Over the moon!

It has been a very busy week and Sunday was the ultimate in fun and enjoyment - I spent it with my family.*Ü*  The last time we were all together was last August, so in preparation, I made some Lemon Curd for my 3 daughters and Chocolate Fudge Cake for everyone - to add to the already full platter with various cakes and scones that everyone had made! *Drool*

Then the girls wanted to go visit Hollister to do a little retail therapy. What kind of shop wants you to shop in the dark?! LOL. It's not the place I would like to work. It can't be good for the eyes - or lack of vitamins A&D!  Anyways, Yasmin and Eden managed to spend over £200 between them! Both are rehearsing to be WAGS me thinks! *Ü*

Eden being almost 12 is the tallest of all 6 of my grandchildren and has her eyes set on being Britain's Next Top Model!! I just LOVE this photo of them. They all get on soo well together and always have such fun.

It was birthday present opening time, as the youngest 2 - Ethan and Miss Ashley celebrated birthdays recently and Eden's will be very soon.

When it was time to leave for home....we were met with the sight of a beautiful moon - lighting the way - the end to a wonderful day spent with my family. It was HUGE - and soo bright. Similar to the Supermoon that we recently had gracing our skies.

...and there we must leave them....children now all tucked up in bed....LOL...I doubt it very much. Parents all sprawled out on the sofas - exhausted and feeling rather coma-tised from all of that sugar...that's probably more like it! *Ü* ...and me...I am OVER THE MOON! *Ü*

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you will come again very soon.

Ally Pally stash haul!

Too excited to sleep, (I need to get out more!)...I was awake at 5am Saturday morning, ready to make the trip to London for my 2nd visit to Alexandra Palace. Last year, I got the train but I went by National Express coach this time which saved me money - more to spend on goodies! *Ü* I sat next to a friend who I didn't know would be on the coach - going to London to stay with her mum for a week, so it was good company and the time travelling shortened. The coach was good timing too.

The day was mild and sunny and I arrived at the palace around 10.45. There were no queues, so the minute I stepped through the doors, I was met with eye candy! Ooo...where to begin...I went straight to the £1 stall first, as I learned last year that things sold out fast. Everything was £1 each. I bought one for me and one for my granddaughter Yasmin.

Hard to believe some of the packs have 10 stamps for £1!

I love these brads. *Ü*

...and I bought some clear gems but I had trouble with editing these photos - probably due to their size which has taken me half the morning!

I wanted some of Graphic45's earlier papers for different projects.

I overheard a lady say to her friend - walking past some Graphic 45 papers...."oh no, I don't want any of those, they are dark and old fashioned!"  LOL.

These were a cute find on the Mei Flower stand - charms and woodchip flourishes.

There was a new stand - MDF Man and the items were soo cheap. These little albums have 6 pages each and were £1.20 each!...

...and my best buy of the day was this set of Promarker pens....as you can see they cost £11.90 for 12 - bargain. It's my first ever set! I know, I'm a little behind with the trend! *Ü*

I am already looking forward to September for the next show and my eldest granddaughter Yasmin wants to come with me. *Ü*

Off to stalk the postman - in search for my first DT package from Australia. *Squeal*.

Have yourself a wonderful day.

 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Spring has certainly sprung in my area. The trees are full of blossom which seem a little earlier than usual and I just had to take some photos of this white blossom with my new camera Sony A55! (See earlier post for info).

There were 3 trees together that had the most delicious perfume wafting on the gentle breeze.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

Introducing my new 'baby'!

It has arrived... my new Sony camera and I am soo overwhelmed - not just with it's total awesomeness but with the kindness and generosity of how I managed to get it! Let me explain.

My existing camera - a Sony Alpha100 died a few weeks ago (see earlier post). It has been - and still is, in the camera hospital awaiting surgery. I decided it was far too expensive to have it repaired - a total of £276.04, so I decided to buy a new one. It has served me well for over 4 years and with the offer on the new camera (I bought body only, so able to use my 2 existing lenses),  making it cheaper than the original camera, I couldn't resist.

Sooo...here it is. My new Sony Alpha55 - the latest in technology. I am soo thrilled and I feel blessed that I have it here - now!

The shop does not send out Sony cameras and as the distance between me and the shop are probably over 300 miles apart, it presented a little problem! I did put out a call if anyone was able to help who lived close by and Chris came to my rescue. Chris sacrificed his time to go collect it for me, packaged it up and sent it to me within a couple of days and I am soo grateful to him for his kindess and generosity. *Ü* I couldn't have bought it without his help. So once again Chris - if you read this...thank you, thank you, thank you.

About the camera....I did look at the new Canon 600D but eventually the Sony A55 won my heart.

It is a little smaller than the A100 but has so many different features. Check out the links above - each a different website for alternate reviews. I can't wait to use it and my battery is charging as I type. *Ü*

I have had problems with the guy at the photo shop where I took my 'old' camera. It has been sent away but has not been returned - even after my 5 telephone calls to find out what the estimate for repair is, nor after requesting last Saturday - for my camera to be returned unrepaired. It wasn't on the delivery service last Thursday! After making yet another phone call, I now have to wait until next Thursday - making it over 5 weeks since it's been gone! It's outrageous.

To take my mind off of it....I need to go read up on how to set the settings! Eek! That WILL take me until next Thursday!

Toots for now peeps.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY*** ASHLEY

WOW! I find it hard to believe that my youngest grandchild - Little Miss Ashley is 5 years old today! Here are some photos of her through the years.... Metamorphosis style!

A recent layout I did with the new Graphic45 papers - 'Once Upon A Springtime'.

