Scrapping Tonight

Oh so many scrummy things coming out of CHA. I don't even know where to begin!.
I have ordered some Junkitz due at the end of August. Have an order waiting to go to Fancy Pants and Crate Papers, but I am supposed to be winding things down with BumbleBee Crafts to concentrate on the trade business and the Angel Kisses. It is all to tempting for lil olde me!
So what does a girl do?

Well this week is manic and very busy as we are off on our hols Friday afternoon. Firstly stopping off in Portsmouth for a wedding on Saturday and then continuing along the coast to St Ives for 10 glorious days of sun, sand and summer frolics with the girls. But before all that, I have a couple of deadlines to post, Izzy to chaperone to her dance workshop everyday this week, speech therapy summer school on Tuesday and Thursday, packing, banking, post office, dry cleaners, visit my dad a couple of times and pop over to see Ann(I)e and do a spot of retail therapy shopping in the form of scrap shopping and coffee.
Peter is on a course in London and will be back tomorrow evening, the girls have really missed him, they are so used to him being at home.

Photo today of Mr Cricket and Mrs Moth. We were lucky to have him visit last year and he is back again. Izzy is beside herself with joy, bless her! Haven't the heart to tell her its most likely to be a different cricket;) Mrs Moth was on the window inside the house and she looked so pretty I had to get the camera out and snap her!
Night night
hugs
Anna x

Its all over for another year!!! What a weekend it has been.
12 of the Bowkis men and relatives tee'd off at 10am on Saturday and returned to a house of children, friends and family at 4pm. In that time, I chopped, diced, marinated and decorated 2 cheese cakes, filled numerous sandwiches with the help of nana and Linda.
The bouncy castle arrived at 8.15am and unfortunately could not be picked up until the next morning, as if we minded !!!!!! The bouncy castle must have been the best thing we did for the party, I reckon everyone must had had a turn on it at some point on the day.
The face painting was a hit with all the girls and at night the agrden was lit up by lanterns ,fairy lights and neon glow bracelets.
My dad, although looking tired and not his best, had a lovely afternoon with us, despite the taxi being an hour late due to road closure on the A1. I don't think I have seen my dad eat so much since he was here for Christmas lunch.
And once again this month, I met another bunch of relatives for the first time. I am so lucky. It had slipped Peters mind that his cousin Dinah is a professional sports photographer!!!! Err excuse me, how could you forget that. I had lots of great conversation on cameras, composition and CS2. Looks like I have to have a DSLR, and I now cant make my mind up between the Canon EOS or a Nikon D70, oh decisions decisions. I think they will have to wait until I have complete a photography course and I have saved some pennies!
the funniest moment of the day, was starting the BBQ at 6pm, wind change and the farmer finishing his harvesting off. Yes that means being blown to smothers and looking like a scarecrow, a house covered in sawdust as well as all the food!!! Thank goodness Peters family would let nothing spoil their day, and being such a fun loving and down to earth family, what is a bit of wind and straw between friends?!

Today was the monthly crop. Had an absolutely wonderful day, complete with Coffee walnut cake, thanks Kerry, a dash of baby Emily, some exclusive stamp designs courtesy of Stamps Away and gorgeous new chipboad designs by Above Board, lots of coffee and scrapping and fab company. Thank you to everyone who came, I had a lovely day, and actually scrapped. Although I cannot post as it is a project for a magazine.

Busy week ahead as we depart on Friday for a wedding in Portsmouth and then off to Cornwall on Sunday to stay at Linda and John's cottage in St Ives. I still have deadlines to complete, packing, a house to clean after the sawdust storm, LOL, and Izzy to taxi here there and everywhere, she starts a week long dance and drama workshop this week and has speech therapy summer school, busy busy.
Until tomorrow friends
big hugs
Anna x

