Happy Birthday to Me

Yes the big day has arrived and I'm another year older. Not old enough to want to kill myself but certainly old enough to want to lose a few years LOL. I can't believe it I don't feel 39 (I wonder why!) Whoops maybe I meant 49 years young LOL. Oh my gosh I can' t believe that I am that age I certainly don't feel it.

I've had lots of texts and e-mails from my friends but apart from that things have been very quiet on the home front. Jim is in bed ill (man flu) and Laura had a sleepover last night and stayed up all night then fell asleep at lunch time and didn't surface till 6pm. They both ate dinner and have gone to bed so I'm all on my own again (sob). My birthday cake is, as yet, untouched. Roll on tomorrow till I can have a piece.

Till then.

Fee x

A Nice Day With Friends

Today I met up with Val and Sandra under the "pretence" of doing some crafting. Izzy was supposed to be with us too but she wasn't able to make it due to the bad weather. Unfortunately not much crafting was achieved, but the main thing was that we had a good time chatting (and eating). I did manage to cover an 8" x 8" album that I'm making about our home and I need to take some photographs to put in it. I've used the Jack & Abby Paper from the Love Elsie Collection for the inside and SEI Velvet Dot paper for the cover. I've had this paper for quite a while but kept putting off using it cos it is a bit too busy for me and not my usual style at all but I'm being brave LOL. Will post a pic soon.

Yesterday we braved the snow and ice and hit the sales at Braehead. I bought a coat and a jacket and I'm pleased with my bargains. Jim also bought a jacket and Laura bought a zip up and a bag. On the way home we decided to go and see the movie Nativity. We all enjoyed it, munching popcorn and laughing all the way through the movie.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Boxing Day

Time to relax or to be more honest to completely veg out in front of the tv. We have done nothing all day except laze about. Santa was very good to all of us and I love my new Radley handbag (from Jim). I would never dream of paying a lot of money for a handbag so this is a real extravagance and I think it's fab. Laura got lots of stuff (as usual) and we had a lovely day with my Mum, Sister (Anne) and Nieces (Jan & Lynne).

Fee x

It's Christmas Day

Just got back from Church and thought I would say Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope Santa has been good to you all LOL. I'm resisting opening any of the parcels under the tree and will save them till later on.

Fee x

Christmas Eve Madness

I've been very busy today doing some last minute food shopping, delivering a couple of cards that I forgot about and wrapping the presents. Yeah I know I should have done all this before now but I really couldn't quite get into the swing of it. All I need to do now is clear away the dinner dishes and get ready for Church. We always attend the Christmas Carol Service at our Church and tonight Sophie & Jenny have asked to come with us. I'm going to drop off a few presents en-route so I'd better get my skates on (it is that icy perhaps that is not a bad idea).

I've posted another tree decoration, this one belonged to my Grandmother and it is very fragile. I have to be very careful with it when I'm packing it away every year. One of these days it might not be around but I enjoy seeing it on the tree every year.

I'd better get a move on or I'll be late for the service.

Will catch you later.

Fee x

Day Five - Deep and Crisp & Even .......

that's how the snow is today - that crisp, crunchy way when you walk on it LOL.

It's only one more sleep till Santa comes WOOHOO! Bring it on.

In the meantime here is another little tree decoration that is very special to us. Laura made it in nursery when she was about 4 years old and although it is a bit bashed it always goes on our tree.

Will be back later to talk more sense when I've woken up properly. Till later.

Fee x

Day Four - No More Snow Today

It is still very very cold though. I dropped Laura at school this morning and headed into Marks & Spencers in Dumbarton for a few bits and pieces. When I arrived in the car park at 9.02 am I couldn't get a space it was absolutely chocca with cars. The shops were heaving with people who looked as if they were preparing for a seige rather than one or two days LOL. I was almost lynched in ASDA by a man who wanted some peach water and here I was almost emptying the shelf in front of him (get a life). The look he gave me deserved a slap but I restrained myself and I did leave him a few bottles. He obviously never heard of "if you're not fast you're last".

Here are a few more photos of my Christmas decorations. I didn't realise I had such a snowman thing going on. I have a snowman wreath on the front door, three snowmen on the front steps, two at the side of my fireplace, two on the mantelpiece and so it goes on. I obviously like snowmen LOL. I love my Santa mat too and it always makes me smile when I wipe my feet on it.

Off now to try and wrap a few parcels then get an early night.

Fee x

Day Three & It's Still Snowing

I'm beginning to wonder if it will ever stop LOL. The weather is certainly causing transport problems although the main roads are passable, the side roads are pretty bad. I'm hoping that I can get out of the drive tomorrow morning as I need to do some food shopping. Poor Jim has still to get home from work in these freezing conditions. He normally gets home around 12.30am but I think it will take him a lot longer to get home tonight.

I thought I would share photos of some of my Christmas decorations. Each one has it's own story and memories that make me smile and remember a person or the time they were bought.

