tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43389550491501962342024-03-13T10:52:11.222+00:00Salt and PepperJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-12183873549214430282011-03-06T22:39:00.004+00:002011-03-06T22:46:22.479+00:00Corner of my Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMUhB-bwZCk/TXQNcHhQOSI/AAAAAAAACNo/tlJtC7SXofg/s1600/Mantelpiece01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UMUhB-bwZCk/TXQNcHhQOSI/AAAAAAAACNo/tlJtC7SXofg/s1600/Mantelpiece01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581100614924908834" border="0" /></a>A week ago, I looked after a friend's son for the morning when she couldn't get out of work commitments. As a thank you (which she need not have done!) she gave me this beautiful bouquet of spring tulips. I love them, especially how they bow so gracefully, and how their beautiful colours complement the bright green of their foliage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2VKflrdpSg/TXQNUAXO9nI/AAAAAAAACNg/f1NhbuLSU-w/s1600/Mantelpiece02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2VKflrdpSg/TXQNUAXO9nI/AAAAAAAACNg/f1NhbuLSU-w/s1600/Mantelpiece02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581100475564881522" border="0" /></a>I'm thinking my mantelpiece looks so nice with a vase of flowers on it, I'm going to have to keep putting flowers up once these ones have dropped their petals.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-25021529119034937002011-02-18T17:20:00.003+00:002011-02-18T17:26:24.094+00:00Happy Valentine's Week ;-)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alvWEwO4CpU/TV6qakUmgxI/AAAAAAAACNY/35A0w3coz0I/s1600/Valentine02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alvWEwO4CpU/TV6qakUmgxI/AAAAAAAACNY/35A0w3coz0I/s1600/Valentine02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575080762134659858" border="0" /></a>Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day week. Hope you got spoiled rotten by your loves, hope you found new love, and hope you spread the love!!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-35862271924477123822010-12-03T19:32:00.017+00:002010-12-04T19:30:21.273+00:00Grade One Ballet ExamIn January, I moved Holly to a new ballet school. The main reason was that her last school was in an area than meant navigating peak hour traffic to get there, and we'd had too many days of being late getting there, and one too many days being late in picking up afterwards, that we looked around for a school closer to us.<br /><br />It turned out to be the best move we could have made, her new teacher is brilliant and the difference was remarkable in Holly's dancing. They had their exam scheduled for this past Thursday, and have been having extra lessons for the past half-term. It was quite an exciting day - after it started snowing on Tuesday, we had an extra 10 cm during the night on Wednesday, and were very worried that the exam would be called off. But, luckily the examiner could get through from London, our roads were clear enough and we all made it to the exam venue with plenty of time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPoYK7m41gI/AAAAAAAACMs/vVxDk3HIpYU/s1600/Grade1Exam01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPoYK7m41gI/AAAAAAAACMs/vVxDk3HIpYU/s400/Grade1Exam01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546772467138745858" border="0" /></a>Holly and her friend arriving at the hall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPoX7BhVAuI/AAAAAAAACMk/QNLyntOMi3I/s1600/Grade1Exam02b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPoX7BhVAuI/AAAAAAAACMk/QNLyntOMi3I/s400/Grade1Exam02b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546772193848132322" border="0" /></a>Her ballet teacher doing her hair in a very pretty, very neat style!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHtBayqHI/AAAAAAAACMc/PogFMa9BMHE/s1600/Grade1Exam03b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHtBayqHI/AAAAAAAACMc/PogFMa9BMHE/s400/Grade1Exam03b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546543254883969138" border="0" /></a>The last of their group having her hair done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHbNvcvWI/AAAAAAAACMU/dQ0CK-gLxMo/s1600/Grade1Exam04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHbNvcvWI/AAAAAAAACMU/dQ0CK-gLxMo/s400/Grade1Exam04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542948954193250" border="0" /></a>They thought it was hilarious standing this close for a picture, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lol</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHWZn_OHI/AAAAAAAACMM/9Ia8gjF7gT4/s1600/Grade1Exam05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHWZn_OHI/AAAAAAAACMM/9Ia8gjF7gT4/s400/Grade1Exam05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542866244778098" border="0" /></a>Can you see the nervous excitement in their faces?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHQsKnWxI/AAAAAAAACME/IbuUBqkPPd4/s1600/Grade1Exam06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHQsKnWxI/AAAAAAAACME/IbuUBqkPPd4/s400/Grade1Exam06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542768142637842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHKd1hMUI/AAAAAAAACL8/8Nxz7kVtIzs/s1600/Grade1Exam07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHKd1hMUI/AAAAAAAACL8/8Nxz7kVtIzs/s400/Grade1Exam07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542661216842050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlHDFSP3YI/AAAAAAAACL0/lnWxdPI7aes/s1600/Grade1Exam08.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlG6ojKE_I/AAAAAAAACLs/_3sPjWq4s60/s1600/Grade1Exam09b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlG6ojKE_I/AAAAAAAACLs/_3sPjWq4s60/s400/Grade1Exam09b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542389214712818" border="0" /></a>Here they are just about to go in, making last minute adjustments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGxi9TTeI/AAAAAAAACLk/VitvmRxst1g/s1600/Grade1Exam10b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGxi9TTeI/AAAAAAAACLk/VitvmRxst1g/s400/Grade1Exam10b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546542233094933986" border="0" /></a><br />A quick smile, and they were in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGOzL28BI/AAAAAAAACLc/3xatJJi2FoQ/s1600/Grade1Exam11b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGOzL28BI/AAAAAAAACLc/3xatJJi2FoQ/s400/Grade1Exam11b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546541636155535378" border="0" /></a>Everyone was very impressed when I brought out my thermos of hot chocolate when the girls came out, complete with a tub of mini marshmallows! I think they deserved the treat, having worked so long and so hard towards doing their exam.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGIhWe9NI/AAAAAAAACLU/mbKtnwBKUFI/s1600/Grade1Exam12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGIhWe9NI/AAAAAAAACLU/mbKtnwBKUFI/s400/Grade1Exam12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546541528289047762" border="0" /></a>And what better way to unwind than <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tobogganing</span> down the hill when we got home?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGCiI6ilI/AAAAAAAACLM/ohwWVGLIr60/s1600/Grade1Exam13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlGCiI6ilI/AAAAAAAACLM/ohwWVGLIr60/s400/Grade1Exam13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546541425421355602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlF270GmRI/AAAAAAAACLE/6A6WcakDVtA/s1600/Grade1Exam14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPlF270GmRI/AAAAAAAACLE/6A6WcakDVtA/s400/Grade1Exam14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546541226154957074" border="0" /></a>We ended the day by decorating our tree, and I couldn't resist taking a picture of Holly as she hung the decorations. Something about her stance, the way she's dressed, with her hair still done in the neat bun, reminds me of Julia Stiles in Save the last Dance. I love that she enjoys ballet so much. Having done ballet myself until the end of high school, I always wanted her to do ballet. It's a lovely activity for young girls, and I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-34327888086915839032010-11-28T09:18:00.012+00:002010-11-28T09:50:48.298+00:00Cake, Cake and More Cake!Oh my gosh, I cannot believe how long it's been since I last posted. I don't know what happened, or why I stopped posting so much. I've become more regular on my Facebook page, lazy, I know - it's quick and easy to post a quick message, my friends who don't blog see my entries, and it is easier to upload pictures. But, I like blogging. I like how I've made so many good friends over the years through my blog, and I don't like how bad I've become at keeping in touch with them.