AAwwww cute jo.

AHard work isn't it nanny, hopefully he'll sleep well tonight now tho.

Thankyou Jo, brilliant idea, don't know why I didn't think of it. My mam said she can make one (she's very handy with a needle) if she can find a pattern. :-)

Kuuushi thankyou for finding those links for me, I didn't think of looking on eBay. Now go and enjoy your holiday! :-)

I'm off to bed now, night all.

AWow everyone must be having a lovely weekend it's been so quiet... Even with nanny back! :D

Glad you're having a good time Kelsey, enjoy the Vatican tomorrow.

Jo that is really cute with your girls. I've just got back from the cinema, we went to watch Annabelle. I don't think I can sleep now after that though! If I wake up to find a scary doll at the end of my bed I'll scream.

Hope Ioan sleeps better tonight nanny (by the way I have no idea how you pronounce Ioan - I'm probably just being slow but I don't think I've heard it said bedore).

And glad your mum enjoyed her make over maisie. My mum had a minor op on Thursday but she's back home now and fine. She's been told not to do anything for 6-8weeks though which is gonna kill her because she's really not the type to sit still and do nothing! Me on the other hand...

I'm off to bed now night all. Just need to check my room for dolls first :(

AMaisie,ha ha, just gone to breakfast club, I have an hr to myself to get ready for work, not bad sleep for him, 5.30, I am knackered tho,forgotten how relentless it is, but saying that I was very young back all those yrs ago.

Sugarluva, Ioan is Welsh for John, his grandads name, and you pronounce it I guess like this, yo-an. Or for me,affectionately known as ioeypants.

AAh right that makes sense. Much easier to pronounce it like that than how I was saying it in my head haha. It's a lovely name.

AHe's a lovely little boy,bless him.x

Hi all. Wow wow wow everyone's really quiet!

Jo, fab cake! I bet your dad loved it! Effie is a real cutie :) Hopefully your boss eases up on everyone x

Kathy, I LOVED the Hangover. Hilarious from beginning to end (especially the end where they find the camera photos LOL)

Kuushi, throw a coin in the Trevi fountain for me, cos I haven't managed to go back there!! 23C.. can only dream!

Nanny, I hope Ioan is settling a bit better? He must be as knackered as you are! Mia woke up last friday at 630am, only because she thought it was the weekend hmph

Coooo....  hello-o-o-o  (yep, so empty here there's an echo!)

I could be developing a new obsession which is ALMOST as popular as my beloved 'to-do lists'....

...  spreadsheets!

I mean, they're almost like a to do list.  BUT SO, SO NEAT!

I have different tabs at the bottom and I put titles at the top of columns and highlight boxes or entire rows when needed....

SUCH FUN!

Aoh dear! Come back gray and marvel! Quick! There is talk of spreadsheets and everything :O haha!

This is a spreadsheet I have for my son's party in December...

There's a tab for all the costings

One for the guest list

One for when I've sent out the invites

One for the RSVPs

One for one version of the table plan

One for another version of the table plan

One for gifts (I like to keep a track of who gave what.... and as my aunt has already given Daniel some money, I started the list!)

One for items we still to purchase....

A

Nothing wrong with knowing your numbers!!

I need to sort out my spreadsheet so I can update like you do! At the moment its all manual so to speak!

AHello how's everyone? :-)

Hope everything went well for your mam sugarluva and she's recovering well.

Nanny you must be exhausted! I bet you'd like to go to bed when Ioan goes tonight wouldn't you? I feel a bit like that today, I've been so busy lately.

Speaking of which I've just taken Leah for her flu vaccine. I don't know if you're around newstreet but if you are and if your daughter has the flu jab, I wanted to make sure you know it's available as a nasal spray. It's really for 2-4 year olds (can't remember how old your daughter is, got a feeling she's 3 so she should be ok) but Leah had it cos she's disabled and I'm tired of holding her down for yet another painful, frightening procedure. Apparently they're very limited cos they're so expensive, I had to ask the gp about it, they only offered Leah the injection.

Suzanne I like the sound of your spreadsheet. :-) I can feel a Christmas list coming on soon, I'm slipping this year, I've usually got two or three on the go by now.

How's your mam Lynne? I so hope she's starting to feel better.

Evenin' all - been busy but nothing to show for it iykwim.  Love spreadsheets - I hyperlink all sorts of files.  Still watching my free Paul Bradford tutorials...

Kathy

Morning guys  No posts for 9 hours what's going on.

Maisie you should so get one of those frozen costumes to dress up with Leah. I've still not seen the film yet. Glad your mum enjoyed her make over and is picking up a bit.

Jo sorry thought I'd said the other day I love the boat cake. your girls are so cute.

Kelsey why are you on here when your in Rome are you mad go and enjoy your holiday. Have a great time.

Nanny is Loan sleeping any better, Angel was terrible when she was younger she was always sick so kept me up most nights.

Sugarluva hope your your mum is doing ok after her op.

Hi to anyone I have missed.

Morning everyone!

Maisie, sorry to hear your mum's not well. Is she any better? I hope so!