I won the little gingerbread man and the fairy in a raffle at a Scrapping Weekend a couple of years ago. They were both made by my friend Andrea (Geordie Girl) and I was so pleased that I won them. Minnie Mouse was bought by Laura in Disneyland, Florida last year. She bought it in the Christmas shop with her own money. The felt wreath has been around for about nine years but it still looks as good as new. Jim bought it for me when we were on holiday in Florida and I'm sure he thought I was nuts wanting to buy Christmas decorations in May but I love it LOL.

Off now to batten down the hatches for the night.

Fee x

At Last

It's snowing outside. I woke up this morning to find a light covering of snow over everything and it was pretty to look at but bitterly cold when I went outside Brrr. I couldn't resist taking a photo of Casa Eadie before anyone tramped all over the front garden. I even went out the back door and up the side of the drive so that there wouln't be any footprints LOL. Mad or what? I know it is nothing like what is happening down South but it is the first snow I've seen for a while.

This afternoon Val and I helped Jim's friend to finish off an album he is giving his girlfriend as part of her Christmas this year. He is a really nice guy and he wanted to make her an album all about her dog who sadly died. Val is the resident expert on all things dog related and we had great fun helping to make this album about "Alfie".

This evening was the Crib Service at our church and Laura was doing a reading. Jim and I and her friends Sophie and Jenny went along to support her. She was a bit nervous beforehand but she did really well and she was actually better than some of the adults. She said all of the long words correctly and the minister commented on how well she had done. Afterwards there was tea, shortbread and choccie biscuits for everyone so we all had some - well it would have been rude not to LOL.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Sleigh Bells Ring .................................

are you listening??? Santa Claus has arrived ........ or at least his sleigh has. Just thought I would post a photo of the sleigh that I recently decorated. I hope you like it.

Today I finished off the inserts for my Christmas cards. Please remind me next year not to use so many coloured card blanks and maybe I'll get them finished earlier than the week before Christmas. Val and I have quite a few projects still to finish and I made a list of mine so that I will focus on completing them tomorrow. All I can say is that we'd better start at 6.00 am to get everything done LOL.

Till later.

Fee x

Update From The Past Couple of Days

Thursday 17th December

I popped out today and bought our Christmas tree. Normally we do this as a family and make it a day out with lunch etc but this year time has just flown by and I didn't want to leave it until the weekend in case there were none left. It's now in its pot in the lounge and we will decorate it when Laura gets home from school tomorrow.

I needed some last minute Christmas cards so I quickly whipped out my Quickie Glue Pen and my Glamour Dust and got to work. I've posted a photo to let you see my handiwork. Well you always need a quick card and I love this little penguin, he is by Stampendous and only cost £2.99 - fab price and soooo cute !

Friday 18th December

I've been ironing like a mad woman today as I've been letting it pile up again. Oh how I hate ironing but I like everything (and I mean everything) to be ironed. I've decided that I've done all I can do and I'm sending the rest out to The Press Gang and to hang with the cost LOL.

Tomorrow Val and I are meeting up to try and finish up some of our many Christmas projects - we will really need to get a move on LOL.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Plumbing Problems

No not me personally - the shower in my en-suite LOL. We had the shower replaced about a year ago and the sealant (which is supposed to last 25 years - as if!) had started to discolour and come off. I phoned the guy who fitted it originally and he popped out today to re-do it. So the job is done and we will be a two shower family again by tomorrow evening. Thank goodness that it is fixed, I hate queuing for the shower in the morning.

Jim brought all our Christmas decorations down from the loft today and I started to put them up but didn't get too far as I had to do some shopping and get home in time for Laura getting home from school. Looks like tomorrow I'm going to be busy. Better get some shut eye!

Fee x

We Shopped Till We Dropped

Tonight I took Laura shopping for an outfit for her school disco which is next week. She nearly drove me nuts and we were in and out of every shop in Braehead. After 3 hours I was beginning to flag and we headed home - thank goodness. We still have to get shoes for her but that will have to wait until later this week. She has really narrow feet and it is difficult to get shoes to fit her properly as they are normally too wide.

This afternoon I played around and decorated some gable boxes from PTI.
This one is covered using papers and a tag from the My Mind's Eye Colourful Christmas Range. I love the alternative bright colours instead of the traditional red, green and gold. I've posted one above and I hope you like it.

Till tomorrow.

Fee

Proud Uncle

Yesterday Jim had a couple of little visitors Jack (19 months) and Leah (16 months). He was only two pleased to play the doting Uncle for a while and the children really do love playing with him. They are both growing up so fast it's scary. I didn't manage to do any crafting yesterday or today and I've got so many projects to finish off before Christmas - I'd better get a move on.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Introducing Colin's friend

Pete - isn't he cute ? I love his pointy hat and pressies. I haven't managed to get any other Christmas decorations up yet but I plan to do that this week. We've still got to get our tree too. I like to get it around about this time so that it is still nice and fresh through Christmas and New Year (there is nothing worse than a half dead tree LOL).

I did my first ever easel card yesterday and I was quite pleased with it. Now that I know how to do it I will have a go at some more.

