Scrapping Tonight

Yes the 6 weeks summer holidays were officially over today as Izzy went back to school as a year 1 pupil, and my baby had her 1st day at pre school. Where have the last years gone? It all seems like a blur now, my girls are growing up so fast. What a change from my nervous Izzy I had last year, she looks so grown up and confident in this photo.
Well I returned to an empty house and sat down to a magazine deadline , that has to be sent tomorrow. I am loving this project. I am doing some great "outside the album" work with Scrapbook Inspirations at the moment and I am loving it.
This is full of mini projects that you can take out of the main project and work with on single layouts and stuff!!

Its all systems go as well with the retreat. More scrummy prizes are coming to my door and Scrapbook Inspirations are going to run a editorial on us!! So girls don't forget to bring your lippy!!!

Short and sweet today as I still have loads of work to do and none of it can I show you. I also have lots of DT work to do for Zsiage to display at some of the forthcoming shows in US. How exciting is that?
Hope all you mum's got through today
big hugs
Anna xx

Happy Birthday Karen!!! My very good friend. Here is your second surprise. the girls wanted to be with you so bad, enjoy!

File too big to email to you ,so you will have to watch it here :)




hope you like it
hugs
Peter,Anna, Izzy and Lilly
xxxxxx

We all love a surprise, don't we? This weekend Peter and I, with the help of Kevin and a few others, travelled up to Newcastle to have dinner with our bestest friend Karen, whose birthday is on Tuesday. She had absolutely no idea and for the first time in 11 years I got her back!!! and it felt good. A lovely meal at a restaurant in town with 1 bottle to many of white wine, made it the perfect night

Yesterday my best friend for 18 years came over to ours for the day with her gorgeous children. Sarah and I don't often see each other, mainly due to commitments of family life and distance, but when we get together, it's as if we only saw each other a few days ago!

well just!

Yesterday was going pretty darn well, after a few days of not so good vibes.
Annie rang me from Seattle, which I was really made up with. We have near as damn it finalised the new class changes and I am so excited.
I also complete my Zsiage DT projects and am really chuffed with them. I will post a sneaky peak later.
I received a couple of emails from the Aussie scrappers, complimenting me on my work, which is always a great boost to ones confidence. I suffer greatly with self confidence and especially my craft. So many talented girls out there to keep up with, but then that is good and keeps us all on our toes!
I received a phone call from a much loved girlfriend in Sussex who is coming to visit us on Thursday for lunch! How cool is that? We spoke about all the stuff that had gone on in our life's this year and realised as soon as life is good, something comes along and hits you where it hurts.
Well that happened to em last night. I received a phone call from my dad's home, he was being rushed back into hospital. This time with pneumonia and heart murmurs. My poor poor dad, I am calming then last time but on auto pilot i reckon, although the tears start to flow unexpected.
Dad has MS and it has now spread to his throat, causing him difficulties in swallowing, coughing and speech. His speech has deteriorated so much in the last few weeks, i can barely here him talk these days.
So I leave you with a rather dashing photo of my Dad as a young boy. A much loved brother by his sister, who reminisced today about the times they used to go up to the west end and watch the old movies.
I love you Dad
hugs
Anna xx

A few things to keep you posted on while I remember.
Retreats are popping up all the time and I am honored to be asked to be a part of then.
In September I am hosting my first Scrapping Angels retreat in Bury St Edmunds and cannot wait as I will be working alongside such great talents, Emily Falconbridge and Anne Hafferman.
October takes me to Lockerbie where I will be teaching at the Luxurious Angels retreat, and in November I am sponsoring a class and setting a challenge for the Scrappers Unlimited ladies!!!who I believe are a mad bunch of ladies.
I am loving it. So retreat hosts I am free from November if anyone's needs a teacher!

Fab news also today, booked my place and Annies on the photography School course in reading for October, and I am so excited. Also Mel may come along as well, which would just be brill, although Freddie did say no more scrappers he couldn't handle it!! What is he trying to say about us?

