*sigh*

These photos won't upload in the order I want...sigh...the above photo should be after the photo that ended up at the bottom but should be at the top...sigh...okay, so above is the close up of my weekly challenge layout that I thought I'd add as I love how misting with Mr Huey's goes all pointalism.
And here's the layout that should have been on an end (I was aiming for bottom but wouldn't have minded top) yet somehow ended up in the middle...hmm...this is an answer to a mojo prompt from my teamie Emma - to bunch everything up in one corner. I was going to add more but I love the photo so much I didn't really want to distract from it.
Ah ha! And here's my answer to this weeks challenge on UKS. Summer photo (sun worshipping baby penguin), hand made embellie, blue and a journal spot. Full points for Magpies!
FYI my hand made embellie is in the bottom corner of photo - ruffled up some fabrips and stuck a button in the middle to make a sort of rosette. Cute but fiddly, may not be doing it again! Though the sticky back of the fabrips helped.
Hope everyone is having a lovely day!
xxx

Wordless Wednesday 11

UKS Week 3 challenge

Okay, let's see if I can remember the rules for this week...
1) 2 photos check
2) paper scraps check
3) a stamped image check twice and
4)...ooh, bunting! check!
That'll be full points for the Crafty Magpies please!

I'm not sure why I'm so inspired to scrap lately. I think it might partly be my lovely subjects, partly the yummy supplies and also maybe the photos themselves?
I've been trying since the beginning of the year one of my resolutions to take photos mostly with my 'big' camera. The difference in the 'quality' of the shots is so noticable. Of course I'm taking pictures I don't like who doesn't but the ones I do like I don't just like, I *love*. Which, of course, makes me want to 'show them off' so to speak. I want them on a page or in a frame. I love looking at them and the colours/scene/memories.
When I made the resolution to try to take better pictures, to learn my camera more, I never would have thought it would help in another resolution - scrap your memories more and quicker! So many photos that I've had developed that I wanted to scrap at the time but didn't really get round to it and now I'm not inspired to scrap them at all. I really need to do something about that.
Maybe one stage at a time.
I found a bunch of pics from our first holiday down to Pagham a few years back. Some were from the day we went to Brighton pier. I should note down that memory as I doubt I'll be going back there any time soon - dad spent the whole time moaning about the traffic and how different it was from when he was there last. yeah, 30+ years ago...funny that...
Hmm, okay, all I was going to do was upload my layout. Ah well.
Hope you are having a lovely day!
xxx

Well, my head says yes

but my body's saying, 'no, no. You go to sleep now. Night night'
*sigh*
Ah well. Must always listen to what your body tells you otherwise who knows where you'll end up. Wish I could go carry on with my final page for Feb though.
I *loved* making the one above. Not just the yummy pictures (oh so yummy) but just the putting it together. Used March's SC kit for the most part. Added a stamp from an add-on, title sticker from Metropolitan kit and the orange background paper from my stash as it seemed to match so nicely (nicer than the pic shows anyway).
Also used one of my new SC stamps - the camera fitted perfectly into the squares *and* I got to use one of my fave inks - Versa in split pea. It comes out as this soft lemon/lime colour. So fresh and pretty.
I'm really looking forward to the new season. If only for different outfit options - bring on shorter sleeves and cotton!
xxx

busy busy busy

Well, I say that...not exactly busy in anyone elses sense of the word, but in mine? Yup.
Managed to get part of my Doc. 2011 pages for Feb done. As you can see above. Why can't I get blogger to let me type above the photos anymore? Can anyone give me any clues?!

I haven't *quite* finished 2 of the squares (the empty ones...of course) But that's only because I don't know what to do with them! Though I did get a gorgeous bee stamp with this months SC kit so maybe I'll use that somehow...hmm...

Putting this together is soo much easier now I'm getting a kit. I think that's why I was getting stuck in a rut with the last one (that I still haven't finished). I'm thinking I'll be able to finish off what's left (sept - dec) with the add on kits I have. Okay, now I kinda want to go see if I can...