Till later.

Fee x

Girls Night Out

Thursday 10th December

Apologies for not blogging yesterday and today's post is also late. Laura and I had a girls night out tonight and we went to the opening night of Beauty and the Beast at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow. It was absolutely fabulous! The singing and the costumes were wonderful and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. We also managed to munch our way through crisps, a large Galaxy bar and a large bag of Maltesers LOL.

On the way there Laura announced that her German project had to be handed in tomorrow (Friday). What project I asked? Oh I've to build a house with furniture out of old cardboard and label it with the german words for all the items. WAAHHH!!! That girl will be the death of me. We stopped off at ASDA on the way home and picked up a couple of boxes. Laura made a door, windows, tv, table and chair and then (due to exhaustion) I suggested she bend the rules a bit and cut some other items out of the Argos catalogue to decorate it a bit more. I didn't study German at school so I have no idea if it is right or wrong but we'll see.

Friday 11th December

I had a mad idea today and talked Jim into taking Laura, Sophie, Jenny and I to the local Cowboy Club Christmas Party. We went along not really knowing what to expect and we had a really good time. Unfortunately I am rubbish at line dancing and after several disasterous attempts I gave up LOL. We didn't win anything at Bingo but more than made up for it at the raffle and between us we won five prizes. To top it all we then tried a game called Open the Box and amongst others one of our tickets was called. The girls decided that they would all go up and Sophie picked the winning key. You would have thought they had won the lottery they were squealing and shrieking so much LOL. The prize was £25 and so we split it five ways. Here is a photo of the gang with their loot and another of the girls dancing.

Gotta get some sleep now. Till tomorrow (whoops I mean later today)

Fee x

Introducing ................ Colin

I couldn't resist showing you a photo of Colin the Curler. Don't ya just love his hat with the earflaps? He even has two little curling stones in his hand - cute or what? I spotted Colin last year in a wool shop in the village of Aberlour and just had to have him. He also has a little friend and I'll show you him sometime soon.

The little chocolate bars on the left hand side are the ones that Val bought for me in Tesco. The ones on the right I've covered with some lovely poinsetta paper by Sandylion.

I went along to my mum's guild tonight with some extra stocking stuffers I had made . I donated the takings to their funds as they have had a lot of outgoings this year and I thought I would try to help their fundraising. Everyone loved what I had made and I managed to raise £31 for them. Not bad for stuff made mostly out of scrap paper and goodies from Poundland.

Catch ya'll tomoro.

Fee x

Eighteen Days and Counting

I finished my Santa Sleigh today WHOOPEE! It has only taken me two years from buying it to get around to painting and decorating it LOL. Val and I both bought them from The MDF Man at the SECC. I kept putting off the evil day when I would need to start painting it until last week when Val announced she was going to start hers. Not to be outdone I thought I'd better get a move on. All I need now is to ask Jim to bring the rest of the decorations down from the loft and I can take a photo. I have posted a photo of my newest Christmas decoration, I bought this last week when Val and I were out shopping. Isn't Santa cute?

This afternoon I picked Laura up from School and went to my friends daughter's 4th Birthday party. She had already had a party for all her little nursery friends (glad I missed that one whew) and this party was just for family and close friends. The birthday girl (Abbie) was hyper but had a fab time. We played Pass-the-Parcel and Place-the-Jewel-in-the-Crown (think pin the tail on the donkey). She is also fascinated by Blu tack and gave everyone a piece and instructed us to make something and then she judged who the winner was. What a laugh we had and then it all started getting quite competitive LOL. The competition went on for about half an hour with her bossing us all about. We had a great time and finished off by doing the conga along the hall, up the stairs and out the front door - okay so we are officially nuts LOL.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Fab Day

I had a fab day today cropping with my friends. Although I must be honest I didn't actually do any scrapbooking. Instead I was making tags for candy canes and sleeves for the little chocolate bars that Val managed to get for me in Tesco. I'm doing these for the table on Christmas day and I think they look really nice and classy (a bit like myself LOL). I'll post a photo tomorrow.

Till then.

Fee x

Just Us Two Chickens & Our Scor-pals

Today I was supposed to be cropping with a group of friends but for one reason or another everyone except Val and I pulled out. We had a good time anyway crafting, chatting and eating (as usual). I did get into trouble for forgetting to toast the pancakes but I'm sure she'll forgive me in time. We managed to eat two pancakes each so I'm sure it wasn't too much of a hardship.

Whilst on out travels earlier this week we had picked up some little Christmas chocolate bars in Tesco (4 for 79p) and I decided to give them a makeover. You always see re-wrapped Hershey Bars and Nuggets on the US websites and as I'm not fond of them, I wanted to do something that would suit some of the chocolate bars we get in the UK. I took out my trusty Scor-pal and designed this little box to hold the chocolate bars. Val was on hand as usual to stop me driving myself mad when trying to work out the measurements. The paper is Sweetwater, the cardstock is Bazzill and I have twinkled it with irridescent Glamour Dust. The Holiday Treats For You Stamp is from one of my PTI sets. Apologies for the photography as the light isn't good in the evening. I also packaged up some more reindeer food and I just have to print off the poem and they will be finished.

