First ice cream...

...from the ice cream van this year! Normally he comes round this way too close to tea or right after lunch, today he went past at just the right time! I never seen Holly run so fast in fear that he would drive off without seeing us! The ice cream man himself was really nice and polite too, prompting Geoff to ask 'Was he a looker?!' as both Holly and Em told him how nice he was!!

Just been hanging around the house again today.Both girls have been out in the garden all day - the less Disney Channel they watch the better! I got some stuff in for a babecue, but by tea time the weather had gone much colder so we gave it a miss!

This evening I scrapped....without a sketch! I have got really bad at scrapping anything other than my PL layouts.This is mainly due to the fact that my stuff is all over the place, I can never find what I'm looking for and I have nowhere to leave stuff out 'mid scrap'! So this evening I have stayed up late to finish a layout done just for me! I just have to suss out how to scan it so that it resizes okay on here! Anam...I may be calling on you for help!

week 27 is live!

This week our guest is Anna Sigga.


Here's my version of it!
I used
Basic Grey papers from the Phoebe, Stella Ruby and Gypsy ranges
MM florish stamp
Stamps Away alphabet stamps & Friends stamp
Heidi Swapp jewels
Primas
Dovecraft brads
Zsiage chipboard letter
Cherry art chipboard flower
Doodlebug spotty button

To explain my comment yesterday about not being allowed to use stamps & ink near a layout,see the Prima under the corner stamp? Yep, that covers a large splodge of ink where I dropped the corner stamp! I have lost count of the amount of times I've done this, I really should have learnt my lesson by now! And if you're thinking the L is a slightly weird shape...you'd be right" It's actually an upside down J! I originally thought it was the L even though I knew it didn't look right...it was only when I laid all the letters out in alphabetical order that I realised my mistake...and of course by then I'd already stuck the photo down and the 'real' L would have covered half the photo.And I was all out of repo herma this week.....So there you have it, an upside J for the L, ink splodges and very wonky stitch stamping too!

Loads more sunshine again today! As Geoff has done something to his back I went into overdrive, even venturing into the loft to get all the cushions down for the summer chairs!

Also manged to strim half the lawn before the strimmer ran out of strimmy stuff, and plant my sweet peas at the base of the wigwam.The girls have been happy enough playing in the garden, enjoying the space hoppers, hula hoops and bubble mixture,gotta love this weather! I leave you with one of my favourite photos from today (and believe me, I took quite a few....)

Gardening, Wii's and haircuts!

Yep, that title just about sums up what's been happening here the last few days!
We've been making the most of the gorgeous weather and spending a lot of time working on the garden.The girls veggie patches are just about sorted , and even Geoff has one too!
We have got caught up in Wii watching the last couple of days , knowing that Peter was looking for one.And guess what Geoff just managed to buy in town today....!! So Peter hot footed it down the A1 as fast as he could to pick it up! He also came bearing gifts of wine , chocolates and the cupcake book that I left there the other day! Anna, I hope you haven't become a Wii widow!
I spent the rest of the afternoon potting up hanging baskets (with some help from Holly!)to go on the front of the house.It's only taken us 3 yrs but we are finally getting the place looking nice on the outside!I've also got a box of Sweet peas and one of those wigwam things for them to grow around.
Yesterday Holly had a haircut, lots came off and she is back to having really cute bouncy bunches! The only downside was we discovered an outbreak of the dreaded bugs...She has been so good though and is happy to have her hair combed through which makes dealing with them so much easier.
Haven't done my EF card this week as I tend to do them whilst the kids are school , and with a full house this week I just haven't had a chance. Pencil Lines sketch is all done and emailed over though! I have decided though that I really shouldn't be let near stamps or ink when scrapping...
On Thursday Em had a friend over for her first sleepover! We were expecting a late night....but when I got back from swimming at 9.30pm all was quiet.Apparently they were both asleep by 9!!
Right, I think that's everything caught up with from the past few days!
Have a Happy Easter!

Who nicked the sunshine?!

Absolutely pants weather today - it's so cold!!
Pants weather meant not many photos at Anna's today, it was too cold to stay outside for long! Here's one though!
Had a fab time , girls all got on so well yet again :) I came home with a little bag of goodies too...Geoff looked at it and said 'Hmm..can see why you like going there'!! Sadly I forgot to bring home the Cupcake book I was going to borrow...probably just as well, I really fancied the sound of the chocolate peanut ones!
I am off to bed now as I am cold and tired!

Bring me sunshine....

