Hairspray!

OMG you HAVE to see Hairspray, it's the most enchanting film I have seen for ages. Usually I fidget like mad at the pictures and drive Angus crackers, but I was totally mesmerised. I have to go again and get the DVD and the soundtrack and see the stage show. I know... - but it really is that good!

Other than raving about the latest musical feast I have not a lot to report, but I expect i'll be back with pics of the boat later :).

Time on my hands

Well, Gus had to go to work at the crack of dawn, so am up and about with time on my hands. Actually, I have loads to do but Leo gets left at Mum's when we are out all day and so I am there instead of at home where I could be doing something vaguely useful.

Counting down the days until I start my new job on 10th September. Only 16 days of being patronised within an inch of my life to go!

Am being very organised nowadays (scary - but probably a sign I am really getting better): Jo(s) and I are expanding the Club to include a monthly crop, am trying to organise a coach to take us all down to the NEC for Hobbycrafts (how cool would that be???), the Bazzill Nuts blog is re-born (to greater success I hope - no pressure teamies!), and am getting lots of scrapping done. Am toying with a small business idea but may just be toooooo busy for that at the moment. I like that my life is so much fuller since we moved here :).

Tomorrow is my day off as I have to work Sat - plans were to scrap, watch High School Musical (Encore edition, no less, with sing-a-long feature), scrap some more, maybe tidy my scraproom (yeh right) and scrap some more. Apparently though, Angus wants me to help put up the new shed. Great - (although it will mean we can get the lawnmower back and the garden might look less like a jungle). Then in the evening it is off to see the boat we are hoping to book for the wedding reception - very excited, how cool would that be? If we like it, we can book Browns for lunch and that will be all the plans in place. Just need to lose about 2 stone and buy a dress.

Alix and I are going to a wedding fair in Worcester on 2nd Sept (it's so cool to have a wedding buddy) - must take the camera for that one. Not buying anything you understand, just want to pinch ideas for my hand made stationary and flower arrangements. Am thinking of having Anita Mundt style happy flowers for my table dressings - is that just a scrapping step to far I wonder??? I think I have come up with a card design I like now (after 9 abortive attempts).

As I am bored I thought, how about a word of the day?

Today's is: quo·tid·i·an [ kwō tíddee ən ]
1. commonplace: of the most ordinary everyday kind ( formal )
2. done daily: done or experienced on a daily basis ( formal )

Well I didn't know that?! (this particular quirk will probably last about as long as her space my space pics - i.e. about a week).

New stash - yay!

Been shopping (naughty, naughty Katy) at Willow Tree Crafts. Not shopped b4 but as the v. talented Emz is on the DT thought I would take a look.

Well, Em had done a fab LO for the DT with some Mayflower PPs and they are so Disney I just had to have them (along with several other things - they did have a sale!).

Now it's stalk the postie time....

Rain, rain go away...

Well, its peeing it down in Malvern again (deep joy), which not only means it's 'orrible but that the TIC is dead as a doornail and I am bored, bored, bored.

I shall fill my head with layouts to pass the day (although when I sketch at the counter I get very funny looks from my colleagues - they think scrapping is what boys do in the playground). Tried to order some stuff this morning and then it was sold out so not a happy bunny about that - NEED to spend some money, it's been at least a week!

Blimey!

I managed 3 - yes 3! - LOs today. And spent about 3 hours at Mum's house on the patio sipping Chardonnay :).

Two are classes from the mini UKS cyber crop (Mojo Blog and Jillybeans Scrapyard ones), and the Pirates one is my own creation. Disney book is coming along now, maybe it'll be done before the honeymoon!!! The pic of Leo is one I have been wanting to scrap for ages but lacked inspiration.

Being female stinks

Sometimes, I so wish I was a bloke. Spent all of yesterday morning curled up with a hot water bottle so hot I could barely stand it, feeling very sore and sorry for myself.

This morning, still painful but at least I can actually stand up/move about/breathe without it hurting like hell.

Oh dear, I am feeling sorry for myself aren't I? But I did miss the 12 hr crop at Scrapajack, about which I am gutted, but at least Hebe's class at Crafty Pastimes was moved to 1st Sept else I would have missed that which would have been much worse.

