Scrapping Tonight

Boy you scrappers sure know how to shop, you have shopped and I have dropped. Been in my potting shed, aka packing room, packing those orders till 8pm tonight and I am not even 1/4 of the way through them! I have had to order more pizza boxes and an emergency load will arrive Saturday.
Have had a play tonight with my new camera after reading Kirsty's blog. Peter gave me a quick tour as well, so between the two of you I should be getting the hang of appertures , speed and shutters!!!!!
My day has been well and truly boring I am afraid as all I have done is pack orders. But here is a piccie of my delightful Lilly dressed as a diva to feed the birds some bread!

hugs blogettes
Anna xx

Well it sure has been an eventful Christmas for me!!
Izzy set fire to the utility room on 23/12, by cleaning the fire out which still had burning embers so Santa could get down the chimney!!! On the sam eventful day my dad was moving form Brighton to Cambridge. Cleaners were in all morning and threw out the complete contents of my kitchen cupboards, freezer and fridge, ironing board and iron (what a shame!) along with numerous other stuff. So off I went on Friday to purchase over £400 of food to replenish the cupboards. Peter went on the hunt for a fridge freezer that we could take away there and then.
Dad settled in well which was the best news of that day.
Christmas eve was stressful,up until 2am wrapping pressies and straightening the house, Christmas day was great as my dad was with us for Christmas lunch. Got loads of fabby pressies from lots of peeps so thank you one and all. I also got a new Fuji camera form Peter, a Fuji 9500 so am I made up or what,only thing is haven't even picked it up yet! So anyone want a FujiS5500 let me know as I am selling mine.
Boxing day more visitors to feed and then bang, woke up yesterday with a dreaded sickness and diarohear bug and spent the day asleep in bed and on the sofa.Poor peter has the dreaded lurgy now.
Hardly taken any piccie this season, but will up load the few I have,mainly fireman!!Welll a scrapperhass to do what a scrapper has to do ;)
The dry cleaners have been today and picked up all the washing.
The 50% off sale went really well and I now have orders galore to pack, thanks to you all, I will start packing tomorrow, also UPS have delivered the rest of my Junkitz order so I can at last get the crimbo kits out!


A big thank you for your text and telephone messages of concern over the fire, and thank you for all my lovely gifts;
Kirsty
Beth
Deidre
Correna
Sue

Thank you Kirsty for keeping peeps informed of my welfare and to Karen for updating The Lounge. Thank you Gillian,despite having the dreaded lurgy still managed to rally round while she was staying with us for Christmas

I hope you all had a fabby Christmas and got lots of scrappy goodies and stuffed your faces silly on choccies. Check me out later when I add some piccies from our Crimbo
hugs blogettes
Anna xx

I had a day in London with the Creative Scrapbooking team working on some step by steps , talking to Susan the Editor of Creative Card making, met some interesting people and hopefully got some more work lined up elsewhere. I love doing magazine work, and the studio days are such fun, especially when you are a mum of 2 , living in the country and barely say boo to a goose!!!! And a fab rummage through the gallery lo's and boy there is some good stuff coming up, Joanne Seymore, Giselle Homer, and Anita ? from Holland, really fab and inspiring stuff.
Got home about 5.45pm, but couldn't access the net. When I did , my forum apparently had been hacked into!!!!! So many frantic messages from members and a bill from my server!
It seems to all be sorted now, thank goodness.
I have decided , after months of deliberating to give Bumble Bee Crafts a change. So I am having a 50% sale off everything from 26-28th and then the new year I will concentrate on the 2 monthly kits, and a few other things, and put my efforts into the magazine work, and other bits as well as Scrapping Angels.
Tomorrow is the BIG day, my Dad leaves Brighton for the long haul to Cambridgeshire. Me and the girls are off to check out his room again, bake some cookies and buy him a pot plant to brighten his room, as well as add our girlie touches, boy is he gonna have a surprise in store,!
Christmas is only days away, and my 2 girls are so hyped up I am exhausted from all their enthusiasm, now how to scrap that ask myself!

nite blogettes
hugs
Anna x

Yeah the phone call came form Brighton today and DaD is moving on Thursday to his new abode!!!!!!!!!, boy am I a happy bunny.
Busy busy morning sorting out the red tape and finances, but its done. Peter is going to deliver pressies to Brighton, and Elsie is going to pack dad and I am going to prepare his new home

Izzy had her school carol concert at St Marys church and it was wonderful, really enjoyed it.
Completed my deadlines for creative scrapbooking and I am all packed to go to London for the photo shoot. This is one of the photo's I have scrapped for the shoot tomorrow, dont they just look adorable? I love this photo so much, and its minus the lamppost thanks to Kirsty!

