Kool Kitty Musings

Friday catch-up

 

I managed to meet up with a very special friend today for a catch-up, ruminations on life, a few giggles, and of course my first seasonal Starbucks from the Christmas menu. I went for a Peppermint Mocha (the most coffee I will ever manage in one cup) even a latte is too strong for me but this certainly hit the spot - and of course it was accompanied by some fruit toast....

I also spotted this year's Starbucks Christmas CD, but will have to look at it more closely another time to determine whether it's one for the list or not.

We had a good flick through my new addition to the cook book library:

 

I may just try one of these recipes for the next crop... who knows, but it won't be one that calls for 8 egg yolks! LOL

We also ventured into TK Maxx - it would have been rude not to, and given the sheer amount of AC 12x12 album kits including a lovely Dear Lizzy one... I am amazed we walked out minus a kit... Will have to see if they get any other Dear Lizzy ones in in the range I really liked.

On the scrapping front... something has come out of its box ready to be added to...

 

And speaking of Christmas... take a look at the Christmas cactus I am currently plant-sitting...

 
Right, I suppose I'd best see about ordering Pink Martini's Christmas album... wonder if it's up for download on iTunes yet? I noticed there was a new Pink Martini track on the Starbucks album so... am rather hoping it will be on their new Joy to the World album.

Before Strictly...

Thought I would just post some recent makes - for the UKS monthly card challenge, which this month is focusing on label love! :o)

First up a nice festive number (trying to get some of that Jovial stash used!).

 

Papers: Basic Grey
Label and border sticker: Basic Grey
Stamp: Waltzing Mouse
Other: Twine, Stickles, 3D foam, Distress Ink

 

Then I needed a break from Christmas stuff (oddly was not in the mood today... shock horror!)

 

Papers: Cosmo Cricket
Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket
Die: Nestabilities
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Waltzing Mouse
Other: 3D foam, Stickles

 

And finally, a little boy birthday card as I never really make any of these!

 

Paper: MME
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink
Brads: Basic Grey
Felt: Papertrey Ink
Other: 3D foam, Distress ink, Copics

 

There we have it...

I also started and finished this today:  

Not bad, definitely better than the more recent Black Cobra series - ugh... those I find rather annoying, as you really have to suspend belief more than any other fictional tale of this period. Plus the baddies are true caricatures... {sigh}

Anyway, I'd best go get my tea in the oven!

Finished...

 

And it wasn't that bad after all, in fact I had to stay up late to finish it. Phew!

Not sure what's next on the list of things to read. It has been a very busy week at work and I've mostly been unwinding on an evening. So busy in fact that I nodded off under the slanket at some ridiculously early hour.... {blush}

Anyway, I'm hoping the weekend will be a good time to restore the batteries!

Baking Book Bargain

 

I picked up this fab book in Sainsbury's today for just £4.99 (cheaper than amazon at the mo).

Baking Magic certainly looks to live up to the title and it is packed full with recipes, not loads of life story blah blah blah writing that hides the main recipe event. And is really friendly for the novice baker who hasn't any gadgets or mechanical robotic assistance in the kitchen - namely me! I don't yet have any essentials but I've read the intro and found it so informative and down to earth on what you really need to get the right results (i.e. not a lot as it happens).

While out at dinner tonight with a friend we flicked through it and ooohed and ahhhed over so many of the recipes and photos, including homemade chocolate bourbons and even chocolate digestives!

There are cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits and even some yummy looking savoury treats.

Once I am equipped with a few essentials I will be trying something out - for the fun decorative bits and pieces I think I am going to need some recs for online sugarcraft suppliers (gel food colouring, edible glitter, cute muffin/cupcake cases, cute colours of sprinkles), a place I can get unwaxed lemons???

I am back on SW (well with a slight exception for part of tonight's meal) but I think it would be nice to make something fun now and again and share the joy so I don't scoff it all on my own! hehe

Chipping away at the Christmas cards...

This year, I'm planning to chip away slowly at getting my Christmas cards made, so each week now before Christmas I'm going to need to make at least one card so I don't end up doing them all last minute come December.