<br /><br />So, here's a quick post from me and we'll see how long it lasts. This one is all about cakes - I've been eating and making loads of cakes lately, and I can feel it in my favourite jeans so I'd better stop now! It was my birthday a month ago, and my friend Becky made me some British cupcakes, to go with my Union Jack cushion that she and my other friend Karen gave me. I love it, and as they both laughed - I can stop looking at Union Jack cushions at every store we go to!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIhjXQWKHI/AAAAAAAACK8/00e4NneWAF4/s1600/BritCakes01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIhjXQWKHI/AAAAAAAACK8/00e4NneWAF4/s400/BritCakes01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544530982668216434" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was Holly's birthday on Remembrance Day, and she chose to take a few friends to dinner to celebrate. I made her a very pretty, girly cake with a clothespin doll for each friend to take home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfqx4pmJI/AAAAAAAACKU/yC9S0otIDyI/s1600/HollyCake01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfqx4pmJI/AAAAAAAACKU/yC9S0otIDyI/s400/HollyCake01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528911052413074" border="0" /></a>I took her to the fabric store to choose the dress fabric, and I don't think I would have chosen any differently. I love her colour choice, and how her doll contrasts with her friends'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfl6dZuAI/AAAAAAAACKM/1FRaW1cSQ1U/s1600/HollyCake03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfl6dZuAI/AAAAAAAACKM/1FRaW1cSQ1U/s400/HollyCake03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528827454699522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfdrC2J6I/AAAAAAAACKE/y4Sl1GDk9MM/s1600/HollyCake05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfdrC2J6I/AAAAAAAACKE/y4Sl1GDk9MM/s400/HollyCake05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528685877831586" border="0" /></a>There's Holly...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfX3QS5UI/AAAAAAAACJ8/jhEK9r3e9dI/s1600/HollyCake06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfX3QS5UI/AAAAAAAACJ8/jhEK9r3e9dI/s400/HollyCake06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528586076251458" border="0" /></a>... and Katie-Anne...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfSWLpCMI/AAAAAAAACJ0/wgqoyxMNfw0/s1600/HollyCake08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfSWLpCMI/AAAAAAAACJ0/wgqoyxMNfw0/s400/HollyCake08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528491299014850" border="0" /></a>...and William, in a shirt and shorts!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfNIBNUXI/AAAAAAAACJs/P3TW38EDKUw/s1600/BarbieCake01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfNIBNUXI/AAAAAAAACJs/P3TW38EDKUw/s400/BarbieCake01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528401597813106" border="0" /></a>Then I had an order for a Barbie cake, and when the mum gave me the doll, I just knew it was going to be a beautiful cake - look how pretty this Barbie is!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfCXorOJI/AAAAAAAACJk/-8ENqqkw_MI/s1600/BarbieCake02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIfCXorOJI/AAAAAAAACJk/-8ENqqkw_MI/s400/BarbieCake02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528216811321490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIe4FdZ__I/AAAAAAAACJc/J68kSzZFp3I/s1600/BarbieCake03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIe4FdZ__I/AAAAAAAACJc/J68kSzZFp3I/s400/BarbieCake03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544528040133525490" border="0" /></a>It was fun making this cake for a sweet little girl's fifth birthday, considering Holly had a very <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22156091@N02/2929272554/in/set-72157616857825535/">similar cake</a> for her fifth birthday!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIgUfKHtII/AAAAAAAACKs/9_jYuZwYdJw/s1600/KatieCups01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIgUfKHtII/AAAAAAAACKs/9_jYuZwYdJw/s400/KatieCups01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544529627579921538" border="0" /></a>And then last weekend I was invited to join Holly on a birthday party weekend-away to Eastbourne, with my lovely friend Karen, her daughter and her two best friends. I decided it was a perfect opportunity to use my cupcake chocolates that my sister gave me for my birthday, and used the pretty cupcake stand she'd given me to display them on. They traveled safely down, but didn't survive til morning to take naturally-lit pictures, so these flash-lit ones are all I have! They tasted divine, and I am now on a mission to find more cupcake chocolates!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIgay98LTI/AAAAAAAACK0/uUXePO6Ayro/s1600/KatieCups03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TPIgay98LTI/AAAAAAAACK0/uUXePO6Ayro/s400/KatieCups03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544529735976758578" border="0" /></a>Strawberry parfait...oh heaven!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-4357434177032430942010-06-09T20:07:00.002+01:002010-06-09T20:13:31.564+01:00Scrapbook PageA couple of weeks ago, I was invited to join a scrapbooking evening happening at the church of two friends. The theme was to scrap a quote; whether a Bible quote or some other quote that had meaning was up to us. And it's funny how the penny dropped - as soon as Janine told me the theme, my all time favourite boy quote popped into my head. And then I thought of this photo that I'd had printed months and months ago, but never thought of putting with the quote. And yet, how perfectly they go together...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TA_mhXvbijI/AAAAAAAACIU/mSnpba3Gy6A/s1600/Boy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TA_mhXvbijI/AAAAAAAACIU/mSnpba3Gy6A/s1600/Boy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480852732516207154" border="0" /></a>Simple. Sweet. So so true. And something I needed to remind myself of tonight, when we had a bit of a clash.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-37327862832690795672010-06-06T20:30:00.009+01:002010-06-06T20:57:33.033+01:00Liam Turns FiveMy little guy turned five today. He's had a fabulous build up to his big day. With it being half-term holidays with glorious weather, he's had long days of playing, swimming, water gun fights and late nights. I've had loads of time to relax and get things ready for his party at leisure, and tackle his Star Wars X-Wing cake, which he practically chose the day of his fourth (Pirate themed) birthday last year. Once again Flickr came to the rescue with lots of images to inspire me, and I made this cake for him...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv36iNHCyI/AAAAAAAACH8/dPFOjdTegK4/s1600/XWingCake01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv36iNHCyI/AAAAAAAACH8/dPFOjdTegK4/s1600/XWingCake01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745956612606754" border="0" /></a>The best part was when I realised a canneloni tube covered in regalice made the perfect compressor - it meant the whole cake came together and actually looked a bit like a real X-wing.<br />I also tried my hand at painting the shading with food coloring paste mixed in alcohol (you can't use water based colors on regalice) and I really like the effect, I might try it again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3zmBkVHI/AAAAAAAACH0/57r6-w_KLC0/s1600/LiamFive03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3zmBkVHI/AAAAAAAACH0/57r6-w_KLC0/s1600/LiamFive03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745837378851954" border="0" /></a>This is his face when he saw what we'd got him - the Ben 10 Omnitrix we promised him months ago during a melt-down in the toy shop! Glad he still wanted it after all this time, and it hardly left his wrist all day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3t6aisEI/AAAAAAAACHs/7P4JIdKOaaM/s1600/LiamFive04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3t6aisEI/AAAAAAAACHs/7P4JIdKOaaM/s1600/LiamFive04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745739773096002" border="0" /></a>For his party we booked the lovely people from RugbyTots. He'd done a session during the February half-term which he loved, so when I saw they did parties too, I just knew it would be a hit for his 5th birthday. All the kids had a blast, and the girls who'd been a bit unsure of a boy-themed party did better than the boys at many of the games!