.000Z

Well, I know I'm probably jinxing it, but my internet has been on for over a week. It's very slow, so slow I'm imagining some little internet elf or something standing in our exchange and cranking a big handle to wind it up, but it's on and it's wireless!
The house is nearly finished- Hurray! Just a couple more curtains or blinds to make (can't decide which) and a bit more furniture, but that may have to wait a while. Anyway off to the little fabric shop in town for some curtain material and who knows some yarn as well.
Back soon (fingers crossed) and if I've got an hour to spare I'll upload some photos too :o)

Bad Blogger.

2007-11-02T22:39:00.000Z

Well I've not been very prolific with my blogging have I! Mostly this is due to the fact that our broadband is still playing up and at times we are without it for hours on end. However because the problems are down to the length of line, we've been told that it is this or nothing- back to dial-up and no wireless :( So we're trying to put up with it for now, though it's a massive pain and has only made my desire to move greater than ever. That in turn causes arguements and the stress levels just increase. So, I really don't want to bore you with all of that (although I just have:) )
On a much more postive note, Percy has had her baby and come home- thank goodness for some good news. Fifi got two certificates for Chemistry and Clarinet- what a fabulous daughter I have. She has framed them as she is so proud and she should be, she works so hard. Bobs has had his hair cut!!!!!! Those of you that know him will realise what a big event this is. He wanted to look like Ronaldo, and considering he's an 11 year old Welsh boy and not a 22 year old Portugese footballer, the hairdresser did a good job. I'll post photos soon.

And Finally...

2007-10-24T20:03:00.000+01:00

I've finished my mini book, which you can see below. Four days is quite fast for me! I used Daisy D's Autumn Collection papers, felt, embroidery thread, Hambly rub-ons and bazzill all from Scrap Studio September kit and added some extra Bazzill and Seven Gypsies typewriter words. I bound it all with my Bind-it-All which I've had for a while but only been able to use since I've finished my exams.
This is so much easier for me than 12x12 pages at the moment, and I can use up all those little photos I've taken over the years.
Hope you like it.

My First Bind-it-All Album

2007-10-24T19:48:00.001+01:00

Mega Offline!

2007-10-22T20:16:00.000+01:00

Yes, we have been offline for this long. Our Broadband was cancelled and we are now trying out a service for extra long lines. Keep your fingers crossed that it works.

Well, alot has happened. Well, no it hasn't, but I have taken my Exam. Three essays in three hours! At least it left me no time to faff, which I have a habit of doing. The journey to the exam was a bit fraught as the council decided to dig up a major roundabout. Luckily, I'd left plenty of time but I did feel myself go numb with panic as the traffic came to a standstill and we were stationary for what felt like an age (10 minutes). Anyway, the exam room looked out onto the prom and it was quite nice to calm myself by looking at the waves every now and again. I felt quite sorry for one man who kept going out to the toilet- nerves I thought at first, but then I started to wonder. He was doing a maths paper- did he have equations written where no-one would dare look!? I wonder. No results for a while so there's no point worrying if I've passed or not.

No exciting photos today, but a very moody sky that I got up to this morning.

Craft wise, my Witch is coming on, my sewing machine's been fixed and I've nearly finished an 8x6 album using my Bind-It-All. Photos to follow when they're finished.

Internet Problems!!!

2007-10-07T19:10:00.000+01:00

Well, our flippin' internet's been playing up again. It's no surprise seeing as we're miles from the exchange, but still annoying as there is a closer exchange but BT in their wisdom decided to put us on the furthest one!!!!!

However, I'm beginning to think that it's devine intervention, because it does mean that I have to revise. Coincidence that my internet is going off during the day a week before my exams? I think not lol.

I found this picture today, whilst I was doing a Circle Journal. It's of me as a Student Nurse, sitting in my room in the Nurses Home, Christmas 1989. This building has now been knocked down, as most Nurses Homes have been, but it was a fabulous place to live. Right by the hospital, and only a minute from the social club :) There used to be a tunnel from the home to the hospital and most days in winter we would use this to get to and from work, never having to face the cold and snowy weather. Ahhhh, lovely memories.

(Well, except for the hair- what was I thinking!)

Back to School

2007-10-02T15:56:00.000+01:00

Finally Bobs was able to go back to school today. Despite his worries that he was too weak, he managed the whole day and played football at break!

