Jen's Journal

Sports Day Pics Part 1

2010-07-20T11:27:00.001Z

Jamie’s year 6 sports day photos

Updating

2010-07-19T11:28:00.001Z

Having not blogged for ages I’m going to try and have a bit of an update over the next few days and get back into blogging over the summer holidays.
Here are a few of the scrapbook pages I’ve done over the last few weeks.

A rare photo of me and Ed taken by one of the children at Dover Castle last summer. I’ve used Prima In Bloom papers.

This was a page kit from Sarah’s Cards and the photos are of Rebecca and Strawberry the snake at Farming World.

This one is Alex, taken at deal last year. I think the layout came from a prompt from one of Shimelle’s classes.

Shimelle’s Weekend Crop

2010-04-17T15:32:00.001Z

Shimelle is hosting a weekend crop on her blog this weekend. You can find it here - Shimelle's Blog
I’ve rustled up a quick layout showing Jamie’s Tug-of-War competition at his school sports day using Piggy Tales papers.

Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do a bit more this weekend as there are some good ideas and inspiration over there.

Holiday Snaps

2010-04-17T12:33:00.001Z

Here is a quick collage of some of our holiday snaps. We had a great week in Dorset and the weather stayed good for most of it.
We managed to fit in trips to The Dinosaur Museum, Farmer Palmer’s, Brownsea Island, Lulworth Castle, Sealife, a boat trip and an animal park.

Something From Almost Nothing

2010-03-11T12:27:00.001Z

Shimelle’s latest class, Something from almost nothing, started yesterday. The aim of the class is to get you using all your old stash in new ways which sounded like a great idea so I signed up.
The first class was about using metal on your pages.

I dusted off my silent setter and cropodile and created this layout using a load of eyelets.
I haven’t been doing a lot of making recently as sitting at my desk has given me a bad back but I did make this card last week

and I have a few more cards to make with a couple of birthdays and mother’s day round the corner.

A New Card

2010-02-25T16:16:00.001Z

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog. Half term always means a slow down it seems.
Anyway, I’ve got my paper and pens back out and made this card for two challenges.

The first challenge is from the Passion for Promarkers blog using baby pink and tulip yellow and including stitching.
The second challenge is the Sweet Sketch Wednesday latest sketch.
The digistamp was a fab freebie from Pollycraft.

We went to Nan's for a couple of days in the half term and visited the Natural History Museum so I’m going to have a sort through my photos and put a few on my blog, hopefully tomorrow.

A Blue Card

2010-02-12T13:14:00.001Z

I made this card for 3 challenges using a digistamp from Pollycraft.
The challenges are
Passion for ProMarkers – Agean, sky blue and cool aqua colours.
Sketch Saturday and
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - making a monochrome card

Animal Card

2010-02-12T09:50:00.001Z

I made this card for a challenge at Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog where the challenge was “It’s all about the animals”

I used a digi stamp from the Digistamp boutique

Christmas Tree Card

2010-02-11T10:34:00.001Z

I made another Christmas card yesterday to put by for December. This card was for 2 challenges. The first at A Spoonful of Sugar Challenge blog was to use 1 patterned paper, 1 embossing, 1 ribbon and 1 button.
The second at Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club blog was to use Christmas trees.
Here is my card

The first time I’ve used my Cuttlebug embossing folder. The digi stamp was a freebie from the Digistamp Boutique.

Puppy Card and Cross Country

2010-02-07T10:08:00.001Z

I made this card for two challenges.
The first was the Passion for ProMarkers challenge where the theme was “all creatures great and small” and the second was for the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge.
I used a Daisy and Dandelion stamp and Basic grey Mellow papers.

Alex took part in his second cross country race yesterday. He did really well, much better than his first race so we were all pleased with him.

Christmas Moments

2010-02-05T14:33:00.001Z

These photos were taken 2 years ago and I wanted to scrap them as I caught Alex and Rebecca singing Christmas carols to her new Baby Annabel. I thought they looked rather sweet.

Star Fairy Card

2010-02-04T10:50:00.001Z

I made this card for two challenges. I used the fab sketch from Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog and the challenge at Pollycraft's Monday Challenge Blog was Things with Wings. I used their new Star Fairy digi stamp too and new MME papers. They have some gorgeous new fairy stamps just released at Pollycrafts that I have definitely got my eye on.
Here is the hat I made for Becca’s dog.

I might get her to make a bobble for it next time she is pestering me for something to do.
I’ve also finished reading Pride and Prejudice which I enjoyed so may try a few more Jane Austen books and am now reading this book

They are reviewing it on the TV Book Club this weekend so I thought I’d give it a read.

My First Award

2010-02-03T09:49:00.001Z

I’m quite excited I got my first award yesterday from the Passion for ProMarkers Blog. My card was chosen as one of the top five so I’ve got this fab blinkie to put on my blog.

The ProMarkers blog is one of my favourites at the moment and I love using my pens so I am quite thrilled.

Red Layouts

2010-02-02T14:07:00.001Z

Here are a couple of layouts I’ve finished over the last couple of days. Both very bright and red.
This is about Alex’s 8th birthday last summer using Basic Grey Lime Rickey papers.
And this one shows Rebecca performing her sardine song, again, last summer. I’ve used Pebbles Inc Linnie Bell papers.

I have also finished knitting a hat for Rebecca’s dog, though it also fits her even though it was meant to be the size for a 3-6 month old baby. I’ll take a picture of it when she comes home from school. Now I need to finish my bag and then the next lesson in my book is a zig zaggy scarf to practise increasing and decreasing.
Then I’ve got my eye on some of these mittens like Bella’s from Twilight. They have quite a few patterns for these on the Ravelry site so I’m hoping I might be up to knitting myself some for next winter.

Sketch Saturday Card

2010-01-29T12:31:00.001Z

Alex has a party on Saturday so I made this card using the latest Sketch Saturday sketch. I used a free stamp from Pollycraft, coloured with Promarkers.

Birthday Girl Card

2010-01-28T12:20:00.001Z

I made this card for 2 challenges this week.
The first was for the challenge on the Passion for ProMarkers blog where the colours to use were blossom and pastel green.
The second was for the Friday Sketchers blog
I used a digi stamp from Pollycraft Designs and 3 Bugs Happy Bird-day papers.

Scarves and Booties

2010-01-26T11:57:00.001Z

I finished a couple of knitted items this weekend and am working my way through this book to try to learn the basics.

I knitted this scarf for Alex

and these little booties for Rebecca’s Snuggly Doggy Dog

I was quite chuffed with these as they only took me a couple of hours to knit up. She now wants a matching hat and scarf for her dog and Jamie is feeling left out so wants me to knit something for him too.
My next project is a bag from Let’s Knit magazine and a bobble hat for the dog.

Pencil Lines Sketch 170

2010-01-22T15:49:00.001Z

It has been ages since I’ve done a Pencil Lines Sketch so I had a go at the latest one today, using the latest Sarah’s cards Kit with Bo Bunny Flutter Butter papers.

I got the idea for the flowers from the Bo Bunny blog and thought it matched Rebecca’s pose quite well.

