tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51377303183092461872024-02-20T19:55:47.868-08:00Fairy Photo PortraitsThe ramblings of a WAHM!
Fairymaker, Magical Photo Enhancement creationsVickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-32327022569010404402015-06-04T02:15:00.002-07:002015-06-04T02:16:03.712-07:00Until we meet again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEva4KycYqIAtFDOsZ0Rygze2yNvMorIntP_K_INNh1eq9-mxKncejYIf1OjYIOs4vWBdtuHpAfkOIbBh4yu5cK-dThv4U0_86tw5fOL_W2OjY6AmPyeIaT545nImQR2hFCh2TWi8DiY/s1600/containersamplepics_2015_closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEva4KycYqIAtFDOsZ0Rygze2yNvMorIntP_K_INNh1eq9-mxKncejYIf1OjYIOs4vWBdtuHpAfkOIbBh4yu5cK-dThv4U0_86tw5fOL_W2OjY6AmPyeIaT545nImQR2hFCh2TWi8DiY/s400/containersamplepics_2015_closed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After </span>nine and a half years<span style="font-size: x-small;"> of running my business the time has come to wrap it up! Back in 2008 when I set up my business I wouldn't have for a moment dreamed of how much I would enjoy being my own boss! It came at a perfect time, when I needed something to concentrate on - something to get my creative juices flowing and sharpen my skills.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have had some real highs and some real lows but it's been worth every minute!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have been very lucky to have some loyal customers who I have created portraits for on a yearly basis and watched their children grow with every new photo they send me to work with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am not sure if this is a </span><i style="font-size: small;">'forever'</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> goodbye or if one day I will want to relaunch - no one can predict what the future holds but the beauty of this is I know I will continue to have ideas which one day I may find the time to develop.</span><br /><br />I would like to wish all my customers all the very best and hope you all know how much I have appreciated your business.<br /><br />I would also like to thank all the lovely work at home Mums who helped advise and support me in the early days<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - there is a fantastic network of support out there for anyone looking to set up their own business and it's been an invaluable resource for me these past 9 years! I was a member of a number of different </span><i style="font-size: small;">'Mumpreneur'</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> networks and websites and really appreciated all of them!</span><br /><br /><i style="font-size: small;">Lots of Love<br /><br />Vicky x</i><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.enhance-me.com</span></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-44209615879940215902012-09-18T12:07:00.000-07:002012-09-18T12:07:11.036-07:00WINNER of the Creative Competition<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to thank all the very talented children who entered the </span><a href="http://enchantedphotoportraits.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/creative-competiton.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creative Competition</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has taken us a while to decide but I can now reveal that <span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: large;">Summer (age 7)</span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkkpviYgyGxzetilbTdQ1HtJZn33KuBo0_n48V6qVXm8mZnhWJxa2iiXXO14wpEZhN66p3Ltk1vfQas22mgPxCa3FqKsyRoMdbAjPTda7rVEk-5gARHjwnqnlnIUwe-O25B6coeOgCZ8/s1600/377236_4134595516024_770352438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkkpviYgyGxzetilbTdQ1HtJZn33KuBo0_n48V6qVXm8mZnhWJxa2iiXXO14wpEZhN66p3Ltk1vfQas22mgPxCa3FqKsyRoMdbAjPTda7rVEk-5gARHjwnqnlnIUwe-O25B6coeOgCZ8/s320/377236_4134595516024_770352438_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who drew this fantastic Antarctica scene with her and a friend dressed as penguins is the <strong><span style="font-size: large;">WINNER</span></strong>!</span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well done Summer....you have won </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #807269; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A magical portrait</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> created in the same theme as your creation and a 16"x12" poster print.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can your Mummy please email me at <a href="mailto:info@enhance-me.com">info@enhance-me.com</a> a photo of you and your friend for your portrait!? </span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am looking forward to recreating your lovely picture!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-70011858154673554152012-08-27T04:40:00.000-07:002012-08-27T04:41:57.273-07:00CREATIVE COMPETITON<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I last updated my blog! This year seems to be going so quickly. I can't believe my children are back at school/nursery already after thier seven week Summer holiday! Unfortunately the weather didn't seem to agree and it was a pretty dull seven weeks. Lots of crafts, baking and films helped keep them occupied but we missed those long Summer days enjoying BBQs and the paddling pool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter spent a lot of the Summer sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by pencils and paper, drawing. She is very creative and really loves anything arty. I want to share this lovely picture she drew me among many others.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFede0-vhMP9TP00dO0HRxeJkIwlKZ1spNdLWiEv_l1TNan8CvoQ_vdhfhIKUfx3QD8kNSXR22yOom0NWVC2fi3OiFeLjOrO-51v9K4uJueJsQovhxBQ8dqMmCFRyORZrVrnVkg42tkto/s1600/IMG_6658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFede0-vhMP9TP00dO0HRxeJkIwlKZ1spNdLWiEv_l1TNan8CvoQ_vdhfhIKUfx3QD8kNSXR22yOom0NWVC2fi3OiFeLjOrO-51v9K4uJueJsQovhxBQ8dqMmCFRyORZrVrnVkg42tkto/s320/IMG_6658.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love it - she has such a fantastic imagination and this got me thinking! I have decided to run an</span> <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Enhance-Me COMPETITION</span></a>....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tZPxdhVevKNtcDts6LotjkZQG2yDbNPy_2L6pyokkSaxDbsxpEpb8q91dR359ZayXqvDMnTWJxIbRRVaw3W5lx7211x8_t9yi5uPmbbZO4NvZWyZoyLOY7Uu69OSuUaTgC9y9W4O9X8/s320/comp+graphic_aug2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All you need to do is get your child/children to create a picture of themselves in a 'magical scene' - where would they most like to be?...Would they like to be in a fairy garden surrounded by butterflies and fairies? Perhaps they would like to go on a bug safari and ride on a dragonfly! Or do they love dinosaurs? Perhaps they would love to be on stage with thier favourite pop star! They can use anything they want, pens, pencils, paint, collage!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>The Prize:</u></strong> <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/" target="_blank">A magical portrait</a> created in the same theme as your childs creation and a 16"x12" poster print. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>How To Enter:</u></strong> There are two ways you can enter - you can either photograph or scan the picture your child has created and:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A) Email it to </span><a href="mailto:info@enhance-me.com"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">info@enhance-me.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B) Upload it to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe" target="_blank">FaceBook page</a>: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Please remember to include your childs name, age and description of what they have created!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Closing date for entries is <em>Monday the 17th Of September 2012 12 midnight (GMT)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am really looking forward to seeing all the fab creations!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>RULES</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1) Children up to 14 years of age can enter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2) Closing date for entries is Monday the 17th Of September 2012 12 midnight (GMT)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3) Up to a maximum of two entries per child</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Please Note: This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook</em></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-42563188944021887332012-06-02T07:53:00.003-07:002012-06-02T07:53:41.821-07:00Are you looking for a UNIQUE gift for Fathers Day?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiXEgrlPqV65tTWsKwhB_BOA0dKKKLY5shW9uCeCWJ_ywnQp9cAkcmrEixzouvb8ZGMqeTUq8cNHyGA5CKmBRhOD7QOuJFye5WIDCqGBblevXG-yJfTokrE1H-hB8viCabNH7PVSUwVQ/s320/containersamplepics_FD2012.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Are you looking for something completely different for <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/hol_gallery_3.html" target="_blank">Fathers Day</a>?</strong> Why not make the most of our <span style="font-size: small;">SALE?</span> Is you Dad or husband a fan of a particular TV show or film? Does he like fishing or football? Anything is possible!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">SALE NOW ON</span> - visit my website </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.enhance-me.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> for more details. <em>Orders for Fathers day must be placed by June 7th at the latest.</em></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-19897229535023270122012-04-06T14:51:00.009-07:002012-04-06T15:16:23.724-07:00Easter Competition WINNER<div><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Happy Good Friday everyone!</span></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrGi8GAIa9tP7510_mKhzTBDMTP2bphWSD5BttcbEgnP7NkankAW_PY-IVAHQxMYIa8ei8p_gbvJ0ctmIP-QzBOyXN8aNZNCUr1-JYLU3YCb9-yh7rSeTAJu44pghzazL1It1KfjDQmw/s1600/HappyEaster_s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 256px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728412441793281890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrGi8GAIa9tP7510_mKhzTBDMTP2bphWSD5BttcbEgnP7NkankAW_PY-IVAHQxMYIa8ei8p_gbvJ0ctmIP-QzBOyXN8aNZNCUr1-JYLU3YCb9-yh7rSeTAJu44pghzazL1It1KfjDQmw/s320/HappyEaster_s.jpg" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrGi8GAIa9tP7510_mKhzTBDMTP2bphWSD5BttcbEgnP7NkankAW_PY-IVAHQxMYIa8ei8p_gbvJ0ctmIP-QzBOyXN8aNZNCUr1-JYLU3YCb9-yh7rSeTAJu44pghzazL1It1KfjDQmw/s1600/HappyEaster_s.jpg"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrGi8GAIa9tP7510_mKhzTBDMTP2bphWSD5BttcbEgnP7NkankAW_PY-IVAHQxMYIa8ei8p_gbvJ0ctmIP-QzBOyXN8aNZNCUr1-JYLU3YCb9-yh7rSeTAJu44pghzazL1It1KfjDQmw/s1600/HappyEaster_s.jpg"><div align="left"></div></a><div align="left">So<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> the <a href="http://enchantedphotoportraits.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/competition-time.html">competiton</a> is now <span style="font-size:130%;">closed</span> and I am posting here to announce the <span style="font-size:130%;">winner</span>. I had a couple of options when I decided to run this competition - make it simple and whoever posted the correct guess first would win or make it so difficult that people would just have to guess! I went for the former but never thought for a moment that the second entry would guess correctly!! <span style="font-size:78%;">(oops!)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I decided to then <em>mix things up a little</em> to make it fairer and do a draw between all those who did guess correctly and it returned the same winner so it was meant to be!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So a <span style="font-size:130%;">HUGE well done to the winner</span>, who correctly guessed <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>47 eggs 'Emma Sealey'</strong></span> You have <strong>won a portrait in a theme of your choice and an 8x10 print of your portrait</strong>. I am looking forward to creating something for you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span>Thank you everyone for your entries and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe">keep your eyes open for more competitions and special offers in the future.