Testing AEG cordless 2 in 1 vacuum cleaner - CX7 Animal

Guess what! I get to test a vacuum cleaner - being a Dyson user, I am intrigued to see if AEG can convince me that other vacuum cleaners are good too.

So yesterday Richard and I unboxed the - as my cats call it - monster!
It certainly looks good, but we struggled to build it together. Turns out there is a screw that needs to be removed before the handle can be attached to the main body part. I think AEG need to add that information to the instructions, especially for those who stick to the rules - like me!

After unpacking the cleaner needed charging so we didn't get to try it out last night. But just the feel of it in my hand was good. So much lighter than my Dyson.

Will be interesting to see how it does for the cleaning!
CU tomorrow!

Testing the Wii U Fit

You cannot begin to imagine our surprise when we got picked to test the Wii U Fit. Our test package included the shebang! The delivery arrived with a Wii U, 3 games, 3 Fit Meters and some flyers and a magazine to share out.
I didn't tell the boys about it until the package arrived, and they were so excited about it, when I let them unpack it. What we/I didn't know at the beginning of the test was that were going to to be able to keep the whole thing, so originally we thought we had it for 4 weeks. And we made the most of those 4 weeks.

The test was all about the Wii U Fit programme, and LisaFreundeskreis who we were testing it for, kept us on our toes with various tasks for the week.
My favourite one was the balance games. I have a little video of me embarassing myself whilst trying to fly!

But what I loved most about it was the fact, that you  can do some of the excerise on the game pad only and therefore carry on watching TV at the same time. I made/make good use of that, and instead of vegging on the couch watching my soap opera, I work out with the Wii U. Best of both worlds there!

Thank you to Lisa Freundeskreis for the chance to test the Wii U. We Love it and wouldn't want to be without it now. The boys have already bought a couple of new games to go with it :o)

Freebie - Facebook Cover Photo

Wow, its been a while since I posted on this blog, BUT I am at least back with a freebie! Yep, it was time to change my cover photo on facebook, and I asked Danyale of Etc by Danyale, if I could share it with you and guess what she said yes!!

I used the following kits to make it and they are still available in Danyale's store (images are linked).

Autumn Nights Kit

Country Love Kit

When I had finished making the cover photo, I realised that I had two of the photos overlapping and that makes placement behind a .png file a bit difficult. So I added somewhere for you to clip the photos too in a .psd file and .tif file.

And now to show you what it looks like:

DOWNLOAD here

Thanks for stopping by again
CU soon!

Photobox Kalender

Ich bin wieder mal in den Genuss gekommen Tester zu sein! Bei Facebook hat der Fotoservice Photobox einiger ihrer Fans die Möglichkeit gegeben ihre Geschenkprodukte zu testen. Da hab ich natürlich gleich hingeschrieben, UND ich durfte dann einen A3 Kalender erstellen und kriegen!

Ich hab schon viel Foto-Software getestet (nicht als Tester sonder meist als Kunde) und kann jetzt ehrlich sagen, die Software von Photobox ist sehr einfach zu bedienen, und wenn man nicht von vorne rein sich durch die eigenen 1000e Bilder wühlen muß, dann ist der Kalender auch sehr schnell zu erstellen! Ich hab es mir etwas schwerer gemacht, da die Scrapperin in mir es etwas aufhübschen wollte. So sind meine Bilder in Photoshop entstanden und dann als einzelnes Bild eingestellt. Aber Photobox hat mehrere Layouts zur Auswahl wo man entweder ein Bild oder mehrere Bilder einstellen kann!

Der Lieferservice war auch 1A, ich hab den Kalender am 09. November bestellt, und am 12. November war es schon da! Wahnsinn! Hier ist das Paket bei der Ankunft.

Schön robust verpackt und nicht gerollt, das hat mich riesig gefreut, denn einen A3 Kalender der gerollt war, wieder flach zu kriegen wäre doof gewesen.

Total positiv überrascht war ich über die Qualität des Kalenders, es ist vorne und hinten mit einer milchigen Plastikabdeckung versehen. Auch genial, vorallendingen, da meins jetzt bis Januar unaufgemacht an der Wand hängt!

Und hier eine kleine Auswahl meiner Kalenderseiten!

Seht ihr die Bilder an verschiedenen Tagen, es gibt bei Photobox etwas, daß sich "Photodays" nennt, da kann man auch Bilder für die Kalendertage machen. Ich habe die Geburtstagskinder (von denen ich Bilder habe) gemacht. Meine Jungs waren gerade davon total fasziniert, und ich muß auch zugeben, daß es cool ist, jetzt kann ich auch aus der Ferne die Geburtstage sehen. Mal schauen ob ich jetzt dann auch niemand vergesse! ;o)

Also ich bin zufrieden, und kann Photobox jedem weiterempfehlen, schaut doch selbst mal unter diesem Link dort vorbei.

