A new love

When I've been blog hopping I've seen so many scrapbookers crocheting. I've looked over there creations especially blankets and felt really envious, I wanted to do it.  I tried crocheting about 8 years ago when I lived in Hastings but couldn't seem to get the hang of it.  So when Mum was up over the weekend I asked her to show me.  I don't know about you, but I'm not very good when it comes to reading through instructions, I'm better being shown and learning as I go.  So we went to the Country Park and picked up a cheap ball of wall and a crochet hook.  Within a couple of hours I had created a granny square.

So over the past few days I've been practising and I'm now ready to have a go at a Granny blanket.  I've even taught myself to cast on another colour.  I'm so pleased with myself but obviously I couldn't of done it without Mum, I've achieved one of my resolutions already for this year, so I'm well chuffed.

Since the new term has started Charlotte has been complaining that her eyes hurt her, so I made an appointment to get her eyes tested.  It turns out that she is long sighted and needed a little pair of specs.  She chose which frames she wanted and seemed to embrace the new changes.

Doesn't she look sweet?

Be back soon.
Cx

Just Smashing

Now I'm not much of a person to keep a journal or a diary, but when I saw the K&Co Smash books I thought they looked really interesting.  I've heard a lot of people's views about these books which seemed to be mixed. I needed to try one for myself, so I put it on my Christmas list and low and behold come Christmas day I had a lovely red Smash book with some of the embellishments.  I always collect loads of bits and pieces, ticket stubs, maps, cards, notes etc..... perfect I now have a place to document all the everyday things that are important to.  I have to say I love it, yeah I could of probably made a journal (gosh I've got enough patterned paper to make one) but I haven't really got the time and I always seem a little disappointed with the end product.  This really is great for me as it enables me to be creative everyday if I want, without spending hours to do a layout, it doesn't have to be perfect.

I've got a busy week ahead. Yesterday and today I've had Charlotte off school, she has a stinking head cold, but she seems keen to get back to school tomorrow as she has club after school which she really wants to attend.  Tomorrow Mum and Dad are visiting, spending a few days with us, which will be lovely as I haven't seen them since Christmas.

Anyway I'd better go and tend to my poorly girl.

Cx

I loved the 10 things on the 10th last week, thank you to everyone who left a comment, it really was good fun.

I thought I would share some layouts I done last week. With the trip to Dubai/Singapore/Malaysia all booked now, I thought I would find some pictures of when I went to Singapore in 2001. I look extremely young and quite shy, but I have some fantastic memories of a wonderful week out there.  I loved going to Raffles and having the famous Singapore Sling, amazing place, cracking nuts and throwing the shells on the floor!!.






















These photos of Charlotte and I had been on a previous layout and I really hated it, so I took them off (which is rare as I don't normally do this) and they have been waiting patiently to be scrapped again.  I was blog hopping and found Jen Chaplin's wonderful layout of I assume her and her little girl, which was perfect for my photos.  I was roughly the same age as Charlotte on this photo, and apparently my Mum tried everything to get me to smile but I wouldn't.  The following day I scared the life out of my parents by having a infant convulsion which saw me in hospital for the night.  Do you think we look a like? The only real difference is that I was blond and Charlotte is dark.

I really love the new October Afternoon Farmhouse papers, I always tend to buy them all, but this time I picked my favourite ones, I'm regretting not buying the whole set now as they are lovely.

Charlotte has started swimming at school and seems to be enjoying it, last week she came home and asked if I would get her some goggles, her she is modelling them!!!

She is starting choir club tomorrow night, that should be interesting but she wants to do all these things which is great, it's been a long time coming.  We have seen big changes in her and she is even trying new foods, she now likes my roast potatoes and my homemade lasagne, small steps but she is trying really hard, so that's all we can ask for.

Anyway have a good evening.
Cx

10 Things: on the 10th

I have never taken part in Shimelle's 10 things on the 10th and thought it looks rather fun so I thought I would start on the first month of 2012, lets see if I can keep it up for the rest of the year!!!.

I said that we are loving Lego in our family so thought this was pretty apt for this month.

 

1. I love this little clown with his small legs (which are unusual in Lego men) and his custard tart.

2. This one is called sleepy head for obvious reasons. I love his little teddy bear.

3. I built this clown when we went to Legoland last year. I love his fuzzy hair.

4. The robot is from the newest series which only came out a few weeks ago. He has a key on his back, brilliant.

5. I love the detail on this little chap.

6.  Love the lady's face on this and the monkey is just cool.

 7. I love this lads hair, just like a footballer.  The only thing wrong is the colour of the kit!!!

8. I got Santa in the Lego Advent calendar, love that he has a sack on his back full of presents!.

9. I have to say I think the soldier is my favourite (have I said that already?).



10. I thought Lady Liberty is rather appropriate for the up-coming trip next month.  I borrowed her from Charlotte.

If you would like to take part or check out what the others have listed, click here

My family can't believe that I can pick up a packet and feel which one it is, it saves lots of money but I have had a few funny looks in the shops!!.

