Sorry!

Well being back home means that life doens't stop for anything again....i have loads of projects on the go....last night i was supposed to finish my paperbag book from Kirsty Wisemans class, however i popped onto the internet for some specific inks and then came back off at 1.30am having spent a fortune between four different shops......i really shouldn't be allowed to have a credit card you know!

I'm really enjoying myself over at Papercraft Junkies...the other girls on the DT and the members there have been very welcoming to me, hope they'll still feel that way after i've set the challenge in a fortnight! So come on over and register on the forum....i'm even going to try my hand at ATC's for the first time!

Loads to do today so scrapping has to take a backseat, although i do have to finally unpack and sort through my stash after scrapcamp so that i can get ready for Saturdays crop in Plymouth. It's going to be a busy week to be honest...I have to go up to Exeter and pick Pete up tonight as he's home for a few days. I think he may even have to work two of them which i'm not too chuffed about but hey ho....at least i'll see him in the evenings. I've also found out that i have 300 print credits with photobox that have to be used up by the end of the week.....not a problem as i have loads of photos to print but it's the time it takes to edit each one and upload it first....i've uploaded 50 this morning and i've been at it since 9.30am!

so before i go off to do a load of housework and check the forums i'll upload todays prompt for HSMS.

Just an excuse to see Petes bulging calf muscles to be honest!

I'm a DT member!

So now the news that i've wanted to share (but wanted to wait until it was official!). I've been offered my first permenant DT place over at Papercraft Junkies. I'm so excited and I'm working with some great people over there so why not pop over and take a look. The forum is full of inspirational ideas covering not only scrapbooking but cardmaking, ATC's and altered art.

You'll find downloadable projects, tutorials and a weekly themed challenge where the winner recieves a whopping 15% off purchases made at Crafty Carrot. It would be fantastic to see some more familiar faces over there for moral support and especially as i'll be setting the challenge in just under two weeks time. I'm so excited and grateful fo the opportunity. Thank you Tracey and to all the girls over at Papercraft Junkies i hope we can have a great time licking and sticking (as my daughters call it!).

I was up until 4.30 this morning trying to finish projects from this weekends classes at Scrapcamp. Unfortunately i have only managed to completely finish two projects whilst i was there and another two this morning which still leaves me with an album to finish from the Maria Grace Abuzman class and a mini paperbag book class that i took with Kirsty Wiseman. Hopefully i'll finish the kirsty class this evening and concentrate on the big album using the bind it all tomorrow as in my current state of tiredness i'm likely to try and bind my hand!

Well today i'm showcasing what i did in the two classes by Cleo Jarvis. The layout is using the Bazzill stitchez cardstock which to be honest i hadn't seen until the class (finger on the pulse obviously!) Well anyone who knows me will testify how much i HATE stitching so this was right up my street LOL. But i battled through and i'm really pleased with it and even a complete nohoper with stitching could follow Cleos instructions.

I love the little corrugated card pocket in which i've added a journalling block. But my favourite i think are these cute felt buttons which we made and stitched on, for me this was a severe test of patience...(and loss of blood...must invest in a thimble) but i'm really pleased with the result.

The papers were all from the Cherry Arte range with the co-ordinating rub ons which i've got to say....love cherry arte designs but HATE HATE HATE their rub ons! They were so not easy to use.

The other class which i did of Cleo's was the Home Decor class. I really couldn't wait to do this one from the moment i heard about it as it was sponsored by Page Designs and only last month i'd bought an acrylic album which i've started but haven't finished and i was hoping this would get my mojo going on it. I was right. What a stunning acrylic wall hanging Cleo produced using her now infamous style of 'cheeseholing' (sticking holes in EVERYTHING) and lots of doodling. Neither of these techniques are things i have done before other than the odd bit of doodling but they'll definately be techniques i apply again.

Please believe me when i say the photo doesn't really do this justice. But with the abysmal weather here today the light is awful and the colours look really washed out but they're not in real life. I can't wait to show Pete this when he comes home tomorrow night. We used Sakura Glaze pens for the doodling and they were fantastic. I'd used the moonlight ones before and the soufle and loved them but now me thinks i will have to invest in some of these aswell for my album. And who can resist a bit of bling on a layout....not me!

