tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45918822991109978202024-03-14T03:24:07.697-07:00Scrapping Topsy TurvyClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-69854648278158055782012-09-04T02:52:00.000-07:002012-09-04T02:52:04.760-07:00The house is oh so quiet...with out this little girl. Charlotte looked so grown up this morning, back in her school uniform. She has started at the new half of the school, and is one of the older children now. So she no longer has the school book bag but a chosen ruck sack, I swear this morning it was welded to her back!!!<br />
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Right I'd better sort the house out before I go back to work this lunch time.</div>
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Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-46659660305064642072012-09-01T12:40:00.000-07:002012-09-01T12:44:57.489-07:00Summary of our SummerI thought I would do a summary of our summer rather than document every place and every thing we have seen. It's been a crazy 6 weeks and I have thoroughly enjoyed all aspects. So here we go:-<br />
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We have been to 5 Seaside towns:- Hastings, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Formby and Southport.<br />
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We have been to 2 Cities, London and Liverpool<br />
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Seen 2 films at the cinema. The Lorax and Brave<br />
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Had a teddy bears Olympics, yes I know we're mad!!<br />
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Met several Superlambananas!<br />
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Stayed over at a friends house and ate pizza, drank fizzy wine and got freaked out by Wallander!<br />
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Been to 3 musuems:- Victoria & Albert, The Science Musuem and The Liverpool Musuem<br />
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Went on the Liverpool Eye<br />
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Went bowling and came last!!!<br />
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Drove 1384 miles<br />
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We had a traditional English tea party<br />
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Been to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London<br />
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Seen Victoria Pendleton's golden letter box and Stotfold<br />
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Slept in a four poster bed<br />
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Rescured my Mother and Daughter from the sea, fully clothed<br />
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Seen The Tornado steam train and Kings Cross station<br />
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Took 365 photo's<br />
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£££ spent, haven't worked that one out, maybe it's best I don't.<br />
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So there you have it, that's what we have been doing over the past 6 weeks.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-31844264335325753392012-08-01T02:09:00.006-07:002012-08-01T03:06:00.930-07:00Holiday bluesWell we are well and truly into the school holidays, this week is a quiet one after having a few days away in Hastings. Les and I used to live in Hastings about 9 years ago and we haven't been back together since, so for us it was quite a time to remember all those memories from way back when. Monday we spent the morning mooching around the old town (which in my mind is the best part of Hastings) then in the afternoon we went over to Rye which we really enjoyed, such a quaint little place with loads of character. Tuesday was spent in Brighton I love this place it has some of my favourite shops, it was such a hot day with loads of people on the beach making the most of the weather. Wednesday, Mum and Dad joined us for the day, it's only a 2 hour drive for them so we spent the day around Hastings, doing all the touristy stuff. Here are some photos from the week:-<br />
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Up on West Hill, in Hastings.<br />
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Just look at that glorious blue skies, were have they gone!<br />
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Banksy's kissing policemen, found near the train station at Brighton.<br />
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It has become quite a tradition that when my Mum and Charlotte are at the seaside they always take a paddle in the sea. I have to say that this was extreme, one minute I watch them splashing at the waters edge and then the next minute they are in the water fully clothed. Not sure what happened something about the tide, and sinking into the pebbles and then being drawn into the sea. Very funny but scary at how strong the tide can be. I was the dutiful daughter and went and bought my Mum and Charlotte a change of clothes.<br />
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An after shot of Mum in her new clothes!!!!<br />
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So I'm feeling a little flat this week after having a lovely week in the sun. Still I'm off to Mum's next week for a couple of weeks, can't wait to catch up with some friends that I haven't seen for a while. I also hope that my Brother gets the keys to his new house as I want to help (even if it is to make tea!) and to have a good nosey.<br />
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Right I'm off this post has taken ages as blogger has been playing up (again), really does drive me nuts!!!!.<br />
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Take care all<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-2659045906198940112012-07-13T11:58:00.000-07:002012-07-13T12:04:49.113-07:00What is about this time of the year....I seem to go to pot and never seem able to update my blog, maybe it's because of the end of term stuff which is going on at the moment. This week I've gone to a local farm with Charlotte's year group which was really good fun and we only had one heavy shower, but we all had waterproofs and welly boots and it was quite fun splashing in the puddles but naturally I had to do it quietly and discreetly! What else other than Birthday parties, catching up with friends, leaving parties, school reports (well done Charlotte), parents evening, coffee mornings oh and reading a certain book in a couple of days!! I must also say a big 'hello' to the ladies at the Bromsgrove crop who again made me feel so welcome after going AWOL for over a year. <br />
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We are also in the process of some home improvements, replacing carpets, painting several rooms and Karndean flooring in the bathroom. With this though involves lots of people visiting the house for measurements, but it will so be worth it in the end.
