Scraps & Memories

A night out with the girls!

2010-07-03T10:24:00.009+01:00

Last night a group of us girls met up to go for a meal at International Starters, Leith, Edinburgh. You had a choice of starters from around the world in these categories: Mediterranean, Asian, The Americas and Scotland. From these categories we all chose differnt foods from these categories. I was Americas and picked the loaded potato skins here is the menu which will be easier to understand rather than my daft explanation! It's a fabby idea I think! The meal was delicious as was the company!

The desserts looked scrummy - I didn't try any because I was too stuffed with what I'd already eaten!

Congratulations to Leanne!

2010-07-01T18:17:00.007+01:00

All wrapped up with bow and gift card:

Almost complete - as you can almost see, some of the "ingredients" which are
discreetly hidden by nappies and muslin squares:Yay - the satin ribbon/bows + ribbon teddy topper in situ:

A close-up of hand made ribbon bow + Sizzix baby carriage die-cut gift tag:

Gift tag only with Sizzix Sizzlet "Cherish" alphabet used:

I'd received a phone call last Friday from the secretary from Alwynne's primary school with a request to make a nappy cake for one their members of staff, Leanne. Leanne has a lot of patience and is indeed a lovely lady who normally cares for a special needs kiddy at the school. The nappy cake was to be made in time for her finishing up work to go on maternity leave today [which is also our end of term]! Usually I prefer at least 2 week's notice but I made an exception seeing as I had been all organised with making the teachers end of term thank you gifts.

Instead of the usual "neutral" colours such as pastel yellow. mint, cream tones, I wanted something a little more modern and used chocolate brown and a pale mint shade.

Now, there is an error here [which has now been rectified], I wonder if any of you will have noticed it?!

The Teachers Thank You Cards

2010-07-01T18:07:00.008+01:00

Both Miss Marr's and Mrs Mistlebrook's "Thank You" cards:

Mrs Mistlebrook's card - a combination of scalloped and layerd edges + machine stitching:
[sentiment from Stampin' Up!]

Miss Marr's "Thank You" card - close-up of dimensional adhesive pads in use:

Both Teachers gifts side by side

2010-06-27T22:56:00.001+01:00

Miss Marr's Altered Tissue Box

2010-06-27T22:23:00.006+01:00

I'd bought these fabric flowers some time ago for cardmaking classes I used to host and knew they would eventually become of use!! The only colours I'd bought were white flowers and pink flowers. I'd pondered on whether inking the white flower using the Dew Drop ink pads ...... and it turned out not too bad!! Papers were from a DCWV pad. Sizzix font used is "Cherish".

Miss Marr's Memo Note Block

2010-06-27T22:20:00.004+01:00

At the beach

2010-06-27T21:58:00.005+01:00

Yesterday [Saturday] was pretty overcast during the day and from time to time, we had droplets of rain visiting us. We met up with my sister Laura and her 2 kiddies at Portobello beach and the kids had a ball even with this kind of weather. We finished off our visit to the chippy :o) and bid our farewell after we sat down on benches to eat them. When we got home the sun decided to show up and my word it was a particularly gorgeous evening. It warmed up again with having the sun coming out and I decided to take my 2 youngest kids down to Longniddry beach along with our neighbours 2 kids. Armed with folding canvas chair and book etc, the kids just played down at the sea a little distance away as the tide was going out, and then amongst the rock pools etc. Again, they had a ball.

Look at this sunset:

The designers of this sand castle had not long vacated the beach:

Ali looking for shells:

Friday 25th June - Kai and Lou's Play Date

2010-06-27T21:39:00.004+01:00

I'm impressed! Look at me with the Kai and Lou either side of me!
[photo courtesy of L.Davies]

Lou exhausted:

My sister and I arranged a play date for our dogs to get acquainted as Lou hasn't really been up close running solo without lead with another dog. Kai is a little over 1 yr old and Lou is a little over 10 months old. They are both at the 'mouthing' stage when playing so it was good to see them both get on eventually in the park to the rear of our house. The got on well together so much so they played constantly in our back garden on our return! Their heads and necks were soaking with saliva. Lou is constantly casting his coat at the minute and Kai seems to have acquired some of them LOL!! Lou was totally exhausted afterwards.

Altered Tissue Box & Altered Memo Block for Mrs Mistlebrook

2010-06-24T21:36:00.006+01:00

Angled view of tissue box with 2 flowers + brads:

Side close-up of Sizzix flower and brad on box side panel:

Both tissue box and memo block showing Sizzix font [Nouveau]:

Close-up of layered Sizzix flower and brad on box lid:

To decorate both items, I've used PP from both these 6x6 pad from Paper Mania:

Altered Memo Paper Block for Teachers

2010-06-24T17:48:00.004+01:00

I came across these memo blocks in Lidls the other day when I was in doing some shopping. I bought 3 of them - 1 for myself [of course!] and the other 2 for Alwynne's teachers, Miss Marr and Mrs Mistlebrook.Now altered, this is side 1 complete with paper:

Side 2:

I thought this memo block is more suited for Mrs Mistlebrook :o) as she doesn't strike me as a girly girl if you get my meaning.

Frankie and Me School Production

2010-06-24T16:37:00.005+01:00

My daughter Alwynne, takes part in her school drama club. They have been rehearsing their parts in the play for some time now. For the last 2 weeks, the kids had been requested to start school earlier for 8.15 am so she's been kinda shell-shocked and tired of late. I managed to attend the afternoon performance at school and I was very impressed with their performance! It was funny and the costumes/make-up was particularly good! It was so good I attended the evening session too! Alwynne played the part of a ghost and I roughtly stitched up a ghost costume using an old sheet! Well done to SWP Drama Club!

S6 Prom Night [Friday 18th June]

2010-06-20T21:48:00.007+01:00

Marianne:

Ladies and gents:

Marianne and friend Shaun:

The gents:

The ladies:

Friday was my daughter's 6th year leaver's do or "Prom Night" to be held at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. The ladies and gents met at Shaun's house from where their mini bus was scheduled to depart from. This night seemed such a popular evening to organise quite a few proms from various high schools in the county as there wasn't a limo to be hired from anywhere!

The gents were very dapper and handsome arriving in their kilt/suit attire as were the ladies dressed in various lengths of dresses/ballgowns. I am very proud of my gorgeous and precious daughter and said so via modern technology - I had wanted to say to her before she went to her prom but feared I'd upset her and be responsible for her make-up running. Perhaps it's just as well we ran out of time before everyone bailed into the mini-bus. Anyway, I received a very nice text in receipt :o) - it made my day!

Facebook is a wonderful place to see all the different photos from Marianne's friends and fellow year mates......

Altered tissue boxes

2010-06-20T21:36:00.003+01:00

These are the colour tester pots I bought for this project following a wee trip to B & Q ..........

The boxes are now painted, ready for the next steps:

Hobbycraft goodies

2010-06-14T11:17:00.003+01:00

After being at the Scrapaholix class last Monday, I've been slowly getting in the mood to do some crafting of late! I thought a wee trip to Hobbycraft at Edinburgh Fort may inspire me and also to see if I could get some masculine papers in order to get my hubby's scrapbook done - I also wanted to see if they had the pillow box die for the Big Shot as I am starting to think about the teacher's end of school year "thank-you" gifts. Hobbycraft don't really stock a whole lot of 12x12 scrapping papers - more value pads from DCWV, Kay & Co etc. The 12x12 cardstock/paper selection they do have seem to be girly stuff. Even some monotone wedding paper could do - but nowt! I did come across the above Papermania pad with florals and thought some scrap style framed photos could do with that paper for the bedroom when I get round to decorating it. I came across the Sizzix die which is a sort of swirly stem with flowers on it - I thought I could use the stem as a 'flourish' in some way. The tub of buttons are fabby - it means any loose buttons I have in my sewing kit can just be added to the tub. I got the Cuttlebug photo corner die as it was reduced in a sale but I'm not sure just how effective it might be as my first tryout of the die meant all folds actually were cut - I think I'll have to look on the internet to see what it should look like once cut out.

The tissue boxes I came across by accident and I had originally picked up only 1 of them and did look around the shop more. It occured to my when browsing that it would make a different thank you gift for my daughter's teachers at the end of the year, so I went back and got another one to alter! I'd originally wanted to alter those very large wooden pegs you can get from Hobbycraft but having only one at home in an un-altered state, I certainly couldn't find any more in Hobbycraft on Friday. The tissue boxes will just have to do I'm afraid!

The gift bags I was thinking of adding a huge flower as an embellishment and cut out "T H A N K S" with my Sizzix orignal alphabet and adhering the letters to the bag also for a different effect.

Hubby's Scrapbook Album - WIP [work in progress]

2010-06-10T21:52:00.006+01:00

I haven't really worked on any scrapbooks or pages for a long while to be honest. However, after attending the Scrapaholix class, I've been inspired to re-kindle my mojo for scrapbooking [and hopefully my other crafts too!]. The album was intended for Stewart's 40th birthday but my work commitments and endless volunteering etc with the kids' school at that time meant I never seemed to have time to do anything. Hopefully that will change soon.

Stewart's [hubby] 42nd birthday will be upon us next weekend and I'm pretty sure the album still won't be ready in time - the main thing is, it's back as a work in progress effort!

