Scrapping Tonight

During the Easter Holidays we had the great pleasure of entertaining the Deacons!
We decided that we would have afternoon tea.




Menu :

Open cheese and cucumber finger buns
Open cucumber and ham finger buns
Brownie and cheescake topped cupcakes baked by Holly Deacon
Scones with clotted cream and Jam
Oat and honey biscuits



As you can see a lot of fun was had!
Thank you to Sue, Holly and Em for coming to see us, we loved having you!! Why not invite your friends over for an impromptu afternoon tea.

Thanks for stopping by
Anna xx

Remember I was invited to the Ambi Pur crafting day with Danielle Proud?
Well we were given a lovely hamper of crafting goodies and Ambi Pur lovelies.
During the Easter Holidays Izzy decided to have a go at a touch of Mosaic using the crafting project that was in the hamper basket.



Izzy chose to do the trinket box. A typical tween, she has plenty of trinkets that need a home! Izzy started by pencilling out her design on a piece of plain paper.



Carefully using the tweezers provided she then started to pick her mosaic pieces and glue them into place.



After about an hour Izzy had completed gluing all her pieces into place.



The last stage to do now is to add the black grout, which we will do this weekend and I will post teh completed project for you all to see.

I have seen these project boxes many times and not thought much of them. But now I have seen one they are a lot of fun for older children. I wouldnt recommend for an adult, although dont get me wrong I have started doing the night light!!
A lot of fun for any young budding crafter! Have you tried one of the House of Crafts project boxes? Would love to hear.

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

The Bowkis family are huge, and I mean HUGE Roald Dahl fans. We have the books, we love the movies and we love all things Roald Dahl.
So this Easter  at long last we found the time to go and visit the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.

After some time trying to find somewhere to park we eventually gor parked and made our way up the road to the museum. I was rather glued to all the gorgeous Interior Design shops and general gifty shops.
We queued and got our tickets as well as paying to attend a story telling workshop in the afternoon.

As you enter the Museum you are greeted to the Enormous Crocodile bench and a map of the museum.


I had to get a photo of the girls together and this was a perfect place to stop!


The museum goes through the ages of Roald Dahl's life, each room a chapter of his life.
I loved all the details throughout.


Peters favorite Roald Dahl book and movie is The Fantastic Mr Fox. So much that he has his own book and DVD copy!







Check this out! A replica Roald Dahls writing chair for kids and adults alike to try out. The real chair is behind glass.
Lilly had to try for size. How tiny does she look!



We had great plans to have lunch in Cafe Twit and try out some familiar dishes like oompaloompa sandwitches and bogtrotter cake, but it was packed, so we headed out into the village to find somewhere else to eat.



We found an amazing Tapas restaurant. Not so good for Peters pockets but we all thoroughly enjoyed the dishes. The chorizo in red wine was  a great hit and we had to order another!

We had a great day and bought a few bits from the gift shop. We all got a note book and a box of Roald Dahl magnetic words so we can all make up our own whizz bang stories on the fridge!

If you and your family are Roald Dahl fans do make the journey to visit Great Missenden and visit the area and museum. We didn't have time to visit areas of interest in the village as we had to get back for Suki.
I will leave the last word to Mr Dahl himself
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”


Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

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The girls are on holiday and Peter has been off for the week. We have had such a lovely family week.
With Easter weekend just gone we spent quality time at home as a family enjoying our house and lots of home cooked food.

Easter Sunday morning we started with an Easter Egg hunt but with clues this time. I am not sure who enjoyed it more, the girls or Peter and I!
We hid eggs all over the house with a clue placed with each egg. Starting with a drop off form the Postman, ending with a BIG surprise in the Studio. the girls had great fun working our where the eggs were and its was lovely to see them working as a team.



After the Easter Egg hunt Lilly helped me make up the table favours; cute Easter boxes I found in M&S, that I filled with mini chocolate eggs.



To finish our Easter decorations I bought Tulips and Daffodils and Lilly added yellow shredded paper and chicks!



I hope you all had a lovely Easter holiday. I will be sharing out trip to The Roald Dahl museum later in the week, a must for all Roald Dahl fans!

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

Today I waved goodbye to Izzy as she embarks on a weeks holiday with school at West Runton in Norfolk. Two years ago Izzy last went on a weeks school trip and was so tearful it was a horrid experience to let her go. Infact all the mums and children were teareyed and it was a really emotional affair!
This year 40 odd year 6 kids , all smiles and enthusiasm got on the coach to spend a week away for the last time as a group of classmates and friends. Parents were emotional but the children were excited and looking forward to the adventures that await them! The weather is going to be stunning all week, and today they start their holiday off with a pool party!!
Yes you heard me right, a pool party! Izzy has gone complete with kaftan top and lip gloss to complete her look.

