Happy New Year

We have had a really great Christmas, we haven't done much other than eating and drinking but it was so lovely spending time with my family. Mum done us proud over Christmas (again), the masses of food and the choice was fantastic, thanks mum. We saw my best friend Nat and her partner Rob on Sunday it's become quite the norm to see them at Christmas which is always special.

3 generations of girls in our family. Notice I'm the only one wearing the party hat!!

We took Charlotte to the park on Boxing day I took some gorgeous photos of her. Here's one.

We are hopefully going to the local curry house tonight and then home for some fireworks.

All is left to say is Happy New Year, I will be back next week with some scrapbook layouts, promise.

Cx

P.S I'm thinking of buying a Bind-it all, are they any good? If anyone out there owns one leave me a comment saying whether it's worth buying one or not.

Holidays are coming!!

I'm busy getting everything ready to go to Mum and Dad's tomorrow. I have so many lists I'm not sure whether they are really helping! lol. Les has the whole of this week off so we have been sleeping in most mornings not venturing out of bed until 9.45am, and it's been so very much needed for all of us.

We had some friends round last night for Seasonal drinks and some nibbles. It was very relaxing and the smells from the mulled wine were just fab.

I'm going to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has left messages and encourage me to do this blog it's been really fun.



Merry Christmas to everyone and lets hope that 2010 is going to be a good one!.

Take care
Cx

Is it Friday yet?

I thought I would share with you the Pencil Lines sketch (164) from last week, I'm all behind right now but I'm steadily getting there. I used the Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg range. Again not a great photo but you get the idea.





This layout I started at the crop a couple of weekends ago and have only just managed to finish it. I made the robot myself by building up the body with different parts of the patterned paper.





Is it me or has it been a long week? Poor Charlotte is really exhausted I think the past few weeks have caught up with her, she is really ready for a rest. She has been a little tearful in the mornings too, there has been no routine at school this week and I don't think she likes it. She came home with a Christmas card and a calendar yesterday which is just so precious I will keep it forever. It's going to be a long day for her today as they are off to the Pantomime and won't be back until 5.45pm, they have had such a fun week they are very lucky.

Anyway I'm off to blitz the house.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cx

5 years ago........

my little one was born. She was two hours old when this was taken.



and just look at her now....



She is the most precious thing in my life.

Cx

Bits and Bobs

We have had a busy weekend again (I can remember typing exactly the same last week). Saturday involved going to Toys R Us so that Charlotte could spend some Birthday money that my Brother gave her although her Birthday isn't until Wednesday we decided going this weekend rather than next for obvious reasons. She choose very wisely and is happy with the Salvanian Family Bakery. It took quite a while to find the shop as we had only been to that store once before, but rather than turn around we got even more lost, what is it with men and directions?!!!.

Today has been spent running around seeing friends, dropping and collecting things. It's all a bit manic but really I love to be busy. So today Charlotte went in her party clothes as it was party day, our contribution was cucumber sticks, it makes a change as I normally get ham sandwiches so it was a pleasant surprise!!. lol. Here she is this morning the little tinker kept closing her eyes saying that she didn't like the flash.



This is a a layout I done a while ago I really enjoyed playing around with the paint.





Oh and before I forget, belated Birthday wishes Paul, 21 again bro.



Anyway I will be back in a couple of days with hopefully some more scrapbooking.

Thanks as always for stopping by.
Cx

What a day!!!

Wow what a day it was yesterday. You may remember that I took part in Sarah's Cards sketch challenge last week. I found out last night that I was the lucky winner who not only gets £10 to spend in there shop, but I also take part in the challenge for next month too. yay. Well done to everyone else who took part there were some fantastic layouts.



This layout was made a while ago, with the Crate Paper purchased from Sarah's Cards. I think the paper was one of my all time favourites I made 2 or 3 layouts and a card from these papers they were just so pretty and vibrant.







We went to watch Charlotte in her Nativity play yesterday and she done us proud. She joined in with all the songs, got on the stage when she was meant to and even done a little dance too. Only at the end of the performance did she start to wobble a little bit, and looked as if she was about to start crying, but she fought back and was fine. Anyone that knows Charlotte or has been following my blog for a while knows that Charlotte lacks confidence and is very shy. When we went for the parents evening back in October the teachers weren't even sure whether they were going to give her a part, but she has surprised us again and done a fantastic job. This is all confidence building for her and she will improve with time and lots of patience from the school and teachers which I know they will give her.

Anyway I'm off to tidy up the house, my parents have left now and are on there way home. It's such an emotional pull when they leave, I miss them terribly. Still we will be going down just over a week so we can all be together at Christmas.

See ya.

