HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!

Here it is......Lorraine's 40th Fancy Dress Party.....

What a night....

It was my work Christmas Party last night - sorry no photo's yet -I will try and get hold of some and then post them on here. As usual it was at The Petwood Hotel and as usual it was a formal black tie job for the lads and ball gown/cocktail dresses for the girlies. This year we had over 220 people. Fantastic night - lots of awards! (some going to our office - well done Jamie and Pete!!) - lovely meal - free flowing booze - no expense spared and everyone had a great time! Although, I imagine there are a few 'very' sore heads today (Chris being one!)

40th Fancy dress...invite...

Ooo now I'm excited, I've ordered my costume!
Oh sorry, forget to say - Sissy-in-Law is 40 on the 29th December!
She is having a fancy dress party! (as you can see from the blog we've had a few this year!)
The theme is Disney and cartoon characters! So off we went yesterday to the hire place, which was an Aladdin's Cave of goodies.
Anyway to cut a long story short, Chris is Scooby Doo! and I'm one of the 101 Dalmatians! Fab or what - and oh yes we look very silly.
Watch this space shortly after the 29th for evidence!!

Agony......!!

Ouch! I've done my back in!
I thought I would share this info with you all - just to see if I get any more sympathy, than seems to be available at home.
It's alright for them when they get 'man-flu'!!
I twisted by back last week and it had started to get better, then me being me - was a bit bored at work on Sunday (as everyone else was obviously Christmas shopping!) decided to move a few boxes!
OH YEAH REALLY BAD IDEA.
I'm back to square one - only it's even more painful this time.

Christmas is coming....

Sorry for the lack of blogging! It's just been hectic!

Christmas is just around the corner, I started my shopping in October and have almost finished. I must admit, a lot has been done on-line this year. I have 1 more major shopping trip with sissy-in-law next Wed - we're off to Lincoln for the day!! Must be a serious shop as she is driving, because she said there is not enough room in the boot of my Mini!!

I went shopping with Laura from work last week, we spent all day shopping and eating, our feet were killing us - but we did manage to get quite a lot done. (thanks Laura - great day really enjoyed it!!)

Wedding front cover.

This is the front cover from my wedding album, we got married out in Cyprus in 2003.
The ceremony took place in a sunken stone courtyard, we were surrounded by all the flowers shown. (I'm sure everyone thought I was mad - wanting photo's of the flowers - but I knew what I had planned)
This was one of my very first layouts.

Eden Hall Day Spa

Ooooooo....lovely relaxing day at Eden Hall Day Spa. Yesterday, me and a couple of the girls from work, were treated to a day at Eden Hall by one of the Companies we deal with. In total there were 17 of us from various Companies and what a fantastic day.
We arrived at 9am and didn't leave until 6pm. We spent the day relaxing in the pool and using many of the lovely Spa facilities on offer, some ladies had pamper treatments. We had a wonderful 3 course lunch with wine (which just made me want to sleep!).
We finished our day with fresh fruit juice cocktails in the most gorgeous conservatory.
What a place!!

The Zombie and The Pumpkin!

Lorraine and Kuno - dressed to impress!

Good day, bad day, good day!

Started off really well, we had planned to take Sam golfing today. But I ordered a new lens for my Camera yesterday and great service - next day delivery! Of course, not wanting to miss my delivery - I said the boys could go golfing and I would wait for my precious delivery.
Oh no - strop king strikes again - Mum must come golfing! so I went around to my neighbour - to see if she would be able to take in my delivery - great no problem, left a note on the door to redirect the delivery to her. SORTED - off to golf we went had a lovely morning and a snack at lunchtime - home for 2pm.
And there it was - the dreaded SORRY WE MISSED YOU delivery card!! Now having PMT this week - I exploded like a rocket!! They had refused to deliver it to my neighbour, as it was not a confirmed address from the sender! (jobs worth) So I rang the number to speak to someone about re delivery. Oh no too easy - it was a lovely AUTOMATED service, with lots of options apart from what I wanted and no human in sight! I was soooo mad - that everyone evacuated the house and took the dog for a walk, while I calmed down! Anyway, I booked a callback from the Company, which never came. So I tried to call back - but then the message said that the parcel number had already activated a response so I could not make any further requests. As you can imagine - my mood was great by this point.
So eventually, to save everyones sanity, I found a direct number. I was told the driver had returned to the depot and I could collect my parcel. So my lovely hubby, drove me the 30 mile round trip to collect a parcel that I had paid £7.95 to have delivered!! GREAT!
Anyway, good finish - my lens in fantastic and worth waiting for. And to top it all everyone was full up from lunch so I didn't have to cook tea!!

Meet Dylan!

Meet Dylan, my sister-in-laws new 8 week old Lab!