Another day of beautiful weather here.We went shopping this morning for garden stuff and then made a start on it this afternoon.I somehow don't think Holly has yet discoverd the difference between weeding and digging a hole though...!Had to share this photo of the cute wind chimey, sparkly Welcome sign that will go in one of their veggie patches! I don't expect it will look as bright after a few rainfalls but for now it's great!
My other pic is of the rabbit we watched on Saturday down at the lakes.Love the zoom on my camera! This was taken through the wire fencing around the old swimming pool site.The girls love watching the rabbits when we go down there.
No other news to share, so just a quick post tonight. Off to Anna's tomorrow and will be bearing gifts of a smoothie maker!In exchange , I will raid Anna's scrapping room and nick all her best stash...whoops, did I just say that out loud?!

Round round baby right round!

Yep, we have gone all round at Pencil Lines this week! And I admit that I had to dig an old 12" LP out from under the bed to cut round for this !! (Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode on clear vinyl no less, how much would I get for that on EBay?!)Our fantastic guest designer this week is Lee Woodside.
So, I used
KI Memories papers from the Garden and Ice Cream Parlour ranges
Heidi Swapp tape
Felt flower (bagged from Louise at last weeks crop - thanks!)dotted with permanent marker
Ki Memories Garden ribbon
Title cut from KI Garden paper
Karen Foster gemstone brads

I cannot believe just how painful it was cutting up my beloved KI papers!! Other brands, no problem! But my KI is precious and pretty much irreplaceable and I am always reluctant to take the plunge and chop it up!
Other news, so chuffed to see that Anna is on the front cover of Scrapbook Inspirations this month...and even happier that pics of my girls are in her article!!
Other news...finally Jo has blogged - yipee!
Yesterday I took the girls out to the park after realising that I haven't used my camera in ages other than for my EF cards or PL layouts. I have resigned myself (almost!!) that I will never get the pics I long for...because my kids will just not stay still long enough!The camera got a good work out though anyway!
The kids are off school for two weeks now so we're hoping for dry weather! Tomorrow we are off to buy stuff for their vegetable patches and on Wednesday we are off to visit Anna.No doubt the camera will have a work out then too....;)
Enjoy your week whatever you're doing!

week 12, up, down and all over the place!

Up , down and all over the place is how we have all felt the past few days....
After resigning herself to not going away, Em picked up and we decided to drive her up to York ourselves yesterday to join the school trip.Except that she was ill again early yesterday morning so all plans were cancelled again..... We are now hoping to take a short break up there in May , just need to check that the girls are okay to miss school that week.Have a horrible feeling it will be the week school assessments are being done so keep your fingers crossed for us! Cannot believe that the Dr's wanted to charge me £11.50 for a sick note for Em though...!
Yesterday we had glorious weather and Em picked up again after spending some time out in the garden.She is home today and currently snuggled up on the sofa watching various DVD's!
So whilst she was comfy I sneaked into the kitchen to get my card for Emily's prompt this week done! Love that I can get this done quickly as they are so small!
So here's mine for this week.I had touble trying to think of something I believe in , to be honest...and I made a point of not looking at anyone else's card so that I wasn't influenced! I ended up with 'I believe...that to have true friends, you first have to be one'. I am enough lucky to have some very good friends who there for me when I am down , who listen to me when I moan and are happy for me when I'm cheerful.I think you know who you are...:)
I used
Hedi Swapp tape
Lil Davis chipboard I
Ki Memories Gel Candy flower
Stamps Away letter stamps, written over in permanent pen as my stamp pad is rubbish!

Right, am now off to check out everyone else's cards!

Gutted...

...for this little lady tonight :( Since last September Em has been looking forward to her school trip to York which starts tomorrow. However, having been ill (both ends, sorry TMI!!) over the weekend she was sick again this evening ...which means she will be staying home.She is being so brave....one big sobbing session so far.I am so sad for her as she was so excited about all the stuff they are doing.Last year was her first trip away and she really wasn't keen, it was all outdoor stuff.This year it's all historic places which she loves...sods law I guess....
I think the only person slightly relieved is Holly , bless her, as she was distraught at the fact that Em would be gone for three days!
We are hoping to maybe take them both up there for a couple of days next week to try and visit some of the places she would have gone to this week.So any suggestions of family places to stay in York would be be greatly appreciated!
Signing off now as I have to go to the school at 7am in the morning to tell then Em isn't going...

This week on Pencil Lines we have our first sponsors - how cool is that?! We had the pleasure of using products from Hambly Studios and another sketch from the fab Lu Braxton.

Here's mine for this week!

I used

Hambly Overlays

Papermania foam stamps

Queen & Co flowers

Jornalling on overlay done with a Sakura Souffle pen

Love the photo of Holly that I used...and yes, her face really was filthy! But you've got to love those long lashes!

Spent today cropping - woohoo! I ended up getting ready in a rush as Em was poorly last night, lost an hour with the clocks going forward and I was my usual disorganised self! Still had a great time ,though I am still full from the cake! Ali did some demo's for us and I now have yearnings to buy lots of new ink pads! I settled for some of her fab new flower stamps, you have to have these cuties!Will sort a pic for tomorrow. I worked on the above PL sketch and also did some bits towards a couple of layouts and a CJ entry .