Because in December I want to concentrate on my Christmas journal - which I'm tentatively planning to make in advance.

Very tentative planning!

Next weekend I really need to get down to planning it as I want to start it at my crop at the end of the month. Hm. Time will tell what happens with that. ;o)

So, this week's Christmas card is this one made in response to the current sketch over at the CPS blog (#184):

 

Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Pearls: Prima
Other: Organza ribbon, Stickles

Note, if you can't draw a nice tidy box with a pen and ruler, stick-on pearls are your friend to hide those corners! Also, SU white cardstock is my best friend for stamping onto - I think I need some cream card too, but wow - the results with my little rather old Papertrey ink cubes is faaaar better to how it stamps on regular cardstock. Spring Moss ink in action on the tree and stamped evenly, never thought I'd see the day. ;o)

It's difficult to tell when the card is stood up, but the insert greeting is positioned so its frame goes around the front greeting when shut.

And here's the inside, grey ink border and some Stickles, and distress ink (old paper) on white cardstock.

I'm rather in the Christmas crafting mood after making that card - but we'll see how long that lasts right?

During my crafty time I watched Changeling.

 

Very good movie, but cripes I need some light relief after it. Amazed it was a true story.

Hopefully the next movie from lovefilm will be one of the comedies on my list. I need a break from drama.

Also I finished the Untamed Bride this afternoon:

It's the first in this series and better than the second one, much better... but still, it's rather OT and so far fetched in places, not to mention revisiting past characters from Bar Cynster and Bastion Club series is overly done because those characters seem to have become caricatures of their former selves... :o(

I think I'm going to need a break from Stephanie Laurens now just so that I don't disappoint myself with the rest of the Cynster and Bastion Club books I still have to read...

Anyway, back to Sunday night entertainment.

Still wiggy...

Typepad still seems to be having a little mood on... the post I wrote yesterday didn't publish until today but at least I can add pics to my posts again!

So back to the weekend... Saturday I had a lovely afternoon out on the coast with Zoe and the girls including a trip to a beach I've never been to:

It might look rather hot and pleasant in the pic, but the water definitely wasn't warm! LOL

After a quick stop for chips by the sea on the way home Zoe and I headed out to see this:

The kid in it was very cute, Jason Bateman I rather like, but Jennifer Aniston - still playing the same character in every movie I see her in. There must be a non-Rachel-Green role out there for her right?

Also I quickly overdosed on pick and mix during the trailers, never mind the movie! Not good.

Yesterday I attacked this:

My very well-stocked To Be Read pile from the library, I feel quite lucky that the lending limit is 20 books in my area, it certainly comes in handy when reading series!

And here's what's at the top of my pile and first due back at the library:

Hopefully it'll be tons better than the Elusive Bride (the second book in this particular series and really disappointing) - the first one seemed to be on loan from the library constantly since mid-June so I've only just got it! Fingers crossed it was worth the wait, but I think I will need a break from Stephanie Laurens land so that her writing, characters and plots don't get too muddled and stale.

But who shall I try next eh? 

July...

Where has it gone??

I can't say I've done much momentous this month judging by my photos... for the last week plus it has been work-work-work (including the weekend)... a few trips to the gym and some reading to relax before nodding off. Boring eh?

However I have managed to eat a lot of these:

Because I...

strawberries!

There's been minimal outdoor beanbag time because well... it's been like this or threatening to be like this whenever I've had time to read:

Instead the beanbag lives in the conservatory - my favoured reading spot.

There has been a new addition to the garden decor - not that there are any visitors to it...

Picked this up at TK Maxx yesterday for £7 I think it was. Very sweet and loads to choose from.

But this is the one that appealed the most.

So when I've not been working I have got through these books...

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh - First in the series and rather enjoyable, so I shall be happy to read the rest in this series. :o)

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas - First in the Wallflower Series, shame the library hasn't got the next one yet as the titles in the series are currently being reprinted. Grrrr... but I look forward to continuing this one!