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3nleo82I/AAAAAAAACHk/FSgSD0qwPac/s1600/LiamFive05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3nleo82I/AAAAAAAACHk/FSgSD0qwPac/s1600/LiamFive05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745631073923938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3gj9YgzI/AAAAAAAACHc/V4lfbof5nAA/s1600/LiamFive07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3gj9YgzI/AAAAAAAACHc/V4lfbof5nAA/s1600/LiamFive07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745510406914866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3blbArNI/AAAAAAAACHU/5jvwR3I5aGA/s1600/LiamFive11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv3blbArNI/AAAAAAAACHU/5jvwR3I5aGA/s1600/LiamFive11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479745424900271314" border="0" /></a>Blowing his candles out - the cake was a big hit too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv4TaMlOtI/AAAAAAAACIM/EM2znoxRQvo/s1600/XWingCake02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/TAv4TaMlOtI/AAAAAAAACIM/EM2znoxRQvo/s1600/XWingCake02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479746383959636690" border="0" /></a>And one last view of the cake - it's all gone now, and it tasted great! And I can say with confidence now that the alcohol does evaporate off leaving just the coloring behind. Oh, and a word of advice, if you try painting with alcohol and food coloring, don't keep licking your paintbrush like you would with artist colors, lol!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-4564720988090333992010-05-28T10:29:00.004+01:002010-05-28T15:46:58.991+01:00Holly's Pink dress photosI'm such an idiot! A while back we were having glorious weather, so on the Sunday I took Holly out for her 7th pink dress photos installment. Something funky happened and hardly any of my shots were usable - they were mostly out of focus and really grainy. I took a huge knock to my confidence, but I knew I had to re-shoot pretty quickly if I wanted to include the images on a CD I was sending my mum for Mother's Day, and although I had a long list from my mum about which ones she wanted, the pink dress ones were going to be a surprise. Well, that Monday we went back out after school, and I got what I wanted. I processed them, and was itching to blog about them but couldn't as it would have spoiled the surprise.<br /><br />Would you guess what happened? I burned the CD, made up the parcel, posted it off to my mum, it took three whole weeks to get to her, and then when it did, there were no pink dress pics on the disc. I forgot to include them!! Doh! What an eejit!<br /><br />Anyway, I promised my mum I would send her a new disc with them, and wait until I've done Liam's beach chair pics to include with it, but in the meantime I'd blog them. I've put the actual photos on my photography blog (link up top there) and here is a PS composite of what they'll look like in the frame. It's a <a href="http://www.colinandjustin.tv/index.php">Colin and Justin</a> frame, from Matalan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_-PMVXf2qI/AAAAAAAACHM/fezL1xI_9tY/s1600/Dress7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_-PMVXf2qI/AAAAAAAACHM/fezL1xI_9tY/s1600/Dress7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476253113962715810" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-38332039503485081492010-05-26T20:48:00.004+01:002010-05-26T21:24:11.598+01:00My Room So Far...Years ago I stumbled across <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/">Alicia Paulson's</a> blog. I think everyone I know who makes clothespin dolls credits her with their original design, but her creativity doesn't stop there. She is a wonderfully creative and inspiring person, and when I first saw photos of her studio I fell in love. It is bright, colourful, girly, and beautiful. It has turquoise walls with white trim and pretty florals and touches of red and spring colours thrown together in a way that is simply perfect.<br />I would love to be able to look at my room one day and feel it was perfect, just like Alicia's studio. It's not there yet, but it's getting close...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17TjWZVeI/AAAAAAAACGU/kHemUdwqtf4/s1600/Room01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17TjWZVeI/AAAAAAAACGU/kHemUdwqtf4/s1600/Room01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475668297789298146" border="0" /></a>My prints finally arrived yesterday, five days after they were supposed to, and I love the photos even more now that they are printed and framed and hanging on my blue wall! My bedding is from Ikea - and the curtain fabric too - my sister gave me the cushion for my birthday a couple of years ago, and yes, it's also from Ikea!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17OJRT_uI/AAAAAAAACGM/9LCEYd64nuw/s1600/Room02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17OJRT_uI/AAAAAAAACGM/9LCEYd64nuw/s1600/Room02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475668204889308898" border="0" /></a>My complete spur-of-the-moment-impulse-buy mirror. I fell in love with it when I first saw it. It was on display in B&Q as an isle-end showcase, with wall paper, chandelier and chest of drawers. They didn't have stock, and each time I went in for other things, I'd find a reason to go and look at the mirror again. It was too expensive, and then when they finally did get stock in, they'd changed the mold and the new ones weren't half as detailed and elaborate, so I pushed it from my mind. But one day, when I went in and stood looking at the mirror again, I decided to ask why the design had changed and whether they would still get more in like the display one. They said no, they had changed suppliers and would never get another one in like the display. It was that one or nothing. But then, I noticed a hairline crack. And I asked if a) they'd sell me the display model (yes!) and b) would they discount it, seeing as it had the crack (yes!) so here it is, hanging proudly in all it's gorgeous detail on MY bedroom wall!! A bit of decorator's flexible caulk will cover up the crack, and I haven't done it yet - so see if you can spot it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17G0C3DQI/AAAAAAAACGE/7DX1qUiRmDA/s1600/Room03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_17G0C3DQI/AAAAAAAACGE/7DX1qUiRmDA/s1600/Room03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475668078932462850" border="0" /></a> The little birdhouse was a £6 impulse buy - it's too pretty to hang outside, and while I didn't know where to put it when I first bought it, I knew how pretty it would look on my blue walls as soon as I'd painted them. My friend Becky gave me the little bird hanging from it - you would think the two came together, wouldn't you?<br /><br />So, if you noticed the piles of books next to my chest of drawers please ignore them - I have an old bookcase that is going to get painted white and if I put the books back on now it'll never get done, because I'm just lazy like that! And, if you'd like to see Alicia Paulson's studio, <a href="http://aliciapaulson.com/studio.html">click here</a>.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-34453394103057402282010-05-17T14:35:00.007+01:002010-05-17T18:20:18.757+01:00I'm taking a break......but I guess you already figured that one out, huh?<br /><br />I don't know what it is, but I haven't really felt like blogging recently. Maybe because the sun has been shining and it's lovely in England at the moment, maybe because I've been busy with all my odd jobs, but I haven't really missed it and I'm sure I'll be back into blogging when some new hobby or project tickles my fancy!<br /><br />I've painted my room... it's looking very pretty, I promise I will take photos and show you once all the details are done. I bought two red glossy frames, which I've hung above my bed with a pretty little birdhouse hanging in between. I wanted photos of my kids to go in them, and was aiming for that high-key black and white look. I snapped these with half an hour to spare before dinner yesterday, and I'm thrilled. I think I have beautiful children, don't you?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHk5rU2TI/AAAAAAAACF8/KsKtWDQ9ewk/s1600/Holly.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHk5rU2TI/AAAAAAAACF8/KsKtWDQ9ewk/s1600/Holly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472233721515268402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHgeY4EDI/AAAAAAAACF0/ocrxS-7PPpI/s1600/HollyB%26W.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHgeY4EDI/AAAAAAAACF0/ocrxS-7PPpI/s1600/HollyB%26W.jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472233645470650418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHctpwnKI/AAAAAAAACFs/xa5hUhSGltk/s1600/Liam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHctpwnKI/AAAAAAAACFs/xa5hUhSGltk/s1600/Liam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472233580848520354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHYLZNoUI/AAAAAAAACFk/JYz_vBeCaGY/s1600/LiamB%26W.