The Last Post.......

....of 2009!!

Well its New Year's Eve. I'm in the house with himself, Ollie, the cats, a bottle of Baileys and chocolates to enjoy. As they say, the diet starts tomorrow!!

It snowed tonight, which made driving "fun"! I was pleased to get in! It was quite funny driving through the town centre seeing girls dressed for the night out in their 6 inch heels trying to make it through the snow - well, been there done that (not on 6 inch heels mind!)

So, as I type this there is 1 hour left of 2009. It was an ok year for us actually, certainly an improvement on 2008! We both still have jobs, we sorted out the financial mess that my 2008 redundancy left us in, we had some weekends away (some more successful than others!), my mam's cancer checkups were clear, I discovered the world of ATCs, flickr and blogging thereby making lots of wonderful new friends, I got back in touch with an old friend, I took Ollie to his first ever dog show where he won two rosettes, mam was well enough to do not only the Pink Mile Walk but she also did the Race for Life - I was so proud of her! Also I managed to persuade himself to open a flickr account - not before time!

All in all a fairly decent year.

Lets hope 2010 is even better for us and all of you too!

Disgruntled to say the least!

I'm getting really fed up with the way this country, well the world for that matter, is changing for the worse.

Yesterday, I had a problem with a credit card, phoned up about it and spoke to several people in call centres in other countries who either could or would not understand what the problem was. It is so frustrating when a so called "help"line is actually in reality a "hinder"line. The phone connection was bad and the people I was trying to communicate with had strong accents which I struggled to fully understand and they clearly had the same problem with me. This is not acceptable when you are trying to sort out important financial matters!

Following on from that we went shopping at a certain well known 24 hour supermarket. At the self service checkout (I consider these to be a real cheek because part of the cost of your grocery shopping goes to pay the wages of the shop staff) we had a problem scanning some items which led to a mild dispute with a staff member who called security to deal with the matter! For goodness sake, this was so obviously a customer service issue and not one which warranted security intervention! We were so dissatisfied with the way this was handled that we left the shop without completing our purchase! The upshot of that is that we certainly will not be using that particular store again. No way!

I'm so tired of people who have a small amount of authority in their jobs speaking to me like I'm nothing or stupid. In all of my jobs it has been incredibly important to me to remember "the customer is always right" and to be polite and pleasant at all times. Now it doesn't matter who you speak to, you can expect rudeness, ineptness and to come away dissatisfied. It is a surprise and a novelty when someone is actually pleasant and good at their job - come on people that should be the norm!!

I'm also shocked at the amount of rubbish that people are prepared to put up with. I feel like I'm always writing letters of complaint and wish more people would take the time to do so, rather than just a hard core small group who are willing to stand up and say NO!

Himself says the more crap people take, the more crap will be dealt out. I agree with him wholeheartedly. Slowly but surely we are being worn down so we expect shoddiness and its just not right!

We should all make it our New Year resolution to stand up for ourselves and demand the service and respect that we pay handsomely for.

Rant over!!

Moon

Himself has been experimenting with moon photography! I'm well impressed with the results but he's a bit miffed as the pictures aren't as focussed as he would like. This is because the camera has an auto-focus and it seems a bit baffled by the stark brightness of the moon against the blackness of the night.

Soooo........

Well that's the Christmas madness over for another year! I have to say I did have a great time, despite my traditional bah-humbugness!

Thank you to my fab Dad for a wonderful Christmas lunch and to all of my wonderful friends and family for the gorgeous gifts.

I've taken the week off work and hope to get something constructive done (even though Monday is gone already!!).

I've decided to do a 365 photo project and I'm aiming to start on January 1st. I'm not going to have a particular theme, although I think these things tend to have a way of finding their own themes somehow. I'm not sure where the photos will go - maybe on flickr; maybe on here....watch this space!

Himself is also setting himself a similar challenge and the rivalry should be adequate motivation for both of us, I hope!!

Its Christmas!

Hooray, its Christmas Day! I hope everyone has a magical day!

Blurry Hawkwind

I think I need to be taller..................

Himself doing what he does best........................

Brrrrrrr Again

Had a fab time last night at Hawkwind. The journey was a little hair raising though - all I can say is its just as well I drive like an old lady!! Not the best idea in the world to park in a space on a slope either..........

