Friday 28 May 2010

I got one ....


... an iPad that is!

I popped onto the internet at lunchtime and noticed a headline saying that the iPad was now on sale.

Now I think I've mentioned on here before that I'm a bit of a gadget freak. However although I was vaguely aware of the talk surrounding the iPad (and have read a few articles about it recently), I wasn't really planning on getting one, as I just hadn't given it any thought and didn't even know when it was due out. I thought it was ages away. So I popped over to the Apple website to check it out.

OMG! Then I decided I needed one! With it being bank holiday coming up I didn't want to order it online and have to wait until next week for it to be delivered, so I thought I'd see if there was a store near me that I could go to.

The nearest store was in Regent Street, so at 2.30pm I snuck out of the office and hopped on a bus over to Oxford Circus.

WOW! Was I in for a shock! As the bus drew up I saw all these people ... queuing! I wondered why! Then I discovered it was launch day! You could walk into the right hand side of the store (an amazing store by the way and HUGE) and watch the iPad being demonstrated or even have a play yourself. Well I watched about 2 minutes of the demo, then headed back outside to join the queue to purchase one. But I was turned away by the bouncers(!) and told the end of the queue was round the corner (hidden from sight). I don't think I've ever queued to get into a store before! So off I toodled, but I only had to queue for 15 min. (More of this later.) Whilst in the queue there was lots of concern amongst other queuers as to whether they (Apple) might have already sold out of the iPad model that they were looking to buy. However, there were assistants on hand walking up and down the queue to answer questions, to let us know that they had plentiful supplies of all models.

When  I got to the front I was assigned my own personal shopper to help me with my purchase. How cool was that? The whole operation was very slick. There were signs everywhere saying that the store was being filmed for promotional purposes. As I was led towards the stairs I had to pass through a group of Apple workers who made big whooping and clapping noises. They did this for every person who entered the store to make a purchase! Very embarrassing!

My personal shopper was very helpful and answered all my questions. I already knew which version of the iPad I wanted to buy plus all the extras, so it all went very smoothly.

This is what I purchased:


  • iPad 64GB Wi-FI + 3G

  • iPad dock

  • iPad case

  • mobile me

  • Micro-SIM card (I think that was free)
I also wanted to purchase the camera connecting gadget, but they had sold out! I was told to come back tomorrow for that, as my PS said there would be plenty by then. I'm not in London tomorrow though so I guess I will have to wait for that. When I checked at the online Apple Store later, it said there was a 4 - 6 week wait, but I can live without it a while as I can sync the iPad to my PC and download my photos that way (see, I'm already learning things).

Then I headed back to the office, a round trip that took 50 minutes from start to finish. This made me laugh later when I picked up an Evening Standard on the way home. Apparently up to 500 people were queueing at the store overnight to ensure they could purchase an iPad when the store opened today. It sounds like they thought there wouldn't be enough for everybody. Then there's me who knew nothing of it this morning and more or less strolled in this afternoon and bought one!

I think what sold me on this were the Apps. They are supposed to be amazing and there are many, many more to come. I'm sure I read somewhere about there being a crafty App where you can design your cards when out and about and get home and make the card up! Just what I need! LOL! I will check it out and write about it here when I know more.

Has anyone else got one?

I'm now thinking about buying an iPhone. I've used a Blackberry for years but my current one is starting to fall apart. I haven't replaced it yet as all the Blackberry's at the moment look like the one I've had for years. When I buy something I like to get something that looks different to what I had before otherwise it doesn't feel new. I've always shied away from iPhones being a confirmed Blackberry user, but now knowing that the iPhone would sync very nicely with my iPad (see it's amazing what I know today, that I didn't know yesterday), I am having second thoughts.

My iPad is only just out the packaging and has been charging it up, now I'm off to play!

Thanks for listening to me waffle.

PS. The photo was taken on my rather messy craft table. Why I have a pair of sunglasses on there, beats me (behind the glossy accents). Uhmmm, it's not that sunny in my craft room!  

Keeley

Monday 24 May 2010

pirate princess

                           
Today I am entering a few challenges.

The sketch: CLP Challenge.

Other challenges:

'flower power': Stampavie & More

'flourishes &/or swirls': Lots To Do.

'black, grey + 1 colour': Cupcake Craft Challenge.


Papers and rub-ons: Rusty Pickle ~ Pirate Princess

Image: Magnolia ~ Tilda with Jolly Roger Flag coloured with copics.


Lots of crackling and distressing going on.


Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Friday 21 May 2010

domestic goddess


We have another fabulous recipe challenge by Michele at Crafts 4 Eternity this week (and there is a cute little elephant digi stamp to be won).

1. The sketch.

2. Food theme/image

3. Use a gingham pattern.

I am also entering this into the following challenges:

'metal': Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. I have used metal eyelets and brads.

