Kool Kitty Musings

This and that

So last week I managed to have a bumper 2-nights in a row dinner and movie experience with friends.

I had a lovely drive up to see my god daughter, who to be fair was much more captivated by Blaze and the Monster Machines...

...than finishing any of the 3 games we set up to play!

In the evening her mum and I went for our first Nando's of 2016 (it is becoming the default eatery for pre-movie dining...) followed by this:

Well, I have enjoyed the previous two Tarantino outings, but this took some real time to get to interesting story... It was definitely style over substance in places, and let's just say I was very glad that I closed my eyes in certain scenes where my friend Kelly sadly didn't! So yes, we walked out of the cinema rather bewildered and that's about it...

Saturday night it was an Indian meal out followed by a very different movie:

And thank heavens! Really good film and possibly my favourite of the now multiple "Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper together on one screen" outings I've seen. Are they the new power-duo ä la Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp? Anyway, I saw them most recently in Serena, which was one of those movies where I just wondered why they'd bothered to make it. No great shakes... So thankfully this restored my faith that there are movies out there with a story worth telling in an entertaining fashion - no style over substance here, it had both in ample supply.

Apart from that, work has been ticking over this week. I've been wanting to craft more on the evenings, the desire has been there, but I have been hit hard by the procrastination bug.... so hard. In fact this evening I really want to carve out some time to do a little crafting with my card kit before the next one arrives early in Feb!

But first I need to have something for my tea!

In the meantime, here's a pic of some happy mail that arrived today - the CHA products from MME just came in over at Hey Little Magpie, plus the 50% sale is happening right now, so lots to check out! :D

Looking forward to a cinema outing...

It's been a busy week on the work front so far and with this whole self-employed you're-you're-own-boss malarkey I've not really had a lot of down time - other than catching up on my daily fix of guilty pleasure reality TV while eating lunch and dinner.

Namely the compulsive viewing that is I Found the Gown and Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta!

Do not judge me.... :D

But I seem to be finding more shows to add to my Tivo list on TLC! Heaven help me!

But what's the point of guilty pleasure viewing unless it really is a pleasure that you can watch with super speed fast fwd when needed? <g>

So yes, tomorrow night is cinema outing night with my friend Kelly and we are off to see this:

Have been looking forward to seeing it since the first trailers came out - it looks good and I have heard good things! I just wonder if they will keep the name of the original 60's show's big bad... T.H.R.U.S.H... hm... we shall see! :D

Anyway, I have a few more things to do on the PC tonight, then it's time for a soak in the bath and bed. The end to a thrilling Wednesday. ;o)

May! Where did you go to??

I'm having a bit of an update and organizational fix with my phone photos and I realised although May passed in the blink of an eye I didn't take all that many photos that weren't craft related... but hey, why not have a little catch-up? ;)

I've had some fun times with Miss A in May - we even attempted our first selfie:

Miss A was quite taken with the taking of a selfie and tried to take some more but kept jumping out of shot! LOL

Selfie taking got old, especially when there was a scooter to move around on:

There were also some dining and cinema outings in May:

Sadly no cardboard cut-outs for the Spooks movie, wouldn't that have been nice with cardboard Kit? But that evening did start off nicely for a Tuesday evening:

There was some crafty behind-the-scenes antics in May - namely my big crafty clear-out. There is NO before photo as I just couldn't bring myself to record that. But this paper pile took 4 plus hours to sort through:

And then my Harry Potter craft cupboard (complete with bi-fold doors that close and hide it all away) was tidied and organised a bit better and there's now space for more - which is the important thing right?

Oh, and some crafty antics were required in preparation for my future sister-in-law's hen weekend in Edinburgh. There was a sea theme and so I got to work on a pirate badge to go with my pirate hat:

The weekend was definitely memorable - despite the sheer volume of vodka and cocktails enjoyed! :D

My brother was sure looking forward to a quiet weekend:

The less said about this the better:

But wowzers, after our spooky Mercat underground tour of Edinburgh (which included my watch stopping for 15 minutes) we headed to the Hard Rock café for one of my favourite activities of the weekend. A 2 hr cocktail making class (really educational and fun!) which included discovering my new favourite cocktail (I'm hoping I can still remember how to make it) called Island Spice (a fantastic rum, ginger and mint combo!) followed by more cocktail drinking over lunch:

This pineapple and roasted coconut mojito was lush! And it looked like we all enjoyed our cocktails to the max!