I finished reading The Host today so am on target with my reading challenge. I really enjoyed the book despite the first few chapters being quite hard going. I’d give it 4/5 as it was different to anything else I’ve read. My next book is Pride and Prejudice.

Girlie Card

2010-01-21T14:01:00.001Z

This week’s challenge on the Passion for ProMarkers blog was to do a girlie card using any colours. I took the opportunity to use my newish retro flower punches for the first time and a digistamp from the Digistamp Boutique.

Smoked Salmon and Celeriac Dauphinoise

2010-01-20T14:22:00.001Z

We made this for dinner at the weekend with some leftover smoked salmon from Christmas and everyone loved it and it was easy to make so I’m putting it in my successful recipes file.
I got the recipe from one of the little free books that come with Good Food magazine.
You need
juice of 1 lemon,
1 small celeriac (650g) peeled and quartered,
2 peeled and thinly sliced baking potatoes,
some smoked salmon, a handful of dill (though I didn’t have any so just used dried mixed herbs),
1 finely sliced onion and
284ml carton double cream.
Preheat oven to 180C
Slice the celeriac into pieces about the thickness of a £1 coin and dunk them and the potato slices into the lemon juice.
Layer the potato and celeriac in a dish then add a layer of the smoked salmon, onion and dill, drizzling cream over each layer and seasoning until there are three layers of the potato and 2 of the salmon. Finish with a drizzle of cream.

Cover with foil and bake for 45 mins then remove foil and bake for another 30-40 mins.
Serve with salad or broccoli

Snow

2010-01-19T14:11:00.001Z

Mum pointed me in the direction of this blog - Susie and Vikki's Christmas Club where there are going to be challenges every Saturday to help get you prepared for Christmas 2010! Sounds like a sensible and fun idea.
This week’s challenge was snow. I haven’t printed any of this year’s snowy photos so I took the opportunity of digging out some old snaps and some old papers and made a layout and a card.

I coloured the stamped image in with Promarkers and used my new Martha Stewart border punch.

Here is Alex enjoying the snow about 4 years ago I think. I have a sore thumb now from stitching the snowflakes onto the page but I’m pleased I persevered.

Cool Aqua and Cocoa ProMarker Challenge

2010-01-14T10:51:00.001Z

On Tuesdays they have a colour challenge on the Passion for ProMarkers blog. I’ve been admiring the work over there for a while and this week I decided to have a go at their challenge.
You had to use the colours cool aqua and cocoa and I chose this digi stamp from the Digistamp Boutique
I also used sandstone and sky blue, oval nestabilities, Martha Stewart border punch and a heart punch. The papers are Basic grey Marrakech.

Reading

2010-01-12T12:07:00.001Z

This year I have challenged myself to try to read, on average, a book a week. I don’t read nearly as much as I’d like to but since reading through the 4 Twilight books in little over a week I realised how much pleasure I can get out of sitting down with a good book.
When I told Ed about my challenge he just sniggered and said “Does that include the Mr Men books you read Rebecca?” so that is it. I am determined.
I have made myself a little book to record what I’ve read.

And I went off to visit the library to get some books out. Mum was so proud of me. These are the first three books I came back with...

…Bridget Jones’ Diary, Pride and Prejudice and The Host.
A nice mixture to get me started.

We Have Snow Too!

2010-01-07T13:26:00.001Z

The children were really excited last night as just before they went to bed it started to snow and the snow started to settle. We have had the odd bit of snow since we moved down this way but it never seems to be anything to shout about compared to the rest of the country so it was nice to wake up this morning to this…

The chickens weren’t quite so impressed, walking round wondering what the freezing white stuff was,

but the children liked looking at it and Rebecca ventured out briefly before deciding it was actually rather too cold.

You can see Ella, Rebecca’s chicken, in the background who had jumped onto a tub because she didn’t want to get her feet cold in the snow but for ages was “too chicken” to jump back off it back to the shelter of her covered run even though I had tried tempting her with cabbage.
I have a couple of crafty projects to share.
I’m making an album of holiday snaps and this is the first one of Alex and Rebecca with Sid and Lizzie.
Also, having finished my scarf, I have started knitting one for Ed.

I also have a cross stitch picture on the go that I started in December for Rebecca and can’t decide whether to plough on with it and try and finish it this month or put it away for next Christmas

I think I’ll probably continue with it while we have all this snow and it is still topical. Rebecca, incidentally, wants me to make a cushion for her with the picture on both sides. I don’t think that’s going to happen although I might attempt a single sided cushion and try to learn how to use my sewing machine this year…… maybe.

I Finished my Scarf!

2010-01-03T16:33:00.001Z

I have finished my first piece of knitting of the year/decade/millennium and here is my daughter, enjoying herself modelling it.

Isn’t she a poser.
I’ve now ordered some wool to knit Ed a scarf with, hopefully I’ll finish it before the warmer weather comes.

Jamie’s First Spurs game

2010-01-03T10:17:00.001Z

Yesterday we took Jamie to his first Spurs game at White Hart Lane

They were playing Peterborough in the 3rd round of the FA Cup and won 4-0 so we were all really pleased.
We had tickets right at the back of the East stand but the view was good and Jamie was particularly impressed with the size of the stadium and enjoyed the singing.

Three of the goals were scored down our end and a last minute penalty finished the game off nicely.
It was along day with a lot of travelling but was well worth it and I know Jamie is keen to go again some time.

Gifts

2009-12-14T13:32:00.001Z

On Christmas morning we all open our stocking presents when everyone is awake, usually around 6.00.
We usually open a couple of tree presents each before and after breakfast but save most of the opening until the afternoon after we have cleared up from lunch.
The children will find everyone a present and we take it in turns to open them so we can see what everyone has received.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

2009-12-13T15:55:00.001Z

2006 was the year Rebecca first fell in love with Rudolph after singing his song at nursery. She would sing it all the time at home and was drawn to anything reindeer related in the shops.

On Christmas morning she woke up to find Rudolph had left a special present for her at the end of her bed. She was so excited and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is still her favourite Christmas song now.
On hunting down these photos it reminded me this was also the year Rebecca got hold of the hair-dressing scissors and chopped all the hair off the top of her head, just a couple of days before her nativity play. All that year’s Christmas photos are a little spoiled because of this as it looked so awful.

Our Tree

2009-12-11T11:31:00.001Z

I made today’s page using photos from last year’s tree decorating with a mixture of Fa la la la la and Holly Jolly Days kits from Pickleberry Pop.

I sometimes look at and admire trees that are decorated perfectly, all colour coordinated and balanced. We let the children have a free reign with our tree as they enjoy decorating it. Ed puts the lights on and then Alex and Rebecca, with Jamie lazily watching, enjoy piling all the tinsel onto one area and then try to hide the chocolate decorations in places where only they can find them. I do try to redistribute the tinsel a bit more evenly when they are not looking but I think our tree has character and charm when the children have decorated it and included things they have made at school.
One day they will be too old to want to help decorate. Then I will get my tidy, coordinated tree.
Yesterday I managed to finish a paper layout with Rebecca in last year’s Christmas pyjamas.