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A good friend who I got to know through her little girl Abbey and Charlotte starting school together is moving to Switzerland at the beginning of August. We have a really nice friendship, we don't live in one another's pockets (which suits both of us) but we help one another out with the kids etc. She's in the same position as me and doesn't have any family close by to help out. It's a real shame and I'm really going to miss her and the kids. So next Friday we are off out to give her a night to remember. I've promised to take my camera with me to take some pictures for her. I'm thinking I may make her a small scrapbook with photo's of the kids in to remind her of home. Anybody got any ideas for something a bit different I could do?
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So creativity wise I've been creating a few layouts. I don't know though once I've created them they don't give me that wow factor. I just seem to lack inspiration, but I have a ton of new stash to put on them. I get quite frustrated with myself which seems to make things worse. Anyway here are the ones I've made over the past couple of weeks.<br />
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Today we have had an inset day off from school, which has been lovely. I love spending time with Charlotte she really is a pleasure to be around (even if she doesn't stop talking) and on a day like today I realise why I love being a stay at home. She wanted to do some baking with a kit that she had been bought for her Birthday a couple of years ago. I said I would be on hand to help her but she was to read the instructions and to measure out the ingredients which I had to explain were the markings were on the scales. She loved it. Here she is showing me what she has done, do you like my new pink mixing bowl? Les accidentally broke my Mason and Cash bowl so bought me this one from John Lewis which I'm happy with.<br />
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<br />I am immensely proud of this little girl she has had an amazing school report and has done so well this year. She has made good progress in everything she does, including her reading which is 10 years 11 months!! Next September she wants to learn the violin who would of thought it. The school that she goes to at the moment is a split site, she's at the original base, but in September she goes up to the new school with the older ones, it's a little daunting for her but she will be fine. The original school is right beside the river so its prone to flooding although it now has a special flood wall protecting the school, the risk of it flooding is still high. </div>
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Right enough of me droning on.<br />
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Have a lovely weekend.<br />
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P.S This spacing is still driving me crazy. ARGHHHHHHHH</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-81961600673532983592012-06-28T02:08:00.002-07:002012-06-28T02:08:37.534-07:00Work lifeOver the past few days I've really been struggling, I've felt so tired and can't get seem to concentrate on anything. I'm blaming this crazy weather we have been having, it's funny we always seem to blame the weather here in Britain. Last week I was fairly creative though and managed a few layouts, I drew inspiration from <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle</a> and based some of the layouts she created for NSD 2012. The photo quality isn't great but you get the idea.<br />
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This one is my favourite, I love the typewriter book plate that I purchased from Broadway last week. The photo was taken before I went to London with the school back in May to see Matilda, which by the way was fantastic. I felt that I needed to document my working life before having Charlotte and that I gave up my career to have her, which was the best decision of my life, and I don't regret it one bit. Whilst writing the journalling it made me realise that maybe I would like to go back to work (part time - I would still want to be around for Charlotte) and that it would be a shame to let all that experience and knowledge go to waste. This will soon be possible as Les will be retiring in September. The only drawback is that I've had nearly 8 years off and my confidence levels are pretty low (lets face it you don't need much confidence as a stay at home mum!). Also who would take me on, 8 years is a long time and the way the econmic climate is would anyone take the risk in employing me. Lots to think about - but one things for sure I don't want to be a dinner lady for the rest of my days, some of my colleagues have been doing the same job for over 20 years, I just can't see myself being there that long. Not that there is anything wrong with being a dinner lady, I work with a lovely bunch of ladies who are all very kind and a real laugh and they help to keep me sane.<br />
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Right I'd better run, thanks for listening to me moan on.</div>
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Cx</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-51305260280430946112012-06-13T02:56:00.001-07:002012-06-13T03:01:19.920-07:00National TrustSo schools back and so normality reigns, although I have to say that I really did enjoy half term. It was nice to spend some time with Les over the Jubilee weekend and we went out each day. The 3 days Les was at work I managed to get loads of little jobs done that have needed sorting for a while, including painting!! <br />
<br />Most weekends we have been going to National Trust properties, our membership runs out in July and we realised that we only visited 2 houses last year. So we thought we would pull our fingers out and visit at least some of the properties local to us, regardless of the weather. We have been enjoying it so much that we're renewing our membership you only have to visit a few properties and you've got your money back, and plus Charlotte seems to enjoy it.<br />
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We had been to Snowshill Manor before and thought we would go back and see how it had changed if it had at all.<br />
