I'm Back....and Watch this Space

Yep after over a week away I'm definately back. I have done loads craft wise......not just scrapping but have loads of photos. I will try and get time to upload some tomorrow.

Rhiannon's grafts are looking fairly good - sight infection but positive.
Ffi has had a few probs over christmas but now has further specialist appointment and has been referred to the physio.

Christmas for us was good as I hope it was for all of you ........Hope is for a good new year for all:)

As said before the draw for the Air gunset will take place on new years eve (Ffi will do the draw) so watch this space for the announcement of the winner. Jay is very very grateful of all the cards donated to LIVES. The prize will be sent as soon as is physically possible after the draw:)

F.I.N.E.

Freaked out
Insecure
Neurotic
Emotional

Yep I've always claimed to be fine.
In recent weeks other peoples internet problems have caused me considerable problems but I have remained fine.
I was told to get a life........what another one?.....hhmphh if its anything like this on why would I want two?
Today I have been branded a childish whinger (well actually winger).....oh well they're leaving someone else alone. So
Tomorrow I will put the (now taken) pictures of my hanging christmas decs up for you all to see but tonight a couple of thoughts:

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

For last year's words. Belong to last years language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

Today I started to look forward to christmas......even if radio 1 insanely tried to censor The Pogues and Kirsty McColl. Sorry but christmas isn't christmas till I've heard that record....come on its 20 years isn't it a bit late now anyway:)
I don't need an advent swap or uks, I don't need to be censored. If "they" think the smackblog was down to me then let them, so flipping be it but it has nothing to do with me I don't do anonymous. ......suppose I should say "am I bovvered" ------answer NO NO NO.

A big thankyou to everyone who has taken the time to PM me through uks or e.mail me. Its so so nice to know that there are so many of you I can call friends.

Thou shall not stress

Is that one of the commandments well it should be......I definately won't be doing again as I don't want to deal with the consequences again. Chest pains, migraine and threats of hospital via ambulance.......yep thats enough to make me want the quiet life I have had over the weekend. Have been busy crafting though......more christmas cards seeing as how I am running out of time. This one is made from some of the bits of my Sarahs Card kit that I had left..... not much remaining now it also has K&Co glitter baubles and some ribbon scraps tied into bows.

I have finished my ceiling decs and will photograph them tomorrow. I have also finished a special but unusual card I had to make which I will upload soon because the recipitent reads my blog so I had best let it arrive first.

oh go on then.

Okay then I'm bored already....I really did spend too much time on UKS.......

This is a mini star book/card. Everything I used came from my Sarahs Cards kit with the exception of the sentiment, sticky ribbon, vellum and the chipboard shapes. The papers in this kit were absolutely lovely.

NO CRAFT TODAY

Hurt or betrayed I couldn't decide which and so I am saying both. Why well most of you who know me also know that I spend far too much time on UKS.

I recently decided to join just my team advent swap this year and not the main one due to the fact that Rhiannon was due her surgery on 1st December and would have follow ups throughout and Ffion had specialist appointments too. So joining the team swap would be best as if anything did go wrong at least it would be with a friend as opposed to someone I didn't know....right.

So I packaged up my parcel and sent it RD on the last day of November and apologised for being last minute. My teamie replied that she had been busy at work and would not actually get to post until the 2nd......fair enough. So for almost 2 weeks I have waited in, cursed RM, worried myself stupid that something has happened to Hazel or her kids.

I really must be so stupid.....last night I get told by a very reliable source that I am not the only person who didn't get their swap but also the person she was supposed to post to in the main swap got the same tale and is still waiting and she has just been given negative feedback for it.
OMG how bad do I feel now.

Well the answer is hurt really hurt and betrayed and also sad......its not all about what I should have had and haven't but about the fact that I have been wasting my time worrying about what might or might not have happened to a friend - I know she is okay and I'm a nice person so why am I not worth a stamp to be told. I really have enough on my plate at the moment without worrying over someone who quite obviously wouldn't spare me the same sentiment. Its made me decide to leave UKS as I need to be away from this for now at least. If a complete stranger had not sent to me well I could have accepted that but I can't get my head around this.

