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About Me

Married to my soulmate with 2 beautiful girls,and our English Springer Spaniel, Suki. Living a country life in Cambridgeshire, whilst baking, gardening, and photographing our daily lifes, where they find a place on my scrapbook pages.

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My little place on the web

This blog is just that, my little place on the web.You will find my daily (or not so daily, hehe)life, my love for my new vegetable garden, baking, photography and my scrapbooking!

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My Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a way of life for me now.It has been for over 4 years. I love journaling, taking photos of my family and love colour and texture, these are all part of my everyday life and scrapbooking.

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Happy New Year

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/31/2006 09:45:00 PM 10 lovely comments

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL


I hope 2007 brings you all good health, wealth, creativity and happiness.

I was going to reflect on 2006, but I don't need to, my blog does that, and most of you knwo it has been a pretty tough year, from major back surgery to the passing of my Daddy, BUT I am going to look forward to this New Year which is so nearly upon us. the girls are tucked up in bed, the champers is chilling and Peter and I will hold each other tight, remember our dads and shed a tear, then get happy on Moet and start stripping...................................................................................
















the living room, mwahahahahahhaha, so instead I shall leave you with this a list of 150 things, I have and have not done as posted on Chrissies blog and 2 peas. A great way to end the year. I have highlighted the things I have done. Copy and paste these questions and highlight your answers and leave me a link, there are some interesting questions!


1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7 Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played DVD for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane 109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life


Have a good one wherever you are. Tomorrow I will be uploading my Review of 2006 layout, wohoo I shall scrap!!

Hugs

Anna xxxx

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Sale shopping and baking

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/31/2006 12:09:00 AM 8 lovely comments
Well due to me feeling tres poorly yesterday we didn't get to stripping the walls in the living room, but today we did order new carpet, paint, scrummy fabric wallpaper and i have found the sofa I want as well.... but alas until i sell the 2 we have i cannot have it.


I also bought 2 pairs of boots for the grand sum of £33.75!!!!! A pair of very "cool" (Says Izzy) wellies and a pair of full length brown leather boots (photos to follow). Izzy has told me I can wear my wellies for walks in the fields and the rain, and my leather boots are for parties, like I go to parties every week, but hey thats OK.



Another promise I made yesterday was to do some baking, that too was on the back burner and today we made some fairy cakes, chocolate and vanilla decorated with strawberry icing and chocolate topping, finished with a sprinkle of marshmallows and smarties. The girls had such fun, and we then drove over to Nana's for her to sample their mini delicacies. Izzy is now hooked on the cupcake phenomenon, especially after seeing a stunning cookbook at Nana's which I have to have, Women's Weekly Cupcake and Fairy cake cookbook.
The photography is stunning as well, and its only £6.99!. I need to find where to buy it NOW.



Sunday I must do my DT projects for Zsiage. I am behind this month with mt DT work. I have been crashed on the sofa all night with this headache and dizzy spells, not sure if its my sinuses, but have bought up most of Boots medicine department to find the answer, lol

So its the BIG night tonight, and time to make all those resolutions. I will be posting my look back over 2006 tomorrow and making some new year resolutions!

Hugs all

Anna xxx




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They think its all over

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/28/2006 06:59:00 PM 9 lovely comments
and it is really isn't it. All that queuing in the shops, present buying, eating, drinking, sitting in front of the TV for the day, it's back to normal now.
Tomorrow we will start decorating the living room, and i have been promised new sofas!!!!! I know there is absolutely nothing wrong with the ones i have after they have had a steam clean, but they are cream and i have 2 x 4 settees!!! Too big for our living room, so I need to trade them in for 2 smaller models. Anyone fancy a couple of sofas?
Spike rang us today, and Annie and Addy are leaving hospital and will be home by now with the arrival of Annie's mum which I know she has been so exciting for. I am hoping that we can go and visit next week, I am in need of a baby fix.

And talking about babies, our very good friends Gary and Susan are expecting and are due at the end of May, this makes me very happy and continues the Circle of Life........

I have started packing the sale orders, thank you for all your orders, you will be keeping me busy for the next few days!

