Alice in Wonderland Swap ~ Received

Look what came! A humongous box all the way from Canada, posted well over a month ago by the fabulously talented Jackie :P

You can click here to see what I sent Jackie :)

I don't know who was more relieved when this was snatched off my poor postie who I'd been stalking daily behind my twitching curtains - like a coiled tiger ready to pounce on first knock... Me or Jackie, certainly my postie for sure. Think this one went on a tour of the UK!

So worth the wait though. SO worth it...A gorgeous crochet cat hat. I never, ever wear hats, not because I don't like them, I do. I just don't think I suit them. However this one, no matter how much the kids beg and plead (and they have) is mine  all MINE!A gorgeous crochet Alice and White Rabbit. How amazing?An altered Cheshire Cat notebook - am going to use it for crafty ideas.

Lots of other thoughtful little goodies, I can't believe how Jackie seems to have got me so quickly. The book is about spooky goings on where she lives. I love books like this, I have loads about Haunted Britain and Kent. I could talk for hours about black cat/panther sightings in my area... love all that. The bag is full of brads and stickers and a magnet of Dawson Creek where Jackie lives, I just love that it is a real place!

There was also a giant white chocolate rabbit. I had a tiny nibble on his ear and then Craig and the girls mercilessly ate the rest of him to protect my diet.

Thank you so much Jackie, I really loved everything about my parcel, the thought that went into it, the work, I love everything and am so glad Maggi paired us together for this swap, it was so much fun!

Mixed Bag :P

I'm a wee bit late posting What's Rocking My World Friday but as it all sort of works with what I've been doing this weekend I thought I'd post in one.

Whats rocking my world this week -

Being Mum to a teenager!

Yes, my baby is officially a teenager today. How did that happen? I feel like a big kid myself. We have our moments (she's definitely hit the Kevin phase) but I couldn't be more proud of the young lady my Devon is turning into. Beautiful, thoughtful, thinking of others, creative and very strong & brave to name a few of her qualities.

Happy Birthday Devvie!

This is the finished canvas I made as part of her present, it went down well I'm pleased to say! *Phew*

Ally Pally

We went to the craft show at Alexandra Palace in London yesterday. As a birthday treat Devon chose to take her BFF and as a result I ended up walking round on my own most of the time while they stalked the ball machine at Capture The Magic stand. It paid off - after putting in about £20 (Eek!) Devon won a Doodlebug tote bag crammed full of Doodlebug products worth a lot more than what she put in. I don't know who was more happy - Devon or Stephanie running the stand who was having visions of Devon seeking me out for more change and someone else coming along and putting one coin in and winning. To say Devon was ecstatic is an understatement to say the least.

I was able to meet a lot of bloggy friends and not worry about Devon getting bored with my chatting - it's so lovely to meet people in the flesh so to speak :P This picture is of the blimp (me! Most unflattering t-shirt ever?) dwarfing lovely Glen and Mrs Holtz otherwise known as LindaTaking the photo for me was Helen (who gives me backache just thinking how she crafts) and I also met craftytrog at the same stand.

I also met Leigh and Vivienne. I was in a duck swap on UKS with Leigh, the infamous swap that got me addicted to altering in the first place and I own one of her yummy ducks. I've been following Vivienne's blog since I started mine. I can't remember how I discovered her but I love her blog. She recommends the best books and it was great to finally meet her. Finally I met Jennie otherwise known as The Wife (absolutely bonkers) and was so pleased to bump into Kay a few times walking round... or I should say, she made made me jump the first time sneaking up behind me! I was pretty good at keeping the old shyness in check too I think.

Here is my haul...Lots of paper but I resisted the patterned stuff - just plain so I can get going with my painting and back into scrapbooking. Some Utee for the melt pot I have coming soon...Don't panic... The cute stuff is a gift for a friend.

The promarkers were part of a deal, buy the 12 pack and a 5 pack for £17.50 so I thought I would see what all the fuss is about. Mmmmm. Paint - my favourite buy I think.

Um, kind of didn't get any embellishments. I definitely think my tastes have changed. I seem to be preferring handmade or found embellies lately. The stuff at the show really didn't grab me at all and for what it was, I thought a lot of it was overpriced and I could probably make myself. So as I am running on empty with the embellies I better get making or finding eh?

Really looking forward to the next Ally Pally show but will be going to the Knitting & Stitching show in October rather than the card and scrapbooking one in September. I've heard there is more mixed media there so it's worth a looksee.

Thanks for popping by, be sure and visit Virginia to see who else is joining in and shouting about what Rocked Their World this week ;)

WOYWW?

Nothing to show on my desk today on account of two small people hogging my PC to play Plants vs Zombies (Highly addictive it is too) So we are zooming out to the kitchen to show my temporary workstation... introducing What's On Your Draining board Wednesdaaaaaay! I'm in the middle of graffiti-ing a canvas for my eldest's birthday on Sunday. (The big 13!) I'm also trying to loosely incorporate the Fiskarettes competition sketch.Loving the way the nail varnish is retaining it's 3D glossiness as it dries. And yes, that's my QVC card being using as a paint scraper. *gasp* Well, I think I've used it a grand total of once in the years I've had it, so might as well earn it's drawer space.

I'm way behind on my blogging and hopping with the girls being home from school so am looking forward to a day of catching up with everyone today. Get the kettles on, I'm on my way.

Thanks for stopping by and if you want to play along with the desk nosiness cult that is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday then visit Julia here and link up so we can all find you :)

What's Rocking My World Friday

Good afternoon everyone. I am crawling back to Blogland slowly - feels like I have been away years rather than a couple of days, pc problems. I'll say no more for fear of losing my temper once again.

So this week what's been rocking my world?

The Sun!

It does exist - it wasn't a figment of my imagination and it's shown itself this week - today as well. I'm also loving waking up to daylight and the longer evenings. Now if the rain and cold would just go away I would be entirely happy.

April.

April means one thing and one thing only to me... ok - yes... Darling Daughter number 1 was born in April and that was a pretty major event in my life now that I think about it.... and yes she is hitting the 13 year milestone this year... that's pretty big... but, now this is the biggy, guess what weekend her birthday falls on? Just guess?

The Ally Pally Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show!!!! Whoooooooo! So April... and September too mean only one thing in this house. SHOPPING! Not just shopping but SHOPPING FOR STASHHHH! *Hyperventilates* This is big because in between shows I am on a ban and am saving hard. Last September feels like it was years ago now and my stash is looking severely depleted and sorry for itself. No, I am not a miserable moo and not celebrating my daughters birthday - it falls on that weekend so we are celebrating with a trip to London aren't we? *ahem!* I must admit I am very lucky that she is as into her crafts as I am and as part of her treat she did choose to still go to the show - we are taking her BFF and they are making it an all weekend sleepover so that they can then play with their new stash. I must admit when she asked for that I let out a huge sigh or relief because... like... I would totally have given up going and done something different. Of course I would. What? Stop looking like that!

My Dad

For joining Slimming World with me this week. I'll admit - I wondered if he would chicken out but he didn't and he went with me. You do realise though, if he loses more than me I will sulk. A lot!

What's rocking your world this week? If you play along be sure to let Virginia know - she who started this weekly feel good posting ;)

Thanks as always for stopping by!