Kathy, I'm not able to access the tutorial. I clicked on the link Paul B posted on FB, and signed in and got nowhere. I clicked on the link and opened a new account and that didn't work either. Do you have access to ALL the tutorials? Or just some?

I'm crossing my fingers I get an order for some cakes for this friday. If I don't hear back today then it's unlikely I'll get the order. I'm dying to do something creative (that's been paid for LOL)! Otherwise I have no excuse but to paint the bedroom urgh

Urgh painting the bedroom. I never use to mind painting and decorating but I have done it that may times now as I do my mum's to and have moved a few times that I'm just fed up with doing it. I hope you get the order Petitecat so you can avoid it lol. 

I am in the middle of making a minnion cake, I have been wanting to do one for ages My Sp has not gone on as smooth as I would have liked but hopefully won't be noticeable once the arms and legs etc are all on. Angel was off school sick yesterday and spilled tomato soup all over my bed so hopefully I will get finished today as she's back in school.

AMorning all, yes maisie, that's exactly what did happen,I get into bed with ioan, he has a "head"story,don't ask, wait for him to drop off then.get back out,only last 3nights it hasn't worked liked that,I've emerging hr and half later,oops.

The only reason I havn't been.on.her is because of ioan,can't really get on my phone when.he's her bless him. But mam and dad are home tonight.

Spreadsheets? What's that all about then? So behind with things. Lynne,how is you mam?

Can't remember who made the jewellery but that's what I'm.doing today and tomorrow, not really sure what I'm.doing yet tho.

Morning!

Nanny - I made the jewellery cupcakes.  I really enjoyed doing them - and if you need to use large silver dragees, Tesco do some in their baking section that aren't rock hard!  They're like ikkle mini Rice Krispie, covered in choc and then silver.  Quite nice, actually!  And a lot safer to eat! LOL!

So, I have crossed the first item off today's 'to do' list!

I'm aiming (although not convinced I will) to get to aerobics at 9.45am as well as Zumba at 2pm!  

Anyway, better have some breakfast!

Hope everyone has a great day...  catch you later.

TTFN

x x x

Roxy, at least you have a good reason to hate decorating. I just hate it, period!! I promised to do some painting when Mia went to school full time. Er, she's year 1 now and I'm running out of excuses tee hee 

I'm trying to convince myself to get it over and done with so that I have time to do some cake dummies. Thing is, it's not just one wall- it's one bedroom wall, the whole kitchen (our kitchen is big- great and awful at the same time), the stairs and landing, all the friggin doors. I did all the doors a few years ago and they were a total pain- all the little corners and panels.

MOAN MOAN MOAN 

Make me paint a cake and it's done!!

Nanny, not used to your ipad I see! Poor you and Ioan, hope he settles soon!

Suzanne, enjoy your classes!

Morning everyone!

Blimey, what's going on? Currently one member viewing, and that's me cos I'm always logged in even if I'm away!

Thanks for your annoyance on my behalf about the builders  I did email him to explain that it wasn't really right to get defensive with me when all I want is for our home to be sorted, and got a less shirty answer from him. Amusingly (not at all amusing tbh) Southern Water have failed our pipes as there is no ducting on them. The pipes go straight into our hall, and are surrounded by completely solid screed so he's going to have to dig the whole lot up (he doesn't know this yet). In addition, our underfloor heating is there, which is highly likely to be damaged if they're having to go at it with Kangos. The underfloor heating is on one loop with the downstairs bathroom, which is the room we have literally in the last week levelled the floor on and tiled. If one part of the heating gets damaged, the whole lot has to come up. Oh, and if they do this and then re-screed, we can't use our hall for about 2 weeks (front door, stairs!). 

We had a 3 day course Friday to Sunday, which was mentally extremely hard going, with pretty awful subject matter, so are both knackered. And, on the Friday afternoon, 1/2 hour into the 1 3/4 hour journey home I get a call from the Dr's 'we've been trying to get hold of you for ages about your eldest'  Dr comes on the phone to tell me that they've found a nasty strain of E Coli in the sample I took in on Weds, and he needs to be taken immediately to the hospital to be checked. Cue a very worried rest of journey home. Rushed him in (how guilty do I feel now?!) and then spent the next 4 hours finding out that he was getting better  

Oh, and on the international front, my French aunt definitely wants a cake for my cousin's wedding. I found this out on Friday morning just before going out. The last thing I said to her was 'ask x what colours she's having and what flowers'. She said, 'Of course, I'll be in touch soon'. When she didn't reply I assumed that the bride had said she didn't want it. Apparently not. I need to have it finished by tomorrow afternoon. I've not had time to bake it yet. It's a rich fruit for this Friday. It's going to be sh*te.

Anyhoo, how's everyone doing? Kelsey's in Rome I see, but not staying away  Nanny! You're back! Helloooooo 

Maisie, good on you for getting them to do the nasal spray. Why cause trauma when it can be avoided? It makes no sense.

Your boat cake was really cute Jo, love it 

I hope everyone's mums are ok, or at least not in so much pain now. Sorry, I've forgotten who's mum it was, but having her in that much pain is awful, I hope the dr's have managed it better by now.

lol'ing at everyone and their spreadsheets  I wish I was that organised!

