New Years Resolutions

Well now I am living in the 'Burgh, I am turning my nose up at the tourist fest in the city centre today, I'll be dissing the Festival by next August (I think not!!)

Instead I am off to a paaaaaaaaarty, gonna get all dressed up and have a great time.

I have a list of resolutions, most of which will not be achieved but I  will try for some of them...

1. Finish chemo and radio and get on with living (this one will NOT be broken)

2. Grow some hair !

3. Lose weight

4. Get Fiit (geddit?) and lose weight

5. Do more papercrafting commissions for magazines

6. Grow some veg

7. Book on a stand up comedy course or get back into am-dram

8. Expand my cooking repertoire

Well that's about all from me from 2008. I wish you all a fab evening and a happy and healthy 2009, thanks for reading this piffle and writing your lovely comments................xxxxxxxxx

Techno Techno Techno

Well hubby and I have had a go on the Wii Fit today, our major athletes have nowt to fear, I am soooo bad. No wonder I was the dunce in PE, it's laughable really.

I am totally in love with twitter at the moment - check it out here www.twitter.com, great fun on a phone or PC.

We had a scoot round to some more neighbours this afternoon for a drinks party, it was lovely and my first time in a tenement flat, how amazing!! The Scottish really have a knack for unusual building that didn't even figure in England.

Off to see a panto tomorrow (oh yes I am!!) which will be the first time Alex has seen one. Should be a right giggle.

2008 goes down as first sober Christmas in years for me, chemo gives me hideous heartburn which doesn't go well with my usual tipple of white wine......someone suggested trying margheritas ha ha ha!!!

Seasons Greetings!

Well I am a lucky gal, I managed to get through Christmas without any yucky side effects. I made Christmas lunch and stuffed myself, even managed to sip a couple of glasses of fizz - yay!!

I was thoroughly spoiled, I got Wii Fit (currently I am Wii FAT) , I also got tickets to see Russell Brand, lots of fabbo vouchers and nice smelly things too.

Yesterday morning we all went to our neighbours and had a couple of drinkies and nibbles, and we watched Dr Who at another neighbours later on. I LOVE our street, so sociable!!

Today we have mainly spent sitting on our bums, although we did go to the park and the most amazing thing happened, Alex learned to ride his bike!!!! Best present yet! We have been trying for ages, we actually started last new years day but he just didn't like being on his bike, bless him. Today, it just "clicked" and he had such a big smile on his face when he did it, and there was no stopping him.

Sorry it's a bit late but I would like to wish you all a VERY merry Christmas, and thanks so much for all of your lovely comments, you've really kept me going over the last two months - you are FAB!!!

It's Nearly Here

Housework all done, if anyone dares to even breathe on ANYTHING and mess it up, they're dead! Ironing all done and so is the shopping (smug? me? never!!) Just got a bajillion presents to wrap, ugh...I am not fond of that job.

This year, having ordered a turkey and a goose for 3 adults and a 6 year old, I lay in bed one night and thought "stuff that", no pun intended. I was going to have to queue for it and it was going to cost lots. So I cancelled my order and Alan was appointed official Christmas hunter gatherer and was dispatched to go forth and find a turkey crown. It is now in the fridge and if he whines one more time about having to eat turkey, which he does every year (yawn!) he gets strangled with tinsel.

I had chemo number three today, that leaves only one more of the strong stuff, then just 4 more to go. Keeping everything crossed that I will not have any yukky side effects.

Jingle Bells

So school is now finished until January and so am I yay!!!!

We went along to the nativity play on Wednesday morning, it was so funny and also a "kleenex moment"

I went to see the Jean Muir exhibition at the museum in Edinburgh on Thursday after coffee with some of the other mum's . We then took our kids for lunch, they were just about reaching melt down by the time we left. Dreadful weather too, totally peeing down most of the day. When we got back it was veg on the sofa with White Christmas and Lemony Snicket. 

The door bell rang and I jumped up (wigless and hatless) and opened the door. I don't know who was more astonished, me or the guy standing with a brace of pheasants, a case of wrong door matey!

To top that off the Mormons arrived yesterday morning...............do I look like a pheasant eating Mormon to you?

Right , gotta hit the shops (joy of joys!)......

Trick or Treat?

I have had a very nice and ahem! a slightly too much wine to drink weekend. Really it's not good form when one is on chemo to go and get blotto. So it's on the wagon for me with the occasional small lapse over the festive season. Mind you I have chemo on the 23rd so I don't think I shall be indulging on Christmas Day.......poo.

My copious beverage supping was done in a succession of neighbours houses - hence I felt like I was trick or treating. I would like to publicly apologise to the 4 neighbours who were treated to my inebriated self. I didn't get into any fights or anything but my Saturday evening began in the Living Room on George St and went downhill rapido after that.

Apparently I watched Strictly, I remember most of that, then I watched X-Factor (details a wee bit blurred at this point) although I do remember that Alexandra won, how AWESOME was her singing with Beyonce?

SO I had a bit of a sore head yesterday, but I still managed a big trip to Sainsburys and a pile of ironing so at least I was a bit productive.Going to be good from now on - promise........................

PIGGY

OMG!! I cannot STOP eating, I am deffo going to look like humpty dumpty soon

Bewilderingly (is that a word?) I still feel fine after chemo 2 - as those over the pond like to say "huh? What gives" I think it's all a ruse, someone is going to jump out and say "hey!! April fool"

Yeah I wish!

Seriously though I have a ravenous hunger like aaallll the time, and don't get me started on my problems with wind and heartburn - yuck! Apart from that I feel fine.

Got some good news yesterday my best friend Janey is coming next week and I am soooooo excited. I've got lots of things planned for us to do, including a couple of girls nights out, we haven't done that in ages!

Christmas prep is in full swing, got to order my turkey and goose this weekend then I can relax. Most of my Christmas cards are made, but not yet written, that's the crap bit.

I have been having a bit of a nightmare with one of my wigs, the long blonde one was expensive and still looks "wiggy", it's OK with a hat, but I can't go on a girls night out with a flippin wooly hat on, they'll chuck me out for being a right nerdy.

Yesterday I decided to wash it to see if it would calm down a bit. I stuck in on a vase in the bath to dry. A few hours later I walked in to the bathroom and saw it out of the corner of my eye, I got the shock of my life, it looked like the back view of severed head!

I am reading a great book at the moment called "Nella Last's War", its the diary of a housewife from Barrow during the war as part of the mass observation experiment. I love history, and if I had the chance I would love to work as a TV researcher for documentaries (bliss). Victoria Wood made a TV drama based on the book called Housewife, 49 but I haven't seen it, it was on last week and I missed it - drat! Talk about "make do and mend" it is a brilliant insight into making do with very little, something we may all have to face soon. I have an urge to grow my own veg, I must be getting old.......

Stampin Up Offer

Thought I would share an offer with you. Stampin' Up! are doing a great deal right now, spend £150 before postage and you get

1. A free stamp set
2. A free hostess set from the catalogue
3. £15 worth of free merchandise

A list of the free stamp sets is here
http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/eng/5750.asp

ALSO because this is the Season of Goodwill I am offering FREE postage on ALL orders until the end of the month.

You can order from me wherever you live, your goodies will arrive at your house, no need to host a workshop! If you have a crafting friend or three combine your orders to make the £150 total if you like!

Right I have a squillion Christmas cards to make, I'm off!!!

Arthurs Seat

So on Saturday hubby says "I know let's go for a walk up Arthurs Seat" for non Edinbuggers , Arthurs seat is a small mountain by the parliament and HolyRood palace. My response was "I know let's go shopping" but he won.

You know those TV programmes where they drag overweight teenage delinquents on a walk and they bitch and moan all the way..................yep that's me.

Well first off, even though I have posted pics of my baldy head and my wigs on t'interweb, quite frankly the thought of anyone looking at me with a wig on giving me the "ohhh I think you might be wearing a wig look" was not something I relished. I was bad tempered and horrid and almost refused to leave the car. It was a cold day and I was bundled up with loads of layers, a big scarf and my wig and hat.

