Rocking My World Friday

Its friday again & I really dont know where the week went! Actually, I kinda do, Kai had 2 days off school which made it feel like the weekend again, but I'll tell you about that in a moment :-)

Saturday we had Kai's friend over with his Mom to play, it was nice to talk to an adult & listen to the kids play, though I have to admit it was even nicer, after a previously busy week, to run upstairs after they'd left, through on my slobbies (a tracksuit for slobbing round the house in ;-), & not worry about messing the place up or doing any housework. Though I'm sure the Mom wouldnt have minded the place in its usual lived in appearance, I would, lol.

Sunday, weigh in day & I lost another 1lb, yay. almost at the 1 stone loss mark. I bought size 12 trousers off the rack & the fit ... seeing my size 14s were very tight at the start of the year I am over the moon, I am noticing the difference. I feel healthier & a bit more confident in my appearance.

Monday, I decided that this would be my day off as I felt hadnt really had a weekend, so I made a few cards. That afternoon I had a phone call saying Kai wasnt very well & was very upset that his stomach hurt so I went & got him. I was told he couldnt come back until thursday due to him having to "spend a bit of time on the loo". Soon as he was out of school he was absolutely fine, actually, he was a lil pain in the bum all the way home! So yay for him not feeling ill etc.

Tuesday & wednesday, with Kai at home it really felt like the weekend. We made cards together and I made one I was very pleased with (as usual, you'll get to see it next week :-) I even felt a little bit lost that I was making a roast.

Thursday, Kai back at school & my name had been pencilled in for me to be on a cookery course next term - I think they're getting the idea that I like these little courses. Its another course to do with Kai, this time after school so we're really looking forward to it. Everyones feeling a bit more positive at my OHs work due to several companies looking at buying it. Nothing is set in stone, & its barely more than whispers - I wish I could be less cryptic but the company is monitoring the internet & I dont want to make waves at the moment .... big brother is watching!!!!

Today, well today I got a lot of praise for the cards I'd made off the other ladies on the cardmaking course, which was lovely, though a bit embarrassing. We're starting to relax around each other now & chatting as a group

So a rather quiet week, but a very nice one as well. How has yours been?
If you fancy joining in pop on over to Celtic House & link up .... which is where I am off to now.

Just one sketch - No photos & layering

I REALLY enjoyed making this layout. A lot of my memories of "little Zack" (as opposed to his rather taller current self ) werent caught on camera as I didnt carry my film loaded camera around as much as I do my digi one so these are recorded without photos.

I altered my sketch slightly to make it suit more layers & the very pretty background sheet.
I am very happy how it turned out.

Cardmaking: first steps lesson 1

As some of you may already know I have started attending a first steps card making course. Lynne (our teacher) shows us a few example cards, shows us how to make them & then we can make our own either copying hers or doing our own.

This is the first one I made, using pretty papers, die cutters, embossing folders, card candi, punches & a little bit of lace.

Looking at the pretty papers Lynne had brought with her I got the idea for this card.
The image on the left is cut out of patterned paper. I also used nesties in the same sheet to get the border for "Make a wish". The crown is a layered sticker. Finally, "make a wish" is a rub on that I used on some off white paper, then cut out by hand to match the nestie (there wasnt one that would ideally fit). I finished off my drawing with pen the border onto this & layering up.

On the inside is simply says "Happy Birthday"

Cheesecake Squares

These are rather scrummy! a baked cheesecake flavour with what basically tastes like peanut or choc chips. 5 weight watchers pro-points per slice (divides into 16 squares)

1 (225g) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup M&M or Smarties candies (I used smarties)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 egg
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar,  
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350f / 175c
2. Beat the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the walnuts and flour; mix well.
4. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture; press the remaining crumb mixture into bottom of a 8″ square pan.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes.
6. Combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla; using an electric mixer, mix at medium speed until well blended.
7. Add the egg; mix well.
8. Layer 1/2 cup of the Smarties or M&M candies over the crust; top with the cream cheese mixture.
9. Combine the remaining candy and reserved crumb mixture; mix well.
10. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the cream cheese mixture.
11. Bake again for about 20 minutes.
12. Let cool completely before serving.

