Numbers, pretties and a party.

Happy Sunday to you all, I hope you have a fun weekend. I went off to Harvest festival at church today and was manhandled by my scrapbookie friend Alex into the kitchens to get cups allegedly. In actual fact she wanted to tell me her news, she is pregnant with her first baby. How exciting a scrapbooking babe at last. She is about 12 weeks so feeling sick as a dog but everythig is going ok so far. Yippee. Next I was asked if I would help in creche at church once a month. I thought it was a lovely idea so will do my CRB check,............another one and after Christmas I should start properly with the 0-4 year olds, awwwww.
This afternoon I have been watching''The Event'', anyone else watched this yet. My friend Luke told me it's addictive so I watched the first 3 episodes on 4od, it is actually very good so far. A sci-fi series with political undertones and extra-terrestrials. Will have to see how many episodes I can continue to watch before I throw in the towel, more than 12 and I'm in sleepy town unless it's brilliant.
I also did a layout this afternoon on the numbers theme we did the other day on Shimelle's new class......

 Also here are some goodies I picked up in my fave shops the other day, a cute cupcake money box and some cupcake cookie cutters which may be useful for the blog party next weekend.

And this lovely...................

I loved Sophie Dahl's no-nonsense cookery programme and I picked up her book for £6.25 in WH Smiths. What a bargain! If you are looking for a gr8 programme to watch this week, then Kirstie Allsopp is back with more homemade stuff on Channel 4, not sure which day though, but a whole hour of fun and handmade stuff.

I love a man in a uniform...

And in this case it's not just any old man, it's my gorgeous young man Ben who passed out as a fully qualified Marine Commando last Friday, I hasten to add he's not my romantic man, he's only 18 ;-))).
We were the largest group of people there for one Marine and we certainly made our presence felt. My dad came too as he loves anything military as his dad was a Coldstream Guard. We set off at 7am to go to Exmouth for the ceremonies which began at 9.45. It is an amazing base where they train all the marines, there are intakes every 2 weeks so passing out parades fortnightly too. We met loads of recruits who took to the right places and some of the ''sick'' recruits from Ben's troop who couldn't pass out until they finish the rest of the course. They had to watch their comrades, tough!
Anyway the day began with the commanding officer talking to us about the team who had dragged theses young men kicking, screaming, swearing and crying through the toughest 32 week course this country's armed forces have to offer. I have watched all the videos these had on their website showing the training week by week so know a bit of what Ben had gone through. Anyway we were then regailed with funny stories about all the training officers and then from behind a big stage curtain they introduced ''Your men''. They looked so smart and then they received their green berets officially grom the commanding officer.

They are actually given them originally back at one of their final tests, the 30 miler, so notorious it is scarey.
After this we were all taken to the parade ground where we waited to see our men parade in their dress uniforms with the military band. The sun even came out for that bit!!!!! It was amazing watching them doing all the rifle twirling and marching in order etc. and they all looked amazing in their dress uniforms..............Ben is the guys on the back far left....................................

After the parade etc. we had a slapup meal in the NAAFI!!!!!!! a place long discussed in family history but never entered. Then all the guys came back in still in their uniforms to see their family. It was so wonderful to speak with Ben as I havent seen him in over a year or his elder brother Josh and I used to see the whole family every week in Southampton, I watched them grow up since they were under 10 years old.

So here I am with my brave Marine and I have to say I was so proud...............I learned that for LSNED on Friday. I bounced around all day and I'm not even his mum and dad, but I knew how pride felt.

And here are the gorgeous McQueen boys together at last........from left to right, Josh, Ben and Sam. Josh is off to Uni next weekend and Sam is awaiting a football contract to be a professional!!!!!

As a final thing I had asked Nicola at Small Things Iced to make me some special cupcakes for Ben's gift. He loves food and cakes especially. So she made me one special green beretted cake and 11 combat gear cupcakes. Aren't they awesome?

If you live anywhere near Gosport in Hampshire and need cakes of anykind, check out her site and facebook page, Nicola is fab to work with and she works really hard to meet ur needs. She handcarved the cap badge for me and the combat icing looks like she made loads of different coured balls and rolled out to make one sheet. Isn't she clever? And all self taught she told me.

Anyway I am having a fun weekend sorting out my Iphone which I still cant ringout or receive calls on however with any luck it might work abit later........................watch this space. I'm off to eat my cupcake and have a coffee.

Party prep 2......

