Wednesday 30 September 2009

Design Course Module 3


This is the LO I did for Module 3 - Typography.
The brief was to create a LO using the computer for the title and the journalling bearing in mind all the info given in the tutorial.
I used some of my Club Scrap papers and one of their stencils (with white Stazon), buttons from stash and some cream paper flecked with red for the title and journalling.
Now on to Module 4 - Space. This is def. the most difficult (so far!!). I've submitted my quiz and hope to start the LO tomorrow - will have the house to myself as OH is in Scotland for a couple of days.

Friday 25 September 2009

Design Course Module 2


Have just submitted my LO for Module 2 "Unity".

Achieved 90% on the quiz - so I'm getting better!
This time I used Core-dinations papers, lots of eyelets, ribbon from stash, a sparkly brad , Bo-Bunny journalling tag and Thickers for the title. Thought it was about time I did s'thing with my photos from my night out clubbing! (The brief was to use 5 photos).
Haven't heard from Nicholas since Weds. when he rang up for suggestions for tea - his turn to cook again and they were sick of pasta!lol
Update on this LO - I only managed 75% as one of the required elements wasn't clear on my LO.
I did manage 100% on the Module 3 (Typography) Quiz though. Will hopefully do the LO for that this w/end.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Design Course Module 1


To fill my time now Nicholas is safely at Uni, and also out of interest, I've signed up for a four week online scrapbook design course.

Module 1 was "Visual Design". Only managed 75% on the end of module quiz but was really pleased to achieve 89% for my LO.
I used Prima "Rue 88" papers and flowers, Unity stamps (thanks for the recommendation Ann C!) and Sizzix "Mango Tango" for the title.
The photo was taken (without my knowledge) when I was visiting my aunt last month. The view really hasn't changed in the last 40/50 years - hence the title!

I'm now working on module 2 "Unity" - have submitted the quiz and have my photos ready for the LO - itching to get started but suppose I'd better do some of the "h" word first!


Monday 21 September 2009

Hanging on the telephone.

I haven't had chance to miss Nicholas yet as we've spoken on the phone every day!

I had to phone him yesterday as the text I'd sent telling him where he needed to register (the most important bit of paper that was ,of course ,left at home on Saturday) was met with the reply "What?" - think I need to improve my texting skills! He'd found a pub and was watching the Manchester derby .
Today he phoned me and I had to go online for him to find out times etc of registration tomorrow. He has his computer with him but no internet yet - apparently the vital lead (?) was missing from his room and it's going to take them a week to replace it - not very efficient or helpful.
He has a container full of pasta and sauce in the fridge apparently. He's used to me buying fresh from Waitrose (250 gr.) and cooking it all. I'd sent him with a large bag of dried penne and he'd cooked the lot ! I know he was cooking for 2 ,his friend (who'd travelled down on Friday and happens to be in another flat on the same floor) and himself ,but honestly! Oh well, he'll learn!

I had an excellent Sunday - the Manchester game was the best I've seen all season - esp. as we won! England also managed to win a cricket match (at last!!). Trust Durham to prepare a wicket that we could do something with (can you tell I'm from Co. Durham and more than slightly biased!lol).

Today I've been to the dentist and not much else. The injections knocked me for six and as they're wearing off I'm in a bit of discomfort. What did I have done you ask? What wonders did he perform? He simply replaced the missing bits of teeth with fillings. Not exactly earth shattering or rocket science. My question is ... why couldn't the emergency dentist have done that last Monday? He could have saved me from a week of sore mouth and problems eating.
I think it all comes down to money. The dentist last week didn't seem too impressed that I'm a Denplan patient, i.e. covered by insurance and therefore he couldn't charge me the earth. What happened to the "caring professions"? When I was at Uni there was a big Medical Dept. and the ones studying to be dentists had opted for that rather than becoming Dr's as it was more of a 9-5 job. To me that's like becoming a teacher because of the holidays. My father always said to choose a career because of what you'd be doing while at work not the time off.
And on those wise words I'll leave you.
Sue xx

Saturday 19 September 2009

He's Gone!

Well ,I behaved myself today - was only allowed to accompany Nicholas and OH to Bristol on the understanding I didn't get emotional!
Had a good journey down and fortunately two of his friends were waiting for him at the student flats - they helped unload the car - just as well as his flat is on the 6th floor and he had loads of stuff.
His room is pretty basic but the kitchen and living area are well equipped. Got him settled and he was obviously keen for us to go as he wanted to go and buy tickets to a music festival - social life beginning already! Have had one phone call - " Mum, what's my pin number?"! He'd already cooked his first meal - pasta - I'm sure he must have some Italian blood as he'd quite happily live on pasta!
OH and I wandered around for a while and had coffee. Really vibrant area - think he's made a good choice as far as social life is concerned. Took me back 30 odd years!
So, I didn't get emotional or fuss too much.
Feeling proud that he's made it this far but will no doubt find it strange not having him around. Max seems to be missing him as he's not his usual cheery self.
Have a LO to do tomorrow as I've been tagged and have 72 hours (now down to 48) to do it and pass it on.
Will upload the result when everyone taking part has finished.
Off to bed now to continue reading "The Lost Symbol" - a real page turner.

