>>> Saturday! <<<

After the boys' swimming lessons, we decided to go to the NEC to visit the Caravan show. Hubs wanted to check some caravans out. Thankfully kids went in free. We had a nose around the different types of caravans and we found a particular layout that we like.

There was even a play area for the kids so they had a play in there. Oliver attempted the rock climbing wall and he was quite good and managed to cling on when the wall was tilting about.


We had a slight mishap when we lost Zac. Well, one minute he was with us and the next, he disappeared. God, I was shouting his name, looking for him and in the end, had to approach the info booth. That was when I overheard on the walkie talkie a man saying he found Zac. Sheesh, what a relief. Anyway, on my way to organiser's office to claim him, hubs called to say that he had Zac. Poor chap was sniffing about. That will teach him not to stray from us in future! TTFN!

>>> Before & After! <<<

Proud to say that I've finally buckled down and cleared the remaining mess outta my craft room. Threw out another bagful of papers and other stuff. Sometimes wonder why I hang on to them. I'm definitely a serial hoarder! It's now spick and span (god knows for how long...). Here are some images of them:

Where you couldn't see the floor before...

Hey, I've got floor space!
All storage boxes have been labelled with contents within. I made use of existing storage as I can't be bothered to go shopping and spending money on co-ordinating storage boxes. I much rather spend it on stamps! I'll be altering those brown boxes later. They pack loads inside! My craft room need to be re-painted. Dun really like the colour and it used to be the nursery room. Oh well, the boys now share a room and this room is completely mine!

The table where I craft and beside and beneath it, more storage units. One can never have too many storage units.

Another shelf full of storage boxes. Now the hubs installed all these shelves in 06 while I was on holiday in Singapore. I was using the dining room as my craft room and he got fed up of the mess downstairs so he turned this bedroom into a craft room for moi and surprised me greatly. I almost died when I saw it. He even bought those brown boxes and filled them up with SB stuff albeit haphazardly (men!). Still the thought counts.

A close up of my stamping area. I've placed all my stamps and accessories here within easy reach. I luv stamping and my purchases for SB always include some stamps above anything else! Had to use a shoebox to contain my 7 Gypsies seal stamps, wasn't using them enough as they were hidden and unreachable before. At least now I can reach for them easily.

Finally my basket of stamps, all categorised into ziplock bags, waiting to go into folders. I seriously need to tackle them as I'm reaching a stage whereby I don't know what I possess and end up buying similar stamp most of the time! They will go into the red box of folders in the above photo.

On a different topic, my son's teacher asked if I could help with the library books and Maths games. I used to do it last year. I said ok as it meant I could keep an eye on my little boy. Besides, it's nice to be back in a school environment. As a teacher before, I do miss teaching but it's not something I'm gonna rush to do it so soon. Might give it a thought in another couple of years when my boys are olders. Currently they need me now and I rather be around for them. Once they hit their teens, they probably won't want me that much!

On the subject of crafting, did two cards with the scrap papers from BPM medley kit:

Will add the sentiment later

It's Friday again. Boy do I luv Fridays! Just knowing it's the weekend and not having to wake up early is enough to make me happy! TTFN!

>>> Weekend Shots! <<<

We had brillant weather on Sunday and took a walk. Brought along my Nikon DSLR to capture some autumn photos and also to practise my shoots. I've yet to use the camera since coming back. Here's a few of them:

My babes!

Luv the colours on the trees now.

Luv the fact they waited for us before crossing the road. Caught them having a tete a tete!

A close up of Oliver. Not a great shot but I just luv it. Need to photoshop that pimple of his by his mouth! At his age too!!!

Another view of the trees

The electric pole... don't ask why I took it!

Zac, being extremely moody as he was finding it hard to cycle up the slope. He threw a hussy fit right after!

A close up view of him. It would have been nicer if he smiled! Typical of him!

Wish we had more such sunny weathers in the UK. Sure as hell makes a great change to the soul! TTFN!

>>> Ikea! <<<

After the boys' swimming lessons, popped into Ikea in Coventry. We've not been there before and it a fairly new store. Gosh, it's a very impressive building, 6 stories high with a great play area for children. Kids stay in there for an hour and a half and they take kids up to 10 years of age, unlike the one in Wednesbury where it's only a mere 45 mins (you simply can't finish shopping for 45 mins) and kids up to 7 yrs are allowed in. I think we will be going to the Coventry one in future!

