Scrapping Tonight

Tara Whitney has spotted my blog editorial in the US!! Isnt that just fab, and a copy will be winging its way to her with some Angel Kisses of course :)

Received lots of maggos in the post that I am in this month so off to do a spot of sun worship reading. Creative Scrapbooking is back on the map!!!

have a great day
Hugs
Anna xxx

It was Izzy's first sports day today and the girl did good. She came first in 4 races and 2 in 2 races and was well made up. She had her sporting buddy Sol in her group and they were great little team mates, both sporting their house colors , yellow, yikes.
Us mums were like the paparazzi all clambering to the finishing line for that perfect photo, alas I didn't get "that" photo but I got a few that sum up the day and I am sure a LO or maybe a double will be seen on the pages of my blog shortly!!

It has been exactly a year ago today that I started my blog. I cant believe it to be honest, and I have had over 22,500 visitors which is amazing. You have all followed me on a journey of jubilation, tears and ill health. Today I am now on my first DT, I am in 4 magazines this month, I am hosting my first retreat and Angel Kisses are bringing in rave reviews and life aint bad!
So can I thank everyone of you that takes the time each day to visit me, whether you post or not. I have met so many talented and wonderful people through blogging, I have been greatly inspired by such talents as Keisha, Carol Janson, Donna Wild,Lee Woodside who does such fab CJ's and Trish Reed to name but a few. A lot of Aussies among those names, LOL.
So join me in my celebrations, I have a couple of challenges going on, see my last post about the Angel Kisses Challenge and I am still looking for a funky arty blog banner!!

Tomorrow I am off to see the beautiful Ann(I)e and help her pack her scraproom, as they are moving on Friday and stash has to be packed with the upmost care and attention, and I am that person, heheheheh

Thank you , thank you thank you for all your words of encouragement, support, advice and inspiration you have given me over this year of fab blogging, and how ironic that my blog article has been published in this months Creative Scrapbooking!!
Life is good!!!
Hugs
Anna xxxxxx

edited 28/06 - brain dead last night, i have only been blogging for 9 months, so i ahve to celebrate all over again in 3 months !!!!

Sue (baru) has set a challenge at The Lounge for us all to start kissing!!! That's the Angel type I might add. So grab your Angel Kisses and start kissing all your crafts with them and upload to the Kissing Gallery by this Saturday 28/06 and you could win yourself an angelic prize of kisses.
This photo btw I have pinched of Sue's blog, I so loved it!
Tomorrow is a big day here in Buckden, it is the 2006 Annual Sports Day, and all us Bowkis's have been practicing our chant to cheer on Izzy who will be competing for the Hardwick House!!
We will be sporting the house colours,"yellow" in all matter of guises!

Don't you just love this piccie of Lilly washing the car at the weekend? Dressed in her swimming costume and "clippy clop" shoes!!! What a star.
It is with great sadness that another one of our industries much loved shops has closed. Cotswold Keepsakes is closing its doors and website at the end of August. I wish Joy and Joanne all the best.

Apparently I am in this months Scrapbook Inspiration and Creative Scrapbooking. Please Ed's can you send me a copy.

Until tomorrow and some fabby sports day piccies
hugs
Anna x

It was Izzy's school summer party on Saturday and we all went along and had a blast!. There as a BBQ, line dancing, a bar, bouncy castle and lots of haystacks to sit on, oh and a bit of Irish dancing!!
Lilly and I danced the night away, and Izzy played with her friends. Peter hogged the BBQ like all men do. (excuse the poor quality photo, wrng camera setting!)The weather was gorgeous after a shaky start to the day.
Sunday, today, was crop day and I taught a star book class which I believe went down really well. All the girls produced stunning books and I am addicted once again.
This evening I have been putting the finishing touches to some book work and doing a bit of origami!!!(mmm , will just have to wait and see what that is all about!)
The shop has been really busy this weekend so I have lots of orders to pack tomorrow and Angel Kisses are gonna be BIG!!! Yes we are taking these little beauties to the NEC trade fair next year, (if I can get a stand that is). They really have been proving such a success with the crafter and the retailer. I have so many more ideas up my sleeve that I am going for it.
Scrapping Angels first retreat is full steam ahead. Our brilliant teachers will have class description with me in the next few weeks, as well as a list of sponsors!
Kirsty is going to be bring Kaptured by Kirsty with her, so we can all be a model for 5 mins!!!
Emily has got some great prizes lined up and will be doing a book signing for us!
I am about to order out T Shirts and aprons, just need to tie a few loose ends up with Kirsty, Emily and Annie. But I am very excited about it all now!
Ok its now nearly 1.30am I am knackered and need some beauty sleep
night blogettes
sweet dreams
Anna xxx

