CONGRATULATIONS TRUBAGS
Please email me your address so that I can send your Artic Frog goodies to you!!
I will be back tomorrow with more Barcelona photos, layouts and gossip on my day with Lyzzy, Sue et familie!!!
hugs
Anna x
Where do I start?!?!
Barcelona is everything and more than I expected. A stunning city full of culture, amazing architecture, good food, and Gaudi!!!.
outside Sagrada Familia
We left England Friday afternoon after waving goodbye to the girls, and arrived in Barcelona late Friday night. Reached our Hotel after being greeted with the Casa Batllo lit up on Passiege de Gracia, unpacked our bags and headed out for our first meal of our holiday for Paella, Spanish beer and Sangria. Good start to the holiday.......
La Rambla
Woke up not that early Saturday to a gorgeous breakfast at out hotel (comes highly recommended Hotel Balmes), and headed out to explore a day of art. We started off with the Picasso Museum and an extra bonus a Lee Millar exhibition. She is my heroine, an amazing woman, the first female photojournalist who headed straight into the front line of the 2nd WW.
amazing wall art, balconies and palm trees
After some Tapas and Sangria we went to the Casa Batllo, OMG Gaudi is a genious. There is not a single staight line in this building, every nook and cranny, corner , door and window is curved, carved and created by hand. The courtyard, balcony and roof top was a mass of mosiac and colour. I am in awe of this mans eye for detail, and nothing looks out of place.
Saturday night saw us eating Sushi for dinner, and doing a "bar" crawl, lol of Barcelona, starting with the Irish Bar at Sagrada Familia, then onto "Dry Martinis" for cocktails. (see below for details!!). Staggered back to the Hotel at 3am, slept till 10.30 Sunday had some brekky and then back out on yo the hot streets of Barcelona. Todays itinery was the Sagrada Familia and Palace de la Musica. Unfortuantley the latter was closed for restorations throughout August.
The cathredral was outstanding and was a touching experience. We did not queue for a 2 hour wait for the lift, so cannot comment on the view.After a lunch at Fizz for sarnies and the juice bar we ended up at the Maritime Musuem for Peter.
our local tapas bar, mmmm
Headed back to Passiege de Gracia to our local tapaps bar and ended up dining like kings and queens for 37 euros!!! the best and cheapest meal we experienced. Hotel and bed by 8.30pm, I know light weights arent we, and I woke at 10am the next day!
Last day left us shopping at La Rambla and Passiege de Gracia, a spot of lunch and a last beer at our local tapas bar
The whole weekend was wonderful, exhausting and left me wanting more of Barcelona. Checked out and made our way to the train station to catch the airport train. Unfortuantley my story turns sour from here. As Peter and I climbed the steps to the train, both Peters hands on the suitcase, he was robbed of his wallet, containing all our ccards, money, train tickets and Stanstead car parking ticket!
I could bore you with the details but i wont. Lets just say i will no longer be banking with Abbey National, we did arrive home safely to our girls sleeping soundly and Aunti Linda waiting for us!Lilly has spent every night sleeping with Izzy whilst we have been away, how sweet is that!So here is my Top 10 List and my Top 5 "what not to do" list in Barcelona!
My Barcelona Top 10 List
- Picasso Museum
- Sagrada Familia
- Barcelona Cathredral
- Casa Batllo
- Hotel Balmas
- Catalana (tapas Bar) on Passiege Gracia
- Barcelona Card - free transport and discounted entrance to attractions)
- La Ramba
- Palace de la Musica (even though i only glimpsed from the outside
- Exploring the side alleys and streets
My Barcelona Top 5 "what not to do" List
- Drink at Dry Martinis at 10Euros a drink!!
- Expect a 20% surcharge when eating outside and remember they add 7% tax on all food and drink.
- Fashion and textile exhibition - dissapointing :(
- Octopus - YUCK!
- Wear a shirt tucked in - expect to have your wallet snatched .
I also had a knocker fetish whilst in Barcelona, more will be revealed on that tomorrow, lol!!!! Have downloaded all the photos we took, now to sort through a select few and start editing!. In the meantime I will uplaod a few favs over the week that show "My Barcelona".
