My Mojo.............Is coming back!!

Ok so since Christmas I have been suffering from a bit of a block, my motivation has done a runner and my mojo has yoyo'd off to somewhere I cant reach, but there is hope and a light at the end of this tunnel.

Last night I decided that I was going to sort through the photos I got back from Snapfish, Photobox, MyPixmania and Klick and in there I found some photos from New Year, and had the urge to scrap them, so for some reason motivation was running through my veins and Mr Mojo kicked me up the bum and off I went, now I know I only done 2 LO's but they are 2 im pleased with and considering since I converted my spare room I havent picked up so much as a roll of d/s tape, so creating 2 LOs was quite and achievement.....so hey maybe Funky Feb is going to be good for me!!

Also I suppose im really also excited that I have managed to get my grubby mitts on a GoGo kit, and im at bursting point I just cant wait to have it on my doorstep, and im sure motivation will be streaking through my house at a rate of knotts LOL.

Oh yes I forgot, I subscribed to Scrapbook Inspirations too, and I received my free gift which was a 8x8 album by S.E.I its an ablum in a box with all the papers and embellies, so had a field time going through that tonight too.

Now all's I need to do now is get some more stuff for my 2 large projects then I will be on here moaning I dont have enough time!! hey I never said I was easy to please LOL.

Oh by the way I want to say a BIG HUGE thank you to a true friend Sarah (aka BeesBabe) bless her she has paid for my kit this month as my money wasnt going to clear in enough time!! thank you hunni, I really appreciate your kindness on that one. :-))

Anyway here are my 2 creations:-

Picture seems so far away, must look into making it bigger for this purpose, by anyway its Roger looking very drunk on New Year 06 we had a fab time at an Italian Resturant in Fleet, there was about 12 of us and it was truly a blast!!

This one is of Charlotte a good friend bless her, miss quiet before a tipple and then after a few the biggest party animal you see, always up for 'Opps up Side yer head' LOL

Changes!

Ok so SJ's prompt today is:-

"What changes do you plan to make in your life in the coming months. Do you like or loath change?"

So changes in my life over the next few months, there are a few things that I have on my mind, firstly is to find my dam mojo!! I just cant find my motivation anywhere, I have hunted high and low, under the bed under the floor boards, kinda looked in the loft (scared of heights LOL) but seriously since christmas its just gone, vamouse!! so thats the first thing im trying to accomplish.

But as for change, work!! that is my real motivation killer, I have never felt so un-motivated, un-settled, and insecure in my working life, there feels like a real blanket of secrecy at the moment, so this week im going to book a couple of days off over the next few weeks and go visit the agencies and see what they say. Its a pain as we really wanted to start a family this year, but most companies require a years service before they give you any type of maternity, so again its something that Roger and I have to weigh up before I get too far ahead!

Secondly, weight, our mate!! yes like many I have a few pounds (stones more like) that need to be vanquished, we are currently doing the Paul McKenna think yourself thin, and im incorporating my own twist 'Scrap yourself thin' you see when I scrap I forget to drink, eat, go to the loo, so I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate that little twist LOL. But seriously, my clothes are a little looser on me recently, so not banning what you eat has a logical side to it.

Thirdly, Exercise............................ Cant really talk anymore on that subject LOL

But most of all, I want to scrap more, I spent some time not so long ago finding some wonderful photos of me, Roger, my family our friends and they really do deserve to be turned into something just perfect, I have recently brought a load of canvases too, some 4x4, 6x6 8x8 and a few long ones (dont know the sizes) and I have some perfect ideas so really I need to go back to point one, and demand my mojo to return so I can crack on.

I want to buy more buttons, primas/blooms, Chipboard letters, try different type papers, and learn more about the amazing void of knowledge and suppliers out there, I mean I have only been scrapping for just under a year, and I know I have only just scratched the surface, the more I read and the more LOs I see the more I realise there is so much more out there for me to find and experiment with, its almost scarey to think whats out there LOL.

The things I love and like and will never change, Family, Friends, Scrapping, UKS
The things I hate and loath and will endeavour to change, Weight, Money

Will keep you posted on my ongoing findings

CX

Ouch Ouch

Ok so this post is not crafty, its more pain related and have to share in my incredible pain.

