Poor Magweed!

After Weymouth we returned home .While we were awat ,my mum had the dogs.Maisie Magweed was so excited to see us she jumped really high at the gate & caught her foot on some wire & ripped her foot open.We ended up doing the nurseything for 3 weeks trying to get it to heal.She chewed off many little socks I used to keep the dressing clean.

Here is the little pickle!I had to put this lovely picture in of Peggy.

She has settled in so well with us now.I know her mum misses her & she misses her mum from time to time but she is now part of our family & we love her dearly.She is sitting at the table in my mothers garden.Obviously she is expecting getting something to eat!

May time & the Sun

In may ,we went away with some friends curtesy of the The Sun Newspaper.The trip was to Weymouth with Sandra & Tom her husband.We had a great time & whilst in Weymouth found this little tea shop.I loved it.Tea was fantastic & all the tea is served in proper pots .They all have a knitted cosie & each one is different.A plate of homemade biscuits is served with the tea at a cost of £1 for a plate of them.A bargain.When hubby & I went back in September we had to pay them a visit again.This time no biscuits as we are committed fat club members & becoming shrinking violets!!

This is my friend Sandra.We work together & watch each others backs.She is one of my closest friends, all of whom I would do anything for.At work we spend most of our time laughing.How great it is to have a friend like Sandra.Tom her husband is wondeful too.

Tom with Paul ,my hubby, both looking ,or trying to look cool!!

Look closer at the picture & you will see they are wearing something they shouldn't!!

Mr & Mrs...

The tea shop at Weymouth.

Sandra being "mother".

Weymouth has a harbour.The entry to the harbour is under the road bridge which is raised every 2 hours.It weird awatching the road go up at a right angle.

The boat goes through safely.

Wedding Update

The wedding was fantastic!

I have never seen so many fabulous saris together before & the fabrics!!!

We met a lovely lady who talked us through the ritual of the marriage ceremony.I learnt so much.She also told me about the saris & the fashion element & history of them.

Below is Mr & Mrs Patel,mother & father to the bride.

The middle picture shows the groom who is the very tallest chap along with his mother-in-law to be & his future sister- in- law.This part of the wedding the females are allowed to dictate how long the groom has to wait for his bride.This is the only time in her marriage where traditionally the female takes the lead.

Wedding Season

I am off to a wedding today.I know its Sunday ,but this is a very special wedding .My friend & I have been invited to an Indian Wedding as part of our local community where we work.I feel its quite an honour & I am also excited as I have never been to an Indian Wedding before.

Here is the card I have made for the couple.

I had to scan the card as my camera is on charge.Not so good when you are attending a wedding in 2 hours!!!

Taste of the Seaside

Its been a lovely weekend.I finally went out ,even though it was only to my Mums house ,the weather being good made it.

Today we visited Ford market.This is a market which is on the old WW2 aerodrome.I found a stall there selling craft bits.She had some very nice rubber stamps & some lovely blank cards with baby footprints cut out as a lacy border.No I didn't buy any of those ,just 2 tape runners.How conservative was that?!

After the market we went down to Littlehampton.This small seaside town is part of a rejuvenation programme.We re discovered it again when we were looking for Dutch bikes.This is home to the Dutch Bike company.Along by the river is also home to the best ice cream shop on the South England coast.A pure Mr Whippy ice cream with a 99 flake & dipped in molten chocolate....so yummy.I reckon on 4.5 WW points for 1 serving.At only £1.30 ,they are the best & I couldn't wait for the winter to be over & the shop to re open again.

The swans were out in full force to day on the river & I noticed how bossy the older males are to the youngsters.They really peck at them & make them move out of the way.Its very relaxing watching them glide through the water though.

You know you need to ......

go to fat club when you get in the car & split your jeans right up the backside!!
Thats what happened to me yesterday.
Having not been out for nearly a week & certainly not driven Jemima,I went to go to club.This is a weekly must for me as I would undo all my hard work without the thought of a weigh in.Anyway,the car would not start.She had sat there all week & had obviously got a sulk on & depleted her battery.Trouble was ,I couldnt get the drivers door open to get out of the car.Climbing over to the passenger side to exit in a most ungainly way I heard the stitching go.....all the way up.Hubby was creased up laughing at me .
Got to club in the end & I had lost another 1.5 pounds.Total of a stone now so I was really pleased.Still ,had better get the sewing machine out & repair those jeans,could be draughty otherwise!!!
The whole episode reminded me of a Beryl Cook picture.....