I am cropping tomorrow with Sandra, Izzy, Val, Margaret and Maxine and I'm looking forward to that. Let's hope they don't all cancel or I really will start to worry LOL.

Later gaters.

Fee x

I'm Not A Celebrity But Get Me Out Of Here!

Where did today go? I feel as if I've been running around like a nutcase and achieved very little. I went from one domestic crisis to another however, I'm looking forward to tomorrow and cropping with some friends.

My niece Jan needed a lift to the airport this morning as she is off to meet friends in Thailand for a couple of weeks. She has just bought a flat and this is her last holiday before joining the rest of us poor mortgage owners.

I've been watching the final of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and I cannot believe the things that poor Gino managed to eat. I will be voting for him (nothing to do with the fact that I think he is HOT LOL). Off now to register my vote.

Whoohoo Gino won and is King of the Jungle - a well deserved victory FANTASTICO LOL.

Fee x

Shopaholics Anonymous

I haven't blogged for a few days with no real reason, just life getting in the way again. Anyway I'm back now and I'll fill you in on what I've been up to today.

My BF Val and I went to Perth to do some Christmas Shopping. They have some lovely shops and it wasn't long before Mrs Christmas (Val) found a Christmas Shop to root around in LOL. While we were in the area we also delivered a Scor-pal Scoring Board to the lovely Hazel at South Littleton Farm in Blairgowrie. A group of us are going to stay at the farm in January for a scrapbooking weekend and we are soooo looking forward to it - it can't come quickly enough.

Pictured above is a Journal Jar that was made by Hazel - isn't is gorgeous. For those of you who have never heard of a Journal Jar it is a decorated Kilner type jar filled with questions written onto curled strips of paper. Each day you take a different strip of paper/question and write about that topic in your journal. Val and I admired the jars so much that Hazel actually gave us a gift of one each and we were so chuffed. All we need to do now is to find the time to begin writing our journals. On our way back home we had a browse around the shops in Blairgowrie and were delighted with all the little specialist shops in the town. I don;t know whether my purse or Bank Manager will be delighted though - but I'm a happy bunny! Roll on January!

Till later.

Fee x

The Geriatric Gardener

Yeah ....... me! I took advantage of the bright, chilly weather today to give the back garden a last tidy up before Christmas. I did the front garden a couple of weeks ago in between all the rain we had and Jim power washed all the paving. Raking leaves and pulling out border plants that had been left in far too long was back breaking work. Tonight I'm feeling the pain in the backs of my legs and my lower back. I'm obviously now officially geriatric or at least that's how I feel tonight LOL. When I was working away a little robin appeared and hopped around the garden hoping for a juicy worm or two. This was the first one I have seen in the garden for quite a while. Earlier this year I found one dead at the back door and I think it was killed by the flock of magpies that nest in the trees behind our house. They drive me mad with their constant chattering.

I didn't make any headway with my reindeer food as I was too busy in the garden so I need to try to get that finished this week. I'm hoping to get together with my BF Val this week to finish off our Christmas gifts. We both still have so much to do so we had better get a move on.

I hope you like the snowflakes - I thought it was time to start putting up the Christmas decorations.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Chocolate Search

I spent Friday afternoon searching all of the Poundland stores for the Green & Black organic chocolate without success and by the time I got home I was too exhausted to create anything else. This meant that I had to get up early on Saturday morning and get my thinking cap on. Val always says that I work better under pressure and lo and behold I managed to come up with something else in time. The good news is that my friend Lesley managed to get me some more choccie on Saturday afternoon so I will have it for the next class (as long as she can resist eating it LOL). Thanks Lesley - I thought I was going to have to scrap that project.

Yesterday Jim took Laura, Jenny & Sophie to our church Christmas Fair and once again they had a fab time. Last night we had a relaxing evening vegging out in front of the tv and I fell asleep - sorry. I also made some Snowman Poop (see photo).

Today I tried to do some crafting but had a few visitors and couldn't quite get into the swing of things. I did however mix and bag up some Reindeer Food but I haven't got around to making the toppers for the bags yet. It is amazing how much glitter you need to mix in with the oats to make it nice and twinkly.

Fee x

Whoopee

Today I finished off a pile of little cartons that I started at the weekend. Each one has a packet of sweets inside - aren't they cute?

My PTI order also arrived today which was really quite quick cos I only ordered it on the 15th and it can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to get here and make it through customs. I really do need to start using my PTI stamps more they are sooo fabulous I just love them so watch this space.

Tomorrow I need to come up with another design for Saturday's Scor-pal class bacause I can't get enough of the Green & Black Organic Chocolate I need for the project. They say every cloud has a silver lining and I may have to eat all the ones I've got if I can't get any more - what a pity LOL.

