Happy New Year

Can't believe the holidays have gone in so quickly - I've not even managed to catch up with anyone apart from family. Not sure what we're doing for Hogmanay yet - were going to stay in, then decided to go out, but now might stay in again because of the severe lack of taxis - really don't want a 45 min walk home in the peeing rain.

Hope all you bloggers had a great Christmas and that Santa was good to you. I got so many gorgeous things :D:D.

Here's wishing 2008 brings you everything you hope for!!

Toodles xoxo

Guess What Santa's Bringing??

Me and Stu are getting a Wii from Crimbo from Santa (well from overtime really!!). Have asked SW to see if he can get me a spare controller at Schipol tomorrow - if not there may well be tears on Christmas morning (and I feel sad if Stu cries!!).

Went to see Ocean Colour Scene at the Barrowland last night - they were absolutely fantastic (although i did nearly leave home without lifting the tickets until Stu asked if I had them - a recurring event for me and not one of my best character traits)

Fizzing mad at the Post Office - paid extra money on Friday afternoon to get a package from JillyBeads sent next day - it was possible too late to guarantee delivery yesterday, but guess what - still no delivery today. If it doesn't come tomorrow in in serious trouble as I have a lot to do before Crimbo.

Still made no personal Christmas cards and really cutting it fine now, so instead of stressing I'm off out to buy a nice box tomorrow lunchtime - life's just to short to stress over minor things like that!!

Toodles for now bloggy-types - Hopefully will have some piccies later in the week.

'Tis the season to be jolly...

tra la lala la lala la la. Finished my last batch of cards orders last night. Seriously thinking about not taking on any more now before Crimbo (apart from Mum, G and my own). Now I can spend time concentrating on my jewellery orders and playing with my Craft Fairies Design Team Kit - yippee.

Here are the final cards. It was actually an order of 5, but 2 of them were the stocking design I posted a couple of days ago.

I'm quite chuffed with this one. Papers are English Paper Co - really wish I had got a big batch of about half a dozen of the designs and not the bumper mix pack, as there are about 6 I really love and the rest I don't have a clue what to do with. Dies are Sizzix and a gorgeous Bosskut Rudolph I borrowed from the lovely Rhi last year. The diecut tree is part of I swap I received over at the Crafts by Carolyn forum.

This one uses one of the English Paper Co designs I don't really know what to do with, although I love the one with the stitched ribbon I've used on the bottom. Dies used are Sizzix and Quickutz, brad is from my stash and holly is made using Fimo in the Sculpey Kringle & Snowman mould.

This one is to be given to a little girl who has been in hosiptal for the last couple of weeks. I agreed with my customer that it might be nice to have a little bit of a Christmas theme (without being too Christmassy). Papers are yet again English Paper Co (another lot I don't really know what to do with as I find lilacs & pinks quite difficult to use for Christmas). Big tag is Sizzix, snowflakes are a mixture of a Zip-e-mate and some I received in the Crafts by Carolyn forum Christmas diecut swap; button is from my stash.

Thanks for looking xoxo

Rest of the Batch

A bit of delay in posting these I'm afraid, but you know how it is even at normal times of the year - the days just fly by so quickly - and at Crimbo everything seems to go at 4x speed.

Anyways, here are the remainder of the 5 cards I made for a colleague:

I did try to stick to traditional for all the cards in the batch, but I struggled a bit - I've been using English Paper Co papers this year, and some of them are just a tad too traditional - not really sure what I could do with them, so this one ended up with a bit of a modern squiggle tree twist (or should that be twist tree squiggle?). Dies used are Sizzix and Cuttlebug. Tree brads were from my stash and font is Not His Angel.

Back to the traditional look for this one. I actually quite like it , even though it is verging on frumpy. Yet again English Paper Co papers, Quickutz & Sizzix dies and brad from stash.

This one is for one of those tricky beasts (aka men!!). Yet again English Paper Co papers (plus a Christmas tree one I got from my local craft shop last year). Dies Sizzix and Quickutz and fon on label is Baby Bowser.

I'm now going to start on another batch of 5 for another colleague - at this rate all my friends and family will be getting cards from the garage!!

Sorry for not posting many comments on my favourite blogs lately - I have been looking, but sometimes have been sneaking a peak at lunchtime etc from work and can't post from there.