I know, yet again I am up until the wee small hours of the morning finishing layouts. But here is only a sneak, because I have scanned this on an A4 printer, so you only have a section!! Titled "Girl Power"
This layout has been done using the July Scrapping Angels kit and the 1st of our monthly page kits. This months manufacturer is Cherry Artes. My first LO using their papers. I love this new collection, it is so bright and cheerful, and aptly names "tropics".
I have been busy all day preparing delights for tomorrows big party and BBQ. My infamous cheesecake is chilling, a scrummy summer fruits salad is chilling, chilli is resting and I am about to go and marinade some checked for kebabs. Pinnate has been filled, gazebo is up, tables are prepared, lights, lanterns all ready to go, and the bouncy castle arrives at 8.15 in the morning. Yes you heard right!!!!
I of course will still be in bed ;)
Guess I had better go and marinade the chicken and head for my bed.
Been very naughty and have purchased lots of scrummy CHA goodies, like Junkitz and Fancy Pants. I think I have been and gone to heaven with this range from Fancy pants!!! And the BIG and Biggest chipboard is stunning. I have had to order the lot!!! So watch out as I will have to do some pre order lists for you, so you dont miss out!!
Hopefully I shall get on at some point over the weekend to update with photos and such
big hugs
Anna xx

Its harvest time, and our first harvest. Last night when we got home our farmer was out harvesting the field that our house backs onto. Lilly was beside herself as we watched the combine harvester do its thing. Sadly we were interrupted by a big thunder storm. Living here means thunderstorms cause absolute disruption, so no internet, no sky TV and often no electric! The girls didn't get to bed till 10pm as they were a little scared, especially Lilly.

Today Lilly has been helping Lynn out in the garden. Covered from head to toe in mud, and down for an afternoon snooze. Bless her all that gardening wore her out.
I on the other hand have been in talks with one of my editors, and I am so excited about some of the projects I have lined up.

Its late, I am knackered, I have kits to put together and design for Sunday and the new monthly page kits we have that will be dispatched on Monday. I start all the preparations for the Summer party on Saturday as well. I leave you with a layout I have done for Zsiage DT. This is using their charity papers, and were perfect for the Race for Life pictures I took of Gillian at the beggining of the month. I hope Gillian likes this as she hasn't seen it!

Night all
hugs
Anna xx

In the words of Nat King Cole, sang word for word by Lilly to cheer me up. My girls are the best!!!
Izzy did us a picnic lunch of jam sandwiches, crisps, iced gems , jaffa cakes and carrots, washed down with some diet coke, and Lilly sang to me. I love my girls so so much. Nothing or no one will ever change my love for them. After another bad day via emails this time, (glad I could spare you all the drama!!), it has left me with a bad taste in my mouth and a feeling of utter disappointment. It just leaves me to realize who I do love and who loves me, and that is what makes me happy today. My 2 beautiful girls proved that to me. I also received a beautiful
handmade card by my girls to cheer me up :)

Packed orders today, and finished some DT work. I am pleased with what I did with my Zsiage papers. Very different to what I normally scrap with but a challenge. I do love their chipboard though, so both my layouts got a splash of chips!! Sneak peak of 1 of my layouts.

Its non stop this week, as I start pulling together the final arrangements for this weekends family get together. Now honestly, I don't have a mansion or a massive garden, but it will play host to the Bowkis clan and friends complete with my version of a fun fair. Izzy is beside herself with excitement and has made about 28 cards (such good timing Karen!) with some pound stretcher embellishments. Now don't knock me, I was pretty impressed!

Early start tomorrow as Izzy has summer school with speech therapy, off to see grandad and then to pick up the BBQ and Karoki machine!! Wohoo, better get some practice in, I cannot sing for toffee!!

Big hugs to all and thanks for everyone's kind words of support.
Big hugs go out to you Caroline and your family in Lebanon, I am thinking of you Hun.
Anna xx

mmm, now where does one start today. It seems my post yesterday has hit a nerve with my sister!!! Who has not made contact with me in nearly 3 years. I am not going to turn my personal blog into a public argument with my sister and a battle of words about who said what.So Mandy if you are reading this, do email me at albowkis@hotmail.com. It seems such a sad state of affairs that after all this time and no interest in me, a comment is made on my blog now, and not praising me, congratulated me, sending best wishes to your sick father or a comment with regards to your nieces but a comment on an issue you have very little knowledge about. I could go on and on, but I will not bring my blog into this!!

