A few weeks ago I started the 2 Little Cherubs blog and twitter feed as an answer to boredom whilst feeding the baby. I had lots of thoughts and ideas surging through my newly pregnant free brain and one thing quickly led to another and today I am really excited to announce that 2 Little Cherubs has become: 2 Little Cherubs: papercraft supplies, kits and classes.
Although it's still very much in its infancy it will be making its first appearance at the Scrapbus crop this Saturday 3rd March 2012.
I look forward to seeing you then.
Amber x
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Feeling dreadful
I've been living in a sick house for about 6 weeks now, both the boys have been ill at some point or another and this week has been Mr L's turn. He has been so poorly, bless him, with tonsillitis. He's even been too ill to look for sympathy! Then yesterday I had an aching head, then my back started to twinge. By tea time I was sat on the sofa shivering and sweating all at the same time. It's at times like these that I wish I could be selective about being a parent. It would be rather nice now to not have to look after 2 small very energetic boys. Life goes on though and parenting isn't selective so with a pounding head and an aching back and throat I continue to say; yes dear, those Thomas the Tank wellies do look lovely on your hands instead of your feet and i'm so happy that you're performing "River Dance" on my back, in said wellies, whilst I'm changing your brothers un-humanly pooey nappy!
Having said all this my eldest, who is 2 now, sat in bed with us this morning running through his repertoire of animal noises with the biggest smile on his face. I defy anybody, no matter how ill, to not melt at this. Now if I could just train him to safely walk downstairs, make the coffee and bring it to us in bed...
Having said all this my eldest, who is 2 now, sat in bed with us this morning running through his repertoire of animal noises with the biggest smile on his face. I defy anybody, no matter how ill, to not melt at this. Now if I could just train him to safely walk downstairs, make the coffee and bring it to us in bed...
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Show
Well we're back! and judging by the driving skills I displayed at the petrol station on the way there, it's a miracle that we are :-) (Lets just say that I have proved cars drive better when their handbrakes are off).
The day began with a dream and I don't mean like Martin Luther King. I dreamt about Tim Holtz, not in a "ooo Tiiim Holtz" way, he just happened to be in it. It woke me and being rather sleepy I wanted to figure out what time it was, good job I checked as it was 7.05am and my alarm had been turned off by my darling son who had woken me several hundred times during the night (I won't bore you with the details.....yet) So off I rushed to the shower, stubbing my toe on the ironing board on the way.
Sue arrived just after 8am and off we trundled to collect Fi. Aside from the petrol station incident, which amused Sue and Fiona periodically throughout the day, the trip up was really easy. The sun was shinning and it was relatively quiet on the roads. We spent our time discussing products and ideas and speculating about what crafting celebs might be in attendance.
Here we are just prior to "Petrol Gate" with our bacon and egg mcmuffins (other breakfast providers are available)
To our surprise the car park was within the same postcode as the NEC and after a short walk we were there: Hall 12. It's so lovely to see all the new products, that we've been hearing so much about, up close. Colours are more vibrant, textures more texturey. Of note: New Authentique...mmm, Glitz...really lovely, Jenni Bowlin and Echo Park and of course Tim Holtz branded products.
Tim Hutz (as I accidentally renamed him) was demonstrating his new distress markers at the Personal Impressions stand and I spied Sara Neuman (of Sara Books fame) watching him. Fiona and Sue had an encounter with Dawn Bibby and we ate our lunch next to Joanna Sheen.
Speaking of celebs here is the man of my dreams at his demo stand.
By lunch time we were starting to feel the trudging in our feet and backs so we retired to Weatherspoons for a light lunch. We had a giggle about the violent menu which offered "hand battered fish and chips" and "torn chicken" as we discussed our action plan for the afternoon.
The afternoon was spent networking and talking shop. We were very focused until I lost the map. It wasn't my fault, I was distracted by a small group of people destroying a stand full of inks, a bit like one of those scenes where you see someone take a can of beans from the bottom of the pyramid of tins. They managed to bring the entire stand to the floor! including the stand itself....hilarious to watch.
Anyway, because of the mislaid map we had to take 5 to remember where we were heading so we stopped by the catwalk and watched some perky young ladies strutting their stuff whilst I emptied the contents of my bags on the floor in an attempt to find the damn map...I didn't.
Shortly after we decided that our bodies were too weak to continue on and our brains were a big pool of papercraft mush so we made our way home. We stopped at Strencham Services to have coffee and cake to finish our day.
The day was a success. We had fun. The show was good and we have come away feeling inspired and fired up.
Now we're really looking forward to working with some of the products that we saw.
The day began with a dream and I don't mean like Martin Luther King. I dreamt about Tim Holtz, not in a "ooo Tiiim Holtz" way, he just happened to be in it. It woke me and being rather sleepy I wanted to figure out what time it was, good job I checked as it was 7.05am and my alarm had been turned off by my darling son who had woken me several hundred times during the night (I won't bore you with the details.....yet) So off I rushed to the shower, stubbing my toe on the ironing board on the way.
Sue arrived just after 8am and off we trundled to collect Fi. Aside from the petrol station incident, which amused Sue and Fiona periodically throughout the day, the trip up was really easy. The sun was shinning and it was relatively quiet on the roads. We spent our time discussing products and ideas and speculating about what crafting celebs might be in attendance.
