Well that's another month down

wow this year is just flying by it certainly doesn't feel like Christmas was 6 months ago and I am really having a hard time convincing myself that Lukas will be 6 next month! The end of the month is always a busy time for me, there are bills to pay and shopping to do, layouts for challenges to finish and upload and assorted other stuff that needs to be done. Today I am just not feeling very driven to do anything. I got my period, I have a really bad headache and I just feel really tearful.*sigh* Lukas came home with letters from school about various things that I need to sort out. School fete on Saturday, Parents evening on Monday and Tuesday, Sports Day on the 13th, Whole school picnic that I can't actually find a date for lol. It's just so much to remember on top of the usual P.E Kit for Monday, Spelling for Tuesdays, Swimming kit for Wednesday, I think it's maths book for Thursday but I usually leave it in the bag and then making sure everything comes home to be ready for the next week on Friday. I'll admit it I am struggling a lot with it all at the moment. I don't like when we get close to the end of term I will be glad when it's over and done with and Lukas and me are enjoying our time together on the summer holidays. I will also be very glad when his birthday is over and done with but that's for an entirely different reason. I am sick to death of everyone pressuring me to have a birthday party. I can't cope with organising a birthday party right now, I can't afford a birthday party right now and to be pefectly honest I just plain don't want to throw one. I don't want the pressure of having to invite Mark's annoying relatives (if I have a party I really have no choice since I think 4 or maybe 5 of them are in Lukas's class). I don't want to make conversation with people especially not Mark's family. I certainly don't want to have to listen to a bunch of screaming overexcited kids for a few hours and lastly I just can't be bothered to have one and explain over and over again why there are no balloons everywhere. I have something special planned for Lukas don't get me wrong his birthday will be celebrated but I want to do something with just us to celebrate it. I suppose with it being so close to Leo's I enjoy making his birthday a special family day. I like to take him places just Me, Him and Mark and have a fun day with lots of giggling and photograph taking lol. But anyway I suppose I should stop being such a miserable cow and change the subject. How about if I start with showing you some new layouts I have to share while I think of something that's not so negative to talk about lol.

This one was created for a Neopolitan challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs (Challenge 1).

Original layouts: Daddy Hearts Iyah by Purple_colourz (inspired by ribbon strips and photo placement) original found here, Sea World by d2vasquez (inspired by photo placement and corner element) original found here and Swing Twirls by Cindys732003 (inspired by circle mat, scalloped mat, title placement and stitched edge) original found here.

Credits: Berry Patch by Kristin Cronin Barrow.

This one was created for a Spin-A-Lift challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs and is a Spin-A-Lift (90 Degrees Clockwise) of Junebug's Playtime layout found here

Credits: Layered template (Girl Talk April 08) by Shannon G and "It" Boy by Traci Reed. Font is DJB Jennifer by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: You are now big enough to go down the slide all on your own. I don’t have to help you up the steps, or catch you at the bottom. All I have to do is stand back with my camera in my hand and wait. I like to snap all the silly faces you pull without realising it as you go whizzing from the top to the bottom of the slide.

These two were created for Paper 2 Digi challenges at Sweet Shoppe Designs. The first one was a scraplift of Us by hamtaro807 found here.

Credits: Lacy Bloomers by Cori Gammon and Traci Reed. Fonts are DJB JOAN and DJB KEELYB both by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: Nannie and Grampy came to bring you a birthday card on the way to take Aunty Julie and Hailey home. Since it was still light outside they were able to stay for a little while so you and Hailey could play together. We were very surpirsed at how big she had gotten since we had last seen her. You both went out to play in the back garden. Mummy held onto Hailey’s hands so that she couild jump on the trampoline. She thought it was great fun and giggled the whole time she was on there. But she wasn’t very happy when they told her it was time to go. She had a temper tantrum as they put her into her carseat. We had to promise her that she could come back on another day to have a playdate with you.

The second was a scraplift of Fresh by ~Mel~ found here.

Credits: Treehugger by Eva Kipler and {Define}ing yourself by Sue Cummings. Fonts are: DJB JENNIFER and DJB My Own Outline both by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: I love this photograph of you, even though the quality is not great and you aren’t smiling. I took this while we were on a bus one night, I can’t remember where we were going but I do remember that you were in a really silly mood and you kept messing around and making a mixture of silly and cross faces at me. You are adorable even when you are trying not to be!

The last one I have to show you was created for a Cookie Decorating 101 challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs (Challenge 37)

Credits: Layered template (Cookie Decorating 101 June 11th 2008) by Kay Miller and One In A Million by Misty Cato. Fonts are DJB Kathy C Script and DJB For Annie both by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: I took these photos the 1st time you climbed a tree. You were so terrified that you were going to fall off that you almost refused to try it at all. You thought about it for a while and eventually decided that you wanted to try it. With a little boost from daddy and both of us stood there holding our breath just incase you fell you were off. You didn’t go too high but we were so proud of you for facing your fear and going for it. I hope you always feel safe in the knowledge that whatever you do we will always be there to catch you if and when you fall Lukas.

I started this post the other night but the electricity went out and didn't realise that it hadn't been posted so I guessed at the date just incase you are wondering why I was writing a post at 9pm at night when normally I write in the early hours of the morning. I have kept meaning to come back and do another post but never got around to it. I have a lot of stuff that I need to do but I will try and get back later.

From Our Blog To Yours - What Your Fridge Says About You

This time the prompt is a fun little quiz about the contents in your fridge and what they say about the type of person you are. This should be interesting lol. I'll be back in a bit with the results. Ok here we go although this probably says more about Nan than me since she usually fills it lol.

What Your Fridge Says About You

You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times.You tend to be a fairly thrifty person. You splurge occasionally, but you're mostly a saver.You are a very adventurous person. You love to try new things, and you get bored very easily.You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it.You are likely single - and spending many nights alone at home.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

hmm now let's see what the answers would be for after I had been shopping because even though it hasn't happened very often lately lol I do actually shop for food sometimes lol.

What Your Fridge Says About You

You tend to be a very hedonistic, greedy person. You have trouble saying no to what you want.You tend to be a fairly thrifty person. You splurge occasionally, but you're mostly a saver.You are not adventurous at all. You don't like to be outside your comfort zone.You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it.You are likely to be married - and very busy.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

I don't really think there are enough questions on this, maybe if they asked how often you went shopping they would see why when I go shopping the fridge is full to bursting point lol. (It certainly isn't within a day or two of us filling it lol).
As for the question about the freezer I don't really know exactly what we have in our freezer but I do happen to know that currently there are at least 4 tubs of ice cream lol. 1 was in the wrong freezer, Nan bought one, Mark bought one and 1 was buried underneath stuff lol. We really don't normally have that much ice cream in the house. More than likely because it like everything else doesn't last long in this house lol.