Anyway, we all made it home safe and sound on Sunday - a bit tired but all in one piece.

The weather was fab up north of the border except for Saturday night, but down here it's been stormy and temperamental ever since...

I'm still wondering if it's really June - it is still so cold!

Here's hoping the sun comes out and stays out for some actual summer capering!

Fun and games

It's been a week of work, lots of work, and more work through next week and probably next weekend with plenty of OT...

But it's been a week with a little play too.

Last Saturday we enjoyed a lovely meal out at Chiquitos as a group - complete with sombrero posing while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Unlike the food and cocktails the lighting is always shocking in there, but some pics had to be taken!

Not everyone got the memo for which pose we were going for!

But thankfully there were more important things to tackle:

In crafting news, I am hoping that this little guy is going to aid in making straighter cards - I am game for anything at this point!

Cats and boxes, no matter what their age, they revert to kittens as soon as a box appears:

Caption: "Don't judge me!"

Then Thursday night was officially Fat Thursday, the Polish Tlusty Czwartek celebrations were in full swing with donuts and Faworki - I have officially had my fill for 2015:

There were even left-over donuts for a certain little someone to get in on the action after her cheese sandwich:

And last night, while the rest of the world seemed to be at the cinema in order to watch Fifty Shades of Grey, Kelly and I went to see:

Great film and some exciting trailers for new films coming out. Oh and I am definitely in a Dire Straits music kinda head space after watching this. LOL

And February's cinema outing naturally had a new cardboard cut-out photo op:

I wonder who they'll have for Kelly to pose with next time!

Busy times

September is definitely shaping up to be a busy and tiring month - a lot of work has meant little real downtime, but to switch off most evenings I have been re-watching Arrow and also still trying to get some crafting done. Mind you working at the same desk all day has made crafting a bit less attractive. ;o)

However I have some pics I've only just managed to copy over from my phone since the iOS8 update (boy am I missing my camera roll and photostream being two separate things! going to need a day to compare what's on my PC and what's on my phone and iPad before I go ahead and delete a lot of stuff from both).

This month I finally got back to scrapping - but that meant actually doing my February pocket pages first...

I'll share the full spread in another blog post soon. :)

I have still been listening to this on loop when not working...

I've been trying out some of these lovely goodies from Origins, 3 x 30 ml samples and a lovely little pouch that I got with my restock of Ginzing moisturiser. I have a good selection of cleansers to put to the test. :)

Thursday night was time for a break and cinema outing... I was waiting for my partner in crime to hot-tail it down to the cinema - I'd had nothing to eat except a banana and yoghurt all day and we were both starving for food... I seriously contemplated eating the remaining contents of this box of tictacs during the 3 minutes I was waiting. LOL

Thankfully we did manage to get some food before the film - we only had 20 minutes or so and it was very much a fail on the real food front, slow service, underwhelming "fast food" offering, and then 10 minutes to eat it all and get back to our screen so we could watch this:

All I'm saying is that it's a good job we didn't see this on an empty stomach! Would have been torture. What a fantastic film, just perfect for a September evening. :D

Well, I'd best make the most of my work-free day!

52 Christmas Crackers 2014 - Week 14

Well, time to pop back and share my Christmas card for this week's prompt.

Here's a reminder of our inspiration photo:

{Pinterest pin}

So for my Christmas card I've used a herringbone style pattern with a pop of red.

Paper: Studio Calico, Crate Paper
Dies: WPlus9, Spellbinders
Stamps: WPlus9
Other: Stickles, 3D foam

I die-cut a circle in the background paper so the contrasting zigzag pattern could peak through, and with the same circle I cut an aperture in the red Spellbinders circle to create the frame around Mr Snowman. Naturally some Stickles were the ideal finishing touch fora bit of frosty snow. It's definitely a simple one, but I like it. :)

In other news I am slowly but surly getting over my total frustration and glumness at the way Silk finished (apparently forever!) on Monday night. Ugh... I think I may need to forget Season 3 ever happened as that last cliff-hanger ending really twisted the knife! To recover a bit of my love for the show, I will have to live in Season 1 and 2 for a while. I just wish the writers had delivered the "natural conclusion" we'd been promised. Line of Duty finished rather anti-climatically and unsatisfyingly, while Silk finished over-dramatically, with too much suspense and mystery, and a less than satisfying ending.... Where did Martha go (was there a sudden 3 for 2 on at Boots for red lippy?), why did Clive have to revert to his selfish season 1 type and be such a dirty dawg with Harriet no less, let's not even touch that final case with Shaun... <sigh>

Neil Stuke really delivered a magnificent performance in that last episode, but I am so sad that Shoe Lane as we knew it has gone... oh well, I at least managed to reclaim some of the magic last night listening to the first instalment of Silk: The Clerks' Room radio plays set in the same universe. :) It felt nice and cosy to be in that world again, presumably set pre-Monday night's dramatics!