So i'm going to be having an earlyish night tonight.....well, early for me anyway! Once Freya is home from school it'll be dinner, homework, bath and bed for them. Paperbag book for me, large mug of hot chocolate (yup the diet has truly gone out of the window after all that hotel fayre this weekend) and some early zzzzz's.

So now i'm finally caught up i've been able to get back to playing on HSMS. The prompt today was crockery and to be honest that was a side issue to what lay ON the crockery in my case. We don't have fancy plates and cups....just run of the mill, don't panic when they smash crockery but on this basic crockery are two gorgeous cupcakes which i bought at waitrose last night. Unfortunately they didn't have any of the ones i really wanted (which have little lollies sticking out the top!) so i had to settle for these which now that i'm writing and uploading this blog....ummmmm....no longer exist!

Lastly, just before i went away i was tagged by etteY so here is my lil shout.

Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).

4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs

My 7 facts about myself are

1. I represented England in the 1990 European Baton Twirling Championship

2. I'm scared of the leaves you find around pampas grass

3. I draw the scariest looking teletubbies that you could ever imagine

4. I love the sea but i'm scared to go in it

5. I spray my hubbys aftershave on the pillow when he's working away

6. I love playing with the Playmobil as much as my girls do (especially the zoo)

7. I once almost haemorraged (sp?) after trying to scrape the scabs off the back of my throat after having my tonsils removed.

So there you go...random AND weird! And in return i'm going to tag........

Sarah Cleo Lesley Debby Helen Amanda and last but not least Anna

Very Excited!

Oh i just can't wait for Saturday...maybe even Friday. We're having our first all day crop in Plymouth this saturday and my fave two scrapping buddies will be there. The ever talented Sarah and my scrapping muse Tracie. I get to see Sarah quite often as we don't live far apart but i don't get to see Tracie as often as i'd like to. We do talk on the phone and i've found some lovely products through her, some great advice and the occasional pep talk. She really is so genuine and kind hearted and it's going to be such fun...especially if she travels down on Friday evening so that we can sink a few sherbets first!

I do have a bit more news to share with you but will wait until tomorrow when i upload my finished projects from Scrapcamp.......going off to finish them now....wish me luck, i'll probably still be going at around 2am!

Oh what a busy week this is going to be! So much to do and so little time to do it in! I have the OU course to catch up on which is about 20 hours of work this week alone, my projects to finish, some other bits i have to do too, Pete to pick up from the airport, an all day crop in Plymouth on Saturday too.

Fingers crossed Tracie Hudson is coming down on Friday night and is staying for the crop this weekend. The only drawback of Scrapcamp was missing Tracies crop on Saturday and i do love spending time with such a talented scrapbooker, the inspiration just oozes out of her! Sarah did a class at the crop too and i would've loved to have been there to support her but hopefully i'll make the next one. Plus Fi aka Scrappybunny on UKS has restarted the crops near Exeter and there is one going on in Truro too so I certainly have a pick of crops....now to hope that they don't all fall on the same weekends!

So i thought i'd add some more photos from the weekend. As i said yesterday i met up with some people that i've been chatting to online for a while. Both Chloe (pictured left) and Lis (below) were on the same newbie CJ as myself on UKS. It was so great to meet them in the flesh. Chloe is such a great girl, completely not the shy girl she insists she is (and the fashion show was evidence of that)! She's such a bright young woman and you can tell that she has the world at her feet (which of course will be in a pair of sparkly shoes at the time!).

Lis was so like me it was untrue, i think we have the same kind of humour and this is one person i hope to know for a very long time and meet again very soon....maybe on one of those big cat excursions eh? I love her work and her photographs are amazing, she could really teach me a lot with a few hours and a camera!

Racheal (below), i'd spoken to on the ScrapStudio forum and she's done some lovely work. She was so nice and was up for anything, including being our teams model for the fashion show on games night. I'm hoping more people will come forward with some more photos as i was rather lax with my clicking this weekend.

I also want to say a big Hi to Denise (yes i know it's not Diane!) aka Pinkbaglady on Scrapstudio....i know she was really nervous at first but it was so nice to hear that you had such a good time and i really hope i meet all of you again at another event soon.