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S_FHYLZNoUI/AAAAAAAACFk/JYz_vBeCaGY/s1600/LiamB%26W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472233502932836674" border="0" /></a>Having wanted black and white shots, I'm now torn between them and the colour. They do look lovely in colour too. Mm, I guess I'll have to print them both ways and see which I prefer "in the flesh", so to speak.<br /><br />I still visit all my regular blogs, sorry if I don't always comment, I am really trying to limit my time spent on the internet. See you soon ;-)Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-67847689983985510852010-04-23T19:51:00.005+01:002010-04-23T20:13:25.623+01:00The power of word of mouth advertising...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9Hs7SA7T1I/AAAAAAAACFc/OqnaZFHUx_U/s1600/Photobox01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9Hs7SA7T1I/AAAAAAAACFc/OqnaZFHUx_U/s1600/Photobox01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463408326169284434" border="0" /></a>Last week, I had an email in my inbox from <a href="http://www.photobox.co.uk/">Photobox</a>. It was advertising their classic A4 photo book, and after saying they had 1000 reasons to make one, they said 'hang on, 1001 reasons - it's free!" I was given a voucher for a free classic book. I had a week to use it in, so I needed to use existing photos. I first thought of doing a random 'year in the kids' lives' selection of pics, but then had the brainwave of using our holiday snaps from Tenby, Wales. It worked out perfectly that across the 26 pages, I used all my favourite shots, without compromising any. It's great that you can choose your layouts and background colours on each page, so if you want to go for one picture or six, full bleed or with borders, you're in control. It also marks each shot from your album that you've used with a check, so you can instantly see if you've missed one or used it twice by mistake. Because mine was free I decided to pay for the upgrade to premium paper, but actually, I'm pretty sure the regular would be just as good as this paper is really thick.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsuDFqbXI/AAAAAAAACFU/DGKRrXKWOak/s1600/Photobox02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsuDFqbXI/AAAAAAAACFU/DGKRrXKWOak/s1600/Photobox02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463408098824318322" border="0" /></a>I've wanted to do a scrapbook layout using these shots for ages, I'm so happy to have been able to use them this well in the book. The full bleed looks great, and the print resolution is fantastic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsoFHtdEI/AAAAAAAACFM/FKYSIkIb-4s/s1600/Photobox03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsoFHtdEI/AAAAAAAACFM/FKYSIkIb-4s/s1600/Photobox03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463407996290561090" border="0" /></a>A friend exclaimed about this page - "It looks just like a book!" I know what she meant though, it really does look fabulous, don't you think?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsjQtsc4I/AAAAAAAACFE/1hIilBjpC8Y/s1600/Photobox04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S9HsjQtsc4I/AAAAAAAACFE/1hIilBjpC8Y/s1600/Photobox04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463407913503323010" border="0" /></a>So, proving just how powerful word of mouth advertising is, I've shown this to everyone who sits still long enough to shove in their hands, and quite a few have said, "Ooh, I'm going to make one for my folks" or "This is what I can do with all my holiday snaps!" and I reckon Photobox will sell at least three books as a result of me showing off my book. Plus, I really really want another one for myself now!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-82862050741417289002010-04-15T19:06:00.008+01:002010-04-15T19:34:56.091+01:00'Scuse the long silence but......it's been Easter holidays and we've been having fun!<br /><br />Seriously, since the holiday started, I/we/the kids have : visited my sister and a had a great day shopping with her; taken the kids to an indoor play area; gone to Alice Holt Forrest station; had an Easter Egg hunt, gone ice-skating (Holly and me) and swimming (Liam and Tris), taken photos of my friend's baby for a brief I got from PaperCraft Inspirations; gone to our favourite park; built a den with all the neighbourhood kids; played for hours in the sunshine with neighbourhood kids; finished job for PaperCraft Inspirations; made a whole bunch of crafty projects, including a teddy bear Holly got for Christmas; gone shopping and discovered we have an H&M kids close enough to go to weekly (if we wanted!); gone into London to the Natural History Museum; had friends over for lunch and play and built tents, cars, trucks and dens in the living room using every chair, cushion and blanket in the house and that doesn't even include tomorrow, when cousin Michael's coming, and the weekend, for which we haven't made fixed plans yet.<br /><br />Isn't being a kid fun? And as blasphemous as this my sound, I haven't taken my camera with me anywhere, preferring to just let them play and have fun, and not think about posing for me every two seconds. I have had my mobile though, so while they're not great quality, the memories are there...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbtcm1z8I/AAAAAAAACE0/1LN3vfx1el8/s1600/museum07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbtcm1z8I/AAAAAAAACE0/1LN3vfx1el8/s400/museum07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460433909541359554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbkLJlckI/AAAAAAAACEs/nFx1mTqc4KI/s1600/museum05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbkLJlckI/AAAAAAAACEs/nFx1mTqc4KI/s400/museum05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460433750236426818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbaLrTggI/AAAAAAAACEk/kc5qpa9Feq0/s1600/museum04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dbaLrTggI/AAAAAAAACEk/kc5qpa9Feq0/s400/museum04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460433578579165698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dcN21086I/AAAAAAAACE8/LC9GHHvL21Q/s1600/museum01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dcN21086I/AAAAAAAACE8/LC9GHHvL21Q/s400/museum01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460434466339353506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dZ74kYC6I/AAAAAAAACEM/pc1JwBigXqM/s1600/kids02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dZ74kYC6I/AAAAAAAACEM/pc1JwBigXqM/s400/kids02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460431958542125986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dZAWL1q5I/AAAAAAAACDc/bx5dpUcpdGo/s1600/kids01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S8dZAWL1q5I/AAAAAAAACDc/bx5dpUcpdGo/s400/kids01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460430935700122514" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-64669615098682816362010-04-02T11:04:00.006+01:002010-04-02T11:17:19.513+01:00Happy Easter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XDhLWgkUI/AAAAAAAACCs/Isi-pDbDsd4/s1600/Easter01+20-22-41.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XBW0ObpwI/AAAAAAAACCk/TbtC9IEMrC0/s1600/Easter02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XBW0ObpwI/AAAAAAAACCk/TbtC9IEMrC0/s1600/Easter02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455479121349682946" border="0" /></a>Does this picture make this teeny tiny little Easter Scene look big? Believe me when I say, it's the teeniest little gem I've ever seen, and I was so surprised to receive it in the mail this week, all the way from <a href="http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/">Mercedes in New Zealand</a>! The little nest is exquisite, and those eggs!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XBRif12NI/AAAAAAAACCc/rT8-fA4fCIE/s1600/Easter01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XBRif12NI/AAAAAAAACCc/rT8-fA4fCIE/s1600/Easter01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455479030691518674" border="0" /></a>Thank you Mercedes, it was such a lovely unexpected little parcel, and it's on display with all my other Easter goodies!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XDhLWgkUI/AAAAAAAACCs/Isi-pDbDsd4/s1600/Easter01+20-22-41.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XDhLWgkUI/AAAAAAAACCs/Isi-pDbDsd4/s1600/Easter01+20-22-41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455481498379522370" border="0" /></a>My 1:1 Easter Wreath...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XDn3Be_EI/AAAAAAAACC0/0ciCLqIhCCk/s1600/Wreath01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7XDn3Be_EI/AAAAAAAACC0/0ciCLqIhCCk/s1600/Wreath01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455481613181713474" border="0" /></a>....and my 1:12 Easter Wreath, hanging on the dollhouse door!<br /><br />Hope you all have a lovely Easter!