Laura brought her friend Sophie home for dinner tonight and afterwards we picked up Jenny (Sophie's twin) and went along to the school Christmas Fair. The girls enjoyed themselves and happily spent their pocket money at the different stalls. Laura bought a lovely little Portmerion pottery dish with my birth month flowers on it - I think it is supposed to be for my Christmas and it is gorgeous. They rounded off the evening with marshmallows dipped in the chocolate fountain - YUMMY!

Till later.

Fee x

Snowman Soup

I'm still making gifts for the Christmas Fair and I managed to make half a dozen of these babies today. I hope you like them.

I'm taking Laura and her friends Sophie & Jenny to the Christmas Fair at a local Primary School tomorrow night to see if I can get any more inspiration before the weekend.

Earlier in the week I had some bad news from my friend whose wife had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. He called today to let me know that things are not looking good as the cancer has spread to the liver and lungs which means that it is too advanced to operate. She starts chemotherapy tomorrow and I can't even begin to imagine how they must be feeling as they face this horrible disease. They are both in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

A Pile of Poop?

Snowman poop that is! I've been busy today making some more bags of Snowman Poop for the Church Christmas Fair. I also bought some more notepads to make some more magnetic notepad holders and I hope that I can get a few made tomorrow cos I'm running out of time. Morrisons have boxes of candy canes on offer at 79p per box and I picked up a couple of those too.

My poor friend Val has been in bed today with a nasty flu bug. Get well soon Val, we need to do lots of crafting this weekend.

I'd better get to bed now or I won't manage to make anything tomorrow LOL.

Till then.

Fee x

Year 1 Parent Interviews

Jim and I went to our very first Parent Interviews at Laura's new school tonight. The good news is that she is clever (well we knew that anyway), the bad news is that she is still easily distracted and sometimes doesn't focus as hard as she should. All in all the feedback was positive and her German teacher (Frau Schwiete) almost had us in tears with her praise and telling us what a lovely, helpful girl she is.

Laura has gone to the Gang Show with the Guides tonight. She probably won't be home until 11pm so let's hope she gets up for school tomorrow. My fingers are already crossed LOL.

I made another little magnetic notebook set today using my favourite My Mind's Eye paper and the new(ish) Take Note set from PTI. I love this set and I'm working on some more for the Church Christmas Fair. I hope you like this handy little book.

Later taters.

Fee x

Megapost

I thought I'd better bring you up-to-date with what's been happening since I last managed to blog.

Wednesday 18th

Last night was the big night at my mum's Guild - the 90th Birthday Party. Thankfully everything went well but she didn't get home until 11.30pm which is late for her. I have posted a pic of the invitation I made some time ago and forgot to post.

Thursday 19th

My first Parent Council Meeting and it lasted two and a half hours. Almost long enough to make me regret joining LOL. Anyway the next one isn't until January so that is quite a while away.

I received a call from a friend of mine today and he said that his wife had been taken into hospital quite suddenly and he was very worried about her. They are waiting for some scans and tests to be carried out so fingers crossed that everything will be okay.

Friday 20th

I attended my very first High School Reunion tonight and had a great time. It was fabulous to catch up with old friends. As I still live in the area I do bump in to some of them in the supermarket etc. but there were others I haven't seen since school (which wasn't yesterday as you know). Check out the shoes that I wore LOL. I was scared I would plummet to my death off them - it is a long time since I wore shoes this high due to my broken ankle a few years ago. An old friend of mine drove us there and back so a big thank you to Jackie you are a star. I also won the first prize in the raffle which was a Four Ball Tournament at Glencorse Golf Club in Penicuik. I couldn't wait to get home to give Jim the prize although several of the guys offered me money for the prize there and then but no chance I was taking it h0me.

Saturday 21st

Had a card class today and everyone seemed pleased with the cards we made. We did a couple of Christmas ones and an Anniversary card. Val and I didn't really get much time to ourselves but tomorrow is another day and we are hoping to be more productive.

I didn't feel particularly well after I got home and went straight to bed after dinner. This is not like me but I really did feel that bed was the best place to be.

Today

What a miserable day, I don't think it stopped raining for a minute and the wind was wild. I spent a nice afternoon with friends Izzy, Sandra and Val. Sandra spoiled us by bringing her usual packet of white chocolate biscuits from Marks & Spencer - YUMMY! We were all busy crafting with Sandra making cards, Val doing an Advent Calendar and Izzy and I made some more little gifts for Christmas Fairs. I'll post a pic tomorrow when the light is better. My friend Lesley also popped in with some more PTI goodies for me and I can't wait to try them out. Thanks Lesley for bringing them over and also for the mega size bag of marshmallows. I made up twenty two bags for my Snowman Poop this afternoon and there is still loads left.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Stocking Stuffers

Yesterday I made a pile of little bags filled with mini candy canes as stocking stuffers for our Church Christmas Fair this coming Saturday. I used up some scrap pieces of Doodlebug Christmas paper and adhered them to the top of each bag to make it a bit more festive looking. I had already stamped the polythene bags in Blazing Red Staz On with a candy cane stamp that I had lying around. The stamp was from a set that I bought in Lakeland a long time ago and I thought I would never use it LOL. I punched out some 2" red scalloped circles and some 1 1/4" plain circles to sit in the centre of the scalloped circle. I then punched out a little Christmas tree and popped it in the centre. I bought the mini candy canes in Poundland cos you can get a box of 40 for £1 (incredible). No fuss and very quick to do.

