So...

2008 is almost upon us. It's been a bit of an up and down year really...

* 5 New baby girls (all just yummy!)
* Lost Granddad (though he had 6 months longer than predicted)
* Baby cousin miraculosly recovered from menegitis without even a scar on her (Thank You)
* Aunt in and out of hospital, now on oxygen pretty much constantly
* Granddad's got to have surgery on his nose to remove cancer...
* We'll be getting some kittens (hopefully!) in new year...

*sigh* I don't know. I guess I should be focusing on the yummy bits of that list but I just can't help be drawn to the not so nice...

Hmm...

I'll end on something funny - my resolutions (funny 'cos you just know I won't stick to them!)

#1 - NO MORE CRAFT STUFF ONLINE UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY!!!! Which is July so a fair little while to go there...notice I said online...Do Crafts have bought out some yummy new stick on pearls which I've been eyeing up so need to make an allowance!
#2 - FINISH YOUR 07 ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this one probably should have gone first, it is pretty important I get this done. I give myself till the end of January for that one.
#3 - PAINT! I've bought the stuff. Made some sketches. At least 5 ideas in my head. GET THEM ON CANVAS ALREADY!!!

I also have some ideas for new projects but I shall share them with you (whoever 'YOU' are?!) at a later date as I'm off out to spend money I shouldn't be! ciao!
Samm x

so so tired...

which is why this is mostly a visual post...
Days 2 and 3 of my Christmas Journal. Yes it's only 6 days in and I'm already behind but I don't care so ner. lol
I will get it done - I just seem to do better doing a chunk in one go. It would prob be easier if I had all my stuff out all the time but I don't so to get it all out to create just the one page seems like a major waste of my precious energy. So there you go.
My brains even tired...I can't type...I won't go into how many typos I've had today - I'm getting the right letters but they keep coming out in the wrong order! Doh!
I guess that's it until I craft some more...or wake-up...
oh I watched Hot Fuzz this morn. V.good - I insist you all watch it too. :)
Samm x

My my, I do declare...

Said in best southern belle accent...
I declare
my intention to Journal my Christmas. Writing something down every day. Creating a little bit whenever possible. Getting my stories documented for myself and maybe for others to read too.

I hope
by taking a little time each day to reflect, to write, to create, I will keep my Christmas alive and well, despite the commercial pressure that exists outside my door. Family, friends and hot beverages will help.

I may
meet others taking this same journey. I may share my work from time to time. I may remember just why I loved Christmas in the first place, and that may be a very magical moment indeed.

This is the manifesto copied directly from Shimelle - I just picked out my fave bits to add to my journal. I think I'm going to enjoy doing this - I had fun putting this page together (can you tell I hand cut the scalloped journalling bit?! lol!) And of course, this being the season and all, bling all over baby! I even put some stickles on the letters but it's kinda hard to see that. Anyhoo I'm off to open my advent calendar (Kinder Egg this year :) ) as I keep forgetting it's now December and I'm actually allowed to eat it instead of just drooling in anticipation lol

Maybe see you 2morrow if you're lucky ;)
Samm x

So suddenly

it's December. Can I put my tree up now? Of course I'm going to have to actually buy it first...

Shimelles Christmas Journal started today so hopefully I will be updating this with regular posts of my pages. If I'm reeeally good I may actually get the first page done on the first day! Wowee! lol

Huh - a flock of seagulls just whizzed past...my goodness it's windy today...

Anyway - Do you have any idea how hard it is trying to resist all the yummy craft stuff?! I would like some Hambly and a AC 12x12 D-ring but I must resist!!! Actually I'm still not sure about the album but still loving the Hambly...

Well, that was a totally useless post wasn't it...*sigh*!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far :)
Samm x

Sleepy

Above you will see the fron tof my Christmas Journal for Shimelle's class. Very much looking forward to it! I had fun making this - I hope I have as much fun filling it!
Yesterday was a tiring day - all my own fault of course - but it was also fun so I don't care! lol
I went round my mates who has a Wii...do I need to bother with the rest of the story?! I've never tried one before - never saw the point - totally get it now of course! fun fun completely exhausting fun!
I also tried her DS Brain Training - want one them too...
I've only just got my PS2!! Havn't got any games for it (cept for my PS1s) let alone played it and I'm already considering my next purchases...*sigh*
SO I figure this is a good way to combine my missions - namely my eternally failing stash diet.
If I wanna buy stuff, I need money yeah?
If I don't spend money, I can save it and then buy something big and wonderful yeah?
So here we go!

I'm not on a stash diet at all btw.

Oh no.

I'm not falling for that one again.

Everytime I try something comes out, I *really* want it, buy it thinking that's the last ting I'll buy for a while, something else comes out - 'well, I did just buy that the other day so technically I've already broken the diet...' and so on...I think it's the outright banning thing that tempts me even more. Plus most days of little energy - spend it on the comp, which has t'interweb....one false click and £20 pfft into thin air. What is it about cyber money that makes it feel so less like spending?!
So - new game - I can buy what I want! Hurrah! Just got to stick within budget.
AND REMEMBER - Spend £20 today on something you don't even need and your £20 further away from buying something you would actually like!

Wonder how badly I'll fail this time?! Of course this dosn't even kick in till New Year - Christmas always blows my budget outta the water!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)
Samm x

Whoopeeee!!!!

You may have noticed - from the fact that I'm posting - I still the internet! I am limited with it though. Well, I say limited....I have it wknds and evenings, not much of a hardship really! Plus it gives me the daytime for crafting (through the noise of hammering and drilling...I sense a couple of headaches next week *sigh*)

I signed up to Shimelles 'Journal your Christmas' class today. I loved the look of everyone elses last year and I do love me a bit of festivity (and sparkle!) I made the album today but havn't taken a pic yet - my battery charger's been hidden away somewhere unreachable so I need to hunt down a pack of reg. ones...should be fun!