Sharing the layouts

that I want to show you while Mark is busy hacking up an old skirt of mine because our darling son wants to be a bumblebee not a cricket/grasshopper, I guess it's not really surprising since his current favourite dvd is Bee Movie lol. But he does have stuff for a grasshopper ready incase we can't get it finished or he changes his mind again lol. Mark's whinging is driving me slightly insane. If I hear anymore excuses why he can't cut a skirt into strips I might have to hurt him a lot lol. Sorry I'm back now I started this post hours ago first I was typing and the electricity went out, then I got wrapped up (literally lol) in glue lines and fabric. I did finish the Bee outfit but convinced Lukas to wait until the weekend to wear it, when I have had a little more time to replace the glue I have used with some stitching lol. I'll be sure to photograph it once I have made it presentable enough for him to wear. He was thrilled with the little headbands I decorated though, and has been happily buzzing around the house wearing them lol. He has a one I covered with brown fibre and twisted some things from my craft box around for the antennae (grasshopper) and another I covered in black ribbon and yellow furry pipecleaners with more stuff from my craft box for antennae (bumblebee). Lukas has given me something to think about though he want's a bee sting lol, I am trying to think how I can go about making one for him. But anyway enough rambling he's good to go for tomorrow so how about I finally get around to showing you those layouts I was on about lol. I think there are 3 I haven't shared with you.

Ok this first one was a poem I liked and some of the amazing flower photographs, Mark and Lukas took for me on that day they went out together to feed the ducks at the park without me.Credits: Layered template SBB 5th Birthday and Summer Serenade by Amy Bleser. Font is DJB Writes A Lot by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling is a poem called To Flower! by Duncan Wylie.

This second one is just some random photos I took of Lukas one day when he was messing around before he went to school. I like scrapping silly things he does they make me smile.Credits: Layered template ({Still} Mixin' It Up, Template 4) by Chrissy W and Boys Room Mini and Torn Notebook Alpha by Amy Bleser. Font is DJB Megan by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: Just messing around when you were supposed to be getting dressed to go to school. Mornings are never boring with you are they!

This last one is one right from my heart, a page I wrote to my brothers and sisters. Hopefully when they are older they might be able to make their own decision to read it or not without being afraid of the consequences from my mum of talking to me, she would make their life hell!
Credits: Layered template ({Still} Mixin' It Up, Template 3) and Clearly Inked And Stapled Alpha by Chrissy W and Daddy's Girl and Daddy's Girl Addon by Amy Bleser. Font is DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: It amazes me how many times I have cried my eyes out because of my lack of photography skills. It’s always been too easy to assume, I can always take more photos only for something to go wrong. I end up with a few photos that are worth more than gold to me, but as far as scrapbooking is concerned they are almost always useless. I want to be able to make layouts about you all, my brothers and my sisters. I want to see you and hug you. Want to be the only one who ever loved you just like I used to be. I want you to know that your birthdays are still on my calendar same as they always were same as they always will be. When I used to go out more I would find myself looking at girly things in shops that would be perfect for Jade and Keisha, or seeing pokemon cards I know Kyle would love. I wonder how Aidan’s doing with his walking sticks now and his physio. I think about how big Daniel must be now and how much he has to have changed. I hope that Callum isn’t being bullied at school any more. I wish I could see the new baby and hold her wish I could be the only one to ask you all how you are coping with her being around. Sometimes my mind wonders to thinking about you all being left alone while she’s off on another of her endless shopping trips. Do you miss me and Lukas like we miss you? Do you think about us? I considered writing to you all but knew that she would have ripped them up in spite. I couldn’t bear to get any of you in trouble so I remained silent and distant from you. Maybe she’s made you hate me by now, telling you lies like she is so good at, twisting everything little thing and making out like she’s the one in the right even when she never is. She’s always been evil and warped, but you know that as well as I do. I wonder how many days you have had off of school to cover bruises from her vicious temper. How many days have you cried yourself to sleep after she’s screamed, shouted, and swore herself hoarse because she has no cigarettes. Nan saw you Jade and she told me how poorly you looked. How mum is no longer concerned about the clothes any of you wear, she’s too busy revelling in the attention she’s getting over the baby. I hate that you have nobody to protect you anymore now that Gavin and Darren are gone and I am not around. I’m sorry truly sorry that I am missing out on seeing you grow up, and that I am not around for you to rely on and talk to. Will you ever forgive me? So many questions and unfortunately most of them will never get answered will they. I really wish there was a way I could support you and show you how much I still love you all. But for now there isn’t i’ll just keep hoping one day we will find a way for me to make it up to you all. From top to bottom left: Callum, Kyle and Jade. From top to bottom right: Keisha,Aidan and Daniel. Taken at Lukas’s birthday tea party on 5th August 2006.

I'm running a little behind schedule on everything

I actually went out of the house yesterday and took Lukas to the park. We took the camera and had a great time playing and climbing trees lol. But I was so wiped out when I got back I never got around to uploading the layouts I had made, and today I have lots to do but all of that is going to have to wait because tonight I have to spend my time assembling an insect costume for Lukas for tomorrow. Apparently this week is Insect week, and the school have decided that it would be a really good idea to have the whole school dress up as insects tomorrow. They also thought it would be a great idea to tell parents this YESTERDAY! If your wondering I am blogging and uploading what I can while Mark is out looking for a plastic headband we can turn into antennae. *sigh* I really wish they would give more warning for things like this, but then I suppose I would still end up making it the night before lol. I have dug up a cricket mask thing online and Lukas does have a brown t-shirt and I think brown trousers somewhere and I have a few other bits and pieces that might help but no doubt tonight will be another late night trying to get it all finished!

Quick CT promotion

Amy has this weeks Friday Freebie at Digital Freebies, all this week you can pick up this adorable little addon to her Playdate Mini completely free right here and the matching Playdate Mini kit for 30% off in the boutique right here. This layout was made using the addon and one of Chrissy's new {still} mixin' it up again templates, but there is one here made using the Mini Kit if you would like to see it in use. I'm sure the other CT girls have much more inspiring pages in the gallery here lol.Credits: Layered template ({Still} Mixin' It Up, Template 2) by Chrissy W, Graphic Masks by Jenna Desai and Playdate Addon by Amy Bleser.

Enabling: {Still} Mixin' It Up templates by Chrissy W available here, Graphics Masks by Jenna Desai available here and Playdate Addon by Amy Bleser currently available here.

Seriously, no template?

well not one made by anyone else anyway lol. I made it myself for the Neopolitan (Challenge #2) at Sweet Shoppe Designs. Maybe it would help if I explained how the Neopolitan challenge works the challenge hosts provides you with 3 layouts to be inspired/scraplift from. The end result needs to be a mixture of the 3 inspirations to form one layout, an example would be the photo placement from one layout, the colours from another and maybe the title work from the third. I have spent most of the day making a template for my personal used based on the parts that inspired me and scrapping the actual layout. I was looking for a little clippy thing to hold the photo up but I kind of forgot what I was looking for lol by the time I remembered I had already saved and uploaded it if I find one (must have at least one somewhere lol) I might add it but more likely I will forget all about it until I have printed the damn thing and it's too late lol. I will add the links to the original layouts so you can see what I was inspired by and how much I changed it to make it more my own lol. Great challenge but not very easy to upload to the gallery since there is so much that needs to be remembered when it comes to adding credits lol but I will do my best and make sure everyone who deserves credit gets it. Anyway here is my layout, i'm open to any constructive criticism on this one. I am not really used to this style of layout lol.Original layouts: Big by mrs_jb (inspired by photo placement) original found here, Growing up too fast by ajf9597 (inspired by dark patterned paper border) original found here and Sweet Boy by Scarlettsierra (inspired by paper strips) original found here.