</a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend! </div></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-83299790072398843122012-03-30T03:50:00.003-07:002012-03-30T04:17:55.563-07:00Competition Time<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I haven't updated my blog for some time - I am terrible at blogging regularly and realise this every time I return to post!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Today is the last day of term before the school breaks up for the Easter Holidays and what better way to start the Easter break than with a <span style="font-size:130%;">competition</span>!?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It's simple really - all you need to do is visit my </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">facebook page</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and post a comment here in reply to this post to let me know <strong><em>how many Easter Eggs there are hidden in my Timeline cover photo?</em></strong> The closest guess will <span style="font-size:130%;">win a portrait in a theme of thier choice and 8x10 print</span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Closing date is April the 6th at midday (12pm GMT) (a week from today!)</span> so start guessing and good luck.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>Terms & Conditions:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">- One guess per person</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">- This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">- The winner will be announced on this blog on April the 6th</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">- The prize is a personalised Magical portrait from </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">www.enhance-me.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and an 8x10 print of that portrait</span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-14485986858504961402011-11-04T03:44:00.000-07:002011-11-04T04:09:37.756-07:00Christmas is approaching<p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Christmas</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">(dare I say it!!)</span> </span>is a special time of the year and as we all know it can be difficult finding something that is unique to give to friends and family. <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-Me </a>are launching a few <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/christmas.html">new services </a>in the approach to this Christmas that may just help add that extra sparkle to your greetings! So have a look <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/christmas.html">here</a> at what <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-Me </a>can offer you!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/christmas.html"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 81px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671092406460521730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzsjCv02MuIREkkNGw9Gt55ovV2_EyUEjEuEic-zJOQNnsVhZ9zGQ88eSmAGwn1azhdmtceHIcL64-M_JkrKUMIUfn0roqTOy3EhqzwsQS50IRi1luDzGAHWyU-pTL8aoQX71kO0jx98/s320/sigbanner.jpg" /></a></p><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Imagine your Christmas portrait moving, dancing with snowflakes.... the new personalised E card is a great way to add something extra magic to your Christmas portrait this year!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Cards with Verses…. A chosen Christmas verse can be printed on the outside or inside of your card</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Give your house or workplace a Winter makeover! Brilliant for Christmas cards with a unique twist</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">You can have your personalised Christmas portrait created and <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/greetingcards.html">printed onto cards</a> – imagine your child as the star!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">A huge collection of themes available and bespoke <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/gallery.html">themes</a> created at your request</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last order dates</span> (by which time orders must be places and paid for and I am provided with all the photos and information needed to complete your order) for Christmas this year are:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Magical portrait & delivered digitally (via email) - <strong>Sunday 18th December</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Greeting cards – Designs must be approved & ready to post by <strong>Wednesday 14th December</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Gift Vouchers – As they are delivered digitally these can be purchased up until <strong>Thursday 22nd of December</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Last minute panic?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I might be able to accommodate digital orders beyond these dates. Please <a href="mailto:info@enhance-me.com">contact me</a>, telling me what it is you need, and I will let you know if I will be able to process an order for you.</span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-2606857612397628522011-10-10T02:11:00.000-07:002011-10-10T02:54:42.672-07:00M O T I V A T I O N that’s what you need!<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em><a href="http://joannedewberry.co.uk/competitions/m-o-t-i-v-a-t-i-o-n-thats-what-you-need/">How do you keep motivated when you work for yourself?</a></em> This is a question that <a href="http://joannedewberry.co.uk/">Joanne Dewberry </a>recently brought up on her <a href="http://joannedewberry.co.uk/">blog</a> and it has really got me thinking!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It has been a funny old year for me as I feel that I was far more motivated last year having been shortlisted for a number of awards and won a <a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/awards/html/2010.html">special achievement award</a> in the Mumsclub Awards 2010. But this year, for a number of reasons I have been somewhat lacking my usual burst of energy.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I think one of the most important things about finding motivation is doing what you know or love to a certain extent. If you are confident and enjoy what you do then you will have more enthusiasm for it.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I feel lucky to be in a position where I can work from home – I am not saying that it is easy but it certainly allows me the flexibility that rarely comes with a full time job.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Now looking back across the years that I have been self employed and thinking about what has kept me motivated – even through those more difficult times I came up with this!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">M</span>otherhood</strong> – without a doubt my main motivation was being able to spend more time with my children. I wanted to be able to cherish every moment of their early days – their first steps, tastes, words etc. I felt torn between this and going back to a steady income but I knew in my heart what was right for us as a family and I have never regretted that decision.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">O</span>rders<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></strong>– The more orders that come in the more motivated I am, I seem to work better under pressure! It is so encouraging to receive positive feedback from a customer who is happy with what I have created for them and even more encouraging when customers return and order more!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">T</span>ime</strong> – most importantly with my children. Time to work flexibly too but time is a difficult thing for someone who runs thier own business because it's very difficult finding a good balance - where you are not devoting every waking hour to your work or feeling it is actually having the opposite affect and taking you away from your family. Lack of time is a serious factor for a Mum who chooses to run her own business and is something that we all learn to work around. It always amazes me how much you can adapt to suit your visions!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I</span>ncentive </strong>– my main incentive is my children. I don’t work to make a living <span style="font-size:78%;">(not yet anyway!)</span> At the moment I work to supplement our household income and in doing so I am able to remain at home with my children while they are young. I don’t have to worry about not being home if my children are poorly.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Vigor</strong> – I want to share one of my favourite quotes here: <em><span style="color:#000000;">"</span></em><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;color:#003399;" ><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; TEXT-DECORATION: none; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin"><em>They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor.</em></span><em><span style="color:#000000;">”</span></em> </span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%">Eric Hoffer</span></span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">T</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><strong>alent</strong> </span>– I have never been great at accepting praise but it is something I am working <span style="font-size:78%;">(really & truly!)</span> I have such <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/testimonials.html">wonderful feedback</a> from my customers who say I am very talented in what I do. I know that I have improved greatly from when I set up my business initially and it is the nurturing of this talent, learning new skills and techniques that will benefit my business that keep me motivated during any quieter times.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I</span>ncome</strong> – at the moment I work to supplement our household income but in time I have far larger plans <span style="font-size:78%;">(I want to conquer the world…..Ahem, ok perhaps not!)</span> BUT I do have huge aspirations and a mind that is bursting with ideas of where I want to take my business and how I want to do this. I know that the time to prove I can do this and put my plan into action is when my son starts school fulltime – I will then have the daytime between 9:30am and 3:30pm to make my business work the way I envision it can <span style="font-size:78%;">(and will!)</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">O</span>ccupation</strong> – this is <strong>who I am</strong>, this is <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/index.html">what I do</a> – I like being my own boss, I like having the freedom to make the decisions.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">N</span>ew Ideas</strong> – no business can develop or grow without new ideas and this is a constant factor in mine! I am always developing new ideas and on the lookout for inspiration! It's just having the confidence to develop those ideas, the motivation to put them into action that can lead you to take those first steps towards success!!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:black;" lang="EN-US" >I run <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">http://www.enhance-me.com/</a> a service that specialises in Magical Photo Portraits, I can turn your ordinary photograph into anything!</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;color:black;" lang="EN-US" ><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#c0273b;"><a href="http://joannedewberry.co.uk/competitions/m-o-t-i-v-a-t-i-o-n-thats-what-you-need/"><strong>This is an entry into the JoanneDewberry.co.uk blogging competition.</strong></a></span></span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-84530165395673033752011-08-31T13:11:00.000-07:002011-08-31T13:43:05.133-07:00Summer, what summer?<div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I can’t believe the summer has gone by so fast. It can be stressful having children at home, trying to find activities to keep them occupied, the never ending mess, the constant exclamations of<em> “I’m hungry (or Ungry in Robbies case!)”</em> and <em>“What can we do now Mummy?”</em>, the squabbling and of course the never ending array of toys scattered everywhere, play dough all over the kitchen floor and more sand in the house than in the sand pit!!
