A LO!

managed to get a LO done today after being up nearly half the night with a very restless little girl who just couldn't sleep! I wish her teeth would just hurry up and come through! She ended up being really tired this afternoon and just wouldn't stop screaming so I laid her on the floor on her back to wait for her to calm down but she flipped over on to her tummy and then went to sleep two minutes later!

45 minutes later she woke up in an infinitely better mood than she was in previously!

This is a really pretty outfit I bought her in Primark last week for the grand total of £4 for a lilac cord dress and flowery top! Well, someone in this house has to wear dresses or skirts and it definitely won't be me!

Anyway the LO I mentioned above was a really quick one about Jess's eyelashed although the photo doesn't show them that clearly.

Used: DCWV cardstock, KI Memories and DCWV papers, MM colorboard sticker (beautiful), Heidi Swapp chipboard alphabet (lashes), Heidi Grace stickers (sweet, baby, heart, flower, bird), various ribbons and white brads, Marvy pen.

I've now done 8 cards using the gorgeous kit that Sarah sent me and hopefully I'll get to share with you soon. In the meantime I'm off for a mooch around some challenge blogs to try and catch up.

Another weigh-in

Took Jess to the baby clinic today and she is now 7.92 kg (17lb 7oz).

We don't think it will be long til she's crawling! When we lie her down on the floor now she immediately flips over on to her tummy then presses her head against the floor to bring her bum up in the air more and starts trying to use her feet to propel herself forwards!

When she is mobile we're going to end up with the old MDF barrier separating the lounge and dining room so we can keep the boys and their Lego safely away from tiny hands as well as keeping my craft area and the PC desk away from the same little hands!

Anyway here's a pic of her taken today - can't believe she'll be 24 weeks old on Sunday!

Di's sketch Sept #4

It's Wednesday again and time for another of Di's card sketches.

Here's my card which Matthew will actually be giving a classmate tomorrow:

Used: DCWV cardstock, DCWV Nana's Kids papers, American Crafts thicker sticker (6), Scrapworks Rubz, Primas, ribbon and glass rocaille beads.

Still nothing else to show as have been having a lovely time playing with my Sarah's cards kit !

Having a lovely time......

trawling the internet and downloading free and paid for digital papers and my - aren't there some gorgeous ones out there! I never really bothered looking before as digi scrapping just doesn't interest me but now the thoght of being able to print out all this stuff excites me! I spent a fortune on Lettering Delights yesterday and have a basket sat full of digi papers on TwoPeas at the moment! I think I really need to go on Ebay and stock up on printer cartridges soon! No cards/ LOs to show at the moment. I have made a few cards but can't show them as they're DT stuff. You'll just have to wait - LOL! :)

CPS #31

Haven't done a CPS card for a while so while I had some spare time this morning I've had a go at #31 Used: DCWV cardstock, DCWV papers from this year's Christmas stack, Carolee's Creations paper (blue), Creative Imaginations Marah Johnson Christmas rub-ons, Papermania brad, ribbon and sewing thread. OH is going out for a walk later so I'm hoping the boys can amuse Jess for a while so i can catch up on some more challenges/sketches etc!

So here it is...

the LO I made with the free Festival papers from Shabby Princess and I love it!!!

Used: Bazzill cardstock, Festival papers downloaded from Shabby Princess.com, K&Co Small Wonders paper (journalling), flowers cut from Fancy Pants paper and faux leather bought from bargain shop, title cut by hand using Cooper Black font, journalling using Gigi font downloaded from internet, Heidi Grace Urban Acres Blvd clear stamps, Colorbox chalk ink ( sienna), ribbon and rhinestones.

This is the first time I've printed out my journalling in a long, long time. In fact going back to August last year I can't see a single Lo that has printed journalling on, they've all been handwritten! I think it's probably because by the time I'd decided which font to use, what colour to print it, what to print it on, what size to do it...... that I'd jsut run out of time and end up having to see to the kids. Now Jess is a bit more settled I can spend a bit more time on my LOs (she says with her tongue in cheek and fingers firmly crossed!)

At last

I have a LO to upload!!!

Used: Bazzill cardstock, English Paper Company paper, Heidi Grace alphabet and heart stickers, cheap chipboard flower, K&CO sticker (simple pleasures) , MM colorboard sticker (angel), Deja Views sticker (so cute), Papermania photo anchor, Dovecraft brad, tiny beads, Colorbox chalk ink (wisteria), Lil Davis stamp (Love Affair) and Studio G stamp.

Have been busy today tidying and trying to re-organize my workspace. Hoping that Neil will fetch an old bedside chest of drawers down out of the roof later to add to my collection in the corner of what should be the dining room!

Was also busy last night looking at free digital paper downloads to try printing out for use in hybrid LOs and cards and came across some lovely ones. Have actually started another LO using papers downloaded from Shabby Princess and will hopefully finish that later if Jess goes to sleep nicely tonight!

Oooh yum!!!!!!

