A birthday, adventure weekend and some more card pics

Well it was M's birthday yesterday...My baby is now 16 am getting old <sigh> IT's not my own kids getting older that make me feel old though...My eldest nephew being 27 now makes me feel ancient...We didn't do anything much as he had school and G was away all weekend and only came back yesterday afternoon...Trying to arrange that him and a couple of friends go to cinema at the weekend...His father phoned <SHOCK> ...They wished him a belated happy birthday as his was on fri...They haven't sent his card yet and i need to hook the printer up...Decided would print off some pics of the boys to send him as his pressie...He can put them in an album himself as that would cost an arm and a leg to post...Mum posted her card to M on fri and it's still not arrived...If it doesn't arrive tomorrow then someones going to have to speak to the post office...I HOPE she put in a cheque and not cash...Knowing mum though it will have been the latter <sigh>...Both my sisters put a cheque in just in case it goes missing...Likewise if am sending money i send a cheque...Have to giggle...M wanted a bag to carry around his portable DVD player with his DVD games...So i got a blokes shoulder bag...Well he told my younger sis that he got a handbag for part of his birthday pressies LOL...I said it's not a handbag it's a blokes shoulder bag...Sis must have said something cos he turned and said to me after a couple of mins that it is a MANbag LOLOL.

G was away from friday morning until supposedly 6-6.30pm yesterday with the base...He got his taxi to school as they were leaving at 10am...This year they went up to an outdoor centre near Aviemore 

Abernethy Trust Nethybridge Outdoor Centre

On the way up there on the friday they visited Landmark which is also near Aviemore

Landmark Forest Theme Park, Carrbridge, Inverness Shire, Scotland, UK

G said one of the teachers with them was so funny at Landmark...There are big water slides there and this teacher was a bit scared...Dunno if he was putting it on for the kids like because he screamed like anything on way down...Then ran round and shouted he needed to go again LOL...G didn't go on it because he had cramp in his legs...Instead one of the little 1st years who adores G had him play with him in one of the adventure areas.

The teacher who was screaming there was a bit of a klutz last year and actually badly damaged his ankle...Well true to form he was a klutz again this year...On the saturday they spent the whole day sailing on one of the lochs...They were mainly paired up for it...I feel so sorry for the lad paired with that teacher...He capsised the boat at least twice LOL...The weather had been perfect for sailing, then it started pouring, then it was perfect again...Then out of the blue for about 5 mins it started snowing...The teacher was so shocked to see snow he looked up, moved his body and capput went the balance of the boat and low and behold it capsised ROFL...Poor lad in boat with him ended up in the water under one of the sails...One of the other teachers with them took the P out of that teacher something chronic the whole weekend LOL...On the sun they were doing archery (might have been mon) Well same teacher missed the target totally in his first 2 rounds LOL...His arrows went flying over the target into the football pitch...Just as well no-one was playing footie at the time LOL...Then on his 3rd round he hit the bull and other 2 arrows went into the red area...The boys have all been taking the mickey out of that poor teacher...He's one of G's mainstream teachers too <ggg> Although probs not for next year as i don't think they have managed to find a way of doing the advanced higher course...They were orienteering, zip sliding and on some swing thing...Not sure what the swing thing was but G enjoyed it...He wasn't that keen on the sailing...Only watersport he's found so far that he doesn't like...He said the facilities for evening were brill...There was a games room so guess where all their money they had with them went...They were also allowed to use the swimming pool...On the sunday evening they played waterpolo which G enjoyed...MrsP always phones the parents when they are around 45 mins from home so we can make our way to pick them up...Well as i said it was supposed to be later tea time they were back...But no i was in GAME buying stuff for M for his birthday at 3.05pm when my mobile rang...Panic stations ARGH...As i told her M doesn't get home until between 3.45 and 4pm and i didn't know if i would be able to beat school at the pick up time...So i had to ring M's school tell them not to put him on the taxi i would collect him...Run and get a bus home, run into flat grab car keys and speed up to M's school...Then we speeded out (not through the speed cameras though) to get G...After we got G we were going for something to eat...So M asked G if going to the Ashvale fish & chip restaurant would be ok...They went there recently with the Triple A team and liked it...They were the top chippie in Scotland for 3 years on the trot and retired to give other ones a chance...They were also top chippie in UK but again didn't compete again...In the restaurant there are paintings and photos of loads fo fishing boats...Some of the boats belonged to some of my uncles...I remember when the place opened one of my uncles was in there for a meal and was surprised to see a photo of his boat on the wall LOL...He wasn't complaining like just surprised.