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">There are many things about the Summer I love though – I liked the fact that my two children were able to spend more quality time together learning how to appreciate eachothers company and actually play together nicely. Those lazy mornings where you don’t have to run around like a crazy woman getting the children dressed, fed, teeth and hair brushed, packed lunches made, bags packed and everything organised for school. Being a little more relaxed about bedtime allowing us to make the most of those light summer evenings!
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<br /></div></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647117266720427810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SRkMM97kDNzKWbU1eMHFxaPWL50YCdrgsDey54CckdxtGJtH38LdJblQ-n-ELXNNSTfbQORYByKvQquB0EHqT7ZZwTYhK9bnaT63vvO4Qm8jRp0ajxFnIr3L4Nv9vgLbKDPltNTfaYM/s320/milly11_d.jpg" />
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Me and Milly November 2004 One day old</span></p>
<br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Perhaps for me like many other Mums out there its how quickly the time of going that is more of a concern – my daughter has just begun Primary two and she has a wonderful enthusiasm for school but how can it be that she is in primary two already when I can remember the very day she was born so vividly? The realization that I may not have any more children now that I have waved my youngest off to nursery this term is also something I am learning to <span style="font-size:78%;">(but not necessarily liking having to)</span> come to terms with.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></p></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647117259187595922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DRbdWKrddLa409dgOUvhhLeB_iGje5f1DvJFKqANoqmdfJ3tUdnyn7AVmQVRLiNdtmL_dCEE7dAAXsTCbS_J50bukLYw6PsAcelYUij7rSwc5VjKKFcWAwXJvwej84aJ8SQaAK3zzU4/s320/IMG_5706.jpg" />
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Robbie on his first day at nursery August 2011</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Not that I haven’t been constructive with the two and a half hours I have to myself a day. I was all geared up to use this time to <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">work</a> but for those first few days found it hard to concentrate so what did I do? I decided to participate in a competition that <a href="http://www.photobox.co.uk/">PhotoBox</a> were running called 24Live. The idea of it was that every hour they would give you a theme made up of one word or a sentence and those taking part would have that one hour to go capture that theme using our cameras and upload it. Each photo had to be taken within that hour, live!
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">You didn't have to enter all 24 and I only managed to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150264488056701.326500.623871700&l=81225a2af3&type=1">enter 15</a> - I didn't think an all nighter and having to get two small children ready for school in the morning would mix well! It was a great fun, and really interesting at points....some serious thinking went into it at times!
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<br /></p></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647119402733187250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwR0UmBsBBF1dYdvHJIoVSWzq0X82saRj7LhefTvC11WGQ_FmaVWOjtoNyR9VV4sT8aeAZlLbNfc50TLBdi46iFbX6mXf6URMBp9vIBI7aqCs0agbT0SrIcZ3aAxvdMVw2-C5uIeHErA/s320/IMG_6075.jpg" />
<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">The mess of my kitchen creating props for photos!</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></p>
<br /><p align="left"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">What did I subject myself to in order to participate in this competition….I turned the house upside down in order to create props for photos including tipping toys out everywhere and carrying handfuls of sand through the house, I heard myself saying to my husband (during the challenges he was home for ) “What can I do now?”… I realised I was doing this to keep myself ‘occupied’ so I didn’t have to think about how quickly my family are growing up….this all had a very familiar feel to it! But guess what – I have only gone and <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://blog.lowcostholidays.com/2011/08/24-hour-marathon-photo-competition/">WON us a family holiday to FLORIDA!!!</a></span> <span style="font-size:78%;">(courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.lowcostholidays.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">http://www.lowcostholidays.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">)</span></span></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647117260176759746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYkSuWSDFQ1aGw7-d4sMnlsBEc5prSwLN_Nz81xhisC98m0xZTvPhemgWVVsvkIE7UaVBuVFd7-MvVKK6Oa12EsUITQ8C-QNIkQTrZX1TjMxFWJFAov9chBOd6cNyPlhbOCvTIascpvQ/s320/challenge24_putasmileoneveryonesface.jpg" /></p>
<br /><p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">The winning photo</span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-12586221111392102412011-07-12T08:05:00.000-07:002011-07-13T02:17:23.970-07:00Tights Please<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My daughter is six years old and she is <span style="font-size:130%;">very tall!!</span> I always have problems buying tights and trousers for her. They are <em>always</em> either too long or short in the leg but fit perfectly around the waist or they are far too tight around her waist and fit perfectly on the leg! Bit of a no win really! I now need to buy clothing that ranges from 8 to 10yrs in size.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Here in Orkney you never know what the weather will do – it can be sunny one moment, blowing a gale the next and I have <span style="font-size:78%;">(no word of a lie)</span> experienced four seasons in one day on many an occasion <span style="font-size:78%;">(followed by a serious sense of humour failure!)</span> Therefore I will quite often dress Milly in a dress or skirt but rarely with bare legs – here in this household, we love tights! <span style="font-size:78%;">(OK perhaps not my hubby or son! But you know what I mean!)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/">Tights Please</a> are an online retailer who specialise in well……tights! (And various other leg wear) – They have a wide range available on their website which is easy to use and I also noticed that their Postage was very quick! I was introduced to Tightsplease via <a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/">MumsClub</a></span><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628486545932517378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof8rqE6T1zwZcD85DBraIfX8HSTxNk4C5mB1_Fhg457Pl2xfnNHMLnqDdYw5zLJ3lg-kNPlzrBAh7vzChAIuOh_4GByuvr2KiwJnCfh86dBGu17mBUoGfCqnp0c1G87QhBtoNp0cP1kM/s320/tightsplease_review2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I have to recommend the <a href="http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/brands/country-kids/daisy-stripe-cotton-tights/">Country Kids Cotton Blend tights</a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(I received the 8-10yrs for Milly)</span> in Bluebell. A beautiful striped Daisy design in different shades of blue much to Millys delight! Lovely thick tights and very soft….Milly really liked them. They have since been washed and they have not lost their shape as some tights do which is a definite bonus!</span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628486895074509826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ERgfzKBhFGlP0IV66yQ2EOOo6eT1SeMTIlzl4IhkwzKohf8bIbbcY11q4VZH6zZmXrHq-1mzIUA7fTpsv8jrErdqZey4DZqqBq7xYweCSeAhyphenhyphenDzAdqRQVJIyFV7dLnfqtrxLxJ7ZG5w/s320/tightsplease_review1.jpg" /></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Another pair of tights I would recommend are the <a href="http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/brands/sarah-borghi/diamond-opaque-childrens-tights-individual-pack/">Sarah Borghi Diamond Opaque Children's Tights</a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(9-10 on this occasion)</span> Milly loved how soft these were, very comfortable yet they stayed up! <span style="font-size:78%;">(Minor miracle!)</span> I like how they could be worn for formal or informal occasions depending on what they are paired with! They also seem to be fairly hardwearing for Denier tights! The diamond pattern is lovely.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So if you are ever looking for tights for yourself or your children then I would suggest having a look at this <a href="http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/">website</a> for great quality tights and value for money!</span></div></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-81164198678695690152011-05-09T07:17:00.000-07:002011-05-09T07:22:11.462-07:00Summer Soon Sale<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The first <span style="font-size:130%;">official day</span> of Summer 21st June BUT I have decided to run my </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">sale</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> early this year</span> as I plan to have a holiday at some point in the Summer! And the <span style="font-size:130%;">sun</span> is making me feel generous!