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