Emma's Space

What have I been up to?

2009-12-09T10:21:00.002Z

The last four days have been really busy. On Saturday I had a scrap booking class with Mr Rusty Pickle (Lance Anderson). We made a Christmas book from scratch with pop up snowman and pop up Christmas tree. It was lots of fun and mine actually works. I am looking forward to putting my Christmas photos in it.

Sunday was interesting, my boys had done something wrong (can't remember what now) and they were not aloud any electronics for the day. It is amazing what they come up with when they are not distracted. It is a lot noisier in the house and war games seem to be the most popular form of entertainment. As Phil said they're boys what do you expect. I managed to work on my Journal your Christmas Journal. I got really messy (yeah).

Monday, did a bit of Christmas shopping (I'm not really panicking, honest, well not much anyway). That was the extent of my Christmas activities for the day. Oh that's not true I sorted the Christmas budget (to see how much we had to spend).

Tuesday, I decided that I would buy the rest of Phil's present. He has been wanting to go to a MotoGP race for the last 7 years, so I thought I would buy him and a friend a ticket to silver stone in June. Simple, not! Do you want a three day pass and ticket on Sunday, which grandstand do you want. Do you want to tent or do you want a hotel. So In the end I had to ring Phil and ask what he wanted, especially which grand stand. So there went the surprise, but I still have a surprise for under the tree. And after all that I still haven't ordered the tickets. Phil's not sure which package he wants either.

Today I will tell you about at the end of the day.

Busy, busy.

2009-12-05T08:21:00.002Z

OK I missed yesterday. I was on my own, Phil went to the Bike Show at the NEC. Days when Phil is not around makes me grateful that I have his help the rest of the time. It is a lot of hard work getting the boys to school on time by yourself. I am in awe of all my friends who are single Mums. I don't know how you do it. Yesterday was a productive day. I brought a new Christmas table cloth that is gold with white holy leaves on it. And I have put Mums table runner over the top. My Mum made me the table runner last year and it is beautiful. She is so talented. I will add a photo later tonight.

Today I'm off to a Mr Rusty Pickle class with yours truly Lance Anderson. Will report tonight.

Where do I start?

2009-12-03T15:33:00.009Z

Yesterday Benjamin had a Victorian day. All the students had to dress up as a Victorian school student. This is what Benjamin looked like.

I asked him what the day was like. He said it was great but his backed hurt because they had to sit so straight for so long.

Now to Christmas stuff. What have I done that is Christmasie today. Well I have opened my 3rd Advent pressie, which was bubble bath that smells really yummy. Looking forward to a night where i can relax in the bath.

I also finished off my Title page for my Journal your Christmas art Journal. Here is what it looks like.

I have also taken some Christmas photos that I have missed over the last couple of days. The boys opening their Advent calendars,

the Christmas Tree

and a Christmas sandwich.

Well that's all i can think of that I have done Christmasie.

Christmas is so cool.

2009-12-02T09:37:00.006Z

The 2ND of December.

Today I opened my second secret Santa and I got a smiley face that bounces (see photo) The boys grabbed it as soon as the pressie was open. It bounces all over the place and they were trying to catch it. We laughed so much, it was a great pressie.

I forgot to mention yesterday that we have started burning our advent calender. We do this every year for the last 7 years (except one). We take turns lighting it and blowing it out.

I have also started my list today of the people that I need to buy for and some ideas of what to buy them.

On a more I'm neurotic note. I decided last night that I didn't like my Journal your Christmas journal at all. So I have decided that I'm going to write everything down in this blog and I am going to make an altered art journal. I have never done this before but it looks fun. I had a bit of a stress thinking about what others are going to say, most likely 'that's not a art journal'. Then I realised I don't care it's mine for my pleasure and so there. (If I say this 20 times a day I shouldn't care by Christmas :-) )

I have found a note book that has a white cover and I'm going to glue the pages together today. Well it's a start.

For Starters

2009-12-01T12:12:00.003Z

Starting today, December first, I will keep a Christmas journal blog. In it, I will write something every day to reflect on the holidays of my past, enjoy the holidays of the present and dream about the holidays of the future. To some, this would be a stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and most importantly I am giving at least fifteen minutes to myself, every day, no matter how crazy this season becomes. This Christmas I will make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.

(Written by Shimelle, borrowed by me)

It's the 1st today (obviously) and I am so excited about Christmas. This year my Christmas journal is going to be about what I do each day to get ready for Christmas and what exciting things I am going to do.

Today already I have opened my advent secret Santa, I received a really cool Christmas mug, that I had been eyeing up in the store and had almost brought for myself.

