Christmas film review #13

The most wonderful time of the year stars Henry (the Fonz) Winkler. A single mother is a busy career woman with the 'perfect' life (great job, house and a boyfriend). Her Uncle arrives for the Holidays and brings along a stranger he met at the airport (a cute young guy) and aks for him to stay. Guess what ?? There is romance and a happy ending! **1/2 (2.5 out of 5)

Christmas film review #12

His and Her Christmas is a film about two rival newspaper columnists competing to save their newspapers and jobs. In the process they fall in love! This is somewhat sickly sweet in places but quite amusing too, probably not one for the children as they wouldn't find it that interesting. **1/2 (2.5 out of 5)

Character Strengths

I have just been on Jessica Spragues blog and she is offering a free place for one of her classes if you complete the 'VIA Survey of character strengths'. Jessica explains how to register on the site and how to complete the 240 questions that make up the survey.

It sounds a lot of questions (well it is!) but it really doesn't take much time to go through them all, unless you keep pressing the previous button instead of the next button like I did!!

So my strengths are;-
1)Humour and playfullness (not sure if this is something to be proud of at my age and out of all the 0ther possible attributes I could have at the top of the list!)
2) Fairness, equity and justice (I think is totally true and has gotten me into trouble in the past! If I believed in star signs then I would put this down to the fact I'm a Libra!)
3) Honesty, authenticity and genuineness (quite like this strength)
4) Kindness and generosity (definitely one I am happy to have!)
5) Capacity to love and be loved (how sweet is that!)

I think it is really interesting and I hope to go back sometime in the future and take the test again as I am sure some of the answers will change depending on what has been happening in my life! It is also interesting to note that Jessica Sprague has completely different strengths to me.
Her top strength is creativity, ingenuity and originality, which doesn't even feature in my top 5.... does this actually mean anything?? I am not sure I am that original at the moment as it seems easier to follow rather than lead where I am now, but that hasn't always been the case and I am not sure it will be in the future either! In fact Jessica and I don't share any of our top 5 strengths!!
Jessica suggests tagging others to complete the survey and find out their strengths so I am gonna tag you! Yes whoever is reading this post, go on take some time out of your day and try it and see what you come up with. I would really love to see your answers please post them back here in the comments. Also if you complete it prior to Tuesday post the answers on Jessica's blog as you might win the class! The link to the test is here I would really love to see what it says about each of us and compare notes!!

Christmas film review #11

Christmas do Over is the hilarious tale of a man who has to relive Christmas Day over and over and over again until he realises his past mistakes and makes amends.

I laughed out loud whilst watching and the children are big fans of this fantasticly, funny Christmas film. ****/***** (4/5)

Christmas film review #10

Deck the Halls is about a widow and her son Ben, moving back home so she can work in her Father's toy factory. Ben tries to set up his mother with their neighbour Nick, who Ben believes is the real Santa.

This film is packed full of the Christmas spirit and is the best Christmas film I have watched so far this season! ****/***** (4/5).

Please note there is another Christmas film with the same name that hopefully I will watch and review.

Christmas film review #9

If you believe is a film about Susan, who is far too busy for Christmas. She is totally caught up with work and seems very mean. She is visited by 'Suzie', her younger self (who only she can see) and through this child's eyes she learns to live and love again.

This film was ok but again lacked some of the Christmas sparkle that I look for so **/*** (2/5)

Christmas film review #8

A Golden Christmas is the tale of a single mother who plans on buying her parents home (that has remained unsold) as a surprise for them at Christmas. She is started to descover they have agreed to sell it to someone else and immediately takes a dislike to the buyer. The film features a Golden Lab (or is it a Retriever??) which I think is where the title comes from!

Although this was mostly a non festive style film the message of childhood friendships affecting our adult lifes was quite poignant. So rated ***/***** (3/5)

Christmas film review #7

Home for the holidays. The parents of 3 young children are killed in a car accident. Left with huge debts the bank seizes all their assets and they are going to be homeless (and sent to an orphanage) for Christmas.

Fairly sweet film in places but it just seemed to be lacking in something and not really very festive so only ** out of ***** (2/5)

Christmas film review #6

Chasing Christmas is a take on the great tale of a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I really like this style of story and this is a fairly good comedy version starring Tom Arnold. He is transformed from the grumpy guy to the good guy with lots of adventures on the way. I was disappointed in the ending as it didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but I still rate it *** (3 out of 5).

