The mighty boosh...

Beware!!!! Humongous gob approaching!!

So every Saturday on HS:MS, tis self portrait Saturday. And for a while I became quite sick at the sight of my smiling fromagey mush, which got me thinking about different things I could do - and this, lol, is what i have come up with for this week!! Big, aint it? Lol

We have been shopping for some of Shamus' christmas pressies today, and it was great! Until we had to put something that he had picked up back on the shelf. Ooh he didnt half kick up a right stink!! Im trying to find the Pinky ponk, tombli boos, and higgle piggle. Oh and the ponty pines. Has anyone seen any anywhere? I got Macca pakka and the Ninky nonk today, but the others were outta stock! Darn. They're characters out of 'In the night garden' by the way, in case you're wondering!!

We got him a little keyboard, complete with stand and stool too - he had a play on one they had out in the ELC today and he loved it!! He was banging on the keys like a good un and had a go with the mic too - cant wait to see him on Christmas day!! Thats our entertainment sorted lol and another one of his favourites - Postman Pat. Him and his van - think Jess is in there too.

Now Jonathan Ross wasnt on last night, was it, due to Children in need. I caught a bit of it - and saw the Spice Girls performance. What a load of sh***. I have, at times, felt sorry for Vicky Beckham, but lately there is something about her that really gets right up my nose!! That stooopid face she pulls, looks rather like she is constipated but I think she is trying to pull off sophisticated. And as for the rest of em, chancers now, in my opinion. They were alright once over, but they have well and truly had their day, I think. Take that - glad they're back, though I dont think its for good - ti ti boom (crikey). That rant about the spice girls said though - fair play to doing their bit for charity and all that. Wonder what they're getting out of it though?? Hmmm...

Right, better dash! Have a little something I need to get sorted before tomorrow for my Blog Til You Drop post. I am doing v.v.v. not good with the OU course now. I have two assignments due in in a couple of weeks. Havent even looked at it properly. I think I seriously underestimated the amount of time it would take to get the stuff done for it!! Oh well!! We live and learn.

Au revoir, mes amis, and see yall tomorrow! Shall have a quick peep at your sps's for today, have a fab rest of the weekend!! Its over far too quickly isnt it. Someone should write someone a letter about that, cant we have 3 days for weekend instead of just 2? A bit of collective action, mebbe? Lol TTFN

Charli x

Forgive Me Bloggers....

........for I have sinned. It has been 12 days since my last blog post!!

I was struck down by man flu on the night before our Halloween party, transforming me into Charl - the snot nosed witch (sorry). I have been so busy trying to get my OU course stuff done, that I haven't really had much time for anything else! Apart from taking lots of photos of course, always time for that.

So I apologise in advance for lots of photos, and lots of rambling!

I'll upload my SPS from yesterday first of all, then get on with the Halloween pics and share some from Bonfire night, if you're interested!!

Don't ask what is going on with the SPS pic, I just get so fed up of seeing my geeky smiling mush every week that I now try and think of something a bit different to do. And of course, pouting is not allowed is it, according to you know where lol, however, if I had a pout worthy of sharing, it would be thrust upon you like it or not!

So this was me (below that is, just to save any confusion lol), at our Halloween party! Half my makeup came off (believe it or not lol) due to me blowing my nose constantly. I even took the 'tooth wax' off (this cool black stuff you can stick to your teeth instead of actually colouring them in with something, as I was contemplating doing) eventually, because it was slowing down the scoffing/munching process. I made a pumpkin soup, which was lovely, and a pumpkin cake too! Now I was worried about how the cake would turn out, because of my problem cooker, but it worked!! And it was good - did some orange butter icing for it - yum. I was in a mad rush so didn't end up with my broom, left on my 'a bit high tech for a witch' digital watch, and also one hoop earring. I did make a mental note whilst I was doing my makeup and before I had put my witches outfit on, to remove the earring, because I was starting to look a bit like a pirate, but it slipped my mind! And the hat that I so loved. It wouldn't stay on my humongous head, complete with wig. I still think the scariest part of my outfit was my fringe.

Now, as you can see from these pictures below of me and my sis, we absolutely hate Halloween lol, this is us, getting into character.