Well I said it wasnt crafty but it kinda started due to crafting LOL, Roger and I had decided that I could convert our spare room into my craft room till we hear the pitta patta of little feet!! and I originally had a dressing table that I didnt use anymore but was quite thin in depth, so Roger had modified it which was fine, but turned out to be bloody heavy!!

So in carrying it upstairs we got to the top of the stairs and put it on one of the steps but forgot to move my foot, and lowered right ontop of my big toe! needless to say the air was blue and close to tears, so once this had all finished I noticed my toe was bruised and had broken the skin.

So hobbling around for a while I noticed it had scabbed over and doing what I do best PICK it has now become very sore and infected, I am off to see my doctor at 4.45 I need something to help get rid of the infection and ease the pain, i've been walking around with flippy floppies on which isnt good in Feb I can tell you!!

So watch this space hopefully she wont cut it off LOL

French Fry Anyone?

Ok so on Kimmy and SJ's blog they had a project called the French Fry box amazing how I seek anything out that sounds familiar in a food consumption way LOL, so in true style I could have used my own stash but oh no cant do that especially when Scrapitude is selling a kit to make it with come on no level headed scrapper would, its a golden rule you buy whats suggested!! (I keep telling myself that!)

So off I went, I ordered, I received, I made and had fun, and here is my first attempt, I feel many many more are in the making, it was easy and fun and potentally fabby pressies.

So get onto Fairies with Tudes blog and join in on the fun!! and you could be making cool projects like this.....

Thanks for looking folks...........xxx

Stash! Organise! Oh Yeah New Craft Room!!

So the lovely SJ set us the task of showing our craft spots, hidden or not, what do we have? are we lucky enough to have a room/studio or a corner!!

Well up until Friday I had a corner in my living room which has been fine for the last 18months, and have never really needed or wanted anything more, until Christmas just gone.

You see, up until June/July last year I was not really into my scrapbooking, I was all about cards, and then I became selfish LOL and wanted to keep the lovely papers and embellies to myself LOL!! I was like sod it im going to look into Scrapping. So packing up for Christmas 2005/2006 was not an issue, packed it away put up the tree and in the new year out it came again!! that was when I only had a few bits....oh how things have changed.

This Christmas it took me a day and a half to pack my stuff away to make way for the tree, and another day or two to figure out right this is daft!! we had not eaten on our table for nearly 8 months and was getting fed up of getting all squashed bent over a tray eating, so we decided that as children are not on the cards for this year I could turn our spare room into my craft room.

So a very long story short, I am now a proud owner of a little craft room, we have literatley just finished so its not perfect just yet, but here are some piccies. But you will have to watch this space for more progress, but needless to say im Chuffted!!

Thanks for looking xxx

Erm... Yeah im Gutted!!

Ok I am gutted, just had an email from Kimmy at Scrapitude to say she is closing the shop.................I am gutted about that. I loved her kits, I love the products, I love her friendliness, I love her promptness!!

Kimmy im gonna miss you, another good sponsor is closing their shop, whilst I can totally understand the reasons I cant help but be sad (and selfish LOL)

But I will for sure be keeping up with her scrapping and creativity on her blog hopefully daily.

So good luck Kimmy I shall miss you and your shop.

Cxxx

Sunday Blog - Happy Times

So SJ set us this prompt for yesterday: --

Grab your camera - take a walk around your home.. and snap some of the little things that make you happy...Even if its just one thing....

I know its Monday but I just did not have the time yesterday to do, but really wanted too, so tonight camera in hand of I went, enjoy............................

Confession Time

So according to Shimelle I have something to confess this year, so watch this space!!!

Tagged Again LOL

Ok so there I am doing my normal routine at night reading a wonderful blog belonging to {ScrappyFairy} and noticed that she has got me again, and as she said it was something different which was nice, cos if there was a question like whats your scraproom look like, I would have blown a gasket due to not having one at present LOL. So anyway here is the tag:-

1. grab the book closest to you
2. open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3. post the text of the following three sentences on your blog
4. name of the author and book
5. tag three people of you own

'Um, I was just going to get a glass of water. Do you want Anything?' 'Water would be perfect! But let me get it,' I said, feeling obliged to play hostess. My knees cracked as I tried to get to my feet.

