Happy Hogmanay

Can't believe that we're at the end of 2009 already (and also at the end of the decade). Where has the time gone?! Managed to make 181 Christmas cards in the lead up to Christmas. No, I don't know 181 people but at least I don't have to make any next year either.... Strangely, after a break from card making I actually enjoyed it and could have gone on but I decided that 181 was enough! Also made a box of cards for my Aunt's Christmas present which she loved. Not sure she's actually going to send any of them as she said she'd rather put them on her walls. Never mind. So, if I enjoyed card making after a break maybe I should get back to cross stitching (or not...) Anyway, whatever you're up to - have a good one and stay safe x

Remember

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon

Where has the time gone?

It's November, and I've not blogged for ages. *hangs head in shame* I only have an excuse for the last week - I've been stuck in bed with a nasty flu bug since Tuesday. Starting to get better but still have absolutely zero energy. Was at the craft show at the SECC last week, got some good stuff but wondered why I was on such a tight budget. Found £20 of my cash when I got home that I hadn't put in my purse! Silly billy. Last Saturday and Sunday was spent in Springfield Cambridge Church in Bishopbriggs at the Boys Brigade Officers course. Only another 7 hours to go on 22nd November. Not a lot of crafting done (unless you count the hour of crafts at the BB course, but they're Christmas crafts suitable for P2 and P3 boys....)

Yay!

For ages I struggled with the laptop screen bouncing up and down making blogging or uploading very difficult! Well, it's now been fixed so no excuse now. Well there is, I haven't taken any pictures of my stuff for ages.

It's crafting night tonight so hopefully I'll get some photos done tonight. Bought myself some new scrapbooks which were reduced on the Docrafts website so I should really spend some time organising the pages I have got.

Must go, need a cuppa before my meeting at church.

Gorjuss candy

Check out Leanne's gorjuss candy on offer at her blog. Link in the sidebar.

Busy day today - had my friend's wee girls birthday party between 12 and 2. Boys had a great time running and jumping about Fuzzy Ed's. Came home for about 20 minutes and then back out to swimming lessons. Was hoping to get a sneaky half hour of crafting in before Andy came back from the football. Unfortunately didn't happen as he was home just after we got back from swimming. Never mind, hope to get some stuff done tonight. Anyway, here's a few things I've managed to upload. The birthday card for today's birthday girl Me as a very small girl with my grandparents

Scott and I on holiday last year.

Me and my boys

TFL

Susan xx

Pain :o(

Scott had lost his Boots the monkey so I looked for him (the monkey not Scott) down the side of Scott's bed. Unfortunately while I was doing that I felt my neck go in to a spasm which is a problem I've suffered from over the last few years. It's very painful while waiting for the muscle to get itself out of a spasm so I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself atm. We were through in Edinburgh on Friday for DH's cousin's birthday party. It was a good (if very late) night. I have a photo of Scott I took at 12.07 am where he's sleeping across a couple of chairs... awwww... Might post more later xx

Candy!

2 gorgeous lots of candy both of which close on 4th August - pop over to Michelle and Stephanie's blogs to see them.

Couple of layouts..

Look at the time

It's either very late or very early! Have been on my own for most of the weekend as DH was off in Edinburgh seeing his mate who is over from America for a holiday. Took the boys to the River Festival on Saturday, they had a great time and the weather was fab. DH off work tomorrow so I am taking the opportunity of staying up late and hopefully having a very long lie in the morning ;o)

First day back

at work today :o( and it was made even worse when I realised I'd been off for nearly 3 weeks! Had my first crafting session after my holiday last night. Yvonne was very productive and almost finished (having only started last night) a guest book for a wedding! Sandra and I weren't as productive - I half made a birthday card for the weekend and did a page of the boys. I have my new camera so hopefully I'll get some photos up tomorrow. Susan xx

Just a quickie

Hello!

Where did the weekend go?

Can't believe it's nearly over already. That said, this time next week I can look forward to a lie on the Monday and Tuesday when the boys have finished school and nursery! Got loads of cards to make over the next couple of weeks before I go away as I've got 3 birthdays while I'm on holiday so they need to be done so I can take them with me and post them while I'm away. Did a page last night with this month's Scrapangels kit. I was quite pleased with it. I'd be more pleased though, if I could take a photo of it and post it. Hopefully I'll get a new camera before I go on holiday so I can get some of my crafting stuff up here.