Meanwhile it's time to finally watch Saving Mr Banks and perhaps get some crafting done ready for this week's DCM challenge. :)

52 Christmas Crackers 2014 - Week 10

Well here I am popping in to share my Christmas card for this week's prompt. :)

The prompt jar gave us the following to play with:

Here we go:

Paper: Crate Paper
Chipboard stickers: Crate Paper
Enamel dots: Studio Calico
Dies: Marianne
Other: Stickles, pattern wheel

My elements are as follows:

1. Wood = woodgrain enamel dots and woodgrain spotty paper
2. Plastic = enamel dots on the sprig of holly too
3. Stickers = lots of chipboard stickers from Crate Paper Bundled Up

Very festive with the red and green. And I am definitely managing to make a dent in my new enamel dot collection. ;o)

Well, I think I'm going to have a few hours of crafting this evening while watching The Hangover III:

Most of my time today has been spent...

...living up to this skill set of mine:

Such as finishing the book I started earlier this week:

I had to stop yesterday at a crucial point after reading The Letter when I had to go out, but it was a good point to stop and give my mind a moment to digest what I had just read.... this morning I finished the book and have to say it has been the best read so far this year. Yes, I know it's only February but it was a very good read and the tissues were out a lot.... I am not ashamed to admit it!

After that I needed a bit of a lift, so I got out some crafting items - including some of the items in my recent order from Sarah's Cards:

I bought a handful of sheets of paper from the recent Crate Love Notes and Oh Darling releases and 1 sheet from Styleboard. I wanted to finally get on the enamel dot bandwagon and bought all the new Studio Calico sets as they were the cheapest per dot, they are a fair bit flatter than other brands - the colours are a good mix... I also threw in a Freckled Fawn selection (alas no blue to choose from there) and also one pack of MME enamel dots, but I just don't understand why MME enamel dots need to cost almost £5 a pack these days. The ones I had were from an older release and the cheapest I could find. Also there were two sheets of alpha stickers by Studio Calico, but seriously I think they are expensive for what they are. So difficult to find nice mini alphas on a par with the October Afternoon mini market stickers.... :( But pricing is all relevant to what you consider good value and worth the expense... with paper almost costing a pound per sheet in some cases these days you have to be a lot pickier about what you buy. I'm glad I didn't invest any more in the latest Crate Paper release save the above sheets of paper, reading online the quality really has gone down hill sadly for non-paper products.... even more so than with previous releases. I was sad to hear yet another booboo for Crate Paper quality control while reading TwoPeas the other day - I am getting really sick of online photos not being representative of the final product and really wish manufacturers would provide videos showing their products or even properly photographed images of the product so you can see it in some form rather than the mocked up design views they provide at present.

After also reading about the problems with the Styleboard dies not cutting properly, I was apprehensive about how my embossing folder would turn out:

Well, you can tell the quality is inferior to Sizzix and other brands, my main gripe is that the hinge on the folder isn't very sturdy, it feels like if you opened it too far you would ultimately break it into two pieces, I would be a bit worried to use PTI/Cardshoppe weight cardstock in it on a regular basis, but vellum and paper would be ok.

I may sound like a right moaning Minnie, but more than anything I am just disappointed that my go-to company for the last few years has now become one that you are taking your chances with when purchasing anything other than paper, as there is no consistency in quality and even with online images you can't be sure that what you think you're buying is in fact what you'll be getting. I really hope it's not going to be going the same way for Pink Paislee now they are part of the American Crafts group, but I suspect the same issues will crop up there too.

But hey, I at least have some of that new Basic Grey product to look forward to - at least the quality of embellishments is usually top notch there. ;)

But moving on....

While playing with my stash in the afternoon I finally watched one of the DVDs I currently have out from Lovefilm:

...which provided a great transition into the closing ceremony of the Olympics this afternoon.

