Bank holiday weekend!

Hope everyone is enjoying the bank holiday weekend. I haven't been up to much, just researching a new kitchen and relaxing. I met up with a friend from school on Friday. She lives and works in Paris now so we don't see each other very often. It was great to catch up though. Then yesterday we did a bit of shopping. Harry got new shoes and dh finally found a pair of shorts he likes for our holiday to Mallorca in October. Today we've just been visiting the family and listening to the football.

I didn't manage to get any scrapping done last night again, although I did make it to my desk! I got busy organising my first swap, a hot and cold ribbon swap, which I need after dh let my 14-year-old sister loose on my stash. She has used loads of my best ribbons, but the worst thing is that most of it she just cut up and didn't even use. Aaaarrrrghhh! And I've also been having a mini clear out to raise the last few pounds I need to buy a Craft Robo. My birthday money and commission from selling a story to a magazine hasn't quite covered it, but I'm not far off. I can't wait to get it though, I need it now!

Tomorrow is our second wedding anniversary, which we are celebrating with a party in my mum's new garden. She has so many people coming where as we just have a few close friends coming. I'm really looking forward to it though and taking lots of nice photos to scrap :)

ttfn :)

Exhausted!

Sorry I haven't updated my blog this week, I've had to work long hours while being acting news editor at work. I didn't get out until almost 8pm last night, but mainly because I had to get through enough work to secure my bank holiday off work. I'll be carrying on for a couple more days next week and then I have a bit more time off. I have really enjoyed it though, despite it being really hard work :)

It's my day off today and I'm off to meet a friend for coffee soon. She lives in Paris so I don't see her too often and I'm looking forward to it.

Hopefully I might get some scrapping done this weekend and then I can get back on topic!

See you soon!

Me again

Just popped back on because I wanted to post another photo I took of Harry earlier today. Dh had been looking after him while I tidied up my scrapping space and when I came back downstairs dh was snoring on the sofa and Harry was asleep on the floor! He must have been really tired as it can't have been that comfy! He looked so cute though I had to snap this photo of him on the little digital camera. This is definitely one to scrap very soon.


Right I'm off to get some scrapping done so I can start posting some photos of completed LOs as well soon!

And more photos

I haven't really done much today. Took ds out for a bit of scrapbook shopping while dh listened to the football. Bought some lovely sewing machine thread which I can't wait to try out later, some buttons and embroidery threads that were on offer at £1 and this month's copy of Creative Scrapbooking, which has finally hit the shelves this week. Good job I have my newsagent reserve me a copy otherwise I would have given up looking for it by now!

Anyway, here are the rest of the photos I wanted to post yesterday of our visit to The Deep. I am in love with the picture of ds and me by the sea and I think it will be the next photo I scrap, after the CJ DLO I'm currently working on. Dh is getting really good with the digital SLR camera my mum lent to us, I haven't been able to get near it but I don't mind as he's given me loads of great photographs to scrap so I'm happy!

We had such a fab time today!

We had free tickets to The Deep at Hull and decided to make a day of it. We had a great day, Harry really enjoyed watching all the fish and looking at the interactive displays and afterwards we let him run around along the waterfront. It was lovely all being together and having fun.

I got another call from work this morning to go through what I'll be doing next week. The good news is that I'll actually be taking over the role of news editor, the bad news is that even though I'll be doing the job all week I won't be getting the extra money for it. The big cheese says it's a trial and the experience will be good for me, and I agree it will, but if I'm doing the job I should be paid for it. I shouldn't be surprised, this is the same boss who erased the chief reporter position to save a few pounds. They're so stingy, it's unbelievable.

Anyway, it's meant to be my week off so enough about work! I received the latest issue of Scrapbook Inspirations today and as usual it's full of inspiring LOs (congratulations to all those featured this month) and I love the free gift, although the next one looks even better, again! I really must get some scrapping done tonight instead of surfing the web and watching television again!