Did a DNA personality test today, for a bit of fun,! pop your cursor over the colour blocks to see my results.
have a go, for the laugh of course, and then go and do your tag you're it layout, and post me a link!!


see you all tomorrow
hugs
Anna x

Yeah, Lilly made the back cover of Scrapbook Inspirations, I know don't laugh I should be excited about a front cover, but Lilly looks so coot , I have to bang my own drum here.
That's my Lilly in the bottom corner sporting a rather fetching T shirt. Doesn'y she look so adorable and coot? To read and see more you must grab your copy of Scrapbook Inspirations next month.
Finished a deadline today, wohoo!!!!

BIG ANNOUCEMENT TIME

Has had an enormous confidence boost!! Today we went to watch Izzy on her last day at swimming. She has taken a swimming crash course. Izzy cant swim and hates swimming pools, and some of you may remember from my post the other day how scared she was when I took her on Monday for that first lesson. Well today we watched, aided, Izzy swim the length of the pool and the width of the pool using breast stroke!!! We are so utterly proud of her. Lilly was clapping and Peter, myself and Izzy were beaming. She has conquered her greatest fear!! Booked for regular lessons on a Saturday now to keep this enthusiasm going. I don't think she passed the course as she still couldn't put her face under water. But hey, we will practice that in the bath for next time!
Well from swimming the length of the pool, she now decides to take off her stabilizer and learn to ride her bike today!! And she has only nearly conquered that as well!!
Check out this neat video footage I took on my camera. It is Izzy's birthday next month and a new bike is in order as she has totally outgrown this one. Lilly can ride this bike!!!

Well that's all folks. The weekend beckons, the girls are of to see Nana so I can complete deadlines, and Monday is a bank holiday and we will have some family time together without deadlines looming!!
hugs
Anna x

PS: Don't forget the tag challenge. Take a blog tag and pop it onto a LO, then send me a link xx

As I have nothing much to report, here are a couple of layouts as I have only managed to add snippets prior. The first is my layout I did with kit#6 the cherry artes kit. I love this paper, and the kit was a great success. This months is Sassafrass Lass complete with stamps and button chipboard!!! Its scrummylicious. Preview this weekend!!
And then the layout I did for Annies challenge, in all its glory!

Izzy is doing really well with her swimming lessons, and tomorrow we get to spectator, and I cannot wait!! For someone who went white as a sheet at the mention of swimming now thinks its FANTASTIC!!! After 1 lesson I might add. I am so proud of her.
Only a next week left of the summer holidays, it really has flown by., with still so much to pack in! How can anyone dread the holidays for the boredom factor, I haven't had enough time with them yet!!

The best news of today is I have booked Annie and I on the much raved about photography course in reading that Kirsty, Anita and Natalie have been on, so I cannot wait. Yes Annie I confirmed our booking today, wohoo!! They will make a photographer out of us yet!!
And the bad news of the day is poor Sue and her family were involved in a car accident. They are all safe and well, but as always it is the after shock that brings tears and upset. I was supposed to be going down and doing an overnight stay with Sue this weekend but that has been put on hold due to these very unfortunate circumstances. Big hugs to you all.

The Angel Kiss range is causing a stir and I was able to send some good news to my trade customers today. Hopefully the first of many!
I have worked for a year on the concept, colours and designs with the factory overseas and although I was unable to secure any copyright due to funds, hopefully this will all change soon and the Angel Kiss brand will be a household name.
So watch this space.

I am off to my snuggly bed as my wrist is playing up and typing is proving a bit sore now
hugs all
Anna x

Yes that's all of you. Inspired by blog tags and a layout by Ann(I)e I challenged you to do a layout using a blog tag or any tag for that matter that you may have received or why not use the one in my post below
Send me a link to your layout, I would love to see how you have interpretated the tag!
Here is my layout. Using Basic Grey scraps, MM foam stamps and rubons, jewels, circle punches, Junkitz foam stamps, and lots of other odd stamps in my box of goodies!
Looking forward to seeing you ideas, don't forget to send me a link
hugs
Anna xx

Yay I did it. I managed to complete the first Ali Edwards challenge on Annie's blog. I used Sassafrass Lass papers, MM rubons, Lil Davies wooden flower and a Stamps Away stamp. There is journalling on the strips (not in photo) which reads "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air, quaint little viallages here and there", Lyrics taken from "Vertigo" by Groove Armada.

To be fair I was on holiday when she started these. But I have completed the first and am ready to start on the 2nd challenge. Here are some snippets as the light was not very good and my photo's were bad!!!