Pencil Lines went live Sunday night, and I went for a clean and simple approach using supplies from August Scrapping Angels kit.I am back to a proper days work tomorow. Spent today catching up on emails and phoning banks, ggrrr.
I have seleted my winners of the UKS Summer Cyber Crop , not an easy task, so many gorgeous mini books and layouts. Thanks to Sue for all her hardwork commenting on layouts whilst i was away, thanks hun..
Hoping to catch up on blogs and SIStv tomorow, also will be drawing a name tomorrow, have printed off 8 pages of names so far!!!
Until then its Adios from me
Hugs
Hugs
Anna xx
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Bags not packed yet, but will be, lol, important numbers and checklist left for Auntie Linda, class and project sheets sent for the UKS Summer Camp cyber crop!!, layout completed for Pencil Lines.Whats left to do?!?! Yes I have camera batteries charged and 2 x 1gb memory cards packed! Itinerary planned by hubby.
On our itinerary is
Gaudi architecture
Picasso museum
Palace de la Musica (cannot wait!!)
Maritime museum (for peter!)
and lots of tapas and sangria bebe!!! Can you tell I am so excited, maybe because this is teh first time, yes first time Peter and I have been on hols together since the girls were born.....
I am leaving you for a few days will be back on Tuesday with lots to post about I am sure. In the meantime I have a box of Artic Frog goodies to send to a lucky poster. Just leave me a post, in Spanish if you so wish, and the girls will draw a name on Tuesday!!
Adios bebe!!!
Anna xxx
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I hadn't realised it had been so long since my last post!!, guess i do have a life, lol!!!I had planned to blog last night, but decided at long last to sit and watch a DVD that Sue lent me, 2 hours later i was mopping up tears and crying hysterically!!!
"I am Sam" Is a must watch movie. An amazing cast with the Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer in the leading roles. A fantastic soundtrack of Beatles songs sung by today's leading artists, this movie is definitely going on my "must have" list, i urge you to go and rent it today!!!
Seriously I have been a busy bee this week. Tuesday we visited the Deacons, had lunch and went of to the park and lake for a photo shoot.............................we got to the park and thats about it, numptee here forgot a memory card for her camera!!!!! I was so livid and stomped and grumped for about 10 minutees, BIG lesson learnt as this is the 2nd time i have done this, ggrrr. (thanks sue for this photo of the girls and me)
Wednesday we met up with Annie and entourage at Wimpole Farm. We took picnics and camera (with memory card!), the girls had a ball meeting Megan and Micheal who are wonderful children. Izzy still has a baby obsession and cannot understand why she cannot have a baby brother, NOW !?!?, it just ain't gonna happen hunny......
Today I have a few deadlines to get finished, spare bedroom to prepare for Auntie Linda,and food and a Boots shop to do, which may have to get done 1st thing tomorrow, we shall see.
Barcelona is only a day away and i am so excited. Will be packing tonight, making doubly sure i have camera and 2 memory cards with me!!!
have a great day!!
Anna x
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Today is our 8th wedding anniversary, and although I will admit hand on heart its not been the easiest of 8 years, I wouldn't have chosen any other man to spend the rest of my life with and be teh father of my children, so Mr. Peter Bowkis if you are reading this (?)
I LOVE YOU
As he left for the house at 5am this morning, the girls and I pottered about and then at 2pm this afternoon i hear squeals of delight from the girls as they rush to me in the garden (I was finishing a book) "mummy, mummy, close your eyes, daddy's got surprises for you", I am presented with a beautiful bouquets of white Lillie's, a bottle of Pinot Grigo white wine and a Momiji Doll called "Happy" who happens to like chocolate cake!!
Happy Anniversary to me and Hubs!!Hugs
Anna xx
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I really cannot believe this week is sketch 44!!!, and I cannot believe that we are still finding awesome guest designers every week. This weeks GDT is Lucy Chesna, and she has got some fantastic sponsored prizes to give away to 2 lucky readers!!! Get your butts on over to Pencil Lines to check out the amazing talent we have for you!! This is a favourite photo of mine at the moment, just love it!!
