A View of Life

Summer in My Space

2007-08-01T05:55:00.001-07:00

YAY, her space: my space is back!! God I've missed it! Todays word is:

SUMMER. A season noted for warmth, blue skies, strawberries and fun. Show us your summer so far

This is Callum, today! His hair is all spiky as I've just rubbed a load of suntan lotion into his head!

Life carries on

2007-07-18T03:40:00.000-07:00

Not much happening at the moment, Sam passed his course and has his passing out parade on Friday, then he's home and working in Yeovil! Yippee!!!

Callum is learning his numbers - he knows up to 9 now, the clever little boy. So I'm now starting on the alphabet.

I'm getting Hope weighed this afternoon - haven't had her done in 3 months so will be interesting to see how much weight she's put on.

Went for a walk the other night to take some photos - got some cracking ones of the sunset - the sky was so pretty.

I'm in the middle of a little craft project - almost finished and then I'll post some photos. The project and "how to" will also be on Inspiration Alley so you should check it out.

x

Thomas Fever

2007-07-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

Callum has become obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine so I'm busy preparing Thomas things for his bedroom.

Today I made him a Thomas for his bedroom door.

And some more

2007-07-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

Just some pics for you

2007-07-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Got the camera out earlier and took some pics of the kids.

Love between a mother and her daughter

2007-07-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

Ok I will be back with a full report and photos on my friends wedding, but I'm off to bed now as I'm just so tired so it will have to wait.

However, I will quickly share this photo of me and Hope which my friend snapped at the wedding yesterday. Hope is giving proper kisses now - although in this photo she has her mouth wide open when your lips reach hers she closes them to give a kiss. Its very sweet considering at this age I was still getting very wet, slobbery kisses from Callum (not that they weren't appreciated ofcourse!

Yay, he passed!!

2007-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sam has passed his course which he means he is now a killick (basically a supervisor). I'm so proud of him!!

I'm a bad blogger at the moment, got lots of things to write about just not the time to do it! I will come back later when the kids are in bed - got lots of photos to share!

Callum's first year!

2007-07-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Have been meaning to do this layout for quite a while just never seem to get round to it. This is quite a different style of layout for me - for one its got 13 photos on it whereas I normally only scrap 1.

You can see how much he's changed.

After his birthday next month I plan on doing a similar one for his 2nd year!

A new me!

2007-06-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

Just had my hair drastically changed - new style, new colour

Not sure if I like it though

A Bowl in My Space

2007-06-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

Bowl

A round, deep dish. Show us a bowl in your space today.

Todays word is

Filligree

I have nothing of that sort in my house so this will have to wait until the next time I visit mum - hopefully she'll have something I could use.

Bless his little cottons

2007-06-26T04:14:00.000-07:00

I was in the dining room doing a bit of tidying and checkking emails when I realised it was very quiet! This was surprising as i'd just heard Thomas the Tank Engine finish so had been expecting to hear the patter of tiny feet demanding it be put back on again!

I rush to the living room and cannot see him - I start to panic but then notice a little mound on the sofa! He'd fallen asleep!!!

This is the first time he's done that!!

I feel like I'm back at school sometimes!!

2007-06-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

I really do feel like I'm back at school sometimes, its pathetic if you ask me!

An opinion has turned into world war 3 and whereas some people are happy to just move on and forget, others wont shut up about it! Seems rather pathetic and childish to me!

I've wasted the last year of my life being friends with people that just weren't worth it. But I've learnt from that now and have made 3 true friends who I get on with soooo well. So Lou, Terrie and V - I love you, thanks for all your support and for making me laugh when I'm feeling down and missing Sam like crazy.

And to the norty girls: grow up for fucks sake!

My Art Journal Begins

2007-06-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

I've been tempted to do an art journal for ages, just never really got round to doing anything about it plus i wasn't really sure what one was - well it turns out it can be anything you like - lol.

After doing the art therapy the other day I've been wanting to flick more paint around so dug out an old notebook, ripped out the pages I'd already written on and got to decorating.