I'm impatiently waiting for Emily's new prompt...I want to try and get it done earlier in the week than I normally do!

This week Em goes away on her school trip to York for three nights .We have already had several lots of tears from Holly as she will miss her, and she hasn't even gone yet! This will be the longest she has been away from home for but she is so looking forward to it!

Off to blog surf and aiming for an early night!

Late again...week 11!

I know, late in the week yet again!

This is my card from Week of Emily's prompts, this week being your initial. I was only to just write 'scrapper' but with the S being bigger, I thought it'd be read immediately as 'crapper' , hence why I wrote my name in very dodgy looking writing! I used a Heidi Swapp ghost letter , painted pink, May Arts ribbon and some Queen & Co sequin flowers.

I've done no other scrapping this week, but I'm cropping on Sunday so hopefully I'll get inpired there!

Another pic for you, of my gorgeous Dolly beads!These are from Jaq at A string Of Beads.

Right, I really don't have anything else to report, life is so boring at the moment!

Have a good weekend!

Consider my wrists slapped!!

I have been told off by Caz because I haven't posted pics of my 'naked' playing cards! So here you have them! Have no ida how messy this will all look as I am no good at jiggling pics round on here! I took a photo of them on a piece of paper, on the table (so you can see the transparency of them) and then in the light of the window!
Haven't had a chance to finish this weeks card yet, I've started work on it though!
Bit of a miracle today, I managed to lose weight again for the third week in a row! It's not huge amounts but at least it's going down and I'm happy with that!
I'm cropping this Sunday with Anna, Ali, Kerry , Kerry, Louise and Ifa - yipee! Especially as I hear Kerry is bringing cake!
Tomorrow I have to pop into town to see if I have any bank charges and if so, get them reversed by the manager !
Geoff's passport arrived today...one week after being sent off for renewal and without paying for a 'speedy' service!
No other news to share , other than I now have another Dolly bead (Mothers day pressie!) so I shall post pics of that tomorrow! Catch you soon :)

Peppermint creams and paper flowers...

As promised yesterday , here's a photo of the little box of sweets Holly made me at school for Mothers Day yesterday - so sweet!

Weird weather here today...blowing a gale, brilliant sunshine and .....snow!! It's gone so cold again I've had the heating back on today!

This afternoon we had parent Consultations for both the girls at school.They both went well (don't think they've ever had a bad word said about them! ) which was good.I had to laugh at some of Holly's spelling though, bless her.Whilst writing about her bath toy that she'd made, she described how she'd 'poo shit' in the bath...it actually should have said as 'pushed it'!! I do love her wrong spellings though, last week she spelt Tuesday as 'Choosday'...

Another pic too, this is of the paper flowers I made my Mum for Mothers day.Not bad for a first attempt!

Emily had another fab prompt this week, your initial. Hmm...don't really think sassy ,sexy or sweet apply to me so maybe I won't go down that avenue!Hope to make start on it tomorrow!

Week 24...

...I know, not a very original title but there you go......!!
So as you can see, week 24 of Pencil Lines is now live.This week our guest is the wonderful Paula Sealey.
For my layout this week I used

Ki Memories paper (from the Favourite Things Water collection)
KI Memories Alphabet Soup
Autumn Leaves tag stamp
The felt flowers are from an Easter decorative trim from John Lewis
Karen Foster gem stone brad

Hope you had a good Mothers Day.Holly made me a little box full of peppermint and orange creams at school! I'm getting a Dolly bead for my present from both girls which should hopefully be here on Tuesday :)Not much going on here, my Mum & Dad came round for lunch and Geoff was working!

As I've had a few comments about my cards for Emily's prompt, I will add some pics tomorow of them before I use them! They are clear plastic cards that I found in Borders for a bargain £1!!

week 10...

This weeks prompt from Emily was 'Note to self'.I had loads of things whizzing round my head for this one, hence doing it before catching up with the last two! I finally settled for 'Don't Give Up'.This mainly refers to my weight loss (or slowness of!), to remind myself to keep going with it.I've used a Heidi Swapp acrylic star , stamped with Stazon ink and a Stamps Away stamp and a Stamps Away journalling stamp.I also stamped the corner with pink chalk ink, but it doesn't show up that much!I liked the Joker symbols on the card so I left them uncovered .To finish, I edged the card with more Stazon ink to define the edges a bit more.
Right, off to carry on with more stuff around the house!

Finally done!

I know, I am so late with my Pencil Lines layout this week! I had to finish it though or it would have sat unfinished forever!

I've used

Fancy Pants paper (cut down to 8.5 x 11, an idea inspired by Anso!)