Credits: Mischief and Mayhem by Heather Roselli, Glitter Stamps by Micheline Martin and Date Bits 1 by Misty Cato.

Enabling: Mischief and Mayhem by Heather Roselli available here, Glitter Stamps by Micheline Martin available here and Date Bits 1 by Misty Cato available here.

Cookie Anyone?

Unfortunately these cookies aren't edible, they are Sweet Shoppe Designs Cookie 101 Challenges.
Created for a cookie decorating 101 challenge (Template #46 by Aggie Aviso based on original layout by Stephanie Czosnek aka scoz911) at Sweet Shoppe DesignsCredits: Layered template (Cookie Decorating 101, June 3rd 2008) by Aggie Aviso and Tangy Treat by Misty Cato. Font is DJB Writes A Lot by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: Crystal riding the Twister St. Giles Fair September 3rd 2008.

Enabling: Tangy Treat by Misty Cato Available here and DJB Writes A Lot Font by Darcy Baldwin available here. Details of the template challenge including the download link found here

Created for a cookie decorating 101 challenge (Template #48 by Cindy Schneider based on original layout by Tracey Howard) at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Credits: Layered template (Cookie Decorating 101 - 18th June 2008) by Cindy Schneider, Layered Titles Baby by Robin Carlton and Happy Dance by Eva Kipler. Font is 2 Peas High Tide.

Journalling reads: Little one learning to do everything by yourself - Mr Independent.

Enabling: Layered Titles Baby by Robin Carlton available here, Happy Dance by Eva Kipler available here and 2Peas High Tide font available here. Details of the template challenge including the download link found here

Sharing a new layout and a bit of bad news

shall we start with the bad news? Mark told me this morning that his Nan (his dad's mum) had a heart attack. Apparently it was quite serious and she is a very old woman, she's been sick for a while with various things wrong with her. It really never seems to end does it, I always seem to be typing that this person or that person is ill, or this person or that is in hospital or has died. *sigh*.I get so tired of the bad news all the time I would be happy just to not hear any for one month! But anyway I don't want to talk about that anymore too depressing, I would much rather show you my latest layout, created for a One Word Challenge (#9 - Story) at Sweet Shoppe Designs, using one of Chrissy's brand new template set {Still} Mixin' It Up now available here. Credits: Layered template ({Still} Mixin' It Up, Template 1) and Paper Cutters (Huge Scallop Paper with Holes) by Chrissy W, To The Rescue and To The Rescue Addon by Heather Roselli and Simply Black Alpha by Micheline Martin. Fonts are DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin, GG Bean by GG Digital Designs and MTF Base by Miss Tiina.

Journalling reads: You have always had a bit of a thing for Fire Engines. Everytime you see one you get really excited and start begging for a photograph. We took this one on one of our trips to the fair. You saw it and instantly started begging for a picture or two, so off went daddy to take
them. He got in trouble from mummy the whole time because he stood in the road to take it! The road was closed for the fair but I still don’t think your daddy should have done that around you! Even though I don’t think what daddy did was right, I do agree with him about one part, It’s worth doing almost anything including getting in trouble just to see that smile on your face!

Enabling: {Still} Mixin' It Up and Paper Cutters by Chrissy W available here and here, To The Rescue and To The Rescue Addon by Heather Roselli available here and here and Simply Black Alpha by Micheline Martin available here. DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin available here, GG Bean by GG Digital Designs available here and MTF Base by Miss Tiina available here.

Who is she talking about!!

I have noticed recently that I have been getting a few strange comments and some even more bizarre emails, I always try and respond to emails even if the person who happened to send it to me is well let's go with not the politest person I have ever met. I'm sorry but I do object to being called an unfit mother (especially when it's not even my kid) and getting yet another lecture when unable to help myself I tried nicely to set the person straight that Ella's foot got broken in an accident at the park, it was never neglect, but actually she's not my kid, so why are you having a go at me? kind of way to which I received a fairly obnoxious email back telling me that I shouldn't be posting pictures of kids that aren't mine. Actually I can post pictures anyone's photo I like if I took it, her mum knows I took it and just to be perfectly clear if I hadn't Lisa and Ella wouldn't have had any they have had copies printed off (while I am thinking about I think I still owe Lisa another set I said I would do before my printer cartridge ran out last but that's completely off topic lol. So I thought it might be useful to type up a quick summary of the people I include in my blog. I'll start with our house, and then do my family and then Mark's.

Lukas - is my son, who will be 6 in August
Mark - is my husband, we have been married since January 2008
Gaibraille and Ambrose - are my angel babies I lost to Miscarriage.
Leo - is my other son, who died when he was 3 months old.
Nan - is my great grandmother and Lukas's great great grandmother.

Lisa, Gary, Conor and Ella - Lisa is Nan's grandaughter, but Nan raised both her and my mum (also her grandaughter) from birth so they have always been treated like sisters, that's why I call Lisa my Auntie (when I was younger I also used to fib and tell people she was my older sister because that's how she has always treated me. Lisa is married to Gary and ahe has been since 2002 (Lukas was a special guest who shouldn't have been born) and she's Conor and Ella's mum.

Malcolm and Wendy - Malcolm is Lisa's dad and Nan's baby *snigger* sorry it might help if I expand a little on that he is over 6ft tall so there's the irony but he is Nan's youngest so technically he is still her baby and always will be lol. Wendy is Malcolm's girlfriend.

Richard - is Malcolm's Son who is still living at home, Christopher is Malcolm's youngest Son who has his own place and a beautiful baby daughter called Ruby (there's pictures if you search) with his partner Amie

This bit should be fun lol, onto the disfunctional part.
My Mum - Donna, My Dad - also a Mark and My stepdad is Karl. Just to make this a little bit more entertaining i'll explain why it's dysfunctional. My Mum and Dad had me followed by my 2 brothers (I was born in 84, Gavin was born in 86 and Darren was born is 87), my Mum and Karl had Callum, followed by the twins Jade and Kyle, Keisha, Aidan, Daniel, Maiya. (In order 95, 96, 99 or 00 I can't quite rememeber, 01, 05 and 07. My mum hasn't spoken to me since before my wedding (you can search if you are interested in that) and because she's not speaking to me neither are any of the rest of the family (with the exceptions of Nan, Lisa, Gary and the kids and Malcolm, Richard and Christopher and Amie. My Dad well I don't think I want to go into him right now, except to say he lives a long way away and I don't hear from him very often.

Now onto Mark's family
His Mum - Freda (died of cancer February this year), His Dad - Andy, but to be fair I have never called them by their first names when I talk to them. It's seemed too bizarre to call them mum and dad, and I didn't really like calling them by their first names either. I used to go for the option of speaking directly to either of them (therefore avoiding using any names lol) and on cards I used to write mum or dad but always always sign Mark's name and then mine.