Stewart as a baby with his grandparents:

Double layout:

Right LO of above:

Left LO of above:

Some facts in the little 1967 booklet:

Hits at the time of Stewart's birth in 1967:Little 1967 fact book:

Little booklet + CD of music at time of birth etc Layout:

Baby's first home with mum and dad:

Birth page:

Hubby's Scrapbook Album - Scrapaholix pages

2010-06-10T21:36:00.004+01:00

Using the remaining materials from the Scrapaholix project kit, I produced these 2 pages for my hubby's scrapbook album.

Scrapaholix completed project side 1:

Scrapaholix completed project side 2:

Scrapaholix project

2010-06-10T21:24:00.004+01:00

Rubons chosen to be used on my class project:

Advance apologies for the bevelled look of the photographed project! I had used plate stands to prop up the project in order to take the shot but I need somthing taller!!

The class was hosted and taught by Janine in Longniddry. The techniques were how to use rubons and acetate sheets. Janine gave us hints on how to use rubons properly and how to remove them if stray bits of rubon appeared on your project. Very informative.

Janine's demo project on display was fantastic! I couldnt trust myself to cut an aperture in the centre of 12x12 cardstock with a craft knife and mat. I then went on to start chopping away on my own accord - at one point I was a little concerned and wondered if the idea in my head would eventually transpire in front of my eyes LOL!! Not quite, but ho hum this seemed to be a happy accident!! I was quite pleased with the result nonethe less!

Wedding Season

2010-06-10T00:53:00.005+01:00

Its wedding season again!

Visit to Granny & Grandad's 17th May

2010-06-10T00:20:00.004+01:00

With Granny and Grandad [though Alwynne didn't want her photo taken]:Dad, Me and Laura, with our kids [again missing Alwynne & Marianne]:

Power to the girls:

The boys:

Just hangin' around:

Judith's 40th Birthday

2010-06-10T00:02:00.005+01:00

Judith's gift box, gift and 40th Birthday card:

A close-up of the sizzix layered flower + wedding pearl brad centrepiece:

Painted gift box lid and adhered grossgrain ribbon to edge:

Basic gift box from Hobbycraft painted with an emulsion tester paint pot:

Painted gift box base:

A close-up of details already on gift box:

Some of us gals who managed to meet up at the Kashmir Valley in Tranent for a birthday meal for Judith:

Easter Holidays

2010-06-09T23:56:00.006+01:00

The girls:

The boys:

The older girls Me and Laura:

The kids:

I was able to meet up with my sister and her kiddies for lunch but because the weather so nice, we decided to go for a walk to Liberton Dams beforehand. One day we took them to Bonnyrigg so a couple of pics are from that visit too!

York Minster trip photos:

2010-06-09T23:42:00.009+01:00

The Minster itself:

I quite liked some the "Ye Olde" style shop signs:

Some of the girls:

It was pouring with rain bless, and this chap was cycling so much he wasn't getting anywhere fast ......

There is actually someone beneath that outfit:
[at least they were warm and dry!]

The compere at the" spooky" tour:

Blogger wans't playing 'fair' this evening - every time I upload images and copy and paste my basic text, it goes all wonky on me hence me posting the photos separate!

Weekend trip to York Minster with the girls 29-21st March

2010-06-09T23:27:00.008+01:00

The girls and I took a wee train trip to York for a long weekend as a wee "getaway" which was fun. Such a shame it rained intently on the Saturday to which my jeans were soaked through right up to the knees - it didn't help they were of the bootleg cut and slightly longer than I would have desired!

I hadn't been since I was a kiddie with the family and had visited the railway museum. If I visit York again, I'll be making sure I visit the tourist attractions - it seemed the York Minster visit was mainly for shopping or pub visiting LOL!!

If anyone watches the lunchtime soap "Doctors" and saw the ongoing storyline with Dr Clay being kidnapped by a brother and sister duo [who appeared to be not the "full shilling"], well, I bumped into the actress who played the 'sister' of the duo!! Didn't think to get a photo but she did confirm on questioning that was who she was - I didn't want to be too rude and ask for a photo! My chum Kirsteen was there to witness this so I'm definitely not making it all up ;o)

Cheerleading Competition 26th March

2010-06-09T23:07:00.003+01:00

Alwynne took part again in the Tranent Cluster dance competition. The lady in the yellow top is Kayleigh Cameron, the group's dance teacher. The three dance teachers being introduced to the audience.

Alwynne and her school classmate as well as team mate both 'fliers'

Getting into position:

The Tranent Cluster did particularly well as Alwynne's group came 3rd and the younger Tranent cheerleading troupe came first! [again taught by Kayleigh].

Alwyyne's 10th Birthday - February

2010-06-09T22:43:00.002+01:00

I'm just getting round to sorting out some of the photos I've taken since January this year. I came across this photo from Alwynne's 10th birthday. I took the 4 of them to Dunbar Swimming Pool and for a bite to eat. This photo is deceiving as it looks as if the kids are dressed for summer [admittedly they are dressed for it!] but this was in the height of February, only a short while following the thaw of the really bad spell of snow and frost. On the way there, I had managed to hit a pot hole in the road which sounded like a huge 'Bang!' in the car and we all got a fright. I'm sure I was only going at 20 mph as there were cars parked on my side of the road and there was a fair bit of traffic in the oncoming lane and meant I couldn't drive to avoid the pot hole. I checked the car once we got to the pool - everything seemed fine as I had checked all the tyres/wheels. However, on our way back the car felt 'odd' and there was such a drone coming from it even with the stereo playing. I eventually managed to find a safe place to stop and check the car. OMG!! I had a flat tyre - not only that but a misshapen wheel! I had to phone Stewart to come to my aid and put the spare on. The kids got home later than planned as this was unfortunate. Now whenever I see a pot hole, I cringe fearing the worst!

Scrapaholix

2010-06-07T15:35:00.003+01:00

Well I'm off out tonight to my 1st East Lothian "Scrapaholix" class. I've subscribed to 3 classes starting tonight - I think they run monthly. I'm hoping I will get my creative mojo back with these classes. I've started getting my tools ready like my 12" and smaller paper trimmers, tool box, a few punches and inks - boy oh boy!! It's been way long before Christmas since I did anything really crafty and the dust has certainly settled on my stash and tools storage area. I've used the Dyson to remove the dust off from even my wee trolley cart!

Hopefully I'll have created something good this evening and will have something to show on my blog tomorrow or Weds at latest!

Wish me luck!

New MP3 downloaded albums

2010-06-07T00:09:00.005+01:00

I'm currently listening to these artists's albums at the minute - a real mixture! [all images courtesy of Amazon.co.uk]

Following on from a recent post, a trak "Kandi" from One Eskimo was played as background music in the last scene of Bones the week before last. A British band who have been the supporting act for various artist concert tours such as Paolo Nutini etc. It seems they have hit it bigger in the USA as all their tours are over there!

An upbeat album to be listening to from this young lady:

Another inspiring album which I received for Mother's Day this year from the kids:

Florence and the Machine - some of their tracks have been played on the TV as background music to programme trailers. Her voice is quite unique and I quite like some of funky lyrics in this album:

Last but not least, Mr Buble, the modern day "crooner" - fabby cruisin' in the car music to be listening to!

Meet "Lou"

2010-06-06T23:39:00.004+01:00

Meet "Lou" our 10mths old GSD. He's goregous isnt he? After much deliberation and almost 1 yr following the loss of our other GSD "Sunny", we adopted him from a couple with very young children back in November 2009 - at which time he was almost 6 months old. They had found that they didnt quite have the time to spend with him so unfortunately we have taken on someone else's mistakes with regard to training Lou! He was originally named Balou [as in Balou the bear!] but he most definitely didnt reply to our calling him that - perhaps we hadnt mastered his previous owners 'pitch' if you get my meaning! He's quite a handful - quite a large dog for even bein 10 months old people don't realise he is still very much a puppy.

Series 5 Bones Finale

2010-05-28T13:57:00.005+01:00

OMG!! What an episode that was!! Absolutely brilliant! Did you also manage to hear the song track played at the end? It gave me goosebumps so much so that I did a lyric search online. It's an old song sung by various artists such as Patsy Cline, Candi Staton etc. Anyways, I've not heard of this band but their lead singer has an unusual fabby voice - "One Eskimo" this track is called "Kandi"very inspirational. Hope you enjoy!

Apologies

2010-05-28T13:54:00.002+01:00

Apologies to all who follow my blog! Not been on much - lots of things going on, good and bad.

I've kinda lost my mojo of late craft-wise - hopefully that will pick up again as I've joined a Scrappaholix group 1st meeting on 7th June scrapbooking related. I'm also trying to get the camera out again and start taking those all meaning pictures!

So onwards and upwards!!

Slow Cooking Recipes - Netmums

2010-01-21T15:05:00.005Z

I'd received an Amazon gift voucher from my work colleagues and thought I'd check out the site after receiving an email from Amazon regarding their deals on electricals.

Wow!! I've managed to buy a 6 portion "Entertaining and Cafe" George Foreman which also looks like a sandwich press for just £32.00 from Amazon!! That's a fantastic price considering it would cost us between £60 and £70 to replace the "seen better days" model we currently have. The non-stick has now rubbed off - can't complain as the GF has been used regularly and with a family of 5 ........ To overcome the failure of the 'non-stick' coating, I've been using those sheets you can buy - you know, same material that makes those "pop in the toaster" style sandwich bags. Anyways, I'll be glad when that arrives - no more scrubbing of the old one. I now need to do some research in how to get rid of it - it certainly does not belong in the wheely bin!! That's what I've gone and used my voucher on - yeah I know what a boring thing to buy but I am trying to be practical and at that price I couldn't afford not to buy the GF LOL!!

