Sunday 29 April 2007

Sam's 11th Birthday treat!! (and some!)




They
are back!! (and on time - well done GNER!)

What a weekend, they finally arrived at the Chelsea game 15 mins before kick off. Had great seats and enjoyed every minute! Final score 2-2.

Went back to the hotel - very posh!

Then after having something to eat, they decided to get last minute tickets to see Mary Poppins in the West End.

Jealous - me! Green eyed monster - me! No....not much...revenge is sweet!!

Saturday 28 April 2007

Come on you BLUUUUUES!! CHELSEA!

Sam's 11th birthday (1st May) pressie - 2 tickets, for him and Chris, to go to the Chelsea home game against Bolton - today Saturday 28th April. He has never been to see his heros before (and we have been trying to get tickets for ages).

They caught the train this morning, which in true GNER fashion, was LATE!! So they arrived just 15 mins before kick off!!

Having had several phone calls, picture messages and texts throughout the day - I can confirm they have had a fantastic time!! Even though the final score was 2-2 (at least they saw lots of goals!)

Again in true GNER fashion, they are unable to get a train home (due to track works). So they are staying at the georgous hotel we stayed at a few weeks ago, only they seem to have gained a room upgrade!!

Last heard (at about 4.30), Sam didn't want to get out of the luxury shower! and Chris was starving!! They are off to Garfunkels for tea and then going for a walk round Covent garden etc.

Due home about 11.15 tomorrow, lets see if GNER can get that right!!

COME ON YOU BLUUUUUES!!

Saturday 21 April 2007

Dancing on Ice LIVE!!

WOW....guess where I've been (and Sam)....oh yes.....to see Dancing on Ice LIVE at Nottingham. What a fantastic show...First half was exactly like the TV show and we even got to vote for our favorite to get into the final. Kyran and Duncan made it! Kyran WON! Clare was superb. The others were Bonnie, Lisa, Stefan and 2 from the Australian show. The show was being recorded for a DVD, so the judges from the TV show were there, we booed Jason (just to make him feel at home). The show was presented by Andy Peters who was still in a plaster cast! But very funny and entertaining.

The second part of the show was just spectacular! The professionals showing off their skills and lots of performances from Torvill and Dean.

If anyone gets the chance to go, I highly recommend it! The tickets were worth every penny!

Sunday 15 April 2007

Walkies!

Sunday - great day. Started off with a visit to the garden centre, to buy a new garden bench. Bought a lovely chunky teak 'companion' bench with umbrella - just have to wait for it to be delivered - I'm not good with the 'waiting' thing!

This was followed by a slap up Sunday roast at a local pub - with yummy chocolate fudge cake for pud!!

So needless to say, we followed this with a long walk with the dog. We went to a place called Culverthorpe Hall (about 6 miles from where we live). This is such a beautiful setting, 2 massive lakes, a gorgeous Hall and lots of other lovely stone cottages set in acres and acres of land. It is a private house, but they allow the public to use several walks around the grounds.
See pictues below:











Saturday 14 April 2007

MUGS!


Shopping in NEXT yesterday, I just couldn't resist this funky mug! I love anything pink and brown - so this just had to come home with me. It even has a pretty pink flower on the inner base. Best bit - it was only £2.00.






Using Adobe Elements 4, I 'merged' pictures of our 4 dogs, added their names, dropped a disk into Boots and they printed it onto a mug for me! (picture is a bit dark) but it has come out perfect. This was a Christmas pressie for hubby!

I wish I was there!!

Clearwater Beach - Florida - 2006.

Oooo.....what a place, pure white sandy beaches, warm shallow sea and plenty of hot sunshine....wish I was there now! This was one of our more 'chilled' days - as it is a fairly hectic 'holiday'!

Almost a year ago now, but are planning to return in 2009!! Yippee!!

Paper scrapping 8"x8": I used 'cloud/sky' background paper, orange cardstock to mat and layer (I liked the colour combination - sea/sun). I offset 1 photo - rather than have them all straight. I added cardstock stickers and 3D embellishments, 'Heidi' MM rub-on letters in white and used vellum for my journalling (attached with blue MM brads).