David, Elizabeth and Joshua - Mark's waste of space brother and his annoying wife, they are parents of Mark's nephew Joshua but as much as I like Josh, I don't like them for too many reasons to count so I avoid them as much as possible (not really very difficult for someone i.e me who only goes out every couple of months)

Julie and Hailey - Julie is Mark's sister and Mark's neice Hailey's mum, for this one I am going to stick with the if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all line for his sister, and I do like Hailey but she's another one I don't see very often so I don't really have anything to say. There's also Hailey's dad Wayne, who is a complete waste of space since he hasn't contributed a single penny to that child since she was born, he spends his money in the pub. He's also the guy who broke up with her because he can't handle commitment but refuses to let that stop him getting his leg over whenever he feels like it with Julie, she's a doormat but he's slime. As you can tell I really don't like him very much either.

Finally there is Mark's Auntie Rachel, her husband Darren and their brood of kids. (this one might get confusing too!)
Rachel has lots of kids, I can't remember exactly how old they are though sorry, the oldest Sophie is currently pregnant with her first kid, then there's Scott those two were from a previous relationship or maybe 2 I never can remember exactly which kids belong to who in Mark's family. I think Kya comes next, Charlotte definately comes next (I remember that because Kya and Charlotte are at the same school, and Charlotte is in Lukas's class lol), then it's Misty Leigh (I have probably spelt that wrong) and last but definately not least is Darren Junior better known as DJ. Usually it's Rachel's name that comes up the most frequently, almost always related to something she's talked about something that's none of her business, or she's talked about me behind my back, she's gossiped about me, gossiped to Lisa who is so not interested it's not even funny (all of this is almost always at the school gates for everyone to hear). She irritates me when she interferes and tries to get involved in my business, because it always (no maybe or sometimes about this) causes rows between Me and Mark! We can do that fine without any help!

Not feeling very chatty today

I was up all night with the most severe headache I ever remember having and that really should say how bad it was since I have headaches constantly and hardly ever mention them on here. I would really love to know what set it off last night, it hurt to move my head and progressed into being painfully numb down one entire side. The only time I have ever had that sort of feeling was when I was pregnant with Leo and that time it was caused by major seizures and super high blood pressure. I don't have as many seizures anymore which is a good thing but I had to take painkillers last night (before I spent the whole night crying, tossing, turning and trying my hardest to get comfortable just for a few minutes. Right now I have had to take some more painkillers, I am running a really high fever again and I am feeling drained from lack of sleep. *sigh* but I do have this layout I made yesterday to share. Created for the # 2 Colour Challenge and the # 46 Inspiration Challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs.Credits: Layered template (Double Up 2, Template 1) by Bree Clarkson (altered slightly), Tisket A Tasket by Gina Miller and Traci Reed, Square Dates by Christy Lyle, Photo Masks 1 and Photo Masks 2 by Annie Manning (Paint The Moon) and Finally Summer Stitched Alpha by Chrissy W. Font is DJB Ray Of Light by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: Ella when you had an accident at the park, and broke a bone in your foot, you truly showed what a girly girl you are. When You chose a hot pink plaster cast, Lilac crutches and were absolutely outraged when the nurse told you they only had a blue support shoe that was covered in cars available in the size that you needed!

Enabling: Double Up 2 Template by Bree Clarkson available here, Tisket A Tasket by Gina Miller and Traci Reed available here, Artistic Photo Masks 1 and Artistic Photo Masks 2 by Annie Manning (Paint The Moon) available here and here and Finally Summer Stitched Alpha by Chrissy W available here. Square Dates by Christy Lyle are now retired and DJB Ray Of Light was part of a collaboration kit called Ray Of Light created for digital designer Deb Fischer when she lost her husband Ray in a farming (well I think it was anyway lol) accident. Unfortunately the entire collection has now been retired from Pickleberry Pop where it was sold sorry.

From Our Blog To Yours - Favourite Summer Activities

This is not really an easy question for me to answer, because I don't like summer very much lol. I don't like the bright light, I don't like the humidity, and I really don't like the heat which means for as much of summer as possible my favourite activity is the same as it is in the winter, sitting at my desk, with all the curtains closed and the fans blowing and working/scrapping/playing on the computer. Now if you were to ask Lukas what his favourite things to do in the summer are, he would tell you the complete opposite. He loves to be outside in the garden or at the park. His favourite thing to do is sit and play in his pop up tent or play on our swingset. He's also quite fond of the trampoline but his most favourite place of all is sitting in our new gazebo, he loves that its a little wind trap he stays nice and cool and out of the sunshine. I have to admit even I am looking forward to going and sitting in there on the less sunny days. We will probably go to the local swimming pool a few times during the summer holidays, but mostly we will be home raiding the freezer for ice cream and ice lollies and eating picnics in the garden. The only thing I really like about summer is having Lukas all to myself for 6 whole weeks, I adore spending time with his especially when Mark's at work and it's just me and him . It's my idea of summer heaven!

This is what I did while Lukas was at his disco.

He had a great time, was really excited about going and enjoyed every minute of being there.
Created for a Sugar Free challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs (# Number 45 - They got it from me). Yes I know the journalling isn't exactly to the name of the challenge, but it is still within the challenge rules (well I think it is anyway lol)Credits: Layered template (Lots To Say, Template 2) by Chrissy W and Bloom and Grow by Zoe Pearn. Fonts are DJB CHRISTINEC by Darcy Baldwin and Rock it with Renee.

Journalling reads: It's inevitable really isn't it, that no matter how hard we try not to at some point we see glimpses of someone we never thought we would be. For some people that's getting to the point of saying things they never thought they would say, for others that's getting the point of doing things they never thought they would do. This morning I did both. I made Lukas cry because I was so frustrated with him. We were looking for his pirate outfit to wear to the themed school disco tonight. I knew exactly where it was or at least I thought I did. When Ella and him were playing the other day they emptied out all the dressing up clothes. Now his room is a complete bombsite and there's a vital part of the costume missing. I told him if he must know where it was since him and Ella had got it out. Then I told him that if he didn't find it, he wasn't going out tonight. He cried and in that second I realised exactly what I had just done, I had put him in the same situation my mum frequently put me into. Only I was no longer in the role of the frightened child, crying because she couldn't find the ugly black velvet and gold braid headband. I was the mean mother making my child cry, with completely unreasonable demands, I was the one blowing everything out of proportion and at that second I truly hated myself, I had become my worst nightmare - being just like her. The only difference was I stopped at making my child cry, I didn't beat him black and blue. I dropped to my knees and hugged him. Trying desperately to undo the damage I had just done, to make it all better. I ended it in minutes rather than hours or days or even weeks. There may be glimpses of her in me, but I am not her. It's an uphill battle just to avoid falling into being the kind of parent she was, rather than the kind of parent I want to be. I don't ever want to make Lukas fear me like I used to fear her, but sometimes my temper, well I suppose technically her temper, gets the better of me. I just see red, and lose any sort of rational thought. The difference is I regret it, she enjoyed the power that her temper gave her over all of us, she used to get a real thrill from seeing us cower before her, us crying made her day!

Enabling: Lots To Say Templates by Chrissy W available here and Bloom and Grow by Zoe Pearn available here. DJB CHRISTINEC front by Darcy Baldwin available here and I can't find the Rock it with Renee font sorry.