Scrapping Angels will be going live mid January and the current site will still be up and running until further notice.
I am hoping to get some scrapping done tomorrow along with some curtain alterations for the dining room. Baking with the girls and their cook sets they got for Christmas, along with decorating Lilly's doll house with a fantastic ELC decorating kit which Santa bought her.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays, and I will leave you with some Christmas photos
hugs

Anna x

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Circle of Life

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/27/2006 09:56:00 AM 7 lovely comments
The last few days have been a time for reflection and remembering the good times with Dad, it has also been a time to shed a few tears.
Whilst reflecting last night at around 6.20pm, the phone rang and my heart started to jump and butterflies were doing their bit in my stomach, when Peter arrived with the phone and I knew who was on the other end, yep the Hafermanns are parents again!!!!
Addison Hafermann was born yesterday afternoon at around 5.20pm, weighing in at a healthy 7lb12oz. Annie and Addy are doing well I am happy to report, although I believe Addy did put up a fight and Annie did have to have a cesarean.
As I came down the stairs with tears streaming down my face, Peter turned to me and said "Darling, that's the Circle of Life" and with that I hugged my family and cried some more! Well we are talking ME here ;)
I am now off to announce on the list of links Ms Hafermann emailed me with Christmas Day, bless her, and off to see Snow White on Ice in Cambridge. i will be back in the week with festive photos and stories to tell, in the meantime I will bid you an au revoir!

Hugs
Anna x

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/24/2006 09:17:00 AM 6 lovely comments

I reckon this will be my last post for a few days.

I wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas. I will be thinking of all of those that have lost dear ones this year, we must remember the good times and keep smiling through these tougher days.



Just a few things to remind you off. Pencil Line sketch goes live tonight and we have a very very special guest DT over the holidays. And my legendary BOXING DAY SALE starts midnight Christmas Day with 40% off everything!!!!



Lots of love, see you in a few days

Anna

xoxoxox

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only 4 days to go...

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/21/2006 10:45:00 PM 4 lovely comments
I know, stressing or what, actually I don't think I am. Off to the supermarket tomorrow to pick up the last bits. We are at peters Mums for Christmas day and I am taking along my scrumptious Brussels spout dish and maple parsnips to the table with a Trifle for dessert, yummy yummy. The weekend starts with me baking festive brownies and tree cookies. so watch this space for lots of fun piccies and recipes.
Finalised presents today as well so thats all the gift buying done. Will hand deliver some final cards tomorrow and that's it really.

Waiting with bated breath and annoying Annie on the phone with messages daily, to she if she has had baby Addy yet. Poor girl isn't even due yet but I am so excited. I will be over as soon as I am allowed I can tell you.

Tomorrow am hoping to get my Pencil Lines sketch done, and this weeks GDT is a BIG US name so do not forget to check the site out. Also the readers gallery is live so keep sending us your layouts.
I have had some really great emails this last few days. I am LO of the week over at Scrappers Haven, the other week I made LO of the day at ScrapGalaxy. I have now been asked to do a GDT spot next year, and my favourite UK company have asked me to do an online class, so maybe 2007 is looking up for me before its even begun.

I leave you with another festive photo, this is my favourite from last year! Me and my beloved Fuji5500, i really did love that camera *sigh*

Hugs

Anna xx


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Yuletide tag

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/20/2006 07:32:00 PM 6 lovely comments
Just a bit of fun for today, as I have nothing to report but the fact we have been in our PJ's all day!

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, marshmallows floating,topped with whipped cream, chocolate flake, mmmmmm
Coloured lights on tree/house or white? White, white, white
Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, for the fun factor !
When do you put your decorations up? I used to put them up the weekend after my birthday or as near after it, but now its usually the weekend before my birthday (which was 14/12)

What is your favourite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Brussels sprouts cooked with chestnuts, pancetta with brandy and butter!!
Favourite Christmas memory as a child: None really, although I used to enjoy helping with the dinner preparations when the family came round. My mum had to do everything her way so really don't remember even hanging a bauble on the tree!!
How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I was around 8 I think and tried to hide it from my parents for a few years longer in case i never got a stocking
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? First the lights (white), then the baubles and ornaments, and then a star on top.
Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, crisp and crunchy
Can you ice skate? NO
Do you remember your favourite gift? every year has its favourites
What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you? being with my family
What is your favourite Christmas dessert? I love my homemade trifle, but then I cant ever so no to a mince pie!, homemade of course
What is your favourite holiday tradition? Watching Its a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve
What tops your tree? Gold Star
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Both!
What is your favourite Christmas Song? Away in a Manger sung by children...that's beautiful as is Little Donkey, always brings a tear to my eye
What is your favourite Christmas story? It's a Wonderful Life without fail

I tag Annie, Sue and Anam
And my daily festive photo is of Lilly and her crimbo hat!