I used Scenic Route Roxbury papers.
It has made me want to scrap a few more of last year’s photos as, although there are some nice ones they always seem to get left in their wallet as I don’t feel like Christmas scrapping in the new year.

Wrap it Up

2009-12-10T10:45:00.001Z

Today’s prompt from Shimelle was about Christmas wrapping.
I’ve almost finished present buying and wrapping now and every year I think I should have a go at being more creative with ribbons and bows, making everything look a bit more fancy and coordinated. Every year though, I end up using a random mix of paper bought in the January sales and last year’s cards cut into tags. I know I have a fear of bows as I have never really been able to get them to look right.
Here is my layout.

I am quite surprised I am managing to keep up with the class this year. It is the third year I’ve attempted it. Last year I rushed through finishing off the year before’s class but this year I am enjoying putting aside a bit of time each day to create something new. Doing it digi has made it much easier.
The housework, however, is suffering somewhat and I am itching to get my paper supplies out to play with. So I am off to clean the kitchen and then hunt out last year’s Christmas photos to scrap.

Bah Humbug!!

2009-12-09T11:57:00.001Z

Yesterday we took the children to the cinema to watch A Christmas Carol as a Christmas treat as Ed was home from work. You know with children there are times that you really wish you hadn’t bothered.
For a start when Ed told them we were going expecting them to be pleased, although Rebecca and Alex wanted to go, Jamie just groaned. Good start! He eventually decided he wanted to go so off we went.
From about 10 minutes into the film until 10 minutes before the end we had the children scared stupid with Alex and Jamie running to the toilet and crying. To give Alex some credit he tried to be tactful and laughed hysterically with relief at the few non-scary parts.
Rebecca, the bravest of the 3, spent the whole film curled up on my lap shaking.
What a fun family outing!
The film was a PG but I did think it was more scary than it needed to be and was quite hard to follow if you didn’t know the story already.
Never mind. Next week we might try out Nativity.

It’s Beginning to Look a Bit Like Christmas

2009-12-09T11:06:00.001Z

Today’s prompt from Shimelle’s class was to find the little things that make it look like Christmas is coming. We haven’t decorated or put the tree up yet. I think if we do it too early we are fed up with it before Christmas has even arrived. However, there are a few little changes that have been happening in our house. The Christmas mugs have come out, I am wearing my Christmassy socks and I have dug out the Christmas tea towels to wash and start using.
The major decorating task will start his weekend.
Yesterday Rebecca had her school nativity and was one of the singers. Their play was called Christmas with the Aliens and here is my little star.

After school, since Ed was home from work we planned a nice Christmas treat for the children but that is a story for another time.

Still to do…

2009-12-07T13:39:00.001Z

I still have quite a bit of preparation to do this year. Today’s prompt from Shimelle was all about to do lists.
I’m glad I made my little book this year details here. It has helped me keep a track of what I have bought and what I still need to get and I’m not far off done.
Of course we still have the house to decorate and the tree to put up, menus to plan and cards to make and write but it feels fairly under control.
Yesterday afternoon there was a small Christmas parade which some children from Rebecca’s school took part in. We went down the road to watch it and see Brenda Blethyn turn the Christmas tree lights on. Then we came back to our first mince pies of the season. It made us all feel quite festive.

Rebecca’s Snowglobe

2009-12-06T12:28:00.001Z

I’ve had my first go at extracting from a photo and produced this layout using a Little Beary Christmas Time kit from Pickleberry Pop. I’m sure I could have loads of fun playing around a bit more with all this but am quite pleased with the effect. I can see myself staging many a photo shoot now with a white throw in the background.
Rebecca loves this snowglobe. Mum originally bought one for us a few years back and Rebecca was really taken with the music and the reindeer when she was very small so it has become very special. Unfortunately, last year it got smashed accidentally and there were no replacements in the shops. Rebecca wished very hard for a new one though, and one day in December a parcel from Santa and Rudolph appeared on the doorstep and guess what was inside.
It made Rebecca’s day and she couldn’t wait to get the globe out again this year.

Christmas Pudding

2009-12-05T17:19:00.001Z

Here are my Christmas pudding-making photos in a digi layout using Joy collection kit from Gottapixel.
Yesterday I got Rebecca’s favourite reindeer snowglobe decoration out so am hoping to do a digi layout about that over the next few days. I’ve bought an extractions tutorial from Jessica Sprague as I want to have a go at something a bit different and magical for this layout. I need to take some photos of Rebecca in front of a white background first though so will do that tomorrow when, hopefully, there is better light.
We’ve spent most of the day shifting furniture up and down stairs to get Rebecca back in her old bedroom so all 3 children have their own rooms for the first time. I now have an unbelievable amount of toy sorting to do trying to get everything in the right room before Christmas.

Christmas Cards

2009-12-04T13:27:00.001Z

I’ve made several Christmas cards now, mostly with my Promarkers and digistamps. I’ve just got to write and post them now.

I made my digi layout using a Jessica Sprague template and some free papers from Shabby Princess. Having popped over there to find the link I have just discovered their latest freebie is a fab set of printable recipe cards that will be perfect for the recipe box my mum bought me for Christmas last year.
My Christmas pud is steaming away on the hob at the moment. Rebecca and Alex enjoyed helping me mix it last night and Jamie came in to make a wish too.

So that is the first recipe for me to put in my recipe box this Christmas.

Let it Snow

2009-12-03T12:15:00.001Z

My knitting is coming on quite well. I’ve only had to have mum come round once to rescue it so far and bar a couple of weird looking holes and a few rows that I seem to have stitched the wrong way round it is looking quite good.
Yesterday’s Journal your Christmas prompt from Shimelle was about the weather this time of year. I think a nice bit of snow would make a change from this non-stop raining that is going on at the moment.
I’ve used Shimelle’s template and a Winter Holiday kit by Connie Prince at Gottapixel to make my digi layout.

Christmas Begins

2009-12-02T09:48:00.001Z

Christmas has officially begun in our house.
This year I am going to try to do something festive every day in December. Yesterday I made a new blog header and the children started their advent calendars.
Today we are going to make the Christmas pudding – my first attempt at one so it should be fun.
Ed has taken the day off today so we are taking advantage of Orange’s 2 for 1 cinema offer and are off to see New Moon.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-11-21T14:55:00.001Z

I’ve got quite a bit of my Christmas shopping done already and wanted a way to keep a check on what I’ve bought and what I still need to get. Previously I’ve scribbled things down on random bits of paper which have then got lost or nearly fallen into the children’s hands so this year I wanted to devise a better system and one that I could use year after year. This is what I came up with.

I’ve got pages for different families, friends neighbours etc as well as a page for cards to be made or written and then I’ve included envelopes so I can keep note each year of ideas and things I’ve bought and take my lists to the shops with me too.

I decorated my book with Luxe and Doodlebug papers and bound it with my bind it all.