Finally, here is my UKS prompt for today. The question is; If you could go back to about the age of 14, when you're just entering your teenage years, what 3-5 pieces of advice would you give yourself?
1) Your mother knows best. Seriously.
2) Like yourself and others will like you too.
3) Keep your options open, don't settle for anything less than perfect.
4) Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy being young and carefree.
5) Keep in touch with your true friends, it's too easy to lose touch as you grow up and move on.

That's me done for the day, I'll no doubt report back soon. Byeeee!

Fun and games, and CJs

Lots to update today! I've been busy pondering over my latest CJ entry. It's called Foods I love and although I am only the third person to receive it my two favourite foods - chocolate and Chinese - have been done already! Great minds think alike eh?! So I think I'm going to do cookies, I love them, especially the soft melt-in-your-mouth ones, yummy! I have no idea how my DLO will look yet though. The other two are absolutely gorgeous, I really want to maintain the high standards!

I just received a call from work (even though it's my week off!) and I'm now a very happy bunny. First of all I got my exclusive splash today (front page) with a fantastic story every newspaper in the region and the national newspapers will want now. Secondly a story I sold to a news agency got published in Full House magazine today, which means £100 commission is now winging it's way to me just in time for my birthday next week. And best of all because my deputy editor is off next week I am being temporarily promoted from senior reporter to chief reporter. I had wanted this role permanently when my colleague left it, but cost-cutting meant the company demoted the position to just a senior reporter position, which is what I already have. At least this way I'll get more responsibility and money for the week, and it will be good for my CV. It will mean a lot more work, especially as we have a new reporter starting on Monday and the other has only been with us for two weeks, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Gosh, and I only joined four months ago. I would never have had this opportunity at my last newspaper, so I'm really pleased I got transferred now :)

Anyway, enough about work. I'm taking part in the UKS promt scheme and today's prompt is; Who are the people you've met that you gained the most from?
I would have to say my great-grandmother or Nana. She taught me to knit and ignited my love of crafts from an early age, and she was so warm and kind.
Then of course there's my husband of two years, Gareth. In the seven years we've been together he has given me love, confidence, happiness and our beautiful son, who in turn has given me so much and made me a mummy, which I love being.

I've also being tagged with a little quiz. Here it is, with my answers:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? I have no idea! I want to move, but not far, and I'm not exactly sure of where! Maybe a little village just the other side of town. We would be back in Leeds there, where we are both from, and it's a lovely quiet area still close to local amenities and motorways and with a lovely school for Harry. I think I'd be happy there.

2. What's your favourite article of clothing? My jeans, I'm never out of them at home. At work I prefer black or dark trousers, although thanks to the Next sale I'm happily sitting in a pair of brown combat-style trousers at the moment.

3. Favourite physical feature of the opposite sex? A nice smile and sexy eyes :)

4. What's the last CD you bought? KT Tunstall's album. I have no idea where it's gone though, I think my son has hidden it!

5. Where's your favourite place to be? At home, cuddled up with my husband, mmmm :)

6. Where's your least favourite place to be? Work on a Tuesday evening, right on deadline, when I have loads to do and it's getting late and I want to see my son before he goes to bed.

7. What's your favourite place to be massaged? My back, I think. I can't remember ever having a proper massage!

8. Strong in mind or strong in body? Definitely in mind, I'm a weakling!

9. What time do you wake up in the morning? When I really have to, when I've hit snooze three times already and I'm running late! Usually about 7.45am. I'm not a morning person, not until I've had my coffee anyway!

10. What is your favourite kitchen appliance? I don't cook, my husband does. I'd either burn it or give everyone food poisoning! Maybe the kettle, I can't go wrong with that!

11. What makes you really angry? Oh where do I start?! LOL! Dangerous drivers, like yesterday when one lady almost forced us off the motorway, rude and/or selfish people and any sort cruelty to children to name but a few.

12. If you could play any instrument what would it be? I'm really not musical. I think it would be cool to be able to play the piano though.

13. Favourite colour? Turquoise.

14. Sports car or SUV? A nice, economical sports car, like the Street Ka. I have a Ka and I love it, it's gorgeous and so cheap to run.