I've just had the most delicious box of goodies delivered but I can't share with you yet! LOL! Sarah from Sarah's Cards asked me to be a Guest Designer for one of her card kits (insert a huge smiling face here!) and I now have the box sat in front of me. Unfortunately I can't get started straight away because the house needs cleaning as my parents are popping in later!!!! When I'm able to share with you I will!

Di Hickman's card sketch Sept #3

So it's Wednesday again and time for Di's card sketch. Here's my card:

I used: DCWV cardstock, DCWV paper (from Christmas stack), Technique Tuesday stamps (Loves me, loves me not), red-gold Brilliance ink, Scrapworks Rubz, a button and a red Sakura Micron pen.

Hopefully will be back to crafting with a vengeance soon - have been suffering with a cold and with Jess having one too it's led to loads of sleepless nights and not much done during the day!

Loadsa cards!

Had a really bad night with Jess last night and only got to spend about 2 hours in bed! Ended up falling asleep while watching the Grand Prix this afternoon but have managed to finish all my cards for a card swap I'm in> Some of the pics aren't too great as they were all scanned instead of photographed and the lumpiness of some has distorted colours etc: Used: DCWV cardstock, A2Z papers (thanks Marja!), scalloped punch, Creative Imaginations stickers, rhinestones and black pen. Used: KI Memories papers, DCWV cardstock, various ribbons, Studio G stamps and rhinestones. Used: DCWV cardstock, 3 Bugs in a Rug paper, SEI paper, various ribbon, Hero Arts clear stamps, rhinestones. Used: Bazzill cardstock, KI Memories papers, Font= CKFunky, Prismacolor pencils, sewing machine, Techinque Tuesday straight and narrow stamps, black Brilliance ink, ribbon, MM brads. Used: DCWV cardstock, KI Memories paper, Technique Tuesday straight and narrow stamp, black Brilliance ink, flower, button

Used: Bazzill cardstock, Dovecraft paper, BG rub-on, white ric-rac and white Signo pen.

Ooops!!!

Mum's birthday is on Monday which means her card needs to be posted tomorrow! That's all well and good but up until a few hours ago I hadn't even thought of making it! Luckily I know she likes "cute" stuff and I have loads of Penny Black stamped images I bought on Ebay so I made this Used: DCWV cardstock, embossed handmade paper, DCWV floral paper, Penny Black stamped image, Prismacolour pencils and blender, chalk, Prima flower, Papermania and DCWVbrads, Papermania rub-on greeting, Fontwerks bracket stamp and Brilliance red-gold ink. Have been a bit quiet on the blog front for the past few days as Jess is still being really clingy and waking up a lot during the night. The sooner her teeth appear the better as at the moment she's not feeding much during the day because she's in apin and then waking up at night because she's hungry! Have managed to make a few cards this week as I have 12 to make for a swap - have done 6 so far and hoping to finish the rest tomorrow so I'll have to take pics before I mail them.

Di's sketch Sept #2

As promised here's my card for Di Hickman's Sept #2 card sketch

I used: purple corrugated card, paper from Dovecraft Christmas pack, Scrapworks clips, Font = Chachie (downloaded from internet) and various ribbons.

Don't forget to check out Di's blog and all the other card sketches and examples over there!

Nothing today.........yet

Haven't managed to get any crafting done as Jess is being really clingy during the day and not sleeping at night - ah, the joys of teething! Did finish a card on Monday but as it's for Di's card sketch I can't show you until later when Di updates her blog. Off to make a mug of decaf latte before Jess wakes up from her nap!

12" x 12"?!?!

Well, went shopping yesterday morning and then in the afternoon we all piled in to the new car and went in to "town" to buy Matthew a new car booster seat that would fit in the car better.

Jess has found her feet but with her legs being quite long can't quite reach them so grabs hold of her trouser legs instead!

I actually managed to get some food down her yesterday - she hasn't really eaten much ( apart from milk) for the last few days but thankfully she decided she liked "fruity muesli" and only woke up twice last night.

I did another layout last night after she'd gone to bed but- wait for it - it's a 12" x 12"!!!! I haven't done one in this size for absolutely ages - April 11th to be precise!

Not the best of photos but the scanner tends to play about at the moment so had to try and photograph the LO instead.

Used: Bazzill cardstock, Heidi Grace Oh so Loved papers, Chatterbox alpha stickers (scarlet) Sue Dreamer alpha stickers (green) , Creative Imaginations alpha stickers (yellow), Prima flowers, Dovecraft brads, ric-rac from collection!, Heidi Grace alpha tags, Chatterbox word stickers, ribbon, Marvy pen.

Testing!!!

OK - took another photo of the card in daylight and want to see how different it looks compared to one taken under a desk light at night time:

We have lift-off!!!!

The car insurance documents arrived this morning so this afternoon we picked up the new car - now I won't be stuck at home all day with no transport while Neil uses my car! Started re-organizing my desk last night so it's beautifully tidy - wonder how long that'll last? Only one card today made using the CPS #29 sketch which I also tied in with the UKScrappers Use Your Stash - Anna Griffin challenge.