Knit One, Purl One

2009-11-18T14:47:00.001Z

Ok so my knitting didn’t go very well last night. I persevered for 3 hours but only managed to master the slip knot to start it with. Seriously, I spent ages trying to follow casting on instructions and thought I’d managed it but the stitches all seemed too tight so I took them off in order to do them again a bit looser only to be completely unable to understand the instructions the second time round. When Alex asked me how my scarf was coming on in the morning he was unimpressed to see a bit of wool tied round a needle.
Anyway, this morning mummy kindly came round to help/gloat and after many tears of frustration I finally feel like I may have mastered a few things. Here is my scarf so far.

Hopefully I will still remember what to do when I come back to it later.
This afternoon I made this birthday card. I used an Arthur cat stamp form the Digistamp Boutique.

A New Hobby?

2009-11-17T13:05:00.001Z

I’ve been and bought myself some knitting needles, crochet hooks and some wool and am going to have a go at knitting myself a scarf and crocheting some flowers.
Not since the days of the Welling v Reading FA Cup games have I had a go at knitting and my red and white scarf I created was a bit of a disaster. That was nearly two decades ago though!!!! and it is time to try again.
Here are my purchases
The purple wool is for a scarf. Mum is also knitting one and says it is really easy but I am not convinced. The pink wool is for some crochet flowers. I am going to have a go at making them into a brooch.
Wish me luck!

Birthday Fun

2009-11-16T14:53:00.001Z

It was my birthday last week, (21st).
Mum came round in the morning and we had a play with my new Nestabilities and then dad and Peter came over and we went to Prezzos for lunch. I had a scrummy Gorgonzola pizza.
I had lots of fab presents. Here are some of them

I got the New Moon book and soundtrack, Delia’s Christmas cookbook and a slowcooker cook book, a mini-album book, several punches, some more nestabilities, Nook and Pantry papers, a Sizzix alphabet, bubble bath, money and some stamps so all in all I did really well. Ed and I are going to the cinema on Friday to see New Moon so really looking forward to that. I’ll probably have to take him to Prezzos too seeing as he missed out on my birthday.

Today, I’ve been working on my Farmville farm as David has sneakily crept up on me on the leaderboard. I can’t have that.

Digi Stamps and Promarkers

2009-11-12T13:05:00.001Z

I’ve had a few cards to make this week and have been having loads of fun with my pens and Nesties.
I made this card for a boy’s 6th birthday using a digistamp from Sweet Shoppe Designs

This one for a Christening using a digistamp from Digistamp Boutique
and this one also using a stamp from the Digistamp Boutique
I also coloured another one of these images in blue and added Flower Soft to the hat.

Here are links to my current favourite digistamp and promarker blogs/websites.
Passion for Promarker Blog
Digistamp Boutique
Digistamp Boutique Blog
Creationsbywendalyn
Mojo Monday Sketch Blog

I don’t need to make all that many cards so would love some ideas on how to use Promarkers and Nesties on my scrapbook pages so that is my next internet search mission.
Last night mum and I went to M&S for their Penny Bazaar.
This is what I came back with.
A notebook, a tea towel, a pair of socks, a hankie and some chocs. All for a penny each.

Blogging For Scrapbookers

2009-11-10T13:34:00.004Z

I've finally found the chance to get started on Shimelle's Blogging For Scrapbookers class. I am hoping it is going to kick a bit of life and organisation into my blog.The key aim for me, I think, is to get my photographs and stories down on my blog so I can remember details and get inspiration for scrapping them later when the hard copy photos arrive.

A couple of years back I was quite a prolific blogger and really enjoyed updating it daily but somehow life got in the way and I fell out of the habit. Hopefully I can get back that enthusiasm I used to have.

A Hobbycraft store opened down the road last month and I treated myself to some Promarkers and also bought a few Nestabilities so I've been having a play with them.I used some digital stamps from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

This is the first card I made

and I stamped and coloured a few more images to make into cards over the next couple of days. I really enjoyed using the Promarkers and can see myself wanting to collect the whole set.

Here is Jamie's bedroom we have just decorated for him while he has been sleeping downstairs with his broken leg. The carpet came this morning so I've been busy re-making up his bed with his new Spurs duvet cover. Hopefully he will be pleased when he comes home from school.

And here is Rebecca with her new haircut. I took her for her first trip to the hairdressers at the weekend and she decided she wanted her hair cut short. I think it suits her and it is certainly easier to brush in the morning.

Birthdays and Broken Legs

2009-11-05T13:09:00.002Z

It was Jamie's 11th birthday at the weekend and he had a fun time despite having his leg in plaster due to it being broken at school last month. Here he is with one of his presents. He also got a hamster which he has named Layla, Fifa 10 for his XBox, a Michael Jackson CD, a drawing book and some money which he wants to blow on Match Attax.
He had a couple of friends round to play and watch a film in the afternoon.
I've signed up for Shimelle's latest class which is all about blogging and scrapping and, true to form, I am late starting it but am keen to get going and catch up now.
Firstly, here are a few of my latest layouts that have been sitting in my room, collecting dust, waiting to be put in an album.

Rebecca and Uncle David sharing a moment at Monkey World back in May

Alex trying to tie his new shoe laces up. He still almost always chooses to squeeze into his smaller trainers though, as he is too lazy to bother with the laces.

All three of them waling along the cliff edge at Portland Bill back in May.
I'll be back later with my first blog post for Shimelle's class.

Snapshot

2009-10-06T08:39:00.001Z

My layout from day 6 of Jessica Sprague's class. A snapshot from a day in my life at the moment.

Finished!!

2009-09-30T14:22:00.002Z

I've managed to finish Shimelle's class, and on time too!!!
Here are my last pages

23rd September. I felt a bit rubbish and sometimes when you feel a bit rubbish you have to cheer yourself up with food. That's just the way it is. Fortunately mum said she would babysit and Ed and I had dinner at Prezzos.

24th September - I thought I had cheered myself up until I got on the scales the next day. My weightloss is not going so well at the moment.

I used to love mosaic colouring books as a child and found one to surprise Rebecca with. Soon all 3 children were sitting down carefully colouring in the patterns.

26th September. I had to get The Cat in my album.

27th September. Nice as it is to do fun things at the weekend, it is always me who has loads of catching up to do afterwards.

My little boy is, hopefully, having a fun adventure week in Swattenden. We are all missing him and looking forward to hearing what he has been up to on Friday.

I suddenly have the urge, after about 5 years off, to start up my OU studies again so have sent off for a prospectus.

Today I finished the class and am pleased I persevered with it.

Looking back over my 30 pages I have a few recurring themes.

My family - I enjoy doing things with them and seeing them happy

I want to be perfect but fall a little short. I'm learning that this is OK as I can be happy with what I do manage to achieve.

I'd benefit from trying to take on a bit less and concentrating a bit more on what I am doing.

So, for October, I am going to concentrate on getting some weight off, hopefully getting to my goal weight by my birthday, and working through my Jessica Sprague classes.

