laughter...

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
e e cummings

The most completely lost of all days is that on which one has not laughed.

A good laugh is sunshine in a house. (anon)

We have to laugh. Because laughter, we already know, is the first evidence of freedom. 'Rosario Castellanos'

Had such a funny few moments. In my mind was all the jobs I needed to do and Ewan and Lucia had taken the cushions off the sofa AGAIN and I thought why do I not ever join them in their little game. So that is what I did. We had so much fun giggling and tickling, and laughing. And it reminded me how much children love to laugh and need us to join in....

and adults we are allowed to laugh too even if there are no children around!

look at life...

from a different perspective.

I have been trying to vary the angles and perspectives when I take my photos. sometimes it works well other times not but when I look at things from a different angle I see things in a new way. The misty picture was taken very early in the morning (not usually up then!!) and I actually drove back home to get my camera bc I wanted to take this picture.

Anyway it got me thinking so often we see our life from one angle especially if it involves a problem of some sort and we just cannot see past the obstacle. Why not try looking at it from a different angle? Make a tiny change and it could make a mountain look like a molehill

John Lubbock
What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.

I like these verses from Psalm 62 :5-8 reminding me that God wants me to see things from his perspective.

5Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

lovely stash...

Here it is....
First two paper ranges from College Press *Fresh* (blue) and *Citrus* (pink). Each one is double sided and costs 60p per sheet. The chipboard letters co-ordinate and are lovely, thick chipboard and cost only £3.50.
I am making up some page packs from these papers along with the new bazzill bling cardstock...just keep looking as they are limited in stock! (I am still working on the price...but it will be very good value)

Lovely chunky rickrack to add extra texture to your page.....sold 75p per metre or at crops 8p per 10cm

Lovely gingham ...45p per m or 5p per 10cm

Itty bitty blossoms I have divided the larger container so each container has 5 flowers of each colour making a total of 40 flowers for £2.80 (bargain)

Bitty blossoms (slightly larger) I have mixed packs of these colour. Each pack has three complimentary colours and a total of 15 flowers (5 of each colour) cost

The gorgeous bazzill bling flowers match certain bazzill bling cardstock and were so lovely that I have put them into two packs so you can have more colours! These are the two packs. Each one has 2 flowers of each colour so a total of 6 flowers. Each pack costs £1.50. (if you would like a pack of all one colour please e-mail me and I will put it on the next order a pack of 10 of the same colour costs £2.35. there are some colours I have not got in this order.)

Bazzill Bling Cardstock...this has a lovely luscious sheen to it. The colours are pure luxury. I will be selling it in packs and also individually. Each sheet is slightly more than plain cardstock at 55p but it will definitely add glamour to any layout!

Each set of colours I will also sell as a pack. Each pack will include two of each colour, so a total of 8 pieces of cardstock. Each pack will cost £4.20 (cost per sheet is less in the pack) I only have one pack per colour at the moment but if you want some please e-mail me and I can get some more in in time for the next crop (odiham)

There are a few things I have not got photos for...packs of gems in pink, blue, green £1.50 (44 gems), and crystal £1.90 . Chipboard letters Bazzill Margarita white £4.90.

Just a note: if you do request something for me to order you are committing yourself to buying it. I will take payment at crops for pre-orders or you can sent me a cheque. If you want me to post it I am quite happy to do this but I will need to charge for P&P.

will post properly..

I know I have not posted for nearly a week. I was so busy getting ready for the crop last week and then doing the crop...and recovering from the crop!!!
It was really chilled out though and I had so much fun. I was going to do some challenges things but in the end it was purely and simply scrapping. In between the jobs I had to do I managed to do 9 LO's on the friday and Saturday. I will try to post up some!

Today I got some new goodies in..the gorgeous Bazzill Bling paper in all colours, some Bazzill Bling blossoms, itty blossoms , itty bitty blossoms, gems, new patterned paper, some giant rickrack, chipboard letters...will try to post soon some pictures of it. If you see anything you like please e-mail me and let me know if you want it. I will be making a Jenni Bowlin order soon so if you missed out first time then e-mail me what you wanted.

back soon

new forest...

Colin and I went away overnight to the New Forest. What a lovely, peaceful time we had! We stayed at Alderholt Mill.....absolutely gorgeous setting, really friendly people and beautiful tranquil garden. We just sat and chilled out!

In the evening we went to the Royal Oak in Gorley which was perfect. I wanted to go somewhere quiet and in the middle of the New Forest and this one, when we arrived fitted the bill. It was in a lovely setting, friendly helpful staff, and absolutely gorgeous food. I was lovely to sit through a whole meal without getting up or being interupted!!!!

oops!!

downer..washing machine which was on its way out finally stopped working with a dramatic spin and nasty burning smell!! (at least it was at the end of the wash...how considerate!) New washing machine is not coming until tuesday so it was down to the laundrette this morning.

I managed to stuff my entire wash into two machines.....just!! 40 mins later it was done -wish my normal washing was that quick!

Normally I wouldn't bother but Colin and I are going away Monday and Tuesday, so I need to make sure there is enough clothes for the children while my parents are looking after them!

Came up with a funny game...I put the dirty sheets in the bath with water and soap and the children had a fantastic game running, jumping and squashing the sheets...it kept them busy for ages and now I have clean sheets and duvet cover!!!