Speak to you all soon, bloggy-types xoxo

On the Second Day of Christmas (card making)

Yup, it's true folks, I've actually made my second Christmas card of the year (also for the guy I did the reindeer one for). Have stuck with the traditional theme for this one as well (perhaps that'll be a trend for me for the whole batch of them).

Stockings and holly are both Quickutz dies. Papers are English Paper Company and font is Courtney Dorkling. Want to get the order finished tonight, so I should have more to show tomorrow - thanks for looking.

On the home front, had the day off on Friday, so managed to get some Christmas shopping done. I also managed to get bedroom curtains - it only took me a year and a half, but got the Jeff Banks ones that match a set of my bedding (and even better - they were in the sale!). The Murder Dinner Party was a great success on Saturday night - felt slightly below the weather on Sunday though - don't know how much was alcohol-related and how much was just because I was shattered as I didn't stop all day Friday or Saturday. Got work's Christmas lunch on Friday, but I'm not going to drink at it as I have a retirement and another work's Christmas lunch the next 2 Fridays, so will wait til then, as getting my tree on Saturday, so want to be on top form and safe for driving etc for that.

Speak to you all soon, bloggy-types.

Toodles xoxo

DCM - Santa's Little Extra Helper No 7

Well, well, well, I must have psychic tendencies as I made this card last night then read the DCM Little Extra today:

It's Tuesday again so we have a midweek challenge for you to play with. Santa's Little Helper this week is themed "Buttons and Bows"Just in case you're one of those super-efficient types who've made all the cards they need already, you can still join in with a non-Christmas card for this one.I made this for someone at work to give to his daughter and boyfriend. I've got another 4 cards to make for him, so need to get a wriggle on. Diecuts are Sizzix, Quickutz and a mistletoe one I got in a swap. Font is Chopin Script. Tree brad and gold bow were just stuff I had lying around. Papers are from the English Paper Company - hope it's not cheating to use printed buttons & ribbon.

Thanks for looking.

Toodles xoxo

Love is in the Air

Stewart's sister and her boyfriend got engaged on holiday, so I made this card for them. I'm not going to post it as they're coming to my murder on Saturday anyway.

Paper and dark card are DCVW. Light gold card is Paper Cellar stuff I got in a mix box last year around this time. Dies used are Cuttlebug Circle Frames & Hearts. I printed the words in Missed Your Exit and chalked round the papers with a tan(ish) colour.

Tomorrow will be like Friday for me as it's my last day of work this week - in fact the way I've wangled my annual leave, last Friday was the last full Friday I'll work all year. Got to spend the day getting ready for the murder on Saturday - it seems to have gone from being weeks and weeks away to only being a couple of days away in the blink of an eye. Hopefully I'll spend some time getting organised Friday afternoon/Saturday during the day.

Thanks for looking

Toodles xoxo

Ahoy There Matey!!!

This is a card I did for a colleague who has someone in her department retiring on Friday - really quite pleased with this one (just cos the papers are so cool).

The chap retiring is one of the Assistant Harbourmasters, so I think this one is quite apt. All the papers are English Paper Company (it's such a shame they're closing down - need more decent Brit paper manufacturers), cricle frame is a Cuttlebug one and the text is printed using Boring Showers font (another current fave of mine). I chalked the edges of the ship circle with dark blue and used a light sky blue round the edges of the papers.

This is a necklace and simple earrings I made for a lady in our neighbourhood (actually, do we have neighbourhoods in Scotland or am I [SHOCK HORROR!!!] turning all Americanified?). I used 4mm & 6mm Swarovski bicone crystals in Clear & Jet. A 40mm Teardrop Pendant in Clear. Home-made pendant-bail-type-thingy is made using sterling silver wire and bicone beads. Toggle clasp is also sterling silver.

Thanks for looking. I'll be back with more things soon.

Toodles xoxo

Card Backlog

It's been a long long time since I've blogged craft stuff, so I've got a few things to show. Alos got some stuff I did at the tail end of last week, so I'll post that too in a bit.

These are the thank-you cards I did for Stewart and I to give to family and friends for the engagement presents we were given. I used pearlescant card in pale pistachio and bramble (not official colours - I just made em up!). The square background and frame are Cuttlebug as is the flower. I printed the "Thank You" using Baby Bowser font.

