ONLY JOKING

I mentioned in my last post that I was baking a cake for the boys - they're doing star charts at the moment to get them into the routine of carrying out chores and being nice to each other!! so once they reached twenty stars, I said I would get them a treat and here it is..... Now doesn't that make your teeth go on edge lol! Not my sort of cake but I know the boys will love it! the main chocolate sponge is my creation, however, the decoration is down to Tony who helped out. We've got Aero Bubbles, Minstrels, Jelly Hearts, Teeth and Toothbrushes, one lonely marshmallow and hundreds and thousands!! Only trouble is, the kids will go OTT when they've eaten a piece of it but they do deserve it as they've worked really hard to get their stars!

At long last I have a card to show! I made a few of these for the boys' Teachers last week but just haven't had time to put it on my blog. The image and sentiment are from Elzybells and the bunny has been coloured with Promarkers with some doodling around the edges. Cardstock is My Mind's Eye (double sided). Used the Fiskars punch along one side and added some flowers and sticky gems from my stash. Kept to a very simple layout as I had to make three of these the night before the kids broke up for the holidays - last minute again! Luckily Lewis made a fabulous card for his Teacher but unfortunately, because of the rush, I forgot to photograph it! It was a very emotional day last Friday - both boys were leaving their respective schools for good - Lewis will be starting senior school in September and Sam will starting at Juniors. Needless to say the Leavers' Assemblies were tear jerking to say the least and we were all blubbering wrecks by the time we walked out of the sch...

Need to say a big sorry for not being around - I have been trying but have been having problems with my blog for some reason! Things have been disappearing off the sidebar and on most occasions I couldn't actually get to view the blog. All this has been happening since I updated my Internet Explorer so if anyone has any advice on what to do, it would be greatly appreciated. Hope to be able to show some cards some time soon.......that's if I can get back on of course!!

I don't have a card to show today but I do have some exciting news concerning my Son, Lewis and his school, Wyke Regis Junior School in Weymouth. Basically, the charity Childline, ran a competition for someone to come up with a song - Maddie Roberts, one of the children at the school wrote a song and with the help of Lewis's Teacher, David Payne and other people including the Producer of Steps (remember that group!), the song won the competition. We now have five girls (including Maddie) performing the song, plus a group of dancers (including my Lewis) travelling up to London on Friday to the official launch at Banqueting House in front of the Press. Oh, and by the way.......me and Sam are going too!! My aim in telling you all this is we want you to spread the word about this song. Please visit the We Are One website and download the single. It costs 97p and EVERY penny will go to Childline, a very worthwhile children's charity. Plus, we are trying to get as many down...

.........to have such kind friends! As you're probably aware, I'm going through a particularly difficult time in my life right now but the one good thing to come out of it is that I'm realising that it's not the amount of money or material things I have which makes me happy but all the little things like when my boys tell me "I love you Mummy", or when Sam tells me he thinks I'm beautiful like Rosalina from Mario Karts!(BIG compliment!). It's also knowing I've got such good friends who are always there to listen to me moan and cry and receiving little gifts to let me know they're thinking of me. I received this gorgeous card and stamp from Denise ........ How generous was that! Not only has she made a beautiful card with one of my favourite Tildas but she also sent me one of the Whimsy stamps. It's so nice to get some new rubber when, like so many people, funds are really tight at the moment and I could never justify buying any new craftin...

I haven't got a card to show today but do have some photos. We've had a busy time in our home just recently - firstly the Tooth Fairy has paid a visit FIVE times in the last couple of weeks and just couldn't resist showing you this photo of Sam - he's now lost his top two teeth - don't they look so cute when that happens! Plus, it's great hearing him trying to talk and seeing him try to eat lol!!! Lewis has lost three teeth but he's more camera shy!! Yesterday was a big day for Sam. Firstly, his class did their assembly at school and the topic was traditional stories so the class did a rap of Red Riding Hood - it was so funny and they looked so cute in their shades, baseball caps and bling (which they made themselves out of pasta and paint!!) Then, in the evening Sam's big moment had come and he graded for his Black Belt at Tae Kwon-do and he did me and his big brother proud! What a star! The belt is actually embroidered with his name and the date of his...

