Hot Town...

...Summer in the City.

("Summer in the City" by Lovin Spoonful - number one on the Billboard top 100 in 1966)

Now I've got you all humming away **giggle** - yep, even the youngsters amongst you (despite its age, this song is currently used in an advert on our TVs here in the UK).

The last couple of weeks have been extremely hot and sticky, especially at work as we are without any aircon at the moment and being next to a demolition site is not fun with all the dirt & dust but it does make these lyrics very apt...

..."back of my neck feeling dirt-n-gritty".

But I digress...

Last weekend I took Mum shopping to get some new net curtains for her new windows and we popped into The Range. Now, I've been saving for the Spectrum Noir pencils and guess what - they had some of the sets in and at a very good price of £14.99 instead of £19.99...I was tempted but refrained. Good job too as when I went into Pinnacles on the Saturday they had all 5 sets - Joanne had been keeping her fingers crossed that they would arrive in time for the Members 30% Weekend.

So I've been keeping everything crossed this week that they would still have all the sets on Friday - and they did...

...this is my haul of goodies.

Now I'm hoping you are all sitting down because this is going to come as a shock to those of you who know me well.

I made a list, checked it twice (I think the Christmas in July event is still fixed in my brain) - actually remembered to take it with me - and stuck to it...well...sort of...the Graphics 45 pad was the one thing that I forgot to put on my list. Soooooooooooo, if I had remembered, then I would have only bought what was 'on the list'. I think my friend Hilary was quite impressed that I didn't get tempted like I usually do.

We both popped into Sugar & Spice before heading back to our cars and it was a good thing too. The heavens opened and boy did we have a downpour along with all the sound effects (thunder, lightening cracks - screams of folk running for shelter as they got soaked). 'Mummy' Barb put the kettle on and we all waited out the storm sipping tea.

We had two storms fairly close to each other on Friday but it still didn't clear the air and I'm still finding it hard to concentrate on crafting - but I have been doing some colouring and here is a little peak at the Aurora Wings "Sunflower Sprite" that I have finished...

...I just need to drag 'mojo' back from wherever he is lazing in the sun and actually make something with this image. I do have a couple of ideas - just need to see if I can get them from the brain, past the 'leaky elbow' and into a finished item...........................................................

Just a few...

...questions.

Suzy over at Sea Glass & Sand found this list and asked folk to let her see what they came up with so here's mine...

1. Where is your cell/mobile phone? On the arm of the sofa
2. Your hair? Swept up in a twist
3. Your mother? Always surprising
4. Your father? Sadly passed
5. Your favourite food? Jacket potatoes
6. Your dream last night? Don't recall
7. Your favourite drink? (hot) Latte - (cold) Ginger beer
8. Your dream/goal? A peaceful life
9. What room are you in? Study
10. Your hobby? Crafting
11. Your fear? Serious ill health
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Enjoying life
13.Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Content
15. Muffins? Rhubarb & Custard
16. Wish list item? A country cottage to escape to from time to time
17. Where did you grow up? England
18. Last thing you did? Made a coffee
19. What are you wearing? Red/White/Blue - mainly blue
20. Your TV? Bulky & pre-HD
21. Your pet? Don't have one
22. Friends? Supportive
23. Your life? Ticking along
24. Your mood? Okay
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? Estate
27. Something you’re not wearing? Socks
28. Your favourite store? Anything crafty
29. Your favourite colour? Aqua
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday (10 July) upon learning of the death of a colleague
32. Your best friend? Simon
33. One place that you go to over and over? Work
34. One person who emails you regularly? Suzie (Weasel)
35. Favourite place to eat? The Courtyard

If you decide to have a go at this list, I'd love to see what you come up with..........................

EDT: For all you lovely folk who commented about the muffins...the two ladies that are responsible for these delish confections are Kelly & Kat of the "Muffin Makery Co.". If you want to know more about their gourmet muffins you can contact them at muffinmakery@virginmedia.com

Do you like lists...

...I know lots of you do.

The lovely Kerryanne English has created a series of downloads to help you with your blog planning (you will find the link over in the righthand sidebar).

She has also given some instructions on her blog on how to construct a pretty folder to keep your planner / lists neat, tidy and safe.

Do pay her a visit - you never know, you could start 2013 off by being super organised..................................................

On 30 December 2006...

...I was sent this list.