14 sleeps

till we go on holiday :D Off to (hopefully) Sunny Scarborough Thinking of taking some craft stuff with me so I can be productive in the evenings when the boys have gone to bed. Been a very quiet day today. Did some tidying and made a couple of Father's Day cards for the boys to give Andy. Father's day always makes me feel slightly sad cos my Dad isn't here to enjoy it. He would have loved sharing it with his grandsons too. Sadly it was not to be.

Oops

Bit of a disaster on the scrapping front last night. Made a lovely page and then spoiled it by doodling! I did tell Sandra that I couldn't doodle but she didn't believe me - she does now ;o) Anyway after I took Sandra home last night (or very early this morning) I painstakingly took all the elements off the page and stuck them on new cardstock. It looks much better now. I'd take a photo but my camera is playing up atm so I can't :o(

To make do here are Scott and I at Pollok Park a couple of weeks ago!

TFL

Susan xx

In a few short hours

I'll be off on the nursery trip with Scott. What have I done? Why did I volunteer? Must have been a moment of madness ;o) Made a card for a friend's birthday today (well technically yesterday) but stupidly forgot to take a photo of it so I have nothing to show! D'oh. Been out tonight with my lovely friend Ruth trying to help her choose an outfit for a couple of weddings she has this summer. Not sure I was much help though as we didn't actually manage to buy anything!! We did see a few nice dresses in Monsoon. We had coffee at Starbucks and then coffee back at Ruth's - I'm buzzing now, not sure I'll get to sleep any time soon!

Auto Immune or Lupus...

Been really busy the last couple of days... no idea where the time has gone. Had a really crap day at work yesterday. Spent all day training a couple of people to be told at 4.15pm that the whole thing had been completely pointless. I could rant much more than that but I'll leave it for now. Went to a BBQ last night at a local church - it was a really good night. The boys loved being out in the open air and being allowed to stay up late. There was another wee boy there so the 3 of them had a great time playing football. Just catching up on House at the moment.. hence the title ;o)

What a day

yesterday was. Kids were off school and nursery for an inservice day and were out playing in a friend's garden. They came back over when Scott had fallen off a swing and hit is head on the concrete - there was lots of blood!! I used the old millionaire touch and phoned a friend. I'm ever so grateful to Sandra and Pete who were much better in the crisis! Pete (poor man was on a day off) took Scott and me down to A&E. Scott's head was glued back together and he's now very proud of his war wound. Don't know how I'm going to survive 7 weeks summer holidays.....

I did it!

Did the Race for Life this morning. Some friends and I walked it this morning, we had a great laugh. There were so many people there it took us 36 minutes to get through the start line!! Haven't done much in the week that I haven't blogged. Haven't done much crafting (or taken photos of the crafting that I have done. Gotta go, a child has just got up out of bed.

Party on

It's been another gorgeous day here. Very warm! Had a family party for Scott this afternoon which was lovely. He had a good time playing with his friends and got some lovely birthday presents. Managed to make his cards last night (well probably it would be more accurate to say early this morning) Once I find the cable I'll post pictures of them, I was quite pleased with them (for a change). I really need to go tidy our bedroom cos I just moved stuff from other rooms on to our bed so if we want to go to bed some time this evening it had better get done. Also need to wrap Scott's pressies too.

Scorchio

It's been very very warm today! Summer has come at last. Been at Loudon Castle for the Sunday School trip all day. A great time was had by all. Boys are out playing in a friend's garden just now, you'd think they would be knackered, but oh no, they must have had a second wind. I must go and tidy the house - we're having a wee family party for Scott's birthday tomorrow afternoon although it isn't his birthday till Monday. And I really should get some cards made for him cos I doubt I'll feel like it tomorrow night ;o)

Bad news day

Just got news that a friend's mum died earlier this evening so I'm feeling a bit sad for her. We'd just found out that Mixu has resigned as Hibs manager when we got the other news. Mixu's resignation seems a bit trivial now but I'm sad about that too. Pray that tomorrow is better xx

Will the 2 small boys in bed

please go to sleep! Grrr, they're both tired, why won't they go to sleep?! The girls are coming round tonight for our usual crafting Tuesday. Got some cards to make so should really get on with them, 4 at the last count (including one for a certain DS who will be 4 on Monday). It's funny but I am the woman quoted as saying "I don't scrapbook", and now, I can't be bothered making cards and just want to get on with some lo's. Inspire me someone. Been a busy day, went out for a very long walk first thing with my friend, Liz. It's great to get exercise in the fresh air and a gab while you're about it. This afternoon I had to go up to the church as it was my week on the gardening rota. I am knackered now after all that fresh air. I'm hopeful of a second wind though cos I really need to get on with these cards. Susan xx

How you remind me...

