Scrapping Tonight

I know, I really shouldn't, but Kirsty and I treated ourselves to webcams from eBay, £9.98 delivered!!!!.
Today we have spent an hour playing , what a laugh, I have also been messing with webcam snaps!Insteadd of scrapping,scary really.
So I have treated you to a snap of me on the phone to Kirsty and 1 of me now!!!, yes that's me warts and all, in my PJ's and shawl, cos its bloomin cold in here!!!
Dead chuffed with these little beauties I have had made up. 31/2" square coasters in wood. This is one I did earlier and I love them, another addiction. They can be purchased on the site as well.
I am going to scrap tomorrow. I have a gorgeous LO waiting to be designed. I am using lots of scrummy fabrics and my machine.
Had a great chat on the phone to Karen tonight, although she complained about my blog becoming to scrap orientated!!!, sorryHunn:(, but scrapping is part of my life.
Had another phonecall today, and I am really excited, can't say much now, until everything is confirmed but I am over the moon!!!
I am in meetings tomorrow with Creative Scrapbooking about some great projects I want to do, so can't wait for that. So much is happening at the moment, I barely have time to scoff a ripple these days!!

hugs
anna x

Another weekend over, another week nearer to my back corset coming off, hurray!!We got through the weekend, visiting completed, shopping done, and a little bit of scrapping also.
Using some BumbleBee Crafts stock at last!. I pulled out my beloved white bazzill cardstock and used some Chloes Closet papers, prima flowers (oodles of),wholy cow rubon and brads. And thanks to Kirsty I did some more hand doodling, and I am loving it!!!
How are you all getting on with the Jaffa Queens challenge? Do have a go. Kirsty has listened to me whining on long enough about not scrapping myself so she challenged me late Thursday night, and now she is challenging you, yes you, so get yourself over to Kirsty's blog, and do it!!!! You know you want to, mwahahahha
Posted a very important package yesterday, of which I will announce the news the weekend of the 26th March as it will be official by then, along with a lot of talented ladies I am sure!
I am waiting on 5 deliveries still, I am gutted.

- Bazzill cardstock
- Amazon (with a sneaky book for me)
- Lakeland
- Junkitz

Knowing my luck they will all turn up tomorrow. Oh well Lillly has no Margaret for 3 weeks so I will get her unpacking boxes with me.
Blimey nearly forgot to mention some good buys today! Kirsty are you listening to this?? I saw a sign, yes a handpainted wooden sign with gingham ribbon tied on the wire to hang up, and it read "POTTING SHED" I had to buy it, LOL, and it only cost me £5.00. So it is going on the door of my packing room tomorrow. Also I have some gorgeous blank 4"square coaster blanks for you girls. Ok so they will not be Keisha originals but they will still be gorgeous. So check out my blog tomorrow as I will pop some piccies on. I am so excited about these babies.

I think that's about it, so tell me, what have you all been up to and have youhadd any impulse buys!!
Hugs
Anna xxxx

Kirsty challenged me, and I raised to the challenge, so thanks Kirsty.
Now girls get yourself over to the jaffa queens blog as she is making this an international challenge to scrap a BOM page, stash is up for grabs!!!

What a day it has been for me. Started the morning at the doctors and it looks highly possible that I have diabetes 2, so in a couple of weeks I am having a fasting test done, no food or drink the night before form 10pm and then a bright and early appt at 8am for my test!!!. Lets hope we get to the bottom of this. Get home and am greeted to a large box from the states. It was an enormous box filled to the brim of stash from the girls on the scrappad, I am overwhelmed by their generosity!! And yes I will get a piccie done.
received an email today that dreams are made off, but am not sure how public I am allowed to make it so I will wait for a few more weeks when I know the official announcement is made, all I do know is of 9 very talented ladies that received the same email as me , so we are truly made up today!! (5 of those were scrap pad girls!!!!!)
I have a busy weekend ahead of me, with a bday party for Izzy to go to, visiting my dad, ballet, memorial lunch on Sunday, and the usual weekend stuff. Need to desperately clear my desk as well, last nights challenge left it in a right mess!!!
Have a fabby weekend, will see you all tomorrow
hugs
Anna xxxx

Yes this week has been a reality check, I have packed orders, placed orders, got no scrapping done, and picked izzy up from the bus stop, so it sure is , back to reality.
We had parents evening this evening, and we are the proudest parents standing at the moment. Our girl is doing good!!!!!
So being a blogger and a scrapper, I tried to have a photo session prior to this evening to add to my blog, no can do, she sulked, she blurred and she sulked some more!!!!, bless! Lilly on the other hand did her rendition of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White rolled in one!
But, Angel Kisses are on their way, here's a sneaky peek, and Fairy Cakes are cut, so here's another sneaky peak. Now, to see if I want to package in gorgeous, little cute metal tins or not!!So tell me crafters, do you want cute metal tin packaging or boring plastic bags? Do you want packaging or do you want delicate , beautiful embellishments!? I need to know, because I cannot make decisions.
Well only a week to go before Kirsty will surely be announced as one of the many talented girls out there, that she is one of our Best of British. I have my money on Lushie, Kirsty, Jennie and our very own Rude Issues/ Jo. I would so love to see these girls get in, of course I would love me too, but somehow cannot see that happening!
And finally:
DO NOT FORGET to post your questions for Kirsty or/and me for our podcast in a couple of weeks!
hugs blogettes
Anna x

I have finally completed my mini tin book class on The Big Picture by Stacey Julian.
I actually didn't enjoy it after all, not that the idea wasn't good, it's me, I don't like scrapping about me, it doesn't feel right, silly I know, but I struggle. But it's done, and I will probaly keep embellishing over time.
I am going to get some scrapping done today. Have a LO planned in my head, and I want to get cracking. Still have more "Fairy Cakes" to cut out and then I will do some "me " stuff!
I have just been out in the car, naughty I know and its pissing down with rain!, but peter didn't get my post done has promised and someone had to get scrappers their stash out, or they would have had to wait until Friday!! Cant see that happening can you?