Anyhow I will be around for a few days tying up loose ends with swaps and things and think everyone who needs to contact me knows how.......If I missed anyone Fi (Scrappybunny) has the means to do so.

And yes I know there are loads of really nice people on UKS and I have always tried to help anyone I can if I have been able to. Heck I am closer to some people on there than I am to my relatives.

Well done if you managed to make it to the end. LOL

As for getting over this yep I will but I don't need friends like that.
If I do receive a parcel date 2nd December of cours I will make a full apology but I won't be holding my breath.

loving it!

My kit from Sarahs Cards that is, I loved the last one and am loving this one too. The paper, card and the Bazzil all came from the kit and I just added the sentiment, small brads, embroidery thread and of course Chestnut Roan colorbox chalk ink. The scallaped circle was made using a giant Marvy punch. The card was for my friends birthday.

More Magnolias

I'm starting to like the Magnolias now.......suprising how effective they can look with not much else. This one is just another piece of papermania paper (stolen from Ffi...ssshhh) and some narrow sparkly ribbon and pink gems from my ribbon kit. I think this may end up as a birthday card for Justine as its her birthday just before christmas. It looks so much nicer in real life.

Still no christmassy feelings.....still no advent parcel......or the other parcel I am waiting for.....damn RM. Its Ffi's play tomorrow night and hopefully I will start to get into christmas after that.......or maybe after Thursday morning when all my flipping coursework has to be handed in and on that score I suppose I had best go do a bit more.

BAH HUMBUG

Its beginning to look a lot like christmas ...... well according to Ffi and half of Lincoln. We just went to Sainsburys and had to queue 6 deep at the checkouts and to make it worse they were all open. So why do I feel like the least christmassy person around? I don't know as normally I love christmas but I can't seem to get into it this year. Thought I would after Rhiannon's op but no. I have been ill for over a week and have not got my advent swap yet. So instead of the christmas card picture you were getting here are some ATC cards I made for the recent spooky and gothic atc swap that has just completed on uks. They are alcohol inks for the background, Magnolia spiders web stamped in black Staz On. Narrow satin ribbon, metallic red brads and a tibetan silver cross charm.

More Magnolia.

Well here is another Magnolia I made.....extremely simple just papermania paper and the stamped image but I was feeling poorly when I made it and the photo is so rubbish. It does look much better in real life honest:)

Rhiannon was back at the hospital yesterday.....yep another trip to sunny Leicester. Her grafts are doing really well so if it keeps up she doesn't have to go back this side of christmas......that is a present enough on its own.

one step forward two steps back

Well thats what it flipping feels like......I wanted to get last week and the surgery and specialists out of the way and crack on with christmas right.....wrong, I thought I was getting better but the whole flu thing has left me with a horrendous ear infection so my head feels like someone is kicking it, my ear feels like its sloshing round with something and then intemittently having something sharp poked into it and just for. added good measure my balance is completely out of sync. Beginning to wonder when something nice might happen for a change.

Craft wise I have been trying to make some hanging decorations for the lounge. As our ceilings are 13' 6" high shop bought ones don't quite cut it so I have had the wire cutters out and am creating my own. This has been slightly held up by the fact that I didn't read the label on the ribbon I bought properly and my 9m is actually 9ft so Justine had to go back and pick me some more up on her way hame from school yesterday. I will continue them this afternoon if I can.

Also I made my first card using a Magnolia stamp yesterday so this is it. Magnolia stamp, papermania paper, ribbon from my ribbon kit and Imaginisce rub ons....oh and ink everything I do has ink somewhere.

And breathe

Thats definately what it feels like today. Rhiannon had a comfortable night and looks so much better today. She has suprisingly little pain but then she has always been a bit like that. She just came to me to cut her dressings as they were irritating her so we have done a quick adjustment. Its been a do very little day....Jay spent a good part of it outdoors after being cooped up in a hospital yesterday thats understandably where he wanted to be.

A quick nip into the city centre to get a few bits for me and then we all watched Elf and now I am sitting with a glass of wine and watching the Long Way Down with Jay.