Now I need to get a couple of things sorted and then it's back to my big translation project tomorrow - it's going to be a long week!

Foxy birthday wishes

Just popping in to share one of the cards I made this weekend. It appears that foxes are back on trend, so I thought it would see what I had in my stash - luckily I had some chipboard from Cosmo Cricket that I bought a while ago and hoped would be ok for a more manly birthday card - I know, it's a stretch right!?

Paper: Crate Paper - Party Day 6x6 pad
Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket
Dies: QuicKutz, PTI
Stamp: WPlus9
Other: 3D foam

I really like how the colours turned out - a bit of pop was needed, so that yellow fox was perfect. :)

I must admit to being slightly distracted in the making of this card as I was watching Byzantium on Lovefilm - really enjoyed it.

Then I watched What's Your Number, which was a decent rom com. :)

and now I'm catching up on Hostages on 4od while I get some tasks done on my PC. :)

Best get my jacket potato in the ramoska for tea! Catch you tomorrow morning with the week 5 prompt for the 52 cards challenge! :D

A great start to the weekend....

Went to see Skyfall last night with mummy dearest (and for a lovely Chiquitos meal after).

Wow, what can I say - amazing!

Some really shocking moments, loads of nods to the Bond franchise without it being overly cheesy, and twists, turns, jump-out-of-your seat surprises, and of course lovely drool-worthy gratuitous Mr Craig scenes...yumyumyum.

I still have to say this is one of my favourite stills from the movie:

Well, I seriously hope they release the DVD soon! In the meantime it is going to be back to enjoying Casino Royale again for my Craig Bond fix, it really had its moments....

But first it's time to get a move on with today's tasks.

Off for a trip down memory lane in Wakefield today (hope the sun stays out!) and to visit my grandma's grave.

Tonight I have a very special card to make.

And tomorrow I'm off to finally meet little baby Anja. :)

At some point I really need to get my washing and some housework done - but who knows when??

Been at the Christmas stash again!

Well, it seemed appropriate yesterday considering the snow that had come down Friday night and settled overnight...

And the perfect excuse to try my hand at this week's Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge. :o)

Stamps: WMS, PTI
Paper: Crate Paper, Studio Calico
Dies: PTI
Pompom trim: The Ribbon Girl
Pearl: Kaiserckraft
Other: Distress Stickles, thread

All the stamps are Waltzing Mouse apart from the little tag border and button card border. I was happy to find that the PTI button card die is just the perfect size for this jar - rather like the combo together. And yes, Distress Stickles were left to dry overnight! LOL That way there is no temptation to go prodding with a finger to check if they've dried yet. ;o)

Well, I managed to make quite a few cards yesterday but think I will post them later in the week, let's just say I need to buy some more mini pompom trim! Managed to deplete my stocks a little.

Also had a very early start this morning despite the clocks going back and ready this cover to cover at 6 a.m. (old time!):

A really lovely Sunday read, now the dilemma is which book to start next! Or should I just get back to making some cards while getting my James Bond fix - it was Quantum of Solace yesterday, thinking Casino Royale needs a revisit today - so looking forward to seeing Skyfall when it gets a bit calmer at the cinema after opening weekend. :)

I mean Daniel and I are due some quality time together - big screen style!

Today's jobs

I can't believe quite how late it already is in the afternoon.

I still need to get a few things on today's to-do list completed.

First up, I need to make a baby card for little Anja. I managed to get some lovely little outfits in Debenhams yesterday that would easily go into autumn weather and colours:

I didn't want to get anything overly baby pink - but thought these two would be just lovely. Why on earth they don't make more ladies clothing with the prints they do in girl's fashion I just don't know. Was discussing the same topic with the girl in Monsoon yesterday when I made use of my £15 voucher in the Sales section - she quite agreed!

Yesterday was a bit of a spendy day as I also spent my £15 beauty club reward at the Benefit counter on new foundation and powder, and while I was there got my eyebrows waxed and tinted... ;o)

Also at last night's crop I was as productive as hoped and have now completed the swatch for all the colours of PTI cardstock and Bazzill cardstock that I own:

I've had a bit of a slow start today as I wanted to finish the book I started Thursday night before getting on with anything else:

I think this might have been my favourite in the Fairytale series by Eloisa James. A nice Saturday morning read indeed. :)

Well, I'd better get down to some crafting once I have tidied up a bit, I also have this to watch while I work:

I do enjoy a bit of Tom Hardy on screen...

