A Snowflakes Promise..New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. For all details please pop over to the Snowflakes Promise blog. Our sponsor for this challenge is the great team over at Bugaboo Stamps. When I saw this sheep, I thought it was perfect for Christmas cards, as I spend most of the time watching the sheep in the fields surrounding the cottage. They just make me smile.

I have to say it seems to seem really strange to not be doing a Halloween creation. I hope that you all had a great time. It was very quiet here in the mountains and made me think back to the days when Henry and his friends got together and trick and treated their way around the village. They used to have a great time...I don't know what the rest of the village made of t. I think that they did enjoy it because some of the elderly ladies used to phone me to make sure that they would call at their cottages.
All the cats are in and out like yoyos..it is drizzling and they don't know what to do with themselves. Raven in particular is running about like a maniac...I always say when she is like this that she has the wind up her tail..lol. I have Jeffrey on the wing of my chair and he looks like he is settled in for the afternoon.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle..bless him..has just made me one. I'm off to enjoy a caffeine hit and then I'll be back with another design team make. So until then..take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...Day 26

Finally here I am...a lot later than normal...and the reason..we have had no electricity all day. All I can say is that it's been a very dark today in the cottage..lol. To be safe I've stayed in my chair..it's one of the few places that there is light. With the cottages up here being so old the windows have really deep sills so they don't let too much light in...but still I wouldn't swop living here for anything.
For todays page, I have chosen to share this fabulous image from Bugaboo..another version of my dream home. I loved the fact that there is a cat at the side..a large one...we'll take it as Jeff..he's my biggest boy..lol. And an owl in the tree..quite like my house. Ever since I lost Henry a barn owl lands on the roof of my house and I can hear it walk along the roof. A lot of Owl 'experts' have told me that they all have their own routes and my house must just be part of the route..I like to think that he's been sent by Henry. We used to laugh that we should live in a gothic type house..so this image is one that I just had to use.

Well the coffee is calling as I don't think that my caffeine levels are up to scratch yet..lol. Sparkle has been really good..he has a portable gas cooker thing and brought it round to make me some coffee magic. Never has anything tasted as good as that first cup..lol Now I'm off to make dinner..it's sweet and sour tonight..homemade as always...it's miles to the nearest chinese..but anyway..it's still a treat. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...Day 24

Here I am on day 24 of the 31 days of Halloween challenge. First let me say that I'm sorry about missing off part of the saying...I blame it on cat help..lol. I was trying to photograph my pages for the rest of the challenge and my shoulders were like a cat roundabout. It wasn't until just now I realised that part of the quote was missing. It actually reads..don't make me get the flying monkeys..a quote that I'm sure you all know from Oz. The actual quote on the witch image always makes me smile. So many times in my life I've been referred to as a witch just because I don't follow the norm or fashion and I have to say it's never bothered me. If that's the worst thing that people can throw at me..so be it..lol. So it felt that I had to include this image in my book. The image itself is from the wonderful Bugaboo Stamps. I hope that you will check out their site..they have such a variety of images for whatever you want to do.

I have come to the conclusion that sometimes I can be really thick when it comes to the computer..lol. I have always said that I'm a bit of a techno phobe and am pleased to have learnt all that I have in the past three years. Henry was far better than me and I think that it was because he was never scared of it. Where as I came from a generation that didn't have computers..goodness me we didn't even have calculators when I was at school. I've never had a mobile phone because I'm mostly housebound and I live in one of the few areas in the country that don't have a reception. I think it's because of the mountains. Some people have found a reception if they shim up the second tree down the lane ..but that's never going to be me..lol. Back to where I began anyway..today I finally worked out how to play music whilst doing other things on the computer. Now stop laughing at me..lol..I never thought of it until today. So here I am..music playing...a happy woman. 
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has just arrived..so I won't even have to make it..a really happy day. I have decided to make quiche for dinner..with new potatoes and veg tonight and chances are I make 2..so we will be having it with chips maybe the next day. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....New Challenge and 31 Days of Halloween...Day 22

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and will run for the coming week. The theme for this week is again Halloween..so it's the perfect place to share all your Halloween makes. As it is a Halloween challenge, I thought it would also be perfect to form another part of my 31 Days Challenge. And this image seemed perfect because it is after all 'near Halloween'. I just loved this image of the pumpkins and the brrom. The image and words are from the fantastic team over at Bugaboo Stamps. They have such an amazing collection of all things Halloween and you will be sure to find something to fit your needs. I hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and take a look at all the wonderful makes of the rest of the team.