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh - A nice little stand-alone novella, an easy evening read. :o)

Can you tell my addition to historical romance shows no sign of abating any time soon. However... I did have a little foray back into Nora Land with her newest title:

 
The Search by Nora Roberts - I found the last two stand-alone books by Nora a bit unexciting compared to her previous ones, but this one was totally back on form. Really enjoyable and great characters... makes me wish I could have a dog of my own, have been fancying life with a well-behaved Boston terrier for quite some time... but it ain't gonna happen!

And the current read... I am trying to give Stephanie Laurens a go again, but not sure I'm ever going to LOVE her books...

The Lady Chosen is the first in the Bastian Club series... I'm keeping an open mind, honest!

Tomorrow night it's a trip to the cinema which will be a nice break, time to see whether it's Team Jacob or Edward this time round... ;o)

Escapism is the only way to go!

Well there are too many things conspiring against me at the moment to be doing anything productive.

Camera battery dead (still needs charging) so no real photos to share of interest... But here are some shots from the garden.

Now that it is overcast my pink lilies have started coming out - tsk and I can't sit out on the beanbag and enjoy their scent what with the blah weather we're having here:

I just hope the wind doesn't knock them over again!

Then other things are doing quite well in the garden, The Begonia Basket being one of them:

And I am patiently waiting for the fuchsias to open... no doubt they will while the weather is miserably dark and wet and will promptly drop off!

The only thing thriving indoors is the good old Geranium in the conservatory which gets visited by bees when the doors are wide open:

Otherwise I have been trying to keep up with my pile of books from the library (they have increased the limit to 15 books out at a time... yikes).

I've recently read:

Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick - rather liked her historical version of the Arcane Society Series, not that taken with the modern day series enough to get into it, but I may check out more of her writing as Amanda Quick. :o)
 

 

Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas - it was ok, but I blooming well hate these "romance" covers...

Next I returned to some Mary Balogh:

First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh - the first book in the Huxtable series, enjoyed it so will be getting the rest of the series out.

Then a new author to try:

An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James - never read her stuff before and this was an OK read, won't be checking out the rest of the series in a real hurry, but would really like to read the book about Jemma and Elijah Beaumont in this series. Hope the library gets it in for me. :o)

And now for my current read, although when I finish it is anyone's guess! I shall be working extra time this week and probably the weekend. :o(

And on that note, I think it only fair I go and get a few chapters read before bed! ;o)

Lost in Austen... sorta.

I have been enjoying the Austen dramatisations that they've been showing as light relief to the football on ITV3 - well... enjoying more some than others... 

I just don't really "get" the film version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly, much prefer the BBC one... maybe it is like Dr Who - everyone has their favourite from their formative years!

And I much preferred the recent version of Emma the BBC did, thought Johnny Lee Miller was a wonderful Mr Knightley...

But ITV's adaptation of Persuasion had a great Captain Wentworth in the form of Rupert Penry-Jones:

 
  
Anyway, this has all been a nice accompaniment to my current guilty pleasure.

Regency-set historical fiction... erm, including some good old romance!

Definitely a guilty pleasure yet soooo many books to try and to choose from. My library list has been well-stocked and I have been in there almost every other day picking up something new and returning a little stack of finished books.

This weekend I've read:

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh - have never read any of her books, but enjoyed this one although I hate starting in the middle of a series rather than at the beginning. But I shall definitely be adding her to my author list and following the series.

And then last night I read (very quickly and skimming in the end...)

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens, second book in the Black Cobra Quartet and it was very "meh" for me. Just a bit OTT and far-fetched in plot (well even far-fetched for this genre) and I just didn't warm to the characters at all. I hope the other books in the series are better as I have the first one on my reserve list at the library. Plus she seems to be a very popular author for this genre, but I much prefer what I have read of Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh so far. I've read another of Stephanie Laurens' books from the Cynster series and just hope the other books in that series are better too...

And now I am reading:

Amanda Quick's novel set in Victorian times and includes some paranormal talents... I find Jayne Anne Krentz a bit hit and miss in the books I've read. They are nice enough reads but never terribly exciting... So will see if her historical fiction style is any different. :o)

The days have been flying by...

With this gorgeous weather, when I've not been working I have been out in the garden on my nice big bean bag reading:

Finished it this evening just before doing the ironing - kingsize bedding, blimey thought I'd never reach the end of the duvet cover!