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-39508349342725800732010-03-31T14:33:00.012+01:002010-03-31T15:05:34.591+01:00Easter Egg CompetitionDo you remember the <a href="http://thecruetset.blogspot.com/2009/10/harvest-creatures.html">Harvest Creature</a> competition? Well, my kids' school also holds an Easter Egg competition at the end of the Spring term, and here are some of the fabulous creations from this years' lot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NP-JpkKfI/AAAAAAAACCU/BblxmUfR-aE/s1600/EggComp2010b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NP-JpkKfI/AAAAAAAACCU/BblxmUfR-aE/s1600/EggComp2010b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454791502836541938" border="0" /></a>Holly had this idea since Christmas when one of the stores had a set of Russian Dolls in their gift range. We used a goose, chicken, duck and (plastic) quail egg to get the dolls sizes, and after I drew the outlines for her, she painted all the colours. I love it so much, I think I'll keep it to display every Easter!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NP35FYBmI/AAAAAAAACCM/t5do4r19FAk/s1600/EggComp2010c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NP35FYBmI/AAAAAAAACCM/t5do4r19FAk/s1600/EggComp2010c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454791395310569058" border="0" /></a>Liam is newly into Ben 10 and he was absolutely sure he wanted to do Ben Egg, but when I had a look at the characters and saw there was one called "Echo Echo", it came to me.... Eggo Eggo it had to be! When I arrived at lunch time today, everyone rushed to tell me that Liam had won (again!) and again, he hadn't realised that going up on stage to get a prize from Mr P means he'd won! Bless him, but he was super chuffed to know he actually was one of the winners!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPwqHmQcI/AAAAAAAACCE/Cfzeq3qB-Mk/s1600/EggComp02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPwqHmQcI/AAAAAAAACCE/Cfzeq3qB-Mk/s1600/EggComp02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454791271034274242" border="0" /></a>One for all the Top Gear fans...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPpkCG45I/AAAAAAAACB8/E4_0rWFP1RA/s1600/EggComp03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPpkCG45I/AAAAAAAACB8/E4_0rWFP1RA/s1600/EggComp03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454791149141549970" border="0" /></a>Boiled Egg and Soldiers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPk8BZmJI/AAAAAAAACB0/A7zvYVnwvQE/s1600/EggComp09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPk8BZmJI/AAAAAAAACB0/A7zvYVnwvQE/s1600/EggComp09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454791069681686674" border="0" /></a>Jeggward... there were a few of these this year, but this was by far my favourite!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPfvHn_kI/AAAAAAAACBs/oDAaBoAb18I/s1600/EggComp15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPfvHn_kI/AAAAAAAACBs/oDAaBoAb18I/s1600/EggComp15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454790980318789186" border="0" /></a>Story Time With Miss Hemmings... and can you see what story she's reading to them? I *heart* this one so much!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPa6K1cTI/AAAAAAAACBk/T4lTZeZxRVc/s1600/EggComp18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPa6K1cTI/AAAAAAAACBk/T4lTZeZxRVc/s1600/EggComp18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454790897385697586" border="0" /></a>Little Egg Riding Hood... my friend's son did this one, and took one of the Year two prizes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPWu6PyBI/AAAAAAAACBc/LHjgu7eKsvg/s1600/EggComp34.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPWu6PyBI/AAAAAAAACBc/LHjgu7eKsvg/s1600/EggComp34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454790825643853842" border="0" /></a>I love all the Eggy names the kids come up with - they are so creative!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPR_JqApI/AAAAAAAACBU/mQOMJHU8NLE/s1600/EggComp37.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S7NPR_JqApI/AAAAAAAACBU/mQOMJHU8NLE/s1600/EggComp37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454790744104108690" border="0" /></a>And this one was amazing - I was walking past and thought I'd seen a flash. On closer inspection, I noticed the Eggs-ray machine actually had a little flashing light, so every couple of seconds it flashed on to show the chicken's X-ray! Brilliant!<br /><br />The school council vote for their favourites, and two winners are selected for each year group. I'm so glad I don't have to vote, I'd want them all to win!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-65460862496172632132010-03-25T14:25:00.002+00:002010-03-25T14:38:19.513+00:00Good old South African party treats!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6tyozt97VI/AAAAAAAACBM/zXb_VtyjRcE/s1600/BakeSale01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6tyozt97VI/AAAAAAAACBM/zXb_VtyjRcE/s1600/BakeSale01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452577819265461586" border="0" /></a>As kids growing up in South Africa, our parties were very different to the ones my kids have now we live in England. Back then, we would arrive to a table laden with party treats, and after playing the games we'd sing happy birthday, blow out the candles, grab a paper plate full of birthday cake and sweets and crisps and ice cream cones made to look like clown hats filled with sweets, and scoff the lot until our parents came to take us home. Occassionally, the party treats would have been put into boxes or bags which we could take home with us if there was anything left to take. Here in England, not only are the kids treated to a sit down arrangement of snacks, sandwiches, cupcakes, and sweets, but the birthday cake is cut and wrapped and placed into party bags with even more sweets and treats for the kids to take home! I guess it's fun being a kid at an English birthday party, but I loved the good old fashioned South African way of doing things!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6tyko8SNHI/AAAAAAAACBE/mLUGd_omU5I/s1600/BakeSale02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6tyko8SNHI/AAAAAAAACBE/mLUGd_omU5I/s1600/BakeSale02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452577747653244018" border="0" /></a>For the final event in the month long fundraiser at my kids school - the long awaited Bake Sale - I made the Clown Hats filled with Smarties, and then couldn't resist a batch of cupcakes with pastel coloured strawberry flavoured icing with glitter to match! My mom sent a package with a friend who visited my sister, and in it was edible glitter in orange, lime and white ( I had the blue from my last batch) so thanks to Sainsbury's Fresh Ideas mag for the idea, the kids each have something different to take in!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-53440111333451863162010-03-24T20:45:00.003+00:002010-03-24T21:03:28.953+00:00Scrapbook Inspirations Ideas Book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6p8F1iZ8gI/AAAAAAAACA8/pgj6W_uTh14/s1600/scrapbook_ideasbook.jpg"><br /></a>I don't think I ever blogged about the end of Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine. If you remember back in <a href="http://thecruetset.blogspot.com/2009/09/drumroll-please.html">September</a> I proudly announced the fact that I was a member of the new design team for Scrapbook Inspirations. Well, the job was sadly short lived, as December saw the very last issue of the magazine published. It's a tough time for companies and I guess luxuries like magazines are often the first to go, but I was absolutely gutted. Not because I wanted to carry on designing layouts for the mag, but because I really enjoyed getting my copy every month and bookmarking it for ideas and pouring over all the new papers and embellishments available.<br /><br />But, every cloud has a silver lining and for Scrapbook Inspirations, it took the form of a quarterly 'bookazine', which launches on 31 March.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6p8F1iZ8gI/AAAAAAAACA8/pgj6W_uTh14/s1600/scrapbook_ideasbook.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6p8F1iZ8gI/AAAAAAAACA8/pgj6W_uTh14/s1600/scrapbook_ideasbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452306738597982722" border="0" /></a>It will retail at £10.99 in the UK, and can be ordered <a href="http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/store/displayitem.asp?sid=484&id=36458">here</a>, no matter where in the world you are. I think I have at least one layout and one photo in the book, and actually, the layout is one I did using a picture of an online photography friend of mine's son, so I'll be excited to finally show her the layout in it's published form - I thought it might never see the light of day and would have been really disappointed for her if it weren't used!