Cx

Tinsel and trees

So we had a very enjoyable weekend. I went to Bromsgrove crop on Saturday which was great fun, we even had a visit from Santa!. As usual the food and the company was great with plenty of laughs. Cleo from Bellaboo came with her shop and I picked up the Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg range which will be ideal for some autumn photos I have of Charlotte.



I completed this layout which I started last Thursday but just didn't have the chance to finish.



I enjoyed making the flower which was really easy.



I just love these chipboard mittens!.

Yesterday was spent food shopping and choosing our Christmas tree. It took us about 40 minutes to pick the right tree and as usual it's way to big for our living room, but I just don't care it's Christmas. Charlotte was really excited and loved putting all the decorations on it.



This one it is!



Popping on the star.



Dressing the tree



Finished tree!

Mum and Dad are coming tomorrow for a couple of days to watch the big performance taking place on Thursday. I can't wait!!.

Thanks for stopping by.
Cx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

I am getting very excited I love this time of year, it brings so many childhood memories swimming back. As a child there weren't huge amounts of money in our house, but Christmas and Birthday's were always very special we got most things that we asked for. Although I never got Mr Frosty, my hubby bought me one for Christmas one year and I can now understand why my parents didn't want me to have it, it does create lots of mess! If that's the only thing I didn't get I done pretty well!.

Charlotte is working hard for her Nativity play which is being performed next Tuesday and Thursday, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing her. When I was in School on Tuesday they were having there photos taken, they were all dressed in there costumes and having there faces painted, they were all very excited.

Anyway I have been trying to use my Scrapagogo kit and have created this with it. I'm not sure that I really like it, it's a bit different to what I usually do. Again please excuse the photo quality it's tipping it down with rain here. *sigh*



I'm back down the school in a bit as Charlotte's teacher is pregnant, so I'm going to meet her new teacher(s).

Thanks for stopping by.

Cx

Brrrr it's so cold.

As you know I enjoy taking part in sketches so when I was emailed by Sarah's Cards with there sketch I thought I would have a go. Here is my take on the sketch which I thoroughly enjoyed doing. I used my Little Shoebox papers which I have been sitting on for a while now, so I thought I would put them to good use with this sketch.







It was a busy weekend, catching up with some friends on Sunday and doing all the usual stuff like food shopping. I'm really looking forward to this weekend as I'm off to the Bromsgrove crop on Saturday, then Sunday we are off to buy our Christmas tree and then decorate it. yay! I have lots to do this week, wrapping Birthday presents and Christmas presents. My parents are up next week to see Charlotte in her Nativity play and they are planning on taking all her Christmas presents back with them so we don't have any awkward questions from her.

Oh I must just say I have received my October Afternoon Very Merry papers and they are just lush. I can't wait to make some layouts with these.

Must dash I'm off to school in a bit.

See ya.
Cx

It's been a long week!

As I have had Charlotte off for 3 days this week I have got out of my usual routine, the house isn't as tidy as it should be. I have forgotten how demanding Charlotte can be, it's as though she wants my attention all the time and has to be doing something with me constantly. It's very exhausting. She is much better than she was on Wednesday, but I've have looked at her today at times and she still doesn't look well. I'm sure by Monday she will be fine.

I have managed to complete this weeks Pencil lines sketch. Does anyone suffer from not being able to stick anything down straight? I'm terrible, just look at the layout! lol I like this photo of me, Les took it whilst we were having an afternoon beer in Amsterdam last month.

Have a cracking weekend.

Cx

Mixed bag

What a week it has turned into. For the last couple of days I have had Charlotte home with me as she has a really nasty head cold. She is a little better than she was yesterday. She must of sneezed 50 times and her little nose is red from all the blowing!. Still I think she is on the mend!. I haven't managed to get much done but did get this layout finished which is last weeks twisted sketch. I loosely followed the sketch, but I'm happy with the results. I love the way that Charlotte was looking up at the tree and thought the little owl sat on the branch was ideal it looks as though she is looking up at him.



Not much else is happening here. Charlotte had all her art things out this morning and managed to make my brother a card for his Birthday which is in a couple of weeks. She didn't really follow the less is more option if you know what I mean. Lots of glitter and pretty things on it, there was more glitter on the kitchen floor than there was on the card, but it kept her happy and quiet for a while. She did ask if he would like some fairy stickers on it and I said I'm sure he wouldn't mind, so long as it's made by her.

I'm also trying to finish off the cards and gifts for Charlotte's teachers. I have decided to make little bags and fill them with sweets, following the same style as the cards, the only trouble is they are quite time consuming, just as well we have a couple of weeks left until the end of term.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cx

What makes you smile?

Whilst blog hopping last night and catching up with some of the blogs I read I noticed that Beki had given me this award, thanks Beki it certainly made me smile.

So apparently I have to tell you 5 random things about me.