I also had a go at designing a new Scor-pal project using fantastic organic chocolate bars from Green & Black YUMMY! Okay confession time - I ate a bar but you must understand it was purely for Quality Control purposes. Yeah right.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Fun with Friends

Yesterday I met some of the girls I used to work with when I was the HR Manager at the Microsoft Contact Centre in Glasgow. We had lunch at Di Maggios in Royal Exchange Square in Glasglow and it was fab. Four hours later we were still chatting and laughing but all too soon it was time to go home to attend to our families I haven't seen many of them for years and it was so good to sit and reminisce about all the fun we had and all the daft things we got up to. I think that is probably the sign of true friendship when you can pick up where you left off so easily.

Today I finished off another little notebook set using one of my favourite My Mind's Eye cardstock. I'll post a photo tomorrow as the light is very poor in the evening.

My niece Lynne popped in today to show us her new dog Tara - she is a real sweetie. She got her from a Rescue Centre in the Borders on Friday and she is very friendly. The lady who had her could no longer cope with a dog when her husband was taken into hospital so poor Tara had to be re-homed.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

PTI Sneak Peeks

Nothing much to report today I'm afraid. I really must get a job cos I was a lot better organised when I was working LOL. The day seems to disappear before I know it.

I had a look at the new PTI sneak peeks and already have my eye on a couple of them and hoping that Santa will bring them to me. I stayed up for the last release but suffered for it later so I don't think I'll manage it this time.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow as I'm having lunch some of the girls who worked with me at Microsoft. It will be great to catch up on all the news and gossip as I haven't seen them for a long time. I'll give you a full update tomorrow.

Fee x

Whoops I Fell Asleep Last Night

Jim arrived home from work at 12.3oam to find me snoring (softly) on the sofa with all the lights in the house on (courtesy of Laura) . I had put her into bed to watch tv at 9.30pm then promptly fell asleep. I'm already yawning tonight so thought I'd better blog before the same thing happens again.

Yesterday Val and I attempted some crafting but didn't make much headway other than consuming a whole apple pie between us (naughty but YUM). I made a couple of notepads using some of my new PTI stamps. I've posted the - Holiday Planner one which is made using Doodlebug papers. I love the alternative Christmas colours which make a change from the traditional red and green.

Laura decided that she wanted to do something at school for Children in Need which is on the 20th November. We spent tonight making and wrapping up a sweetie hamper for a raffle and wrapping up a Pudsey Bear with Sweets for a Guess the Bear's Birthday. I also gave her a couple of large tins of sweets that I bought recently in ASDA. She is doing me a favour taking them to school as it will save me eating them LOL.

Till Tomorrow.

Fee x

I managed to be a bit more organised today and did a hundred and one little jobs that took me all day. I did some ironing, took Laura to School, posted off some parcels, collected Laura's shoes from the Cobblers, went to the Bank, picked up my prescription, loaded the dishwasher, made the beds ....................... and so it went on boring, boring, boring but it had to be done I am waaaay behind on my housework.

Here is another page from the album I'm making for Jim - I hope he doesn't decide one day to read my chattering on here or it won't be a surprise. This is one of the first photographs of Laura taken at the hospital. I can hardly believe how dark her hair was when she was born LOL. I always smile when I see that pink teddy bear. Jim brought it to the hopsital for her, despite being warned within an inch of his life not to buy her anything else as he has already filled her room with cuddly toys of every description LOL.

I hoping to see my BF Val tomorrow to do some crafting - fingers crossed everyone.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Not a Very Productive Day

It's been one of those days when I feel I've achieved absolutely nothing in the house LOL. If I didn't laugh about it I would probably cry. Still tomorrow is another day and I better get cracking with some housework first thing.

I went to Glasgow this afternoon and decided to visit Hobbycraft at The Fort. I was sooo disappointed I couldn't find anything to spend my money on. I ended up with a pack of large eyelets, a pair of Bind It All Covers and some Christmas Food Bags - hardly worth the effort of going. I cannot believe I was in a craft store and didn't find anything I could not live without - that must be a first LOL.

I'm having some notions to start baking again, I find it very therapeutic and I've been looking through some recipes tonight so you never know what might happen watch this space.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

What Did I Do Today???

One layout! Yes - that is all I managed to do today which is absolutely shocking I know. In my defence I spent a few hours cutting out some shapes for a lady who wanted them to decorate a tree for a charity project. By the end of it I was fed up die cutting people, angels wings, circles and musical notes and my mojo was nowhere to be found LOL.

