>>> UKScrappers March Challenge! <<<

I'm on a card roll and did another one for a challenge I spotted on UKScrappers forum. The challenge is to use any three of the elements mentioned:

• Buttons
• Bows
• Bling
• Birdies
• Blooms
• Bunnies

So here's what I came up with:

My three elements are buttons, bow and birdie. Made use of Unity Feb kit stamp set. Luv that kit!

TTFN!

>>> Caardvarks Challenge - Critters! <<<

Since I'm into doing cards lately, been checking out some card challenge blogs and found Caardvards blog. Their current challenge is to do a card on critters! Fab as I've got loads of images of them. Here's a recent one that I created:

Made use of Unity Feb kit stamps.

TTFN!

>>> Dreamgirls Challenge #23 <<<

Here's my LO based on Dreamgirls challenge #23: Ad it up. It's based on an advert and had to use a safety pin as well as a non-scrapbook item.

Here's my take on it:

Took inspiration from the title. I used a vintage music sheet as a non-scrapbook item and a safety pin is attached to the lace, where there's a charm hanging from it. Papers are from Graphic 45.

A closer look at it. Use a horse as I'm born in the Year of the Horse (the chinese zodiac).

TTFN!

>>> GCD Studios! <<<

Check them out! I love their papers and Scarlet Lime's kit usually contains a couple of sheets from them. Their new collections look fab and I'm sure they will appear in upcoming SL kits! :)

>>> Comic Relief! <<<

So both my sons' schools celebrated Comic Relief in a different way. The Infant School told the kids to come in something funny or in red. Majority chose to be funny and we saw them in their jammies, red wigs etc. The Junior School told them to wear something red. Both schools held fun activities to collect funds. All I can say the mood in school was jolly. Even the Infant teachers joined in and dressed up as kids! One of them resemebled Britney Spear in her video, Baby Hit Me One More Time.

On a slightly sour note, a particular doctor is suggesting that the govt tax chocolate .... why, 'cos it causes obesity! WHAT?!! Granted, it may be a contributing factor but certainly not the only factor. Do they seriously think that taxing chocolate will stop the people from being obese? Educating people about overeating and eating junk food might help! This country never cease to amaze me sometimes! The insane logic that make up the laws! TTFN!

>>> Natter Natter! <<<

Wednesday

Happy Birthday to my MIL! Spent the morning baking cupcakes for her and the afternoon rushing around (as usual, the mundane routine). Anyway, dropped in with the boys to celebrate her cakes with her.


In the evening, had a meeting with Oliver's potential piano teacher. He has expressed interest and I wanted to make sure he would be trained in the Suzuki method which he is currently doing with his violin. Now not all piano teachers are trained in this method so after a few enquiries, found this particular lady in Sutton Coldfield. Now come the chicken and egg scenario... lesson will go ahead when we have a piano at home for him to practise. Makes sense as he can't simply attend lessons and not practise! Had a hunt around the net and found 2 piano stores that we will be visiting this Sat!

Thursday

It was World Book Day and Zac's school had a Peter Pan theme so the li'l one was dressed up as a pirate (that pirate outfit was certainly worth buying as it has been worn so many times). It was equally cute to see all the kids & teachers dressed up as characters in Peter Pan.


TTFN!

>>> On Display! <<<

This is BackPorch Memories March Solo kit, featuring Cosmo Cricket Li'l Man.

This is March's stamp set. I absolutely adore it. Luv the beehive background stamp.

Now that that reveal is out, here's my LOs and projects using the kit. The colour scheme of the papers made it very usable indeed:

I used Tim Holtz' border mask for the top and bottom of the cardstock and sprayed the background with glimmer mist. Photo doesn't show it off.

Like the spinner but as a square it was a nitemare to use. Hence I trimmed off the corners and used it as a photo corner instead.

This LO was based on a sketch by Becky Fleck.
I have to admit that sketches inhibit my style completely! Can't say I like that LO much although I luv the photo. I just can't do sketches these days. I used them when I first started scrapping but now, they just seem to rein me in instead!

A card where the background has been stamped using the beehive background stamp.

Realised I'm missing a 'thank you' tag for Zac's cousins so made one in a hurry.

BackPorch Memories is having a cyber crop on April 17-19th. There will be lots of classes and challenges as well as games and some great prizes! Paula, the owner, is fab at giving out prizes, having been a recipient myself! Here's the blinkie (created by yours truly) :
So do join in the fun! TTFN!

>>> Poole! <<<

So we left for Poole at 9am yesterday and got there at about 11ish. God knows what Ollie ate (toast with tuna!) but he felt sick halfway. Hubs had to pull into a service station and there our friend did a mega puke on the tarmac. Well, he felt much better after that! The weather was brillant! Sunshine throughout!