Not sure how much time will be spent lounging in the garden on the beanbag now that 1 1/2 bags of stable manure went in my flower bed courtesy of my dad... it was a bit ripe when the sun was at it's peak today... TMI I know! But hey, at least the roses love it...

Anyway, off to enjoy my favourite fruit of the summer...

M&S cherries! Last year ma and I bought a huge bag half price for £6 and ate them as soon as we got home... the price was still astronomical considering they were "half price", but a treat is a treat - so I shall be enjoying the ones I picked up the other day and hoping that M&S has some more half price offers on their cherries this year...

Coming to a garden near me... soon...

Yesterday I was very much awol lost in my current new read:

This is apparently Ciara Geraghty's first book and wow, I am so glad I picked it up, and her second one too! Many tears and tissues but she is a great new author to the Chick Lit fold and I will be looking forward to diving into her second book, but not today. As I only finished Saving Grace this morning and haven't the emotional strength to start another. LOL

While not reading my book yesterday - we hit the Nurseries and Garden Centres yesterday in search of new items to go into my slightly uncovered flower bed in the garden now that the orange blossom has gone in:

 

Here are the spoils:

I am still hoping the most local Garden Centre will get the Lady of Shallot... we shall see what space will be left in the bed for more Austin roses...

The first of the proper rose climbers, it's already got a rose openeing...

Looks like it will be very pretty.

And now climbers part two...

Some more extravagance for the brick wall behind the bed with this one I think...

Those flowers must be quite heavy but they are pretty spectacular when they come out!

The colour of this one is quite amazing, and I think this is the one that will be stay in a planter against the willow screening rather than going into the ground on the other side:

Elsewhere things are thriving after the rather wet weather we have had all week (bar yesterday).

I love this lavender, which I call my moth lavendar...

Something else is thriving on the blueberry bush and chomping away at it! Hm... not too happy about that but think it will be treated for whatever insect is doing that.

The trailing begonia is doing very well outside now and needs a proper hanging basket bracket to hang from!

And of all my baskets and pots, my little begonia basket is the one doing the best after all the rain!  

Picked this up today..

So needless to say creativity is on hold tonight!

CAD prompts to follow soon, plus watch out for a new DCM project tomorrow. For once I actually was ahead of schedule with this one!

And now I'm off!

So much for summer...

After yesterday's lovely unseasonal Bank Holiday weather, it's back to wintry weather today - sooo cold the heating has been on all evening!

However, it has meant that I've stayed indoors and got ahead on some projects as I'm out tomorrow night to see Sex and the City 2 (including the return of Aidan!).

But here are the cards I can share so far... time for some Fly a Kit action...

Paper: October Afternoon
Stickers: October Afternoon
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Brads and button: Basic Grey
Other: Stickles

Prompt: "Fresh Lemonade" - Inspiration: American Crafts, Woodgrain design, gingham ribbon, decorative pin, vintage label.

Paper: American Crafts
Rub-on: Basic Grey
Bling: Prima
Die: Nestabilities
Ribbon: Rusty Pickle
Other: Stickles

This dark and dreary weather has also meant that I've finally had time to check out Battlestar Galactica from the beginning... not the 70s version, but the more recent one from 2004-ish starring the yummy Jamie Bamber as Captain Apollo.

Think I'm around 9 episodes in... plenty more to go thankfully! :o)

Also once I log off it's back to my book...

Ah the great outdoors....

Today apparently was the hottest day of the year so far - and it was totally sizzling outside... not that I got to enjoy any of it until 5! LOL

I even bought a tub of ice cream at Aldi and stashed it in my handbag on the drive home. Will be cracking it open later, but when I did get home I opened all the doors and windows out back into my yard and just stood and soaked in the smells and heat of summer weather.

It's still lovely out there but getting a bit cool now.

However, I have taken a few snaps of what is currently growing and alive in my house...

Behold, plant life!

My Aldi basil, bought two weeks ago and still not cooked pasta, but it is looking much healthier if a little singed from the sunlight at the bottom.

The Hebe, soon to go in the trough out front, but for now adding some greenery to the decking.