Anyway, I couldn't sit at my scrapping table 'cause I could not get comfy, but Angus allowed me to break the cardinal sin 'Thou shalt not scrap outside the scraproom' and let me bring some bits into the lounge. I got a fab BG sublime kit in the post from Josieanne on UKS and made a wee minibook about our engagement. It was so nice to have the co-ordinating kit so I didn't have to think too hard about matching up embellies and stuff. I kept it simple but am very happy with the results :).

Hoping to do some of the mini cybercrop classes today if I get chance, although we promised to go to Mum's later today. She has to help me eat the choc dipped strawberries I made for the crop (enough for 20 people!)!

Wooo hooo, YAY, Go Katy!!!

Am feeling VERY pleased with my little self today :)

Have just been offered a permanent job, based in Malvern too. And best of all? It's with the company who publish Craft Stamper mag! How cool is that?

TIC are very peed off with me, but what the hell. I'm trying not to let it spoil my celebrations.

Bottle of Prosecco awaits me in the fridge downstairs, so it's a short and sweet blog entry for me today. Off to pat myself on the back some more :)

Why does it take so loooonnnnnnngggggg???

Preparing for crops that is. Is it me? Am I totally hopeless (don't answer that). Am preparing for the 12 hr marathon that is Scrapajack's crop on Saturday - not that Jo and I will last the 12 hours you understand.

Target for the day is to get the following at least started towards my Disney 2006 book:
-Halloween DLO
-Mission Space SLO
-BTTF SLO

Likelihood is I will finish none of them as usual, or won't have the right embellie or something (((sigh))). Major issue is that my ink is low on the printer and we have ordered replacements from Amazon, which, of course won't be here on time because they are crap at despatching things on time.

Life seems to be speeding by at breakneck speed lately, hardly know if I am coming or going and there are nowhere near enough hours in the day. Sometimes I so wish I could afford to work PT.

Big day tomorrow too so can't get a late night. Watch this space for (possible) news ;).

All new blog!

Well, that's 3 hours of my life I'll never get back spent making my bloggie all beautiful. The papers and elements are from a freebie Shabby Princess kit - aren't they lovely?

I do hope you like it :)

Long time no blog

OK, VERY long time (April apparently - so where did those weeks go???), so long that I expect no-one ever reads my bloggie anymore (all together now - aaaahhhh).

So, what is happening Chez Katy? Well, wedding plans are (sort of) underway. Venue picked and booked - see pictures - gorgeous, gorgeous 15thC merchants house in Worcester.

Malvern Papercrafters club is up and running, and thriving. At least 20 peeps at every meet so far, with plans to start a separate crop if I can find a blinkin' venue!

Work is OK, just OK but bearable. But then I have my secret plan for world domination to keep me company when the days are dull (cue dark evil sounding laugh - ho ho ho ho).

Been scrapping much more recently, which probably means I am a happier bunny. Certainly having stopped taking the happy pills has (perversely) had the effect of making me more happy - what the hell is that all about??!!??

Here is one I made earlier:

My scrap room is nearly done, but there are no pictures as I keep meaning to take some but everytime I think of it it is an almighty mess and I am too embarassed to show you (not, you understand, that anyone is likely to see this - or indeed get this far into my rather dull ramble).

House wise, another room more or less finished today - bathroom cabinets are up and looking smashing.

Oh and I won a competition in Docrafts and had my first published LO. Got a lovely pink tote. And the winner is - this LO:

Nighty night xxx

Been tagged

Well, about a million years since I updated my blog, but wow has it been hectic! Lots of progress on the house and we move in on Mon and I start my new job Tues. Last day in the temp job tomorrow, then a rest on Friday and cyber cropping on Sat to look forward to.

Right, Suzy has kindly tagged me. The tag is: Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who are tagged have to write their 7 things on their blog. Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment to tell them they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Main problem here is Suzy has tagged all the bloggers I already know!!! But i'll do the prompt anyway.

1) One of my fav films of all times is the slightly obscure 'Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House'

2) I am terrified of wasps

3) I hate avocados with a passion

4) My feet are only a very wee size 3

5) I have a Masters degree in History of Ceramic Design

6) At University my nickname was 'Bob' a la Blackadder (i.e. Kate aka Bob)

7) Despite being in the Brownies for about 5 years I never got a single badge!

Thanks Suze :)

Just stuff

Not keeping up with the daily photos, but done one this morning of my favourite socks (xmas pressie from Gus). Colours enhanced a bit with PS but yes, they are pretty much that bright :). They might be tasteless but they are cheery.