<br /><br />I'll be able to show you once it hits the shelves ;-) Anyway, I have since stepped down from taking on any new assignments, my new job as dinner lady at the school is keeping me very busy and very happy, and I'm helping out in many other ways at the school too. My scrapbooking has relaxed and I allow myself to scraplift layouts I like in their entirety -something I couldn't do as a designer!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-13649692029039700822010-03-23T18:45:00.006+00:002010-03-23T18:56:58.146+00:00My Garden GirlsI launched my little Garden Girls on Etsy on Saturday. I didn't want to make too much of a fuss about it, but I've had quite a few views and two sales already! I'm hoping to keep it slow and steady, and as soon as I sort out alternate stands for my dolls (US stands don't fit the UK clothespins) I'm hoping to introduce some birthday cake toppers/trinket dolls. <br />Here are a few of them...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMhWl2RTI/AAAAAAAACAs/kWbO8AWXtuQ/s1600-h/GardenGirls15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMhWl2RTI/AAAAAAAACAs/kWbO8AWXtuQ/s1600/GardenGirls15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451902591048238386" border="0" /></a>Genevieve on the left is sold, Katia and Helene are still listed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMcoYsKEI/AAAAAAAACAk/G5Y91fyTVOg/s1600-h/GardenGirls16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMcoYsKEI/AAAAAAAACAk/G5Y91fyTVOg/s1600/GardenGirls16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451902509925541954" border="0" /></a>Jin-May is my all time favourite, I just love her black bunches and wispy fringe! Florence is reserved for my friend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMoPmMvRI/AAAAAAAACA0/Jo28Dxx0F7c/s1600-h/GardenGirls08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6kMoPmMvRI/AAAAAAAACA0/Jo28Dxx0F7c/s1600/GardenGirls08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451902709429746962" border="0" /></a><br />Isabella is sold too. She was inspired by one I saw on Flickr, and Holly has one just like her!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-1173148964024879202010-03-20T20:29:00.002+00:002010-03-20T20:44:50.234+00:00The Little Graduate who went Travelling...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6UwjiMPIxI/AAAAAAAACAc/33Xh_nxPqu4/s1600-h/Graduate02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6UwjiMPIxI/AAAAAAAACAc/33Xh_nxPqu4/s1600/Graduate02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450816311033537298" border="0" /></a>Two weeks ago, Miss Heather the Graduate flew the nest to explore the great big world that is Missouri, USA. She's had me and her new family extremely worried as her flight got delayed and nobody could track it down for a whole week, but thankfully, a very kind USPS official delivered her safely to her new home today, and we all breathed a huge collective sigh of relief!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6UwdprOi3I/AAAAAAAACAU/LwgptyYtnLA/s1600-h/Graduate01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6UwdprOi3I/AAAAAAAACAU/LwgptyYtnLA/s1600/Graduate01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450816209963354994" border="0" /></a>Rebecca is a fellow Pea, and has twice offered to help me get some obscure item from the States that I simply haven't been able to find in the UK. So it is completely thanks to her that I am in possession of around 100 head beads needed to make my clothespin dolls! She even paid an extra top up amount on the shipping that we'd misjudged, and instead of letting me know the final invoice in order to pay her the correct amount, she asked if I could by any chance make her eldest daughter, Heather, a doll to celebrate her graduation this year.<br /><br />And, this is the doll I made! I changed her stand colour - I decided the yellow didn't do too well with her white and blue gown, so she has a grassy stand with yellow flowers instead, like my Garden Girls that I've listed in my new Etsy store ;-)<br /><br />Becca, thank you so much for doing all the ordering and shipping for me, and I'm super relieved that your little graduate is safely with you now. All the best for Heather's graduation, may she have a wonderfully successful future!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-41387518054497020062010-03-18T13:54:00.003+00:002010-03-18T14:05:49.002+00:00The Growing Season is Upon us!Firstly, can you see how contrasty the lighting in this shot is? Do you know why it's so contrasty? That's sunlight shining on the Arthur! Pure, brilliant, bright sunshine!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6Iw-imXilI/AAAAAAAACAM/MhGwZUHNlBw/s1600-h/Arthur33.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6Iw-imXilI/AAAAAAAACAM/MhGwZUHNlBw/s1600/Arthur33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449972350069475922" border="0" /></a>I've started planning the garden. I really like this fake grass, it's one used in model railways, as opposed to the apple green carpet you get from the DHE. So, I'm going to make a little deck for the table and chairs, and put proper flower beds where all those pots are standing, so eventually when I've bought and made enough flowers from kits I'll have them along the porch wall. I haven't decided about the little stepping path - I've used all the pavers I have left from the last house I did, and using enough for the path up to the porch, I'm not sure if I need more or not to make the steps closer together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6Iw29x-F1I/AAAAAAAACAE/ReJDyy0pbqk/s1600-h/Arthur32.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6Iw29x-F1I/AAAAAAAACAE/ReJDyy0pbqk/s1600/Arthur32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449972219926943570" border="0" /></a>For the other side, I think I'll leave it grassed up to the porch so the bike doesn't stand in flower beds, and put a tree in the corner in front... maybe big enough for a rope swing to hang from, with a bird's nest in the branches. I'll have my eyes glued to the ground when I'm walking through the woods now, looking for the perfect tree! And then, I found dinky little lolly sticks today, which will become a picket fence along the perimeter. What do you think?Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-75575203167341463112010-03-16T22:16:00.011+00:002010-03-16T22:35:48.296+00:00More Circus PicsAs promised, here are some more pics from the circus. Excuse the camera shake and blur here and there...these are all shot with available light.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6AD2vDU_GI/AAAAAAAAB_8/t03vxZu9gr0/s1600-h/Circus01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6AD2vDU_GI/AAAAAAAAB_8/t03vxZu9gr0/s1600/Circus01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359787996544098" border="0" /></a>These guys opened and closed the show... and all I can say is, Wow! They were insane, I've seen a circus show using this 'hamster wheel' thing before... but nothing like these guys did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADxOxvEKI/AAAAAAAAB_0/_0Mx2_pkjew/s1600-h/Circus02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADxOxvEKI/AAAAAAAAB_0/_0Mx2_pkjew/s1600/Circus02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359693433475234" border="0" /></a>The clown was very good, he was one of those silly-fool clowns that got our sympathy. The Shetland ponies were so cute, and set the scene for the next act...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADryz9mXI/AAAAAAAAB_s/5Y2zVg-Gwco/s1600-h/Circus03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADryz9mXI/AAAAAAAAB_s/5Y2zVg-Gwco/s1600/Circus03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359600027277682" border="0" /></a>The most amazing horses ever. They were beautiful, and while I do wonder about what goes on in training to get them so in tune with each other, they had a great bond with their trainer and gave him kisses frequently.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADl78YUmI/AAAAAAAAB_k/3e-mW1HueDo/s1600-h/Circus05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADl78YUmI/AAAAAAAAB_k/3e-mW1HueDo/s1600/Circus05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359499399287394" border="0" /></a>My all time favourite act though was the budgies! I mean, how much cuter could you get? They were so clever, and funny and cute and Holly really really wants one now (and so do I!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADgvDRI6I/AAAAAAAAB_c/j2VolAWXKEI/s1600-h/Circus07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADgvDRI6I/AAAAAAAAB_c/j2VolAWXKEI/s1600/Circus07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359410039169954" border="0" /></a>The Chinese acrobats/contortionists were fabulous, and spot on with every pose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADcRL9A-I/AAAAAAAAB_U/Wr3N0fNjgHQ/s1600-h/Circus08b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADcRL9A-I/AAAAAAAAB_U/Wr3N0fNjgHQ/s1600/Circus08b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359333303059426" border="0" /></a>I was super chuffed to get the moment the clown spat his 'honey' at the other clown, on a relatively slow shutter speed and no flash!