This morning I managed to get up at 7.30am in preparation for Monday new start and got on with the days list. Also received my contract for Bristol and other important paperwork ie payrool details. Ooooh pay what a lovely word that is.
First was to do the wahing up and tidying to make room for the cupcake extravanganza planned this am. Secondly I had to take some helium balloons to be filled by the lovely Jake at Abundiflora. Next I came home for quick cup of coffee and then the cupcake fairies came to assist. They are Kate and Josh who come down here every weekend with their dad. They are really great fun and we had a wonderful time mixing, measuring, beating and spooning out mixture into 60 cupcake cases!!!! I used some Vintage ones I had bought at the Bath and West Show. Then Graham their dad came down with coffee which was nice and we sat and checked out the bunting I have been sent, more about that after tomorrow's party.
By that time we were all ready for a short interval so they went off to sort themselves out and I made a book which has all the cards in sent by people in acceptance/non-acceptance of their invite. I have kept to the same theme of the photo of my mum and the butterflies and pearls. I think it looks really pretty. I have decided that once the party is over etc, and I have been paid, I will make an album of all the photos for my mum.
Then Kate and Josh came back and we made a huge bowl of butter icing in baby piunk to decorate the cupcakes. Funally all we needed to do was put on the edible orchids and sprinkle with glitter..........................phew I'm exhausted. Graham brought us down a bottle of beer each and Kate took some arty shots of the finished cakes.

Here's Kate expertly piping the icing.................
Next me also piping the icing...............

The next shots are Kate's arty shots of the finished cupcakes...................
So now I am gonna watch Dr Who and then I've been invited to watch Seven with Kate and Graham as Josh has gone to a sleepover, and it's my DVD they're borrowing!!!!

Party prep part 1

Today, we had the final push of party prep for mum's 70th birthday celebrations on Sunday. The forecast is good so hopefully we will be able to play in the gardne as a house full of 40 people will be tight!!! My dad and I went to Asda in Bridgwater to buy the drinks for the party this morning. I cannot tell you how helpful the staff were in there, Caz and Sam whoworked in the wine department excelled themselves giving us advise and choices. They even helped with the calculations. We got a g8 deal for our wine and beers and brought it all home. Only trouble was my poor dad has become so befuddled he's got all emotional and started crying in the aisles. I felt so awful for him and there wasn't a cafe for him to sit quietly and have a coffe to calm down. Anyway, it's done and safely stored away.
Next item on the adgenda for me was to meet with Jake, a family friend and amazing floral designer. He has his own shop in Glastonbury called Abundiflora. We had discussed a floral arrangement which mum and I had seen of his in the local church flower festival last Saturday but unfortunaltey the huge cocktail glass was hired and had been sent back. So it will be smaller but no the less spectacular. This is the cocktail glss arranbgement Jake did..............
Stunning isn't it? The inside of the glass was lined with orange slices and it smelt divine. Jake is really clever and has some really inspiring ideas. Today he was showing me some really imaginative bridal bouquets he is hoping to get some clients to have, they were really one of a kind.
Next here is the completed birthday card I made for my mum.


It is using a stencil I bought from the Bath and West show by Anna Marie Designs. Mum saw it and so I sneakily bought the staircase template. It is relatively easy to make. I used A3 card stock, tried to get 12 x 24 card but the craft shop didn't have it. I used a pice of butterfly paper to decorate the inner card and then added some stickers and paper roses on to the staircase itself. The sentiment is by Coco Chanel and from a sticker set by Bazzill. Just need to find a big envelope.


I finally finished the scarf, tassels and all so that just needs wrapping and the other bits will be done tomorrow. On the list is another trip to Glastonbury to fill some helium balloons and to make 60 vanilla cupcakes and ice them with butter cream in pink! I've made a chocolate cake today as my helpers from upstairs may need sustenance.
In other news, here are my beautiful roses from Alan.................

They are such vibrant colours, really me. I am going to 2 days of Induction to Bristol on Monday and Tuesday and then to my new base on Wednesday to meet all the team again, the other health centre staff and my new manager. Loads to do and learn but it will be exciting.

I am 200!!!!!!!!

Yes it's true, I have reached the grand old blog number of 200 posts. Now many of u will say that's pitiful but to me that is a cool number. I feel the blog is hanging in their despite the recent Internet problems and I have developed from 0 followers to 28, and had over 1,800 visitors. Very exciting. So what shall we do to celebrate? I have already pampered Curlyscrapbooker with a facial and some Oil of Olay to keep her looking spick and span and I am looking for some new things to do. There might even be some cupcakes and beer later as it is so warm. The bunting and balloons are ready so come on in and take the weight off ur feet for a while.


I am having a hot air balloon look cos being 200 is pretty good these days!!!!!!!!


