SNOW AGAIN ! ! !

Well, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful . . .

I think we are in for a very long winter and goodness knows what January and February will bring as these are usually the real winter months !

We've had about 1 inch of snow today which is nothing compared to other parts of the UK . . BUT the fact that the side roads and most pavements were covered in black ice prior to the latest snowfall makes traveling on foot or by car treacherous.


Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul . . .

The snowman Jack, Blair and I built over two weeks ago has finally melted away. All that remains is a large puddle of ice and a carrot ! Somehow I don't think that will be the only snowman of this winter :D


O Christmas tree O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches . . .

Our Christmas tree has been up since the 8th December, Jack loves it and likes to sit with only the tree lights lighting the room. We thought he might take the baubles off but so far it has stayed intact lol


He's making a list
Checking it twice . . .

The "LIST" is complete and if you are not on it you know you have been very naughty ;) Santa has only the wrapping and delivering to do now :D

SNOW MUCH FUN . . . .

Thought I'd share some photos of Jack having fun in the snow on Sunday and Monday :D








We took him to our local primary school on Sunday and he had so much fun sledging down the hills and then being pulled home on the sledge by Grandpa and Mummy :D

SNOW ! SNOW ! SNOW !

Snow arrived here late last night which was unexpected as all the forecasts had said.... none till Sunday and even then just a thin covering !

So . . . no cropping in Cumbernauld for me today BUT I'm going to pretend I'm at the crop and shut myself in my craft room till 4pm and SCRAP!! :D

I did manage to the crop in Stewarton on Thursday evening and even got there and back without a hitch ( with a little help from Lynn ;) ) which was a huge improvement on last week :D
Im already looking forward to next week and especially the following week as there will be "chocolate" involved. . .shhhh don't tell everyone lol

I've decided that I am following in my friends Izzy and Lynn ( another Lynn :D ) footsteps and have become a "crop tart" lol as I now have crops lined up in Stewarton, Cumbernauld, Doune and Dunoon !!!
Any other recommendations gratefully received ;)

MORE NEW STASH !!! . . .

I must stop going places where I find loads of lush new scrapbooking stash .. NOT lol

I have made a few little purchases recently and should now stop before I spend all the Christmas money lol

It's very hard for me to resist Christmas stash as I have a complete mental block with anything remotely festive and can't stop myself ( it's frightening to think what my attic will be like in another 5 years or so, it's groaning with decorations already)

On Thursday evening I ventured out to the crop in Stewarton. I'd had such a good time at the Sunday all day crop and having missed last week due to bad weather I was really looking forward to it. All the girls are so lovely and welcoming and it was good to relax and chat for a few hours :D The journey home was another matter and what should have taken about 25 mins took me an hour and a quarter !!! AND I didn't hit the motorway once lol. Alan has said he'll take me over this weekend so I know how to get there and back safely next week :D

So what have a bought . . . .










Not all Christmassy ;) and I did buy some My Mind's Eye, Fine and Dandy range but can't upload photos for some reason. The Prima papers and pad "too cute" are well, too cute lol and I have big plans for the Tando Christmas stuff ( including large trees which I haven't uploaded) . . . best get into my craft room tonight and get to work instead of just talking about it lol

I'M MAKING A LIST . . . .

Checking it twice . . three times . . four times, as usual :D

Have started serious Christmas shopping now, which I love :D and got a few bits and pieces yesterday and today. I'm adding to and ticking off "The List" as I go and I'm happy! happy! happy! Did I say . . . . . I LOVE CHRISTMAS . . . . .

I was cropping with friends on Sunday and was quite productive with layouts (unusual for me as I tend to chat more and scrap less at crops)lol
I also bought some lovely stash which, of course I NEEDED ;)
We did a mini class with mica mists and chipboard which was fun and the mica mist colours are to die for YUM! ( a couple seemed to land in my basket ;))


Friday 12th . . ..

