What a beautiful day

So it's 9am in the morning and i am sat here in the garden as i type this latest blog entry and it's already getting warm. There is a gentle breeze but am hoping that fades away. The weather men are predicting the warmest day of the year - yeah!!!!!

I absolutely love the sun, makes me feel so much happier.

We were heading for the coast today but have been invited to a BBQ at our friends this afternoon - so lots of scrummy food. Will be lots of children and a paddling pool, so kiddies should have fun.

Yesterday i went to a 12 hr crop up in Reading. It was organised by one of the ladies i went to Ireland with. It was a really lovely day. The food was fab, cakes, lunch and dinner - it was lovely to see friends again that i had made in Ireland (Diane, Nicole, Bridget and of course Lorraine). Lorraine had done so much for yesterday - i was amazed.

I had a productive day, 2 whole LO's finished - i think i shocked myself, it's normally 1 a week if i am lucky.

I used one kit from Cleo Crafts (Alissa mini kit). These papers are divine. I bought them whilst in Ireland and have been waiting to use. I decided to use the sketch that was on the Cleo Craft blog for NSD - a bit late but never mind. It's a LO of Hannah in our back garden in Texas. She was watching the the gecko's running up the walls - it was something quite unreal in her eyes after moving from Holland. We had only been there for a couple of weeks, so was adjusting to the new gdn creatures. A few weeks later we had an armadillo in the gdn - that was crazy!!! A shame i never had my camera to hand, as it won't be something we have in the gdn now.

The next LO i used some new papers i bought this week. I find it very hard to find teenage boy papers - so when i came across these i had to have. I love the blues and browns in these and thought they were a perfect match to this photo of Liam at Galveston Beach in Texas. The kids and I adore the beach so would spend many days there. This was our last visit to the beach before we returned back to the UK.

This was done for a sketch challenge that Lorraine had organised, but as ever it ended up looking nothing like the sketch. As i scrap in the smaller size (not 12 x 12) i find certain sketches just don't work - so more often than not i do have to accommodate which i am happy to do as it makes me think outside the box.

I was pleased with my efforts for the day - and i think my fellow scrappers were too.

Now for the next project.

This week i ordered a lovely cupcake album from Cleo Crafts , they have had some beautiful albums in this week, check them out as i do know they are selling fast, matching papers and stamps also.

Given that Hannah has just had a cupcake themed party this is going to be perfect. This came yesterday whilst at crop, so had a lovely parcel waiting for me for when i got home. It's a lot bigger than i expected, so can fit lots of pictures in it too. I really am looking forward to creating this little album, the last few weeks have seen me go cupcake mad, i did vow after the party i never wanted to see another cupcake - after making the invitations, party bags and so on, but this should be a perfect end to my cupcake era!

Am hoping you all have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend, enjoy the sunshine whilst you can, but don't get burnt.

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

May Reveal

So it's time to reveal my latest project for Cleo Crafts May monthly kit.

I had lots of fun with this kit as the colours were lovely and bright. I decided to scrap a photo of Hannah that we had professionally taken at Easter 2006, back in Texas USA.

The kit contents this month contained the lovely collection from Daisy Bucket, Perfect Harmony range. The papers i worked with were Avery, Delaney and Lizzie.

I have added a few pieces from my own stash which included Tim Holtz Tag, Lace and 3d flower heads.

I hope you like my project and i look forward to seeing your creations.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

I'm here and i'm back.

Yeah - I'm back!!!!

How bad a blogger have i been, 3 whole months, but where has the time gone. Its going so incredibly fast this year but it has been fun.

I have so much to share with you all, it's hard to know where to start.

I think the greatest aspect of the last 3 months for me has been my first ever retreat back in April to N.Ireland. The retreat had been organised by Cleo Crafts who i am a current Design Team Member for - so really 'had' to go (lol).

The weekend got of to a bumpy start as the weather had been bad that week. Now i am not one for flying, so was a little apprehensive to start with - thinking everything would be ok.

Well how wrong was i. From the minute the wheels left the ground we bumped all the way over to Ireland - i swear we had a trainee pilot, but safe to say we landed in one piece and now the fun could begin.

Tara was at the airport to meet us in the mini van - which we soon filled with our luggage of course most of it was stash. We had to collect 2 fellow passengers from Belfast City Centre, Diane and Nicole which gave us the opportunity of a little sight seeing.

We started our tour by driving through the Falls Road and Shankhill Road, 2 famous roads in Belfast that holds much History

We had a pleasant journey onwards to Port Stewart going through many wee towns but we all had to laugh at the town called 'Bally Bogey'. Unfortunately due to the weather we couldn't stop for a snap.

We arrived in good time at our accommodation - which was fab - nothing quite like what we expected. We thought we might be staying in bunk beds, much to our relief.

I was staying in a chalet with Denise, Bridget, Lorraine and Kate - but for some unknown reason we were also known as the 'Rowdy Bunch'...................... Still to this day i am unsure (lol).

We stayed in the Ulster Chalet.