Hope everyone is having a lovely day, I hope I will too!
xxx

Wordless Wednesday 10

Meet Curly
and Fred.

(named after a pair of toy clowns my mum made me when I was about 3.)

Again with the butterflies

I may be developing an obsession with this punch. Perhaps I should challenge myself to not use it on the next layout? Hmm...

Above is my version of this weeks challenge - (...I've forgotten already what the rules were...) Oh, Bling...umm...1 or 2 pics...and....umm...oh yeah, 'white' space. I hope I didn't fail the last one - I think there's enough blank-ness to be classed as 'white' space there?
Pic is of my friends little girl. She is so cute! She has this look a lot of the time that seems lost or about to cry then she'll turn to you and bam! Sunniest smile ever. You can't fail to smile right back. Love her xxx

In other news - loving this actual in the sky sunshine we've been having, hope it lasts!
xxx

Someone likes her new butterfly punch

And yes, that someone would be me.
Here's the opening page for January (doc. 2011). Thought I'd better mention my new lens somewhere and seeing as that was probably the most exciting thing to happen to me that month (woop woop) here we are. A whole bunch of my favourite things went into this layout -
*New butterfly punch
*New alpha stamps
*Studio Calicos Dec. Metropolitan Kit.
*Mister Huey spray inks/paints.
*KI Calendar paper.
*Layering up said calendar paper onto an old piece I didn't really care for much.

I think I may have enjoyed the layering thing the most (probably sad to admit). A good way of getting rid of a piece that wasn't as nice as I'd imagined (curse of no LSS - darn online shopping). I think the bit of colour you can see round the edges matches the colours from the kit nicely though.
Next-
Okay, this is this weeks challenge over on UKScrappers. Another layout for the retreat us Magpies went on in Nov. 09 (yes, only a little bit behind...). For some reason I can never get the colours right - the butterflies are punch woodgrain and yellow swirly paper.
The rules were - Season in your title. Squares. Splash of yellow. And...well...see, I forgot all about the last one until I'd finished it and I loved the finished product so much (trust me, it looks sooo much better in 'real life' imoho) I didn't really want to add a handmade scrunched up flower so I'm 10 points down. Sorry Magpies!
Lastly -
I hate buttons. I really do. On clothing yes, a wonderful thing but on scrap pages? Argh! Thing is they look so good on other peoples pages that I keep picking them, trying them out and no. Don't like them. Another layout for the Magpie 09 retreat collection. I had a pack of autumn foof-a-loofa (or whatever the heck they're called) buttons sitting on my desk for-ever and I happened to notice they matched the colours in the splodgey AC paper. What a wonderful co-incidence. I added some other pink ones et voila! Randomly I actually liked how this turned out. Even with the buttons. Hmm.
I think I've scrapped one of these pics before for a weekly challenge but it was bigger and had journalling on a tag behind about our first (almost complete) meeting - great fun! Looking forward to this year as I missed out on the last one!

So many crafty ideas in my head. Really need to finish Doc. 2010 and get rid of that albatross round my neck (I think that's the saying!?) Luckily my health (such as it is) seems to be co-operating at the moment so better enjoy it while it lasts!
Enjoy this sunshine at the moment too - if only it was a bit warmer with it...
xxx

Wordless Wednesday 9

WOYWDNW*

*What's on your workdesk not wednesday.

So I'm currently running a bunch of scans and whatsits on my comp as it's playing up. Again. Sigh. Still all this sudden free time I have (instead of being sucked into the world of the interweb) has led me to some crafting.
Started my Doc 2011 (a focal page above). And so far I'm loving it! I figure as long as January's pages look good it's incentive to keep the good going (so to speak...).

In other news, the other day I was picking...something...can't remember what...and it doesn't really matter...I was picking stuff off the floor, went to get up and my bad ankle clicked/cracked. Quite loudly. Now, I've been having problems with this ankle ever since my fall last...May/June. Since the click/crack? Nothing. No problems. I'm healed! *does a little dance* Oh I hope it lasts...