Fotokalender

Der A3 Kalender so wie ich ihn hier gezeigt habe, kostet lediglich €21.90 zzgl Versand. Wer die Photodays nicht haben möchte kann nochmal €2,-- sparen.




And now just a little bit about this post in English. I won the opportunity to test the German photo site "Photobox" on their facebook page, and I was extremely lucky, cause I got to test the large calendar. They did however ask that I keep this post mainly in German, but I think you can see from the pictures what I am talking about, and I can tell you that I was impressed with software, delivery time and quality!




CU again soon!

Web inspired Challenge at Funky Playground Designs

I've seen its been a while since I posted on this blog, but the reason for this post is a good one! I am hosting a new Challenge at FPD, it is called the "Web-inspired Challenge" and I had great fun finding a page (or two) to inspire me!
I found an online magazine called "Sweet Paul" and it has the most amazing pages, recipes, crafts and beautiful pictures to top it off! I drooled all over the keyboard browsing it.
Well the object of the challenge is to get the magazine to inspire your layout. I took page 116 as my inspiration and came up with this layout! (image linked to challenge)

And I used the new FPD Collab "A Noise in the Attic" (image linked to store)

There are lots of fun things going on at FPD again this month, so come and be inspired not only by my challenge but by the others too! You can win fabulous prizes and for participating you get a 50% off coupon for an FPD Designer's store! Well worth it!
CU there!

Lego Heroica (English/Deutsch)

Woohoo, I am testing another product again. This time though I am employing to smaller testers - Robert and Richard! You see we are testing a Lego game that is coming to the stores in September.

There are a series of FOUR games that can be played separately or combined to make one large world, that you can play. In our test package we got two of the four games. The largest game "Fortaan" and one of the smaller games "Walldürn".

After unpacking the boys couldn't wait to start playing. But first you have to build the world. Robert had a brilliant time doing that - he just loves his Lego! Unfortunately we couldn't finish building or start playing on the day the package came, but as soon as we had the time, Robert went straight to the box to finish building it up. And today we got to play together.

Robert absolutely LOVES the game, I found the instructions a bit confusing at times, and also very open to interpretation. But I think that was what Robert loved. And I suppose as long as you stick with the rules you make up, then "no problem", in fact it is a good way to strengthen kids imagination! To start with we only played the small game, and this afternoon when Richard comes home from Kindergarden, we will be playing the big and small game combined. And then I will be able to tell people how well it works with two headstrong boys playing at the same time! ;o)
Oh, and in case you are wondering, where Richard's comments are, he is still at Kindergarden, Robert is home with bronchitis!

Jubel, ich darf wieder testen! Naja eigentlich hab ich zwei kleinere Tester beauftragt - Robert & Richard. Denn dieses mal testen wir ein neues Lego-Spiel "Heroica", es wird im September in den Handel kommen.

Es gibt VIER Spiele in der Serie, die alle einzeln oder zusammen gespielt werden können. Wir haben zwei der vier Spiele in unserem Testpaket bekommen, Fortaan (das größte der Spiele) und Walldürn.


Nach dem Auspacken konnten die Jungs es nicht abwarten zu spielen. Zuerst aber muß aufgebaut werden. Robert hatte super viel Spaß beim Aufbauen - aber kein Wunder er liebt LEGO! Leider konnten wir mit dem Spielen nicht gleich loslegen, aber sobald wir Zeit hatten, ging es los. 

Robert LIEBT das Spiel, ich fand die Anleitung zum Teil etwas verwirrend, und offen für verschiedene eigene Interpretationen, aber ich glaube genau das fand Robert gut! Ich denke mal, solange man bei seinen Regeln bleibt ist alles erlaubt! Genial eigentlich für die Förderung der Fantasie der Kinder! 
Wir haben zunächst nur das kleine Spiel gespielt, aber heute mittag wenn Richard aus dem Kindergarten kommt, werden wir beide Spiele verbinden und zu dritt spielen. Dann kann ich auch mal berichten, wie das Spielen mit beiden zusammen gelaufen ist!

Und falls ihr Euch fragt, warum ich nicht über Richard's Reaktion berichte, der ist noch im Kindergarten, Robert ist allein zu Hause, da er eine Bronchitis auskuriert!

Funky Playground Designs - A new Collab and a Template Challenge

Gosh has it really been since June since I last stopped by! Oh dear, well, I have been having a great time, first a trip to the UK and then we had friends staying with us. July was a brilliant month, busy but fun!
But now back to Digiscrapping!