Some of you will already know I'm not much of a stamper, but I bought this one off someone on the Crafts by Carolyn forum last year (or perhaps the year before), so thought I'd better try it out. I stamped the image in black then painted a tiny bit of it with the mucho cheapo Twinkling H2O-type paints from The Works. I then chalked around the stamped image and mounted it on pearlescent black card. Again the text is printed using Baby Bowser font (loving this one atm).

This is the card I made for Mum's birthday (way back in September). I didn't have time to scan it when I made it (last-minute Lisa strikes again) but saw it in her house one time, so reclaimed it. The flower in the top corner sticks out from the top of the card, and if I was making one again I'd put it in a bigger envelope. Papers are Making Memories - Kate (really pretty papers) and the flowers are made using all 4 of the Bosskut Create-a-Flower dies in Wildflower. Lettering was done on cardstock in WordArt then hand cut.

Will be back soon with more - hope you can manage to stay awake, bloggy-types.

Toodles xoxo

LAX!!!

Nope, not the Californian airport, but me!!! It really doesn't seem like 2 weeks since I last blogged. Still not quite over the stomach bug I had when I came back from hols - now been to docs twice in 3 weeks (usually I'm only there twice a year for routine stuff). Anyways hopefully it's on the turn now (I'm not ill or anything now, just a little below par and sporadic stomach upsets etc).

Anyways, onto the happy stuff now. Had a lovely chilling weekend with Stu (well apart from me working on Saturday), watched the darts & movies. Finally saw the new Vinnie Jones one they gave away with one of the Sunday papers - was actually really good.

I now no longer have to work a full Friday for the rest of the year, as I'm away in the afternoons for xmas lunch on 2 of them and on annual leave days the other 3 - so happy cos I love being off on a Friday (even though it's a shorter day/longer lunch break etc).

Got my first DT kit from Craft Fairies and it's well gorgeous. Can't wait to get stuck in about it :D:D

Toodles for now xoxo

Weekend Catch-up

Had a pretty chilling weekend this week, which is just what I needed. Did the weekly shop on Friday for a change (I didn't like it as much as doing it on Sat mornings) and got 3 nice bottles of wine from Asda. Stu made dinner and we watched Shawn of the Dead, which was quite good.

On Sat J came round for lunch. I made crab cakes from a James Martine recipe, but to be honest next time I would use a different recipe as I felt they were too mushy (hence no photo) - they tasted ok though.

Sat night Stu made a lovely chicken dopiaza and rice using the red saffron we brought back from Egypt. Watched the remake of the Omen, which was pretty good for a remake, but still not as good as the original and little Damian wasn't half as cute.

On Sunday we went to visit Stu's grandparents - was nice to finally meet them. His uncle and little cousins were there too, so it was a bit of a houseful. Commandeered a wee shot of his cousin's Nintendo DS which was well fun. Stu made dinner again on Sunday night. Garlic mushrooms then pork chops with nice seasoning and mash followed by rhubarb crumble and custard - was well yummy, but I've had to be good today.

Got a couple of cards to make for Mum tonight and I need to dig out some beads as I have a necklace to make for someone too - need to give her a call tomorrow afternoon to find out exactly what she would like.

Will be back soon with the next installment of the Egypt trip.

Toodles xoxo

Four Things

I've been tagged by the lovely Rhi, so here's 4 things you may or may not already know about me:

4 Jobs I've had

I worked for an open cast coal company as admin/weighbridge operator

I ran a small office

Worked in a pub part-time

Secretary

4 Places I have visited

Egypt

Ibiza

Cyprus

Greece

4 Places I have lived

'fraid I've always lived in Falkirk, although I have lived in exactly 4 different houses

4 Favourite foods

Cherries

Venison

Duck

Percy Pigs

4 Places I would rather be

Lying on the beach

Seville (top of my wish list)

In a land where I have a cleaning fairy

In a hot bath

Bet the excitement of my lifes far has blown you all away!!!!

Toodles xoxo

Egypt - Day 2 - Friday

Edfu & Kom Ombo

After visiting the West Bank on Thursday, we then set sail for Edfu. Edfu Temple is dedicated to Horus (the falcon-headed god) and is one of my favourite temples.

After leaving Edfu we set sail straight away for Kom Ombo, which is quite a small temple, but very interesting as it has the first medical references and mummified crocodiles!!!

Then it was time to set sail for Aswan. Took until late evening to get there. Friday night was an Egyptian-themed night, so me and Stu were in full costume when he proposed - all very romantic under the moonlight :D so I thought I'd add a nice photo of an Egyptian sunset.