I went into one of the art shops here i had forgotten about last fri...They don't do craft stuff mainly fine art supplies...But i was pleasantly surprised to see they had a few bottles of the brand of glass paints i like to use...The owner said he wasn't stocking them anymore which is why there was very few on the shelf...So i bought the 5 colours he did have and he gave me them all for a tenner as he was wanting rid :o) The other places here that stock glass paints only stock the water soluble ones...You have to bake them in the oven...Even then although that makes items dishwasher safe the colours are not as fast as with the smelly non water based paints...The water based ones tend to fade too quick for my liking...If am painting something and charging what i consider a fortune for it then i want to know the colour isn't going to fade too fast...I have been making more cards...Really simple ones that are easy to do...The prices some places charge for what is a very simple, doesn't take long to make, card is daft...Am really having my eyes opened at the prices in some shops and online...Some i think are too cheap and others i just think how heck can you charge that...I reckon i will pitch mine somewhere inbetween...M likes one of my latest ideas...Only one he's commented on  LOL...That one being what is in the first two pics below...Apologies for the quality of the pics i did them in a rush just now and the lighting is utter pants LOL

 

Masking fluid used to paint image onto watercolour paper...Then watercolours painted over the paper once masking fluid is dry...Then rub off masking fluid with a rubber once watercolour paint is dry...I ripped the image off the watercolour pad as i like the ripped edges look...When the masking fluid is removed it leaves the white image...Diamantes in centre and image fixed to a card...Simple by effective i think

This one is one lime (nice lime) pearlescent card i bought last week and cut to size and folded myself

White (honest) pearlescent card with a hammered finish...Again card i bought and cut to size and folded myself...Red heart gems on each corner, white feather, red bow and gold wire with beads...Ignore my crap writing it's only there to show where writing would be...I'll be getting proper card motifs done for actual written bits for cards LOL

Again white pearlescent card cut and folded myself...The finish i have forgotten name of ARGH...It's all card i bought last week from the paper mill...String gems down left side...Writing would be to the left of that line...Silver padded butterflies, holographic silver flowers...Silver pen hand drawn stalks and leaves...Close up of that below...You can see the finish on the card better on the close up to :o)

Fabby high but some bad news too

Bad bad bad Sara LOL...I installed civ and civ 2 and then spent yonks playing civ 2 LOL...Not played civ3 before and am not gonna install it just yet...Can't get hooked on it again or i be in trouble and never get anything done ROFL

So i went out and dropped off G's meds for his trip...Then on way back i went into the paper mill...I've never been in their shop before...Well i was in heaven LOL...They had so many different colours of card and paper with so many different finished...Rows and rows...Huge sheets and smaller A4 size sheets...The A4 size sheets on the purple shelves you could fill either a plastic box or a cardboard box up...I used the cardboard box....Which is your A4 size and about an inch n half deep...Same size as when you go buy a packet of printer paper...So you can imagine just how many sheets of paper and card i have in there (well over 100)...And all that cost me only £4.95 :o) Loads of pearlescent finishes with different textures...They also had massive punches which you can use to make your own apertures on cards with for only £6.99...So i bought one today LOL...They also had translucent paper with different finishes to it and in different colours...Bit like coloured tracing paper...One woman in there asked me if i knew if printer ink would take on the metallic/pearlescent card...Said i didn't know but to ask the woman behind the counter...Unfortunately i didn't manage to overhear their conversation...The woman had 400 orders of service to do hence wanting to know...I'd have liked to know too...So next time am out there i will be asking about if you can print on the various papers/card...See can make my own cards with these different finishes and textures but i will need a better creasing machine first...My cutter can cut normal straight edge, wavy (it's a bit pants), crease and perforate...The perforater bit works well and so does the straight edge...The other two don't work as well <sigh>