Ian Taylors Retirement Party!!

Gary and Sally's Wedding Album.

Sam at Three.

Sam at Three - great age! (where did that lovely blonde hair go)
This is a paper scrapbook page from the album I am doing for him.
As I had loads of photo's and found it difficult to pick, I decided on a this style - to get as many as possible on the page. On a few photo's I have added 'rub-on' sentiments.

Me time.

Oooo lovely - I've had a 'me time' day today. Although I did do 1 hour of housework - just so I didn't feel too guilty!
But then - I got lots of jobs done on the computer, finished another Wedding Slide show, for Chris' cousin Lisa. Listed some items on ebay. Edited some photo's. I've started 'scrapping' the first few pages of a Wedding album for a friend at work.
And finally I've eaten yummy food and had endless cups of tea! Heaven!
All seems great - then I remember - I have an extra day at work tomorrow - back down to earth with a bump!

Well that was easy....

I'm back - all done and it all seems to work fine. Phew!! :-)

Internet update...

Ok...I'm going for it - I have a new BT Broadband wireless hub thingy to install, which I have been putting off! So if I disappear for a few days - you'll know it all went wrong.
Hope to be back soon. x

Wedding Day

Digital Scrapbooking - this will be the front slide on the TV slide show I am making for them.

Cousin Lisa's Wedding....

I took these on Saturday at Lisa and Mark's Wedding, Lisa is Chris' cousin. What a great day, lovely weather and again we were at the lovely Petwood Hotel.

Canon D-SLR Camera owners -- good read:

Have you seen the new magazine on sale:
PhotoPlus - CANON EDITION.
from Future Publishing - they also publish DIGITAL CAMERA mag.
www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk

I can highly recommend it - great if you are new to D-SLR - like me!
The first 'proper' edition goes on sale 29th September - I've subscribed already!! (anyone who knows me - won't be surprised by that statement)

Yippeeeee!

He liked it, he got on really well and was full of it when he got home.
No issues with going back tomorrow! Yippee!
So relieved!! I can chill out and enjoy the rest of the week now!

It's here - first day at senior school....

Well, it's finally here, first day at senior school. I think I'm more nervous than he is.

He's gone off on his own this morning to meet his friends, I feel sooooo redundant!

He's got his great big heavy bag - and it's got no books in it yet!

He looks so smart, but I wonder if the 'hair' will gets any comments, we have gone as short as possible - for him!!

I hope he has a wonderful day and I hope he arrives back later, happy and enthusiastic to go back tomorrow!

I am now going to make an effort to keep myself occupied all day, so I don't think about it. Updates to follow!

Skater Dude!

My Skater Dude! Been messin' with the new Camera.

Only 1 week to go!

Where have these holidays gone!!

I can't believe it's back to school next Tuesday. Sam seems to be looking forward to it.....I think I'm the one with the nerves. BIG milestone, he is starting senior school. All the uniform is ready, ironed and hung up....oooh how organised! (and how bankrupt am I)

Still, I have a long list of projects to get started as soon as he is back at school, so I am looking forward to that. :-)

Bank holiday weekend.....

Lovely weather....long bank holiday weekend.....great!
NO... where was I all weekend...AT WORK! :-(

(It was OK really - had the lovely Laura Lou with me!)

Legoland Slide show

We've been to Legoland!

We've just spent a couple of days in Windsor, a very pretty part of the UK. We spent the first day looking around Windsor, we visited Windsor Castle - Stunning! We had a boat trip on the Thames - very relaxing!

Day 2 we spent at Legoland, a lovely warm sunny day and we had a fantastic time! Most of the rides had a 45 min wait time - but were usually worth it!

What a great place and surprise surprise I took well over 200 photo's!! Which now I've mastered slide shows (I love Adobe)- will be turned into one!

Extreme sports!

What can I say......meet my sister-in-law Lorraine. We spent Sunday afternoon and evening having a few drinks in the lovely sunshine. By early evening, feeling a little light headed, she decided to have a go on Sam's (very fast) rollerblades!
Now...to be fair...with a little help from an 11 year old and a brick wall....she did stay on her feet!

I think her lasts words, as she was leaving, was...something like...this better not get on your BLOG! oooooo!!

Finished slide show.

Well I have finished the slide show, I showed hubby when he got home from work and it made him really emotional - lets hope it has the same effect on the bride and groom!

The show lasts for just over 8 mins and has 4 digital scrap pages scattered throughout. I have set the whole thing to 'I've had the time of my life' from the Dirty Dancing film.

Wedding Day...

Chris' cousin Bev got married on Saturday to Mark - and how lucky were they with the weather - beautiful sunny day!! The Wedding has been planned for over 2 1/2 years!! And what a day it was - superb, everything went like clockwork, Bev looking stunning.