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADXtYDaAI/AAAAAAAAB_M/EjTaM4VX0GM/s1600-h/Circus09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADXtYDaAI/AAAAAAAAB_M/EjTaM4VX0GM/s1600/Circus09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359254970656770" border="0" /></a>The high-wire guys ending with a bang - complete with fake fall to make us believe how dangerous it was. They needn't have bothered - I could see exactly how dangerous it was!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADQd9J-rI/AAAAAAAAB_E/QMBCnBN6PwE/s1600-h/Circus12b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S6ADQd9J-rI/AAAAAAAAB_E/QMBCnBN6PwE/s1600/Circus12b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449359130572225202" border="0" /></a>And the kids, standing in front of the big top. Fun fun fun!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-18474817939524900652010-03-14T17:46:00.005+00:002010-03-14T17:56:02.537+00:00Happy Mothering Sunday!I think England is the only country that doesn't celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May. Instead, on the second Sunday of March, we have what they call Mothering Sunday. I was woken up with the gifts my kids chose for me at their school sale on Friday - chocolate from Liam and a scarf from Holly - and then Liam said to me, "Mommy, what's your favourite song in the whole wide world?" I replied that it changes all the time, but at the moment it's 'Don't Stop Believing' from Glee. I came downstairs to another gift...the Glee soundtrack ;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hfEogtoI/AAAAAAAAB-8/vpH21TWFMd4/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hfEogtoI/AAAAAAAAB-8/vpH21TWFMd4/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448547941891487362" border="0" /></a><br />On Friday, I gave them the choice of activity for today. I said we could whatever they wanted to do with me on Mother's Day. It just so happened that the circus was in town, and they'd seen the big top the day before, so guess where we went this afternoon?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hKOkmp6I/AAAAAAAAB-0/GwuN_trMsJc/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hGfR-lII/AAAAAAAAB-s/5s5qiAcfj0w/s1600-h/photo%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hGfR-lII/AAAAAAAAB-s/5s5qiAcfj0w/s400/photo%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448547519548003458" border="0" /></a>Yep, Zippo's Circus! It was fab, they had incredible acts, and I was so glad to be allowed to take pics (albeit without flash) so tomorrow, I'll edit them and upload a few to show you. If you ever see Zippo's Circus come to your town, I highly recommend them!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hC3L9K3I/AAAAAAAAB-k/pwWpHdx2eMA/s1600-h/photo%283%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S50hC3L9K3I/AAAAAAAAB-k/pwWpHdx2eMA/s400/photo%283%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448547457245719410" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-3425106128523265502010-03-07T18:55:00.006+00:002010-03-07T19:23:57.798+00:00To Trim or Not to Trim?I've been busy this weekend! I decided to get all the gingerbread trim out, sand it and paint it white, as I can't make a decision about it without getting it ready. I love the trim on the front roof next to the window, and on the sides where the roof joins at the peaks. What I can't decide about is the standing up bits - the little heart shaped trim along the top edge of the roof and the 'people' shaped bits. In person, when I first put it up, Holly and I both said "No! Definitely without."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P3Gmxi_iI/AAAAAAAAB-U/7rfzn77flj4/s1600-h/Arthur28.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P3Gmxi_iI/AAAAAAAAB-U/7rfzn77flj4/s1600/Arthur28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445968067280698914" border="0" /></a>But then, I look at the photos, and think, "Hmm, maybe with?" What do you think? Do you like it? Do you think it's too big and looks odd on the house?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P3BbONO6I/AAAAAAAAB-M/bs63anAmLUo/s1600-h/Arthur29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P3BbONO6I/AAAAAAAAB-M/bs63anAmLUo/s1600/Arthur29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445967978280336290" border="0" /></a>Obviously, if I decide not to use it, I'll need to fix the roof apex and maybe put some 'lead flashing' on, and yes, touch up all those bits where the wood is showing through!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P28zHq2ZI/AAAAAAAAB-E/OaO_1mpEfXs/s1600-h/Arthur30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P28zHq2ZI/AAAAAAAAB-E/OaO_1mpEfXs/s1600/Arthur30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445967898796022162" border="0" /></a>What I am loving is using my <a href="http://thecruetset.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-busy-time-of-year.html">Club Little House boat shelf </a>outside as a potting shelf! I can't wait to get some grass and paving stones down, I think the house will look so sweet with a little patch of green. I've also taken Amy's wonderful little garden goodies out of their box for the first time ever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P23M_cQpI/AAAAAAAAB98/X5Jfp7MbjZ0/s1600-h/Arthur31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S5P23M_cQpI/AAAAAAAAB98/X5Jfp7MbjZ0/s1600/Arthur31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445967802661618322" border="0" /></a>I'm also super excited to have finally put some of Mercedes' gorgeous birdhouses in place - and just in time for spring! Now all I need are some plants... I love the daffodils that <a href="http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/">Linda</a> made, I need to find out what kit she used.<br /><br />Oh, and did you notice something else I've done? Look at the windows ;-)Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-12772260462068718652010-03-04T13:50:00.004+00:002010-03-04T21:20:03.460+00:00World Book Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4-6yHtCskI/AAAAAAAAB9o/l9tklqXUIkU/s1600-h/BookDay04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4-6yHtCskI/AAAAAAAAB9o/l9tklqXUIkU/s1600/BookDay04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444775844738413122" border="0" /></a>Meet Harry Potter, The Troublesome Tooth Fairy and Tinkerbell, on their way to school on World Book Day! Hope you have a lovely day, and, if you live in England, be sure to ask your school for a book token, which allows children to buy a book at participating book stores for a pound!<br /><br />*ETA* Holly's other bottom tooth has been wobbly since her first one fell out. For days now I've been telling her to wiggle it more so that it can come out - her big tooth is practically fully grown behind the baby tooth. So today, dressed as she was as the Troublesome Tooth Fairy, I said it would be a good day to lose a tooth. And, she did!! She'll be getting a visit from a tooth fairy tonight, let's just hope it's not the troublesome one... she takes children instead of their teeth!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-66319484446354122562010-03-03T18:04:00.008+00:002010-03-03T22:17:27.017+00:00Larks on a Wire!I usually do reading with the Year Two's on a Wednesday morning. But last Wednesday, my daughter's teacher asked me if I would like to help with a project - the student teacher who has been with them for a term is leaving on Friday, and they would like to give her a card. They would like it to be something that each child can contribute towards. Do I have any ideas?<br /><br />Well, I had this one...