That's it so far today blogettes, but don't forget to get posting you questions for me or Kirsty or even both of us if you want. See yesterday posts for more details!
hugs
Anna x

Quick post before tonight. Go get yourself over to Cathy's blog and download the podcast. Find yourself 24 minutes and listen to Cathy Z and Donna D have a ball!!.
Now the reason I ask you to listen as the very talented Ms Wiseman aka wanna_scrap? Is coming over to mine at the end of March, probaly the weekend of mother's day, and we will be doing a Q and A pod cast, just like our goddesses of Scrap, Z and D!!
So girls get your questions in for me and Kirsty. Leave your questions here or by email, ask us anything and we endeavor to answer them all, well tbh, I don't expect us to get more than 2!!!, no honest girls get those questions to us and we promise to give you a podcast that you will not forget!!!!!

And had a ball!!!!The kids loved it, we were with wonderful friends old and new. It was bloomin freezing but no snow.Lilly took her binocular's!!! and I let Izzy have my old Nikon digital to play with and she took some mean shots!
Had bacon butties for lunch at Dr.Ben's and met Mrs Ben and the cute Bronwen, Nana's for coffee and biccies. Tomorrow is lunch at Nana's, so a great family weekend is being had, and I am loving it!!!!

Hope you are all having a fabby weekend blogettes
hugs
Anna xxxx
pppssssssssssssttttttt.... Angel Kisses and Fairy Cakes are on there way!!!! Watch this space for sneaky peaks!

I have spent the last couple of days being Mum. This has included playing snap with a bunch of advertising postcards of which there is not 1 identical card, of course I lost every hand!!!
then came out the "dollies" Now you are talking, but this kinda got risque as Ken was always naked and the 6 or 7 barbie looking dollies rode bareback on a horse clad in bikini's!!!!The innocence of kids eh!! What fun we had. Infact I had loads of fun, no deadlines as I had completed them all, orders packed so Peter can post on Monday, and my About Me tin in the "processing" stage. So all in all a fab couple of days.
Now tomorrow it gets better as I have decided to get out of the village and head 45 mins out of town!!! We are heading to Linton Zoo and boy am I excited. Batteries are charged for those all important photo's and I am ready to hit my bed for a goods night rest.
So I leave you with a sneak peak into my mini tin book, my all time favorite flowers, white Lily's, and "dollies" sunbathing!!
Have a fab weekend, hope you have loads of family time, and I will get my mini tin book finished and up on my blog over the weekend, I promise, with loads of animal shots I am sure!
hugs
Anna xx

And that's not the McDonald's type. I am loving having creative time, playing ,creating and experimenting.

I am loving White,
I am loving my sewing machine,
I am loving altered photoframes
I am loving Lilly
I am loving Izzy
I am loving life!!!

I discovered my curves today, and not the body type, lost those a long time ago, nope the photoshop type, don't even ask where I have been but I sorta knew where they were but a tad apprehensive as to what would happened if I clicked, well now I know thanks to Ms Tara Whitney and this post!!! She is an angel of photography, I want to be her, and live near those beautiful beaches, boy I miss Long Sands!
Now another thing, why do my white layouts turn out looking like they have been in a room of tobacco? Or washed with the darks!! They all need a scoop of Daz on them!! Tara if you are reading this, please help me (as if ey!)
Ok the funniest thing happened today. As I was busily being creative with a picture frame ( 3 for 99p at wilko's)and mumbling to myself " I am going to put you in this" and Lilly merrily playing on the computer, she replies " Mummy, I wont fit in that, I am too big!!" Boy do I love the things kids say, she made me laugh so much, until I explained to her, I wasn't going to put "her" in the picture frame, but a photo!!, Bless. So today's blog has been bombarded with my new photoshop frames and Lilly, oh and Lillys lunch, I was playing with blurred background and stuff (cant think of the technical word at the moment)

Bumble Bee Crafts went live today, along with next months scrumptious Just Junkitz Kit "Shabby". Girls you have to get one of these they surely are to die for, I love this line of papers by Theresa Collins, and I have already reserved mine!!
Also popped a few lines in the sale section, KI Memories, Junkitz and embellishments of all sorts.

Decided that I am going to have to give Scrap a Ganza the elbow, cannot really afford it, so am going to just have to get all the gossip from the girls when they return, but saying that I may change my mind by tomorrow night, I am so bloomin indecisive, aaarrgggg.

Now I wanted to finish my Big Picture free class download tonight, but looks like it wont get done till tomorrow now, I have my scrummy little metal tin just waiting to be filled and altered, so that I am sure will be tomorrow's picture.
night blogettes!
Hugs
Anna x

Wow this is my 100th post!!!!
Looks like me and Amsterdam my not meet after all. It looks like it is going to cost more than I had hoped. Still waiting on some replies but I need to get to Newcastle and back, then form Amsterdam to the venue and back, as well as stash money and the cost of the actual flight and weekend. But all is not quite lost yet.
Had a play with my sewing machine today, and am in love!!!Did a layout of some of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting through scrapping last year. Now if I have met you, and there are plenty out there and you are not on my layout its because I haven't got a piccie, so please email me one so I can do another side to this page. I use BG Sublime and loads of stitching, had great fun, and am sure another lo is going to be done with my trusty machine in no time at all.

Catch you later, as I may make another post tonight, as its my 100th!!, Ok so that will make it post 101, but you know what I mean.
hugs
Anna x

PS: Just want to say Hi to Maria!!! Will email you later, so get designing and submitting!!