The book is Divas Las Vegas by Belinda Jones, and someone recommended it and I cant for the love of me remember!!

And I tag the wonderful Beesbabe, Lorna and ChrisR so ladies get tagging

Clairexx

Wedding Album & Anniversary Album

Ok so after a long hard thinking session and a very valuable question asked on UKS, I have now made the decision that the wedding album that I am giving our friends will be in the 8x8 format!!

I was originally planning on doing a 12x12 all my preparation was based on that size, and for some reason I started thinking the other night, that the photographer has presented them with their paid for wedding book which is a 12x12, so why have 2 books the same size with similar photos, so doing them a 8x8 with a different spin on it in my eyes would be a better gift!

I have found the book I want, its a book with silver writing on it now sure the make it might be HOTP maybe!! and for the first page I'm going for this photo:

I'm not writing all the journalling on the pages, I thought it would be wise to attach tags and journalling blocks for them to write their memories and thoughts for each photo. The only journalling im going to do is around the photo, like on this one I might write something like "Is this really happening" or "Cant take my eyes off of you" not sure inspiration will hit at the time I add the photo to the page!

This will be a nice little project for me, as in March I'm doing an anniversary album for my Brother and his wife, they have had some bad anniversaries in the past few years. Something has always ruined it for them things like parents passing away or funerals, so for this year I thought I would try to make them smile and make them an album, and what could be better then 'First Family Holiday to Florida' they flew off in November for 2 weeks with their 2 boys 8 and 12 and the photos they have are phenomenal, and that will be done in a 12x12 format with Disney papers and Album. I will pick up their CD from mum at the weekend so I can go through and sift through them all.

Again a project I'm really looking forward to. Also in a local shop I have found that they are selling all size canvas's for really good prices, so may do a few for their flat, I done this one for their Christmas pressie, I loved the look of faces and eyes LOL they loved it, which meant alot to me, as my brother has never seen anything creative that I have made, so it was like his seal of approval :-

So they are the 2 big projects for the beginning of the year, the wedding album I want to give to them as soon as really as they got married back in August but have been begging the photographer to get a jog on with the photos! but now I have them so I can get the stuff ordered and have some fun. And my brothers anniversary is in May but mum is going over in March so if I can I will get it done by then if not I will send it over.

So watch this space for my LOs lol. Thanks for reading

Cxx

All Set...............

Ok so are we set for a brand new year, I feel the need to brace this one and make it my year, as I have said in previous posts im not really a resolutions type a gal, but I do like to make goals, now in my post few weeks ago, I set some crafting goals for myself, these to me are prompts!! They are things I really want to do, and as I have listed them I will see them and kick my ass in to gear!!

So one of my craft goals was to start our friends wedding scrapbook, and you will be proud!! I printed all the photos off last night and ready to get cracking, now all I need to do is browse the online shops and find a really nice album, papers and embellies!! any ideas would be GREATLY received LOL

I am also looking into doing Yorkgirls journal, but I just dont know where to start, the options i'm reading are endless, 6x6, 8x8, 12x12, journal and a page, or mini book arrgghh never done one not sure what to do, dont know whether I want to journal and do a layout, or just a layout!! as my journal is basically this........................ and then I start to think...........do I really want to do a year on ME?? I look back on my crafting goals and I have so much I want to do, will I have time for everything, maybe I should borrow that time turner from Harry Potter!!

Whilst sitting here deliberating my journal, I am slowly realising my pain, I seem to have acquired shin splints but this time its really strange, as its not just up my shin its all around my ankle and quite frankly it bloody hurts, im thinking hot or cold pack??

So yeah I shall leave you sharing my quandary, if you think I should go for it or just head for the other goals leave a post and let me know. I would love to know ppls thoughts

Right off now for a hot pack I think (its too dam cold for a cold pack)

The Last Prompt of 2006!!

Ok so I am a little late with this one, as I should have done it over the weekend, but the festivities kept me a tad busy LOL!!! So Scrappyfairy gave this as our last prompt of 2006:-

What has made 2006 for you!??! What has made you smile, cry, laugh, reflect and what have you learned?