So what did we buy? A computer chair, a bedside table for my bedroom and a 6 drawer cabinet for my scrapping items. It's a narrow cabinet measuring 28 (w) x 43 (d) x 69 (h)cm. It costs £19.99 and yup, I went for that colour. Love the colour red. I had wanted to get those Really Useful Boxes but there wasn't anywhere in my room to put them whereas I had found a little niche in the room for this. I'm hoping that now I will make better use of my scrapbooking embellishment now that they have been re-sorted. The drawers are quite deep so I'll be piling a fair amount in there.

I do luv my craft room now. (Note to self: take photos of it!) It has been tedious sorting it out but I'm glad I did it. Makes scrapping so much easier now! TTFN!

>>> Yay! It's The Weekend! <<<

I can't tell you how pleased that it's the weekend. Been waiting for this day i.e. Friday to come. Just had a hectic week and seriously need a break from the kids. Thankfully there isn't much activity for the weekend either so hoping to be able to catch up on my spring cleaning! I still have unfinished bits to attend to.

Glad that I've got my DT assignments done. Here's what I did with BackPorch Memories October Medley kit:

Papers by Fancy Pants All Fall.

Papers by Scribble Scrabble Autumn Afternoon

Papers by October Afternoon Hometown

For the project, I created this circular mini album. I was influenced by Annette West, a talented lady with a penchant for making mini album. Here's my version of it.

An overall view of the inner pages of the mini album. I literally used up all the papers in the Medley kit and had to use some papers from the Solo kit which incidentally features Pink Paislee Vintage Moon.

Looking forward to the weekend! TTFN!

>>> It's Wednesday! <<<

Can't you believe how time flies? It's already mid-week. I've been busy cleaning the house out. Just got the cleaning bug and cleared the cupboard on the landing. I couldn't imagine how much rubbish there was in there... no wonder the door couldn't close! Anyway, I found tons of plastic bags, those that you get from shopping. Loads of them. How on earth I accumulated that much beggers belief and I managed to fill 2 huge bags full of them. No doubt they will be used for the bins now. After re-claiming the space from the cupboard, I re-organised and re-sort the items within. I'll be tackling the cupboard in my bedroom soon. That has become another dumping ground and needs a desperate clear out and that includes clothes!

Have been busy with craft stuff as well. Just completed an acrylic album for which I was guest designing. It will be featured later this month. Currently working on BackPorch Memories Oct Medley kit. Here's one LO that I've completed. The rest will be revealed on the 10th:

Papers used: Fancy Pants All Fall.

Attended my son's school PTA (more known as FOLGIS) AGM this evening. A letter was sent out inviting more participants from parents. We have a total of nearly 280 pupils and guess how many parents attended!!! Just 1! I sincerely hope she stays on. The usual members were still there. We elected the officiers for the team and I got nominated as Secretary again so I'm resuming the post a second time! We adopted the Constitution with minor changes to the original version. After half an hour, the AGM ended. Then it was the usual meeting to discuss activities for the Autumn term. We all agreed on a Xmas Craft Fayre. That should be fun! I'm thankful that the school isn't that poor that it needs to rely on donations from parents. We are there to raise fund to create an outdoor environment for the school. Let's hope we can achieve that! TTFN!

>>> Still Clearing! <<<

It's taking me a while to finish as I don't have the staying power of concentration. I start then halfway, I get bored and end up suring the net. Besides, working part time do take the time off me as I've to stop halfway. I'm also in the boys' schools on Wed and Thur afternoon for the violin so nothing can be done after coming back from work! Once they are home, it's time to concentrate on them so that they are kept busy with their homework or violin practice. However, I'm getting there. I've split up my embellishment into categories such as stickers, chipboards, rub ons etc. They are currently in ziplock bags. I've done the same for my stamps too as I figured they will be easy to access as opposed to putting them under brand names! They too are in ziplock bags. I've filled up all storage boxes and labelled them accordingly. I've made use of the current storage boxes as I don't want to spend any money on storage. If they are already there, why not use them. I'm saving up for a new glass (camera lens) so spending on SB items and storage is low on my priority at the moment!

I've broken up some of my kits and separated them. I do have loads of papers (used and unused) and will need to think how best to use them up. I can easily plaster the craft room walls with them and still have leftovers!!! Anyway, I'm getting slowly but surely!