Yes I am actually off to Amsterdam to Scrap a Ganza, I am literally bursting at the seams, I cannot wait. And can you believe it I am going with Karen!!!! She says she has lost her mojo, because I am no longer up in Newcastle to get her crafty arse into gear, so I happened to mention what was happening the weekend I would have been arriving for my hospital apointment, and that a sit, she is convinced and we are going!!! The only problem is I have no passport, so I have to sort this out pronto. Will be sorting flights and classes tomorrow

I actually cannot think of anything else to say at the moment, so until tomorrow blogettes!!!

hugs
Anna xxx

edited to say: if you are going to scrapaganza let me know would love to meet up with as many people as poss!!!

I am absolutely covered in gold leaf!!!. I have been working on a project for Paper Craft Essentials on gilding (check out issue 10) and I am absolutely smothered in tiny specks of gold leaf.
Had loads of fun playing with an altered picture frame which I adore and have just completed a layout, this is the picture I used, my wedding ring, engagement ring and eternity ring. Tried the arty shot, hope it has worked.
We all went to see my Dad today, and he was in really high spirits , bless him, looking awfully underweight so will be contacting the manger tomorrow and have a chat with her. I understand he is on one of his hunger strikes!!!, barely eats a mouthful of food a day. It annoying and frustrating at the moment as I cannot drive so I only see him at the weekends, I cant keep my beady eye on him.
Have got my sewing machine out of its box but still haven't had time to play, I am gutted, hopefully mid week I will get to have a whiz with it!
Kirsty should be back in Wigan tonight so looking forward to talking to her again. I have missed her terribly, having been in hospital for a week and then Kirsty going to her mum's its been about 2 weeks since we last spoke on the phone!!!!, we talk about 2 - 3 times a day!!! Withdrawal symptoms or what!! Hopefully she got the well earned rest she deserved.

Ok girls if any of you haven't already heard, or read my earlier posts, a dear cyber friend of ours, Lemon, husband passed away last week. Debbie is raising money for Lemon and her daughter, Raena, if you can spare any money please please pop over to Debbie's blog for further details.

Hope you all had a fab weekend and held your dear ones close
hugs
Anna xx

Today was my first day out!!! Yeah. Peter was working from home so I begged him to take me out. Lilly was poorly today so she didn't go to Margaret and the 3 of us headed into Huntingdon. We had lunch out, did a few errands and then headed to Dunelm Mill where I purchased my new toy!!! A sewing machine!!!!. I am so chuffed, I am going to get it set up tomorrow an play to my hearts content. I have bought oodles of embroidery threads, sewing threads, ric rac and stuff to have a good play. Of course I am sure it will all be played on my infamous white Bazzill, just can't get enough of the stuff!. Oh and also bought a faux leather photo album for £3.99 that I am going to do a sorta scrap album with. Its an idea I saw in a US mag at Kirsty's and have been dying to get started on it. Will divulge more later!
I posted out my ATC's today so hopefully they will be landing on doorsteps tomorrow and Monday.
Also got a pay cheque today so that was good and hence my spend on the sewing machine * still grinning like a Cheshire cat*.
So this weekend I am going to crack on with my mini tin book, play with my sewing machine and do some projects that have to get in the post Monday.
Hope you all had a fab Friday and for those at crops this weekend , I am dead jealous as I had to cancel mine, have a good one.
Hugs blogettes
Anna xxx

But it never settled, so dreams of white lawns, snowman and that perfect snowy photo, of little girls wrapped up with hats, scarves and gloves was not to be! Instead I started and finished my ATC's for The Lounge. Kept away from the usual grunge and did Basic Grey Lollipop Shoppe (loads of scraps to use up!) and used the monogram of each of the participants. They will get posted tomorrow as Peter is off and can take me to the post office.
The other big news for me today was I had my staples out!!! Yeah all 15 staples have been removed, and I have a nice red line up my back with ickle holes, or so I am told. Going to have of get Peter to take a piccie so I can see, LOL. Don't worry it will not be my POTD!!!

Tomorrow I am going to start the weekend challenge I set on The Lounge, to take the Stacey Julian free class on a mini tin book "About Me", also finish up some projects for 2 magazines!!
I am also going to start my wish list of stash must haves, courtesy of the girls at The Scrap Pad, what an amazing bunch of girls you are and I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Will take lots of photo's when I have my grubby little mits on all my goodies.

So what do you creative bunch of blogettes have in store this weekend? I would love to know
Hugs
Anna xxxxx

And a little bit of that, has been the nature of today. I have decided I have to have Hang 10 and Urban Couture NOW!!! And the gorge Japanese rubons, I am a far east freak, love the food, the countries (having lived in Hong Kong for 4 years), interiors ,you name it, I love everything Japanese and Chinese. These papers will kick me into doing an album of my time away, or will it. Will stacks of Basic Grey sit in the corner of my scrap room, to be admired and licked!? Most probally, LOL.
Anyways I played again with my Rhonna Farrer brushes, and did some manipulating in Picture It 9 as well. Thanks Kelly for your comments. Still have so much to learn, but I am enjoying tinkering at the moment. A good way to learn I think. This photo, I know has its faults. Grubby mouth complete with a chocolate dribble. But this is my Lilly, complete with a malteser in her mouth, and I love it. Anam, reminded me today that real photo's do matter, and we shouldn't "airbrush" everything to make that perfect photo, so I decided that I love this photo and everything it stands for is Lilly!!!!
Some very sad news today, an online friend, who I had the great pleasure of meeting last year at Bonanza, lost her husband today suddenly, my thoughts are with you tonight L and R. Anam made a good point, to hold all our loved ones close, and its funny, although I couldn't put my finger on what I felt today, the love I feel for my girls and Peter was very much at the top, and all my family, like everyday, had a very special hug.
Before you go to bed tonight, hug someone close to you and tell them you love them

Anna xxx

Today Izzy returned from school armed with the usual piles of notices for parents, along with the monthly newsletter. Like all us Mums, I glanced through, checked on any stuff I need to remember, and there in black and white was my baby's name!!!!. My Izzy, all 5 years of her received an Honors Award this term for excellent behavior, kindness and politeness to her class friends and school!!!! I am gushing all over, I am so so proud of her!!!!