More to come soon - hope I'm not boring all you bloggy-types.

Toodles xoxo

The Ring

Well we finally managed to go ring shopping on Saturday, and both Stewart and I managed to get rings we absolutely love (although Stu's won't be here til Friday as it was too big).

This is mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The photo doesn't do it justice - it's absolutely gorgeous - white gold with 6 diamonds and a perfect style for me.

I'm over the moon!!!!!!!!!!!

Egypt Trip - Day One

Collosei of Memnon, Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Bahri

The trip down from Edinburgh to Gatwick and then Gatwick to Luxor went smoothly and we arrived a bit earlier than scheduled. OMG Luxor Airport had changed a lot since my last visit - it now has a terminal and everything!!

Early start the first morning and a pretty full day. Started off with a quick visit to the Collosei of Memnon. These are 2 huge statues which have each been carved from one piece of stone. We didn't get long at them - about 20 mins or so as there is nothing else there apart from the 2 statues - we had a walk around them and took plenty of photos.

After that stop it was off to the Valley of the Kings. We visited 3 tombs; the first one was Tutmoses III, which had a LOT of steps - glad we did it first (see photo to right). After that we went to Ramses III (I think - neither Stewart nor I can quite remember), finishing off in Ramses IV. The only downside of the visit was that no photography is permitted inside the tombs, although we did buy a really nice set of photos. After the Valley of the Kings we went to an alabastor factory, but tbh it all seemed a bit false and most of the stuff they had for sale wasn't hand-made.

Then we moved onto Queen Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri and boy, was it getting warm by then. The temple was very different to the others we would be visiting on our trip, but very impressive. Another hefty step climb (we could certainly feel our legs for the next few days - even Stu who walks to work every day). The veiw from the top tier was fantastic and some of the statues and wall carvings were really lovely.

After the temple it was back to the boat for lunch then a free afternoon as we set sail for Edfu. Sunset is pretty early this time of year so we only managed about an hour and a half of relaxing in the sun in the afternoon. I've put a photo of some of the statues in Hetshepsut's Temple below:

I'm Back!!!!!

Yup, back from holidays with an extremely dodgy tummy (hence why I'm writing this during the day cos off work) and lots of good news.

Holiday was amazing. Visited lots of places and took loads of photos (well I took about 100 before my camera packed in, but Stewart took about 400 so I can share his). I'll post a day-by-day breakdown with photos when I'm feeling a bit better (luckily didn't start to feel ill until about 6 hrs after we landed at Gatwick so was only suffering on the flight back to Edinburgh, which only took 45 mins), as I don't want to post just a mishmash.

Good news time now - me and Stewart got engaged!!!!! Really happy and excited about it, although it's quite a lot to take in. We were going to go ring shopping at the weekend, but we've had to postpone it until next weekend, because of my dodgy tummy. We haven't set a date or anything yet - just going to chill until after crimbo then Stu will sell his flat and we'll start making plans then.

Also when I got home I discovered I had made it onto the Craft Fairies Design Team - my first ever DT, so all very exciting (and just a bit scary!!). Really looking forward to working with Lisa and the rest of the team to see what we all come up with :D:D

Ocean Colour Scene tix arrived when I was away as well - finally make up for not being able to get into the tent the last 2 times I've been at T in the Park.


...and finally I was thrilled to get this award from both Lynne and Rhi. I'd like to pass it on to Fee, Miss JP and Stu, who all make me smile every day.

See you all soon with holiday photos and stuff

Toodles xoxo

Beginning to return...

... to normal (or what passes as normal here!!) Mum got out of hospital today, and she's making good progress. G off work today and tomorrow to look after her, then I'll look after her at the weekend.

Ocean Colour Scene tix went on sale today - hope they have some left on Monday cos I'm too skint to get them until then :S

Not really got much else to report - have made nothing this past week, as I've been coming home from work, putting dishwasher/washing on then dashing out to the hosp.

Bedlam on the roads around here today apparently, as a lorry carrying chickens crashed at Haggs/Castlecary - chickens running around everywhere - I wonder if they'll ever head east and run into the recently elusive Mr Chicken on the road to the bridges (although I fear Mr Chicken may now be resting in someone's tummy.

On major countdown to the hols now. Only 3 working days to go!!!! Struggling to get someone to come back for us (cos we land at 08:00 on a working day) so booked a driver this morning - will probably work out cheaper than paying the extortionate Edinburgh Airport parking prices.