And this is Shamus Snr. in his home made 'just been attacked' come 'one of the affected from 28 days later' outfit. His makeup was fantastic - he really looked like he had been hurt!! The cuts and bruises, bits of torn skin - ewwww - looked a little too real. Freaky bunch - aren't we? This is my Ma and Ray posing for a pic as Catwoman and Frankenstein - loved both their outfits! Young Shamus was a bit freaked out by Grandpa Ray's mask at first, but he got braver as the night went on.This is Shaun snr below, with his Mum and Dad, and my brother Jack, far left at the front. Note the ghoul that Shaun is holding onto at the back, created by his fair hand, to scare the local children coming for 'Tricks or Treats'. This year, I thought I'd mix things up a bit and get some plastic spiders and worms and stuff to put in amongst the sweets. I saw a few unimpressed faces, when some kids pulled out spiders instead of sweets!! TRICK mwuahahahahaha. Some kids don't really want tricking do they, they actually just want toffees or money. In fact most kids!! I read something on my sisters my space page which made me chuckle the other day - talking about swapping parts of outfits to maximise profits when out trick or treating.



Just have a look at my sisters face on this pic below. She was in character all night, and it was hilarious. Shaun Jr looks slightly worried I think - she looks like she is about to kidnap him!
And this is my little man in his skeleton outfit. Well part of it - he wouldn't wear the rest! He had a load of fun, and was mischief making and making the most of having two sets of grandparents around. My Dad should have made an appearance and didn't bother. Shame that, because he missed a really great night.
And the award for costume most likely to make you pee yourself with laughter goes to......Melissa, my sister. I swear, I was double over with laughter most of the night. She reminded me a bit of that granny of No 42 with the Kumars, and she does a mean impression of her too! Its the teeth that do it! But she was hilarious. There's something about being around my sis, that makes me feel like a giddy teenage girl again.

To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each others hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. Clara OrtegaAnd here are some of my pics from our bonfire night last weekend. Having a play with shutter speeds and what not - here's my ma .....


...and here's me trying to get an impressive sparkler picture. Check the one after out. Can you see what I was trying to achieve, and failing a bit miserably?

I was trying to write my name in the pic below, but I ran out of space, and only managed 'Cha'. Ay dear... Have a look at our 'hard as nails' friendly neighborhood heron below! Never moved a muscle whilst these fireworks were going off! Might be because he is made of stone lol didn't even notice it when I was taking these pictures!

So there you go. That is it from me today (that's it?? lol), I have got a couple of crafty things I want to share with you but Ill pop them up tomorrow now!! A layout and a few other bits, and another scarf I should be finishing fairly soon too.

I'm really looking forward to catching up with you all - I had a peep at a few blogs last night, but I will get round them all by the end of today! Have a great rest of the day, and thanks for stopping by!

Bleepin blogger.....

I'm typing this, whilst I wait for the blogger to (hopefully) upload my pics again. Somehow - I don't think its going to be happening! I keep getting an error message :(

I'll give it one last try and upload the pics to photobucket if it still doesn't work, failing that I will have to ask for help!! Ah - its done it...

So the above photos were taken on my web cam, as I was suffering from cant-be-arsed-erenteritis, a common complaint I believe - and I therefore had no motivation to fanny about with my SLR - I mean, that would have actually involved going downstairs for it!!! Naaaaa...... anyway, the web cam didn't seem to be working properly. I kept clicking on the darn thing and nothing seemed to be working, until I heard a really loud noise that sounded like a gunshot (almost causing me to fall off my chair) because I had my speakers turned up far too loud. Apparently, the camera had a three second delay on it, and took three photos, one of me normalish, trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, one of me getting more confused, and the final one with me getting near peed off, because I couldn't fathom it out. If only it had took another, when the loud noise had happened - would have loved to have seen my scared mush! And on a brighter note, at least it isn't one of those annoying CHEESE!!!! pics that I usually do for Saturday lol
This next one is of my little man - I love it! He was pulling some really funny faces whilst trying to get the lid off his shampoo. I have a few others of him contorting his face into all sorts of expressions. You could be having the cackiest of days, and you just have to look at him and he'll flash you this gorgeous smile, and nothing seems to matter. Discovered yesterday that he is sensitive to something in tomato ketchup, and it cant be the tomatoes because he eats them like apples! Momos, he calls them. His little face came out in a red rash, so shall have to investigate further - it happens with a few other things too.

