panicky times

Ho hum...not coping too well this week...
True, there's some good things happening - like me getting my puppy... the chi puppy i've yearned for for almost 5 years now... but there's also a lot of other stuff going on, and after the crap year i've had it's taking it's toll. I'm utterly worn out and feeling pretty damn close to breaking tbh.

I keep trying to push it all down and stay on top but it's hard when you constantly feel on the verge of being engulfed. I need that Euro lotto win tonight... I know they say money can't buy happines but it can buy a lot of other stuff! Like a puppy passport...And a ticket round the world.... and that sounds pretty damned tempting from where i'm sitting.

PUPPY UPDATE: cha cha is now eating solid food and is growing bigger every day!




Isn't she just the cutest thing you've ever seen?

And somehow I managed to do a quickie Hybrid LO, though really i've no time at all at the mo. It's just a simple page, though there was quite a bit of cutting out, but I loved the doodles.. and I LOVED the pics - and how could I resist when they went together so well?



Doodles are Kate Hadfield's. Safari Malarky and Spring Greens available from the Lilypad.

later x

Pedal Power

So the holidays are well and truly over. Vin's back to college this week and my tan's fading fast... Still, we had a lovely fortnight in Lanzarote with the family, met our brand new Grandson, spent lots of time playing with our other Grandkids, chilled out, got sunburnt, and ate and drank too much. Yep - heaven :-)

I've managed to get a quick hybrid page done this morning. These doodles from Kate Hadfield were just perfect for the pics of our day out in Matagorda on the 4 wheel bike. If you've never ridden one of these let me tell you it's... an experience. Lol. Absolutely mad - but such a laugh. The truth is whoever was steering - and I never knew who it was but I knew it wasn't me... then we were all over the place. Great fun! However, I spent most of the time taking the pictures... I value my life - crap as it is much of the time ;-).

Roadworks Alpha

Are we there yet? doodle pack













Happy Memories :-)
jkxx

long time no post

Well it's been a very long break without a post from me. I've been unbelievably busy (still am as a matter of fact...) and that's meant I've not had much time for playing on the pc. Not had much time for any kind of playing tbh, so even scrapbooking - once a daily activity, has had to take a back seat. I still love scrapping/crafting etc but unchecked I can let it get in the way of other important things, so i've decided that for now it'll have to go on the back burner until I find time management a bit easier... Also, I'm seriously going to sort this room out and de-junk - it's too small a room and there's too much stuff in here taking up space and not being used. So clear out time at last.

The GOOD news today however... the GREAT news today...Is that one of my dreams is finally coming true.... after almost five years of pining for meemee...I'm going to be getting a Chihuahua puppy of my own!

I am. I am. I am! Not might be... not one day maybe... just... I am. I really am.

Deposit's paid, puppy's chosen, she's named, and first cuddles by us have been shared... So she's ours! :-)

Just need to let her grow a bit now and become big enough to leave her Mum, and then she's here.... with us... forever. I can't wait. Her Mexican name is Muchacha, but she'll just be Cha Cha to us, and the breeders are kindly already calling her that already so she's getting used to hearing her name :-)

Here she is just 12 days old, cradled in her new daddy's hands....


Look at that cute lil face! Still got her eyes shut here.



I can't believe she's mine... I love her to pieces.


And here with Vin, who's besotted already.



At the mo she's only a little over 2 weeks old, and her eyes opened on the 14th day. She's a light sable colour with dark tips... muzzle, ears and tail - what could be sweeter? But we know she could change as she grows, however, we're getting photo updates from the breeders, and we are of course welcome to visit anytime.

Eyes open now - 14days old.


Sooo stand by for the CHIHUAHUA layouts from ME folks!!

Goin WILD with Sanna!

Lotta birthdays going on round here...
I'm surrounded by Leo's. Lucky I like em, eh? :-)

Brother, Sister, Son, Grandson, Daughter, Son in Law, Granddaughter... like I said - a LOT!