Gorguss card & terriers

Just Gorguss.Here she is on her first inking up.I love these images by Suzanne Woolcott.A very talented artist.I bought a couple of her stamps from Funky Kits.

The stamps are beautiful quality with very fine detail.I like the Tilda stamps as well. The only draw back with the Gorguss stamps is that you need to purchase the sticky backing.I forgot to do this so made do with some sticky dots for the time being.

This last week I have been at home .I cant really call it sick ,but I had to rest & get off my hip.I have been having cortisone injections into the joint due to an injury.I cant remember if I said in a previous post ,but I fell over at work going up some steps & it left me with a very painful soft tissue injury that has taken for ever to get better.This is the last injection they can give me ,so I have had to give it the best chance I can.

Whilst being off I stamped up a little notebook full of images .I have been semi laying on the sofa ,colouring in & then assembling my cards together bit by bit.I just havent been able to sit for long in one position.

The above are two cards I made using Paper Nation decoupage images.We love Scotties in our house & my mother always used to have a Westie.Having quite a few friends & family with the same dogs ,it makes sense to keep a few of these to hand.
Hope you like.

Oh baby,,,

There has been an influx of pregnant women at work.Most of my friends are either about to drop or are newly pregnant.With that in mind ,I thought I had better get myself in gear & make some cards.

I used bias binding to make the lower section & tag with some pretty buttons threaded through with some embriodery cotton.Doodling finished the card.

My Tilda stamps very first use! Gingham ribbon & die cut flower attched with a brad ,doodles & flower gems.Image was coloured in using felt tip pens from the pound shop.Would love some Copic pens eventually.

The patterned paper was free from a magazine .Pearl brads to attach ribbon tag & finish the black border.Doodles as before.

This card was made using a scetch from the Penny Black Saturday challenge.I couldnt put it in as I dont have any Penny Black stamps to use in it.The blog is great though for ideas for layouts.I tend not to put a greeting on the cards until needed unless they are being made specifically .I can then personalise them using Verse Editor Plus. My MIL intoduced me to this & I find it invaluble for inserts.Thanks Mam.xx

The papers used were either bought cheap in the sale from our local craft shop in Shoreham or came free in a magazine.I am trying to use up some of my older papers & embellies.That in itself is quite a challenge for me as I just love all those bits.I find the hardest thing to use though are my buttons & ribbon.

I have just got some really pretty lunch tins with Peter Rabbit on them.They were being sold off cheap in Waitrose as part of the after Easter sale.The marshmallows that came with them soon dissappeared.Cant think where!!?! Anyway ,they now store my ribbons & other bits & look great on my shelves above my work station.

Have cake!!

The other week my friend Sal did a cake sale at work.Below are the cakes I baked to help raise money for the Chestnut Tree Childrens Hospice.
Sal is doing a bike ride in the autumn in Cambodia.Very brave of her & she is doing it on her own.The cake sale raised almost £50. Not bad considering there were 2 birthdays with their own cake on the floors above us.It did help to have a lot of hungry coppers on hand who love our home made cakes!!
We also did a carboot together & Sals stall raised £108 .We got pretty wet that morning ,but had a lot of fun.

All those cakes & not one passed my lips 0:) !

New stuff

I have decided that my card making is quite out dated.I need some nestabilities.How can I not have them?!!I also need to have some copic marker pens.You know what its like,you need the right tools ,right?! How come the most frequent metioned word is NEED.....
I have been lurking on some of the other sites & my blog puts me to shame.Its about time I got on & did some real stuff.I have been knitting though.Some gorgious little Easter bunnies ,pattern curtesy of Little Cotton rabbits blog.I will post the link later along with a picture of the finished product..

25 Random facts.

Lots of bloggers get tagged from time to time.This is one of the posts that took my eye so here goes.

1. I grew up as the first girl in my family for over 60 years.

2.As a little girl I always wanted to be a nurse.I now work for the police..

3.I love all things girlie but hate it when I see a totally pink car with matching accessories.

4.The woman I most admire was my Nan.My best friend till she died the week before I was married.

5.I could sew a button on at the age of 3.

6.I learnt to knit when I was 4.

7.We have always had a scotty in our family for over 60 years.

8.My favourite confectionary is a Crunchie....all my friends know this.

9.I was once on a TV show.