Another purchase I made was of a larger, 6.5 litre slow cooker - again from Amazon for a bargain price of £22.99!! I've discovered a UK site which is for mums - this site has an array of information etc including recipes for a slow cooker or "crock pot" as it is also known as. You can find the Netmums site here.

**NB - Images courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

Sledging in a fashion!

2010-01-06T02:11:00.005Z

We decided to take advantage of the weather conditions and take the kids sledging [or is it sledding?]. Only we didn't have proper sledges but used old trays instead - I remember the days of whirling down hills on old metal baking sheets or trays!! My nephew came with us and the 3 kids seemed to have a fab time whirling down the slope in the 'Pans.

2010 Calendars for the teachers!

2010-01-04T19:29:00.006Z

I had bought 2 x "Oxfam Unwrapped" gifts for my youngest daughter's 2 jobshare teachers. In the run up to Christmas, I hadn't had enough time nor the mojo to make anything "crafty" like I normally do for the teachers at Christmas time. I think the unwrapped gift ideas are original, totally different from traditional as far as gifts go. I do hope they are received well by Tracy Marr and Tina Mistlebrook :o) One of the gifts is a supply of clean water for 10 people and the other was school supplies such as pencils, jotters etc. If you are looking for something similar, here is the link to Oxfam unwrapped.

Both handcrafted calendar stands were created with chipboard covered with pps from 2x different DCWV pads. If you want/need instructions, please email me on HForlow@aol.com with "Calendar Template" in the subject box. I have placed photo corners on the stands to allow same sized calendars to be displayed in future years.

A close-up:

"Charms" created with chipboard, Bazill CS and die cut with Sizzix; blue photo corners created with Bazill CS/chipboard/Sizzix die cut; ribbons with buttons stitched and attached to the BIA O Wires; other ribbon tied to O wires also.

Ribbons secured by tying or stitching; buttons stitched to ribbon with DMC skeins; "Smile" bread tag from embellishment stash [sorry, I don't seem to recall where I got it from]

A close-up of charms and tag:

I placed the calendar stands in large cellophane card wraps [hobbycraft supplies] and sealed. The paper bows I created myself with patterned paper - apparently they look better with double-sided PP but I wanted to use the left-over supplies to match the calendar display stands. I want to re-think the sizes as I felt the paper bows were over-sized for these projects. Again, if you want/need instructions on how to make the paper bows, email me on: HForlow@aol.com

A close-up of the paper bows:

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-04T19:25:00.002Z

Happy New Year and best wishes of health and happiness for all in the year 2010

My first "official" post relating to 2010!! [Yes, I know I've recently posted - I failed to keep up with my blog over the festive period for one reason or another LOL!!]

Jammin' on Christmas Day

2010-01-04T19:08:00.004Z

Belated Christmas cheer to all my readers - many thanks and lots of appreciation for stopping by to read and keep up with my blog! I hope the festive period has been kind to you and you have enjoyed sharing with friends and/or family!! Thoughts went to families and friends who are no longer here.......

Just as Christmas was fast approaching, it was equally fast departing LOL ........

Photos above taken of my youngest 2 kids jammin' away on the XBox World Tour Band thingummy game....... I had a go at the singing - but it certainly wasn't quite as easy as it looks - gimme the PS2 Singstar any day LOL!!

The kids didn't get as much this year - partly due to gaining a lot over the previous years and partly due to the fact that my kids' birthdays sit around lateish November, late January and mid-February time and partly due to lack of funds this year - money isn't everything but special people and family means EVERYTHING.

Oh but we must not forget this having being a 'proper' white Christmas in a very long time indeed - really special - I am just wishing I had managed to capture an image on Christmas day just like I had planned - inevitably, I didn't manage to get round to it with getting dinner etc organised.

Miss Black is having a baby!

2009-12-21T00:18:00.002Z

Marianne had asked me to make up a nappy cake for her teacher - no problem! Congrats to Carrie Black.

Black sparkly glitter discovery!

2009-12-21T00:12:00.003Z

I discovered black sparkly glitter in Hobbycraft yesterday!! I had an idea/inspiration taken from a mass produced Christmas card. It had a black glittery snowflake on it - it was really quite pretty - not this is having the same effect though I quite like it just the same!

Tag cut using Sizzix scallop tag from the combo set. Red card. Versamark and stamp from an SU! Christmas stamp set. Glitter set [hopefully] with hairspray. Nothing too fancy but the final product looked quite good on these little paper bags from a Christmas set from Ikea.

Colleagues' Christmas presents all wrapped

2009-12-20T23:56:00.003Z

Not the best produced image - this was taken using my mobile phone camera [which I hate using to take photos]. Kirsten's desk! The present at the rear of the photo with large silver florist bow + Gingerbread man gift tag is for Kirsten.

Basic ribbon start:

Handmade bow using ribbon + button - this was a labour of love combined with sewing, a plain button and a glue gun!

Neice and Nephew's Christmas Cards

2009-12-20T23:50:00.002Z

I made these personalised Christmas cards for my niece and nephew:

A close-up of the star brads as tree toppers:

SU! Scallop edge punch used + Sizzix Snowflake die coated with SU! "Stampin Glitter"; PPs by Papermania Christmas pad:

Lettering cut using Sizzix "Fun Serif" and "Nouveau" Sizzlet alphabets.

Secret Santa at work

2009-12-20T23:36:00.003Z

For the 1st time in years, I have been invited to take part in the office "Secret Santa" . I am not giving the game away as to what the gift was - unfortunately the £5.00 budget doesn't stretch too far - the recipient may well be disappointed after seeing how the gift is wrapped LOL!! I thought I'd make an extra effort with regards to the wrapping.

The paper is basic brown wrapping paper - it's not the thickest or strongest of paper so the paper was 'wound' round the gift a couple of times to prevent any inevitable ripping. I dug out some of the leftover Christmas wire edged ribbon and set to wrap it round the gift making a bow. At least with the wire edging, it's easier to manipulate the bow to the desired effect.

A lovely wire ribbon bow:

Once everything was in place, I stamped one corner of the exposed wrapping paper with an SU! sentiment stamp from a Chrismas set:

Next I got to work on the gift tag. Using the jumbo scallop tag die from Sizzix, I cut a tag using red cardstock. I then stamped the swirly image with an SU! stamp wheel with Versamark, added the gold embossing powder, set it with the heat gun. The "To" and "From" details were printed using my computer and printer overlapping the gold embossing - a happy accident!

Completely wrapped:

Some Christmas Cards

2009-12-20T23:10:00.004Z

I managed a couple of weeks ago to get started on my Christmas cards...........

Heat embossed silver "Joy" Cards - Sentiment and Baroque Motif stamp from Stampin' Up!

Oval Scallop punch [Woodware] + SU! Scallop edge punch used here along with the Stampin' Up markers colouring in the Christmas tree [from an SU! stamp set]:

This card is slightly different from the card above in that I have embossed 1/3 of the card with an embossing folder:

Snowflake stamp and sentiment stamp from Stampin' Up! stamp sets. Scallop circle embossed with snowflake embossing folder. Circles cut using various sized circle punches.

More embossing with folders sentiment from an SU! stamp set:

I did the snowfall scene embossing on red card and using versamark then heat embossed with white embossing powder showing the design outlines in red greeting sentiment from an SU! stamp set:

A close up:

Santa embossed:

Scallop circle framing embossed Santa:

PP from a papermania pad; tag cut using Sizzix tag die; SU! scallop circle punch - stamps produced by SU!:

Silver embossed stamped snowflake [stamp from SU!]:

A blog award!

2009-12-12T18:24:00.010Z

How fabby is it to receive an award?

I received this award from Mar who has recently came back to the world of blogging - please take a wee look - Mar is remarkable woman. Mar's absence has been sorely missed but only due to the fact that having recently undergone intensive back surgery and and now in rehabilitation, no wonder Mar hasn't been around on the net too much. Glad to see you return and blogging honey!!

I have to list 5 things I like doing & then pass the award on to 5 blogging friends.

Spending time with my family

Crafting now that my mojo has returned!

Driving now that I have recently passed my test and got "Cilla"

Spending time with friends

Listening to my Ipod

Now to award 5 of my friends:

Denise - see her blog here
Monica - see her blog here
Emma - see her blog here
Alex - see her blog here
Denise - see her blog here

Very inspirational blogs - and very talented ladies - enjoy!

The Crimbo Tree is Up!

2009-12-08T16:58:00.003Z

I'd promised the kids that I'd get the Christmas tree up on Sunday but due to the time I spent at work on Sunday, it was too late to start setting up. So the kids were happy with my suggestion that if I built up the tree in time for them finishing school for the day - they could dress it up.

It's an 8 foot tree so I could only get so much of the tree in shot but was too lazy to go look out the wide angle lens!