Hope you are all having a fabby day blogettes, catch you all tomorrow

hugs
Anna xx

I haven't stopped these last few days, I have Christmas shopped with much disaster, I have written cards that had to be posted, I have completed 2 of my 5 deadlines, and I missed a Christmas lunch at families as I had to stay at home and work, boohoo. Tomorrow is much the same as I complete 3 deadlines for creative scrapbooking, boy my head is in a spin.
Did have a little play manipulating a photo today, aka kirsty style!! wonder what she will say abou it?! It's a self portrait of me on my birthday!

Have you finished Christmas shopping?
All your cards wriiten and sent?
Turkey ordered?
Guest bedroom prepared?

well the answers to all of the above from me are no,no,no and no!
oops.
Still no phonecall from Brighton re my Dad, so roll on Monday

hugs
anna x

I was 36 yesterday and flying high, found my Dad a corker of a nursing home, Peter took me out for a meal and then I woke up. Crap morning getting the girls out the house for the school run, crap morning trying to Christmas shop and then the phone rings, and I felt physically sick. Brighton Social Services have made an error with his funding and I will need to find £56.oo a week to top up the nursing homes fees!!!!! Idon't frigging have £56.00 a year what alone a week!!Tomorrow I await another phonecall. The biggest problem is I had contacted my Dad yesterday with the fab news, haven't got the heart to ring him and now tell him the bad news. I will wait and find out what the phonecall tomorrow has instore for me.

I have been sorting out photo's this evening for Kirsty's book commissions and while sifting through folders I cam across this corker of Lilly in the bath, well look what Kirsty has done with it, she is stunning!!! And as I write this Kirsty has sent me this photo manipulation as well, wow , wow , wow

Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday cards I have been bowled over they are all stunning, and Izzy made me 5!!!Aren't I a lucky Mummy

hugs to you all
Anna xx

Boy where has December gone, I have so much yet to do

- 5 deadlines 19/12
- Christmas pressies to buy
- Christmas cards to write and post
- bauble swap to post
- stocking pressies to buy
- new years eve invites to send out
and that's without all the usual Christmas stuff to do, parties to go to and visiting to be done!!!!!
we will get through the weeks ,we will we will.


Here are my layouts I did for MC superbowl that I actually got knocked out off, but I still am really pleased with them and that's the important thing at the end of the day

Tomorrow I am off to see another nursing home for Dad, really liked the people at the home I saw today but need some comparison's, also if I give the go ahead, Dad could be here at the end of next week, for Christmas!!!!! Wouldn't that just be brill.

Its late so I am calling it a night

nite nite blogettes
hugs
Anna x

After hearing all about Kirstys wonderful weekend being David Bailey, I just had to play too, and it seems we were thinking the same at the same time, so here are my bauble shots! Also a photo of my tree, the hardest thing to take a photo of don't you think?

I have been finishing my editorial on stenciling for craft essentials today, so have been creative and busy. Was knocked out of tea MC superbowl, so am a little upset but probaly a blessing in disguise as I am really busy at the moment

Had a call today from Helen, dads social worker and I am off to Bedford to see a home. If I like it then Dad can be moved straight away and will be with us next week, in time for Christmas!!! I can believe how quick they can work, just another thing to add to my to do list but a very important and much needed one .

Dont forget to read yesterdays post and start sending me your blog tags!! Can't wait to see your creations
hugs
Anna x

I had this great idea, or what seemed at the time , at the beginning of the year, doing a The Lounge 2006 calendar. I have had not even half the projects in and we are nearly 2 weeks into December. I so want this too work. Here is a sneak peek at the front cover. We have some brilliant projects as well. This calendar will have 12 great craft projects for each month of the year, with a colour photo of the finished item and step by steps all for about £11.50 shipped. Price to be finalized as I am having them printed in the US.
Ihavee been busy finishing off my canvas for Crafts Essentials magazine today. Oh and I picked up a copy of Scrapbook Inspirations to see Kirsty's layout of Peter and I, its fab!!! Cant wait to see it IRL.
Tomorrow of to purchase our Christmas tree. Another disappointment as I so wanted to go to a farm but none of them do a PYO so I am gutted. Lookslikek we are off to B&Q again, so much for the country life!!
Had some great news today which included contracts!!!! Still cant say anything yet, but I have been talking to the one and only Donna Downey who I am hoping will be my mentor!!!She has given me some advice today. What a gal eh!!
Well talking of Donna, she has been collecting blog tags, great idea and I would love anyone who reads my blog if they fancy sending me a blog tag. Basically decorate a tag in your chosen style, any size I don't mind and tell me abit about your likes and dislikes, blog addy and all the crazy stuff!! My posting details can be found on the website, or feel free to drop me line andIi will email you my addy.
I think this would be great fun, I will also send a tag back to you so don't forget to send me your details as well, it will be like a chain mail, but not so creepy, fun and creative!!!
If you think I have lost the plot,that'ss ok :(
So until tomorrow blogettes ,when I shall be posting Christmas dec piccies