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The following week we went off to Hidcote gardens, wow what a place, I loved it so much we went back last weekend!. This was just gardens the Manor house wasn't open to the public. I loved the way the gardens were sectioned off and based on different rooms, they had made holes in the hedges so you could walk through into the next room. The garden was filled with seasonal flowers and the colours were so vibrant and bright, whoever designed it wasn't afraid of using colour. I found it very inspirational and could spend all day just wandering around.</div>
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<br />Charlotte loved running around in between the hedges.<br />
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It had been raining the day before, I love the way the water sits on the petals.<br />
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Les and Charlotte standing like soldiers in what they called there sentry box. Crazy pair!!</div>
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</a>The last house we went to was Charlecote, the weather was glorious and we took a picnic so we could sit along the river Avon.<br />
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Crochet on the lawn.</div>
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This is my favourite photo of the day, I love the way Charlotte is looking at her Daddy!! This fills my heart with so much love for the pair of them.</div>
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So with half term last week it gave me some spare time to scrap. I'm really embracing journalling on my layouts and love it.</div>
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I hope you made it to the end of this post, thanks if you did!</div>
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Cx</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-70998613961314573122012-06-10T03:57:00.000-07:002012-06-10T03:57:00.170-07:0010 things on the 10thSo the 10th of the month has come around again. Here are my 10 things, this idea I 'pinched' from Nathalie who done this last month.<br />
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1. Wearing - Skinny black jeans, cream top and body warmer, Converse All Star trainers.<br />
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2. Listening - Robbie Williams, Swing when you're winning. Loving Jazz and swing music.<br />
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3. Eating - Liquorice Allsorts (loving these at the moment).<br />
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4. Drinking - Les has just made a cup of tea.<br />
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5. Reading - Me before You, by JoJo Moyes I've just finished this book. I can't recommend this highly enough. It's a real gritty, heartwarming story, it had me in tears by the end of it!<br />
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6. Needing - To learn how to hula hoop!!<br />
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7. Wishing - We had another week off from school!<br />
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8. Crafting - Finishing off a layout from this week and catching up on my Smash book.<br />
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9. Enjoying - Journalling on my layouts, this may sound daft, but its taken a while for me to do this.<br />
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10. Loving - The fact that it's only 6 more days before I see my parents!!<br />
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Be sure to go and check out the other peeps 10 things on the 10th via <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle's</a> blog.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
Cx<br />
<br />Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-85607216040904095722012-05-29T02:38:00.001-07:002012-05-29T02:38:34.887-07:00Jubilee DaySo today at Charlotte's school they are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee. They have had to go dressed up for the occasion. Charlotte isn't really into dressing up so she opted for dressing in red, white and blue. We bought her a lovely t-shirt with the union jack on with the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye on. She looked sweet. I asked her to stand straight like a soldier and this is what I got!!<br />
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I took one with my Polaroid and then asked her to hold it, again it took several goes as she seemed to have had silly cereal for breakfast!!!!</div>
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So on the crafting front, not much has been happening on the scrapbooking front. I've been wanting to crochet something for a while and to put to good use all the wool I have bought. So whilst blog hopping I saw that <a href="http://www.sheenasscrapsandscribbles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Sheena</span></a> was crocheting a bloom cushion, I wasn't sure whether I could do it, but thought I would have a go. I pulled the pattern from Lucy at <a href="http://www.attic24.typepad.com/"><span style="color: red;">Attic24'</span></a>s blog (she's amazing), it was a challenge, but once I got the hang of it I loved it. I may make another one in my bedroom colours. </div>
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This weather has been glorious and we have been making the most of it, we have been eating our evening meal outside which has been great. Charlotte has been enjoying the weather too, she wanted her swimming goggles on in the paddling pool, I did tried to persuade her that she really didn't need them for an inch of water!</div>
