Wow what a crop

I have to admit to being more than a little nervous when Liz, Joanne and I set the challenges for today's Christmas crop. Forty two layous plus some more in Christine's bag were created and most of those layouts fit at least one challenge. Here are the four layouts I made.

Crafty Sunday

Whilst Matthew is at ATC, I've had some time to do some crafting which needs to get finished this week:
* First I sewed the borders onto a baby quilt for one of Nick's colleagues. We are going to a housewarming next Sunday so I have a deadline. No backing big enough to fit the quilt so:
* Dyed a backing to match the quilt, dyed four T-shirts that Elizabeth and Matthew are tie dyeing, overdyed a bag I've made for a challenge. The colour was described as burlesque red but in actual fact it's a gorgeous purple, which I hope works well as I didn't like the colours of the bag originally. I'm going to let them set until tomorrow as Turquoise takes 24 hours for best effect and I can wash all of the projects together. The bag is for our quilting lunch on Wednesday - so another deadline!!
* For WI (tomorrow night) we have a competition and I usually forget to do anything for it. This month it's a place card - for which I've made the attached stack of presents with a tag. I used the Cricut tags Bags and more cart - thanks Lorraine for the loan. the idea came from a video on leah Fung's blog - see sidebar

Nick has gone to collect Matthew so I'm just blogging and cooking lunch. Elizabeth is making the dessert. Matthew has a short Big band performance at the Opera House this afternoon, so I may quickly go and buy one last present and pick up some photos for next weekend's crop.

The old ones are the best ones

Matthew's 13th birthday party is almost over. They watched Quantum of Solace, ate rubbish, enjoyed the chocolate fountain and finished the evening playing Crossfire. Ching made a layout of Matthew's ninth birthday, I think, and they played the game then. Mostly the same boys again, so I must print off a photo of both parties. The boys are definitely MUCH taller and smellier.

Poor Elizabeth spent some time at the dentist today under Nick's supervision. I haven't spoken to her yet as she's getting lots of attention sleeping over at Bronte's. We didn't want to risk her having dental problems whilst we are on holiday so she has had some of the nerve removed and a filling poor thing.

What have I Done?

I had a call from the Weakest Link to ask me to keep 2 February free. They'll confirm next week whether I am needed on that date.

Countdown to the Christmas crop

Less than two weeks to the Christmas crop and we have some special fun and Christmas giveaways for you. To win extra tickets for the draws you can participate in one or more of our challenges:

1. Joanne’s sketch challenge – uses five portrait orientated photos – 1 4 by 6 and 4 smaller photos. Uses scraps of patterned papers 5 extra tickets for participants

2. Completed layouts 1 extra ticket for each layout

3. Product challenge 1 extra ticket you will be given the product when you arrive (and it's gorgeous, I might keep them myself)

4. Packaging challenge use the packaging from one of our prizes in a layout or card 2 extra tickets

5. Sue’s Inspiration / sketch challenge Original layout uses two 6 by 4 landscape orientated photos, but you could also use one large portrait photo too. Circle punches and buttons might be useful

6. Liz’s challenge 5 extra tickets for participants – details to follow


So pack some extra photos in your crop bag and be prepared for fun, participation is entirely optional but there are some lovely prizes – some of which are new products to me. Everyone will get two tickets just for being there. Gingerbread muffins are in the freezer, so the countdown has begun.

Last Blues Brothers post

Well at least for this year. The show was brilliant, I had no idea what to expect. A minor blip in that I hadn't made it clear to Joanne where the show was being held. She was at the Opera House and we were at Fort regent. Joanne made it to her seat with two minutes to spare, both amazing and worrying!!

The school band have been asked to perform again next year and also do four numbers. They have been renamed the Black Rhino Orchestra. They got a good write up in the local paper too. I would recommend seeing the show next year.

Time to get ready to go and see Beaulieu Year 6 sing at the Soup Kitchen in the Royal Square. Elizabeth has raging toothache despite having a temporary filling put in yesterday so is not in the best of moods. However I have an appointment for a proper filling for her with my dentist tomorrow. I don't think toothache and Caribbean islands would be a good mix.