The boys were delighted to see their cousins. They don't see them often due to the distance. We were indoor most of the time 'til the afternoon where we brought them out to the park. By then, the weather changed and it turned cloudy.

This is as close Zac can get to a dog as I refused to have a pet.... guess who will end up looking after it and I'm afraid cleaning up poo doesn't appeal to me!

Zac luv the trampoline!

The next day, we decided to visit Durdle Door. Big mistake. It was terribly windy and we didn't stand too long outside the car.

I think I was more afraid of Zac being blown off! Hub's car was stuck, his back wheel was spinning and he couldn't get out of the car park. He had to have some help. We then decided to visit Lutworth Cove instead. Quaint little area but it started to rain halfway. Thankfully by then we had already visited the sea so made our way into the gift stores.

The boys enjoy throwing pebbles in the sea.

Moi! Luv my pinkie booties! So comfy!

Saw a signboard for the area.

This little machine was so cool. Slot in a penny (together with 50p), twist the wheel and it will flatter the penny and embossed an image onto it. We ended up doing it 3 times as the boys were so enthralled with it!

That's how it looks like! So cool!

Luv Poole, such a cool area and even cooler to live there! Miss the sea so much and it's great to be acquainted with it again. TTFN!

>>> Tough! <<<

The Egyptian project is a rite nitemare! We got past background info quite easily. Now we have to plan a trip to Egypt! Thankfully I had already swiped brochures from travel agents early on. Then the tedious process began of planning the trip. As an adult, not been to Egypt before, I find it rather overwhelming how to sort out an itinerary. Imagine an 8 yr old trying to do it!!! So the two of us are sitting on the table, flipping through the brochures and looking at where we want to visit. Not only that, we have to consider travel restrictions, and god knows what else. It is just mind blogging! In the end, went on the net and surf for info and found the perfect itinerary. I will have to sit down with Ollie and make adaptations to it! I think at the end of this project, I'll be very well-versed on Egypt!

Still no sign of my BPM kit! Sigh! What is holding it up but I'm told that a fair number of UK subscribers only received their Feb kit this week. So I guess the problem is with the Royal Mail... what's holding them up?

We're off to Poole to visit my SIL and her family, a last minute decision. This is our only free weekend and the next few weekends are dedicated to music workshop and concerts! I think we need a break from home sometimes. TTFN!

>>> Project! <<<

Not mine but my eldest son! He had an Egyptian project to complete by the 24th this month and at the rate he's going, there's no way he's gonna get anything done. So in step mom who has to do the research on the net, print it out, sit down with him and then begin the painful task of getting him to write it out in his own words! Extremely tedious as literacy isn't his strongest point but that project has gotta be done. Add the fact that his concentration span is rather short, you can only imagine how long this is gonna take. So far, I'm resisting the urge to write it out for him but it's his project and he needs to add input to it. Basically the projects focus on getting background info on Egypt, planning a holiday itinerary and what goes into it! Yup, a lot of stuff to be covered. Thankfully, we got through the background info quickly (thanx to the net!) And I've already got brochures from travel agents regarding Egypt so we are gonna be browsing through them this weekend to sort out our itinerary.

Postie has brought some great stuff this week. A few stamps (I'm a confessed stampoholic! Just can't resist them). But this came all the way from the States...

My first sub to Unity Stamps. This is Feb kit. Aren't they gorgeous! They can be used for both cardmaking and scrapbooking as well. Can't wait to play with them. March's kit is equally fun too!

However, Postie failed to bring my BackPorch Memories March kit. I'm still waiting and getting rather impatient. Funny how some items from the States arrive far quicker than others. I supposed the parcels do take a longer time than those in padded envelopes!

The days are simply flying! It's Friday and the weekend is here. There's only 4 weeks to the Easter break (and I'm looking forward to it!) This weekend we are free as the boys do not have any music workshop. But I think I'll be working with Oliver on his Egyptian project. I just wanna get it out of the way asap! TTFN!

>>> Battle Of The Bulge! <<<

I'm fighting a losing battle with my bulge, tummy bulge that is! Since my 2nd pregnancy, I struggled to lose the excess fabbiness around my waist. Perhaps exercising would help greatly but I dislike doing any exercises, guess it's pure laziness. Anyway, last August got myself a nifty gadget that would help shift the fat! It did work as slowly my bulge became less noticeable! (I was even mistaken for being preggio while on holiday in Singapore last year! Arghhhh! To say I was insulted was an understatement. No idea why I only put on weight in that area.) So enough was enough! I had to do something.

