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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Nearly there!

My puter is all fixed again. And I think I have installed all the programs on it. However, I try to do something and find I have forgotten one. I suppose that will be happening for a while yet!

Two I have remembered to do are my posh printer with the card reader and PSE. So here is the promised layout!

It is an 8 inch one which i have done for my "sort of" catalogue and I have used some of my recently acquired stash!!!!

The baby stuff will be available from my site soon but, if you can't wait, you can always email me!!!

And talking of my site.......... I have decided to change it over to Lycos. I am getting so fed up of it being hacked. I know the files on my computer are clean but I am getting loads of emails telling me that there are viruses on there.

I did make some preparations when I thought I was going to lose the internet, so it isn't a whole load of work. I have the domain name set up, so all I have to do is forward it to the new site.

This means that if you have a blog roll on your site, you will need to change it. Just click on mine for the new coding. Before the pipex site is completely deleted, I will be putting a message up which will come up in the iframe to give you a bit of warning.

I have set up new Gmail addresses and am in the process of changing these over as well.

But there is some good news!!!! I am in SI this month and can't wait to see it. They will be putting my Rainbow pattern on their blog along with links to my site!

Friday, July 18, 2008

The problem with computers....

....is that they go wrong!!!!

Yes, mine isn't working - again!!!!

Mark will tell me that it is because I expect too much from it and make it work too hard.

But all I was doing this time is a virus scan. Honest! I left it running while I went out and when I came back, it had rebooted. Very strange, as normally Norton leaves a report of the scan and doesn't reboot.

Since then, Norton hasn't worked and I keep getting the "Blue screen of death" every five minutes. It has taken me all week to back up my files when this keeps happening. At least I have been able to sew beads on while doing this and one of my new silks is finished.

So now I am on Marks. Fortunately, I can still blog and blop but I can't share any pics. So those waiting for the Baby Girl set are going to have to wait a little long. I have used the boy set I made on a LO of Benjamin. I promise to share loads of pics when I am able.

Its typical really, Mark is back in work and enjoying his new job so I have more time to do what I want to do again. Then the puter breaks so I don't have time to do any of it. And I have soooooooo much to do!

Also, I am really excited because I am going to be in Scrapbook Inspirations next month. I am not entirely sure what they are doing but it will be a news story with links to the free Rainbow pattern and to my site. Maybe, I can start earning some cash at last!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Chasing Bumble Bees

Yes, that is what I spent most of yesterday afternoon doing!

Just as you get set up for the perfect shot, they fly away!!!!!

But, here are some of the results.

I have also been working on some Baby scrapping stuff.

What do you think?

And for all you "pinkaholics", the Girl set is in progress!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Good News!

Mark has a new job!

Its lower wages but we don't really care. Especially if I get the one I am going for next week.

Benjamin report was good so, although he is a pain at home, he is doing well at school.

Just thought I would let you all know!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More Stash!

I had this lot ages ago but with everything that is going on, I haven't got around to posting about them. Its more stash from my crochet embellishment swap.

This lot is from Donna. Chipboard to try. I have never used it before so this could be fun!

And this lot is from Jay. Loads of lovely stuff to have a play with.

And, finally, the Ribbons I won in the photo comp on UKS.

Unfortunately, I haven't done any scrapping in over a month. I don't seem to have the time or the inclination. I just seem to have stress. Lots of stress.

Mark is really getting me down because today is the day he gets dismissed and he isn't sleeping again. Benjamin is getting me down because he is being a little S***. And, on top of everything else, I thought I had another ear infection only to discover it is toothache not earache - it hurt in the same place!!!!!

I managed to get an appointment at an emergency dental clinic yesterday afternoon and it cost £16.20 to get my tooth taken out. Today I feel like I have been kicked in the mouth but it is soooooooooo much better than the pain I have had the last few days.

One good thing is that my dearest has gone out for a "sort of" interview with one of the plumbers before going to get dismissed at Watertight. Apparently there is some work there and he may be looking to take somebody on permanently as somebody has just quit to go self employed! Mark says it will be a means to an end, give him some experience and money while he builds up his own business. I don't think he is looking at it as a permanent thing. At least, I hope not as I am convinced self-employed will be best for him.