So by the time we were half way up the damn mountain I was sweating buckets I whipped off the wig and hat (after making sure no-one was about) and stuffed it in the rucksack, then I put another hat on.

Here's the view from the top ( in the background you can see the castle), crap pic with my compact camera rather than my DSLR. If I had dragged my big camera up the hill I was in such a foul temper I think I may have jumped up and down on it.

The vultures were ready to pounce..............OK so they are crows...

I was rewarded with a trip to the Christmas market and mulled wine and german grub - yum!

We then went on the big wheel and it was FREEEEEEZING. Wigless and wearing a thin wooly hat was not warm at all. Cue arty big wheel pic.

I had my second dose of chemo today............now I sit and wait to see if I am going to be feeling OK - fingers crossed everyone!

You Asked For It!!!

Well not aallll of you asked for it, but you know who you are Aky!!!

Here's one baldy pic and 2 wiggy pics and(you have been warned!!)

Don't mess with me I is WELL 'ARD.......

Halloween anyone?? Think this one is best with a hat, check out those streaks!

This is my sensible, "let's not frighten the neighbours one", blondes have more fun...................

Wanna know something reaaaaaally spooky? When I bought the "Halloween" wig the other night at a place which is a charity, I wrote my name on a list so they can claim the tax wotsit back. The name of the lady on the list above me was the same name as one of my Mum's bridesmaids, and it's not a common name..................how weird is that?

Brittany

Well I've shaved my head, I was beginning to look very odd and picking the hair out of my head was making me feel like some distressed monkey ha ha!!!

So I got the electric clippers out this morning and I now look like GI Jane - don't mess with me. I'll have to video myself singing "nothing compares to U" a la Sinead O'Connor and post it on You Tube.

Feels a bit weird but I kinda like it, was sick of trailing about the house moulting anyway.

Yesterday morning I was driving into Edinburgh to drop Alex off at school and I was waiting at the traffic lights next to a big church on Princes Street and a group of nuns walked past, dressed like Mother Theresa, they were looking around them at the castle and it made me smile to see them all. I looked one of the nuns straight in the eye and smiled and she beamed back at me, it made my day!!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow....

I know, it's a terrible pun but it's true, my hair is falling out, by the weekend I reckon I'll have a head like a billiard ball.

Hey ho, I knew it would happen and I've been a wig shopping! OMG what fun! I have been to two places and I have practically wet myself laughing both times.

I suppose I should have more decorum really, but my take (not everyones I confess) is to have fun with this. Although I think I may feel a little sad when I finally have like NO HAIR!!! I've always wondered what shape head I have, knowing me, I'll have all sorts of lumps and bumps like a football that a dog has chewed.

I have 2 wigs so far, a long brown one, which has a slight "oh is she dressed up for halloween?" feel about it, and a perky blonde mid length one. They are probably less "wiggy" when worn with a hat, so good job it's winter.

So I am literally "pulling my hair out" - I am pretty gruesome and I have been making a pile on my desk which is size wise mid way between a merkin (look it up) and a guinea pig. Oh I am awful..............

I promise to post pics in me in my wigs soon - we might as well have a laugh eh??

Stampin Up! AND a Giveaway

I have made a couple of Christmas cards so I thought I would share them with you. The first one was inspired by a card sketch challenge from Beate.

And this one is a bit of a rip off from the current idea catalogue

Both of these cards use the "Season of Joy" Stampin Up! set which I love. Plus I have used the big Polka Dot background stamp for the brown embossed circle on the card above.

There are a few things going on with Stampin' Up! right now that I thought I would share with you.

NOVEMBER PROMO

Firstly we have a great promo on Rubons and Textured Card from now until the end of November - spend £20 on goods and get 20% off rubons and textured card . The textured card is lovely, very like Bazzill and new this catalogue in all the colour families.

WISH LIST

Also I am setting up a wish list service, if you would like friends or family to buy SU! products as your Christmas present I can organise this for you. Send me your wish list and I will make contact with your loved ones! I have a handy gift list in PDF format which I can email out too which lists gifts under £50 and gifts under £25 from the catalogue. Let me know if you are interested and I will send one via email.

FREE CATALOGUES!!!!!!!!!!!

As a little thank you to all my blog readers I will send out a free catalogue PLUS a colour chart to the first 5 people who email me using the link on the right hand side of the screen. No need to answer any question or tell me in 50 words or less why you deserve one LOL!!! Just email me and I will post em out.

Wooohhhhhh.............

OK someone has been slipping alcohol into my tea, I feel a teeny bit weird at the moment, kinda woozy. Apparently this is normal and it does feel kind of fun..........

It's a lovely day here in Edinburgh so we are off to the pub for luncheon.

People Are So Kind

I have to admit that I am simply blown away and humbled by the kindness I have been shown in the last month or so. Thanks to all of you who stop by and read my daily drivel and for all of your lovely comments, it makes my day, I do know some of you but others I have never met have also taken the time to write the kindest things. Thank you doesn't seem enough really........

So, the good news is, I still feel fine...................long may it continue, feel slightly "wool headed" but apparently that is normal and I am still working.

This weekend I think I need to start my wig hunt, that should be fun! I think my hair will probably make an exit over the next 2 weeks - c'est la vie, I shall see if I can get a couple, different lengths and colours just to confuse people hee heee heeeee!!!!!!

So Far So Good

OK , phew, so far no horrid side effects. The puke fairy has stayed away. I am takings my tablets religously, wearing seasickness accupressure bands on my wrists and drinking gallons of ginger ale BUUUUUUUUUURP!!!

My wee was the colour of blush wine right after the chemo was in, I had to show Alan, he said "OH MY GOD" ha ha ha!! Didn't take a pic you'll be relieved to know.

So I felt a bit woolly headed for a while yesterday but not too bad, taking it easy on the food front, no vindaloos for me for a while (ick!!). Today I am in front of my PC intending to carry on as normal with work....................let's hope it stays that way. It's a gorgeous sunny day here and I can see the see from my office window so life feels pretty cool right now.

That Pea Ain't Gonna Rule Me

Saturday, I felt pretty darn low. I lay on the sofa under a blue blanket, weeping big silent tears, convinced that this darned "C" is gonna come back and get me.

But then I thought ........it was the size of a pea, it's out, and gone and now I am about to do the chemo thang to blast any "floaters" (ewwwwww-sorry toilet humour) out of my system. I have tied myself up in knots reading about statistics and all that depressing stuff, but last Friday I visited the Maggies centre at the Western General Hospital. I spoke (through lots of tears) to a lovely lady who said "statistics don't really mean a lot, they act as a guide, everyone is different and you can't compare yourself to others"

So OK I am still wishing I hadn't got this "thing", I am terrified of the consequences, but I just gotta get on with it now.

10:30 this morning I get my first dose of the chemo, apparently my wee will be red this time (yay!) There's a photo opp ha ha ha!!

In the meantime I have been cheering myself up with the latest India Knight book called "The Thrift Book", very interesting, lots of ideas and I love her writing style, she is very clever and very funny with it too. It's half price in Waterstones at the moment and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Great Night Out

Lordy my head feels a bit sore. Alan and I hit the town last night, and crikey I think I had a few too many glasses of vino. Firstly we went off to a "do" at my friends furniture shop BeSeated in Edinburgh, he makes all his own very groovy furniture (he actually says his job is mending chairs - nutter!

Anyway we had a great time, met loads of great people and we got the chance to chat again with Craig Hill (super funny comedian) he had me in stitches -god love him. Hark at me name dropping. We also chatted to the lady who is running the Jean Muir exhibition at the museum in town. So our plan was to leave there at 8pm and go for din-dins, we staggered out at 11pm and skipped din-dins. We wombled to our neighbours house who was hosting his "lad's poker night", I was officially dubbed "geezer bird" by one of the guys, promised to keep my mush shut. Well I ended up dueting with another neighbour to "Endless Love"....................blimey what a lush I was.............we arrived home at 3am..........hic!!!