I did my little stint at the charity shop today, which gets more bizarre as the weeks go by! Luckily, the ladies I work with are lovely, but some of the other shifts seem to be manned by evil versions of the Sheriff of Nottingham!!! Apparently they have taken a dislike to another one of the volunteers and are making it their personal mission to get rid of them. For goodness sake, we work in a charity shop not Amstrad.

I've had 3 kits through today, but I have forced myself to have a quick look and then put them away. I really have to revise and having all that lovely stuff to play with is too much of a temptation!

OK, so I've not blogged for a couple of days, so I thought I'd give you a laugh (God, I'm going to regret this!!!). This is a photo of me dressed as a viking for a town carnival. I was only supposed to be dropping the children off at their Youth Club, but got roped in- literally. (yes, the dress was miles too small)

Stig Logic

2007-09-28T16:20:00.000+01:00

Firstly, I'm happy to report that Bobs is on the mend. No sickness or anything else (if you know what I mean) since yesterday. He's started to eat small bits of food and drinking, though he is insisting that water tastes 'sour' unless it's refridgerated. He's lost a lot of weight, and he didn't have much to spare, but hopefully he'll start putting it back on soon.

Now on to the strange workings of my brain (yes, it works, but in mysterious ways!). I used to subscribe to a monthly scrapbooking kit. It was always lovely and very exciting to receive it every month from the postie. After a while though I started to feel a bit guilty about the amount of money going on stash, so I stopped the kit and persuaded myself that I could get my own stuff and be a bit more prudent (oh who was I kidding). Of course I kept looking at the kit, just to see what it was like and this months, after days of trying to tell myself it wasn't, was lush. Never mind, I thought I'll just get some of the papers, which I did and here they are in the picture. Just my sort of thing, and I threw in a few Halloween extras for good measure. Job done- I was sorted- wasn't I? No, no, no. The papers were so much nicer in real life that I just had to have the kit! Now, when the shopping bug takes hold of me, it takes hold in a very bad way. I typed in the web address of the site and......NO..... the site was down. Panic took hold, exhaserbated by my worry for Bobs and the up coming exams, I was nearly beside myself. Why had I thought it would be so easy to quit my kit habit? Hours went by (OK half an hour) until finally the site was up again. Yes there were some kits left- I was happy again!

But what about the guilt about all the money spent on kits? Well as my lovely friend Percy says, we don't drink (well I do) or smoke, so it's OK. Anyway, as I keep telling Mr. Stig, if we hadn't moved to this house, of his choosing, I would still be working. It's the price you pay for being married to me Mr. Stig :-) and I know you just love it!

(The papers, stickers and chipboard letters are from Daisy D's Autumn range.)

Still Poorly

2007-09-27T09:10:00.000+01:00

My poor little man is still ill. He was doing well yesterday until we had to go and collect Fifi from school and he was sick again. That at least was the only time and he's been drinking water to keep him hydrated. I relented yesterday and bought him his favourite luminouse blue sports drink. He needs some kind of carbs and electrolytes and he absolutely refuses to drink the usual electrolyte replacements. Anyway, it's staying down, so for now I'm happy. (OK, spoke too soon again!!!)

My revision has been non-existant because of Bobs being ill, but I am really going to have to work out a way of filtering out the sound of Cartoon Network and get on with it. It's just over two weeks to the exam so time is running out! If only the exam was on children's TV, then I'd be fine.

This picture was taken this morning. I have loads like this as I often get up to the site of plane exhausts streaking across the sky and they fascinate me. I wonder where everyone is going or coming back from, and what they will or have been doing whilst they're there.

Spoke Too Soon

2007-09-25T18:15:00.000+01:00

Poor Bobs is still not well. He's been sick twice today so we have just been to the doctors. There's no stomach tenderness, headaches, disturbed vision or neck stiffness so some of my meningitis/appendicitis fears are allayed somewhat. I know I shouldn't be so paranoid, but after working on a children's ward, it's hard not to. Meningitis was rife in my first year as a trained nurse and some of the cases were heartbreaking. I suppose it's only natural for those cases to come back to me in their full horror in circumstances like this, but it makes for very sleepness nights.

Luckily, my wool came today so I can do some knitting to take my mind off worrying for a bit. Here is Wilhelmina in her unmade state. I will have to revise sometime, so she may take a while in the making. As long as she's ready for her Debut at Halloween.