Anyway rather than do a giveaway or anything like that I thought I'd share some new information I have found about some free clesses coming up as pass the parcel pressies, and no you dont have to do any forfeits.
Firstly if you follow Cathy Zielske's blog you will know what an amazing teacher she is and she does digital/hybrid video tutorials. Today she has a fab video showing how to do exactly that with a digi-template and there are downloadable instructions to keep all for ZILCH!!!!
Secondly, Jessica Sprague is 3 years old, well her site is so she is holding a free class on digital development.
What I love about Jessica's classes are that not only is she a g8 teacher and explains everything clearly and simply, she uses videos and also supportive handouts to explain everything. The classes are available after u have finished for life so u can come back and watch the videos over and over. She also has the most amazing digital kits and gives you loads of freebies and wonderful ideas. Give it a go.
As you know Shimelle is doing a new class but she hasnt blogged about it yet today so watch this space. As of 10pm Shimelle has put up details of the new class.........photography at a reduced rate til the end of the week, plus another class for later on.
Abi from Creating Paper Dreams has finished her exams but informs us she needs to do 100 hours of intelligent reading over the hols to get a chance at Oxbridge!!!!!!! Scarey. Do u think crime thrillers count or children's books as I read alot of those.
I actually read Alice in Wonderland the other day in one sitting as I have never read it and wondered what all the fuss is about. I loved the Cheshire Cat.......................isnt he aWESOME! he can disappear, cool.

and the croquet match with flamingos and hedgehogs but most of it I have to admit I found quite silly. Shame on me I suppose. I also have Through the Looking Glass which I will add to the list. There is an awful lot of Alice around at the mo isnt there? Shimelle went to an Alice inspired party if u check out her blog. Are there any books u've wanted to read and then been disappointed? Do tell!

Anyway hope u have found some interesting places to visit and maybe sign up for a new class or just ruminate over one for the future. Thanx for following my blogging so far and please do come back again for more curlyscrapbooker blogs in the future.
Now go home with your party cupcake and enjoy.

Just a quicky.......

...........so before the Sunday evening disaster, my mum gave me this which she had forgotten she had bought me for Christmas. Oooh I can see loads of uses for this amazing contraption, can't you. So much yummy cakiness..........thinking Easter eggs and bunnies at the mo.

just the cake stand I must add none of the cakes included!

Also today I have applied for 4 jobs, uploaded my CV to a website and had a phonecall from an agency based primarily on that CV so watch this space.

Lucky

So yesterday after I posted I got another knock regarding my flat. I was given 2 months notice to move out. All because I'm gonna be claiming benefits for a while until I find a job. It never rains, it pours. So last night I spent the evening in tears. But today I dragged myself to church to try and find abit of spiritual support and guidance. It just seems like I'm being tested so much at the moment and I don't know why or when it will be over. Anyway, the sermon today was on Psalms on on one in particular where the exiled Jews returned from Babylon to Judah. The Psalm talks of praise for the things which has happened on the past, prayers for the present and for the future. I have to be honest and say that the future seems very bleak and uncertain at the moment. However I honestly felt uplifted after leaving church. When I got home my dad phoned and asked if he could come over for '' a chat''. Oh er, ominous I thought.
Anyway, it was a lovely time between me and him. We had tea, went through my options. He'd written a list of things he wanted to go over and discuss. He's like that my dad-methodical. So I think we set the world to rights and I am hoping tomorrow will be a fresh and new start. At least I feel I have some options to pursue rather than feeling out of control which is such a terrible feeling to have.
Anyway, enough about the sad stuff, I have had 2 of my lovely cupcakes now, I know I am being very restrained! It was a chocolate one and completely yummy.
2 more left to try...............

Saturday shopping

Now I know what ur thinking, I thought she had no job, however I haven't exactly been the last of the big spenders. I was very keen, ie nuts, and got up at 8am to go into Wells and but this.............

............note the loveliness at the top of the front page. Yes, I queued at 8.45 for a virtually free scarf from Phase 8 which was normally £20.00 but which I got for the price of the paper. Cool huh? They had 3 choices of colour and I chose this one.............

its great as it has blue, lemon, pink etc in it and so will go with loads of things. I was well chuffed.

My next mission was to post a xmas card to Portugal which is where my aunty and uncle live. Once that was sorted I walked around the market which I haven't doen in ages. There were loads of lovely things to see, eat and drink. Lots of handmade goodness likes soaps, jewellery and woolly objects. They also had a craft fair in the town hall so it quite a lovely morning. As I came out of the fair I noticed a stall surrounded by swarms of people and thought ooh must check that out. There I bought these.............

what's in the box and bottles Jo I hear u ask?
Well inside are these...........





which when the camera moves out show these yummy little lovelys!


Inside the little pots are edible glitter as featured on Kirsty's shows so I got some in white and cinnamon to sprinkle on the homemade sweets I'm making for my friends and family.
The cupcakes are also sprinkled with glittery goodness so as Shimelle says love and glitter!!!!

Oh and I'm off to eat them all by myself.........oink, oink!