Well 2006 was a hard year for me and my family, as normal the year always starts of good and in high spirits, but it rapidly went down the Swanee!! first of all my job became permanent (good thing) then within the month I was put on Risk for Redundancy, as this was happening we were having some financial difficulties so again came at the wrong time, and then on top of that my brother was celebrating his 40th in Spain where he lives but as I was at risk of redundancy I was close to cancelling 24hrs before cancelling my boss decides to retract the redundancy and thankfully we managed to get to my brothers birthday (WOOHOO)

Which in turn is a fab thing as it was the last time we as a family were ever going to be together complete!! we had my brothers birthday on 3rd May and my dad passed away on 29th May! 3 days after his 65th birthday (bad) I think the rest of the year has been overshadowed by this loss, it was something that you never expect to happen is it. So from the end of May to the second week of June was very much a blur, so for the what made me cry in 2006 I think for me that tops.

As for the rest of 2006, I have had some highs too, maybe not as high as they could have been but some things this year brought a smile to my face. And one of the highlights for me was joining UKS and becoming a more active member, I joined UKS back in February, but was still heavily into my cards, and by June/July I had decided that I wanted to do more for me, and became more active in the Scrapbooking world, and for me that is a major highlight, I have made so many lovely friends on there its my own little world of lovely ppl!!

I think 2006 has been the hardest year yet for me and my family, we have hit hard times before and we are certainly adverse to a tad of bad luck, but this year was the hardest, and I do struggle sometimes to find the positive from the year, so a round up of the positives from 06 were:

Roger and I are stronger then ever
Meeting lovely friends on UKS
Realising how much I love scrapping
Finding amazing sponsors on UKS

Receiving my first Pizza Box of goodies

Not being made redundant
Being there for my brothers 40th (yet to be scrapped)
Belly laughing at a time in need
The look on my mums face when she realises how much she is loved
Knowing my dad is watching over us

And the sad times, well when I sum it up, the only sad thing from this year is realising I will never hear my dads voice again, or have him give me away at my wedding or hold my first born, but I know he is watching over me!!

As for what I have learned throughout 2006, Memories!! Photos they are so important, and how scrapbooks can really make a difference, having what happened in 2006 with Dad has made me realised how important it is to have those photos and to do something with them.

And more importantly, how family and close friends really are that important!! In the scrapbooking world I have learned that there are no mistakes and paper is fairly strong LOL, glue and paper stick well to cat paws hehe, glitter is impossible to remove from cat fur! and my house is just not big enough for me, roger smokey and my scrapbook habit!!

So when the clocked chimed on New Years night and turned from 06 to 07 I decided for the first time not to say the normal, "lets hope this is a better year" instead I used the expression "Bring it on!!!"

Its Christmas.......................

Well what can I say, its Christmas Eve!!!!

I am late on today, I normally like to get on here earlish on a Sunday, but given what Sunday it is today time has run away with me, I am pleased to say that EVERYTHING was finished yesterday phew!!! everything is done and wrapped.

We popped into Fleet yesterday for a walk around to get a roll of wrapping paper and bits n bobs but nothing too stressful, and today we have finished off the little bits, so all pressies wrapped and eager eyes are looking!! and we dont have children LOL.........

So batteries are on charge, camera is ready!! So whats in store for Christmas Eve, well just a quiet chilled day really, been around Rogers mum and dad's for dinner and a game of deal or no deal, collected our stockings, which I hasten to add seem to rattle so feel there are a few little games in there, you know the ones LOL

And now we are back, time for showers and a cheeky JD and Lemonade and try to get some sleep, ohhh watching santa online at the moment too, I know I know im 31 but I find it amazing I wish that these type of things were around when I was younger.

I was in a shop yesterday and this little girl said to her dad, "Daddy, what do you think we should leave for santa? milk and mince pie?" and I think every dad has said, "no darlin I think Santa would prefer a bottle of beer!!" LOL Roger and I had a chuckle cos we all remember our dads saying the same.

So too all of those little children finding it hard to sleep now, morning will come very soon.

Merry Christmas to you all

and Happy New Year

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Craft Resolutions for 2007

Ok so I never normally do resolutions cos I know im crap!!! but seens as I have already packed up smoking, and I seem to be on an everlasting diet, I thought for 2007 I would turn my determination and will towards craft!!