I have also been tagged by Beth and Roz , thanks girls!

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
In the UK I would choose the Lake District, Europe would be the South of France or maybe New England in the US
2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
nothing at the moment as I have too much weight to loose, but I use to love a pair of jeans I had when I was a skinny person!
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
Arms
4. What's the last CD that you bought?
Orson
5. Where's your favorite place to be?
With my family
6. Where's your least favorite place to be?Anywhere without the people I love around me, I am a peoples person
7. What's your favorite place to be massaged?
lower back
8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
Mind, I am feeble when it comes to body strength
9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
around 7.30 ish unless one of the girls wakes me before
10. What is your favorite Kitchen appliance?
wok
11. What makes you really angry?
Lack of respect, and liars
12. If you could play an instrument what would it be?
I can play an instrument , I play the flute but would love to learn to play the piano
13. Favorite colour?.
natural earthy colours for interiors, but I have a love for all things pink since I had the girls!
14. Sports car or SUV?
Sports car
15. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes
16. Favorite children's book?
The Velveteen Rabbit
17. What's your favorite season?
I love Autumn, the colours and crisp air
18. What is your least favorite household chore?
Cleaning toilets!
19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be?
to make the days longer
20. If you have a tattoo what is it?
I don't have any
21. Can you juggle?
No
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
Penny
24. What's in the boot of your car?
Christmas presents from ELC
25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
Sushi, everytime

I tag sue, anam, trish and anyone that fancies having ago at a challenge (see below)
I think I may use this tag for a Layout actually, its a good way to do an About Me page. Infact I challenge you to do just that. Take a blog tag and turn it into a LO about YOU. Annie did a tag LO for TSBM, from a tag I sent her, and I loved it.
I will get mine done tomorrow and upload. So go on, a quick and easy LO to add to your About ME album!
Send me a link to your layout, I would love to see your interpretations

hugs
Anna x

No I can't believe it has been a year since we packed our bags and made the journey 250 miles south to our new abode here in Southoe, Cambridge. And not regretting a minute.
I cannot believe what has happened in just 1 year

moved house
Izzy started school
fire in the kitchen!
Dad moves to cambridegshire
my back operation
Peter home every night and more !!!!
Angel kisses launched
meeting family for the first time
making the winner list for BOB 2006
meeting cyber friends
first front cover January 2006 (creative scrapbooking)

and so much more......

It is times like this that I reflect on what has been achieved and try and put aside what has not been achieved and life really isn't that bad.
And now our 2nd year brings us more firsts

Lilly starts nursery
Izzy moves to year 1
Angel Kisses go global!
Scrapping Angels first retreat

life is exciting is it not?!

Izzy on the beach

Friday we went over to see the Deacons, and had a lovely day, I even got 10 minutes to scrap! Yes I have started the Ali Edward challenges on Ann(I)e's blog, so will be uploading my creations.
I have a "to do list" as long as my arm , leg and torso at the moment, and I will get through it. Mostly letters to friends and family to include photo's and the usual magazine deadlines to complete and my Zsiage DT for this month need to be completed.
Talking about Zsiage, I have been given a sneak peek of their CHA releases and they are stunning, cannot wait to get my inky mitts on them.
Spoke to a very dear and amazing cyber friend the other night as well, infact 2 hours of natter and scrapping chat was shared. Much fun was had.

Sunset on St Ives

Izzy starts her swimming lessons next week, and at the moment this is proving a sore subject s she doesn't want to attend them. Bribing of becoming the best in body boarding and the coolest surf chic around may sway her ;)
I hear the sounds of "The Yellow Brick Road" beckoning me from the living room, as the Bowkis's sing at the top of their voices the words of "Wizard of Oz"
May try and pop on later with my Ali challenge
Have a lovely Sunday
Hugs
Anna xxxx

(anyone else having problems uplaoding piccies to blogger?)

Yes we are home and really glad to be back. Had a fab holiday, saw loads, did loads and traveled loads!!!
I think I took about 800 photo's, so beware as I start to sneak a few of my favs in my posts over the next few days! This is one of my favorites and the only picture I have of my girls together!!! I love it and it sums up our holiday perfectly. So look out friends and family as you will be getting a copy in the post shortly. I really like this photo of me and Peter as well, taken by the talented Izzy!!! She is so darn good with a camera, as well as body boarding, dancing, being so pretty, I love my little girl. I could scrap a whole album on Izzy and the beach, bless her.