The only crafting was I started to make some hanging christmas decorations for our lounge as buying them is a bit of a no no as the ceilings are 13ft 6 inches high. So large is needed:)

So these layouts are two of my all time faves my three gorgous girls in mums angels which uses very little except bazill and some chipboard coaster words and up up and over which is my baby Ffi and uses Safraslass papers and a big bloom and I apologise but I can't make it any bigger.

I am so not technical but I intend to get some advice from a friend (no names so you can't hide) on how to do a slideshow on cd album.......well I have been asked constantly for a year now.

OH MY

Rhiannons home and she looks terrible bless her.....Jay says it was touch and go as to whether they kept her or not but luckily because of Jay being medically inclined they entrusted her to him. She has gone off to bed and hopefully she will get a comfortable night. The only neg thing for this op is a chance of it needing re-doing which we weren't really expecting so fingers crossed now that everything works. Back to Leicester on Friday.

Good News and a card

We just heard and they are coming home...it was touch and go for a while as Rhiannon felt quite ill for a while but she is and always has been a stubborn little madam and we just got the call to say they are coming home. Justine and Ffion are very very happy although I'm sure the sisterly bickering will resume before very long.

So a card stamped hot air balloons.....2 different stamps and also a cloud stamp, vivid ink pads and brilliance ink and a small blue brad.

She's out

Rhiannon is out of surgery and back in the land of the living and all went well as far as I can tell. So I am very relieved.......If she gets to 7.00p.m with no problems then she can come home and she will be adament that she is coming home.....Just hope now that they give us enough drugs to get us through the weekend.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

update

Just heard from Jay and Rhiannon has just gone down to theatre.....they are estimating that she will be there for 2hours.

The Waiting Game

Thats what we are playing at the moment and its not much fun....Jay is with Rhiannon down in Leicester but they are still waiting for her to go down for her surgery.....been waiting since 8.00a.m. I think the waiting is worse but then shortly I suppose waiting whilst the surgery takes place will be worse.....you really would think I would be used to this by now.....but I never have every time is just as bad. I will update later when I have news but for now please just think of my lovely girl and fingers crossed there will be some news soon.

Lola's Card

A card for Lola....not much to list really its made from four panels tied with ribbons, the letters are hand cut as is the no. The papers are unbranded ones but very pretty and the brads are queen and co.

I am full of cold/flu so can't go near Rhiannon as her operation is scheduled for tomorrow morning and if she has her way then this time tomorrow evening she should be home. Needless to say I will not be in the best frame of mind tomorrow. I do have to say though I had a lovely lovely suprise from my friend on uks this morning a stamp that I wanted and didn't think I would be able to get because it had been exclusive to a cardmaking kit it so cheered me up. I managed to get my advent swap posted to my uks teamie so hopefully she will get it in the morning and my cj too so the pressure is off for the next week or so and I can concentrate on Rhiannon.

Blue

This week is starting to get to me and I can't wait for it to be over. I have a really sore throat too so I need to stay away from Rhiannon. So here is a blue card just to reflect my current mood. This one is made from all sorts of bits and pieces that I had lying around and even a couple of bits stolen from Ffion. Sshhh.

Card for a friend

The first actual card I have made that is actually specific for a person. Using my kit again with an added gem and lots of glamour dust.

Sarah Says

Well my fabby second card kit arrived this afternoon, I opened it for a quick look and it yelled at me from the box.....so much so that I had to make this card straight away. The kit is from Sarahs Cards. I loved last months which was my first subscription and I love this months.
I'm only just starting to make cards but am so enjoying it.
Rhiannon's pre op is tomorrow....Leicester oh such joy....then its wrap her in cotton wool and try and keep her bug free so that her operation can take place on Saturday.

One day down and five to go.

Not much to say tonight except I spent an hour waiting to see Ffions new specialist today and then another two hours actually in with her and I really don't really feel like anything is further on than it was. There is talk of medication now but then that has been mentioned before and they now want Ffi to have a physio appointment ....at least that will be something new.
My friends said I sounded down yesterday and I was trying so hard not to worry over all this.I am just so fed up now as I feel like we have been in a rut forever. Well tomorrow will be here and then Wednesday Rhiannon goes to Leicester for her pre op.
So the picture is spooky/gothic themed ATC...I decided to join an atc swap on uks and these are two special ones that I made for Justine to go with the four I will get back from the swap. They are glossy card with alcohol inks for the background and then the spiders webs (Magnolia stamp) stamped with staz on. Narrow satin ribbon, brads and tibethan silver cross charms.