Busy, Busy, Busy

and truthfully I am at a loss on how to get caught up. Yesterday after being up all night and then all day, I fell asleep so I never got around to uploading layouts. I am so behind uploading to galleries and I am just so tired I barely even care. Lukas is supposed to be going to a pirate themed disco at school tonight and he has swimming tomorrow I just feel overwhelmed by all the things I am trying to remember and the more things I try and remember the more things I forget lol. But anyway here's the layouts I am in the process of uploading to galleries. The first 3 are brag book pages for Lukas's little album all those empty pages make me feel guilty, but I am filling it albeit slowly lol.Credits: Layered template (Brag Book, Front Cover), B3 Bounce Bounce Bounce, Masking Tape Alpha and It's In the Bag Paper Bag Hearts by Amy Bleser and Gettin' Grunged Overlays 01 by Royanna Lea Fritschmann. Font is MTF Sketchie by Miss Tiina.

Journalling reads: I thought you were playing nicely while I was working on the computer. To say I was shocked when I turned around and saw your mouth was blue is a huge understatement. First I searched the whole bed trying to find what you had put in your mouth. Then I rushed you into the bathroom to clean you up. Ok I stopped and grabbed the camera to take some pictures first. I think you like scaring me, because you couldn’t stop giggling, little monkey!

Enabling: Brag Book Templates, B3 Bounce Bounce Bounce, Masking Tape Alpha and It's In The Bag Paper Bag Hearts by Amy Bleser available here, here and here, here, here and here and here and here

This one is a double page spread large photo is the right side, 2 small photos and journalling are the left side.
Credits: Layered template (Brag Book, Template 11) and Little Miss (slight recolouring) by Amy Bleser.

Enabling: Brag Book Templates and Little Miss by Amy Bleser available here, here and here and here.
Credits: Layered template (Brag Book, Template 10) and Little Miss (slight recolouring) by Amy Bleser. Font is DJB ElizabethK

Journalling reads: Lukas why is it whenever I think you are playing quietly by yourself, I always turn around and find you up to something? This time you had your "baby's" dummy in your mouth sucking it!

Enabling: Brag Book Templates and Little Miss by Amy Bleser available here, here and here and here.

Next up is a page I did for Mark's Father's Day album before I changed my mind and used the Denim Blues CD Album and Denim Blues kit by Megan Farrows (Flergs).
Credits: Layered template (CD Album, Template 1) by Chrissy W, Evilicious by Megan Farrows (Flergs) and From My Sketchbook {Father} by Sue Cummings.

Enabling: CD Album Templates by Chrissy W available here, Evilicious by Megan Farrows (Flergs) available here and From My Sketchbook {Father} by Sue Cummings available here.

Lastly is a layout I created for a Sugar Free Challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs (#44 - Inner Demons) all the details can be found here.Credits: Layered Template (Queen Of The Crop Template) by Traci Reed and Girls Rule, Boys Drool by Lauren Grier, Amanda Slagle (Mandabean) and Shawna Clingerman. Fonts are DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin and Hotel Coral Essex.

Journalling reads: Ever since I was little, I always remember feeling as though every little thing that went wrong was my fault. My mum didn’t like me - my fault, My dad walking out on me - my fault, The endless bullying - my fault. The older I got the more I felt like I destroyed everything and everyone whose lives I touched. My mum hated me more with every passing year. My dad didn’t bother to answer my letters, or call when he promised to. There were times I was driven to tears by the bullies at school the more I tried not to let them see me cry the more they seemed to try, and delight in my misery. By the time I left school my confidence was shot. I had a full time job where I handed over my entire wage packet to my mum every week. It was the only way she would be civil towards me, but she still made it clear that she hated me with a passion. So when I met Adam I gave him everything, I let him abuse me, I let him hurt me and then when he cheated on me with my best friend I still assumed I hadn’t given enough. After Adam came a guy called Dash, I thought flirting was harmless one thing lead to another and I felt dirty for letting it get to that, for not having the courage to say no to stay stop. Then after him came the biggest mistake of my life, my boss at work his name was Chris raped me. I truly hated myself and felt so ashamed that I had let it happen. I followed that with another mistake, I kept it to myself. Until eventually it all came spewing out during a row with Mark and he left me for a while, saying he couldn’t trust me (of course being pregnant and the possibility of it not being Mark’s didn’t help) all my fault of course. We got through it, I did a much better job of blaming me than Mark could ever have done anyway. We finally thought we were getting back on track we had a beautiful baby boy and we were finally starting to be happy. Then came the 1st miscarriage (Gaiebraille), followed by the pregnancy from hell (Leo) which was shortly followed by his death. I sunk more and more into depression, by the time we had the last miscarriage (Ambrose), I felt as if everyone would have been better off if I had never been born. Maybe one day I might believe it’s not my fault, but not today!

Enabling: Girls Rule Boys Drool by Lauren Grier, Amanda Slagle (Mandabean) and Shawna Clingerman available here, DJB Nicole font by Darcy Baldwin available here, and Hotel Coral Essex font available here. The Queen Of The Crop Template by Traci Reed is now retired sorry.

The hybrid card I wanted to show you.

Sorry it took a bit longer than I intended the photos I took weren't quite right so I had to retake them but it's all done and resized now lol. My desk light is great for working not so great for taking photographs and the flash on the camera is really strong. My preferred place for photographing hybrid projects is the black metal patio table in our garden or failing that the trampoline is good lol. I am seriously getting into this hybrid thing oh dear my poor debit card!

Created for the 52 Card Pick Up Week 4 Challenge. Required elements for this one were a 4x4 round size, The colour orange and a required element of rhinestones.Credits: Layered Template by Chrissy W (CD Album, Template 5) by Chrissy W and Those We Love: Stephanie's Evie Jo by Traci Reed. Hybrid Elements: Herma, Double Sided Foam Tape, 3D Foam Pads, Pink Trim, Prima Got Flowers Medium and Small in pink and white cotton and a needle to stitch the flowers together. It's stuck to a 5x5 inch square card and trimmed down to correct size.

Enabling: (again just doing the digital parts again sorry, but remember google and ebay are always great places to source the hybrid/paper parts that I have used.) CD Album by Chrissy W available here and Those We Love: Stephanie's Evie Jo by Traci Reed available here.

Happy Fathers Day

I spent the whole of yesterday working on this project for Mark. I did intend to make it using Chrissy's CD templates but I couldn't decide on a kit and then I was kind of running out of time lol. So I went for the Denim Blues CD Album by Megan Farrows (Flergs) and used the matching kit to add a few things. It took hours to cut out and assemble this, but it was worth it he really liked it. The only problem was that by the time it was finished I was wiped out, and I have spent the whole of today feeling really ill. I have been asleep most of the day but that doesn't bother Mark because it means he can spend the whole day sitting on his bum watching sport and that's his idea of a perfect day lol. I'm a bit sad that Mark forgot to get a card for my dad, he's going to think I forgot about him, since I don't have his number to call him either. I think I will make him a card tomorrow and write a letter explaining why it's late. I still miss sending Karl (my stepdad) a card he was a great dad to me, and I really do miss him but he hasn't had anything to do with me since that fight my mum caused before my wedding. Mark got his dad a card after much nagging from me, but he put it through the letterbox and never even picked up the phone and called him today. He makes me so mad, he does this every year, I would be devastated if Lukas acted anything like Mark does to his dad and his mum when she was alive. Parents matter and I really wish Mark would realise that. But anyway here's Mark's present I have put it in a slide show for ease of showing you but I will add all the credits underneath incase you are interested. I used the Kaisercraft Circle Album (which is 3.5 inches wide), I edged it with double sided tape and gold glitter. I used a nail file for the edges and Herma combined with double sided tape to attatch the prints to the album and some jump rings from ebay to attach it all together.