I'd already altered the notebook previously, instead of ripping that paper off I just painted over it. I then cut some photos out of the newpaper and stuck them on. When covering it with glue I mixed in a tiny bit of paint to make the glaze coloured but still see through.

I think I may add pictures to the back but haven't found any I like (plus used up all the glue) so that can wait, I may decide I like it as it is. I put a picture of a really cool sillohette on there but mixed to much paint in the glue so you cant really see the beauty of it, which is why I also added the picture of the tree.

I'm pleased with it though, its nothing like I've done before

Sit in My Space

2007-06-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Sit

A position in which we relax. Who is sitting in your space today?

Have used an old photo today as just far to tired to even think about picking up my camera! lol

Art Therapy

2007-06-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

Well with the suggestion from Lou I have done some Art Therapy today - I have just let loose to relieve some of the tension and stress!!

It looks better in real life but the more I look at it the more I dont think its finished so I will probably add more tomorrow. Going to let all that paint fully dry first though - plus i'm pretty tired so would be best to deal with it tomorrow.

Its on newspaper to dry, but I think it looks quite good so I'm going to create a newspaper mount to stick it to then its going on my wall above my craft desk.

Soap in My Space

2007-06-24T00:41:00.000-07:00

Soap

A product we use to halp us clean. Find soap in your space today.

Feeling low

2007-06-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling quite low today, I'm missing Sam - it doesn't help that he couldn't come home this weekend, he went out with his friends last night and when I spoke to him he was miserable! So I then felt awful for him and just wanted to go and get him (he's in Portsmouth and I'm in Yeovil).

But Mum and Dad are coming home today and are going to pop in and see me on the way - they've been on a cruise on the QE2 round Iceland and Norway.

I cant wait for Sam's course to be finished and he can come home! Plus if he passes (which he should) he gets his increase in wages backdated to March so I can get my camera equipment that I need so quite excited about that!

I've also decided to leave my craft team on UkScrappers - there was a big argument the other week and then another one this week and I've just decided enough is enough - this certainly hasn't helped my low mood and I dont want to end up with depression like I did last year. I'm going to miss the girls on there and I'm sure I'll keep in touch with some of them but I think the time is right to move on.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to join a new team yet - I might give UKS a break for a little while as I'm spending far to much time on the internet and not enough playing with my babies!

Write in My Space

2007-06-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

Write

To make marks wth a penil , paint or ink. Show us writting in your space.

I altered a notebook yesterday so that I could write down any funny things Callum says or do!

Straight in My Space

2007-06-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

Straight

Moving or extending in only one direction. Show us straight in your space today.

Tea in My Space

2007-06-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Tea

A drink with jam and bread, that will bring us back to Doh, oh, oh,oh. You must have tea in your space - show!

Ingredients needed for a cuppa in our house

Press in My Space

2007-06-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

Press

To compress, extract, squeeze, urge and manufacture. How do you see Press in your space?

My iron with a small part of my ironing pile - I do intend on pressing all this at some point.

Milk in My Space

2007-06-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

Milk

A creamy white liquid nutrient provided by animals. Have you got milk in your space?

We go through a lot of milk in our house

A Drink in My Space

2007-06-21T00:40:00.000-07:00

Drink

A liquid refreshment. Find one in your space.

This is about exciting as I get at the moment - water!!!

Getting to grips with photoshop

2007-06-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, I had a little tinkering around with photoshop and paintshop pro last night. Stacey and Tracie helped me by telling me how to get a photo black and white with a bit of colour added.

I'm quite pleased with my early attempts.

The top one is the original photo untouched!
The bottom one has had the colour/contrast/saturation adjusted, fish eye lens effect added plus lens distortion.

