And breathe

Phew that was a drive and a half. Manchester to Stroud through floods and snow, but it didn't take me too long. As I pulled up behind Annas car I was able to breathe, relax and look froward to great weekend of paper, glue, wine and the greatest company. Going to visit Anna is one of my favourite things to do.

I've done some crafting this week but I can't share it with you just yet as it's for the make and take on Crafter's Companions stand at the Farnborough show next week, which Im really looking forward to. I've also got homework to do this weekend for Beautiful Cards.

My first week in my new job has been wonderful. I went up last Sunday and got to meet the team in the office on Monday, everybody is lovely and so helpful, I'm really looking forward to working with them.

And last but not least another picture from Sweden. This is the back of Big Pete's t-shirt. At a dance Pete will often disappear to find a local pub and there's a slight difference in his leading (always wonderful) when he comes back, so I often say to him scream if you want to go faster as it's like being on the waltzers! So Jen and the girls had this t-shirt made for him.

Swing Dancing in Sweden

A bit of a belated post, but better late than never. I spent a week over New Year in Stockholm in Sweden, attending the Snowball. It's a swing dance event organised by Kenneth, Helena and our wonderful friends Hasse and Marie (love you both). There was a dance every night and we got to attend four days of Lindy Hop and Balboa classes, which were amazing and gave us all lots to take away and think about. I'm trying to dance with my potatoes Marie!!

Jean, Brian and I also took David Rehms class learning the Dean Collins Shim Sham. It was great fun although I'm not sure my brain can hold that much information. David is a great teacher. All of the teachers were fab, Nick and Sylvia, David and Marie, Johanna and Henricke, Skye (that boy floats when he dances) and Frieda (amazing style).

My leg held out pretty well and I did all my balboa classes and any lindy classes that got a bit much, I watched.

It was lovely meeting up with old friends and making new ones at a truly international event. There were dancers from all over the world, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, US, Norway, Finland and many more.

Here's some photos, apologies for the yellow light in the studio photos it was the best I could manage. These first photos were taken during a Charleston variation class. The chap is Michael from Sweden, he's a great lead.

Pam and Shirley, all wrapped up wandering towards the old town.

And here they are, a couple of brolly ladies!!

It's so hard to get a good photo at the evening dances, it's dark and people are dancing, so moving quite fast. I just wanted to include this one to show you the beautiful hall we had the New Year's Dance in and the amount of people that were there.

All the crew (well nearly, Marie had to stay at the dance), so from bottom left, Shirley, Richard, Jean, Nick, Hasse, Ewan, Tanya, Big Pete, Brian, Sue and Pam.

I love this picture of Jean dancing balboa with her son Nick. Keep dancing Nick, you're a great lead.

The girlie's and Nick all dressed up on New Years Eve.

So as you can see I had a marvellous holiday. Thank you to Shirley for being a great roomie, Pam for living on the 2nd floor which just confused Shirley, Brian and Sue, it was great getting to know you both and I look forward to seeing you soon. The Harper clan for their hospitality in Reading and always being on great form, Pete and Tanya for decorating their room for our mini New Years Eve buffet. Jan, Mike and Jane it was great to see you all. Everybody that danced with me - thank you xxx

What a great day

I know I haven't posted any of my Sweden pictures yet, I'll try and do it tomorrow, but I wanted to share with you what I've been up to today. I've been teaching a group of children and adults to scrapbook and it's been a fabulous day. They all did brilliantly and I loved all the work they produced.

Here's the page I put together.


Here's some of the pages that the children and their parents put together. Aren't they wonderful. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance or time to photograph everyone's work, so if you have some photos of your work you want to share, e-mail me or leave me a comment.

We also did a tag book. Here's my example.

Here's the adorable book made by Katy, all about her trip to Lapland. What a super job she did as did everybody else.

We also managed to make a couple of quick cards. A few more pages that were done today.

Last but not least, some pictures of the lovely people who came to play today and the lovely hall we had the use of. All of this would not be possible without Janice, who has organised 12 of these craft events for children and their parents.













So a busy but amazing day. Thanks everybody that came along and to Debbie from Inspire me papers from supplying lots of cardstock and card blanks. You're a star xx

Happy New Year

Another year is nearly over and lthough there have been a few major changes for me it's all been for the best and I'm really looking forward to 2008.

At the minute I'm sitting in a hotel reception area in Stockholm, Sweden and can see the snow falling outside. I've had some great dance classes and enjoyed the parties at night. Tonights party should be even better.

For anybody that pops by here I wish you well for 2008.

I'll update my blog with more details of my Sweden trip when I get home. Now I have to go and make myself look glamorous - well I can try!!

Boxing Day

Christmas always goes too fast but that's what happens when you're having fun and that's what we did. We went up to Wales on Christmas Eve. All of the presents looked great under the tree. By the time we got up and had bacon butties on Christmas morning it was time to nip to Warrington to see more family before coming back to open our presents.

I must have been a very good girl this year as I've been totally spoilt by everyone. A few presents were so well thought out they made me blub (I know it doesn't take much!) and some made me laugh so hard it hurt. Remember you may just get what you ask for - a new leg as mine is still a little sore - thanks Dad & Anne!! It's amazing what you can do with an old curtain pole, gold spray paint and a sparkly shoe.

Dinner was out of this world - thank you Jo xxx We had our five bird roast, with roast potatoes, spicy red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, honey parsnips, sweet potatoes, homemade stuffing roll and homemade cranberry sauce - delicious.

As a special treat we opened the bottle of Cristal champagne we'd bought Dad a few years ago - I love bubbles.

Advent is over but what a great advent swap I was in, thank you Shirl, Jen and Lyzzy. My final present was extra special. The wonderful Lyzzy made me a gorgeous bag - I love it, I love it, I love it! Unfortunately I don't have a great picture of it but you can catch a peak of it in this photo, just under my left arm. Thank you darling, even if you did make me cry!