Hugs
Anna xx

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Honey I'm Home!!

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/19/2006 09:34:00 AM 4 lovely comments
I am back, surrounded by Christmas paper, ribbon and bows!!. I am trying to get all my presents wrapped, and all the presents to be posted have gone, yay.
We had a great weekend in Portsmouth thanks to Auntie Iris and her fabulous hospitality and cooked breakfasts in the morning, how spoilt are we.
Today is the last day of school and we have been to carol concerts and Christmas shows, and Lilly has sung her little heart out, as well as introduce her pre school show, what a star.

Izzy also sang to her hearts content at church and now the girls are bursting with Christmas joy and excitement.
How are you all getting on with last minute preparations?

I think I am nearly done, just to write a last minute food list for Saturday, collect the turkey and gammon on Sunday from the butchers (bless he is open from 7am!), 1 more present to buy for his lordship, a few more crimbo cards to give out and then i can put my feet up with a large Baileys and a tin of Roses!!

I hope you all remembered to check out the Pencil Lines site this weekend. Fab sketch from our very own Kimmy and GDT is Cari this week. Another fab week of layouts to inspire. Here is mine. This must have been the quickest Lo I have ever done, it just fell into place.
I am off to pack all outstanding orders and then prepare for my Boxing day BIG sale. Here are a few piccies from the weekend. need to work on cowgirl Izzy as I want a arty look to this photo.


Hugs all

Anna xx

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Packed and ready to go

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/15/2006 12:37:00 PM 4 lovely comments
Well just, to be honest. I say packed but I hav'nt packed our clothes yet because I wanted to update my blog!! A girl has to get her priorities right, hehehe
OK orders are packed and out the house, I still have more to do on my return Monday which is the last posting date before Christmas for guaranteed delivery.
I have finished my Pencil Lines Lo, and this week is a good one, we are talking triangles!!!! so you must must not forget to check it out this Sunday.
I still have the pressies to wrap so all my organisation skills went out the window as I wanted these posted today 2nd class to save me some pennies, but doesn't look like i am going to make it.
A massive thank you to everyone for emails, pms and posts wishing me a happy birthday. i had a fantastic day finished off with a beer and a curry, lol, so very not me, but i loved it

I am leaving you with a photo of me with a few of my pressie, my new hat, suede gloves, scrappy stash, books, jewellary, pashmina , one of my muiji dolls and my fancy hair do, which i realise you cannot see cos i have me new hat on!
Sneaky peek of Sundays layout as well

Have a fab weekend see you Sunday

Hugs
Anna xx

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Happy Birthday

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/14/2006 09:13:00 AM 20 lovely comments
to me!!!

Yes I have turned the ripe old age of 37. I am off to Saks to get my hair coloured and cut, and have received lots of scrummy parcels I have yet to open. I am about to pop the kettle on for my morning coffee and open some cards and parcels. I will be back on with photos galore I am sure, off new hair and goodies.

Had some bad news today as well, although I believe it is general Knowledge we have not been given the go ahead to make any announcements so I will keep ssshhh. I am devastated though.
See you all later
hugs
Anna xx

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Its a first!!!!!

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/12/2006 02:12:00 PM 7 lovely comments
OK its nothing that grand, BUT we all sat down after dinner last night and made the Bowkis Christmas card!!!!. Yes even Peter sat there with a paper trimmer and some Blonde Moments Christmas papers. Peter was in charge of cutting the tree, Lilly's job was to fold the card, i stamped and Izzy, well she just did what she does best and kept the manufacturing line going... So here it is, our Christmas card for 2006. We made 37 last night so beware you could have an original piece of artwork coming your way, including smudgey finger prints.....


Stamps are from Stamps Away (look at the back as well) and papers are Blonde Moments.
I do keep to a very simple design, as you can see, just because of the sheer volume we have to send out.
Some more news. May I introduce you to my newest Angel, "The (Grumpy) Angel" named by Lilly and made by Lilly. We have asked her why she is grumpy, and we still don't know.Isn't she just adorable, even with a Mona Lisa smile. She has pride of place on our Christmas Tree.

Well it looks like you don't mind my fidgeting on Craft ClubTV. I have been asked to do a days shooting in January, after receiving lots of positive comments about the segment I did. I am so chuffed. Now I am throwing the doors open to you guys. I am going to do a couple of projects and some demo's. What would you like to see? Would it be a technique or a step by step project, IE: star book, exploding box. Let me know what you fancy seeing.