Without camera flash:

With camera flash:

Party Season Survival Kit Commission

2009-12-08T16:52:00.002Z

Here is a party season survival kit I made a couple of weeks ago on behalf of a friend to donate to a school fundraising event Scottish Ceilidh. Alison tried to get me to charge for items etc and I didn't oblige only due to all the help Alison had given our school fundraising group and school Parent Council over the last couple of years whilst I was an active member. But I have to say a big "THANKS" and appreciation to Alison as she had very generously given me a half bottle of Grouse for my troubles!

A wee "Thank You" card

2009-12-08T16:50:00.000Z

Just another little "Thank you" card for my sister Laura & her family.

Congratulations to Carrie!

2009-12-08T16:22:00.004Z

Congratulations to my cousin's daughter Carrie, who gave birth to a wee bouncing boy, 8lbs and 8 oz on Sunday 6th December at 4.20 pm. Congratulations also to the new grandparents, Lisa and Davy!!

My 40th Birthday Celebrations - with the family

2009-12-08T16:16:00.005Z

The birthday girl!:

Ali & wee Stewart:
Just about to blow out the candles:

I'll huff and I'll puff......:

Mum & Dad:

My 40th Birthday - celebrations with the girls

2009-12-08T15:39:00.009Z

OUT ON THE 30th OCTOBER:

Myself & Alison: Debbie & Ali:

Ali looking in the cake bag ......:
Sheila and Donna:

Margaret. Judith, Suz, Mandy and Sheila:

[left to right]

My 40th Birthday presents

2009-12-08T15:19:00.006Z

My stress-reducing kit from Sharon, David and Rhuaridh:

My wee "birdie" gift from Jude et al:

Various jewelry & gifts:

"Cilla" - my wee 'runaround'

My 40th Birthday!

2009-12-08T14:57:00.009Z

Yep!! On 31st October 2009, it was my 40th Birthday!!

I had planned to have a birthday bash [party] but with having various other demands on our finances, it was perhaps best not to have a party [I really needed a real good knees up]. Instead my friend Suzanne had organised a wee "quiet" drink with the girls and had invited me on the evening before - I had just assumed it was just a night out with the girlies. How wrong was I?! We all met up in "Keepers" in Tranent for a blether and a wee drink. Only the girls had presented a fabulous chocolat birthday cake in the shape of a champagne bottle with lit candles and the pub went TOTALLY quiet whilst they sang "Happy Birthday" to me!! My wee face was buzzin' red so it was LOL!!! A really nice surprise!! The girls also presented a birthday card with a fair bit of money enclosed - I was geniuinely gobsmacked as I hadn't really expected it. The girls said that they could have gotten me a present for my 40th but also knew I hankered after a wee car for myself. It was suggested that I could put the money towards a wee car - and that's exactly what I did a little later on!!

I received lovely gifts in the form of a litre bottle of whiskey from Ethan, one of Marianne's chums; an Amazon gift voucher from Lynne and Sarah from work [including a box of choccies] - I managed to buy a basic Sat Nav with this; Money from my eldest sister Joyce; lovely sparkly earrings from my sister Laura, Jamie and the kids; A miniature bottle of Grouse Whiskey with a couple of chocs and engraved "Famous Grouse" whiskey glass from Jude & Co; A gorgeous little heart pendant necklace from Denise and Dan; A gorgeous heart pendant necklace from Fiona, Scott and kids; A gorgeous butterfly pendant necklace from my mum and dad along with a litre bottle of Grouse + they very generously took Stewart, me and the kids out for a terrific celebratory meal; my favourite Cerrutti 1881 perfume from the kids; a stress-reducing kit from Sharon, David and Ruaridh; I received a beautiful silver necklace and matching earrings from my parents-in-law. Last but not least, my wee car - a combined 40th B'day gift from Stewart and all the birthday monies I had received.

Many, many thanks to you all!!

Childhood photos

2009-12-08T14:51:00.004Z

Me, Denise and Joyce:

Me sleeping on Nana Combe's knee hugging 'Ted':

Me, Denise and Joyce at a later date circa late 70s:

Picturesque Stobo Castle

2009-12-06T20:54:00.008Z

The famously advertised Scottish Spa destination:

The monogrammed luxurious bath robe:

The Japanese water gardens well worth visiting:

Autumnal Stobo:

Above are some of the photos I took whilst on walkabout on the grounds of Stobo Castle - The Japanese Water Garden. Blissfully full of vibrant nature - Sooo Stobo.

Stobo Castle Treatment Oct 2009

2009-12-04T15:27:00.010Z

Lounging around waiting to be called for our treatment sessions:

Breakfast time:

En route in our Stobo dressing gowns:

Evening time:

Oooh heck!!

2009-12-04T14:54:00.003Z

I've been extremely busy since I passed my driving test plus having little spates of 'lost mojo' etc in the last couple of months. You crafty people will know what I am on about!! Having lost my mojo, has meant I haven't really been spending much time online either - not like me at all. I'm the woman who feels one of her limbs have been chopped off whenever I haven't had my daily internet fix. Hopefully my mojo is starting to creep back a wee bit.

Up until about 4 weeks ago, I'd not really had much opportunity over the last couple of months to put my new driving skills to practice. It had been 4 weeks following the passing of my driving test that I eventually managed to get out and drive the Mondeo of all cars. I must have taken my bravery tablets that morning cos it went from bad to worse on that maiden journey completely finished off with someone who overtook me at the entrance of the car park!! I had stopped to let the school kids cross the entrance as they had the 'right of way' only I hadn't moved fast enough for another female motorist who assumed wrongly that I had indicated to park up on the left which was all wrong as I knew I would have been too close to the car park entrance. It could only happen to me - if I didn't have any bad luck, I'd definitely have no luck at all LOL!! It would be another 4 weeks before I got to drive over a couple of days whilst the car was in the garage getting fixed.

So not too great a start to my driving career and a painful excess of £400 to fork out.

I've done it!!!!!

2009-09-01T18:22:00.003+01:00

On Monday 24th August, 2009 - I sat my driving test and passed - YAY!!! It still hasn't sunk in - only due to the fact I haven't been able to drive at all :o( for the moment. I am gutted to say the least. Hubby enquired about getting me on the insurance to drive the Ford Mondeo we have and apparently even at my age [39 - gulp!], it is still quite a bit expensive to get me on the insurance - he fell at that first hurdle. I am not a happy camper! Even if I did get on the insurance, I feel it is just too big for me to drive in - I'm not quite 5 foot tall and to me this is quite a big car!! Hubby's 6 ft 3"

We also have a SORN Ford Escort sitting in the driveway. This I have had to push my hubby into getting sorted for me. Yesterday he actually got the bonnet open and charged up the battery! Today he started it up and it started 1st time apparently. That sounds promising or does it? LOL. Stewart says there is a lot of work needed to be done on it to get it back on the road. I'm kinda wishing I'd just saved up to buy a wee jalopy now cos it'll winter time before I'll probs get round to driving. I've been learning to drive since March this year so he's had plenty of time to tinker about on it - quite a sore point I've had to raise with him!

Anyways - you are never too old to learn to drive!!

Back to School

2009-08-20T10:49:00.004+01:00

In our district, the kids returned to school yesterday. I think the kids were definitely ready for school with having the long school holidays [though appreciate the teachers won't agree LOL!!]. Marianne's now in 6th year, that's my son, now moved up to the big school, and Ali is now in P6. Where has the time gone?

Singstar vs Guitar Hero

2009-08-20T10:36:00.004+01:00

Me:

Suzanne and Kerryanne:

Margaret and Karen:

Lauren, Margaret in middle [only just] and Sean:

Kerryanne and Christine:

Jude and Alan:

Fee V:

Cara Playing GH and Darren:

Ali playing Guitar Hero:

I had decided at the very last minute to have a get-together with friends and family before the kids went back to school. A wee social evening really. A few friends/rellies hadn't really been able to make it mostly due to it being such short notice - they were most definitely missed. It was a really good night anyway - with the entertainment being Singstar or Guitar Hero - what a hoot!! I seem to sing okay without the mikes - you know the sort of singing - the kind you do when preparing the dinner etc LOL!!! The minute I am on Singstar - skinned cat and screeches can only define my singing LOL - I was brave and so were the audience!!

Some 3x3 Notelets made

2009-08-07T17:47:00.003+01:00

Just a few wee 3x3 notelet cards I've been making over last night and today at a leisurely pace ;o) More details here.

Discoveries

2009-08-04T01:19:00.006+01:00

Yep it really is after 1 am where I am at the moment!! This evening I had intended to do something crafty seeing as I have the table set up - I just did NOT get round to it! Why?! I thought I'd look through my folders in my 'favourites' on AOL - quite jumbled up I think. The short of it is, I've sifted through what I've wanted to keep, came across some broken links for some of the websites and some websites no longer exist LOL!!! That's how long ago I've probably actually used those websites. I've tweaked this blog a bit and sorted out a photography list, a downloads list for templates and ideas, quotes and verses list etc. I even came across blogs recently added to my favourites and now transferred them on to my follow list or blog list in the margin. It's been time consuming I hadn't even realised the time!! Discovering lots of bookmarked sites I want to keep, discovering lots of sites no longer in use, discovering internet housekeeping can be time consuming.

