Catch up...

Hello, What a week I have had, three day's at work has really wiped me out. Its a shock how having time off and then returning back to work can have such an effect on you, both emotionally and physically.

We have managed to confirm our holiday for Gabrielle's birthday as we were looking on a site with a thread just like UKS and there were rumours on the thread about what you actually will get as part of the package and also about the accomodation.... Very pleased to say that we will be getting the same as we did in the Disney Hotel..... infact they were really helpful on the phone when Paul explainied the importance of the holiday and they even offered to get us into Castle Club at the Disney Hotel......

I have been really busy making matchboxes for the Fete in a couple of weeks time and will be starting my flagbooks later... I also will be making a picture using Gabrielle's foot prints... so best get to it... ohh I heard from Scrapagogo and I might have a place on their third getaway next year .... still having a think about it as I can be quite nervous in unfamiliar setting, especially if I don't know anyone.....

Also I was asked this week to take examples of my work into a little shop in Writtle as they maybe intereasted in selling, sounds like fun, but I am worried they won't like my stuff (fingers crossed) xxxxx MAGIC AND SPARKLE xxxxx

Circle Journal 2nd Post

Above is some photo's that I took of my first Cj that I recieved from Krystal Majic (Jacqui). I found it quite hard working on a smaller scale..... as I not have as much room to play around with to get all my bits and pieces placed on... and the letters were larger than I anticipated to label my layout... ( Can't wait till Christmas as hopefully as I have been a very good girl I should get my Cricut Expression!!!) would have made life a little easier....

I have continued making all day.. more matchboxes for the fete....and hopefully will have my last batch finished by tomorrow evening as I want to get stuck in making some flag books. I did pop into Chelmsford this morning and went into one of my favourite shops.. Tickety Boo.... Oh my the shop was full of bits that I wanted a true girly shop.... but with Euro Disney booked I need to save my pennies... It was really hard.... But I did manage to buy a little plastic jar with a catch on it will be perfect for my stash.... xxxx Back to work tomorrow; must go get organised xxxx MAGIC AND SPARKLE xxxx

Baby Pink Project and Challenge

Last weeks challenge on UKS was to complete a layout on something that you are proud off and without a doubt of course I was going to complete a layout of my little girl.... (another layout in pink....). It was while I was completing the project and the journaling as part of the challenge that really made me think how very special my little girl was.... ohhh I miss her sooooo much.. you could not imagine.

Our little girl was born at home at 26 weeks gestation, before the ambulance arrived weighing 2lb 2oz (feet first, which is why we called her Twinkle Toes). Gabrielle spent 4 and 1/2 months in hospital on NICU. And if you were to look up the problems that a premature baby could have my little girl, had them all and some of them presented several times. We were very realistic during our stint in hospital about Gabrielle's chances of survival, but as soon as the problem arrived, it was gone and our little girl bounced back stronger.

The Cerebral Palsy, was a result of a bleed that Gabrielle had on her brain at 4 day's old and it was bilateral, affecting all four limbs (Quadrapegic Dyskentic Athetoid Cerebral Palsy). Our little girl had a list of medical problems as a result of the CP, but I tell you she was one of the healthier children from her little group of friends. I think that it is why it was such a shock when we lost her last year.. no warning..... Gabrielle always had a smile, even when she was really ill (even with Menningitis as a result of her shunt)... the doctore would say, she looks happy and I would really have to stamp my feet and insist that I knew that she was not well. Maybe in the end our little girl was tired and did not want to smile anymore.... xxxxxx

So here is a picture of the challenge and also there are some pictures of a Manekin that I completed, it was a Cyber Challenge on UKS a while ago I think (before I was addicted and logging on).... more photo's of our little girl as a baby... to look at them you would think that she is a new born, Gabrielle was infact 4 months old!!!!!

MAGIC AND SPARKLE XXXXXXXXX

More yummy cupcakes xxxx

I just cannot get enough if cupcakes..... I went to a class at SUDAR AND SPICE and made this little mini album.... I just love it.

I added some photo's taken at Gabrielle's third birthday and was really pleased as her little outfit matched the colours....

The class was very involved and we used lots of techniques but I am really pleased with the result and think that the cupcake looks good enough to eat xxxxxxx MAGIC AND SPARKLE xxxxxxx

I am sooooo tired xxxx

I am sooooo tired, I went back to work on Thursday and it has been a big shock to my system.....but really enjoying it. I am changing the line of my work focussing on additional needs and inclusion... Had a great meeting today and will be running Baby Sign hopefully later this year....

I have not completed any Lo's or work for 2 day's or been on UKS... having withdrawal symptoms now...... I did pop to Artbase and have bought myself a little wooden manekin to paint up and then attach a mini album, following a challenge that was placed on UKS, following on from an Oscar's theme.... fingers crossed it works out ok..... Anyway I need to finish this weeks challenge and also get painting... also have my CJ to finish and some bits for Karen's Fete.... WOW!!!!....best go and do some work.....MAGIC AND SPARKLE.....

Matchbox Minibook

I completed a course the other weekend at Sugar and Spice making a matchbox mini book, I had so much fun. It was really good making something special out of something used witin the home without a second thought. During the course I did not bring any photo's and felt a little left out towards the end as everyone was finishing their little project off, adding their little bits to the tags... and it really made their projects.

So I decided to finish mine and then made one for Paul for Fathers Day adding a selection of his favourite photo's and I must admit I got a little carried away with my new Stamps... It gave me a real boost once I stared adding my own little touches... whilst I was in the course I was really aware that everyone else was busy with theirs and I felt a little blank as to what I would do with mine...but I feel that it really came together.

I have also decided to tidy up and finish my Projects book, as I have a couple of layouts that need some photo's placed on, and I have also made sure that they all are dated...... With this in mind I am now realy keen to get started on Karen and John's Wedding album... so I am going to chase her for the photo's.

Well, I am off to a Cupcake Mini Albim morning on Saturday... this should be so much fun xxxx MAGIC AND SPARKLE XXXX

Back to Disney for our little Princess xxxx

We have booked to go back to Euro Disney for Gabrielle's birthday.... as when Gabrielle died we said that we would go back to the princess castle to where sleeping beauty sleeps and let off some balloons on her birthday... So we took the plunge and just booked it today, without thinking... we really can't afford it, but as we know life is too short and we do not want to let our little girl down.... So we are really excited..... we are going to stay in Disney New York Hotel and have even booked the Suite; Empire State Suite... VIP, just like we did for our little girl last year..... But to our suprise the Park will be open from 8am till 11pm and then there is Firework display.... three long day's...MAGIC AND SPARKLE XXXXXXX