So this morning is going to be spent tidying and housework stuff (boo) so that hopefully after the manic monday sessions of choir practice, music lessons, food, bath and bed routine i'll be in a position to finish all my projects tonight and have some goodies to share with you. The HSMS prompt today is Autumn and unfortunately there's very little evidence of it in my street today and i doubt i'll be venturing out much other than the ferrying the kids round which usually involves lots of whinging but i'll take my camera just incase and see if i can find something later in the day. X

What a weekend!

Well guys i'm back and i've had a fantastic weekend. Scrapcamp was great fun and i had an absolute blast. I met so many people that i've spoke to online, people who's work i'd admired, people i didn't know that were soooo friendly, did some great classes with some fantastic teachers, had an absolute ball, some great food, chats and even a couple of lie-ins! My only regret is not taking enough photographs. I've come home with fond memories, some great new friends, bags of new stash, some great projects to finish and a head buzzing full of new ideas and techniques to try. I just can't wait.

Mandy from ScrapStudio certainly had her work cut out for her what with a last minute venue change and a wedding to cater around but she most certainly pulled it off. As my first retreat it's made me hungry for more and although it was announced that this would be the last one, i'm not alone in hoping that she'll change her mind! If anyone who went reads this blog and has any photos to share of the event, i would be greatful for some more snaps so do email me at terriefarrell@hotmail.com and I'll give you the addy of a mailbox you can email them to. For all those that kindly swapped their 4x4 personal cards with me, even though i didn't have anything to give in return, i'm working on those this week and will hopefully send everyone something back the end of the week.

A BIG BIG thank you to Debby.....this lady is on the same UKS team as me and i was so excited to hear that she'd be there and that we'd finally meet in the flesh. She knew i'd had a rough few months and when i saw her on Friday she gave me a gift bag. She told me that it contained all i'd need to pamper myself for the weekend...a little miss giggle bubble bath, a little bottle of rose and some chocs. I was blown away at the thoughfulness and could have hugged her and not let go.

I did two classes with Maria Grace Abuzman who came over from the US. She designs for Fontworks and Two Peas. One was a layout class on Friday and i also did an album class today using the bind it all. Time seemed to not be on our side though and although i've finished the layout (something VERY different to what i normally do...stitching for a start!) I'm yet to finish the album which i'm hoping to do tomorrow. It's a lot of personal journalling so i want to make sure i get it right.......She did a lot of masking with these fantastic Heidi Swapp masks and some ranger spritz inks which i just have to get my hands on now as they were wonderful, if not just a tad messy!

This is a photo i took of the cover of Marias, with so much painting, stamping, glittering and spritzing i was such a colourful mess by the end of the class.. just in time for going home!

I had the honour of then taking a class by the legend that is Jane Dean....not only is she wonderfully talented, she is also the best teacher i've ever come across. Jane was really encouraging, made sure she went round the whole group and was soooo organised. But on top of that she is one of the funniest women i have ever met. She has such a dry sense of humour and her anecdotes at the 'party' last night had me in stitches. I just imagine that she lives in a house with so much fun and laughter.

I also did one of Kirsty Wisemans classes which was an ickle paper bag book. This is another that im yet to finish but it's going to make a lovely record of some of the photos i took at Butlins. She also kindly took some time out to explain a bit to me about the lenses with my camera and tell me which ones i should be using for what which was very much appreciated......well you have to grab to opportunities to grill when you can!

The last classes i took were from Cleo Evans......her stuff is amazing as anyone who gets the Scrap STudio kits will testify! She's a lovely woman with a great sense of humour and some great ideas and techniques........anyone for cheeseholing????!!!

I have to say that her Home Decor class was my favourite all weekend. I'd been looking forward to this class as it used an acrylic sheet and i'd been hoping to get ideas for using my acrylic album that i bought from Craft Obsessions last month. I did finish this project but the light is too pants to be able to share it with you now so i will show you tomorrow.

I also did a layout class with Cleo using the new Bazzill stitch cardstock, something i would never have thought of using ever but it's a great layout that WILL get completed tomorrow so hopefully i'll have lots to share with you over the coming days aswell as getting back to my MY SPACE: HER SPACE prompts.