The top one is the original photo untouched!
The bottom one has had the colour/contrast/saturation adjusted, fish eye lens effect added plus lens distortion

The top one is the original photo untouched.
The bottom one has had the colour/contrast/saturation adjusted and fish eye lens effect added

The top one is the original photo untouched.
The bottom one has levels adjusted, and the colour returned to the hat

The top one is the original photo untouched.
The bottom one has had the levels adjusted and the colour returned to the tiger

More Monkey World

2007-06-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

Callum took a really liking to Katy and kept wanting to be carried by her!

Monkeying around in Monkey World!

2007-06-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Went to Monkey World yesterday with Andrew and Katy - was really good, the weather was fab to which was surprising as it was forcast heavy showers - I even got a little bit of sunburn on my shoulders.

A Hat in My Space

2007-06-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hat

A cover for the head to keep it dry and warm. Find one in your space today.

My hat lives on our shelving unit for some reason!

No Shell in My Space today!

2007-06-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

The prompt today is Shell - I dont have any in my space, dont even have any eggs until I go shopping tomorrow so I wont be doing todays word today!

Oh well never mind, I've had an idea of another photo project - big secret at the moment, when I've had time to have a proper think all will be revealed!

xxx

Scrapbooking

2007-06-14T03:11:00.001-07:00

Ok, I am somehow getting loads of scrapbooking done at the moment - I'm not really sure how!! Here are a few of my layouts that I've done this week:

I have done more but haven't taken photographs of all of them yet!

I've done 17 pages this month towards Torias album which is a wedding present for her (and her partner as well obviously) - They get married on 7th July and I decided on 1st June to do one so didn't leave me much time - but I've done little cheats and used patterned paper where all I had to do was plonk a photo on there and add a couple of embellishments, plus used lots of sketches! Scrapped on 8x8 which I've never done before - still think I prefer 8.5 x 11.

A Boat in My Space

2007-06-14T02:54:00.000-07:00

Boat

A small vessel propelled by water. Find one in your space today.

Ok, I have searched through all the toys in my house and there is nothing boat related apart from this!

Surprising really, considering my husband is in the Navy!!! lol

A Hand in My Space

2007-06-13T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hand

The end of an arm. Show us a hand in your space today.

So innocent - and such a poser!

2007-06-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

Callum goes through stages of either loving the camera or hating it - in which I never get a shot of him looking at me!

I took loads of pictures of him yesterday whilst he was eating but this was the only one that came out that didn't have food bulging out of his mouth or his cheeks puffed out like a hamster.

The focus isn't that great but I think he looks lovely (and a little bit mischievous)

Tired in My Space!

2007-06-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

I ought to take a photo of me cause I've been up since 3am (pesky kids) - but I look hanging, haven't brushed my hair and really dont want evidence like that on the internet!

So instead we have the reason I was up at 3am!

Tired

In need of rest. Show us tired in your space.

17 and a half weeks already

2007-06-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Oh my god, can you believe my little girl is 17 and a half weeks old already! I've just started her on a spoonful of baby rice, she can roll over, she is now self settling and sleeping in her own bed - I just cant believe how fast its going.

This is me on 23rd Jnaury - my due date. She didn't arrive until NINE days later! Hmmmm!

23 January 2007" />

I was very uncomfortable by this point, and my bump was MASSIVE!! But then she was a big girl, 9lb, 10oz! Whew!

This is her on day 1:

The photo is really bad quality because Sam didn't want to use the flash and the lighting was quite poor but this was her at about 15 minutes old!! She was sooooo puffy!

And then this is my beauty now:

Well as I've shown you Hope I really have to show you Callum too (hee hee)

I cant believe he's going to be 2 next month - those 2 years have gone in a flash. I watch him everyday in amazement at all the new things he's learning to do and say

This is me at 7 months pregnant - as we moved at the end of my pregnancy I didn't manage to get any more bump photos

This is actually me in early labour with Callum - though you cant really see my bump properly as my plate is on it! I'm eating pineapple to start things properly - and boy did that work! (photo is poor quality cause it was taken on Sam's mobile)

This is CAllum at about 2 hours old

And then this is my boy on Friday at my nephews birthday party

ME in My Space

2007-06-11T01:28:00.001-07:00

Me

Yourself, who you are. Show us who you are in your space today.

