One more!

While my friend's Sarah and Brian are getting married we have another wedding to attend (Roger & Wendy) - actually there is a theme happening here. Both Sarah and Roger were in our wedding party when Rob and I were married 4/5 years ago. No, I am not confused on how many years we have been married and there is a story to this.........

....but first Roger & Wendy's card!

Supplies: Stamp: Anita's Bride & Groom. Ink: Brilliance Dew Drop (Pearlescent Lavender). Accessories: Papermania White flower, Lilac Organza Ribbon, Holographic Embossing Powder, Lilac Watercolour Pencil.

........I came to the UK in 2000 on a 2 year working visa. I met Rob 16 months into my stay. My employer at the time wanted to sponsor me and while that was happening my visa ran out. In the end the Home Office said no to the sponsorship so by this time Rob and I had been together for a year and were planning on a surprise visit to Australia for my mum's 60th Birthday in the June so they could meet Rob and to announce our engagement ! That was the plan !! When the Home Office said no to the sponsorship they also gave me 10 days to leave the country - NICE ONE!! I came home in tears and when Rob got home apart from comforting me he said "How about it?". Yes, that was his proposal as we were both stunned by what had happened that day and a little emotional. After a quick trip back to Australia to obtain my fiance visa we were married 2 months later in the June. As it was done so quickly, my parents couldn't attend so we went to the Registry Office and got married again and 12 months later where we had a lovely church wedding with my family there and all of our friend's in the UK. My other bridesmaid, Karen and her husband Steve came as they were planning a holiday to the UK at the same time so she was able to be my bridesmaid. So we laugh now and thank you to the Home Office !!! LOL

More Cards

Oliver went to my in-laws today which was good as I needed to make a card for my friend's wedding (Sarah & Brian). Sarah was my bridemaide at my wedding. I just hope she doesn't look at this post and see the card!

Supples: Stamps: HOTP(swirl), See-D's "On Your Wedding Day" (Springtime Swirls). Ink: Versamark. Accessories: Silver Twinkle Embossing Powder, Doodlebug cardstock (lilac - both shades and white), Wedding Cake brass stencil I bought from a local craft shop, Lilac Organza Robbon, Silver Brads.

It must be the time for babies in New Zealand as another one of our friend's has had a baby (Joshua) so I made this card tonight. Congratulations Jodine & Paul and welcome Joshua!!
This is a close up of the dark blue strip which has the hands and feet embossing on it (hopefully you can see it but it is not the best photo - sorry).

Supplies: Stamp: Hero Arts Giraffe. Ink: Adirondack (Denim). Accessories: ChatterBox (stripped paper), Bazzil (dark blue cardstock), Fiskars Texture Plate (Prints), Oliver Green Ribbon, 2" Rounch Punch, 2" Square Punch, light and dark blue eyelets and I printed "It's a BOY" on the PC.

Disneyland Paris

We booked our first holiday tonight to Disneyland Paris at the end of September. It is only 3 days but after going to DisneyWorld (Florida) in January and seeing how much Oliver loved it, we wanted to go to Paris again. Our friends Henry, Ruth and their two children, Fred (2) and Daisy (8 months) have also booked so our two boys will have company for each other and they get along really well.

Next is to book our trip to Australia in October.

Woburn Safari Park

We headed off this morning to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire but ended up at Woburn Safari Park due to the roadworks on the M1. We thought we had missed the exit for Whipsnade but further on was another sign for a park so we headed for that one. This particular park you drive around like on a safari. It is a bank holiday in England and a lot of other people had the same idea so the park was very busy. The worst part was getting to see the Lions - who were just lying about off the side of the road. If you opened your car window and put your arm out, you could almost touch them (health warning: you may loose your arm if you do this!!). It also took us at least 40+ minutes to get past the lions because of the traffic jam!!!

Then we came up against the monkeys. Oliver loved these as they jump on your car and if you are not careful they will run off with your car ariel or other bits. We had 2 jump on our car and as we have a sun roof, we could see one sitting on the roof.