Normal Service (Almost) Resumed

2007-09-24T18:49:00.000+01:00

So much for daily blogging. Well, I've had a good excuse, my sister has been down with her Husband and baby. I don't think I've ever met such a gorgeous, placid baby. Now, my babies were of course gorgeous but I could never have described them as being placid! My nephew is only 13 weeks old and sleeping for 12 hours through the night. My sister and I think it may be due to the osteopathy he had just after he was born. He was quite collicky then and he had the treatment for that. It treated that and more! Going to suggest it to Percy for her new babe.

Poor Bobs has been sick too. I hate it when the children are ill, it brings out the paranoid, uptight parent in me. He seems to be on the mend, but not 100% yet.

The wool for my Witch hasn't come yet either and with my sewing machine breaking (again) any craft plans I had have been put on hold.

The picture is of Bobs checking out a Dalek at the Dr. Who exhibition in Cardiff

My Other Obsession

2007-09-20T20:51:00.000+01:00

I've been making cards for a few years, have been scrapbooking for nearly one, but my long term obsession is knitting. My Mam and Nana used to be mad knitters and I suppose it just rubbed off. Ever since I knitted my first dishcloth at school, I've been hooked.

Knitting isn't just about the end product, as with so much else it's the whole process that makes it so satisfying. It starts with the shopping- of course. Going to a yarn shop is the best. Being able to squish all the different yarns and seeing the colours in real life, but with not so many yarn shops round here, I have to make do with online shopping. But, it's not just yarn. There's needles made from plastic, metal, birch, bamboo, ebony, glass and numerous others. there's stitch markers, stitch counters, row counters, yarn cutters... the list is endless. Obviously, you need a bag to put all this stash in, so there's a variety of those too. In fact just the shopping for knitting stash could be a full time job!

So that is what I've been doing today, shopping for new knitting stash. Not so easy online, especially if you need a selection of colours, like I did. Eventually though, I found all the neccessary stash for my next project.

So, what am I making? A nice warm jumper for the winter months? A few cushion covers to go in my new living room? Hat and gloves, again, to keep me warm? No, of course not. That would be far too sensible! I'm knitting a witch for Halloween. Well, it keeps me out of mischeif ;-)

Been Offline

2007-09-19T11:30:00.001+01:00

For goodness sake, do BT know what they're doing when they mess up my phone lines! I've been offline for a day and it scares me to think how much I use the internet. Well, not just me. Fifi couldn't search for homework help or go on MSN, Bobs couldn't watch Ronaldo goals over and over again on youtube, Mr. Stig had to stay late at work whereas he normally comes home and accesses work stuff from here and I couldn't talk to any of my pals, (or shop- but that's a good thing)!!!
The house is close to being finished. I'm in the process of washing all the chair covers so that I can move them into the new living room soon, but that also means hoovering down the sides of the chairs so goodness knows what I'll find. I don't mind finding money but I'm worried that knowing my children I'm likely to find bits of food and other stuff I'd rather not mention!

Weird Weather

2007-09-17T22:27:00.000+01:00

OK, so today we've had wind, rain, sun and then after the children got home we had hail and thunder (both of which H didn't have half a mile away!). I suppose it keeps things interesting. Nothing exciting happened today, apart from the weather. We had some carpets laid, I did some revising- all very boring. So a boring picture to go with it- well I don't want to be the only one bored do I? Here's my revising- enjoy

Bowling

2007-09-15T19:24:00.000+01:00

Bobs' party today, so we took him and four friends bowling. We had to take two cars, so Mr. Stig came too, and Fifi of course. The car journey was noisy and I did get a bit worried when the boys in my car decided they wanted to play a game to pass the time. Nothing wrong with that- no, not until they said they wanted to play hide and seek!

Most of us had never been bowling before, but we all had a great time and the game flew by. There was only one falling out and that was between Bobs and Fi, so nothing new there. Fifi had apparently put Bobs off his game by being in his eyeline! In reality, as I've said before, he hates to lose.

Then, off for some food at a Brewer's Fayre. I felt so sorry for the diners that were already there when we walked in- two adults and six rowdy children! Luckily there was a play area so the only time the children spent at the table was when they were eating- at which time they were very quiet :-)

Here's a picture of Bobs bowling- notice no sign of Fifi, who was keeping well out of the way- poor thing.

The Revision Begins

2007-09-14T20:56:00.000+01:00

Yep, it's time to start revising. I've got 4 weeks to revise 9 months work. Oh well, I managed to revise for my O'Levels in a couple of weeks! The trouble is that it's so boring- so boring in fact that I did the ironing as an excuse not to revise!!!