A Teenage Card

As what card? A teenage card what's one of those? Well in our house everything I make gets comments from 4 different age groups first theres Ffi (8).....bless her everything mummy makes gets a hugely enthusiastic "thats great mummy" Than Justine (13) with definate ideas on everything and very different ideas......not that different is a bad thing. Rhiannon (19) varies with her comments from "yeah like it" to "nice...an old persons card" But the one opposite got a hugely enthusiastic "thats the best card you have made this christmas" which was not really the reaction I had expected at all as I thought that it was quite plain...although not quite as plain as it looks in the photograph.....IRL it is sparkly and 3d. Last but not least is DH Jay (slightly older than the total age of the children) He always likes what I make (well with the exception of the mess I seem to leave all over the dining room) and will happily advise on the final placement of strategic embellies on layouts and card. I somehow can't help but feel he likes the collection of motorbikes and kitebuggies in our yard or indeed the enormous collection of kites that go with them....oh and even the PDA far more .

Time for another card

Well at least I used a different kit this time.Most of the elements on this card of from a ribbon kit that I have been subscribing too for a while now and very nice it is too.

Have to admit I am quite enjoying the cardmaking although I think it would have been easier if I had done things the other way around and gone from cardmaking to scrapbooking instead of doing the scrapping first......hindsight huh!

Guess What??

Yep thets right another card from my fab kit.

Not done a lot today as Ffi was home sick....usual problems but she is always very clingy when it happens and needs to be hugged frequently and I need to be constantly where she can see me.

My package from tha Calendar Swap Fiasco arrived this evening so I will sort that later.

I have had a template designed and I am so so pleased with it but unfortunately it is for a very special card and its for someone who reads my blog so you'll have to wait to hear about it.

Well Ffi is going to be home again tomorrow so guess who won't be able to move far again.

two cards in two days

I know blimey what has got ino me? Well actually a kit....the same kit as used for yesterdays card and a very nice kit it was too the paper and the snowflake stamp were from it at least.

The nightmare calendar swap on uks seems to be coming to an end FINALLY there are still a few of us to ge our pages back but it has been a really awful experience for all concerned with the exception of the host of course who doesn't give a damn and never did or she would have actually done wha everyone actually wanted her too.

Our team has a challenge to set shortly which involves a certain groups song titles.......unforunately for me they aren't a group I particularly like and I didn't even know one of their songs...had to google it this morning and have been for a walk round my extended garden taking pictures some of which I hope to use in the challenge page.

Cards

I have been a little AWOL but it has been a very busy AWOL I am making cards or trying too make cards. Here is the first one and I have to say tha I am quite enjoying it. This one was made with some of the contents of a card kit I subscribed too recently. There are more to follow.
The LIVES cards are arriving and I will update here soon with who I have received from as I realise that some people are not from uks.
Next week the fun starts for me Ffi's specialist appointments and Rhiannons surgery....I just knew they were going to happen in the same week....so it will be Lincoln, Leicester, York and finally Leicester again....oh joy can't wait.

Remember

Something I feel very deeply about. I hope you can all spare a though for those who have given their lives over the years and also he loved ones they left behind.

The layout is from this day wo years ago when Justine was chosen to lay the wreath at the memorial service on behalf of her cadet group.

The cardstock is prism metallic and prism red, the small poppies were from a pack tha I bought locally. The main poppy is the one Justine wore on the day and the photos are edged with red paper raffia. The small red vellum envelope was cut with a sizzix die and includes a small card with journalling that lets Justine know how proud I felt of her that day. The letters are also sizzix.

Smile it might never happen....yeah right!!!