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604721298264663554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCR4mHFcaXNf6EbOLMsTrHfRzGYaVpyrhmPka4MhBjqDD4Ln6hPE2KcPRE2Un2W11Xe7aKOGonvLTD2s8dghwT4iBx9MBI2mn_UhdEy872q8QKKLXaWCCREvwQwXuhYjhpfrw8IMUdE8/s320/Summersoonsale_container.jpg" /></span> <br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So <span style="font-size:180%;">Grab a bargain</span> while you can in my </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">'SUMMER soon SALE'</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> - (portraits including up to 5 people) for </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/payment.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;">just £12.50</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> - I will be running this offer all through the remainder of this month! </span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-10690380230436501132011-05-05T14:50:00.001-07:002011-05-06T06:13:37.062-07:00A HOOOOOGE box of rainbow Wotsits! Review<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">When I was informed that there was a HUGE parcel being sent to Orkney from <a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/index.html">Jane at Mumsclub</a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(who also apologised in advance for the mess!)</span> I was slightly dubious but of course excited, I like anyone love getting parcels, especially surprise ones! This of course was a lovely gesture given I couldn't make it to the <a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/awards/html/2010.html">Mumsclub Awards</a> back in April.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So much excitement followed (<span style="font-size:78%;">particularly from my two children</span>) when the (<span style="font-size:78%;">correctly described</span>) <span style="font-size:180%;">HUGE</span> parcel arrived at my door a couple of days ago. Much to Milly and Robbies delight it was a <span style="font-size:130%;">HOOOOOGE box of rainbow Wotsits!!</span> Thier description <span style="font-size:78%;">(don't you just love it!)</span> Actually I informed them it is called <span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.playmais.com/">'PlayMais'</a></span> - Playmais is a natural craft material for children which is 100% biodegradable imposing no burden on the environment. It is made from maize, semolina and water, and dyed with natural food colouring.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603586651459235826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB_DPMaHL3nuKcNrAnb_tAsuN-ggmeaiNTMmbpqxPW1uN6Jg_8k1jwRyC7G5b986ul32Z6anrDuFWPu1BLBVwn7w_xRwOhAH6tBSW3Nvv3QLt2EjgmHyt_pfk9JvDvBfFOo50c-e7g3M/s320/IMG_2623.jpg" /><br />Yesterday after school the three of us sat down to give the rainbow Wotsits a go! What can I say - it is <span style="font-size:130%;">BRILLIANT</span>! <span style="font-size:78%;">(Thankyou <a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/">Jane</a> & <a href="http://www.playmais.com/">PlayMais</a>!!)</span> So versatile and easy to use - <strong>no glue</strong> is required <span style="font-size:78%;">(one reason to love it!)</span> just a small amount of water activates the natural starch in the maize to form a glue which will stick to many surfaces including paper, card, glass and of course <a href="http://www.playmais.com/">PlayMais</a>. We had so much fun modelling.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603586645360209810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSxputLC3wDtlOXmWGWin_XCEPO2YXywttw7mVXdLHe27PeNkFQvt_6J03a_akHL5HG2v_Adu2_75lC-UdNQfBfd8VeJzOyXJEkVUgz2tcLqvKDrfsAGr-BmzLQg8ydAHSy7KCesYRks/s320/IMG_2602.jpg" /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My son who is 3yrs old simply enjoyed the fact it stuck together so easily and made snakes....he even attempted a chick which was quite fiddly but the look of glee on his face when he managed to stick a small orange piece onto yellow resembling a beak was wonderful! He was so proud of his creation!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603586651553515362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JSfbM_5QLwG85PoA4OL8V_GLBAZhooGKWvOUkSRoql7thhyphenhyphenu9ncsH0L05dEpumsskhG-01kaeK9adQbfDmQg6eVIqx70ozFvYRefj0iHQuGICi09hgnSK32pWxN5S9EaKC94oPVfmms/s320/IMG_2617.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My 6 year old daughter who is naturally very creative was in her element! She made a castle <span style="font-size:78%;">(not life size though I am sure we could have with the amount we were given!)</span>, a Princess <span style="font-size:78%;">(with my help)</span>, An elephant, Flower, Fox, Tree, Bird, Cockerel and I have probably missed something! I was very impressed with how immersed she became in it!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603589502111855570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR__4ANVRqAd1EWoRTzBSjXUhT87Gf7YNHvU55MBM2n5sM3uSyrhL0gu3H1UGPFnFi8roVJkho-pXhboJgYpaLAuq5e1uPO2s2oW45i-6cNTwCzsgSeS_0wncDrbULZbsLJ_6p6tD07oY/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It is a wonderful tool for developing imagination and the possibilities are infinite - you can cut it, shape it, thread it, twist it and much more. I am going to get them to decorate flowerpots with it at some point.<br /><br />Probably the best thing about it is though it is simple it can provide hours of fun for a child <span style="font-size:78%;">(and adult if you are anything like me!!)</span> of any age as I am sure far more complex models can be created with some imagination. So what do you think of my Dinosaur!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603586654317740178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJwPN9x2m1U0gRJ3k7gGjnXpsiTPoIAJqfHtVERBp9emfMznkNar22PisGE-oxtDXLWmerwy6PkYo_f3mHxlWmaBIMNDDB8LhPbtg1ovn8ZlRuZuljqws_cpu4tkIe4iFrM6Ig89pdWY/s320/IMG_2636.jpg" /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">(This review has not been endorsed in any way)</span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-2711035450054961172011-04-24T02:41:00.000-07:002011-04-24T02:44:01.177-07:00Lovely Surprise<span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Received a message today letting me know that:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.the-mads.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="MAD Blog Awards 2011" src="http://www.the-mads.com/badge/2/MADs2011NominatedBadge.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I will be the first to admit that I am not great at updating my blog so this was a <span style="font-size:130%;">lovely surprise!</span></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-89032223385380437672011-04-11T14:23:00.000-07:002011-04-11T14:40:17.101-07:00365 Project - A year in photos<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I wanted to share with you my <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://365project.org/enhanceme">365 project</a></span>! </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I have always loved photography and having recently been able to purchase a new SLR camera with the Nectar points I won in the <a href="http://www.nectarbusinesstips.com/">Small business Tip competition</a> I decided that I would begin a project for myself. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This was to enable me to learn more about using my camera but also my way of recording a year in photos!</span> <br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594442674747764754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqWM7Koygez7KCTO84jWteS5MaPAVj-qRtBoswjdJCWZf_MrXhYtTJXu3fdpSt1fU4KBOweE8lUYUGxsg4i3_UNH4ojpwYmhZU-7XvtXiZ8l-WuFzEVZGM4DPFBsKCZsuBp4qbuWbFBU/s320/bustips.jpg" /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I hope you enjoy my photos! Remember I am just learning!! Any tips are welcome!!</span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-60549169838732549572011-04-11T14:14:00.000-07:002011-04-11T14:41:55.581-07:00Special Achievement Award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpxJz7n6U4Hz7h10fgQQYb2WjG9JurVc7GhgRYcgvr4BwbVZJvg9l-wB5Yqn_rD-TWybL_AKGlhQ1_LOQPWntr33JAlCPHj_Afm7suKA2BlMi82o0rCU8CnTMZz3ZL0hSBHw14bk6no4/s1600/award-winner-badge.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594444271378756322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpxJz7n6U4Hz7h10fgQQYb2WjG9JurVc7GhgRYcgvr4BwbVZJvg9l-wB5Yqn_rD-TWybL_AKGlhQ1_LOQPWntr33JAlCPHj_Afm7suKA2BlMi82o0rCU8CnTMZz3ZL0hSBHw14bk6no4/s320/award-winner-badge.gif" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It was <span style="font-size:130%;">lovely</span> to be aknowledged at the <span style="font-size:130%;">mumsclub.co.uk Business Awards 2010</span> on the 8th of April. I was given a <span style="font-size:130%;">Special Achievement Award</span></span> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>"For many people distance is a problem but not for Victoria, even though she lives so far away in the Orkney Isles, with social networking she’s never far away; she is well known and well liked on the ‘mumpreneur’ circuit. The volume of votes she received is testament to her popularity. (Thanks to all my lovely friends & customers!) She’s had more than her fair share of heartache too but she hasn’t let it affect her. </em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>From her corner in the Orkney Isles, she quietly gets on with building her empire. She is quite simply a wonderful inspirational mum in business. We felt that Victoria deserved special recognition because of the determination to become part of the mumpreneur community, despite her location."