New beginnings

Isn't that what all New Year Eve's are about? Waiting for a New Year to begin and wondering what's in store.
I can honestly say that it's not been the easiest of years but there have been highlights as well as low points.
One highlight was watching Harry perform in a local production of The Sound of Music. Such a proud moment for us all!
Harry is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspergers. We know he is on the autistic spectrum but we are currently dotting i's and crossing t's to get the help he needs.
George is fab. He tries his best at school and on the rugby pitch. He really is a little dynamo.
Hubby is amazing and supports me in all I do. We have had a year where our relationship has got back on track and I really do appreciate my soulmate.
Me? Well I have been rushing here there and everywhere with very little time to myself - hence no crafting. My mum has not been in the best of health this year (again) and I feel like I could drive up the m6 blindfolded I know it that well!
Anyway another highlight was Jubilee weekend from when this pic was taken. It's us four together - love my chaps x x x

Having a play.

I am a member of a little craft group and the challenge for this months swap was 'Pearls and Swirls'
As I have not had a messy session with my alcohol inks for a wee while I thought I would incorporate those into the design with some stamps which have been hiding at the bottom of a drawer.
Hey presto this is what I came up with!

This week Harry has been away on a trip to France and Belgium and the house has been so quiet. We certainly know who the chatter box is :)
I unfortunately am in the middle of a flare up at the mo so crafting has been sporadic and slow but I am doing it :)

I am at work tomorrow so no cardmaking will be done at all this weekend which is a shame unless I can squeeze in a little time on Sunday ;)

Different hats!

Being a mum is all about hats and the last two days I have worn my nurses hat.
Harry is still under the weather and that has meant that today I have not been to work. Not such a bad thing in some ways but then if I don't work I don't get paid :(
Anyway hopefully tomorrow he will be going to school as I think he will be much better after a good nights sleep.

Today I have been cutting out decoupage and sticking it together. I haven't any cards in mind yet but just wanted to cut pictures out.
I have lots of sheets in a folder which need using up so am slowly but surely making my way through them.

Here is another batch of cards I made from a stamped image and some scrap patterned paper. I am going to have a look at a different type of punch for my sentiments though as I am getting fed up of the plain circle.

Right chef's hat needs to be put on my head :) xx

Oh it snowed!

Did it ever snow - it was fab!
Mind you its Monday and the practicalities of school, and traveling to work has cropped up.
Steve got to work ok, George got to school in a mood but ok, Harry woke up with the mother of all colds so wasn't going to school. However, his school is now shut due to a burst water main so he is wrapped up on the sofa.

As I had no work this weekend I was planning to craft - hmmmmmm got none done at all :(

A little bit of scrap paper.

A couple of weeks ago I stamped alot of images and settled down to an afternoon of colouring in.
Oh it was such a lot of fun and just so calming.
So I had lots of images to make into cards and was wondering what to use with them. I then realised I have a box of scrap patterned and plain card so why not use that?!
The result is that I have some very quick and easy cards which look quite good and used up some more stash!

Today is Friday and as I am off this weekend I have that feeling. Tomorrow is Music School for Harry and his girlfriend Ellie is visiting in the afternoon (weather dependent of course).
Sunday is rugby for George in the morning and rehearsals in the afternoon for Harry.
Busy busy unless of course it snows as predicted in which case I will be wrapped up watching the boys have fun on the sledges :)

Apprehensive.

Well didn't the weekend go quick? So quick I didn't update my blog - ha ha ha cos I do that regularly???!!!
Anyway work was interesting to say the least and we were driving the boys here there and everywhere for rugby or rehearsals. Don't think I saw alot of my hubs over the weekend but still there is this weekend to look forward to as I am off :)

Last night we had a meeting at Harry's school concerning a forthcoming trip to France and Belgium to see the WWI trenches etc. Its Harry's first trip abroad without us hence the title of this post. I know he will be fine and he will love the trip. Infact I am really jealous as it sounds fab but I will miss him dreadfully - although its only for two nights.
George is currently reading the Warhorse, or rather trying to. He got to a certain part on Sunday evening and starting sobbing and I mean sobbing. He cried that much he wore himself out. Needless to say Monday nights book was Horrid Henry ;)

Anyway onto the crafting. I have made a card for Valentines Day using a Cuddly Buddly image, some ribbon and embellishments which again I have had for yonks - I really need to get through them :)
This card is for Steve but I am waiting for Harry to ask me for one for his girlfriend Ellie. Hmmm thinking about it maybe I should make it up before he asks as I know he will suddenly realize on 13th Feb he hasn't done anything for her!!!!

xx

Ffffffffriday!!!!

Would like to say that I have that Friday feeling but lets face it I am working tomorrow so its so not going to happen :(
Still on the upside I do get a sort of lie in tomorrow ;)

Got another card to show you. This time its for Mother's Day - yes I am trying to be THAT organised!!
I had a rummage through my scrap patterned paper and decided to use some squares together with some felt butterflies which I have had for yonks. Add a bit of ribbon and some faux stitching and doodling and hey presto!!
I liked these so much I made four!!

Using old stuff!

I think it was last year's resolution not to buy anymore crafting stash and ok while I have maybe bought a Christmas card kit and the odd stamp I can proudly announce I bought no new patterned papers etc!
Having said that I still have loads of stuff but to be quite honest I have not crafted as much as I like so my stock has not dwindled as much or as quick as it could.
This year I am making a really good effort to craft more. It really does chill me out and provide me with 'me' time. As a mum of two boys/young men I need it believe me. For the last couple of weeks what I have been aiming to do is once housework is done, boys sorted etc etc to go in the study and do something. Even if it is just for half an hour and I think I am feeling the benefit of it. :)

This card is from a birthday pack of papers which I have had for yonks, infact yesterdays card is from the same set. I am also ashamed to say i have two packs of this! Oh well plenty of birthday cards for everyone :) I coloured in the sentiment, which is taken from a Kirsty Wiseman cd, with a promarker pen to fit in with the colour scheme.

On Sunday I spent the afternoon coloring in some stamped images with my promarkers and so am now batch making some boys and girls cards which hopefully will be done later.

So whats going on with the family today? Well:
Harry - seems to think his option choices are safe although he can't decide between history and geography. His other choices are drama, German instead of French and RE and philosophy. Rehearsals for his latest local production (Bartered Bride) are going well and he has been given a small speaking part :)
George - back injury is healing well (rugby on Sunday and collapsed scrum). Unusually he is testing my patience at the mo
Steve - finishing early today - yay!

So thats all for today folks xxx

Its a New Year - little late I know!!

Oh wow - nearly the end of January!!

I hope you all had a good Christmas and a fantastic New Year. I hope that this year is a peaceful one for all of my friends :)

I have a mixed year ahead of me:
I am hoping that my Mum's health remains good so that a transplant, although inevitable, will be something we can think about in the next couple of years.
Harry takes his options this year for GCSEs - good grief I am not old enough for that!
George is continuing to make good progress at school and playing rugby.
My hubs turns 40!!!!!!!!
And me? Ha ha ha well its the same old make time for myself, loose weight etc etc etc.

I have been crafting though and last week dug out some very very old Dufex decoupage and made this card. Please excuse the dreadful picture. It is much better in real life.
I was looking for some inspiration for a card layout and found it here on Elaine's blog. Take a look as she is very talented!

Yesterday I did some stamping and colouring in so guess what I am doing this afternoon?
xx