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We have been visiting some National Trust properties in the area, Snowshill Manor, Hidcote Gardens (which is beautiful) and Charlecote Park. I'll share some photos really soon, once I've edited them.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-85677784186530052082012-05-15T01:46:00.002-07:002012-05-15T01:46:39.332-07:007 years ago....Les and I got married. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day with not a cloud in the sky. It was a fairly small affair with family and close friends only. Thinking back I wouldn't of changed anything other than having a professional photographer, but at the time Charlotte was only 6 months old and as you know babies are very expensive!!. So the only photos I have are from my film camera and disposables which were on the table. I made this layout last year when I was following Shimelle's 4x6 photo love. The layout contains 7 photos, which was from the month of July.<br />
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It makes me giggle but on every photo you look at, my Dad is holding Charlotte, no one else got a look in!!<br />
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So here we are 7 years on, still very much in love. Thanks Charlotte for the photo!!<br />
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Thanks for letting me share with you all our special day.</div>
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Cx</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-75342657220459555342012-05-10T08:50:00.001-07:002012-05-10T08:58:22.704-07:0010 things on the 10thI haven't done 10 things on the 10th for a couple of months. As it was Bank Holiday last weekend I managed to take some photos of some things that are really special to me. So here are my 10 favourite possessions.<br />
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1. This box belonged to my Grandmother and contains things from her life. There are Birthday cards, telegrams, my Dad's first pay packet, photos of family, school work from when my Dad was at school, letters, appointment cards, identity cards, ration books as well as her arm band and badge from when she was a fire watcher in WWII. I love this little Christmas box, sadly she is no longer with us but I feel close to her when I look through and smile at some of the things that she kept.<br />
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2. My orange teddy is as old as me if a little older. I recently found him again in the loft at my parents house. My older cousin won this ted at the fair and gave it to my Mum for me.<br />
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3. My iPod, I love music, and think the world would be a lonely place with out it. I love the way a certain song you may hear, triggers feelings, memories and emotions.<br />
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4. I've always admired the ladies jade bangles at our local Chinese restaurant. So when Les went to Hong Kong a few years ago, he bought me one back.</div>
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5. My scan photos of baby C, what else can I say other than precious! She's even waving at you all!!</div>
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6. Disney cards, yep we had them too, but not from a supermarket but from P.G Tips. I love this little book, I just wished I had all of the cards. Does anyone else remember these? How about the toys in cereal boxes?, my Brother always seemed to find them first without even eating any cereal, hmm strange!!!</div>
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7. This necklace and bracelet was made by Charlotte. Quite frankly you can't buy this can you? Very special and 'yes I would wear them out'. The blue sweetie wrapper is apparently the cleaning cloth!!!</div>
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8. My Roberts Radio, I've had this for about 9 years and can honestly say that it's been used every day.</div>
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9. This was my first watch, bought by my Grandad when I was around 6 or 7. I loved this watch, it still works as well as still fitting on my wrist.</div>
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10. I recently found my Twinkle annual from 1985. As soon as I started flicking through the book I instantly knew the story and the pictures and which story was my favourite.</div>
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I hope you have enjoyed my 10 most treasured items today. Go check out <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">shimelle's</a> blog to see what other people have put up for there 10 things.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-21192494466420863852012-05-05T07:34:00.000-07:002012-05-05T07:34:34.431-07:00SunburstI've seen some lovely work using the sunburst technique and knew I had to have a go and try to interpret my own version. I've been working on it all week, due to all the hand stitching on each piece of patterned paper, I know I'm mad for doing it by hand but I just don't trust myself with my sewing machine, I need more practice I guess. I did find it quite restricting on what embellishments to put on the layout as I didn't want anything that was going to distract away from the sunburst so decided on using some words which best represent Charlotte. This photo of her was taken exactly a year ago, you can just make out that she was wearing a summer dress and a little cardi, hmm couldn't do that today. I shan't complain about the weather we all know how terrible it has been over the past 2 weeks, here in the UK.<br />
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Whatever you are up to this Bank holiday, enjoy.</div>
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As usual thanks for stopping by, it is appreciated.</div>
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Cx</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-24086689881876170122012-04-24T02:29:00.001-07:002012-04-24T02:29:28.739-07:00I must share thisMy Sister-in-law is an amazing artist and whilst we visited her over Easter she was completing a picture of some elephants. She has just recently started to do portraits of family members in pastels and she asked whether I could email across some photos of Charlotte so she could have a go. I chose a few so she could pick which one was going to be best. Now I had no idea which one she had picked until the postie came yesterday. My hands were shaking as I opened the large envelope as I was so excited to see the finished picture. <br />
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Go check out her <a href="http://www.abrushwithnature.co.uk/">website</a> she really is a remarkable lady and I'm proud to call her my Sister-in-law.<br />