I've had bad news today...Got a letter from the social worker...She's got a new job so has left :o(  So am without a named one again...I'll be phoning the head of the team and demanding a new named worker LOL...I know they are extremely short staffed and chances aren't very high...Thing is G will be 18 next march and once 18 you transfer to adult services...So i really need someone during this period...Not like am going to be in the head of the teams hair for that much longer so he can just jolly well accomodate me <ggg>...Why is it everytime i have one i really like, who is good, helps a lot and actually listens do i lose them after a couple of years <sigh>

 Need to go pick up Gs prescription for more puffers as i forgot on way home DOH!!!...Just remembered and he needs one to take away...Got to chuck some clothes in the tumble drier and pack all his gear tonight...Some of you i am about to send email to...I don't want to post these pics here as it is public...I do want opinion from those i send it to though please :o)  Pic of Gs new haircut...Grumpy didn't want his pic taken hence the glower and looking up at the camera LOLOL...It has been highlighted blonde again but not so much blonde as before and a lot shorter than what i left him having done...But hey it's his hair and he can do whatever he wants with it...If he wants to dye it tartan with pink spots i don't care...His hair and he's the one who has to live with whatever is done to it....Besides i will heavily encourage both him and M to do what any other teenager does to their hair...Just because they are ASD doesn't mean they have to have some regimental bog standard hair cut or colour like MrsP seems to think LOLOL

 

Toodle pip tc xx

Shopping UGH

Doh i was half way through an entry when M buzzed to get in and i accidentally hit the reboot button on way to the door LOL...Oh well start again...Sara it's your fault i have gone and spent some dosh today...Am crap at games both on PC and on any of the games consoles but i did like and was good at playing civilization...So in GAME i found boxed set of all 4 of them for £19.99 and bought it LOL...As yous know i hate shopping but it's worse with a 17 year old boy in tow LOL...But it was G we were shopping for...I know they say every year to only take old clothes on their trip away...Fine if you have old clothes to take and he does have old tops he can use but not bottoms...He only wears jeans and they can't wear jeans for the activities...So down to primark for a big shopping spree...2 massive bags full of stuff for £50...Got 2 sets of el cheapo tracky bottoms, packs of thick socks and thin ones for non activity wear, new trainers so he has old ones for wet use and el cheapo underwear...I don't want him taking his usual undies cos they cost a fortune...Mens underpants are so damn expensive, even more so than our knickers, dunno why not like they're anything special LOL...I did buy a couple of ribbed tops for me and loads of daft socks as they were reduced to 50p for a pack of 2...Denise i got a set of socks for you so you need to send yer addy again cos they have a moo cow on them <ggg> I also got me a big bag...Huge massive worn leather look one that is over the shoulder so can use for shopping and not have lots of carrier bags...Can also use to carry folders with cards and such like if need to show to anyone...They had a purple bag i liked to but i put it back...Oh G also decided he wanted new swimming trunks even though i bought new ones at easter

Whoops just pressed save instead of on MSN message from K ROFL...Not having a good day am i <ggg> Yesterday i did find masking fluid so look out for cards that are 'different' soonish...Dragged G to poundland as well to buy more plastic boxes for M for his cooking and G for packed lunch box for trip...On way there i said look i wanted to buy ALL your summer clothes in primark as i hate shopping so much...As in 3/4 trousers and shorts as well...In superdrug i got suntan lotion, after sun, midge repellant and stuff to put on if bit...Also got mini toothpaste, new toothbrush, mini lynx deoderant (he does like lynx) and mini lynx shower gel...Told him there will be just enuff in the mini ones to do the weekend and to just chuck away at end and not take home...A couple of close ups of detail on some of the cards...I need to go chat with K as she's not feeling too good...Sore throat etc and NHS24 wouldn't see her and she can't get an appointment with her GP <sigh>

Toodle pip tc xx

Close up of beads on one of them...The large one in the middle is bohemian glass, the small bicone is clear swarovski crystal 4mm big...So although they look huge on here you can see how small they actually are...This is only an inch long in total

Here you can see the teensy seed beads on the pink heart...So teensy you can barely see them with naked eye as such...I covered the heart shape with them myself

Close up of the blue glitter heart with silver wire and 4mm swarovski crystal bicone

Close up of happy birthday motif...I embossed it using embossing powder...You stamp on the words/pictures then sprinkle the powder on top...Then you heat the powder and it melts leaving a raised image...I cut the card for the motif to size and then embossed

Close up of swarovski crystal on the wire heart, with the feathers and flower...The silver bits at ends of crystals or beads is the crimps...You put the crimp on then using pliers flatten it so it keeps bead in place

Mini rant

This pic of M and K was taken when she was up here with the SYP campaigning and M went along to help...I think it is a really good pic of them both :o) ...K managed to walk across her room without her crutch on sat which is brill :o) ...Think the meds she's on for the pain in her feet are working this time with no nasty side effects...Now if that is sorted hopefully they can get the rest of her leg problems sorted and the blackouts...