I have had another inspirational day! Received my Rhonna Farrer brushes in my email box and haven't stopped playing, look above and you will see my new blog header with my new brushes and my attempt at an arty shot of Izzy! So I have made myself a new blog header, fart arsed around with another photo of izzy, and then completed another layout, of Izzy, in white, surprise surprise. I told you I was having a white chapter! Love this layout too. Using my classic white bazzill cardstock, AMM papers and Carolee Creation papers. A making memories silver frame, KI Memories plastic bits (think they call them gloo!), flower diecuts and junkitz brads. Photo was turned black and white and mildly manipulated in Picture It 9 (thanks SueBaru)

Been working hard trying to put some life back into The Lounge, sent out a mass email and have had a little move around, clear out and added some new sections. Hopefully the small changes are for the good and the members will enjoy!

Have another layout I want to do tonight, but must finished my text for an editorial, also I want to get stuck into a project I have for PaperCraft Essentials (formally know as Craft Essentials) to start.
Lots I am eagerly awaiting for, March is going to be a big month for me. Its the annoucement of The Best of British winners, and also another fingers crossed moment for me. I am also hoping to have all the loose ends tied for Scrapping Angels (yes honest!!!), as well as loads of birthdays to contend with and the 1st anniversary of my FIL passing away. So a month of mixed feelings ahead of us.
I have another dilemma, nothing huge, but I need to decide whether I 1. Can afford and 2. Need to go to Scrapaganza. There are lots of friends new and old going who I would love to meet again and for the first time, I just cant make my mind up, also the other dilemma is I have a hospital appointment on the Monday 21/05 and scrapaganza is 19-21/05. So do I go for 2 days only or not at all, oh decisions decisions, help me out here girls!

So how has your day panned out and any proud moments to share with me?

hugs blogettes
Anna xx

OMG I am in love with white Bazzill cardstock!!!! Where have I been all this time? Ok so I did a couple of Lilly Layouts a while back, but I am so loving this new feel to my scrapping. Totally inspired by Keisha. I have another layout sat here waiting to be titafated and glued!!!!
I am definitely on a white splurge at the moment.
This layout is of Izzy on Saturday, I had a play with my camera, nothing fancy yet, I am very much in the learning stages still. Used BG Lollipop, and Bazzill white card stock, a bit of stamping and inked the edges with one of the Bazzinks! Oh and a BG Wholy Cow rub on in the corner (the bar code!). Struggled with photographing white, even when playing with the shutter speed and stuff. The title is "Who's that Girl ?", I know it's not to clear in the photo and you cant see my ' between the "o" and the "s", but it is there, honest!

Got an email from Donna Wild today, and she is going to do a banner for me to see, for Scrapping Angels, I love what Jenrigg did, I just want to see another option. I hope Kirsty doesn't mind me plodding on, I know she is so snowed under with work, and my mind is racing with ideas. I , of course will not finalize anything without her giving it the OK!
Auzzie scrappers sure do rock! I have been surfing the otherside of the pond a fair bit today and am loving the Auzzie scrappers style. My fav at the moment is Donna's style. She is really loving us UK girls style as well, so beware the Auzzie will be at a blog near you!!

Spent a bit of time trying to boost the interest in members at The Lounge today. Hopefully that will work, as it will be such a shame to retire my baby yet, but then again I cannot waste many more months working on it if she is going to sink at the end of the day!
I am feeling truly inspired today which is a good thing, as I am like a rollercoaster, up and down, round and round.

I got the most gorgeous handmade card from my little Lilly today, that she made at Margaret her child minder. I was so chuffed as it was a get well card, and she did all the stamping herself!!

Decided today to ask a question, nothing sinister, nothing difficult, just to find out what rocks your scrapping boat!

what's your favorite 3 paper lines/companies?


Basic Grey Haute Couture ( and I haven't even seen it!)
Foofala ( need to get my hands on more)
Sassafras Tickled Pink ( cant wait to get cracking on a layout with this)


Have a good night blogettes
hugs
Anna xxx

We have had a family weekend. Watching DVD's, me dosing in front of the TV, visiting my Dad, and eventually finishing a project for Creative Scrapbooking. I have overdone things this weekend, so am sore and tired, all that bathroom cleaning and hoovering didnt agree with me!
From Tuesday I have a carer in 4 days a week, for 1 hour in the morning to help me get the girls ready, as I am really not fit enough to tackle them on my own on a morning!!!!
Have taken a few photo's this weekend as well. The first is off Lilly enjoying the sunshine on Saturday. She is such a cutie isnt she? This is one of the girlie Drake's waiting for a crumb from Lilly. Got some fab photo's of the ducks and swans, and the cascade of them swimming towards us, it was actually quite intimidating!!!!

So enjoy a few piccies of the girls and hopefully I will get scrapping again this week. Played with the one of Izzy in picture it 9, but am not happy with it, there was too much shadow, so will have another play tomorrow, may just leave it in colour !!!
I have a few magazine bits to do but I am itching to scrap, have some ideas up my sleeve I want to try!!!

Hope you all had a fabby weekend, and thanks to jenrigg, the scrapping angels have a fancy new header, which I will be forwarding to you Paul, so don't fret I knows you are a busy boy at the mo.
Trying to revamp The Lounge in the next month or so, and in the meantime I have started an ad inspiration challenge, so do pop over and have a go!

catch you later blogettes

anna xx

PS: make me jealous, did any of you make the NEC this weekend? and did you see our Kirky?