Front Cover:Denim Blues CD Album (page 6) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base Outline by Miss Tiina.
Journaling reads: Happy Fathers Day.

Page 2:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (page 14) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Our first cuddles together.

Page 3:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (page 3) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina

Page 4:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (Page 10) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: The night we went to Bobby Roberts Super Circus. 30/03/07

Page 5:Denim Blues CD Album (Page 8) by Megan Farrows (Flergs)

Page 6:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (Page 13) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Going to the fair September 2007.

Page 7:Denim Blues CD Album (Page 9) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Visiting Santa at Cowley Centre 07.

Page 8:Denim Blues CD Album (Page 16) by Megan Farrows (Flergs) Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Christmas Day 07

Page 9:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (Page 15) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Getting ready to play outside when it snowed. 6/4/2008

Page 10:Denim Blues CD Album (Page 11) by Megan Farrows (Flergs) Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Building a snowbaby.

Page 11:Denim Blues CD Album (Page 7) by Megan Farrows (Flergs). Font is MTF Base by Miss Tiina.
Journalling reads: Playing pogo together on the laptop.

Back Cover:Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album (Page 1) by Megan Farrows (Flergs).

Enabling: Denim Blues and Denim Blues CD Album by Megan Farrows (Flergs) available here and here. MTF Base and MTF Base Outline fonts by Miss Tiina available here and here.
I got my Kaisercraft circle album here (which hapens to be the only UK stockist, for anywhere else you will have to rely on google sorry), the adhesives can probably be found on Ebay I got mine same place as the album. I got the jump rings (used the 38mm size for this project because the 25mm weren't quite big enough from this seller on Ebay. The glitter and the nail files were already hanging around the house.

I'll be back in a bit I have a hybrid card to show you but I have to get the photos off the camera card first lol.

Gone a little hybrid crazy

maybe 8:30 and then went into his room to watch a dvd lol. I crafted and watched some TV (Boston Legal, House, Grey's Anatomy and Charmed). Then I played Brain Training on Lukas's Nintendo DS lol. So I have had a very productive and pretty fun day, it's been pouring with rain so the windows have been closed which means no pollen, no grass and being able to breathe a lot better for the first time in ages. This is just one of the reasons I love my blog so much, I like having proof that sometimes in the seemingly endless crappy days there are occasionally good ones, or at least better ones lol. So do you want to see the cards I made? (It's not really a question is it since I am going to show you them whether you want to see them or not lol). Tfor someone who doesn't like glue I have really been busy with it today, I think I am getting slightly addicted and I really don't need another addiction lol. I have ordered more stuff on ebay, 3D foam pads, 3D foam tape and I am bidding on some wooden letters, that reminds me though I need to pick up some glue dots as well lol. I have made 3 hybrid cards and almost finished a layout today. Of course it helps that my day started at 2am this morning, I am still up and when Lukas came home from school he went out almost straight away lol. Lisa asked if Lukas wanted to go to the fair with them and after a quick clothes change off he went. He got back about 8his one was created for Nan, her favourite colour is purple and I thought it would be nice for when she goes into hospital. I showed her earlier and she really likes it. She keeps everything I make her, I always show her my projects because she's the only person whose actually interested in looking at them. As much as I know she will probably like anything I make her I still like to show her and ask her if she likes it. It gives me a little buzz when I see her proudly showing off things I have made even if I think it's crap she still does it.Credits: Layered template (Sample Pack 2, Template 1) by Chrissy W and Sugar and Spice by Zoe Pearn. Hybrid elements 3D Foam Pads, Herma, Purple Satin Ribbon from Early Learning Centre and Purple Glitter Paper from my paper tray no idea where it all came from sorry.

Enabling: I am only going to do the digital stuff today. Sample Pack 2 by Chrissy W available here and Sugar and Spice by Zoe Pearn by Zoe Pearn available here.

This second one was created for the 52 Card Pick Up Week 2 Challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs. Required elements for this one were a card size of 5x5 inches, the colour yellow and the required element was a doodle or doodles. I will say this about it though it took a long time to cut out and assemble, and that ribbon gave me nothing but hassle. But I still really like this card.Credits: Layered template (Mixin' It Up {Again}, Template 1 by Chrissy W, The Softer Side and Messy Foamy Stampy Alpha Brushes by Traci Reed and Doodlefied by Lauren Grier. Hybrid elements 3D Foam Pads, Herma and Assorted ribbons from Ebay.

Enabling: Mixin' It Up {Again} templates by Chrissy W available here, The Softer Side and Messy Foamy Stampy Alpha Brushes by Traci Reed available here and here and Doodlefied by Lauren Grier I can't seem to find in the store sorry.

The third and final one (well for today anyway lol) originally started out as the one above, but I kinda of messed it up. Since it was a 5x5 card I couldn't do my usual, which is to reprint anything I happen to want more of or need to redo lol on 4x6 paper because I have a whole box of it that I got cheap, it's quicker and it means a lot less waste. So I decided to reprint the entire card again and salvage all of the stuff that was ok for another card. Guess it's a good job I have way too many blank cards in various sizes lol. I'm getting really good at making everything I want to use fit on 1 A4 sheet of photo paper and then cutting it out. My cutting skills are improving it's hard with my hands the way they are but I am managing and I am having a lot of fun doing it.Credits: Layered template (Mixin' It Up {Again}, Template 1 altered) by Chrissy W and The Softer Side by Traci Reed. Hybrid elements: 3D Foam, Herma and Blue Spotted Ribbon from Early Learning Centre.

Enabling: Mixin' It Up {Again} Templates by Chrissy W available here, The Softer Side and Messy Foamy Stampy Alpha Brushes by Traci Reed available here and here.