Halloween is safely out of the way the fireworks are finished and before lovely christmas I have to endure the nightmare that will be November. November is not my favorite month under normal circumstances and the first dreaded date is now only just over a week away. This year to follow that, Ffi's specialist appointment is following quite closely and today.....the icing on the cake.... Rhiannon's operation dates came through and yep the same flipping week .....So I will probably be in my own little world for approximately the next month by which time it will be the run up to christmas with its own ensuing chaos.....I may not be around much and when I am will probably be even more dippy than usual....you have been warned so kid gloves please.LOL

On the craft front the witch was finished in time for halloween (well with the exception of her fingers and her cauldren) which in my defence were knitted but just not sewn up . I have made gothic ATC cards for a swap on UKS and also made 2LE ones for Justine who will also be getting the ones I receive in the swap. I will do pictures of them and upload them tomorrow I promise. I have a card to make tomorrow and a cj entry to do (bit out of sync as one went missing in the strike) The ATC in the picture is one I made for a ruby wedding. Marbelled papers, an Anna Griffin heart charm, fibres and yep peel offs......do I care NO ...I liked it and they liked it and thats all that matters.

The cards for LIVES have started to arrive and they are great. Serving two purposes as well as raising money for a very worthy cause they are inspiring me for when I have to make them all by myself. So a really huge thankyou to everyone who is supporting me on this.

Other things this week.........well the car has been a pain in the ass.....no va va voom in this Renault....it appears to be something to do with the bit that heats up the plugs prior to starting that you get on diesels. My calendar swap on UKS has gone totally pear shaped and we are desperately trying to get our work back...shall not be holding my breath though. Oh and my postal service is still sparse to say the least....letters and small packages (jiffy bags) no problem......parcels well thats another story.....did I tell you I hate November?

Turmoil again

Well I haven't been around much but there is good reason.

I have decided today that I must thrive on pressure and turmoil. Found out today that Rhiannon's next opereration is likely to be imminent.....Sounds like the decision could be taken tomorrow or Wednesday and the op will almost certainly be in November or December....yep before christmas and we hadn't expected that. November starts on Thursday. The hospital have said they will phone the details through as it is likely to be sooner rather than later. Just have to hope now that it doesn't clash with Ffi's specialist appointment which is also in November and we have been waiting a year for.

Also happening here.....Today I got the results from the Morrisby phsychometric test I had the week before last...will tell more later. Jay passed his latest course with flying colours which is fab and also his motorbike passed its MOT today in much the same fashion.

Under Pressure

I am so far behind with everything at the moment it is quite unbelievable. It seems like only yesterday that the girls went back to school after summer and here they are a week into their October halfterm. I don't seem to have done anything crafty for days.....well with the exception of frantically trying to knit a witch for Ffion. I haven't knitted in ages and by my own admissions I am no expert and quite slow. The witch has the odd mistake but then thats part of me isn't it? just adds to the charm of it doesn't it? Well it will have to as I told Ffi yesterday that I wasn't sure that she would have her witch for halloween.....she looked at me and smiled (the one that has a habit of getting her what she wants) and said "I know you can do it mummy" So guess what I'll be doing this weekend. Just as well Jay is on a course all weekend, Justine is on night hikes and Rhiannon is lifeguarding so it will be just Ffi and I and several balls of wool for most of the next few days.

My Red Arrows Birthday

Well its here.....my birthday and a strange kind of birthday it has been. I have had a fabulous fly past and display courtesy of the fabby Red Arrows.....beautiful clear skys over Lincoln and they were up for ages......thanks guys for your excellent choice of day. Then I spent twenty minutes or so sat on the kerb with my legs in the road.....I was perfectly sober (and still am at the moment ....not for long though I hope). Just about to start craft club and there was an RTA outside school. I had to run....something I don't do often anymore. So eventful yes and I will sure be participating in a glass or three of whith this evening.

Re the cards or LIVES raffle the first package of cards turned up today and someones not playing ball. LOL There was no info in the package so please tell me who you are so that I can both thankyou and do your raffle tickets. Oh and yes I checked the little boy who was knocked over out, calmed him down and rang Jays Lives phone.....he was in the area and able to come to the rescue. I have not even had time to tell him about the cards that arrived yet but I know he will be bowled over by such generosity from someone he has never met.