Yeah, I am home at last, complete with no dignity, LOL, and a corset that unfortunately does not rival Madonna's. Cannot pick up my girls for 6 months, no rally driving for 6 weeks, no exercise for 3 months!!!!! So guess me and my laptop are going to become very good friends!!!!!
Thanks for checking in blogettes!
Nothing really to report, but I hear some Russian computer twats hacked my computer again!!!!!gggrrrr. So poor rena has had to practically start from scratch I gather, so a BIG HUGE thanks goes out to you Hun.
To be honest I am now having mega thoughts about whether this forum lark is worth keeping along with the business. The forum has cost me a fair bit this last 6 months with hackers and such with no returns!!
With so many companies out there selling scrap goods I really cant keep up, and I would love to dedicate more time to my writing and work for the magazines.
Kirsty has done so well for herself I am truly proud and blessed to have such a talented friend, praying she will send me some of her mojo now I am back at home!!! Is there no ends to that girls talent?
Oh I wanna be Kirsty, mwahahahahahah
Thanks to all the lovely posts on the scrap pad asking after me, I am sure there are the same lubberly posts at the lounge I just cant access.
Peter wont let me into my office, I am going to try and let him realize that for a speedy recovery I need my scrap room to make me feel better!!
I hope you have all had a fabby 10 days, I hear a Big congrats to Boo is in order as she has become Nana Boo, Kirsty has now turned 35!!!! And has more talent then you can shake a sheet of urban couture at!As well as becoming a DT for Art from the Heart, and a big player for pratical publishing, all well deserved as well
I may give you a treat and get peter to take a piccie of me and my corset. Then you can come up with some fab designs on how I can decorate it

hugs all, its darn good to be back
Anna xxxx

yes i am blogging from my hospital bed , but it is so slow

Ok this is it, my last blogging day for at least a week, as I am off to Newcastle at the crack of dawn to be admitted to the Freeman hospital for my back operation on Thursday.
Now please don't stop visiting me, or I will plummet in the rankings!!!!! Which I already seem to be doing!!!!, ok only joking, please give me something to read for when I get back to my computer.
Let me know any juicy gossip, also need to know about the homegrown TKO competition that Amber Jane, Kirsty and Frenchie are in the final, so need to know which talented UK girl has won!!! And please don't feel you cant send me a share of your prize, (ok well it works everytime for Kirsty !LOL), only kidding girls.
What else is going on the next week?Well you get the just, just leave me lots of posts to read, mwahahahha
Well still have to finish a couple of deadlines, got to pack suitcases for the girls for Nana's and me!
Blimey nearly forgot to mention my gorgeous tag CJ made it home to me today and it is stunning, I am so chuffed I got it before I went away, also a scrummy package form Shirl with goodies for hospital and the girls. I have had lots of lovely posts on the Scrap Pad and The Lounge wishing me well which has really cheered me up as I have been a tad glum these past few weeks.
Also managed to get all orders out today as well as Kirsty birthday pressie, although not the easiest to wrap! Have you ever tried to wrap an artbin? (wink wink), ok so it may not be an artbin but I really hope she likes it, probaly has one knowing Kirsty as she has everything!!! a scrapper could want and more, mwahahahahha
Deadlines will be completed tonight and will make their merry way up to Newcastle were someone will post for me
So I think that's it, send lots of good vibes to me, as I am so nervous to be honest, I don't think my friends and family really know how scared I am, silly I know but I am. First op and all that, away from my girls as well, makes a mummy very sad. Ok enough self pity from me,
have a fab week blogettes and keep me posted!!!!

hugs
Anna xxxx

ps: darn blogger wont let me upload images so will try again later!

Do you like my pearly K ? I think she is fab, its for my secret project, secret because I cannot spill the beans yet until about April to be more precise, but here's a taster. Inspired by my hubby's grass routes, London, and the Pearly Kings and Queens. Used loads of white buttons and some pearly beads.

I have just heard that Scrapbook Magic has folded. I am absolutely devastated and can't really believe it. The most dreadful thing is my dear friend , Jakey, ( hope I can call you a friend babe?) was the editor for issue 1 and had put her heart and soul into that mag. Unfortunately I only managed to get my grubby mits on a couple of copies, so never really got to see much of it, but I know for one with the talents of Jakey, Clare, Frenchie and Karen on the team it must have been a corker!. Unfortunatly now, people are trying to guess who will next hit the rubbish heap. This is such an awful shame and I wish people could start asking themselves , why are magazines folding? And what do we want from our craft magazines?, could we actually be the problem? Ok so don't all shout at me at once, but as someone who regular contributes to several craft magazines and watched 2 magazines I contributed too fail, it does make me think. I hope we as the consumer let our magazine editors really know what we want to see and read in our favorite scrap book magazines!

Ok off my soap box now, LOL.
So with only days to go until my op, I am fighting to get deadlines finished, and have had to disappoint the girls at The Lounge as I am unable to finish my ATC's before I go into hospital, so will do them when I come home. Will be a great lil project to get my creative juices flowing again.
I have loads to do tomorrow, pack bags for me and the girls, (they are staying at Nana's), sort out flight details, pack my inspiration in magazines, notepad and pen!, post orders and Kirky's Artbin for her birthday (wink), and visit Dad to remind him I wont be back in for a good week or so.

I am so desperate to scrap, aka Keisha, but have no time, roll on recovery period!

Hugs blogettes
Anna xx

PS: Happy burpday for yesterday Correna xxx

by this woman's talent, thank you anam for pointing me to her blog. I am writing an editorial on blogs and asked some of my forum buddies to tell me whose blogs they read and this name came up a few times, Keisha, and I am in awe of her stuff, it is so me, I love her decor, her scrapping style and she lives in China!!!, I too lived in China and Hong Kong and its so freaking me out, and sending me down memory lane.
I have just finished 1 of 4 projects by just looking at her work, blogging is good for the creative soul, yes that's my motto for today!!!

Postie came today laden with 6 magazines!! So chuffed, they are all getting packed in my suitcase for my hospital trip next week, ok, I did have a wee peep in one, and the preview for their next issue just happens to be one of my projects, so I am dead chuffed.