12 goals for 2012 - 2nd update

So how did the past month go in relation to my goals? (to see my goals please check out my post HERE)
1. Lose weight
1.5 more lbs & I will have lost 10% of my original weight. So far this year I have lost 12.5lbs.

2. Exercise
I have worked my backside off with doing things such as housework & walking, I am feeling a bit fitter & am starting to show definition on my calf muscles & torso. I do want to get back into regular, set exercise so I shall push to do that this month

3. Get ebaying & 4.Clear my roof
Havent done very well on this, Must try harder.

5 & 6. Scrapbooking
I have really got into cardmaking again this month after a long, inspiration-less break so this has taken up some of my scrapbooking time, though I have made a couple. Need to find a healthy balance.

7. Blogging.
Every week, yes, every week I have blogged, yay, go me

8.Out & About.
Party crafts has unfortunately finished but I have started a cardmaking course a bit further away from home, twas a tad nerve racking but its full of lovely women. I also started a "playing with numbers" family learning course at the school, unfortunately that was cancelled after 2 sessions as there were not enough attendees.
I also went to a new group today which was very full, very nerve racking & we also turned up late (aghhhhhhhh), but I dealt with it, yay!

9. Career
I have spoken to a lady who teaches crafts & she gave me the pro's & cons of the job. She's also going to find out if I can do a bit of work experience with her to see if I like the job or not. I have been advised to contact her bosses to see what qualifications the job role requires though she thinks it might just be a teaching qualification. All things to look into.

10. Cards
I have quite a nice lil stash pile of cards building up :-)

11. Extra income
Need to put another "Must try harder" here.

12. Debt Free
Still concentrating on clearing my catalogue bill though I can see the light at the end of that tunnel. Unfortunately, with my other half's job in jeopardy, my plans may be scuppered.

All in all I've basically done either very well or not at all, this month I'll try & get an even balance.

Just One Sketch - Minimise

I simplified my sketch, I only used 1 sheet of paper, some letter stickers & didnt even use any embellishments but opted to sketching.

The journalling reads....
"Zack will do anything to get out of tidying his room, especially putting his clothes away.
This includes sleeping under & over a big pile of clean clothes."

I like how this page has turned out, its a style I've never tried before, & the first time I've sketched anything onto a scrapbook page.

Rocking My World Friday

Its that time of the week again & the first thing thats rocking my world is that I can write & POST this on my blog! Our internet & cable tv has been rather unreliable this week, seeing that its the week we get paid its been a tad annoying, so I'm rather glad I'm getting to post this now.

Card making course - I have joined a 10 week course, in an area I dont really know & with a group of people I have never met before (though I do know the teacher from the party crafts course Kai & I were doing). The ladies on it are lovely & very welcoming, many of them did the last cardmaking course that was held before, one has even done it every year since about 2001, including one I attended 7 years ago, she even recognised me :-)
I'm gaining lots of new ideas which I shall share with you soon (internet allowing).

Lost another 1.5lbs this week, not too sure how, must be because I've been sooooooooo busy because I've been a bit naughty on the eating front. This included a delicious pudding in the pub, cant remember the name but it was similar to tirumasu, mmmm, delicious. I'm now in size 12 tops, though size 12 bottoms are still a tad tight, at least I can do them up now though I wouldnt dream of going out in them.

Very proud of Kai for limping all the way to the top of the Wrekin & back down again with the rest of his year group, even though he'd bruised his heel & his shoe get putting pressure on it - He really wanted to go up the Wrekin.

Zack attended a rather cool Japanese introduction session at Uni, they got to do Origami, write their names in Japanese, have some Japanese food etc. I think it would be a rather handy language for him to take up in the future if he still wants to break into the games industry.

Some open careers advice from somebody in the profession

Another course started on Wednesday, this time its play with numbers. We're looking at how children learn maths in reception class. Our kids join us in the second hour so we can put what we've learnt into practice. only 3 people on this course who were very nice, tad nervous about next weeks as there will be more people, but if they're as nice as the others I should be fine.

I managed to catch another bus, my idea, to get Mom & myself back to our local shopping centre. Most of the buses stop there so I find it a good start to build my confidence up.

Its been a busy week & for the majority I've really enjoyed it.
So how has you're week been? Fancy joining us over at Celtic House to share your positives?