Another birthday- they're coming thick and fast at the moment. Good job I've got the stash to make all these cards :-) Can you see a theme with the recent cards? Yes, they're all from the Scrapagogo kit.

My Bella stamps came today- less than 24hrs after ordering them- fabulous service from Funky Kits.

Tired.

2007-09-13T16:39:00.000+01:00

Gosh I'm tired today. I always come down with a bump after an essay. Sometimes I wish I'd done my degree when I was 18, but I don't think I'd have taken it quite so seriously as I do now, so maybe it's best I waited. Anyway, if I'd have gone to university then I'd never have gone to nursing college- and that was an experience and a half!

Did a bit of crafting this morning, then broke my 18 hour old stash diet by buying some Bella stamps. I'm too weak for any type of diet.

Today's picture is from Bobs' birthday yesterday. They're laughing because the candle played 'Happy Birthday'

P.S. Please ignore messy kitchen, I've been busy ;-)

My Baby's 11 Today!

2007-09-12T11:19:00.000+01:00

No! How did that happen? It was only yesterday that I bought a little bundle of baby and copious amounts of black hair home with me. I've watched him grow from a placid little baby, who had to put up with his big sister shoving crisps into his mouth, through being a cheeky little monster who loved dirt and football, to a non-stop football gabbing, gorgeous boy. He thinks it's most unfair that he has school today, believing that birthdays should be days off, and this is compounded by the fact that he has football try outs at school and football practice for the town juniors tonight.

He measured himself against me this morning and he is now up to my nose, which he thinks is very funny! It won't be long 'till I'm the shortest person in the house.

My last (hopefully) essay has finally been shot through cyber space and now I only have the exam to go (only!!!). As this is the last year of my degree, I'm hoping for good results, so lots of revising to be done between now and then.

The picture is Bobs' card, made with Junkitz 'Extreme Boy' papers and a little bit of Doodlebug Sugarcoated Cardstock.

Fifi's First LO and Fish

2007-09-09T19:32:00.000+01:00

This picture is a LO that Fifi did of her and Bobs when they were little. It reminded me of today because of the Eiffel Tower stamp she used. It's there for no good reason apart from the fact that she is fascinated with Paris. Anyway on to today, well yesterday to begin with.

Yesterday Fifi and Bobs' Nain (grandmother) gave Bobs a goldfish, which he's named Oscar. Well of course this didn't go down too well with Fifi who wanted a goldfish of her own.

To show what a good goldfish owner she would be, she went and got her garden fairy statue and put it in the tank for decoration. After this went in a few stones and some rose petals! I was unaware of all this as Mr. Stig had 'forgotten' to tell me we had said fish. Anyway, Mr. Stig luckily managed to remove the rose petals before the fish ate any and it survived Fifi's attempts to 'make it more comfy'.

Today then, found us at the pet shop buying another goldfish, filter, water treatment tablets and food. Then followed a tense journey home with Fifi, sat in the back of the car with the fish in a bag daring not to move. The children were so excited to introduce Celine (said in a French accent- remember, she loves Paris) to Oscar. Thankfully, they have made friends, though I worry about their future as I heard Bobs tell Fifi that he was going to practice fishing with them! When I told him that I didn't think this was a good idea, he told me he'd put them straight back after catching them. After graphic details of fish hooks through the side of mouths, I think I've deterred him- lets hope so!

Another Card

2007-09-08T17:21:00.000+01:00

Another party for Bobs and so another card to make. This party was a daytime Disco- very brave parents!

We're spending the day watching Dr. Who re-runs. The children and I love to pick up on all the 'Bad Wolf' references we missed out on the first time lol.

It's Bobs' birthday next week and I still haven't bought him anything. He keeps changing his mind about what he wants. I think he's settled on a 'Pirates of the Carribean' boat with figures. Fifi has done him some great invitations for his party which is going to be a trip to the Bowling Alley with 5 friends. Oh well, I have a week to prepare.

We Have Lights- That Work!

2007-09-06T16:19:00.000+01:00

Yes, Mr. Electrician has finally sorted our lights out. The problem was due to the extremely bizarre wiring that was done when the house was built. Anyway, one more thing out of the way. Of course there had to be a problem and that came in the form of a cracked glass shade!!! Oh, and a bit more damage to the wallpaper which I've decided to leave and maybe stamp and emboss over lol. Altered wallpaper sounds good to me.