So here she is, my independant 11 year old, all packed and ready for her school trip.

love this quote, so apt for me right now

If I am still blogging in 5 years time, I am sure there will be a similar post about her off to Uni or something!

I know she will have a wonderful time and I cannot wiat to pick her up on Friday and hear all about her week.

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

Last Thursday I had the great pleasure of being invited to a workshop at Homemade London hosted by Ambi Pur and Danielle Proud. Sue came along with me and we met at Kings Cross Station at 9.30am.

We made our way across London to Marble Arch and the shop Homemade London. We were greeted by lots of smiling faces; the lovely Emily and Helen from the PR agency for Ambi Pur and a warm welcome from Nicola the owner of Homemade London.
I immediately fell in love with these beautiful pompoms made from tissue paper. I can see them hanging in trees with bunting for a photo shoot!



We settled down to our seats and were served fresh coffee in the most exquisite china teacups and fresh orange juice. Scrummy brioche and croissants and bowls of fresh fruit were on the table for us all.



Sue and I were only able to stay for the embroidery class where we learnt several different enbroidery stitches, I can now chain stitch!! Our project was a tea towel. I stitched a couple of strawberries on mine, and was really chuffed with my finished tea towel!
Sue the expert taught the class how to do a french knot, I am still trying!!




Homemade London is a treasure trove of a crafters heaven! So many trinkets and touchy feely projects laying around. Downstairs where we had lunch, is a room dedicated to sewing machines!!!
Do visit their website as they have some lovely courses coming up and they do kids tea parties!!



Danielle Proud was Ambi Pur's guest also, and she was so lovely. Danielle came and sat with everyone chatting, she is so down to earth and I just loved hearing about her Interior Design projects she is working on.



After lunch Emily presented Sue and I with a hamper of crafting goodies and some Ambi Pur goodness!

Finally it was time for Sue and I to go, but not before a quick photo!



My Ambi Puri gift was the Ambi Pur 3volutions product Seabreeze scent. It is so easy to use, it just plugs into a spare socket. The new 3voloution has not one but 3 complimentory scents. The clever idea behind this is so you dont become accustomed to one smell! Genius. The plug in will rotate the 3 scents at intervals. I love mine, it is plugged upstairs in the hallway by the girls bathroom!
The 3volution is available in 3 fragances.

I had such a wonderful day and met a lovely group of ladies.

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

I am coming to the end of my first year in business next month and I thought it would be fun to celebrate by offering a FREE Mini Session to one lucky fan!
Mini session is for up to 5 people and last about 30 minutes. You will receive 5 images on disc.




All I ask you to do is

• "like" my face book fan page
• post here on my blog that you have done that with a link
• for an extra chance to win, share this blog post on twitter @AnnaBowkis

Yes it is really as easy as that! One lucky fan will win a Mini Session with 5 images on disc, to take place at Brampton Woods or Hitchingbrooke Park.

Closing Date is 28th April 2012, winner will be announced on 30th April 2012.

I am really excited about my first competition, please spread the word, and good luck!

Anna xx

Mothering Sunday/Mothers Day was yesterday here in the UK. I was spoilt with a cooked breakfast in bed by the girls!!! Peter has officially announced that Mothers Day is the best, because he also got a cooked breakfast in bed!!

Izzy and Lilly made me the most beautiful cards and the poem Izzy wrote in hers bought a tear to my eye.

Dinner was cooked by me and burnt by Peter, although he will say that I didnt make it clear that it needed stirring so will blame me for dinner burning! But it was saved by Peter and his mash was the best!

And then the girls had yoghurt for pud, I conveniently forgot to mention the scrummy lemon tarte in the fridge!
Then this.....

just love this so much, even though it did end in tears for Izzy :( click on image to enlarge

I love my family! My crazy beloved mad family. There is nothing more a mum could ask for!

Hope you ahd a lovely Mothers Day and was spoilt rotten

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

Just popping by to let you know that tomorrow I am heading down to London for a craft workshop with Danielle Proud in association with Amber Pur! I am going down with Sue and cannot wait. My camera will be with me and I hope to snap a few piccies to share on here.

Sue and I have opted just to do the half day due to childcare and we will be doing an embroidery class. We are hoping to have time to pop by Selfridges for a cupcake!

Catch you later with photos from the workshop

Anna x

Its been a well overdue visited, but today I made it to the hairdressers! I did go yesterday but my appointment was today. Izzy helped my colour my hair last weekend and today I got a restyle!

I had my fringe (or bangs to my friends across the pond) cut in again.


So what do you think?
Thanks to Izzy for taking this photo for me. My iPhone attempts were hideous!

Anna x

I know it was last week, just got round to sitting down and actually blogging about it.
With only 24 hours notice (dont you just love schools!), to come up with 2 costumes for World Book Day, I think the girls did pretty well!