10.I saved someones life once.

11.The love of my life is my 3 men.My husband & my 2 boys.

12.I feel sad when people say they dont want to have kids & I am very open about it.

13.When my dog had puppies I spent silly amount of time watching them sleep..awww

14.I drive a very girlie car ,its called Jemima.

15.I want a holiday somewhere warm with no rain.

16.I have more unmade projects than I would like to share with you.

17.I have a love of all things retro.That extends to beauty product packaging.

18.I passed my driving test first time.

19.I own the worlds most expensive digital sewing machine.

20.I would love to be able to walk in a pair of high heels.

21.I love buttons & especially putting my hand into a jar of them.Thats a really random fact!

22.I hate the postman calling when you have just stumbled out of bed early on a saturday morning.

23.I hate the dishcloth being left in washing up water.

24.My favourite meat is Lamb.

25.My cousin was on Masterchef recently.Yayyy for Jeremy.

There ,thats my random facts...

Its saturday mornig & I have a mountain of things to do.i have just realised that Rob may be home tonight with the band.They are playing Southampton tonight & he said he would be home.....jumping up & down with excitement.!!!!!!

I may be waking tomorrow with a host of band members in my house.Bring on the Bacon.....oops,I think they are veggie.Oh well ,it will be eggs & pancakes then.

Off with their Heads!!!!!

Last weekend saw a visit to my Mums.She has a rather large garden which I love.The trouble is that the trees have got so big....Only one thing for it, they get the chop!

Dear hubby helped with the gathering of the wood & between the two of us ,chopped down at 30ft length of over grown hedge that had turned in to mature trees.Mum now has her wood store full for next winter & still another couple of trees to chop down.I had the job of weilding the chainsaw & I have to say I was pretty good.Shame I have to get a man to start it.Thats what being part of a team is all about.

I have been up to a fare amount since I last posted.Time just flies by & you dont realise how long it has been since your last post.

The band has been doing really well on their tour.They arrived back in the country last Sunday & everything had gone well until last night.They were in London ,gig was brilliant ,but then their van was broken into overnight.Quite a few things were stolen & a window was broken.Makes me so cross .They are working so hard ,get paid virtually nothing ,& some scumbag does that.I am not going to express my exact thoughts ,just in case one of my work bosses reads this & I am not the picture of diversity I should be.

No 1 son will be home after Sunday & I cant wait.No2 son is such a sweetie ,but I dont see much of him.He is coming with me to a car boot on Sunday morning though.We will be selling.My friend Sal is also doing one.She is raising money for the local childrens Hospice,Chestnut Tree.Hopefully the sun will shine.

We took Magweed to Pets at Home this afternoon.A new Halti had to be purchased for her & one for the Grouseman.Hubby found some free samples of food & got her doing tricks in the store for a treat.She was just so cute...It was just all too much for when we got home,so 40 winks was in order!Maybe she is dreaming of the Easter Bunny....mmmmmm

I have to tell you this,still on an Easter note.I went to Sainsburys the other night & I was on my own.I was having a good look at all the Eastery things & found some talking plastic eggs which are designed for egg hunts.You press a button & for ages after they call out,"We can see you" & giggle like little children & "Your getting colder" etc.I have to say that this mist came over me & I was catapulted back to probably 5 years of age.I just had to press every button on those eggs & walk away.I could hear them all the way round the store & they just made me giggle so much. I just couldnt help myself!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a lovely weekend.I am cooking tomorrow.Lots of cake....please dont let my Weight Watcher Leader read this.....they are for the kids ,honest.

I am going to make these ,if I can get some pink wafer biscuits.Sainsburys have sold out of them.Will let you know what they turn out like.

xx

I hate mondays

It has been such a fabulous day today(weather wise).I noticed how green everything looks against the sharp yellow of the daffodils.These are the daffs I look at every morning in the middle of the roundabout.A zillion vehicles zooming by throwing out their fumes over these pretty little flowers which have been planted in the most rotten setting but struggle through year after year ,making me smile on the way to work.

I am not going to say much today.I have had a bad day.I seem to have upset everyone today....and I am not really sure why.

Oh well ,none of us are perfect.

Spring Nests

No 1 son left with his band (Dead Swans) on a 6 week ,very long tour. A very fancy split tour bus came to pick them up with blacked out windows....They were all just lovin it.I am now left to follow them on the net as they go from location to location ,clocking up the miles.I shall really miss him,even though I will have more glasses in the kitchen cupboard & not hiding in his room.They get 2 days off when they come back to the uk in April. Just long enough for mum to do his washing!

