Taking a "ME" day! - pt 2

So after I last updated I'd had lunch, an internet break and then decided to head out for more shopping. Well being the klutz I am I got out to the car and managed to whack my face as I opened the door. I now have a red lump on the outside of my left eye socket and boy is it sore! I hope it's not too noticeable! Anyway off I went injured or not...

First stop of the afternoon was Goodwill. I've said before but I prefer the other thrift store to Goodwill, not only do they have a quicker turnover of clothes but it's better laid out and the biggest factor - they are cheaper. However it seems Goodwill has been renovated with a new floorplan since I last went in. Still not organized but better than previously so they get points for trying. As always I headed to the shoe area first and snagged a pair of heels in my size :) I am still looking for boots but alas nothing yet in my size that isn't leather (and doesn't have the weird overly pointy toes). So the search for boots continues. I picked up a beige belt along the way to the clothes, and skimmed the bags. I picked up a couple of t-shirts browsing the racks then headed to the 99c racks. Usually I don't find anything here but I'm trying to see past the garment as it is NOW and think what I could refashion it into. I picked up a few pieces which I'll share in later weeks :) All in all I got some good deals :)

Last stop of the afternoon was Walmart. I had no agenda other than I hadn't been for ages so usually good to wander around and see what's new. I picked up 2 hooded tees by LEI (yes I shop in the Jnr section!), and I got 1 tee that was by Atari so that appealed to the geek in me :) I got necessities like cotton buds, cotton balls etc, then swooped by the dog section to pick up new toys for the girls :) Then onto the skincare and make-up which was pretty much the reason for going - new nail polish. Picked up some NYC products, and OPI nail polish, some hair care stuff, mouthwash and few other bits along the way. All in all I spent over $100 and didn't have much to show for it. Typical WalMart trip really, lol! 

Now I am back home and still having lumpy sore head. I guess I should go put some of this shopping away too huh?

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Taking a "ME" day! - pt 1

Since the new year I've been busy trying to juggle creative jobs, fitness jobs, this blog, family life, and friends. Needless to say time for ME has been few and far between but I catch time here and there, but this week I decided that it was time for a vacation. We'd booked this week off a while back as our anniversary week but hadn't booked a vacation anywhere and thankfully so because last week Bob got sick with flu and decided that he couldn't take any more time off so canceled his vacation this week (he did have our anniversary off work though). So it's been a staycation for me!

I spent Tuesday morning running (10 miles - whoo!) and the afternoon after grocery shopping was spent reading books from the library. Yesterday was our anniversary (recap on that at the monthly round up), so today I decided that I would take the day off and go shopping. I had some errands to run also so why not make a day of it?

I got up and walked the dogs, then made breakfast and got Bob out to work as usual. Had a nice long shower, did my make-up and hair then headed out to get my passport photo's done. Our passports expired in March and I've been meaning to get new pics done for the renewal but something always came up so today I went to CVS and got them done. Sure they make me look like shit (I hate passport pics! Bobs new one looks great) but whatever, it's done! I need the passport!!!

After CVS I went to the 99c store for essentials, namely dog poo bags! Course I ended up getting a few other things as always happens in those places!!! After 99c store came my favorite - Simi Thrift Store! I love this shop! I spent about an hour browsing & trying on and spent $18. I'll be sharing my thrift store finds in future Thursday posts but lets just say: Levi Jeans (size 3!) $4, Gap shift dress $3, Nike running top $3, and some t-shirts for 99c each plus a few other things = happy Di! Plus I just found out today that this thrift store all the money goes to Animal Rescue Volunteers, an animal rescue charity in our city :) Now I know where all my donations are going in future!

I just stopped back at home to drop off the shopping and grab lunch, oh and to feed the spotty monsters! Right now I am sitting on the patio with lunch while the do the back yard patrol. I guess I should go shopping again huh? I think Goodwill and Walmart later... ok back later with pics and update!

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12 years...

Wow how time flies! Twelve years ago Bob and I were up in a hot air balloon floating over Las Vegas getting hitched :) Happy Days. Seems like yesterday really and so much has happened in the last 12 years! Obviously the most significant change was moving to the USA (from our 'home' in England). We sat down to chat a few nights ago and Bob made the startling observation that we have been together in America almost as long as we've been together in England! Bob and I started dating in April 1991 and April 2011 is our 20 year anniversary together but also our 10 year anniversary being in the US. Crazy! It's especially crazy to think that I've spent over half my life now with him! I feel so old when I think about time like that, yet really to us it doesn't seem that long at all. 

Here's to another 12 years, and many more! Remember Bob, Eye Chest Ow!

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Monday Muse

So part of my "new" blog redesign I hope to bring you some interesting things from around the web that are craft related that will hopefully provide a kickstart to some of your own creativity. Here are my top 5 picks this week in no particular order:

School lunch mats

I love this idea from Creative Kismet for making school lunch mats. I've made my own place mats before but these take things one step further with a sew on pocket for cutlery & napkin. Plus the ribbon for securing the mat when rolled up. Perfect for packed lunches, picnics, or even for the back patio! There is even a full tutorial for making these on the Creative Kismet blog - I think I may be rustling up a few of these for our patio table!

DIY Nap mat/Bed Roll

Another great idea from another crafter, maybe I am on a sewing kick? Anyway Prudent Baby blog has a tutorial up for making this great nap mat/bed roll. These would be great for sleep overs, and a good use of old comforters, sleeping bags etc, just re-cover! I think these would be great kept in the trunk of the car, perfect for camping or taking in the RV. Perhaps would make great pet beds too? You can see full details on the Prudent Baby blog.