1. The name Topsy was a childhood nickname given to me by my Grandad. Named after the doll that kept growing.

2. I love fishfingers, mash and beans. It reminds me of my childhood.

3. I was an auntie at 14. My nephew is now 17 and has the most gorgeous brown eyes.

4. When I was at school, I learnt to play the violin (very badly) with my friend for life Nat.

5. At the age of 23 I flew to Singapore on my own for a business trip were I meet up with a strange man who is now my husband!

Now I have to forward it onto 5 people, so here goes:-

Deb who I have recently met through Scrapagogo and who just lives up the road from me. http://debbiedayz.blogspot.com/

Sue Deacon who does the most amazing layouts
http://suedeacon.blogpot.com/

Liberty is a very talented scrapper who I admire alot
http://alifetimeofchances.blogspot,com/

Jackie who has that infectious laugh and always brightens up our crop
http://jackie-scraps08.blogspot.com/

Sarah who has made me so welcome at the crop
http://sarahspigeonhole.blogspot.com/

I haven't been up to much but have finished off these Christmas cards for Charlotte's teachers. The stamps are from Cute Companions (thanks Mum for getting me hooked) and they are so lovely to work with. I water coloured them, which I love to do. I then used some flower soft to make it look like snow. What do you think? Not to bad as I don't make many cards!!!







Off to school in a bit to see the children. I'm also going in tomorrow afternoon to help finish off the scenery for the Nativity play.

Will be back soon.

Cx

My little angel

We managed to find this fab angel costume for Charlotte's nativity play. Doesn't she look adorable? She wanted to try it on straight away and was happy for me to take some pictures of her. I'm so excited I can't wait to see her in action, apparently the angels have to do a little dance!!



An angel wouldn't be complete without her wings!





This weekend has been an interesting one indeed. Full of ups and downs and in a way I'm glad that it's over. It's a real shame when a friendship that you think will last a long time, breaks down and there doesn't seem to be any reconciliation. I have learnt so much about myself over the last few days. I've realised that I am a strong person when I need to be and I'm proud of the way I have handled myself. Anyway I guess that's life full of things which are sent to try us.

Anyway a huge thank you to the people who have listened and supported me, you know who you are. X

I will be back later with some scrapbooking.

Byeeee
Cx

Twisted Sketch #23

Here is my take on last weeks twisted sketch, I really struggled with this one for some reason, I'm not sure why. I started it when my parents were up last week and I finished it last night. It's okay, but it's not one of my best!



This layout came together really quickly, it is using this months Scrapagogo kit which is just lush. Really bright colours which I love. This photo of Charlotte and I is just lovely, hubby caught us sharing our deepest secrets!. Les done well to capture this.



It's rather a quiet one this week, but have managed to do lots of scrapbooking which makes me happy!. We have had confirmation from school that Charlotte is definitely going to be an angel in the Nativity play. I have just got to find her a costume now (with halo), which could be interesting as they need it by next Friday!!. We also got the proofs back from the school photo she had taken last week, oh it's so sweet, she is not really smiling but she has little rosy cheeks and she looks so lovely they got them laying on there fronts which is unusual. I have ordered some copies (as you do) but haven't gone mad as you get left with lots of spares and then it becomes a waste.

Right I shall sign off, must crack on with backing up all my photos just finished 2008, now just need to do 2009. Oh what joy!

See ya.

Cx

Middle of the week already

I haven't done a Pencil Lines sketch in a couple of weeks so I thought I would have a go. This is my take on Sketch 161. Again the photo quality is rubbish due to the light, but you get the idea. I have had these papers for a few months now and thought they were ideal for this layout. This photo was taken when we were visiting Joan and Pete back in August. Charlotte thought it was rather a good idea to run around in her pyjamas wearing her sun hat, my bra! and socks on her hands. I really need to explain a few things to her really don't I?!.



Anyway not much else is happening here. Les is dining out tonight with clients so I have a feeling I will crack on with some more scrapbooking!!.

Have a good one.

Cx

Star of the week

My little girl got star of the week last week, we are not sure what she got it for but we are all very pleased for her. She came running out of class on Friday shouting that she was the star of the week, bless her she is doing so well. Here she is pulling a face holding the certificate.

So Mum and Dad travelled home yesterday after spending a few days with us, as usual it was lovely to spend some time with them, I really enjoyed being able to go round the shops with Mum it was like old times. I have to say a big well done to my Mum she has been on a diet for a couple of months now and she is looking great she has lost over a stone in weight, I know it's not easy but keep it up Mum I'm proud of you.

This is a layout that I done last week, I just love these papers from Crate paper, this is the second layout I have made with them and I also made my Sister-in-law a Birthday card from them to. I love this photo of Charlotte regardless of the fact that you can't see her face, we had ventured up the Malvern Hills and she was taking a breather on a bench she was looking out over the view spotting different things in the scenery.