To cheer myself up yesterday I popped over to Brighton.A good mooch around the makeup counters & other shops left me with a slightly lighter wallet & some pretty goods.

I finally was able to track down a large enough makeup bag ,its pink as well with the Hello Kitty logo on.At £2.99 it was a steal.

I absolutely love bags.It drives my husband mad,cant see what I need them for!!!!I just cant find at the moment the perfect spring/summer bag.I want a roomy one with a zipped top with handles but a long strap as well.It has to be in cream or some other spring colour.Accessorise have a great one ,but only in brown.There is also a red one.Its close but just doesnt have it....a bit too granny,sorry to all you grans out there but you know what I mean

Whilst looking for an image of the makeup bag on google images ,I came across this picture.

I know there are some real Hello Kitty fanatics out there,(not me really ,I just like uber girlie stuff) but this is so mad......

Have your cake...

Been busy baking this week.

No 1 son had cupcakes for his leaving day at work.

They are so pretty..

I also made Lemon drizzle cake for one of the teams at work.They love this cake I make & every opportunity they get me to make one for them.This time it was a do-nut offence ,(mobile went off in briefing).

I thought I would show you some stuff I made at Christmas.Have just uploaded the pictures to the computer.Slack or what!

This is a parchment craft tree my MIL taught me how to make.
They take hours to make.

Above gives you a rough idea how they are made.MIL made loads for her friends.This one was for my special friend Sandra.

The finished Poppy.Ooops ,where did Magweed come from?She is sporting her moustache from the crackers we had.

Shop till you drop...

A great day was had in Brighton.

The men went off on their own to do boy things,(pub crawl) & myself & my friend ,Lucia did the girl stuff.We had a brilliant day with no holds barred shopping.That ,I mean ,is look at every thing you want to ,when you want to .It was a from Poundland to the most expensive Boutique day.I managed to get all the bits needed for emergencies when you go away abroad for No 1 son & some more besides.Why is it though that you find the most essential thing in one shop & you struggle to find them(ear plus in this case) & then walk into Poundland & there they are in there at £3 cheaper,.....argggggg!!

We also visited Berts Homestore which I love.They have some fabulous spotty china in there at the moment & some great felted hens for Easter.The china I nearly succomed to ,but the hens I can try & make. I aslo fell in love with some varying shades of pink heart cup measures.http://www.bertshomestore.co.uk/index.html I so love this shop ,even the bags are just fab.Big brown paper shoppers.I often get some great paper from here for my card making & today was no exception.

It was then on to Infinity foods.Did you know you can buy anything in shades of pink.My friend has a pink kitchen.It is so pink she even buys pink salt,....thats pink!!!

I love this shop.One of my boys is a veggie & I can get some great stuff in here you just cannot in a supermarket.They were an absolute lifesaver as well .I went out without any bags for life with me & the plastic carrier I gained was cutting right through my hand.Their cotton bags are great & very cheap too,made from fare trade cotton.On a morning ,the shop bakes its own bread.The smell of freshly cooked Pizza is tantalising,especially when you are on a diet.I have to say I am not much of a pizza fan ,but this really is the best.

If you are ever in the North Lanes in Brighton ,pay them a visit.Just dont forget to walk down the side street & have a look at the stunning street art they have had painted.

Time please!!

I have been so neglectful of my blog.I am really guilty of thinking & not doing!!

I have been busy since the new year.

I gave up smoking....over 3 months now with thanks to the electric cigarette.http://www.miniciggy.com/

The trouble with giving up the weed is that I put on weight.Oh yes....I am a hefty girl at the best of times but I have also had a hip injury since christmas & havent been so mobile.Normally I am walking miles in a day at work but I have been confined to the office.Its killing me!!I hate it!!!

I have now gone back to Weigjht Watchers.It really does work for me,but I do have to be really anal about it.I am not going to miss out on anything though,.....a crunchie is 3.5 points for those of you who have done this diet before.

God I am going to be so healthy...,well that is apart from the hip ,which is getting better.

We have bought new bikes.That is Hubby & me.They are just so ,well, lush is the word.Dutch all the way now,comfort in style.



