I went to the overall CCAN (Cambridgeshire Community Archives Network) committee meeting in Little Downham, this morning. A lot was discussed and we have great plans for getting our groups together and working on new and exciting ways to keep our archive groups active and interesting. Look out for news on here of events coming up later in the year for groups to part part in, including workshops, training and support! On another note we are very pleased to tell you that CCAN has been nominated for an high profile internet award and has been shortlisted!!!! More news about this coming soon :)
The Cambridgeshire Community Archive Network (CCAN) currently has 48 digital community archives. So far groups have added over 25,000 fascinating records. Explore further by visiting our website www.ccan.co.uk
CCAN Groups are created by people like you and it doesn't cost anything for you to add your material, just get in touch!
If you would like to contribute to any group then click the ‘Apply to be a Contributor’ button to the left of the home page of any of the groups.
You can then begin adding your material to the digital collection. Your contributions will not immediately appear on the site as all contributions are moderated before the site is updated to prevent unsuitable material being published.
CCAN digital collections are created and owned by the communities themselves. Any material added to CCAN collections become available in a digital form on the internet as a not-for-profit educational resource.
The site accepts uploads of images, text, audio (shot sound bites of oral history which can stand alone or be attached to photographs) video and hotspots. Hotspots are a feature allowing information tags to be added to records and links to be made between records.
Should you encounter any difficulties please use the ‘Help’ icon at the top of all pages. If you need further help please contact the group contact found on the Home page or for technical assistance email at support@ccan.co.uk .

I've had a busy couple of weeks doing bridal makeup trials and pamper sessions, I've been all over Cambridgeshire from Hilton to Soham, Kings Hedges to Ely. It's been lovely to give makeup advice and reassure ladies (especially brides) that just because I am a makeup artist it doesn't mean that they'll get plastered with thick makeup. I always work with my clients to make sure I understand what they have been used too, what they would like etc. Most brides, for instance want to look natural. They would just like any little imperfections covered, skin to look healthy and makeup that will make them feel special not caked! Many of the ladies I see say they'd love to know how to put makeup on properly, most people just give it a go and do the best they can. How often do you spend time, like a kid, playing with your makeup and seeing what works best. The majority of us just don't do that or haven't for years. Many of us just get out of the habit of putting it on - especially when kids come along and life gets really hectic! But knowing how to gently enhance out faces (which is what everyone sees first!) without going overboard is all it takes. A bit of makeup can work wonders on self confidence and poise. Just think, during the War when you'd think the last thing anyone thought about was makeup, lipstick sales shot through the roof! It was known as the lipstick factor. This is because putting on that lipstick had a positive effect and made the women feel good. In my archiving work I have had people tell me that their grannies would always wear their lipstick during the war - even if they were just hanging some washing up. You'll notice in my makeover gallery that most of the makeovers are natural looking ones, now don't get me wrong, I can do glam, goth, drag, theatre and over the top art house style makeup (I went to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert last Thursday at the West End - incredible drag makeup) but most of my clients request a natural look. If you would like some free advice, a makeup party or perhaps you would like a one-to-one or 2 person makeover please do get in touch. We can have a cup of tea and you can play with all the different colours and styles and I will show you how to put it all on to suit your face shape and colouring :) For the month of June & July 2010 I am offering FREE makeup parties (that's where you have up to 5 people max. round your house, I come along and teach you all step-by step how to apply your makeup, you each get your own sets of makeup and brushes to use and will get full makeovers)
For the month of June & July 2010 I am also offering individual makeup lessons for ONLY £25 each! (normally £45) and this includes a FREE £10 makeup voucher for products!!!
If you would like to book in for one of these offers please use the contact me page on this website or give me a ring on 07999 853907. I am mobile and come to you and work daytimes, evenings and weekends. Check out my other makeup & skin care services too!

Had a lovely weekend and did the makeup for 2 lovely weddings, both in Ely, one on Saturday & one on Sunday. It's so nice to be part of peoples special days and being part of the excitement. I have added some new pics to my makeover gallery and must do better to remember to take my camera to my appointments as my blackberry phone doesn't take the best pics - still all the ladies looked great and were all lovely :)