15. Do you believe in an afterlife? I'd like to think so. I don't know where though.

16. Favourite children's book? Anything by Roald Dahl.

17. What's your favourite season? Summer, I love sunshine and being warm and lightly tanned.

18. What is your least favourite household chore? Emptying my son's nappy bin, yuck!

19. If you could have one super power what would it be? To fly. I love heights and the views from up there would be amazing.

20. If you have a tattoo what is it? Just a little purple rose on my right shoulder. It was my favourite colour at the time.

21. Can you juggle? I used to be able to, not so much anymore.

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? My Nana (see above). I would ask her why she hoarded so much stuff in her flat!

23. What's your favourite day? Friday. My day off work that I spend with my son. Just him and me having fun.

24. What's in the boot of your car? New nappies, a pair of shoes and a newspaper.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? Hamburger, with cheese though, yum. Although I'm meant to be on a diet!

Right, got to go, back soon :)

Productive Day

Today has been quite productive. It's my week off work this week (yes, it's my fault it's going to rain all week, sorry!) and having done nothing of any interest yesterday, today I managed to complete the UKS weekly challenge and get some tidying up done too. I really enjoyed the challenge, which was to complete a beach-themed LO and include a mini book. It was easy to pick out my favourite photo of dh and me on the beach on the last night of our honeymoon, but I've never done a mini book on a LO before. Saying that though I'm really pleased with it and I'm going to include it in the album I'm trying to complete in time for our wedding anniversary.

I also really enjoyed making this card for my friend on Sunday. I've only made a couple so far as I got straight into scrapbooking without making cards first, but it was quite rewarding. I'm not quite ready to design my own yet, this one is a scraplift of a card in the Bazzill Colour book, but I think I will get there in my own time :)

Dh and me have just been out for the evening to enjoy a Chinese buffet, it was delicious. We don't get out as much as we used to before we had our gorgeous little boy, so it makes nights like these even nicer. The diet starts tomorrow though, the weight is starting to creep on a bit now as it has with all the women generations above me, so it's time to nip it in the bud and try to lose a stone before I lose control. Bah, I hate salad!

Just about recovered...

... from an absolutely exhausting weekend last weekend, what with making the golden wedding party cards and then enjoying the celebratory dinner. We had a couple of late nights to say the least and it has taken me all week to get over them. So that's why I haven't updated my blog this week, I've mainly been working and resting.

Anyway, I finally got back into scrapping today at my monthly crop in Leeds. Usually I don't get very much done because I'm too busy trying to decide what to use for my latest LO and browsing the wonderful shop that we use. But today I managed not only to complete a LO but also get the last few of my cards done too. The LO is of me and dh, a photo that was taken during a shoot when we got engaged three-and-a-half years ago. It is our second wedding anniversary this month and I found this picture while looking for prints to scrap while our printer is temporarily out of ink and waiting for a replacement. I'm really glad I found it and decided to scrap it, and if I have time I want to make a little album in time for our anniversary on the 28th.

Right, I must go as dh is going out and I have a friend coming round to watch a DVD. Chat soon :)

I'm in awe...

... at the UKScrappers mini cyber crop class I just took by JoolsG at PaperArts, it is inspiring and I have enjoyed taking part so much this evening. Although, cutting out all those paisleys has made me determined to save enough money for a Craft Robo before the next cyber crop. It's my birthday this month and I'm also due to get some money for selling one of my stories to a national magazine so hopefully I'll have just about enough then. Dh is already moaning but as he treated himself to an X-Box not so long ago, at the same price, he has no right to! Anyway, back to the class, I'm so pleased with how my effort turned out. I've scrapped our last family holiday to Florida two years ago, a few months before I got married and had my little boy and my sister had her daughter. I hope to include it in the A-Z book I'm planning to complete one day along with a list of other things. I just can't decide whether to file it under F for Florida or H for holiday!

Sorry about the poor quality picture, my camera batteries died before I could get a better one. I think I'll retake it under daylight tomorrow!

Right, better go catch some zzzzzs before work, I was hoping to be finished and tucked up in bed an hour ago, but that was before I kept cutting out paisleys the wrong way round!

Bye for now :)