Quiet night tonight zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mrs Potato Head

In anticipation of losing my hair when I start Chemo next week, I have had my hair cropped, not very keen to be honest but what can I do? The oncologist said not only will I lost my hair but I will be on steroids and will get the menopause early so I may put weight on............great, bald AND fat, I am gonna look like Humpty bloody Dumpty. Currently I think I look like a spud with hair (most attractive eh?)
I am trying to be a big brave girl about all this, but I have to admit to feeling rather low at the moment. At the moment I am "cancer free" which I am of course utterly grateful for, however I am under a black cloud of "what happens if it comes back". I want to see my little boy grow up................I just can't even go there.

So fingers , toes and eyes crossed that I will be one of the long term survivors, I don't care if I don't make it to 85 but another 20 years would be such a gift.

Enough of the pity party eh?

Flippin eck!

Looks like it's chemo................. bummer.....

I WILL lose all my hair and it's long and (fake) blonde

I may throw up and anyone who knows me knows I am TOTALLY vomit phobic arrrrgggghh!!

HOWEVER it will save my bacon (hopefully)

AND drying my hair is a total drag........as is shaving

so if you have any happy chemo stories please share because I need them, my chemo is going to take 6 months UGH!

I am just going to get on with it and at the end..............bloody BIG holiday yay!!!

(can you tell I am putting a brave face on...???_

Loadsa Shopping

Phew!! Just back from the SECC loaded up with more crafting goodies and a lighter purse (oops!)

Craftwork Cards had a load of yummy goodies and I got a big hug from Julie Hickey. She is such a trooper standing at her post demo'ing cards at all the shows, some day I might just have to kidnap her and make her have a cuppa!

Stampin' Up! did a couple of demos for Christmas, lovely stuff as always and with giveaways!!

Please remember that I am still able to take any Stampin' Up! orders from you - just drop me an email if you need anything at all. I made a couple of Christmas cards this week so I will post the pics once I find the charger for my camera battery doh!!!

Great News..................And A Lecture

Great news!!! It's all out, no spread, caught early, thank God and also thank my gorgeous husband Alan since he persuaded me to go in the first place. PHEW!!!

I go back in 2 weeks to find out when my treatment starts, definitely radiotherapy and possibly chemo. I don't care, I am just very very relieved that I caught this bugger early.

Now for the lecture.......

I got lucky (not unlucky), this was caught before it could be felt, so go for that mammogram, insist on it or pay for it if you have to. Sod the new shoes - get a mammogram

AND

Look after yourself, reduce the risk of getting cancer and don't put it off. When you have been diagnosed with this NOTHING else matters than your health. All the things you worry about day to day mean nothing to you. So......

Lose weight
Cut down on the alcohol ( I didn't!!)
Exercise
Look seriously at foods that are good for you and reduce the processed foods
Drink green tea

Nuff said...............................lecture done.

Black Adder Goes Forth

General Melchitt (to Baldrick): "how do you feel about the big push?"
Baldrick:" Absolutely terrifed Sir"

Which pretty much mirrors the way I felt yesterday in the hospital before my op. I am a big fan of ER, Casualty etc etc, but lying on that bed seeing the lights on the ceiling flash by on my way the theatre, I said " I'm not watching that stuff again.........."

So less than 24 hours later, I am home, feeling fine and peeing blue! They injected a blue dye into me so that they could do a biopsy on my "nodes" so I have a great blue nipple now (not that I will be showing that off in a photo).

Will be taking it easy for a couple of days.

Monday

Thanks so much for your lovely comments and emails, it really does mean a lot. All of my friend, colleagues and crafting friends have just been lovely.

I really do thank God (although I am not religious, I can see myself becoming more so) that Alan persuaded me to have the health check . It wasn't free and I said, "I know I am overweight and unfit why can't I just have a designer handbag with the money?" ha ha!

Also fortunate was that the mammogram was "optional", they don't usually do them under the age of 45, but Alan said "oh well you might as well have it to put your mind at rest" -ha! the irony.

So I owe him so much! I am actually glad that my Mum is no longer around, having lost my brother and my Dad, this would have been such a huge worry. However if anyone fancies adopting me please send your CV - I have a huge pile of ironing.

I have been walking around for the last couple of days with a knot in my stomach, I feel a bit sick most of the time with worry. My lumpectomy is scheduled for Monday, once I have had that they will do some tests to see what we are dealing with. I am also going to be injected with a blue dye for a sentinel biopsy. Apparently I will look a bit grey for a while and will probably have a blue nipple till Chrismas, so that's the end of my pole dancing career eh?

So, wish me luck for Monday !!!

What can I say?

Yesterday, after a week of frantic worry, I met with a specialist and it turns out I have breast cancer.

It's a bit of a shocker to be honest. I went for a routine BUPA health MOT and they found it. It's small, it's been caught early and I am hopeful that I will get through this, there is no other way, I just have to.

So, not much else to say other than wish me luck and send me positive vibes and stories if you can, and I'll concentrate on beating this!

Finally ....Some Photos and a GIVEAWAY

I have spent most of the last two months droning on and on and just realised I haven't posted any photos in ages. So I though I would make a resolution to change that.

A couple of weeks ago I attended SU! training in Glasgow and I made some cards to swap, I used my favourite stamp sets Pick a Petal and Stem Sayings, here they are.....

I've also made some SU! colour samplers, I am going to some of these away to anyone who places an order and as my first ever blog candy giveaway, I am going to give away a FREE BRAND NEW SU! catalogue with a set of the samplers. Leave a comment and I will get my wee boy to pull a name out of the hat and it'll be winging it's way to the winner soon!

New Stampin' Up! Catalogue online now

1st October - so it means the brand spanking new Stampin' Up! Catalogue is now now online, check it out here



Lots of lovely new stamp sets but also great new accesories/papers etc highlights for me are...



Scallop Edge Punch £10.95 (no holes!!)

Scalloped square punch £12.50

Stampin' Spots - 12 small ink pads in each of the four colour families, a great way to sample all your favourite colours - £17.50

Textured 12x12 card in each of the colour families 24 sheets (2 of each colour) £9.25

Paper snips- mean and very sharp small paper scissors, perfect for those teeny corners £6.95

I am holding an SU parrrrty at my house on Saturday 11th September 2pm-5pm, if you would like to come along and see some of the new yummo stash, let me know and I'll book you in.

Mrs Paddy Pants

Well I have been tootling about in a really good mood for a good few weeks now, we had some friends over this weekend and went to a really great Christening at a neighbours house on Sunday. Our neighbours are sooo lovely, we have a group of them, we are all of a similar age and have kids, and they are really fun and friendly. So all in all the weekend was great.

Yesterday however, the red mist descended for some reason, it started with my gymn induction. As you know I have joined a gym so I had booked in to get a programme started for me. GOD I HATE THE GYM, I plodded up the stairs, the music was blaring as there was a spin class on.

I very slowly and carefully explained to the toned trainer that " I am VERY unfit, I HATE the gym and please take it easy with me" OK so being faced with a blobby unmotivated 41 year old stroppy cow first thing on a Monday morning probably wasn't likely to "float her boat" but god love her she pressed on regardless.

She apologised for the loud music "it's the spin class, which is a great way to lose weight and get fit" I almost said "so is cutting off a limb but I ain't doing that either". I did a spin class a few years back and I almost needed an ambulance! The guy kept telling us to "turn up the resistance" Bog off sonny my resistance is fine at pensioner level thanks and all that!

So then she writes down "rowing machine" on the programme and I for some reason just flipped I said " NO WAY, I am not using the rowing machine, if you make me do it I am not coming back!"

I am actually not even sure why I said that, I think I was just out of my depth in the whole PE environment and I was just being petulant. The torture continued, she's got me doing all sorts of mad rubbish including some stability exercises with a flippin' great big ball.........only time will tell if I ever make it back ha!

