30 Days of Lists

Well this looks like a fun way to boost my creativity.  From March 1st there will be a daily prompt for you to create your list (or you can cheat and view all of them at once lol) The big bonus is you don't have to do them in a set order and you can change the ones you really hate.
There is also a fab community to chat about your lists and how you are getting creative along with guides to help you share the experience.
I suppose you may be interested in signing up? Just click on the button to the right :)
Hope to see you there.

Reading Challenge update

To save money I decided to only read free or second-hand books for this challenge. I've had great fun finding ones that looked interesting and fit the criteria (details here )
First book was one I found on Amazon FREE (I love free books) to download for e-reader on my PC

This was for
A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title
I opted for 'Moon Dance : Vampire for Hire' by J.R. Rain  as I'm a sucker for anything vampire (hey I even tried Twilight!)  You can download this from Amazon
This was an enjoyable read but hardly one for stretching my mind.

A mum of 2 and a federal agent is turned, leading her to change jobs and become a private detective. The story starts with her juggling her 'condition', raising a family and her career. This isn't helped by her husband behaving as though she is going to dine on him and the kids any day now.
She takes a new case involving a man who was shot multiple times yet survived and during this case her home life is destroyed.

I don't want to spoil this for you so I'll stop there. It's a good easy read for bedtime, but I prefer something a little less blah

I've just started my book for
A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title
and (so far) it looks to be less fluffy easy reading than 'Moon Dance' (I'm so glad). I'm reading 'East of the Mountains' by David Guterson.

Since I've only read the first chapter I can't really give you the run down, but, I'll give you the blurb from the back.

"When Dr Ben Givens left his home in Seattle- heading east with his Winchester and his hunting dogs in tow - he never intended to return.  It was to be a journey past snow-covered mountains to a place of canyons, sagelands and orchards, where, on the verges of the Columbia River, Ben Givens had entered the world and would now take his leave of it. What transpired was not the journey he anticipated."

I bought this for 50p in a charity shop :) But you could buy it from Amazon

I have to add I get nothing (except perhaps warm fuzzies) if you click through and buy from Amazon, I just like to read and share what I read to perhaps help others find new reading material.

Tracey (who will be back with a stitchy update soon) xxx

It's TUSAL day pt 1

To those who don't know TUSAL is the Totally Useless Stitch ALong and run by DaffyCat
Go to her blog to see what it is all about :)

Unfortunately I haven't taken a picture yet but hope to do so tomorrow and post along with a progress pic of my dragon sampler

Reading Challenge

I've always loved to read and would read constantly, but, lately I just haven't been as motivated. I really want to start reading more again so I signed up for a fun challenge over at http://www.bethfishreads.com

Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking. 

I'll post when I decide on my first book . 

Free WinX DVD Copy Pro, 6th January only

Well credit where it is due, I saw this at madhouse family reviews but, in case you don't read that blog, I'll share it here (am I nice or am I nice?). By the way I would recommend checking madhouse family reviews if you have time, well worth it.

Make perfect 1:1 DVD to DVD copy and DVD to ISO image clone. Copy DVD to MPEG2 file with intact content for further usage in media center, DVD library establishment and DVD playback in PS3, HTPC. Support Disney's Fake, severely scratched DVDs and Sony ARccOS bad sector.
How to participate:
1. Giveaway page:http://www.winxdvd.com/giveaway/gotd.htm
2. Please input a valid E-mail in order to receive the full license code.
3. Please activate the software before Jan. 7.
4. More giveaways please go to Digiarty's Facebook page.

Join in Snowman Game to Win Free Copy of WinX Blu-ray Decrypter
Rules:
1. Following are three snowmen. Guess which one owns a gift.

2. Click one of them to try your luck and win a full license code of WinX Blu-ray Decrypter (worth $45.95). If no license code found, try again.
3. Totally 10,000 copies as gifts.

Giveaway of the Day Announced New-Year Rerun Campaign – Get WinX DVD Copy Pro Full License on Jan.6
As a tradition, Giveaway of the Day (GOTD for short) reruns the most popular products at the beginning or the end of each year. On Jan.6 2012, all Internet users can download full license WinX DVD Copy Pro from the website. It's a 24-hour time-limited giveaway. Anyone in need of a dedicated DVD to DVD copy or DVD to ISO clone software may jump at the chance. Moreover, 10K copies of Blu-ray backup software are available as additional bonus.

GOTD is a renowned online resource in the software distribution world. Every day the company presents hot software titles and best software authors from all over the world. As a solid partner, Digirty Software has sponsored a good deal of products for giving away to GOTD subscribers, such as WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, WinX DVD Copy Pro, WinX Blu-ray Decrypter and WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe. All software win acceptance thanks to their well-designed features and outstanding performance.

This time, GOTD singled out WinX DVD Copy Pro as one of the software titles for the New-Year rerun campaign. For old WinX DVD Copy Pro users, it's a chance to upgrade to its latest version and enjoy enhanced functions. If you are new to DVD backup, this software is a must-have for making DVD backup of your expensive DVD collection.