The Prize

So here it is the prize for the L.I.V.E.S. card donations. Obviously this is it in the box. I did try and remove it but started to tear the box and thought better of it. The contents are:

Model 250 spray gun with attached 3/4oz (22cc) jar

250 ml air propellant (This will not be included if the prize needs to be posted for safety reasons but is readily available)

Propellant regulator

5ft (1.58m) vinyl air hose

spare 1oz Jar

Instruction leaflets

Tis a great little tool and I hope whoever it ends up living with enjoys it.

L.I.V.E.S.

Those of you who know me will know that Jay is a Lone Responder for L.I.V.E.S. (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Services). A really worthwhile charity that provide a valuable service in Lincolnshire.

Well I was offered some space to sell my cards recently.....I decided that I would do it but only as a charity fundraisin thing and obviously as L.I.V.E.S. is a personal thing for us I would like to do this for them. In true marketing fashion I should now say that roughly £6 can buy a bottle of oxygen that can help save someones life. Jay alone has responded to over 150 calls already this year.

The only thing is I am not really a big cardmaker and so this is where I need some help. I need to fill a card stand initially (I will mamage to top it up afterwards) and that is where I am hoping the cardmaking/scrapping community will help me out.

So heres what I am asking. I have bought a fabby (if I say so myself and I do. Airbrush Spray Gun Set which works of a compressed air propellant and is excellent or crafts (will spray enamels, artists colours,laquers)

You can stencil, spray your own background papers and much more. Have I sold it to you yet??

Well what I am asking is that you make a card to be sald in aid of L.I.V.E.S. and for each card sent a raffle ticket will be raised and on 31st December a ticket will be drawn and I will send the owner of the winning ticket this excellent tool. (I have to say that if the Airbrush needs posting then the propellant will not be included as I cannot post a gas cannister for obvious reasons but these are readily available). I will post a picture of the prize soon.

The subject of the card is your choice as I will need a really wide range to get it started so it can be Christmas, birthday, get well, thankyou, anniversary, sympathy.......well as I said anything really. If you would like to help a great cause and enter my airbrush draw you can contact me via jemm@tinyworld.co.uk for the send details.

My Beautiful Girl

No other words for it I love Ffi more than I can ever say and today she is feeling sore which makes her feel different and upset yet still she is smily happy Ffi. That is enough to make me adament that she is going to get a diagnosis this time I am absolutely determined.

I am seeing the Uni peeps tomorrow so might have more news after that.

I am not going to let another birthday pass without some kind of direction in my life.

Do I sound determined?......well I am but I may need a push or two from a few friends:)

A big plan on my blog tomorrow....Hope you can help.

still here

Well I am still here even if I am a lot quieter than usual. I have been trying to have a sort out of my craft stuff.....quite a feat in itself. I really don't know how I accumulated this much....in fact I think that someone has been bringing in extra in the night and leaving it.....maybe a case of having stash fairies.....do you think??

I am no closer to deciding what I want to do. I am off to speak to the Uni on Friday, I have a psychometric test on Wednesday (hhhmmm wonder what I will find out about me) and the ever looming birthday is on Thursday.

Ffi's specialist appointment will soon be here.... a new one so fingers crossed we might find out what is wrong.....it has been over 4 years and still we really know nothing. I so hope that we get to the bottom of things this time both for Ffi and for us. The picture is Ffi posing by the main lake in the park that is home.

Unlucky 16

Yep stressy bunny would probably be the best description of me at the moment. I dare not start making my stress flowers as I think we would have to move out to make room for them all.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and thinking can be dangerous.

I am in a rut that I need to get out of.....okay I know that but how? (shove anyone) and which way to go when I get out of it? ....well I am still trying to fathom that one out. I have ideas that seem good one day and then kind of "what the hell are you thinking of" the day after.

I need to kind of sort things in my head before that date in November. It will be Seven years since Ffi and I were attacked and today it feels like yesterday.......It's strange sometimes I think I am over it but in the case of that and of Rhiannons accident (almost 14 years ago) I don't think I ever will be its just a case of locking it away somewhere until it manages to force its way back out. I suppose I have to accept that I will always dread November 16th and January 16th. I guess 16 is not my lucky number.

