Crafty Thursday!!

Good afternoon, how are you all coping with the snow & cold??? Apart from ungritted road - things are going ok here - yes we have snow (lots) & yes its cold, but can get out and about and the school is open (yay!!).

Today has been slightly crafty - in that, I have done a spot of baking and a spot of card making.

Thanks to Debbie over here for the recipe and the motivation - apart from fairy cakes for school fairs and the odd batch of hobnobs, thats about the most baking I do - so here is my version of her carrot cake:


Me & hubby just had to have a piece for our 2 o'clocks with a nice cup of coffee & it tastes delicious!! Quite amazed it worked - honestly I am really no good at things like this - just need more practice - I think it is just a confidence thing.


Tom has been invited to a school friends party - so made a card for him:
The image is a cute dinosaur that I received as a RAK from MrsTidge (thanks again!). What do you think, I am not sure whether to leave it as it is or to add the boys age (6) between the dinosaur and the sentiment.

Ok, thats it for today - will let you go now - whilst I go and sort out the boys tea. Take care x

Evening all, what twice in one day!!! Well just been having a little mess about and made a couple of cards:

Sorry not sure of the names of the papers - they were some that the lovely Rainmac sent me when I first showed an interest in card making.



This was made with some Basic Grey papers that I received from Mel for winning a challenge that she had set over on MSE. I got the little tea & biscuits stickers from Paperchase and just printed off the little 'Time for Tea' on the home computer. The colours dont show up too good on the photo but they are a lovely lime colour.

Hope you like them.

*note to self - tidy desk before taking photos!*

Well good morning, 3rd January already!! Hope you had a good New Year - not too much of a bad head the next day!!

Ours was a quiet one - cant take the pace anymore!!

We did have a bracing walk by the sea - weather was fine until we reached the car park (we were the only ones there!) and then it started snowing - couldn't believe it though - hardly any moans!!

How are your Resolutions going - the fitness one for me is still to get started, but I have done 2 meals from scratch!! Is it my new Cath Kidston apron bringing out the chef in me??? One a Philadelphia recipe with Smoked Salmon - but didnt really like it - and the other one courtesty of here and it was lovely - fab site as well. It looks like I will be getting some encouragement and recipes to try here, Debbie is one talented lady - am hoping will be able to keep up with her - looking forward to the Carrot Cake -one of my favourites!!

I was pleased to get a couple of books for Christmas - and then my mum loaned me two that she had read and absolutely loved:

Sorry about the bad picture but the books were Dawn French, Jane Green & 2 by Jennifer Worth - decisions, decisions, which to start first - hmmmm - well opted for Dawn French and so far so good.

Well its snowing again here and my eldest and his dad have gone sledging but the youngest wants to stay in and be warm. So I am on Hot Chocolate duty - hope you are enjoying the snow!!

Ooh, also wanted to let you know I have had a bit play with my Sizzix and it is not scary at all, just waiting for a delivery of more dies and then can get tinkering a bit more- but will hopefully get a few cards made any way - the kids are back at school on Tuesday - so from then will be able to concentrate on my card making!!

Nearly the end..... of 2009!

Well, just thought I would do a quick post as it nearly the end of 2009 and looking forward to 2010 - would like to wish you all Happy New Year!!!!!

Every year I make a Resolution and never stick to it and they are all usually based around being more organised,getting fit, eating healthier, drinking more water etc. etc. Yup you've guessed it - it lasts around a week!!!

So hopefully by putting this years resolutions in print for all to see I am hoping it will help me stick to them. So here goes:

1) To try one new recipe a week, and cook more meals from scratch - pkt casserole mixes do not count!!!
2) Get fitter (ahem - not holding out much hope - but you never know!)
3) Stop dithering - JUST DO IT!!

Fingers crossed.

Let me know what your resolutions are. We will be having a quiet night tonight - as always since we had kids - but for those of you having celebrations - have a great night!! Wishing you all the very best.

Christmas Stocking wrap up:



Morning all - well havent blogged for a little while, but it has been Christmas (thats my excuse anyway!!). Hope you all had a fab time and Santa was kind to you - we had a great time here with lots of surprises -


I love Jacks face in this picture - he has been asking for an x-box elite for about 18 months and at last he got one he was sooooo pleased!!

My hubby also managed to surprise me as well with a Sizzix Big Shot - I have been undecided for ages between a Big Shot & Cuttlebug - so now the decision has been made for me - although slightly scared about using it - it seems a bit complicated!?!




To give us all a kick start ready for the New Year Rainmac has set a challenge over on MSE for a Sketch Card - I have never done one of these before so thought would give it a go and would be ideal to do for an engagement card that needed to be made so I have come up with this:

What do you think??? I like it but keep having doubts should I have gone for something a bit more - ooh I dont know - bit more pink or blingy??? for an engagement - anyway all comments appreciated as I havent posted the card yet. (gulp)

Its Snow Time!

Hope you are all managing to keep toasty warm - it's been snowing here this afternoon but mainly hailstones - however the boys still managed to persuade their dad to take them out after tea for a daft run around - don't know how they managed to get enough snow to throw snowballs but:


Postie brought us some lovely cards yesterday, one for me from Sarah (aka Rainmac):



It is truly lovely - hopefully my cards will be as good (one day!).

Next my boys received a lovely post card from Mums Monkey - they were so chuffed and slightly amazed that Monkey knew where we lived - they love reading Monkeys adventures:



Lastly, I finally got round to making a money wallet for some relatives who are receiving money for Christmas - couldnt find a template I liked so with a bit of encouragement I had a go at making my own - sorry forgot to take a photo of it open:

The Holidays Are Coming!!!

Hi, well still seem to be keeping on top of things - finally got round to making hubbys Christmas Card the other night - and can post the pic now - as he has opened it and is on our mantlepiece!!



Monday was a bit of a busy night - we also got the Christmas decorations out and let the boys decorate the tree - they have actually done quite a good job - so I have left it - not needed to move anythings around!!

Also taken a few pictures of my favourite things, I love this little gingerbread man tree decoration and as you can also see I have a bit of a collection of nutcrackers:





















Last night saw Toms School Nativity - he was THE donkey!!! Brilliant he was too - however, when I first saw his outfit I wasn't sure if he looked more like the Gruffalo. The performance was excellent - all the children sang their hearts out - definately a tear in my eye - believe me it doesn't take much!!






















I finally feel that I am getting on top of things, got the pressies wrapped today, christmas cards sorted - going to hopefully get all the daft bits and bobs tomorrow and then THAT IS IT!! No more shopping - I hope - ahem! (Does internet shopping & grocery shopping count??)