On the crafting side, here's the LO that I did for Scrapbook Inspirations challenge, which made it on the front cover!

I luv the huge photo and will probably do more LOs with that size in future!

TTFN!

>>> Alert! Disaster Zone! <<<

As mentioned in previous post, I started clearing out my craft room. Here's the reason why!

My crafting table, a right mess!

The area behind my crafting table.... see what I mean.. no floor space!

Further into the room ... a total disaster zone!

Where the TV and PC is, another dumping ground for pizza boxes!

Preparing the space to delve into the cupboard. Can't say it's spacious but with proper re-organisation, I can easily fit my scrapping items inside!

Let's see the end results after my major clearout and re-organisation. I need to re-sort properly so that stuff that I use is within reach and easy access. There's so many embellishment that aren't being used due to the fact that they are hidden! So many alphas that aren't used as they are not within reach! Last but not least, making sure I use up the old stuff as they are still usable. Watch this space!!! TTFN!

>>> What A Fabulous Day! <<<

It was a fabulous day today. Hubs had an idea to get a caravan so we headed off to check them out. Found a particular style that we like but will give it some time to mule over. As the hubs has been very busy with work these days, I'm not sure if there's time to even use the caravan if we did decide to get one! There's talk of him heading for the Middle East for a project which I'm not too keen on!

After that, we went to Strafford Upon Avon for a walk. Headed towards the river where we took a boat ride and enjoyed the breeze and the scenery. Kids had a great time running about. Wish we had more such days instead of the dismal, gloomy, overcast skies that is prevalent here. I leave with some photos of the day, taken by my Nikon compact. If I had known I was going to Strafford, would have brough my DSLR!

The little ferry that took us across the river.

That is what I like about Strafford... the quaint little cottages that have been used for retail purposes. Makes shopping more enjoyable.

Finally, found this site which allowed you to design your words. Just add whatever words you want, and viola, it comes up like this!

You can adjust further but I like it this way!

TTFN!

>>> Absolutely Livid! <<<

Alright, so it was time to service the boiler and hubs arranged for someone to come today. I gave him a cut off time of 11.30am as I have to be at work by 12pm. Guess what, the darn chap turned up at 11.30am on the dot! So I asked nicely how long it would take to service the boiler, to which he replied half an hour at most. Yeah right! Instead of half an hour, it took a good hour and a half and to add insult to injury, he screwed the boiler up big time. Before his arrival, it was in fine working condition. After it had been through his hands, there was no heating and no hot water. What was worst was that when he realised he messed up big time, he did a runner and left! Gave the excuse there was no more he could do and we had to sort it out with the office! At time point, I went mad and told him off. How on earth can someone just leave after blotching up a service job and then turn around and say it's not his fault! At one stage, there was an issue about fixing a new 'knob' but due to insurance issues, that couldn't be done. I even overheard him on the phone telling someone it was his job to sort it out as he was done and could do no more!

Hubs was on to the office immediately and in the end, the company (incidentally called Vokera) passed him onto another company to do an emergency call out which we had to pay. So not only we had to pay for the service of the boiler but cough out extra dosh for an emergency call out. This nice chap came at quarter to nine, took one look at the boiler, turn on a valve and viola, the heating and hot water came on! He told us that the useless chap had forgotten to turn the valve back on and there is absolutely no problem with the boiler. In fact there wasn't even a need to change any 'knob'! We later learnt he had been on call outs to jobs that was done by the Vokera engineers (one wonders if it's the same guy that is screwing up all the boilers that he has been servicing?) He did admit that the service we received was far from satisfactory!

Anyway, I've been on the relevant bodies to make a complaint! I'm not gonna allow a cowboy engineer to ruin people's life. At this moment, the weather is so unpredictable and not to have heating nor hot water during cold periods is just not right! My whole day was ruined and I was so worried for my boys. I was just not myself today! What peeved me most was the fact that he walked out, literally, and left a boiler in an unworkable situation! That is one of the worst customer service ever encountered! Bloody coward! He is definitely not getting away with that and I'll do my utmost to ensure he gets proper training before he goes around fiddling with someone's boiler! One wonders if he's even Corgi registered!

Thankfully, we now have heating and hot water. Speaking of which, I just need to a good hot shower now! TTFN!