To our surprise the car park was within the same postcode as the NEC and after a short walk we were there: Hall 12. It's so lovely to see all the new products, that we've been hearing so much about, up close. Colours are more vibrant, textures more texturey. Of note: New Authentique...mmm, Glitz...really lovely, Jenni Bowlin and Echo Park and of course Tim Holtz branded products.
Tim Hutz (as I accidentally renamed him) was demonstrating his new distress markers at the Personal Impressions stand and I spied Sara Neuman (of Sara Books fame) watching him. Fiona and Sue had an encounter with Dawn Bibby and we ate our lunch next to Joanna Sheen.
By lunch time we were starting to feel the trudging in our feet and backs so we retired to Weatherspoons for a light lunch. We had a giggle about the violent menu which offered "hand battered fish and chips" and "torn chicken" as we discussed our action plan for the afternoon.
Anyway, because of the mislaid map we had to take 5 to remember where we were heading so we stopped by the catwalk and watched some perky young ladies strutting their stuff whilst I emptied the contents of my bags on the floor in an attempt to find the damn map...I didn't.
Shortly after we decided that our bodies were too weak to continue on and our brains were a big pool of papercraft mush so we made our way home. We stopped at Strencham Services to have coffee and cake to finish our day.
The day was a success. We had fun. The show was good and we have come away feeling inspired and fired up.
Now we're really looking forward to working with some of the products that we saw.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Stitches
Yay, it's time! I'm off to the Craft, Hobby and Stitch Trade show (aka stitches) in the morning with Sue and Fiona. Aside from the obvious hilarity that will ensue I'm really looking forward to seeing all the lovely products that old and new companies have to offer and to gather one or two of them to create delicious new projects for upcoming classes etc...
Watch this space, there will be some very exciting news very soon!
Watch this space, there will be some very exciting news very soon!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hospitals...argh!
I hate hospitals. Who doesn't? Having had both my boys by c-section I have had a stay or two in them. With kids it is inevitable that you will end up in hospital at some stage but because they are both so young and both close in age I feel as though I am at a medical establishment of some sort or another every other week and last week/weekend was no exception.
This time it was the turn of my youngest. He's been very poorly all week, I took him to the GP on Friday and he diagnosed him as a "Happy Wheezer". Have you ever heard a more ridiculous term? He gave him an inhaler and sent us on our way. (It's quite concerning to be given an inhaler for a 4 month old). Anyway, I did as I was told and dutifully gave him the inhaler (which he hated of course). He didn't seem to improve but was holding his own until Sunday when he became limp and wasn't able to catch his breath at all. So off to hospital we went.
Whilst we were there he took a turn for the worse, he developed a rash, spiked a temperature. and became so weak that several times I had to put my head right next to his mouth to check he was still breathing. I always try to keep calm and strong for the kids but I must admit that I failed at this point.
Throughout our time in the hospital there were 2 major incidents in A&E. A 2 year old and a 1 year old had been rushed in by ambulance, in separate incidents, and the entire paediatric team were called away for several hours. The department was being run on less than skeleton staff whilst the team were away. When they eventually returned a few of the nurses were crying. Sadly the worst case scenario had played out for the 1 year old. Despite this tragedy and the obvious pressure that they were all under the staff were incredibly attentive and very concerned for my little one. They were thorough with their tests so that when we were eventually discharged yesterday I felt confident that everything was going to be ok.
The baby picked up almost as quickly as he had nose dived, much to my relief, and we were eventually given the diagnosis of Bronchialitis.
In a time where everyone is rushed and hassled and seemingly has no time for anyone else, I saw a small group of people who worked so well together and took such care and pride over their work that I think my faith in hospitals has been restored, at least for now :-)
This time it was the turn of my youngest. He's been very poorly all week, I took him to the GP on Friday and he diagnosed him as a "Happy Wheezer". Have you ever heard a more ridiculous term? He gave him an inhaler and sent us on our way. (It's quite concerning to be given an inhaler for a 4 month old). Anyway, I did as I was told and dutifully gave him the inhaler (which he hated of course). He didn't seem to improve but was holding his own until Sunday when he became limp and wasn't able to catch his breath at all. So off to hospital we went.
Whilst we were there he took a turn for the worse, he developed a rash, spiked a temperature. and became so weak that several times I had to put my head right next to his mouth to check he was still breathing. I always try to keep calm and strong for the kids but I must admit that I failed at this point.
Throughout our time in the hospital there were 2 major incidents in A&E. A 2 year old and a 1 year old had been rushed in by ambulance, in separate incidents, and the entire paediatric team were called away for several hours. The department was being run on less than skeleton staff whilst the team were away. When they eventually returned a few of the nurses were crying. Sadly the worst case scenario had played out for the 1 year old. Despite this tragedy and the obvious pressure that they were all under the staff were incredibly attentive and very concerned for my little one. They were thorough with their tests so that when we were eventually discharged yesterday I felt confident that everything was going to be ok.
The baby picked up almost as quickly as he had nose dived, much to my relief, and we were eventually given the diagnosis of Bronchialitis.
In a time where everyone is rushed and hassled and seemingly has no time for anyone else, I saw a small group of people who worked so well together and took such care and pride over their work that I think my faith in hospitals has been restored, at least for now :-)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Better late than never...
I've finally got my "difficult second layout" up on the scrapbus blog for saturday's class at the Graig Community Hall, Bassaleg. You can view it here . It's been a while since I taught twice in a day so not sure how it will go, especially as I will have the boys with me :-) Fiona and Julia had better be on the ball as my boys will certainly test their patience.
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