I meant to post this earlier

But I am really not feeling very well today, I was up all night and all day then I fell asleep. I got woken up about 2 hours ago by the pouring rain. So I haven't had a very productive day. Lukas went swimming with the school for the 1st time today, I was worried about him going because of the problems with his ears. He has drops from the doctor he's supposed to have twice a day but right now we are only giving them to him at night because once we do them he can't hear anything. I haven't seen him to ask if he enjoyed it but Mark said he couldn't stop talking about it on the way home. The school called this morning because he freaked out before he went swimming, got himself into a state over the latex swimming hat so they rung me to find out what his problem was. Apparently he tried to tell them something about it and couldn't get the words out because he was so wound up. I knew straight away what he was trying to tell them, I can't take it home because of mummy being allergic to it. He's a little sweetheart when it comes to my allergies, I often hear mummy stay upstairs there is a wasp down here, mummy has this got latex in. It sometimes makes me sad that everyone else has to make adaptations as well, I mean it's my problem but it affects everyone else as well. But anyway here's what I did this morning it was created for a slogan challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs, I do have a little confession to make though when I first saw the kit I used I couldn't think of any way I would use it, so on it's new release day when it was 30% off I left it. This morning when I found these photos I knew it would be perfect so I went and bought it, at full price. I so rarely do that since usually I am buying because it's pretty, or I like or it's on sale. I buy things with the intent of using them and then forget I have them or just don't have the time to scrap with them. I am not the sort of scrapper who usually buys something to finish of a page, maybe because I tend to be making layouts for CT's or for challenges. But I do love the end result of this, can't wait to show Lukas.
Credits: Layered template (Patti'licious, template 1) by Chrissy W and Grumpy Bubby by Shawna Clingerman. Font is DJB Merry by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: It started off just a school day just like any other, with you happily watching Television. Then I told you that I wanted to take some pictures, since it was your last day of term and I got the sulky miserable face. Which turned into a full blown tantrum! No more tears little man it is your last day of term you should be happy!

Enabling: Patti'licious templates by Chrissy W available here and Grumpy Bubby by Shawna Clingerman available here I can't seem to find DJB Merry in the store sorry.

So do you want to see the hybrid project

I was talking about yesterday? The finished result really does look better than I thought it would do when I was making it. My hybrid skills are definately in need of a lot of improvement before I tackle those albums I bought, but it's not bad for what is essentially my 1st real attempt at doing a hybrid project, I have only really made bags and stuff like pillowboxes before. I also have a purely digital layout to share with you today, which although it looks simple took hours to make because I am having such a hard time concentrating at the moment. I am really getting fed up of feeling so ill all the time, but more than that I am sick of the shakes that come with no warning and last for as long as they feel like, sometimes it's minutes and other times it's hours. There seems to be no common reason it starts and nothing I do helps it's just a matter of waiting for it to end. *sigh* but anyway here's the hybrid card which was created for week 3 of the 52 Card Pickup challenge hosted by Bree Clarkson at Sweet Shoppe Designs. I haven't even attempted weeks 1 and 2 yet.Credits: Layered template (Speedy Greetings, Template 5) by Chrissy W and Cherry Blossoms by Kristin Cronin Barrow. Hybrid elements title with 3d foam pads and pink gingham ribbon from Early Learning Centre.

Enabling: Speedy Greetings Templates by Chrissy W available here, Cherry Blossoms by Kristin Cronin Barrow available here. 3D foam pads should be available in any decent craft store either bricks and mortar or online, and you can also find them in a lot of stationary/office supply shops. If you can't find them there's always Ebay. As for the ribbon I got mine in a pack with other colours from the Early Learning Centre store which if your not in the UK you may be asking what's that, it's actually a toy shop chain, but they do have a website, although personally I use this one (oh dear that was a bad idea, they have lots of new stuff I hadn't seen before, next time I go to the city centre I may have to investigate further lol) If your only looking for pink gingham ribbon though ebay or maybe a local fabric store may be a better option.

The layout was inspired after I started looking through the photos for a photograph of Lukas that I fancied scrapping. I came across this one that Mark took when him and Lukas went out together for the day, there were a lot of other photos of flowers as well. They thought I would find them pretty, and I do I really do. So much better than the real thing, no pollen for a start lol.
Credits: Layered template (Starting Blocks 4 - A Circle And A Square, Template 1) and Orange Blossom by Amy Bleser. Fonts are Agent Orange and 3rd Man.

Enabling: Starting Blocks 4 - A Circle And A Square Templates by Amy Bleser available here, here and here. Orange Blossom by Amy Bleser is currently for sale here but I think it will be coming down soon I can't remember the exact details so if you want it go and get it now! I also can't remember where exactly I got the fonts from but I will have a quick look later and if I find them I will come back and add the details.

from disaster to creation

Mark went and got the new paper trimmer today for me, to say it's a piece of crap would be the understatement of the century. It shredded my project when I tried to use it, I caught my hand in between the slider containing the blade and the crappy plastic ruler part and then just for added fun the double sided tape I ordered had latex in the glue. Fun times, so with my fingers red, sore and very swollen I resorted to cutting it out with scissors, I didn't do that bad of a job really but to the perfectionist in me, the finished results look well rubbish frankly. But the disaster of trying to craft with real materials did inspire me to go back to what I do normally which is scrap digitally on my computer. A lot more comfortable for me, especially since there are no sharp objects or glue involved lol. I decided to go for something a little out of my comfort zone, a white space layout. But the end result is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. It's not that I don't like space it's just that I have a natural compulsion to fill every available space with stuff lol. White space layouts always just seem unfinished somehow to me, but I am always trying to improve my scrapping skills and try new techniques. Like I have said before I will try anything once or maybe twice lol. But anyway here's the layout, I will post a photograph of my other project tomorrow, it's too late for me to get the camera out and photograph it lol.
Credits: Redefined Number 8, From My Notebook - A Perfect Day Autumn, Special Offer November 2007, 52 Inspirations 2007 Week 2 and From My Notebook Schoolbook Frames all by Sue Cummings. Font is DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: We had promised to take Lukas to the park, but when it came to it I was too sick to go. Instead of letting him down Mark decided to take him out for the day all by himself. They had a great time together, feeding the ducks and playing in the park together. I got some scrapbooking done while they were out, but I was so sad I was missing being out with them because of my health again. I was so touched that Mark realised I would be sad I had missed seeing these birds building a nest, so he took these photos just for me, so even though I missed being there I still got to see it.

Sharing 2 layouts

I only realised today that I hadn't uploaded these two layouts. So since I don't have any new ones to share I thought I would upload these to the galleries and share those with you. The first one is some photos of Lukas with Hailey and the second is some photos of Lukas with Joshua. *sigh* I really should make more of an effort to see them both I haven't seen Josh since the funeral (february) and I haven't seen Hailey since Lukas's birthday last year (last august) and they both live a few minutes away from us. It makes me feel so guilty but I always just feel too ill to bother with going out and walking around there, making the effort to have conversations with people. I go months at a time and don't even leave the house, right now the last time I went out was March when we took Lukas to the museum. As much as I hate it I can't fix it until I fix my health issues. Anyway enough with the moaning here are the layouts I wanted to share with you.Credits: Layered template (NSD Freebie) by Chrissy W and Playdate Mini by Amy Bleser. Font is DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: It’s not very easy to play with someone who is so much younger than you especially when they can’t walk or talk but you used to love it when Hailey came around to play even though mostly you just cuddled her.

Enabling: DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin is available here. The template by Chrissy is no longer available and the kit by Amy was a gift for the scraplift challenges in May at Digital Freebies but it should be available in the store soon.

Credits: Layered template (Brace Yourself 3, Template 3) by Janet Phillips, Save The Date by Darcy Baldwin, Stampy Alpha Brushes by Christy Lyle and Sunshine Playtime by Traci Reed.

Enabling: Brace Yourself 3 Templates by Janet Phillips available here, Save The Date by Darcy Baldwin available here, Stampy Alpha Brushes by Christy Lyle available here and Sunshine Playtime by Traci Reed available here.

