Scrapping Tonight

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

hugs blogettes
Anna xx

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


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

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

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

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

nite blogettes
hugs
Anna x

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

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

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

hugs
Anna xx

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

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

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

hugs
anna x

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

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

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

hugs to you all
Anna xx

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

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


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

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

Its late so I am calling it a night

nite nite blogettes
hugs
Anna x

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

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

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

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

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

hugs
Anna xx

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

night blogettes
Anna x

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

Catch you later blogettes
Anna xx

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


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

hugs
Anna x

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

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

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

hugs
Anna xxx

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

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

I actually have nothing to say, zilch, famoosh.

I have been productive on the paperwork side of the business,
I have packed a few orders
I have loaded a few new things onto the site
I am re thinking the business ! so watch this space.....

ummm what is the world coming too, its all work and no play or in my case no scrapping time. But tonight I am going to re evaluate all of that. I need to get my head around what I actually want out of life and what and where I wish me and my career to be next year. God its not going to be anything massive or ground breaking, but I am definatley juggling to many balls in the air at the moment, and I cant give any 1 thing 110% of me

so tonight is the night I am going to make some decisions.....................

hugs
anna x

A brilliant weekend I have had. Saturday peter and I went to London while the girls were at Nana's. We were off to see Kevin Spacey at The Old Vic in Richard 11 for the last night. It was electric, amazing, fantastic. We were sat 3 rows from the front and had the joys of seeing actors spit at every word!!!! But seriously it was amazing. So many famous peeps there in the audience as well.
we had dinner at a Moroccan restaurants and Peter enjoyed his first true Arabic experience. The food was scrumptious. Covenant garden called and we jumped on the merry go around and were star struck lovers for the night!
Got home at 1.30am, collapsed in bed and then Sunday I had our crimbo crop. A small crop it was but a good one. We played Bingo thanks to Jennie for the bingo cards!!! And lots of scrummy nibbles.
Today Lilly has her first morning with the child minder. This I am hoping will allow Lilly to get quality play time, me quality work time and then this afternoon we will have quality mummy and Lilly time, here's to hoping!
Hugs all and hope you all had a great weekend
Anna x

Ok who has killed my forum, she's gone, caput, vanished and has a critical error!!!!
I don't know, I leave the house for the day and its gone!
Oh well, first things first HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE !!! Yes its Kirsty's lil girls 10th birthday today, and being a disorganized girl that I am have still not posted her pressie and cards, even though I knew what I was doing a week ago , Izzy has made the most gorgeous card and I know Ellie will love it to bits
So today has been different, as Peter was working from home. Met up with a child minder today and Lilly will start going to Margaret every Monday till Christmas and then will be with her Fridays as well (mornings only I might add) and I will cancel play group as she will be starting a new one on Fridays!!! I feel such a massive relief as now I can work peaceful and without guilt for 5 hours a week and the time Lilly and I have together will be solid Lilly time. Even though I wanted to be the true super mum and do it all I have had to put my hands up and admit its not possible, I cannot work and play at the same time.
tomorrow Peter and I are off to London without the girls as we are seeing Kevin Spacey at The Old Vic as Richard 11. I am sooo looking forward to this.

Hugs to all

Anna
xxxxx

Another odd day, UKS members are still up in arms . I am plodding on at The Lounge, and still packing orders. And at last I have completed my projects and editorial for Craft Essentials

So here is the quizz Kirsty wants to see me take!

2 - names you go by: Anna and Bumblebee
2 - parts of your heritage: English and Russian 1/8th
2 - of your everyday essentials: my girls hugs and 24 hour lock in moisturiser
2 - of your favorite bands or musical artists: cold play and john legend
2 - favorite songs: shiver and fly me to the moon
2 - things you want in a relationship (other than real love): cuddles and trust
2 - physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex): eyes and arms
2 - of your favorite hobbies: Scrapbooking and cooking
2 - things you want really badly: to be a perfect size 10 and my dad closer to me
2 - places you want to go on vacation: NY and Cornwall
2 - things you want to do before you die: Jump out of a plane and make love on a desert island ;)
2 -ways that you are stereotypically a chick: pink and giggly
2 - things you are thinking about now: why is the scrapworld so harsh? and what goes after 8 (izzys shouting at me)
2 - stores you shop at: Sainsburys and Monsoon
2 - things that scare you: being on my own and the fear of drowning
2 - people I would like to see take this quiz: Karen and Peter

Kirsty and I , as well as a talented DT had just been asked to turn 12 x 12 magazine around. Our first issue is this month and has been received really well. But today both Kirsty and I received a phonecall saying that the big bods at the top, felt scrapping was not expanding here in the UK and have pulled the plug on the magazine. It is such a shame, we all had such enthusiasms and creativity to put into this mag. But a lovely email from jakey reminds me, "that although one door closes another always opens". And Kirsty, you became the last ever cover girl on their best issue!.