The snow has now turned to ice and its like an ice-rink outside. I'm not looking forward to driving to work tomorrow - lets just pray for a rise in temperature overnight!

Works Christmas lunch to look forward to tomorrow - hurrah!! (Early finish too :-))

I could really do with another week before Christmas. I think the shopping part is just about sorted but I still have cards to make for my parents and himself's mam. I predict a busy week ahead!

Brrrrrrr

Its everso chilly. We had a touch of snow yesterday which is now ice. Lovely :-s

We are venturing out to see Hawkwind tonight, assuming they haven't been snowed in at Glasgow that is!!

I've been doing some last minute card sortings and I'm about to send my ribbon angels off to their new homes.....I'll miss them! However, one of the ladies I work with gave me some lovely buttons yesterday so I feel a button angel coming on now!!!

I can't believe that its nearly Christmas already!! Last week I had an experiment with a very easy chocolate truffle recipe and was extremely pleased with the result! I'm going to make some on Wednesday night as Christmas Eve treats for my work friends and another batch for the family on Christmas Day. With a little dash of Southern Comfort they should warm everyone's cockles!!

Here come the girls!

Ribbon Angels

I've been making some ribbon angels (idea from http://www.tentwostudios.com/). They are really fun to make and very pretty. I'll take some photos when the glue has dried!! I'm loving paper dolls at the moment!!

Cleaned out!

Well all the cards got posted this morning. I nearly had a fit at the counter though - nearly £10 to send everything!! EEK!! The Post Office is a funny place, its the one place where you take lovely things in, pay money and come out with nothing!!

Shattered!

Spent the evening parcelling up ATCs! 7 envelopes here all ready to ship off tomorrow (if I wake up in time to catch the post office!!) I've been making my own envelopes. They arent perfect but I'm getting there! I find them easier to stamp etc when they are flat.

More fab stuff!

http://countdown.tentwostudios.com
This stuff is simply faberoony!

Pamper Night

Went to a pamper night at a local pub last night. it was a fundraiser for the Macmillan Nurses - a very worthy cause. I had a hand massage and a facial, although I've managed to chip off most of the nail varnish already!!
I had a win as well - a lovely teddy bear :-)
They are doing another night in February - might just have to get along there again! Next time I fancy a glitter tattoo - they looked great!
http://www.glitterbodyart.co.uk/

Amazing Stuff

The stuff on here is just wonderful and I need a 40 hour a day, 12 day week so I can actually make some stuff!!!
http://www.tentwostudios.com/

Free Stuff

Theres some great stuff on here! Check out the snowman paper!!
http://www.freecraftdownloads.co.uk/

Well I got nothing creative done today. Its been cold, wet and miserable all day! I brought a food mixer up from mam's tonight and the cats were thrilled with the box! Marmite got all territorial over it - so funny! If I work out how to upload videos I'll share the one I took of him tonight. In the meantime you'll have to make do with a photo from my Blackberry!!

I won!!!

Totally thrilled to have won a gorgeous birdie from Pixie's blog http://pixiesponderings1966.blogspot.com/
I can't wait for him to arrive - adorable!!!

jilleebee ATCs

Been busy tonight making ATCs for a self portrait image swap. After tearing my hair out for a couple of days I found this image and I'm quite pleased with the result - even taking into account the goofy smile and double chin haha!!

Box of Goodies!

This box of lovely goodies arrived today from http://www.madaboutcards.com/ - how exciting does all that look then?! I feel like christmas has come early :-))

Toys from Santa ATC

Just popped this one on Flickr. I don't know why I've come over all Christmassy - I'm such a bah-humbug type!!

Resurrected Plants

Both these plants have been on their last legs but have burst into flower this week! The one with the orange flowers was a birthday present in July and was lovely until Kevin chewed all the flowers off. I'm so pleased its fighting back. The chrysanth was bought at Asda for about 10p a few months ago. Again, I'm thrilled its come back to life!

Christmas ATCs

The scans are a bit rubbish.

The professional in the family was taking photos too - with a proper camer and tripod - he got some great shots and the best of the bunch will be going on his Flickr later I suspect!

View from under a turbine

Turbines

These are the wind turbines near to where I live. I find them less offensive than power stations; however, having looked into the subject in some depth they are not half as "environmentally friendly" as we are led to believe, especially when it comes to their construction. There is a certain attraction to them though.