The Cat

2009-09-29T12:21:00.002Z

On Saturday, the Sci-Fi shop down the road from us had a visitor. They regularly have famous actors coming to visit, including Darth Vader, Boba Fett and one of the Ewoks from Start Wars.
This week it was Danny John Jules.
We've just recently borrowed the Red Dwarf box sets from Peter and the children have got really into them (especially some of the mildly naughty humour which they giggle at).
They were, therefore, quite excited to meet the Cat and get his photo and autograph. He was really chatty and friendly too.

Here is my second layout from Jessica Sprague's Type class

and the next 2 from Shimelle's class

Fun Times

2009-09-23T10:19:00.002Z

These are my latest layouts. I'm ploughing through this year's photos quite nicely.

Jamie on the zip wire at Adventure Wonderland in April. Using Daisy Bucket papers and Autumn Leaves stamps.

Rebecca on her first pony ride. She was so excited. I used my new My Little Shoebox papers for this one

This layout was my first one for Jessica Sprague's Type + Writer class, using photos taken at Farming World at the weekend.

More Lessons

2009-09-22T15:39:00.002Z

Here is my next batch of lessons and layouts for Learn Something New.

Having caught a couple of Beatles programmes on the telly, I've dug out some of my CDs to listen to. I had forgotten how much I enjoy them..

I listed a few DVDs on Ebay this week, something I haven't done since before Christmas and was pretty surprised that they have changed their policy and the seller has to pay for postage. On £40 worth of sales this cost me £15 more than it would have done had I listed the items before the policy change.

I enjoyed watching Jamie and Rebecca holding snakes at Farming World.

SCD is back on and we are enjoying sitting down watching it together. It's great to have something to look forward to as a family.

I am now in shock having just removed a huge spider from our bedroom. I couldn't leave it there as it was massive so Rebecca helped me take it outside. I need to lie down now.

Busy Weekend

2009-09-21T12:10:00.004Z

We've had a really busy weekend this weekend, especially Saturday.
Rebecca had a walk with her Rainbows on Saturday morning from Stone Bay to Ramsgate to celebrate the centenary year of guiding.

The weather was gorgeous and it was lovely to walk along by the sea.
After lunch we went to Farming World with a couple of Jamie's friends as a reward for the work they have put in towards their 11+.

I think they loved the huge bouncy cushion things they had there best.

Jamie and Rebecca were really brave and both held snakes. They are braver than Grandad as I bet he wouldn't.

There were a couple of litters of piglets and these two were really naughty and kept trying to wake their mum up.

This goat was more than happy to pose for me.

We came home to watch Strictly Come Dancing. I'm pretty pleased that both Brian and Anton appear to have promising partners this year and am looking forward to seeing Tuffers dance next week.

Some More Lessons Learnt

2009-09-18T12:57:00.002Z

I've now managed to get further through Shimelle's class than I did two years ago. Over half way through now!

Here's my little "butter wouldn't melt" daughter being all sweet last weekend. It can be a pleasure taking her out on her own sometimes. She behaves much better when she doesn't have to compete for attention with the boys.

Sometimes I feel like I should be doing everything perfectly so normally feel like a bit of a failure. I am trying to teach myself that I am being unrealistic and am never going to be the perfect mum, wife, housekeeper, cook etc and to be content with what I am.

Mum's birthday today made me notice mine will soon be here. Where has the last year gone? It's scary how quickly time passes as you get older (except when you are telling yourself you don't need that chocolate bar now as it is only an hour until lunch)

My big, little boy has just finished taking his Kent Tests and has worked very hard to try to improve his school work. Whether he passes or not I think he has come on so far this year and I am confident he will do well whichever school he goes to. I'm really proud of him.

Happy Birthday Mother

2009-09-15T11:24:00.002Z

Birthday wishes to mother who is 21 again.... pictures to follow.
Here are the next installments from Shimelle's class.

9th September. I bought some scrummy new stash which arrived today and made myself keep it out and start to use it straight away instead of putting it away to "save for best!" Although I've been doing a lot of digi layouts lately there is nothing like getting the glue and scissors out.

September 10th and I really now have no excuse not to get back to sensible eating. I managed to keep the greedy urges at bay today although it was hard. A few more days of willpower and I should be back into the swing of things.

11th September has very different memories for us than most people. That, coupled with me babysitting for a newly single friend as she was off on a first date and thinking that no way would I like to be in that position again made me really appreciate my family today.

I don't think we are going to have many more warm days like Saturday so we decided to make the most of it and spend a relaxing afternoon in the garden with a glass of wine. Ed is in the photo with his tomatoes and his overgrown courgette/marrow.

More Lessons Learnt

2009-09-09T12:02:00.002Z

Here are my lessons learnt for the 5th to 8th September.
On Saturday I bought a new compact camera and managed to save quite a bit by browsing around on the net for the best deal. The children are pleased as they now have my old camera. I just have to wait for my memory card to arrive before I can use it.

I had to force myself and the children to get all their bags and shoes ready the night before for the first day back at school on Monday. I knew it would be chaos as we had builders due in the morning too and I knew I wouldn't want to be getting up extra early to try and sort everything else out.
I'm going to try to remember this lesson every evening so we don't have any mad panics in the morning.

On Monday I learnt that I missed the children not being around, fighting and causing noise and trouble. The house just didn't feel right without them.

Yesterday I went to Westwood Cross with mum to try to get a replacement for my broken handbag. I desperately need new shoes and a new bag but came home empty handed as I couldn't find any I liked. It is probably just me but there were some vile creations around! I just want something plain and practical without any weird bits on it

I also learnt that I don't clean my windows enough. We had new ones fitted in a couple of the rooms and they looked so sparkly I almost considered getting them all replaced to match but I think Ed would rather I just got a bucket and sponge out.

I've also just learnt, having run a spell check, that my spelling/typing is getting worse.

Still Learning

2009-09-05T14:28:00.003Z

I'm still up to date with Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class.
Here are pages 2-4

2nd September - I want to try to remember that if I feel a bit stressed out then I should make a cuppa and sit down with a book or magazine for half an hour instead of stuffing my face with chocolate.

3rd September - The weather certainly seems to have taken a turn for the chillier so, since my trainers have a hole in, I am going to have to buy some new footwear. I have been wearing my £2 Tesco flip flops all summer cos I can't stand buying shoes.

4th September - I spent yesterday afternoon hoovering every inch of my bedroom and tidying up and the feeling afterwards was definitely worth the effort. I have also learnt that I have a problem typing September. I have to change it nearly every time and I forgot on this page.

Learn Something New Every Day

2009-09-02T15:02:00.003Z

Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class started yesterday. I started this class when it ran in 2007 but only got as far as the middle of the month even though I enjoyed it. I think the problem with daily classes for me is not having photos printed out and ready each day.
This time I am doing it digi so I can just print it all out at the end.
Here is my first page

A photo of my 2007 book, half finished but it doesn't matter.

Lunch at Prezzos and More Layouts

2009-09-01T07:39:00.005Z

Yesterday, Rebecca and Jamie went round their friends' house for the day so we took Alex out for lunch at Prezzos. Mum, Dad, Peter and Andrew came too. It was lovely spending an hour or two sitting out in the sunshine next to the bay and the food was scrummy.

Alex had a pizza and ice cream.