Ooh, and I finally took the plunge today and joined an up-and-coming team on UKS, arn't I the brave one? lol

Hope you're having a nice weekend!
Samm x

starting to panic...

So this is one of the cards I put together with the Magnolia Stamped images I did the other day. You like? :)
As for the panicking...well, there's a chance I may not have the internet for - wait for it - A WHOLE MONTH!!!!! starting some point this week. And here comes the hyperventilating...

Hmm...it shouldn't be that bad I guess. I tried it once before - mum reckoned I couldn't go a month without - but I guess that was easier because, you know, it was there! Hmm...Could be very interesting...

On the other hand it would give me a hell of a lot of free time. I spend waaaay to much time on the comp. Would give me the chance to get some of my crafty projects done that I've been planning at the back of my mind for the past few months.
One of them I'm having a bit of trouble with. See, I've spent the past few months printing out pictures I've taken of the seeds I've been growing (and very nice they are too) all in the plan of putting together a mini book about my first attempt. And, well, you see I think there are now about 100 pics!!!!!! If I'd waited I could have had them done 2/4 to a page but I just didn't realise at the time how many diff flowers there'd be (mixed pack of wild flower seeds) so now I have a slight dilemma. How do I do this? Buy a big wodge of card and have a not-so-mini book? Or try and find a reg photo album and sort of turn it into a scrap book (but not, if you know what I mean...) I may have to ponder this a while. Maybe I'll wait and see how much albums vs card stock is when I next go up the Range.

And yeah, I know, if this is all I have to worry about what the hell am I moaning for - but it isn't. This is just easier because it's solvable. Once I've switched my brain on.

Anyhoo, I'm off, need to go sort some x-mas supplies out for a diff mini I 've got planned...

Toodles :)

Sheep!

Ok, how cute are these Magnolia stamps?! I got them last month but have been a bit intimidated by them - mainly not wanting to mess up the pretty-ness. But today I figured 'well, what was the point in buying them if I'm not going to use the blimmin' things?!' So here we are. I blame UKS for convincing me. Well, actually I blame Anso...but in a good way because they are rather yummy! Now to 'lift' one of her cards with them on so I can do these justice...

Oh, and my whole 'do 30 layouts and minis before buying anything else'...or whatever it was...thing? Well, It's going dreadfully. I've used up my 'except Elsies Zoe and Noel' rule and now I actually have to do stuff before I can buy anything else!!! Lol. Although looking at all the stuff I have I could probably last until next year before actually *needing* to buy anything. Well, maybe cardstock. I havn't got a lot of that.

In fact, if I take into account the rate at which I craft (the term 'snails pace' springs to mind) I could probably even make it 2 years.

But that's just silly.

And I just bought even more photos.

Sigh.

A New November Resolution

What?...It's a thing...

I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY...and so on...

So, I was thinking yesterday, 'I wonder what my list of things I would like to do is looking like?' (yes, even my thoughts are that incoherant...) so I grabbed all my little scraps of 'idea' papers and put them all together...30-odd layout and nearly 10 mini ideas... hmm...me thinks I need to get crafting a bit more, I mean, what better way to use up the yummy stuff right? So, here I go.
30 layouts and 5 minis before I can even consider buying anything else...'cept maybe Love Elsie Zoe and Noel...I have had a hankering for them for quite a while...but then that's it! Should be fun. I also have a couple of Chrimbo pressies to make too so it should help put a dent in my supplies - a much needed dent might I add. I really shouldn't even be considering anything else at all. I don't need it. I've always just been such a sucker for stationary, paper, stickers...it was kind of inevitable this 'collection' (notice I didn't say hobby as a good little scrapper should) would appear.
Besides there are soo many other things I'd like to buy myself.
Like a PS2
(yeah, I know, only 7 years behind...it's the norm in this house really. We only got our PS1 because the son of my dads mate sold his to get a PS2...about 5 years behind with the Gamecube...4 with GBA...I'm sure we've still got our original GB lurking around here somewhere. We don't exactly go with the times in this place!)
Oh, and I've just spotted the complete Calvin and Hobbes collection on Amazon for £50. All hardback and chronilogical. How much do I want this?! Again, it was released 2 years ago - I can't even keep up with book releases! But oh my goodness. I was reading the one with the raccoon earlier. Burst into tears. Why do I keep doing that?! Must remember to avoid that story!!!
So, yeah, where was I? Oh yeah - MUST CRAFT!!!!! With any luck I may even post pictures on here!
Hope everyone has a lovely and safe firewoks night :)
Samm x

Searching for the logic

Maybe this is just a 'me' thing...
Say you have, I dunno, 100 somethings and you think to yourself 'hmm. I really should have stopped at 70, I don't need all of these, I think I'll have a clear out.'
So you have a clear out and get rid of 10 whatevers. Not as many as you should, but as many as you could bare to part with.
Then you feel so happy with yourself you decide to buy 15 MORE thingy-bobs as a 'well-done to you' kind of a treat.

Anyone help me with the logic?!

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

It does enjoy getting in the way of things dosn't it?
Case #1 - I signed up to do Shimelles 'Learn Something New Every Day' class starting Sept 1st. Have I done anything? No. Why? I went on holiday, I forgot to learn things. Mum went into Hospital, I forgot everything else full stop. Will now be learing something new everyday of October instead.
Case #2 - I signed up to do CJs photo Master Class. Have I done anything? No. Why? reasons mentioned above.
Case #3 - Last Scrapper Standing. Actually, this I managed to do. (see above pic) Nearly didn't though. It should have all started while I was away but there was a problem with the site so it started last Wed instead (hurrah!) However I didn't realise, with Mum in hosp, I forgot to check the site until 3 days before deadline. 3 days to design and create a layout with 8 clear elements?! Didn't think I'd do it to be honest. In fact I had pretty much given up, then got up Wed morn and created this layout. Might not be my best work but I still like it.
(btw, mum went into hosp because she had a sudden severe asthma attack. she's a lot better now tg!)