UkS has had its fair share of sadness, as they decided to band a group of members due to some massive mis understanding, so a rebellion has descended on them and some best loved scrappers have decided to leave the forum for the duration of the ban.

On a high note, my Izzy is to be the Dancing Midnight Star with 7 other girls for the nativity play, and I , on not such a high note blurted that I can sew, why oh why did I do that, so with fabric to find, (by another mum thank goodness) and 8 costumes to turn around this weekend complete with headdress, I have some task to preform , oh well at least they will be the best dressed stars in the universe!!

And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Its been a family weekend, no work, no computer , just pure family fun. And I have followed all that family good time to today and Lilly and I have had a painting session.
This was the LO I did this weekend of Peter. I find scrapping Peter and myself tricky, so it is a real challenge for me. I used Basic Grey Phresh and Phunky and lots and lots of stamping and being grungy, Really don't like my handwriting, need a thicker pen for starts! Also used some prima flowers but also some angel kisses!

Tonight back to deadlines and a 4 page editorial for Crafts Essential on invitations. Enjoying this as its something I haven't done in an age.

So bloggers what you all been up to this weekend? And how's the dreaded Christmas plans going?

hugs
Anna x

I have been surfing the 2peas gallery and this designer has commented on my PUNK! Layout, well I have just been looking at her work for over an hour, boy is she good, I am totally inspired to try something new now. Go check our Amber Nichola's gallery she certainly rawks! As you girls say state side, ;)
The layout I have used as my example has very touching journalling, but her composition is spot on, and I love all the handwriting. She is very artisitic, and bloomin stunning to look at, ggrrr
Go check her out and let me know what you think.
Ok question for the day

top 3 fav movies in no particular order

- Its a wonderful life
- Chocolate
- Shaw Shank Redemption

oh i can think of tons more but theres a glimpse of my favs

hope you are all having a good friday night
ttfn blogging babes
anna xxxx

Yesterday went really well, with social services. My dad looked much better, was sitting up, had had a haircut and a beard trim and we had a hug and reminisced about the good olde days. Thank you all for your lovely comments , it was great to come home too.

Today I have the fun task of unpacking my Junkitz order, putting the Christmas and winter kits together and going all slushy over some gorg new accordion books by Teresa Collins, they are so cute with brown gingham ribbon, ok so the gingham ribbon was the clincher for me!!!
Oh I am having 10% off Bazzill card stock for today only, must be bonkers I know, but woke up in a generous mood today, mwahahaahahha

hugs
Anna x

And I have...... eventually got to scrap Lilly my punk after days of deadlines. Kept it pretty simple, did some doodling and tuff on the photo (2peas fonts), white card stock grubbed up, and the junkitz basic collection stripped. Used mm brads and some ribbons and safety pins for that truly punk look, also adding astaple corner embellishment. Made some funky letter charms with black shrink plastic, boy do I love this stuff, cant stop playing with it! Used one of my new mm foam stamps that arrived today!! As well . The photo is pants so I will take in daylight tomorrow (well peter will ;) ) and re upload.

Tomorrow off to meet Brighton Social Services to re access my Dad's health and to have him moved to Cambridgeshire, so along old day is ahead of me and a few tears I am sure.
Hope you have all had an eventfully day, scrapping or otherwise. Great to hear about your fav scrapping gurus as well. So today's nosey questions is

what's your fav paper manufacturer?

tata bloggers
hugs
Anna

Yahoo!! I have completed my Altered Title for Creative Scrapbooking and really hope Jo loves it. I have done an altered A - Z, it was great fun but as always time is NOT on my side, tonight to finish off the mini book and a valentines LO. And yes that is my scrapping space after a deadline!

Lots of deliveries arrived yesterday and amongst them the first samples of Angel Kisses, boy am I pumped about these (oo er Americanizes!), they are looking really good and the packaging is going to be OK. I am not saying any more, just have to wait until the Scrapping Angels launch, but I may in the meantime add a few sneaky peeks!
Kirsty got front cover on 12x12, and I am so happy for her, and it was a LO with herself in it, so she truly is a cover girl!!!