Not really liking this photo, the focus and positioning is all wrong so I may redo this later when I get time!

A Nugget in My Space

2007-06-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

Ok I found this one really really hard so this is a bit of a cheat!

Nugget

a Small lump or chunk of a substance. Find a nugget in your space today

(I did warn you it was a cheat)

A Plug in My Space

2007-06-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

Plug

Something to block a hole or a device to make an electrical connection. Find a plug in your space today

Party! Party! Party! 2

2007-06-09T01:36:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday was Baileys party and it was a lot of fun (although my MIL drove me crazy)

The Birthday Boy:

My beautiful boy:

Me and my girl:

Lewis:

Birthday Cake (yum yum):

Blowing out the candle:

Unfortunately by this time Bailey was quite tired so when the cake came out was quite upset and he's actually crying in this photo (although you cant see his face) - he does cheer up enough to blow out his candles though.

Party! Party! Party!

2007-06-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

Its my great nephews (yes i have a great nephew at the age of 24) 2nd birthday today and we're going to his party! I have dressed Hope up in her party dress to check that it fits. And I also found a headband up Spar - I've been wanting one for ages and have never seen them so am really pleased! I only bought one pack as I didnt know whether it would fit her but they had a few different ones so i'm going to get her some more!

Cheese in My Space

2007-06-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

Cheese

A food made of milk curds. Show us cheese in your space.

I actually finished the cheese last night so only had the wrapper left!

Furry in My Space

2007-06-07T00:09:00.000-07:00

Furry

Something that is covered in fur or has a fur like appearance. Find something furry in your space today

Second children are so resilliant!

2007-06-06T02:19:00.000-07:00

So I was pottering around yesterday and I had Hope in her bouncer with her play arch over her whilst I worked. I sat down at the computer to have a cup of tea and a biscuit and check my emails. Callum came up and started 'chatting' to me!

Then I could hear some giggling and singing behind me!

Callum had only sat on Hopes lap (whilst in the bouncer) and was playing with the play arch whilst bouncing! Hope was loving it and giggling away, despite the fact that Callum is so heavy and she is still so little!

Bread in my space

2007-06-06T02:16:00.000-07:00

Bread

A simple food of brown or white colour. Show us bread in your space today.

Yesterdays word was basket - but I dont have any in my space so haven't taken a photo of it.

Fun in the sun!

2007-06-04T01:07:00.000-07:00

We had a BBQ on Saturday - Jo, Jonno, Katy and Andy came down. It was a real laugh - we went on you tube and found clips of our favourite kids shows - was amazing at how we could still remember the theme tunes!

Getting down at eye level

2007-06-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to take photos of Callum's toys and habits so that I dont forget them - my parents dont remember that many details of me and my brother as a kid, and I'm already forgetting things about Callum when he was tiny so I'm making more of an effort now to capture both Callums and Hopes lives in photo.

Every morning Callum will empty his duplo box - he doesn't play with the bricks yet, he just empties it and walks through it to spread it out as far as he can.

Whilst I was led on the floor he came and led opposite me!

Although the colour and quality of the photo isn't that great as the lighting was poor and the flash was off, I love this photo as its typical Callum.

Hope stayed in bed this morning when I got up at with Callum at 5.20. She finally woke 2 hours later so we both went up to get her, Callum climbed into bed and had cuddles with her. I took loads of photos but in most of them one or the other wasn't looking at the camera. I got one where Hope has a big smile on her face but Callum moved his head at the last minute so he is just a blur.

So this is the best of the lot, may not be smiling but they are both looking at the camera

And I cropped the photo of Hope smiling.

A Lid in My Space

2007-06-03T23:24:00.001-07:00

Lid

A removable cover for the top of a container. Find a lid in your space today.

A Fruit in My Space

2007-06-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Fruit

A sweet product from a tree or plant to eat. Show us fruit in your space.