Just found out that my tag CJ is on it's way home to me, thank you so much Loungers, I am really chuffed and cannot wait to get it in my wee mitts!
Am busily finishing an altered CD and CD envelope project for a magazine, which I am really enjoying. I then have another 4 page editorial and projects on gilding to complete and a secret project to finish by Monday. Must also crack on with my 6 ATC's before I head up North for the dreaded op!

So what have has inspired you today? I have definatley been inspired by Keisha , she is now my new guru!!

Hugs blogettes
Anna xx

Ok I know I have been negleting my blogger duties for the past few days, whatcha gonna do about it?, not come by and read me I guess *cry*. To be honest I have had very little to say; my week so far in a nutshell :

hair cuts on Tuesday
baths on Wednesday
no internet access Tuesday or Wednesday ggrrr
deadlines to complete
orders packed Thursday

so all in all a pretty boring week so far! So come on then spill the beans what have you blogettes been up too, it sure has got to be a hell of a lot more exciting than my week!
Lilly has playgroup soon, then I am coming home to make cards for a couple of friends birthdays (they know who they are;) ), then off to pick the girls up and then a flying visit to Dad.
I am on some new tablets to try and sort out my sleep pattern and stuff. All it has done is have me zombied until at least 11.30am every morning, so tonight I am going to take them much earlier so I am not useless until midday tomorrow!
These 2 piccies are a layout and a canvas I did with the Scrapping Angels kit from the sunday crop
hugs bloggetes
Anna x

Funny old day today. Eventually dragged myself to the docs, but will keep the details off my blog me thinks!, but he did say I need to get well or they will not operate next week, that was not such good news, so off to the chemist to buy every cold and flu remedy on the block and get a diabetes test done as well.
At last posted a very important deadline today, now to await the dreaded phone call with praise or defeat.
Had a crop yesterday and it was a blast, good to see Ali, Sue and Dawn again as well as Kerry, Debbie and some new faces, Louise, Kerry, Mary, Huzifah(sp!) and Helen. Thanks ladies for a fab day and all your wonderful creations, get them on the galleries.
Was so flaked out, after several snoozes as well :(, that I cancelled seeing Dad today and am off to see him tomorrow. (as you can see from this photo peter took when he got back from work!)
So how was your weekend?

Hugs blogettes
Anna x

Thanks amber jane, I have been tagged!

Well I am getting there, got 3 deadlines for Quarto finished today, just have another to do by Monday and 2 by Friday. Junkitz arrived so kits will be going out early due to my op the following week, god am I scared or what!? I have never had an operation and now I am going in for a much awaited back op.
I am still going through my paranoia trips, and I wish I could snap out of it, I will, I have too, so back to eyelets and the letter "O"!!

I finalised my classes that I am doing at Paper Craft Expo 2006, I am booked to do 5 classes at the moment, all very varied so that should be quite exciting.Quarto pubishing will be running a special feature on my classes so all in all pretty exciting stuff! I know it's not Bonanza where most of you will probaly attend, but I am pretty pumped (as Elsie would say!)
Also today was asked to do 2 presentations on scrapbooking at 2 different events. I may even start a "Where is Anna?" section like Donna has, Ok I will only have about 5 dates but it's a start!
First times you got kissed, how was it ??
In the playground by Russell aged 5 or 6, he later got run over by a car whilst on his bike in his street aged 13 or so, and was brain damaged. I will never forget my first kiss
First time you drove a car ? What kind of car was it ?
My boyfriends white fiat panda, LOL, I was 17
First time you scrapbook and do you still like your love your page ??
I started scrapbooking in the summer of 2004, then more seriously in autumn 2004. I still have my first page but its pants!. It is off Izzy at Centre Parcs using handmade papers as I had no scrapping stash!
First time you went on a date, where did you go and with whom??
I was 17, he was a Libyan and we went for lunch, I later married him!
First time you fell in love and how did you know ??
I was 17 and it was probaly my first boyfriend who I later married, I was very young and naive so maybes it was infactuation, not sure really
First time you cooked for someone ? Was it yummy and what did you make ??
don't know, really cant remember, but it was probaly my Mum and it would have been breakfast in bed on mothers day
First time you got on a plane?? Where did you go and were you scared ??
I was 11, and I went to Paris with my Dad a, I was excited to the point of bursting!
First time you shaved your legs ?? And did you cut yourself ?
No idea
First time you put on make up ? Looking back how did you do ? Did you look like a clown or do a good job ?
I didn't have that kind of fun childhood, so I only remember putting on mascara and lippy for the first school disco at 11 and thought I looked fab!
First time you moved out of home? Was it into an apartment or house ??
I was 17, and moved into a bedsit with my boyfriend

Now to tag 3 bloggers

Correna
Jo
Donna Downey! (well I can dream!)

hugs blogettes
anna xx
PS Dont you just love the new line of papers by BG, i need all of this collection

by request of Kirsty; Lilly, myself and Peter went or a lovely long walk today, and I blew away some of the cobwebs. Had a long sleep this morning and it looks like Peter will take the rest of the week off to take care of me and things.
Hopefully I will start to feel normal, lol. Have a crop to organise for this Sunday as well. Creativity needs unblocking but am getting there!

So here is my POTD, not that I do a POTD, lol but here it is anyways, me and Lilly out in the glorious sunshine today

Hugs
anna x

Having some time out from life at the moment, had a fab weekend at Kirsty's, it was so good to just be us with no children or stresses of the world on our shoulders. We ate , we shop, (boy did we shop) and we played, so all in all the bestest weekend of all.