The sun is shining brightly here in the mountains today. I was up early and the frost was still out there and the mist was so low down on the mountains. it is something so magical..the nip in the air and the dragons mist lay low. I really feel blessed living here on days like this. It says something about the weather..all the boys are in and cuddled in their favourite spots while the girls are out and running about..lol.

I thought that today I would also share another photo of Colin. It was sent to me today and it seemed only right to share it with you.

Isn't he just so handsome. I will share new photos as they come in..then you can share him growing up. it is so lovely to see a ginger and white. Sadly I don't have a ginger any more after losing Icabod..so it will be lovely to watch Colin. I must try and find some pictures of Trevor and Boris..the other cats in this family. People will find it strange but most of my friends and I tend to ask after the animals before we talk about ourselves..lol .
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time to get my head down and get on with some work. I have some wonderful new images to work with and am looking to forward to sharing with you under the next couple of months. I hope that you all have a great weekend. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...Day 15

Today's page is for the 31 days challenge and features one of my favourite things...black cats. I have always have had a thing for black cats..right back to when I was a child. My grandmother always had black cats and said that she had them because people didn't like them. I always thought that was strange and it wasn't until I was older and ran a cat rescue that I realised that she was right. No matter how many cats or kittens I had to rehome..it was always the black ones that took the longest. Now with my tribe.. 5 of mine are black. It makes me laugh that some people can't understand how I can tell them apart...but to me is easy..they are all so different. Jeffrey is huge, Pinky is bad tempered, Raven is my homebody, Tankie suffers with her allergies and Simon is the one that falls over a lot..lol. On the black cat page my favourite quote is the one about all cats being black in the dark. The main image is from Bugaboo and the cat shape actually looks like my Pinky. She has a slight oriental look. She made me laugh last night. The police came over the fact that Nosey had been killed and to update me on what was being done. Pinky sat behind me the whole time growling. I laughed and said she was playing guard cat and they laughed as well. One of them admitted to owning a cat...it was as if it was her guilty secret..lol and was laughing about the amount of food that was out to be eaten. When I told her just how much they got through she was a little shocked. I thought to myself you should see them when they're waiting for their dinner..lol.

The sky is bright blue and the sun is shining here in the mountains today. All the cats are outside and peace reigns..at least for a short time..lol. I'm working on some word stencils at the moment. I have seen a number on the television but didn't like the font or the way that you couldn't read the word very well...so I'm in process of making my own. It seems a lot of work to get it right..but I'm determined because I have an idea in mind and if I don't get made...it will just drive me crazy. I don't know how it works for you but when I've had an idea I've just got to go with it. I'm just grateful that my mojo is still working. I did think a few weeks ago that my mojo was leaving..I have no idea why..I felt as if I had no inspiration....but all is back on track now. Thank goodness.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be back to the stencils. It seems very quiet in the village today..the only thing that I can hear is the birdsong. I hope that you will take the time to take a look at all the other wonderful creations created by all the artists that have joined in the 31 days challenge. I am totally blown away by some of the creations..I really need to up my game next year. But I have to say that I'm so enjoying this challenge..I feel like a woman on a mission and I know Henry would have loved it. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise.....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at a Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. As always there is an Anything goes challenge but there is always the option of doing a Christmas Card. I should have blogged yesterday but life decided to throw me a curve ball and I had a terrible day..but as always I have put my big girl pants on and am trying to deal with it.But to be honest..I would love a week where I didn't have to deal with some added stress, but what choice do we have.

Back to the challenge..we were so lucky to have been sponsored by the great team over at Bugaboo Stamps. There is such an amazing variety of images..well worth a look.I saw this image with the farm animals in a stack and thought to myself that I just had to have a play. When it came down to it..I couldn't decide on my colours..so I just had to do two pieces..lol.

Well the coffee is calling and the wind is raging. I'm off to inhale my caffeine and then make some phonecalls. All the cats are in and asleep..it's really quiet for once. The only one to complain is Gannie..who keeps going to the window and watching the rain and then coming to me yowling. I'm sure he thinks that I'm in charge of the sunshine..lol. Raven is on my legs, Jeffrey is on the couch and Sprout is on the wing of my chair. If anyone was to come today, they would see me for what I really am..the original crazy cat lady..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....New Challenge

Today's creations are both design team makes for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is just about to begin and for this week has the theme of Tall Card Base. I decided to make 2 wall hangings...one featuring a cat..what a surprise..lol..and the other featuring these wonderful flowers.

Both of my makes were coloured with my promarkers and the flower one was embellished with glitter. You could say that I have covered all my favourite things..cats, flowers, glitter and the colour orange..and I loved every minute of  creating them.

The challenge for this week is sponsored by the fabulous team over at Bugaboo Stamps. I do hope that you will pop over and take a look at all the wonderful images that are available there.