A Tape in My Space

2007-06-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

Tape

A narrow strip of material used to hold or fasten. Is there tape in your space today?

I wish I had more interesting tape in the house!

A vegetable in My Space

2007-06-01T04:26:00.000-07:00

Vegetable

A plant or part of a plant that is used for food. Show us a vegetable in your space today.

A Peg in My Space

2007-05-31T05:14:00.000-07:00

Peg

A small piece of wood, metal or plastic used for holding things together or marking a position. Find one in your space today.

Took this very quickly before it started to rain again - and it started chucking it down the second I closed the back door!!! Close call!

A Shadow in My Space

2007-05-30T00:28:00.000-07:00

Shadow

A dark area created by lack of light. Find a shadow in your space today.

Ok so I cheated and this is an old photo but the weather is so grotty I can imagine getting an impressive shadow!

A Treat in My Space

2007-05-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Treat

A little something to brighten up your day, week or year! Show us a treat in your space today.

My children are my treat everyday - they always do something that amaze me! However this photos shows a bigger treat - they are both asleep!!!!!!!!!

Superman to the rescue

2007-05-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Callum decided he wanted to wear his Superman outfit today - its getting a little bit small for him but thought I'd let him wear it anyway! He is looking very sweet!

Having a scrapping day!

2007-05-27T07:18:00.001-07:00

Have done 2 layouts this afternoon already and I'm going to do more!!!

I'm not to sure about this one - its of my BBQ which I had for my birthday

And then this one is a scraplift off a womans LO on UKScrappers. This is one of Hope.

Sam is home!

2007-05-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

YAY!!!!!!! Sam came home yesterday!!!

It was lovely to watch Callums face light up and him to go running to him - he wouldn't let him put him down for ages!

A reflection in My Space

2007-05-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Reflection

A throw back of light from a surface. Find one in your space today

Edited:

I forgot that I have this one that I took as part of my photo a day project - its of Fort Rowner in Sultan Naval Base in Gosport! I am so proud of this photo!

Lensbabies!

2007-05-25T03:58:00.000-07:00

I want one - its as simple as that! And I want one now! The problem?? I cant afford one so will have to wait!

http://www.lensbabies.com/index.php?r=GSLensbaby&gclid=CNTA97WUqYwCFRAFEgod5m_QRw

How cool are they? And the price is not bad!!

I'm hoping I can get one out of Sams backdated wages in the Summer, but if we cant afford it (as lets face it, its quite frivolous) then I am definitely making him get me one for Christmas!

Experimenting with filters

2007-05-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

My Dad bought me a load of filters off Ebay. At my birthday BBQ he brought the ones which had arrived down for me. I quickly tested them out to see the effects.

He bought me a multi image one:

I already had a 4star filter:

He bought me a prism one which is really funky:

And then this is the prism one and the multi image one on at the same time:

I cant wait to use them on something more interesting than a light bulb! hee hee but I'm quite impressed by the effects!

A spoon in My Space

2007-05-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

Spoon

An implement used for eating. Find a spoon in your space today.

Meet Adam

2007-05-24T01:32:00.001-07:00

Well I think you've met all the members of my family apart from Adam.

We rescued him last year after we were broken into twice. We dont know his history as he was just found strolling in Ireland. He has a bad limp though after several checks we do not know why - we think its just nerve damage, and he's not in any pain.

He's a lovely dog, so friendly with the children and so protective of us!

A Toe in My Space

2007-05-24T01:26:00.000-07:00

Toe

A digit at the end of a foot. Show us a toe in your space.

Its All About You

2007-05-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Look what I just bought

2007-05-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Am really excited about getting this!

Hope has found her feet!!!

2007-05-22T04:29:00.001-07:00

A walk through Ilchester

2007-05-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

Well a walk which should have taken about 30 to 40 minutes took over 2 hours as I thought it would be a good idea for Callum to walk - he's been so good with his walking recently, and loves helping to push the pushchair so thought it would be ok.