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lRTiDWtI/AAAAAAAAB9g/5ZIFToA69ys/s1600-h/Larks06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lRTiDWtI/AAAAAAAAB9g/5ZIFToA69ys/s1600/Larks06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470716256967378" border="0" /></a>Each class in the school is named after a bird. My daughter is in Larks class. So, I thought, why not get each kid to draw a lark, cut them out, and place them all on a telephone wire, the way birds do. I misjudged quite how big the card would have to be to accommodate 30 birds drawn on an A6 piece of paper, but I thought making one long card was a fun way to do it, rather than one huge A1 card. It concertinas into five sections, and I made an envelope to fit using the stripy wall paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lMIgpnrI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/LssHLPTEJrM/s1600-h/Larks01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lMIgpnrI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/LssHLPTEJrM/s1600/Larks01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470627398950578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lGRwLjhI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/6vv7pUU-PPg/s1600-h/Larks02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lGRwLjhI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/6vv7pUU-PPg/s1600/Larks02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470526800793106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lBEqBfvI/AAAAAAAAB9I/GgrMMljcKpg/s1600-h/Larks03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46lBEqBfvI/AAAAAAAAB9I/GgrMMljcKpg/s1600/Larks03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470437385961202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46k7_bOXwI/AAAAAAAAB9A/zOkvciVcPHw/s1600-h/Larks04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46k7_bOXwI/AAAAAAAAB9A/zOkvciVcPHw/s1600/Larks04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470350082367234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46k2_TKRfI/AAAAAAAAB84/_9g47oc_FdE/s1600-h/Larks05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S46k2_TKRfI/AAAAAAAAB84/_9g47oc_FdE/s1600/Larks05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444470264149198322" border="0" /></a>I found the cute red alpha stickers for 99p, and with some dollhouse floor strips for the poles, black embroidery floss for the wire and each child's very creative, very original little lark, I think the result is simply fabulous! They also wrote little notes to Miss Taylor which I've stuck on the back of the card. It's been fun putting it all together, and taking kids a few at a time to work on it without Miss Taylor seeing us... although I'm pretty sure she's onto us - there's nothing like a bunch of suspicious looking 7 year olds to pique your interest! They're giving it to her on Friday, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of it!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-598012808750111492010-03-03T14:27:00.005+00:002010-03-03T18:03:30.200+00:00Kreativ Blogger Award<span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S45yw-IzyaI/AAAAAAAAB8w/BUdg3CMyeJM/s1600-h/kreativ_blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S45yw-IzyaI/AAAAAAAAB8w/BUdg3CMyeJM/s400/kreativ_blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444415185176742306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S45x1qN-zhI/AAAAAAAAB8o/7nTfjgwC4Bw/s1600-h/kreativ_blog.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77);font-family:";" > <span style="font-family: arial;">I was very touched to receive this award twice this week! Once from </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://genevieveminiacollection.blogspot.com/">Genevieve</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and once from </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://dollmum.blogspot.com/">DollMum</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. It still amazes me to think I have blog followers, let alone followers who think I'm creative and inspiring enough to visit and pass on awards to! Thanks ladies, you made my day ;-)</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >Before passing it, here are the rules :<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >1. Thank the person that gave it to you</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >3. Link to the person who nominated you</span> <span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" ><br />4. Name 7 things about yourself that nobody knows</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >5. Nominate 7 kreativ bloggers</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77); font-family: arial;font-family:";" >6. Post links to the 7 blogs that you nominate</span> <span style="color: rgb(32, 18, 77);font-family:";" ><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know that you nominate them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So... seven things you didn't know about me...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">1. I have a very sweet tooth, and cannot pass on cupcakes or chocolate</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2. I have old lady toes because my circulation is so bad!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I started working as a 'midday supervisor' at my kids' school in February</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">4. I would love to become a classroom/teacher's assistant</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">5. I am a control freak</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">6. I used to work at Cape Town's largest daily newspaper, Die Burger, as a photographer</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">7. I am an Ebay addict!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I pass this on to</span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/">Liberty Biberty</a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://weecutetreasures.blogspot.com/">Wee Cute Treasures</a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://littleneststudio.blogspot.com/">Little Nest Studio</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sorry, I am going to break the chain and only nominate three. Don't get me wrong, I can think of dozens of blogs to pass it on to, but they're all part of the same circle of blogs that we all follow and I don't want to get repetitive for them!</span><br /><br /></span></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4338955049150196234.post-90607674840707597722010-02-28T08:20:00.005+00:002010-02-28T08:45:17.069+00:00Happy Birthday Andrea!It's my <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/StoFfM0t4bI/AAAAAAAABjg/C5Rjmec6D8U/s1600-h/Sisters.jpg">big sister's </a>birthday today. The absolute best BEST thing about me moving to England almost four years ago is the fact that we've become such good friends! We went from living together in our parents' home where we fought like cat and dog daily, to her moving to the UK and just not really having that time to bond as older sisters. So now, even though we see each lots, we chat for hours on the phone a few times a week, our kids play together and we are friends!<br /><br />Holly and I went shopping with her yesterday, took her to lunch, and had a fabulous girly day together. I took up her gifts, one was a pretty metal plant holder for her outside patio area with red and yellow primulas in, a sweet little metal heart, and this, an envelope book.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onpalnHeI/AAAAAAAAB8g/ilhk0xL-weM/s1600-h/EnvelopeBook01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onpalnHeI/AAAAAAAAB8g/ilhk0xL-weM/s1600/EnvelopeBook01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443206692095860194" border="0" /></a>I bought a Martha Stewart magazine years ago (we're talking pre-1995) and it had a tutorial to make envelope books. What a clever concept - I made myself one as a budget book, it had all the cash payments I needed in a month, so I'd take out the cash, pop each one into it's envelope and never had to worry about spending money that was earmarked for something else! Of course, direct debit and stop orders means I no longer need it, but there are so many other uses for one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onlqtm3sI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/vgk2-rJRq2s/s1600-h/EnvelopeBook02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onlqtm3sI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/vgk2-rJRq2s/s1600/EnvelopeBook02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443206627704889026" border="0" /></a>My sister, who is self employed, has to do her taxes and keep track of her her expenditures through the year. So, I made her one with twelve envelopes, one for each month of the year (and it starts with April and runs through to March because of our tax year) so she can keep all her receipts in one organised place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onhHPcf6I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/Cmc2QQNGoGY/s1600-h/EnvelopeBook03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SxS03GK6vY4/S4onhHPcf6I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/Cmc2QQNGoGY/s1600/EnvelopeBook03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443206549463662498" border="0" /></a>I covered it in a Cath Kidston tea towel, and using their website, designed the labels to look "Cath Kidston-y", and because my book-binding tape was red, I went for the blue and red combo for the envelopes and inside covers. I hope she likes it { ;-) } and has a very Happy Birthday!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765407072229316752noreply@blogger.com4