A couple of challenge cards

Here is the card I have made using the Papertake Weekly sketch, loved this one! I don't know who the image is by, it's one of the many that my dear friend Linda gave me when I paid her a visit last week. I would also like this to be my entry for the My Time to Craft 'cheers me dears' challenge, think my little matey has had several too many lol!!!

My 2nd card is using one of the stamps I bought from Linda, it's from the snow,rain,sun Miss Anya set. This is my card for the Sugar Bowl another great sketch and the added element of buttons (I've used 2 tiny heart buttons on her coat) papers are from Anita's classic blue christmas pad, I've die cut the snowflakes and just added a bit of glitter for that christmas sparkle!!

We are off to my Uncle and his girlfriends for a family bbq this afternoon, fingers crossed the weather holds out. Enjoy your bank holiday.

Another trip to the beach

We visited Matthew's mum and dad on Friday and after lunch we risked the weather for a walk along Mundsley beach. It was pretty windy and when we got there a couple of ladies said they had been on a website and it was reported that there were supposed to be 5ft waves (we didn't see them though!).
In this picture the sky is nice and blue, but that didn't last for long! Lillie and daddy trying to find creatures!

The girls with nanny and grandad heading back towards the cars as there was a BIG grey cloud right over our heads!!! Matthew and I were a couple of minutes behind and just look at that sky!

We just made it up the hill to the car as the downpour started. It didn't last long but as the skies were pretty grey we headed back. Only to sit in the connservatory and it not to rain again for another hour, typical!

Well to my utterly disbelief and surprise my police check report came back yesterday, clear of course!! They said at least 4-6 weeks, it's been 1! So guess I will be starting work the same day as the girls start back to school, oh there go my crafting hours!!

A busy week - the beach, zoo, meeting a blogging friend, flying kites!

We have been pretty busy since Sunday! On Sunday morning we headed off to Clacton-on-Sea for a couple of nights, a little break, unfortunately with the kids lol!!! We have hubby's 'other' daughter for a week in the summer holidays so thought we would do something. We hit the beach shortly after we got there and boy was it hot, I burnt my face, I looked like rudolph with my glowing nose and also a strip down the front of each leg lol!! We hadn't packed swim things for the girls as we hadn't banked on them getting we but as the sea was so close (we had to move twice!) they thought it was great jumping the waves and yes they got soaked! Here's Hollie with 3 buckets of water to fill the hole they had dug, the other 2 are on the left of the piccie.On Monday we went to Colchester Zoo, last time we went was 2 years ago and we had really heavy rain and thunder!! This time it was lovely and warm. We were lucky enough to feed one of the elephants, it was just like putting a bit of something in the end of the hoover nossil but with less suck, you literally put it in the trunk and you could hear it sucking, it was fab!

I think my highlight of the visit was meeting Rajang the orangutang whom I have been watching on the tv series Zoo Days. We went and saw him twice!! First time round I couldn't really get a good piccie and then he went and sat in the corner with his back to us, but 2nd time he came right up to the window opposite me and kept reaching out and stroking the window about where my belly button was!! It was amazing, he kept doing it and even when he went for a wander around his enclosure and I managed to get to the window near him again, he did exactly the same again!!! It was amazing to watch him, it was as if you could see him thinking about things, the keeper said people always thinks he looks unhappy but he isn't it's just that they don't have the facial muscles to allow them to smile!

Then we went and visited my dear blogging friend Linda (Linanna) when I mentioned to her that we were going to the zoo, she invited us round for a drink as they live quite close by. Lucky I had put the postcode in the satnav as when we went to look for the paper with the house no. and phone no. on we couldn't find it anywhere, still haven't, yet it was there in the car when we were on the zoo carpark. Anyhow we found Linda's house, it was a bit of a surprise bless her as I had said we were going to the zoo on the Tuesday and would call in then, but here we were a day early!! The girls loved playing on the WII with Linda's daughter Jasmine whilst we had a chat. It was really lovely to meet in person, although I am sooooo...... jealous of Linda's crafting area!! oh and she so kindly gave me a big bundle of stamped images which I have already used one of but yet to post it on here, if you are reading this Linda 'Thank you so much' and thanks for sending us to the Harvester our meal was fab!!Tuesday we just played it by ear, we had a wander along the pier, had a look around the market and the local craft shop (yep got a few goodies not many though), went in the arcades, until it was time to head home.

Here is my fave piccie from our time away, it's of Hollie walking along the pier it was so sweet watching her as she walked along watching the cracks!! Lillie hated it and kept crying, she didn't like being able to see the sea below!!!

Today we had to pop into town so that I could take more papers in for the police checks for my new job and I have now accepted a different job, still in the canteen but for another school in town, this time it's for more than twice the hours so more pay which will be nice!

We then headed to the playing field so that the girls could have a play and fly their kites.

Tomorrow we are off to Matthew's parents, they live near the coast so no doubt we'll go for a wander along the beach!