First let me show you then new August FPD Collab - Corduroy Boy! Do stop by the Store ALL collabs past and present are on sale in August! (image linked to all store collabs)

And this is my layout using it! (one of the fun things we got up to whilst on holiday in the UK)

Now about the challenge I am hosting at FPD, this month I am hosting the template challenge and Andrea of Little Green Frog Designs kindly offered to make the template for the challenge, and WOW it's a good one!
Here is the layout I made for the challenge using it! (image linked to challenge)

Dinphy and I during her stay here! We had such a good time, that no one got any pics of us together, or at least not many!

Hope to see you at FPD!
I'll be back tomorrow to remind you of a chat and show you what I created for Danyale of etc by Danyale!
CU then

Challenge for Father's Day

The June challenges have been up a while now at Funky Playground Designs, but with the British and American Father's Day right around the corner, I wanted to bring attention to my recipe Challenge at FPD!

This is the layout I made for it, and you can see all the requirements for the challenge by clicking the image and going to our forum! But I will let you in on one part of it, the layout must be about a father in some way!

I used the June FPD Collab for my layout, which is again very versatile. (image linked to store)

CU in the forum

Center Parcs (English/German)

Not one to pass up on a chance to win a free holiday - and even less if it is going to be at Center Parcs, I'm going to tell you all about them!

We have been going to Center Parcs on a regular basis since before Robert was born, I think it was in my nieces first year, she'll be 9 this year, so for the last NINE years! We have visited quite a few of their parks and keep going back for more.
Why, well basically because it is just perfect for a young family with kids. Whilst the kids were still both at Kindergarden it was cheaper for us, as we didn't need to go in the school holidays. Now we do have to go in the school holidays, but if you book early enough, or wait for last minute deals, you can get a pretty good offer.
We LOVE the swimming pool there, and spend most of our time in the water. Different parks have different specialities - Park Hochsauerland, has this great Water Playground with a HUGE (and I mean 900 litres HUGE) bucket, that regularly empties out over the playground. So much fun for all ages, when the boys were small, they would sit for ages (in the cafe so we could have a drink) and watch it empty out, now they are bigger, they have even stood under it!
Bispinger Heide - that had a great slide, that was wider and went outside, once they had been down it a few times with Daddy, Robert was off on his own (of course with Daddy right behind him).
Park Eiffel - has a great current going around and around. They also had some water toys, some boats for the kids to sit on and use the current to get around!

And not only do Center Parcs have these amazing swimming pools, some have indoor playgrounds (BALUBA) and some have petting zoos (Richard once wanted to adopt a goat!). We also love that the parks are car free (except for Park Eiffel - we won't be going back there, but if you don't mind a bit of traffic, it is a great park), being car free, we can let the kids out without too much supervision - chalking on the road is a great favourite.
We are already planning our next trip, roll on autumn holidays!

So und nun noch mal auf Deutsch!

Ein Chance versäumen einen kostenlosen Urlaub zu gewinnen - ich nicht, und schon gar nicht wenn es um einen Urlaub in Center Parcs geht, und deswegen erzähle ich Euch jetzt davon!

Lange bevor Robert auf der Welt war haben wir Center Parcs für uns entdeckt, ich glaub meine Nichte war damals noch nicht eins, und jetzt wird sie 9, d.h seit NEUN Jahren fahren wir regelmäßig hin. Wir haben schon viele Parcs besucht und fahren auch immer wieder hin.
Warum? Tja eigentlich weil es einfach der perfekte Urlaub für junge Familien mit Kindern ist. Während die Kinder beide noch im Kindergarten waren, war es natürlich billiger, da wir nicht während den Schulferien fahren mußten. Jetzt müssen wir während den Ferien fahren, aber wenn man früh genug bucht, oder auf ein Last Minute Angebot wartet, kann man durchaus ein Schnäppchen machen.
Wir LIEBEN das Schwimmbad dort (AQUAMUNDO), und verbringen die meiste Zeit im Wasser. Verschiedene Parks haben verschiedene Spezialitäten - Park Hochsauerland hat z.B. einen SUPER Wasserspielplatz mit einem riesigen Eimer (und ich meine ein 900 Liter Eimer) das sich regelmäßig über den Spielplatz ausleert. Das macht jedem Spaß - egal wie alt - als die Jungs kleiner waren, konnten die ewig lang still sitzen und gucken (meist im Cafe dort, damit wir was trinken konnten) und jetzt wo sie größer sind, waren sie auch schon mal drunter!
Bispinger Heide - da gibt eine genial Wasserrutsch, schön breit und mit Fahrt nach draußen. Sobald die Jungs ein paar mal gefahren waren, wollte Robert alleine rutschen, kein Problem (aber Daddy war ihm dicht auf den Fersen!)
Park Eiffel - dort gibt es einen ganz tollen Strömungskanal. Und Wasserspielzeug gibt es dort auch, u.a. große Boote wo die Kinder (auch größere) drauf sitzen können und sich von der Strömung mitnehmen lassen können.