Anyways, another discovery I've made today along with the help of my eldest daughter and 1 of her best friends. Marianne had apparently asked me on a few occasions in the past whether I knew her chum's dad. She tried to describe him and I hadn't 'clicked' and said I didn't know of anyone to that description. Sunday night Marianne's friend stayed over. On Monday we got talking later on in the day and again Marianne said I should know her friend's dad as he worked in the Blood Transfusion Service. I had replied that it would depend when he worked there as I had left that employment a good few years ago! It wasn't until her friend said he was still working there and said his name. I about fell off my seat with shock and laughter LOL!!! YES!! I do indeed know her dad - in fact I had worked with him when I was a lab assistant and socialised on Christmas pub lunches etc!!! I even know her granny and grandad too!! I am already friends with said friend's mum whom I met through another friend and had even been to Stobo Castle with her!! Jeezo - a very small world indeed!!!

We humans are apparently separated by a distance of 8 people - at least that's what I recall - I would never have believed it in a month of Sundays LOL!!!

Holidaying in Aviemore - Friday

2009-07-28T14:18:00.010+01:00

Tigress with cubs in background:

Ali looking particularly scared:

How beautiful?!:

Majestic deer out in the rainfall:

An arctic fox - tiny and fluffy!:

Wild boar:
Friday we went to the Highland Wildlife Park where we saw the new tiger cubs which were very cute but mum’s paws were huge!! Lots of other animals on site too. We were kinda gutted we missed the beaver as it had just gone into its hideout and never appeared again. The owls were magnificent. The arctic foxes look tiny and fluffy!! We went to the platform to see the wolves but didn’t see them. It wasn’t until we went round the main resort in the car when we saw them running about their enclosure just as we were about to exit the course! Again we finished off the day by having our dinner at the resort restaurant again. Bang goes weight watchers!

Holidaying in Aviemore - Thursday

2009-07-28T13:48:00.008+01:00

In Carrbridge itself:

On Thursday we set off for the “Landmark” forest adventure park in Carrbridge just along the road from our lodge. Every time we’ve passed the park, the car park has been full to brimming and we hadn’t realised there was an over-flow car park to the rear of the premises. It was no different today as the adventure park was heaving with people again! We went on the tree-top trail, climbed the platform to see above the treetops and across a huge distance of land and forestry – amazing! There were plenty of activities for adults and children. Water slides, climbing. There are 2 large ‘arena’ type platforms complete with chutes to slide down. There are 2 suspension/tension climbing lines – 1 for a minimum height suitable for kiddies and the other suitable for the adults. People who took part in that were harnessed up and secured to a wire rope above them. Ali was desperate to go on the water slides so she went on with her dad and eventually with me – I can honestly say I am not all that keen on them - I screamed coming down the slide and then couldn’t stop laughing at the bottom of the slide which meant I couldn’t get out of the dinghy!

2 of 3 water slides:

[you can just about see Stewart and Ali between the slide and the dinghy ramp]

The viewing platform high up above the trees:

Big Stewart on the suspension/tension climber:

Yay - wee Stewart on same activity as his dad:

Ali coming down the tame slide in the 'playpark' area:

We entered “Micro World” which was okay but may have been far better had the magnifying glasses and some of the exhibits/microscope ‘slides’ were in top condition – most were all scratched and difficult to see and some of the equipment either wasn’t working or secure as it should have been. The ‘slides’ for the microscopes should have been secure and still be able to be turned to see under magnification.

We finished off the day by having dinner at the restaurant at the resort which was delicious. The kids eventually managed to get access to the tennis court as every time they wanted to use it, it was already occupied. The entertainment was from a chap who was apparently a “runner up” in “Stars in their Eyes” from tv. He was okay, not as good as the previous evening’s entertainment. I personally felt he was trying to sound all American with his singing.

Holidaying in Aviemore - Wednesday

2009-07-28T13:32:00.009+01:00

A regular forrest visitor - the red squirrel:

A magnificent osprey

[image courtesy of Loch Garten Reserve website]:

Wednesday we paid a visit to Loch Garten Osprey Visitor Centre to see the osprey chicks at the famous osprey nest. Magnificent to watch – not only did we see the chicks at the nest and some in flight, we saw lots of other birds visiting the bird feeders situated in front of the visitor centre. There is an RSPB blog set up for keeping up-to-date with the ospreys who will be preparing for their migration to Africa. There is also a 'live' feed from the cameras filming the nests here.

On the way back to the car, Ali and I need to use the loos. Well, if you haven’t been before, they aren’t your traditional toilets. There were the usual ‘ladies’ and ‘gents’ loos. However, once you got in your cubicle, it was a raised platform with a regular toilet seat with lid. Once you lifted the lid, it revealed a hole in the platform. These were ‘environmental toilets’. I shant explain – I think the photo will!

We were going to visit the reindeer centre but we were advised we weren’t wearing shoes suitable for the very muddy conditions as there was a 20 minute trek up the hill [following a short drive] before we actually got to see the reindeer. We decided not to borrow their wellies which were kindly offered and alternatively went for a spot of lunch at the Italian restaurant at the end of the main street in Aviemore called “La Taverna”. We spent a good couple of hours there before heading back to our lodge – we could have done with a sleep as we had full bellies LOL!! [image courtesy from La Taverna website]

Having had the equivalent of a lunch combined dinner, we popped home for a coffee before setting off to the clubhouse for a wee tipple for both of us and also to let the kids play in the ‘games’ room. It was “Scottish Evening”. We had no idea what that would have involved. All was revealed when a rather surprising younger-than-us chap arrived and set up with an accordion, which we actually thoroughly enjoyed as he was excellent to listen to and shared his good humour. He had an assistant arrive a short while after he played the accordion. His assistant was Jordan - an 11 year old piper who was excellent in his performance, though a little shy. It was revealed that he had taken part in regional competitions and was about to take part in another competition last weekend.

Holidaying in Aviemore - Tuesday

2009-07-28T13:21:00.009+01:00

Views from the viewing platform outside the Ptarmigan Restaurant

A view of Loch Garten:

View further along to the right of above image:

Tuesday we took a trip to the Cairngorm Mountain. There are walkways up to the shop/Ptarmigan Restaurant but we took the funicular train to and from the mountain. The Ptarmigan Restaurant is the highest restaurant in the UK! Spectacular views from the viewing platform to be had. Some visitors were definitely dressed for summer in their fleece jersey, shorts, bare legs and crocs including their kiddies who complained they were too cold! The kids and I got our souvenirs of squished 1 penny coins turned into Cairngorm Mountain Train tokens. Ali complained she was kinda bored so with the promise of going for a hot chocolate she brightened up a bit ;o). We all stopped for a hot chocolate complete with marsh mallows and cream and some chips! [yeah really weight watching there eh?]. By the time we got the funicular train back down to base and got to the car, it was pouring with rain – we had just got to the car in time before the rain got heavier. A web link to the Cairngorm Mountain website here.

The kids posing before we get back on the funicular train:

Holidaying in Aviemore - Monday

2009-07-28T13:00:00.009+01:00

How a traditional croft may look on outside:

How the inside of a croft may look:

In the tailor's workshop:

A tailor's dummy complete with garment on entering Tailor's shop:

How the post office may have looked in early 1930s:

Monday we paid a visit to the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore which was very interesting. It is about 1 mile long. One end of the museum there were buildings and equipment originating from circa 1930s including a train station, old school, tailors, joiners etc. At the other end of the museum were thatched crofts/buildings which showed us how people used to live and how they also kept their livestock there too. These were quite dark and reeked of smoke as the staff had set up peat fires to authenticate the ambience. Highland Folk Museum link here.

Holidaying in Aviemore - Sunday

2009-07-28T12:58:00.004+01:00

We went to Lochanhully, Carrbridge just outside Aviemore – absolutely beautiful countryside! 1 week isn’t really an awful lot of time if you are holidaying in Aviemore. There is just sooooo much to do! Lots of country and forest walkways, cycle routes in and around the area. Also lots of fishing, water sports, golf to name a few other activities.

For the first time, we saw red squirrels [we are used to seeing only grey squirrels] and for me, the first time I ever saw a red spotty toadstool! The toadstool’s correct name I *think* is: Amanita Muscaria, the 'Fly Agaric' – which is quite a potent and dangerous ‘shroom’ to pick/eat.

Holidaying in Aviemore

2009-07-28T12:54:00.006+01:00

Carrbridge tourist feature:

[hence the name Carrbridge]

One of many views of the Lochanhully site:

Lots of ducks and a few little 'families' seen regularly on the pond:

Purple Heather found on the grounds of the Lochanhully site:

[I was looking for a new wallpaper for my PC desktop]

A thistle [not sure which variety though!]

Shot taken at the Highland Wildlife Park:

I’ve not really been updating my blog of late [again!] due to having to prepare to going on our summer holiday which we’ve already been on and are now back home [pah!].

We had arrived on Saturday evening around 7 pm as we didn’t leave home until kind of late due to various reasons. Once we got the car and suitcases unloaded, we travelled to Tesco’s in Aviemore to see if we could get some dinner in as we didn’t have enough room in the car to bring food or bare essentials for a cup of tea. By the time we all sat down to supper it was around 10 pm.

Thank You Notelets

2009-07-13T22:46:00.004+01:00

3 x notelets I'd made to be enclosed with the 3 other SU! demos marker packs I'd taken part in a marker share with. More details here!