The idea was that you highlighted the items you had done. Well I just wondered if there were any more that I had achieved since.

The items I had already done back in 2006 are highlighted by being in bold - anything I've done since has ** at the start & finish...

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain (albeit a small one)
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree (too much watching Ground Force, me thinks)
10. Bungee jumped
11. **Visited Paris - the outskirts on the way to Southern France**
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. **Bet on a winning horse - only the one during a lovely evening at "Newmarket Nights"**
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. **Gone rock climbing - sort of...more clambering than climbing LOL**
49. **Midnight walk on the beach**
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. **Lounged around in bed all day - does a PJ day on the sofa count?**
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. **Kissed in the rain**
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites (forgot the Roman aquaduct in Southern France)
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch (forgot this one too, perhaps because they weren't very good...)
78. Won first prize in a costume contest (if this means fancy dress costume)
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. **Recorded music - forgot that our orchestra at school recorded some stuff for a youth competition**
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (cumulatively, if you count pregnancy! lol!)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. **Petted a stingray - at the London aquarium**
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. **Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol - in an arcade**
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school (took evening classes in English, History & Biology)
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. **Eaten fried green tomatoes ... yum! - wouldn't say 'yum' but they were okay**
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. **Had a booth at a street fair**
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

...not many more achieved, but a few.

Why not have a go yourself - feel free to copy the list and please let me know how you get on.

I can tell you all now that there are a few items on the list that I will never be checking off but you never know how many more I might manage in the next 5 years LOL............................................

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas.



If you head over to the "Shabby Art Boutique" you will see that the lovely Kerryanne English has made a start on getting us organised for the Holiday Season.

Please note...if you have your PC sound switched on you will have Bing Crosby singing away to you.

From yesterday - 1st November - 'Simply Christmas' got underway over on Kerryanne's blog and she is inviting you to join her for some good old homemade preparations and fun that she and some of her crafty friends will be sharing.

Yesterday Kerryanne showed a lovely Christmas Planner that will help you keep organised over the hectic days ahead and today she has provided some lovely pages to download for your organisor.

Why not hop over there and take a look - last year's Simply Christmas was such fun with lots of fabulous ideas being shared so I'm sure you won't want to miss out this year...............................

It's finished...

...my Christmas 2009 planner.

This is my version of the Christmas planner that the lovely Jane Dean created for Papercraft Inspirations.
The frame on the cover was cut for me by John at Artbase - I covered it with a Christmas napkin and sealed it with glitter Mod Podge. The planner itself was created from A5 envelopes covered in bling CS and PP then bound with my trusty BIA.

I have left quite a lot of 'space' in this planner so that I can add photos.

There isn't a great deal of embelishment, apart from the cover, because I intend to 'bling-it-up' once I have my photos in place

I will probably add more titles as well...recipes, receipts, notes etc.

The PPs used are not overly Christmassy.

I just love Jane's templates.

The envelopes provide the perfect place to keep all those little bits and pieces that get collected in the run-up to Christmas.

I think I need to make a few tags to pop in the pockets.

This is my first major project using my Copic & Promarker pens - the Copics are fab for the wash effect but I found the Promarker's harder nib better for colouring in the lettering and fine detail.

The back pages are empty at the moment but I'm sure these will be filled by the end of the holiday period.

Materials used: -
Templates designed by Jane Dean
Copic & Promarker pens
Be Blessed PP - True gifts of Christmas range
A4 bling CS
Cream & Gold Christmas napkins
A5 White envelopes
Artbase custom die cut - frame 7
Glitter Mod Podge
Glitterations alphabet stickers
Bauble peel-offs
Asst ribbons
Small circle diamonte slider
1" o-wire
I really hope Jane likes my take on her fabby project.................

What colour tree...

...this was over on Sarah's blog so thought I'd have a go.

Surprisingly, gold (bronze/copper & chocolate) is my colour theme for my home decs.

You Should Have a Gold Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of optimism and wealth. You definitely have a generous spirit, and you give a lot during the holiday season. You really go over the top for Christmas. Everyone on your list gets a great gift. Even if you don't have a lot of money during the holidays, it's the one time you pretend like you do. Your gold tree would look great with: All kinds of metallic decorations You should spend Christmas Eve watching: Miracle on 34th St What you should bake for Santa: A ton of cookies, cupcakes, and candy. You would enjoy spoiling him.