After driving around safari style you then head to the 'foot safari' - walk about to see the animals in their enclosures. There was a section called 'Australian Walkabout' in which they had wallabies and emu's and you could feed and touch the wallabies so here is a photo of Oliver and his new friend 'Wally'.

Ice Cream

After Oliver's swimming lessons this morning we went grocery shopping and told Oliver if he was good today he could have some ice cream as a treat. We don't have ice cream very often which is good for me while I am on my diet but every now and then we treat ourselves. I rang my parents (in Australia) and gave Oliver the telephone and he was talking to Poppy while we were putting the shopping away. He then had some lunch and he was allowed to have his ice cream. By this time I was talking to mum and Oliver was trying to tell her what he was eating.

As you can see from the photo, I had to put the phone on speaker and hold it near his mouth so he could tell Nanny what was in his ice cream (smarties) as he wasn't stopping for anything or anyone.

DCM Challenge

I made this card for Kyran's birthday last week and it is another challenge at DCM.

I know you've all got buttons stashed away somewhere, whether they've been purchased at a cardmaking store or you thriftily snipped them off DH's old shirt. I'd like you to find those buttons and use them somewhere on a card. They can be real buttons, craft shop buttons, die cut buttons, faux buttons or another type of button, surprise us all.

Baby Girl Card

I made this card tonight as friends who live in New Zealand had a baby girl (Sienna) yesterday.

Is it on?

It was a little chilly here in the UK today and as Oliver has a bad cold, I kept him in his pj's and his dressing gown. Isn't he cute? He wanted to sit at the computer and he was tapping away on the keyboard, then grabbed the headphones and put them on (the pc is not on!). I'm not sure if he was hoping that if he put the headphones on, he would hear something or it would turn the computer on.

Look at me!

The red bucket that Oliver is sitting in is part of his storage unit for his toys and came from IKEA. He has his 'Thomas The Tank Engine' track and 3 trains in there. He emptied the bucket and put it on the couch so it was out of his way and was happily playing on the floor. He decided he wanted to play with the bucket instead and sat inside it. With my camera right beside me at the table, I thought what a funny photo. As soon as I had the camera in my hand, Oliver saw it and said 'take a photo mummy!' What a poser!!!

Kyran's 2nd Birthday Party

We went to Kyran's birthday party today. Kyran is one of Oliver's friends from his swimming group. There was entertainment with songs and dancing.

Anything that makes a noise is great as far as Oliver is concerned.

As you can see the chocolate fondue came out and the kids loved it. Oliver had a strawberry on the end of his stick but lost it in the chocolate. He didn't realise at first what he had to do with the stick so I told him to lick it - he went to lick the dripping chocolate fountain instead.

Tote Bag

I put this together tonight, not for any particular reason other than I wanted to see how it went together. I got the template from SCS website. You can embellish it any way you please but I kept it simple with some flowers and a tag with 'celebration' stamped onto it. You can fit 11.5cm x 14.5cm (4 1/2" x 5 3/4") envelope size inside or you could put sweets wrapped in tissue paper or even treats for Halloween (for those of you that celebrate Halloween). Just use the appropiate colour card stock for your occasion.

Father & Son

Rob has a new computer game 'Lord of the Rings Oline'. Oliver wanted to see what was going on tonight and also listen to all the different sounds. He sat on Rob's lap for ages asking 'what was that?' constantly and then telling Rob what to go after. I only wish I had it on video.

Thank You

We went to Cornwall for the weekend to visit our friends Tricia & Paul. They have a lovely big house which Paul helped to build and the view they have is to die for - the ocean! We went for a walk on Saturday which Oliver walked almost all the way by himself (except the parts that were too close to the cliffs edge). Our destination was a pub and boy did we need a drink after out long walk (1.5 miles). The sun was shining and we all caught some sun so we all had a lovely colour to our faces. One nice thing and it has really spurred me on was both Tricia and Paul commented on how much weight I have lost since they saw us last in January.

I wanted to make a 'thank you for having us' card for Tricia & Paul so on Thursday I made this card. I love the Basic Grey papers and the 'thank you' stamp from the HOTP kit at QVC UK.

1 down 1 1/2 to go !