But today's celebration is my sister's... the animal print madwoman we all love to pieces, and tonight we're going wild with her. Oh yeah!You can guess the theme for the party... We've been planning this for months! So today's ultra busy for me - hall preparations, picking up gas for balloons, picking up the cake etc etc. Plus, I still have to help dispose of the old kitchen and all that related crap, and do a million other things as well, Sooooo..... best crack on now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANNA!
LOVE YOU SO MUCH, YOU WILD THING, YOU!

Last night's MOJOHOLDER , based on a layout by Micayla Metcalf- lots more fabby inspo on the blog, plus Sarah's brilliant sketch :-) Micayla Metcalf

Have a great weekend peeps!
jkxx

coming together

Yep, things are definitely coming together now. And I'm personally feeling much happier since I cut back on all my crafty commitments. Now when I craft it's when I have time, when I feel like it, and I do whatever I feel like doing - without guilt. Years ago I loved the buzz of beating deadlines, and getting free product, and seeing my stuff in print etc, but all that's just not imortant any more. I still love to look at my friends wonderful creations, and obviously share their joy at their every success - I just want no more of it for myself :-) I guess I simply don't have time... there are just so many other things I want to be doing.

I still dabble, I still enjoy creating, it just isn't taking over my life anymore lol.



I made this little card for last weeks daring card makers challenge in between supervising plumbing, electrics and fitting of kitchen... the kitchen's almost all in now - and i'm going to love it when it's finished. One bad thing did happen - I discovered the tiles i've covetted for months had gone down to half price in the Homebase sale... and I MISSED it! I was WILD! I wanted those tiles badly - now I have to start a new search, and then pay full whack - what a bummer!

Still, I'm not going to moan. All the good Karma from last year is coming back to us finally and a small thing like sold out tiles is not going to spoil it. It's funny... you do good things and try to be the best you can and you sometimes wonder why you get no luck for it. Then suddenly you do, and it's a great feeling.

So, remember today - try to be a little kinder than is strictly necessary to everyone you encounter... at the very least you've been good, and maybe made someone's day. At best, you may one day find your good heart is rewarded in some way. Maybe not in the way you expect, and possibly not when you expect it either. But good may still come your way sometime... you just never know.

looking ahead

Great news - I think we've found someone to take on the kitchen work. Our initial plan had been to have a go ourselves but faced with such a hugely daunting task we've chickened out and decided we need a man who can... so the chosen one's coming later to take a look, draw up some plans and let us know what it's going to cost. Being poor as church mice we're praying it's not more than we can afford... the fact it's someone we know may help tho... so, fingers crossed for us, pls!

This week's mojoholder guest designer was Jennifer Maguire and you can see her LO, Sarah's sketch and the team's interpretations on the blog here

Here's mine:



thanks for dropping in! :-)

jkxx

dark clouds looming (silver lining maybe?)

I was hoping for sunny weather as I have a lot to do outside - but no such luck. As a matter of fact we need nice weather so we can EAT outside! Our table - our entire dining room - is engulfed in kitchen fitments awaiting fitting.... not much fun but there's work to be done before they can go in.... and well... i've just got to get on and accept I guess, so no good moaning. That said, I hate eating off my lap in the living room... so need the weather to be resonable so I can eat al fresco - even if it's with my coat on lol!

I tried for insp from daring card makers and joined in with their challenge to make a card with pretty edging... got it done, but forgot to upload and link... doh!

Anyway, it was fun doing the scalloping :-) and I have another card now for my 'just in case' box.


I hope to have a go at this week's too - not that I play bejewelled blitz or whatever it's called on facebook - but only because I have an addictive personality and I wouldn't dare start something else that might steal my (too little) time! I waste too much time on there already.... No, I just fancy having a go at something glitzy and sparkly :-) So thanks to the girls for the idea.

OK, garden jobs now
thanks for popping by
jk xx

Happy Birthday to my Dude.

It's my son's birthday... 17 today!

He really is the most amazing kid... musically talented, with a lovely, funny personality... A good student, friendly, sensible and honest, kind to dogs and old ladies... honestly, just the sort of boy any Mum would want.... but tell me please, where have the years gone?

One minute they're a babe in arms - the next, almost grown.

I love that my boy's so individual. Proud that he has the courage to be unique, to be HIM. Amused at his quirkiness and amazed at his wisdom sometimes.
Happy Birthday son, we love you more than anything in the world. Well, fact is, you are our world... and that's a true story.