So back to what makes me happy!!!
I scrapped today. I have eventually done my DT projects for Zsiage. I am only giving a sneak peek until they go live on their website. ( blogger will not let me upload more than 1 picture ggrrr)
This evening we had another gorgeous walk through the fields. It is so peaceful and calm around here, I do so love it.
The girls have been busy today and kept very active for the first day of the summer holidays! We have also all had haircuts. Izzy has had a drastic cut to her shoulders. Don't all shoot me down yet. She needed a good cut for the summer. But bless her she is not very happy and want's her long hair back and asked if I could stick it back!
I was off to visit Ann(I)e tomorrow but I have had to postpone to next week, as always I am behind with deadlines, mainly with all the going owns of last week. Also the BBQ is this weekend, I have lots of list's to make and we are having a mini funfair in the garden, complete with bouncy castle, face painting, jugglers, lucky dip and lots more. Any tips on catering for 50?, and if you have BBQ sauce recipes and marinades please pass them on too.
I am also teaching in October at Angel Craft's retreat in Scotland. Pop on over for more details of this luxury retreat in Scotland
that's me done for tonight.
Hugs
Anna x

July has been an amazing month for me and my family.
a little background so things become clearer. I don't speak to my mum or sister, and haven't for 3 years, not due completely to myself, but they have made no effort to see the girls, and this upsets both peter and I. My mum and I have had a very traumatic relationship from the start to be honest and my mum and dad divorced when we were young and we never say my dads side of the family. So back to the present day, no contact with my mum, my dad is now closer to me, and I have now met Steve my cousin, and today my Auntie Rita came to visit us and Dad with my cousin Jacqui who I last saw when I was about 9!!!! This has just been brilliant. Jacqui and I have so much in common and I am dead jealous as she came armed with a Canon EOS!!
It has been so lovely being a round family that I have never really had a relationship with and whom have so much love to give. A layout is sooo in the making of this photo of me and Jacqui. Infact I am going to ask her if I can use this picture of us for a project I have to do for a magazine.
Next weekend we have the family BBQ and 50 relatives of Peter arrive at ours in the afternoon on Saturday. Another bunch of relatives whom I will be meeting for the first time! Can you actually believe it. Its is truly fantastic. I don't think my Dad knows what has hit him this month!He was so overwhelmed at seeing his sister today. It has been nearly a year since they last saw each other. My Auntie is also registered disabled so does struggle getting aroud and my Uncle Don is a poorly man these days after a stroke a year or so ago.

I am also excited about the new angel kisses arriving this week. New sizes in the daisy and also more black!!!

Off to plan my layout now and catch up with you all tomorrow
big hugs
Anna xx

Hello summer holidays, goodbye reception year. My baby girl has just completed her 1st year at school and will go back in September a year 1 student!!!
I am so proud of her, so to finish of her year with a bang we went to Brewsters for dinner with the girls!
Here are some photo of the accordion book I did for Izzy's teacher. I used Sassafrass Lass papers and stamps.

Crumbs I have just spent hours coming across a fab web template sight and have just purchased 2 templates. I will be launching my own personal site soon. Hopefully this will be good for my profile and prospective publishers!!!
Also I now hope I can get the Scrapping Angels site off the ground.
More good news has come in, I will be designing my own embellishments and expanding exclusive to me, the Angel Kisses line of flowers and blooms. I am not saying anymore and keeping it all under wraps for the big reveal in February 2007, when I will be launching some fantastic product lines at the NEC. I am very excited about this.

Saw my Dad today and apart from struggling with the humidity he is continuing to improve, thank you all again for your good wishes and pm's, I am very touched

Well the weekend is here, it is still swelting in Southoe, and I will still be pounding out the deadlines this weekend
Have a scrappy weekend blogettes
hugs
Anna xxx