Right that's me for tonight, thank you to everyone who commented on my previous post, it really is appreciated.

Cx

Well that was the longest pause ever!!

Happy New Year to you all, I hope you all enjoyed the Festivities?

Well what's happened over the last 6 months, to much to mention really, but I will say we had a wonderful holiday in Croatia which was fantastic and a break that was so needed as a family, I highly recommend it, absolutely stunning place.  I do have to give a shout out to Sue who did recommend we go to Hitchin Lavendar field back in the summer, Sue it was beautiful  a very tranquil place, I definately will be going back this summer.

I said in my last post that my bedroom was being decorated and my scrapbooking stash was scattered between Charlotte's bedroom and her play house in the garden. Well the room has since been finished and it looks great. The decision was made that I didn't really need all my stash back in our bedroom, so we had to re-think how I could store it all.  We ended up ordering a small shed, which didn't get delivered until mid November, which meant lots of organising and finding new homes for everything.  As a crafter I find it incredibly difficult as I haven't got a dedicated area I can craft in and tire of constantly packing away before really getting started, which I know many of us crafters face.  I have cleared out my old bureau and use that to sit and craft, which seems to work well, but I still need to pack away, c'est la vie. So whilst that was getting sorted I didn't really scrap much, but one lady in particular who really inspires me is Shimelle Laine.  I spent many an evening watching her videos of 4x6" photo love.  I was fascinated to see how she was going to put 8,9,10,11 and even 12 photos on a layout. I made and took part in most of them and really loved the look, it made me flick through my own albums and to think about how I scrapbook. Most of the layouts didn't actually tell a story or had no journalling or on some not even a date!!.  I sat and thought from someone looking at my albums who didn't know the story, it just looked like pretty page. What's the point!!  So it's been quite a journey for me and have also learnt to embrace my handwriting and now try to write on my layouts. I'm not a natural when it comes to 'proper' English and grammar and always feel awkward when someone reads the text, but I've figured what does it matter if I haven't put something in or spelt something wrong, it's not the end of the world right? No big deal. Pressure off!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Day was quiet as my Brother and his wife went to her family. My Brother really is the life and soul of the party and is naturally a funny guy, who I admire so much.  Boxing Day was spent together, we had a bit of a theme this year which was Lego (we love the stuff in our family).  My Brother and I decided it would be good fun to buy a lego kit for every member of the family so we could all sit and build it together, it was good fun and everyone took part shaking there bags and people not being able to find there parts (that was mostly Dad).  I had huge shock when I opened an unexpected present from my Brother he had only gone and bought me a violin!!! I had briefly had a conversation with him a couple of months back about how I would love to own one.  I played it (very badly) for 2 years when I was younger and gave it up as I didn't really like the teacher and the musty little room crammed full of kids, no wonder the door had to be open we wouldn't of fitted in otherwise!!.

The other huge surprise was from Les, it was my last present, as I opened it thinking I thought this is strange why has he wrapped my passport up, (warning bells going off at this point) inside was an itinerary for a trip to New York in the February half term.  Naturally I was a little emotional.  So I can't wait. We are trying to organise to see a show one evening, we just have to make a descision what.  If anyone recommends anywhere that is worth seeing, other than the usual land marks leave me a message I'd be interested to know. It's just Les and I that are going, Charlotte is staying with Nanny and Grandad who will have a wonderful time with lots of trips planned. 

This year is going to be interesting.  Les turns 65 in September and he plans on retiring or go part time at work.  It will enable me to get my career back on track, but after having so long off to take care of Charlotte it's a little scary and very daunting.  However we are planning a trip to Singapore in October which is were our relationship really began over 10 years ago now.  We are also calling in at Dubai first then onto Singapore, then to Malaysia, back down to Singapore and then home, it's going to be tiring but again I love travelling and can't wait.  What an experience for Charlotte, lets just hope we get time off school as it doesn't allow any time off for any purpose!!  My attitude is that you can't learn everything behind a desk, memories and experiences are what stay with you forever.

Talking of school we are back on Monday after having 3 lovely weeks off.  We have had loads of time to just chill and to catch up on stuff that needed doing, including my JYC which I was so behind on this year.  I was determined to complete it this year and am overjoyed that I have achieved it.  I've also been making these, from Charlotte's old summer socks!! I'm not very good at sewing but have thoroughly enjoyed doing this and they cost very little as I had most of the stuff.  I'm in the process of making my best friend one who loves rabbits.

I will leave you with some of my pages of my JYC.

Before I go I just want to say a huge 'hello' to the Bromsgrove Crop Ladies who have wondered where I have been, I am still here honest and I have missed you all. I will see you soon.

I promise I won't leave it so long next time.
Cx