Although it is good to be back, it does mean I have had to answer hundreds of emails. And get back to the thick of it straight away.
Can you believe there are only a few weeks until the first Scrapping Angels Retreat??? I have lots still to do but am so excited as well. Received scrummy post by Cathy Zielske with the prize for your first pre crop challenge, how exciting is that!!!!

Creative Scrapbooking issue 19 has eventually made it to the newsstand and is a fab issue, lots of great projects, and a really arty project on doodling by Anita Mundt that I love!! I have a really exciting project on Clippy Kit bags , really enjoyed doing them. I am offering to the first 8 customers who spend over £10 on the website a free copy, feeling still in the holiday mood!! Also check out the gallery of inspiration as my very dear friend and talented scrapper sue has her first and most deserved layout published, well done babes.
What's everyone been up too? Have you been doing the Ali Edwards challenges on Ann(i)e's blog? I am raring to go and will get stuck into these in the next few weeks. So Ann(i)e if you are reading , let me catch up please!!! mwahahahhaha
Of to see Sue tomorrow for a day out with the girls. Looking forward to that as it always includes a little shopping, heheheheh
Ok that's me for now, must get cracking on packing orders, placing orders, emails, catching up on all my fav blogs as well
Blogger is being a pain in the butt, so I have used a free hosting site to upload some pics, also i havnt had the time to edit them either
hugs
Anna xxx

We arrived in Portsmouth yesterday afternoon after 6 hours on the road!!!! glad to be at Auntie Iris's and meet more family.
Today we headed over to the docks and visited HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose. What a fantastic day of history we have had. The Warrior was the most advanced warship of its time in the world, the 1st iron clad warship built in1860's. HMS Victory is the infamous flagship of Lord Horatio Nelson that won the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It has been about 25 years since I last visited with my school!!
The girls were wonderful and actually enjoyed their day, especially Lilly and the canons!!
We then headed to the funfair and all ended up on some wave ride that gets adults soaking wet.
We are leaving tomorrow night for a night drive back to Cambridge. I am really ready to get home now and sleep in my bed, but have also had a lovely 2 weeks away.
Lots of scrapping to look forward too as I have taken hundreds of photos.
Did you get away Annie? or have our airport security left you deserted again?
And I cannot believe we have only 5 weeks until our first Scrapping Angels retreat, wohoo!!!!!
Watch your inbox angels as a newsletter will be heading your way in the next few weeks!
Photo is of the HMS Warrior figure head, not taken by me, I may add but pinched from the web
Until Wednesday blogettes, and lots of photos of my little surf dudes!
hugs
anna xxxx

Having a lovely time in sunny cornwall, qauint bays, beaches and alleys to photograph, although Peter claims we are on holiday with a 5th member!!!!
Izzy is learning to body board and is becoming a real surf dude, with a hair wrap, henna tattoo, and ankle bearcelets and taht sun kissed look!
Lilly is not so impressed and has spent most of her time asleep in the tent or digging holes
Lands End tomorrow for the classic photo!
Lots and lots of photos to share which I may be able to do before we return.
The wedding was fantastic and the girls made lots of new friends, Peter and I reminisced about our own wedding day and stolen kisses were had!
Our own anniversary was spent in a tex mex and a few drinks to many!
Last night we watched the sun set, how fantastic was that.
A few messages :
Karen and Gillian please text me home adresses
Annie and Kirsty have a fantastic holiday
And anyone who has order queires I will be getting back to you on my return next week

Big hugs to you all, hope to pop on again with photos before the weekend is over
Anna xxxx

This is the new bloom to be added to the Angel Kiss range which is set to grow over the next few months. Available in 3" and 4" in over 15 colours!!!
I have been in talks with the factory all day, and I am excited with the future of the Angel Kiss range of flowers. It has been a hard slog, I have been burnt on the way, and I am learning to keep my lips sealed from now on!! I just get too carried away with all my excitement.
Anyways, go and check out the site as the new smaller daisy I have been waiting for has at last arrived and in some gorgeous colours , including the much awaited black and white.
And don't forget FREE P&P on all our Angel Kisses. Have you been kissed yet?!