Charisma Cardz - Scrap It

Good morning, at Charisma Cardz this week we are asking everyone to make a scrapbook page. I don't make as many scrap pages as I would like to so this was a great challenge for me this week, the only disadvantage was having a printer that doesn't print correctly I couldn't print any new pictures. This picture of my girls was taken last year on a ride at the Baytree Nursery winter wonderland, before we headed off to meet 'Santa'. I haven't decorated my page too much as I thought the baubles down the side of the paper were a nice feature, I gave them a bit of a zing with a gem on each! The papers are Papermania naughty and nice christmas, I have cut the 2 phrases and 'love' from one of the sheets. For prize details and to see the rest of the DT pages please check out the Charisma blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar -challenge 66

I've scheduled this post so hopefully it appears ok, as I am currently wandering around or at least on my way to Colchester zoo!!
At A Spoon Full of Sugar this week we have the following fabulous sketch which has been designed by Flati.and here is my card, I've used yet another of my new stamps (a gift from Linda/Linanna) I'm always a bit worried when using several different papers that it won't look right, but I do really like this card it just seems to work!For sponsor and prize details please go to the blog, and whilst there check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the team.

I would also like to enter this into the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is called 'lazy dayz' and a picnic is just right for that!!

5 card catch up and 2 from my girls.

I've managed to make a few cards over the past 2/3 days, so as I will be going AWOL for the next few days thought I would catch up with a few challenges!
First up is my card for Sketch and Stash, another lovely sketch to follow, I've used my newly purchased Sarah Kay stamp (from Jill) such a sweet image and lovely to colour! I would also like to enter this into the Cupcake Crafts 'something sweet' challenge, as my girly has a basket of super sweet apples!!!My next card is made following the Just Christmas and Birthday sketch and I'm also entering it for the Lili of the Valley 'add a charm' challenge. I've used another newly purchased stamp this time from Linda (Linanna) I just adore this Tilda she looks as though she is wearing her ballet outfit, hence I've coloured it in my girls ballet colours of plum!Another new stamp (fom Linanna) and my very first Gorjuss girl, this is so my girls expression when they are getting told off and think they have done nothing to deserve it!!!! This card is my entry into The Sugar Bowl challenge, we also had to use handmade flowers, mine are made using 2 different sized punches.Yet another new stamp (from Linanna) and my first Greetings Farm stamp this time!! This is my entry for the Friday Sketchers challenge, I loved this sketch! Am also entering this for the Pollycraft challenge which is 'favourite things' mine are flowers and these scrummy Papermania spring burst papers, oh a square cards!!!!My last card is for a new challenge I found whilst blog surfing, and it's for Kellie's sketch challenge, yet another lovely sketch which I am sure to use again. and yes another christmas card to check off of my list lol!!Finally a couple of cards that my girls made to thank my Auntie and Uncle for taking them to the farm on Wednesday. I cut the papers, they did the rest!

Hollie's card (4 1/2 yrs) Lillie's (6 1/2 yrs)Well that's it from me, back on Tuesday with my card for A Spoon Full of Sugar.

Charisma Cardz -colour challenge

It's Carly turn to choose the theme for our new Charisma Cardz challenge as she has chosen a colour theme of pink, yellow and green (there is an inspiration picture on the blog).

I've used one of my older Sugar Nellie images which I've watercoloured with my shimmer paints, I've used some downloaded papers, an embossed panel which was part of an old PIF and a few other embellies to finish off. We are proud to be sponsored by All That Scraps this week, and Christine has kindly donated the following prize :
We look forward to seeing your colour combo creations, and if you are looking for inspiration pop on over to the blog and check out the rest of the DT pieces.

If you are stuck for ideas for layouts, give Vee a visit she has just started up a new blog with lots of lovely sketch designs to try. Just click on the link below :

A Spoon Full of Sugar -challenge 65

Here we are Tuesday again and time for another A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge, this week our theme is 'Travel', this can be interpreted as you like e.g. holidays, ways to travel.....
I've made yet another christmas card oooo.... I'm getting through them lol!! I thought the sleigh was a fun way to travel! I used glittered snow writer for the snow and the reason for the 'snowflakes' is because I was wearing on of my dress rings at the time of colouring and it kept leaving marks on the image, this covered them up nicely and looks quite effective I think! I also glittered the bell and the decoration on the sleigh.
a close up of the lovely Whiff of Joy image. We are sponsored by Sandra Dry Designs and Sandra has kindly donated 6 single images to one lucky winner.
Why not pop on over to the challenge blog to see the ever gorgeous examples from the rest of the DT girls and our guest designer Iris.

3 in 1 card and a 'new do'

Quick card and a catch up today.
This card covers 3 challenges :
1) Friday Sketchers - sketch!
2) Cute Card Thursday - At the beach.
3) Daring Card Makers - Lace days of summer.
I have no idea who the image is by it's one I've had for absolutely ages from a PIF it fitted the CCT challenge perfectly and the other 2 challenges just seemed to fit in with that! I've made a couple more cards but they are for DT challenges which are coming up this week so I can't show them just yet!