I was thinking , like you do, is there anyone out in the scrap world who inspires you? US or UK, famous and/or not?
Do you scrap lift, read books to get inspired, or just so bloomin talented that you don't need inspiration form others?, mwahhahahahah, (kirsty wiseman comes to mind here ;) )
Let me know, I am intrigued.

hugs
Anna x

We have finished Lillys bedroom, she is so chuffed, and even more so because she painted it too. Her room is blue and white, with gorge blue curtains, white furniture and 1 blue wall. Treated her to a lovely blue fleece blanket and a blue fur flower cushion. She has gone to bed the happiest little girl I know tonight. And she chose blue for her room, just in case you were wondering! Thursday daddy and Lilly are going to lay the carpet. I have taken some great photos of the girls painting so will upload tomorrow.
I am currently in the process of putting together Scrapping Angels Christmas class kit and doing the altered A - Z for Creative Scrapbooking magazine. Was doing really well and got stuck on a few. What do you do for X and Z!!! Q is for quilling unless you can come up with something better, but I only have until Tuesday lunchtime to get the projects and editorial written!! Oh and I cheated for O, O is for oooo fibers, coz I lurve my O wrapped with funky fibers I did on a crimbo lo.
I am bloomin freezing sitting here, so I am off to bed. But before I do I need to say HI to Anam *waves* I saw my name on her "who I stalk" list on her blog. I felt really spesh after seeing that. See it really doesn't take much to put a smile on my face.
And all you wanna be Scrapping Angels out there, not long to wait now I promise promise that Kirsty and I will be sending out emails this week

hugs bloggers
Anna x

mmmm, yes that would be me, Izzy got on the school bus with the house and car keys!!! Thankfully my neighbor , thanks Kim, drove me to the school to collect my keys, to be greeted by Izzy who said "silly billy mummy" well that was an eventful start to my day.
Got orders packed, now to pack the kits, also I need to sort out doing some one off kits.
The interest in Scrapping Angels has been really good so Kirsty and I now need to crack on with finalizing details as I have the club kits to order this weekend. This has been a really big dream of mine and I am so hoping it will succeed. I am just so lucky that Kirsty wanted to come on board with me, as her die knowledge and design skills are such an asset to this venture, so look out as us angels are going to rock the scrap world in 2006!!!!
This weekend we are definitely going to paint Lillys room and I have 2 deadlines for Creative Scrapbooking to do, so I am going to be busy. I really wanted to head up too the NEC and Peter has said I can go, bless him, but I feel I have hardly seen him much over the past month and I don't think I could hack another drive as I still feel dead rough, but then you never know I could still a make the journey;)

Well here it is, my LO for today, and yes I had to succumb to the ribbon! Couldn't help myself.
you know I still have this bloomin awful cough and cold, it is so frustrating.
Anyways, I have decided tomorrow to take my Lilly kins to one of those play centers with the climbing frames and ball parks, as she has been indoors all week and I am feeling guilty. I am going to take some magazines and pad with me to do some work. Then we will have lunch and visit Nana.
Izzy was a star today. My back has been playing me up something rotten and she emptied all 75!! Yes 75 bags of shopping from Tesco delivery. Now you are wondering are you not? My delivery today came packled with 1 item in each bag, and I ordered 75 items!! Can you actually believe that? It kept Izzy busy for about an hour!

Ok bloggers and scrappers alike I am off to bed, pooped and Peter is exhausted and has already retired!

hugs
Anna x

Izzy came home last night and told me all about the 1st world war and what poppy day meant, I was truly amazed by her. School is doing marvelous things to Izzy she shows such compassion as they learn about the less fortunate children, and she wants to do a shoebox for the children who have no mummy's and daddies for Christmas, bless her. So we will, we will wrap it in the most sparkly paper they have seen, we will pop lots of scrummy goodies for the child that receives Izzys gift and a photo of Izzy will also go in.
Today is a bit better, I think! kirsty told me to have a good old scrap, and that I have done, well its sitting here waiting to be glued. I am using SEI Granpas Attic, a first for me, and it will be named "Brotherly Love". I was desperately going to try and use paper only, but my ribbons have sneaked out and are straining on their reels to be cut and stapled to my LO, so tune in to see if they ever made it