Well we are off on our holidays tomorrow after I have packed all the trade and shop orders. We will be stopping off in Portsmouth for a wedding we have on Saturday and then down to Cornwall for a much needed break. I will be logging in while I am away with photos of glorious Cornwall.
I will pop on tomorrow before we leave as I have some coot photos of the girls to bore you with

Hugs all and thanks Ann(I)e for a lovely day yesterday
Anna xx

Cherry Arte papers and new stamps by Stamps Away, and I can't even show you a sneaky peek of the layout as it is a project for a magazine, sorry.
I have down 2 layouts this past few days using the new Cherry Arte papers. Love the Tropics (do check out the page kit I have on the site) and today putting the finishing touches to a double layout using the Party Days papers. Very retro, orange and blues, a very un me combo but I love it. Also am loving the new stamps by Stamps Away designed by Ali and Paul Reeve, my fav has got to be the flower blooms to the moment as they work so well with the Party Day papers. In fact I love them so much I have to get them in for the shop with the Above Board collection of chipboard , which again features heavily on this layout.

Off to see Ann(I)e tomorrow, just Annie and me shopping , chatting and lots of coffee. I cannot wait, need a breath of fresh air and Annie has that to give and so much more. Also she has made a not so little secret public now and I am overjoyed, so do pop on over to her blog. Congrats to you all.

I am sure I will have photos tomorrow of stash, stash, stash, maybes starbuck coffee and Annie

have fun
hugs
Anna
xxxx

Oh so many scrummy things coming out of CHA. I don't even know where to begin!.
I have ordered some Junkitz due at the end of August. Have an order waiting to go to Fancy Pants and Crate Papers, but I am supposed to be winding things down with BumbleBee Crafts to concentrate on the trade business and the Angel Kisses. It is all to tempting for lil olde me!
So what does a girl do?

Well this week is manic and very busy as we are off on our hols Friday afternoon. Firstly stopping off in Portsmouth for a wedding on Saturday and then continuing along the coast to St Ives for 10 glorious days of sun, sand and summer frolics with the girls. But before all that, I have a couple of deadlines to post, Izzy to chaperone to her dance workshop everyday this week, speech therapy summer school on Tuesday and Thursday, packing, banking, post office, dry cleaners, visit my dad a couple of times and pop over to see Ann(I)e and do a spot of retail therapy shopping in the form of scrap shopping and coffee.
Peter is on a course in London and will be back tomorrow evening, the girls have really missed him, they are so used to him being at home.

Photo today of Mr Cricket and Mrs Moth. We were lucky to have him visit last year and he is back again. Izzy is beside herself with joy, bless her! Haven't the heart to tell her its most likely to be a different cricket;) Mrs Moth was on the window inside the house and she looked so pretty I had to get the camera out and snap her!
Night night
hugs
Anna x

Its all over for another year!!! What a weekend it has been.
12 of the Bowkis men and relatives tee'd off at 10am on Saturday and returned to a house of children, friends and family at 4pm. In that time, I chopped, diced, marinated and decorated 2 cheese cakes, filled numerous sandwiches with the help of nana and Linda.
The bouncy castle arrived at 8.15am and unfortunately could not be picked up until the next morning, as if we minded !!!!!! The bouncy castle must have been the best thing we did for the party, I reckon everyone must had had a turn on it at some point on the day.
The face painting was a hit with all the girls and at night the agrden was lit up by lanterns ,fairy lights and neon glow bracelets.
My dad, although looking tired and not his best, had a lovely afternoon with us, despite the taxi being an hour late due to road closure on the A1. I don't think I have seen my dad eat so much since he was here for Christmas lunch.
And once again this month, I met another bunch of relatives for the first time. I am so lucky. It had slipped Peters mind that his cousin Dinah is a professional sports photographer!!!! Err excuse me, how could you forget that. I had lots of great conversation on cameras, composition and CS2. Looks like I have to have a DSLR, and I now cant make my mind up between the Canon EOS or a Nikon D70, oh decisions decisions. I think they will have to wait until I have complete a photography course and I have saved some pennies!
the funniest moment of the day, was starting the BBQ at 6pm, wind change and the farmer finishing his harvesting off. Yes that means being blown to smothers and looking like a scarecrow, a house covered in sawdust as well as all the food!!! Thank goodness Peters family would let nothing spoil their day, and being such a fun loving and down to earth family, what is a bit of wind and straw between friends?!