So with an impending essay due, what did I do today? Made a card of course. Well it's my little cousins birthday soon so it had to be done. These papers are Doodlebug and came with the stamp in a Scrapagogo card kit. The letters and little bit of ribbon are from Little Silver Hat, (yes another kit). I'm a bit addicted to kits at the moment and must get some therapy for it soon :-)

Electrical and Decorating Disaster!

2007-09-05T21:56:00.000+01:00

Well, finally Mr. Electrician came and sorted out our lights- well sort of, because now the wall lights won't turn off!!! Mr. Electrician had to go and tend his pigs so couldn't fix the problem today and so is coming back tomorrow. When Mr. Stig got home he decided to have a look- very bad idea. Not only has he not managed to fix the problem but now there are patches where the new wallpaper has been damaged! I don't think we were meant to have this wallpaper.

My picture is of an Hedwig cake I made for Fifi's birthday one year. Jemm and I were talking about Harry Potter cakes the other night and it reminded me of this one.

First Day Back

2007-09-04T15:53:00.000+01:00

First day back at school for Fifi and Bobs. Bobs was uncharacteristically up at 6.30am, as bright and breezy as anything. He was really excited about going back to school. Fifi got up a little later and a little less enthusiastically. Everyone was ready early and no-one really wanted to wait around so off we went. Fifi gets dropped off first and luckily found some of her friends straight away, so she was happy. The car park at bobs' school however was empty, so we waited until his friends came before he bolted off with a quick goodbye blowing in the wind as he went!

The house is remarkably quiet without them, so I was glad to go off to the Charity Shop in town for a morning's work.

Here they are this morning raring to go lol.

(Yes, Bobs has toothpaste on his jumper. I have not yet succeeded in getting this boy to school 100% clean!)

Electrical Nightmare

2007-09-02T17:06:00.001+01:00

It had to happen. Mr. Stig was confident that replacing the lights would be an easy job- I wasn't so confident. The wall lights went well and look lovely but then we came to the main light. On taking the cover off from the ceiling we were faced with a strange plate with wires connected into all sorts of places. "Oh just take that off", I said. "Can't be that important". Can't it? when released we counted 12 wires!!! Another job for the electrician then- never mind we thought. we taped the ends of the wires with insulating tape and went to turn the electrics back on- but nothing happened. No lights in the annexe. Then, the dawning realisation that all those wires actually did have a purpose lol. Luckily our Electrician is a patient man who lives just down the road and has promised to come tomorrow.

Decorating Nightmare

2007-09-01T20:04:00.000+01:00

Yes, I've been decorating again! Just one wall, but what a nightmare. The wallpaper is really dark, as you can see, so if it rips slightly the whole length is ruined. Well after much faffing as usual I finished and very nice it looked too. Like the good girl that I am I started to pack everything away. Then a disaster occured! A very long ruler thingy (technical term) ripped a small part of one of the middle sections!!! Argh, I couldn't fix it and it looked awful. I had to rip that piece off. Of course it had started to dry and as it came off so did most of the underlying paint! By now it's dark and because Mr. Stig had turned the electricity to the lights off so that I could replace the wall lights, I couldn't see a thing. Anyway, I've replaced the piece and there is just a small bit that doesn't quite match, but I think it's just me that can notice it. If you can see the mismatch on this photo- keep quiet, if you value your life anyway!

Great Time at Greenwood

2007-08-31T19:57:00.000+01:00

We went to the Greenwood Centre today with some friends from our UKS team. It's such a shame that the others are so far away, it would have been great to see them too. Anyway, we had a great time.
Greenwood is an evironmentally friendly Theme Park. The rollercoaster is carbon neutral and they have a rain water collection tank for flushing the loos etc. So a fantastic day without so much of the guilt :-) Most of the rides are suitable for little ones and H's little 3 year old had a great time on the rollercoaster- it was pretty fast too, but she's a budding thrill seeker I think! Sadly I took my old camera and the photos aren't great- must get over my fear of taking my Canon out with me.

The Mop Is Tamed

2007-08-30T21:44:00.000+01:00

Yes, finally Bob's mop has been tamed. Mr stig says he can't see a difference but there was an awful lot of hair on the Barber's floor.