Izzy went as Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, thanks to my prop box and a skirt of Lilly's!



Lilly went as the Highway Rat, thanks to some help from Izzy. We have a black blanket for a cloak, a pirates hat instead of a highway mans hat, a lightsaber for a sword and a handmade mask to complete the look! Oh and some whiskers as she was a rat!


Did your kids school take part this year in World Book Day? What did they go dressed as?

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

I am having a HUGE clear out of my craft room and have bagged up 50 + papers to sell. Manufacturers include, Basic Grey, MME, Nikki Sivils, Prima and Sasfrass to name just a few.

I am asking for £12.95 incl postage. (thats about 20p per sheet!)
 
Email me if you are interested albowkis@hotmail.com

Thanks
Anna x

Its half term here, and I have one poorly girl in the house, so most of our plans have been cancelled this week. Instead we are choosing the warmth of home and the sofa and lots of cuddles!

photography challenge I did yesterday to capture love and heartache

This blog is getting seriously neglected as of late. I am going to try my best and sort some kind of routine out for it. Start sharing some of my favorite finds on the web, as well as the usual home life posts!

If you are looking for photography related posts from me, then do pop on over to my new photography blog here, would love to see you drop by!

Thanks for stopping by
Anna x

As some of you may now be aware I have closed the doors on Pencil Lines. 

What started as a few friends challenging each other with a sketch to produce a layout each week, turned into 15,000 visitors a week, an amazing and talented group of scrapbookers that formed my design team over the last 6 years. Pencil Lines has had 267 amazing guest designers, 267 unique sketches and a published book.

Pencil Lines and its design teams have been featured on numerous blogs and websites all over the web as well as magazines from the UK, US, Russia, Brazil to name a few countries!

Pencil Lines has worked with gorgeous products sponsored by the best in the business, and you the readers have also received amazing prize packages from our sponsors over the years.

sketch 1 provided by Becky Fleck

my first layouts for Pencil Lines, eek!

This is not a decision I have taken lightly, it has been months of decision making on my behalf, and close friends listening to me talk things through with them.
It is no secret that my passion for scrapbooking is dwindling and my love for the craft is not there like it was.
I resigned from my design team spot with Nikki Sivils and I blogged here not that long ago that my heart just wasnt in it.
I have spent the past 7 years scrapbooking on demand, with deadlines and for manufactures, magazines and design teams. I rarely, like many scrapbookers out there like me, have the time to scrapbook for me, for pleasure. I could see that I wasnt dedicating 110% to Pencil Lines, to the many readers out their and to my design team. I knew the time had come for me to hang up my coat and call it quits.




I am sure it has not come as too much as a shock for alot of people, and for some I know it has come as a complete surprise.
I will be working on putting all the 267 sketches into a PDF format and selling for a nominal fee where a percentage will go to charity.
I also have a few books left and will sell those at the reduce price of £9.95 incl postage in the UK. Overseas will be plus postage. Drop me an email at pencillinesketches@googlemail.com or leave a comment here if you would like to purchase one of the few remaining Pencil Lines books left.

I have had the most amazing 6 years, so many people to thank, amongst them are Sue Deacon, Annie Hafermann, Tracie Hudson, Anam Stubbington, and Leah Fraquharson. Each of these ladies worked extemely hard behind the scenes to make Pencil Lines the success it was. From contacting sponsors, readers gallery winners, guest designers spots and our facebook fan page, all of these were possible because of the amazing team I have had behind me, thankyou form the bottom of my heart.

Thank you typepad for making us a featured blog, we are all so proud of that achievement.

Finally, thank you to everyone who let Pencil Lines grow, the support you gave myself and the design teams over the years. It is you that made Pencil Lines the success it was today....

Thank you for reading this far....
Anna xxx

Yikes where has 2012 gone already! Sorry for the lack of posting. Like most working mums the past few months are hectic with school activities, the kids, getting orders out for Christmas and Christmas itself!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We had a full house and between sickness bouts, a lovely Christmas was had by all. We all got spoilt rotten and I must have been extra good as I was presented with a new lens I had been hankering for (the 85mm) and an SB900 flash amongst other things.

Mustache on a stick!

New Year we had a black tie do complete with a casino and a photo booth. Due to illness we only had a few people on the night but still alot of fun was had, and drink consumed!

mmmmm

thats more like it!

me and hubs!

the gorgeous Moons

The beginning of the year has been good to me and I have shot a styled shoot for a magazine and a fashion shoot with a pro model. I have lots to look forward to this year with a Burlesque workshop to attend next month in Brighton and I have been asked to be a mentor/team leader for a workshop in the middle of the year!

I cannot wait to really get stuck into 2012, hope your year has started off well. Don't forget to pop on over to my photography blog as well...
Thanks for stopping by
Anna x