Oh, and there's a million things I want to buy and a limited budget to buy them on. I've just signed up for another 6 months sub for Cocoa Daisy, cos, you know, yum! But this does eat into budget a smidge.
Still want to get some BPAL...Perilous Parlour, Bonfire night and a couple of the Pumpkin Patches sound lovely. I'm hoping the Winter scents are similar to last years - I didn't want to buy any of them as they all sounded like they wouldn't work on me, I was very relieved!
Then there's the new Hambly, Queen and Co. Felt ribbons...Do Crafts have come out with some nice stuff recently too, I spy a trip up The Range in my future.
Oh, and I'm in my handbag buying frame of mind. Autumn/Winter always seems to hit me in the accesories department. Handbags, then shoes, make-up, coats...anything that says cozy or sparkly...*sigh* I'm so predictable.

Ooh, before I forget, assuming someone's reading this, can I ask - do you/did you have any conkers this year? I went a-conker hunting on Wed (my art class is held in a park. Well, in a building, in a park...) There was nothing! Now, either the squirrel family that lives there have gone hyper with the hoarding, some sily twits decided to collect all the conkers before they were 'ripe', some even sillier health and safety twits took 'em OR it's not a good year for conkers. Or acorns. Or Sycamore helicopters come to think of it...any help?
Cheers!
Samm x

Oh the pain,

the pain of it all!
Went to a mini Festival yesterday, now I'm in pain. A LOT of pain. Every muscle in my legs, arms, back and even some in ears and jaw, hurt! All I did was sit down dammit! Fun though...

So you spend £107.24 you want something good for your money yeah? I bought a wheelchair today. I hate it. Well, the chair itself is fine, just the whole *thing* surounding it. You know - *disabled* sigh. I really should get over myself. And hey - I'm registered so I got the VAT taken off, isn't that great?! Yes Mr shop assistant, absolutely super, now stop ignoring me (while I'm trying to pay you) and talking to my parents, I'm getting this because of my legs not my brain. Prat.

Anyhoo - I am now £400 in debt to myself. I'm wondering if this counts. Half the problem is online spending. Well, I guess more than half...thing is, show me a book down from £20 to £7 and I'm thinking, ooh, that is a bit much still (it wasn't, in hindsight) but get me on amazon - I just ordered 2 books for £30 without batting an eyelid! I really need to do something. I made myself a little savings book but so far there's only outgoings marked in it. Typical. And now, of course, BPAL have revealed thier Halloween update. Fudge. I was thinking only the other day that I needed to make an order and then they go and chuck this at me. Maybe I'll just write this year off money wise. Start again in Jan. Clean slate. I dunno. I need to come up with a game plan. That involves Love Film and Cocoa Daisy still with enough money for extra crap I seem to keep buying...hmm...

Ah well...I'll give it some thought...

Toodles!
Samm x

Oh - and I've got sunburn on my parting - ALWAYS WEAR A HAT IN THE SUN!!!!!! It's for your own good. And now I know.

Well I suck...

at this whole blogger thing really don't I?!
Ahh...not like anyone reads the blimmin thing anyway...
Ok, so what's happened since last post? Umm...most of the country was flooded out...not good (why was that the first thing I thought of with all the yummy that's happened?!)
I met Daisy and Tiernee! Hurrah! 2 major yummies right there :)
Turned 23...had a lovely day with Serena cuddles and Sophie smiles :) (we'll ignore the getting beaten up by Chloe part ;) )
Yesterday saw 'the gang' again. More Serena cuddles and Sophie smiles (and getting beaten up by Chlo!) I did attempt a Sophie cuddle but she was being a Little Miss Grumblebum and only Mum would do - one day!!
Now summer does seem to be here might actually attempt to go out tomorrow (without worrying about being caught in a sudden downpour). Of course I realise by actually typing out these words I have officially jinxed it for the whole of Bournemouth but what the hey....
Hope everyone's having a groovy weekend (who am I talking to?! first sign of madness.....)
Samm x

whoop!

Ok, what did I say last post? No worries about photos it'll take 1-4 weeks for Kristinas kit to arrive? Hmm...so it arrived yesterday! 5 days! Well, 4 if you ignore Sunday. Dude! I've had parcel from the next county, infact, THIS county arrive slower. Oh and can I just say - yum! I love this kit, soooo glad I ordered it!

So positive for the 4th? My Kit arrived! Huzzah!

Today? Well, my lovely mate Nat and her yummy daughter Serena are coming over for some scrapping (so to speak...) Well, me and Nat, I'd imagien Serena will be more sleeping, but yay all the same!

Oh and me peed off because I'd ordered photos last Sat not knowing the kit was coming? Well, turns out I didn't order half the ones I wanted to *no wonder it came under a fiver she mumbles to herself* sigh...

Oh (again) and I just found out it's spelt Tiernee...I think I was kinda off...ah well, Leilah said they liked the name because Tia was a cute way to shorten it (or would it be spelt Tier? hmm...) either way I agree. So there. Can't wait to meet her!

Anyhoo, need to prepare the 'craft area' (i.e. dining table) so toodles!

Samm x

Happiness Is...

Ok, I'm determined to be all positive in this post. However - I have something kinda negative-ish to say, so I'll start with that. Wanting to end on a high note and all that...