Christmas film review #5

I'll be home for Christmas is about the Bundy family in WW2 awaiting their sons return for the holidays. Despite having a young Courtnay Cox playing the soldier's pregnant wife, it just seemed dull. So I don't recommend watching this one so only * (1 out of 5) This film is from about 1997 and it was really difficult to find a decent image for the film but you get the idea!

Christmas film review #4

A Christmas Romance stars Olivia Newton John as asingle mum with 2 kids living in the mountains, when an eviction notice is served, in person, by the bank. He then has a car accident in the snow as he lives and ends up 'snowed in' and stuck in the cottage for a few days. There is lotsa snow, no running water, no electricity and no heating. He begins to appreciate the simple things in life and to develop a relationship with the family.

This film was enjoyable but didn't quite fufil my expectations so I rate it ** (2 * out of a possible 5*)

Christmas film review #3

The Man who Saved Christmas (Cert U) is a fact based film about AC Gilbert an American toy maker. In the film his toy factory is required to produce munitions instead of toys, to support World War 1. He stands up to the American Government when they suggest cancelling Christmas and he becomes known as 'the Man who saved Christmas'. Another heartwarming Christmas film, set in an interesting political era which I enjoyed though not sure that very young children would like this one as much. I rate it *** and a half stars! (3.5/5)

Christmas film review #2

The second Christmas film I watched this year was ' Booky and the Secret Santa' (certificate U). It is the tale of a family in Canada, I think set in the Depression, as there is no work and very little money. Booky (Beatrice) befriends an older gentleman Mr Eaton and believes he may be the real Santa. This is a sweet film about a family coming together when all the odds are stacked against them. Another feel good film that I rate as *** (3 out of 5).

IDIC card making challenge 'Wings'

This week over at IDIC the challenge is to create a card with the theme 'Wings', this could be anything with wings, birds, butterflies, fairies, angels even aeroplanes!

This week the DT had a chance to use a digi stamp fro Eiglas and I chose to use the image Britney Fairy described as 'the UK's first chav fairy, check out the Uggs and the Burberry kilt'! I used the image to create a birthday card for DD's friend as I think it is perfect for a teenager.

I have used another Craftwork Cards scalloped card as a base, with one of their sentiments, I coloured the image with Promarkers and a couple of sparkly Sakura pens. The background card is DCWV with some added bling.

Please come over to IDIC to see all the other cards from the DT and don't forget to enter for your chance to win this weeks prize.

Children in Need 2010

Yesterday was Children in Need here in the UK. It is a televised event on one of the main UK channels, BBC1 and is a massive fundraiser. This annual telethon is now in it's third decade and has raised millions of pounds to help disadvantaged children and young people across the United Kingdom (the total in 2009 was over £39 million!).

We watched some of the show with the children and recorded the rest (over 6 hours in total) but we could fast forward through parts of it. The show is a mixture of entertainment with singing from pop stars like Cheryl Cole, Take That, extracts form West End shows and amusing sketches/dances from non singers/dancers!.

The highlights for me were the ladies from Loose Women performning the Girls Aloud hit 'Promise' and the news readers paying homage to Lady Gaga. But my favourite was a surprise .... from the 80's, I love so much of the music from that era plus I can remember all the lyrics, so I was really excited to see Heaven 17 perform 'Temptation' (but they, like me, have aged somewhat in the last 20 plus years!). I was amused by several other 'acts' including East Street ( a meeting of Eastenders and Coronation Street) and the take on Strictly Come Dancing. Did anyone else watch any of the show (or was it just me!!??) What do you think of Children in Need??

There are nationwide events around the country in aid of this worthy charity and DS's school was no exception. They had a cake sale and I could not resist these Pudsey cakes (he is the yellow cuddly bear mascot) so the children (and their 2 friends) had one each.... yummy!

How cute is that cake??!!

If Christmas is here I can indulge....

In light of the premature (in my opinion!) arrival of Christmas in my house, I felt obligated to start embracing the season in my usual favourite fashion......

watching a Christmas film! I don't usually start quite as early as this but if I can have Christmas cards through my letterbox I can have Christmas films on the TV!!

I love watching Christmas films and every year I record as many as I can on the Sky plus box and then I work my way through them..... it's great and really make sme feel festive! It drives my hubby slightly crazy as he says all the films have similar stories eg boy meets girl, girl already has a boyfriend but by the end of the film she realises the new boy is her true love and they all live happily ever after. Another example is the family tale, all upset and/or apart at Thanksgiving but all together and happy at Christmas! Etc etc you get the picture.