Wednesday 11 April 2007

Friends.

Cyprus - September 2003. This was taken during our holiday in Cyprus, we spent 2 weeks there, with a bunch of friends and we got married while we were out there. Great - we got married at 2pm and by 4pm we were swimming in the pool again. (I will post a wedding layout shortly!)

It was actually a double celebration, as our friends, Burt & Lisa, got married at the same time.

The holiday went so quickly, we did lots of sightseeing, lots of swimming and lots of eating and drinking - as we were all inclusive for the 2 weeks!! (well it would be rude not to!)

The layout - is again traditional paper scrapping- I used pattern papers, cardstock to mat and layer the photo, ribbons, epoxy stickers, I cut sizzix tags and used Making Memories large foam stamps to create the title and chalked the edges. The names at the top were created using Word Art, printed on vellum and attached with brads.

He's back!

Sam returned from his football tournament yesterday (Tuesday). All is well! He had a great time! They didn't win, but were awarded a lovely trophy for taking part. And his Easter eggs were still intact!!

Sunday 8 April 2007

My Easter Weekend!

Well it started well...not...Sam was due to go to a football tournament in France for the weekend, leaving at 6.30am on Saturday). But poor little devil was really sick all day Friday and right up until 8.30 pm he was not going (I had not even packed!) Finally at about 9 pm he managed to keep some food and water down (hope you are not eating your tea whilst reading this - sorry!) I took him for ride in the car to see if he was OK travelling. All went well, but he was still very upset and tearful at the thought of travelling to France. So he had a bath and I packed him off to bed - with a bucket - just incase! Amazing typical child - woke up Saturday morning - 'almost' as bright as a button! So, after a very traumatic day, he did finally go to his tournament - I got a text message to say he was fine and had not been poorly. So I hope he will enjoy himself now.

Me - on the otherhand - well I'm working all weekend. Ahrrrr!! (Sat, Sun and Monday!!) and did I get any Easter eggs - did I heck!! But ...Sam has a nice big pile in the corner, oh... and he's in France ;-) ...um...um.... noooooo I really mustn't.

Thursday 5 April 2007

Fireworks!!





My lovely husband bought me the Canon IXUS 750 for my 'milestone' birthday last year, which has a setting especially for taking 'fireworks'. So while we were in Florida last year, we went to the Spectro Magic Firework display at Magic Kingdom - what a spectacular and emotional experience. I took about 40 shots (without a tripod!) and used my favorites to create the following layouts. They are 8x8" on black cardstock. I used an eyelet punch to makes holes, to continue the shape of the fireworks and then added yellow and red card behind to emphasise the colours of the fireworks. And just couldn't resist adding Tinkerbell - as at the actual display she starts things rolling. (A real live Tinkerbell flew across on a wire - amazing!)



Sunday 1 April 2007

Visit to Hobbycrafts at the NEC

Well what a day - a visit to Hobbycrafts exhibition at the NEC Birmingham. We left at 7.15 this morning (after a night of little sleep - think it was the thought of being up early). At about 9.30, (while rummaging through a box of ribbons) I had 2 text messages - the baby boom continues! Margaret's daughter had a little girl at 7.30 this morning and Sharon's 'daughter in law' (almost) had a little girl at 8.35 this morning. All concerned are doing well.

Anyway, back to the show. I stand by my comments of last year - I still felt this show was very much aimed at card makers. Don't get me wrong, it was a very enjoyable day and I managed to fill a ruck-sack and have 2 further bags, to weigh me down. But there was a real lack of scrapbooking stash. I did manage to buy some lovely 7 gypsies mini chipboard books, some great storage boxes (there were some fab storage ideas about), a few papers and I treat myself to a lovely pink thingy to use with heat seal crystals. (like a kandykane type thing!)

Did anyone go to the exhibition at Olympia, London this year, if so what was the 'stash' shopping like there??? We are considering that one next year??