See you all soon bloggy-types xoxo

Card

The word at HS:MS for yesterday was...

Card
A Piece of thick, stiff paper. Find 'card' in your space today.

I did this card for a colleague to give to a little girl who has a brithday around Halloween (I actually did 2 the same with different names, as she wanted them for 2 girls who live 100s of miles apart).

Actually struggled with it a bit, as I felt everything just looked a bit plonked on, but the buyer really liked them and said the kids will love them.

Also got a card done for Fee and Lee but don't want to post it here until I've posted it through her door.

Only 2 weeks til the hols now - think I've got everything sorted apart from insurance and a pair of black trousers (and still plenty of time to sort those out).

Mum goes into hospital for her first knee replacement op - hope her recovery is ok, as her good knee is worse than her bad one atm - with any luck she'll get her other one done just after Christmas.

That's my update for today - must dash and put new tax disc on car as I've had it for a couple of weeks but keep forgetting to put it on!!!

Toodles xoxo

Congratulations...

... Fee and Lee, on getting engaged last night. Thrilled to bits when I heard the news - so was Stu. See you soon for a wee celebration!!!!!!!

xoxo

First...

... card for a while from me - it's not that I've been lazy - just making them so tight to the deadlines that I haven't had time to do a scan of them.

Made this one for Stewart's mum - it's actually her birthday tomorrow, but they're going to France so we're going to drop pressies round tonight.

I used Blonde Moments Sugar Dumpling papers, and glitter card. Flowers cut using Bosskuts dies and text is QK Sunshine.

Got my last 2 jabs for Egypt today and I promised the nurse I would deffo go for a Hep A booster next year, cos then I will be covered for Hep A for the next 20 years and no blood test to see if I'm immune needed - added bonus because of my needle phobia and crap veins.

Watching Stu's mum & dad's doggy this weekend whilst they're in France. Will take some jewellery stuff over with me though - might even take my Cuttlebug and dies.

Have a lovely weekend bloggy peeps.

Toodles xoxo

HS:MS - Jug

The HS:MS word for today is:

Jug

A container from which eases the pouring of liquid. Show us your jugs! A-hem.

I got this a couple of years ago when my Dad's aunt & uncle moved into a home. It's been shoved at the back of a cupboard ever since, as I thought it was a bit hideous. Who knows - perhaps I'll keep it out for a couple of days and see if it grows on me (seriously doubt it though!!)

Sponge

Over at HS:MS the word for today was:

Sponge

A natural (often man made!) material to soak up liquids. Show us a sponge in your space.

4 Weeks...

...today I'll be on the Nile - really really can't wait.

Been a long day at work today - started at 7 and didn't get finished til 6, so going to have some dinner and a nice long bath.

Have a couple of cards to make tonight for someone at work - both halloween themed ones, as the little girls they are for both have birthdays around about the spooky day!

All my plans for last weekend went completely tits up, as poor Stu got sent home from work on Friday with a stomach bug and has only started to feel better today, so no meal, wedding or lunch for us - we're going for dinner this Friday instead :D and lunch on Sun.

Was off work on Monday, but spent the day in the house keeping S company (my good deed for the year). Managed to make loads of fimo stuff for card toppers and got a few die cuts done too :D.

Also been spending some time making my Swarovski Christmas spiders - just in case I'm lucky enought to get a rush on them.

Toodles for now, bloggy-types. I'll be back later in the week with stuff xoxo

Wo-o-o it's magic...

...or not as the case may be. Tried to sign up for the magic course starting at college next Monday night, but it was fully booked - I was so gutted - had visions of me wowing all my friends, family and colleagues with my fantastic new magical skills - hope they run it again in the next session - I'll be bashing down the door to get into it.

Was the lovely Stewart's birthday yesterday - all the 3s 33 - hahaha nearly as old as me. Lucky monkey was off work yesterday so I think he just chilled and watched dvds. Came up to mine a night for more pressies and a Chinese for tea. Taking him to a local restaurant, La Picardie, which specialises in rustic French food (and has the added bonus of being a 5 minute walk away!!!) Not been before, but G & A have and liked it, so looking forward to trying it out.