So strop number one was over, then later in the day I noticed that some "eejit" had kindly dented Alan's bonnett (his car, not his Easter one LOL) with a sharp object. Honestly I don't understand what makes people do this, it makes my blood boil. Anyway, it's no big deal.... what's the point in getting het up about it.

Strop 3 of the day was during a phone call. On Thursday night on the way home from school a girl bumped into the back of my car on the mound in the centre of Edinburgh. I jumped out and couldn't see any damage, she was only young and was quite upset, so I took her phone number and car reg then drove off because it was in the middle of rush hour. However, on closer inspection when we got home, Alan noticed the top section of the bumper was dislodged and will need fixing. So I call and leave a message that there was some damage and it will need to be checked by a garage and could they call me back. Her mum rang me back last night and practically accused me of making it up!!!! The cheek of it, I was sooooo mad and once I got off the phone, poor unsuspecting Alan got it in the neck too.........................

Thankfully today, I have stayed away from the gym and hopefully from any further car "incidents" so my mood has improved somewhat!

Looking forward to the "official" launch of the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue on-line tomorrow. If you log on and browse the catalogue I am happy to take orders which can be delivered direct to you, email me for details.

Lost in Austen

Gosh there aren't many times when TV hits perfection, with of course Cranford as the great exception, but wasn't Lost in Austen just wonderful?

I will not spoil the last episode for you (just in case) but Alan and I have been glued to this fabulous series. I am now hoping for a second series- please Mr ITV grant my wish.

The other thing is noticing how much our way of speaking has changed, not for the better either. I think we should have a national "Speak in Austen" day. "I would very much like to partake in such a refreshing and novel occupation. Are my wits disorded by opium....................." ha ha ha!

New Stampin' Up ! Catalogue

My supply of SU! Catalogues have arrived!

I can't post any images just yet as I will get into biiiiiiiiiig trouble - be here on October 1st for the "reveal"

However I will be able to start posting them out to anyone who is interested £5.95 (includes P&P) They will arrive in time for you to make your first order on the 1st October.

If you would like a catalogue please email me and I will explain payment options.

ALSO, to celebrate the launch I am holding a workshop at my house in Edinburgh on Saturday 11th October from 2pm-5pm , if you would like to come along, I will be doing a couple of make and takes with you , using the new stamp sets and I hope to make cupcakes too!

Lardy Butt

I joined a gym today..................don't ask me why, I might as well say "here's 500 notes you'll never see me again, I hope you enjoy your Christmas party cos I just paid for the champagne....."

I AM SO UNFIT, I can see the gym from my bedroom window, if I cannot drag my sorry lardy ass down there 2-3 times a week I give my permission for someone to shoot me.

It's got an outdoor pool, and today the sun was blazing down, if that baby comes out tomorrow I am definitely getting my cossie on and going for a swim. The gym is actually in Newhaven, right on the harbour, the view from the running machines is right down the Firth of Forth and looking over to Fife, surely that should spur me on - right?

Wish me luck, I am the girl who was grudgingly picked last for the teams in PE, I was the girl beaten in badminton by a school friend who spent time with her leg in calipers.................and indeed was actually wearing said calipers when she beat me (several times)

Now you know how "pants" I am at sport/exercise/generally moving more than an eyebrow.

I'll keep you posted...........................now where did I put those legwarmers..............?

Noel

I have read a few articles about Noel Edmonds over the past week, he has recently refused to pay his TV licence and claims his parents who are no longer alive follow him around like two melon shaped orbs....

So of course the press are rubbing their hands together in a "he's as mad as a box of frogs or David Ike" this is great!!!

Now, this guy did the best EVER Christmas show . My Dad and I used to watch it on Christmas mornings every year blubbing our hearts out, we watched it religiously I actually got Alan into it too, he is a total softie and also got all choked up most years.

My particular favourite was the little girl who had real health problems, she was such a brave happy kid considering all she had to deal with, and her brother really looked out for her. His bike had been stolen. He must have been about 10 years old and she was about 8 , she got in touch with Noel and they came to his door and gave him a brand new bike.Bless him, he just hugged his little sister and told her how much he loved her and how she was the best sister, he was crying, she was crying ...................................open the floodgates I was sobbing, Dad was crying. Oh Happy Christmas!!

Anyway the nutter with the melon parents is on the box again doing the good things, random acts of kindness and I love him and I have been blubbing again tonight!

A Little Bit of This and That

Can't think of much to write today, too busy biting my fingernails down to the quick over the whole financial state the world is in. I am a bit of a worrier see?

On the brighter side, I am off to Glasgow on Saturday for Stampin' Up! Field training, We get to see the new catalogue so of course I am sooooo excited about that.

My catalogues should be arriving in the next week or so, if you would like to reserve yourself a copy, please email me and I will ship em out as soon as I get them. Now I am not sure how much they will cost yet, but I have a small order of catalogues arriving soon and as soon as I know I will post the price up here.

Right got to go................got things to worry about.........

A little Bit of Summer

Today we went to the beach - gasp!! The currant bun (sun) came out and so we headed off to Yellowcraig sands with our bucket barbecue and some sausages.

The bucket barbecue took about 3 hours to get slightly warmer than a struck match but we managed to cook our bangers, Alan who was sitting about 3 inches from it kept squirting the damn thing with barbeque lighter gel, he is a total pyromaniac, whereas I am a total stress bunny with regard to fire, so you can imagine it led to a few arguments. I was starving and when my blood sugar drops I can be a total witch (mind you my witchiness can surface pretty much whenever there is a "y" in the day).

The beach was packed, people flying a kite, playing cricket , swimming and therefore no doubt now suffering from hypothermia.....all making the most of probably the final gasps of Summer.

Since I have moved up here, I must admit I am suffering from temperature envy, when the dudes in London are enjoying "slightly below average temperatures of around 24 degrees" I seethe as we shiver through "totally bloody dissappointing temperatures of around 17 degrees". Not to worry, I am still loving it, stuff the weather, this place oozes with culture and architecture - who cares if I need to wear an extra layer to enjoy it?

10 Years Ago Today....

I got married 10 years ago today - with my luck is it any wonder my anniversary is 9/11?

Anyway, I became Mrs Alan Currie and we are still going strong, we've had a few tragic times, but we've got a lovely son and done plenty of fab things...............plus he still seems to like me - bonus!!

So this morning I got Chanel perfume, a lovely card and flowers arrived this morning, what did I get him........................ermmmmm , actually nothing......

Well I did try to get him something nice but buying for Alan is like buying for a hermit - he never WANTS anything

So I went out to Ocean Terminal and did a trolley dash and got him some nice stuff. So champagne and prawns tonight - hic!

OHHH on a different tac all together - have you been watching "Lost in Austen"? oooh it's GOOD, suspend disbelief, but I loved it. Have SKy+'d last nights and watched the first one last night . Pure fab TV in the vein of Life on Mars.

On a more serious note, driving to school this morning I was listening to Radio 2 and Johnny Walker played a song as a tribute to all those affected by 9/11. Don Henley is amazing and "New York Minute" captures the essence of how the world changed in those few hours 7 years ago today , if you have time go and watch this video, the song is amazing.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cA_gIhCcYVk

Harvey Nicks

Last year Alan got me the worst Christmas present ever, a voucher for Harvey Nicks. This place is a mecca for materialism and I had to pluck up courage to walk through it's hallowed doors.

It's the sort of place that makes you feel VERY poor unless of course you have oodles of the folding stuff.

It is frequented by the type of women who are thin (obviously) dressed beautifully (of course) look drop dead gorgeous (arrggh!) and are, of course toting "it" bags that they have paid a couple of grand for. I looked at them with narrowed eyes, hating them on the one hand and wanting to be like them on the other and it brings out the worst in me.

My voucher was of a value that quite honestly was just about enough to buy a quarter of a pair of shoes, or an eighth of a handbag or about 1/20th of a Stella McCartney dress. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse I saw Lesley Garrett going up the escalator....beam me up Scotty I don't belong here.