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Les has been away for the past 10 days on business visiting Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand it's been a long trip and I'm looking forward to seeing him tomorrow night. Thankfully Mum and Dad came up last week which helped the time go more quickly.<br />
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I ordered some photos from Photobox last week, now I normally order from Snapfish but I thought I would have a change to see what the quality was like. I have to say that I like the different size prints that you can order. I ordered a few 5x5 photos and really like the size, so I created this layout last week with one of them.<br />
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Right I'd better run, thank you for dropping by.<br />
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CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-10679841542731013562012-04-12T07:52:00.000-07:002012-04-12T07:52:30.573-07:00Easter visitsSo the past 10 days have been spent visiting family members as well as catching up with friends. Last week was spent at Mum and Dad's going out and about, I visited a couple of craft shops in the area <a href="http://www.scraprevolution.co.uk/">Scrap Revolution</a> and <a href="http://www.itscraftingtime.co.uk/">It's Crafting Time</a> they are equally very good and picked up a few bits and pieces. Thursday was spent helping to sort out my parents loft, oh my have they got loads of stuff, admittedly some of it is mine and my brothers. You would never believe the stuff they have up there that they really don't need but keep it just in case they may need it one day!!!. I have been storing quite a lot of Charlotte's baby toys and some clothes there, but have decided to give them away to my Mum's friend who has two small granddaughters, I'm really not likely to ever need them again. Good Friday Les joined us and we took Mum and my Sister-in-Law out for lunch to a local pub. Then in the evening we met up with Suze and Huw and went for a curry. One thing you are guaranteed when you go out with these guys is plenty of laughs, and laugh we did. <br />
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Saturday we travelled north to Leeds to see Les's Sister and Brother-in-Law to spend a few days with them. On Sunday they took us along the Leeds and Liverpool canal (just a small section of it!!). Their daughter and two small Grandsons live a short walk away so they joined us which was great. Along the way we stopped off at a little tea rooms for a cuppa and a chat I couldn't quite believe that it was open on Easter Sunday and doing a roaring trade. Really beautiful place, I just love the dark brick of the houses in Yorkshire.<br />
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Monday we travelled home, as Les was back to work on the Tuesday. So for the past few days we have been catching up on the chores, as well as going to the dentist yesterday, replenishing food stocks all the usual stuff, it's amazing how quickly you fall back into domesticated life again!!!. I am quite pleased with myself though as I have managed to do some jobs that I have been meaning to do for a while like cleaning the wood burner and backing up all my photo's onto a separate driver (Paul if you are reading this I hope you are impressed!!).<br />
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I have also been able to create 2 layouts and a 'thank you' card. My layout was inspired by Glitter Girl: Three scrap strategies back on March 21st. I sorted the papers out for this layout before I went to Mum's so I could use the Cuttlebug whilst I was there.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks as always for stopping by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-41556672411574483132012-03-30T09:46:00.002-07:002012-03-30T09:48:59.095-07:00On a Scrapbooking rollI really am loving Scrapbooking at the moment and seem to be creating at least 2 layouts a week, which is good for me. I know I have mentioned this before but <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle</a> really does inspire me especially with the Glitter Girl series as well as 'The Hitchhikers Guide to Scrapbooking' which I enrolled on a few weeks back. She has made me think about how I scrapbook and has made me realise that a layout doesn't have to be complicated or timely. A layout can be made quickly and easily and still look great and which I'm proud to have in my album.<br />
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So these are my layouts this week, I've used holiday snaps from last summer which have been waiting to be scrapped. We really did have a good summer last year, we done and saw some pretty ace stuff.<br />
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As today was the last day of term the children could create an Easter scene using hard boiled eggs. We decided on making our eggs into chicks and using an egg carton for it's nest. So I set about boiling some eggs, dyeing the eggs yellow, painted the egg carton and drawing a template for the chicks beaks and wings. These are our cheeky chicks.<br />
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**Excuse the state of her hands she had been playing in the garden, digging in the dirt with her fingers by looks of it!!!!!Lol**<br />
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Sunday we are off to spend a few day down at my parents house. I'm looking forward to catching up with everybody. Then next Saturday we are off to Leeds to see Les's Sister for a few days, well that is assuming that we can get petrol for the journey. I can't believe all the panic there has been over this fuel.<br />
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Right I'd better think about making some tea.<br />
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Have a fab weekend.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-29312544137385424142012-03-25T10:05:00.000-07:002012-03-25T10:05:40.687-07:00Spring time and Starting pointI've taken part in <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle's</a></span> starting point again, as I really enjoyed it last week. This is my take on it, I've used the new Amy Tangerine's range which is so bright and cheery which is just perfect for Summer photos.<br />