Just thought you would like to know that my Valentine's mailboxes have been showcased on Elizabeth's blog (Elzybells). I was really chuffed when she e-mailed me to say she would like to do this, so thank you so much Elizabeth. Talking of the mailboxes, I have had a couple of questions about them. Firstly, I've no idea if they can be bought in the UK as mine were a gift from a friend, however, do know they are quite common in the States at places such as Michaels. I'm afraid I don't know the name of the shop I bought the sweets from....I did have a carrier bag from there and was telling Jilli, however, think I must have put it straight in the bin.....silly mare! Could be somewhere like Home Sense???? My other piece of nice news is that the lovely Debi has given me this award - Thanks so much Debi and sorry it's taken me so long to get around to putting it on my blog.....just had so much going on in my life lately. Michelle has some very yummy blog candy up for ...

Hi All, sorry but no cards to show today as I've been busy trying to get some order to my craft stash so I can knuckle down and do some work! Also, had an excellent weekend and a really fun day out on Saturday at Paultons Park. The weather was fantastic and I think we managed to go on nearly every ride....I think the highlight of the day had to be the Go Carts - me and Sam -v- Tony and Lewis - which ended in a draw, but what a scream!!! The log ride came a close second where, of course, they were all trying to fix it so I was the only one who got soaking wet!! We were exhausted by the time we got home but was able to spend a very relaxing evening with plenty of wine! Anyway, thought I would share a couple of photos with you and will be back soon with some cards.

Well, I've finally managed to find time to do a posting.....still no card to share but have sorted some stuff out and hope to put one together tonight, all being well! The weather has changed today.....strong winds and rain....such a difference from the weekend where it was absolutely gorgeous.....even managed to lie out in my bikini and top up my tan! Finished the weekend off with a gorgeous roast dinner (my favourite!) - I'll let you into a little secret.....Tony's gravy is to die for! Anyway, enough of the ramblings and back to business! Have received some lovely things over the last few weeks so it's catch up time. Firstly, Michelle organised a Secret Sister swap and look what I got....... ....lots of lovely goodies to play with and the fabulous folder is filled with lots of stamped images!So, a BIG thank you to whoever my Secret Sister is. I should find out soon as I think I've delayed things a bit!! I've also received two awards over the last couple of we...

So sorry it may seem that I've been ignoring you but crafting has taken a bit of a back seat of late while I've been concentrating on my personal life. Had a really peaceful, enjoyable last ten days. We've also been enjoying some great weather down here at long last (unlike some of the foreign holiday resorts!), so me and Tony took the boys to the beach on Saturday and had a really fun time! It gave us chance to all spend some quality time together as a family and me and Tony even had some quality time of our own! So thought I would share a couple of photos with you! Will try a bit harder now to get some cards made! Thanks for stopping by.

Hi all! Just to let you know that I've now got my new laptop. I was using Lewis's as mine died but unfortunately, his broke as well, so my lovely Dad has lent me the money to buy a new one. It was all a bit of a panic because I am starting a computer course this week where I can work from home so hopefully everything will be OK on that front now!! You will have to bear with me 'though because this new computer has Vista on it which I am not used to as my old one was XP but I'm gradually getting used to it and the computer course can only help!!! Beginning to feel a bit brighter in myself and finally managed to do some colouring yesterday with Sam - he actually made a card for his Dad but I didn't get that far!! However, do have some images coloured now so hoping to put something together soon. Think I will have to trawl the challenge sites for some sketches to give me some inspiration.

The lovely and extremely talented Ila has got some wonderful candy on offer on her blog.....well worth a visit!! Sorry I haven't got anything to show today but having a hard time of it lately with a few personal problems....anyway hoping to get them sorted soon and I'm working on a couple of craft projects so hope to share them with you too!! I'm really trying to catch up on my blogging as I have been a naughty blogger lately so please bear with me....I'll be round to visit you very soon!!

Hi all, just a quickie to let you know I'm still about and that Tony made it home safely on Monday!! You should have seen the kids faces.....they were a picture!! Lewis saw me first and waved and then looked a bit confused until he realised who the person was with me....his jaw dropped open....literally!!! Sam ran straight past Tony....didn't notice him at all until Tony called out his name and he shot into his arms!! Brought a tear to my eye. Still a bit strange as we all get used to living together again! Haven't really spent any time on the computer and haven't had time to do any blogging, however, hope to visit your blogs soon. Will have some cards to share at the weekend and a few things I've received, which I hope to show before then. Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my photos and all your good wishes. For those of you wanting to know, I joined a Lighter Life group which is a very low calorie diet and which also gradually re-introduces the...