Und Center Parcs hat nicht nur diese genialen Schwimmbäder, sondern einige haben auch Indoor-Spielplätze (BALUBA) und einige haben einen Streichelzoo (Richard wollte eine Ziege sogar mal adoptieren). Wir lieben auch daß die Parks Autofrei sind (außer Park Eiffel - da fahren wir nicht wieder hin, aber wem der Verkehr nicht weiter stört - es ist ein toller Park). Dadurch daß die Parks autofrei sind, können wir die Kinder fast unbeaufsichtigt raus lassen, ein favorit mit Kreide auf der Straße malen!

Wir planen schon unseren nächsten Urlaub in den Herbstferien - wollt ihr auch planen, dann klickt Euch mal auf die Seite von Center Parcs  Familienurlaub

Thanks for reading and now for some pictures, danke für's lesen und hier noch ein paar Bilder

Strömungskanal im Park Eiffel - Current at Park Eiffel

Minigolf in Hochsauerland

Bis Bald

Funky Playground Designs

Where to start, where to start...there is so much going on in the Digiworld at the moment, it's hard to know
I'll start I think by inviting you all to join me at FPD for the May Technique Challenge. This month we are stacking papers. It's a lot of fun, and you get the chance to win a gift coupon - details in the thread (image linked)
This is my layout for the challenge

I used the Free with Purchase Kit - Family Matters by Roseytoes Designs and DonnaDuncombeDesigns.

You can get this kit free, if you spend more than $12 in the store, and what better time to spend your money in the store than now! With iNSD right around the corner the store is on sale from May 6th - May 9th

OK, what else...LOTS....first the new Store Collab is out and its GREAT -so glad I got to play with it "Salt water Taffy" - is it OK to admit I have no idea what that is...!?! But the colours are great!

And I made a layout using it, the pics were taken on our last holiday, so much fun!

OK, and there is still more going on at FPD, but I'll let the ads speak for themselves!

CU soon!

Font Challenge at FPD (and a Free with Purchase plug!)

I took a break from ADSR today (after finishing and posting Challenge 5) and took part in the FPD Font Challenge!
The font that you have to use is called "Throw your hands up in the air", I think you do that in delight, cause it is such a lovely handwriting font! Well, here is the layout that I did using it! (layout linked to challenge)

And this is the kit I chose "Funny Bunny" by River Rose (image linked to store)

And whilst you are browsing the store, check out this bright fun kit, you can get this FREE if you spend $12 or over in April!

CU at Funky Playground!

Funky Playground Collab - Butterfly Kisses

The new FPD Collab is out, and what a girly girl beauty it is!

Having boys, it was a bit difficult using it, BUT a friend had a baby girl, so I just had to make their card with it!

So if you like what you see, pop on over to FPD (image of kit is linked) and if you go before April 12th, you get it for 50% off!!

Oh and when you are there, how about joining in my fun photography challenge!
CU there

Photography Challenge at FPD

This month I am hosting the photography challenge at Funky Playground Designs. I have made it pretty easy for the first photography challenge there. I am challenging you to turn the camera on yourself, in other words hold it out at an arms length and "click"!
Here is my layout for the challenge (image linked to challenge)

I used Remember this Day by shanmomto4 designs (image linked to store)

I hope I see you there
Bye 4 now

Proud to be an Etceterette!!!

Woohoo, finally we can all brag about some GREAT news!
Danyale has opened up shop at the DigiChick, where she will be selling exclusive kits, and look what she has created for her debut! With this kit you get more than what you are paying for, I swear. I saw it all coming together over the last couple of weeks, and you would be amazed at the goodies inside, and all the etcerettes are rocking those layouts!
But first let me show you the kit and accessories

And when the first challenge for the ADSR was posted, and I saw Jan's layout for it using Childhood Magic, I knew then what I was going to do, and this is it

The images of the kit and bits are all linked to Danyale's new store, so run on over and snap them up, I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Oh and in the shop you can see LOTS of wonderful layouts using the kit for some inspiration!
CU again soon

Speed Scrap layout

I had such a great time at the speed scrap last night, it was great fun chatting to everyone, and I had my layout already finished, so I didn'T have to scrap and chat! Cheating really, but fun!
So I thought I would show you my layout

I used a St. Patricks Day kit by Sweet Tomato Designs and Geek Chic. I love that it is so versatile, cause we don't celebrate St. PAtricks day in Germany, but THIS I can use! (image linked to store)

CU soon!