How cool does that sound. Yes I have been invited as a DT member for Zsiage. I am very excited about this and cant wait to see the new products they have launched for CHA. Their chipboard is gorgeous.
I have been so busy these last few days, hence no blogging. I feel like I have been on the phone constantly, and it has all been good, but I have to keep quiet about it all, and I am bursting.
Had a lovely day with Annie and Dean and I am off to help Annie pack next Wednesday.
tomorrow we have the school summer party and Izzy is so excited bless her!

I will keep it short and sweet tonight as I have still so much to do
Try and bob on at the weekend
hugs
Anna xx

PS check out the website for lots of new Angel Kisses you are going to love them !!

I have been asked to become part of a DT today. I cannot announce the manufacturer until they have made their official annoucements this week, but I am really pleased as this is my first DT appointment!
(Layout is from the archives and one I did for an article for Creative Scrapbooking many months ago now)
Today I also got an email with regard to the 2nd part of my Best of British prize, which is from Ellison, so I now have a voucher to spend with them. Need to go over and have a smooch around their site.It will be nice to choose something that I want and maybe some stuff for the girls as well.

Angel Kisses are getting fab reviews on the UK boards, which is really good. I love them and its so good to hear you the customer loves them too!!I have 2 new colours coming out in the daisy and the hydrangea this week and 2 new designs coming soon. It really is exciting stuff!

Lilly and I are off to Bury St Edmunds to meet up with Annie and Dean tomorrow. We will be leaving as soon as I have dropped Izzy of at school. Cant wait to see Annie again, she has been so poorly recently and she is moving house any day as well.

don't forget the blog banner comp girls!
hugs
Anna x

I am enjoying this little beauty of a size.
This is a LO I did inspired by an ad that K3 from UKS did.
This will be my title page to "My favorites" album. Loving the white, the type and printing direct on to cardstock, so easy and quick!















Fathers day yesterday and Peter went off to start his first day coaching the Peterborough American football team (this is not good cant for the life of me remember their name!!). He is the Line defense coach if that mean's anything to anyone. Izzy made a scrummy card and so did I. The girls also made lovely cards for grandad and we visited him yesterday afternoon, although looking poorly and very tired our visit was cut short.
I am hoping to announce some exciting news this week, waiting on a confirmation email today then I can spill the beans!

Waiting with anticipation for the first issue of creative scrapbooking with Jennie as editor. She has worked so hard and I cant wait to see her first copy!

Please keep sending in your blog banners for me, I need something funky and arty, or what ever you think suits me!
hugs
Anna x

Wellyn Jardin de Citie!!
Had a blast with Sue today eating pattiseries, drinking in the park, spending too much money and just being girlie with our cameras! at the continental market at Wellyn Garden City.
Layout in the making and will be posted tomorrow night, but here are a few piccies for the moment.
God am I struggling with hayfever today. I feel worse as the day has progressed. I have taken sudafed and piriton by the truck load and have a lovely puffy and red pair of eyes to show for it now. So any suggestions will be greatly received




Got another banner design in my inbox today, love this. Unfortunately its not bigger enough to add to my blog so have added here to my post. Keep them coming, I am so loving seeing what you are doing. If you want piccies let me know and I will forward to you
I have to head for my bed I am well pooped, will update properly tomorrow
nite all
hugs
Anna x

I did my first Effer Dare today. OK so its a few weeks late, its Effer Dare #26 "scent".
I then did a Cathy Z style LO and then I printed directly onto cardstock, so 3 firsts on 1 page!!!
I really love this LO, very clean and simple, and dead quick to do. I used Sassafrass Lass paper, which I so love, and some American Crafts ribbon, and that was it!
I am going to make this a series of LO's about my favourite things, using this format.
journaling reads:

I love smells, scents , and aroma.
I love the smell of freshly baked bread
Wafting from the kitchen on a Sunday morning
I love the scent of Coco Chanel,
I love the aroma of lavender oil in my burner
I love the smell of freshly washed laundry hung dry on the line
I love the smell of new born babies
The smell of my girls when they have just come out of the bath
I love the scent of roses in the garden
I love the smell of a winters morning

Effer Dare #32 will be up on the For the Love of Effers blog tomorrow I believe, so maybe I will get this one done in the time span!!