Ed and I shared a bruschetta and crab cake starter and then had a Gorgonzola pizza and a chicken and saffron pasta. We even had pudding and mum out ate Peter!!!

Needless to say, I now need to get back on my diet. The summer hols have made me put on about 4lb and I am being weighed in less than three weeks so I now must mean business.

I've managed a few more layouts over the weekend. The first three are from Jessica Sprague's digi class.

And here are a couple a paper layouts with photos taken at Portland Castle

This one is using Pink Paislee Fetching papers

and this one is using MME papers.

I'm going to go and have a bit of a tidying session now and try to keep track on my diet.

Craft Days

2009-08-27T11:01:00.002Z

I was speaking to mum on the phone on Tuesday morning and she mentioned it being craft day on QVC. I said that I was going to use it as an excuse to bring some of my bits and pieces downstairs and have a scrapbooking session. Anyway, I went and had a quick bath and when I got out I saw that Rebecca had got there first and brought nearly every bit of crafty equipment she owns downstairs and taken up the whole living room floor - the little dear!!!
I managed to get 3 layouts done though, all food related for some reason and taken when we were on holiday in Dorset.

Alex and Rebecca eating honey and chocolate waffles.

Alex enjoying his first hot chocolate

Afternoon tea at the Lobster Pot.

Go to Press Layouts

2009-08-23T16:04:00.002Z

We had a power cut yesterday, just us and a couple of neighbours and it lasted from 8.30 in the morning til 9.30 in the evening. I was getting quite anxious about not being able to feed my Human Age characters so we had to pop round mum and dad's to use their internet.
I've been trying to get on with Shimelle's Go To Press class and here are the latest three layouts I've finished.

This one was about family and we had to print onto transparencies. The photo was taken at Portland Bill back in May.

What we do for fun.

Our favourite place.

I've also finished the nature page but haven't taken a photo yet.

I rustled up this digi page using a quickpage from the Crisp Air collection by Kristin at Pickleberry Pop. I couldn't resist the autumn colours although I feel a bit guilty as I feel I should try to cling onto summer for a little bit longer.

Fireworks

2009-08-21T12:41:00.003Z

We went out on Wednesday evening to watch the fireworks from Viking Bay. It was good fun as there was a funfair and a band playing since there was also a water gala going on that day. The children were pleased as it meant they got to stay up late.

The band playing was a man with his three children and they played fifties music.

This was the final class from Jessica Sprague's Now You're Rocking course. Her Beautiful Evidence class starts on Monday so I'm looking forward to that.

Chillin' in Whitstable

2009-08-19T12:30:00.002Z

I made this digi layout yesterday from class 3 of Jessica Sprague's Now You're Rockin' class. The photos are the of the children at the Oyster Festival in Whitstable last year

Staying Cool

2009-08-18T13:03:00.002Z

I made this layout yesterday using a circle template from Jessica Sprague and reducing the opacity of the big picture to make the background. The photos were taken at Botany Bay earlier this month.

We went down to Botany Bay again this morning as Ed wanted a last trip to the beach before he goes back to work tomorrow. It's lovely down there but there are rumours that it might be turned into a nudist beach which sounds like fun too!!
There are less than three weeks left of the holidays now. I can't believe how fast they've gone.I'm really going to have to start thinking about uniforms and shoes now.

Final Brush Classes

2009-08-16T08:59:00.002Z

Jessica Sprague's Brush Abilities class finishes today and in the last couple of classes we have learnt how to make our own brushes.
These leaves were made with an image supplied to us

and this is a brush set I designed from scratch

I've now got a week to try and catch up with Shimelle's class before the next Jessica Sprague class starts.

Happy Birthday Alex

2009-08-15T13:33:00.004Z

It's Alex's birthday today.

He's had lots of great presents including a Harry Hill book and video

A Mario tennis game for the Wii

and we got him a keyboard which everyone has been keen to have a go on

He has requested Mexican food for dinner so we are looking forward to fajitas and Doritos later

Masking and Stitching

2009-08-11T07:11:00.004Z

I'm still keeping up to date (just ) with my brush class although I haven't managed to organise my brushes yet.
For this class we created a clipping mask and used the gradient tool to get some multicoloured word art.

This tag was made from scratch and then inked and stitched on with a flourish stamped on.

Rebecca's Birthday

2009-08-10T06:22:00.002Z

It was Rebecca's 6th birthday on Friday

She had a great time and loved all her presents. Nanny, grandad, David, Zen and Peter came round in the morning with some presents and Charlotte came down for the day with the twins and we played some party games and had lots of fun.

She chose a Ben 10 cake as she is such a girlie girl!

Frames

2009-08-06T07:01:00.003Z

Today we learnt to make our own frame with a grungy border brush and a bit of sanding.
The photo is of Rebecca's sunflower. I think it's the first time we've managed to grow one in the garden.

I thought I'd try it black and then white, not sure which I like best

Hybrid Style

2009-08-05T16:28:00.002Z

Here's my title page for Shimelle's class using my latest Sarah's Cards kit and Shimelle's first set of printables. The next page is about music so I'll have to get going on that soon.

I also made this card for Rebecca's birthday with a Dawn Inskip Puppy digi kit from PickleberryPop - my first effort at a hybrid card.

My Elements

2009-08-05T08:14:00.002Z

Today's class showed us how to make our own elements. These are the three I made using the custom shape tool, and sanding. I created them as a png file so I can use them as elements on digi pages. They can also be printed out on paper.

I've also done the first page of Shimelle's class so will upload that later.

Brush class and Bicycles

2009-08-04T10:53:00.002Z

I've been enjoying the first couple of lessons in Jessica Sprague's Brush Abilities class.
In day 1 we stamped various butterfly images to create this card.

And in day 2 we stamped a journal brush, typed a quote and then chalk brushed behind to highlight it.

I've been downloading bits for Shimelle's Go To Press class too but, typically, my printer ran out of ink yesterday so I'm going to have to play catch up with that.
Rebecca went out on her bike at the weekend and I took some photos. She's quite proud of herself.

She was over the other side of the park before we knew it.

I'm going to try to have a massive tidy up this afternoon in preparation for birthdays and Folk Week. That's the plan anyway. I wonder if the children will help!!!

Sardines and Homegrown

2009-08-03T06:07:00.003Z

This weekend we've been very economical and healthy with our food. Yesterday we had a potato, basil, spring onion and cheese frittata made with spuds from the garden,our own eggs and served with our own beans on the side..

On Saturday we had fried potato and courgette (both picked from the garden) with fried eggs on the side. I made a digi layout of it for my class as we had to create a page with today's photos.

I made this digi layout with lesson 2 of the Now We're Rockin' class.

Rebecca was enjoying playing the guitar and sang us a lovely song about sardines.

The words go like this -

A baby sardine saw her first submarine

She was scared as she looked through the peephole

"Oh come, come, come" said the sardine's mum

"It's only a tin full of people"

Jessica Sprague's Brushabilities class and Shimelle's Go to Press class start today so that will keep me busy for a few weeks.