Anyone with interest can go to Giveaway of the Day to download the installation file and then get the full license code at http://www.winxdvd.com/giveaway/gotd.htm

WinX DVD Copy Pro offers users an amazing list of features to manipulate DVD content, including copying DVD to blank discs at 1:1-ratio, cloning DVD to ISO image, copying DVD to MPEG2 file with intact content for further usage in media center, DVD library establishment and DVD playback in PS3 and HTPC, mounting ISO to a virtual drive, burning DVD to DVD, extracting video or audio only, etc. Totally 9 practical DVD copy modes are provided.

To evaluate whether the DVD copy software is worth trying, the DVD decryption ability is on the top list. WinX DVD Copy Pro is powerful enough to bypass all region codes and support all old & new encryption tricks. Particularly, the software has the ability to:
* Decrypt Disney X-project DRM. WinX DVD Copy Pro is able to cope with this kind of strong encryption technology while lots of similar tools may crash or work out of order.
* Repair corrupted sectors. That is to say, even scratched, dirty, worn and minor cracked DVDs can be cloned faultlessly.
* Support Sony ARccOS bad sector. This DVD clone software employs unique sector-by-sector copy method. Therefore it can skip any bad sector and complete DVD copy to the nines.

Price and Availability
The price of WinX DVD Copy Pro is $45.95. But on Jan.6, 2012, the software becomes $0 on Giveaway of the Day. Additionally, Digiarty designs a small yet interesting game for visitors to win a free copy of WinX Blu-ray Decrypter. The software acts as a superb Blu-ray backup tool which is sold at $49.95 regularly. For more information, please go to http://www.winxdvd.com/giveaway/gotd.htm


About Digiarty Software, Inc.
Digiarty Software, Inc. is specialized in multimedia software based on Windows, Mac OS and iOS5, which provides personal and home used video audio software across Apple iPhone, iPad, Sony PSP, PS3, Xbox, Droid platforms and devices, including DVD Ripper, Blu-ray Decrypter, HD Video Converter, DVD Author, and DVD Copy, etc.

New Year and my plans

Happy New year all. I have 1 big resolution this year. I WILL quit smoking.

I have a few stitchy plans for the new year as well (in no particular order)

• Finish the quilt for Erin (my back needs to calm down a bit first)
• A tea towel set for my aunt (from this book )
• A kindle case for my mum (using Urban Threads Little Koi )
• Blackwork Samurai (Maria Diaz )
• Lost Dragon sampler (by Dragon Dreams)
• Of Woods and Wilderness (by Dragon Dreams)
• Last years SAL from Lady Periphaeria
• I also have a plush to make but that is top secret as Erin has been known to read my blog 

I also hope to do at least one card or papercraft item a week (get a head start on Christmas cards for once!)

Also this year I will be doing my level 2 maths and English. I can't believe how much I had forgotten since leaving school, they also do things so different now.

The big change coming this year is my baby will be starting big school (high school) in September. Seems it was only yesterday I first held my lil ladybug in my arms, but, this year she turns 11. She is growing up so fast and has a very definite idea of her make up style.

My smaller resolution (although probably the hardest lol) is to blog at least weekly with progress pictures (and reports on the big quit)

I hope 2012 is a fabulous year for you all

Tracey xxxxx

ME strikes

Well major flare up last night so I've been in bed today (I love the laptop) but yesterday was worth the pain.

We set out for Liverpool at 8:15 and arrived about 8:45 so we went straight to Starbucks. Of course the gingerbread latte was my drink of choice, husband had eggnog latte and lil miss had a kids hot chocolate.

Since we were suitably fuelled we went shopping in Liverpool 1. My first stop was Disney store where I found some adorable ornaments. I managed some restraint and only bought 2! Winnie-the-Pooh bauble and the cutest teeny stocking with Mickey on and stuffed with candy canes.

Next stop was the Lego store. When I win the lottery I fully intend to go crazy there, but, since I haven't I only bought a cute keychain for the husband (a ninjago figure shares his name) and a money box for lil miss.

Of course the main reason for visiting was the Christmas Market. It really is lovely to wander around and, of course, plenty of  'Mummy can I have' from lil miss. The market is open until 22nd December.

We also visited Liverpool town hall (first time) as there was vegan event with tastings, lectures and cookery help. Lil miss has decided she really likes vegan sweets and cheese. Event details

I have a strange premonition that I will be visiting Liverpool again very soon as the Coca Cola truck is scheduled to visit Liverpool 1 on 1st December and Clayton Square 2nd and 3rd December.

The last stop before the bus home (and a heavenly cuppa tea) was a new (to me) store we just chanced upon.
New Beginnings is such a lovely shop. I only really looked at the make up counter (and bought a gorgeous polish), but, a Sonic plush was spotted by lil miss and the ladies who run that area were so friendly and helpful when we enquired about a Tails plush. Next time I think we'll check out the cafe :)

Perhaps the least enjoyable part of the day was food shopping so I won't say any more about that.

I may have a crap day today, but, I have images of my daughter enjoying a morning in town and having fun. They totally make up for the ouchies.