Tonight is Izzy's Christmas show. I am all armed with camera and will be leaving in plenty of time for a good seat up front!

Hugs to you all

Anna x

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New Hat, New Angel and Chrissy decs

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/10/2006 08:40:00 PM 7 lovely comments
A weekend of decorating the house with festive cheer, new hat for me, and a mass clear out , Stacey Julian style, in my scrap room.
I now have all my buttons colour coded in TK Max spice jars, my Angel Kisses and Primas in Ikea jars, thanks to an early Christmas present from Sue, mwah!, and my eyelets and brads are now safely colour coded in a crafty mate caddy. My small wooden stamps are now housed in my new purchase at £3.99 of a wire basket which I lurve!! All battered and ancient looking, you know the sort I mean?

And as with every year gone, we decorate the tree to the sounds of Nat and Dean singing Christmas songs, and Peter shedding a tear to O Tannenbaum, bless!!
Firstly, I must apologize for my poor photography, not that I am a pro, BUT i have lost my plate to my tripod so all tree photos were taken with my shaky arm! Need to buy a plate, desperately.
The girls have enjoyed decorating the tree, although i have had to do my best to step away and not keep moving the 3 rd ball that lands on that 1 branch! Oh OK I lied I have spent all day , and will spend all the holidays , titivating the tree, I cant help it!
Yesterday evening we went to the village Christingle service. It was lovely and a tear or two was shed. I guess its all those children, candles and Away in the Manger that finished me off!!
Heres a photo of this years Angel. Very simple painted tin, but I love her......
Yay, I got my Pencil Lines sketch done this week, I am so pleased. I felt awful missing out last week. I have actually prisma glittered the star and arrow , although it doesn't show very well due to me scanning my LO.

What have you all been up to this weekend? Hope its been a good one
Question - Real or artificial? - tree that is!

hugs
Anna x

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Its the most wonderful time of the year......

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/08/2006 11:51:00 PM 5 lovely comments
Yes Christmas has started to come to our house today. My wonderful friend Sue came to visit today armed with Christmas pressies and a birthday pressie for me, which i got to open today. I am so lucky i got a Muji doll to add to my collection and was jumping for joy literally. I will take a photo tomorrow. I also have a large bag with a gorgeous sparkly "A" on it from Annie with strict instructions NOT to open before my birthday!!


Sue and I actually got some scrapping done, can you believe it. It was so nice to sit, chat and scrap.



After my fabulous day, we went to choose our Christmas tree. Now this year is to be a first. I love, adore the smell and the whole choosing a real Christmas tree, but alas last year was our last and we are now the owners of an imitation Norwegian fir tree. But you know what, I actually think I like it. At the moment it she in place minus any decs and lights so she could relax and get used to her new surroundings before the onslaught of baubles and such!


I also purchased some new wooden decs and this years angel. Every year I buy a new angel for my ever increasing selection. Nothing expensive or showy, just a simple angel that grabs me when i see it. This year she is a plain painted tin angel, and I love her.
I will overload my blog tomorrow with photos of my decs and tree.
The girls met the man himself, Santa Claus. Lilly was a bit weary but came round eventually. Izzy was in her element and cant stop talking about him! Although Lilly did have fun trying on masks in the festive hall!!
I now have some fab news to tell, well it is for me. Today I was LOTD at Scrap Galaxy, a US forum. I only joined a week ago and I was sent an email a couple of days ago to tell me one of my LO's was to be their layout of the day, and I am so happy.

So how has your day been? Have you got your decs and tree up yet?

Bed beckons for me, afraid Stacey hasn't rubbed of on me yet. I will tackle my scrap room tomorrow, I promise!
Until tomorrow when my blog will be full of sparkle, angels and festive spirit

Hugs
Anna xx

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Stacey Julian

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/07/2006 08:19:00 PM 8 lovely comments
I have just spent the past 1/2 hour watching Clique TV, and the Day in the life of Stacey Julian. Firstly the woman's studio is jaw dropping amazing!! She actually has the basement of her house as a studio and office, you must go and see, I wont spoil it for you, buy boy am I jealous. Put that aside, she is up at 5am every morning, goes for a run and is the most organised and motivated woman I know, OK apart from Annie, but hey there is the resemblance, both American women, and Ali Edwards is the same. What is in your water ladies?! I need some of it.
Now I on the other side, I am so disorganised it beggars belief, honestly! I live in a disorganised mess at the moment, and as of NOW, yes right NOW, i am taking a leaf out of Stacey's day and Ali's Ezine and the advice of my very good friend and life coach, Annie Hafermann. I am getting my life organised. Tonight I will sort out my scrap room and file away all my stamps. I will then move onto my papers, embellishments and so on. Watch out EBay I may be dropping by to get rid of some stash!