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Watching Miracle on 34th Street...now that is my idea of Christmas.

Wonder what the most popular colour is, LOL............

What's in a...

...name?

What Toni Means

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Some of this is spot-on, other bits - not so sure............

Yummy pie...

You Are Pumpkin Pie

You're the perfect combo of uniqueness and quality. You're able to relate to many types of people with many different tastes. But you're by no means generic or ordinary. In fact, you're one of the most original people around. Those who like you are looking for something (someone!) special. You tend confuse people when they first meet you. You're not as complicated as you seem. Even though you have a lot of spice and flavor to you, you're never overpowering. You are a calm and comforting force in people's lives.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Mmmmm Chocolate...

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are unique, creative, and fascinating. You don't do what's expected of you. You go for what's unknown and uncharted. You are fun loving, outgoing, and very social. You love meeting new people and celebrating. You can be a bit of a fair weather friend. You don't like bad news or drama. You love to be the center of attention. You enjoy entertaining your friends. You feel lost when no one is interested in you... You're too interesting to be ignored.

The Chocolate Oracle

Hope this works...

...it's something I found whilst blog hopping :o)

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Most Serene Highness Lady Toni the Fortunate of Chalmondley Chumleyton Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Okay then,,,

...lets see if I can get this to work :o)

Over on UKS someone posted t link to this

Hoping this works...What kinda Tater are you?????????????

Christmas quiz...

...on Blogthing.

http://www.blogthings.com/elfnamegenerator/outcome.php

I've been...

...TAGGED

Okay, this is where the fun begins as I'm not very good at 'linky' things but I will try to put into practice what I have been shown over on UKScrappers (not that it will work, lol).

So, I've been tagged by Mary B a lovely lady from UKS.

Here are the rules: -

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them)
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Well here goes: -

1. My family tree can be linked back via my maternal grandfathers line to the french court (offspring of Louis 15th - unfortunately "wrong side of the blanket", as the saying goes)
2. I have no middle name as my mum always said children hate the name they are given so why lumber them with two.
3. My dad's paternal grandparents came to England from Germany in the late 1890's to escape persecution as they were Lutherans.
4. I once shared a lift with the Goodies at the BBC rehersal rooms in Acton, London - I was on my way to an audition for Pan's People (surprisingly I didn't get the job, lol).
5. I love Marmite
6. I have had dogs, rabbits, gerbils, fish, birds but never had a cat.
7. I love Teddy Bears and have a huge 'Hug' (term used for a collection).

Right, this is where I think things will go pear-shaped trying to do the 'linky' things...

Nicola
Sharon
Caroline
Rachel
Myriam
Bubbah
Kristy

And just where have...

..all the good manners gone?

As I struggled home on the train this evening, loaded down with shopping and not in the best frame of mind because the crop had been cancelled, I stood fuming in a very crowded carriage as two young boys tried to 'kung-foo' kick each other - and not a word of censure from the 'dad' accompanying them :o(

I was trying very hard to protect my shopping and hold my tongue (grrrrrrrrr, hurumffff).

Unfortunately, in the present climate it does not bode well to make comments as the media is full of reports about the terrible consequencies that can result - the Nottinghill Carnival is a perfect example, where a guy was fatally stabbed for trying to protect his deaf friend from a gang of taunting, bullying thugs. We appear to have a catch-22 situation...

We don't say anything for fear of reprisals and the yobs carry on behaving the way they do cos no one says anything...

But back to the main topic - manners seem to have gone the way of the Dodo.

When you are trying to negotiate your way around London Underground & British Rail with a load of shopping it is surely not too much to ask (????????) for folk to say "excuse me" or "sorry" if they bump into you - afterall, everyone is in the same position - trying to get home.

I also wonder if folk truely believe you have been standing on the platform just for the benefit of your health. The Jubilee line schedule and that of c2c do not 'gel' well so I often find myself in the position of having just missed a train. If the next service due is an 8 carriage train I am often the only one standing at the end of the platform for anything up to 30 mins (or more). So why do folk, who have only just arrived as the train is pulling in, feel they have a right to barge in front of me to get on the train. Even worse - they barge you out of the way so they can get on the train and then they STOP, effectively blocking the entrance for everyone else. Not only do they have no manners but it is clear they have very little by way of the 'grey matter' between their ears.