Should be working on the house by rights, but courtesy of my female-ness, am instead tucked in bed with a hot water bottle as hot as I can stand on my aching tum :(. Did the ceiling in the living room and skirting yesterday, Gus is painting the bathroom at the moment ready for the plumber who is, allegedly, arriving tomorrow (already cancelled twice so not holding my breath). Ordered the carpets yesterday, which are seagrass for the living/dining room and coir on the stairs and landing. Wiped out the savings more or less so hope they are worth it!!!

Been on a bit of a scrapping roll this month (for me anyway), but been neglecting my teamies a bit cos been spending spare time scrapping instead of on UKS (sorry teamies). Need to get a hustle on with my CJ next.

Busy, busy day

Have worked hard this weekend. The scraproom now looks like this. The horrid carpet has been removed, and we are in the process of stripping the floorboards which will be exposed with a rug over them. The walls are 'Duck Egg' and the ceiling is 'Parchment'. Am very pleased with it so far.

We have also done the first coat of 'Toffee Cream' on the stairs and landing today, and bought our kitchen doors yesterday - natural walnut with chunky nickel handles, looking forward to seeing it! Due in 3 weeks time.

Feeling a wee bit nauseous from all the fumes (paint stripper plus emulsion is a bileous combination!).

Also picked out my wallpaper, gorgeous peony design :). OOhhhhhh it's all so exciting!

Catching up with photos

Done a wee bit of catching up on the Her Space:My Space photos. Here are my attempts at Curvy and Alive. Can anyone guess what the curvy one is???

Way behind with my photos...

But here are 'Bricks' and 'Blue' :O)

These are pics of my gorgeous Edwardian house and some anenomes that Gus got me to say sorry I didn't get the job, bless him.

Some progress

Craft room now looks like this:

Following an undercoat of paint. Hoping to get the first coat of duck egg on today if I can drag my arse away from the computer.

Anna's tag

A - Available or taken: taken, by Angus
B- Best friend(s): Tommy P (luv ya babe)
C - Cake or pie: cake, but would rather have a choccie biccie
D - Drink of choice: vouvray please
E - Essential item you use every day: my Origins face cream
F - Favorite colour: brown
G - Gummy bears or worms: I think i'm gonna eat some worms.
H - Hometown: now Malvern, but originally Brum.
I - Indulgence: vino plonco.
J - January or February: January, like snow.
K - Karma: probably bad...
L - Life is incomplete without: love.
M - Marriage Date: hopefully Sept 08.
N - Number of siblings: 1, my gorgeous bro Paul x.
O - Oranges or Apples: apples, but only if they are English.
P - Phobias or Fears: wasps (((shudder)))
Q - Fave Quote: I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception.
R - Reason to smile: little Leo.
S - Season: summertime.
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: NO!
U - Unknown fact about me: I couldn't tell the time until I was 12!
V - Vegetable you don't like: avocado (that might technically be a fruit).
W - Worst habit: shouting at Gus Gus.
X - x-rays: not that I recall....
Y - Your fave food: Lindor chocs, blue cheese, aubergines.
Z - Zodiac sign: Gemini.

Stuff

Scrapajack crop today, went with Jo again. Thanks for a great day Jo, not at ALL envious of all that lush Kuretake stash! Did a CJ and DLO but (as usual) finished neither. Got some lovely PP but was very restrained today. Looking forward to Rosie's crop on 2nd April too. I love having a whole day just for scrap (and, it has to be said, LOTS of chat).

Here is my photo for today - "play" - of my lovely Leo enjoying his favourite toy. Really pleased with today's effort. Isn't he cute!

My space: Her space pics

My (poor) efforts....

Retreat

Last weekend I joined Suzy, Jude and Elaine at Sarah's Cards retreat in Northwich. Great fun, the girls are such a laugh! Classes were a bit girly for me but enjoyed putting my own slant on the kits (which seemed to attract attention - not sure of the good kind - from the teachers!).


Anita and Julie were such talented scrappers, loved their work and classes. Learnt so much but it was so hectic I didn't manage to finish a single thing!








Was poorly Sunday (IBS, no change there then) after a pretty grim meal in the evening on Saturday (Elaine made sure they knew it too!), and was up at 5am, but at least it gave me a little more time to work on my Lanzarote mini book....















Suzy works on Lianne's page kit










Elaine's ribbon stash - not at all jealous!