Last year I said NO to making these silly things and decided to type up a few goals as normally they work, and stragetically placed them in my diary at different times of the year, I can now empty the back secret slip in my diary and safely tick..................bare with me im counting.......Source more income..........erm nope, Complete Bathroom....PMSL nope still have Roger's foot hole in the ceiling, Get into Yoga ROFL a definate nope, Try Pilates (cant cope with the LOL), ooo this is a good one, lose enough weight to get into a size 12 for mates wedding..........(ok got a headache now from LOL)..............ok so we can see that 2006 was not the best year for goals, and we have established goals are not for me LOL.....

So I thought right I will write down my craft resolutions where everyone can see them and watch my (little) progress throughout the year LOL....so here we go:-

1. Start a BOM, im 31 surely there is enough on me to start this project!!
2. Start wedding album for best mate, as I now have the photos
3. Do a memory book of my Dad
4. Start Yorkiegirls 2007 Journal
5. More Canvas' for Family
6. Do an exploding box, I love the look of these, really want to do one
7. Participate in more swaps on UKS
8. Visit Scrapitude and LCC online more often LOL
9. Try something new, ie technique or material every couple of months
10. Find more time to scrap LOL

So ladies you have seen my testimony, and my goals for 2007 on the craft front, and to balance my life here are a few non craft things I would like to do in 2007:-

1. Pay more attention to my friends and family
2. Keep up the dancing,
3. Get used to the fact this is me, I will never be that size 10!! face it LOL
4. Enjoy my life, realised how short it can be!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Laugh, laugh and belly laugh some more, feel free to join in LOL
6. Tell the person you wake up to, how much you love them everyday :-))

Thats it for me today, sounds like a fun filled 2007, and I hope you are all going to join me and nag me should I slack off

Luv ya all
Me xxxx

Tagged!! I'm It....

Ooooooh, I was tagged by SCRAPPYFAIRY , I've never been tagged before!!Its the "abc" of life...
A - Available or taken: Very happy in love with Roger my partner of 5 years
B - Best friend: Lisa and Diane, they know the most LOL
C - Cake or pie: Would have to pick something savory
D - Drink of choice: Pepsi if not in the mood or Jack Daniels if in the mood LOL
E - Essential item you use every day: Glasses
F - Favorite color: hhmm lilac every time in and out of scrapping
G - Gummy bears or worms: Gummy bears out of the choice
H - Hometown: Fleet in Hampshire, but born and bred in South London
I - Indulgence: Crisps (Doritos), crisps (McCoys) and oh maybe some crisps (Sensations)
J - January or February: February I dont normally feel so down in February!!!
L - Live is incomplete without: Laughs with Roger I couldnt bare the belly laughs that he provides and Music
M - Marriage Date: Not engaged yet!
N - Number of siblings: 1 - Older brother
O - Oranges or Apples: Apple - Granny Smiths get those teeth on edge
P - Phobias or Fears: Anything that flies, my back to a door, loosing my hair..
Q - Fave Quote: "you've got more front then Woolworths"
R - Reason to smile: Roger, Smokey, Friends, Family, UKS and life its self
S - Season: Autumn every time, colours, smells anticipation of the end of year, walks
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: JaneH, Beesbabe, ChrisRydel
U - Unknown fact about me: I broke my jaw at 15 and can sometimes dislodge it (yuk i know)
V - Vegetable you don't like: Sprouts every time evil
W - Worst habit: Opening post and leaving in on the kitchen worktop!! Sorry Roger xx
X-rays: A few in my lifetime!!
Y - Your fave food: Anything savory
Z - Zodiac sign: Cancer

Christmas Part 2 - Ready, Set, Panic

Ok so here is Part 2 of ScrappyFairys Christmas prompts:-

Its the 17th today.. only 8 days till christmas... which begs to ask the question:"Where are you in your christmas preperations!?, have you finished? tree up? pressies wrapped?, turkey defrosted lol!?? - whats left to do and how do you feel about this time of year?!"