Isnt she just so..... check out the website http://www.dutchie.co.uk/I save loads on parking in Worthing now too.I am sure its the most expensive place ,apart from London,to park.Even more than Brighton.It cost me nearly £3 to park for just under an hour the other day.Mr NCP has a lot to answer for.

My eldest son is off on tour soon.He will be away for ages,6 weeks seems like forever.I am being silly really as I should be looking forward to getting on the computer all the time,not losing crockery in his bedroom,less washing....I suppose the list could go on.I know one day my children will leave home ,but for now I enjoy them.....& their mess.

The dogs are keeping me busy .They have just had a funny 5 minutes on the rug in the hall.They quickly worked out after we bought them just before christmas that if you run & jump on them ,you can make them slide into the dining room.They are hilarious .Magweed has also been watching the computer this morning.My sons girl friend does U-Tube videos & I was watching one when Magweed got very excited & jumped up to see her.This little dog is smitten with her. Check Caroline out ,she is very talented. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ09XqTp17w&feature=channel_page

On to crafting...this is why I started my blog after all.Havent really done very much recently.I have been buyin g stuff though!!!Shhhhh,dont tell him indoors!!!!!!No really he does know.

I have bought some lovely paper & stamps to make cards with.My stash has got very low & when my neighbour came round the other day ,there wasnt much for her to choose from . Cupcake stamps & garden stamps.Very springlike....that reminds me.Had to go down the postoffice this morning & collect a parcel that came whn I was at work the other day.I had ordered some stuff to make some cakes for my son Robbies leaving day at work.He is packing his job in to do this tour with the band (Dead Swans ,BTW!!!!!) & like a good mum that I am ,& to help him save some pennies ,I volunteered to make cupcakes for his work mates.They are going to have american frosting on top with red edible glitter & gold stars.Cant wait to make them & take some pictures of them.

I have also been buying some fabric.Kidson style pink & red cotton...I am making some aprons for the kitchen.I have recently been inspired by a magazine I have taken to buying. http://sewhip.co.uk/ Its agreat magazine that promotes crafters & designers & also does some great tutorials

I think this magazine was designed for those of us who have too much fabric.

As a little girl I loved visiting the John Lewes shop in Streatham where I grew up.They had a fabulous fabric department & my nan would often by my mother some fabric there.I would sometimes be treated to some bright colored felt & buttons that I may have taken a fancy to.You know I could sew a button on at the age of 3 & do it pretty well.This must be where I get my love of buttons from.....nothing like a jar of buttons like little coloured sweeties & the feel when you dip your hand in them,so cool & smooth...You must be thinking I am mad..... well yes you are right.

When I was searching for this image I found this blog that it belonged to.Its really sweet so as I have borrowed the image ,please check it out & enjoy http://blog.creativekismet.com/category/i-heart/

Must go now.Have a date with my husband & Brighton.Its a lovely day out there & not to be missed sitting at a computer.I gonna check out the fabric shops over there again & maybe brave Primark.

Have a great day..xx

Poppy Appeal

I needed to make myself a poppy brooch for Remembrance Sunday.I do donate ,but I always lose the little paper poppies or stick the pin in myself.See the link below to see how you can donate to the RBL & make yourself a poppy brooch





http://www.knitonthenet.com/poppy/





I think it looks great.Hopefully I will get it done before the parade.

Magweed has been very naughty today.I accidently left a selotape dispenser on the coffee table & she managed to pull off quite a few strips.Dear Hubby came in to find her with pretty blue & pink sticky strips over her face.Later after my mum had been for a cup of tea ,I couldnt find the packet of mince pies she had been offerred.They had been taken off the coffee table & luckly uneaten ,had been pushed under the sofa.Guess who did that!!!

Now ,where is that naughty Magweed.........

Exciting Times

My son Robert is in a band called Dead Swans.This summer they were nominated for the Best Brit sh Newcomer award at the Kerrang 2008 Music Awards.It was so exciting.I took the day off work so I wouldn't miss the excitement on TV.They didn't win the category but had an absolute ball at the awards.I am so proud of them all,lovely guys & deserve to go far.Bands they met were Slipknot & Metallica.

By the way ,Robert is the blond one.Aren't they all gorgeous

Bad Girl

I have been so lapse in my blogging.Well as you know I have done absolutely nothing at all.There have been many reasons for this but life is now more settled & oh so exciting!!!!
I will have to spend some time sitting at the computer to tell you what has been going on ,but for now I will just leave you in suspence......