Today was the monthly crop. Had an absolutely wonderful day, complete with Coffee walnut cake, thanks Kerry, a dash of baby Emily, some exclusive stamp designs courtesy of Stamps Away and gorgeous new chipboad designs by Above Board, lots of coffee and scrapping and fab company. Thank you to everyone who came, I had a lovely day, and actually scrapped. Although I cannot post as it is a project for a magazine.

Busy week ahead as we depart on Friday for a wedding in Portsmouth and then off to Cornwall on Sunday to stay at Linda and John's cottage in St Ives. I still have deadlines to complete, packing, a house to clean after the sawdust storm, LOL, and Izzy to taxi here there and everywhere, she starts a week long dance and drama workshop this week and has speech therapy summer school, busy busy.
Until tomorrow friends
big hugs
Anna x

I know, yet again I am up until the wee small hours of the morning finishing layouts. But here is only a sneak, because I have scanned this on an A4 printer, so you only have a section!! Titled "Girl Power"
This layout has been done using the July Scrapping Angels kit and the 1st of our monthly page kits. This months manufacturer is Cherry Artes. My first LO using their papers. I love this new collection, it is so bright and cheerful, and aptly names "tropics".
I have been busy all day preparing delights for tomorrows big party and BBQ. My infamous cheesecake is chilling, a scrummy summer fruits salad is chilling, chilli is resting and I am about to go and marinade some checked for kebabs. Pinnate has been filled, gazebo is up, tables are prepared, lights, lanterns all ready to go, and the bouncy castle arrives at 8.15 in the morning. Yes you heard right!!!!
I of course will still be in bed ;)
Guess I had better go and marinade the chicken and head for my bed.
Been very naughty and have purchased lots of scrummy CHA goodies, like Junkitz and Fancy Pants. I think I have been and gone to heaven with this range from Fancy pants!!! And the BIG and Biggest chipboard is stunning. I have had to order the lot!!! So watch out as I will have to do some pre order lists for you, so you dont miss out!!
Hopefully I shall get on at some point over the weekend to update with photos and such
big hugs
Anna xx

Its harvest time, and our first harvest. Last night when we got home our farmer was out harvesting the field that our house backs onto. Lilly was beside herself as we watched the combine harvester do its thing. Sadly we were interrupted by a big thunder storm. Living here means thunderstorms cause absolute disruption, so no internet, no sky TV and often no electric! The girls didn't get to bed till 10pm as they were a little scared, especially Lilly.

Today Lilly has been helping Lynn out in the garden. Covered from head to toe in mud, and down for an afternoon snooze. Bless her all that gardening wore her out.
I on the other hand have been in talks with one of my editors, and I am so excited about some of the projects I have lined up.

Its late, I am knackered, I have kits to put together and design for Sunday and the new monthly page kits we have that will be dispatched on Monday. I start all the preparations for the Summer party on Saturday as well. I leave you with a layout I have done for Zsiage DT. This is using their charity papers, and were perfect for the Race for Life pictures I took of Gillian at the beggining of the month. I hope Gillian likes this as she hasn't seen it!

Night all
hugs
Anna xx

In the words of Nat King Cole, sang word for word by Lilly to cheer me up. My girls are the best!!!
Izzy did us a picnic lunch of jam sandwiches, crisps, iced gems , jaffa cakes and carrots, washed down with some diet coke, and Lilly sang to me. I love my girls so so much. Nothing or no one will ever change my love for them. After another bad day via emails this time, (glad I could spare you all the drama!!), it has left me with a bad taste in my mouth and a feeling of utter disappointment. It just leaves me to realize who I do love and who loves me, and that is what makes me happy today. My 2 beautiful girls proved that to me. I also received a beautiful
handmade card by my girls to cheer me up :)

Packed orders today, and finished some DT work. I am pleased with what I did with my Zsiage papers. Very different to what I normally scrap with but a challenge. I do love their chipboard though, so both my layouts got a splash of chips!! Sneak peak of 1 of my layouts.