</em></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I was gutted that I couldn't attend - but it was just too far away for me to travel due to various family commitments. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">You can see some fabulous photos from the event <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=business+mum+awards&f=hp"><span style="font-size:180%;">here</span></a> though!</span></div></div></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-34901191679010857362011-03-10T12:02:00.000-08:002011-03-10T12:55:25.337-08:00FIVE Years in Business<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It all <span style="font-size:130%;">began</span> back in Febraury 2006 with this portrait </span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHvoK1Vt7lE7YhlDdAnaJlT1CRjSbxAcWffCBccIX804yzZRExBJ8JynRWSy3Vi8RGi1imDV37krXauE84bAWnv-q8Mjb_CzZRnJkOIkMkUTnXUx_p8AOOVtz4EVUCO06b13_UGY-cPo/s1600/enhance-me_fairy_one_small.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582553703760490066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHvoK1Vt7lE7YhlDdAnaJlT1CRjSbxAcWffCBccIX804yzZRExBJ8JynRWSy3Vi8RGi1imDV37krXauE84bAWnv-q8Mjb_CzZRnJkOIkMkUTnXUx_p8AOOVtz4EVUCO06b13_UGY-cPo/s320/enhance-me_fairy_one_small.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">when I launched <span style="font-size:130%;">my business</span> <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">www.enhance-me.com</a> - I never imagined it would be going as strong five years later! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">And I still <span style="font-size:180%;">love</span> what I do!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This year officially marks <span style="font-size:130%;">5 years in business for <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-Me</a>!</span><br /><br />As a thank you to all of my wonderful customers, anyone who orders a <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">portrait</a> before the end of March will either <span style="font-size:130%;">receive a FREE 8×10 print</span> (<strong>Please note</strong>: only applicable to UK customers) with their order or a <span style="font-size:130%;">10% discount</span>! You are free to choose which offer you would prefer or which best applies!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Here's hoping I can <span style="font-size:100%;">develop</span> what I have in mind for my business over the years to come and eventually, when both my children are at school make it work for me and my family on a full time basis.</span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-79397519793672427232011-02-15T04:50:00.000-08:002011-02-15T05:15:32.540-08:00Third Time Lucky?!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">As many of you will be aware - I have been nominated and reached the <span style="font-size:100%;">finals</span> for <span style="font-size:130%;">two awards</span> in the past year - As a FINALIST in the Mum & Working Awards 2010 for the ’Self-employed parent of the year’ and again a FINALIST in the Mumpreneur Awards 2010 for the Best Online Business!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">A few days ago I received an email informing me I had been <span style="font-size:100%;">nominated</span> for the </span><a href="http://www.businessmumawards.com/html/best_businessmum.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Mumsclub.co.uk Business Mum Awards</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> - What a lovely feeling it to know that someone has put my </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">business</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and myself forward for this!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">And then this morning checked my emails and find and email from </span><a href="http://www.mumsclub.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Mumsclub</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> informing me that I have been <span style="font-size:130%;">shortlisted</span> alongside a number of other inspirational Mums. I was also thrilled to see that </span><a href="http://joannedewberry.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Joanne Dewberry</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> who runs </span><a href="http://www.charliemoos.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Charlie Moos</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and </span><a href="http://www.networkingmummies.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Networking Mummies</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> alongside </span><a href="http://www.networkingmummies.com/lauramorris.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Laura Morris</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 190px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573903599348115538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnWt1VaNnFvMFWzHM4zsIEJ-uuWROVcoIbuFCMXoK7kTTNfiVMOwZhe1l5nfAKVpgBo_o00o8fTYE874EJvaGmWSVyWL80phXFQ8DSQ7fKNdWKZyUgSzOR099_9104d8qPaRsdnvnbcQ/s320/award%252520shortlisted%252520badge.jpg" /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I can't believe that I have reached the shortlists - will I make it to the finals for the third time? Time to put the 'Third time Lucky' theory to the test! Wish me luck!</span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-85832366963856825622011-01-17T13:56:00.000-08:002011-01-17T14:09:18.886-08:00Something Unique for Valentine's Day<div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Show some love this <span style="font-size:130%;">Valentine’s Day</span> with a one of a kind personalised photo portrait from <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">www.enhance-me.com</a>. A completely new twist on traditional Valentine's Day Gift ideas...why not get a romantic magical portrait created of you and your partner? You could be in a horse drawn carriage in Victorian dress. Or in a magically romantic setting with a sunset, flowers and castles.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277862737913314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFY_xCyzY5XmtRvznIR77Js9GEWOqmxLg9h5dfmaApdvb9qHNULb6xNKmBSUV_iW9KRiQIdzUORgz2J-kPT4oj7rbfxsNfJo69a5b96gZ9DRHZCWGKLX6YSdZ-QahkLKxhm1lPbQ5Yio/s320/medeivalmgicalcastle_r2_lomo.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you have children</span> - there are a number of <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/gallery.html">backgrounds</a> available to create a really sweet <span style="font-size:100%;">personalised Valentine greeting</span> for their Mum or Dad! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277864436079778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC4axD1SNmneEKV30iJpfiYHFVO9FG-mYZSql-R8jlOcxsbR-4jaZqzvk2xSlO9_zw6piVP-QS8QYb-QzSi5EnSFcJixVEpHSN7lnozado4R12b8XOCf0hVkqJpnnoO3IhFfGZavOL9U/s320/littlevalentine_lomo_text.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">For something <span style="font-size:130%;">completely unique</span> for Valentine’s Day? <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-Me</a> creates wonderful magical photo portraits. A huge number of <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/gallery.html">themes</a> are available to create a beautifully enchanting portrait. Bespoke themes can be created upon request; <span style="font-size:130%;">the only limit is your imagination</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277872074492610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPyknTYP57bFYwbVzyW7vnhm08UcGJ_LaYQEQ4ONhIGfqln68rpF1yzIKnoVp6Co-rdbMJ7H7B1AV8Wc6lUPN8nSKj15_tnxWHY89sKPDFEkAfBu8YTvl-Leps-cZ1dBfOy1P2aMOkwA/s320/loveboat.jpg" /><br />Portraits can then be printed onto <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/greetingcards.html">cards</a> to create a fantastic <span style="font-size:130%;">personalised Greeting</span> for any occasion. You can feature your children, yourself, your pets, your loved one, or your whole family. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277880022324322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpysxetK_rLUlHA_2Zp51p7VZ-G7KIpi-tmC03MtI3-JHpT0gpOVJWtPu044wznhLq7hpEl5JiZmC0d8CIMZKas4MRkNkU7Y-7IUZLLjTzmEQk4UZwVUfV91w-fGYdDDWJ7cgNCW-g68/s320/lovepotion_lomo.jpg" /><br />The service is very simple to use – you just email your enquiry along with the photo/s you want to use and you will be advised from that point. A proofing system means that any changes the customer requests can be made. Upon approval the customer will get final high resolution files emailed to them that they can then print themselves or they can request prints to be made by the company. Prices begin at a very reasonable £13.99. You can even add your own personal text to the magical portraits created at no extra charge! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563277883750463458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1u2ILEGpL0Nh9QO95EF4hIGEhY7tHHcNNjNh8SoALRO-R40qf7urTKJ_NFsLdPNg8Ws2oqzsOldMV3J5g0RsIgqnwaiU64SZypXzyOWkAPmV-Uj2qNTqRx1zl4VkY55uHZ30B1gPpqs/s320/rose_text.jpg" /><br />It is worth having a look at the <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/gallery.html">galleries</a> as there are so many different themes to choose from. You could have a portrait created as a gift and present your loved one with a canvas as a very unique keepsake that will be treasured forever!<br /><br />Each project is <span style="font-size:130%;">very important</span> to <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-me</a> and great effort is put into creating the perfect portrait every time. With many different themed images to choose from they can create a truly unusual gift for any occasion, any age, and any one. <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Enhance-Me</a> have created portraits for children of all ages, adults and even pets throughout the world! </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>"We are providing a unique and beautiful way to add something completely different to a photograph. We are able to add a little bit of magic to make a beautiful personal gift for a friend or family member. We work to achieve an as photo realistic effect as possible" </em></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">For more <span style="font-size:130%;">information</span> go to <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">www.enhance-me.com</a> </span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-50614070920485649642010-12-08T14:17:00.000-08:002010-12-10T14:09:57.133-08:00Festive ORDER deadlines<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeQk6sXglVlrSOKLTyT5YGjVz1doS5qPFRcqYaJQzGuS8Z9bCoyafHgr5-eyZIjcEsC-XBMX_ZODACS2hG4fTt46pvA1bV2ymTbDlGDS1Gl4w1TgMKvqcRvvsA2WhWVvaupgYVX-IQ-w/s1600/TheNorthStar_lomo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548440364781290498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeQk6sXglVlrSOKLTyT5YGjVz1doS5qPFRcqYaJQzGuS8Z9bCoyafHgr5-eyZIjcEsC-XBMX_ZODACS2hG4fTt46pvA1bV2ymTbDlGDS1Gl4w1TgMKvqcRvvsA2WhWVvaupgYVX-IQ-w/s320/TheNorthStar_lomo.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">The North Star - NEW theme</span></div><div align="center"><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last order dates</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">(by which time orders must be places and paid for and I am provided with all the photos and information needed to complete your order)</span> for Christmas this year are:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">Magical portrait & delivered digitally (via email)</a></span> - <strong>Friday 18th December<br /></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/greetingcards.html">Greeting cards</a></span> – Designs must be approved & ready to post by <strong>Monday 14th December<br /></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/payment.html">Gift Vouchers</a></span> – As they are delivered digitally these can be purchased up until <strong>Tuesday 22nd of December</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></div></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548439987175462754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBl-BpdVecCkFMK764K2JOcXa5E5WwEQp2qWVR2Z10D9x8K4jx-t_X8ppdieztiXfR0VPAz_m-u_mHnhW0lk9VVtgfw0TlxmVpbwdjDhk_hIW07DtTpO5Y0YAMjPJ24irosxsfANPhaQ/s320/santasworkshop.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Last minute panic?</span> I might be able to accommodate <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">digital orders</a> beyond these dates. Please <a href="mailto:info@enhance-me.com">contact me</a>, telling me what it is you need, and I will let you know if I will be able to process an order for you.<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-75726389290642895442010-11-29T02:13:00.000-08:002010-11-29T02:28:07.702-08:00The sun has closed this winter’s day<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 63px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544914070765936626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBU-5y8qGNQFV_kEdnfX36z8rJxzvyCnq95xLpS0QbkrsR7c7Gl4r4ygYpwKJ8fT9mgYuF8I6JdyhyDx3dY4AEr0DKa9vK7h0BC98_DvEiKL6cwpHGFdUDshqfHgrmP2Bc4vtOwfV-eE/s320/me%2526ingrid.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">On the 29th of November 2003 my <span style="font-size:130%;">dear beautiful brave</span> friend Ingrid lost her battle with breast cancer - she was only 25yrs old. Today it has been 7 years since she died. I have so many <span style="font-size:130%;">happy memories of her</span>. She is missed so much. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544914077645478738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWIoTG5r2-jmFlBrkuELaiDBjjkDrf5_b9fRDlZQbkTIHi3suPS_naDQ8co0zImjb1Im7QpJ1qPXKKOR4ESWC-6nyJqXC9l5f7Zgu9wJ2lPlphFNMFJ3EQRJbZqK1eGymiykYPPVBAaE/s320/wed_1_s.jpg" /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>The sun has closed this winter’s day,<br />And moonbeam fairies dance and play,<br />The wind gets up and the trees, they sway, This is end of another sad day.</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em> </em></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544914084261992290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM8Jv5UbQncg-jgWa1onscUN6ewAj7EBVod5EWjycDGmgD0hsPuqLdyXgQjZtqSJI6qzjCIy0md_X5_832MNzLlzbKtsiVv0fY7rlB3ph1d_Yek2ckvDd6SaINjykOy0Zc0NthVPZGnY/s320/wed_3_s.jpg" /><br /><em>But your sadness will not last forever,<br />As time goes on, it will get better.<br />Keep remembering, ‘cause you’ll never forget her.</em></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544914088501581954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbte_stJSmTi2GKvzW9G3IgDFPBHA53NlsTueguhwGskt4ZaDpKupoAWr1_pcxHDcKMnUHrx67WkHXNUpvZSpkUhyphenhyphennmQYSqzL1IgaVAKqdrEo3QETrkpB7aY2rGpN5aO5iRtoUF-n1zs/s320/wed_4_s.jpg" /><br /><em>The silences are just like glass,<br />Too empty for the present and the past,<br />But never mind, they will not last.</em> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544914075914690706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaQdxtvW9BrFzGRRwOfOOB1pbcBdYB3ROUf-9BOmb_IpWTAOmFK7RbISqvXoUI2NbmjikHfJ3L2JzHgtM6c1oy7k_Bn4woH3x8wiCdBzti6a4wlxqsjSQ_1C-NI2VdIKd8tsHnyIBrFM/s320/wed_2_s.jpg" /><br /><em>And just a word before I go,<br />I’ll always be here when you’re feeling low.</em><br /><br />By Ingrid Rosie </span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-36183586418848332132010-11-29T01:34:00.000-08:002010-11-29T02:10:30.683-08:00Facebook Challenge<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Well long time no post!! Terrible isn't it but I have been so busy with </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">work</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> lately that I just haven't had much of an opportunity - until today when I realise that I can't use </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">FaceBook</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> <strong>GAH!</strong> (I will explain more about that in a moment!)<br /><br />I honestly can't believe how </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">busy</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> it has been this year - beginning to think I need a VA! Just need to figure out in my mind how I could make that work for me and my </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">business</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">! I am so grateful to all my loyal customers who return for more </span><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">portraits</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> every year....it's so lovely seeing thier children grow!<br /><br />I was nominated for two awards this year and became a <span style="font-size:130%;">finalist</span> in both! I was <span style="font-size:130%;">shortlisted</span> for the <span style="font-size:130%;">Best Online Business Award</span> in the </span><a href="http://www.mumpreneuruk.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Mumpreneur Awards</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and for the<span style="font-size:130%;"> ‘Self Employed Parent of the Year’</span> in the </span><a href="http://www.mumandworking.co.uk/awards/selfemployed/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Mumandworking Awards</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">. Though I didn't actually win either I feel it's such an <span style="font-size:130%;">achievement</span> to have reached the finals for both given the huge amount of entries for each award!<br /><br />As from <span style="font-size:130%;">today</span> I am taking part in a </span><a href="http://www.joannedewberry.co.uk/fanpagetips/facebook-challenge-meet-the-challengers/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Facebook study</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> run by </span><a href="http://www.joannedewberry.