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This weather we have been having over the past few days has been glorious, it makes you feel so much better to see and feel the sun. I feel like I have finally come out of hibernation and that I want to start doing things around the house, garden and to start looking after myself better again. I've started running again although it was very hard work but it felt good to get back into the swing of things again. <br />
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This weekend we have been out and about, we wanted to make the most of this lovely weather so we decided to go to Snowshill Manor but sadly it doesn't open until next Sunday. So I took a few photos anyway and then we headed up to Broadway Tower for a nice walk and to pick up sticks to dry out for next winter to burn on our wood burner. Today we went for a long walk along to Hampton ferry and then back along the river, we are so fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country. Here are a few of my favourite photos from this weekend.<br />
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CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-1927918820932000262012-03-23T04:02:00.003-07:002012-03-23T04:08:57.118-07:00I have been fairly creative over the past week and really enjoyed the process. I'm loving some of the new paper collections which have come out of CHA this year. I'm also enjoying my Polaroid camera that I purchased back in January, I love the instant snapshot and the excitement of how the photo will turn out, lets face it we don't really get that now with our digital camera's.<br />
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This is my first layout that I created this week, again using the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan I'm just loving this range.<br />
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I have so many scraps of patterned paper that I thought I would try and create a layout using a few of them. The <span style="background-color: white;">alphas</span> used I've had for years (they are really nice, don't know why I haven't used them) and it feels good to use up some old stash, even if it does make a tiny dent into the amount of stash I have!<br />
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I also promised you a photo of my ripple blanket, it's more of a lap blanket really as I didn't make it very wide. I could make it longer if I wanted but I don't really see much point as it's not that wide. This blanket was my first big crochet project and I'm really proud of it, it's by no means perfect but I still love it all the same.<br />
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So for my next crochet project I've decided to do a Granny stripe, Mum gave me some balls of wool she had had for a while so I just bought a few other balls of wool. This time it's going to be a proper size blanket, the great thing is that you can do a row very quickly and so it soon grows.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by and thanks for all the lovely comments I really do appreciate each and every one of them.<br />
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Have a fantastic weekend.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-68307002986029769562012-03-16T03:49:00.000-07:002012-03-16T03:49:41.666-07:00Starting PointThis week <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle</a> has created a layout using some starting points which has really helped me to kick start my scrapbooking mojo. I have just recently purchased the new Dear Lizzy Neapolitan range, which is just so pretty. I decided to dive in and use the papers straight away rather than just hording them and hanging onto them because they are just too pretty to cut into!. I'm trying to use papers as I buy them now, after all that's why I bought them, right? <br />
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So here is my layout, for once I have used a photo of me from Croatia.<br />
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Oh boy I wish I could feel that sun on my back right now, instead of this depressing grey skies. Make sure you check out some of the other super talented ladies with there layouts over at <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle's</a> blog.<br />
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Have a lovely weekend all, I'll be back soon to show off my finished ripple blanket.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
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CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-18266200335930715962012-03-04T08:38:00.000-08:002012-03-04T08:38:05.029-08:00Crazy timeAnother week which seemed to go by in a flash. Either the weeks are getting shorter or I'm getting older!!. Another busy week with Les away in Dubai, and Mum and Dad up to keep me company. We had World Book Day last Thursday and I had been asking Charlotte what she wanted to go as. She decided on late Sunday afternoon that she was going as Janet from the Secret Seven. So we looked through the books to see what Janet wore. A skirt, knitted cardigan, long socks or tights and a piece of ribbon in her hair. Charlotte really isn't a girlie girl and doesn't own a skirt (other than a school one) or a cardigan especially not knitted. Mum said she thought she could knit a cardigan in time for Thursday morning, so Monday morning we got some wool, knitting needles and a pattern and she set about making a cardi. Right the skirt, do you think I could find one which would look appropriate for the era. Thankfully Tescos had a navy needle cord one which wouldn't look out of place. Doesn't she look good?, Mum really did work her magic fingers on that cardigan (thanks Mum). I really admire Charlotte as most of her friends were going as fairy's or princesses and she was determinded to be different.<br />