Got two things in the post...my CK magazine....fab and a parcel with some Elsie, Cosmo Cricket and Crate paper...yum! Only problem I have to tidy up and I just want to go and play!!!

summer clear out..

well I have been sorting the house and managed to tidy the kitchen...its the children's rooms next. Lots of toys to sort. Anyway I thought I would have a summer change on my blog. Fancied a bit of a light, bright airy feel...what do you think?

Also I have been trying to work out how to do a banner (picture at top) but couldn't work it out...anyway had a little play and yey! have done it! So pleased.... I want to do some of my own art on it but I thought I would start with the daisies!

Have a good weekend! :)

got that summer feeling...

1. & 2. Daisies in my garden

3. New spotty flip flops

4. Recoved my chair today

5. Love this jug and plate.

*inspired by this*

Was feeling a little fed up yesterday until I read this and it made me smile!! Which would you do?

Party....

When the children arrive I had decorated the hall and we had music from Pirates of the Caribbean playing. Each child was given a pirate name and put on a "boat".

They all had a map to plot the route on and a mini flag to make.

I sent them on a treasure hunt all around the grounds. At each point they found a part of the pirate costume and at the end they found the treasure in a black wooden chest that I have. the only thing I forgot to do was give them their loot bags!! So I hid them at the end near the treasure.

After that we played some games. One was sea legs which is a relay race where you have to run round with your head on a stick and then run to the end. By the time you have run around the stick you feel very dizzy!

Then we did another relay where you had to walk along a wooden plank on the ground and throw a water balloon to the next person....quite nice as it was so hot.

by the next game it was getting too hot and the "crews"were getting mutinous so we did our last activity....

Each team was given cardboard boxes and masking tape and asked to make a boat they could sit in. This was such fun and then they had their tea in the boats. For the food I had give out cards with the invitations with food choices on. Each child then got a named bag with their food in it...also rubbish all went in the bag so their was not much mess to tidy up.

Jamie's cake was a boat....

Party bag was the loot bag and contents.

It was fun and I definitely could not have done it with out the help of friends and family...so thank you so much to all who helped I could not have done it without you.

such fun...

party went really well and I was all prepared to sit down and do a nice blog about it but i am going to make you wait one more day bc....

at 10 to 3 today MY CRICUT ARRIVED!!!! (what cruel timing though as I have had not one minute to play)

So if you don't mind I will blog party tomorrow but now the kids are finally in bed...I just want to have a play!!!! See you tomorrow!

Just look at this....

My sister -in -law Di is going to abseil down this tower on the 1st of July!!!!!! I can tell you this now I could never do this as I am so so scared of heights ( I have abseiled once and I was ok once I started but the first bit freaked me out)

She is doing it to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and I am so immensely proud of her that I was wondering if you could help us to get her to the target she has put or beyond. I think it needs a big response from all of us. Just click on here to find out more.

Thank you ....we need to do all we can to help people who are terminally ill with cancer to have the best treatment and care they can get.

I've been....

sewing....sewing...sewing...and more sewing!! Getting ready for Jamies party and I found this most awsome fabric!! Girly pink skull and crossbone. I just had to have it for all my girl pirates!!! But that means sewing 32 bandanas, 32 sashes and 32 loot bags and 32 eye patches.....yes, I know what was I thinking! But hey I think its going to be the best party ever! (bias of course)

also my box of pirate goodies came today full of gold coins, necklaces and rings... and a HUGE pirate flag...such fun!!! I think I am enjoying this more than Jamie!!

I am still waiting for the music to arrive. I ordered a CD of Disney Pirate songs and the sound track to the Black Pearl...hope they get here soon!!!

So this week I will do very short blogs!

What a day!!!!

Well we were a little late leaving so we didn't get there until 11:30, so some of the rides were quite busy. We went straight to the log flume ride and got wet!!! Then we queued up for the *Cobra* a big roller coaster.....so I strapped my camera on tight and took some photos on the way round!!! Fab ride so fast and high!!

Phoebe *loves* her aunty Bekah and spent the whole day at her side!! Bekah is so good with her.

I was having camera trouble again and didn't realise that the camera I was using only had a small card on it...doh!!!! I was not able to get many pictures especially of Colin and my mum and dad...(mum took some and so did dad so hopefully between us we will have some of everyone!!)

I love this one of Colin on the *log flume ride* Phoebe loved this ride and went on it a few times.

Memories of the day......

* Sitting with Ewan on the Stinger roller coaster and watching his little face beam when we got to the top...much to my surprise he LOVED it

*Persuading Jamie all the way up the Wave Runner (which was scarily high off the ground and had holes in the steps) that he would enjoy it when he got there....it took LOTS of pep talk...he loved it

* Lucia trying to work out how to get into the pond area which had a gate on it....no, lock won't open...well wait for someone to come out...hey I'm in!!!!

* Being out all together as a family

*Phoebe going on every big ride without any fear and doing the most amazing screams!!!

*Racing against Colin on the go-karts (I was the passenger and dad was driving) and overtaking him and Phoebe

*At the end of the day when all the rides had finished...just watching the children play on the sand paly park in the late afternoon sun.

* Walking through the Japanese garden at the end of the day and seeing the iris and lilly in the pond

* Ending the day at McDonalds to Jamie's delight!!!

* Winding down on the sofa after the children had crashed and watching Big Brother with Colin.

Hope you all had a good day!!