Am not a happy bunny today...G got up and went off in his taxi to school...I felt fine then but when i got M up at 8 i didn't...Ended up rushing him in the loo as i felt so sick...So sods law after M was picked up i was in bathroom being sick when phone rang...Then my mobile went off...Knew it had to be G's base cos of the time...Phoned them back and was told his hair MUST be cut before friday...Asked why and was informed that the instructors at the outdoor centre said no long hair...Which i am sure is a load of bull...What if it's a girl with long hair they gonna demand she has her hair cut...Don't think so...I am positive this is MrsP (aka hitler) at it again...You know when G finishes there next year i hope he turns round and tells her to F off LOL...I told the woman i got on the phone that i was being physically sick and could she please hurry up...That i was more concerned about what time he was leaving on fri and did i need to get his taxi to pick him up or me take him out there...And what time he was coming home on mon...She said they got given that info last week...Well pardon me but G is on STUDY leave...He's not IN school to get given the info...So she went off to speak to a colleague...Am left hanging on the phone when i need to go be sick again...She said he'd get the info home with him today...So when he gets home he doesn't say much...I phoned his escort to say pick him up on fri...She told me he'd said thurs as well but to get me to phone her...I said nopes only fri and i'd take his meds out on thurs...MrsP wants ALL meds for all the pupils handed to her on thurs...This is to make sure that they all have enough needed for the weekend...Which is understandable as in past years some haven't had enough with them...But to go into school just to hand them over at silly o'clock in the morning i don't think so...Oh and MrsP is demanding that he gives her a spare puffer...WHY???? His puffer is something he carries on him at all times...It's taken as and when needed...He gets breathless, he takes the puffer...You don't turn round and ask someone else for it...He has one in his pocket that he transfers when changing clothes, he has one in his bag...when he did PE he had one in that bag as well...Besides 2 years ago when he went away she didn't give him back his meds when they got home...As his twice daily asthma inhaler was brand new one he didn't have any at home...So i had to get an emergency prescription that evening from out of hours doctors...It was 2 days before she found his meds in amongst her stuff to give back to him and she has audacity to complain about the boys forgetting stuff!!!!!...Last year he had a twice daily one with just enuff left to do the weekend so that was the one he took away with him...I've ordered more puffers...She can have one but he will have one on his person and one in his bag and sod her...He's 17 not 13 and should be responsible enuff himself...The hair cutting will be her too...Am tempted to phone the place they are going to just to check up about 'long' hair LOL...He reckons his exam today went fine too :o)  Better go get dressed properly...Spent most of today poorly in bed or on sofa...I know what made me ill :o(  My fresh cream apple turnovers i treated myself to last nite <sob> Got to go take G to footie training so better go...Oh some of the wedding cards i will do as wedding stationery and some as the type that you give to the bridge & groom instead of the telegrams you used to give years ago

Toodle pip tc xx

Thank you

Thank you for all the comments about the cards, you are a really kind bunch :o) ...I haven't posted pics of all of them by any means...I really need to come up with a name, names for the different cards and also get a website created...Oh and get the photos better LOL...I've got close ups of sections of most of them...And of course prices LOL...My living floor looks like a bomb hit it again...I keep tidying everything up then taking it all back out again...So i sit on the floor surrounded by boxes large and small, punches, card, paper, pliers, wire cutters, cocktail sticks and the whole paraphenalia...And it stays like that for a few days, i tidy up, hoover and have a rest then it's all out on floor again...Better there than all over the kitchen worksurfaces naaaa they're for me to glass paint on LOL