And I am trying to update my "Sage" experience. It is 10 years since I have used it and so many of the jobs I have been looking at require it. I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall here.

I tried Learn Direct and was told they didn't do it. So I googled. And a Learn Direct page came up!!!!! I phoned the freephone number on it and was told they did do it - and at the local centre that had told me they didn't!!!!! I gave up.

Two days later a letter came from Learn Direct detailing the course and the local centres I could do it at. So I went along to the Chatteris one at the time it said they were open on the letter and weren't open. The Library assistant told me to phone the March one.

So I did (although they had already told me they didn't do it) and was told that they didn't do it. I explained about the phone call and the letter from the main office and she looked it all up on the computer and it said that she couldn't register anybody on the course.

I am very tempted to phone Learn Direct again and tell them how useless they are!!!!!

In the meantime, I have downloaded a free 30 day trial version from Sage and got some books from the library. Now all I need is some peace to work through it. And if I need another 30 days, I can put it on Marks computer as well!

If you have read all this, you are very brave! It just seems like a lot of whinging!!!! Hopefully I will have something more cheerful next time.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Full Frontals!

Sorry but after the last post it just seemed appropriate! LOL

However, I know these "full frontals" are ones you have been waiting for. Sorry, the pics are not the best but I did them quite quickly and, as the silks have been collected, I can't do them again.

So, here are my latest silks in all their glory!

I was rather pleased with this one. And I have some paper and ribbon with stars on so I needed something just like this to scrap!

This is a close up of one of the mini shooting stars. I bought the star beads for Christmas tree earrings!

And a close up of the other beads

And now the snowdrops.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any close ups of this after it was mounted so you will just have to do with one from before.

I wasn't as happy with this one but there is only so much you can do with white flowers.

However, the lady who ordered them was pleased with them and wants two more with Rainbows and Stars on. But she would prefer them different rather than all similar.

I was wondering about incorporating crocheted stars.........

And, while I am here, some more good news.

I entered some of my silks in and Art Exhibition for Chatteris Medieval Fair and sold the Dolphins!!!!

Still no news on the job front though.

A sign of the times?

Yes, I know I have an extremely warped sense of humour but this really tickled it!!!!

I was looking for some of those typing practise sentences. Like the one "The quick red fox jumped over the lazy brown dog". It isn't for typing, it is for my son to practise his handwriting.

So, I typed "typing practise phrases" in to google.

At first I was totally astounded at what came up then my sense of humour took over.

Nearly all links on the page were for a program called "Cybersex Typing Tutor" to help you practise typing with one hand!!!!!!!!!

I finally found what I wanted by entering "handwriting practise sentences".

Monday, June 30, 2008

Getting there slowly

I certainly don't seem to be doing anything fast!

On the job front, I have applied for loads and not heard anything back. I really need something so that we have a wage coming in while we build the Plumbing business up.

At least we finally got to see somebody who gave us a bit of help and I am going back to see her this week for help with my CV. We also have an appointment with "Fenland Enterprise" (although they are not called that anymore) to find out about setting up in business.

That is going slowly as well. Mark had a couple of jobs last week but nothing so far this week. He is a bit down about it.

Still, the good news is that the snowdrops are finished as well and Mark has made me all the frames for them. I just need to mount them now.

So here is another sneaky peak

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The light at the end of the tunnel.

I haven't blogged in nearly two weeks! Apart from not having the time, I didn't have the inclination.

Mark got told on the Thursday after the last post that it was him who was going to be made redundant. Then they sent him home on "Gardening Leave". This meant he has been home since then driving me loopy. Of course, it would have to be at a time when I have a lot to do anyway, both on line and off.

He wasn't too bad the first couple of days but as time when on I could see he was getting more and more stressed over the situation.

We spent the following Monday and Tuesday rushing about and getting no where! The Job Centre is as much use as a chocolate teapot and people just don't return your calls. All we wanted was some help with a CV. Neither Mark nor I are any good at selling ourselves.

On Wednesday he had to go to work for a "Consultation meeting" at 10am then had an appointment at an employment agency in Huntingdon in the afternoon. So he went for lunch at his Mums.