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Joanne Dewberry </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">- a <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.joannedewberry.co.uk/about/">successful business Mum</a></span> who runs the fabulous </span><a href="http://www.charliemoos.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Charlie Moos</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> basically it is a time managment experiment to find out if we as Mums running our own <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">business</a> really need to spend a lot of time updating and interacting with our customers on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> to make it work for us! A huge amount of my traffic comes directly from </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">FaceBook</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> - On average 60%. But I will be the first to admit that I am terrible for wasting valuable time on my personal </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EnhanceMe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">FaceBook</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> account. I feel really excited about participating in this and seeing just how much more organised I can be.</span> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Must note too though - Day one of school being closed due to snow so my work output is already cut by two hrs! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544911419979328930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZhuJi2LiAKt3dJRXgmFUQHq8LrbYE_yCEtf88Y1rhGKjrG4DW24sj5TEYQhzr6qKZFEgaouWFs_FJJLvecljo__VAJPsKCq1YFK0Hp9ifdzp8PkmzuNsiqfU1aGzrYn7Iba0BI9Z8ok/s320/november10+078.jpg" /> <div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I may be able to see the irony in this if the school is off all week!!! Wish me luck!</span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-69960392982749620042010-10-14T13:39:00.000-07:002010-10-14T14:33:51.040-07:00For Remembrance<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Tomorrow</span> is <a href="http://www.october15th.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">October the 15th</span> The <span style="font-size:130%;">Wave of Light</span></a> - This is a day to remember all babies that have been lost either during pregnancy, during birth or after birth. <span style="font-size:100%;">All you need to do is light a candle at 7pm</span> (wherever you are and leave it burning for 1 hour. Please help raise awareness of this day as it provides a lot of help for those who have been unfortunate enough to lose a baby.) </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>Light a candle for hope, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>for remembrance. </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>No matter where you are,<br />or which holiday it is for you, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>light a candle for love, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>it is the greatest light of all</em>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">~ Darcie Sims and Andrea Gambill ~</span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528016156703744882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj-rcch2fVNDIs4HIF1W8NE3jWj9mDkjHSh3pif6FNUGXlV1QaPrMpF6yW6-dXxtG445ClEvDua5jyfxLozV51My1setLvD0gydleRLc08tZFq-QC9VnnG7_DRFsHzTEmDafS5KnzFFc/s320/mem5.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Thomas' memory box</span></span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><p align="left"><br />As many will already be aware the loss of a child, however early is a devastating thing to have to cope with. My baby boy </span><a href="http://www.babythomas.co.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Thomas</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> was born silently into this world on New Year’s day 2004 after a 19 hour long induced labour. I was eight months pregnant. He had a congenital heart defect and we were told even if I had carried him to term he would never have survived.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I wanted to mention some charities close to my heart in the hope that it may help generate some more support and possibly donations.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.mumsmission.co.uk/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Mums Mission</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> is a project that has been set up as a way for mums who run their own businesses to come together and raise money for charity.<br /><br />This year Mums Mission will be supporting </span><a href="http://www.uk-sands.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Sands, Stillbirth & neonatal death charity</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">, in 2010 through the sale of our Mums Mission 2011 Calendars! See thier beautiful business mums baring almost everything in the name of charity. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face on the first of every month! You can purchase a calendar </span><a href="http://www.mumsmission.co.uk/shop.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">here</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity was founded in 1978. It was set up by a small group of bereaved parents devastated by the death of their babies and in particular by what they felt at the time was a complete lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the significance and impact of their loss.<br /><br />Incredibly in the UK today, in spite of medical advances, many parents continue to have their lives turned upside down by the death of their baby. 17 babies a day are stillborn or die within the first twenty eight days of life.</em><br /><br />Another charity I have recently donated a voucher to for an </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144044225632928&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=144044225632928"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">online auction is Chloe's "Count The Kicks" Campaign</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br />Chloe’s <em>“Count the Kicks”</em> Campaign want to raise awareness of the risks surrounding later stages of pregnancy, they also want to empower expectant Mums to take responsibility of their own health and care and that of their unborn babies. They want to ensure expectant Mums work with their midwives and health care providers by being aware of the risks they could face during pregnancy and birth, and by being aware of their baby’s movements and development. They want to ensure every expectant Mum has the confidence to call for advice if they are worried at all.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>6500 babies are stillborn or die within minutes of birth throughout the UK each year …<br /></em></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><em>That’s 17 families who suffer the devastating loss of their babies every day!</em> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Please visit their website for more information </span><a href="http://www.countthekicks.org.uk/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">www.countthekicks.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><strong>Little Snowdrop</strong><br /><br /><em>The world may never notice<br />If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,<br />Or even pause to wonder<br />If the petals fall too soon.<br />But every life that ever forms,<br />Or ever comes to be,<br />Touches the world in some small way<br />For all eternity.<br />The little one we long for<br />Was swiftly here and gone.<br />But the love that was then planted<br />Is a light that still shines on.<br />And though our arms are empty,<br />Our hearts know what to do.<br />Every beating of our hearts<br />Says that we love you</em></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">February 23rd 2003 <em>'Baby D'</em> - Miscarraige 10 weeks pregnant<br /><br />Thomas - January 1st 2004 8:31am - Born Still (31 1/4 wks)<br /><br /><em>"Fly, fly little wing - Fly beyond imagining"</em><br /><br />Miscarriage - Lost twin - 31st March 2004 at 9 weeks<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Milly Ingrid Dixon - Born 16th November 2004</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Robert George Dixon - Born 18th March 2008</span></p>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-57112369413339897162010-08-13T14:12:00.000-07:002010-08-13T14:37:12.577-07:00Finalist for Best Online Business - Mumpreneur Awards 2010<p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLwzBIYATa4qxgPGWdWQPqmw-scahNF85fYLoQ8FMs53Y-gJBQqqtM0ZaUEe_czpreBbGBTukvt8ogYKKoP9DOgCZN6PmppAP-qOIWrLO5RgO24VG1eD4T6_4mWoXV_RI_rUoWfxbasc/s1600/bestonline.