I have done it! I have lost my first stone. I started dieting in February and I am so pleased I have lost this weight I put on after I stopped working a year ago. I would still like to lose another stone and a half (weight I put on after having Oliver) but as I look at food differently through this diet, I know I can do it.

Another Creative Pastimes Class

Today's class was all about MEN! We made 2 cards in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. The stamps we used are the Clear Design by Hero Arts (my favourite). The 'car' stamp is from The English Stamp Company. I find men's cards the hardest to do but had a ball making these.

Rob's Chili Farm!

For the past couple of years, Rob has been growing his own chili's from seeds. He is a lover of chili so he has to put them on almost all of his food. I think he should start his own shop ! I've lost count of how many different varieties he has but he gives some to friends and even neighbours.

Paddling Pool Time

It is 27 degrees here in the south of England today so Oliver's "mini" pool has come out from the garage. Then the super soaker came out but Oliver had some trouble using it.

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

I found the DCM blog last night and every Friday is challenge day. This week's challenge is "TIME" and this is what I came up with.

Kath from DCM says:

"OK, Absolutely anything goes this week as long as it's on the theme of TIME."It's About Time" So you can use clocks, calendars, quotes, sayings, pictures, nursery rhymes, or altered art-type stuff, whatever takes your fancy - just take some time out to play and have some fun; remember, time flies when you're having fun!"

Square Eyes

This is square eyes Oliver !!! Rob bought him 2 new Scooby Doo DVD's and as a treat he is allowed to watch one. He seems to find sitting on the floor and leaning up against the couch comfortable. His blue cloth (on the couch) is never far away but today he hasn't noticed it. I have been trying to reduce the amount of time he has his cloth to only when he sleeps and drinks his morning and night bottle. He so kindly gave his dummy to the "baby birds" last year and did so without any fuss. Bless him !

Cleaning Day

Well, as I put it off yesterday, it is cleaning day today. I have dropped Oliver off at nursery and he no longer cries or tell's me that he doesn't want to go. He has made some friends and I only have to mention their names and he tell's me 'I love nursery mummy!'
The sun is finally shinning here in the UK ! The weather for the weekend is looking good and is going to be hot so we might have to get out Oliver's little paddling pool so he can have a swim. We have been waiting a while for this weather but as they say 'better late than never'. I could sit outside and get a tan ! NOT !

My Day Off !

Oliver is at his grandparents today so this is my first of two days off !!! Grandad bought a new car so Oliver was excited to get in the "Blue" car. I was supposed to be cleaning the house BUT my craft area needs sorting out first. I will clean tomorrow. What I really need is a craft room - I would love to use the spare bedroom but we do occasionally have visitors who stay over. When we move to Australia, I will be looking for a house with an extra bedroom to convert to a craft room.

Tomato Soup Accident

I wanted to take a photo of Oliver to post today so I was going to take one while he was sitting on the computer chair. However, a photo opportunity came up when I made tomato soup for lunch for both Oliver and I. We decided to eat in the back garden as the sun was out and it was a lovely day. I warmed up our soup and went upstairs to get something when I heard a noise - not of a bowl hitting the kitchen floor but something else I couldn't quite recognise. I got in the kitchen to find Oliver's bowl almost where I left it (which I thought was out of his reach!) and Oliver standing there very quite with tomato soup all over the floor. "oh, my!" was my reaction and poor Oliver started crying - he knew what he did was wrong but it was an accident and all I could do was laugh. I have to add that the soup was only luke warm so there was no danger of Oliver burning himself.

Creative Pastimes

I attended a 'Journaling' class at Creative Pastimes today with a lovely new teacher Shimelle Laine. I have not done any type of journaling before but I had some idea of what to expect. I really enjoyed the day and even completed a scrapbook page (well almost completed). I will add the photo of Oliver tomorrow then it really will be completed. In the afternoon we made a concertina book about food ! I have booked another class at Creative Pastimes with Shimelle next month.

1st Post

Hi there. Today is the start of my blog. I hope to update it daily or regularly with news and pictures of what is happening in my life and my family.

Take care,

K-xxx