The Help won

No card made ce soir... some paper got chopped up but then I was engrossed... ;)

Now to get my tea in the oven - definitely no chocolate pie on the menu. hehe

Don't think I could bake one as well as Minny's but my that scene was just fantastic, Hilly literally got her just desserts!

How long's it going to take me to make a card tonight do you think?

After the mammoth crafting session that was Friday evening getting that extravagant wedding card made, I wonder how long I'll be shuffling papers tonight.

Especially considering I've just popped this into the DVD player to enjoy while I craft:

One thing's for sure, I'll not win the award for fastest card maker in the world! ;)

Leisurely pursuits...

Have spent a good few hours this week reading and finishing the latest Jill Mansell:

A nice read for summer, but not as totally engrossing as the books I read when I'd just discovered here 5+ years ago! I think it is the same when reading Katie Fforde, having read all her books to date you are really used to the style and to some extent the plot devices that they become a bit predictable. Yet they do remain enjoyable. :)

Next up I think I will start:

I had a night off from the reading last night when I went out for dinner and a movie with a friend, we saw...

...and it was really good. Nice also when the rest of the cinema - both gents and ladies - laugh along all the way through as well. :)

Anyway, best go see how the tennis is doing and get stuck into my new book.

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday after some rain in the morning things turned decidedly brighter:

They also involved a good few steps - and a certain two little girls and one very excited Jack Russell who made it to the top in very short order!

But the climb was well worth it - I even wished I'd brought my shades it was so sunny.

We had a lovely afternoon stroll round the park and then home for tea and an evening in with:

In complete contrast I have been having a rather lazy day today since the weather has been really yucky - snow after rain and it has been pretty cold. So I managed to get one of the books due back at the library read from cover to cover and also finally got my defrosted Quorn mince into a lasagne for tea. :)

Anyway, I think a soak in the bath is imminent and then I look forward to enjoying Homeland tonight. I also see that Ingolrious Basterds is on right after so not a bad TV night. :)

Think I shall put my new Emeli Sandé album on while I enjoy my soak:

Then it's back to the grind tomorrow - ah Monday's don't you love 'em?

Sunday snapshots

I haven't really managed to be productive today - despite good intentions. Instead I got lost in a book and trying to pin down my washing in the gusty winds we are currently encountering - how different the weather is compared to yesterday.

So nothing papercrafty to share just yet, but here are a few random snaps...

The best French film I have had the pleasure of seeing this year is now back with Lovefilm and I cannot wait for the next edition in the trilogy, the first film is Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec:

 

Here's the Hollywood-ised trailer: 

 

Really enjoyed it witty, charming... and entertaining!

I also cannot get enough of my current fave album:

 

My current favourite track is this one:

Come next week, I'm sure I'll have another favourite track... so many good tracks to choose from!

I also got my first Christmas stash delivery this week - I know seems like it's too soon to even think about Christmas cards, but well... if the weather keeps cold and as the nights draw in I may have to fire up the Christmas CDs and get started making something with these lovely additions:

 

MME 12 days of Christmas collection pack, plus the chipboard and some assorted papers from Crate Peppermint.

I will try to resist using them on my next card... but who knows? ;o)

Soon I am going to have to start applying my new concealer purchase (for the pasty winter pallor):

 

Industrial strength apparently, I have Erase Paste in shade 2 (for summer) but needed a lighter shade for winter so here's hoping industrial strength is right!

Also a new lipstick for the limited Benefit collection - which until this purchase only contained all 3 of the Color Plump lip pencils - alas retired - big mistake Benefit! Big mistake! Huge! {sigh}

But this new one is a lovely shade. :)

And finally, the baking bug hit again yesterday.

As soon as I got in I got down to baking a couple of recipes. First up a way to use up some of the delicious apples from the tree in my mum and dad's garden - wish we knew the variety as they are completely unlike any apples you can buy in the shops, lovely and tart and so fresh.

It's apple streusel cake from Hummingbird's cake days - slightly flatter than  it should be as I had to bake it in a 9" spring-form tin as I didn't have an 8" one.

 

We'll be enjoying it for dessert after the Sunday roast this evening.

I also tried out Leon's Scones in the Bake-a-boo cookbook.