He came home in a bit better mood from the meeting. They told him how much he would be getting and, if he starts a new job while he was still working for them, they won't penalise him by reducing his payout. He has worked out that we will have enough to pay the bills for the next 3 months as long as we don't spend anything else.

I was looking forward to a days peace but ended up with a sort of interview at 10.30am. It was actually more of an informal chat. It is only part time but looks like a fun job and right up my street. It is activites organiser at a local OAP home. Wonder if I could get them scrapping????? I have filled in the application form they gave me and am now waiting to hear from them.

Now he just needs to find a job.

Well, maybe........

I want him to be a plumber. He knows the trade, he has worked in it for the last 6 years. He actually knows more about the products than the plumbers. He has to, to be able to sell them to him. He designs bathrooms for both the retail and trade customers and has fitted ours - which is so posh it belongs in a 10 bedroomed house!!!!

He is very dubious about it. Actually, its more of a case of being scared. He has never been in the position where he doesn't have a payslip at the end of the month and the thought of not having one is scary.

His other problem is that he is the only one who doesn't know how good he is!!!!!

He went out the other night to meet up with some plumbers after I had insisted that he phone some of them to do a bit of networking. One of them turned around and told him that he would be "Unfair Opposition" as he knows too much. So finally, he has agreed to give it a go. After all, what has he got to lose? He is out of work in 6 weeks anyway!

I haven't been idle even though I haven't been online much.

My domain name has finally been sorted out after a lot of hassle. It is www.enfys.me.uk I have made new banners and updated them on my links page with the new addy and the new location of the banners. I have put them all in Photobucket.

I am in the process of uploading everything to free web space. Then, if things do take a turn for the worse and I lose the internet and the current site, the banners will still work and all I will need to do is get the domain name to forward to the new site.

I have finished the pattern for the Rainbow and sent all the information off to Scrapbook Inspirations - complete with the new domain name.

I now need to make a whole load of new business cards with the domain name on.

Its just all go!

The lady who ordered the silks from me came to pay me a deposit and bought the "Four Seasons" at the same time!!!! She also liked what I have done so far and will be wanting another two of the Shooting Star.

I have finished beading that one, want a sneaky peak????

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Ups and Downs!

My life seems to be full of Ups and Downs at the moment.

First of all, there is the prospect of appearing in Scrapbook Inspirations. I still don't know any details but have to have all the info to them by June 25th.

Then I won the UKS photography competiton. Totally unexpected but very exciting!

FenVAC are holding a one day art exhibition at March Town Hall on Saturday, 14th June as part of the March Summer Festival celebrations and I was asked if I would like to participate.

After all that hassle with Tesco they refunded the service charge. Big deal! I thought after that headache they caused me. However, in the post this morning came a £10 gift card and another apology. That will pay for the veg this weekend.

And last, but by no means least, I have had a commission for two silk paintings from the lady who bought the one from the local florists. She wants one with Snowdrops and one with stars and rainbows.

So guess what I have been doing today!

These two pics are painted and backed. I have basted white behind the snowdrops and star so that they stand out.

Of course they still need quilting and loads of beading before they are finished.

And now the Downs!

Last Thursday Mark had a letter "inviting" him to a meeting to "discuss how the downturn in trade affects his role in the company." That meeting was this morning. After making us stew all over the weekend about whether or not he would still have a job after today, we still don't know. He and the other manager were told that one of them would have to go and there are certain criteria they have to follow to decide which one. We will know Friday.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Bloomin' Lovely!

Rain doesn't stop play when it comes to flowers!

After being very dismayed about that cat having my poppies, I am please to announce I have more!

I took this first picture last Thursday and, as you can see, more buds with one about to open.

This picture was taken Friday.

And, this morning, there are four nice strong buds.

Lets hope they stay that way as this looks ever so pretty when there are a few open in different colours.

This is the Mimulus in "Highland Orange".

It hasn't had a lot of flowers but they are a very striking colour.

The "Highland Yellow" has loads more flowers on it. They are the same colour as Primroses.

They are not as bright as the orange ones but they certainly cheer the place up.

And the Thyme is out in full bloom.