The sun is shining here in the mountains today. Most of the cats have gone out..so it is quite peaceful here despite the kittens..lol. Jeffrey has decided to have a sleep in the window and Gannie has joined him. At least they are quiet. Yesterday I saw the funniest thing ever..Simon was in the bathroom with me and he was stood in the bath. He spotted a spider..well he began by growling at it..it was the first time I had heard him growl..and then blow me he ate it. I thought I will now be calling him Simon the Brave and shall have to rent him out to friends who don't like spiders..lol. He was so pleased with himself that now he is keeping check on the bath and lord bless him for doing it. I have thought that everyone has their own special talent and now I know what Simon's is..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and I shall be back later with another design team make. I'm going to try and have the window open...but it all depends on the kittens. I can't believe just how quickly this week has gone...some weeks just go in the blink of an eye and others can feel like a year. I think it's just depends what space your head is in.Mine is shouting need caffeine..lol..so until later..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise..........New Challenge

Here I am again with my design team makes for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise Challenge Blog.My first card features this fabulous snail from the first of our sponsors..Cre8tive Hands. I had so much fun with this snail...I patterned her and even added glossy accents to her shell. As far as I can imagine she has her spring time colours on and is ready to be awesome.

My other card for this challenge features this image from our other sponsor Bugaboo Stamps. I thought that this image would make a fabulous Easter card but as it's now after Easter..I made a step away from the chocolate card..lol. That's one thing I needed to do this year. I was lucky to be given lots of chocolate but had to firmly ration myself to a little every day.

I hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the other creations made by the rest of the team. The new challenge will run for the next fortnight and has a Anything Goes theme.
My hope for a peaceful time just hasn't come to pass. Chaos has reigned in the cottage,thanks to the kittens...as normal..lol. Raven is trying to rule me at the moment. She is demanding to sit between me and the computer. She nearly made me choke on my coffee by knocking the bottom of my cup whilst I was trying to take a drink..lol. No peace for me then.
Well I'm hoping that Sparkle will put the kettle on and then I can continue with my water colouring. I have a number of projects to do but at the moment my mojo has headed off somewhere..lol. I'm hoping that a little more coffee will help. So until tomorrow...when hopefully my mojo has returned...take care and happy crafting

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the following fortnight. The theme for this challenge is Anything goes or with a twist of love...after all Valentines Day is fast approaching.
We are lucky enough to have been sponsored for this challenge by the fabulous team over at Bugaboo Stamps. It was hard for me to pick a design with all the wonderful images available but then I spotted this one with the owls. Of course I had to colour them orange in memory of Henry...everywhere I look this month is coloured orange. I thought that this was such a simple happy design..if I was going to send a valentines...this would be it.

I'm finding it rather hard to type this blog as Simon is determined to sit on my left elbow and is padding as hard as he can and purring at the top of his lungs..lol. He is not being moved whatever I try. Ever since Jeffrey showed him the way to the bedroom, he has demanded a place on the bed every night and will not give his space up for a bigger cat. He has even (just like Jeffrey) taken up begging off the dog walker..requesting a bit of gravy bone.
Well the coffee is calling and then I need to measure the bathroom window...I'm going to make a panel for the window. I'm making it out of a thin cotton with some blue embroidery on it. I'm hoping to cover the window but that it will still let light in. The trouble with the window is that it is overlooked by next door and I don't want to give the lovely gentleman next door a bad shock every time I take a bath..lol. I still find it strange that I live in the middle of nowhere and yet my window on that side is directly opposite next doors. In a lot of ways it is worse on the other side of the cottage...my bedroom window looks out on a brick wall. But at least it means that my bedroom is dark...I've found in life that you have to count your blessings...no matter how strange. It's my favourite dinner tonight..fish, salad potatoes and salad...I'm looking forward to it already. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise.....New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next 2 weeks. As always the theme is a christmas or winter themed card.

For this challenge, we are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Bugaboo Stamps. There are a great amount of images that I would love to use..it was really hard picking one to work with. But as most of you know, I am a crazy cat lady..lol..so I just had to choose this one with the adorable cat.