 

At least I could try one of these before the temptation was too much! Naturally combined with my favourite raspberry jam and some clotted cream.

And now I think I shall put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea and get down to making something - or maybe starting my next book? Hm...



Since it's been raining - a lot ...

It's been a weekend mostly spent indoors.

I actually finished a card I sort of started at the crop:

 

Paper: My Little Shoebox
Stamps: PTI
Dies: PTI
Seam binding and twill: The Ribbon Girl
Felt: PTI
Punch: Martha Stewart
Button: Making Memories
Twine: The Ribbon Reel
Pearls: Kaisercraft
Other: Stickles, Copics, 3D foam

 

I also finished a couple of books that need to go back to the library and watched this while trying to be creative, but watched the movie more than I made anything!

 

It was very good, even better than I thought it'd be. ;o)

Two for two...

Much of my weekend so far has consisted of my two favourite ways to pass rainy days...

Reading:

 

 

And watching movies... in fact I have made up for my lack of cinema outings by going to the cinema twice in as many days, yesterday to see:

 

And today...

 

Pirates was good, but I loved the Hangover part 2 - and in particular the return of Mr Chow:

 

I really feel the need to watch the first one again now. LOL

Disappearing blog posts

Last night I wrote a nice not-exactly short blog post, and just at the last stage when spellchecking with iespellcheck it crashed my browser... Ever since I upgraded my browser iespellcheck has been crashing it, so now I have to remember to save a draft before I hit spellcheck, and well as you can see remembering to do that isn't really happening!

So last night I enjoyed some luminous orange classic Kraft Mac & Cheese for tea - thanks to Becky.

Yes, it is definitely a comfort food treat and I can't remember the last time I had some. I have another pack in the depths of my cupboard for emergency purposes!

After my glowing tea I got down to make my card for this week's DCM dare...

Well, while I was doing that I put on this...

...and promptly got engrossed watching it. So much so my foot almost had a rather painful encounter with my Making Memories trimmer when I managed to knock it off my desk.

But it was an extremely good movie, all the better because I didn't have to stick too closely to reading the subtitles for a change!

Yes it is gory, etc. but I really recommend it as it's well worth seeing.

Today my lovely new baking book arrived in the post:

And I have been contemplating my options for Easter... I think when it comes to The Return to Chocolate I shall have to give these a whirl, but with some teeny chocie eggs I picked up in Tesco on top!

But before that happens I need to stay off the chocolate for one more week... it can be done!

Who knew?

...You could get your creative-thing-on while watching this...

 

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it... mind you Bradley Cooper is always nice to watch right?

But yes, I hope they are planning a sequel.

Oh and I made the Banana, Strawberry & Peanut Butter smoothie tonight and it was seriously delish. Good use of my Healthy Extra milk allowance for the day too.

I wonder what other recipes I can dig up that are tasty and do-able on a diet...

Got sidetracked..

I was supposed to be having a crafty session this evening and popping a DVD on in the background while I got down to work.

Instead I didn't even manage to get my trimmer out as I was too engrossed watching said DVD:

 

So yes, can recommend it if you fancy that kind of movie...

Also I am on the hunt for some more of my favourite ever pearl embellishments:

 

Kaisercraft BR02 Latte pearls to be exact - haven't managed to find them in stock in the UK (and ideally at a decent price with postage) and am running a bit low on my existing packet. I just love the light beige shade (lighter than this pic) and the fact there are teeny tiny pearls in the pack as well!

Looks like it's going to be a ribbony month!

 

And it all begins with Seam binding being in da house!

I have some other yummy stash to play with this month as well. ;o)

I have no idea where the weekend went.

Had a great crop Friday night, and did intend to get my Christmas journal finished.... well it's still got a few entries to go!

Saturday I had a few things to do, but managed to start another book when I got in from the crop in the wee small hours, as I was too awake to sleep.

Sunday Ma and I went to IKEA... well it has never before happened in my life, but we got there around 10:40 and were queueing for the tills to open, and out by 11:05!

Then went to the Metrocentre and quick trip into Costco and we were back on the road home after 5!

Finished another book Monday before meeting up for dinner and a movie:

 

Very good!

And last night I started the last book in the Hathaway series by Lisa Kleypas, finished it at 1 this morning. :o)

 

So tonight, I will have to hit the hay a lot earlier but which book to start next?

Wednesday night was...