I can't believe I haven't posted this already but Nickelback were amazing! I hope there was no one of a nervous disposition there as there was a lot of banging with fireworks going off!! Never a dull moment eh? Sunday was the Sunday School promotion and prizegiving service at church. As Craig is going in to P4 he was promoted to a different class. The friend I was sitting beside kindly provided me with a packet of hankies but (and this is very unlike me) I didn't need them! We had intentions of getting up this morning and going through to visit Edinburgh Castle but we never made it. Don't think DH or I had the energy to get there. Ended up going to see Bolt at the Odeon kids club. We met Sandra, her mum and the kids there so the 4 kids pleaded to be able to play together after lunch and being the lovely parents that we are we agreed so Sandra and the kids came down after lunch which was good. I've managed to upload some more pages, some are finished, some are not. This is a lo of my mum aged around 2-3(I'm guessing), she's on a beach somewhere carrying her potty. Can't think of a title and am thinking of embellishing it a wee bit further with some more flowers (poss nesties) under the photo. Scott and his friend Igglepiggle on a sea front ride in Scarborough on holiday last year. Still a title to go on it but haven't thought of it yet. This is a photo of my Dad (in the middle), his cousin and his uncle. Just to add the journalling.

This is called I wish for fish. It's Craig on holiday last year and through the holiday he was desparate for a fish supper which he'd never tried before (fussy boy) so this was the first time, and he's never looked back, lol.

TFL.

Susan xx

The sun has come out...

at last! It's been a bit of a dreich old day here. Craig has had a friend round to play this afternoon and Scott went round to play at Sam's house, so it's been a bit of a quiet one round these parts. Went round to Sandra's last night for a couple of lemonades... felt very very dodgy this morning. Must have been the onion rings ;o) Off to see Nickelback tonight which should be good. As I sit here I look at the mess that 2 boys have caused and I should probably tidy up but hey, ho. I'll leave it til later. Not much crafting done this week apart from a truly horrible card I made for a friend's sil's wedding. My friend asked for a Cath Kidston style card, which I have achieved but it is so not to my taste. It's pink and flowery, should have put some butterflies on it too, that would have made it even more horrible!! So, I will not be posting that effort up here. Got some ideas for some pages so hopefully will get some crafting done over this long weekend.

Candy

Check out Debbie's birthday blog candy on Passion for Crafts!

No time for housework...

After yesterday's exertions I have done no housework today :D My friend came round for me at 9.20am this morning and we went for a very very long walk. So long, in fact, that I only just made it back here in time to get the car and collect Scott from nursery at 11.15. Think that should do on the exercise front till next week ;o) So, that's housework and exercise covered for the week. More time to devote to crafting.... I wish. Kirk Session meeting tonight and it was predicted to be a long one so I had to postpone our usual crafting session until tomorrow night. The prediction came true and I got home from the meeting at 9.55, so I had a cuppa and a read of my book. Don't think I'll be doing any crafting tonight though.

Monday Monday

And what a busy bee I've been! With the boys at school and nursery I decided to tackle the mess that was the cupboard in our bedroom. There is now space to put everything in it and we don't need to have the ironing table, washing basket and hoover every time we need in to the cupboard. I even found my driving license (which has been missing for ages). Scott went to a friend's house after nursery and then around 12.30 his wee friend's mum phoned to ask if it would be ok to take Scott to the transport museum! I accepted her kind offer and had time to myself up till 3 when I collected Craig from school. I'm now going to settle down with a cuppa and DCI Gene Hunt. What could be better on a Monday?!

Rain rain go away...

Where did the summer go?! It's been raining for a few hours non stop now (at least I got the washing in before it started though) Turned up at the swimming pool for Scott's swimming lesson, got him changed and then discovered that there were no swimming lessons on today. Grrrr!! They said "oh we told you last week", er, if you had I don't think I would have turned up! Lovely roast dinner tonight, thanks to my aunt for bringing it and to DH for cooking it. Lovely. Showed my aunt the page I've done of my dad and a couple of other men and the one I've done of my dad, my aunt and my grandparents. She was able to tell me some stories behind the photos and gave me an idea for the title of one of them :D I hope I can capture the stories in my journaling. And as that's in my mind maybe I should go craft. My lovely friend Sandra made me a beautiful ideas book for my birthday (which was in April) and today I actually wrote something in it! Better late than never eh?!