Christmas film review number 1 'A Christmas Angel'

An elderly man recruits a lonely young woman to help with festive acts of good will. A feel good film about helping others, friendship and thoughtfulness. ****/***** (4* out of5*)

Look out for more of my reviews as I work my way through the films currently showing on the Movie Channels!!

Christmas has arrived.....

Christmas has arrived! How do I know?? I got my first Christmas card through my door over a week ago! My aunt is obviously a lot more organised for the holidays than I am, but I am feeling behind with many things including crafting, housework and Uni assignments!! I'll get there in the end just need to start writing my lists and getting into gear!

I haven't actually started writing any cards yet this year but I will have to start soon. I must confess that I don't actually send many handmade cards. I usually just send them to close family and friends, plus a few crafty friends ie those who will appreciate them lol! The majority of my cards are bought, usually in the January sales and all sent second class so I can save some money!

I did use the fab Snowman image from this post again and made three more cards.

I actually prefer these 3 simple cards to the one that I made for the challenge. I made them at the weekend when all my plans went awry and I didn't get to my girlie weekend away due to bad trains, sickness and general complications (sorry girls I missed you all xxx)

Rememberance Sunday

DS and I went to Church today for the Rememberance Sunday Parade with cubs. He did an excellent reading from Luke 6: 27-36 which really struck me, it speaks of doing good to your enemies. I don't have enemies as such, but there are a few people I have ''issues'' with and would rather avoid them at all costs as opposed to actually going out of my way to help them..... mmmm food for thought.

The service was very moving, especially as people from the congregation shared some personal experiences of life in the services, including one man whose best friend died in his arms in the midst of a conflict. I thought back to....... the Falklands, where my friend Simon was onboard a ship, the Gulf war when I wrote to several guys I met in REME, my Grandad whose battleship sunk in WW2 he survived, helped others and got a medal for his efforts (subsequently stolen from my Uncles house... why??!!)

We stood outside in the rain listening to the 'last Post' followed by a retired serviceman reading

'they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. We will remember them.

When you go home tell them of us and say For your tomorrow we gave our today'

IDIC card making challenge traditional Christmas

This week over at IDIC it's an easy Christmas challenge using traditional colours, which for me are green and red with a touch of gold.




I have used the really cute 'Bella the Snowlady' image by Robyn's Fetish which I totally adore and have 'paper pieced' it together (which is useful as my colouring is not great!) I am going to be making a few more cards using that gorgeous snowman.

Please visit I Did It Creations Challenge Blog here to see some great cards from the Design Team and to enter this weeks challenge... you can do it!!

Winners of the celebrating friendships blog hop prize

For a part of the fantastically brilliant Celebrating Friendships Blog Hop I set everyone a little challenge to identify the 7 blog friends I described. See this post

The answers are:-
1. Mel
2. Jo
3. Jackie (though sadly she couldn't make it on the blog hop)
4. Kate
5. Cal
6. Sian
7. Amy

Do pop over and visit their blogs as they are really great!

So, there were only 3 entries to my competition and of these 2 were correct so I have decided to send them both some stash to play with. Congrats to K and Mel. Please let me know your snail mail addresses so I can get something in the post for you both xxx

Advice on 'should I get an iphone'???

So blogging friends, I value your opinions greatly and hope you are able to share some of your wisdom with me in regard to my next mobile phone contract.

I regularly read on blogs (quite possibly your blog!) about great applications on the iphone that can be used in relation to scrapbooking ie different photo apps like hipstamatic, pin hole camera or even bazzil colour matching!!! Obviously there are scrapbooking apps too but many of these extras cost money so not sure I would be spending out on that many of them anyway!

Is the iphone 4 much better than the 3??? Is the iphone really just a fashion accessory that I feel I have to have as so many of the cool kids have it (ie all my big neices and nephews!!)?? Will I get just as much out of say an HTC phone?? The cost difference is pretty big between an iphone and an HTC android one so I would save about £19 a month with a better package if I go android!! How do the cameras compare ...any ideas??Decisions decisions!!??**!

So what mobile do you have? Are you even bothered about the latest apps available? Would you or do you use any of the scrapbook related ones??

Thanks so much for taking time to read this and I will really be grateful for any views at all! Hubby has spent a while researching for me as my current contract ends soon and he fell in love with the ideal android phone and ordered himself one today!!!

Look forward to reading your top tips/pros and cons/for and againsts etc etc in this debate that is ongoing inside my head!!