So if you have the answer....could I have it on a postcard please.

If you couldn't guess there is not much crafting going on here......well I have started to knot a witch for Ffion.

AWOL

So I've been AWOL. Not having a fantastic time of things at the moment and I have not made anything in days but thanks to Patsy who put up a challenge on her blog today I have actually made a card. Its in the picture.....yes I am still trying to cut it as a cardmaker. It was quite funny really because Jay came home and said it was nice and asked "who's ill" ........his face was a picture when I told him "no one". Having said that Justine had to go one better a short time later she asked the same question and got the same replies and followed it up with "oh well its very pretty - lets hope someones ill soon then". LOL.....Lets not.

OUCH

Nothing from me today....I'm sorry but spent this afternnon at Ffi's harvest festival which made me cry....will tell more later. Then at teatime I got hit on the head by two heavy obects....an accident but I don't feel good and so I am going to bed.

meet the neighbours

Time you all met my neighbour I think. They like the odd peanut and adore banana chips......they are never rowdy and don't mind how much noise the girls make in fact they are quite the best neighbours I have ever had.

I suppose you can tell from the random post that I have not done anything crafty today.....well with the exception of stamping a few images with a nice Magenta stamp that I bought a little while ago, buying some Halloween ribbons oh and taking delivery of some yummy Stampin Up stamps.

MMMmmm Stampin Up I can't wait for them to start to sell over here...even thinking of signing up ...I really do love their stamps

Weird weather still its been sunny and rainy (with rainbows) and flipping well cold at times. The leaves are dropping like there's no tomorrow - you notice that kind of thing when you live somewhere like this. School are stopping swimming now because of the cold and they don't normally stop until half termish. Ffi is most disappointed.

Hartsholme Park right next to Tornado Alley

Yikes what is happening to our weather. The picture shows Ffion stood in the driveway in the recent floods. The rainfall was constant and heavy and parts of Lincoln suffered very badly. Last night we had a Tornado....it didn't actually hit the park but touched down just outside and the damage was horrendous. It uprooted massive trees (I expect about 100ft high) and snapped trunks of others clean off .....not branches but trunks about 2ft in diameter. When we left for school this morning the clean up had begun there were a team of treefellers (I suppose about 15 or so of them) with shredders, trucks and chainsaws clearing up and when we came home at about 4.00p.m. they were still clearing up and still had a lot to do. Makes you wonder what will happen next -Ffi is personally hoping for at least 6ft of snow this winter :lol:

And now the news that you are waiting for .......Yeay I got my cybercrop mystery kit so I will be stalking the postie from tomorrow.

Joy

Yes oh joy, tomorrow morning sees the release of the UKS CC mystery kit.....I love the mystery kits. I guess it has soething to do with liking being handed a box of stash and having to make something from the contents and very little else.

I am not very good at being told what to do as in following classes I much prefer to ake something of my own. Some of y personal favorite layouts have been made using the CC mystery kits like the one in the picture which was from the Alice in Wonderland CC.

The kits are limited and there is always a grapple to get one ....they never last very long. I had plans for tomorrow morning but they have all been done away with, so that I can sit at my lap top watching, waiting and anticipating the release of my must have kit . I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

UKS Cybercrops make me go all weak willed.

I love the cybercrops on UKS and last night the latest one was announced. I duly registered only to be told that I was a Jiggly Jelly....oh well at least I'm not a clown or a pudding:lol: "No kits this time" Iannounced as I have serious amounts of stash. In hindsight as I went to bed I had decided that was a little rash and that maybe I would just get the mystery kit after all I always enjoy the mystery challenge. Well the first thing that happened when I turned on the lap top this morning was the announcement of the Banana Frog cc kit.....ooohhh Pink Martini papers and rub ons and Banana Frog stamps. Was I strong, did I resist.....did I heck..click,click,click...oh its so easy isn't it. In my defence I love these papers to bits.....yep I already own the ones in the kit so now I can do the class and still have some to stroke.

The picture has nothing at all to do with any of this it is a layout of our home (my cottage in the woods. I used a kit from Scrapagogo and not much else with the exception of my MM Tagmaker which I love to bits.