Struggling with this blog issue at the mo, I love blogging but some days I realize I cant actually put down in words how I am really feeling, and I only post mostly good and upbeat. So that is why I am taking time out from forums, blogs and such, so I don't turn into a massive depressive, LOL, and loose all my blogettes!!!!
So bear with me while I try and have some time away from the computer and get on with some serious deadlines, and being a mum and wife, it seems I have been negleting both. I will also be making annoucements to Bumble Bee Crafts this week as well, so stay tuned! Need to find the time to shut down for maintenance as well.

see you all soon blogettes
hugs
Anna x

PS: anyone know which program i can open raw files :( for viewing ?

Saying that in a liverpudlian accent, I am packing and typing at the same time, as I am off to wigan in about an hour and haven't even packed any clean undies!!!. Off to play with the talented Ms Wiseman this weekend, so my cropper hopper is packed to the brim with stamps and grunge, oh and my camera and tripod!!
Apparently we are hitting ashton de la makerfield tonight, ooooooo I hear you cry!! Now too find something slutty and tarty that will fit, mwahahahahha , and tomorrow the Albert Docks will get a taste of Kirsty and Anna aka elsie and Donna!!!
ok guys and dolls, blogettes near and far, will catch you all Sunday, oh and BTW Debbie thanks a million got my book today and am drooling already, thank god it has a plastic cover to clean up my mess!!!

hugs all
Anna xxxx

Well she is such a character, so this was just the perfect title for my layout, just lots and lots of Lilly pics in all her fav poses, using my new square punch! A very simple layout but I think really effective.
Am still deciding whether to enter Best of British, I know for one I wouldn't get any where, so a part of me says "why bother" but then I love scrapbooking and I am British! So what the hell, just go for it. The one problem I have is no time to do layouts specifically for the competition and some of my fav layouts have already been published, mmm decisions decisions.
So who else is going to submit??

Izzy has been off school today with a high temperature and high temper!!!! Spent this afternoon baking cookies with the girls which was fun, pink icing and lots of the usual sprinklers.
Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday and I will actually get to b with him, isn't that just so fab!
And I so need time out, so I made an executive decision and I am off to see Kirsty and we are hitting the banks of the Albert Dock on Saturday to take Elsie Flanagan piccies, sit in trendy coffee bars and wallow in olives, both our favs!

I am getting pretty blog obsessed and I have an editorial to do for a mag about blogs, so if you have a favourite blog, preferably scrapping related, let me know so I can be nosy and do the most valuable of research

hugs blogettes
Anna x

For a dull and dreary day. God the weather is pants here, so I have done a quick and cheerful layout using the new PaperLoft Flip Flop range, isn't it just scrumptious!
Still cant make my mind whether to stock it or not, it is so scrummy and zingy!
I so adore this photo of Izzy, I have quite a few from this day but this is one of my fav's. Dressed up in all her bling!. So loving the tiara and the light in this photo, took my colour inspiration from the colours and pattern in izzy's top. Used lots of primas and flower blooms that MGC gave me (thanks Hun) and som jewels from Kirsty
Well Peter is working another night shift so I am going to get cracking on ATC's and a CJ I have to do.
Also found out today that Craft Essentials is getting a makeover and my project is now going into issue 8 not 7
ta ra blogettes
Anna xxx

by Debbie, thanks hun
here it goes then;

Four jobs you have had in your life:

waitess, shop assistant, fashion designer, interior designer

Four movies you would watch over and over:

Chocolate, Crouching tiger Hidden dragon, Its a wonderful Life, AI

Four places you have lived:

Brighton, Hong Kong, Jordan, Newcastle

Four TV shows you love to watch:

ER, Desperate Housewifes, Will and Grace, Dragons Den

Four places you have been on vacation:

France, Phillipines, Cambridge, Scotland

Four websites I visit daily:

The Lounge, 2 Peas, Blogs and lots of them, Amazon ( well not everyday but a far bit!)

Four of my favourite foods:

Mexican, sushi, humous/olives and pitta bread, boiled eggs and soilders

Four places I would rather be right now:

with my girls (they are staying at nanas) on a desert island in the sun, scrapping with my GFs, in bed

Four bloggers I am tagging:
Anam, Kirsty, Correna, Kimmy

Yes this is it, and I am pretty pleased with it, a completely new style for me but one I think I am gonna enjoy doing. Space is not easy for me and I keep looking at it thinking , mmmmm, even peter question whether I should add something else, and I had to explain that no, this is SPACE!!!!
I used DCWV cardstock, chatterbox reading room papers, mm foam stamps, prima flowers, bella baloo envelope and mm brads.

Izzy had her 1st school disco today, awww she felt so grown up with her 2 best friends getting dressed and choosing jewelry to wear, and they wore barbie perfume!!!

Tomorrow is Izzy's first full term at ballet and we have got her all kitted out, and I am sure I will be getting her to pose for "that" photo.
Kirsty is in Harrogate this weekend assiting Dyan with a course, jammy thing, so I will miss our daily mumbles, laughs and moans, heheheheh, but know she will come back crammed with even more creativeness.
Has anyone gota copy of issue 7 crafts essentials? I am supposed to be in with a project on invitations and I neeed to see? Let me know if you have a copy

I was on Memorie Creators forum today, its a US forum, and a member saw my work in a mag and recognised me, it was of course creative scrapbooking that she had bought but OMG how weird is that, and it was the Jan06 issue which I had a cover LO and an editorial, and it was the editorial she commented on.

have a good weekend blogettes
hugs
Anna xxxx

Can you tell I look gobsmaked, I took this photo the minute I had got back from the post office, the hat and scarf still on me and my camera poised on its tripod!!!!!
I have actually finished packing the sale orders!!!!, I have 3 orders packed waiting to hear from customers and just 1 more to pack!!!Also finalized my samples for creative scrapbooking and that was posted today as well.
Thats everything up to date until monday then I have ;

6 ATC
1 tag CJ
4 page editorial on gilding for craft essentials
card samples creative card making
4 class descriptions and samples for paper expo 2006

my deadlines for the end of the month.