I know I've missed loads, I'm sorry everyone that had big news that I've missed out. I think my brain is about full for now so nothing's staying in there - I feel like I should look like this dude ->  with a big plaster to try and keep it all in.

Jean - I have full access - as though I am a paid up member.  I had to open an account and then I was straight in.  I have found them quite long as they are pretty much real time.  Although I have watched two so far (and one he even gave you the price to charge but not in the second one) - I have had to log in a couple of times to gain access,  I did want to know, however, what people thought of his style.  He is always hunting for equipment and I was surprised to see that not everything is edible.  He uses cardboard covered in gumpaste for some parts which I wasn't expecting.  Also - the cakes look very, very dark on the outside - "burnt" my husband declared!  I am going to see what else I can access before my time runs out.  I would persevere Jean as it's an amazing opportunity to get something for nothing!

Blimey Suzanne - you are really going for it!  I feel ashamed now - can't even walk around the block.

Kathy

Lizzy, goodness!! What a week (and more really). Poor you! There's really too much going on in your life but I'm so glad your son is getting better. Summon up some ninja powers to get the cake done for friday (good grief, what's your aunt thinking?). 

You've a tough climb ahead with re the builders- hang in there! Keeping calm, hard though it is to do so, seems to get a good response from him. You'll need to keep even calmer when you tell him what he has to redo. Our electrician turned out to be a bit dodgy. The builders told us some of the things he was doing wasn't regulation (that got me worried), he never turned up when he said he would and I got really shirty when for the nth time he had some excuse or other, he was forever borrowing tools from the other builders, and we kept getting him to come back to fix stuff that didn't work, which was nearly everything he did. In the end, it turns out he couldn't sign the work off but got his friend to do so. We're not on speaking terms but the lights and the switches work :)

Oh Lizzy - you poor thing.  Mother's guilt I'm afraid - it never goes away.  I am glad he is on the mend though.  So this cake.......how is it getting to France?  I can't remember.  It isn't going to be sh*te - you don't "do" sh*te - you will do something lovely and elegant.  Cake lace, a bit of ribbon - it will look lovely......  I can't wait to see it.  Sometimes the last minute cakes are the most inspirational.

Kathy

wow its so quiet on here  i actually popped on a few time yesterday but literally nothing had happened in the time i was gone lol.

Well ive been in the cake room for the past few days playing with pastillage (least said about that the better) and getting all the little bits and pieces ready for these two cakes coming up. All drying happily now so am left twiddling my thumbs :(

May venture up into Ambers room and have a clear out....wish me luck 

Er I haven't started painting yet. I did get all the stuff ready, brushes and so on. But one thing led to another and I'm now watching free videos on Paul B!!! 

Tiddy, I htink this is the quietest it's ever been!!

Thanks chaps 

Sounds like you had your share of rubbish with trades too then Jean! It just wears you down doesn't it? Glad your lights work though, that would be the kicker if they were still up the spout!

My sister is taking it Kathy, but she's going Thurs, and my mum is dropping it off to her tomorrow, hence my panic. 

Oh, I love using pastillage Tiddy, what problems have you been having?

Lol Jean, the painting will be there well after the free access has gone, so really you're just prioritising extremely well...

Yes - it's a bit "Marie Celeste" on here isn't it.......M4rvel's gon AWOL; Gray is in Florida; Kelsey is in Rome....Nanny's only just got her user id released.....There must be a cake slump.  I have been waiting to see M4rvel's medal cake too......  Tiddy I loved the tumble weed photo - very apt.  Now - when is your stuff going to be available???

Kathy

Where's Siany too? Did I miss her going off somewhere in the last few days?

Haha Petitecat enjoy your videos the painting isn't going anywhere is it. I really need to paint my hall stairs and landing but like you can't face all the doors and wooden edging up the stairs and trying to keep the dog from getting streaks in her hair while it's drying. 

Angel has been sent home from school, she has asthma so the cold weather has kicked it off and she is coughing her guts up with it poor thing.

Lizzy I can't believe you have to have everything ripped up and done again it must be driving you potty, hopefully it will all be sorted very soon and you can enjoy your extension. You cake will be amazing as always, why do people think you can just knock one up in a day though. Glad to hear you son is getting better, Mother's guilt eh. I went to London for a couple of days years back with my friend to see Take That in Wembley and my mum had Angel, I had never left her before but was enjoying it and on the last day got a call saying she wasn't well and was off school. I felt awful, it was heat stroke as it was a heat wave at the time and she was fine but I felt guilty all the same.

Suzanne good for you doing all those classes I haven't done my exercise bike for a few days need to et back to it.

Kathy I didn't know Gray had gone to Florida lucky him eh. I have the free videos on the Paul B site and I do find he is always looking for something and people have to pass things into him because he hasn't got it to hand. I do agree the cakes look very dark but he explains things so you can follow them easily and shows you every step with some videos don't, he doesn't rush through stuff.

What have you been making Tiddy?

Wasn't Siany's little boy sick the other day maybe he's still poorly. Wonder when she goes to cake camp.