We went to see our friend's 8 day old baba yesterday - how cute!! He weighed 6 pounds at birth and was teeny, cute chubby little cheeks and he was sticking his bottom lip out!! I was slightly worried that I would get all broody, as us women often do in the presence of cute cuddly wee ones, but no! I mean, I would love loads of kids, but I still remember those early days, well. The ones where my boobs felt like they were going to drop off with the initial pain of breastfeeding and a very hungry baby, the exhaustion of sleepless nights, the pain of going for a simple wee etc. Mind you, it was a wonderful time and I loved it - NO STOP, no more babies for me just yet! Unfortunately, my Shaun is still in the 'getting to know softly' stage, so when he went to stroke the baby on the head, it ended up being more of a hard pat. He then proceeded to ransack the house, pulling off expensive model cars from a table and other mischievous tricks. What fun!

And this final pic, is some of my little man's artwork! He loves painting, getting it all over his face and hands. He ended up with a little streak of green paint under his eye, which ended up looking like eyeliner, with him resembling a young Russell Brand/Johnny Depp in pirates of the Caribbean, minus the facial hair of course - made me chuckle! Only trouble is now - its one of the first things he goes for in my craft room, shouting PAINT! PAINT! And attempting to squeeze it out of the bottles on the floor. Bless. So now, I better go, but not before mentioning its my turn to post over on Blog Til You Drop today - pop over and have a looksee? I'll be doing it shortly, hope the pic upload starts working soon!

Thanks for stopping by - I will catch up with your pics now, and then post my BTYD stuff! Have a good day folks!

Chickening out again.

Good evening folks! Well, I am late for posting this pic, was supposed to do it earlier but I was told off for messing about, and told to hurry up and get my butt out of the house, so I had to do as I was told (this once, of course)!! So much for me being brave and baring all after last weeks 'hiding behind the altering' discussion lol

So this is me today, with pores like potholes, and eyes squinting from the sun (and not giving someone evils, as it looks).

Today has been a great day so far, things have just 'gone right'. Dare I put those words in quotation marks, for fear of being added to the blog of unnecessary quotation marks?? Had a peep at that the other day - quite funny!!

I am trying my bestest to be productive in the ol crafting game but it hasnt been easy lately - it seems like no matter how much I do, I never seem to be getting much finished!! Never mind, keep plugging on.

Isn't it funny how your tastes change as you get older? Here comes my weekly Friday Night with Jonathan Ross review lol - Take That last night - love em love em love em all over again! Back in the day, I was a Mark Owen/Jason Orange kinda girl, my sis had a thing for Howard Donald!! I used to take the mick out of her but I think she picked the right guy in the end! Second in line to Gary of course - who I now think is lovely. Dont know what it is about him! But there you go.

So, I shall skidaddle now, and try and get some stuff done! Didnt get round the blogs yesterday - its just been mad busy. But I will do, promise!!

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the weekend!!

Do you know what??? I nearly forgot! I have been nominated for the you make me smile award, by Hazel and Caroline! I should be nominating people now, so here goes, and in no particular order!!:

1. Suzy B
2. Bobs
3. Sharon
4. Fairycakes
5. Hazel
6. Angela
7. Ninnie
8. Mrs B - Mary ann
9. Louise Sampson
10. Pokettiger

I awarded you guys, some because I love reading your blogs, and they really make me smile and cheer me up on the dull and dreary days, and a few of my team buddies from UKS -who are just a talented, fab and supportive bunch of ladies!!

There are loads more of you who make me smile but I could only have ten! Actually, I was nominated twice, does that mean I get another ten??

Yikes....

.....its self-portrait Saturday again. Well, I have been less naughty this week and actually posted a clearer pic of me, devoid of weird and wonderful colours, shocking pink skin, wild blue hair and eyebrows, etc.

I know I'm not on my own when I say that I'm still not entirely comfortable with this self-portrait thing; I like to hide behind the freakishness of the over-altering I tend to do, to my pics of me. Why is it that it is so hard to take photos of ourselves? The weekly prompts are a good thing, and a real challenge for us I think!

I have received my next pack of DT stuff, and have to say that I am really really (10 reallys) chuffed with it!! Bev Todd of Crop Til You Drop, asked all the DT members to write a wish list, of stuff they would most like to see in their kits, and I can safely say that I got all things on that list, plus a whole lot more. Really looking forward to getting started with them, and I'm going to have a wee go tonight. We have friends coming over though, so I cant spend too long at it!!