I've been really busy today

but all I can show you right now is this one layout, the other stuff is printed and just waiting to be assembled but it needs a new paper trimmer first since Mark has lost mine. I'm really nervous about the putting it together part since I don't get on very well with glue, or scissors, or paper trimmers really lol. Not much of a hybrid scrapper am I lol. I am trying this smaller project before I make a start on the 2 big projects I have bought supplies to make, a hybrid train album for Lukas and a hybrid wings album for Leo. I also have plans to make a little round hybrid album for Mark (but Chrissy has super cool templates I can resize for that lol). The other albums have templates as well but the books were a lot more expensive than the little round one and I am terrified of ruining them with my terrible crafting skills lol. But anyway here's the layout an old photo I dug up of yours truly.Credits: Layered template (SBB 1st May 2008), Sweet Surrender and Spinner Boards Girls by Amy Bleser, Ride 'em Cowgirl wordart by Bethany Harty (Elegant wordart) and Tape fun by Merkeley Designs. Font is DJB CINDYS by Darcy Baldwin.

From Our Blog To Yours - How nerdy are you?

this weeks prompt was a little quiz, at the end it will give you a nerd score. I'll be back in a minutes with some sort of result lol. Ok that was a good way to waste 10 minutes lol. Here's the results.

2 Layouts to share

Sorry I keep forgetting to upload here when I am uploading my layouts to galleries. If you are wondering about my side bar no I haven't stepped down from Chrissy's CT, we are just getting some new blinkies, i'll replace it when I get my new one. I haven't gotten much scrapping done but I do have two layouts to show you today. The first one was created with Chrissy latest freebie template available in her new store at Elemental Scraps.
Credits: Layered template (Freebie Template 4) by Chrissy W and Waaa-mbulance by Lucky Smith. Fonts are Dymo, TURBO ripped and 2Peas Typo.

This second one was created for the 1-15th June ScrapJack Challenge at Elemental Scraps. That's the wreath I ordered for Mark's mum's funeral. I made the majority of it black and white because the other flowers were pretty bright. Mark really likes it, I don't really know how else I could have scrapped this. Credits: Layered template (Sample Pack 3, Template 1) by Chrissy W, I'm Talking About Remembering You Wordart Pack by Jodie McNally, Ooh Baby Baby Pink Felt Alpha and Ooh Baby Baby Yellow Felt Alpha both by Sherri Tierney and Strawberry Parfait by Elemental Scraps Element Team. Font is English.

I know I still haven't gotten around to sorting out that other enabling sorry. It is on my to-do list but I just feel too ill to start tackling the massive list of jobs that need doing. The problem is the longer I put it off the more things keep getting added. *sigh* it's never ending. But i'll try and get it done today.

Another Day Another Challenge

But before we get to that I just want to ramble for a little while. I tried something this afternoon with Lukas that I have never done before, while Nan was out I washed the dishes and let Lukas dry them up. It was just so adorable to watch him being so careful when putting the plates away. He was so proud of himself and kept saying "I'm Helping" and "I haven't done the job before". He was really excited to tell Nan that he had done it. I understand now what his school are talking about, I have never got it before because everything I ask him to do seems to fall on deaf ears lol. Speaking of school Lukas goes back tomorrow and he's very excited about it but he's been complaining all evening that his tummy hurts. I am hoping it will sort itself out before tomorrow, so he can go as I would hate to disappoint him. He has missed learning things and playing with his friends. Tonight he said something really cute to me, he was sitting watching television before bed, and out of the blue he came out with, "Mummy, you do know I love you right?" After I turned to mush I managed to tell him that I did know and I loved him so much there wasn't a number big enough to measure it. He smiled and came over and gave me a hug before going back to watching his programme lol. He's just the sweetest little boy ever I truly would be lost without him. He's getting so grown up now, it's always nice to see there are still times that he needs me, and I always love to hear that he loves me, it makes me feel special. Before he went to bed he helped me make this layout for a Spin-A-Lift Challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs. He helped me pick all the stuff to use but fell asleep before it was done. I hope he likes the finished result. I'm sure he will soon tell me what to change if he doesn't lol. Spin-A-Lift (Flipped Horizontally and slightly altered) of My Boy by Holly Griego (h_griego) found here.
Credits: Layered Template (Inspired By Holly, Template 2) and Ship Mates by Amanda Slagle (Mandabean) and Kay Miller. Fonts are 4990810 and GG Bean.

Journalling reads: In your reception class, you did lots of things to help make learning fun. One of those things was a pirate themed week. You spent the week learning about pirates by doing things like talking like a pirate, and making paper swords and pirate hats. Then at the end of the week, everyone got to wear pirate costumes for the day, and mummy and daddy were invited to your Pirate Picnic. All of you did a special parade in your outfits and then we sat on the grass and had a picnic that included the special pirate cakes you had baked. It was lots of fun.

Enabling: Inspired by Holly Templates by Bree Clarkson available here and Ship Mates by Amanda Slagle (Mandabean) and Kay Miller here. I will link the fonts up tomorrow. I still have some stuff to do before I can go to bed and it's already 1:30am lol.

1st layout for June

I'm not feeling great today, but I have managed to get my 1st June layout finished and another one almost done (I started the other one last night but couldn't decide what if anything to journal on it so I saved it to come back to). But I got the layout below scrapped today, since I am not really capable of being able to do anything that involves moving my head without wanting to be sick everywhere or feeling like I am going to fall down because I feel so dizzy and lightheaded. My head doesn't hurt as bad as normal but I would rather have pain over feeling sick or feeling dizzy any day of the week. I have been shaking all over almost all day but i'm not cold, it has happened before but never as bad as today has been. Lukas is having a bath and hopefully he will go to bed early tonight and then I can too. An early night will also help me avoid Nan whose in a foul mood with me over the argument yesterday and Mark who is biting my head of constantly (his problem is that he forgot to get a repeat prescription for more nicorette lozenges to help him stop smoking, so he's having major withdrawal because he's only having half the substitute amount of nicotine he normally has). Lukas is hyper crazy as well so that doesn't help.
*sigh* hopefully everyone will be in a much better temper tomorrow anyway here's the layout.
Created for the Treat Of The Month challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Scraplift of 2 Going On 16 by Holly Griego (h_griego) found here.Credits: Layered template (inspired by Holly, template 3) by Bree Clarkson and Lullaby by Misty Cato. Font is DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin.

Journalling reads: If we could have wished for the perfect baby you would have fit the position perfectly. You used to sleep almost all day, and sleep at night. You would sleep anywhere you were laid down, from our arms to your moses basket, from your bouncy chair to the carseat. You slept through us changing your nappy and your clothes. You dozed off with the slightest bit of movement. You truly were an angel when it came to sleeping. This photo was taken at Mummy’s 18th Birthday Party, you were fussed over and passed about and then you fell asleep, in your
pushchair, a little way from the blaring disco! I just wish we could all fall asleep as easy as you do.

Enabling: Inspired by Holly Templates by Bree Clarkson available here, Lullaby by Misty Cato available here and DJB Nicole by Darcy Baldwin available here.