The photo's not too great as the light's wrong at the moment - should really have left it until the morning but I'm going to do the grocery shop!

Used: old Bazzill cardstock, Anna Griffin papers, Stampsmith stamp, Versamagic malted mauve ink, lace from collection (think it was a charity shop find), photo anchors and brads, K&Co Life's Journey metal frame, Creative Imaginations clip, Marcella metal word and finally tiny alphabet stamps bought on Ebay.

Not my usual style (or colours) but I had fun doing it and am quite pleased with the results.

Di's sketch Sept #1

Don't forget to check out Di Hickman's card sketch today! Unfortunately I didn't receive the sketch this week (it's OK Di - I got this week's OK!) so my card is a bit late but here it is:

Used: generic cardstock, Fancy Pants and Junkitz papers, unknown ribbon from stash, buttons from collection, Papermania brads, Dymo and white Signo pen.

On the car front, we should be getting the cover note tomorrow after Neil rang up Admiral and complained (for that read "lost his temper"!) They wanted us to pay £7.50 to have it guaranteed next day delivery until he threatened to cancel the policy and go somewhere else.

We now have a new appointment at the garage tomorrow for 5.00pm to hopefully pick up the car so now looks like I'll be doing the weekly shop on Saturday.

Still no car!

Should have been picking up our new car from the garage last night but we're still waiting for the insurance cover note to come in the post so that the car can be taxed! Considering it was sent 1st class on Monday and still hasn't arrived we're getting a wee bit peed off! Had been planning to go out tomorrow (originally was going to go out today) but looks like I'll be waiting until Saturday when I can use my car and going to Asda for the weekly shop - whoopee!!! Made a couple of cards yesterday:

Used: DCWV cardstock, Chatterbox paper, Fancy Pants paper, black Impress ink and a couple of Creative Imaginations Christmas rub-ons.

Used: DCWV Cardstock, Chatterbox paper, Doodlebug alpha stickers, buttons from my collection and a blue Marvy pen.

Yesterday's offerings

Yet another Penny Black card!!

Used: Penny Black image coloured with Prismacolors, generic cardstock, HOTP papers from Earth Palette Creative cardmaker's pack, All Night Media stamp, black Brilliance ink, Studio G stamp, dark brown chalk ink, pearlescent brad, gems, blue ribbon.

Jess aged 4 weeks exactly. I love the way she used to sleep with her arm curled over herself like this - too cute!! Used: DCWV cardstock, Heidi Grace baby girl paper and Rob and Bob paper, Heidi Grace baby girl stickers, Paper Bliss sign sticker accent, Scrapworks Rubz, pink Magic Mesh (I have a ton of this stuff to use), DCWV transparency and gems from Ebay. The boys are back at school tomorrow so I must really sort out their bags and PE kits today and not leave it until the last minute like I always do! Will be strange not having them here during the day but hoping it'll mean that Jess can have longer naps and I can have more crafting time -well I can dream! She only woke up twice last night which is a great improvement on the 6 times that she did the other night!

2 cards.

Here's the 2 cards from yesterday. This one was done for the DCM trio of Welsh barbers dare to use 3 die cuts on a card. As I don't have any type of die-cutter (sold my QK years ago) I had to go with punches instead. It's definitely not one of my best cards and not very inventive but it'll still be used at some point. Used: generic cardstock, KI Memories paper from Funky Paper Pad, Scalloped circle punch, Primas, DCWV brads, DCWV letter stickers, black Sakura pen. This was done for the Use Your Stash - Chatterbox challenge on UKScrappers.

Used: DCWV cardstock, Chatterbox papers, Penny Black stamped image, Prismacolor pencils, MM tiny Boho Chic alpha stickers and some pearlescent brads I've had for ages.

Quick update.....

my SIL is out of hospital and recovering at home, thank God. Her husband who has to be one of the biggest male chauvinist pigs that I know is now a dab-hand with a vacuum cleaner and has started cooking too! About time too! Called the "very nice man" from the AA out on Saturday to have a look at Neil's car only to be told it was definitely terminal and needed a new engine. Seeing as we had a quote for £2000 from a garage for a new one we thought it'd be cheaper in the long run to scrap it and buy a new car. After nearly an entire weekend spent trawling around used car showrooms and getting kids and car seats in and out of cars we found exactly what we were looking for this morning and put the deposit down this afternoon. We're due to be picking it up on Wednesday afternoon - a Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0l HDI SX in blue. It had it's price dropped by £1000 this week, was the exact model that we were looking for and had quite a low mileage - Neil's terminal car has done 126,000 miles! Here's our new one:

Jess has been sleeping really badly still - last night she woke up the grand total of 6 times! Aaarrrggghhhh!!!

Boys are back to school on Wednesday - I'll miss them during the day but it'll be lovely to get back in to my routine and have the days free again! Will also be time to tidy up the house completely - not worth it when they're on holiday for 6 weeks as I'm just fighting a losing battle!

Have made a couple of cards today but the light is totally wrong to photograph them at the moment so I'll post them tomorrow - until then - goodnight!