I am then hoping to be able to scrap and feel motivated. Tomorrow morning I will then move onto the kitchen and utility room, where I will wash, dry and iron, whilst making a batch of cookies! and preparing the evenings dinner, and entertaining Sue who is visiting.

Boy I am already knackered at the very thought.
I did managed to finish my over due deadline this morning, thankfully, and feel a lot better for that.
So feeling all motivated, and ready to tackle life, i leave you with some good scrapbooking advice from Stacey herself,;


Scrapbooking is a chance for you to connect to life; to figure out what’s most important to you; scrapbooking teaches you to slow down. It teaches you to notice the details.

Go and be inspired and motivated to do something tonight that you have been putting off, and come back and let me know what you did that now makes you happy
hugs

Anna x


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Lurgy

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/06/2006 10:23:00 AM 2 lovely comments
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Yep the dreaded pre Christmas lurgy has found its way to Southoe, leaving me feeling uninspired and asleep for most of the day. Bless Lilly, she just sits and watches DVD's and snuggles in my arms while I snooze. I was in bed at 9pm last night and slept right through......
Yesterday Izzy and her Rainbow group sang Christmas songs and Carols at Harwdwick Dean residential home. I was armed with tissues and camera for this event. Now the tissues were for my nose, but ended up moping up tears as I broke down as soon as we headed into the dining room. I hadn't given a thought that this may effect me, but boy it sure did. I felt so stupid. But after a good sob, dried my eyes and got snapping some photos.
After singing and giving out decorated boxes of chocolates it was time for a group shot. The girls really enjoyed having their photo taken, and I was asked to take a copy to the home.
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
So much happening at this time year isn't there. Lilly is off to Izzy's school to watch the Nativity Play on Friday, we have our invites for Tuesday night, and yes I will be armed with camera, tripod and video camera!. This weekend we have the Chris tingle Service at the village church and will be popping our decs up at home.
BTW, anyone else having problems uploading photos to blogger? I have had to use photo bucket today!
That's all folks,
Anna x

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Quick update

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/03/2006 10:54:00 PM 7 lovely comments
The Christmas workshop went down a storm today. Everyone enjoyed themselves and amazing creations were done by all. We are covered in glitter and glue, but hey , its all in a days work!Annie taught 2 fab classes, and I cannot wait to do do some ornaments with the girls and make our "JOY" banner.Can you believe I took my camera but left my memory card in the card reader!! Not good, and no photos, until Tanya , who kindly lent me her camera to take some photos emails them across.As usual I have nearly lost my voice, its become the norm now when I am teaching to end up with barely a whisper at the end of the day! We had visits from Louise and the adorable cheeky Max, and then my 2 little horrors turned up in the afternoon. I am heading for bed now and have the car to unpack tomorrow morning. Bad I know but I had so little energy.
Pencil Lines new sketch challenge went up tonight, sadly I couldn't participate due to family problems, BUT I will get my layout done tomorrow and up on the gallery. So go check out this weeks GDT, Jennie Leon and the amazing work the DT girls did
Hugs hope you all had a fab weekend
Anna x

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Pinch, punch

blogged by me domestic goddess On 12/01/2006 11:04:00 PM 7 lovely comments
its the 1st of December, OMG I have so much to do. Plenty of time to stress about that later. Its been a day and a half here in the Bowkis household, but nothing that I can share here, mwahahaha.

In a funny old way I love these dark and dreary days. For Lilly and I this meant an afternoon snuggled on the sofa under my infamous throw, watching A Cat in the Hat on DVD, pringles, marmite sarnies and a box of chocolate fingers, hehehehehe. Yesterday was comfort food too, and a bowl of Lilly's favourite Heinz tomato soup. this girl cannot get enough of the stuff, have you seen the size of that bowl!?
I finished the last of the projects for the weekend today, and the girls helped back pizza boxes, bless them.

Been browsing over at 2peas holiday projects, and this button tree is crying out to be done by me. One, because I love buttons, Two, I have 2 very large bags of mixed buttons starring at me and Three, its CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!