Friday night got under way with a lovely meal (all hand made) and then the scrapping commenced. A few of us stayed up until the early hour of the morning completing challenges and LO's along with much chatter and laughter.

Saturday got off to an early start with the lovely Alison demonstrating a beautiful stamping class, the results were stunning

The day continued with much scrapping, stash buying, chatting and laughter. The lunch and afternoon tea was lovely, so nice not to have to cook for a whole weekend.

The hall we were using was to be used by another function in the evening, which meant we had to pack our things up, but not all was lost as Tara (aka Edie Mccready) was taking us on a little sightseeing tour - The Beach!!! I couldn't wait, something about the beach which is so calm and tranquil - even if it's cold and windy. So we all hopped aboard the Cleo Tour bus and off we went.

All aboard for Tara's Tours

Although very cold at the beach, and a little windy it was wonderful to be near the sea again - it was very peaceful. Now i do love the beach but given it was still winter i wouldn't actually go in the sea - unlike Diane and Nicole, they couldn't wait to catch the waves, the shoes were off and they were gone.................................... the rest of us just looked on in amazement, but they enjoyed it albeit having frozen toes.


We stayed at the beach for awhile, when Tara decided to practise her curly Font in the sand - and what a good job she done. We all had to have our picture taken


We then headed straight back to the chalets to get changed as we were hitting the town for a lovely meal and entertainment. The food was wonderful.

Tara and Louise finished off the evening with a little award ceremony for the various challenges/classes held over the weekend. I think we all done very well.

I had had a wonderful day and couldn't believe how quick the day had gone and Sunday we were heading home already. The night finished late after a sneaky glass of wine (Thanks Bridget!!!) and we all just fell into bed.

Sunday was an early start, packing which was a squeeze with more new stash on board - we only had a 20kg weight allowance for the plane. Then we had a traditional Irish breakfast, an Ulster Fry! Yum.

It was time to pack up the mini van and be on our way. We were going sight seeing on Tara's Tours. The Giants Causeway and The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge were on the agenda.

We were so lucky with the weather as although it was cold and windy the rain held of for the entire morning - enabling us to get some pictures of the beautiful landscapes of Ireland.

We all enjoyed The Giants Causeway, but a lot of walking and climbing was involved.

Group photo at Giants Causeway.

Next stop was the rope bridge. Now this was going to be a challenge for me as i am petrified of heights but even more so cliffs. I have had this fear ever since a little girl - i can remember where it all stemmed from.

So was i going to be brave and go or stay back and wait for everybody?

I thought about it along the way and came to the decision that i would at least try, after all i never know when i might get another opportunity. I was kind of hoping the National Trust might of had the bridge closed due to high winds, then the choice is taken from me.

We got there - and the bridge was open. We had a long walk along the cliff edge - with lots of steps along the route. There were only 6 of us who made it to the bridge from the group and I was one of them.

Well i saw the bridge and felt sick. I had a wave of panic come over me - it was high and over the sea!!! Gulp.

One by one we walked across the bridge and then it was my turn. I couldn't let the group down, so went for it. It was windy and the bridge was bouncing, but i done it - i was ever so proud of myself, i had conquered one of my fears. If it hadn't been for the other girls i probably would of not done it.

This photo is taken the other side of the bridge - all pleased with ourselves.

Now that we had walked the bridge - we then had to get back to the other side. I had to face my fear again. We decided to all walk the bridge together to get a group photo - this was very bumpy and i was at the back - i couldn't wait to get on to safe land. It was an incredible experience and now looking back i am really pleased i made it across.

We then had a long walk back to the mini van where our Tara Tours had ended. It was now time to set off to the airport for us all to catch our flights home.

I can't believe what an incredible weekend this was. Having never been on a retreat before and spending a weekend with ladies i had never met in person just via the UKS forum i was nervous.

All these fears were soon banished. Everybody was so warm and welcoming. I truly had a fantastic time, i laughed so much - in fact i didn't stop all weekend.

Louise and Tara done a fantastic job organising the whole weekend and it was lovely to meet them both finally.

As the weekend was such a success Louise and Tara have now arranged another retreat.

6th November 2009!!!! My name is down and i really cannot wait.

Now, for some more recent news.

Its almost reveal time for the May Cleo Craft monthly kit. Here is the last sneak peak before the final reveal this coming weekend.

I hope to update my blog on a daily basis now, i won't leave it soooooo long.

Hoping your having a lovely day

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

I am still alive

Just popping in to let you know i am still alive.

I really don't know where time has gone and it's almost May already.

I am hoping to get some time over the Easter Bank Holiday to update my forgotton blog with the latest news, lo's and photo's and news of my recent retreat in Northern Ireland which was just the best fun filled weekend ever.

Hope to be back very soon

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

Random news.......

So it's early on Tuesday morning and i have already been up for 3 hours - yes can you believe it, me up before the rest of the house, this is really quite unheard of.

The kids had a shock too - first thing they asked was - Is Daddy sick?

Unfortunately i just couldn't sleep - so thought it best to rise early in stead of just laying awake.