Where the bloody hell is the sun!?!?!? This is July right? I seem to remember packing our house up last year during a bit of a heat wave, we've had the blimming heating on this week! Oh for crying out loud. I hope it cheers up a bit soon, I do like a bit a sunny sunshine.

Alright, now for the positive. With all the awful things going on, in this country alone, lately (flooding, people dying because of it, car bombs, Dianas memorial - which in itself wan't awful of course!) I've decided that everyday leading upto my birthday I will try and think of one positive thing. Starting July 1st, so I have a little catch up to do...

Sunday 1st - My seeds have there first flower!!! Last month I planted 3 packs of meadow flowers out front. I actually spread them out quite nicley but when I raked them I must have smooshed them up cos they're now a bit clumpy. Ah well, it'll be pretty when they come out but for now, just the one tall flower lording it over all the slow-joes down below ;) I think I'm going to make a mini of their progress...

Monday 2nd - (possibly the best one...) My cousin Leilah had her baby! She went in sunday aft. but bubs didn't make her appearence until 1am - goodness. 7lb 9oz and (another!) little girl. Aww...she's called - now bare with me as I'm not completly sure how she's spelling it so I'll be all phonetic-al about it - Tianey (Tee-a-nee) is that right?! Oh I dunno, I'll find out at first op. I wonder if she's like her mum, born with a full head of black hair? Can't wait to meet her!

Tuesday 3rd - umm...oh, that's today right!? Ok, Kristina Contes' kit is winging its way to me as we speak! Huzzah! Receievd the PDF instructions this morn, how groovy does it look?! Can't wait to get my grubby little mitts on it, though no doubt it'll look awful in comparison to everyones...ARRGGHH NO! No negativeness....mine will be fab! Just gotta find some piccys. I just ordered some on Sat aswell - poop. Oh well, I did actually forget a couple...any excuse for even more photos! I expect it'll be anywhere between 1-4 weeks before the kits hit the UK anyway (if my previous international parcel experience is anything to go by!) Ooh, can't wait!

I'm sure there was something else I was going to say...can't for the life of me think what it is...ah well, see u tomorrow for a bit more positive. Feel free to think of some positive things yourself my little 1/18th of a reader :)
Samm x

So here it comes...

The fabulous wave of depression that always seems to hit me around this time. Month to my birthday and I get depressed for I am yet another year older and still in the exact same place I was when I was 15. Fantastic.

WARNING - self pitying rant ahead

I know, there are people in the world have it so much worse off than I do but it's hard to be happy about where your life is when your going to school friends weddings, meeting thier new born babies and getting postcards from them from all around the world. What exactly have I done in the past 7 years? umm...good question. It didn't help the other day when I met the parents of a boy I went to primary/secondary school with. Telling me about his (and is mates who I also went to school with) life. Lived abroad, working in london, engaged, married, babies....so what have you been upto? Err...well I left school at 15 cos I got ill and umm...yeah, that's about it really. No qualifications? College? Nope. Nothing. Awww. Then of course the 'gotta think of something positive to say now' bit. They really don't.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate thinking like this. And of course you try to talk to people about it, you know, you just want to rant and be all wallow-y for a little while but they (and by they I mostly mean my mum) feel the overwhelming need to be positive and try to cheer you up. I don't want positivity I want realism! I just keep wanting to cry the whole time. I can't even leave the house at the moment because my legs have decided they don't want to work properly this week. Well, fortnight now I guess. Damn. I havn't even got the energy to do something productive/crafty at home. All I can do at the moment is sit on my fat arse in front of the computer or telly. And eat. All the time, I'm just so damn hungry. No wonder I put a stone on in under a year. Ok, fine, it's put me up to a healthy weight but what if I carry on this way? another aarrgghh for the pot. I tried talking to my friend about it but she's always been so confident and positive I don't think she really gets it. Sleeping's another thing. For someone who's always so tired and in bed a lot I don't actually get a whole lot of sleeping done. Too much dreaming. Incredibly vivid, technicolour, surround sound dreams. Dreams I had at 18 that I can still remember every detail of. 7 years and not one proper nights sleep? I imagine that can't do good things to your health (well, other than what's already wrong with it).
I'm kind of glad of the rain at the moment. People keep saying 'you'll probably cheer up when the sunshine comes out' but why? All that will do is make me think, well what a lovely day and here I am stuck in doors not able to enjoy it. At least if it's raining I can say - well, it's not like I'd be going out in this anyway...

Oh dammit. This really is a self pitying rant. I didn't mean to go on so much. Sorry if I've offended by going on about my not-so-bad-really life.
And thankyou for the comment about my photo, I quite liked that one too :)
Samm x

2nd attempt

Oh the stress and drama of it all. Well, ok, maybe not quite so much drama...well maybe a little...hmm...anyhoo, yeah, lack of updates. I forgot. Sorry! I did try a couple of weeks ago but Blogger wouldn't let me, then I had my computer fixed due to other niggles and was without the internet for a whole week!!! A whole friggin week!!!! I was getting withdrawal symptoms. Still, all back to normal now - fingers crossed!