I was meant to be at a crop yesterday but the weather here was awful, torrential rain and high winds, so I decided to stay safely at home, disappointing but safety first ;)

This weekend will have me doing a bit more Christmas shopping :D armed with my trusty "list" lol

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
fa lalalala lala la la

ADDING TO THE LIST . . . .

I eventually had my consultation with my neurologist today, I say eventually as the hospital is a maze of buildings and I didn't have a clue where I was going! The pouring rain and fading light didn't help matters lol

I don't know yet if my brain is bigger than a golf ball BUT I do know that I now have "vertigo" to add to my long list of health problems AND parts of my left arm are numb !!!! I've got to laugh though as it's not life threatening and I'll just keep popping even more pills.

My MRI has been booked for a few weeks ahead and I think they are going to give me a complete overhaul . . .I'm sure I heard one of the docs say . . . . we have the technology, we can make her better, faster and stronger . . .LOL

I am ashamed to admit that I left the hospital after having blood taken and forgot my sister Isy who was sitting patiently in the waiting room OOPS . . I did remember about her eventually and went back . lol

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED RECENTLY???

Well, I've learned that even when you help someone as much as you possibly can . . . . sometimes it's still not enough !

I've learned that "friendship" means different things to different people !

I've learned that you can outlive your usefulness !

I've learned that the more you do, the more you are expected to do !

I've learned that familiarity CAN breed contempt !

I've learned that making too many excuses for someone is a mistake !

AND

I've learned that sometimes, just sometimes I need to put myself first .

MORE STAMPS . . . .

Thought I would show you a few of the Lili of The Valley stamps I bought last week, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these stamps and have quite a collection now :)
First is this darling little birdhouse complete with cute robin



Next is this baby Christmas image, how cute is this :D



This image reminds me of Nurse Nancy from The Twinkle lol, I love it :D




All the LOTV stamps are beautiful and after having seen the wonderful samples I know I'll be buying lots more . . . especially after 12th of this month when the new releases will be online :D

PAYING THE PRICE . . .

Well,I am certainly paying the price for wandering around the SECC on Thursday. Even though I had several breaks during the afternoon I'm still very sore all over! I reckon if I could have a new body from neck to knees I would be ok lol.The only upside ( and there has to be one lol) is that I've slept really well the last two nights due to all the meds I've had to throw down my throat lol !!

This evening I'm going to do a little bit more of my Advent calendar, it's been sadly neglected this week but no excuses tonight :) I need to trace out templates for the back, roof and drawers, choose papers ( they have to be PERFECT, well, it is for Christmas) decide what numbers will look best and plan what embellishments are needed to adorn the front ! ! !

Next week I have my appointment with my consultant neurologist, he's going to check if I do indeed have a brain larger than a golf ball or if it's just a rumour. lol

THE SECC . . .

Today I ventured out to the craft fair at the SECC, it was soooo busy when I arrived that I only lasted 30 minutes before I needed a break.

My first port of call was the "Lili of the Valley" stand WOW! WOW! WOW! their stamps are all so beautiful and to see the samples in real life was amazing. A few stamps just happened to call out to me and I had to bring them home lol

Next was the search for the Echo Park "Winter Time" range of papers ( a must have for me) I had to have the whole collection it is beautiful.

I also bought a few masks, chipboard Christmas shapes, MME Lost and Found papers, some charms, a few little storage pots and some templates.

WOO HOO . . . . ECHO PARK ! !

I have just read on UKscrappers that the new "Winter Time" range from Echo Park has landed in the UK !

I can't wait to get my paws on this collection . . . and will hopefully only have to wait till next Thursday when I go to the craft fair at the SECC :D

A CRACKING SCRAPPING WEEKEND . . .