ta ta for now
Anna x

Its true I have fallen in lurve with the guru of all things distressed and inky, and have ordered loads of Tim Holtz goodies, as well as some sizzix and some MM foam stamps to name a few .
Had a busy day yesterday packing orders and sorting out all my magazine deadlines, so think I know what I should be doing and when.
This morning I have spent 2 hours on the phone to Brighton Social services and Elsie. I am off to Brighton next Thursday to meet with his social worker to have my dad re accessed and moved to a home nearer me. It is going to be a long and painful process for us all and I need to sort this before I am in hospital for my back or else things will get tricky. This has bought back lots of worries and concerns as to why my sister (who I know longer talk too, or she no longer talks to me!!) does not speak to my dad, this saddens me as he is so ill and she has not had anything to do with him for about 18years! Why I ask myself? She will never tell me, and this is so not right. My Dad is the kindest and most gentle man I know and needs to feel loved right now. hopefully I can sort this move asap so he can be near me, I need my dad to have a hug more than once in a blue moon, I love you dad xoxoxoxo

Not enjoying today at all, cant explain how I feel except that I feel I am not apart of what ever it is I feel, god how complicated does that sound! I reckon its been all the calls regarding my Dad that have brought me down today, not much I can really do but crack on.

Been working on Scrapping Angels, and have got a news review going into Creative Scrapbooking as well as a listing in Scrapbook Magazine. Also I am always browsing blogs and have started to pluck up the courage to reply to a few now in one case the infamous Donna Downey, and happened to mention how I would love her to come to the UK on a retreat I have in mind. Well blow me down with some BG, she replied asking for more details and is net them, she said she is really interested in the concept of Scrapping Angels and to keep her posted!!! WOW wouldn't that be just fab.

I must now snap out of the doldrums and crack on with what is important. This will help, an email I got from Gillian, thanks hun xoxox

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive
and well preserved body, but rather to
skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other,
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Have a wonderful day !

hope you guys have had a good day!
hugs
anna x

I am home and wow what a weekend!!! I am so pumped to scrap, alter, stamp and punch.
Met the most amazing bunch of girl's, how lucky am I? Off to do loads of internet crafty shopping, watcha s the credit card snaps with over use.
I have lots of thank yous to make

Kirsty- for being such a brill teacher and for making the weekend relaxed and loads of fun, love ya babes
Mark - for all the fabbo food , but not for my 3lb weight gain
Sue - great room mate, and thanks for letting me delve into your great stash collection!
Claire - for making me laugh and cry so much
Dougie - mmmm what can I say, but woof woof comes to mind!
Suzanne - for your amazing talent and great big hug
Kathie - great to meet you and get well soon hun
Karen and Micheal - for your amazing will to just get on with life and your inspiration to us all
Donna - Great to meet someone that is quieter than Claire/dougie/Karen, but up for a laugh
Jayne - you dark horse!

Saturday night was sucha giggle , I haven't laughed so much in an age, profiterolls, 123, and mish or dog spring to mind. I will now be known as "posh totty" on UKS from now on!!!.
I am going to start uploading pics later, but Kirsty has all the incriminating ones!

Gillian hun, didn't forget your big day, just had loads of bother trying to contact you, hope you had a fab 40th, big hugs go out to you, will catch up tonight xoxoxooxox

Nearly there, have packed my B&Q cropper hopper ;) and have just got to iron a few things and get the paperbag kit for kirsty and glues.I am pooped so am gonna head for my bed and then finish off tomorrow. Hope to leave after taking Izzy to school. Then I can spend some time with Kirsty help her get sorted for the retreat as well. Really looking forward to this weekend, need some chill time and a giggle
Catch up with you all monday with lots of piccies of scrummy delights made and mad drunken photos i am sure!

hugs
anna x

I still have this blastered cough, ggrrr, so feel not much better.
On a high note , finished my cover layout for Creative Scrapbooking magazine although I printed my photo in black and white and it needs to be in colour! So off to send out photos in color big thank you to Kimmy for sending me the Blitzen papers to work with, you are a star babes. Had a good chat on the phone with Jo and have some grate projects and editorials to do for the coming months, so really chuffed about that.

I am off tomorrow morning to attend Kirstys weekend retreat, so have to start feeling better as I am so looking forward to this.
After talking to Jo and checking out other mags I need to get some press releases out about Scrapping Angels next week

Back to my Dad. He really is a poorly soul now, and I am starting procedures to have him relocated nearer to me. Have been coercing with social services in Brighton and Cambridge and am now waiting for his assessment and a list of homes so I can start the hunt for a new home for Dad. This is so sad for me, seeing my dad so useless and his loss of independence has really shattered him. All I can do is offering him my company on a more regular basis by having him nearer. So please keep your fingers crossed that we can make this happen soon!