Yesterday was Kris Kringle at the boys school, Simeon loves Kris Kringle. He loves making the orange with a candle and sticks with raisins and marshmallow in it. This year they had glow sticks shaped a candles instead of candles. A brilliant idea it meant the kids could actually have their candle lit or glow in this case. Simeon's commented that during the assemble they were not allowed to eat the marshmellows. He got around that by picking off little bits and eating them. As he put it "they were there tempting me".

Later to day the boys can open their 1st advent pocket and eat the chocolate. They are really excited. So far Christmas has be awesome.

Here goes again

2009-11-30T09:32:00.004Z

My last post was on my New Years resolutions. Didn't keep most of them. I would like to keep up with a blog so here goes again.

I think of the last day of November as being the last day before bedlam. December seems to me to be always super busy and not much time to do what needs to be done and everyone rushing around and extra things to do. You get my point. Each year I think to myself that I'm not going to be busy in December and each year I am (this year being no different).

If I have to be busy I have decided that I am going to enjoy the next month and not complain that I am busy. Maybe I can keep that resolution, it's only a month long.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-12T09:20:00.003Z

yeh I know it's the 12th and a bit late to wish everyone a happy New Year. But Happy New Year anyway.

What have I been up to....

Christmas was amazing and lots of fun. We got a Wii for the boys and it was the best thing we have every brought them. I love it too :) It was also made special because my MUM and DAD came over from NZ to be with us for Christmas.

Over the New Year we all went to Mallorca. It was warm, sunny and we were staying in the most amazing resort.

Now I am back at work and my boys are back at school. And I haven't really being doing much.

I am almost finished my Shimelle Journal your Christmas Book. I will take some picture of my favourite LO and post them in the next few days.

Hope your New Year is going well.

Officially on Holiday

2008-12-19T16:39:00.003Z

I am now officially on Holiday for 2 weeks. Yeh, I'm on holiday, i'm on holiday.

Now for Christmas, I am looking forward to it. I have stopped panicing and realised that I am almost all ready.

I looked a my shimelle journal your christmas project and I am way behind. I almost decided to stop for the year and not do it. But I have decided that I will keep going. I have done 2 of the quicker promts and have finished the journalling on one layout that I had finished and will do the journalling on the last one when I am done here.

Thought you might like to see a picture of me and Lance Anderson aka Mr Rusty Pickle.
I went to a class he was teaching last Sunday 14th December. We did an amazing Christmas Kit (i don't have photo's yet)

Christmas rush

2008-12-17T09:39:00.002Z

Every year I promise myself that I will not be stressed or rushed at Christmas time. It hasn't happened, I feel like a headless chicken most days. And the sad thing is that most of the time I'm not getting done what I want to get done, and when I sit down i feel like I have not achieved anything.

Well that was my winge, now I am going to do something about it. I am going to slow down and do one thing at a time, and if I don't get everything done before Christmas, well the world won't come to an end.

A Perfect Christmas

2008-12-04T09:19:00.002Z

Sitting here trying to think what my perfect Christmas would look like. I'm stumped. So I thought i would look back and think about past Christmases.

There is one Christmas that I can remember that was my favourite Christmas. I don't remember a lot of detail. What I remember most about it was all of my family was there. My Nana, Mum and Dad, my 2 brothers, Phil my DH, my 4 Aunts & 4 Uncles, and my nine cousins. That's 24 of us. I remember bits and piece of the day, like the water fight, the getting the lunch ready. But what sticks in my mind is the love, the laughter, the feeling this is my family and we are having a good time, and enjoying the day together.

The next almost perfect Christmas is almost the same. My 2 brothers had gone to NZ for Christmas, so it was just Phil, the boys and me. We were invited to Christmas Lunch my very good fiends. Again, I don't remember much detail, but I remember the laughter, the fun, and enjoying the day with friends and family.

So if you asked me what a perfect Christmas would look like, I would have to say that it isn't the presents, but the people. I also remember who I spent Christmas with, but I never remember what I got for Christmas.

Christmas Cards

2008-12-03T10:00:00.003Z

I'm in a real panic today, the cut off date for sending presents to NZ is this Friday. I'm no where ready and only have two days to go arrrrrrrrrr.

As for Christmas Cards, they never get done until, well some years they don't get done. I never make them, because one I'm lazy, 2 once I've made them I don't want to give them away because I like them so much, and 3 I forget to do them until I'm so busy I don't have time, which brings me back to I'm lazy. :)

Christmas Cards are my only guilt at Christmas, because I never seem to get round to them. I feel guilty because I feel I should send people cards. At the back of my mind though is the thought they are going in the recycling in the New Year. Maybe that is why I don't make them.

My favourite Christmas Cards are the funny ones. I really like funny cards(though not crass ones).