'red, blue, yellow, white photo inspiration': Stamp With Us.

'cute & girly': A Spoon Full of Sugar.

'2 of something': Stamp Something. I have used two stamps and two eyelets.


Papers (as you can probably tell): Graphic 45 ~ Domestic Goddess: Miss Manners. I also use a tag, to which I added metal eyelets.


Images: Magnolia ~ Oops A Daisy Tida. She is looking rather dubious of her 'domestic goddess' title!


I also used a Prima stamp on the tag.

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Friday 14 May 2010

paradise

WOW! It's Friday again and time for another recipe challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity, I'm sure Fridays didn't use to come round this quickly before, but who am I to complain?!

Here is the sketch and the remaining ingredients:

- use shades of blue (I took this to mean it didn't have to be only blue); and

- add some beads.

I am also entering this into the following challenges:
'shiny, sparkly & special': Papertake Weekly.

'green & blue photo colour challenge': The Play Date Cafe.

'one for the girls': Just Magnolia.

'dimension & texture': Polka Doodles.


Papers: My Mind's Eye ~ Penny Lane: Maggie May.

The background to Tilda is a piece of grunge paper that I painted with acrylics, ran it through my Texture Boutique and then rubbed some stickles on.

Image: Magnolia ~ Tilda holding Apple, coloured with copics and some stickles added.


For the bead part of the c4e recipe, I took some clear glass beads and glued them to the buttons in the centres of the flowers.

Thank you for looking.

keeley

Wednesday 12 May 2010

I tip my hat to you


This is the card that I made for my Dad for his birthday.

The sketch: The Sweet Stop.

Other challenges:

'male card': Cute Card Thursday, Stampin' for the Weekend.

'birthday': Stamp Something.

'use a hole punch': Creative Belli.

Papers: My Mind's Eye ~ Natural and old range which I've had forever!

The holes were made with a Fiskars border punch.

A bit of ric rac ribbon, some machine stitching, Prima flowers and that's it! Although of course it took ages to do!

I can't seem to make the photo larger and I've given up trying! Too tired.

Image: Kraftin' Kimmie ~ Chester, coloured with copics.


Thank you for looking.

keeley

Monday 10 May 2010

our wedding


Well of course, not mine!

I didn't use a sketch for this, I just went with the flow. I am entering this into the following challenges:

'here comes summer': Lili of the Valley.


'celebrations': By the Cute & Girly.
                         
Papers: Making Memories ~ I Do.

Film strip ribbon: Tim Holtz.

Our wedding sentiment: Teresa Collins stamp, which I embossed and added a vintage feel to match the film strip.

Image: Lili of the Valley ~ Wedding Couple, which is my absolute favourite wedding stamp image to date. Coloured with copics and added lots of stickles. You'll need to click the pics to get a better feel of what this looks like in all its glitziness!
                       

I've added lots of glimmer mist to the purple roses but it never seems to show up in the photos.

Thank you for looking and wishing you a fabulous week ahead.

keeley

Friday 7 May 2010

dreams do come true


Time for a recipe challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity:



The sketch
.

Use a quote.

Add something wooden.



Papers: Basic Grey ~ Marrakech.

For my wooded piece I added crackle paint to a small wooden heart and then sprayed it with glimmer mist.

Image: CC Designs ~ Laying Nora.
                         

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Monday 3 May 2010

wish


I had a problem trying to get some decent photos today, but if you click on them, you will be able to see them a bit better (if you want to that is!). 


Other challenges:

'lots of red': My Time To Craft.

'make your own': Cute Card Thursday. I made my own WISH embellishment.


Papers: Cosmo Cricket ~ Honey Pie.

I made the flower from layers of Prima flowers and added some Mill Hill glass pebble beads to the centre, left over from my stitching days.

Image: Magnolia ~ Fairy Dust Tilda, coloured with copics and with some added stickles.


I made the 'WISH' sentiment using a Tim Holtz ~ Fragment, glued a Wish adage ticket to the back and cut it out when dry. I then added a Game Spinner to the holey bit! I'm really pleased with how this turned out. I bought these 'fragments' a while back and although I've rummaged through the box a few times, I've never actually used one. Now I might be addicted!! Oh well, only another 47 in the pack to bore you with! LOL!
                           

Thank you for looking.

Keeley

Sunday 2 May 2010

about a boy


Another lovely rainy bank holiday weekend!

The sketch: The Sweet Stop.

Other challenges:

'favourite book': Stampin' for the Weekend. I love ALL books. This is 'About a boy' by Nick Hornby.

'summer': Sweet Stampin'.

'card for a child': Oh, Alice!.


Papers & ribbon: Fancy Pants ~ Rough & Tough collection.

Image: Kars ~ Ollyfant coloured with copics.


My other half is offering to take me out for lunch, so I'd best go and glam myself up a bit!

Thank you for looking.

Keeley.