American Idol!

So who's been watching American Idol then? Who's your favourite Idol? For me, I really like Crystal Bowersox... - have done from the start. I think she is so versatile and isn't at all big headed about her popularity.

I like Michael Lynche's voice too but there's something about him that irritates me....his incessant nodding - and to me, he comes across arrogant at times. I can see him and Crystal in the final.

It was good to see Adam Lambert back this week....as a mentor! He was my fave last season. I thought he was great with the contestants. My absolute fave contestant from a few years back was Fantasia. She was FAB. Loved her rendition of Bonny Raite's 'Something To Talk About'.

Have you noticed just how many guys are wearing 2 earrings these days? For instance, Randy Jackson, Michael and here....Andrew Garcia....who incidentally, was knocked out of the contest this week - along with Katie.

Check out his earrings. He wears a nine diamond square in each ear. I wonder how much he paid for those?

I had to smile to myself when I browsed my local charity shops recently. I found these earrings - 2 pairs on a card and I immediately thought *Andrew Garcia*!
I got these for 75p the 2 pairs! That's just 38p for the Andrew Garcia look alike pair! LOL.

Don't ya just love a bargain?!

Have a Fabulous Friday.

Spring has sprung!

It was such a beautiful Spring day today, I decided to go to my allotment. It's only a 15 minute walk and there was a wonderful explosion of colour along the way. This Forsythia against the backdrop of the clear blue sky was stunning.


Then along where the houses are on a higher level, were these Muscari and errrmm....not sure of the white flowers. Any idea?

There is one house that has Aubretia tumbling over the wall....I have photographed this on many occasions over the years. It never fails to impress me.

I used to use a panoramic camera and I would fill the aperture full of the flowers, then use them for making my own letters on layouts. The effect was pretty.

Then, just as I was about to walk away, so I caught sight of this Peacock butterfly.

Another sure sign that Spring is on it's way. I hope you all had a beautiful Spring day in your little part of the world.

Toots for now and thank you for sharing my nature walk with me.

Meeting Julia Roberts!!

I forgot to mention in my previous 'Ally Pally stash' blog entry that I had the pleasure of meeting Julia Roberts!! Well, she told me that's who she was! I certainly didn't realise that she was 'into' stamping and crafting.

Shame I missed 1st April - April Fool's Day. I'm just kidding. I'm sure you all know who it is by now! It's the lovely Linda Elbourne. So, yes Linda, you really do look like Julia R - and I did keep my promise - to airbrush our photo!

I wore my 'Zendangle' top and made sure I steered clear of the Promarker pen stand!

So here is the REAL Linda - in action - making a paper rose.

Here's to the next show. I have started saving already!

Have a Terrific Tuesday. Toots for now.

Ally Pally stash!

I went up on the train alone and it was my first time at Alexandra Palace. The journey was quite long - 2 buses, an overground train and 2 underground tubes but still it was worth it!

It wasn't long before I recognised the crafters! I managed to arrive on time - before 10am - only to find that the queues were almost out of the entrance doors!

It was so nice to meet people that I have gotten to know. Linda - who did a fabulous job demonstrating, Carmen, Leigh, Karen from Scrap Shed, Hels Sheridan, bloggers and others that I know through scrapbooking/crafting. Walking around for over 6 hours wasn't a problem - until I sat down! LOL. Boy, did my feet ache. I slept well last night.

I am very pleased to say that I didn't go over my budget - I even brought money back!! Can you believe that? There were lots of bargains to be had. Here is what I bought.
The white glitter was only £1!

Something I have had my eye on for a while.

These papers - 12x12 were reduced to half price! They will be good for the trip we had to Lapland UK and the photos I took of the 'journey'.

This Dovecraft pack was just £1 too.

Another £1 bargain. Shame I didn't see the £1 stand until nearly 4pm.

I have been wanting some Teresa Collins papers for a while too.

As they are double sided, this is the reverse of the 3 above.

Ten 12x12 cardstock for £1.50 - some are textured.
Some pretty Webster papers. Another bargain - 10 for £7.

These are the reverse of the above.

Now for that Sunday afternoon rest....feet up....before a new week of playing with my new toys.

Just Yasmin!

After a lovely Easter with our eldest daughter and her family, our 18 year old granddaughter Yasmin came back with us and we have spent some special time together - as we do! She loves to do scrapbooking with me and as usual, we never have enough time together.

Today, we did a photo shoot. Please let me know what you think. She will be chuffed if you leave a comment - and so will I.



Yasmin is always sad to go home but she will be going on holiday tomorrow with all of her cousins and family so that won't be so bad.....me.....I'm looking forward to going to Alexandra Palace on Saturday - or better known as 'Ally Pally'. It will be my first time and I am quite excited. I'll be on the lookout for lots of faces that I have got to know.

Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave lovely comments.
Toots for now.

A blank canvas!

My eldest daughter, Lisa, gave me a challenge! She wanted me to decorate a huge canvas for her dining room wall! It is over 3' x over 2' in size. I was happy with the way it turned out and she loves it.
The colours of her dining room are ivory, duck egg and fushia, which I incorporated into the design. One item that she gave me to use is a fushia floral keyring.

I saw the Gerbera flower in BHS and it feels like a real one. After dismantling it, I used just the head and placed the flower part of the keyring in the centre with a hovering butterfly. The keyring flower has a circle of hearts which I also used in the design.

I printed the central heart onto pearlised ivory cardstock with a quote and used ribbon to wrap around it.

I made each butterfly by hand and I used the template that is a freebie on Dan99's blog - http://dan99.blogspot.com/2008/11/butterfly-project-freebie.html Thanks Dan.

The canvas is now hanging on her wall and looking very chic. There isn't another one like it in the whole wide world!

Happy crafting.