We're having 'a drink', which usually means rather more than one drink, occasionally ending up with us singing for our lives on the 'singstar' game for the playstation. Hang on a minute, I think I have some film of Shaun and Mark singing.....just thought again - you wouldn't be able to hear it for my music on my blog would you? I'll have to root it out and get rid of my annoying music for a day or two. We have pizza, and nibbles, and wine and lager. Oh and most important of all - chocolate!! So I will have to get some pics of our shannanigans, and post tomorrow. I don't think they will be my SOS pics though lol

Ok folks, I shall skaramoosh (or whatever the heck it is that he says), and try and get some of this LO done before our mates arrive! Oh and dont forget to check out the Blog Til You Drop challenge, you'll be eligible for the monthly DT challenge competition!! Last months winner was Rebecca Nash, Rebecca regularly enters our challenges, her entries are fantastic - come on over and have yourself a go! There are fab prizes up for grabs!

They call me 'Cop Out' Charl...

Ello. Alas, I have opted for a 'in the style of Warhol' type picture, which helps to disguise the fact that I look rough as {insert your own word}. Spots a plenty - bags under't th'eyes and all sorts. So this is me today!!

Hooray!! I'm actually doing OK with my course now - managed to get loads done so am pleased finally!

So today, I'm driving along in Shaun Snr's car (i dint think I need to put the snr bit really do I, like my nearly two year old would have his own set of wheels tut tut) with my little man beside me - Shaun snr (look, I've done it again) was trying to fix Sherman for me as he is a bit poorly, so we ended up in his Celica. Lovely car, but guess what its not? PRACTICAL!!! I hate that word! But anyway, young Shamus and I were singing along to 'Hey there Delilah' by the Plain White T's - love that song! And I thought to myself - what can be better than this? My little man, happy beside me, singing and dancing away, giving me the sweetest smile - what a good boy I thought to myself - just perfect!

But then, something changed. I swear I saw a little glint appear in his eye, and Shamus the Mischievous was back in town. He then proceeded to try and open the car door, whilst we were driving at speed! I made some sound, I think it was a scream or something, and then slowed down as carefully as possible so the door didn't fling wide open and drop off its hinges. Unfortunately, because the car does not seem to be made for kids AT ALL - you cant turn the little thing that cars usually have to put the child lock on. So I proceeded with extra caution down the A6 to my Ma's house. Not content with trying to open the door, he decided to try and pull the car out of gear, and also destroyed some of Daddy's CDs. Whoops.

Is anyone having a do at the Cybercrop this weekend? I opted out this year, after the shananigans of the last one. People got a little crazy about the mystery kits and such, and some people weren't very helpful at all - it was my first one so I had a few questions, and the response I got from a minority was less than helpful, lets say!! Plus, Ive had that much on I couldn't have done it even if I had really really (10 reallys) wanted to. If you are having a crack at it - enjoy!! Some of the classes from the last one were really fab.

Right cockers, I shall depart, and have another look at this course, before going to make our curry for tonight. I wonder who is on Parky tonight? Harry Conick Jr was on last week - I didn't realise that was him!! Its the guy from Will and Grace isn't it? There is something about that man - very nice! And I must confess, I have a bit of a thing for Colin Firth. Don't know what that is all about. Al Murray, pub landlord, however - yak! Do not think he is funny in the slightest! If anyone one else does, I'd love to hear from you, maybe its just me!!

Thanks for reading guys, and TTFN! Have a fab rest of the day!

Sexy socks...

Hello guys. I am having one of the most uninspired, unmotivated days that I have had in a long while! I shant scare you with yet more pics of my miserable mush - couldnt face it today! So I shall share with you my favourite pair of really funky and 'with it' socks lol, that is a joke, of course. I think what attracted me to these was the similar combination of colours used in the 80's/early 90's ridiculous socks - you remember the ones where you used to wear one of each colour? I had a few pairs, and thought i was the bees knees in them as a youngster. Just one of my very many fashion faux pas as a child, another was the cycling shorts that I never had off (I did change them daily, just had many pairs lol). They did a text in on radio one for the worst outfit you had ever worn - and I texted in about my trusty cycling shorts, that I wore to a wedding!!! Needless to say they read that out on the radio!!