Orange Wednesday night, so Helen and I went to see:

 

It was OK - but the trailers had some good upcoming movies, including what looks to be a fun chick flick!

 

It did rather nicely remind me of Bridget Jones in the Alps!

Tuesday night is...

Catch-up with DVD rental list night while making my DCM card for this week....

I had Letters to Juliet on while working away:

 

It was OK - alas there seems to be a real lack of decent chick flicks about at the moment. Hoping a trip to the cinema tomorrow night finds something decent!

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.

So much for catching up with my TBR pile...

I've not read a single word of my current book since trying to start it Sunday.

Looks like the next couple of weeks are going to be rather busy with work and I may need to work this weekend too. :o\ More than likely after today's progress!

But this evening I have caught up with some stuff at my desk, watched the latest Great British Bake-Off....

Only thing is it makes me feel rather peckish!

And I've taken the opportunity of watching some free movies online with Lovefilm. This one wasn't too bad:

Have just found that Lost in Austen is free to watch online with my package so am catching up now, as I never saw it the first time round - a perfect excuse for some period adventures!

 

So far so good... :o) Best get back to it!

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? 

Don't you think it's a sad day when....

...you trawl through 20 odd sneak peeks for CHA and only see two items you actually like enough to add to your imaginary wish list?

In fact I am mildly disappointed by the lines being brought out by some favourite companies like Cosmo - not really digging their Christmas lines this year and I reserve judgement for the new non-holiday lines... :o(

I quite like Togetherness but think it will be one to combine with kraft for best results.

 
However, the only Christmas line that has caught my attention so far is the one from Crate - Snow Day:

 

It is Distressed KI/Love Elsie meets MME meets Jolly By Golly. Nice.

Aside from that I will be looking forward to the new glitter cardstock from KI - I hope it will be well received and picked up by stores over here, as I am in need of new shades of glitter cardstock... Also I wonder what their 3D "Liquid Pearls" will be like, I could do with something similar in zingy colours.

Other than that nothing has wowed me. :oO

I wonder what Basic Grey has in store and October Afternoon, plus perhaps there will be a fab release from BoBunny...

For a break from everything, went to see Twilight Eclipse last night:

I think my retinas are still burnt from one particular moment! But I enjoyed it more than the second movie... and it was a good idea we caught the early screening and the queues were out into the car park last night when we left.

Anyway, hoping normal life resumes this weekend and I get time to make something - and that my mojo returns!

Hmmmm...

Enjoyed it.... but didn't love it. :o\

There were some really great moments and then others that didn't work so well for me... it was nice to revisit SATC land again but wonder if they've gone as far as they can with the movies. In some respects it's just not a patch on the original series, but there were many ladies in the cinema who'd only ever seen the first movie and not watched the series who really enjoyed it...

The trailers for new movies weren't all that inspiring either, hope there are some good movies coming out this summer!

Oh what a glum post for the evening, but I will say one thing, I am quite jealous of the photo frame display Carrie has over her bed... and Samantha never disappoints... ;o)

 

A little round-up...

At last a lazy Sunday. I had a mini sort out of stash, did the washing and promptly brought the washing in when it started tipping it down, and have just been lazing about the place and making some cards...

So, whilst my dinner is in the oven I might as well share them.

Prompt: "Heartfelt Thank You" - Inspiration: Felt, button/ribbon combo, flower accent, paper border, embossed background.

Papers: Bo Bunny
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Buttons: Papertrey Ink
Flowers: Prima, Making Memories
Dies: Nestabilities, Sizzix
Other: String, felt ribbon, glitter cardstock

I'm still having a bit of trouble photographing in the new space. And I'm after a mini easel to hopefully take photos easier.

Next up a bit out of my comfort zone as I don't do yellow normally... but it was the quickest flourish paper I could find!

Prompt: "Classic Congrats" - Inspiration: Flourish pattern, decorative trim, 3 crystals/pearls, mini greeting.

Papers: October Afternoon
Label: Chatterbox
Stickers: Doodlebug

And lastly, a cute and simple one... I just love this heart paper too much to do anything else with it! lol

Papers: My Mind's Eye
Die: Nestabilities
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Bling: Kaiser Craft

So while doing that I caught up with some shows on iPlayer (including that Jo Malone one) and watched:

I'm not really a Leo fan per say, but I really liked this movie. But back it goes to lovefilm tomorrow... still have Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to watch - polar opposites no doubt! ;o)