Oh dear god it wasn't - he mostly fine there, just took a while as walked so slow (which I didn't mind), we had to stop and look at anything of interested.

But the way back all hell let loose - I tried carrying him: he didn't want that, I tried putting him in the buggy next to Hope: he didn't want that, I tried leaving him to walk: he didn't want that.

The poor lad has got bruises on his arms where I had to keep grabbing him to stop him running into the road!! Next time I'll just struggle with the buggy methinks!

But on the way done I got some nice photos. This following one of Ilchester church I'm using as my photo today:

And at one point I had Callum sat on a wall and managed to take some photos of him - he refused to look at the camera in any of them though. This is my favourite:

A path in my space

2007-05-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

Path

A track laid down to walk upon. Show us a path in your space.

I struggle but...

2007-05-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

I sometimes really struggle at this mummy business! I find myself shouting far to often, find myself getting to hot under the collar and needing to walk away for a minute to calm down - but I love my kids, they are my world and I would never harm them and will always be there for them.

plus when they are as cute as this how can you stay mad at them???

My great grandmother

2007-05-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

Been trying to do this layout all day of my great grandmother:

Journaling says:

Marion Sullivan, known as Marie.
She had a sad and short life. She was brought up by her sisters when her mother was commited for severe post natal depression.
She married Fred Clarke in 1919. After giving birth to my nan Ina in 1920 they emigrated to Canada where she went on to have 3 more children - Bernice, Roy and Joyce.
In a time when abortion was ilegal, Marie found herself pregnant for a 5th time, with a child she did not want. A friend recommended a "Doctor" who could give her a drug to terminate the pregnancy. Sadly the drug poisoned her and she died in 1927 leaving 4 children without a mother, the eldest aged 7 and the youngest just 2

The story will continue with the next layout I do which will be of my Nan.

My prof photos of the kids

2007-05-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

A little while back we had professional photos taken of the kids by Pixi-photo in Woolworths!

I was so excited at the time and I love them!!!!!

However, I wont be having them done again - the photos cost a lot of money and once I've got the background support (have a background already ordered, will be getting support on payday) I could do just as good, if not better!

Cookies in my space

2007-05-21T00:02:00.000-07:00

Cookie

A small sweet cake that is flat and round. Find one in your space today

I miss my hubby!

2007-05-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

Sam is back in Portsmouth this week, he went on Friday, and will be back on Friday! I miss him loads already and wish he was home.

This is my gorgeous husband:

My momma

2007-05-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

I managed to do another layout this evening - this time I scrapped a photo of my mum.

Journalling says:My mother - one of the most important people in my life. We're in contact practically every day. We're so alike its uncanny - Sam is always laughing at us. I love my mum so much, she works so hard and we have so much fun together. She truly is my best friend.

Her Space My Space

2007-05-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

Right I absolutely love this blog, I check it out every day.

http://herspace-myspace.blogspot.com/

Due to Hope being born and the move I haven't joined in yet - but that all changes today.

Todays word is cards. Heres my offering:

I've also decided to give previous words a go when I get a chance. Today I also did chocolate, ribbon and shoe:

Finally done a layout!

2007-05-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

Been trying to do this layout all day, but kids kept waking up and needing me!

They are finally both in bed so I managed to finish it off!

I'm very pleased with it, its the first time I've scrapped my Nan who died when I was 10.

Oh what a day!

2007-05-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

Both kids are miserable which is just fab - I think they are missing Sam.

Went for a walk up to the shop for milk and bread. We pass this statue of an eagle every day and Callum loves it.

We came back and Callum decided to climb into Hopes buggy - he wanted to be strapped in and with his legs in the cosy toes - typical, he wouldn't ever keep his legs in the cosy toes when he was a baby but now he's quite happy about it!

And Hope is being miserable!

Whats in Somerton?

2007-05-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Answer: nothing!!!!!

A few little shops, the majority of which shut at lunch time on a Saturday and were therefore shut by the time we got there1

There was a nice little cafe at the back of this really cute shop. We stopped there for a drink and a cake. (We being Mum, kids and me).