Paper Bag Album Pregnancy Journal

2009-07-13T22:28:00.005+01:00

Congratulations card:

Outer cover of Pregnancy Journal album:

Having seen one I'd made a while back, my chum wanted to give her sister an unusual gift following the announcement of her sister's 1st pregnancy. I'd more or less made the album identical to the one my chum had seen. When my chum saw the original album, she was gobsmacked and couldn't quite believe the album is actually made out of paper bags LOL!!

blank pages waiting for images etc:

These were cards with index tabs which slotted in what were the previously "open ends" of the bags giving more opportunity to record memories/notes.

SU! Markers

2009-07-13T20:06:00.002+01:00

Yay!! I’ve managed to complete my marker collection via a marker share held amongst another 3 SU! Demos and myself over 4 months. I love the wee carry case it comes in too – very organised and no excuses for getting them lost or mixed up heh heh heh!!

Movies and Orange

2009-07-10T11:33:00.005+01:00

My contract with T-mobile finished abruptly up last Friday. I had been considering for some time to go with another provider as we had been with T-mobile for years even when they had a different name originally! I wasn't using my package which allowed me 12 hours talktime at evenings and weekends and 50 text message allowance. This had been my package for a few years and not used to its full capacity [we struggled to get a signal in some areas even home!]. Eventually it got to the point that I was using more than my 50 texts allowance and my home telephone had the package of free evening and weekend calls hence why I didn't use my mobile too often.

It was a toss up between O2 for the texts and free calls to other O2 numbers. BUT it was "Orange" who had the cinching deal! Orange Wednesday - the 2 for 1 cinema tickets is definitely something to consider in the school hols for kids!.

I took the kids to see 3D "Coraline" when it first came out in the pictures - little did I know that you pay a premium for 3D movies and it was after 5 pm which is 'peak' time therefore costing more - that visit cost £22.00 for 1 adult and 2 kids!

I registered my "241" for cinema tickets and took the kids as part of "Orange Wednesday" to see the new 3D "Ice Age 3" movie for the afternoon. Definitely worth going to see - there were a lot of funny bits and I certainly chuckled and the kids enjoyed it! That outing cost only £13.00 plus pennies!

Drving Lesson update from Monday

2009-07-10T11:21:00.006+01:00

Donna my Instructor, hadn't said that I would be sitting a mock test on Monday [thank heavens she didn't tell me the on the Friday before!]. Anyways, she got me driving about before the motions of a 'mock driving test'. Anyways, it seems I had 1 serious fault [I knew when I did it as nerves got the better of me!]. We had been going up a hilly kind of road, rather than drop down just 1 gear from 4th to 3rd, I went down to 2nd. She had given me about 9 minor faults in addition but said she was being pernickity and that perhaps an Examiner wouldn't be quite so nippy. Compared to my last 'mock driving test', there was a definite improvement. Anyways the outcome was, that if I drove to that standard on the day of my test - I should pass no problem.

Donna is off on holiday today so no lesson [hence my taking one on Monday] for 1-2 weeks and it just so happens that I am away the 2nd week she is gone. That leaves me a couple of weeks until my test - but plenty of time for practising! Donna and I joked that since I hadn't really forgotten how to drive in the 15 yrs since the last time I sat a test, a couple of weeks without a lesson won't be disastrous!

Olivia's mini birthday card

2009-07-10T11:17:00.004+01:00

Apparently I had forgetten my youngest neice's birthday way back in May this year! I't unlike me but since my external hard drive had failed and it took me quite some time to recover absolutely everything on the drive, I haven't yet had time to do some housekeeping on those files. The "Birthdays and Anniversaries" document was amongst them but not on my main PC.

Anyways - sorry we missed your birthday Olivia!

Driving Lesson Up-date

2009-07-03T19:49:00.003+01:00

Well not written much about my driving lessons of late only due to having a *pants* time whilst taking them LOL!! Last week's lesson was not all that great but it was an improvement compared to the lesson prior to that - which was WORSE! Everything that I could do wrong went wrong for the whole 2 hours! I didn't seem to recover from it somehow - the mere mention of the 'T' word and Helen falls apart! Anyways - Donna said last week it could be due to the fact that I am so near to my goal that the thought of the actual practical test is scaring me out of my wits psychologically! On last week's lesson, it took me 9 attempts at reversing round a corner I had previously mastered with no problems! Donna suggested the best way to go would be to book the actual test and then get on with the practising. So, last Friday, I booked and paid for my practical driving test - I'll not tell you when it's booked for so as not to jinx myself ;o) All I can say, I felt nervous today just before getting the car as I have done on the last 2 lessons, but today went fabulously!! I managed my turn in the road [it wasn't a wide road as to what I am used to carrying out this maneouvre]; reverse round the corner maneouvre; parallel parking behing a stationery car; left and right reverse parking in a bay! All without any verbal prompt or correction from Donna! I was well chuffed with myself. I've got another lesson on Monday afternoon as Donna is off on holiday next Friday for 2 weeks then so am I on her return. It'll mean 3+ weeks before I get another lesson.

It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder today - what a huge relief!

Newborn Baby "Welcome" gift basket

2009-06-26T10:45:00.007+01:00

I always keep a good selection of baby bathing products to hand as on occasion I am asked to make up nappy cakes.

In this basket there are 10 x newborn Pampers dispos. nappies; Johnson's Baby Shampoo/talc/soap/baby bath/oil and moisturising lotion; Winnie the Pooh feeding bottle; Winnie the Pooh groom set; 1 x burp cloth; 1 x popper vest; 1 x muslin square. I also added the 12 x birth announcements I had hand stamped/cut beforehand. Finer details regarding the birth announcements can be found here.

A gift basket similar to this would normally sell for around £28.00 - £30.00 without the birth announcements

End of term school staff and teacher thank you gifts

2009-06-25T12:52:00.009+01:00

Just a small few of 2-step stamping on these thank-you cards:

Those paper bags were recycled from the school staff room ages ago - I had this in mind when I acquired them lol!! Hand stamped with SU! stamps:

I bought a few little storage boxes from Hobbycrafts, a few thimbles, needles, fancy dressmaking pins, sewing machine bobbins etc and filled the storage boxes as emergency sewing kits. Using my sewing machine, I wound white, black and navy blue thread on individual bobbins rather than cards. Yeah I know, you can indeed buy tiny sewing kits for around £2.00 odds but the threads are never up to much and neither is the packaging! I think in total the sewing kit I made up cost between £6 and £8 as the items are more substantial than what you would normally purchase as 1-off kit!

I apologise for the 'puckering' of the coated paper on this clipboard - 1st coat dried brilliantly! however, the 2nd coat didn't and I proceeded to a 3rd and gave up once it had dried, still 'puckered'. The little flowers were rub-ons. In fact the patterned papers/cardstock where what I have left from my days of being "Top Line Creations" scrapbooking consultant.

I also altered a bingo clipboard in similar colours [for same teacher] and added a few notepads too. PPs and c/s again from my TLC days.

All wrapped up in cello and gift bow:

I had bought those little dainty metal plant pots from Ikea some time ago with the view to doing this - just filling up with a few choccies and wrapped in cello and bow:

A close of my small hand-made bow ribbon:

All wrapped and presented in the stamped paper bags:

Aural Sculpture

2009-06-25T11:57:00.004+01:00

Susheila - the designer and art specialist:

The primary school my youngest 2 children attend has a unit built into the new school build to accommodate exceptional needs children from P1 through to P7. The courtyard is a fabulous colourful place to be for the kids from all stages of the school including exceptional needs kiddies. A project to design and build an aural sculpture took place where children from the mainstream school and also the exceptional needs kids worked together to design and make this sculpture what it is. I was very fortunate to have been invited as a parent helper to assist with the project - I was even offered to carve [a totally new experience for me!] a little bit of the wood supports too which was fun.

The unveiling of the aural sculpture took place on 15th June and songs were sung and sign languaged by the kids and adults who attended. The aural sculpture is not just something to look at, it is also a musical instrument with various parts of the sculpture making a different sound. It is full of textures and patterns - very pretty and colourful - I especially love the different textures and patterns on the wooden stands!

Dad's 60th Birthday

2009-06-25T11:49:00.003+01:00

A few weeks ago, we attended my dad's get-together to celebrate his 60th birthday. The kids thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with their grandparents again and a nice time was had by all.

I've passed!!

2009-06-10T13:09:00.003+01:00

Things have been a bit hectic of late! Plus I have been recovering lots of photos and documents from a supposed 'top of the range' external hard drive costing a few bob or 2! Got them all back thank heavens!

Anyway, I digress! I should have been updating my driving lesson events but not really had time to of late. I have been getting on really well with them - thank goodness I have been taking 2 hourly lessons as I probably won't have come this far had I stuck to the 1 hr lessons! Around 2
½ weeks ago, my instructor, Donna had suggested to apply for my theory test. I managed to get an appointment for today via the internet - I wasn't impressed at all with the telephone service as it was continuously engaged!! For those of you learning the theory driving test is £31.00 and the the actual 40 min practical test is almost £65.00!! That isn't including any lessons you had just prior to the actual test.

I had a few months back, bought the DSA Official Theory Test CD Rom - very much worth the money! It holds the full Highway code, revision sections for any area of the highway code you know you need more studying on and of course the multiple choice tests. You have to bear in mind when using that CD rom at home - the test 'window' displayed will actually be of a reduced size on your screen compared to the actual test [which shows a full screen]. Revising by using the CD rom is very similar to the actual test centre set-up. The hairiest part of the test is the hazard perception - which shows simulated road scenes and you have to 'click' the sooner you see a hazard or hazard seen to develop further. The time is crucial at time of clicking - the earlier you see a hazard and click, the higher you score. That is very nerve-wracking indeed and most definitely not like how you would be actually driving [although it is supposed to be].