G has another exam tomorrow...Graphic communication Higher so it's peace n quiet for me HURRAH...He claims to have studied for it hmmm...Studied when i haven't been in...His nnext exam after that isn't until the 1st june...He's away for long weekend with the base next weekend...Am not sure what they are doing over the weekend as with him being off on study leave i haven't had much info sent home...I'll have to phone the school and find out what time they are leaving on the fri and if he has to go in taxi or if i will take him out there...Shame M ain't going anywhere on same weekend and i'd have a break but hey ho...K has exams coming up too...One of my friends did the manchester 10k run today...So i must send her a cheque for completing it as i sponsored her...Am really proud of her managing it in a reasonable time as i would have taken all day to finish LOL...Anyways better go put my eardrops in again...Have earache and it's not pleasant...Got the prescription last night but no pharmacies open at 11.30pm so had to wait till this morning to actually get them

Toodle pip tc xx

More designs to bore you all with :o)

Punched butterflies corrugated, diamante, glitter butterflies flat on green card...Other colours can be made

Jigsaw shapes in different colours bottom left, individual jigsaw shapes with letters embossed for name, single jigsaw top right could have number for age on it...Have other ideas for the jigsaw shapes too

Not actually made up yet...But will be on white card, glitter star, sequin star and diamante with bohemian glass star bead suspended on coloured wire...Embossed congratulations with embosses star motif

Punched shape along bottom edge with the punched out shape placed along top edge...Handmade paper across middle of card...Can be for any occasion really...Various shapes can be applied to this one...I did this design as christmas cards this year with either snowflakes, trees or angels on a gold or silver card

Butterflies with embossed letters for name, flowers either side diagonally with gem flower in centre

Silver card cake shape, edged with irridescent gel piping, red heart gem on white handmade paper on white card...This one is still a work in progress but will be a wedding invite/order of service one

Lilac handmade paper with lilac feathers...White flower, lilac ribbon with lilac heart gem...Lilac wire heart with swarovski crystal beads...On white card...This is one of my favourites and can be done in other colours

Lilac card with lilac flowers, gem sprays, embossed happy birthday motif and lilac ribbon

Lemon card with white flowers, gem spray, embossed congratulations motif and white ribbon

Have to go pick up best mate to go to asda so will finish laters...Still looking for a name and i guess i need to name the 'ranges' LOL

Toodle pip tc xx

Some ideas for cards

Some wedding card ideas...They're not quite finished as i haven't placed wedding invitation or order of service etc on them yet...Where not stated the beads are strung on nylon thread...The colours looked fine on the camera but are pants on here :o(

 

Punched hearts on pearlescent card with handmade paper...Paper handmade from old clothing instead of wood sources

Red holographic heart on white card and silver corrugated card...Twisted wire with swarovski crystal

White card with white satin ribbon overlayed with purple velvet ribbon with outer layer of bohemian glass beads and swarovski crystals...Lilac feather overlayed with white flower. 

 

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Ivory card with natural handmade paper, ivory feather and cream rose...Tiny gold heart with gold diamante

 

Ivory card with ivory feather and deep red flower...Bohemian glass and swarovski crystal beads

 

Ivory card with seeded beads pink heart, gold wire with bohemian glass heart shaped beads

White card with blue turquoise corrugated card, overlayed with white card, silver trimmed ribbon and turquoise glitter heart...Twisted turquoise wire with swarovski crystal bead

White card with silver trimmed ribbon overlayed with heart shaped pink bohemian glass beads...Silver glitter heart in bottom right corner

3 cards designs but pics are pants LOL

Well i've changed the pics on my entry with the pics of my dragons...Mainly because the new slideshow method doesn't suit them...I didn't change the pics of Cullen though as i think the slideshow really suits them...You really feel as if you are actually there in the village looking at the views...The pics i took in the garden on mon i zoomed in for some and used the macro facility for others...The leaves were on macro and i just love the colours on them...No idea what the plant is like but it's pretty LOL...They're not bad for a cheapy digital camera at all...I would love to have the money to buy a proper camera again though...By proper camera i mean an SLR one...Of course now it would be a digital one...No messing around with changing from B&W film to colour...Just change it at flick of a switch...Sadly the pics of cards so far are a bit crap to say the least...I need to play more with lighting them so i can get the pics right...And of course i have finally installed the software for the camera LOLOL...I still need to instal the drivers/software for the new printer though.