I've finally done part of Jemm's challenge to our UKS team. Just paper, alphas and ink! Very difficult. No embellies, no stickers, no nothing lol. I broke into my Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess papers for this one as they are so decorative they could cope with the lack of pretties. Very frustrating though as I have pirate stamps, stickers and heart charms that would have looked lovely :-)

Close Shave- Or Not

2007-08-29T22:06:00.000+01:00

Well Bobs managed to escape having his hair cut - again. He hates having it done even though I am regularly finding bits of hair around the house that he has chopped off himself! The first time he went to the barber's, they were too busy. The second time I drove past and completely forgot (I wondered why he was sitting in the back of the car with a big grin on his face). This time the shop was shut. Well he's not getting away with it tomorrow. He's certain that fate will intervene again and now feels that it's his destiny not to have a hair cut. We shall see :-) I was going to show a picture of the offending hair- but I'm not that cruel. Instead, here's a picture of the sun desperately trying to shine through the clouds this morning.

Shoe Shopping.

2007-08-28T19:41:00.000+01:00

Yes, it's that time again and I couldn't put it off any longer. The children need new shoes for school. So off we go to Llandudno, a long way but a change of scene at least. M&S was it's usual scene of chaos, with shoes strewn everywhere. We found a pair of shoes that Fifi liked but not in her size. Shop no.2, and wait for it Bobs picked up a pair of shoes and said, 'I like these' !!!!!!!! After checking for a temperature or other signs of serious illness I found his size and they actually fit him. This is not a normal shoe shopping event for our family so I was a happy Stig. Shop 3, it couldn't happen again could it- IT DID! Fifi found a pair of shoes she liked and almost immediately a shop assistant approached us and asked us if we needed help. What was going on? Had I entered an alternate universe? They had her size, she liked them, we were finished. Days like these need to be recorded.

Picture for today? Well as I feel like a domestic goddess at the moment, apple cake. Made yesterday with apples from our own tree. Enjoy :-)

Pretend It's Yesterday.

2007-08-28T08:47:00.000+01:00

I had promised myself to blog every day and am failing miserably, so if you could just pretend that today is yesterday, I'd be extremely grateful.

So Bank Holiday Monday and we went for a bike ride. Oh dear, I'm so unfit! It seems so easy in the car, you don't notice how hilly everything is! My poor bike hadn't been used for so long that it had cobwebs on it. Anyway, as usual Bobs wanted to be first and blamed everyone else for the hills. Apparently it's my fault that he was tired because I had not told him what gear he should be in! It was Fifi's fault that he was wobbly because he had to keep turning around to check she wasn't too close to him. He hates to lose that boy.

Luckily no photos of us cycling so today's photo is of Fifi taking a photo of what is now known by us as the 'Torchwood' fountain outside the millenium Centre in Cardiff. I think Bobs is trying to find the way in ;-)

Sunny Day

2007-08-26T18:43:00.000+01:00

Yey, at last, a sunny day! I'm not surprised so many people are emigrating. The weather has been awful and the news is so dreadful at the moment I would be surprised if people weren't leaving. Anyway today, at least, it's warm and sunny and the children have been able to play outside. The decorating's coming on and next weekend we're carpet shopping- how exciting! We may even have a completed house before Christmas.

Today's photo is the one of the Molly Malone statue I took on my mobile phone. Poor Molly is so busy having her photo taken it's a miracle I managed to get this one, but here she is in all her glory.

Fishing

2007-08-25T18:57:00.000+01:00

Bobs took his Daddy fishing yesterday and they only caught two Mackerel, so today Bobs was determined to go again. So, off they went full of hope. Sadly a big catch to fill the freezer was not to be and they came back with one fish that another fisherman had kindly put on Bobs' line after they got a bit tangled. Not only that but a mid air rod collision had snapped Bobs' rod and Mr. Stig nearly lost an eye with Bobs' not so accurate casting! To prevent further injury Bobs has been practicing his casting in the garden, and here is the photographic evidence (taken by me, with no thought of the risk to my own life).

Cards

2007-08-24T18:20:00.000+01:00

Just a few cards today. I did these a couple of weeks ago, but thought I'd post them today to brighten things up a bit. They were made using the Love Elsie 'Roxie' range of papers and embellishments.

Dublin

2007-08-22T21:15:00.000+01:00

We went to Dublin today. It's a fantastic city but sooo much traffic! I know that's what's expected of a Capital City, but still a shock when you're not used to it. No photos I'm afraid as I didn't take my big camera and the small one decided to give up on us! I might just have a photo of the Molly Malone statue on my mobile if I'm lucky.

One Room Down.........

2007-08-21T15:35:00.000+01:00

I've finished decorating the hall!!! Just four more rooms to decorate down stairs before we start on upstairs- oh joy! By the time we finish, it'll be time to do downstairs again.