Today the November Readers Gallery was announced over at Pencil Lines. This is always a thing I kinda dread. Every ones work is fantastic and it is so hard for the DT to make a choice. This months was particular tough as we emailed back and forth. Do check out our winner, Britta, this is an awesome layout.
Do you have a favourite Christmas advert yet? I am rather loving the Debenhams one, or is it the fact I rather fancy a Santa like that coming down my chimney ! The latter it sure is. I have always love the Coca Cola adverts, love the magic of the train and the twinkly lights. So whats yours?
Hugs

Anna x

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TV Debut

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/30/2006 10:39:00 PM 8 lovely comments
Remember I went down to Arundel to do some TV work for a new craft channel, well it is up and running here. BUT beware I am such a fidget, and I blink too long, lol. The only consolation is I had no direction and it was my first time, so hopefully the next time will be better, much better. Do check out all the channels and programs, lots of familiar faces to be seen and it is all very entertaining.
Click on the link above and then go to "general interest - beginners scrapbooking" for a laugh and a half at my expense!

Lilly had swimming lessons this evening, and she is going great guns,. Izzy and I are so proud of her; and it is also a chance for Izzy and I to have 1/2 hour of time together in the coffee shop, a valuable time for us to chat and do some reading.

I cannot believe tomorrow is December the 1st!! As is custom with me, I still haven't got the girls advent calenders out of the loft and cannot see me climbing up there on my own tonight either. Do you think they will suffer terribly if they have to wait until tomorrow night?
I still have so much yet to do as well, i haven't even made a crimbo card.
I guess instead of chatting to my computer I should go go create!!!

Please send me loads of inspiration, motivation and energy please, i am sure I am coming down with the dreaded lurgy, my nostrils are on fire!

hugs

Anna x

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its all work

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/30/2006 12:03:00 AM 3 lovely comments
and no play at the moment.................
I have been packing kits to go out next week, kits for this weekend, kits for next month and orders galore. Started clearing out the packing room and sorting out the poor dining room which has suffered from a plague of boxes these last few weeks.

I finished another project for this weekend. I love this card/mini book. Made with just envelopes, it is so neat. Love these papers as well, they have a really nice shimmer to them.

And at last Scrapping Angels part deux is live on the website and we are taking bookings. A 2 day scrapping extravaganza from Saturday 28th April - Sunday 29th April. 8 fantastic classes to choice from and 5 talented scrapbooking teachers from the UK and Europe. This is going to be bigger and better than last years. We are holding next years retreat at Wyboston Lakes in Cambridgeshire. Beautiful surroundings, yummy food, and lots of scrapping will be of the order of the weekend. Do come and join us. Pop over to the website to secure your place and for more details.

Next week I am promising myself some me time to scrap. I have a couple of magazine deadlines to complete and this weeks Pencil Lines sketch before the Christmas workshop on Sunday, then its scrapping entirely for me!
Today I signed up for Ali Edwards EZines after reading Annie's blog. Does anyone else subscribe to these? I have a good few weeks to catch up on and be prompted by the looks of things.
I managed a bit of Christmas shopping with Amazon today, thank goodness. I am so behind and have loads to do, also all my Christmas cards to make!!!!!
OK all this talk of what is left to do is making me tired, I am off to bed and hopefully wake up refreshed and ready to tackle another day!!

hugs

Anna x

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Exploding

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/28/2006 08:15:00 PM 3 lovely comments
with creativity... well i would like to think so anyways. I have completed the exploding box class for the workshop this week and received lots more goodies from sponsors for one of Annies class. All is running smoothly and a fun day will be had by all, I can guarantee that. If you fancy joining us for a day of festive fun and gift making then please book yourself a place. At only £45 for the day, including lunch, 5 fabulous classes and a festive goodie bag full of treats, then pop on over here to grab yourself a seat.

I have popped a lot more stock into the 50% section on the website as well, as I really went to start moving stock as I am only open for a few more weeks!! Then I can concentrate on crops/retreats/teaching/writing and our ever popular page kits, all will be seen at the new website. Of course the "Angel Kiss" range will follow me over as well.

Today I received a letter that my favourite and first wholesaler Trading Memories, are closing their doors on the 31/01. This is such a shame, and I wish Kathy and her family happiness for the future. Where am I going to get my Bazzill now I ask?!!
It is with great sadness that a friend/colleague lost her sister to cancer this morning. I feel for her so terribly at this dreadful time and my thoughts are with her and their families. I wish them all the strength they will need for these coming months.