Vin's Card - had fun with this!



And a special (and talented young female friend of his)painted him this canvas :-) WOW!



ok, that's it. Got a lot to do now.

jk xx

mojoholder 119

Forgot to put up this weeks mojoholder LO. We lifted a great page by Marjolein, and you can see the other girls takes on the blog, plus a fab sketch by Sarah too.

Here's my LO. No digi elements today but I did use some Magistical chipboard. This is from the new release and it's called antique filigree, painted and inked.

A recent pic of Vin who turns 17 tomorrow, and who this summer is growing into the person he's going to be more and more. Can't say it's not without trauma sometimes... but there you go. Kids grow up whether you want them to or not. And he's not the worst boy in the world by a mile. Love him to bits however much he drives me insane on a day to day basis!

At work, 3 people are down with the swine flu and it's kind of like a ticking bomb... everyone's just waiting to see who gets it next. At the mo it's only staff affected... no resi's thank goodness, but who knows.... by tomorrow? Under advice, we are quarantined - no visitors for a week which will be tough on the residents and the families. Also, as people go sick it gets tougher and tougher on us remaining workers, with everyone doing more to cope with the lack of staff. Personally, if I'm going to get it I want it like NOW. I don't want anything to stop me getting on that plane for my holiday and my first glimpse of our brand new baby boy - to say nothing of my girlies, the rest of my fam out there, my grandkids... and my meemee. God, I love that pup and miss her so much... when will I get a doggie of my very own? and could anyone replace minnie in my heart?

Anyway, one tired lady needs a shower, soooooo... more tomorrow. Maybe.

hugs to all
jkxx

the best there is....

...the best there was... and the best there ever will be!
Brett the hitman Hart's battle cry... as any fan of American wrestling will tell you. My boys are fans. Carl's mate Paul's a fan... they're all going to Wembley to watch TNA, so as it was Paul's birthday barbi yesterday, and the birthday treat was the TNA trip I thought i'd make him a card styled on his hero, Brett Hart.


If you know wrestling you'll know Brett's colours are black and bright pink. He wears a heart on wings on his costume, and Kate & Jacque just happened to have the very thing I needed in this kit Pretty in Punk. Paul loved his card bless him, but he loved his surprise even more. This is the reacton (how staged) lol.... pair of wallies!

We were also celebrating another birthday yesterday, Sue's 50th. This is the card I made her, again using Kate's digi stuff to make a hybrid card. Her fabby doodles are brilliant for cards and invites and things so as i'm not doing much scrapping lately i've been using them on cards instead.


Anyway, enough from me.
Thanks for dropping by.

jkxx

baby cards

A couple of cards I've made in the last few days.





I've mainly used up scraps, I think this is one of the things I am starting to love about cardmaking - even weeny scraps can be used somewhere! :-)
And because I love em so, some of kate's adorable doodles.
This kit is : Baby Boy Doodles (lilypad)

Hmmm... wonder where these are going then....?

ok, enough of this... CSI calls!
jkx

stave off the last minute panic!

Some very simple and quickly made cards. I thought these would be handy standby's for when you need a card in an emergency... perhaps I just need to make a birthday planner, might mean I did't need a stash of ready mades, lol.







jkx

lifes a beach....

.... in my dreams.
In reality it's pee'ing down! Nice weather in July...

Still, I have a summer holday day planned for my resi's today as most are far too old and frail to be able to actually get away to the seaside anymore. I've booked a traveling theatre to come and they're bringing a show called 'Summer Holiday Abroad', which I gather entails lots of quick change as they jet off round the World singing songs and acting small sketches from each place on their stopover. We've had them before for Panto's and stuff and although not cheap, they are brilliant, and best of all they stay and chat and have a cup of tea with the oldies afterwards which they all love... Hobnobbing with ACTORS - Oh my...! ;-0

I've coaxed the staff onto bringing in sunhats and sunnies so we can all get into the spirit so looking forward to a fun day today... pix to follow!

Last year my boy spent a LOT of his life on various beaches.... good for him, but such a hard life for a young man eh...?