I feel like a massive load has been lifted, I am now going to revamp the kits and give Bumble Bee Crafts a revamp
Scrapping Angels the launch has ended up on the back burner for just a little bit longer, apologies to all those out there waiting for our site to be launched, but we want this to be done with both myself and Kirsty's full attention and not be done half heartedly.
We have so much planned but we need to tweak a bit more, and finalize the web site details as well, it will be worth the wait, honest
Tonight Peter is working away so he will not be back home till tomorrow, so I am going to get creative tonight for ME!!!!!!!

Can you tell I am having a blog header identity crisis!!!?? Not sure how long this one will last, we shall see ;)
Hope you are all have a fabby day my blogettes
hugs
Anna x x

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN... In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear in your voice it.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone

What is that, apart from my new title of my blog for the time being, I haven't scrapped at all this year, I cant find a spare moment, but tonight I have a few things I want to do and need to finish of some samples for creative scrapbooking, I have a lil something I need to make for a dear friend going through a crisis, also I have 6 atc's to do for a swap on The Lounge, so I have to find some time, before my mojo completes disappears. Oh also have a scrummy order of daisy d papers coming from the states so that should motivate me.
At last I have posted anam's camera today as well as kirsty's crimbo pressies!!! yep that is how disorganized I was last year
received a phonecall today confirming my back op date. I am admitted on the 8/2 and op is on 9/2, really quite scared but it has to be done.
no photo yet, because I am hoping to put my first bit of creativeness up later tonight

hugs blogettes
mwah
Anna x

My new obsession with lashings of lurpack slightly salted butter and lashings of honey. Prey tell what is "utterly butterly" for toasts sake????? I only want the real makoy and after peter shopping for the necessities I have been downgraded to these yellow pretend stuff called utterly buttery, yuck
Yeah my computer is back, thanks to Sue's(ELC Girl, Sue baroo) hubby for fixing the problem.
My second big thanks go to all you lovely people who have sent me buckets of love and encouragement in emails these past few days, I only managed to pick them up today and it has been so good to read, those few nasty emails have been well and truly forgotten by those out there who understand I am human, I do have feelings and I am working my cute lil fat ass off to pack orders despite fire, viruses and life!!!! Ok so off my soapbox but thanks girls, mwah
So yes I have been packing orders again today, another 30 went to the post office.
Lilly and I visited Dad this afternoon and I shopped Woolworths out of age 6-7 school uniform today to replace Izzy's uniform which didn't survive the fire and dry cleaners.
Boy do I need some normality in my life, roll on another day

hugs to all
Anna xxxxx

Virus scans that is. I must hold the record for the most virus scans in 3 days, that's all I feel I have done, and still no computer. I am using Peters ath the moment but that all ends tomorrow and I am calling an engineer first thing, I am absolutely lost without it. Orders are still going out but I wasn't able to update the database on Friday, so have been doing that today whilst I have had a computer at hand.
Nothing much to say, I have 6 massive spots on my chin, boobs that ache, and a wobbly tummy to beat all wobbly tummy's, yep its that time of the month, so I am irritable, fed up and uninspired.
Craft Essentials is out next week and I did a 4 page project on invitations and handmade paper, so am looking forward to seeing that in print. Also have my editorials to do for Creative Scrapbooking. Loads of phone calls to make tomorrow, Dad to visit, food shopping to do and a post office trip!!!
Hope you are all having a relaxing weekend blogettes

hugs
Anna x
PS: keep sending me virus free thoughts
PPS: another old photo from peters folder!

Just a quick post to let you know I have a virus on my computer, I feel like my life has ended and I cannot even breath without my computer telling me so!!!
Orders have now become delayed as I cant access any of my database, I am on hubbys laptop just to get this message across, so help me spread the joy of another set back in my bloomin crap life at the mo, lol
hugs blogettes, send me lots of healing thoughts

mwah
Anna xxx

ps: excuse the "mad" photo, its the only one I could find on Peter's computer, and I hate to blog wiothout a piccie for the day, and I think this rather sums up how I am feeling

Doesn't it you? Its so purty, still haven't downloaded any piccies form my new camera , saw this on 2 peas yonks ago so thought I would share.
A strange day today, Peters back at work, the last of our visitors Karen and Kevin left lunchtime and the house seems empty, but quite good to be back to some normality. Not that I don't love having you all here, but you know what I mean. Packed some more, sent more to the PO, so hopefully the orders should be arriving, did start packing and posting last week, but there is only lonesome me to pack so its taking an age.
Tomorrow Izzy's back to school, and the decorators come to survey the burnt down utility room!!!.
Peter was star gazing with his new toy tonight, spotted Saturn which was fab, it looks like a UFO, I went out and played with shutter speed and photographed the moon!
I have not scrapped in an age, have magazine commitments to start on this week so hopefully I can start looking for my 2006 mojo.

Oh forgot, went and saw Dad today and Lilly was her true delightful self and Dad had a good few laughs. He his looking great so feel like a load has been lifted, just still trying to sort out the DWP, should get a phonecall anyday with a meeting arranged for Dad and I so I can become power of attorney

I guess its back to school for a lot of us tomorrow, hope its not too stressful, I for one am dreading crawling out of bed before 9am and actually having to be dressed and out of the house by 8.30!!!!!! aaarrrggggg, better go grab some kip

hugs
Anna x

Happy New Year to each and everyone of you, my reasons for being rather late with this , as I have been nursing the worst hang over , ever known to man, apparently I hit my bed, fully dressed at 6am, got up at 12.30 new years day and still feel really crap!!!
Oh well it only happens once a year, and thank goodness!!!New Year resolutions, mmm, cant even think at the moment , the only one would be never to drink a Peter cocktail special again, give me till tonight and I will think long and hard.
Hope you are enjoying the last day of the holidays

hugs blogettes
Anna xxxx