Its delicate tiny pink flowers stand out against the green beautifully!

I did take loads more but that is all I have time to edit for now!

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Journalling Pattern Finished!

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!

And here it is in all its glory!

Its no wonder it took me so long to write, there are 20 pages in this one.

It includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, punctuation and the doodling that I have put up as free pattern.

Now the question is "What next?"

I have been thinking of a "Weather" set.

I can include my Rainbow in it.

I was thinking of Raindrops and Wellies. Possibly a Brolly.

I can also put the Sun, Moon and Stars in it.

But that isn't going to fill a pattern. So if anybody has any suggestions, please lave them in the comments

Another thing that has cheered me up is that I won the photo competition on UKS. I got really excited about that!

Thank you to everybody who voted for me.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

I love the postie coming!

Especially when he brings me more stash!

This is the latest haul in my Crochet Swap.

These were from Jay and included a bar of chocolate for Benjamin. As you can imagine, that didn't last long!

I love that little mini book. And the colour is wonderful!

All the blue bits will be perfect for scrapping Benjamin!

And these were from Jane.

I will forgive her the pink bits because of those lovely stammp Tilda images!

I have 2 neices birthdays coming up and they will be perfect for their cards.

This is much more fun than stash shopping because I never know what I am going to get!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Just a quickie!

I have lots to do!

I had my free copy of SI this morning and rushed straight to page 71, just to see my name in print!!!!

So now I am working on the pattern for the Rainbow. I did have a double sided version up on my msn group, which I altered to make one I used for scrapping. Of course, being me, its all just notes and not a proper pattern.

It isn't going to take long to do, but I do need to make some more and block them to take pics. But, wouldn't you just know it, I have run out of the thread I need!

I was debating on whether to get some new thread - now I am going to have to! And, as it is pointless just getting one ball, I had better sort out what other colours I fancy!

In anticipation of some visitors from SI, I have been re-arranging my msn group so that all the scrapping patterns are on one page. The rainbows will be added as soon as they are sorted.

Also in the post this morning, came some lovely stash. Thank you Jay. I will take pics later and post them soon.

And finally, my "Trolleys" pic got short listed in the UKS photo comp!

Last time I looked, I was joint 1st with 3 others!

Now I need to get to the bank, then order some thread then get on with some work!!!!

Monday, June 02, 2008

R is for Rapeseed

The latest in my A-Z photo journal of Chatteris.

At this time of year you can't but help noticing the bright yellow fields all around you.

The growing of Rape is big business

Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel.

Rapeseed is a heavy nectar producer, and honeybees produce a light colored, but peppery honey from it.

Rapeseed Oil can be used in much the same way as olive oil. It is a recognised fact that olive oil has a reputation as a healthy oil. Up to now, what has not been widely known is that cold pressed rapeseed oil is substantially healthier than olive oil. It has the added benefit of being locally grown, without the need to be globally transported, therefore saving on "food miles" as well.

Rapeseed Oil has only half the undesirable saturated fat content of olive oil. Whilst having twice as much of the desirable omega 6 and about ten times the amount of the desirable Omega 3. The sodium (salt) content is zero.

Rapeseed oil is produced locally by L & A.E. Munns & Son.

Westmoor Farm is part of the Cambridgeshire County Farm Estate and is situated in the heart of The Fens, 1.5 miles west of the market town of Chatteris. The Munns family has farmed there since October 1959 when they took on the tenancy of a 21 acre smallholding from the then Isle of Ely County Council. Funding was provided from a £100 pools win and extended credit from suppliers.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Catching Up!

It has been a busy couple of days.

On Friday we went out with a friend and her daughter to HGL for brekkie. They had a BOGOF on so we decided to take advantage of it.

It was scrummy! And I was stuffed!!!!

Afterwards the children played for a bit then we had a look around.

I very nearly bought some "Chocolate Mint".

It was only £1.59 and smelled just like "After Eights"!

While there, I also got a couple of pictures for the UKS Photo competition.

Joanne suggested this one when I explained what I was doing.

The brekkie offer runs for another 2 weeks and I have a spare token so we are going again - when the kids are in school!

I think I am going to get that mint as well.