Fotokasten

Well, I'll admit it, with this post I have the chance to win a €50,-- voucher for yet another photobook. Doesn't she have enough I hear you say, but hey, I take about 10.000 pictures a year, I have no where near enough photobooks!
Fotokasten is another German place to get all sorts of products with your photos. Their main "thing" are photobooks and calendars, but they have some other great products there.
I have only just finished testing a different photobook software for trnd.de, so if I do get this voucher, then I will be able to make a direct comparison, and decide for myself, where I get the best deal! So far I have been won over by the other software, so I wonder if Fotokasten.de can convince me too!

So as I am not sure, about the blogging rules of the competition, I am now going to repeat myself, BUT in German! You don't need to worry that I am talking about you all behind your backs, promise!

Also ich muß zugeben, mit diesem Blogeintrag habe ich die Möglichkeit einen €50,-- Gutschein für NOCH einen Fotobuch zu gewinnen (www.meingutscheincode.de). "Hat sie nicht langsam genug Fotobücher?" höre ich Euch sagen...hey, ich mache ungefähr 10.000 photos im Jahr, da hab ich noch lange nicht genügend Fotobücher!
Fotokasten ist hier in Deutschland ein weiterer Anbieter von Fotoprodukten. Ihr "Ding" sind Fotobücher und Kalender aber die haben auf Ihrer Homepage auch andere Tolle Fotoprodukten.
Ich bin gerade mit einem Produkttest bei trnd.de für eine weitere Fotobuchsoftware fertig, d.h wenn ich diesen Gutschein kriege, kann ich problemlos einen Direktvergleich machen, und kann dann für mich selbst entscheiden, wo ich den besseren Service und Produkt kriege. Bisher hat mich die andere Software überzeugt, aber vielleicht kann mich auch Fotokasten überzeugen! Ich bin da ganz offen!

Hab ich Euch neugierig gemacht, schaut Euch mal selbst bei Fotokasten um

www.fotokasten.de

Bis Bald
CU soon

Speed Scrap - Tuesday March 22nd

Woohoo, tomorrow Bianca (Project B Designs) and I are hosting a European Friendly Speed Scrap at Funky Playground Designs (that is 8pm German time). Bianca has some awesome instructions for everyone, there are participation prizes going and I know we are going to have a fun chat!

 Image is linked to the forum, you can find the chat room half way down (7th from the top)
CU all there

Call at Funkyplayground Designs

Check this out!

See you can all come and join me on the Playground Peeps! The community over at FPD is great and we all have a good time over there!
Can't wait to see who comes and joins us!

New Challenges at FPD

The new challenges are up at Funky Playground Designs, and I am hosting one of them. First all about my challenge and then I'll tell you a little bit about Trish's!

My challenge is a Scraplift Challenge, I chose a cute layout by AmieN1, which you can see in the challenge thread, but I will show you my layout for the challenge. I got this cute pic of the boys today, it was so cold outside, and they had such rosy cheeks, too cute!

Credits:
Bionic Boy by Roseytoes Designs and Designs by Jen Yurko

Trish is hosting the Technique Challenge, I'm going to play along with that one too, she has a great tutorial in the thread about how to sharpen the layout for the web, and on some of mine I really do think they need that, so I am going to see how it goes!

So if you want to come and join in the fun at FPD, click right here to find all our challenges, (psst, a new template challenge starts on Friday!)

Flea Market Finds (incl. link to freebie)

I really don't know how to start this post, I feel like gushing, praising, lots of OMG's and AMAZINGS, etc...oh now there's a good start. Etc. by Danyale (a good digiscrapping, online friend) has been designing amazing wordart and alphas for a while now, but she now has released her FIRST EVER kit, and O..M...G!! Check this out! (all images linked to Danyale's store, so you can load up your cart!)

And not only that, to go along with it she has this AMAZING alpha
And this one!
and this BRILLIANT word art
And these GORGEOUS borders and clusters
And EVERYTHING is on offer this weekend, you really DON'T want to miss it!

When I got the bits to play with, I had just been asked by Mum for a Birthday card without a photo on it, I thought the Monogram Alpha was just perfect for the occasion, and once it was finished I sent it over to Danyale so she could give it away to everyone. So click on the image to go to Danyale's blog to pick it up. And don't forget to say thank you!CU soon