They had a bowl of sugar cubes on the table which was quite cute

Callum enjoyed his ice cream!

Todays photo

2007-05-18T11:32:00.001-07:00

Todays photo is possibly a boring one for some people, but I'm trying to remember to take photos of Callums toys so in the future he can see what he played with as a baby.

Today he has been playing with his hammer and pegs loads. I cant wait til I get a photo tent as this would have looked loads better if it wasn't on my mother in laws paint splattered table!

First Editions Project

2007-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

A little while ago Paula set us all a challenge to do a layout on our team. So we all emailed pictures and have done a layout!

I've done something slightly different (still a big secret) but I've almost finished - when I'm done I will reveal all.

In the meantime, here are some sneaky pics.

My photo today - very pleased!

2007-05-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Well actually at the moment I haven't chosen which photo I'm going to use but it will be one of the following.

I love these flowers and have been wanting to take some photos of one for ages so I was very pleased when a bouquet my friend gave me had one in.

I took these photos with my new macro filter earlier!

I love them all! Which is your favourite as I need help in choosing which one to use for today!

I've been tagged!

2007-05-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

Right, well Terrie has tagged me so I'm to reveal 7 things about myself. Hmm will take some thinking:

1) Since being broken into twice last year I do not feel safe in my house if Sam is not here (even though we have now moved). I dont sleep well and every little noise makes me wonder whose out there.

2) Every time I look at photos of my mums parents it makes me cry. My Grandad died when I was 6 and my Nan died when I was 10. However I dont get the same way about my Dads parents - my Grandad died before I was born and my Nan is still alive :)

3) I try not to reveal my hobbies to Sam's family as I'm scared they'll laugh at me and I worry to much about what people think of me. I'm not ashamed of my hobbies but his family aren't into that sort of thing so would scoff!

4) I want to be the ultimate domestic goddess and have a beautiful show home - however 2 children,1 dog, 1 husband and terminal laziness prevents this from happening.

5) I wish I was a better scrapper! I'm pleased with quite a few of my latest layouts - however most have been lifted from other peoples pages. I'm rubbish at thinking up my own layouts and I feel embarrassed about this.

6) I really want to take some nude photographs (not of myself). I dont want trashy ones where 'everything' is out, but want to take artistic ones which suggest sexiness (if you get what I mean). However, I'm scared people will think I'm a pervert although I probably wouldn't have any rude bits showing (well apart from a bum, maybe)

7) Most of my friends are from the internet these days. Although I have some from school in real life, and we do keep in touch I dont see them all that often (mainly because at the moment I'm the only one with kids). I therefore feel very lonely at times and although I have some very good friends on my UKScrappers team and I can confide in them about anything, I dont have anyone I can just phone up for a gossip or meet for coffee when I'm lonely. This is not how I imagined my life to be.

So there you go, thats me!

Edited: I've thought of another one

8) I have quite a few OCD tendencies. If I make a list, it has to be very neat, all in the same colour pen, 1 point per line. If Sam adds something afterwards and messes it up I will often have to rewrite my list so its neat again.

Life continues!

2007-05-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally finished painting Hope's bedroom!

We're now buying bits and bobs to go in her room - we've already got a mirror and a rug!

We'll be painting Callum's room after payday!

Went to Clevedon yesterday to visit family - we managed to fit in quite a few people!

First stop was at my Nans:

Then we went to the pub to see Deano:

Then we popped in quickly to see Sam's dad and then went to see his niece and her son:

Then we went up to Zena's, I tried to get a picture of all the kids together but Callum would not sit for the photograph - I managed to get 1 before he legged it and then I tried with him sitting on either mine or Sam's lap - that didn't work either:

Photo a Day project - Day 1

2007-05-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

Well on 1st January this year I started a photo a day project. However in the last couple of weeks I haven't taken a photo due to the move, sale of camera and other stresses!

Unfortunately I have a few OCD tendancies so I have decided to start again as I just couldn't cope with a gap in my dates!