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Les came home on Friday evening shattered and with a hacking cough and feeling dreadful. I just thought it was a cold and jet leg kicking in. He woke yesterday morning feeling really rough, and to be honest he didn't look great. I went to the chemist (as there was no answer at the Dr's surgery) to see if there was a doctor on call as I really didn't think that he could wait until Monday morning, I hate to think what state he would have been in. They told me that our surgery was open, so I ran there and asked if he could see a doctor, apparently there were no doctors on. She gave me an out of hours number to call so I came back and called it, they were good and within a few minutes a local nurse called me back and asked what his symptoms were, she could hear him coughing and said it didn't sound very good. She booked him in to see the on call doctor at the local hospital. It turns out that he has a chest infection (which I suspected), and it really has knocked him out. So yesterday was spent running around, but I'm so relieved that he has some antibotics and hopefully they will kick in quickly. I really wanted to do something constructive so I set about making some cakes with a little help from the little lady. They look great, but they taste even better!!.<br />
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So today I've done the supermarket shop (which I hate) and then Charlotte wanted to do a 'She Art' girl, I got the box out and I knew I was in for a messy afternoon. It was worth it as it kept her quiet for a while and she is never happier than when she has paints and glue at the ready. This is what we created, I'm surprised I managed to create anything as it seemed like all I was doing was washing out the brushes all the time!!.<br />
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I have managed to do quite a bit on my ripple blanket, which is growing rapidly. My Smash book is great too and I'm treating it as a bit of a diary, so all in all I've been really crafty. I'm hoping this week I will be able to do a layout or two.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-1848650030298521732012-02-21T13:05:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:05:01.793-08:00New YorkPhew last week went by at such a fast pace. We dropped Charlotte off at my Mum and Dad's on the Sunday and then Les and I headed off to the Premier Inn at Heathrow. Our flight on the Monday was at 09.40 which went according to plan, we boarded on time and then sat and waited and waited. The Captain made an announcement that there was a problem with one of the engines (if I wasn't nervous enough) and that he wanted to test it, but needed everyone off the plane so they could move the plane away from the hub. We wandered around the terminal and fell across a Cath Kidston shop, so naturally I went and consoled myself in there for a while!! ;) This really wasn't the best start and we had a fairly hectic schedule when we arrived at New York, we planned to get the tour bus on the Monday afternoon, but as time went on we knew that this may not be possible. We eventually flew out 12.45. Once there we shared a shuttle cab (which seemed to take forever) to the hotel, we dumped our luggage and went for a wander around. We seemed to be in prime position as The Rockerfeller Centre was just a 5 minute walk away. I started snapping away with my camera, and started hitting the shops.<br />
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We didn't venture onto the ice rink, but stood and watched people trying to skate!!.<br />
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Tuesday we were up with the lark and headed over to Times Square, although nothing really opened until 10am so we went for a Starbucks and took in the bright lights. I loved Times Square, so loud and busy, such a tourist trap. I went into the M&M shop oh gosh I could have bought one of everything in there.<br />
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We then walked to Macy's to buy some Levi's for my Dad and Brother, this shop is huge and I got lost and gave up looking for the woman's wear floor!! ;). Then moved onto The Empire State building, and then we walked the length of Fifth Avenue. Found several shops including Build-a-bear (I took Charlotte's bear's pawsport to get stamped), Barnes and Noble the book shop and of course Tiffany's!. Les treated me to a silver necklace for my Birthday which was so exciting. We walked to Central Park for a cuppa and then walked back to our Hotel for a rest, before going out to collect our tickets for Mary Poppins in the evening. What a day and we were exhausted by the end of it, but very happy.<br />
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Wednesday morning I left Les is bed as he was suffering from a migraine, so I went out for breakfast and went out with my flexible friend (credit card) and hit the shops, I had a great time and feel across the shop Anthropology, wow what a shop it sells clothes with a vintage feel plus stationery and home ware goods. I must of been wandering around for an hour in this shop, I loved it. It was a shame Les was poorly as we had booked to go to the 911 Memorial at 11am but there was no way that Les could have gone. By the afternoon he was feeling brighter so we grabbed a cab to the Statue of Liberty and got the boat over to see it.<br />
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Lower and Mid Manhattan<br />
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Les took a picture of me with my Lego State of Liberty, with the real Lady behind.<br />
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By Thursday we had our last look around before heading back to the airport. Crazily busy time but we enjoyed it all the same.<br />
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If you have made it this far, thanks for bearing with me.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-25115951813731983182012-02-17T08:21:00.001-08:002012-02-17T08:23:21.490-08:00I'm back....From New York, very tired as we had an evening flight home and only slept for an hour or so, oh and the joy of jet lag! We have had the best time ever but I have missed Charlotte but the welcome from her this morning was lovely. We are staying at Mum's tonight as tomorrow is my Birthday and are going out for a meal with the family, before heading back home.<br />