Supplies :
Scrapworks pp
Bazzill c/s
Angel Kiss blooms
Technique Tuesday chipboard
Foofala buttons
7 Gypsie card/photo anchors and gaffa tape
The sun has been shining, and the blazing heat hit 32'c here in Cambridgeshire!! Hottest day of the year by far. We headed of to the river with football and a scrumptious picnic for the afternoon. I read my book for a bit, while the girls and Peter played ball and the girls climbed trees!! (photos tomorrow, I am on Peters laptop!), and then headed back home to an ice cold Smirnoff Ice for me and a BBQ of homemade burgers, and salad.
Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend and been enjoying this mini heatwave we are having!! I wonder how long it will last!?!
hugs
Anna xxx
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Last week I scrapped everyday, this week I have felt all scrapped out, and have been doing the boring stuff, admin, and lots of it! I did manage my layout for Pencil Lines today though, using my current favourite photo of Izzy.The weather has been good to us and the girls have been able to play outside. Yesterday we had a little photo shoot over at Castle Hill in Huntingdon, two reluctant models who just wanted to play,but hey that often gives me my favourite natural shots! I love capturing the girls laughing and giggling together, it makes me smile, lots......
We did spend the afternoon at the garden centre where i bought this lovely pink gardening
gloves!!
My to do list is loooong, and most of it has to be attempted before Peter and I fly out to Barcelona Friday. I am so excited about our long weekend away together. It will be our first since our honeymoon!!! and that was only to the Lake District. I cant believe it, Peter and I have been married 8 years Monday, together 11 1/2 years. ( I am sure on Monday I will dig out some old photos to post here)
To do List
- 1500 word text
- 3 double layouts
- 4 single layouts
- answer interview questions
- post orders
- write kit pdf worksheet
Don't really think this is actually possible to achieve as I am out for 2 days next week, unless i forfeit sleep for pro plus and black coffee.
The weather men are predicting more sunshine tomorrow and I am hoping we can go out for a picnic by the river, feed the ducks and just loll about.
The weather men are predicting more sunshine tomorrow and I am hoping we can go out for a picnic by the river, feed the ducks and just loll about.
Wishing you a lazy , family Sunday
hugs
Anna x
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I love happy days, and today was no exception. I received an email from Scrap Galaxy to let me know that tomorrow one of my layouts has been chosen as "featured layout of the day", have no idea which one so i am really excited to see which layout has made it
Today this amazing, talented artist has said YES to teaching at Scrapping Angels retreat next year, and i am so excited. I also received an email from another amazing artist who just happens to be in Europe the week of the retreat wanting to come and teach. Just finalising a few details and hopefully i can announce who she is soon!!
And all good news comes in three, the third bit of good news is that Annie's family are all safe and sound!. I am sure you have heard about the awful collapse of a bridge in Minneapolis, well Annie's DH, Spike, his family live there, and i was really concerned for them. A phone call later confirmed everyone was OK!!!
Apart from the above nothing much has happened, the usual housework and a trip to the supermarket has been the order of today and lots of admin, yuck!Scrapping Angels August Kit went up for general sale today, only a handful are available and we only have a few subs left as well!!
Hugs
Anna xxx
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The weather here in the UK has been glorious these last few days, and very little crafting has been achieved as i have been enjoying the good old outdoors with the girls. Today we visited Kerry and her children for a few hours. She honestly has the largest garden I have ever seen!!!! And with that in mind i was armed with my camera. Mmmmm trying to photograph a 13month on the move and a reluctant 3 year old was hard, lol my two were no better with their grumpy faces, and "not again mummy". But I did manage a few good shots.
Emily is an absolute darling, 13months old and toddling. The most infectious smile, beautiful blond hair, and when she is sat still a joy to photograph!
Sam on the other hand is a reluctant 3 year old, bless him and also doesn't know me really and i guess was not keen on this strange woman and her camera!!
Last night I spoke to Tracie on the phone and we had a good natter, no I lie we had a good 3 hours and 19 minutes of a natter, this is a record telephone conversation for me. Really good to chat though and we did put the world to rights, lol.
Lucy is interviewing me for a Brazilian magazine, which i am so honoured and excited about. Have my questions in front of me to answer over the weekend.
Pencil Lines goes from strength to strength, with manufacturers approaching us, wanting to sponsor the DT. With our 1st anniversary just around the corner we have lots to organise and lots and lots to get very excited about.