So my plans for the day have already changed - it should be a morning of mummy peace but unfortunately my little one is full of cold and not so sure Hannah should be at school, has developed a chesty cough, but has no temperature (at the moment) - so i have kept Sam home today.

I had planned to go to the local craft shop to see what delights i could find - but hey guess i am now saving pennies and will now make use of some of the mountain of unused stash i already have sitting in my room - too much to mention - thinking about it i might have a little clear out and see if i can find new homes for it.

Of course like so many other scrappers i am eagerly awaiting all the new lines from the CHA convention reaching our stores here in the UK, so need to save for them. I have seen a few new lines that i need, (lol) rather than want - 1 is the new line by October Afternoon, Cherry Hill - how awesome is this line

Have seen lots of embellishments that i quite like as well - from Prima, some beautiful flowers and the most delicate butterflies

So hopefully the goodies will be reaching the UK very soon.

On other news i was tagged by the lovely Vicki from confessions of a doll blog. This is quite a cool tag.

So here's how it works. You go to folder number 6 within your Photos on your computer and post the 6th photo in it.

So my 6th photo folder happens to be scanning i have done at my mums of various people and celebrations (there are hundreds i would love to scan - but don't always get the time) but my 6th photo is a picture of Dad, my older sister and myself - many many years ago. I am yet to scrap this - like so many, is sitting in a list of things to do. As many of you are aware i lost my Dad almost 2 years ago very suddenly to Cancer, so all photo's are now very precious.

My photo..................... sorry sister

Now i have to pass the tag onto another 5 people. I have chosen;

Amanda

Rachael

Angie

Sj

Annie

And lastly as we had a quiet weekend - as the next 3 weekend's we have parties to attend, Hannah decided to be creative with the Fimo Clay she received for Christmas form her Aunt.

Tim decided to follow the step by step instructions on how to make the cute teddy bear and Hannah used her own imagination and made a cute little cat to sit alongside Daddy's bear. I am totally in awe of both of their creations - they are amazing. Of course these had to be photographed.

Don't you think Hannah done well - she is only 5 after all, do i have a new Wallace and Grommet in the making (lol)............................................... she has now asked if i could buy her some more colours , and of course i will, i never mind spending pennies on things that get them to be creative rather than the normal DVDS, computer games etc etc or even chocolate and sweets.

So here they are Bear and cat................................ aren't they cute!!!!

So that's me for the time being - i do have some more news to share with you all when i can, it's a top secret at the moment - but fun.

Am also awaiting my new March kit from Cleo Crafts - time to start stalking my lovely postman again.

Have a lovely day and speak to you all soon

Take care

Sarah

oxox

Reveal Day has Arrived

Yeah........................... title explains it all really.

Today is the day that i am allowed to reveal my project for Cleo Crafts February kit. I had a total blast with this kit - when it arrived i knew instantly what i wanted to create and thus being perfect for upcoming Valentines day - i decided to do some little memento's for the children.

All the photo's used are of the children when they were 1 day old and all fast asleep - something that doesn't happen to often now. Love the pictures of them and brings back so many lovely memories of them all.

The hearts were cut from chipboard using a Creative Memories shape cutter, and then covered in the lovely paper and used various pieces both from the kit and my own stash to embellish them all.

I am really pleased with the outcome of them and they do look lovely hanging in my craft room.

If you feel you would like to sub to any future Cleo Monthly kits then click on the link on the right hand side and be sure not to miss out - i can tell you already that the March kit is looking even yummier.

So here you go. Will start of with Liam as he is the oldest...........

And now Hannah's

And last but no least my little Sam

So there they are - hope you like them and thank you so much for stopping by.

Have a great day

Take care

Sarah

xoxo

So Excited

So excited, look what i received!!!

An award for my Blog.

Emma of the excellent Scraps of my mind blog nominated me (shock horror) for Kreativ Blogger.

This means so much to me, obviously being my first little award as well.

With receiving this blog award, i now need to nominate 5 other blogs for the award and i must admit i do have a few favourites - here's hoping they don't already have one, although some of my favourites do already - so have had a long hard think and my final 5 are below.

The rules for the award are:

1.The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person that sent the award.

3. Nominate 5 other blogs.

4. Put a link to their blog on your blog.

5. Leave a message for the people you nominate.

So, i would like to nominate the following...................

1.Carole - 3 Dimensional Me, excellent work with fantastic eye for detail - lots of dimension in her layouts.

2. Jenn - My Creative Mess, Love this blog - funny, entertaining and lovely work.

3. Katie - She's Scrappy, Work just totally rocks, beautiful

4. Linda - Simple Things, Oh my, some past work has blown me away. Detailed and awesome.

5. Zarah - And in English, Beautiful, excellent use of embellishments.

The above blogs showcase excellent scrapping/altering crafts - totally blown away with the detailed work some of these ladies have shown - outstanding. Be sure to check them out.

So, hope you enjoy visiting these wonderful blogs.

I have some more news and reveals to share with you all - but will be back very soon

Have a lovely weekend

Take care

Sarah