Wordless Wednesday 7+8

Brrr

Spring's coming. March starts tomorrow. It's supposed to be warmer! Darn it.

Trying to upload Jan & Febs pics to order so I can make a start on Doc 2011. Looking forward to putting it together. Actually, I have plans for every single photo I ordered. That never happens. There's usually a bunch that 'might' make a good page (or mini...) but nothing ever really comes of them. I think I like this thinking things through malarky. Saves money too I'd imagine.

Went a little bit mad at pre-sale for Studio Calico yesterday. Oops. I knew what was coming (ish) from the sneaks to I ruled out 2 of the add-ons (1+4) as all I liked of them were the stamps. So that left 2+3. Do you think I could decide?! I ended up getting them both. Naughty. And some of the stamps that I'd been eyeing up were on offer. I'm trying to justify it by saying that I absolutely will not buy any extras next month but I guess we'll just have to see what happens there...
I am, however, on a mission to use up (at least) the equivilent of PP (19 pieces) before the kit arrives. And maybe put a dent into the last kit (Dec. Bought as one off). We shall see...

Still need to finish my CJ. It's not looking great on the whole 'needs to be posted tomorrow' front, but I'm trying my best.
Also trying to find an easier way to store my papers (might help with the 'must use min.19 pps before next kit' plan). It's so hard to sort through my papers with how they're stored at the moment. Have to give that one a think...

Ok, I think the pics have finally uploaded - whoop! Now onto the re-sizing/cropping/ordering...sigh...

Hope you're all well
xxx

What's making me happy right now...

* Clip in extentions. Now I can try braiding. I have no patience to let my hair grow. Not sure I could pull off the 'leaving hair down' look with them though. They're as long as I'd like my hair naturally though I keep seeing cute little pony tails everywhere. Must stay strong through my annoying in between length stage. They're giving me something to aim for. As much as my hair's grown in the past year I'm hoping I'll be there this time next year. No doubt in time for short hair to be in.
* Sneak peek of Marcus Fosters new album. Can't wait for this one. I hope there are a decent amount of songs on it. Last time I was this excited for an album there were 4 songs. Lovely songs. But still - 4!?
* Sunshine. Bring on Spring! T-shirt weather would be fabby. Also a day or two without the freezing need for heating and jumpers.
* Flowers. Again with Spring. As lovely as green and brown are it's nice to look out the window and catch a flash of purple and a promise of lots of yellow.
* New freezer. It's been dying for months now for some reason it took a humming/rattling that could keep the neighbours awake to buy a new one. I'm not exaggerating - it's kept outside in the lean to (delightful to get food out of in the pouring rain )and I'm genuinely shocked no-one's come round to say anything. Mum posted a letter and she said she could hear it down the street...). Fun coincidence? We looked in the local paper and ended up buying one from the family a few doors down. Handy for pick up.
* No more need to go out in the pouring rain for an ice cube.
* No more need to keep eating frozen stuff to make space. New freezer is smaller than last one. My body is starting to crave fresh fruit and water.
* Crafting. Just the one layout so far (sorry teamies). But still, it's something.
* Spray mists. Mr Huey rocks.
* New People Tree catalogues. I can't afford a lot of the clothing but I admire the priciples and ethics behind them. (I do own a few bits from Emma Watsons first collection. And some jewellery. And 2 scarfs.). What I also love the is the way they smell. They remind me of school. I wish I knew why.
* I can get back into UKS. They were having problems, combined with my seperate issues = no entry for me. Still, I'm back now. Whoop!
*And last, but definitely not least, Pip finally seems to be over his PMS or whatever the heck he had going on this week. Don't tell me boys don't get it too. Or cats. Countless random attacks. Bring on the dettol. Joy.

Hope you're having a happy day.
xxx

Oh hai

It isn't so hard being a clock. See? It's 10 past 11...no, 5 to 2...wait...when's food time?