I am just putting together a TV slide show of the photo's I have taken (well some of the 264 that I took on the day!!) and plan to use a few digi scrap pages throughout. The above will be the title page.

This is one of the lovely templates from CottageArts.net from their simply moments volume 1 CD.

Fire Fire........Rain Rain......more Rain.....

(L-R) Scott, Sam S, Kieron M, Fireman, Tom, Kieran B, Sam F,
Miss Almond and Matthew.

Signed shirt!

LAST DAY......SURPRISE!!!!

It finally arrived .... the last day of primary school! The big surprise.....oh yes as you can see.....they were picked up in a FIRE ENGINE LIMO. It was great, all 7 had no idea, Miss Almond (their lovely teacher) had helped with the planning....everything ran very smooth - the only down side was the weather - RAIN and lots of it! But it did not spoil anything for the boys - they all (& Miss Almond) had a fabulous time!!! They left with lights flashing, horns and sirens sounding and drove around for about 3/4 hour, then returned for a few photos. Meanwhile, we waiting in the school reception - with a bottle of wine or 2!

All grown up....

ALL GROWN UP!!

Last day at primary ......

Well...it's finally here! Tomorrow is Sam's last day at primary. :-(
He had his leavers party on Wednesday evening......a James Bond themed Casino night. Well...lump in my throat...almost had a tear! All the lads wore smart trousers, shirt and dickie bow ties, whilst the girls all wore lovely ball/party dresses. Some arrived in Limo's - it was just lovely. They all looked so grown up (especially the girls - oooo glad I've only got a boy to contend with)

So tomorrow is the BIG day - I still can't spoil the surprise - as Sam often reads my blog!! So stay tuned and I will reveal all over the weekend!! But (fingers crossed, as it's been arranged since Feb) it should be good! ;-)

Buddies......

Tom's sister Abbie with her best friend Ellie at the Christening.

Again Digi-scrapped using the Helen Bradley book.

Christening.....

On Sunday we went to Tom's Christening, our neighbours son.
Following a very 'energetic' service, we went back to Lee's parents house for a BBQ. Wicked BBQ - probably the best I have been to - excellent food - bouncy castle and believe it or not it was gloriously sunny!!
I knew I wanted to give them a 'different' pressie (as Tom is 2 and not a tiny baby) so I took loads of photo's of him and his elder sister Abbie and then spent the evening making a digital scrapbook page and framed it for them. (The base colours used are some of Anne's favourites)
Digital layout again from the wonderful Helen Bradley book.

Blue screen of death......

Oh yes - my computer died! and oh yes I lost everything! It has not been a great couple of days!
Luckily I had back up copies of all my photo's.
My mate Gary, who is an IT genius, came round last night and got the stupid thing up and running again (but back to square 1 with nothing on it!)- so this morning I am adding all the lovely bits - like software, printers, files, email addresses, Adobe, Paintshop etc etc and set up all my photo files again. Deep joy!

Bit of a moan coming......I have had this main computer for 18 months and this is the SECOND time it has done this! However, I have had my laptop for 3 years (and touch wood - lots!) it has never let me down.

Love them (me) or hate them (hubby!) you just can't live without them.

MOAN OVER!!

End of an Era.....

I went to Sam's last Open Worship today, it's his last Sports Day next Wednesday and his final primary school 'play/production' on the 10th/11th of July.
End of an Era......then it all changes as he goes up to senior school in September.
Where has the time gone, it only seems like yesterday that he was starting at pre-school!
He suddenly seems to be very grown up and is also becoming very independent, I feel a bit redundant!
That's it - enough feeling sorry for myself! It's the start of a new Era and I'm sure it will be a challenge!!

League Winners!!

Well done lads! League winners 2 years running.
You've all worked really hard all season and deserve to be winners.

Digitally scrapped using a Cottage Arts template. Just added photo and text.
www.cottagearts.net

Look out.... for a duck.....

Ok, here are a couple of my first attempts- what do you think?

These are a couple of my first attempts with the new camera. Me and Sam took Alfie for a walk down to the local river and I just took the camera along for a play. We were out for about an hour and I managed to take 67 photo's - good job I bought a big memory card.

Swimming coach.

Cyprus, September 2003.

The year Sam came home from holiday - as a confident swimmer.

This is a 12x12" paper page.
Basic blue cardstock as a background - stamped with sea shells, in blue ink.
Blue and white paper patterned paper down the left hand side.
Yellow cardstock - colour taken from the umbrellas by the side of the pool.
Red card stock 'quotes' (confidence, launch, competitive and coach)- colour taken from Sam's trunks.
Finished with pale blue brads and buttons.

I love the pictures of him jumping in.

Now we're getting serious!!