Lets keep our loved ones close and think of each and everyone we love before we close our eyes tonight.


With Love

Anna xx



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At home with the Hafermanns

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/26/2006 11:45:00 PM 6 lovely comments
What a fantastic weekend of food, drink, fun, laughter and wonderful company at Annie's and Spike's this weekend. Annie cooked the most amazing spread of Thanks Giving dinner. I am talking, turkey, sweet potato topped with pecans (to die for), salad with pecans and apple (yummy!), mash potato, stuffing, runner bean and mushroom casserole, cranberry and orange chutney, homemade bread, and loads more i just cant remember. To finish we had these delightful melt in the mouth cinnamon cookies, pecan pie and pumpkin pie!!!. Ended the night with all the children piled in Dean's bed, much to his delight may I add and us grownups playing Cranium ( i think thats what it was called?!)


Fell into bed gone midnight and awoke this morning to a Spike all American cooked breakfast special. OMG what a way to finish our amazing all American weekend. The children have played so well, hugged, laughed and cried. Yep Dean shed tears and poor Lilly cried buckets until she cried herself to sleep in the car, all because they had to leave each other, how sad is that.

Arrived home around 2pm and curled on the sofa to a dose of the X Factor. I am really sorry to see Eton Road leave. They were not the most talented but those boys have grown on me and were alot better than the McDonald brothers( who the girls love, may have something to do with the golden arches!)


Then a few hours in my scrap room for this weeks Pencil Line sketch. I am loving each week and each sketch more than the last. How can they get better each week I keep asking myself, but they do. Go and head on over and if you have never scrapped from a sketch, this week is a good week to start. Our guest DT is Missy Neal. Don't forget you can check back over all the previous sketches and do send us a link to your take on the sketch as well as entering your LO to the readers gallery for your chance to win a price from our sponsors Scrapitude this month.

Crumbs I have sure waffled on. What did you all get up to this weekend, hope it was us fun packed as mine
hugs
Anna x

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Bloomin Marvelous

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/25/2006 01:15:00 PM 4 lovely comments
I have received a lovely delivery of flowers, blooms and kisses. Check out the site for new colours in the daisies, hydrangeas and re stocks of the popular 3" and 4" blooms. I have also put together a Christmas bloom mix for you as well.
I am now off to Bury for my 1st Thanks Giving dinner at Annies and we are all so looking forward to it. Just off to pack our overnight bits. My yummy chocolate cake didn't make it out of the tin in one piece so will not be venturing over to Bury, ggrrr, BUT Annie beware I have baked you a loaf of bread just to prove a point, lol.

And I leave you with a photo booth picture of Lilly and I in Peterborough on Thursday. I love photo booths! Oh and by the way, Lilly had been round the make-up department in Boots prior to this photo!! need I say more.....................


Don't forget to check out Pencil Lines this weekend for a new sketch

hugs and have a great weekend
Anna x

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this makes me happy

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/23/2006 10:42:00 PM 8 lovely comments
I know its a few Japanese wooden people and a lamp. But as Karen can witness, I LOVE MY NEW LAMP, I really do. Not a good picture, but I love, love my new lamp. I now sit on the sofa in the corner, so I can see my lovely new lamp. A real bargain at only 24.99 at TK Max!!!

These cute wooden figurines are make me so happy, and I now collect them. these 2 were bought for me by the girls. 1 for Mothers Day and the other was for being the best teacher ( in their eyes) at Bonanza!. awwwww
Sadly Karen has now left us and is now back at home in Newcastle. She really has been a rock and I cant thank her enough. the girls have had a wonderful time with her, and we now know where Lilly's weak spot is! just behind her right knee, lol.
I am now eagerly awaiting my 2nd attempt delivery of 30,000 Angel Kisses, wohoo, I hear you cry, and with that a day of packing retail and trade orders. I now have the scrummy Christmas crate papers in da house! and kit 10 is being packed as I write, and I have a few extra sheets left over that I have made up crate packs with so grab one now as they are going fast.