Sports Day and Deal layouts

2009-08-02T08:06:00.002Z

I've been playing around with a couple more digi layouts. This one was from Jessica Sprague's Now We;re Rockin' class. The photo is Jamie in the Tug-of -War at his sports day.

This one used a template by Kirstin at Pickleberry Pop. I've used photos taken last weekend in Deal

Shimelle's Scrap Party Weekend

2009-08-01T12:57:00.002Z

I'm taking part in a scrapping party this weekend at http://www.shimelle.com/ where the emphasis is on using your printer . Shimelle has a 4 week class starting on Monday which I'm also looking forward to taking part in.
This is my first layout of the weekend, using a photoshop template to make the circular photo in the middle. I've followed a layout by lisette and used Basic Grey Wisteria papers. It's been nice to get my paper stash out again and dust down my guillotine.

I love these photos of Rebecca, taken last November.

Deal 10K

2009-07-27T14:57:00.003Z

Ed ran in the Deal 10k race at the weekend and we all went along to support him.
I took the opportunity to get a few snaps.
Here is Rebecca with one of her many poses.

and Alex in his new specs

Jamie doing what Jamie does.

The children spent a while making a garden out of a load of dead plants

Ed coming up to the finishing line

I wonder what they are talking about.....

Nearly Finished

2009-07-27T08:29:00.002Z

I've nearly finished the Up and Running class now and here are the last two layouts.
This one uses a technique for shaping photos

and this one used a grid with multiple papers.

I really must do some paper scrapping now before the next class starts next week.

Another Template

2009-07-26T13:30:00.002Z

This was another template by Jen Caputo given in the Up and Running class. I used a Strawberry Lemonade kit by Jessica Sprague and some of my favourite photos of Rebecca on her scooter taken nearly a year ago.

Templates

2009-07-26T07:01:00.004Z

My bonus assignment yesterday was learning how to use templates. I was quite pleased about that as Pencil Lines have digi template downloads and I couldn't work out where to start with them. I have it sussed now though and here is my first layout using a template.

I had a dream about Tim Vine, some ancient artifacts and balloons dropping gifts from the sky, Animal Crossing style. That's all I can remember about it though.

Rebecca and the Playmobil Zoo

2009-07-25T06:22:00.002Z

Here is my layout from lesson 3. Several new techniques learnt here. I just hope I can remember how to do them all.
I love watching Rebecca play like this. She can sit for ages chattering away in different voices for different characters she plays with.

More digi layouts

2009-07-24T12:45:00.002Z

Here are my latest couple of layouts from the Up and Running class by Jessica Sprague.
There are quite a few techniques pushed into this one, including cropping multiple photos, aligning, using cut out letters, journaling, drawing and stamping with a digi brush.

This is my first attempt totally from scratch as we were given the white paper, the stamp and told to use multiple photos and create our own thing from there.

Big Cook, Little Cook

2009-07-22T17:01:00.003Z

We went down to Stone bay on Monday afternoon and look who we saw filming a kids programme about planets.
Yes it's Big Cook, Little Cook!
For some reason us grown ups were so much more excited about it than the children and I got Ed to take some photos

They did some shots across the beach and we were sitting right in the middle of them. Unfortunately they asked us to move though. Shame, as I would have liked to have been on telly in my bikini!!!!

Here's my second digi layout from my Jessica Sprague class

Up and Running Class

2009-07-21T15:34:00.001Z

Having completed Jessica Sprague's photo editing class I've now signed up for her Up and Running in Photoshop class and here is my first layout

Tomorrow I am going to upload pictures of something exciting we saw at the beach yesterday

Last Project

2009-07-19T17:00:00.003Z

Here is my last project of the course

and here with some colour adjustments.

Storyboard

2009-07-19T14:25:00.002Z

Here is my storyboard for day 13 of Jessica Sprague's class.

I've bought Digital Scrapbook Artist to try to teach Rebecca a bit of digi scrapbooking over the holidays. She has been busy snapping photos so I'll put some of her efforts on my blog.

Selective Colouring

2009-07-16T11:19:00.002Z

Today's class was about selective colouring. Here are my two efforts.
One of Ed's plants

Rebecca at the beach

I can't believe I've kept up with this class. Normally I've fallen by the wayside by now but I am getting up early and looking forward to learning the next technique!!

Class 10

2009-07-16T06:14:00.001Z

Yesterday's class brought together various techniques we've learnt so far.
Here's my photo - A giraffe at Port Lympne.

Edge Burn

2009-07-14T11:27:00.003Z

Today's class was all about edge burn. Darkening round the edge to draw the eye to the middle of the photograph.
Jamie and Rebecca at Walmer Castle, before........

and after........

I overdosed on the edge burn with this one to try to get rid of the rubbish in the background of the photo. Before............

and after................

Frisbee Fun

2009-07-13T06:12:00.001Z

I've been up bright and early doing today's lesson, adding type.
Here is Alex playing frisbee on the beach last year with a textured paper added and some type.

Through the Viewfinder Class 6

2009-07-12T15:29:00.003Z

Toady's class taught me how to get a TTV or Through the Viewfinder effect on my photos.
Here is my first attempt - Jamie and Alex at Port Lympne a couple of years ago.

And my second attempt. My 3 little darlings posing for me.

I've been using loads of eggs over the last few days. This morning I did scrambled eggs for breakfast and a spring onion, dill and cheese frittata for lunch. Jamie is going to cook a lentil dahl for tea tonight and i might just have a hard boiled egg with that too!! My next challenge is to have a go at meringues and mousses.

Textures Class

2009-07-10T09:32:00.002Z

Today's class involved using textures.
I used some textures from http://lostandtaken.com/ for this photo

And then added a frame which came with the class

Rebecca's off school today as she seemed full of cold this morning although she has perked up a bit now. She keeps pestering me and I'm surprised I actually managed to finish this class really, so now we're off to the video store to get Marley and Me.

Clipping Masks

2009-07-09T11:02:00.003Z

Here's my photo for today's class, using a clipping mask to get the worn edge effect. The photo is of Durdle Door which we visited when we went to Dorset in May

Here are a couple of my latest layouts

Rebecca at the disco on holiday

and a Thorpe Park trip in 2006

Photo Editing Class 3

2009-07-08T09:54:00.004Z

Here's what I managed with the third of my jessicasprague classes.
I took this picture..............

...and turned it into this one.....

I liked the original as it was but the techniques I tried were:
Adding the frame,
saturating and blending the colour,
and adding a star brush.

Photo Editing Class

2009-07-07T10:54:00.003Z

I've just enrolled on a free photo editing class by Jessica Sprague to try and finally get to grips with Photoshop Elements.
Class one taught us how to add frames and special effects. The colours weren't quite right for my photo but hopefully I've got the technique under my belt.

The second class was about using digital brushes and resizing and colouring them. I might have to see if I can now change the colour on my first picture using the same technique

I'm really enjoying this class as it is very quick and well explained and I've already learnt quite a lot about layers which has always confused me. Can't wait for tomorrows lesson now.

Alex and Rebecca are off to the opticians this afternoon as when we were out on a train the other weekend I realised Alex couldn't read the timetable board. He's definitely going to need specs and Rebecca may well do as well.