I am so bored! Yesterday's craft time in the loft plan didn't pan out too well once I stood up and kept falling into things. Probably not the best idea to go up the stairs. Problem is now I'm confined to my bed. Again. Grr. Also my comp's still being weird. I've typed this all out before (well not *this* bit...) but it was going so slowly it couldn't keep up with my typing (I'm just that good). Then it kept cutting out. Then it just stopped responding. Then it closed down (browser not whole comp). Grr. Hence the re-typing. Grr. And to top it off I *still* haven't had my 'express 24' parcel from Parcelforce. Double Grr. Though, I suppose I should really be feeling sorry for the driver. I mean, according to my tracking code they've been out delivering parcels non-stop since 6.33 Sat morning. That's over 48 hours of driving. Poor thing's got to be feeling tired now....(how can you portray rolling eyes without the aid of a smiley dude?)...

So, In my boredom I've decided to fall upon the fail safe '10 things you may not know about me'. Yay.
#1. I have a birthmark. Most people find this fascinating and immediately ask to see it. I find it fascinating that I've yet to meet someone else who also has one.
#2. The idea of siblings both amazes me and completely weirds me out. The idea of growing up in a house with people from the same(ish) generation as you? Surreal.
#3. I'm genuinely considering creating an FB profile for my cat. I get irrationally annoyed at my 'neighbours' who sign up to play games but never actually do and when I ask for help to 'build' things they just ignore me. So many bits lay half built...It's either that or pay actual money. I think option 1 sounds like the better choice...
#4. I love to play sports. Seriously. I'm great at them. As long as they don't involve running, hitting, throwing, catching, hand eye co-ordination, any measurable upper body strength or large expanses of water I'm totally there.
#5. I have a fear of getting into large expanses of water.
#6. I'm adopted yet somehow have inherited one nans pepper allergy and the others nose. I'm not particularly happy about either.
#7. I do not in any way shape or form want to track down my birth parents. Not in a cruel way, just can't see the point. Wish I could access an up to date medical record though. (even my 'grandparents' were in their 30's when I was born - who knows what's changed...)
#8. I'm allergic to cats. I didn't realise until Pip finally started letting us touch him (6 months after we brought him home). Too late by that point. Oh well.
#9. I'm somewhere on the cover of the fan edition of Terry Pratchetts 'I Shall Wear Midnight'. I still haven't read it though.
#10. I have never smoked a cigarette. Not once. Not even a puff. Decided when I was about 3 that all grown-ups were stupid for doing something they did nothing but complain about (the smell, the cost, how hard it was to give up) and have not once changed my mind.

(Pip's with me on that last one. Every time he comes across an ashtray he 'buries' it. We went into the lounge after dinner once to find he'd buried one under the tablecloth. Good boy.)

So there you go. It'll all be good once I can get back in to UKS - I can ramble on at them instead of here...I bet they're all enjoying the 'peace'!

Hope everyone's well and staying dry in this delightful weather
xxx

Huff of frustration

Okay - this strop my internet has going on right now is getting real old real quick.
It wouldn't bother me half as much if one of my fave sites (UKS) wasn't affected. Also a couple of FB games, a link to Daily Mail (?!) and some pages that may have images to print off for my CJ. Those 3 aren't as annoying (well, the CJ thing is a bit but hopefully I can find them somewhere else...).
Also on my 'things that are currently frustrating me list' -
Parcelforce.
I ordered something from a site on Friday, says order Mon-Fri before 3pm and you'll get it the next day. Great I think. I ordered well before 3pm. Got the tracking info in the late afternoon. Checked Sat morning and apparently at 6.33 am it was put onto the van and was 'out for delivery'. Has it been delivered?! Has it heck! I was starting to wonder if I'd read the delivery whatsit wrong but it's labelled as 'Express 24' and it still says it's 'out for delivery'. Has the delivery man been driving around since 6.33 yesterday morning!?...grr...if this is express 24 I'd hate to see what the regular delivery times are like.