What fantastic weather we're having at the moment...it's been so hot today!! Had a lovely day today, met up with Vanessa of Nessy's Notes for the first time at Craft Central for a bit of shopping and I was an extremely good girl.....didn't spend much at all, although couldn't say the same for Vanessa!! Anyway, here's a pic of us outside the shop before we parted. (I'm the one on the right!) Thanks Vanessa and Marion for an enjoyable day...it was lovely actually getting to meet you and hope you managed to get the chocolate brownie off your teeth!! Back to Sam's birthday and thought I would post the card I made for Lewis (his big brother) to give to him. Lewis actually made his own card (which I will hopefully post tomorrow as I haven't yet photographed it) but insisted I make one as well. All the images are from Pink Cat Studio and were kindly sent to me by Dawn. I coloured them with Brushables and put some doodling 'round Billy. Paper is fro...

Just to let you know that I haven't been able to get a new computer yet...more's the pity, however, in the midst of sorting out Lewis's PC with my software etc. Have been busy with organising Sam's party etc., but have also been able to make a few things which I have photographed and which my friend Jose is editing for me so hope to be able to post my work VERY shortly!! Thanks for all your kind comments and will be up and running again soon. Hope you're all enjoying the lovely weather we've been having...I'm hoping it will stay fine for Monkey World on Saturday!!

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm not being rude by not visiting your blogs. As I mentioned below, I've lost my beloved laptop (wipes a tear from her eye) but Tony has given me the OK to buy a new one....trouble is I've got to wait for him to send the money from Oz. Usually transfers the same day if he gets to the bank early enough, so I'm really hoping he can tear himself away from work and send me the readies so I can then go shopping. I'm using Lewis's PC at the moment but unfortunately all my bookmarks for the blogs (and shopping sites!!) were on my laptop. I do have some on my blog which I will try and visit over the next few days. Also, Lewis doesn't have many programmes and was thinking of loading PSP onto his but have now decided to wait until I get my new one as hopefully, it shouldn't be long now!! Thanks for bearing with me!!

I am having an awful day today....and I mean awful! Won't bore you with everything that's happened to me today but the main thing is my laptop has died on me! I'm using Lewis's computer at the moment which means I can get into my e-mail now and Blogger but can't do alot else until I've sorted it all out. Got an Engineer to look at my laptop and he's pronounced it dead so I thought, being the devious bitch I am!, that's OK, can't afford a new one but I'll tip a cup of hot sweet coffee over it and claim on the contents insurance, until that is, I read the small print in the policy which says, PCs are covered for accidental damage but not laptops!!! I told myself things couldn't get much worse today until some stupid woman nearly crashed straight into us on the way to Tae Kwon-do!! Basically, this was not meant to be a moan just to let everyone know that I am here but won't be able to post until I sort something out. On a postive note...

It's been a great day up until now when I put my charged up batteries into my camera and realised that there was nothing wrong with the batteries but that it's the camera which is broken!!! So basically I'm posting this message to say I will still be around and will post the PIF later but unfortunately, can't load any pictures of stuff I'm making unless I can get my sister or someone to photograph them. Will see what I can do but in the meantime, have ordered another camera (I'm totally lost without mine....plus it's Sam's assembly at school tomorrow so I can't get any photos of that either....grrrr!) and that's going to take about five days to get here....how frustrating!! Will be back later when I've calmed down!

Denise has tagged me with the Middle Name Game! These are the rules:- You must post the rules before you give your answers. You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details. I hate my middle name so try not to giggle too much when you read it! It's Maxine!! Married for eleven years to Tony. A born worrier (my Mum used to be just the same!) Xtremely(!) chatty! I'm very reserved when you first meet me but when I get to know someone, you can't shut me up!! Internet Junkie......can't get enough of it and I spend too much time online! Number 7. I'm t...

Got an e-mail today from Queen Kat Designs to say that I will be featured on their Bloggers Club on 28 March! and just to top it all, found out this morning I won the blog candy on Kimmie's blog challenge!!! Perhaps my luck is changing after all!