I won't go into the drama part - all a bit depressing and no-one wants to hear depressing things, however if anyone reading this would like to send a healing vibe or 2 in my families direction they will be very greatly received :)

Slightly more cheery - babies!!! 3 of them!!! None of which are mine - which is probably a much better way to be, have lots of snuggles and hand them back hehehe ;)
Ist up Serena Grace Hill - 13th April. My mates Nat & Kevs first baby, and she's just yummy - looks just like her mummy :)
2nd up Daisy Cole - 15th May. My cousin Jamie & his wife Debbie, havn't met her/seen a pic yet, but I've been assured she's gorgeous which dosn't surprise me :)
3rd up Sophie Sheen - 18th May. My mate Gem & her hubby Nigels 2nd little girl, can't wait to meet her and see if she looks anything like her big sister!
So, 3 little girls and one more to come. What are the odds this one will be a girl too?! I mean - 4 babies and not one boy?...hmm...this will be my cousins Leilahs first and if they look anything like her I can tell you now - this baby will be stunning. Have I mentioned how much I hate how gorgeous my cousins are? No? Well I do. They are. Damn them all. Particularly as they are also lovely yummy people too so I can't actually bring myself self to hate them for it. Damn.
This post isn't very crafty is it? I'll try that tomorrow. Sooo much inspiration lately I think I need to share. PLUS I have actually been making things - shock I know!
Anyhoo, toodles for now!
Samm x

The sun is out...

the sky is blue...there's not cloud to spoil the view...and it isn't raining in my heart, hurrah! My heart was just, however, going like the clappers.
See, I was about to FINALLY write an update to please my hoards of loyal 1 fan (half a fan? 1/10?!) and I looked out the window to see what looked like a very large dead leaf on the fir tree from the house behind. Being partially blocked by the bird feeder I grabbed my camera (being that it has a better and more easily focused zoom than the binoculars) and went to get a closer look. JUST as I managed to get a focus on it 2 more leaves suddenly sprung up and they all went plummeting to the ground.

Turns out it was a Thrush.

I swear I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Anyhoo, once I'd recovered, I took some pics (film camera, can't show you them - I'm so ol' skool) and the Thrush went on to devour half the bread we put out. Which was kinda funny because we usually only get a particular pair of pidgeons out there that eat it all, so there she was munching away while they were on the roof behind glowering at her. Hehe. 'Bout time they were put in their place - always strutting around like it's their garden and we're the intruders. I'm not kidding, me and mum were out there the other day and it wanted to come in and eat, but not till we'd gone. Instead he sat in the fir tree and growled at us! I didn't even know they could growl! It was kinda freaky...

So, yes, well, I'm sure you, my 2/18ths of a fan, are now enjoying a good laugh at my expense. They do say laughter is the best medicine. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll come back soon and show you how, when I finished my 'no buying stash till easter' diet ended with vengence.
TTFN!
Samm x

Poor ickle finger...

Card Number 6 complete. Okay, so, only 2 more to do before I catch up to this Sunday...simple right?! If your wondering, because it isn't very clear, the lyrics on my red card are from Madness - #Lovestruck, I've fallen for a lamppost...# I love that song!

Do ya like my layout?! Day after I complained about losing my Oomph and asking on here if anyone could find it boom, I did! And whaddaya know - I used my Hambly! Eek! I *actually* cut into my Hambly. Goodness...There's bling all round the record and the funky and music are covered in glitter. I tried to take the photo so it showed up but no...

In other news - my finger hurts! I was trying to do something nice yesterday by getting the washing in for mum and the stupid metal shed (where we keep the pegs ) doors wouldn't shut so I gave it one last huge shove, it worked beautifully. Door shut with one enourmous slam, not surprising with all my weight behind it. Only problem was my little finger was caught in between. I won't repeat what I said, suffice to say it wasn't pretty. Now, of course, my little finger is all swollen and purple. Fudge. I just hope my finger nail dosn't drop off this time. (few years back, on holiday, smashed finger between 2 rocks - don't ask...)

The whole 'doing something fab with my life' dosn't seem to have taken hold yet. It's not fair. Why is it when I make decisions like this my energy levels slump to an all time low and will barely let me get out of bed let alone go for a little walk, or do some cooking or even read a friggin book!?!?! Arrgghhh!!! *and breath* Sorry. Should really save ranting/venting for my paper journal so no-one has to go through it but sometimes it's so much easier to type than pick up a pen.

In happier news, so far so good on my whole 'no spending till Easter' kick is going fabulously :D Haven't spent a thing in over a week now! Now just got to get through the *whole* of March...wonder how much money I'll save?

Ooh, we're also getting Blue Tits checking out the box in the garden. Fingers crossed they move in! We had Great Tits in the garden every spring for 3 years at the last house, we were worried they didn't get birds round here (numerous rants towards old owners, you don't need details!...) but how cute!

Anyhoo, have to love ya and leave ya, I know it's only Thursday, but have a fun weekend and I'll write soon :)!
Samm x

Ooh, P.S. does anyone know where I can download episodes of Bones? (preferably for free?!) Blimmin Sky and Virgin. All everyone is going on about is 'but what will we do without Lost and 24?!' stuff them! I want Bones!!! grrrr....
Thanks in advance :)

Missing - 1 Oomph

I want to apologise to all the lovely people who have taken the time out to comment on my blog the past week, I promise I have read all your yummy comments and I will come and visit your blogs and see your (no doubt) lovely work tomorrow :)

Above page is that first one of '07 I mentioned a few posts back, photo isn't much I know but there you go...not the best picture of me either (my nose looks kinda big...) but there is 'something' about it...well, for me anyways...

Had my hair cut last week, yay for me lol. I have a fringe! Well...sorta...still, the layers are shorter now so no more triangle head for me when I don't bother to straighten my hair - which is fairly often. And I *mean* triangle. Think Crystal Tipps and Alastair.

I keep trying to sit down and scrap the past few days but all I seem to be doing is getting all my stuff out, sorting through it, then putting it away again...I seem to have lost my 'oomph'. Anyone seen it?!

Ooh, did I mention my latest mission? I'm planning on not buying ANYTHING until Easter. Should be interesting. Had a mini splurge at Amazon before it started, had a sudden urge to finally get my hands on Justins latest album. I blame Scarlett Johanssen. Have you seen how hot they both look in his latest vid?! Goodness. I'm obsessed with it. I keep watching it on his myspace. Damn.