In other, happier news - Made it into the loft. Whoop. Tidied up some of the piles of mess I'd left up there from last time. Glued on my front and back covers for my CJ. Managed to spill red ink on my trousers. (cream coloured of course).
Hopefully I'll be up there again later. If anything I'd like to get the inside covers of CJ stuck and the pages cut to size. Would also like to do the Weekly Challenge. Don't fancy my chances of getting the Monthly Challenge uploaded to UKS (grr) so it's probably best to focus my remaining energy on the weekly effort as I can stick it on here if need be.
Still haven't done my Jan pages for Doc 2011 (or the rest of Doc 2010 now I mention it...) as seeing how many (or should that be few?) photos I have to print off it really didn't seem worth the postage. Now we're so late into the month I might as well wait and get Jan and Feb done at the same time. I'm determined to keep up with Doc 2011 - I'm getting frustrated (ah, more of it!) wih Doc 2010 as it was all so flippin' long ago now I just want it over with! Stupid past self! Maybe I can try and get some of that done too...hmm...

Wow, that was a lot of rambling even for me!
If any passing Magpies happen to see this know I'm trying to work out how to get back on UKS - hopefully it will be soon! Hope you're all well xxx

Normal service will resume shortly

Spring is starting to pop up all over the place and this blasted cold finally seems to be shifting - in time to sniff all the flowers? Lovely.

I think my computer's out to get me today. Keeps deciding what pages I can and can't open. I can almost read the Magpies posts on UKS (scrolling is so slow and jerky) but it won't let me comment quickly to say I can't comment (iykwim).
The browser keeps freezing.
I had to re-boot the whole thing once already today...sigh...ahh technology...
At least the sun's shining.
You know what I would like? Ignoring the outlandish...let's all be sensible now children...I would like to get into the loft and craft. I have written/sketched/planned out about 10 layouts (admittedly I haven't got the pics done for 2 of them...) not counting my mojo layout once I can get to the jar and most importantly - my CJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After my layout blitz at the beginning of Jan I happened to not be feeling well but luckily the team decided to bump CJ posting from Feb1st to March 1st. 'Oh that's fine' I figured - an extra month. What I didn't count on was feeling like death and then catching a cold and being trapped in my bed for the past week. I have done nothing!!!!! I do know what I'm going to do though so that can only be a good thing, I tend to work faster with a plan in my head.
I wonder if this will have any trouble posting?...hmm...

Wordless Wednesday 6

And what gives you the right to look down on me?
That's better.

Wordless Wednesday 5

Mmm...chin rub...

Bah

I'm trying very hard to get an 'eyes in focus' shot. It's difficult with this dude as the only time he sits still for long enough is when he's about to go to sleep. I made a whole bunch of daft noises trying to get his wide eyed interest and managed this one. I think one eye is in focus but I can't really tell...maybe it's just the area around it...my eyes are terrible atm, even with my glasses on!
Anyway, I also had a bit of a play at trying to get a self portrait. This is *not* the lens for a self portrait. But I do, sort of, kinda like this shot. One eye ended up in focus making me look a bit bugeyed (!) but seeing as how up to that point the only things I'd photographed were the things behind me (rolling eyes) I was mostly just happy I'd ended up in the shot at all!
I edited it on Picnik - soft focus (to tone down the bug eye) and B&W to hide the blotchy/haven't slept properly in 12 years-ness of my skin and ta-daa
And here's another shot of The Fluff. Remember that cute yawn picture I posted last time? Well here he is yawning from a different angle. (you know, if I actually tried to get a pic of him yawning it would never happen.)
Meet Gollum's hairy cousin-
It's the fangs that get me (quite literally on occasion). I don't know whether to hug him or run screaming...
Hope you're all staying grounded in this delightfully breezy (!) weather!
xxx

Wordless Wednesday 4

"Yaaaawn...I'm so tired I think I might just have a nap in this sun spo..."
"FOOD!?"