I had to go and look at the clothes, and I spied a gorgeous sequined top, which I had to touch, well the damn thing was so heavy it fell off the hanger - oh god! whilst I was scrabbling around trying to pick it up a well dressed assistant came to my aid. Apparently the "top" was a dress, (not with my thighs), and as I was trying to help, I knocked a pair of boots over , so causing a kerfuffle I retreated down to the cosmetics hall. The only place I think I could find something I could reasonably afford.

I walked round and round and finally got grabbed by what can only be described as a Spanish transvestite lookalikey who "did" my eyes. She baffled me with about 8 different products - like I have time to do all that crap and the school run and boy did these eyes water when she revealed the price! I didn't like her, she was pushy and I didn't want to buy, so I sneaked to another counter and bought almost the same thing.

So I am now the proud owner of a "cake" eyeliner and a small brush, oh and a larvelly Chanel lip gloss, if you see me, I look like the lead character in Kung Fu Panda......

Stampin' Up!

Last night I held my very first Stampin' Up! Workshop, I really enjoyed it and I hope my guests did too. I had 4 lovely ladies come to my house and make 2 cards and I demo'd lots of the products.

I am hoping to hold another workshop soon, so watch this space - if you live near Edinburgh you are most welcome to attend, the date and "theme" will be published soon!

Stampin' Up! Retired List

The SU! Retired List is out..............for a list of stamps check the link below

http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/documents/UK_Retired_List_07-08_alpha.pdf

These will be available until 30th Sep and for one time only the prices are reduced, grab 'em while you can!

Also, I still have a couple of place left for the workshop on Thursday evening this week at my house in Edinburgh so if you would like to come along, or would like more info, please drop me a line!

Remembering Sparky

10 years ago my little brother Marcus (nicknamed Sparky) passed away at the age of 28 after a short 6 week illness.

I miss him, he was cheeky and drove me nuts. I often think of the pain my parents ,also now sadly no longer with us, must have suffered having lost a child. It doesn't bear thinking about.

There are so many things I think about that Marcus would have loved that he never managed to enjoy, Alan and I got married 2 weeks after he died (on Sept 11th - the irony!!). He never got to meet our son Alex, and I know he would have LOVED Peter Kay!

So Marcus, wherever you are, I miss you mate and today I have been remembering you bro xxx

No more Festival

oooohhh I am sad, might need counselling, the Festival ends today. How am I going cope? It's been a bit of a mad week I have seen...................

The Return of the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Company- was I really laughing at a sock?
Russell Howard
Jason Byrne - HYSTERICAL
Rhod Gilbert - Welsh and hilarious
Russell Kane
David O'Doherty - winner of the IF.com comedy awards
Mark Watson - welsh and very sweet
Sarah Millican

I am knackered and skint, but I am sure going to miss that upturned purple cow in town.

Back to normality eh?

Great Weekend

Gosh this 'ere festival is just one big whirl, I was confined to barracks yesterday , Alan was allowed out "to play" so I sat at home and sulked.

Apologies to all for no posts on crafting for a while, since it's the Summer Hols I really haven't had the chance to do anything so I hope to get back to it once Alex is back to school.

On Saturday we met some friends and went to see Craig Hill in the Gilded Balloon. We also hooked up with Craig's cousin and her hubby. It was such a fab gig, he is hilarious. We got to have a beer and a burger with him afterwards and he is such a lovely guy.

After that we had tickets to go and see "Andrew Maxwell's Full Mooners" this was a HOOT, we climbed up 100 steps to the top of Calton Hill to a big top to see lots of acts including, Andrew Maxwell, Ed Byrne, Jason Byrne, Glenn Wool and Carl Donnelly. OHHHH it was good, apart from the blinking climb.

Yesterday Carolines Ma and Pa came for a cuppa, her Pa was the piper at our wedding, almost 10 years ago. He brought his pipes and played in the garden for us, what a treat!

Right I am off to do some more "back to school" shopping, Ocean Terminal here we come.

How Much for Cupcakes?

I have been bitten by the Cupcake Bug, I have seen some of the scrummiest creations ever online, so I thought "I gotta make me some of them!"

Small problem is that my baking sucks! No matter, I have searched the internet for recipes and ideas and I finally made some tonight, and they were nice, I mean they are actually edible and taste good. I cannot embark on a new "project" without having the correct equipment so today I went out and bought......

New scales for weighing baking ingredients £16
Electric Whisk £17
Piping Bag and nozzles £6.50

Plus a dozen eggs, 2 blocks of lurpak, 2 packs of Stork, food colouring, and various decorations for the top

My kitchen was covered in icing sugar too.

I could have had 2 dozen designer cupcakes sent up from London for the money I spent today, I made 24, cost per cupcake so far about £1.85!!!!

Culture Vulture

OK I am 41 years old, was once (still am actually) DESPERATE to be a famous actress\singer or both since the age of 5.

Have been "aware" of the Edinburgh Festival for years and OK

.....TRUTH IS

....only had my first experience LAST SATURDAY!!!

NOW, (sorry about RanDom CAPS), my teeny, provincial pea brain can't quite get it's head round how blinking ENORMOUS this whole deal is, it's HUGE, it's MEGA, and the OFFISH FEST GUIDE is like the bleedin' yellow pages. I am bewildered, befuddled and amazed at the sheer size of all the frolics taking place less than 2 miles from my house.

AND I feel like running away and joining this wonderful, crazy, mad circus. Thing is, I can't decide whether to write a best selling hilarious novel (semi auto biographical) and play myself in the TV show, or do "stand up". The latter is my preference, GOD knows I have lurked about lots of craft shops and no-one has ever recognised me , let's face it, why would they? I want to be famous and adored and laughed at (or is that "with")

As you may guess I have been out "Festing" it today. Saw the lovely Andrew Clover doing his kiddie show today with Alex, he sent me an email the other day, not out of the blue, I sent him one first. I sent him a reply and he didn't reply back , probably thinks I am some mad stalking weirdo ( it's OK Andy I'm not - fancy Dinner??)

Andrew was great but I am totally intolerant of people if I go to the cinema or theatre, there has to be reverential silence as far as I am concerned, one sniff and I shoot daggers. Since this was a kiddie show one can expect a fair degree of "unsolicited audience participation" , Andrew was a Saint. All I can say is there were a few toddlers who needed the naughty stair!!! I'd have screamed " I am an artiste, I need TOTAL silence" but it was not to be.

We rounded off the day with another tattoo visit, not going to make you all jealous ...BUT, all I can say, corporate "do", lots of nice wine and food and great seats.

Nuff said, off to bed...

Anyway

I am MOOved

Postie just arrived and brought me the dinkiest funkiest little delivery EVER!

Last week, I ordered some mini cards from MOO.com and they just arrived in a dinky box and I am in love. They are mini business cards, you put your details on one side and pick some of their very gorgeous artwork for the other side, or you can upload your own artwork or photos of your own.

I am in BIG love with this company, they are quirky so make sure you check 'em out!

Stampin' Up Workshop

I am holding a Stampin' Up! Workshop at my house in Edinburgh on the 4th September . You'll get a free catalogue, chance to stroke some of the SU! Goodies, 2 cards to make and take, and biccies - I might even make some cupcakes!!

Interested? Send me an email - link on the right and I will give you all the info you need!

A Petition

I am not usually a political animal, but I urge you to go and check out Kirsty Wisemans' Blog today and sign the petition about the closure of the only dedicated hospital for injured servicemen and woman
It's here.

Fest is Best

We have been hitting the Festival, so I thought I would have a bash at reviewing the shows I have seen. Firstly I can't believe that I have NEVER been to the Festival - bearing in mind that I had at one time had the ambition of becoming an actress - but I was pants at acting so that wasn't really a go-er for me.

Alan and I have spent the last 2 days at the Fest so here goes....