Hugs
Anna xx
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I have been scrapping every day this week, which i can tell you has never been heard of, not because i don't want to, more a case of time and family life does not permit. But this week it has been all commitments. I have completed 2 layouts for Maria at Scrummy Stash Cafe for her DT gallery, and I love them both. I am so into these flowers at the moment and distressing. I used my sketch for SIStv for the "Bond" layout.
My second layout is such a special photo of Lilly. She is always daydreaming , and as she tootled
off with a stick in one hand, baby in another, singing to herself i managed to snap and catch this moment! Again all supplies are from the Kit. i still have loads left as well as a Maya Road mini book and chipboard title which i am planning on making a banner with!
off with a stick in one hand, baby in another, singing to herself i managed to snap and catch this moment! Again all supplies are from the Kit. i still have loads left as well as a Maya Road mini book and chipboard title which i am planning on making a banner with!Yesterday was crop day, i baked some banana muffins and packed kits, kits and more kits, thanks o to my helpers Sue and Kerry!!
Loved this weeks Pencil Lines layout.I changed the sketch to suit a 6" x 12" layout. Love that sketches are so versatile, don't you?!
Supplies used are:SEI Doodley Doo Girl
Bazzill White scalloped cardstock
Upsy daisy rubon
Upsy daisy rubon
Heidi Swapp chipboard
Hugs and have a great day
Anna x
Hugs and have a great day
Anna x
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So excited to find out this week the interview I did for Scrap Art Zine in Germany has been published!. A massive thank you to Kimmy for getting the interview for Pencil Lines and translating my waffle into German! And its a double whammy as one of my layouts was chosen to represent Pencil Lines blog, it was this one i did with the half heart. I was inspired by a layout i had seen in Creating Keepsakes where they had used ribbons to draw the outline for a heart. When this sketch came up i just knew what i wanted to do. i used lots of scraps of paper, adhered and then sewed a heart shape over the top. I love all the photos in the middle that represent "The Contents of my Heart", my beloved family. 
Back to today....... my poor girls are still stuck to the 4 walls called home while i busily scrap and write for magazines and online classes! I have finished my mini book for UKS, dedicated to friends I have met through scrapbooking. In fact it already has a place in my scrap room on a shelf!
Do you like my "splattered" overlay?? I made this last night and I am pretty chuffed, considering i am a complete novice when it comes to CS2, so much to learn, so little time. Anyways, if you like her, i will post a download tomorrow. Need to find out where to uplaod the file first!
This layout is a work in progress, for Scrummy Stash Cafe, using the Collage Press Seeds collection. I am hopelessly in love with these papers, and the Velvet ribbon in the kit is just divine! I have used my sketch I did for SIStv, and think it will be one i use over again, i really like the versatility of the sketch.
My Perfectly Posh kit for the UKS Summer Camp is live and selling fast. Available in 2 colours, Zingy and Calm. I am doing an online class with this kit showing the UKS ladies my love for distressed paper flowers . I know I am boring and these flowers as well as scallops seem to make an appearance on most of my layouts at the moment! I guess I will look back in a few months and think to myself "mmm that must have been my distressed period, summer 2007 was the year!"
The weekend is upon us, we have a summer part to attend on Sunday and I have my monthly crop as well. I will be packing kits for UKS and Scrapping Angels August kit me thinks!
Hugs
Hugs
Anna xx
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my size 5 creative socks off at the moment!!! and i cannot share, as its all for online classes, projects and DT work!!! But................I can share some sneaky peaks.
I have done this cute little tag and pocket for Lisa at Easy Craft Projects. I love this project, nice and easy and you need so little supplies!, some stamps, paper and a doodling pen!!
Check out Lisa's website for full supplies and instructions.
This is my Pencil Lines sketch which I love, changed the size had lots of fun with this one. Need to check back on Sunday to see the layout in its full glory.
I am now working on a mini book for UKS. I have dedicated mine to all the wonderful and creative women I have met on the web and in real life. I feel very lucky and blessed to have met so many talented women, of which i can call friends. Scrapping has bought such joy to me and my life, as well as my friends and family. They can appreciate what scrapping means and gifts of mini books and layouts are enjoyed by all, even my girls have their own albums that they fill with school friendships and days out. This really is a hobby that will only grow more and more.