Latest Layouts

2009-04-30T11:23:00.004Z

These are some of the layouts I've completed in the last couple of months. Most of them using Sarah's Cards Kits.

Becca at her birthday party last summer. Using Pink Paisley Sweet Cakes and scraplifting from Natalie in their design team

Becca posing on the beach again using the Pink Paisley kit

A rare photo of us all together, taken at Walmer Castle. Using Daisy Bucket, In the Meadow papers, scraplifted from the design booklet

Becca with her hen, Ella. Also Daisy Bucket and scraplifted from the design team book

Becca (again) posing in the garden last summer. Basic Grey Sultry papers and using a sketch from UKScrappers

Chook pics and the children proudly holding their first eggs. Using Basic Grey Mellow and a Page Maps sketch

Ed and Becca conker picking in the park. Using Bella Blvd Swing into Spring kit.

Becca eating strawberries at the Oyster Festival in Whitstable last summer. Using My Minds Eye Maggie May kit and inspiration from Rachel on the design team.
I now feel really guilty that all my layouts are of Rebecca. My next two must be of the boys.

Rebecca's Birthday Minibook

2009-04-29T11:22:00.002Z

Having finally got round to taking all the photos off my camera I thought I'd post some of my recent scrapping.
I made this mini book with a Sarah's Cards Kit - Pink Paisley Sweet Cakes range

The birthday girl

Opening her presents

and more presents

Big brother helping her to read her cards

Her birthday party at Jungle Jims and her High School Musical cake

Playing at her party

Her party tea

Riding her new scooter in the garden

Holiday Snaps Part 1 - Farmer Palmer's

2009-04-21T10:04:00.004Z

We've just come back from a fun but exhausting holiday in Dorset so here are a few snaps so I don't forget what we did.
One of the best days out we had was to Falmer Palmer's which was only a short drive from a holiday park

There was plenty there to do all day. The children all had a go at feeding the baby goats

The farm takes in all the lambs whose mothers can't feed them and then they get all the children to feed them every day

Jamie's favourite animal was the pig

They had a piglet race which we all enjoyed apart from Becca who cried because her one came last

They had an easter egg hunt

Jamie's favourite animal was the pig

The children were allowed to groom the ponies

Alex took Rebecca on a rather sedate go kart ride

With Becca at the wheel they whizzed round much faster

We went on a fun nature trail where Becca spotted an ant

Jamie and Holly

Sampling the local ice cream

Jamie loved that pig. He wanted to bring him home.

Now the children all want to be farmers

Cyber Crop

2009-02-12T12:50:00.002Z

It was the UKS Cyber Crop at the weekend so I spent a few hours on Saturday doing these two classes

Jamie on his 10th birthday, posing in his new Spurs top.

The children on a trip to Walmer castle with Ed's dad.
It has got me keen to do a bit more scrapping so I am now concentrating on getting my Scrap your Day album up to date. I finished August and September this morning so only October to January to go!!
I'm also trying to eat as little as possible today and tomorrow as we want to get weighed for our Weightwins programme on Saturday so then we can have a couple of pigout days. I have lost 4 1/2 lb of the 6lb I need to lose this month so I'm sure I can get that little bit extra off.

Craft and chickens (again)

2009-02-04T11:49:00.002Z

We've had a major rethink over the chickens accommodation as you can see they have demolished the lawn so the weekend before last we bought some woodchip and redesigned their run.
We've put the chip down at the front with a large part sectioned off at the back with soil for them to dustbathe. They seem to like it. We've also added some wood for them to perch on and a CD which they are supposed to like to play with.
Then we bought some netting to confine them to an area when we let them out for a bit each day. Doesn't Becca look pleased with it all. Jamie is pleased as he can now kick his ball around without stepping in chicken poo.
Here are some of my latest craft offerings. I've not done a lot lately but have managed to do some of the boys' pics for a change.

Alex with his bear we got him last Christmas. I used a kit nan got me for Christmas.

Jamie, aged 4 months, made with a Sarah's Cards page kit

Jamie, aged 2, using Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo papers

A card I made with one of my bargain Sizzix dies.
I've spent a small fortune in their 90% off sale so need to get using it all now.

Chick Pics

2009-01-21T12:24:00.004Z

I've finally got round to sorting out my photos, placed a massive order with Photobox and thought I would try to get some up on my blog over the next few days.

First up are my chicken pictures:

Becca with her chicken - Ella

The five of them having just discovered Ed's plants - there are now no plants left in the garden!! Left to right - Ella, Camilla (Jamie's), Kristina (Alex's), Flavia (Mine) and Lilia (Ed's)

Look at that huge Egg at the back - the egg box won't shut it is so big. It weighed about 90g

It turned out to be a double yolker and we've had three like it so far. Not sure who lays them though

The chickens out in the frost.

Chickens

2008-10-13T06:06:00.003Z

We are all excited about getting our chickens after picking them at the weekend. We went to churchmans farm and picked 2 Brown Nicks, a Bovans Nera, a Maran Cuivree and a Coral and hope to pick them up mid-November when the cube has arrived for them.
The first week of my diet is successfully finished. I lost 5lb although am a bit disappointed as I had lost that by Friday. Maybe I shouldn't weigh myself every day. I must have put a few pounds on recently (well I know I have) as I have got back into the Wii Fit after a few months break and my little Mii expanded a bit round the waist despite last week's weight loss. A bit disheartening but has made me all the more determined to be strict. We had a scrummy shallot, Parmesan and rocket salad with prawn fishcakes while SCD was on on Saturday. Much healthier than a takeaway!

Positive Mood

2008-10-10T12:57:00.002Z

I'm feeling in a positive mood today. My computer seems better (it has been crashing on me a lot lately which puts me off blogging a bit), we've just had new radiators put in and I have started a new diet.
I went to the shops with mum on Monday to stock up on choc for my diet, going back to my methods which lost me over 2 stone before I had Alex, and so far I have lost 5lbs this week. I even got my workout dvds out this morning and salsacised round the living room. I mean business!!
Tomorrow we are off to Churchman's Farm to choose a chicken each as we are getting our Omlet cube delivered next month. Becca wants to call her chicken Anton. How gutted am I that he is out of Strictly already? Mind you I have been pleasantly surprised by Austin Healy so I think I will be supporting him this year, and, of course, John Sergant.
Here are some of my latest layouts.
This one was made with one of my Scraproom kits which, unfortunately, I am thinking of cancelling as it is from the US and the exchange rate is not too good at the moment. The photos are Becca making Dalek biscuits.

And here she is helping Ed in the garden. She really is just the perfect daughter (cough cough)

Alex's hamster, Willow

and Becca's hamster, Nibbles, aka Ella.

Last week I decided to change the children's rooms around and turn their "playroom" into their "living room" to try and encourage them to use it a bit more. I think it is going to look better once it has got past the bomb site stage as, having had the radiators changed, all the rooms are chaos. Anyway, I am still upbeat and positive about it and tidiness and calm feel achievable. After a quick play on facebook, that is.