Apologises because it has been days since I blogged. This is due to before rush dof my feet. So a quick synopsis of life

Saturday- Kirsty, Mark and Ellie arrived
Sunday - Scrapping Angels first crop and a brill day was had by all,a and it was so good to meet everyone
Monday - Visited my dad in Brighton, more about that later. First trick or treat night. 8pm Karen and Kevin arrived
Tuesday - well here I am !!!

I will catch up again later, I am full of cough and chest infection so feel like crap and seeing my dad yesterday has been awful and I really feel dreadful so I cant see me around the boards much. Must now get back to work as I have deadlines to meet
catch you later
hugs
Anna x

Oh what a beautiful day......It has been a stunning October 27th, the sun has been shining all day and the windows have been wide open. The girls have been playing outside, I have been working, packing and doing the usual. Then..........................................Our Lilly punks out on us!!!!!!!. Yep I have a wild child on my hand at the moment. See this photo? I will be scrapping this next time you log on to my blog. It just has to be done!!

Actually I feel like crap, my throat is burning, my voice is croaking, and I have been sapped of all my creative energy. And to be honest I am really peeved that a LO I uploaded onto UKS got a measly 4 comments!! Ok I know its not important, and I love the Lo so who gives a s...., but it has been bugging me, and now I feel creatively worthless, boohoo, BUT my next LO is gonna knock em dead. Well with a face like Lillys how could it not eh?

So back to the things that matter...Tomorrow we are off to see Wallace and grommet the movie.

Until then bloggers
nitey nite
xxxx

Had some great news from my factory in Thailand, well not officially mine but the one I use. It looks like Scrapping Angels first product is gonna be manufactured!!! So chuffed.
Also heard from Kate today and she wants me to write my synopsis for the book to present to her colleagues in November and if all goes well to present at the London Book Fair in March for publication in Spring 2007, but I will not hold my breath as I have been terribly burnt once already, as some of you know :(

I have manicly been packing again today, then off to town to do some birthday shopping.
I now have kits to put together, just one offs to clear some stock, the crop on Sunday and a layout and bio to do for 12x12 magazine as well as the start of my new column.

Check out my new card designers!! These beauties were made by my Izzy and her friend Ava who is 10 years old. Aren't they just the best!

I am doing a small craft fair on December 3rd, will do a few handmade cards and some card kits for Christmas.
Diet is going well at the moment, ok I know its only day 3 but at this rate I have done the best this year that's good!!

Lasagne for tea, yummy yummy, then a touch of Trinnie and Susanne and now some kits to prepare

hugs
Anna x

Here we are, the 2nd day of the half term, and Izzy has a friend called Ava who has been round all day playing with the girls. They are now sat at the dining table while I emptied all my treasured trash/stash for them to play with. I do believe I have some master pieces coming along!
This is the layout I managed to finish today. I used the Junkitz Girl kit. I am so loving fabric at the moment and I can see a lo coming up using mainly fabric!. I know I am sure some wherein this blog I mentioned being inspired by stamping of which I have done none!
Well I blow like the wind, hot and cold that is, and its fabric for me at the moment!

I just so enjoy ripping and tying, with all the threads looking messy. And yes Kirsty, although inspired by you, that is a handcut flower you see before your eyes! No machines for me!!! I now must go and oo and arr over the girls card making, cant wait!

hugs

anna x

I have been dreading this week,with the girls on half term, but it really hasn't been a bad start.
They let me have a lie in, first time in ages. Came downstairs to put the computer on, and my reminders pop up!!! 9.30am Izzy has a speech therapy appoitment and its 9.18 and we are all in our PJ's. We actually all got dressed and out of the house in 10 minutes. The fact I had grubby trousers on and no make up doesn't count, we made it out of the house!!!
The rest of the day was spent packing order, the girls have been great for me, so treats all round at the post office.
Started my diet again!!!! Lets see how long that lasts :(
In the middle of doing a LO with the Girlz Junkitz Kit, and I am loving it, lots of fabric and ribbon. I think fabric may be my thing, as an Interior Designer by trade it would make sense wouldn't it!

catch you later

hugs
anna
xx

Don't you just love a deadline!. I have spent all afternoon doing 2 layouts for 12x12 magazine with the free papers that come with the magazine. I cant upload the layouts until they have been published, but 1 layout is bonfire night (this is the piccie I have used), and the other is Lilly soaking wet at Alnwick Gardens. Actually they are both Lilly, and the layout I want to do tonight is Lilly :(, oops better get a LO of Miss Izzy done before she starts getting miffed!