Anyhoo, have fun and I'll be back soon with a card update...I hope, seeing as we're headed for number 7 (or is it 8?!) this weekend and I've only done the 4....*sigh*....and I'm normally sooo organised and on top of things...!

Samm x

I baked!

I'm making changes already :) It was quite fun actually. Made waaaay too much buttercream, though mum and dad didn't made *having* to lick the bowl out (not wanting to waste food and all that...;) ) I havn't done any baking in about a year so I'm impressed they actually turned out edible lol
Hope everyone has a lovely day and I really will try and post that scrapbook page I did :)
Samm x

Finally!

Got my cards uploaded! Weeks 3+4...yeah, ok, I know, I should have done week 5 as it'll be 6 today but hey, I'm imperessed I'm actually still going with this. I get so easily distracted!
Anyhoo, Yellow Peril up the top is #3 - make an 'I AM...' statement. This became my statement because I am so fed up of my life atm. Same old thing every single day. I know I have so many things to be thankful for but it's kind of hard to see them when you havn't left the house for a fortnight because your legs arn't upto it. So this year I'm going to try and shake things up a little, instead of just dreaming things I wish I was doing, I'm going to try and do them. That's not to say my legs will suddenly work, or the pain in my muscles will stop or I'll just plain have the energy to do them, but if I can I will - no more putting off today what I still might not be able to do tomorrow! Ooh, that sounds sort of positive dosn't it? There you go, made a change already :)
#4 was to include a symbol that is powerful to you. And yes, I've drawn Hansons logo. I know, it's not the sort of powerful symbol that's going to be changing the world anytime soon but it's (and all my little doodles around it) are powerful to me in the memory that they give me. This is what my school books/random pieces of paper in my room looked like. I'd doodle over everything and there'd always be a bit of Hanson and Backstreet Boys in there - it reminds me of when I was at school (which I actually loved at the time, rare I know!) When I could hang out with my friends every day (instead of the 'once a month if I'm lucky' time I get now) When I actually had friggin energy people! I could walk up stairs without collapsing in a big puddly heap!!! lol! But seriously (and yeah, ok, I was being serious before...) these are symbols that just make me smile and give me that warm, bubbly feeling in my tum so here they are. :)

So, anyone had snow this week? Apparently, according to the news the whole of the blimmin UK has had it apart from down here. I think Bournemouth and Poole are in a bubble of protection against snow. Seriously, I wa swatching the news mid-week and there were all these pictures from around the country '10 inches of snow fall' some declared. I look out my window, what do I see? Bright blue skies! Little fluffy white clouds! Sunshine!!! poop.
Anyhoo, my budgie is watching me with an evil eye which tends to mean he's feeling neglected and wants some seed or something so better be off, hope you all are well and having a lovely time where ever you may be :)
Samm x

Tweet!

Havn't got any crafty pics atm so have a picture of my Tweety Pie instead :) He's been having a rough time of things lately, getting old the poor thing - 15 at least! I personally didn't even know budgies could live that long but here be the proof :D

BTW, no crafty pictures doesn't mean I havn't ben doing crafty things of course, it's just that my camera has been playing up and stuff...of course while writing that statement I'm realising the scrapbook page I did was 8.5 x 11 and I could scan it in...*sigh* clearly my brain doesn't work as fast as it should...
How has everyone been getting on with their 52 week card challenge? I promise I'm up to date with mine, just not with the photos!
My personal challenge for this week is to do something for my 07 album and use chipboard, I think I'm going to couple this with Trees' challenge on UKS (to use up some paper you've been hoarding) that way I won't have to panic too much about completeing all these challenges - I still havn't done the one I set for myself last week! (or was it the week before? am I 2 weeks behind?! oh fudge...)
Oh and thank you to m_a_a_b who tagged me - I always thought when someone did that you had to answer a bunch of odd questions but I can't seem to find any so yay! :D
Anyhoo, better toddle off now and attempt some crafty things...if you're really good I'll upload my first ever 8.5 x 11 page just for you tomorrow ;)
Samm x

The Missing Magic...

See what you were missing out on?! Aren't you glad I posted it?! :D
Thank you for all the lovely comments about my card and book, I promise I'm not being rude by not checking yours out/leaving comments, I will be doing this after my fabulous (!) update.

To the person who asked what 'ickle' means (and for anyone else who doesn't know but didn't ask...) It's basically a cute form of 'little' (usually said in a 'baby' voice) for example -
on seeing a new born baby, adapt voice to that weird cutesy style and say - "Oh look at her ickle wickle feet, I could just gobble them all up" or, upon seeing your nephews (or whoever!) new pet rabbit "Oh look at the ickle thing! He's so cute and fluffy and awwww....." and so on so forth...Ok, that may not describe it too well, but I hope you get my meaning!

Anyhoo, this is short and sweet as I have some blogs to check out but hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with my next card in the challenge. I've almost done it but something isn't *quite* right so I'm going to have a look tomorrow with morning eyes :)
Good luck to all attempting something fun (or not so fun) this weekend, I hope it's a good one! :D
Samm x

This is my confession...