I had to delete some of my layouts from my UKS gallery yesterday so I thought I'd put one of them on here. It's a layout of my Nana who died about 16years ago, but still greatly missed. The papers are from K& Company Bailey range, with some sugar coated cardstock from Doodlebug.

Cardiff

2007-08-18T10:06:00.000+01:00

Well, we had a lovely couple of days in Cardiff. It was so nice to be able to walk to shops and have the luxury of pavements! I've decided I really must be a city girl at heart. Maybe I'd change my mind if I lived in the city all the time, but I really miss that ease of getting about. To walk to our local shop, you have to trudge up an often muddy road, no pavement to separate you from the traffic going a lot faster than the 60 MPH limit, and if two cars come in opposite directions, you have to jump into the verge and pray lol. I know to some that would be bliss, so I'll try not to moan anymore.

August.

2007-08-14T19:23:00.000+01:00

Yes, August. Just have to remind myself that it is actually August! This photo from my front door was taken about 5 minutes ago. Thankfully we haven't got the bad wind that was forcast- yet. So with weather like this, my thoughts turn quickly to Christmas. Well, to be honest I never stop thinking about Christmas- maybe it's having a December birthday that does it. I've been trying out two new Hero Arts stamps that I got recently, and these are the results. Still a bit of fine tuning to be done, but I've got a bit of time to get them right ;-)

Peel Offs- Now you've got a debate going Jemm!

2007-08-13T13:04:00.000+01:00

I've just read Jemm's blog and she has tackled the sticky subject of peel offs. Love them or hate them, I bet we've all used them ;-) As Jemm says they are a god send for the quickie card (if you know what I mean).

For me peel offs are great for when you start out, but once you get a good enough stash of stamps, do you really need them? Aren't they just a (not as good) substitute for an embossed stamped image?

Anyway, here's a card I've made with peel offs, just to show I don't absolutely hate them lol. The peel offs are the Love Spoons and Celtic corners which I've stuck on acetate and cut out then used silicone glue to attatch to the card slightly raised. Admittedly this was easier to do than stamping and embossing on acetate.

2007-08-12T21:32:00.000+01:00

Here's your Tag girls

Finally got Lou too!

Tagged

2007-08-12T19:19:00.000+01:00

So after being tagged by Jemm I have to decide who to tag myself. Well, Heather has already been tagged, so there goes one lol. I have to choose Mimsie who keeps us all entertained and has only just found her blog again! In tagging Mimsie perhaps she can persuade Lana to find her blog again ;-) Tagging Mimsie's blog is also a tag for little Issy- a Rockin' Girl Blogger in the making I think. Hazel has to be next as we set up blogs at similar times (not that long ago) and I like to peep in to see what she's up to. I'm not sure how Psychodiva will react to being tagged, but her blog is so interesting that I had to include her. Now Lou would be next, but she's another one who has lost her blog in the UKS cull- find it Lou! I'm saving a tag for you 'cos I love seeing your holiday photos :-) I really want to tag Anna who has been so brave through the last year and also a weight loss inspiration for anyone, but I don't want to steal Heather's thunder as I know they are such good friends. I'm putting a tag on reserve for you Anna. I haven't forgotten your tag Heather, just waiting for my cards to come back from the craft fair so that I can send one on.

Lazy Day

2007-08-11T22:18:00.000+01:00

Just a lazy day today. Read a load of knitting mags and books, searched the internet for new stash; paper and wool- just fantasy shopping, didn't buy anything lol. We rounded it off tonight by watching 'Hot Fuzz' which was rib achingly hilarious! More importantly got tagged by Jemm- thanks Jemm, you've made my day. Going to leave the important business of tagging to tomorrow, though I know who's in line ;-) No photos today but a link to a Stash Pot- I think we could all do with one of these. Oh, and what about these needles. Is it only me or are these lush?

Hello again.

2007-08-10T08:12:00.000+01:00

Well I've been a bit quiet due to us finally having nice weather, but that's over now!

My Dad is down, so yesterday we went to see 'Harry Potter' again as he hadn't seen it. I think Bobs enjoyed it even more the second time round, though he still hid his face during the 'Cho/Harry' kiss! He's 10- he''ll get over it lol. So, thinking about Harry Potter, here's a photo, from ages ago, of Fifi and Bobs dressed up as Harry and Hermione. How cute were they :-)

The Essay Has Left The Building!