The Galvanic Spa!
This is one heck of a gadget. Not only do I use it on my tummy but also on my face and it literally tightens my face and reduce any fine lines! But it certainly reduce the excess pregnancy fabbiness I had. Certainly worth every cent I paid! :) It also does hair too.

Now my aim is to get a perfectly flat tummy. I know it's not a difficult task to achieve but temptation to snack doesn't help either. I'm such a snacker! I've got titbits in my craft room literally everywhere! My weakness... chocolates! And I don't just eat one but can easily finish half a box of Mingles in one go! So now my aim is to strive to get a 24" waistline before summer! (I couldn't get this particular jeans I liked last summer as all that was left was for 24" waistline. I was so pissed! ) I know it can be done and I need to battle my urge to snack unhealthy stuff... will have to hunt around for more healthy version of snacks! TTFN!

>>> Update! <<<

Thursday

The boys received their new belts in their martial arts class but not before performing a demonstration for parents.

Ollie doing his demonstration

Zac doing his demonstration
Not perfect photos as I had my camcorder on one hand too. These were taken with my camera hung around me and moi merely clicking on the button.

Ollie with his new belt. Zac takes after his brother's!

Friday

Zac went on a school trip to the Art Museum in Birmingham. His class got back an hour and 15 mins late as the bus forgot to pick them up and instead came straight to school to pick up another class. Poor chap was starving when he got back. He was moaning how bored he was while waiting! Wonder what the teachers did with them during the wait!

Weekend

The usual routine....music workshop, grocery shopping. I did get to lie-in on Sunday... bliss! :) TTFN!

>>> Happy Anniversary! <<<

to hubs and moi! 9 years ago we were married on this day in Singapore. I did had to remind hubs yesterday so that he wouldn't forgot! Anyway, we are out for a meal tonite. My best friend (and she doesn't even live here!) introduced me to this restaurant, Blue Ginger which serves Singaporean & Malaysian cuisine! Mmmm.... whether or not it's authentic remains to be tasted!

Hubs got his mom to babysit the boys and we went. Hubs asked if I wanted to have teppanyaki at a Japanese restaurant. However, since we have been a few times, I wanted something different. We finally found the restaurant and it was a quaint little place with a cool ambience. Anyway, I went for 2 starters, chwee kway (middle plate) and otak (plate on the left) while hubs went for the special which was duck cooked with rambutan and jackfruit in red curry! And we ordered a side dish of kang kong belachan (plate on the right)!


The food came and I was gobsmacked! OMG! How authentic can this be?!! I took a tentative bite and almost screamed with delight. It even taste authentic! Man, the whole dinner saw me beaming away. For dessert, I ordered pandan crepe with ice-cream topped with coconut shavings. Mmmm, it was simply unbelievable... shiok (local slang that mean smackingly delicious) would be the word! Finally I found a restaurant that serves food from home. Not to mention that prices are reasonable too. Needless to say, I'll be a regular customer. In fact, there was a steady stream of customers and some even ordered a takeaway! I now know where to send hubs to when we want a takeaway! :)

Thanx CB for telling me about this restaurant... you gotta try it when you come over! TTFN!

>>> Butterfly Craft #6 <<<

Here's my take on challenge #6. The challenge is to scrap about a collection. Well, that's easy... I collect a lot namely scrap supply, handbags etc. but I chose to focus on my Crocs! I luv them and they are just sooooo comfy!

Just realised I missed out on a brown pair of Crocs... my boys luv them too and own a couple of pairs as well. LO was created using Scarlet Lime Feb 09 main kit. This kit has loads of greens and yellows hence the particular colour scheme!

TTFN!

>>> Random Thoughts! <<<

Monday

Back to school for the boys. Zac had a violin performance during school assembly as it's Music Week. So together with the other pupils, they performed a few tunes.

The entire group performing Twinkle Variation

The trio performing Allegro

My Li'l One... he must be used to performing by now!

Tuesday

Today is Egyptian Day for Oliver. I got him a costume as the one I made was rather naff! So here's he is, looking like an Egyptian Prince!

Ollie looking a little stifled as it's cold!

Will be keeping the costume in a safe place for Zac when it's his turn! TTFN!

>>> London! <<<

We made an early start for London, was out of the house by 7.30am. We had to be at the Royal Festive Hall by 10ish for the boys' violin rehearsal. They have a performance in the afternoon, organised by the British Suzuki Organisation.

Thank goodness for satnav! We got to the venue in good time and went on a sightseeing trip in London as we passed a fair number of well-known streets. The venue was teaming with people, kids especially with their violins. At 11am, their rehersal started and I got hubs to videotape them while I was clicking away. Here's some shots of them:

Their conductor is French and a really humourous chap. He certainly made the rehearsal fun!