That's it - I've done it! I've been thinking about a Digital SLR Camera for months, but not had the courage to take the plunge!

So finally, I went to Lincoln on Thursday and got myself the Canon EOS 400D - WOW - what a camera - WHY have I been waiting - it's great!

Although, I have to say it's times like this I really miss my Dad (who died 2 years ago), he was into photography in a big way - he would have loved playing with this!! So I am buying this in his memory and promise to teach Sam how to use it to!!

Eeyore

While we were in Florida we had our photo taken with LOTS of characters! But Eeyore was our favourite!

Scrapped using Hot off the Press 8x8" papers. Stickers and rub on stitches.

Disney 2006!

This is the front cover for my 'Disney 2006' album. Traditional paper scrapbooking:
Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill
Metal sentiment - Making Memories
Metal 'Disney' paperclip - unknown
Disney characters (3D) and banner - purchased at Magic Kingdom, Florida.
2006 - cut out from a postcard (magpie moment)

Ohhh...this time last year! ;-)

70th Birthday!

HAPPY 70 th BIRTHDAY
UNCLE CYRIL!!!!

Hope you have had a lovely day!
Sue. xx

Help find Madeleine!

Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

Please remember she may have had her hair cut and coloured and may even be dressed as a boy - but her eyes will give her away - LOOK!!

Sunburn!

I played golf yesterday with the 'girlies' - we all actually played really well (for a change!- we are obviously fair weather golfers) BUT when we got back to the club house - ooooo we were sunburnt (nice t-shirt style sunburnt!). We thought the weather was nice - but OBVIOUSLY it was a lot hotter than we had realised!!
So on with the long sleeves today - as we all look pretty silly - with lovely T-shirt lines!!
Sun cream next week!!!!!!!

It's here!!

Meet '?????' the Mini (Still undecided on 'it's' name, as now it's here I think 'it' is a 'girl' not a 'boy' - and it was going to be called 'Monty' the Mini)
I finally picked her/him up on Wednesday 16th, Ros kindly gave me a lift to 'Sunny' Scunthorpe, as Chris was working (only it wasn't sunny- it poured with rain nearly all day).
I am sooooo pleased with 'it' - I can't believe how different it is to the old one. Amazing - it just puts a smile on my face!! I LOVE IT!!

Lilac moment!

Oooo I've had a lilac moment.....got the bug to makes some cards over the weekend. The only colour that inspired me was LILAC!
Two were made with peel offs and the other with my new 'Farmyard' stamps. I have used Sakura 'Stardust' pens to colour everything in....they are my favorite pens at the mo....but I have just ordered some more to try.
And I know you don't see many lilac cows - but you must admit she is cute!

Wedding Acceptance card - handmade

Handmade Wedding Acceptance card.

A5 card folded longways. I used off cuts of pattern paper (all in Pink, white and black) and used distressing ink on the edges. Printed the word 'Acceptance' on the computer using 'Adorable' font. Added the bear cut out (paws are on 3d foam) - purchased plain from the internet and added ink, chalk and pen detail. (I love these bear heads - anyone want details of where to find them let me know)

Happy birthday to ME!

Happy birthday to ME, happy birthday to ME, happy birthday dear MMMMMMEEEEE, happy birthday to ME!!

Another year older, another year wiser - I doubt it!

Had a lovely day, even though I was at work - but the 'girlies' did buy me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! - thanks guys you are the best bunch of work mates!!

I had some lovely pressies - gorgeous necklace (from hubby), cute mug (from Sam), clothes (from Mum), Radley brolly and other bits (from my lovely sister-in-law-Lorraine), money to spend (from Mum-in-Law) wicked tax disk holder (from Dominique-for the new car!) and lots of other lovely bits - thanks to everyone! x x x

Welcome - family from Hampshire!

Hi guys!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!
Great to hear from you. Thanks for signing my guest book (although you appear to have landed in the USA? Just for eveyones info - they are actually in Hampshire, UK).
Is the little lad your sisters son? Emily is a splitting image of her Dad! and very grown up!!
Many thanks for Sam's birthday pressies - he is off shopping to Lincoln next saturday - to buy some CD's.
As you can see from the blog - we got him tickets to his beloved Chelsea. He had a fantastic time.
Sam starts at senior school in September - can't believe where the time has gone. What year is Emily in now?

Bye Bye Maynard!

Mini mania.....it's time to say goodbye to Maynard! Well actually he's already gone (I'm using Chris' car)...and I have to wait another 3 weeks for the new one....it's due off the production line 19th May.

I'm not telling you what colour.....stay tuned and I'll post some photo's when he arrives....'it' might even have a name by then.

'Maynard' came from black and red midget gems - made by Maynard - as the car was all black and red (even inside).

Digitally scrapped using Helen Bradleys book.