Dalek Cake

We love Dr Who. If you haven't watched Dr Who then you probably won't know who the Daleks are and I suggest you go grab a DVD set and sit down for a weekend and  catch up! The Daleks are a blast from our childhood as we grew up watching Dr Who (our Dr back then was John Pertwee) so we were really happy when the series got fired back up and we've enjoyed Christopher Eccleston, David Tennent and now Matt Smith. Anyhow I just LOVE that craftsters are embracing their geeky side and creating things like this Dalek cake. This was a wedding cake btw, more details on it on Boing Boing. We've seen a few Dalek cakes lately, but also some Tardis cakes too! Fun, geeky and awesome!

Alice in Denimland Dress

We recently watched Alice in Wonderland (the new version with Johnny Depp) and as soon as we saw Alice 'in' wonderland I couldn't help but think her dress could have been better. Anyone else think that Alice got completely screwed on the dresses? The one the Hatter made her when she shrunk in the teapot was kinda cool but the Blue dress Alice is synonymous with just didn't seem to cut it imo. Anyway if you have any fancy dress parties ahead or just want to get ahead for Halloween (not long peeps!) then how about this awesome inspiration from in_wonderland @ Craftster. The dress was made from recycled denim and I think it's awesome! You can see more pics at craftster.

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Scrapbook Sunday: Die Cut mediums

My article for June scrapbooking.com was all about using different mediums for die cuts instead of the regular paper and cardstock. The card below I used felt crafting sheets in a Sizzix machine to create the layered hearts.

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots; Art Pens: Brush Pen: Sepia (Sakura); Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific); Craft Felt: Misc Craft Supplies Store; Ink: Black (Tsukineko); Paper & Stickers: Silhouette Paper Packet (Close to my Heart); Stamp: Happy Anniversary (Kolette Hall); Tools: double heart die, big shot machine (Sizzix) The ultimate crafters companion (Crafters Companion)

In the friends card I used these die cut shapes cut from foam. Foam crafting sheets can also be used in many die cutting machines. I love foam for adding texture and dimension to creative projects!

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots ; Brad: Green flocked brad (7 gypsies); Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Yellow (Die cuts with a view); Die Cut Craft Felt: Misc Craft Supplies Store; Paper: Providence Scrap Strip (Scenic Route); Tools: The ultimate crafters companion (Crafters Companion)

On the hugs card below I used chipboard with my Sizzix machine and added crackle glaze for a bit of an extra textural touch. Chipboard fits in most larger die cut machines and is great for shapes that require depth.

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots; Art Medium: Crackle Glaze (Ranger); Art Pens: PermOpaque pen Red (Sukura); Photo Corner: doo dads (one heart… one mind); Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) ; Chipboard: White chipboard; Ink: Hollyhock (Close to my heart); Paper: Daisy Days All in a row (Dream Street); Ribbon: hearts (Maya Road); Stamp: Scripty Words (Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms); Tools: Charms & Buckles die, big shot machine (Sizzix) The ultimate crafters companion (Crafters Companion)

Again below is more foam, this time I used my sizzix machine and a flower die. Foam is so versatile and cheap too! Excellent embellishment for cards and scrapbook pages!

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller, Adhesive Foam Squares (3L), Glue Dots; Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific); Craft Foam: Misc Craft Supplies Store; Paper: Magic Moments Paper Packet (Close to my Heart); Ribbon: White ribbon (Boxer Scrapbooks); Rub-on Alpha: Providence, white (Making Memories); Tools: flower power #1 die, big shot machine (Sizzix) The ultimate crafters companion (Crafters Companion)

I've also used sandpaper, acetate, vinyl, vellum and other plastics in my die cut machine (Sizzix).

So what else do you run through your die cut machine other than the usual paper/cardstock?

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Fashion Friday: F21

I mentioned Forever 21 last week and their retro 80's style currently instore. How I like the rocker chick from the 80's, but the rest of the fashions from the 80's were pretty lame right? Anyways I spent a little time browsing their website and found this:

One word: WANT! I love this. I like everything about it. Kind of a little retro but I think it's more the rocker chick than disaster 80's. Problem is I am at the stage where I REALLY like it, but if I go in, try it on and it looks awful I'll be pissed off. lol! For $20 it's pretty cheap too!

Does anyone else fret like this? Endless times I've looked online and in catalogues, found stuff I like, but I try it on it looks like sh!t. I think the key to making clothes look good on you is to dress for YOUR shape. Find what flatters you're shape and work with it.

On a side note, this dress is just jersey material, how hard could it be to make? Hmmmm....

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Doggy Video :)

After yesterdays post about the animal cruelty I thought I'd share a lighter note today by finally uploading a video of our dogs. I promised family a while ago that I'd post this video of the dogs eating corn on the cob. We had a few BBQs this Summer and I LOVE LOVE LOVE BBQ corn on the cob!!! As do the dogs apparently! They were sniffing around mine one day so I figured next time I'd cut one in half and we'd cook them their own to eat. Hope you enjoy it!

I thought we'd recorded the main eating with Sky but it seems there was a technical hitch as the camera didn't record :( I think you get the idea though = DOG LOVE CORN ON THE COB!!!

Also uploaded a video I did during another of our BBQs over the Summer. We've had some work done on the back garden so apologies for the messy garden. Cute doggy alert too!

Hopefully uploading more vid's and vlogs soon! Charging the camcorder as I type :) I need to find some vid editing software too! Any recommendations?

Di

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