I was away to Rattray in Perthshire for a weekend of scrapping with friends. There was lots of chatting, eating, laughing and relaxing, BUT on my part not a lot of scrapping lol.
Yet again David and Hazel at Southlittleton Farm made us most welcome and as usual the accommodation and scrapping room were second to none :D

Needless to say, we have booked up again for the start of next year so roll on 2011


Val xxx

I'M GOING IN . . . . . .

I'm making a start on my Tesco Advent Calendar today :D
I have . . . paint (three lots), sanding block (hopefully not needed), papers, jewels, shimmers, glamour dust, embellies and lots of glue!!

Here's the before photo . . . in it's original glory (taken from last years brochure)



Also have the most adorable Twiddleybitz "attic town house" and "bird cage on pedestal" to alter for Christmas, so they'll need assembling and painting too :D

Before photo . . .




and they last before photo . . .

WOW ! ! BUSY OCTOBER . . .

I can't believe it's October and only 85 days till the big man arrives. lol

This is going to be a very busy month . . .

This weekend . . I was supposed to be having lunch with my sis tomorrow ( she's just back from holiday ) and meeting up with friends on Sunday . . both have had to be cancelled as my neck and shoulder are bad again :(
AND
3 birthdays
2 weekends away (1 Alan and 1 mine)
4 hospital appointments . . 1 down 3 to go . . .
1 doctor appointment
4 crops
1 craft fair
1 school meeting
and probably more to be added as the month progresses LOL
(edited 5/10)

Today I succumbed and bought the new Bo Bunny, Winter Joy paper range and some embellishments, well it would be very rude not to buy the bits that match the papers lol

I LOVE Christmas and this range is beautiful

Here's a little taster from the Bo Bunny website . . .

BIRTHDAY PARTY . . .

This time it was a celebration for our beautiful nephew Oliver, he had his first birthday party on Sunday and we all had a super time. I can't believe this little man is one already, the time is passing far too quickly. LOL

I took lots of photographs BUT most of them are awful as the children/babies were all moving around or dancing and hardly any of them are in focus :( (I know, I know, I should have put my camera on "sports" mode) Also, Oliver is soooo hard to photograph mainly because he's never still long enough, I have never seen a baby crawl so fast in my life. LOL I didn't even get a cuddle as he was on the go non stop, I'm going to visit at bed time in future at least then I'll stand a chance of a sneaky hug LOL


Oliver just about to blow out his candle.




Tiger Jack, we were very surprised he sat still to have his face painted :) His mouth is full of cake. LOL

CHRISTENING . . . .

Our beautiful nephew Charlie was Christened 2 weeks ago :D
Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend his Christening due to CD again :( BUT I do have some photos Lauren and Alan took.

He's just the sweetest wee pet.


Charlie


Charlie and mummy Rachel

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING . . . .

I have started my Christmas crafting by digging out my Bucilla Christmas stocking I bought last year. I had started it but got too carried away making loads of other Christmas decorations and didn't have enough time to finish it :(
So, I've started early this year and it WILL be finished in plenty of time with NO excuses LOL.

Here's what it will be when it grows up :D

LADIES WHO LUNCH !

I was meant to be cropping with friends today but it was cancelled this morning SO . . . not to miss out on a good old chin wag we went out to lunch instead :D
Lunch actually lasted from half past twelve till four o'clock !! But we did sneak in a bit of stash shopping too :D :D

Special love and wishes go to my good friend Margaret who has been through the mill recently BUT will be on the mend very soon and feeling good as new. (((HUGS)))Margaret xxx

NOTHING CRAFTY . . . .

I've not made anything for a couple of weeks as my mojo seems to have gone AWOL again :(

To be honest I think it's more to do with lack of physical ability than anything else. My CD and back have been playing up again and sitting for any length of time is a big NO NO at the moment. . . it certainly not anything to do with age LOL.

Anyway, here's a couple of photos of Jack that Lauren took yesterday in my car . . .who could resist this wee face ****WUBS***

NOT VERY PRODUCTIVE . . .