It was great to meet some of my online friends too including Racheal, Chloe and Lis but i'll share those pics with you tomorrow as its' getting late now and i've got some exciting news that i'm also going to share with you tomorrow........keep looking! X

Toot Toot!

Just thought i'd share a little good news.....i'm in the final 30 for the scrapper of the year competition on the Docrafts website. Although i don't think i'll win i'd urge people to go over and vote...all the layouts are anonymous anyway but you can vote in the competition here, i'm in the Scrapbooking section. Thanks everyone. X

Up to my eyes....

Hi to anyone that reads this...i just wanted to leave a little message as i won't be around much in the next week. I am so far behind with prep for Scrap camp, an OU course which has FAR more reading that i thought it was going to have and trying to look after the house and kids with Pete not being home. Therefore i have to make compromises which this week means very little blogging if any. Hopefully normal service will resume shortly...or else i'll go mad and end up in an institution by the end of next week!

So Tired

Well i was supposed to go stash shopping with Sarah this morning but as i looked like hell when i woke up i decided it wouldn't be for the best...dropped the girls off at nursery and then came home and crashed so not much to update you with, now i have to avoid the temptation of being up til 3 or 4 in the morning.

So here's my quick take on todays prompt before i go and get the girls from nursery. Cushion. I love these cushions they're battered and old but i still love the colours and won't get rid of them.

Just when you think...

...all the sickness is over i woke at 4am to find Freya clinging to the Porcelain God and crying her eyes out. Seems like she also had the lurgy although i think it may also be due to a massive nosebleed she seems to have had during the night. She wasn't ACTUALLY sick although the bathroom was WWAYYYY off limits for at least half an hour after her visit this morning and all now seems to have calmed down so I kicked her butt into school. She doesn't get ill that often and as she seemed not too bad i thought i'd rather have her sent home than keep her home.

She did have some good news yesterday when she came home. She got through her audition for the Drama Club, although she was more concerned that bessie mate Shannon didn't....she does think so much of others and it's a lovely quality to have. So rehearsals start on Friday.

I'm getting so excited about ScrapCamp now which is only just over a week away...not prepared in the slightest so i'm going to aim to have everything ready by the end of the weekend even though i STILL haven't looked at the OU stuff.

So i'm not going to be lurking on the net today.....done my HSMS prompt, going to catch up on one Forum and then it's OU here I come!

JUGS

Well they're certainly something i wish i had more of and we're not talking ceramic or glass here either. I never worked out how my sister ended up with Dolly Parton wangers and i ended up with pimples! It just seemed so unfair.

After puberty it wasn't an issue, i was happy with my body and as an ex dancer it was common to be small up top, plus i got to wear little vest tops and things and never had to worry about bras.

Unfortunately after three hungry breastfeeding little blighters my jugs have now been renamed my dairlylea triangles.....

I've never thought about cosmetic surgery before but now i definately would....i don't even want them bigger...just somewhere around my chest would be nice!

So heres my OTHER jug today. This is a lovely ceramic jug which came as a mulled wine set that Pete got me last Xmas from Waitrose......i only ever made one batch last xmas and kept the leftovers cos it looked pretty...well for a while...then it got used to host my ever expanding stash of Tesco's vouchers....but with the cinnamon sticks in there i have the nicest smelling vouchers in the world!

Was aiming for a night of scrapping today but i've been told there's a lot of stuff to do on the OU Photography course which i haven't even managed to glimpse at yet so i'm going to do that today now instead and then fingers crossed start my pre scrap camp stuff before the weekend or else i'm going to be up against it timewise. When god built human beings why didn't he just make us able to resist sleep completely........mind you, then i wouldn't get sweet pictures like this

This is Natasha worn out after a hard day at Butlins last week.

She certainly is a girl who loves her comforts, one pacifier, one bottle of milk and that purple thing you see behind her head is her 'silky'. Actually it's a pair of my old pyjama bottoms that were commendered by Emily to get her to sleep when she was a baby.

We used the excuse that Natasha would need it when she was born just to stop Emily using it....however now Natasha won't stop using it either. Woah betide we go anywhere and leave silky behind!