That afternoon we went to Skylark Garden Centre. Joanne didn't realise there was one there. She hasn't lived in the area long and has only just passed her driving test, so I was telling her about some of the local stuff.

The kids had a great time playing outside, even though the bouncy castle wasn't up!

I also managed to get the picture I needed to finish off another letter in my A-Z photo journal of Chatteris.

I just need to sort out the pics before I post them.

After seeing all the excitment about a LO in Scrapbook Inspirations which used one of my crocheted Rainbows, I thought I would do one myself.

I checked out this weeks challenge for inspiration and this is what I came up with.

And, while on the subject, keep an eye on SI because I might be in it soon! I emailed them concerning my Rainbow and got a lovely email back.

I am really excited about this! It might be just what I need to get people to my site. If I can sell a decent amount of crochet each week, I wouldn't need a job!

And if that does happen, best you get your orders in before the rush!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Loads of Brads!

Look what I got in the post today!

Loads of lovely Brads in exchange for some crocheted Ladybirds.

Rebecca asked me if there was anything in particular I wanted, so I told her I always have to go and raid Lesleys brads.

There are also some rather pretty beads.

Also, I am in Scrapbook Inspirations this month!

Somebody entered a layout using my crocheted Rainbow. Unfortunately there is only my UKS user name and not my site addy, but at least I am in there!

Now to find a copy......

Monday, May 26, 2008

I couldn't resist!

Mark asked me to do dinner at lunchtime yesterday, as he needed to go and see a friend after the Grand Prix and it would be easier for him to have it before he went, rather than rush back for it.

This meant that I had some unexpected time to spend online and decided to have a look around UKS. While I was there, I checked out the weekly challenge.

I haven't done one in ages - and my points showed it!!!!

Imagine my surprise when I found out it was Alphabet Themed

I just couldn't resist!!!!!!

Its a digi LO and is here if you want to leave me loads of lovely comments!!!!!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Stash!

I have been getting loads of lovely stash in the post.

No, I haven't been on a spending spree!

Would I?

This is from my crochet embellishment swap.

Mandi sure knows the way to my heart. Loads of lovely beads and buttons for me to play with.

I am seriously tempted to take up this Fimo thing to make my own, they are so much more fun to crochet with than the stuff you can buy.

I would also be able to make the holes a bit bigger to make them easier to crochet with.

And look at all this stash Tinkerbelle sent me. Far too much but I am not complaining.

I love the hand made cards but I doubt very much that they will end up being used for cards as they are perfect for my Silk Album.

I have another swap to get done and in the post for next week. I did tell her Monday but, of course, its a Bank Holiday so it will have to be Tuesday.

I have finished the lower case letters. And what is more, they are all added to mys site, including the doodling!

The page still needs a bit more work as I need to add the numbers to it and the link for the free pattern.

I also plan to convert this lot to digi and add the downloads to the page.

I redid the "Exhibition" for my Silk Album.

I had to squash it in a bit because the new letters are bigger than the old ones.

I am still pleased with it though.

And I need to add a "?" to this page so that I have all the punctuation on one page.

Just like British Rail, I am getting there!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Free Crochet Pattern

Remember the Crocheted Doodling?

Well, I have finally written the pattern and it is on Rainbow Valley!

It is really simple to do so there is no excuse for not trying!

I have finally finished the upper case letters. I am now working on the lower case set. I am up to "u" so, with a bit of luck, I can get them finished today and blocked over night ready to photograph on the weekend.

I am hoping to get all of these, along with the punctuation and numbers, on to my site for sale this weekends.

I can sell the finished items before the pattern is ready as I can use my notes to make them.

Then I have to remake everything to check that I have written the pattern properly.

I do this in a different thread which I use for the photos for the pattern.

Unfortunately, the thread I started using is only available in the UK as it is manufactured by a UK company.

Also, they have changed a few of their lines and I can't get it as easily as I used to.

This means that I have to write the patterns using a different thread that is available in the US as well.

I am slowly building up a stash of this in different colours and, as soon as I have a decent colour range, I will swap everything on the site over to the same thread as the patterns. It will save taking twice as many photos!

Please note that the letters are not a free pattern, just the doodling.