TIM HOLTZ FRIDAY & A VERY UP-AND-DOWN SATURDAY

I'm happy to announce that on Tuesday I got my hair hacked off again (I'm just amazed my hairdresser didn't use gardening shears, lol).

Me with Tim last Saturday- old hair - I look like my own mother!

Me with Lin Brown on Friday - after haircut: I look 15 years younger, 1 chin less and 10lb thinner!

First, just to let you know, my camera failed me and I only managed to take around 10 photographs at the Tim Holtz gig.

So I am waiting on my three friends to forward me theirs as soon as they get a chance (we're all v. tired after our couple of days away). As our morning session was with Lin Brown (LB Crafts) and Leandra Franich (PaperArtsy) doing a really fun project - of which, more later...  I only have some of those photos - and none of the afternoon session with Tim! I could have cried...

The camera has been acting up, and it just died - with the viewfinder extended open. I had to recharge it just to get the camera to shut down again. Then it wouldn't work at all. I've only had it 18 months - so yesterday morning (Saturday) I took it straight back to Currys. The manager tested it, and it froze on him as well, so he me an IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT! So, for once, the extended insurance cover paid off.

Much as I love the design, I could have done without the 'girly pink' - red would have been great!  I didn't dare say anything, though,  being as the manager was being so helpful and even loaded the memory card for me.

So back went the Samsung and I now am the proud possessor of the Canon Ixus 105, and as I got a full credit for what I'd already paid (plus the 8mg memory card from the Samsung is compatible with the Canon) it only cost me another tenner! You'll see Amazon (the above link, so you can see pix & reviews) is offering the camera half list price - I paid The Exact Same Price at Currys!

So I'm even more pleased, as I see I got double the value I thought I'd got, and have by some miracle gotten an upgrade. Plus: the manager promised me this one is idiot-proof AND very easy to use. I noticed it comes with a Very Short instruction manual (more of a booklet) which immediately filled me with confidence. I never got off the auto setting on the other one - which did not come with a manual, only a 135-page downloadable pdf, which did NOT thrill me. I started reading, the eyes glazed, the brain hurt and I gave up, and just set onto Auto. I am not a good photographer - I'm stricly point&shoot. It's the digital manipulation (Photoshop, Serif Craft Artist Platinum etc) that I enjoy.

My with Dyan last Saturday at the NEC - in spite of blow drying, some product and finished with a little wax, the hair has gone vertical (but in a very strange way) and is dull and frazzled.

Me - new haircut - with my PaperArtsy/LB Craft painted metal 'bits' prior to a bit of sanding. Ta Daaaah!

Having seen my photos at the NEC gig (scroll down to read that post) I looked like my own mother. So one haircut later, I have (according to my husband, two friends and my mirror) lost 15 years, 1 chin and around 10 pounds - not bad for a £35 haircut!  I feel 'myself' again. I was trying to go for a bob, having got bored with having it so short - but I'm now resigned to it (I used have it long and wear it up in a pleat or French plait) but since it went grey the texture has changed so much that it just doesn't handle the same any more. And it grows so fast I need a trim around every 4 weeks, so colour is out the question (roots really noticeable after 2 weeks, and I look EVIL with blonde streaks...) plus I'm quite happy with the grey.

I think it looks distinguished, plus my glasses make me look vaguely intelligent. On the other hand, what do I know? I just hope this cut doesn't go out of fashion... then I'll be really stuffed... Hair is SO important. If it doesn't look right, I don't feel right.

Enough digression! Back to the Tim Holtz Event:  it was wonderful, 'nuff said, and I shall post in detail later - when I get the other the pix sent through. I got back very late Friday night having travelled with Sue (Designated Driver, with spiffy red car) and Liz (fellow traveller, who also lives in London).

Happy Post Day

Saturday (yesterday) was Happy Post Day - my Vagabond arrived, along with my Tickets, Film Strip and Vintage Market plates!

 

I have various other dies (Tattered Flower, Birdcage etc) and have been using them with my purple Wizard (Spellbinders) but have been wanting to Go Electric for ages and have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this machine! Even Peter (my very long-suffering husband) has agreed the Vagabond is a Very Smart piece of kit which he's quite happy I leave out on display (I have a desk in the corner of the living room). It comes with a sheet of stickers so you can decorate it - or not - as you see fit.

BRAG TIME: At the gig, Tim gave us some fabulous goodie bags, and included was a special commemorative sticker - made especially for this event - for the Vagabond. And I got mine autographed as well! So I'll have to dither around now, deciding on placement of stickers - could take weeks! Decisions, decisions, lol...

That wasn't all on Happy Post Day ... I also got my free book:

If you buy Galaxy chocolate in the special wrapper, eat your chocolate then look in the wrapper - then go online, type in your details and their code ... you get a free paperback! I applied on Tuesday and yesterday got Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - the author of The Time Traveller's Wife! With a free bookmark - fantastic or what? (And how FAST - and I love the chocolate)!

So, once I get all the photos sent to me, I'll do a proper post with full rundown on Lin & Lendra's project, plus Tim's Construction Boxes.