Its non stop this week, as I start pulling together the final arrangements for this weekends family get together. Now honestly, I don't have a mansion or a massive garden, but it will play host to the Bowkis clan and friends complete with my version of a fun fair. Izzy is beside herself with excitement and has made about 28 cards (such good timing Karen!) with some pound stretcher embellishments. Now don't knock me, I was pretty impressed!

Early start tomorrow as Izzy has summer school with speech therapy, off to see grandad and then to pick up the BBQ and Karoki machine!! Wohoo, better get some practice in, I cannot sing for toffee!!

Big hugs to all and thanks for everyone's kind words of support.
Big hugs go out to you Caroline and your family in Lebanon, I am thinking of you Hun.
Anna xx

mmm, now where does one start today. It seems my post yesterday has hit a nerve with my sister!!! Who has not made contact with me in nearly 3 years. I am not going to turn my personal blog into a public argument with my sister and a battle of words about who said what.So Mandy if you are reading this, do email me at albowkis@hotmail.com. It seems such a sad state of affairs that after all this time and no interest in me, a comment is made on my blog now, and not praising me, congratulated me, sending best wishes to your sick father or a comment with regards to your nieces but a comment on an issue you have very little knowledge about. I could go on and on, but I will not bring my blog into this!!

So back to what makes me happy!!!
I scrapped today. I have eventually done my DT projects for Zsiage. I am only giving a sneak peek until they go live on their website. ( blogger will not let me upload more than 1 picture ggrrr)
This evening we had another gorgeous walk through the fields. It is so peaceful and calm around here, I do so love it.
The girls have been busy today and kept very active for the first day of the summer holidays! We have also all had haircuts. Izzy has had a drastic cut to her shoulders. Don't all shoot me down yet. She needed a good cut for the summer. But bless her she is not very happy and want's her long hair back and asked if I could stick it back!
I was off to visit Ann(I)e tomorrow but I have had to postpone to next week, as always I am behind with deadlines, mainly with all the going owns of last week. Also the BBQ is this weekend, I have lots of list's to make and we are having a mini funfair in the garden, complete with bouncy castle, face painting, jugglers, lucky dip and lots more. Any tips on catering for 50?, and if you have BBQ sauce recipes and marinades please pass them on too.
I am also teaching in October at Angel Craft's retreat in Scotland. Pop on over for more details of this luxury retreat in Scotland
that's me done for tonight.
Hugs
Anna x

July has been an amazing month for me and my family.
a little background so things become clearer. I don't speak to my mum or sister, and haven't for 3 years, not due completely to myself, but they have made no effort to see the girls, and this upsets both peter and I. My mum and I have had a very traumatic relationship from the start to be honest and my mum and dad divorced when we were young and we never say my dads side of the family. So back to the present day, no contact with my mum, my dad is now closer to me, and I have now met Steve my cousin, and today my Auntie Rita came to visit us and Dad with my cousin Jacqui who I last saw when I was about 9!!!! This has just been brilliant. Jacqui and I have so much in common and I am dead jealous as she came armed with a Canon EOS!!
It has been so lovely being a round family that I have never really had a relationship with and whom have so much love to give. A layout is sooo in the making of this photo of me and Jacqui. Infact I am going to ask her if I can use this picture of us for a project I have to do for a magazine.
Next weekend we have the family BBQ and 50 relatives of Peter arrive at ours in the afternoon on Saturday. Another bunch of relatives whom I will be meeting for the first time! Can you actually believe it. Its is truly fantastic. I don't think my Dad knows what has hit him this month!He was so overwhelmed at seeing his sister today. It has been nearly a year since they last saw each other. My Auntie is also registered disabled so does struggle getting aroud and my Uncle Don is a poorly man these days after a stroke a year or so ago.

I am also excited about the new angel kisses arriving this week. New sizes in the daisy and also more black!!!

Off to plan my layout now and catch up with you all tomorrow
big hugs
Anna xx

Hello summer holidays, goodbye reception year. My baby girl has just completed her 1st year at school and will go back in September a year 1 student!!!
I am so proud of her, so to finish of her year with a bang we went to Brewsters for dinner with the girls!
Here are some photo of the accordion book I did for Izzy's teacher. I used Sassafrass Lass papers and stamps.