My lilies in their new home, now just waiting to see which colour comes out first...

The blueberry bush, hopefully it'll survive and offer up some fruit.

And finally, after being re-potted by my dad, the first cherry tomato!

Also I finished this before getting up for work this morning:

I have another of her books so will see if that one is any better. I just really didn't like the twists re characters in this book. Maybe I have read too many Nora Roberts ones to appreciate the nature of this twist, but I anticipated them early on and worried that they'd actually come to fruition - which they did.

Anyway, many more books on the pile so think I shall start the Jill Mansell tonight. :o)

Card a day prompts coming later - no fear!

I may be some time...

Tonight I really just want to disappear into a book... It seems like ages since I last read anything. My little trip to pick up some of my reserved library books ended up with a couple more jumping into my pile off the shelves! Hm, but which one to start with?

Think it might be time for some suspense!

April is the cruelest month...

When it comes to cash flow! As my car tax is due, plus I have a couple of CC bills need paying aaaaaaaaaaand now I need to visit the tyre centre tomorrow morning as a nail is embedded in my front wheel and needs sorting. Booohisss....

But, the cash flow has also gone on some pretty stuff that was going to keep me occupied this weekend (maybe not so much now that I will be out tomorrow sorting my car).

Behold the prettiness:

Yep, it's mainly October Afternoon Fly a Kit and Thrift Shop - I swore I was only going to get the odd sheet from these lines, but well... something very strange happened and all the papers fell in my basket along with some extra items!

Also I feel the need to purchase more of those Prima e.line bling/pearl cards - they are fab! And the colours are so pretty...

I love these little characters in the journaling cards - so cute!

And yum! Banners!

I love that these stickers aren't shiny like some others, all the better for stamping on, and I love that one with the stitched border in teal...

And finally I couldn't resist some alpha stickers!

So, not long until tonight's Ashes to Ashes, doubt I shall be making anything tonight plus I finally have this to pick up from the library (hopefully tomorrow!):

 

Impulse purchases

I only went into Hobbycraft on the way home from work today to get some foam pads and stamp cleaner.

Well, I ended up buying some papers I'd not managed to get yet and spent way too much, the swindlers charged £1.35 a sheet for standard double-sided, but it wasn't brand new stock so hard to get these designs from other retailers now. Oh well... won't be making that mistake again!

But here is today's card. :o)

Prompt: "Bunnies Missing You" - Inspiration: Pink/blue, scallop mat, swirls, woodgrain, felt.

 

Paper: BoBunny
Flowers: Making Memories
Buttons: Papertrey Ink
Brad: Doodlebug
Stamp: Papertrey Ink

And I started this tonight:

Ok so far... ;o)

My cute cards...

Well, only because I'm still playing with those My Cute Stamps purchases. LOL

Anyway, I am now up-to-date with card a day... :o)

Prompt: Inspiration: Woodgrain/wood, woodland characters/theme, twine, green.

Papers: My Mind's Eye
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities
Brads: Doodlebug
Twine: Making Memories

Then we have another birdie...

Prompt: "Bird on a Branch" - Inspiration: Digi elements, dots/spots, embroidery thread/twine.

Papers: October Afternoon
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities
Other: Stickles, Bling
Twine: Making Memories

Rather like how the colours turned out in the stamping - nice and fruity bright!

And last but not least, one that hardly matches the prompt buuuut...

Prompt: "Read" - Inspiration: Hobbies, brackets, metal hardware, knotted ribbon.

 

Papers: Bo Bunny
Stamps: My Cute Stamps, Papertrey Ink
Dies: Nestabilities
Other: Satin ribbon
Twine: Making Memories

I picked up a couple of new books at the library today so hoping to make a start on them soon.

Robyn Sisman's A Hollywood Ending:

And Carole Matthews' All You Need is Love:

 

This is the week...

Where it would be really helpful if more hours could be added into the day.

I have not made anything at all, I have not packed a single thing for the weekend, I have not even retrieved my sleeping bag from the loft!

This is not good people, not good...

I will be playing Card a Day catch up over the weekend, that is for sure!

Tomorrow night I will be packing, packing, packing.

