photos

Merry Christmas Through the Years

December 23, 2016 by Anne Sweet 11 Comments

As it’s Christmas I’ve been looking back and choosing some Christmas photos from my collections.
To start off, here is one from this year and our visit to Father Christmas at Hatton Adventure World.

I realise that my babies are growing up and it won’t be long before visits with Father Christmas are a thing of the past. I do hope the girls keep the magic up a bit longer for the Little Man though, he’s only six.

Going back a year to 2015, here is another photo with Father Christmas.

This one was taken at a Breakfast with Santa event, so it was still morning time. The girls were still quite believers too, and that was only a year ago.

Back a bit further to 2014 and this was the Little Man’s first Nativity play in Reception Class.

I think he makes a really good sheperd, don’t you? Nativity plays are also fast becoming a thing of the past. In fact the little man was just singing this year and didn’t actually take part in the nativity, that was for the younger children.

Now, back to 2013, and it was rather a strange Christmas with Star being in hospital just before and then having her first operation and the halo fitted for the first time. We had a very special Christmas Angel that year. I have a collage of pics from that Christmas to share.

It was also the first Christmas that we spent in our new house. So, a very mixed up year for us, especially as I’d lived in the old house for 24 years.

Back to 2012 and we are at the German Christmas Markets in the City Centre.

I’ve not taken the kids back there for a while, it’s way too crowded, too cold and the kids don’t really enjoy walking around market stalls. If it was full of rides like this I think they would be interested, but for the last few years they have only had the carousel, the big wheel and the ice skating rink. It doesn’t help either that it’s all separated now after they close down a walk through area and you have to walk all the way around to get to the other attractions. I have been there myself though, up until this year I have met up with friends for a bit of browsing and a cup of Gluehwine. Unfortunately, I would not feel comfortable in those crowds in my wheelchair.

Next it’s back to 2011 and we are back in the old house.

A very excited Boo was showing the Little Man how his toy worked. I don’t think he looks too impressed does he? He got his own back later by trying out his brand new skill of walking with Boo’s new pushchair.

Six Christmas’ ago and back in 2010 it was The Little Man’s very first Christmas.

He was our very special Christmas Pudding, look he’s even pointing to his name 😉 I know, he doesn’t look too happy, would you if everyone was joking about eating you up?

Before The Little Man there were the two girls.

Way back in 2009 amongst a sea of gifts and wrapping paper.

I could keep going back, but for now I’m going to leave you with an even older photo. This one is back in 1983.

Christmas is a time for memories and I’ve been indulging myself with this post. Way back in 1983 I had these two very special people in my life, my Mum and my Nan. They were messing around in this photo as they very rarely drank and the cork was still in the bottle! They knew how to make Christmas special though, it was always a real event with lots of food, fun and family…so much family, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, grandchildren…all day long people would come in and out of our house, bringing presents and good wishes. I lost my Nan in 1996 and my Mum died Christmas Day 2008. I miss them both so very much, especially at this time of year. I only hope that my children will grow up with as many happy memories as me.

Black Friday Super Deals

November 25, 2016 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

It’s Black Friday and love it or hate it there are always some great deals to be had.

I’ve been asked to share a few really good deals with you today.

Printerpix

PrinterPix Have some fantastic deals on site with up to 75% off, just think of the lovely Christmas gifts you can create! You can also purchase now and add your photos and create your products later, so it’s a great time to take part in this promotion.

Lakeland

Lakeland is one of my favourite shops so I’m thrilled that they have some lovely offers with 50% off! A big shout out to my future hubby or anyone wishing to buy me a wedding present tomorrow hehehe.

My Geek Box

My Geek Box have some fabulous offers for you.

Shop:

· 2 for £35 on Christmas Sweatshirts, or £19.99

· 10% off full price lego (selected lines)

· 3 for £20 construction kits

· 3 for £18 gifts

· Up to 80% off Tech

· 3 for £22 on Pop Vinyl

Subscriptions:

· £3 1st Lite Geek Box – Code: LITE3

· £10 1st Geek Box – Code: GEEK10

· £10 1st Kids Geek Box – Code: KIDS10

Claire’s

Claire’s are offering a fabulous 40% off so lots of lovely gifts to be had there, and don’t forget all those accessories for the Christmas parties.

Create and Craft

Maybe you like to make your own gifts? Create and Craft is a brilliant craft supplies shop and they too have some fabulous Black Friday Offers.

I really hope you enjoy these offers that I have shared with you, it would be great if you let me know of your fab buys in the comments.

The links provided in this post are all affiliate links and will bring me a little bit of profit if you use them. Feel free to check out the site separately if you don’t wish to use affiliate links. If you do, then thank you.

Getting Creative with Photographs

September 21, 2016 by Anne Sweet 10 Comments

I remember years ago when someone said ‘if your house was on fire what would you save?’ I’d always reply my photograph albums, they contained all my memories, so precious.

These days it’s not such a worry. You don’t even have to save your laptop because you can guarantee your photos and memories are backed up somewhere online.

