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.

Oh no!

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.....

.....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

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.