End of the summer

Well summer really IS over now. Oisin went back to school yesterday and seemed to enjoy it. He has a lovely new teacher (who looks far too young to actually be qualified!) and walked in all by himself this morning! 

Next week I plan to get back swimming as I no longer have any excuse not to! I really need to get some exercise (and lose two stone before I go on holidays... any tips?)

I did a LO today with a photo of Oisin during a water fight with daddy. Photographic evidence that there was actually one day of sunshine this summer although it felt like there was none!

Thank you for the music...

It was my birthday yesterday and my wonderful hubby got me an ipod. They are just the coolest little gizmo's. So I ended up spending practically the whole day putting my music collection on itunes. I even dug out all my old cd's that were starting to feel quite neglected. It was quite therapeutic actually and going through some of my older stuff brought back lots of memories. Isn't it funny how music can get you all nostalgic :)

I got a BasicGrey card kit form CardznScrapz a week or two ago and made all the cards this week. I felt like I was 'cheating' since all I had to do was punch out all the right bits, assemble and stick! But it's great if you need a few cards in a rush. (And I was in need of a few baby cards this week). It may have felt like cheating - but they did turn out gorgeous! Love BG!!

We went to see Get Smart the other night, and I haven't laughed so much in ages. It was kind of 'stupid funny'  but funny.  If you need to be cheered up - go see it !!

 

Wanted: Ark!

Well it's official. According to Met Eireann, the Dublin region has had over 400% of the usual rainfall for August already.  It's been a bit of a wash out of a summer but I did really enjoy the time off with Oisin. I can't believe he's back to school next week and that he's going to be a senior!! I have to admit I'm not looking forward to the early mornings :)

I did a couple of LO's with some October Afternoon stash over the weekend, and I have to say that their stuff is just gorgeous. It didn't exactly call to me when I saw it initially but it just looks so good on a LO!! Here's one of the OA LO's and one from July's StudioCalico kit. 

clarification!

Did I say say 'niece' in my last post??? I meant nephew. Not sure what I was thinking .... yet more evidence I'm getting old. (I'll be 33 next week !!)

Rain and scrappy news

Can you believe the crazy weather we are having? I don't think I have ever seen rain like the rain that poured on Saturday. I now know what our garden would look like with a pool! 

I was disappointed to find out that the Scrapbooker of the Year competition in Scrapbook Magazine is only open to UK residents this year. But I can console myself in the fact that they are going to feature me in their 'Introducing' article next spring. According to the mag ; 'As part of our quest to discover fresh new talent, we'll be introducing a new designer every issue...'.  I get to pick out four of my favourite LO's to be featured. I'm really excited about it, but since the article won't appear until well into next year (haven't got an exact date yet) I'm hoping the excitement doesn't wear off before it's in print!  It's hard to pick out four favourites, but I don't have to send them in for a few months, so I have a while to decide. My favourites change all the time!  

I also found out I'm going to have another LO in the next issue of Creativity! Life. I do have one other piece of scrappy news but I can't share yet :) 

It really has been a funny old week or two; I was all excited about my good news and my SIL had a new baby. But sadly, my uncle passed away the same day my new niece was born. Made me think I should live each day to the fullest. 

My LO for today is another happy memory from our honeymoon!

Revamps and 'back story'

I have had the same LO on my desk all week and can't seem to bring it all together. So I decided to make some small changes to a couple of LO's that I was never completely happy with. Here are the 'before' and 'after's. They were only minor changes but I think they make a difference.

I was reading Stephanie Howell's blog entry for yesterday and as she was having a scrappy slump, she decided to talk a bit about her back story and shared a little bit of info about herself. It was really interesting to read. I'm not sure if that just makes me nosey or means I'm just curious about others peoples lives! Either way, I thought I'd do the same. Here goes;

1. I'm the eldest of nine kids. (I'm not sure how my mother did it as sometimes I think I struggle with just one!)

2. I met Declan when I was working for the summer between my third and fourth year of college (and just a few weeks before I turned 21). we started going out at the end of that summer and I knew he was the one for me after just a few weeks.

3. We got engaged on the beach, on the Greek island of Kos.

4. I have degrees in Electronic Engineering and Maths.

5. I worked as a software engineer for five years but don't think I could ever go back to it. I'd much rather do something more artistic... like scrapbooking!

6. I have MS and have had to use a mobility scooter for the last three years to get around. I know it's an unusual sight to see someone so young (32 is young, isn't it!) on a mobility scooter, but I really wish everyone would stop looking at me when I'm out and about :) It makes me even more self conscious than I already am!

7. I wore braces on my teeth for just over two years and got them off about a year ago. It was well worth every penny.

8. I have lived on the same lane my whole life, but in 3 different houses (and one mobile home, while our house was being built).

can't think of any more for now! 

Rollercoaster

Well it has been a week of mixed emotions for me this week. I got some really, really, really good news (of the scrapbook variety) on Friday, and them some more yesterday. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share yet (but I will as soon as I can :) But on the other hand, my lovely uncle is seriously ill in hospital and has been on life support for the last few days. It was very unexpected and he is only 54. His youngest daughter is only the same age as my youngest sister (12). I am keeping him and his family in my prayers. 

On a cheerier note, this is a LO from our honeymoon. We went to Cancun in Mexico and it was the most incredible holiday. The photos are of a place called Chichen Itza where there are fabulous Mayan ruins. Interesting fact ; the Mayans were the first to use zero!