Who Writes This Crap?
Excellent comedy show, 2 guys talk about the ads and the "lies" we are bombarded with on an average day. Small "Underbelly" venue in an arched cave type room. I love the Cowgate Venue, lots of rooms with great names such as Iron Belly, Beer Belly, Fat Belly, and Jelly Belly - go see this one

Andrew Clover - Dad Rules
Small venue, VERY hot, must have been about 120 degrees in here (think Brazil)

Andrew writes a weekly column in the Sunday Times mag, which is great. He was also the "clown" in Ashes to Ashes.

Very funny show and I sat right at the front, the crowd were quite muted but I was laughing my socks off, I had a chat to him afterwards. At this point I should mention I am a bit of a pain in the bum when it comes to "celebs" Alan thinks I am a nut, but I can't resist talking to "celebs" given half the chance. Andrew thanked me for laughing so much! When we came out he was sitting next to Christine and Neil Hamilton - they have a show too.

GO see it!!!

The Rat Pack
Thought I was at a 6th Form school production - big pants............don't go unless one of your teenage kids is in it . That said the musicians were good, but Dean Martin shouldn't look so scruffy, shine your shoes matey.

Pierrepoint - The Last Hangman
Sweet Grassmarket venue- compact and bijoux (i.e bloody tiny) EXCELLENT performance, was very glad we saw this. Last performance tomorrow. Both of the actors are fantastic, edge of the seat stuff.

Terminus
3 hander, Dublin based theatre group. Mesmerising acting and writing. Big venue............however, I didn't enjoy it. Very dark . When I come out of the theatre I prefer to feel uplifted, was impressed by the talent but I want to come out feeling "Mary Poppins" I felt more like "Schindlers List"

Empty Hoose

Alex has gone back up North for a few days to the Highlands with Alans cousin whilst we stay at home. He went 2 hours ago and the house feels so empty, I have just looked at his little bed and he won't be in it...............quite sad.

Meanwhile I have spent an hour fixing Alan's Outlook Account and his broadband connection on his desktop, he is now happily squished into a small space in the "junk" room sorting out his PC. Might just sneak out and hit the Fringe whilst he isn't looking ha ha !

Talking of the Fringe , I have an UBER talented friend , the one, the only Caroline Hickey (Cazza to me!!) doing a one woman show this year, called Fully Committed.........................and here is a pic of her in action!

"One reservations clerk, one telephone, 40 screaming VIPs and no tables. Sam Peliczowski juggles the needs of scheming socialites, name-dropping wannabees, fickle celebrities and egomaniacal bosses in a 70 minute, breakneck, tour de force by Becky Mode."

If you are a Fringe attender , go see this show. For the record Cazza and I go waaaaaay back and she is the SWEETEST most talented lady I know and if she doesn't go and get herself spotted and whisked away to fame and bloody fortune damn soon I am gonna eat my hat (well I would if I had one). She is in the "Burgh" for the next 3 weeks and staying at our gaff for a couple of nights, so I am WELL excited, plus we muck about like a couple of kids when we are together and have a right old scream. I predict Mad festival attending nights with this chick over the coming nights ......................can't WAIT!!!!

Funny Old Day

One year ago tonight I had the most awful phone call to tell me my Mum had died suddenly at home. Sadly my Dad, who had cancer, had died only 9 weeks previously, my poor Mum was devastated, they met when they were about 19 years old and my Dad was in the army, he met her on New Years Eve and proposed after 2 weeks. They were made for each other and treated each other so kindly, they really were soul mates.

Tragically, they both endured the loss of my brother almost 10 years ago, and I think after the loss of Marcus and my Dad, Mum died of a broken heart................. I miss herand my Dad very very much.

So tonight we went to the Edinburgh Tattoo as a family Alan, Alex and I, and it was so moving, it was amazing and Alan and I shed some tears at the sheer size and emotion of the whole event.

It's time to move on and live my life as they would have wanted with Alan and Alex, happy in Edinburgh. No more sadness, only happiness and thankful that I had such a loving, wonderful parents and a very nutty brother.

Mum, Dad and Marcus I miss you and love you all, it almost felt that you were there tonight.

Boat Trip

We went out on a big boat trip yesterday, first we stopped off at the Kyle of Lochalsh for some supplies, so we sailed under the Skye Bridge.


Then we found a great secluded beach, it was used for filming Local Hero.
Arty picture of boots..............
My hubby.....
Then off for tea at The Old Forge at Inverie, the remotest pub on mainland Britain, and I have the t-shirt to prove it.
All in all a beautiful day and the most awesome scenary!!

On Hols

We are up in the Highlands for our annual holiday, just a few days up here for us. It really is idyllic up here.

Alan, his Dad, his cousin and his cousin's son are all currently playing scrabble. 10 mins in and the arguments have started and the dictionary is out. It reminds me of rainy days in our caravan as a child so I am staying well out of it.

It's 2 years this week since I started my blog, we were here in Kishorn when I started! It's also a year this week since my Mum died suddenly , we were all here when we got the dreaded phone call. I miss her so much and it's been pretty tough this last week, I was in Warrington last week for a couple of nights staying with a friend as I was down for a team meeting at work. I didn't feel good about being back in the place where I was born and raised and having no family left there. Pain like that just hits me in the chest and it's horrid.

Changing the subject I have had a couple of projects published this week (well 3) in Crafts Beautiful, Quick and Crafty and Simply Cards and Papercraft. So that'll be it for a few months for me, whilst I re-charge the creative batteries and hopefully find time and space in my muddled head to get my act back together.

We are hoping to get out on the boat tomorrow, then off to a Ceilidh dance on Wednesday, then back down for the tattoo on Thursday. Alex is coming back up to Kishorn for a few days without us and Alan and I are hoping to get into town to enjoy some festival frolics. My UBER talented friend from Cheshire is doing a one woman show in town, so can't wait to see her.

No More Dentist

Thank GOD!!! This morning I went to have the 3rd and final installment of my root canal work. I put Peter Kay on my iPod - took several deep breaths and just about managed to get through it. At one point they had to give me a break cos I was shaking so much, but now I am done and very happy.

Got ironing and housework this afternoon (boo!) BUT I am off for a meal at......................The Witchery (v.posh restaurant) with Alan tonight and some business colleagues, can't wait!

Party!!!!

Wow!! We had our housewarming party last night - boy did we have fun! We ended up with around 50 people at the house, many of our neighbours who we hadn't yet met and friends from Scotland.

The weather was brilliant, the garden was packed and everyone had a jolly good time. The only moment of drama came when one of our pals leaned against a candle and set the back of his shirt on fire, he ran through the house and ripped off his shirt in the front garden - he then realised that he was shirtless and surrounded by people leaving the party, so he put it back on very sharpish!

3 of the guys at the party were Irish and one brought a guitair so we had a sing-song at the end of the night - classic.

Remarkably I haven't had a hangover - feel a bit tired but that's about it- result!

20 Years Ago....

20 years ago today, I was in Minnesota, in the USA in a place called Bemidji and I was celebrating my 21st Birthday. I was at University and was a camp counsellor (teacher) at a kids Summer camp. It was one of the best 3 months of my life, the Camp was called Camp Thunderbird (yes really) There was a boys camps and a girls camp separated by a lake called Lake Plantagenet. There was a Dairy Queen in the centre of town and not far from camp , pretty much in the woods was a bar called Squirrels Nest. The whole thing was so darn American and I loved every precious second of it. We had toga parties, we toasted marshmallows and made s'mores. We went camping, we sang songs in the lodge at dinner time, we sheltered in the basement of the lodge when a tornado came by, I learned to waterski, and lived in a log cabin with 12 little girls. Gosh I am having a total nostalgia trip. I emailed the camp this week to wish them a great Summer and got a reply from the camp directors daughter, she is the same age as me and I remember her well, she is now running things with her parents.

Well that's me for today, got lots of cleaning to do today as we are having a little housewarming party tomorrow night. Hopefully I can post some photos.