My Ma N Pa tried to get me to wear pretty things, dresses and skirts and such, but as I was a complete and utter tomboy, and as stubborn as a mule, I refused point blank. They did actually manage to get me to wear one once on holiday - I hated it! A flowery skirt and top, just not me at all! So when we got back - I stashed said skirt and top underneath the drawers in my room, never to be found again mwuahahahaha - I soon changed tactics though when I started trying to get into the pubs and clubs a little earlier than I should have been doing lol

Final thought - did anyone watch Jonathan Ross last night? I love that guy - he totally cracks me up. Love love love Jamie Foxx - very charismatic. But what do you think of Beth Ditto? She gets a lot of flack, but I think she is really pretty, and came across really well last night. And I love Peter Bjorn and John - that Young Folks song with the whistling - just fab! (Michael Ball ain't my cup of tea though, sorry!)

K guys, TTFN, have a great day, and, if anyone has seen my Mojo, can you tell it to get its a** home please?

Thanks for reading!

It's A Boy!!! And another dodgy pic...

Good evening all!! I'm a bit later than usual, I have been uploading my challenge over on the Blog Til You Drop Site, I'd love it if you stopped by and had a go!! There's a sneak peek over there on the left. There have been some brill challenges on there, well worth a peep. And all challenge entries from challenge #6 to #10 are entered into the mothly DT challenge competition!

Now, first things first, my self portrait for today. I used the chalk and charcoal filter in photoshop today, because, as my hormones are running riot, I am spotty as hell. Think pizza only with as many toppings as possible (yuk that makes me feel quite sick lol). And the photo is now a little more forgiving (only a little, mind lol) - I couldnt bear to subject you poor people to another week of dreadfully shocking S.P.S (not that they will vary much from week to week unfortunatley for you poor lot lol)!! The hangover one was bad enough last week - a few people said to me - cor you're brave aren't you, putting that up?? lol.

And secondly - I just want to get one thing straight, for anyone who isnt sure - my Shaun is a boy!! I know, I know, he has long hair - but I cant bear to cut it - its so cute and I love his little curls. He'll probably kick my butt when he's older - Mother, how could you, you weirdo, you have ruined my street cred etc etc? The amount of people who say - 'isnt she gorgeous??' lol lol - I dont dress him like a girl!! I guess it's different for me - to me he is a proper lad - as boisterous as they come, real rough and ready. He looks like a boy in the face, to me!! I would love to know what you think!! That's a pic there of him with his grandad (Shaun's Dad) when we went for a meal for his Nanna and Grandad's 30th Wedding Anniversary. Looking incredibly boyish to me lol

K guys, thats it for now, have a fab rest of the day and thanks for reading!!

Oh sugar - I nearly forgot, I cant leave without having my daily weather whinge!! I know how you all love it...lol - only joking ;o) but it has been much better today, round our neck of the woods. I swear Im solar powered, feel so much better when there's a spot of sunshine about!!

TTFN Guys

Recovered at last!!

Crikey, what a day. It took me ages to recover from my self inflicted hangover! I was quite sick. Serves you right I hear you cry!! And I agree. And I am never drinking again....lol

A few pics of us when we took Shaun to feed the ducks today - he was throwing another of his familiar wobblies. Hence the pained expression on my face as I had had to go and capture him, after he tried to make his escape. Not good when you feel like sh**! But hey ho... Not done much today, visited the rents, then an 'oh what fun!!' trip to Asda!! Im making a curry for us tonight, and I could eat a scabby donkey, as we say up North, so I cant wait!!

As promised - the card and LO I made using the HOTP personal shopper kit for October from Crop Til You Drop. I made both of these using the fall collection of papers. This kit comes with some really cool embellishments too - I really love the Mondays Metal self-adhesive squares, and there are self-adhesive baubles from Heidi Swapp in there too - you get plenty!!

HS:MS - Hungover....

Sincerest apologies guys for an absolutely shocking photograph.

I am Charlene, and I am hungover. We went out last night for a few drinks in Garstang, and I am feeling very rough. So this is me, warts and all, no makeup apart from the mascara from last night - how terrible, didn't even take it off!! No hair done, nothing! Have the ol peepers closed because I couldn't quite cope with the light from the flash, and did not have the motivation to take this photo on Manual setting! Speak later maybe guys, shall upload a couple of projects I have done with the Hot Off the Press Personal Shopper kit from October, I'll pop a link in to it later.

HS:MS Self Portrait Saturday

Soemone made me very angry.................
Only joking - just wanted to make a boring photo a little more intersting lol, wont be around much today - mums birthday do tonight - so will have loads of pics to upload tomorrow!! See ya then X

PS dont i look scary!! I know i do usually, before you say it X