Adorning the walls (and doors)

I have decided it is high time I stopped hiding all my paper crafting away in albums and created some lovely things to adorn the walls of our home. So, a couple of monograms and Ikea photo frames here, and a lot of hand cutting later I have made these.

Not terribly complicated but I love them all the same. The H is for Harry's bedroom door and the A for Alex's, the 'create' word, which I covered in the most gorgeous Paperchase wrapping paper, will go on my Expedit craft storage and the frames I think will go on the landing but possibly in my new bedroom once it gets re-decorated. I am spying some absolutely yummy fabrics this evening to make into cushions and other soft furnishings, I want them all sob!

Oh, I almost forgot, I said I would share pictures of the fabric hair corsage I made to wear to a wedding next month using a Youtube tutorial. Here we go.

Do a search on Youtube, search for anything, it's amazing what you can learn!

I'll leave you with a picture of my little devil, ahem, I mean cutie who has this weekend been at my lovely expensive make-up - mummy is not impressed, especially when my bronzing brush turned my face black (but how can she stay mad with a smile like that?!)

Byeeee for now!

x

Mostly a washout

What a miserable weekend, weather wise and the rest. The first two days of the bank holiday have been cold and wet - in sharp contrast to last weekend - which means we have been stuck indoors and the kids have been very bored, even despite a visit from their uncle, aunt and little cousin and us visiting the grandparents. Today has been warm and sunny for a few minutes at a time, then raining again seconds later. It's so annoying. Still we just about managed to barbecue dinner in between downpours and I got these lovely Hipstamatic pics.






















So not a bad day really, except the boys being he'll bent on destruction - harry by eating his way through 7 yoghurts for breakfast (we are so getting a bolt on the downstairs door) and Alex dipping my brand new, expensive bronzed brush in a black eyeshadow (and yes, I did discover this mischief after spreading black powder across my cheeks, scowl). I wonder what fun my little monkeys will bring tomorrow. Sigh.

I'll try and get back on later with a photo of a lovely fabric hair corsage I made last night using an easy but genius Youtube video tutorial :)

X

London, baby!

It seems forever ago already, but last weekend I spent an absolutely awesome weekend in the capital city visiting my bestest friend Sam and discussing the most important matter of her forthcoming wedding - I'm so excited!

After the coach trip down, we spent the Saturday travelling to my fellow bridesmaid's house for my dress fitting, followed by a yummy Italian lunch and then we spent a couple of hours enjoying the glorious sunshine on Blackheath Common. No children to drive me crazy, and ice cream = bliss! On the Sunday it was another hot and sunny day and after a sleep in, followed by as much time as I wanted to shower, dry my hair and do my make-up totally un-interrupted by children trying to steal and apply said make-up (again, pure bliss), off we went for a spot of window shopping in Milton Keynes. Sadly it was soon time to catch my coach home, sob.

I had been looking forward to the trip all month and had been planning on taking some lovely Hipstamatic photos on my iPhone, but very sadly and annoyingly I broke it in the service station on the way there. Grrrrrrrrr. And all I was trying to do was help save the earth by declining another plastic carrier bag and carrying my magazine, crisps, wallet and phone in my arms instead. Big mistake. Someone bumped into me, my phone went crashing to the hard floor and the screen went white. I could just about answer calls but making calls, texting and taking photos were completely a no go. So you'll have to make do with some make-do photos from Google images.

Not up to much this weekend, but I really want to do some scrapping, something pretty that I can put on the wall. Not sure my mojo (or mood) is up for it, but I might give it a go. I probably should try and finish the mountain of more urgent projects I have started first though, like the wedding bunting and the shrug I want to wear for another wedding. Sigh. I'll report back later.

P.S. There was a happy ending to the iPhone horror story. The broken model was swiftly replaced by courier on Monday morning, who brought me a lovely brand new, shiny, non scratched replacement for free, yay!

x

Eventful day!

It has been a busy old day, mainly fab but I'll get to that in a moment!
It started with a 8.30am food shop, which is miraculous considering there are four of us to get ready and because I was out until half midnight last night zzzz (yes, I finally got out, just for a meal and wine with a friend but I really enjoyed it). Anyway, then we went to collect Gareth's new bike, as in cycle, which he has bought through the government cycle to work scheme, so it turned out good value and he is planning to get healthy and fit by cycling every day *not jealous*.
Then it was on to nearby Kirkstall Abbey for a test ride and we had a great time, the boys on their bikes, playing in the fallen cherry blossom *hearts*, climbing on the ruins and relaxing by the river.

After that it was a hop across the road for lunch at the Vesper Gate pub, where the food was awesome and surprisingly cheap, and fast. I had ribs with Jack Daniels sauce, onion rings and chunky chips, mmmmmm, and even the kids' meals were just as delicious (no I didn't steal, I just helped with leftovers!).



















With our hunger satisfied we decided to let the kids play in the abbey playground, just opposite the ruins, and they had a great time...





















... until Alex made a rugby tackle move in the direction of the moving roundabout (he might have little legs but man that little boy is fast!) and suffered a nasty blow to the head *sob*, resulting in a lovely fair sized bump *sob sob*. The cold compress didn't help much and although he seemed fine (he wanted to play some more after the tears had stopped) we decided a trip to A&E was in order, to be on the safe side. Gah. A three-hour wait in A&E, not fun, or so you'd think but actually we had a nice time playing with all the toys, with Alex making some temporary new friends (the place was packed) and charming the pants off all the staff. He was assessed and allowed to come home, phew. Hypochondriac mummy over-reacts again (but better safe than sorry I say).

So I am shattered to put it mildly! Bed is calling I think, although I need to eat first, we haven't had dinner yet and my chef, I mean husband, is asleep on the sofa! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

x

I haven't forgotten!

I'm still here, I've just been so busy in my new job and what a week it has been! We have been busy photographing bumps, babies and beautiful boudoir models, plus a prom dress girl to boost our portfolio. And already one of the shots has won a top award, with others gaining commendations and merits, so exciting! The studio and aftercare service is up and running and the brochures are coming along nicely. And if I really needed a kick up the butt we have booked in to two baby fairs in July so need to have everything ready before then. Phew! I will try and share some photos asap but in the meantime you can check out the Facebook page ABP Portrait Parties.

It has been a better week - Leeds got promoted for starters (about time!) Get in! (I'm talking about football, I seem to have become a fan of late!)












What else have we been up to? A birthday party, me trying desperately to get a night out (and failing miserably, we just can't get anyone to babysit and I seem to have lost touch with my going out friends - don't get me wrong I have plenty of wonderful daytime friends but us all getting out together just proves too much of a logistical nightmare). I also need to get out more on my days off with Alex otherwise two things happen, he repeatedly drags me into the kitchen for yet more snacks (that boy is eating us out of house and home!) or he uses the dining room wall as a scribbling pad!





Thank goodness for wipe-clean emulsion!

A couple more photos before I go, taken at the afore-mentioned birthday party.




















Back soon!

xXx