Feeling dead gloomy and lonely. I know I have absolutely no reason too, I have a beautiful family, a lovely house in the country, and work I am loving, but still I wish I had my girlfriends near by.
Peter has taken the girls to Nans this afternoon because they were driving me insane, and now I wish I had company!
Yes I want my cake and eat it too. Well I have Kirsty coming down with Ellie next Saturday, and the crop on Sunday. Then I am off to Wigan as I am sponsoring Kirstys retreat. Then I do believe Karen may be down not long after. It will be good to see her again. I am miffed I am missing Gillians 40th as well. But I will make that up to her ;)

Its my aunt's birthday tomorrow, the woman who has everything , so I am afraid I will be sending flowers, as I cant for the life of me think what else to send her!
Until later,

hugs
Anna x

Did start this yesterday, but never seemed to finish, so lets try again today
Yesterday was pretty pants, ended up rushing Lilly to the Docs with a stiff neck, cold symptoms and a high temperature. As you can imagine I was a tad stressed!! Anyways , thankfully the neck problem was a symptom of a virus she has so I felt a lot better. Came home and Lilly spent the morning crashed on the sofa, while I caught up on emails and such.
Received the papers from 12x12 magazine as well to do next months layouts with, deadline 26/10,!!! Liz what are you doing to me, and Kirsty!!!???

hopefully will get some scrapping for me done this weekend as well as a multitude of deadlines for 12x12. Also need to get cracking on my 1st editorial for craft essentials issue 7 as well.

Have decided to do Bonanza 2006 this year as well. We had so much fun, just need to decided what name we will be exhibiting under, Bumble Bee Crafts or Scrapping Angels? Also need to do some Jennie bribing. So hun if you are reading this, mwwahahahahahha, well we need a celebrity on our stand!!
I need to send some emails to the 12x12 DT this weekend, and sort out some stamp designs and give Rena a call to see if she can do some prototypes for me.
Oh and hoping to paint Lillys bedroom this weekend, if I havn't got enough on already.
And a BIG TOOT for Beth who has just jad a LO taken for Scrapbook Inspirations, daed proud of you babes :)

Today has not been overly thrilling, Izzy was at school, Lilly had playgroup and I have been busy packing orders, receiving deliveries and at last completed 3 cj entries, yep 3!!!! And a lo of Lilly on the beach to go with my "jump" layout. The lighting is really poor so will upload tomorrow. I have used BG Dawson, chatterbox, junkitz fabric, and Elsie Flannigan font (borders) from 2 peas.
I have my crop next week, lots of talented scrappers coming as well as the infamous Kirsty, my partner in crime and inspiration when I cant get inspired to scrap.
So we hope to show everyone what Scrapping Angels is all about as well. Also had my radio interviewed Tuesday, and hopefully that is going to be transmitted this week and next Saturday.
It is so late now, its gone 12.30, I am actually waiting for Kirsty to upload some new exciting designs for Scrapping Angels, so thought I would blog
Ok folks I am pooped
nighty night
hugs
Anna x

I was too tired to blog last night, sorry guys!
Today has been different! The good thing is that Paul (Peters brother) fitted me a work bench in my office, pure white unadulterated scruumyness. I now have 2.4mt of scrapping space, how cool is that?!
This evening we went to parents evening, to hear such wonderful things about our Izzy, she truly is a gem and I am so proud baby of you. We went and had a look round the gallery and Izzy picture was a corker. The theme was "holidays" and Izzy drew a squirrel that she saw at Centre Parks last year when we holidayed with karen and Kevin. We bought 2 framed copies.
I must now rearrange my scrapping space and scrap, before Kirsty gets her whip out!!!

Now Kirsty has gone all Elsie Flannigan on me so what can I pull out the bag to impress her with, mmmm, time to think and maybes sleep on it . I do love this inky grungy look I did on this LO of Lilly so may think more on this.

hugs
Anna x

Its official, the most wonderful and hardworking Paul Reeve has squeezed into his busy schedule to do this, so a BIG thank you, to you Paul and to Ali for working so hard and helping Kirsty and I out , you guys are the best.
The email has just come through while I was on msn messenger to Kirsty and together we visited our holding page, I tell you we are sooo made up, this is it Scrapping Angels has started.
So if you want to become an Angel, get yourself over to the site and send myself or Kirsty an email, and heaven will await you!