Today I was cropping with friends, actually that's a fib, they were cropping I was footering with paper LOL

FOOTERING . . . Scottish word . . . definition . . . messing around . . . LOL

All I did from 10.45am till 6pm was . . . crop two photos, fix about 20 brads to paper and then decide I didn't like my choice of paper for the photos DOH!

Having said all that, I did have a lovely day chatting and laughing with friends so that more than made up for my lack of mojo LOL

Here are 2 photos of Jack having fun on the go carts with his Mummy in St.Andrews last month :D

OOOOOH!!!

I've just found thanks to some of the girls on UK Scrappers, the new Echo Park blog!! I LOVE their papers and can't wait to get my mitts on their new Christmas range. I was so excited I forgot to check the name of the range LOL
You can find the Echo Park blog here do remember that it's very new so not much on it yet BUT I bet ya it'll be fabulous very soon :D

I CAN'T BELIEVE . . . .

It's September already!! AND . . . . it's nearly my favourite time of the year . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .. CHRISTMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Runs for cover LOL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



Couldn't resist blogging these photos of Jack, he's such a cutie :D





These were taken in St Andrews last month

night night

Val xxx

AN AWARD . . WOO HOO !!

I am thrilled !

My lovely friend Sue sent me this award for my blog, thank you so much Sue I am absolutely delighted to get it.

Please visit Sue's blog here
She makes beautiful cards and layouts and you won't be disappointed.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE ? ? ?

TWO LAYOUTS !!!!

I can hardly believe it myself LOL

The first photo was taken in early June when the weather here was scorching, Jack had a blast sliding down into his paddling pool




Recipe:-
All Patterned Papers, Stickers and Borders from the "Sun Kissed" range by Bo Bunny. Cardstock:- Bo Bunny.


This next photo was taken in June at Perth racecourse, Jack LOVED the horses and here he is with his Grandpa, waiting for them approaching the finish line !




Recipe:-
All Patterned Paper, Element Stickers, Alphabet Stickers, and Borders from the "Sweet Summertime" range by Echo Park Paper Company.

Once again, please excuse the photography, I am trying to photograph the layouts correctly but I'm still having problems (that's why some of the elements on the layouts look squint. . . they aren't really LOL

thanks for visiting,

Val xxx

BACK HOME . . . .

After our wonderful holiday in St Andrews, I got my wish the weather was glorious and we were out all day every day :D


Alan, Blair and Jack walking the old course. . .




Craig and Jack at our favourite beach opposite the Old Course




Lauren and Jack having a blast on the go carts




And Jack having his favourite strawberry ice cream on Market Street



We took loads of photos and have uploaded all of them to the pc so, no excuses for NOT scrapbooking them now LOL.


I took my new Lili of the Valley stamps, some memento inks, cardstock and copics with me so I could practice my colouring technique. . . I'm getting there but it's taking longer than I thought to get the hang of these markers. Lauren said it's because I'm a perfectionist and shouldn't be so critical of myself BUT I think I'm just PANTS at colouring with them LOL

Valerie xxx

AND WE'RE OFF AGAIN ! !

To St Andrews for another little break :D

Hopefully the weather will be good and we'll get some sunshine.It has been very nice here for a few days so fingers crossed the East coast is the same:D

I'm also hoping that my mojo will come back from walkabout as I have been severely lacking in motivation and ideas for a few weeks :( I did manage a quick trip to a craft shop today but only bought a few papers to top up my Bo Bunny and Echo Park stash LOL.