I've used papers and embellishments from the new 'Be Loved' Collection from My Minds Eye. It is so pretty and feminine and suited the photographs of Lauren and Laura doing the washing the way they it used to be done in the past at - The Steamie. When I look at the old glass scrubbing board and mangle I thank goodness for todays labour saving devices.

I phoned Jenny's mum today to find out how she was after last night's accident. Thankfully she seems to be okay but has the beginnings of two lovely black eyes and her nose is still swollen.

Tonight we went to Tony Romas at Braehead for dinner - it was a nice change from cooking so no complaints here.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Fireworks

Jim and I took Laura and her friends Jenny & Sophie to see the Fireworks at Helensburgh Pier. We were having a great time and the girls went on quite a few rides. Jenny and Laura loved the Waltzer and went on it 3 times in succession. Sophie was not too keen after the first ride and she stood with Jim and I watching the fireworks. Oh how I wish we had gone home straight after the fireworks but Jenny & Laura decided to go on the Waltzer one more time and I thought I would join them (reliving my mispent youth LOL). It was fast, fun and we were screaming at the top of our voices. When the ride stopped we pushed back the bar and started to get off when unexpectedly a little girl and her mum tried to get on and pushed the bar back on top of us and it caught Jenny right across the bridge of her nose OUCH and it began to swell then bleed! We took her to the British Red Cross van to get her checked out and they gave us a cold pack and suggested that she gets checked out at A & E. That was the end of our night out and we took poor Jenny back to her Mum and Dad. We hope that she is okay and that her nose isn't cracked or broken but she may have a black eye or two in the morning. Apart from all the drama we did have a good time.

Despite good intentions I didn't get much crafting done today as my mojo seemed to have deserted me completely. However tomorrow is another day and I have a couple of things I would like to do so fingers crossed that my mojo returns.

Fee x

Fee x

Girls Night Out

Laura and I went to see my friend Karen's daughter Abbie (4) in her very first dancing display. As usual the dancers were all fabulous and Abbie and the others in her class were hilarious. One little girl wouln't stand in line with the rest and wandered about the stage touching all the microphones instead of dancing LOL. The rest of them were all trying their best to tap dance, jump and clap at the right time but they were all over the place. Give them a few years and I'm sure they will master it.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to scrapping with some friends. I've got some of the new My Minds Eye Be Loved paper range and I'm desperate to use it so fingers crossed that I can do something with it.

I've been naughty and asked my friend Lesley to order a couple of stamp sets from PTI this month. She has arranged for a friend of hers who is going to the USA to bring them back so that should save the customs and international shipping costs so thank you in advance Lesley for organising this - I can't wait till they get here.

Here is another page from my 8" x 8" album. I hope you like it. The photo was taken at the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife and it was freeeeezing cold and windy. Jim was holding onto Laura in case she blew away LOL. The SMILE stamp was kindly lent to me by my BF Val. She bought a few Heidi Swapp stamps at the SECC last month and I wish I had bought this one too. Hopefully she will continue to let me borrow it sometimes.

Fee x

Good News

Jim took on the role of Chairman of the Healthy Working Lives Committee at work about a year ago and he has been beavering away trying to achieve the Gold Award Standard. Well today he received news that the award has been granted. He is so chuffed and I am sooooo pleased for him - it is quite an achievement and a lot of hard work went into it.

We also managed to do a little bit of Christmas shopping today (well I thought I should do it when he suggested it).

On the crafting front here is another page from the 8" x 8" album I'm doing as part of Jim's Christmas pressie. This photo was taken at Easter this year when we went to Anstruther for the weekend. We stayed at The Craws Nest Hotel and had a fab time just moseying around the East Neuk of Fife. I hope you like the page.

Later taters.

Fee x

Craft Time - YIPPEE

I met my BF Val this afternoon for a little crafting time. As usual we didn't get as much done as we wanted but that is probably due to the gabbing and munching that we do LOL. I did manage to finish the card above and a few other bits and pieces. I used Dream Street papers and the present stamp is from Unity Stamps. I also used a small flower stamp from one of my PTI sets and stamped it over the pink paper just for the fun of it. As usual I twinkled up the image with glamour dust for a bit of sparkle and then used a deep rose Swarovski crystal for the centre of the flower.

Val was kind enough to let me use one of her new Heidi Swapp stamps on a layout I was working on but I'll wait until tomorrow to photograph it cos the light is pretty poor now.

I've just finished cracking the whip and helping Laura to clean her room - well it was the only way it was going to happen and she has been promising to do it for a week. It's all spick and span now but I'm not sure how long it will stay like that LOL.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Posing

I took this picture of Laura and her friend Sophie posing. I had to take about half a dozen photos before they were happy with the result. I was in the middle of making breakfast on Sunday morning when they decided they wanted some photos to put onto their BEBO pages - it's a wonder the breakfast wasn't cremated LOL.

Laura has been a bit under the weather with a bit of a cold and I had trouble getting her out of bed to go to school this morning. However, I did manage it eventually but had to run her to school or she would have been late.