To each and everyone of you who emailed, pmed, left a comment or rang me. I have been overwhelmed by my real friends and cyber friends concern and generosity with your words. Thank you all so much
It is a funny old world isn't it. I have been up to the hospital several times in the last 48 hours and have bumped into a customer, a friend and a teacher all visiting close ones who are extremely poorly. It really does put life intop some perspective
My Dad is thankfully been returned to the nursing home, although not without a formal complaint being made by myself due to the negligence I feel has been made.
In weather like this my Dad arrived on a ward , 3 hours later and still no water (he was dehydrated!) and was left in his own mess, is the most polite why I can write this. My poor dad is a man with some dignity and is double incontinent of which they know, as I told them on numerous occasions. So he did have water, a fan and clean clothes and sheets by the time I left, poor thing
apologies now to all my editors, I have been so pre occupied I haven't worked for a couple of days, I will be back on form and getting stuff to you.
Photos today are of Izzy and her teacher, who I think the world off. Her husband is riddled with cancer and she always has a cheery smile on for the children. Izzy and I will be making a teachers present tonight in the form of a mini book where a copy of this photo will be placed.
Good deliveries today, I received these 2 CD's from Tescos Jersey.
Thanks again to you all, I am very lucky to have so many people I can call friends
hugs
Anna xx

Do you ever have those days when you feel like the world is against you?
The last few days has definitely been mine. I feel like every thing I have put my heart and soul in is being picked on by someone bigger and leaving me in the shadows. A good heart to heart with a best friend and a colleague who is much more a friend , helped my put some of my business worries into perspective, and hopefully with a little planning, my ideas, I should hopefully get back on track.
Last night I had a phone call I have been dreading. My Dad's nursing home ran at 8.30 pm asking me to come in straight away. My poor Dad looked helpless and very poorly. He was taken into hospital last night with me right by his side, and I got home at 2am. This morning I visited Dad and he is off the oxygen and looking better if not still week and frail. My darling Lilly came with me and brighten my Dads day. I am off again as soon as Peter gets back from work.
I have lost all my creativity and mojo at the moment, and need my friends around me. It is times like this that I miss Newcastle.
But I must put on a brave face and a stiff upper lip like us English feel we should and soldier on, LOL
How are you coping with this heat? It hit 38c here!!
Check out the new page kits on the site as well at £6.99!!
A BIG thank you to Anam for my new blog header, I love it!!!!!
Keep cool
hugs
Anna x

I have actually scrapped and finished 2 CJ's I had to do, so feeling really good about that. Peter took the girls out this afternoon so I could complete a deadline and have some quiet time to get on with things.
Its been another scorcher of a day, and Lilly this morning kitted herself out in roller boots, helmet and kneepads (courtesy of Izzy BTW!) and was aptly named Poiya Poiya Girl, due to what she says when saving the world and beating up monsters!! What a girl!


The layout I did today was a sketch challenge on The Lounge by Becky Fleck. I love this sketch and wanted to scrap this photo and the my sassafras Lass papers and stamps.
The journaling is hidden and reads :

I was suffering badly from depression
when this photo was taken.
A beautiful winter's day walk around
the farm with you made all my
worries fade away. There is something
about you Lilly that makes me smile
regardles of how I feel. I will
always treasure this special gift,
the gift of life
love mummy xxxxx

I used some of the Heidi Swapp kit from Costco's and my sewing machine. I just adore the ghost hearts, they are so cute!

Did you all have a lovely weekend?
Big hugs
Anna xx

Two down and many more to go, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
I have complete 2 really different projects for magazines this week, I love them and cant wait to see them in print, all I can say is this is scrapping outside the album, BIG time!!!


Another lovely summers day here in Southoe, and my lovely friend and gardener, Lindylou(as the girls love to call her) has been here all day tarting the gardening up with the plants we bought on Monday. Once Lilly was home, she was out there with her ever trusty ELC gardening kit with help on hand!!
I on the other hand went to the gym this morning and then received a box of yummy Cherry Artes, wohoo!!! It is so scrummy irl, so get your self over to the shop and grab yourself a bargain and the special price of 58p a sheet!!!
I cant wait to get a LO done this weekend with the papers and my heidi Swapp Costco bargain that Karen got for me and arrived today. infact today was full of scrummy deliveries. I got my Cherry Artes, Heidi Swapp and my Lil Davis vintage chipboard from Kimmy (Scrapitude), thanks Kimmy, mwahahahaha. I have so many layouts in my head I want to do with all my scrummy stash.
I have my DT projects to do this week for Zsiage as well, and they have the most scrummy chipboard as well. I have become a bit of a chipboard freak at the moment. I cant get enough of the stuff!!!
Sue has selected the winner of the Angel Kisses competitor, so well done Fiona Beckman (Erisindevon), I will be sending 1 pack of every colour of Angel Kisses that we do :) this week