Thursday night I will be repacking what I packed in case I forgot something.

(This is standard operating procedure)

Friday I will be gone! ;o)

But the reason nothing has been made tonight, is the fact I started this book...

 

...whilst waiting at the garage for a safety recall to be done on my car. Within 2 hrs I'd got half way. Now I am at the point where I need to finish it so it cannot distract me further.

Currently there is a battle going on between crafting and reading, and reading is winning...

Typical!

I have come down with a flipping cold. Gaaah! And will soon be floating on the Sudafed cloud, how flaming annoying is this. It better clear up before Friday is all I can say.

I was going to sort out my stuff for Gibside today, but I feel like doing zero and just huddling under the duvet the rest of the day. But I suppose I should really get some urgent projects out of the way so I can vegetate later.

I suppose it didn't really help that I only went to sleep around 4 a.m. I was reading and watching the Olympics live (wow that team GB bobsleigh crash was pretty spectacular, amazed the guy that fell out only sustained ice burns) and couldn't sleep once I'd hit the one a.m. marker. LOL

But at least I finished this, which was a good read:

I think this is only the second Lisa Jewell book I've read so glad I have some more on the TBR pile. :o)

I've had to stop

Before I get pulled in too far!

I cannot have another day "misspent" - so I have had to completely resist the urge to keep reading my current book:

I got up to Part Two this morning, where the story is about to really start after some revelations, and looked at the clock and debated the pros and cons, looked at my poor desk under a pile of "stuff" and thought no, I have to make something today!

So the book is now tucked under my pillow where I cannot see it and cannot be tempted to pick it up again. 

And now, I am off to make something. At least one thing! 

Oh and a lip balm/gloss recommendation:

 

I have been using this for the past week (mainly when I have been stuck indoors as me and lip gloss outdoors do not go - my hair always blows into my lips and it is a real mess and seriously frustrating) and there has been a real difference. You apparently only need to use it 1 to 2 times a day but I am getting in the habit of applying it when necessary and it adds a lovely bit of colour and tastes very pleasant. :o)

An unlikely partnership

Hah, you may have had to do a double take - what have Papercrafts' Card a Day book and Madonna got in common?

Me!

My recent little amazon order arrived today, the Card a Day book (which by the way is really good - any cardmakers out there I would really recommend it for the eye candy and ideas - the layout is really good too) and the double CD/DVD compilation of Confessions Live - I needed it just for the exclusive Paradise (Not for Me) clip, love that version, and really I don't think I will ever tire of the original album. 

Anyway, these two items will join forces tonight as I am going to get down to some creative time once I've had my shower. :o)

Why I love Sundays

I spent the morning catching up with my to be read pile of books and polished off this nice light read:

Then I finished off a couple of cards. The 2Peas CaD challenge seems to be on hold at the moment so I've just kept making cards while I have the time (but I have gone and ordered the book at amazon so I can keep up with the ideas)! The first one is for this week's dare over at Darking Cardmakers - Schooldays.

Papers: October Afternoon, Scenic Route
Stickers: KI Memories, Jenni Bowlin
Punch: Martha Stewart
Brad: Basic Grey
Other: Satin ribbon
Dies: Nestabilities

See, this was the excuse I was waiting for to use these alpha stickers from Jenni Bowlin - they keep landing on my desk and not being filed away with other stickers, and finally they got used and are now properly filed away!

Next up is a card I made whilst working on something else completely - I just had the paper out and wanted to finally cut it up!

Papers: SEI, Basic Grey
Border: Bazzill Just the Edge
Stickers: Ki Memories
Other: Stickles, Bling

 

You don't really need to do much with this frosty paper, but a bit of glitter totally lifts the designs and they are even sparklier.

Also I have been busy buying up the accessories I wanted for the bathroom:

 had to have this bin, it's a lot more green in real life - seems a bit washed out in this image from the catalogue.

The matching sink accessories. :o)

And the stroke of luck I had yesterday in TK Maxx, finally a large lime green bath mat (have only been after THE ONE since October!) - £9.99 and it is really big like I wanted. Unlike this pic I found online (to give you an idea) it is bobbly on one side. So I'm looking forward to putting all these items in their new places.