This year again only a few cards will be sent to family in NZ and maybe friends. But friends please don't hold your breath for a card, you will probably pass out.

The Christmas Card above is funny to me because my Husband is a motorbike fanatic. And I could see him playing Santa for kids but only if he got to arrive on his Red motorbike.

The weather...mmm...yuk

2008-12-02T14:40:00.004Z

I love the weather to be cold but blue Sky's. I really really dislike, strongly, the grey weather. I look at he sky and think yuk. My ultimate Christmas day weather is cold and clear.

As I lived in New Zealand all of my childhood, all of my Christmas memories are in the summer. Christmas is very different in hot weather. You have a barbeque's by the pool (yes we had a pool) with all the family. We usually end up having a water fight. Most Christmas I remember were outside.

If I was honest I like Christmas to be cold. It feels like Christmas in the traditional sense when it is cold.

Just a thought I've never had a white Christmas.

New Month resolution!!!!!

2008-12-01T09:42:00.002Z

Well it is Dec 1 and I have decided that with Shimelle's class Journal my Christmas I would also blog each day.

Today is the start of my Journey through Christmas. I wanted to do this class for 2 reasons. The 1st is a very follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. I had a look at Ann's and Sonia's books that they made last year and thought I want to do that. So here I am doing that.

The 2nd reason is more personal. I love Christmas, the tree, the lights, the giving of presents. I love the anticipation of Christmas day and what is under the tree. I love my sons faces when the open the presents under the tree. I love spending time with family and friends. My Mum and Dad are coming over from NZ this year for Christmas, so it is going to be even more special this year. I want to capture that and have a record to look at in years to come.

What a horrid day.

2008-03-27T20:11:00.002Z

I have started a new scrapbooking course called "no place like home". I haven't stopped crying for the last 4 days. My Mum and Dad have just sold their farm. The house has been in my family since 1945. I lived my childhood there. I was so excited that my parents were starting a new chapter in there lives and didn't have any feelings what so ever about them selling, so I thought. But this scrapping course has made me look at what my home town is like, and the good memories and now I feel like someone has died. Which makes me feel very pathetic as it is just a house. I have the memories and I will make new ones where ever my parents are. BUT I so want to go home and say goodbye one last time. But as it is a 31 hour flight and half a world away (and very expensive) it isn't going to happen.

It has been a long time....

2008-03-11T11:59:00.005Z

it has been a long time since I have posted. It has been a long 4 months. I am glad to see the back of it.

I have started scrapping again, so I thought I would start blogging again.

These are some of my LO's this month, I'm quite proud of them, mainly because I enjoyed doing them. Which is a big boost for me.

What do you think?

End of the month

2007-10-29T16:53:00.000Z

This month has gone so fast. i have blinked and it's the end of it. I have been really busy. Went to Scrappers Paradise in Guildford. Really Really Really enjoyed that. I learnt all sorts of new tricks, put on 4lbs and just had a great time. Strongly suggest that anyone into scrapbooking go on it. Did I mention the amount of retail therpy I did. There were 2 stores and they both let you run an account. So I would spend £10 here and £15 there. A bit of a shock when I had to pay my accounts. Double my budge. (Phil was very understanding.)

The boys were back at school today and I was back at work. I get lazy so quickly when I'm on holiday, even if it is only 5 days. Getting back into reutine always is a shock.

Christmas is just around the corner. I love Christmas, love decorating the house, the presents, the smells, the fun. I just love Christmas.

Benjamins birthday is in 2 weeks, my baby is going to be 7yrs old. Time seems to be speeding up since he turned 5.

I have rambled alittle today.

Will try and put photo's up of all I did away on scrappers paradise, later

What no Mail again!!!!!!!

2007-10-08T12:29:00.000+01:00

I just didn't realise how much I enjoy looking through my mail when I get home after work. There has been no mail for 4 days. And I am expecting a book from America and 2 from Amazon and one from a friend. And I have no mail. Just looked on the Royal mail website and I'm not going to get any till Wednesday if I'm lucky. I'm also expecting 2 scrapbook deliveries. I can't live like this (lol), I want my mail.

We onto not so norotic ramblings, I have just booked a holiday at the French resort Les Mouettes in France of course (its near Roscoff), for begining of August for 2 weeks. I know it's a long way away but I got the 2nd to last booking for August. I now have extra incentive to Learn French. Spending 2 weeks in France without being able to talk to the natives would s**k. Talking about French I can now count upto 69 and say hello, how are you, are you married, what is your job etc. And no one laughs to much at me, so I must be doing alright. We started learning the names of animals last week. I remember un rat. Ohhh I'm good. lol

I have to study to night and learn a few more I think. But for only 3 weeks of French I'm not doing so bad.