Naturally I wanted to put Happy Birthday on it, but I've looked through all my rubber stamps and don't seem to have one! That's very strange, but then again I'm not a card maker. The number 60 looks almost red here, but it's a dusky pink to match the flowers.

Righto I'm off to play with this months Scrapagogo kit that has just arrived. :)

See you.

Cx

Girl in Red

The layout below is my take on last weeks Twisted sketch #22. I have had these photo's for nearly a year. It was taken on the day that Charlotte had her Birthday party last year. She was full of cold as you can see from her little face, bless her. I'm so looking forward to getting the Christmas tree this year, it's always quite a big thing in our house. I love to go and pick the tree which is normally way to big for our living room, but I just love it. It has become quite a standing joke now, but most of our friends make the point of coming over just to see how big the tree is!.



The picture quality isn't all that great as the light is terrible today.



I went into school this afternoon. The kids are great, they just come and swamp you, but one little girl came over to me and said that she couldn't remember what my name was so she had been calling me Mrs Crumpet at home!! lol. Kids say the most wonderful things, I love it. Now Charlotte is practicing for her nativity play which will be in 4 weeks time, I keep asking her what part she is playing but all I get in return is "I can't remember". So today I spoke to the teaching assistant to see what part she will be. She looked it up on her long sheet and said that she was going to be an Angel, I giggled and she asked why I was laughing. I replied "she really is no angel"!. It's a lovely feeling though as some of the girls are planets which would have probably have suited Charlotte more as she is a bit of tom-boy. She really doesn't do dresses, and she has never shown any interest in dressing up clothes nor will she let me do anything with her hair. It is amazing what the teachers can persuade them to do I just can't wait to see her oh and the photo opportunities. Oh I'm so excited.

Anyway my parents are on there way so I'm looking forward to having some time to chat before Charlotte comes out of school.

Leave a comment if you are passing by.

Cx

Such a shame

That Scrapbook Inspirations will be no more, I really loved that magazine. I had made a layout which was due to go into the magazine early next year but of course with recent events it will no longer be needed, so I thought I would share it with you all. I rather like the layout and off course the photos are my favourites (I must stop using them). The layout was about Charlotte and all the big changes that she has had to deal with this year.



Looking forward to next week as my parents are coming up for a few days which is always nice. Dad is going to help me sort the garden out ready for winter, and I really must plant the spring bulbs ready for next year.

I have finally finished painting the living room now and I am fairly happy with the results, just the carpet to be ordered which will be done in the New Year now. The colour is growing
on me and it certainly feels warmer especially when the wood burner is on. It was a lot of work, but I'm glad we went ahead. I'll take some pictures next week when Charlotte is back at school and there are no toys on the floor!

Anyway that's about it for me. I'm hoping to finish off a layout tonight so I'll pop back really soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cx

Anyone for painting?

Here is my take on last weeks Twisted sketch #21. I finally managed to get my hands on the diecut stickers to go with the October Afternoon papers. I have loads of Charlotte on her first day of school and thought the Report card range would be perfect for this. I have placed the scissors as if cutting the tape measure, I've put it at the age Charlotte was when she started school 4 3/4.





So I have spent my morning painting, I've now put the second coat onto the ceiling and I've now started on the walls. Have you ever started to paint something and then think I'm not sure whether I like the colour? Hmm well that's just what I have done, so I've walked away from it and will take another look once it's dried I just hope I feel differently then.

I went into school yesterday and I can honestly say that I'm enjoying this new experience. The kids are just great and it feels good to be able to help. With a few of the children I can see a big different in there reading which is just great, most of them are trying really hard to improve. I love the conversations we have whilst reading the books, they get really engrossed in the story. As Charlotte is close to the classroom I'm in, I love to get a sneaky look at her when she is playing and having fun with her little friends.

Righto I'm off, take care.

Cx

Wow me a winner?

When I returned from our little trip away I checked out all the blogs and websites catching up on all the news (as you do). I went onto the Twisted Sketches site to get last weeks sketch and had the surprise of my life I had only gone and won one of the sketches which I took part in a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't believe it. This is the layout what won it for me.



So yesterday I put the first coat of white emulsion onto the ceiling, it to 2 1/2 hours and it was very tedious. The annoying part is that it's been plastered and is that horrible brown colour which is going to take quite a few layers to cover it. I just keep reminding myself that it will be worth it in the end. I haven't done any today as I'm off to school in a bit and by the time I covered all the furniture up it would have been time to pack away and get ready to go.

Anyway just a quick post today. I'll be back tomorrow with last weeks twisted sketch.

See ya.
Cx