Had a bit of a drive out today. Didn't go too far and as I'd not charged the batteries for my camera, I had to use my Blackberry. Have you seen the scary ghost face in the pic below? I wonder what that's all about. It really gave me shivers down my spine when I spotted it.

Ghost Face

Ok, I've done some more fiddling and got just about back to normal but I'm dubious about my new hit counter. It was working fine earlier but has gone to zero now and stayed there!! Is it possible for people to un-view?

I've had a busy night and made some more Christmassy ATCs which are busy drying at the moment - I'll post pics tomorrow.

Vintage Santa Waterfall ATC

Fiddling

I've been fiddling with my blog layout and, as I haven't got a clue what I'm doing, I managed to lose my hit counter and just basically mess up. I'm going to leave it alone for now and hope I can eventually repair the damage!

Icicle Dolls

Well I've just about finished my Icicle Dolls. I've posted them on the forum at AtcsForAll and hope they are up to scratch. The only worry I have is how to get them to their destination in one piece!!

Schmap

Just added the Schmap widget to my blog as they have very kindly used one of my photos! Check out St Mary's Lighthouse (November 09). Lol, I'd best not let the fame got to my head!

Curious Sheep!

Cyclist

This cyclist was going very fast!

Alnmouth

We had a trip to Alnmouth today. It was a bit cold but sunnier than we expected, especially as huge storms were forecast.

Colour among the dying leaves

Colour among the dying leaves, originally uploaded by jilleebee.

This is what I was trying to achieve when I was having photoshop problems the other day. I don't know why but the other picture would just not save.

Friday night again!

Where did the week go? I'm going to spend tonight finishing off some cards for some swaps so I can post them in the morning. Got a few to do so I'd better get busy!
Not sure what the plans are for the weekend - the weather forecast is not so good so we'll just have to take it as it comes.
Pay day today so I popped to my local craft shop for some bits and bobs. I'll have to go somewhere else tomorrow (what a pity, haha) as I need some adhesive paper and they didnt have any. Very handy stuff - perfect for ATCs!
Tonight I got some little clear stamps I could use to make gift tags with - a real bargain at 50p! They also had some Hallowe'en stamps that I really wanted reduced from £8.99 to £4.99. Very tempting. Might go back and get them, we'll see.

Grandma

Today I'm remembering my grandma, Alice, who we sadly lost a year ago.

This is a photo I took of her on her 100th birthday in 2007.

Icicle Doll Rejects!

I've been wanting to join in with this swap http://bit.ly/3ivava on the ATCsForAll forum. I had a go and was quite pleased with the results at first. Its hard to see in the photo but they are made with pearl paper and sparkly bits! The only problem was when I thought about sending them off because their hair (kitchen foil!) would get squished. I considered sending them in a box, which is all very well but then the hostess would have problems sending them on to their new homes. *sigh!* If I get the chance I'll make some more but I'll have to hurry!

Well here we are on Sunday evening again. A bit of an unproductive weekend really. I spent far too long working on a project that I realised in the end just was not working and I was doing for all the wrong reasons anyway. Very frustrating. At least my crafting area got a bit of a tidy up!

Where did the day go?

Just realised the time!! Goodness me, where has the day gone? I've spent a bit too long on Flickr and ATCsforAll looking at other people's work rather than doing my own! I'm trying to make a miniature poppy wreath for an ATC - very fiddly!
There's been more firework bangs tonight than there were on Thursday night, even though its raining. Ollie is not impressed.
Righto, getting back to it now and I'll post some pics later.

War Poems

I was reading some war peoms last night as inspiration for my Remembrance card. I found it very moving and extremely brutal. I think everyone should read it and remember it.
http://www.angelfire.com/wa/warpoetry/

Remembrance ATC - Available

Remembrance ATC - Available, originally uploaded by jilleebee.

I'm pleased with the way this card has turned out. I've used a rather fetching photo of my grandad. The writing is printed on a page from an old book and the background has been aged with...eyeshadow!

Well its Friday night again and I'm rolling up my sleeves ready to get all arty crafty! Hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have lots of new cards posted :-)

La Bonita (Gold) ATC - Available

La Bonita (Gold) ATC - Available, originally uploaded by jilleebee.