I have a problem with my craft stuff...Am totally rubbish at pricing items...When i did my first craft fair i got told off by my sisters and mother for my prices...So i did up the price even though i was wary of doing so...Well i got the prices i charged after changes no problem...Then when i started the glass painting and tried pricing those items i got a bigger telling off...So again much against my judgement i upped them, got told off again so upped them again...Items i was going to charge £3 -£5 for i got £15, £20 and more for...Now i have another problem with cards...I make one then decide ok i like it and then do another and another but different designs each time...See i make something, like it but then want to do something new...So i have pondered about doing ones that will be a kind of standard design...Ones that i will do umpteen of....Then do others that are one off's and ones that could be a limited edition...Obviously they would have different prices depending on what type they are...Am also trying to source mini sized heart, oblong, circle and square cushion pads...They are for idea i have to do with weddings that i did for my younger sister when she got married...I basically made the cushion myself that time but it would be much easier if i could buy ready made ones...I scoured the net most of yesterday and still didn't find any below 10" in size :o(  ...Am going to ask upholsterer round corner tomorrow if he knows anywhere...Am not happy with john lewis either...They now only sell rolls of ribbon instead of say buying 20cm of it....They do still sell that way for the fancy stuff but not ordinary satin or velvet ribbon...When you're only looking to try and do a sample then you don't want a whole reel of the stuff.

The boys are off watching spiderman 3 with their club...So that's 3 times in last week that G has been to see it LOL...His Higher maths exam went fine yesterday...K had heard of a lot saying they had problems with the 2nd paper but G didn't...Well am presuming he didn't as i got the 'look' when i asked how it went...You know that 'are you stupid' look PMSL...I did insist in him telling me something about it and he said he was fine...He reckons it went as well as his prelim/mock exam...So that will be an A for his maths :o)  In Scotland we don't have the A* malarky...An A is the best pass you get end of story...So much simpler IMO...Oh our local council is a coalition...Instead of NOC again we have SNP and Lib Dems in coalition...Am presuming the Lord Provost is going to be one of the Lib Dems because as part of the agreement it is an SNP one that is deputy provost...An 18 year old lad who is a first time councillor...His sister who is only 22 is up for being in charge of education...I think it's brilliant that some young people are getting these positions...Just because you're young doesn't mean that you don't know anything...I also think it is a lot better for education position that it is someone young...I just hope that she is good for the special needs provision within the city...Anyways better go see about picking the boys up...A couple of pics of card ideas but i warn you the pics are CRAP...I actually have over 20 designs made up and several that i have scribbled in my drawing pad that i've not made up yet

 

Handmade paper (not by me LOL) with flower...Embossed happy birthday in gold with gold diamante

Close up of the paper flower

Handmade paper, white flower with pearl, embossed happy birthday in silver with purple diamante on purple pearlescent card

Gitter butterfly image, embossed white glitter happy birthday, purple corrugated butterfly and lilac feather...butterfly feelers drawn on ink with purple diamante on top butterfly

 

Some flower pics

 

4th pic down is a close up of the flowers on the bush that i dunno name of LOL...The ones of the leaves are macro close ups and so is the bottom pic looking down on those flowers who's name i forget...The leaves are gorgeous colours just now :o)

Dragons

These are my dragons that aren't tudor mint ones...The boys and some bad pics of the postage stamp garden outside LOL

 

around 7 inches high...Would like to light it from underneath to get the colours from the 'rocks'

one on left around 3 inches high, one on left 1½ - 2 inches high

one on left around 4 inches high, one on right 2 inches high

one on left about 3 inches high, one on right 3½ - 4 inches high

Both around 2½-3 inches high

First dragon i got about 19 years ago...Birthday or christmas pressie from mum...3 inches high

3½ - 4 inches high and birthday pressie this year from G

3½ - 4 inches high and christmas pressie from M last christmas

2 at front are about an inch in size had them 18 years, gold and green are recent additions, 3 pink/purple had about 2/3 years

Some bush in the corner dunno what it is

Californian Lilac which is gorgeous when in bloom and covered with blueish flowers...It really attracts the bees

 

G at the computer

M and this is the closest to him smiling for a camera that you get LOL