M&S Also has some ceramic letters that spell "BATH", but when I looked at the back for the drill holes they seem a bit complicated to put on the walls... Hm, I would really like to have something on my bathroom wall over the bath and had hoped ceramic letters would fit the bill, but it needs to be something that doesn't require drilling, such as picture hooks.

963 pages later

I have finished Dragonfly in Amber, but now there is an urge, a real dangerous urge, to open the first page of Voyager and keep reading.

But no.

Must be strong.

Must not also lose my Sunday lost in a book that may result in my being late for work tomorrow simply because I HAD to finish the book before real life could be resumed.

No, don't want that, so instead I am off to find something else to keep me busy! Probably those Card a Day creations I have to catch up on!

The mistakes you make...

I am saying goodbye to my weekend!

I started Dragonfly in Amber last night, now I know where my weekend is going to go - if I do not finish it tonight or read through until the wee small hours I will get nothing made tomorrow! It has to be back at the library the 28th, so if I don't finish it this weekend it will be even worse as I will have to re-reserve it again, mid-way through reading it! Gaaah! As soon as I'm done here on the blog, I am back to it!

However, I had to go out this afternoon and have bought some kitchen pretties at Collectibles in their sale:

I totally love Joseph Joseph stuff, so this glass worktop saver was a must - it's so bright and cheerful.

Also I finally managed to get some apple coasters, in fact they are the apple & pear coasters from BHS but for the bargain price of £1.25:

I was eyeing their apple and pear range up last year, but it was so pricey. I kept dithering and dithering over their oven gloves, but alas they only had that double glove not two separate mitts, I loved the pattern and now I finally have something from this range!

I am still on the look out for 1 Keep Calm and Carry On coaster in red for my bedroom:

But since Borders went out of business here I've not seen the coaster anywhere! Will probably have to get it online, but I begrudge paying set rate postage for such a small light item, so am still hoping to come across one in a shop one day!

Yesterday

I couldn't quite tear myself away from my book in the evening to blog....

It was a bit of a slow start and took some getting into, but definitely worth the initial effort. Once I was a third into it I couldn't put it down. It's a bit of a departure from Marian's usual style (a bit Cecelia Ahern but not as weird!) but it worked as it had Marian's magic of storytelling, characters and emotional highs and lows. Not sure it's a style/device I'd want her to continue with, but it definitely worked in her hands.

Since I'm between books

I thought I'd best try to make at least one card today. It combines the 2Peas CaD challenge and the current dare from the Daring Cardmakers, called "hole in one".

Prompt: "Happy 8th Son" - Inspiration: Space theme, large number element, and/or star embellishments

Stamps: Banana Frog
Paper: KI Memories
Bling: Jones Tones, Stickles
Other: Glitter card, Promarkers, plenty of 3D foam

So as you can see, I am really making inroads into that old QVC glitter cardstock! It shall be used!

So next book to be read, is this:

Typical really...

After a week of well... quietness (typical for much of January in the translation world) today became seriously busy towards the end of the day. For some reason after lunch everyone and his dog was calling/e-mailing/discussing a job. I have an urgent project in (good) but on a tight deadline (not so good) that will require me to work some of this weekend. A weekend where I was hoping to attack this:

The new additions from the library to my TBR pile - I may have to forgo the Gabaldon books as the 2nd in the series is due back at the library on the 28th and cannot be renewed as there are some reserves on it. :o\

Also, again a timely arrival, a box of lovely stash including a restock of my fave turquoise dotty paper from AC:

And at long last the loopy Martha punch, I've only been after one for 4/5 months... ;o) And I like how the edges fold away now, that'll help in the punch drawer!

In the meantime, I need to go register my books on shelfari and librarything then a nice bath. I had hoped to restock on my favourite bath soak:

Alas it is out of stock and probably discontinued, so I had to get the successor which is this:

It almost has the same smell, but was double the price for the same amount! That really ticks me off, but unfortunately my skin need this stuff and the monoi bath oil at this time of the year. :o\  

Out with the old, in with the new...