2007-08-07T21:26:00.000+01:00

I've finally sent my essay off into cyber space with the usual mix of relief that it's gone and dread that I may have completely messed it up! The children have been very busy with their ever expanding social lives today and I have been at home playing with my camera. So for a post essay cheer up, here's a Daisy :-)

Warning!

2007-08-06T21:46:00.000+01:00

This is what happens to your stash when you have a crafty (in all senses of the word) daughter and you don't pack away after a crop :-)

Mini-book

2007-08-05T18:09:00.001+01:00

Well I've actually done some crafting today! This is a mini-book that was in the latest Modscraps Kit Newsletter. Sorry I put the back page first- I think it's the shock of actually finishing something

Rain, Rain and More Rain.

2007-08-05T10:46:00.000+01:00

Well yesterday was a complete washout weather wise. It was like a November day as the wind blew the rain horizontally across the fields.

So to remind myself of some nicer weather, I'm posting a picture of my Gooseberries before they were dessimated by our 'Summer'! Highly interesting I'm sure you'll agree :-)

Player of the Week.

2007-08-03T16:22:00.000+01:00

Yey Bobs! Well Bobs' four days of football training (which he says is far more than real footballers do lol) has paid off. Today he won Player of the Week. He's absolutely made up as he hasn't won anything like this before, so it makes up for the bruised hand yesterday.

Most of today's football was inside as the weather has turned cold, wet and windy again- was that last three days Summer?

Ouch.

2007-08-02T19:03:00.000+01:00

Poor Bobs is nursing a very bruised hand after being hit by the ball at football today. He was in goal so being hit is sort of inevitable, but I think it must have been a powerful kick! He is, at the moment, trying out his new water gun with one hand lol.

...it's the good advice, that you just didn't take

2007-08-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Essay writting always brings out the depressive in me! It reminds me of bad times at school (it was 23 years ago, I should've got over it by now), good times at Nursing College (wishing I'd never left) and most importantly the things I gave up to move here. It's pointless thinking 'if only' and usually I don't, but essay time is a bad time. So today is going to spent finishing said essay, counting my blessings and planning for a better future- wish me luck!

Harry Potter

2007-08-01T08:37:00.000+01:00

Here's a layout of Fifi collecting her copy of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. She couldn't wait for the pre-order from Amazon so we went to Tesco to get it. When we got there at 11.30pm there was a big queue already! Fifi was so desperate to start that we had to buy a torch so that she could read it in the car on the way back home.

Despite having a lovely new camera the photo was taken with my mobile phone! One day I'll be brave enough to take my camera out with me :-)

The DCWV Once Upon a Time papers were perfect for this.

Essay Time!

2007-07-31T21:47:00.000+01:00

Oh yes, it's that time of the month again- essay writting!!! I hate it. Still, two more essays and one exam and (hopefully!) my degree should be over.
Bobs had a great day of football training. He was exhausted afterwards and he's got 3 more days to go!
Fifi was busy cooking scones and then had a yoga class- she's 12 and has a much better social life than I do lol.
Must get some more pictures on the blog- I don't want anyone dying of boredom whilst visiting ;-)

Visitors!

2007-07-30T18:05:00.000+01:00

Well I've had a busy day with friends coming round. Percy and her daughter E this morning. E was desperately trying to get Bobs to talk to her but being a boy (and on the playstation) he was rather non-communicative. However, E doesn't give up that easily :) She's so sweet and funny.
This afternoon brought a friend that I've known for years- too long she might say! Anyway this time Bobs had a boy the same age to play with, so he was very happy. Fifi looked after friends 5 yr old- who today came as Cinderella. She comes as something different every time- lol.
Tonight will be spent planning my next OU essay- What deep joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cards

2007-07-29T16:45:00.000+01:00

Well here's the cards we made yesterday. I would have done a better photo but my computer has decided it doesn't want to recognise my card reader again so I'm going to have to sort that out first!

Day 2

2007-07-29T14:04:00.000+01:00

Well I've changed the template, colour, font and whatever else you can change and this is what I ended up with!
Nothing much going on. Lots of house decorating done but much more to do.
Yesterday Fifi and I made some cards which I will photograph later and put them up for you to see.
The weather is actually nice today- how long will that last!?

First Post!

2007-07-28T19:54:00.000+01:00

Well here we are. After thinking about it for a long time, I have finally taken the plunge and created a Blog. Sadly, I can't promise earth shattering comments, tips or anything that resembles useful information but you never know!!!