Happy Birthday Princess. XX

...and now for something completely different! *Ü*

EXCITING NEWS

I have been accepted onto a Design Team - in Australia! This will be my first experience and I am thrilled and excited to be able to have the opportunity to stretch my imagination and creativity. Thank you to Karen and Helen at http://hobbysewechuca.blogspot.com/

More exciting news....I have bought me a new camera and am awaiting it's arrival. When it arrives, I will introduce it to you! *Ü*

Right now, I have a ton of things to do...phone the birthday princess, hair appointment, finish preparing the Family History pages for my workshop next month for 30 children! 

Thank you for your visit. Enjoy the sunshine.

Toots for now.

This and that!

I've realised that I haven't blogged in over a week! I am grieving right now....my camera died on me a few weeks ago and I am lost without it! I use it every single day. Maybe I wore it out. It served me well for over 4 years but I can't afford to replace it. It is in the shop for a repair estimate but they are taking their time - over 2 weeks now and I still don't know what is wrong with it!

I have been keeping busy and trying not to think about it but I have missed good photo opportunities recently - like the circus, photographing my creations and nature.

So what HAVE I been doing?
Watching American Idol - I have enjoyed this season's contestants. I LOVE James, Jacob and Scotty of the boys. Pia and Lauren of the girls.

Watching Dancing On Ice. Not sure who is going to win. It's getting more difficult to choose between Laura and Chloe. I think it will be the 2 of them  in the final.

I've been to the cinema to see Lord Of The Dance show with the am-a-azing Michael Flatley. Who would have thought he is touching 53 in July?!

I've been  making my grandson Ethan's 10th birthday party invitations - movie themed.  Photos later....remember, my camera is being fixed - hopefully!

Zumba....I have been doing a Zumba class twice weekly and I LOVE it!

Shopping....I bought a new top and scarf - in a peacock feather design but in grey - a colour that I have avoided for many years! That and navy blue. I believe they are school uniform colours, so didn't want to wear them. However, there have been rather a lot of items in grey this and last season and I have succumbed to buying.

Two of my granddaughters want to crimp their hair, so I bought them hair crimpers - to share for their respective birthdays. They are going to LOVE them. I love to look for ideas in everything I see.

My friend's daughter had her 1st baby yesterday - a baby girl, so I am making a card and little box with her birth details.

Oh, and I have been making flowers with the skirt I bought recently. It was actually quite hard for me to cut it up but I took a pair of scissors and did it quick!

I am looking forward to going to Alexandra Palace in April... and meeting up with lots of you lovely peeps that leave me comments. *Ü* So you see, I haven't been idle. *Ü*

I'm off to get me a hot chocolate and finish off the birthday boy's invites. Have a good day yourself.

Toots for now,

That's Life!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to view my Graphic45 DT call creations and left me lovely comments. I am so happy to have stretched my imagination and had the experience of entering my first design team call. However, I didn't make the grade and that's ok. I am not so disappointed. There are a LOT of fabulous designers out there and I know that I have a long way to go to be of that calibre. My 'style' - if I have one, is different and I like different. I aim to carry on creating and doing what I am doing - It's My Life!

I went shopping yesterday...to Primark! There are a lot of lovely items in the jewellery section that are scrap worthy. This is what I bought.

The black and diamond butterfly brooch was just 50p! The butterfly neckless was £1 and the rest were full price but nonetheless - still very cheap. I LOVE the little Eiffel Tower which will be very cute along with the French poodle for a project I have in mind. Also the charm bracelet has lots of charms and at even £3, they would be a LOT more if they had the word 'scrapbook' on it.

Another Eiffel Tower and Paris word.

Peacock feathers seem to be everywhere too now and these clips were only 50p each with another black feather attached.

I think my best buy has to be this peachy chiffon skirt. It is a size 16!!! Not my size and this is not really something I would wear at my age!!LOL. However, at £3, I shall cut it up and make lots of flowers. My little Miss Ashley's 5th birthday is at the end of this month and she is into everything pretty, bling and fru fru! *Ü* Not much different than any other 4 year old really.

So, my time will be used creating and making once again.

Happy crafting to you. Have a Super Sabbath.

***GRAPHIC 45 DT call submissions***

I have been considering submitting my work to be on a Design Team but until now, I have hesitated....until I saw that Graphic 45 were calling for members that is! *Ü* I have fast become a fan of Graphic 45 and I LOVE their newest collections - Once Upon A Springtime, Curtain Call and Le Cirque.

Here are my submissions which are made up of a mixture of layouts, cards and altered items.

First up - the 'Curtain Call ' collection... which is my favourite of the new collections...until I began working with the others that is! *Ü*

My middle daughter - Michelle and my son in law went to Paris recently. I even managed to add 1.50 French Francs that I had from a trip before the Euro came into circulation!

It's no secret that I am a Cadbury addict - chocolate in all varieties and hot chocolate too. So I dedicate this clock to.....ME! LOL. 

I bought this wooden box in a charity shop recently. 

These are from the 'Le Cirque' collection....

Matchbook tag....

When it's opened, the clown's legs are extended!

...and the 'Once Upon A Springtime' collection.

My youngest of 6 grandchildren .... Little Miss Ashley is such a natural and delight when it comes to posing for her 'Nana-razzi'. *Ü*  

 

Altered paper plates and cling wrap tubing.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for the opportunity to extend my creative imagination. *Ü*

What timing....the Circus is in Town this week, so tomorrow, I am taking one of my grandsons - Cameron and get more photos to scrap with the lovely Le Cirque papers! *Ü*

Good luck to everyone who has submitted their work.