Arrggghhhh! My confession - I don't know how to work blogger - half a bloody hour it took me to upload these!!! I'm sure you'll all agree it was totally worth it though....(!!!!!!) uh-huh......
Aaaanyhoo, these will be my confessions.
#1 - My ickle Woof-woof. I got him for my first Christmas and we've been bestest friends ever since. I gush about that and apologise for declaring him to be a boy all these years but still making him wear a dress (even if it is blue). I think it kind of suits him though in a weird way...
#2 - I believe in magic! Not magic tricks, but proper, full on Wizards, Warlocks, Goblins, Fairies, maybe not now, but many moons ago? Why not? I mean, It's not that big a stretch is it?
#3 - All those numptys that slate pop music. Your
point being? So what if they don't all play thier own instruments and write their own music (but, you know, Hanson do actually do that...) I do like some other stuff (Bif Naked, Nightwish etc...) Don't dismiss me because of a few YOU don't like. You call me a sheep for following the 'trends' doing what everyone else does - but EVERYONE says that! Dosn't that make YOU the sheep and ME the one with my own mind? grrrr....lol, can you tell I have issues with this?!
#4 - My Films Rock! (well, I think they do anyway!) I love how I have a bunch some people have never even heard of, how people want to borrow them so I can share my love, and most of all - how everyone I know is too 'cool' to buy
Disney, but are more than happy to borrow mine :D
#5 - About my *minor* obsession with all things 'Buffy'. Goodness how I love that show. (you may have noticed my quote & site title? If not - they're from the show, The Great Glorificus! :D)

That's about it really. Well...I did actually think of 3 more so I made some more pages and now I've forgotten what they were. Knew I should have written them down...Anyhoo, hope you enjoyed looking, I sure enjoyed making it! Thank you Shimelle for the inspiration!!!
I'll be back soon with my next card in my deck of me!
Samm x
(Arrggghhh bugger I deleted my magic page...I'll upload it tomorrow, I'm gonna scream in a min!!!!)

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

My little new blue baby :) All sparkly and lovely...my handwriting needs a bit of work (amazing how quickly it slides when you're not writing things down everyday) but at least it has a bit of 'me' :) Plus - check it out, I actually used one of my Hambly Rub-ons!!! The palpatations finally stopped after about an hour...lol, I calmed down when I realised it a)worked and b) looked as fab as I hoped it would (the rub, not bragging about my work!!)
Quite looking forward to next weeks (well, this Sundays) challenge now! Though hopefully I won't end up with cheesy power ballad in my head for 3 days straight this time. Another verse of 'The Power of Love' anyone?!
*disclaimer - for any fans reading this I do like the song, just, when you have going over and over in your head for 3 solid days and you only actually know the chorus....well...aarrrggghhh!!!*

So how frightful has your weather been? Did you have to chase your dustbin down the street today? How much fun did you find that?! And rumour has it we should be expecting a major cold snap next week with the winds coming from the North and potential snow - even blizzards! Part of me is dreading it, part of me can't wait! We dont get a lot of snow down here, and when we do it either dosn't settle, melts within minutes or ends up the hard grey yucky stuff *bleurgh* You wait, we'll have sunshine now.

I'm so looking forward to Shimelles class at the weekend. I've been wanting to make a mini book, being sooo inspired by Kristina Contes efforts (is there anything she's crafted that I haven't fallen in love with?!) but not wanting to out and out copy maybe Shimelles (another major inspiration!) class will help give me the inspiration to make my own and out my own stamp on it...*crosses fingers*
Anyhoo, still waiting for some rental inspiration - any ideas?!
Good luck with any crafty projects you're attempting this weekend and hopefully I'll be back with my mini book and next card soon!
Samm x

Pooped!

Damn I'm so tired I acheall over! I hope I start to re-energise a bit by Friday as I've got a surprise birthday meal to go to (shhhh!) It would be nice to last the dinner without passing out into it...

Ok, can I just say thank you to Emily (!!!), Suebaru and Michelle for thier lovely comments and suggestions - so sweet thank you! (and I will try out that 2nd coat on the next lot I paint as the first lot are already PVAd :D) Sorry if I sounded way too self critical last week, I was going through another of my bouts of mini *almost* depression. I get very self critical and self loathing...not a good way to be but thankfully they don't happen often! I also think it may have been a case of - you know how when you make something and have a very definite picture of what it is then it dosn't turn out right? Then all you can see is "this sucks, this isn't what I wanted!" and not "Hmm, may not be how I imagined but it isn't actually that bad..." *sigh* At least I do know what's going on in my head, even if I no-one else gets it :lol:

(I've now fallen in love with my little pink card btw :D)

I've done the 2nd card for the challenge, and I kinda love this one too, all sparkly yummy-ness :) I'll post a pic tomorrow as my mem card's too full atm so I need to upload!

So, while I've been having my 'down time' I've been all inspired and here are my links :) -

A great challenge, especially helpful if you're taking part in the mini A-Z book on UKscrappers :)
This was an answer to the above challenge, which I love love love! All that Hambly too...mmm...(if your clicking through UKS because I said that I was inspired by the A-Z done on playing cards? This is the link!)
Sneaky Hambly pics! When can us mere mortals (and by that I mean all that can't go to CHA!) get our mitts on this gorgeousness?! AND there are rub-ons to come too!!!

I'm sure there was something else but can't for the life of me think of it right now...ah well, I'm sure it'll hit me at about 1am...and I'll forget again by the time I get up...

Ooh, I got 3 months of free Love Film rentals, yay! Anyone recommend anything good? You know you want to... ;)
Samm x

Well, ok...here you go...

My first ever Altered Card -
Yes it does look a bit pathetic, but I like it... :)
It was a good learning curve too, yes the paint scratches off and the ink bleeds BUT I have also learnt that my cheapy ink dosn't rub off when stamped on PVA coating so yay! My next will be slightly more ledgible...see how I had to 'shadow' the letters so you can read them? Ahh...it's still cute though, and I've tried to save it by adding that yummy Christine Adolph pink, teal and gold paper on the back - which I didn't take a picture of so can't show you...
And thank you very much to my lovely first commenter (if that's a word?!) Ipinky, you should try it as well, see how mine turned out?! It couldn't be as bad surely! All the first timers should get together and learn as one :D
Anyhoo, I'm off to find some thick socks as my feet feel like they're blocks of ice and about to drop of...brrr.....
Samm x

Damn budgeting

Why is it when you say the words (or even dare to think the words) "I need to save money for x, I'm budgeting" the world decides to throw a bunch of yumminess your way? I wasn't going to buy anything for the rest of december, then Purple Onion had a 25% sale and oh how I wanted to buy everything...then A trip down memory lane had a sale...then that was it, no more till february...then Hambly sent me a coupon, damn temptress...THEN Two Peas had some bits I'd been looking for for ages that I can't seem to get over here...ARGGHH!!!! Now, of course, my LSS is having a sale on Sat and there's a Do Crafts demo going on, I do like some of the new ribbons and the brads and eyelets look good...oh pfft.