I am really looking forward to the weekend as we Bowkis's have been invited to the Hafermann's for Thanks Giving dinner, I am so excited about this as I have never had a thanks giving dinner. I will be baking my contribution to the table tomorrow and couldn't resist picking up something delightful for the new baby as well as the handsome Dean. Call them early Christmas pressies ;)


That leaves me to say a Happy Thanks Giving to all our American friends. Hope you have a lovely day with friends and family

hugs
Anna x

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Published in the US of A

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/22/2006 04:01:00 PM 11 lovely comments
I am so chuffed to have had my first LO published in an American magazine. I am on the DT for an American manufacturing company called Zsiage and they have chosen 1 of my layouts for an advert in Altered Art. I was so pleased when I got the email.

I have been quite these passed few days as I have my good friend Karen down from Newcastle. She is very good to me and mothers me in a lovely way. She has really put a smile on my face these past few days and we have shopped till my arms have dropped! I even bought myself some new clothes today, the first time in a very very long time, so I am very happy!






And some more happy news. On Monday I received a box of gorgeous things from a wonderful lady, Heather from Scotland. Heather and I really hit it off when I taught at the Luxurious Angels retreat last month. We have a lot in common and love many of the same things. This box was full of all delights that put a massive smile on my face and made me feel like a very special person. Thank you so much Heather, you are an amazing person!



My box contained 3 books, 3 srummy Asian stamps, a handmade slide mount embellishment and my fav item of all was this gorgeous mug and coaster. Can you see what it says? "Domestic Goddess" .In fact I love it so much I now have a matching bowl, to fill with choccies while I scrap, lol.
Tomorrow Karen leaves for the Newcastle and I have lots to do and catch up with
I am finishing of my Christmas workshop projects and I am so in love with them!
Don't forget to check out Pencil Lines this week as well. The readers gallery goes up today with amazing work from our readers to inspire you more

Hugs
Anna x

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A Weekend to Reflect

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/19/2006 10:10:00 PM 11 lovely comments
I have had the weekend to myself. The girls have been at Nana's and Peter was on a Team Building weekend in Norfolk, leaving me to a weekend of reflection. I cried buckets, sorted dads belongings and scrapped a plenty. It really wasn't too bad you know.


I cleaned my dad's pocket watch/clock up that I had given him for his 70th and this will now have pride of place on my bedside table. I also had a magazine assignment to do and I chose to dedicate my page to dad. He would have been so chuffed to be gracing the pages of a glossy magazine, lol!!

Another layout was for the Pencil Lines sketch which is now live. I loved this weeks sketch by my favourite sketch artist Becky Fleck. Pop on over to see what the DT did this week and our talented guest DT Lu Braxton.
I also completed a couple of DT projects as well for Zsiage. So all in all a very productive weekend.

Karen is arriving form Newcastle tomorrow and I cannot wait. I need a big hug and some girly time out, and she is a scrapper so what more could I ask for!!
I picked the girls up this afternoon and stayed at Nana's for a good English Sunday dinner of homemade mince pie, roasties and lots of scrummy veg and gravy!. The girls made sweet mince pies and jam tarts for afters. How spoilt am I?! We then went for a lovely walk down by the river


I hope you all had a lovely weekend.
Finally, if you have a spare few pennies please see my post below about the MS Xmas Star appeal that I am doing to raise money for MS. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to pop by my fundraising page and donate. Every penny helps as they say. I will be posting out starts in the next day or two
Big Hugs to you all




Anna xx

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Look Who's 30!

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/18/2006 09:08:00 AM 10 lovely comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE


To my very talented, gorgeous friend

have a lovely day

xoxoxooxox

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MS Xmas Stars

blogged by me domestic goddess On 11/16/2006 10:18:00 PM 9 lovely comments
I am raising money this Christmas for MS in memory of my Dad. If you would like to help me raise money by purchasing a christmas star, please head over to my fundraising page and for every £1 you donate you will recieve a star. Please add a further 50p for post and packaging cost for me. Also remember to email me your address so I can post them and tell me if you would like gold or silver.



MS Xmas Stars


21 October 2006 to 31 December 2006, UK - Nationwide


'Help make this a big star for MS this Christmas'
Due to overwhelming demand we have now distributed all our MS Xmas Star Kits for this year's Appeal, so many thanks to the thousands of people who are supporting us. With this terrific level of support we should easily reach our targert of £200,000.
Not only is this a simple way to get involved, but every donation automatically benefits from gift aid adding 28p on every £1 raised.
Thank you in advance.
Anna x

PS : Please note any money sent to my by post I will be banking at the end of the year. I already have £100 raised form the first Scrapping Angels retreat to add to the total

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