Off to Sue(baru) tomorrow for a spotting of continental shopping in Wellyn Garden City. The continental food market is on so we are off to shop for olives, pattiseres and a few pain's while we are there.

First of my blog header entries arrived today, so here it is uploaded for you to see. Keep them coming in and I will upload them each day until 30/06.
Must get myself ready for my day out to Sue's and then bed!
Hugs
Anna x

I fancy a new arty farty, scrappy, happy blog heading, and wondered if any of you talented peeps out there fancied making me one, I will send a pizza box full of stash to the lucky winner and of course give credit on my blog as well. You can be from anywhere in the world I don't mind posting overseas.
So, if you fancy playing, send your entries to albowkis@hotmail.com by 25/06 midnight GMT. Cant wait to see what you come up with!!

At long last finished my entry in Kirsty's CJ, "What money cannot buy" . I chose a Mother's Love as my theme for my pages. I will be taking it down on Friday when I meet up with Sue(baru). Really enjoyed doing this entry once I knew where I was going with it

Have ordered lots of scrummy goodies for the shop this week, Sassafras Lass, Chloes Closet and the new CherryArte papers and rubons. Also waiting for the delivery of my Angel Kisses with new colours added. Remember we are doing these to trade now, so please feel free to email me at trade@bumblebeecrafts.co.uk
They really are flying out the door.
And we have just sold our last place on the Scrapping Angels retreat today!!! Its all go now and I am very excited. Will have class details to email everyone next month and a list of sponsorship as well.

Have been asked to do some great projects/editorials for Scrapbook Inspirations today, and am looking forward to getting stuck in. A couple of more deadlines to meet by the weekend as well and then I am sort of free for a week, I think!

Off to catch up on my beauty sleep
see ya all tomoz
hugs
Anna x

And what a shambles it is. I hate to sound ungrateful but boy personal impressions have dug deep into the bottom of their warehouse to pack boxes for the 12 bob's.
I haven't taken a picture because its a joke but this is what I received;

3 packs of K&Co stickers
1 x cowboy embellishments
1 x 6"x6" album
1 x BG 8"x8" scrap pad
1 x pack of fabric ribbon
2 x Kand Co tags
1 x metal embellishments
2 x packs of Kand CO cards !!!!!!
1 x pack of wedding stickers
1 x xmas embellishments
2 x sheets of Kand CO floral
3 x sheets of Kand Co manuscript
2 x sheets of Kand CO keys
5 sheets of embossed kand Co patchwork brightly coloured stuff!
4 sheets of Kand Co embossed brightly coloured stripey stuff!!
4 sheets of embossed button paper
2 x sheets of BG tags

A lot of stuff but of very little use to a winner of a so called Best of British contest. Thankfully I am not the only one who feels like this, it seems the vast majority of us are really disappointed. And it was packaged so badly that the papers are all damaged at the corners. Crumbs talk about ungrateful, I really don't mean to sound it. The prize wasn't even the reason I entered. I entered days before and had no idea who the sponsors where tbh. I entered for the prestige, the fact that a book would be published. Unfortunately no book was/is going to be published, instead the layouts have been published over 3 issues in Scrapbook Inspirations.