I do still love photo albums though, I feel there is something so relaxing and enjoyable about creating one. Back in the day (I don’t believe I just said that on my blog!) I would collect my prints form the chemist and come home excitedly to fill an album. I have albums for all of my babies, all of my holidays and special occasions, going back many many years.

Here’s one I made in May 1989. The Little boy is my eldest son and the young pregnant woman is me!

I used to buy quality albums which were often leather bound, they had to stand the test of time, just as this one has for 27 years.

I still love my photo albums. It’s great to have all your digital photos online but I think it’s lovely to be able to look through all your favourite photos in an album. Not only that but they are much nicer to share with family and friends too. I’ll never stop putting my photos in albums.

These days it’s much easier with your digital photos, you can click on a site like Printerpix and upload your photos in seconds. Then you can choose which type of album you would like to create and add your prints.

It’s still relaxing and creative completing an album online. Plus you have the thrill of seeing your book arrive when it’s printed. The photos don’t fall out and get lost or damaged. It’s a real book of all your memories for you to hold and share. I can’t get enough of them.

I have made a book to remember our Summer this year. We have lots of memories with days out and three birthdays in the summer. It’s great to have all those memories in a book to keep forever.

I chose a spiral bound 20cm x 20cm book with a vinyl cover. First you get to choose your theme and there are lots to choose from. If you don’t want anything too fancy you can just pick a colour.

I chose the Sunshine theme for our summer book.

Next you have to upload your photos which are then saved for you. You can add to your photo collection at any time.

I picked the colour and photo for the front cover and added the text Our Summer 2016. Then I let my creativity begin.

The themed books come with background and places to put your photos, you just have to drag and drop them into place. You can also change background and text, or add your own text. Here is a page about our trip to Hatton Farm.

You can also add extra boxes to pop your photo in, or even have your photo the full size of the page. In fact you can change anything and everything to suit you. It really is a creative process.

I’ve not had a spiral bound photobook before but I was happy with this one as sometimes the board ones are not so easy to open flat. You just need to avoid adding photos or other elements to the spiral part.

I managed to fit 28 photographs into my book which is a great amount for a small book. I really enjoyed creating it and can’t wait to start on the next book in my collection.

I created my book free in return for this review but it would normally cost £9.95 which I think is great value. The vinyl cover is made from frosted plastic, You can’t really tell from my photo but this is the book with the vinyl cover.

I’m hoping the cover will keep it safe and it will last as long as my old album.

I’m looking forward to creating my next photo book of my wedding reception photos in November. I’m thinking of a nice leather bound photo book with a window at the front for my first photograph. They start from just £28.95 for a 20 page A5 book.

************************Special Offer for my Readers****************************

If you’d like to have a go at creating your own photobook (or any product from your photos) Printerpix are offering my readers a fantastic 60% off site wide with the code RAISIEBAY when you click through this link http://www.printerpix.co.uk/PIXSALE/ The offer is valid until 30th October 2016.

Disclosure: I was sent my photobook in return for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meet The Family

October 25, 2012 by Anne Sweet 7 Comments

I think it’s time I introduced you to my family.
First up here are my older two, Son no1 and Eldest Daughter

Ok, I’ll admit it, this photo was taken 20 years ago 🙂 No1 son is now studying for his Accountancy degree despite having Asperger’s Syndrome. Eldest Daughter is learning Japanese.

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Now here is big girl, who from now on wants to be known as Star!

Of course she is my star, with a 16 year gap she was long awaited. Last year she was diagnosed as having high functioning autism and although things are going well now we have no idea what the future will hold for her.

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I’d like you to meet Boo! so named even before she was born.

She’s my cheeky five year old who never fails to entertain. She doesn’t seem to hear things the way everyone else does which causes much amusement. Especially the time she was dancing around with a stick pretending to be a Biscuit Ear!! (musketeer)

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And here is baby no 5, most often referred to as The Little Man

He might look like an angel, but believe me, he’s a little devil 🙂

So there you go. I do have a photo of me and the Other Half, but that will have too wait because I can’t find it (???)

Here’s some family facts:

Each of my children has a grade of lighter hair, starting with no1 Son’s almost black hair, to Little Man’s blonde locks!

I started with a boy who was born by Caesarian Section, and finished with a boy born by Caesarian Section, the three girls in between were all natural births.

No1 son and Boo have brown eyes, the rest have blue. I have brown eyes, dad has blue.

My first three children are all really tall and lanky, the youngest two are shorties!

My lightest birth weight was Eldest Daughter at 7lb 2oz, the heaviest was Boo! at 9lb.

No1 Son was 10 days late, Eldest Daughter was born 2 hours after her due date, Star was 2 weeks early, Boo! was born 2 1/2 hours after her due date, Little Man was born on his due date. So only one of the five went past their due date!!

My longest labour was 18 hours for no1 son which resulted in an emergency section. My shortest labour was Little Man because he was elective section (i.e. no labour) the others averaged 5 hours!

Eldest daughter was breech up until her due date, she turned and I went straight into labour. Little Man was breech and refused to turn.

Linking this up to 3children and It ‘Oldies but Goldies‘ because even though I’m biased I think my family is beautiful 🙂

(unfortunately I can’t get the button to work but the link above will take you to linky)