Junkitz 'Home' rub-on

Polar Bear press rub-ons

Stamps away letter stamps

Karen Foster gemstone brads

I used little pictures of things around the house that make this place 'home', from my shelf of girly chick flick films, the shelf that houses my Willow Tee angel and glass slipper bought in Disneyland on our honeymoon, my Austin sculpture (gutted that they no longer make these, I wanted a collection!) and the freezer covered in magnets and photos of the girls! Topped of with a photo of our street sign and the number on our door!

I haven't blogged for a couple of days as I haven't had much to share! Em is gradually getting used to her brace and takes great pride in cleaning it and taking proper care of it! We had a few tears on the day she got it but I am so proud at how she's doing now.

Seem to have spent all week running to and fro so far.I've been taking Em out of school for lunch whilst she's been adjusting to the brace so I've been doing the school walk three times a day , and hardly been at home!

Tomorrow I need to crack on with my cards for Emily's prompts and try and catch up a bit more!

Almost like summer....

The weather has been beautiful here today! The girls have spent most of the day outside , be it it washing the car, on the trampoline or riding their bikes up and down the street! We've blown up the pools and hosed them all down, the cars been washed and the shed re-arranged!Phew, not bad! And all finished off with a roast - yum!
I've had PC probs this weekend so I'm all behind on my Pencil Lines sketch for this week.Go check it out though, there's some fab work again this week!I'm hoping to have mine done for tomorrow !
So as there's been no scrapping done, todays pic is of me! I am so chuffed that Geoff managed to get a decent one! Who knows, I may even scrap it!
Tomorrow we are taking Em to have her brace fitted, keep your fingers crossed for us!She has this one for six months , before changing to one top and bottom.

Another one done!

Here's my finished 'Love' card.I painted around the edge of the card, stapled a Heidi Swapp heart on and used Stamps Away stamps and (shock horror!!) black peel off letters for the title.They were the only thing I had small enough to fit in the word 'unconditional'!!

Feels like I have walked the length and breadth of Welwyn Garden City today! I walked over to my slimming world meeting this morning and back home .Then this afternoon I walked over to the other side of town to pick up a parcel from the Post Office depot.I am all walked out!

Not much else to report I'm afraid as all I've had time for today is finishing off the card and eating my lunch!

Still playing catch up!

Still trying to catch up on Emily's prompts! I finished the shoe one today and am almost done on the 'love' prompt, so I'm getting there!This shoe one wasn't easy ! I hate my feet, they are deep, wide and as my ankles puff up, I never have them on show!I dread buying shoes or boots as I can never find any that fit properly.Hence my huge foot wardrobe consisting of...two pairs of boots, one pair of falling apart trainers, one pair of sandals...and my Crocs! I only bought them last week and have only worn them once - to a stamp fair! Which was a pretty good road test for them as I did a lot of walking! And at last - no squashed toes and no aching feet - woohoo! I still haven't been brave enough to wear them to the school run but I'm working on it!

I love the effect of these see through cards! all i did to thos one was add pink acrylic paint around both ends before doing my journalling.

Only a little bit late!

Here's my Pencil Lines layout for this week! I was a bit late this week and didn't mange to get it to Anam until this morning.
I used Fancy Pants papers
KI Memories Ice Dot
MM foam stamps, Lil'Davis stamps,Stamps away stamps and MM rub ons for the title
Heidi swapp chipboard letters & photo corner
Karen Foster gem brads
Angel kisses

I love the new Fancy Pants papers,and even better is that they are double sided so you get twice the gorgeousness!
Had a fab time at Stamperama yesterday! Met Lyzzy and Mel (missed you Caz!)I watched Anna shop for England ;)and picked up a few goodies myself!
Will update more later, just wanted to share the layout!

Quick post!

Because I really should be in bed! But as I cannot sleep I thought I'd blog surf and update on here!

Yesterday saw Holly's year 1 assembly at school ,about teddy bears.Oh my gosh, I was so proud of her! She spoke so clearly and with such a big (gappy) smile I almost cried! Em is now very proud to be a library monitor in the school library.It is the perfect vocation for her as her head is permanently in a book!Tomorrow I will try and remember to upload pics of her with her badge on, complete with her new hair cut!

Tomorrow (well, today really!) am I going to the Stamperama show in Stevenage.Looking forward to it as Clevercut will be there , as well as meeting up with Anna, Lyzzy, Caz and maybe Mel.It's so long since I've seen scrapping stash in 'the flesh' , I cannot wait!

Photo today is of a layout I did earlier in the week.I should have been doing more important stuff, but had that urge to 'create' something! I used papers from the Feb Scrapping Angels kit,along with American Crafts stickers and a Heidi Swapp 'R'!

Right I am off, but please go check out Annie's blog for some fab news!