Back to my mini book and some DT work for Scrummy Stash Cafe, boy you just have to get yourself the Seeds kit, it does exactly what it says on the box......Scrummy!!!!!!
Hugs
Anna xxx
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How cool is that.
Thanks to Aline and Nancy for nominating me.I am now going to nominate 5 bloggers who i believe rock the blogging world!
Thanks to Aline and Nancy for nominating me.I am now going to nominate 5 bloggers who i believe rock the blogging world!
Delaney - 1 seriously cool chick!
Annie - who has the cutest children
Katie - very talented digi artist
Gigi - she's a fashionista!!!
Lucy - artsy Brazilian living in Sweden!
go check these girls out and you may find yourself some new blogs to surf!!!
Its sunny, warm and dry!!!!! So we just had to head outside to the park in Buckden near the library. The girls played and i was armed with my camera just snapping away. I have some really sweet photos which i may scrap tonight. These photo's tell me that my two girls know exactly when i want to smile and tease me instead!
And this must be teh smallest flower ever!! Yes I believe i have photographed a flower that Lilly picked for me, she is adament this is a flower, bless......
We then visited the library and Izzy has joined the BIG WILD READ for the summer holidays. She has to read 6 books and review them, in 6 weeks. great way of getting your children to read and enjoy reading. Izzy has selected 2 books today. I then promised them both an ice cream if they were good while i went to the post office. They both selected Magnums!!! and ate the lot, shock horror.
Cannot believe we are heading for 2 weeks of postal strikes, how frustrating is this. I have photos i am waiting for from snapfish, handbag making stuff from U Hand blog, and i am sure something else i have forgotten, lol.
Here is the sketch I did for SIStv weekend challenge, feel free to interpret as you wish, and please post em a link, i love to see what you have done. Thanks to Anam for teaching me how to do my own sketches in CS2.Tonight has me on my lonesome again, and i am going to crack on with my 2nd class for UKS and a project for Lisa's "Easy Crafts Projects" website, and hopefully i am going to start on a layout I have been itching to do!Hugs
Anna xx
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The school summer holidays started with a bang, literally (see yesterday's post)and i am glad to say things have settled down.Our annual summer party on Saturday was a roaring success even though the weather was not to good to us. Sixteen golfers started the day playing golf, while us woman slaved away in the kitchen, dicing, chopping and mixing salads, sandwiches and all sorts. The bouncy castle arrived with a cover, but unfortunately still flooded, and a few bounces were only made!. The BBQ was able to go ahead in the dry couple of hours we had. Thanks to Annie for the brilliant marinade recipe, the steaks went down a treat. Izzy became our resident face painter. I can belive how good she was for only 6. Everyone ended up having something done, from tigers to the England flag on their cheek, we also had a Harry potter amongst us!
Then when the weather changed we all headed indoors for a good gaming session on the Wii. You have so got to love this machine, we had all ages playing from 2 1/2 - 79!!!!, bowling, baseball, tennis and golf!! The Bowkis and Merry's also kindly sponsored £100 between them for my sponsored 5K run in September, a big thank you from me.
Sunday we had a scrummy breakfast of croissants and chocolate de pain with chocolate milk and coffee for the grown ups. Our house guests left at lunch time and i must admit to a crash and burn, with me in bed from 4pm!!
I feel much better today, the girls have been great and Lilly headed off to her afternoon Pirates party whilst I had a little nose around the fabric department in Dunelm Mill and treated myself to some scrummy fabrics. Hopefully will get to play in the holidays and create something for me!
Received a package from Lucy today filled with creative delights for me and the girls, i am so blessed. Will take photos tomorrow of all my goodies
Received a package from Lucy today filled with creative delights for me and the girls, i am so blessed. Will take photos tomorrow of all my goodies
Finally finished one of the classes i was designing for UKS, now to work on the other class and a few other projects for websites. I also have a few bits i am dying to work on through the holidays to get my creative juices flowing again.
Hope you all had a good weekend, i am off to curl on the sofa for a quiet evening for one, as Peter has had to go into work
hugs
Anna x
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