Crumbs I have just spent hours coming across a fab web template sight and have just purchased 2 templates. I will be launching my own personal site soon. Hopefully this will be good for my profile and prospective publishers!!!
Also I now hope I can get the Scrapping Angels site off the ground.
More good news has come in, I will be designing my own embellishments and expanding exclusive to me, the Angel Kisses line of flowers and blooms. I am not saying anymore and keeping it all under wraps for the big reveal in February 2007, when I will be launching some fantastic product lines at the NEC. I am very excited about this.

Saw my Dad today and apart from struggling with the humidity he is continuing to improve, thank you all again for your good wishes and pm's, I am very touched

Well the weekend is here, it is still swelting in Southoe, and I will still be pounding out the deadlines this weekend
Have a scrappy weekend blogettes
hugs
Anna xxx

To each and everyone of you who emailed, pmed, left a comment or rang me. I have been overwhelmed by my real friends and cyber friends concern and generosity with your words. Thank you all so much
It is a funny old world isn't it. I have been up to the hospital several times in the last 48 hours and have bumped into a customer, a friend and a teacher all visiting close ones who are extremely poorly. It really does put life intop some perspective
My Dad is thankfully been returned to the nursing home, although not without a formal complaint being made by myself due to the negligence I feel has been made.
In weather like this my Dad arrived on a ward , 3 hours later and still no water (he was dehydrated!) and was left in his own mess, is the most polite why I can write this. My poor dad is a man with some dignity and is double incontinent of which they know, as I told them on numerous occasions. So he did have water, a fan and clean clothes and sheets by the time I left, poor thing
apologies now to all my editors, I have been so pre occupied I haven't worked for a couple of days, I will be back on form and getting stuff to you.
Photos today are of Izzy and her teacher, who I think the world off. Her husband is riddled with cancer and she always has a cheery smile on for the children. Izzy and I will be making a teachers present tonight in the form of a mini book where a copy of this photo will be placed.
Good deliveries today, I received these 2 CD's from Tescos Jersey.
Thanks again to you all, I am very lucky to have so many people I can call friends
hugs
Anna xx

Do you ever have those days when you feel like the world is against you?
The last few days has definitely been mine. I feel like every thing I have put my heart and soul in is being picked on by someone bigger and leaving me in the shadows. A good heart to heart with a best friend and a colleague who is much more a friend , helped my put some of my business worries into perspective, and hopefully with a little planning, my ideas, I should hopefully get back on track.
Last night I had a phone call I have been dreading. My Dad's nursing home ran at 8.30 pm asking me to come in straight away. My poor Dad looked helpless and very poorly. He was taken into hospital last night with me right by his side, and I got home at 2am. This morning I visited Dad and he is off the oxygen and looking better if not still week and frail. My darling Lilly came with me and brighten my Dads day. I am off again as soon as Peter gets back from work.
I have lost all my creativity and mojo at the moment, and need my friends around me. It is times like this that I miss Newcastle.
But I must put on a brave face and a stiff upper lip like us English feel we should and soldier on, LOL
How are you coping with this heat? It hit 38c here!!
Check out the new page kits on the site as well at £6.99!!
A BIG thank you to Anam for my new blog header, I love it!!!!!
Keep cool
hugs
Anna x

I have actually scrapped and finished 2 CJ's I had to do, so feeling really good about that. Peter took the girls out this afternoon so I could complete a deadline and have some quiet time to get on with things.
Its been another scorcher of a day, and Lilly this morning kitted herself out in roller boots, helmet and kneepads (courtesy of Izzy BTW!) and was aptly named Poiya Poiya Girl, due to what she says when saving the world and beating up monsters!! What a girl!


The layout I did today was a sketch challenge on The Lounge by Becky Fleck. I love this sketch and wanted to scrap this photo and the my sassafras Lass papers and stamps.
The journaling is hidden and reads :

I was suffering badly from depression
when this photo was taken.
A beautiful winter's day walk around
the farm with you made all my
worries fade away. There is something
about you Lilly that makes me smile
regardles of how I feel. I will
always treasure this special gift,
the gift of life
love mummy xxxxx

I used some of the Heidi Swapp kit from Costco's and my sewing machine. I just adore the ghost hearts, they are so cute!

Did you all have a lovely weekend?
Big hugs
Anna xx