After all that I passed - YAY!!

Yay! I've to book my Theory Test!

2009-05-22T16:10:00.003+01:00

Had a reasonably good driving lesson today thankfully! Donna got me doing a fair bit of driving; bay parking; reverse round the corner and a turn in the road. She also did a 'mock' test with me which I found a bit worrying but it was good to go through the 'motions' so to speak. A few wee minor errors and 1 major which wasn't too bad according to Donna. At the end of the lesson she said I was to book my theory test for which there is a 3 week waiting list. Once I have passed my theory test, I can then put in for my practical! I now have the problem of finding where I last put my provisional licence

Happy 13th Birthday Meryl! :o)

2009-05-22T10:04:00.003+01:00

Our school's DHT has a daughter who is in my son Stewart's class at school. Meryl is celebrating her 13th birthday [which was yesterday] - so a big Happy Birthday to Meryl!

Some card making efforts!

2009-05-22T09:58:00.003+01:00

I did a clear out of a cupboard in the girls' bedroom. Over the years I have collected a fair amount of materials/media for some of my hobbies. Cross-stitching used to be one of them! I don't seem to have the same concentration levels these days nor the time! So I've overhauled my collection of cross-stitching magazines and scrapbook/card making magazines and offloaded them to Freecycle. Got lots of takers for the Scrapbooking mags/books so I mix and bundled them up with a little complimentary pack of my handcrafted mini gift tags as shown below. Sadly the cross-stitching mags have not drawn ANY interest whatsoever. I may have to drop some of those off in the waiting room at work and disperse the others elsewhere LOL!!

Busy times again

2009-05-22T09:26:00.004+01:00

I am trying - honestly I am - in aiming to keep this blog updated LOL!!

I just have so much on the go that time seems to have whittled away from me recently. I am still taking driving lessons - I have come a long way to give them up [and way too expensive!]. I am determined I want to be able to drive by the time I am 40 - something to score off my list!

Took the kids to see the new Hannah Montana movie which was only released a couple of days before hands - gosh that was about 2 weekends ago! Alwynne loves Hannah Montana so needless to say it's never of the telly when she watches it and there are some episodes I have seen so many times they just 'grate' on me now lol! The actual movie was really good I have to say. A couple of tracks I enjoyed most "The Climb" and "Butterfly Fly Away" being 2 of them. I bought the album last night to download them - for some reason the album won't transfer over to my Ipod - the Ipod library tell me the tracks are there but I cannot find them on my actual Ipod. Strange though as I also bought and downloaded U2's new album and Lady GaGa's fine! Another track you should listen to [search on You Tube] "Ready, Set, Don't Go" sung by both Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus - the lyrics are just well, meaningful.

Last week I brought my lesson forward an hour taking it at 8.30 am to 10.30 am. OMG!! I felt shell shocked - no idea why I felt different having the lesson 1 hr earlier! I felt as if I had forgotten everything. I seem have moments like that - just hope they won't occur too often - scary feeling LOL!! Donna my instructor said I did okay. I didn't do anything that Donna had said she had planned to do at the lesson as per what she said the lesson before. I'll be honest, I am kinda panicking about the hazard perception part of the test. There 3 parts of the driving test nowadays. 1st test is the theory - you get asked multiple choice questions related to the highway code with some first aid perhaps thrown in. 2nd part of the test follows the theory. There are 14 film clips of real street scenes with traffic such as cars, pedestrians, cyclists etc. We have to be aware of what is developing on the road ahead - that is problems that could lead to an accident. As soon as we notice a hazard developing, we've got to click the mouse. The sooner you notice the hazard, you get more points. This is the part I am concerned about - will I be able to react quickly enough and not too quick to be clicking needlessly?! You have to pass the theory/hazard tests in order to sit the actual practical test - ie driving the car.

On Saturday I joined Weight Watchers again. Let's just say I am working my way to losing 5% of my current weight as my 1st goal. So this week I have been actually eating MORE food believe it or not and making time to prepare and cook. It's made more difficult that Stewart works night shift cos sometimes I just can't be bothered to prepare and cook a meal if you get my meaning. 1st week of weight loss will be recorded tomorrow! I want to have lost at least 2½ stones by the time I celebrate my 40th!

I am still a parent volunteer at the kids' school doing 3 sessions of paired reading. Helping out in the P1 class on a Wed morning. On and off over the last few weeks I have been helping the P6 classes design an 'aural sculpture' for the exceptional needs kids to go in the courtyard of the school. It is some undertaking and the artist Susheila must have the 'dream job'. I had a go at actual carving on Wednesday afternoon which was pretty cool! That was unfortunately the last session/involvement that the kids have with the sculpture. We'll look forward to it being put in place at some time.

I've managed to get a couple of card making sessions in this week having cleared the living room and other areas of the house the week before. I can tell you the living room never looks tidy whenever I've got the table up. This where I wished I had my own craft studio/shed :o(

I'll pop some images in another post.

I've got another 2 hr driving lesson today at 12 midday - in the hope that I can get some time to swot on my highway code etc. and also in the hope that I won't be quite as shell shocked as I felt last Friday lol!! Once I am back from the lesson, I've got to make another card for my chum Denise's 40th birthday in which we are all meeting up for a meal tomorrow evening which I am looking forward to. Apparently there are quite a few of us going!

Karen's Suprise 30th Birthday Party

2009-05-12T00:54:00.005+01:00

Apparently this is typical of Karen when she is on holiday - sunbathing with a good book and a wee drink!

Cake details close-up:

Karen and Christine:

A group of Karen's chums including myself have been planning Karen's surprise 30th birthday for a good few weeks! We all chipped in towards the cost and a role to fulfill regards catering- I did the invites. Anyways, Karen had absolutely no inkling what was planned and therefore shocked that her friends had kinda 'deceived' her [albeit in a good way!]. It was a fabby night - I always say its been a good night if the deejay plays some Northern Soul/Motown/Uptown Festival - I was a very happy bunny these tunes were played and I got up and moved my wee legs and big butt LOL!!

School Sports Day

2009-05-12T00:22:00.005+01:00

The 3-legged race - it was a hoot watching the kids try this - no-one seemed to know how to do it so there were a few 'almost' casualty moments!

The throwing item at a target:

The 'angel' race:

The 'sack' race was a hoot too!

Look at the 'chariots of fire' concentrated look!

Yes I know, it's a wee bit early to be holding a school sports day is it not? Usually our school sports day is held in June but its had to be brought forward due to the demolition of the old school building and the fact that the remaining earth is to be turned over and grass seed to be planted. This is schuled to happen some time in June when we would normally have sports day etc. hence the reason to bring forward sports day in May.

Well, in the past, sports day held in June has never been a warm afair - usually I have to say to the kids to keep on their jerseys whilst doing sports because all you can see are kiddies in shorts and tee shirts chittering away in the cold!!

Our sports day last week wasn't any better! It was blowing a gale, pretty overcast with the threat of rainfall. To make matters worse, the demolition was still going on throughout sports day. Not a good combination of stoor, debris blowing in the wind across the school field where sports was taking place. I am sure they partially demolished or hit the toilet area as the pong was intense! poo-eeee!!

Unfortunately during the holiday weekend, wee Stewart complained of having a sore throat again - an iminent rash appeared - again!! A wee trip to the doc's who diagnosed tonsilitis [4th bout in around 8 weeks] PLUS Scarlet Fever!!! Signed off school for the week [luckily it was only for the remaining 3 days] and a prescription of a 10-day course anti-biotics. You can guess he was gutted he couldn't go to school - NOT!! hee hee. So due to him being off school last week, he obviously couldn't attend his final school sports day!

Driving Lesson - update

2009-05-12T00:08:00.002+01:00

Sorry folks for being a naughty blogger of late - I just haven't had much time recently!!

I've had 2 x 2hr driving lessons since my last driving lesson update. I am thoroughly enjoying them! the 2nd last lesson wasn't any different to the one prior to that hence my not really updating on that lesson. Friday's lesson was good. I've been practising the reversing round the corner manoeuvre! I was chuffed to bits with doing that and didn't make a 'hash' of it. Donna [instructor] thought that accomplishing that manoeuvre might help me with my parallel parking. Only real error I made that day was turning into the slip road in 4th gear! LOL!!! Heck I'll not be doing that one again. The weather was really *pants* - 3 seasons in 1 day. One minute it was drizzling, next chucking it down with rain and other times glorious sunshine!! Was good experience though driving and breaking in time due to the weather and road conditions. Donna took me to a narrow street in Musselburgh to do my 'turn in the road' manoeuvre. Again, did that with no probs :o)

Donna had asked how I have been getting on with the highway code and hazard perception. I replied that I had been swatting up using the new fandangled CD rom version and wasn't sure I'd covered hazard perception. It turns out I have unknowingly been revising that but it's known as 'Hazard Awareness'. The CD rom has mock tests which you can save your progress on. Any area you think you need to revise more on is apparent as time goes on with use of the CD rom. ON the actual theory test, peeps need to score 43 out of 50 in under 1 hr to pass! It is interesting as regularly I was scoring 47/48 points only to go back into doing the mock test and scoring 41/43 - you can see where you are going wrong. Any self doubt or query you have you can press 'flag' button so you can see what the anwer/definition is at the end of the revision.