The second card I made last night with Maggie's goodies. I'm very pleased with these cards!

La Bonita (Silver) ATC - Available

La Bonita (Silver) ATC - Available, originally uploaded by jilleebee.

One of the cards I made last night with the lovely goodies I received from Maggie.

Well I had a bit of a creative night and managed to make two cards, which is unheard of for a work night! I'm, waiting for the glitter glue to dry and then I'll upload some pics. The cards are made from goodies I received in a recent swap and I'm quite pleased with them.
Just waiting for himself to get out of the kitchen so I can hop in there and knock up a quick curry for tea!

A Follower!!!

Hooray!! Thanks Cheryl, you're the best :-))

I dont mean to sound pathetic but please be my first follower!!!!

Tuesday

Brrrr its cold. Strange day - strong winds, torrential rain, sunshine. Mad weather!

I've had another bash at Photoshop and I think there must have been something wrong with the photo I was trying to use, which is very sad. I uninstalled and reinstalled Photoshop and it still wouldnt work. I've also scared myself witless reading horror stories on forums about people who have re-booted their machines and then not been able to open ANY of their photos - EEK! What a nightmare that would be.

Argh, I'm having photoshop problems! I did a very nice black and white picture with a few colour bits, saved it as normal (jpeg) and I cant open it. I've never had this problem before and its doing my head in. Double aargh! Stupid photoshop.

Sunday afternoon

Had a little drive out. By gum it was cold and windy! Fortunately the rain stopped so it wasn't too bad.

Took some pictures:-

The First Step!!

Ooh this is exciting and a bit scary! I've decided to create this blog today. Not such an easy task as you may think because Betty kitten has decided that she needs lots of love today and has been climbing all over me. She's completely lacerated me - I feel a bit like a pin cushion! For reasons known only to himself, Marmite decided to chase her around earlier and there was a great deal of howling, wailing and scuffling about. Marmite tried to look innocent when I caught him but it was a bit difficult to carry it off as he had a lump of Betty's fur hanging out his mouth.
Well, I'm being harrassed by Himself to tidy up my crafting area. I admit it is a wee bit of a mess and the sitting room is not the best place to work. Ok, so my little crafting corner is gradually creeping right the way through the room........perhaps I need to get a bit organised. Is there any such thing as a tidy crafter/artist though? I'll do it later........maybe.......
The weather out there is minging. Wet and windy and very dull. Himself really wants to go out and take some photos and is extremely dischuffed with the yuckiness out there. He's now thinking he might be able to get some mean'n'moody pictures up the coast somewhere. Should be fun. I'm going to dig out Ollie's coat (if it still fits him. He's put on a few pounds since his operation earlier this year). Mind you, Himself doesnt like going out in public with Ollie wearing his coat!! Tee hee!
I had a fab night last night. Met up with an old friend and her partner and we went to a local pizza place for tea. I had my first experience of Tapas. Actually it was lovely - the spicy potatoes nearly blew my head off though! Worked out quite expensive and the more I think about it I'm convinced we were over charged for our drinks. After that, I went to the shops with Himself for some bits and bobs and when we got back we had some salad (bargain pre-made salads 9p each!!!) and watched Pet Semetary. Even though I've seen it loads of times before I had to take a bravery pill before going up to the loo in case I came face to face with Victor Pascow!!!! Himself bought some bargain DVDs......the Passion of The Christ, Borat (which I'm convinced we already have) and ...... Iron Man. Good grief. He'll never watch any of them - I guarantee it!!
Yesterday afternoon we went to a small local harbour and took some photos. There was a woman down on the beach with her horse and her pomeranian dog (strange mix!). The horse had been having a dip in the see (a bit reluctantly) and then decided to have a nice roll in the sand! Not a sight you see every day.
I'm hoping to get some cards made later on today. I'm working on one for my ATCs from the Darkside group but I'm having a few problems with it. Its coming out a bit cartoony which isnt really what I wanted. Its based on this photo by Himself http://www.flickr.com/photos/42957180@N03/4028735031/
I'd hoped to get a few more Hallowe'en cards done too. Technically its a bit late but I can look forward to next year!
Ok, going to get ready to go out now. And so ends my first bloggeration (new word of the day!!) Howver, as I am extremely gobby, no doubt I will be back later on!