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505011236359391986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLwzBIYATa4qxgPGWdWQPqmw-scahNF85fYLoQ8FMs53Y-gJBQqqtM0ZaUEe_czpreBbGBTukvt8ogYKKoP9DOgCZN6PmppAP-qOIWrLO5RgO24VG1eD4T6_4mWoXV_RI_rUoWfxbasc/s320/bestonline.png" /></a></p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I am thrilled to say I have been <span style="font-size:130%;">shortlisted as a finalist from hundreds of entries in the <a href="http://www.themumpreneurconference.co.uk/">Mumpreneur Awards</a></span>, a conference and awards aimed at celebrating women throughout the UK who manage the difficult task of juggling <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">business</a> with family life.<br /><br />I have been <span style="font-size:130%;">shortlisted for the Best Online Business Award</span>, sponsored by <a href="http://www.create.net/">create.net</a>, which will be given to the finalist who has the <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">most deserving business and most inspirational website.<br /></a></span><br />As well as being shortlisted for this category, I am <span style="font-size:130%;">also in with a chance of winning</span> the title of <span style="font-size:130%;">The Inspirational Business Mum 2010</span>, which will be awarded to the mum who is an inspiration to all women in business, and could walk away with a range of fantastic prizes.<br /><br />Judging my entry will be a panel of 10 judges including <span style="font-size:130%;">ex-BBC Dragon, Rachel Elnaugh and successful entrepreneur and star of The Apprentice, Jo Cameron</span>.<br /><br />The winners of The Mumpreneur Awards will be announced at <a href="http://www.themumpreneurconference.co.uk/">The Mumpreneur Conference</a> on September 18th 2010, being held at the Heart of England Conference Centre in Warwickshire, an event open to all mums who run their own business, or are looking at starting up. Tickets cost just £20, and can be purchased through the website <a href="http://www.themumpreneurconference.co.uk/">http://www.themumpreneurconference.co.uk/</a> and you better hurry as there not many left!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I have my <span style="font-size:130%;">hotel and flights booked</span>. I am a little <span style="font-size:78%;">nervous</span> having never travelled this far on my own before <span style="font-size:78%;">(silly I know!)</span> Don't think I would be as nervous if I didn't have to change flights halfway through the journey - just keep envisioning myself wandering around the airport completely <span style="font-size:130%;">bamfoozled!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I am really really <span style="font-size:130%;">looking forward</span> to meeting many other <span style="font-size:130%;">inspirational women</span> and likeminded people who know just what running your own business and juggling being a Mum entails! <span style="font-size:130%;">Birmingham here I come!!!! Wish me luck!</span></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-53286300714851805122010-07-04T12:47:00.000-07:002010-07-04T12:56:13.037-07:00Captivate Your Children<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I watched my 2 year old son playing with bubbles today and the sheer joy in his eyes that something <span style="font-size:100%;">so simple</span> could bring so much wonder to his day! Sadly children grow older and as the days, weeks, months and years pass by they <span style="font-size:130%;">lose this innocent way of thinking</span>. Santa Claus, the Tooth fairy, and all those other magical fantasies they have held belief in fade away.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Children love anything magical</span> – as far as they are concerned anything is possible, from the ordinary to the completely enchanting. The world can be anything a child imagines or wants it to be. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br />One of my customers a while back said when she <a href="http://www.enhance-me.com/">ordered a portrait</a> of her son that she was going to tell him <em>‘Father Christmas took a photograph of his dream and left it for him as a surprise’</em> – I thought this was a <span style="font-size:130%;">wonderful idea!</span> Being able to captivate your children, use your imagination and help them hang on to this wonderment is so important.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Sing, dance, play, laugh, create, enjoy</span> and hold on to your little ones for as long as you can – one day they will grow up and discover reality. </span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137730318309246187.post-85694432680207876232010-06-15T13:55:00.000-07:002010-06-16T12:39:57.887-07:00How Many Children Do You Have? - The Gallery - Week 15<a href="http://stickyfingers1.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Gallery"><img style="MARGIN: 1px 0px 0px 4px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YvvceOEVsWU/S6fY0nf07UE/AAAAAAAABD0/SbguGrqPapE/s160-c/Badges.jpg" width="160" height="160" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This will be the first time I am participating in <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://stickyfingers1.blogspot.com/2010/06/gallery-week-15.html">The Gallery</a></span> - I have seen it mentioned on <a href="http://twitter.com/enhance_me">Twitter</a> a few times and thought it was a wonderful idea - it was the theme this week that really attracted me this week though! <em><span style="font-size:130%;">'Motherhood'<br /></span></em><br />I feel that my journey to Motherhood and beyond has been full of highs and lows. It wasn't easy getting here and I wanted to share my journey through photos. From this point I will let the photos do the talking....interpret this however you want - those that know me and know of our journey will know what this is about!</span><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483113072749161666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaIeSXbUUV0Yf3oiKWq3TCrWB2wM6tnX3ySyAmk7oNVwZ-P1P13y7BT1JjFQJbqFr2GmEErM2goXLgDEBl4zunxP149qvNh6-Fukc4SmggiD_b3TCHPOeX5Id0YzaMuNJmaIN47FsfDs/s320/thomasscan.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483116622757465282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfMNxAdHWN6JtQegeWXpwY5xt2H_Ydgw1GLpuTWCd6Y_EvPgvTa7Qm1ljlJUwvEsTRw8p8CayBGXN3TuJN2-Exy5FWhZkPJjPydOo_GvrTduifnThq7E8oE97b0VvRGATIFvvkRK8tvw/s320/NSBS_Thomas.jpg" /><a href="http://www.babythomas.co.uk/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483113084893221138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2pl2IfRwTwd2UL3JErg1g_yUYDlOcS8l8VVdgLUu8H3uwOthPGwXaE8DaHKbHVuSIUHxZFaLIvYLvFCTOzW7TMfgX1bb8ERJikOeOwGUhHXTEMj-466M_m9XLJKcYrUg0VLFtgUToFM/s320/Thomas+stone.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483113087042171026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE-k11AMCz9gqsyKuwI8URtWWSrHRvXG3Kz2A3iXzoLB4TrM2JVUae8ziwzL4BebaAWWYMlgj8YN2cwh2H33rpxKccuh-y18ka-7VXREZWa5mL0lnpGBh_shfeIW2VwtxBpYV-9gPNLU/s320/thomasmembox.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483113093771853858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgoHbcKr8UJ8EK7RuoT4hgzFAHq3ZXi6dlRCeXdL9K6J7iSZFo6HfF83Nofbi6EwwwDmD1qmIcSoBXomFMeBx2I5qy0cWgzKRW1LQSqMmdH2RV0OJY2jl7tvhBl1hw83ojKLv1QzLmRA/s320/millyscan.jpg" /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483115499368308386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPms8Fk1PY7602KKk3p98oCJPHbYqE8bMyZGC6i9-QHR6gBatzHSbawyOXjD0SzgfiqKBHctY6gLC5diXPl__Ur98_9aj3s0DNp5GiET8kgrio-q5mxmXizD3X5R5Ihixpr_OaM-YAEg/s320/Mum_41wkspregnantmilly.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">12 days overdue here!</span></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483115500806823346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb4fPxJ_sx_pTUDkPk094Z9KLl9yykHr0jxtkb4o_aGbi489g0QfZDpYXSH3q9y3B48qw3pq3TnujmMYxBY0ZskIu2DIe3SwL40WZoJe6WYl3KfkviRYD7WR0BU7PNgDyeVqNhP3S4Ls/s320/millypic.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">I finally meet my daughter after over 32 hrs of labour</span></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483115508751110162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61gGnyiCsI45pyFZaOrzT61AXhOzRMbHXq-Mgl20IO0w2zY9TOBQv5FtuW5U7nzyhAaYAA0JuCFqswSgPPHrFTrO5im_i5W9HisSMZy1uBBE559U3vZP4Fg7G8uK_7AsZ94nOzoj4ym0/s320/robbiebelly.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">My son is finally born via C-section after spending 4 weeks in hospital</span></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483115518704894258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqe9DyC5CXXM6hFxdTCkZCXShM0QqwoTyxLGoN4MbHUVaD56bNFM3C9oj3ViLTuSM4Z5EoI3AtiTUMU2Z-YU6-UcjXut1hW6iIV-laI256ma2hnlGpBlt-7AfFpb-vrGkfPa65_SUX1A/s320/robbiepic2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483115511357920658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Df669dTjsrDb_5tO-dSB4LGH5aLRxz3vcjMSWKYhCwZMmgHOH3AeI-sv4kbeHr_ZbNIe5ouQeRMgvyi7iyU5gm1cuYpWXVxLGp0GEMnUoC8RCI4En_4NMZ95ueKuZnGH3Jo7BUFMUi8/s320/robbiepic.jpg" /> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483116835906211170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAOgU36pHZVdbffl469sLip56egWIiMMrXz_zhQMLWMo87pyF1cm0JcjNsjRTlwo36TB8yEt3eXx4ONlta7Jd_a7MZZSBsE2yV5rwKwghNUoIWsFweywy0piErI-uh7uPQIcRNjauIaU/s320/family.jpg" /> </span></div><div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I have three children.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210745520583335525noreply@blogger.com19