It's the weekend!

And thank goodness for that. Busy week at work even if I do only work 3 days. Wasn't in the office at all and spent Thursday and Friday in the Edinburgh office. Still haven't managed to title those lo's I did the other night *hangs head in shame*. Maybe tonight ;o) I had to make a birthday card last night for my friend's birthday today. I do like to put pressure on!!! Never make a card today when absolutely last minute will do. Went shopping earlier this morning with my £10 Braehead voucher so I bought myself some books in the 3 for 2 at Waterstones, I'm a happy bunny :D As the weather was so rotten this morning, after I came back, we went back to Xscape and took the boys bowling (Craig got a bowling voucher for his birthday and this was us just getting round to using it). We finished there and went for lunch to the China Buffet King (kid's suggestion), bleugh, I hate that place! Any road, I've uploaded some more photos.... these ones are just of Craig.

An award

From the lovely Cass, thank you xxx Go to her blog and check out her gorjuss cards ;o) And, as kind of promised - these are the only lo images I have on the laptop, didn't manage to title Tuesdays work yet and my camera seems to be acting up a bit :o( This is the boys on holiday a couple of years ago with giant chocolate coins!!

Youngest DS - should have been titled cheeky monkey ;o)

And I love this picture of them together.

TFL

Susan xxx

Productive Night

I was very productive last night. Did 4 layouts, they just need their titles putting on them and they'll be ready for show! Now, all I have to do is get myself up out of this seat and get the pages out and I really have no excuse for not doing it as DH is away out to watch the Hibs game.

Busy day

Can't believe it's Tuesday already - I hate Tuesdays like people hate Sundays as Wednesdays are my first day at work :o( Had a picnic in the garden at lunchtime with Scott and then we went to collect Craig from school. Craig got his eyes tested and my friend looked after Scott while we went - the chances of monkey boy sitting still while Craig was getting his eyes tested were slim to non existent. Out early this evening for a Pirates and Princess sponsored walk for Christian Aid. Boys had a great time and they were absolutely knackered, however, they both seem to have had a second wind and they are currently chatting in bed.... I'm off shortly round to a friend's for some crafting. Usually the girls come to me but we're having a change of venue this week. I'm sure it will be a late one as usual and then work tomorrow.....booooooo... :o(

It's summer!

Well, it feels like that when you get a bit of sun in Scotland and lets face it we don't often see it that often. Been at a parent council meeting tonight at the school. Hadn't been for a while so it was good to catch up. The head was telling us about her budget per pupil for this year. Shocking! We were discussing, amongst other things, about arranging stuff for the kids for the end of term. Wish i was still at school, they sound like fun. Not much done in the way of crafting for the past couple of days. That said I did throw together a card for a friend's daughter who will be 14 tomorrow. Got some old magazines out last night and made some sketches of lo's I'd like to try - got this month's Scrapangels kit last week and within a day I'd produced a fab lo (even if I do say so myself) but when I tried to do another it just wouldn't come together. Hoping the sketches will help.

Woosh, the weekend's almost gone..

and where did it go?! Busy day yesterday - went to the Spring Papercraft Extravaganza at my local craft shop (Craftology) first thing. Bought some goodies (couple of Hello Kitty sizzix dies, Hero Arts coupon stamps and the PB Dino Party stamps). After I came home from there the boys and I went over to my friend's house for lunch and a play. She has 5 boys so my 2 were loving it!! Then, very late last night, I decided to sort out my paper stash. Bad idea. I gave up around 1am having only achieved a mess on the living room floor. Church this morning and then swimming lessons to get to. While DH was at lesson with DS2 I managed to sort the paper!! Wayhay ;o) I went for pattern and then colour sorted within the pattern. Yes, I know that's very sad, but I did discover lots of things I'd forgotten about. Thinking of going to do some crafting now. And maybe, if I work out how to do it, I'll upload some photos later (or tomorrow).

Dipping a toe in...

to the world of blogging. Never done anything like this before, wasn't even good at keeping a diary as a child!!