Got to get my Typhoid jab for Egypt tomorrow - looking forward to it like a hole in the head as I have a bit of a needle phobia - I've had it twice before, so know it doesn't hurt anywhere like it used to, but last time I nearly fainted going from the chemist to the docs with my prescription. Thing is, there are a lot of junkies living round about my docs so all I could thing was "please don't let me pass out in the street in the middle of the afternoon" (rofl especially carrying an injection syringe & needle thingy). Got to pick Mum up from the airport after work tomorrow too - hopefully she had a good time :D:D.

Tha's all for today - need to get caught up on various challenges, but this week seems to have run away with me (again!!)

Toodles xoxo

p.s. Might have a bit of Stu's toffee cake with a cuppa before bed, cos last night they all had a bit of the chocolate one, but I don't like chocolate cake!

HS:MS - Feast

Over at HS:MS the word for today was:

Feast
A large meal or a plentiful supply, show us 'feast' in your space today.

G gave me these for going round to let Charley out at lunchtimes when mum was on hols and she was at work. Was a pleasure actually cos Charley's gorgeous and she's so well behaved.

Anyways she happened to have a pack of M&S Jelly Belly Beans lying around for her frien'd birthday and I mentioned how much I loved Jelly Bellies and didn't know that M&S did them, so tada now I have some. Don't like the liquorice ones though - ugh.

Looks like a certain Mr Percy Pig may have competition for a space in my tummy now!!!

HS:MS - Hold

I've missed a couple of the HS:MS challenges, but was back for today's

Hold
To grasp, carry or support with your hands. Find 'hold' in your space.

Had the idea to do a sort of Madonna-esque shot, but it didn't really work, so I added a rough pastel filter in Photoshop - not sure about the result - suppose of I look at it with my eyes half shut it could look a bit album cover-ish.

Wild Wednesday!!!!

Thought I'd add an exciting title to my life today, not that anything much has been happening.

Stewart's still away with the band recording and I miss him cos he makes me laugh so much and keeps me company.

Managed to fill a black bag of stuff from the spare room - need to get rid of odds & sods still lying around, but I reckon I'll get so sick of looking at them that I won't need to decide what to do with them - they'll prob just go in the bin.

Have decided as of tomorrow to try to train myself not to be faff around so much - no wonder I never seem to get anything made anymore, because it seems to be bedtime every night before I even realise it. Don't know where to begin, so any tips gladly received.

Have to make a card for J tonight, as it's her birthday on Friday. Did one for G to give her last night - did my fave at the moment which is a big hand cut Japanese doll on A4 folded in half card. There is a 2cm border of cream card round it, but I sort of screwed up the scan.

Going to the first Scottish Bead Fair with N on Sunday - really looking forward to it, although as per usual at these things, it seems to be happening when I'm completely skint (or maybe I'm just always skint!!).

S's birthday on Tuesday so going to make him a nice theme cake (he reads this blog, but don't have to worry about putting any ideas here, cos I don't have any :P:P:P:P:P)

Toodles for a bit xoxo

Ugh, nose back to the grindstone

Yup, as of tomorrow I'm back at work. I've really enjoyed my week off (although not done my diet for going on holiday any good). Went for lunch on Wednesday with S to Orroco Pier. I had sea bass with sweet potato & chorizo - it was absolutely gorgeous.

Thursday I had a team building day at work (meant I only had to take 4 days off if I went to this). Wasn't really looking forward to the outdoorsy bit in the morning, but I had a fantastic time, although one of my elbows still hurts like hell.

Friday just did shopping-type stuff. Got my Christmas camera from S - lucky he let me look at it again when I got home before hiding it away cos the shop gave us the wrong one (but charged us for the one I wanted which was more expensive), so had to take it back. S made dinner on Friday night - I got some Champagne and a nice bottle of red as a treat as he's away on holiday up north with his band (recording new stuff) from yesterday until next Sat (so I'll be all lonely cos Mum's on holiday too and B is off to Turkey).

Started tidying the spare room today - seems like no time at all since I last gutted it and had it all nice - don't know how on earth I manage to accumulate so much stuff in such a short time!!!

Nothing else to report I'm afraid.

Toodles xoxo

HS:MS - Dish & Chew

I'm a bit late with these 2, but the words for Thursday and Friday were:

Dish
A shallow bowl or radio antenna. Find 'dish' in your space.

This is a dish I have in the dining room - I keep a maraca, which my Dad pinched from a bar in Spain before I was born, in it.

and

Chew
To bite and grind with the teeth. Find 'chew' in your space today.