My little car ( The Black Pearl) has been in the garage to have a squeak fixed , it turned out to be a bit more than just a squeak and seems it was dangerous to drive as a rod had dislodged from a bush in the suspension . . .bit !! ( can you tell I'm not mechanically minded ) Anyway to cut a long story short it's all to do with the terrible pot holes in the roads and it cost us £263 to have fixed :( :(
At least I can now drive to St. Andrews without worrying too much LOL

Val xxx

LAYOUTS AT LAST

Yes, I do still scrap LOL

Everyday life seems to have gotten in the way of my crafting these last couple of weeks, shocking really :D

Jack having fun with his Happyland toys :)




Have realised just how truely awful I am at photographing my layouts (blushing)
I can't find my easel . . . the story of my life LOL . Can't seem to get a good photo without it :(

Recipe:-

Cardstock:- Bazzill. Patterned paper, ribbons, embellishments:- The Paper Company Studio.

CHECKING OUT THE OLD COURSE . . . .

At the "Home of Golf" :D

Having inspected the course Blair and Jack concluded that it was in perfect condition for "The Open" :D

STILL NO LAYOUT PHOTOS . . . .

Slap my wrists LOL

I managed a few hours at Fee's crop today but didn't do anything except trim some photos and find my lost stamps ( all 17 of them ) Don't ask !!! LOL

My good friend Margaret is going to be a Gran in approximately 2 weeks, I'm so excited for her and her lovely hubby John :D
Don't forget to e-mail with news please Margaret !:D

POOL FUN . . . .

Jack had a wonderful time playing in his paddling pool in the garden, it was soooo hot here that the water was warm !!!!






Gosh, what a big cup !!!!

WELL . . . .

I have obviously found my camera cable as I've uploaded photos but . . . . . I haven't got the photos of my layouts that I thought I had !!!! SO . . . that's my first project for tonight, take photos and upload here . :D

For now I'm off shopping and lunching with Lauren and the gorgeous Jack ! :D :D

Val xxx

LAUREN'S NEW DOO. . . . .

While we were in St Andrews, lauren decided to have her hair cut. . . not just a trim . . oh no . . . the full bhoona !!!

FEEDING THE DEER

Here's Jack feeding the deer at The Scottish Deer Centre in Cupar.





Alan showing Jack how to be a Stag !!!!



and Jack manages perfectly LOL



The Deer Centre is about 20 minutes drive from St Andrews and well worth a visit. It was extremely quiet when we were there as the local schools hadn't yet broken up for the summer.

I'M BACK......

From beautiful, sunny, warm St Andrews!!

The weather was fabulous and we had a great time :D I did miss a few days going out and about but still thoroughly enjoyed the break :D

We got some super photos so I'll upload later.

A couple of stamps...ok a few.... happened to fall into my basket while I was looking on the www.liliofthevalley.co.uk website. Their stamps are beautiful and I couldn't resist the new Christmas set . . . I know, I said the "C" word oops!
Check out their website, you won't be disappointed.

I'm off now to try and upload photos and a few layouts >>>>>>>

night night
Val xx

NO NEW PHOTOS :(

I have done some scrapping but alas can't find my camera lead ....again!!
So, you'll just have to believe me when I say I have about 30 layouts to upload. . . . well, ok 4 or 5 LOL

The weather here in Glasgow has been fantastico and I just hope it holds up for our week in St Andrews at the end of this month.

The only "problem" with the hot, sunny weather is that the washing dries very quickly which in turn means the ironing pile increases at an alarming rate !! Luckily, I don't mind ironing toooo much it's just when the pile reaches waist height I do tend to panic a little. LOL Just kidding it's only knee high at the moment !

I'm off now to search for my book which I mislaid last week ( Vampire Diaries 3&4 ) I have looked everywhere already but still can't find it and it's driving me crazy. Having said that, I'm not enjoying it as much as the TV series and that's very unusual for me. I wonder if it's got anything to do with the two handsome, fit young men in the leading roles................ NO ! What a stupid idea. LOL

Night night
Val xx

STORM, IN LOVING MEMORY

Today we lost our beautiful Storm.
She has been a devoted, loyal, loving part of our family for 13 years and to say we are heart broken doesn't seem enough.
We can't imagine our lives and home without her.
She is in our hearts forever.