>>> On Display! <<<

Some LOs and project made with BackPorch Memories Sept Solo kit. Played with new Scenic Route Sonoma papers:

For my project, I did a mini album and played with Twinkling H20s. I painted the base of the pages with them as I was running out of papers! Those SR papers were just so delish to use. Anyway, a close up of the album below:

It was my turn to set a challenge and I came up with this Wall of Inspiration. While in Singapore, I visited a Garden exhibition and took a photo of this wall. Thought it would make a great scrapbook inspiration. Anyway, it did and here's my LO below based on this 'wall of inspiration':
Played with the circular features on the wall.

While browsing on the Scrapbook Inspiration blog, I saw the recent issue and was shocked to find my LO on the front cover! Sheesh, that surely made my day!

So which is it???
The LO was done as a challenge to scrap someone else's photo and I had no problem doing it. The photo I used was simply delightful and it was such an easy LO to do! Just hope my swappee likes it! She's a well-know British scrapper too. Sincerely hope I did justice to her photo!

Will be showcasing my LOs done with Homegrown Summer Survival kit. It's currently on my laptop and I need to transfer the images over to the desktop! Hate to say it but I still have luggage to unpack from my trip to Singapore... now that is embarrassing but as I'm the only one doing it, I shall take my time and crafting take priority over unpacking luggage! :)

TTFN!

>>> September News <<<

I've been slacking but if truth needs to be told, it has taken me a while to settle down since returning from Singapore. Homesickness hit me and I even didn't want to scrapbook! Anyway, once day I walked into my messy craft room, took a look and decided enough is enough! So I started re-organising instead. First on the list was my stamps! I had accumulated loads over the years and it was time to sort them out according to categories as I felt it was the best way. So now I've got a few ziplock bags of stamps nicely separated. I'll be putting them on a laminated card and then they will be filed in folders.

Next, I tackled my scrapbooking embellishments. I separated all the papers and bellies from past kits and they were put into separate categories such as stickers, rubons, chipboards, blossoms etc. Half used papers went into one 12x12 baggie while full sheet went into another. So now I've got a basket full of ziplock bags with SB items all neatly organised! These will be put away respectively in their boxes as soon as my craft room has been re-organised.

Talking of which, I decided on a major re-organisation of my room. Stuff were spilling onto the floor and I couldn't take it anymore. So it was time for a spring clean! There is a cupboard filled with junk of a few years and I decided to clear it so that I could use it for my SB items. Threw out loads including pregnancy magazines, Teletubbies magazines and even school letters from my son's school from 2005 (why on earth I kept them I've no idea!!!) Anyway, the cupboard is now cleared and I've managed to put my scrapbooking tools in there. I've cleared some space on my shelves so that the newly sorted SB items will find a place in there! I'm now looking forward to sorting my stamps properly so that I will know what I've got and will therfore use them!

Sorting out my stuff has given my mojo back as I went for a crop on Sunday and nearly completed an acrylic album. Had fun doing it and about time too as it's meant for a DT project. I can't wait to get my craft room properly organised as I'm now bursting with ideas and just want to create! TTFN!

>>> Back At Last! <<<

After 6 glorious week in Singapore, we are back unfortunately! If I had it my way, I would dearly have loved to remain behind and start afresh in Singapore. But it's not to be... well, who knows, maybe in the future perhaps! I simply can't remain in the UK forever... god forbid! I know I will be missing the food and fruits tremendously. No where can I find such an array of delicious dishes but most of all I'm gonna miss my duku!

Man, this is making me hungry and if only my dad could send them over! Just my luck to live in a country with the most boring fruits ever!!!! Sigh!

It came into season on the last week and I was buying 2kg worth of them everyday to eat! It wouldn't be so bad if I could find half the food here in the UK, it would have made staying here more acceptable but nooooo, I can't barely get a quarter of it here so that's what make staying in the UK a nitemare! The weather is another grouse but that's another story altogether!

I leave with photos of the last day in Singapore! Miss my dad dearly!

Our return luggage! 6 bags in all and all packed by moi! One bag consisted of entirely scrapping stuff. Hey, I'm entitled since I did all the packing.

Little Zac just simply relaxing. He does get away doing such things since he's quite light!

One last pose before going into the departure lounge.

Inflight entertainment at their fingertips! That's what I luv about Emirates! I discovered they had my favourite Mahjong game and was playing that throughout!