So decided to start again today as its my birthday!!

So day 1 - and my pic is of my birthday present from my parents - my new photo printer which is gorgeous! Oh and have also restarted my photo a day of the children!

PAD:

PAD Callum:

PAD Hope:

And I just like this one of Sam

This is me!

2007-05-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

This is me:

For once, a photo I quite like of myself. My friend took it on my camera! I'm going to be a bit brave and start taking some self portraits I think as I really dont have that many photos of me!

SO, about me:

Name: Alexandra Jane McNicol
Birthday: TODAY!!!
Age: 24
Family: 1 husband, 2 kids, 1 dog
Interests: Photography and scrapbooking
Job: Stay at home Momma

And to be honest, thats about it about me. Not a particularly interesting person am I? lol

300 + photos

2007-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not uploading over 300 photos to my blog - but that is the amount of photos I took yesterday! I just went snap crazy!!!!!!

Here are a couple of my favourites:

I love this photo of my friend Katy - she's normally a nightmare when I'm taking photos and runs off to hide so I was really pleased that I got some of her smiling for the camera - I can finally do her page in my friends scrapbook!

This is my friend Andy and his Nikon D80 - am I jealous??? Hell yes!!!

And this is Jonno with my little girl Hope. I dont know what it is about this photo as I took loads of everyone with Hope and they're all really good, but this photo just seems really special to me.

I've got loads more that I love that I took but I could be uploading forever, maybe I'll post some more on days where I haven't had a chance to take many good photos!

BBQ fun in the rain

2007-05-12T04:49:00.000-07:00

Having a BBQ today for my birthday (which is tomorrow) - weather is crappy so have a feeling it'll end up being an indoor thing!

Have a few mates coming and plan on taking lots of photos - so come back later for a looksy!

YAY!! Found it!!

2007-05-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

And have uploaded all my photos from my new camera!!

Heres a couple of my favourites of the kids!!

Callum in his very smart shirt:

And this is Hope - these photos were actually taken by my Husband on my camera.

I took these following ones:

I am loving this camera - the photos have come out sooo well - I'm so pleased!!!

I cant find my cable!!

2007-05-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

So cant upload any of my pics from the camera to the computer! Grrrrr!!

Suppose it means I'll have to finish unpacking just to find it!

I've taken some lovely photos though this week of Callum. Now that Sams home I'm going to try and take some more of Hope - I find theres only so many you can take of her in her bouncer before they all look the same! I cane wait til she's moving a bit so I can take more different pictures!

Haven't done any scrapping as such - though working on a secret project for my First Editions challenge. Paula set us all a challenge to scrap a page with photos of us all - I decided to do something slightly different - though cant reveal anything yet as its not finished and I want it to be a surprise for the team!

Right well I better get back to packing so I can upload my photos!

New camera

2007-05-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Yay, I got my DSLR - a sony a100 and i love it.

We've just moved so haven't had a chance to have a proper play yet but will do soon!

I must make more of an effort to blog more often. Now that the crazyness of our move has almost finished (just unpacking to do now) I should have more time.

I dont even have any new photos to share as I cant find the cable to upload them.

We have lift off!

2007-04-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Next month I get my first DSLR - I am very excited and really dont want to wait!

I'm hoping to take a few courses to improve my knowledge and then start taking photographs professionally.

Hence this blog. I am currently doing a photo a day project which I started on 1 January this year. I'm really enjoying it and hope once I have my DSLR that I will start taking better pictures.

Not that I'm not pleased with most that I've taken so far - especially of my 2 children.

Although I am pleased with many of my photos of my new baby daughter Hope this has to be my favourite (so far - she's only 10 weeks old so theres bound to be more)

And of course I cant leave out my boy, Callum. Being a toddler there are of course many more photos of him so its even harder to choose a favourite. At the moment I have this one pinned up on my wall.

I'm very lucky that so far the children love each other

So keep popping back to see what photos I produce! I hope as the year goes on they will improve in quality!