Can you spot them?

The li'l scruffy one... thank goodness it was only rehearsal! Didn't manage to get good single shots of Ollie as he was blocked by the front row people.

We broke up for lunch and had about 3 hrs of free time. After lunch, we took a walk outside where the boys were entertained by the street performers. We passed the London Eye, the Parliament House and Big Ben and walked along the Thames.

The street performers. There were quite a few of them. Wonder how much takings they get in a day?

Bless my MIL! She took this photo of us, holding the camera pretty awkwardly. But she did well and I merely cropped out unwanted bits!

The rascals... can't never get them to pose nicely for me!

After two fun hours, we went into the Festive Hall to allow the boys to rest. Finally it was time for them to go in. The concert lasted 2 hours and they were the finale. No photography was allowed but there were so many parents sneaking a pic or two and some even videoing them. How can you not resist... seeing your kid performing on stage! Anyway, I managed a couple of sneaky pics...

This was one of the best shots of my sneaky pics! Taken without flash. Zac is right in front while Ollie is just behind him on his right.

Needless to say, I will be buying the DVD of the concert. :) My dad would luv to see it. TTFN!

>>> Dreamgirls Challenge #22 <<<

Came across this blog while blog surfing and decided to participate since I do have a fair number of American Craft papers lying untouched! In fact, Scarlet Lime Feb main kit has 4 AC papers and I used them including shaped thickers that were in past kits.

The theme was to use 80% AC stuff and to include a heart and flourish/swirl in the page. Here's what I came up:

Well, I've got at least 80% AC stuff as all the papers are AC including thickers, alphabets and shapes. The other 20% consist of trimmings, transparent tape, tiny alphas and stamps. Played with my new Ali Edwards Loving Words stamp set that came today.
LO was created using Scarlet Lime Feb main kit 09.

Pretty glad I cut into the SL kit. Most of the time, it's sitting on the shelf untouched. My aim this year is to find challenge blogs to take part and use up my kit more often. It's also fun to be able to create freely without restrain.

Rite, it's back to household chores.... ironing beckons.... got a shedload of clothes that need to be folded and ironed! It's the folding part that I detest... ironing is much more fun! TTFN!

>>> The Weekend! <<<

Friday

The day started out bright and sunny. I invited the boys' friends over to play, a pair of sisters, both of whom are in each of the boy's class. Well, all of them had a fun time playing with Wii. They did have a bit of run in the garden but not for long as it's still chilly despite the sunny weather. The boys did enjoy their company and it makes a change having gals around.

The later part of the afternoon was spent in their Nan's house. Later Zac stayed over while Ollie and I headed for home. Hubs came back early i.e. 6pm (he's normally not in till 8pm) and we made an impromptu trip to Star City for dinner instead. I took it he was too lazy to cook so decided to go out to eat... fine by me :). We tried a new restaurant called Oodles Noodles which was a pan Oriental cuisine. Have to say it was good, much to my surprise! Ollie wanted to watch Bolt but we felt it wasn't fair to Zac. He would have a fit if he knew we watched a movie without him. That boy is so calculating these days.... gosh, he goes into mathematic overdrive if he knew his brother had something more than him, especially in the snack area.

We had been debating whether to get a hotel in London for tomorrow nite as the boys have a violin concert on Sunday at the Royal Festive Hall in the Southbank Centre. They have to be at the Hall early on Sunday for rehersal which means an early trip down to London. In the end, we decided we rather drive down early as opposed to staying in London. Not so keen to do any sightseeing in London (translate that to I can't be bothered to pack for an overnite stay as I've yet to unpack from the time we spent in Poole early this year!!!)

Saturday

A quiet day for us. We only went out in the evening to see Bolt as the boys wanted to see it. It was entertaining.

Early nite for us as we are off to London tomorrow! TTFN!

>>> WeKitUNot Challenge! <<<

Here are my entries for WeKitUNot blog. The challenge this month is for us to make use of embossing, either wet or dry and I put my Cuttlebug embossing folders to good use!

Made use of the snow embossing folder on the circle.

Made use of the birthday embossing folder here.
These were created using BackPorch Memories Feb kit.

Over at UKScrappers forum, a group of us who subscribed to Scarlet Lime kit decided to challenge us to use the kit and create something. Well, it has worked and we have put the kit(s) to good use. I played with August main kit 08 last nite and came up with this:

Made use of circular embossing folder to make the centres of the flowers.
LO created using Scarlet Lime Aug main kit 08.

On a happy note, my Scarlet Lime Feb kit has arrived! Hooray! Gonna have a nite of fun later. TTFN!