Free class with Jessica Sprague

I have just received an email inviting me to join the talented Jessica Sprague in a freebie class!

The class is free to everyone and Jessica says that the 10 day class will cover 5 different paths to inspiration... words, music, art, tools and play. Each theme will have projects and different techniques to use no matter what your art form is.

Like other online classes it will be archived for you to use in the future should you not have time to follow it now or complete it. So what have you got to lose?? Going sign up for 'Inspiration Everywhere' here and join in. I might even see you there!!!

IDIC card making challenge Holiday Colour Mix Up

I am sad to say that Scrapping with IDIC challenge blog has closed down so I will no longer be part of that DT and will miss the challenges. However, every cloud has a silver lining and I have been invited to join IDIC card making challenge ! It is very exciting to be part of the DT but also rather nerve wracking as they are all so talented.

The first challenge I have done is Holiday Colour Mix Up. The object of the challenge is to make a holiday card but use a non-traditional colour combination of another Holiday. For example, I have made a Christmas card using the pastel and white colour range, more asscoiated with Easter. But you could use Valentines Day colours in red and pink, Halloween orange and black or another holiday colour combo.

I have used Sammi Snowman a digital stamp by Lexi Creations available from Stitchy Bear Stamps. The weekly winner will receive a $5 coupon to use with Lexi Creations if they use a Lexi Creations image otherwise the winner will receive a free digi image.

I really look forward to seeing what everyone creates for this challenge. Remember it is less than 7 weeks to Christmas Day (this was my first handmade Christmas card this year!!!)

Celebrating Blog Friendships

Welcome and Thank you so much for visiting my blog on the way from Nat's blog here, on this exciting blog hop that started with Liz and travels transatlantic, crossing the hemispheres, circumnavigating the globe!!!

I am sooo honoured to be a part of this event and kind of gatecrashed as I wasn't actually part of the class that inspired this all. I have been lucky enough to meet several of the wonderful bloggers in this hop as I have surfed through blogland and sometimes just stumbled across their blog homes. I haven't actually met 'anyone in the flesh' but that hasn't stopped me feeling part of their lives and I have truely made some great friends along the way.

I thought I would set you a little quiz this evening to put your little grey cells to some work, if you choose to accept this challenge there will be a little prize (not sure what exactly but will be some stash probably as easy to post to anywhere!)

I want you to guess who the 7 people are that I am describing below, they are all on this blog tour so hopefully it won't be too difficult! I do normally follow their blogs but have temporarily stopped so you can't cheat!!!

1. This person has wonderful weekly wordles and scrummy recipes. I love her thoughtfulness and the way she shares insights into her daily life, a true inspiration.

2. A fellow nurse and a lover of owls and a hostess. I find her honesty and openess really refreshing and she makes me smile.

3. This person can turn her hand to all sorts of crafts whilst living with 3 furries. Her vintage photos, family memories and layered cards are amazing.

4. A newly wed with a keen eye for home crafting ideas. I enjoy her sense of humour, her excellent taste in TV programmes and the fact that she is living in domesticated bliss!

5. This blogger lives in a prickly patch! Her yearbooks and LO's are so creative I love to look at them all and get ideas, I dream of creating such items.

6. This person likes to pass books from her tall house. For me, her ability to think outside the box (eg on the Lets eat blog hop) is a brilliant accomplishment I aspire to.

7. A blogger from down under host of Lets eat blog hop. I am constantly in awe at the photographs she takes and then makes into fantastic LO's.

Please email me at furrypig3(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk with your answers by 8pm (GMT) on Monday 8th November with the answers from 1 to 7and I will select a random correct answer to win my prize! Have fun!

I am sorry that I haven't created anything to share with you all today but I am typing this away from home so I am limited to what I have. I do need to give you my word/phrase for the blog hop... do you have any idea what it might be??? Okay I will tell you it is simply 'I'!

Please go over to Nancy's blog across the pond in Colarado here to find the next phrase and enjoy the rest of your worldwide travels. You should end up at the fabulous blog that belongs to our hostess with the mostest Jo here. She will explain how to email the phrases/words you have collected to be in with a chance of winning a grand prize!

I can't wait to go on the blog hop myself and see what everyone has done. Thanks to everyone who brightens my world with the thoughts and crafts they share on their blogs and not just those on this adventure. Thank you Jo for inviting me it's been a blast!xxx

I am editing this at 22.40 as realised that my number 3 was unable to join in the blog hop due to illness. It was Scrappy Jacky so would just like to wish her well. Sorry for confusing you all xxx