hugs
Anna xx

I am soo tired, but had to come and blog before bed. My Izzy was a dancing midnight star in her nativity and she was brilliant and beautiful. This is a picture of Izzy and her best friend Sophie. Today my little Lilly who was to young to take part in the nursery's nativity was allowed on the stage where she gave me her BIG grin and waved lots.
I have literally with minutes to spare uploaded my 2 entries for the next round of MC superbowl contest. Finished my final entry just this minute. What am I like I always leave everything to the very last minute
Well its Christmas tree time this weekend, so I am sure I will be back on with piccies of the decs

night blogettes
Anna x

Its what everyone is talking about; the Big Picture by Stacey Julian is an online Scrapbook workshop and classes, including Donna Downeys 52 week class. Today the classes have been launched. It looks ever so exciting, and I am sure I will be signing up for a few classes. I really fancy going for Donna's and Cathy's.
On another note Scrapping Angels is getting bigger and better and we will be very shortly sending out introduction letters and sign ups for those of you who were interested. If you haven't popped your name down then let me know by going over to Scrapping Angels and emailing me or Kirsty.
We are really excited as we turn this baby nationwide, online and offline!!

Catch you later blogettes
Anna xx

Its oh so quiet, ssshhhh, the world of blogdom is oh so quiet.
Well I have been a busy bee making my Christmas cards. Yep 3 designs later and 28 cards done I am nearly there, in the handmade catergory. What doesn't get done this week, well to be honest , aint gonna get done, and some of you will be sent bought cards. But don't worry those who read my blog are more than likely to be of the handmade variety!.
And try and imagine these cards are straight unlike the poor scans I have here.
Had a really interesting phone call today, and am keeping my fingers crossed that all will be as fruitful as the conversation was. Waiting on those all important emails and contracts before I CAN BLURT TO ALL AND SUNDRY. Oops caps on!


So come on blogettes spill the beans and why so quiet? Is it that December feeling, of rushing around buyin g pressies , nativity plays, parties and Christmas card lists. Its bloomin awful isn't it. Well not the nativities but the rest

hugs
Anna x

ooo I think I may be converted to ATC's (artist trading cards), this is my first proper effort, well my first was a measly effort at Kirstys retreat but I am not counting that one. So here they are "TRAVEL" the 3 cards are "letters" "drive" and "journey". Played with my Tim Holtz distressed inks, stamps and embossing powder. I am going to do some floral ones tomorrow I think.
Not sure what I am supposed to do now?

My weekend has been hectic again! Yesterday Izzy had her taster ballet session and really enjoyed herself, then it poured all afternoon so, Peter and I decided to strip the dining room (sorry girls you still have tango orange in the guest room!), and we will get it painted and finished by next weekend. Today we have had Gary and Susan for lunch who have recently returned from a world tour and have now settled in the UK. We have dance the afternoon away to Beatles and have played Izzy's playing card games and Jenga. We have had a ball!!

I am now finishing off bits and bobs and about to get myself set up for my mornings work, handmade embellishments editorial for creative Scrapbooking and design a star book and a step by step for 20th.
Also have booked to go down to Brighton to visit family and my Dad on the 21st - 22nd. So a very busy month ahead of me.
Ok blogettes I am going to head for bed, hope you have all had a good weekend

hugs
Anna xxx

Don't know how or why, but I have been nominated in the Craft Hobby and Stitch awards 2006, very exciting and I have an invite for the ceremony, I am sure its a wind up and every company has been but hey its put a smile on my face today. So if you love Bumble Bee Crafts or my work in Creative Scrapbooking, please please vote for me here.
The ceremony is in february so I cant wait, knowing my luck I will be in Newcastle having my op, but lets be positive :)
Today we have finished Izzy's shoe box to take to the school shoe box appeal, and Lilly and I are having a clear out day. Really looking forward to this weekend, as we have 2 Christmas fairs to go too, lots of photo opportunities I hope .

Yeah I have my first cover and Izzy is a cover girl. Really pleased with the result, and OK I cheated slightly as I was commissioned to do the cover , but its still a cover!!
Had a good chat with Jo the editor of Creative Scrapbooking and I am booked up till June which is great. Off to do a photo session in London on 20th so looking forward to meeting everyone again.
Izzy was off school yesterday with ear ache, poor thing , so headed to the Dr's for medicine and she is back in school today.
Still faffing about where to take Bumble Bee Crafts, have an idea that I have been toying with for a while and I think it will be my decision, just need to do the boring bits and add up the sums!
So its the ist day for thsoe advent calenders, of which mine are still in the loft, oops, all the bits to pop in the pockets have been bought but no calender. Must get my arse into gear!