Spoke to Ann(I)e today, the poor girl still has no internet connection , hence the lack of blogging from her. Keep checking by Annies blog as she is expecting to be back online any day

Really excited as yesterday I was asked to teach at a retreat in October and I am really pleased to be part of the event. I am saying no more until their official annoucement on Monday!!

I have a weekend planned of catch up and hopefully a spot of scrapping for me
hugs and have a fabby weekend
Anna x

I am, since my delivery of Sassafras Lass papers arrived today and stamps, with some Chloes Closet, and my Cherry Artes is due any day, so its all go on the shop front.
I love Sassafras Lass papers they are so pretty. Can't wait to start a layout with them.
But it will have to wait a little longer as I still have a couple of deadlines to complete. 1 went out today and another to be finished by Friday!
Had a play with a photo of Izzy being my model in CS2 this evening. Cant make up my mind whether I should be tampering with photo's or leaving them as is. Peter says the original is better, but I kinda like the altered one. What do you think? Which one should I scrap?
Answers on a blog comment please :)

OOO I had my gym induction today and it was fab! Loved it! And am off again on Friday, cant wait! Feel all righteous, LOL

hugs blogettes
Anna x

What a beautiful day it has been, and I am not just talking the weather. I met my cousin Steven today, who I have never met!. Steve and his wife Sue are over from Arizona for 3 weeks visiting family in the UK. Steve is my dad's only nephew and he hasn't seen him in 15 years. My dad's brother died 26 years ago and Steve has been very close to my dad regardless of the distance. It was wonderful to spend time with my Dad and new found cousin. The weather was beautiful and we spent a lovely couple of hours in the grounds of the nursing home, and Lilly was a star and so well behaved.

And then this afternoon, Peters colleague , Martin, invited us over to his house where he has a swimming pool. The girls have had a wild time, and even peter jumped in with Martin and the girls. This photo really sums up the fun they all had. And we have ourselves a baby sitter in Gemma who is 14 and Martyn's eldest daughter, who has taken her babysitting course, so what are we waiting for!!!

Oh forgot to tell you all, Peter and I have joined a gym!!!!! yep and we are off for our induction tomorrow, so tales of how unfit I am will be the topic of tomorrows blog, LOL

hugs all
Anna xx

I have deleted over 200 photos on my memory card by accident, and no amount of recovery has bought them back.
A lovely day at the PYO strawberry fields, Lilly's first as well and I am truly gutted. Serve me right messing with the delete button instead of waiting till I uploaded them all, I am so impatient, but still gutted after a day!
Anyways a fab day was spent picking strawberries and raspberries, yummy, and then we headed to the only American war memorial in the UK. The reason for this was an assignment for me and I was intrigued to visit here. It was breathtaking and very peaceful. I will visit again without the children as I never managed to visit the chapel , of which Peter said was breath taking.
Even though I lost a majority of my photos I managed to take a few more after my mishap.

Today the girls had a birthday party to go to, and we visited Nana and Grandad armed with freshly picked strawberries and fresh cream. We haven't stopped munching on them. There is nothing like the taste and smell of a freshly picked English strawberry!
Am off to catch up on emails and then bed for me, hope you all had a lovely weekend
hugs
Anna x

Lilly's new word is coot, known to you and me as "cute". It sounds so sweet coming from her little voice.
Still busy with deadlines so have no artwork, if you can call it that, LOL, to share but I do have this sweet photo of Lilly after a few hours with Margaret and Nanette, looking very "coot" with her funky hair do. Izzy wanted to get in on the act so decided to do some model posing.