Thursday 17 September 2009

The Wanderer Returns

Nicholas finally arrived back at 7:30 yesterday evening. Apparently the battery on his mobile died en route to Croatia.
He was shattered after a week of very little sleep and 33 hours on a coach - just about managed to stay awake for the Arsenal match.
I did manage to get some sense out of him:
The music festival was brilliant and Croatia is beautiful.
Nicest country travelled through - Switzerland (despite getting lost in the Alps!).
Most impressive duty free - Luxembourg.
Worst country - Italy (due to a four hour hold up at the border while sniffer dogs etc. did their job!).
He's decided to wait until Saturday to travel to Uni. Gives him time to recover and me time to do his washing!
As for me this has been a mixed week.
Managed to break two teeth last Saturday - not in pain as such, just very uncomfortable and diff. to eat. My dentist is of course on holiday this week and the emergency dentist prodded and poked, took X-rays, then decided he wasn't going to do anything. Gave me a letter for my dentist and told me to make an appt. for next week. What a waste of a Monday morning!!
Rest of Monday and all day Tuesday was spent on the ironing mountain - it is no more! Took me that long as I had to keep having rests - my arms and shoulders were not amused at all this activity.
Max has had an ear infection (silly dog keeps poking his head into hedges - you'd think he'd learn!). He is also now officially on a diet (revolting dried food) so his exercise has been upped - don't know what it's doing for him but it's wearing me out!
Lots of football (good results) and cricket (less said the better about England but well done to Durham on retaining the Championship) have been watched with more to come as Man Utd are on T.V. on Sunday and next Weds. Also have an Indy Car race this w/end (that will keep OH happy!).
Will now have to venture to Waitrose as DS has cleaned us out of fruit juice and milk.
No time (or energy) for crafting I'm afraid - hope after this weekend things will settle down.
I have some special cards to make before I can start scrapping.
Watch this space!

Monday 14 September 2009

More Questions from Donna!!

Thanks to Donna for getting me to think first thing on a Monday!

What do you know?
Ok here are 10 questions to get you thinking.

Get your thinking caps on - you might win a prize!

1. What word is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed? Queue


2. What mammal can’t jump? Elephant, hippopotamus,sloth,sea cow.

3. Who blink more – men or women? Allegedly women.


4. What colour would Coca-Cola be if it didn’t have any food colouring in it? It would be a clear liquid. Apparently there is a rumour that it would be green.


5. What bird can see the colour ‘blue’?
All birds can see the colour blue. The myth that only owls can see blue is just that - a myth.

6. What are the 6 official languages of the United Nations? Arabic, Chinese,English,French,Russian and Spanish

7. In 2002 what was the most popular boat name in the US?Liberty


8. Who has appeared most often on the cover of ‘Life’ magazine? JFK (?)


9. What is the name of the first 30 minute cartoon to be aired on prime time television?The Flintstones

10. How old was the youngest pope? 18 (John XII 955-964)

Friday 11 September 2009

He's Leaving home - Part2 - I think he's already left!

No updates since he told me he was in Switzerland - don't know if he's avoiding me (OH says I fuss too much - more of that later!) or can't get a signal.
Texted the scores throughout last nights match - no response - let's face it England don't win by that margin too often - it deserved a reply.
Didn't bother telling him the scores of the Women's Euro Cup Final (DS thinks it's like watching League 2 teams or the old 4th Division for those of us that know our football!! This is despite the fact that Arsenal Ladies dominate the English game).
I resorted to phoning tonight (as opposed to texting which I'm useless at) and still no response.
I can only cling to the old saying "No news is good news" - which doesn't help when grandparents are asking for updates (well, my Dad is -only grandfather my son has).
I'll detail my "fussing" tomorrow - most Mums will see nothing wrong with it - they'll think it normal i.e. part of the job description!

Tuesday 8 September 2009

He's Leaving Home - Part 1

Well, DS set off for Croatia tonight - away for a week, 2 days at home, then off to Uni. Guess he's trying to break me in gently to the "empty nest".
The mood he was in tonight I'm not going to miss him!
Talk about trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs!
Looking back, not only was I going on long coach trips at his age (I lived in the NE so had to travel for hours to London before moving on) I was living in France doing my year abroad ....you'd think this meant I knew what I was talking about .... but no! Wasn't even allowed to help with the packing - now, everyone knows that women do this better, squeezing things into impossible spaces so as to get that all important, totally unnecessary item in - but not my son!
Even my farewell call of "Don't do anything I wouldn't do.." (which, let's face it gives him pretty much free rein- short of GBH and murder) was met with just a grunt.
My craft room is about to become a reality!!lol

The Forgotten ATC!


When I knew I was meeting Bev last month I made an ATC to commemorate the evening. True to style I put it into my handbag and forgot to hand it over ! Doh!

She has now received it so I can post it on here.

Lovely to meet you Bev and I think I've found a craft shop for us to visit next time I'm in the NE!

Thursday 3 September 2009

Val's Quiz

Thanks to Val for getting me thinking!
1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know
the score or the leader until the contest ends. Boxing

2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward? Niagara Falls

3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables? Asparagus and Artichoke

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside? Strawberry

5. In many liquour stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle? Bottle put over pear whilst on the tree and still growing.

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters " dw" and they are all common words. Name two of them. Dwarf and dwelling

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them? Colon,comma,full stop,exclamation mark,question mark,semi-colon,quotation marks.

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh. Paw paw

9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S." Socks,stockings,shoes,sandals,slippers,snow-shoes