Donna is positive that she'll get me practising a wee bit more and involve some hazard perception to see if I understand the dangers etc. I've pointed out that I want more sessions practising the parallel parking and bay parking. She muttered something about putting in for the theory and perhaps she'll get me to do a mock test! :o)

I think Stewart's secretly 'kacking' himself as to what he will do regards me having access to a car if and when I pass my test!! I really cannot see him allowing me to drive our recently purchased Mondeo somehow LOL!!! Still, I don't want to be one of those peeps who pass their test then don't drive for ages following their test pass. I'd probs become disheartened that I can't use my new found skills!

STEWART - start getting that car ready!!!

Happy Birthday Suz!!

2009-04-29T00:37:00.003+01:00

It was my good friend, Suz's birthday on Saturday - she probs thought I had forgotten! Anyways, I made this card for her in addition to her gift. Hopefully I'll be able to give her it later on today [Wednesday]. Yeah I know, it's just a wee bit late - I work weekends and Suz has been on a training course up north yesterday and Tuesday so it's the 1st chance we'll get!

People Imagery Photography Course

2009-04-24T12:16:00.002+01:00

A really good start to today! I logged on to the photography forum in association with the photography course I am currently doing only to find out that Cheryl has picked her final 3 favourites for "Image of the Week" - I am one of them - yippy do!!

Driving Lesson #8 [2 hrs]

2009-04-24T12:07:00.003+01:00

Well, what a fabby lesson today! Nerve wracking though but still a hoot! Today I managed to do a couple of turns in the road [3 point turns to the long established drivers] - considering its been a few weeks since I last did my turn-in-the-road. With having no instruction or reminder on what to do, I surprised myself by knowing how to do it LOL!

Next task was parallel parking. That's when you have to park behind a parked car making sure your car is straight but not too near nor too far away from the kerb. I understand using 'focal points' such as in lining up mirrors with the other car's bumper to allow positioning. But WOW!! trying to keep the car moving very slowly AND turning that steering wheel to be in the correct position! That's okay if the road you are on doesn't particularly 'bank' but when it does, using the break too! I used an unusual phrase to describe myself and laughed about it - in turn making Donna laugh too! My word - what an 'experience' I must be LOL!!!

Anyway, its all good!

Nappy cake commission

2009-04-22T12:33:00.007+01:00

I was asked to create 1 x baby girl nappy cake and 1 x baby boy nappy cake for 1 client. No twins though!!

Some of the contents inside nappy cake without the nappies

The gift tags for nappy cakes:

Cake 'toppers':

Nappy cakes unwrapped:

All wrapped with handmade gift bows:

Shortlisted for Photography course!

2009-04-22T12:31:00.001+01:00

Yay! I received an email yesterday saying that I have been shortlisted to be in the 'favourites' for module 1 - see earlier image!

Driving Lesson #7 - 2 hrs

2009-04-22T12:23:00.002+01:00

Well what a fabby lesson I had on Friday past! On and off the bypass/A1, did roundabouts again! Donna took me through to Rosewell to a wee car park to practice 'bay parking'. Talk about a *pants* effort LOL!! Getting the co-ordination, trying to remember to observe all round, getting the wheel moving fast whilst clutch control and movement of the car slow! Apparently if you get this in the practical test, even if you are in the parking bay squint and between the appropriate lines, it will be a 'pass'.

Next week we are going to do the reverse round the corner maneouvre - I am hoping that doing that maneouvre will make things click into place for me with regards getting the hang of bay parking LOL!! Only time will tell. Anyways, it seems the 2 hours just flee by and more is accomplished. Already looking forward to the next lesson! Need to swat up on the highway code though - that's another story LOL!!

People Imagery Photography course

2009-04-16T22:43:00.003+01:00

Well tonight is the deadline for module 1 submissions. This module specialises on children. Got to get them to fun things and take a few shots, submitting 9 of our best shots onto a template [boy that a learning curve!] and upload to the forum.

Sunday I thought I had 'nailed' the module as I was preparing dinner, kids out in the garden having lots of fun on the trampoline, lots of laughter. I get the camera out and start shooting. It wasn't until I had started uploading the images to the PC that I could clearly see a shadow on the kids' faces in some of the images I thought would be great to submit. I was gutted!! Ideally I could have done with a reflector but with it being an 'on the spot' kinda thing, I didn't think I would need anything else!

Anyways, Alwynne offered to pose for me tonight which I was surprised about because she is a bit of a stickler when it comes to getting her photos taken - if she's good she is really really good - when's she bad she is awful!! LOL

Anyways, here is my submission

Trip to Eyemouth

2009-04-14T21:24:00.004+01:00

We took a wee trip down to East Links Family Park, nr Dunbar. It was absolutely heaving with people! So we decided to take off in the car elsewhere seeing as we had been to the Family Park quite a few times. We landed in Eyemouth Harbour - it's been a number of years since we were last in Eyemouth!! A walk round the harbour and we wondered what the commotion was all about as there was some aggro from seagulls. Then we realised it was seals! A chap who had a mobile fish shop was tethering pieces of fish to the end of a line enticing the seals!

Driving Lesson #6

2009-04-14T20:46:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the delay in keeping you up-to-date on my driving lessons etc - just had a fair bit to do with the kids being off on Easter Hols! So a belated 'Happy Easter' to you all!

Well I managed my 2 hour lesson very well indeed I thought! On and off the bypass/A1 at various points. Anyone who knows Sherriffhall Roundabout will know what its like! Well I even drove round that heh heh!! That lesson was all about roundabouts, using the foot brake and clutch as a follow on from last week's fiasco! I managed all very well. We travelled through to Bonnyrigg and Lasswade and back all the way to Tranent. The 2 hours went rather quick but I was chuffed to bits and enjoyed it thoroughly.

I got the highway code/theory test on CD Rom so am trying to get to grips with some of the stuff in that!

Do you happen to know the difference between a pelican crossing and a toucan crossing? Answers on a postcard .......................... LOL

Ooh I've been busy!

2009-04-09T12:44:00.005+01:00

For the first time in ages I've actually set up the table in the living room and spent some time stamping! My youngest DD Alwynne asked if we could do 'arts and crafts' seeing as I had tidied up the living room [at one point I hated looking at the mess!]. I had planned to sit down and do something as I never really seem to have the time of late!

Details of ingredients used can be found here.

A wedding card:

Some bookmarks:

Thinking of you card

2009-04-09T02:37:00.003+01:00

I can't say too much at the moment but this is for a lovely lady who has recently undergone an operation. I do hope she has a speedy recovery!

Movie: Marley and Me

2009-04-08T18:16:00.002+01:00

Have you been to see this movie yet? If not and you are planning to go and see the movie, don't forget your tissues folks!

I took the kids off to the movies at the Vue yesterday. I am not terribly keen on Owen Wilson but I managed to tolerate him because the movie was pretty good! If you are already a dog lover, you will definitely be 'moved'.

I was a bit of a blubbing wreck and the kids were kinda surprised to see mum all teary-eyed and guess who got teased by them LOL?!!

Blender Banana Loaf

2009-04-08T13:59:00.004+01:00

The girls and I met at Sheila's house on Saturday night for a blether and a wee drink. What a hoot we all had. One of the girls brought in her offering of a banana loaf. Sadly the loaf had totally sunk in the middle of of it!! Poor 'S' has always been successful at baking - this was an unfortunate result of perhaps too many bananas and then took in good humour, the flak we all delivered! Apparently 'S' had tried my method of firing everying in the mixing bowl/food processor and "going for it" so-to-speak!! I did promise the girls my recipe so thought I would put it here too for those who wish to try it! It's not too bad for sugar/fat content so a wee bit healthier than most recipes! Enjoy! PS - if anyone wishes a PDF [best quality] version, please email me here and place Blender Banana Loaf in the subject box!

People Imagery Online Photography Workshop

2009-04-04T11:44:00.002+01:00

I received confirmation yesterday to say that I am on the above workshop- Yay!!

Hopefully this course will help me overcome my shyness in taking people's photos. I feel quite self conscious taking portraits so I am hoping this will help my plight!

Driving Lesson #5

2009-04-03T11:45:00.003+01:00

Today's lesson was fine - except for an error I made! Although not a HUGE error, it was enough to spook me for the rest of the lesson and my confidence took a wee knock.

We were approaching a junction - nothing odd about that. The road we were actually on was a sloping road and therefore on the approach to the junction, I had been using the breaks gradually and then changed gear accordingly. What I forgot to do was to continue depressing the breaks slightly whilst dropping gear so inevitably the car went at a further speed than it should have done!! My foot was resting on the break pedal but it wasn't actually doing anything!

It kinda panicked me and then I started to ask myself what I had to do next to do regards to using the breaks, clutch and speed at junctions, going round corners. This way of thinking just was not good at all seeing as before I was fine using the break and clutch on the approach to junctions and turning corners.

Och well, we all have a bad day or lesson from time to time and sometimes we need it to keep us on the ball so to speak! I've booked a double lesson for next week - a whole 2 hours! We'll see how I get on then and if need be, subsequent lessons will be booked for 1½ hours instead!

Now then, where did I put my bravery tablets? .....................................