Digi/Hybrid elements by Kate Hadfield. - Sandy Toes Kit - the lilypad.

Anyway must dash, gotta look for my lei and grass skirt ;-)
later! jk xx

babies on the brain

With the arrival of the newest addition to our family, baby Connor George, we've all got babies on the brain! Hayley's doing brilliantly with him and is hoping to go home from hospital today. I can remember leaving hospital with my first baby many moons ago.... and I was terrified! Terrified I wouldn't know what she needed, what her cries meant, how I would cope... a silly frightened young mum with an even dafter younger partner... but we managed. We got on ok. Well, you do, don't you? And so will my girlie as she has her lil sister round the corner - an experienced mum of two, a hubby who will hopefully at least try to be hands on, and a determination and confidence I never had back then.

Good luck Lally, though I know you'll be just fine :-)


On the home front things have quietened down slightly round here and i'm feeling a little less overwhelmed than I have been of late. Sadly in order for this to happen i've had to cut back on more commitments and last week I stepped away from another DT. I will still be using MM's fab products whenever I do scrap, but at least this way I won't feel such angst if I don't have time to play with pretties and make things for them on cue.

I feel miles better now the baby's safely arrived too and it's really a great weight off my mind. I've been feeling so happy since he got here finally, and we know that all is well with him and my daughter. It's great not to have that nagging worry constantly playing on the back of your mind.

Talking of babies I made some little baby boxes to sell at the fete - plus a spare for Connor of course!




I knew our bundle was a boy, but couldn't resist making a few pretty pink ones as well... you never know, we may need them one day ;-)

Anyway, more soon,
got some tv to watch and a meal to scoff!
love to all
jkx

tall story

I bought some card packs to make cards for the fete... and accidently bought the wrong size. Doh!

Having never been a cardmaker until very recently, I'm not really clued up on it all and just grabbed a pack off the shelf in hobbycraft without checking the size... idiot! Anyway, I couldn't waste them at hobbycraft's prices so had a go, and they're not that bad... but I'll be more careful next time!

I also forgot to take pix before the fete and lots have now been sold (leading me to the assumption that they're not 'that' bad...) but here are a few we had left over... I must say I seem to be more interested in cardmaking than scrapping lately - maybe coz it's quicker? I dunno. Hopefully I'll improve with practice. I didn't have much to make them with either... mostly odd scraps of my own, but it's surprising what you can do when you have to, or when you have a good cause.








Anyway, it's kind of late now and i'm pooped... So that's me for the day I reckon.
My pillow beckons!
sweet dreams folks!
jkxxx

oh well...

.. after all my trials, I finally got back to making a page or two...

I made my Mojo layout for this week, and you can see mine and the others girls LO's on the blog and also a brilliant sketch by SarahY.

Thanks to Kay Rogers, who provided the inspiration for our challenge.

Seriously garish colours seem to be going on here ... but you know what? I love it! Ha!
The white painted frame is a fancy frame from magistical memories. Papers are mainly Stampin Up! and other ancient scraps. And the pix are of course, from my garden! :-)

maybe more soon, maybe not. Who knows these days?
jkxx

trying to scrap again

It's not easy at the mo. I'm struggling still.... I just can't seem to find the time or the motivation to scrapbook. I've been very busy with the works fete and that's eaten right into my time, plus I've really been enjoying being out in the garden planting and trying to be creative out there, and well... i'm just not as young as I was. I get knackered more easily these days! Whereas I would once have happily scrapped into the small hours, I just don't seem to do that anymore - I want my bed! lol!

Anyway, I was inspired by Katie's new kits this month, and actually managed to make a LO. It's fairly simple, so it didn't take long, but I was very frustrated that it wouldn't scan or photograph well after the fact i'd actually made something! grr!

The kits are here:

Deckchair alpha

Sandy Toes

and there's a fabby add on which I also used available from Kate's blog - for FREE!
sandy toes add on

Poor photo


dodgy scan
Not much to choose between the two really! Maybe I need a new camera and a new scanner.

'Course, I will have to scrap the picture of my new little Grandson, Connor!
Only got that one pic at the mo, but hoping for more soon.

jk xx