I'm not really a fan of New Year's, as it means the end of that nice block of relaxation time between Christmas and January 1st, i.e. the holiday is almost over!

But one thing I do like about today is opening up my new calendar for the year.

Last year I had this gorgeous letterpress calendar from Paper Source:

I just loved the colours and the designs, but most of all the Letterpress debossing!

Alas my hopes to buy the 2010 calendar (even nicer designs this year - grrrr!) from them ended in disaster as their shipping charge for just this one small item was going to be $65. I'm afraid much as I love it I'm not going to fork out over three times the cost of the calendar just to get it to the UK! Also have to say their customer service was somewhat lacking in this matter and in refunding my CC after they charged it without authorisation by mistake... but anyway that's another story.

Paper Source Chicago was a lovely store to visit, but I'm afraid it's not a place I will be buying from unless I am lucky enough to visit one of their stores in person sometime - I just wish we had stationery stores like this in the UK (well outside London).

However, I have plans for last year's calendar.

All these cards will end up in a little review of 2009 album so I'll have a photo (montage) on one side and the calendar entry on the other... think I will need to plan this at a future crop once I'm actually ready to get on with it, but it's a nice little project to add to my project back burner!

And this year?

Well I found this great striking calendar on etsy:

I love the colours Misha has used and the designs are right up my street. I will definitely be using this in a future 2010 review album, that's for sure!

So to get us started, here's January, now at home on my desk. :o)

Plus now that I've got this read:

I can get back to concentrating on more creative pursuits! I don't mind this new Nora series, but it's a bit lacking in depth (yes I know, it's essentially chick lit and romance but usually there is more depth and story) - but if you want a predictable cosy read it's not bad. Hope Nora's next series will be a bit more gripping and thrilling. This is book 2 and there are two more to go, yet it's now totally obvious in this one what the pairings will be in books 3 and 4.

Anyway, I'm off to check out the sketch and challenge blogs for something to make before I get tempted to start another book. :o)

Ooops... where did my day go?

I somehow managed to lose the best part of the day reading this:

Very funny and actually very addictive as I couldn't get out of bed or dressed until I'd finished it!

Also have seen that two of my books have come in at the library, but it may be too dangerous to pick them up today - not just the ice on the pavements, but more importantly I fear losing more days reading instead of doing the stuff I need to do!

That said, I'd best get one item of today's to-do list done at least...

Feeling a bit down in the dumps....

So for the last few evenings I've been busy painting my bedroom at the house... well... I loved Crystal Surprise 4 on my samples but it feels a bit too dark now it's on the walls. Grrrr... hopefully once the floor is down and coated, and the furniture starts moving in it will look cosier and less in your face, but it's a few degrees off the look I was going for (boo hisssss). Also I hope the light will be softer once the blind is replaced with a white voile curtain.... Will definitely need some pretty lighting for that room to brighten it. :o)

But here are some before pics... complete with the old tiled fireplace - would be interesting to know what the original configuration of the upstairs rooms was before the loo and bathroom went in.

Well that wall colour has truly gone now! Once the floor is down I shall try and gets some pics in daylight of the new walls.

And here's a WIP shot of the bathroom once the walls got painted - there are a few patches still need touching up where you just couldn't see whether they'd been coated enough:

Last night we managed to get the two bedrooms cleared of stuff in preparation for tomorrow's floor laying - blimey the carpets weighed a bit trying to get them downstairs! Also a tip I have learnt this past week, do not look under the floorboards of old houses! Especially those that had their central heating put in in the 1970s because, there is a whole lot of mess and debris under there. We found lots of rocks, grit and dust, not to mention what seemed to be a whole can of yucky red paint poured down there, a few pieces from board games, a scouring pad and a newspaper from 1977! As I have heard time and time again, builders in the 1970s were not as neat as they are today(!!).

Also it has been really quiet at work, I hate it being this quiet as it starts to get worrying, but I suppose it has given me chance to get some extra time to finish off the painting and I've been under the weather the past few days so feeling like a zombie - in fact I am going to mooch in bed watching TV now.

But, one good thing... I finished this today:

Excellent, excellent book - I must admit to having shed a few tears reading this one!