If you have wondered why I have mentioned that world thingy that NZ ISN'T playing in any more, well becasue, it's not very fetching to watch a nation cry. Wouldn't like to be certain people on their way home just at the moment. Betten by the FRENCH, how shaming is that. The FRENCH. Never mind not talking about that any more.

The only good news is the Australians got betten too, by the other nation I support.

Wanted to see if I could add a slide show to my blog. So have used some random photos from photobucket to see if it would work. Here goes......

I'm Back.....

2007-10-03T09:30:00.000+01:00

It has been awhile since I blogged. Been upto alot and nothing at all. Work, school run, housework, work, school run.....well you get the idea.

I have started to new classes, one scrapbooking, and the other is a how to speak French.

I love the French course, it is so funny trying to get my tounge around a new language. I'm not the only one though so it does make it easier. My 6 yr old son is teaching me at home how to say the words properly. You really have to be able to laugh at yourself to do a new language. It is a year course so you will be hearing more about it no doubt.

The photography course is coming along. I haven't been posting the assignments, but I am still enjoying the course. I now want a flash camera, to go with my new flash skills. Christmas is coming. lol

Last weekend I went away with 7 friends to Cotswold for a scrapping weekend. I had the best time, I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Didn't get much sleep, though I did get more than the rest of them. We had a photo shoot by the lake which was heaps of fun. I will add some photos here so you can see, but as I am at work at the moment and the photos are at home you will have to wait. But they are coming....

Well I had better go and do some work. Talk soon

What a day

2007-09-06T19:42:00.000+01:00

I have had the worst day i can think of in a long time. Anything and everything went wrong today.

But there were good parts in my day. My boys were full of school and what they did. My boys don't say much about there days usually. so when they do it is a real treat for me. They know how to make me laugh, so I guess it hasn't been such a bad day.

My second day back at work. I am really finding it hard to get back into the swing of things. I've been on holiday to long I think. I like being on holiday, but as Phil mentioned I would get bored very quickly. lol

On another note here is my favourite photo from my next assignment in the photograpy course. Hope you like it.

They are back at school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-04T12:38:00.000+01:00

Yeah they are back at school. The house is quite. I get one day to myself before I have to go back to work. Bliss..........

We took the boys to legoland last tuesday. There were so many people there that we only got four rides. (just as well be used tesco vouchers) I love amusment parks but even I resented waiting for 45mins to go one a 30 sec ride. We just gave up. One of the rides was a 2 hr wait. We are going to go during school time instead just have to wait until we have the right amount of Tesco vouchers.

We went to Barleylands farm and craft village on Thursday last week, had a great time there. 1st time in Sugar and spice, ohhhh I love scrapbooking shops. We then went on to Finton by the sea. We couldn't get the boys out of the sea. here are a few photos to show how much fun they had......

Photo's Photo's Photo's

2007-08-27T08:26:00.000+01:00

I have been trying to take photos for my assignment for the last three days. It took me that long to work out how to do them. You have to get silhouettes, I found this really hard but here are my attempts.....

Well I didn't think they were to bad for someone who hasn't done them before. But the exciting part is that now I am really keen to keep going on the course. If I can do this assignment I can do anything!!!!!!!!

Well I guess it is better than last time....

2007-08-24T18:47:00.000+01:00

only been a week instead of months........

I have spent the last 4 days sorting out my scrapbooking stash. What a mission, couldn't move in my lounge. Death to anyone that actually put there mits on any of it. It is now sorted, and stored and I have no idea where anything is. lol

I have also started a photography workshop called. Painting with light by Cheryl Johnson. I enjoyed the pre assignment. But ohmygoodness the 1st assignment is ohmy. Decided that reading the user manual on my camera was a good idea after all. It is 96 pages and I have no idea what it is saying and I'm only upto page 12 or so. It is a 10 week course, so I think you will be hearing a lot of ohmy here for the next ten weeks. What ever possessed me to think I could take descent photos is beyond me.

I haven't actually done any scraping since the last crop I went to which was the 4 Aug. To many DS running around. I only have 2 but I swear the number of them grows as the day goes by and then it's just 2 again. It's one of those misterious things, maybe I should consult the X files.

Well now my stash is in order it should be easier to crop I'll let you know when I actually do anything.

OH MY ..................

2007-08-17T16:27:00.000+01:00

Oh I had great dreams and hopes for this blog. And I haven't touched it since June. I am so crap sometimes. Well that is going to change, no more feeling sorry for myself. And I am going to keep a more regular blog. You heard it here.

No need to fall over laughing, sheesh

1st Posting

2007-06-20T12:44:00.000+01:00

My very 1st posting, I am excited and nervous. I think it is going to take awhile to get everything set up and going but be patient with me.