Ok enough of my moaning. Here is the Lo I couldn't upload yesterday called Model behavior. My Lilly sporting a pair of designer shades and bling!!! What a doll she is.
And lastly I leave you with a coversation Izzy had with me at bedtime

"Mummy, It doesn't matter that you have a fat tummy, you are beautiful like a princess angel. Your cheeks are so soft and your eyes. I love you mummy a hundred millions"

Sleep well
Hugs
Anna xx

It has been such a long time since I scrapped for me and not a deadline, a crop kit, or anything else for that matter. The weather has been gorgeous again, but I have taken time inside to get my mojo flowing again, and did these 2 layouts.
The one of Lilly I love, a typical moment in Lilly's day, poised with my glasses, feeding the birds. I used the scrummy sassfralass papers and my angel kisses. The 2nd layout is of me and Izzy using part of my Junkitz kit form this month. This layout has some important journaling under the chipboard frame. (blogger will only let me upload 1 photo so check out my gallery)
I am now aiming tonight, either to crack on with CJ entries or sneak another LO in!! Feeling good today as I finished my 16 projects for Michelle's bookazine, all the text was emailed through by midday!
I have started my new healthy regime last week as well, although a pack of Mcvities chocolate caramel digestives have rather got in the way, so had to polish the last 3 of tonight so I can feel good tomorrow.
For those that have asked, Lilly is back to her old self, thanks for asking after her! And yes the tooth fairy remembered to fly on by Izzy's room last night as well, crumbs that as a close call,a s I didn't know till this morning either, yep you guessed I forgot, again!
I have started to pop on over an American forum I used to visit a lot, and haven't for ages. It was good to go back and visit and upload to the gallery. Memory Creators is a brill forum and Stacey has a fab shop as well. You will see lots of familiar and very talented UK scrappers over there as well
unfortunately I have been upset and disappointed by a forum I visited here in the UK so have decided to stay away a while, and it was browsing and coming across Memory Creators that reminded me why I love that place so much, no bitchiness, no back stabbing just pure fun and talent!!! So gals if you will have me back, I am back for good!
The weather in here is stifling, waiting for a good storm to blow away this humidity.
back to the scrapping board for me
hugs
Anna xx

The weekend has been lovely and pretty lazy, although I have still got a bit of work done and 2 layouts!!!(no piccies as I deleted my memory card before saving!)
The weather has been scorching and I have lazed about the garden on my new sun lounger and have started reading a book which is not about scrapbooking or design for once. Its called The Good Women of China and well worth a read, and I have only read the first 2 stories.
today we went and saw a very good friend of peters play American football, and it was great fun. The girls adore Gary and Susan and loved hanging out trying to get a just of the game, of which I have no idea about.
A lot of history in this though. Peter played for the Cambridge Cats and coached them, retired 10 years ago, just after we met. I, on the other hand was a cheerleader for the Brighton B52's for about 2 games (yeah I know) and Peter played against the B52's on one of those games, 10 years on we meet in Newcastle, 10 years on again we are married with 2 beautiful girls watching the beautiful game, as peter would like to see it. Now that must be a layout in the making!
Izzy lost her second tooth yesterday as well, and she pulled it herself, so is feeling very grown up, but the tooth fairy forgot to pop by, so she must remember tonight!!!

Now I have a question that I have been pondering. Some of my favorite UK scrappers have now turned to 81/2" x 11", aka, Kirsty Wiseman, Pod and Kimmy. Should I be turning my pages to this trendy size? I have done 1 layout and did enjoy it, although I seem to still pull out my trusty Bazzill 12" x 12"
So, do you scrap in all sizes? Or are you a slave to just 1?

Hope you all had a lovely lazy weekend
Hugs
Anna xx

Bad blogger this week, but I have zquillions of excuses, poorly Lilly and deadlines galore> So today is for me and hopefully a little scrapbooking for me!!
Peter is off to watch England play their first game today with his best friend, and I have asked if the girls can go over to nanas and I can have a few hours to me. So watch this space as I hope to be posting later with a layout or two, wohoo!!!

isn't the weather just bootiful. I am loving it

catch you later blogettes
Hugs
Anna x

My little Lilly has chicken pox, bless her, I think we have 1 more day for spots to appear, and she is already pretty well covered with some mighty sized spots!!!! The good thing is chamomile lotion, its white and shows on one's skin's, bringing great enlightenment to a 3 year old, she can now check when a new spot appears as it is pink not white!!! Good eh!. After her bath the nightly routine is to cover every spot with a dash of chamomile, of which Lilly has to help.

Today the weather has been glorious again, so a spot of gardening was in order which including re potting the tomato plants!