We were supposed to go out for a day at the coast with my sis, her boys and our mum and dad, but unfortunately her hubby had to go into hospital. He's been having dizzy spells and almost blacking out (this happened twice when driving), they are not sure what is wrong with him he has now been in hospital 5 days having all sorts of tests and he's having to be wheeled around in a wheel chair as they won't let him walk anywhere! Sis didn't think it was a good idea to go out for the day enjoying herself whilst he is there!
So I decided we would walk into town and get our hairs cut, we were all in need of a tidy up so this was the ideal opportunity. Lillie and I just had a trim but my baby girl had half of her hair cut off bless her!! She must of had 4-5 inches cut off 50% of me wanted it done 50% didn't as it was so much, but she has no fringe and short bits either side so I decided to have it levelled off into a bob. She was so well behaved having it done the hairdresser even commented! She absolutely loves her new do and keeps swishing it and tucking it behind her ears, I think she looks adorable and it really suits her, daddy doesn't like it he says it's too short!!!!
Here she is front view before

and after (what a face!! she can never do a nice smile when asked to!)the before back viewand afterWe then went over to see mum and dad who said she looked 2 inches taller!! I'd bought a hair colour as my roots were beginning to show so got mum to do that for me, I'm nice and red again now for a while!
Nothing much else really, we'll see what next week brings, maybe we'll get that day at the coast!

An interview and a job within 4 hours!!

When I saw a job at my girls school advertised back in July I jumped at the chance and applied for it straight away. I always said that when my girls started full time 'big' school I would go back to work (relunctantly lol!). The job was only for a 'washer up' in the canteen, but it's a start. I applied in writing to the head of the kitchen and didn't think I would hear back as I thought interest would be really high! 3-4 weeks ago I got an application form through the post and I was delighted to have gotten at least that far! But still didn't hold out much hope of things going any further.
The beginning of last week I got a phone call asking if I could go for an interview! Woo Hoo another step closer!
So I set out early this morning to beat the traffic which my hubby said would be busy, ha the roads were soooo.... quiet we sailed (not literally!) straight into town onto an empty carpark! Mum and dad came so they could take the girls for a wander around town whilst I had my interview. I bought myself a paper and read that on a bench outside the church as I had so much time to kill! I got to my interview 15 minutes early and only waited a couple of minutes before being seen at 8.50am I came out at 9.35am.
I had a phonecall at 1.10pm asking if I was still interested, after saying yes, was told the job was mine!!
Just need to take some documentation in on Monday so they can do a police check, I had one when Hollie started nursery as you have to have one to help out in the class, so am sure it will be fine. Once that comes through I start straight away, well when school is open again!

The job is only an hour a day serving and washing up, but it's a foot in the door. I've now talked to a couple of people, one of which being the lady who did the interview and that's where they started and then moved up the ranks, she's now in charge of 36 schools, the other went onto kitchen manager and now is a teaching assistant!! Fingers crossed my hours will increase over time, someone might leave or change jobs and as I'm in the door I may get offered it!?
My mum can't understand why I would want to mess up every day for only an hour, but I said a job at the school is perfect for the school half terms and holidays. If I were to have gone for a job at the local Morrisons (same distance as the school) who would have the children during these times, she works, my dad isn't all that well, I don't want to rely on auties and certainly don't want to pay anyone?
I had never had an interview before as I walked straight into a job straight out of school and stayed there for 13 years until I left to have Lillie. When I went for extra work at the pub it was just like a chat!
I haven't worked for 6 1/2 years but am quite excited at the thought of doing something, however little it will help buy those little treats!

Charisma Cardz -challenge 32

Over at Charisma Cardz this week we have a lovely sketch which has been designed by Roxy. Sadly Roxy has stepped down from her DT position for the time being to care for her poorly mum, but Karen has stepped in as cover for her.and here is my card. Yes another christmas card from me, I thought I would used my Daisy stamp in place of the circle on the sketch, it just seemed to fit, and went great with my Papermania naughty and nice papers!For information on the prize and to see the rest of the wonderful DT examples please pop along to the blog.

I would also like to enter this card for the 'christmas in August' challenge over at Dutch Dare this week.

JOANNE x

A Spoon Full of Sugar -challenge 64

At A Spoon Full of Sugar we have the lovely sketch below which has been designed by Camilla.and here is my card, again I have used purple and green, since finding my pad of these papers I seem to use them a lot lol!!We have a wonderful christmas 'Bear essentials' stamp set which has been donated by Bryony from Silly Monkey Crafts.

Charisma Cardz -challenge 31

We have a lovely sketch designed by Sally this week at Charisma Cardz.and here is my example, pretty much followed the sketch to a t but then added the image and button, the triangle element of the sketch is there it's just hidden quite a bit by the image! We are sponsored this week by Simon Says Stamp and for one lucky winner there is a $20 gift certificate to spend in the online store, wow!

We have Lorraine with us again this week as our guest designer and to see her wonderful card along with the rest of the teams pop on over to the blog ;0)