My complete lack of will power amazes me.

Ok, so here's the deal, *wink* I'm stopping my stash diet, I'm not going to budget anymore *end wink* shhhh....don't tell the universe....

Do you like my mess? I've decided to take part in this (scroll down a bit) It's going to be a mini art journal! 52 cards in a standard deck, 52 weeks in the year, quite simple when you think about it...of course I didn't...hmm...anyhoo, of course it's not as simple as decorating a card a week.
Well, at least not in my world.
See, first up I could only seem to find plastic coated cards, which my paint wouldn't stick to, so I had to sand at least one side of them...
Then, after paint had dried, I realised it was all scratching off - all I did was pick it up!
So, I tried stamping them with my yummy new Purple Onion alphas and the ink all bled

(have I mentioned I've NEVER done ATCs or anything similar before? Hands up who's worked that one out all for themselves)

I've now covered the first with PVA to stop the scratching, and of course this has smudged the ink even more, it's barely ledgible in places...sigh...I will keep it though, I figure if anything it will be 51 more chances to get it right, maybe with any luck I'll actually get better and it'll be like a journey to look at (or maybe I'm being slightly optimistic!) I'll try to get a photo of it tomorrow.

ALso, can I just say, what the hell is it with the new people in Neighbours?! Where did they suddenly come from? Did the bosses sit back and think 'hmm, we have to many familys/middle aged people in this, let's introduce a bunch of random younger people' twits. Of course you have the token ditz (who looks sooo familiar) who just happens to be the daughter of the local resident only cop in Austrailia, The serious one, who just happens to be related to someone else on the street - 'My sister lives over the road?! OMG!!!', and 2 boring blokes who they've decided to make all mysterious - I'm so bored of them already *yawn* You may have noticed I didn't use thier names, there's a reason, I don't actually remember them, this is how much of an impact they have had on me. AND they're trying to sex up Ned. It sooo dosn't work. He's to much of a goody goody and now it's...just...wrong...sigh...anyhoo, rant over - I swear my life doesn't revolve around this program, it's just, you know when you get a bee in your bonnet?!
Anyhoo, see ya soon!
Samm x

DUG!

Although I bet you all got that already huh? Still makes me chuckle though :)

Ok, I have now started the 'Stash Diet' on UK Scrappers. It's not that I'm too freaked about how much I'm spending (although that could be because I havn't added it up), I just want to buy a new camera (digital SLR) and as these things arn't exactly cheap...though by the time I've saved up the one I have my eye on may have come down in price! Anyhoo, here's my set of rules (I figure I'd better copy them as I tend to lose posts in forum threads...) -

1) No more paper!!!! Have I really not got anything that goes?!
2) No more than £30 spent on-line and £30 spent off line a month, and no more than £40 total on craft stuff.
3) Do at least one layout a week, be it a single or a double pager.
4) Keep a proper diary. Dosn't have to be detailed, just so when I look back over the month for my Journal pages I will actually know what I've done! And yes, I realise that isn't exactly a 'stash diet' thing, but I suck at keeping a diary so I figure if I make it a rule in my life somewhere I might actually keep to it!
5) Ooh - I forgot about this one...go through all my magazines, and the ones I will get this year on sub (thanks mum!) and do at least 2 layouts either inspired by, or from the sketches that are usually included in each one.

As long I resist the on-line shops I should be ok with that budget...and don't leave the house I be alright with the off line budget too....:D
Good luck fellow dieters, where ever you may be :)

Samm x

Welcome to 2007!

Above pic is my newly made journal cover for Yorkie Girls 2007 journal (check out UK scrappers - link on right somewhere....!) The centres of the flowers are filled with black glitter and are lovely and sparkly, so are the lines of gems (under 'me' and in middle of black chipboard embellie) AND I went over the 2007 in black stickles...plus the pink is more pink...*sigh* is it the camera that sucks or the photographer?...got to at least be in part the latter!

Hope everyone reading this had a lovely New Years and are starting the recovery by now ;) I was supposed to have worked out my resolutions for my journal by now but oh well, It'll give me something to do tomorrow :)

Looking forward to filling up my journal actually. The idea is doing a month by month review. It's amazing how many different ideas are being talked about just from that one idea. My plan is do a review on one the left and a picture/some pictures that sum it up on the right. This year will be a fairly eventful one so it'll be nice to have a record. Well...nice for the most part...My diary will consist this year of *maybe* a trip to New York (depending on if my body will allow me) 4 births and 1 death...I pray to the Gods that they can add as many more to that 1st total as They want, but please don't take any away and/or add to the 2nd total...

I don't cope well with death. I guess it's because I've not been around it much. Up until this year the only person I would have lost in my life was my Great Granddad Tom. I still have both sets of Grandparents and my Great Nanny Wyn. Now, of course, laws of life are catching up with all of us and as they say - no-one can live forever...sorry...didn't want to get all depressing...*sigh*

*does a little dance to entertain and make you all smile*

*realises no-one can see her so stops*

I'll leave you with a cracker joke to cheer y'all up - what do you call a man with a spade on his head?....

See ya tomorrow!
Samm x