Lilly loves cherry tomatoes
and these little beauties are going to harvest us the reddest, juiciest, sweetest cherry tomatoes she has every tasted.
We also planted up a herb garden as well, so we have been very organic and country living today.
Well finally it looks like the Best of British prizes have been decided and are expecting to start arriving. I am not holding my breath at either the arrival or the quality of goods, ungrateful I know that sounds, but from the email I received it was a list from a QVC TSV by Dawn Bibby, sorry but it really was, nothing for an advanced scrapper, shame really. I will do my best to hold too much judgment until I actually see the parcels arrive.

Off to do my online food shop and bed for me
hugs
Anna x

I think it's officially here. I say "think" while whispering as I wouldn't want to upset the gods above! But it has been glorious. Windows open, bare legged children running around the garden, picnics on the lawn, and clean washing blowing on the line. I love it!
Although today I haven't seen much as I have been working on deadlines, again. Surrounded by Christmas, LOL
Friday was a lovely day for me and Izzy. Add Bob Marley, Izzy and scrapping and you get a lot of fun. We had a ball. Chocolate chip cookies, lots of glue, paper and playing with the camera. Izzy and I have had a lot of mummy and Izzy time this weekend, and it has been very much needed.
Today was Lilly and Daddy time, and they headed out to do some chores for me and Lilly came back laden with goodies from Claire's. Blue sunglasses (with whistle!), 10 rings, 8 lip balms, and a pack of nail stickers!! And she is only 3. You can tell her add took her, bless them both.
Been playing in photoshop with a photo Izzy took of me, again probaly will be my fav for a while and has been taken by Izzy!! She played with the zoom and lighting before she was happy. I think she is going to be some competitor!!!
So what do you think? I am pretty pleased with it, considering I just played about with some layers, don't ask me what I did I don't have a clue!

Off to watch BB7, sad, but easy watching

hugs
Anna x

Nope it will not let me load photos, this has really annoyed me. Why? I really don't know but this is the 3rd day I have tried to load photos to no avail. I am becoming a woman obsessed, trying to catch blogger out and sneak in a quick upload!
Oh well will keep on trying, and will post later today.
Ok as i wrote this I tried to uplaod to this post and it liked me!!
So here are my photos from my last post . These are my circle journal photos of my front cover, see last post for description.

Isn't this weather just glorious? Enjoy it while it lasts .
I will post agin later today, if blogger lets me, lol

Just a quick note to let you know all weekend I am offering kits for £6.99, once they are gone they are gone, and another one will be uploaded!

Hugs
Anna xxxx

With paints on my CJ cover!!!(please don't shout, I know I am so so behind). This is a CJ for the Scrap Pad hosted by Annie, and I am so behind, but getting there.
This is the start of my Cj titled "Real Life".
Used white and pink paints, stamps, American craft monograms and angel kisses. Really had fun playing with this. I have added a book ring to the spiral bound spine where I am going to ask everyone to add a tag or something to it, doesn't have to be tag shaped, but I fancy BIG, like a big altered punched flower, or Sue's entry is stunning using the 2" square punch , so I may ask her to do me a square punch tag to add to my book ring. Will have it finished to post to Caz and Kirstys to post to Sue on Monday, promise girls.
I have also been cracking on with Christmas projects for a book by Becks Fagg. Really weird doing crimbo crafts at this time of the year, but the girls loved watching me!
Tomorrow will get my donations from Ellison so I can eventually finish my pojects for the kids book by Michelle Grant. Been so busy with commissions I feel like I am getting nothing done for me, which is why I sneaked in the unfinished lo I finished in my post the yesterday. Does that make sense?
Have been a naughty girl, so I am whispering as I have just spent some pennies for the shop at Queen and Co and have bought a selection of scrummy girlie goodies for scrapbooking, cardmakers, anyone really. They are so purty. Going to upload them on the site tonight I think with a delivery date because I cant wait to see them.
Also Angel Kisses are now FREE P&P on the site, and I have just had to put another order in as the trade side is going great guns. Its also the rainy season in Thailand and I will be unable to order for a month or two!!!
The Scrapping Angels retreat has nearly sold out, I have 1 place left!!!! The sponsors are coming in thick and fast and I cant wait to start making some annoucements

Lastly, a piece of advice, this is what happens when your 3 year old gets hold of you digi camera, enjoy!!!
Hugs
Anna x

ok i am well peeved, blogger is not letting me upload pictures, i ahve tried for 1 hour now, ggrrr, will upload tomorrow