No time to play.

Well seeing as how I still have a headache and also a poorly Ffi I didn't do any crafting at all.

I have new Penny Black stamps Just waiting to be played with and tomorrow should get my first Magnolia Stamps and I have no time to play.

So todays photo is a picture that I really love .....Lincoln Cathedral by night. I keep promising a few more Lincoln pictures so whilst Ffi is off school is a good time to sort a few out.

I want never gets!

I know what they say but I so want a windmill.....Jay won't get me one (he says it has something to do with them being 100ft high and planted well into the ground). I know some people hate them but I love them, they fascinate me and I could watch them for hours. This one is at Whisby Nature Park which is just up the road from us and a lovely place to visit.

I am still plagued with the cluster headaches and doing very little and to top it all poor Ffi was sent home from school ill today. So no crafting here ......consoled myself in buying some new stamps.....decided to try some Magnolia designs ones.......not the ones that everyone is going for (well apart from one). So in a couple of days I should be able to see what all the fuss is about:)

Something for me

Well most of what I make seems to be for someone else but I decided it was time to make something for me and here it is. A mini book of Jay and our girls. The papers are scrapbook walls and it is put together with my Bind it All. Most of the ribbons were from whats left of the September Ben Madigan ribbons. I am definately changing as I actually chose to use browns and I am really pleased with the results.

Was that the weekend.

No really was that it......gone in a flash. Yesterday was mainly spent at Ella's party so a bit of a journey for us. The picture is Ella's card ......I'm still trying. I handcut the chipboard letters and covered them with DCWV paper, the other paper is just some that I had that has no brand but is very prettn none the less. The card and the paper are both inked with cats eye pigment pads and the flower and button was from a pack that I bought ages ago and I think is craft creations. The happy bithday is my handwritten scrawl.

Something about Men in Uniform
Today Jay and I have been to sunny Mablethorpe for the Mablethorpe Marathon......No don't worry we weren't running it .....if we were I certainly would not be back by now. Jay was part of the Lives Team that provided the medical cover for it. We were not actually in Mablethorpe but out in the sticks at about the 21 mile mark. It was a nice day and very pleasant. We were well prepared and must have looked a slightly strange sight when I took the second photo just after the last runners came through the marshalls had just moved on and it looked like a paramedics picnic for a few minutes before we moved on.

A year ago

A year ago we had one hell of a shock. A shock we are still coming to terms with. Especially Laura......my thoughts are always with you especially now. I couldn't do this yesterday and the card I made for you is still here. So no scrapping from me today. The picture is a layout that my friend Chris did shortly after Lisa died which said it all and still does. I don't know where the year has gone but its had its ups and downs for all of us but I do know that no matter what happens Lisa you will always be only a thought away.

A pressie for Ffion

Well heres what I made with my fabby Ben Madigans Jaynes Addiction kit. Tis a sign foor Ffion's door and once again it look so much better in real life. I'm not sure if its a new camera I need or photography lessons or even both. The colours are much more vibrant than in this picture. Anyhow for those of you who may be remotely interested the base of the plaque is chipboard and is painted with Blonde Moments lustre paint. The letters are handcut chipboard too then inked with brilliance inks. A couple of layers of utee and then the second f and the o were stamped with HOTP stamps using a matching cats eye pigment ink. The ribbons are as previously mentioned my namesake ribbons and the photograph is of Ffion. I am really pleased with the finished item and it even raised a complement from Rhiannon who remarked that she would like one for her door......that would have to be a very big doorhanger so I think we may have to go for a nameplate.

Its not about me

Well as the title suggests its not about me at all today.....I don't feel good but all the same made something I was pleased with but didn't get chance to photograph so will do that tomorrow. So these stunning and beautiful cards were made during our school craft club...the children age between 7 and 10 and so I think you will agree they have done a fab job........shame I can't say the same about the photographs....twas the cameras fauly of course.....but I assure you that i won't be able to blame the camera for much longer.....a new one I hope is imminent.

I don't normally ask but if you could spare a moment to comment on the cards I will print them off and take them to let the kids see them at the next craft club:) I am sure that they would enjoy seeing them.