Princess Pity

hmm not having the best of weeks. Last night I had a phone call from one of our friends, his wife, our friend had passed away. We saw her in hospital on Sunday and she was very poorly. She was not very old at all , in her early 50's so you can imagine we are very sad.

This morning I was back at the dentist round 2 of 3, it was yukky (again) Can't think of much else to write today, not really in the mood.

It's my birthday tomorrow, but all I can think of is that my Mum used to ring me up and sing Happy Birthday, this is my first birthday without her and it makes me sad...................

Loyalty Points at the Dentist?

Yup you guessed it, I was back again to the dentist today, the filling didn't help AT ALL. The pain this morning was excruciating, at dinner last night when the tears were running down my face with pain, Alan helpfully said "yes it is universally acknowledged by all that toothache is the worst pain ever" then he added "wish I could help you darlin' but I can't" Do you think a judge would have convicted me if I'd killed him on the spot??

I was driving Alex across town this morning and the pain was so bad I don't even remember much of the journey, every time we had to stop at a traffic light I rested my head on the steering wheel.

So full of the usual trepidation I set off for the dentist - again! First thing they needed to do was take an X-Ray, you should have seen the size of the X-Ray thingy he wanted to stuff in my cakehole "oh it's a bit big, I need a smaller one" - yes said I "use the ones you use for toddlers". So I managed that 20 second ordeal without wanting to retch (Just!!) Honestly it was like biting down on a toblerone and getting the mountain stuck on the inside of your mouth (a la Billy Connolly). The upshot was ROOT CANAL WORK

OK if you have never had ROOT CANAL WORK stop reading this post and make a promise to yourself to brush 6 times a day and floss every 10 mins to avoid this torture.

He numbed my mouth - no fear of throat closure today, then he starts to drill and he used that drill that is BIG and low pitched and I swear my brain was vibrating and wolves were howling in nearby woods.

Then he tells me I cannot close my mouth, now I don't know about you but most of my dental fear isn't about pain, but it's about choking to death in that chair or retching. So I swallow A LOT when I have various instruments of torture crammed into my SMALL mouth to avoid such a dreaful fate, and now I am told I can't swallow, and the dental assistant (blonde, and aged about 18 ) is pratting about somewhere by my side and not using the sucker up thing to get rid of all the drool. So this was really not easy and sod him I did swallow a few times and he tutted. No matter, I finally braved the ordeal there is nothing sweeter than hearing the phrase "OK you can rinse now" I was shaking from head to toe, but at least it was over.

"OK Mrs Currie, we have only just started I need to see you again for 45 mins this week to finish the job and done't bite on that side because your tooth may crack WIDE open"

OH MY GOD.......................................................

At The Dentist.....again!

Honestly, I am a walking disaster zone. I managed to let the metal bit of a PC unit fall on my leg the other day just above my ankle and blimey it hurt ( I think I said "flippin eck!") SO now I have a HUGE bruise on my leg and the sun has finally decided to come out and I can't wear a skirt.

Over the weekend one of my teeth started to ache - a lot, and I lost a couple of hours sleep last night, so I took myself along to the butcher (dentist) this afternoon. OH MY GOD, he must think I am mental, he had to numb my mouth and I accidently swallowed some of the gel stuff he used . Well my throat started to feel "funny" and so I was convinced I was going to have my windpipe close/swallow my tongue so I sat up and started a right fuss,saying "oh I think my windpipe is swelling OH NO". They got me a drink of water and I was OK but shaking durrrrr! He must dread me coming in!

He gave me a little filling but I am not sure the pain has actually gone away for good, my god the pain this afternoon was awful, I felt like cutting my head off ( I was actually crying!) and I have given birth so I know what pain is Mister!

Wish me luck as I head off to bed with my Ibuprofen.....

A Bit of This and That

Well we have had visitors this week so not had time to do any crafting. It hurts to sit down, I went to see the doctor and she said since I fell over and landed on my tail bone it can take weeks to get better. She had a prod (ouch!) and said "in rare cases (look away now if you are squeamish), the end of the tail bone can break off and perforate the bowel!" YAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!!!

"but you don't have that" thank goodness.

Yesterday I had the dratted veneer fitted - I hate that dentist, all seems well so far.

Yesterday, I, who am such a geek was excited to upgrade my iPhone with the iPhone 2 software, but iTunes couldn't cope and I spent 4 hours without my phone working - I felt like I had lost a limb. All good now though, which is cool

I have just picked up a copy of the new look "Craft Stamper" magazine, it's really good. In the past I bought it but was always a bit dissapointed, some of the projects weren't really very much to my taste. The new look mag is bright, modern and trendy, pick one up if you can.

I have just started Cheryl Johnstons online photography course, its a 4 week course so I am hoping I get to learn more about all the twiddly bits on my new Nikon DSLR. Still scratching my head a bit though so wish me luck.

Ouch!

Yesterday Alex and I went into Edinburgh to buy a birthday present for his pal and to go and have a look around Greyfriars churchyard. I don't tend to saunter anywhere and I was running across Princes Street at a crossing with Alex and a young girl (listen to me Grandma!) collided with me and totally knocked me flat on my back at speed. As I was holding Alex's hand I dragged him down with me. What a nightmare, when you are older and you fall over it seems to come out of nowhere and it flipping hurt! Plus I was so embarrassed, trust me to fall flat on my back on the busiest road in Edinburgh. The girl wasn't English and had her iPod in her ears, and I was a bit mad at her, feel awful now as she was sorry and accidents happen hey ho.

Poor Alex grazed his elbow and he was crying, and I landed right on my "tail bone" now it hurts to sit down - ouch!

Anyway we limped away and did go to the church which was fun and I spied an art shop right next door so I got some "Sansodor" and some paper stumps. My Prismacolor pencils should arrive this week so I get to play. Hero Arts have an "awesome" tutorial on using these pencils check it out here .

Can't wait to play!

Text In a Circle

I thought I would put together a quick tutorial on how to create text in a circle on a PC. There are so many stamps out there that use this technique but you can create your own just using Microsoft Word (or Powerpoint) I use Word 2007 for this example but you can pretty much use any verision of Word and the instructions are reasonably similar.

Create a new document, then click on the Insert Tab


Click the WordArt button


Choose a style from the gallery, I generally use the one shown below as I don't want my text to look fancy schmancy

A little box pops up, change the Font here if you like and the size, you can come back later to change these things if you like so it's not vital to change right now

Type in the text you need, separating each phrase with an asterisk or a dash or full stop - rememeber to add one at the end because we are creating a circle!

Click OK and you get this....ewww!

Click on the Change Shape button on the toolbar, and select the Circle shape

At this point you'll see a dotted line around the outside of the circle with grab handles at each corner, use these to click and drag to resize the circle to get the size you need
At this point you can just print this off and the job is done, but you might like to add another circle to the outside of this one. So follow the same steps this time using the full stop button on the keyboard to create dots instead of text.

Now the way that word treats Word Art is different to the way that Powerpoint handles it. In Powerpoint you should just be able to position your cursor over the images and move them around how you want. In Word however these little critters refuse to move unless you format them, so on each of the circles you create, click on them with the RIGHT mouse button and select Format Word Art

Then click the layout tab in the box that appears and Square, then click OK

You should now be able to move the circles over each other to create this type of effect.

If at anytime you want to change the text you have typed, click the Edit Text button to re-open the text dialogue box.

That's all there is to it - enjoy!!!

Craft Room Tidy Up

ooohhh I am pooped, I have spent all day tidying up my craft room and as a result I have some things I need to sell. No photos yet but just to give you an idea...(P&P will be charged at cost)


12x12 clear plastic stackable trays - 6 of them £17.50
Argos Cupcake Tree thing in Pink £5
Making Memories Foam stamps 2 sets, flowers and Alphabets £7.50
Whispers Ink Pad Caddy £15
I also have a BIG stack of 12x12 papers, including SEI, BG, American Crafts etc etc that are too heavy to post but if you live in Edinburgh you could pick up , and I would like £35 for the lot, I'll post pics soon.