I've been busy around the house today and haven't done any crafting for a couple of days but hope to meet up with my BF Val tomorrow to make a start on some Christmas gifts so watch this space.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

I Survived ..............

the sleepover. Jim and I gave in and went to bed at 1am and the girls were in bed but still chattering away. I think they finally fell asleep around 2am which was better than last time. When they got up this morning they helped me make breakfast and we all enjoyed scrambled eggs and fried potato scones YUMMY!

In the afternoon we sat down to make some cards and ended up completely covered in glitter. So much so I had to wipe the tablecovers several times and clean the skirting boards when we were finished LOL.

I just watched the X-Factor and still can't believe those 2 boys are still in the show. It's not even funny any more they are just rubbish. I was sorry to see Rachel go tonight as she has fought so hard to stay in and had been in the sing off stage several times which I'm sure is extremely nerve racking.

Here is my latest scrapbook layout - I hope you like it. The photos are 5 years old and were taken in our back garden at Laura's 7th Birthday party. Yeah I know they were well overdue to be scrapped LOL.

Will catch you tomorrow.

Fee x

Happy Halloween

L - R Jan, Rebecca, Sophie, Laura & Lynne

Well I've had a busy night keeping an eye on Laura and her friends Sophie and Rebecca while they were out trick or treating. We also called in to see my nieces (Lynne 21 & Jan 26) who were having a Halloween Party before going out to a nightclub. Their costumes all looked fantastic and the girls were all dressed as tigers with poems on the back that included their names e.g Alkie Ashleigh, Snakehips Steph etc and they were looking forward to having fun. A couple of the guys were dressed as the Supermario Brothers Mario and Luigi and another was one of the puppets from Thunderbirds - their costumes were fab.

The girls had a whale of a time and carted home lots of loot. Sophie is staying over tonight and they have been up and downstairs umpteen times for juice, crisps, sweets, etc. Let's hope they go to sleep before 4am this time and more importantly that they are not sick LOL.

Till tomorrow - happy haunting.

Fee x

Sad Day - Many Happy Memories

Today was the 10th Anniversary of the death of my stepfather. I phoned my mum to arrange to take her up to the cemetery because she doesn't really like going up there alone and I thought she would welcome some company today. We headed up around 2pm and you would not believe the wind and the rain. The cemetery is high up on the hill above Alexandria and it is very exposed so we didn't wait around very long. I had bought some flowers in nice autumn shades and Laura wrote a message on the card to her Papa (which had me blinking back the tears). We have lots of happy memories and often talk about him when we are together which I think is nice.

On a happier note Jim and I went to a Race Night tonight and had a really good time. It was organised by the School Parent Council and we enjoyed betting on the races and shouting encouragement to our horses. I phoned home a few times to ask Laura to choose a horse so that she didn't feel left out. She was lucky enough to win in the very first race. We had just gone along ourselves and a group of people kindly asked us to join their table and they were so nice and welcoming it made a very pleasant evening.

I'd better get to bed now before I turn into a pumpkin LOL.

Till later.

Fee x

Relaxation Time

I treated myself to a massage at my local beauty salon today. It was fab and just exactly what I needed to help restore my equilibrium (oooh good word for this time on a Thursday evening eh?)

I then had to pick Laura up from school and whizz over to Braehead to buy her a new pair or trainers as she has managed to detach the sole from one of hers. She then went off to the Youth Club for a couple of hours and I just sat and chilled - fantastic. I really could do with a couple of days like this but I have no chance.

As the weather was so horrible today I couldn't get the washing dried so I eventually put it over the radiators indoors. At least I didn't have to do the ironing but it only puts off the evil day LOL.

More tomorrow.

Fee x

I Hate Ironing

..... but it has got to be done I suppose LOL. Today I tackled a monster pile of ironing which I had foolishly let pile up - never again I promise. No sooner than I had it cleared I put on two loads of washing so no prizes for guessing what I will need to do again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to squeeze in some time to do a little crafting tomorrow (fingers crossed).

I watched a programme on the life of Jackie Onassis tonight - it was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been quite a while since I've been able to sit for a couple of hours and watch tv but tonight I managed to do just that - hooray!

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Madness!

Tuesday evenings are always busy in our house nowadays. Laura has netball practice straight after school, we then head out to Dominos for takeaway pizza, home to eat it, then she is off to help at the local Rainbow Group, back home again to do gazillions of homework, shower, hair washing and drying and eventually ...................... bed. Whew I'm exhausted just writing all that LOL. Tonight I had some time to myself and popped along to a jewellery party. I didn't buy any jewellery but my Mum bought me a beautiful turquoise pashmina and I bought a lovely beaded evening bag. All I need to do now is to find somewhere to go to show it off LOL.

I have uploaded another layout that I did recently. The photo is 4 years old and was taken during a trip to the Glasgow Science Centre it was waaaay overdue to be scrapped. The paper is from the Ooh La La range by My Minds Eye - I hope you like it.

Till later.

Fee x