Are good manners really a thing of the past or is there still time to revive this dying behaviour?

I have a number of pet hates as far as BAD manners are concerned...

1. Personal HiFi / iPods played too loud - HEY 'DEAF-EARS' IF I WANTED TO LISTEN TO THAT I'D BE PLAYING IT ON MY OWN SYSTEM...
2. Queue jumping - Of course we don't mind (doh) we are just standing here for something to do...
3. Barging folk out of the way without a 'by your leave or thank you' - Sorry I'm not a mind reader, I didn't realise you wanted to walk exactly where I currently am...
4. Chewing gum with mouth open and making horrid "splonching" noises - GROSS!!!
5. Elderly folk who think their age gives them the right to be served first even when the shop staff are dealing with another customer - We all have to take our turn...
6. Folk who continue to maintain a converstation on their mobiles whilst at the check-out - RUDE OR WHAT!!!!!!
7. Nose picking - ULTRA GROSS!!!
8. Able-bodied folk parking in disabled parking spaces - Lack of consideration, I hope they never have to contend with this problem when they have a real need...
9. Parents not keeping their childern under control and condoning bad behaviour - If you can't be bothered with your kids why do you think the rest of us might be...
10. Folk who put their feet on seats on public transport - I just hope you are wearing something really expensive when you sit down on something yuk...

Oooooooooo, I could go on and on, but it's not very good manners to bore ones readers to death (LOL)....................

Just had another play...

...at the blog quizzes.

Your Scent is Pumpkin Pie
Warm, comforting, and a bit old fashionedYou've got what men want - believe it or not!

Well, now I know...

Have you seen...

...all those blog quizzes out there?

I went for a wander via Life of a Scrappers Husband (link on right) and had a whale of a time trying the various topics - problem is...still not too good at creating links within a post :o(

Never mind...

I had a go at lots of the quizzes and could have spent even longer.

Apparently I am a "Life Blogger" according to the 'what type of blogger are you?' quiz.
I am the planet Pluto (don't ask...he,he,he), I am a plain glazed dohnut (???). I am also a Fall - no, not 'fallen',LOL - Woman (that's Autumn to us Brits) in the What season are you?

There were tons of others and I did get a bit carried away **now who would have guessed** perhaps I'll have another dabble when I have a moment free...

A Prayer...

...for the stressed.

Found this on UK Scrappers -

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can not accept and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I had to kill today because they got on my nerves.

And also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today as they may be connected to the feet I may have to kiss tomorrow.

Help me always to give 100% at work...
12% on Monday
23% on Tuesday
40% on Wednesday
20% on Thursday
5% on Friday

And help me to remember...

When I'm having a bad day and it seems that people are trying to wind me up, it takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 to smile and only 4 to extend my arm and smack someone in the mouth!

AMEN"

**do you think someone has been having a few bad days lately? - lol**

I'm Spiderman...

...according to the quiz (link on Nicola's blog).

Not sure what happened though, I seem to have lost my pic **ho, hum** (had a tinker and got it back)

Your results:You are Spider-Man
Spider-Man
60%
Superman
50%
Green Lantern
50%
Supergirl
43%
Robin
42%
Hulk
40%
Wonder Woman
33%
The Flash
30%
Iron Man
30%
Batman
25%
Catwoman
25%
You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have greatpower and responsibility.
Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Someone with too much time on their hands...

...and I can assure you it isn't me!!!

Someone out there either has too much spare time or is deadly at Scrabble - wait 'til you see the last one...:o)

Just look what you get when you re-arrange letters...

Dormitory - DIRTY ROOM
Presbyterian - BEST IN PRAYER
Astronomer - MOON STARER
Desperation - A ROPE ENDS IT
The eyes - THEY SEE
George Bush - HE BUGS GORE
Gauteng - GET A GUN
The Morse Code - HERE COME DOTS
Slot Machines - CASH LOST IN ME
Animosity - IS NO AMITY
Election results - LIES, LET'S RECOUNT
Snooze Alarms - ALAS! NO MORE Z'S
A decimal point - I'M A DOT IN PLACE
The earthquakes - THAT QUEER SHAKE
Eleven plus two - TWELVE PLUS ONE

...and here we go **drum roll - ta, dah!** last one...

Mother-in-law - WOMAN HITLER

As I said, someone with waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on their hands, lol...