This is a pic of a choo choo (or chew chew) train I took on Wednesday. Ok I cheated, but it was that or my ugly mouth eating a biscuit ;)

HS:MS - Cloud

The challenge for today at HS:MS was cloud

Cloud
A mass of water vapour. Show us 'cloud' in your space today.

I really struggled with this one, as the sky today when I was out was a total mass of one big humungous cloud, so I used one I took a couple of years ago in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza and made it into black & white in photoshop.

Week Off/Wee Cough

Off on annual leave this week, so not been around much to update. Still got my cough too, but it's definitely on the mend.

F & L came round Saturday night and we had a really nice time. Ordered new furniture for bedroom on Sunday, so it comes in a couple of weeks. Monday took Mum to Edinburgh to look for tiles, then to the Gyle (Mum hates driving in Edinburgh). Not sure what I'm up to today - want to go to the zoo one day, but thinking of doing that Friday. Looks like today is going to be nice though, so will do something.

Made some cards last night, but not got access to a scanner at home (I normally use the one in my office), so will try to take some photos instead...

...talking of photos, I'm getting right into this photography lark - really been enjoying the HS:MS challenges. Wish I had a better camera though (think S is going to get me one for crimbo). Saw one I really liked that wasn't too big, but still had 8 mega pixels and a 3x optical zoom - mine atm only has a digital zoom, which isn't as good.

Will be back later to post my pic for the day.

toodles

HS:MS - Apple

Over on HS:MS today the word was Apple:


Apple
A red or green fruit from a tree. Show us 'apple' in your space today.


This is a candle my sister's parner brought me back from a trip to New York.

Sun

Over on HS:MS the word for today was SUN.

Was really struggling to find anything here that related to sun, but did buy some sunflowers on Saturday, which haven't quite opened out yet (wasn't that keen to use them because a sunflower was the image used on the HS:MS blog and didn't want to copy, so made it as different as possible.

HS:MS - Stone

Everyone was right - I'm addicted to this already, so here's today's word:

Stone
A hard solid mineral. Show us 'stone' in your space today.

This first one I took when I was in town at Lunch time. It's the entrance to Falkirk Old Parish Church from the High Street.

The next one is some stones I have in a dish in the kitchen - faffed about in photoshop a bit with the image.

HS:MS - White

Thought I'd have a go at the Her Space:My Space photo blog

White


The palest colour and sign of purity. Find 'white' in your space today.

(Smells Like) Chanel No 5

My kitchen that is. Had a 3/4 full bottle on the kitchen table last night and put a bag on the table when I got home, knocked a tupperware box, which then knocked the perfume onto my tiled floor. My fave scent is all around the flat now, but unfortunately not in the bottle (which is now in 2 pieces). Luckily Mum is going on holiday a week today so when I told her about it she said "at least now I won't have to ask what perfume you want me to bring you back!".

Really been enjoying the weather the last couple of days (and it's forecast to stay for the next 3 or 4 days as well!!!). Been driving around with my new Clash Singles CD blaring (6-month anniversary pressie from the lovely S). Off on holiday next week so hopefully I'll manage to catch some rays over the weekend and next week - would like to get a bit of colour in me before I go to Egypt in 8 weeks.

Got F & L coming round on Saturday, which will be really good, as me and F always have fun when we get together (I miss her living next door to me!)

Hopefully will get a chance to sit down and make some stuff next week, but obviously if the weather is good I may struggle. Really want to go to Edinburgh Zoo one day too.

toodles xoxo

Here Comes the Bride...

...la la la la. Saturday saw the wedding of the lovely Rhi and Matt. The reception was in Matt's parents stunning house and a fabby time was had by all. The bride was absolutely gorgeous (as you can see from the photos below). Scottish weather lived up to its reputation, but it still didn't put a dampner on things.

The wedding reception took place just outside of a little town called Kirriemuir, where S and I were staying, which was a really nice place - very friendly locals (plus the town was teeny yet there were 6 hairdressing salons!!!). There was a cracking statue of Peter Pan in the centre of town, because J M Barrie was born there. Statue was well cool and didn't look dwarved by its surroundings (unlike a certain little Greek God's statue at Picadilly Circus).

Soz it's taken me so long to post, but the sore throat I've had for the last week or so turned into a killer cough, so today is the first day this week I haven't gone to bed straight from work.

toodles xoxo