HHmm interesting.................we have 2 pressies left to get, and now its just the wrapping them up part, most of mine is done, Roger on the other hand has to wrap mine! im assuming ive been a good girl this year in order to have a pressie LOL

Tree is up, lights are up, iccicles are out on the gutter LOL, thankfully this year we are not cooking we are at Rogers parents so that will be nice, bracing myself for the token Sprout yuk pah still never forgive mum for lying to me, about one sprout would give you good luck!!

Ha how do I feel about this time of year.............well every other year I have been at exploding point around now, but this year has a slight edge to it, being the first year without my dad, its a strange one, still looking forward to christmas but you just know its never gonna be the same, still find it a magical time of year, and as this is my first year scrapbooking, there will be a ton of photos for me to do something with once I can get my craft stuff out again.

All in all despite the obvious I am looking forward to it, and spending time with Roger, which is something we have lacked on this year, its been a very strange year.......................

Christmas Part 1 - Cherished Moments

Ok missed part one so had to have a hunt and find the first prompt from ScrappyFairy, and here it is: -

Christmas .... what is your earliest christmas memories?What made christmas for you as a child?If you could have anything for christmas what would it be?

Right so what was my earliest memory?? thats a hard one, I dont remember a single first memory, it seems to be a few wrapped into one, and im not sure if they are all from the same year!!

I remember watching my parents putting up the ceiling decorations, I think like most others their parents had a thing about ceiling decorations and not just the odd hanging thing I mean large garlands from each corner into the middle by the light and then in each hoop there was something hanging, then the tree and then the hallway! hanging things here and dangly things there, coloured lights galore, a million and one sweets, toffeee oh who remembers them!! i used to love them.

But a memory I always have is one of me and my older brother desperately trying to get the seals of the sweets and nicking just the odd one or half dozen LOL and shoving the wraps in a whole in the settee! no one ever knew we done this and over the years frankly we both forgot until we were moving and my brother and dad picked up the sofa and OH MY GOD all those sweet wrappers flew to one end, it was going to the rubbish tip, so dad ripped it open and there we stood wetting ourselves!! my mum was horrified LOL was not sure whether she was upset that we nicked her sweets or to the fact she knew how long they were in there LOL.

I always remember walking home from school in December and seeing my lights up and then realising how close to christmas we were...........

Cherished moments

Cxx

Comfy Zone

Ok so as we are missing our daily prompts by Jane, the wonder Scrappyfairy stood in today, she normally only create the Sunday prompts, and her prompt today was "What is your idea of cosy!? When do you feel at your most relaxed?"

My idea of cosy, simple really, this time of year nothing nicer then twinkling lights, nothing blarring down on you, nice a toastie house, watching something like a film snuggling up on the sofa, you know nothing nicer then just throwing a load of pillows on the sofa and falling into them and getting comfy.

Nice hot coffee, spotted dick and custard, closed curtains, lock the world out. Cat rolled into some funny kinda ball where you just dont know where she starts and ends...............these are my small ideas of cosy.

I do truly love this time of year, especially when you dont have to go out, you can hear the rain and the wind howling, but you know your in for the night cosy on the sofa of pillows LOL

Love it, thanks scrappy for making me feel all warm and cosy

xx

Jingle Bell Rock!!

So my tree has been up in the corner since the weekend, and after browsing some other crafters blogs today I realised that I needed to kick my butt into gear, so we went food shopping had dinner, then cracked on with the tree!!


With christmas music on in the background we really got into the mood, so much so that I have even wrapped some pressies!!!


So here is a of piccie just to show that im finally getting into the spirit!!

See there are presents under the tree!!! woohoo, cant wait to wrap some more!!

xxx

Name me This Name me That

Ok so another prompt from the past by Jane, was All about your name, the meaning, my likes dislikes/nicknames etc.........

Claire!! Ive been sung to with a song that I know nothing more about apart from the moment I saw you I swear!! as that is the only dam bit ever sung to me LOL.

Whats the meaning? Bright and Clear!!

My likes with my name is you just cannot shorten it, no matter what!! my dislikes its a common name, the amount of times I have walked down the road or in a shop and I have heard my name and turned around, probably because im a nosey cow LOL

Nicknames, well its been from clara, clarence, care bear, cuddly claire, clarabell the list is endless, and the one that annoys me the most is clarence and the only one that gets away with calling me that is my cousin!!

Short but sweet I know...............