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Will post some photos when I get back home.<br />
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CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-35586432099711750392012-02-10T08:59:00.000-08:002012-02-10T09:00:14.501-08:0010 Things on the 10thSo here is just a small selection of some of my favourite Hard Rock Cafe pins that I have collected over the years.<br />
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1. My first ever pin from Barcelona, back in the 90's. (Sorry about the picture quality bad light today).<br />
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2.My Brother bought me this one in New York, when he went a few years ago, I hope to be able to buy myself one next week!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>3. Les took me to Rome and Florence for my 30th (a few years ago now).<br />
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4. Les bought me this one from Singapore, I have several from Singapore including the one I got back in 2001, but this one is my favourite.<br />
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5. Les and I attended a trade show in Amsterdam and drove across this bridge (which is the longest bridge in Europe) to Copenhagen.<br />
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6. Not sure what happened to this photo, but again another one Les brought back from Kuala Lumpur.<br />
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7. Les and I travelled around Florida for 2 weeks in 2003 and picked up this one in Key West.<br />
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8. Would love to go to Las Vegas, one day we plan to renew our wedding vows in the Little White Chapel. <br />
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9. Another pin picked up on our Florida trip but this time in Orlando at a Hard Rock Vault which you don't see very often.<br />
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10. Lastly Jakarta, another Les purchase.<br />
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Why don't you check out what other peoples 10 Things are on the 10th. Check it out <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a><br />
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So as we are talking of travels I am busy packing for our trip to New York on Monday, I really can't wait I'm so excited. I will catch up with you when I return in just over a week with I guess one or two photos!!.<br />
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Keep warm everyone.<br />
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P.S My blanket is growing!!Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-71642092905515437152012-02-07T03:17:00.000-08:002012-02-07T03:18:09.537-08:00I'm hookedOh gosh I'm just loving crochet (I can hear my husband groan and saying, not another hobby). Over the last week I have been practising and fell across this <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/">blog</a> this lady is amazing and her instructions are just so clear that even a beginner like me can understand it. I have admired the ripple blanket but didn't think I would be able to do it as it would be too complicated. I was desperate for some wool so we went to Solihull on Saturday and I picked up some really lovely Sirdar Snuggly in John Lewis, and started on this.<br />
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Every spare time I'm crocheting!!<br />
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So I'm trying to get everything sorted and organised for our trip to New York next week (I'm just a little bit excited!). Bless her Charlotte has got all her clothes ready and her wash bag sorted for Nanny's, I really hope my parents are prepared for a fun packed week with her, I hope they are resting up this week!!!! I am going to miss my girly so much, but I know that she will be safe and quite happy bossy my parents around. I think she is hoping for snow so she can have a snow ball fight with Grandad.<br />
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I have bought myself an Amy Tangerine travel journal which are really quite different and I'm looking forward to sorting that out when I get back home with lots of ticket stubs, maps, photos and memorabilia. We have booked tickets for the 911 Memorial as apparently you need to pre-book a time to visit.<br />
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Right I'm running out of time again. Thanks again for popping by, your comments really do brighten my day.<br />
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Cx<br />
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P.S I will be back on Friday for 10 things on the 10th (hopefully)Claire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-34378570262651583402012-01-31T02:29:00.000-08:002012-01-31T02:29:11.439-08:00A new loveWhen 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Doesn't she look sweet?<br />
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Be back soon.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-85872655074025847282012-01-24T03:22:00.000-08:002012-01-24T03:23:34.623-08:00Just SmashingNow 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Anyway I'd better go and tend to my poorly girl.<br />
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CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591882299110997820.post-84640701471041807022012-01-17T11:20:00.000-08:002012-01-17T11:20:10.514-08:00I loved the 10 things on the 10th last week, thank you to everyone who left a comment, it really was good fun.<br />
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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!!.<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.jenchapin.blogspot.com/">Jen Chaplin's</a> 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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!!!<br />
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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.<br />
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Anyway have a good evening.<br />
CxClaire Cromptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359335855500882736noreply@blogger.com1