There is more to come so email me if you would like further info.

Off to See Kung Foo Panda tonight, should be good!

Blogtastic

So the other day I was looking at my blog counter thing that rates how far up (or down) the "hit parade" a blog is on Crafty Blogs and I was like "eh?? Suddenly my blog is popular for no good reason..." then I realise that that nutter (I mean that in a nice way) Kirsty Wiseman had bigged me up on her blog so that accounts for it. She gave me a brilliant blog award so I need to pass this on to ...........Stamping Mathilda, a very talented lady

Thanks Kirsty for thinking of me - it was the post on the trip to the dentist that did it for her LOL!!!

Difficult Decision

Well after a lot of thought I came to a decision over the weekend to take a break from magazine projects for a while. I have been extremely lucky to have my work published over the last few years and it is always a real thrill to see something I have made in print, but I was starting to struggle with the time committment required so I am stepping back for a bit.

The good news is that now I think I will be able to re-charge the creative batteries and come up with some designs I can share on the blog. I haven't done any crafting just for me lately. I have friends with weddings coming up and would like to do some stuff for them too. So here's to some more posts with pics.

I have also signed up to do an online photography class, so hopefully I can get my creativity going there - who knows SHOCK HORROR I may even get chance to do some scrapbooking!

Some Cards...

Thought I would post some pics of cards I have made in the last few months...

Banana Frog Stamps.....
My Minds Eye from Sarahs Cards


Scenic Route...

Great Day

I went along to the Stampin' Up! Experience in Edinburgh on Saturday and it was brilliant, I won't reveal more just yet since there are a couple more happening this week.

I got to meet Shelli Gardner who co-founded Stampin' Up! She is sooooo lovely, I had to get a picture of her - I'm the one that has the hamster cheeks on the left!

She obviously knows how to pose for a picture but I look like some dopey fan! She really inspired me to get cracking with my first SU! workshop. If you are in or around the Edinburgh area I am taking bookings now so please get in touch. I am also planning a workshop at my house, so if you want to come along and not have to host at your own house, please email me and I will send you details.

Ginger

Well I have been busy taking pics of lots of stuff with my new camera,still on the ol' Auto Mode but still quite chuffed with what the camera can do. Just had to share this picture, this is Ginger who lives down the road, he/she is quite a character and very nosy.

Dental Trauma

OMG I am soooo embarrassed, I went to the dentist this morning to get "scaled and polished" and for them to prep my front tooth for a new veneer. A couple of months ago I was chewing my nail in a meeting and PLING! the veneer on my front tooth broke in half and fell onto the desk. I was gutted!

Any how I go to get my veneer-less tooth prepped and my god I think I would have preferred root canal work and that SUCKS! The dentist needed to take an impression of my top teeth and they use a kind of plastic horsehoe filled with putty like stuff, now despite the fact I am quite a vocal person (aka BIG GOB) I have small "dental arch" so they had to use the smallest one. I have had this stuff done before and I don't like it. I'll tell you why, they fill that bloody horseshoe to the top with that stuff then thrust it in and up into the roof of your mouth and the stuff squidges out the back and is very prone to making me gag - I am really vomit phobic and I was scared to death. So it happened this morning, I am horizontal in the chair and dentist shoves it right up into the roof of my mouth and the unthinkable happens I start to gag and can't stop, I sat bolt upright heaving away, waving my hands about saying "take it out, take it out" ARRGGGHHH! I have never seen a dental assistant jump back so fast. It was horrible. I can laugh now but at the time it was a nightmare. They were making a false veneer for me so I had to do it another 3 times after my gag fest. They had the sense to sit me upright for the rest but each time they did it I had to endure it for about 3 mins for the putty to set and I had to concentrate REALLY hard so I didn't barf.

So now I have a false veneer that quite frankly looks like Bubba teeth, and tomorrow I am hopefully going to meet Shelli Gardner from Stampin' Up! she is from the USA and has the all-American perfect smile..............I shall bring a fan and hide behind it like Emily from Little Britain.

New Camera

ooohhh my new SLR arrived today, a Nikon D40 - I am a newbie to the digital SLR brigade, Kirsty Wiseman advised the D70 but I wimped out cos they are only available via ebay and I was SCARED of being ripped off.....soz Kirsty I is a scaredy cat xxx

I am very excited about it, but even though I am a gadget geek I am a bit scared of all this ISO, focal length blah-de-blah, hey ho I shall learn dammit!

Ohhh this Saturday I get to meet the CEO and founder of Stampin' Up! Shelli Gardner in Edinburgh, it's OK I don't have a private audience but I still get to meet her. If you want to come along , it's free just drop me an email!

Rant Alert.....................You have been warned

Ohhh I just love Sundays, I love the Sunday papers, well I love the Sunday Times mainly. Now we have moved to civilisation, i.e we have a corner shop and not one of those dreary Tesco Express jobbies, we have our paper delivered every day. It's bliss, I am in love with Caitlin Moran, Giles Coran , AA Gill and even gobby Jezzer Clarkson, their writing often has me giggling and thinking too.

SOOO yesterday I am reading this piece about how a school in Scotland has stopped making Father's Day cards for fear of offending single parent families and lesbians!!! I just about choked on my toast and went "oh my God look at this PC nonsense rant rant rant...." then OMG I realised they were talking about the school our son currently attends.!!!! I am flabbergasted, stunned and frankly bloody angry. How DARE they!! Alex's class all made cards, but some other classes did not. Has the world gone mad, why is is the minority rule? It'll be Christmas cancelled next by these interfering mad people.

I was ready to chain myself to the school gates in protest, I was hoping for a queue of TV station vans lining up with huge satellite dishes, I did my make up and had it all planned out, my impassioned speech about how mad people are diluting our culture and wrapping everyone up in cotton wool.............................................but zilch.............nowt.................the worlds media stayed away and apparently no-one I spoke to reads the Sunday Times. So my preparation was in vain, not even a squeak from the school either. WELL if any of the teachers responsible for this idiotic idea read this - SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING SUCH IDIOTS!!!!

Thank goodness we are moving schools this year, good riddance I say........................I did warn you of the "rant fest", I am orf to bed...

Yo Ho Ho............and and a bottle of rum

Check us out......................... Alan and I were invited to a "pirate party" last night by one of our new neighbours - what a flippin' hoot we had. Pity I look like Vanessa Feltz in my wig ROFL!


Fancy Dress is such a flippin' hoot. Alan and I have been together for about 12 years and never been to a fancy dress together. He is "ginger" and looks so funny in this outfit, plus I persuaded him to have eyeliner, what a palava getting that applied on him - his eyes were watering like mad, ha ha!

Some of the outfits were just brill, 3 people came dressed in sheets with min-fans on string round their necks, they came as........................"3 sheets to the wind". The host was dressed up as captains birds eye I spent the first half hour laughing my socks off at all the outfits! Not laughing so much now though - got an ickle bit of a hangover bleurgh!

In Love With Stamping

Just a quickie post this morning, just wanted to tell you about a great new forum for stampers its here www.inlovewithstamping.com . It's a forum for all sorts of stamp addicts and for Stampin' Up! demos and "fans" too, check it out!

One of those Days

Yesterday we went to an "induction" afternoon at Alex's new school. We are going "private" next year, never thought we would but it just happened and it seems very right for us.

His new school is very old and very traditional in the centre of the city and I have fallen in love with it, kinda reminds us all of Hogwarts!!

So we had the head of the school give us a talk in the most gorgeous school hall yesterday and I was totally choked up. It was such an inspiring speech delivered by the most charismatic man I have ever heard speak in a school and I am beside myself with excitement and pride and can't wait to be a part of it.

5 mis before we arrive some silly sod reversed straight into the front of the car - as we were waiting to park......................grrrrrrrrrrrrrr it nearly spoiled the "ambience" and I swore like a trooper (nice!!) thankfully it was only minor and we had such a nice couple of hours I didn't care at all.