Had open day at Izzy's school yesterday, and I am so proud of her. Izzy's artwork is amazing and I can't wait to get her work sent home so I can share with you all. Also met the infamous Mrs Bliss who Izzy keeps talking about. She is lovely and will be a good teacher for Izzy

Ok back to the drawing board so to speak for me, have a lovely day.
don't forget to send me links to your layouts using Angel Kisses, deadline is this weekend.Every colour of Angel Kiss is up for grabs!!!
hugs
Anna x

These are sooo cute, and I have been lucky enough to have two bags to play with and an umbrella for an article for Creative Scrapbooking. The likes of Tara Palmer Tomkinson, Blondie and Helen Bonham Carter have been seen sporting a clippy kit bag!!
Have finished the small wash bag with handmade charms made with shrink plastic and lots of ribbon, will have a sneaky peak tomorrow.

Have you seen our heavenly grab bags filled with Angel Kisses with a dash of ribbon? Well pop on over and feast your eyes on some delectable mixes from carnival to heaven and earth, perfect for all your card making and scrapbook pages all for £2.99 !!!!

Been a funny old day today, I have conjuntivitis, stomach ache and a niggly headache which is more like a mild migraine. Am missing a dear friends daily phone calls as well. I guess we all move on, life is hectic for us all but I still miss them.

Tomorrow I am off to meet Izzy's new teacher, Miss Bliss. What a fab name don't you think?!
Booked Izzy for a dance/drama workshop in the summer holidays as well as swimming lessons. Boy that girl is going to be busy this summer.
Hope you all had a good day :)

Catch you all tomorrow blogettes
hugs
Annaa x

.....To Gillian for her brilliant ran on Sunday for the Race for Life in aid of Cancer. 4000 women run this race in Durham alone on Sunday in heat of 28 degrees!!! She ran the 5km race in 40 mins which was brilliant considering the conditions. I am so proud of her, and this has encouraged me to get fit and do this race next year. My grandmother who I never met died of breast cancer and peters brother died at a young age of Leukemia so I have many reasons to raise the money.

.....To my back for giving me the results my wonderful surgeon Mr Sanderson wanted. My bone graph from my hip is doing the biz and my spine is starting to fuse!!!!! My next visit is not until 2007, so I am really chuffed

....And last but no means least to my Izzy for giving us a glowing first school report, we are all so proud of her. Both Peter and I had a tear in our eyes with the leaving comment made by her teacher
"I will miss her energectic presence when she goes up to year 1. Good luck Izzy you will do well in the future" I am all gooey eyed just typing this, LOL.

I am snowed under with deadlines, again....., to all my editors who may be reading this I am on the case, honest!!!!! And to all those waiting for CJ's for me, I am on the case, honest and beffy boodles ATC's will be with you probaly next week now, sorry
Ok off to eat my healthy Ceaser Salad
Hope you all had a lovely weekend
hugs
Anna xx

I love my Dad so much, and I hate seeing him as a shadow of his former energetic, funloving self. My Dad has MS, has for 12 years now. He his probaly now as bad as the MS is ever going to get he is just battling with old age as well. I move my Dad 2 days before Christmas (I know, great timing!) to a nursing home 5 minutes away from where we live. This has been the best thing I could have done. The children see him at least once a week, and we can take him out. Yesterday we got to take him to his local park, a 3 minute stroll from where he is living. This park is lovely, it has the river running through it , and a play area for the girls. Dad had his first ice cream of the year and enjoyed watching the girls play football. This is the best photo I have managed to get of my Dad, looking awfully frail, but he is still my Dad and I adore him!!!

This is 1 of the projects I did for Practicalcrafts Essentials. It is called "The Midas Touch" and is all about gilding and adding gold to your crafts with gold leaf, gilding creams and using copper foil. This LO is our wedding rings using gold leaf and gilt cream stamping. It is a fab issue this month, mainly because it has a really funky project on shrink plastic by Kirsty and an iris folding project by Annie, and I must say I will now look at iris folding differently!!

This was meant to be a quick post as I am flying up to Newcastle this afternoon, for a hospital appointment with my back surgeon on Monday. My dear friend Gillian is doing the Race for Life on Sunday in Durham and I will be there to cheer her on

Have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing. It's another scrorcher here in Southoe, so my washing is on the line doing its bit
hugs
Anna xxx