For my card, I coloured the image with my promarkers and then mounted the image onto some red card. I mounted some christmas paper to some more of the red card and then added the topper. This card would be so perfect for a lot of my friends who are also cat mad and the good thing is that you can colour the cat to the same as theirs.
And while I'm talking of cats, I will update you on the little ones. I can now tell you in all honesty..they are all mad..lol. This morning as soon as my voice was heard, four tiny furry bodies ran to me. And I had to walk into the parlour with one one each foot and two others hanging onto my skirt. It took until 2 oclock for them to wear themselves out...by which time I was ready for a lie down myself..lol As I speak, they are all fast asleep with their Mum..but I know that within the next hour, they will be up and at it again. Reg has been so good with them and quite often can be found with 2 or 3 kittens curled up on him. They all play in his dog bed as well.
Well the coffee is really calling and then it will be time for starting dinner. It is my favourite dinner, which I have once every two weeks. It is fish, small potatoes and salad. I had a shopping delivery this morning...mostly cat related I have to say..and I love it when the salad is fresh. Thinking about it, I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit fish obsessed..I love it. I usually have fish 3 times a week in one form or another and I could have it every night and would be quite happy. Sometimes I do have to admit to having to hide my plate from the furry devils..lol.  I'm off to hit the kettle..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge Blog. A new challenge has just begun and has the theme of embossing..wet or dry. As always your entry must feature a Gruffie, Happy Hopper or House Mouse. But seeing just how cute they all are..it's not hard. The challenge will run for a month and there will be a half way reminder. I do hope that you will pop along and take a look at all the wonderful work that has been created by the other members of the team. They always manage to inspire me.

The challenge this month has been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Bugaboo Digi Stamps. I have been lucky enough to work with a number of their images and have loved every one of them. The hardest thing is deciding which one you want to work with first. Why not pop over and take a look.
For my card I began with this cute image of the little House Mouse asleep on a freesia. I added the image and the backing paper onto some golden yellow card. I also embossed and mounted some card which I had inked onto some of the same. I added ribbons on the left hand side and on the bottom of the card and created a bow in the corner. I added a greeting, which was also on the sheet that I printed out. The image and the backing paper both come from the House Mouse triple cd rom brought to us crafters by Joanna Sheen.
It's quite chilly here in the mountains today. We have had our first frosts..Autumn has arrived. I do feel a little cheated that we didn't really have a summer but there you go. The cats have at least managed to have a few days sunning themselves. Flossie is doing ok...eating for 23 I think..lol It must be getting closer...she is sleeping more and more. She is really pretty..I must take a picture of her for you. All is quiet at the moment...all cats have full tummies and are all quiet. I have to make the most of it...lol. Later on I will be feeling as if I'm sitting on a roundabout with the cats circling me. Tankie is the worst..she will go out and come back in and carry on this way for hours. She is stuck because she likes to see what is going on outside and inside at the same time..lol She is just so nosey.
Well the coffee is calling and there is some painting waiting to be done. Some days there is nothing I like better than getting messy with my paints. That reminds me that I must find my apron...I have lost count of the number of tops that I've ruined using them for painting and such like. So I hope that you all have a fantastic weekend. Until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....The Coffee Owl

Todays canvas is a design team make for the great team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. This is destined to sit somewhere in my kitchen. It features two of my well known favourite things...owls and coffee. Both of which have a special place in my heart and in my life. The owl had to be an orangy colour in memory of Henry and you will all know my need for caffeine..lol

The new challenge for this week is to use diecuts or punches in some way. We have been lucky enough this week to have been sponsored by the great team over at Bugaboo Digi Stamps. If you get the chance..pop over to their digi store and take a look at all the fabulous images that they have available...it's always a great source of inspiration and ideas.

For my canvas, I painted the canvas itself orange and then drew the tree and leaves as a background. I then painted some paper in different shades of green and then used that to die cut all the leaves. I did all the painting with my acrylics. I then coloured the owl with my promarkers and cut it all out. I added that to the canvas and then added the sentiment. Which of course I think is just about right..lol.
It's quite a nice day today here in the mountains. It's a bit breezy as well..but I quite like that. All the creatures are well. As I've said before, the new cat Flossie is quite a talker..well now Twinkle has begun calling again..so it's like having it in stereo..lol. Their pens are next to each other and it's so funny when they're both having something to say. There is a blanket between them...a bit like a curtain, which they keep moving to the side so that they can see each other. Icabod has retired to the sleeping quarters of the duplex..for a bit of quiet I think. He lives his life with a noisy female ..and I have to say he does love her..but now he's got a noisy neighbour as well. Speaking of neighbours..I think that I'm going to have a bit of a moment with mine. I don't use the back garden because of steps but still I think they have taken a step too far with me. Without even speaking to me they have built on to their gutter and placed new gutter down my steps which now directs their own waste water down my steps to the bottom of my house. They have their own drain and manhole cover but have chosen to make all the water land by my house. How dare they. My friend found this out when he went to check things. They didn't even ask if they could do it or if they couldn't even come into my garden..they probably assumed that I wouldn't notice because I don't go out there. Well I would have known any way when my house started to flood. I'm fuming but yet don't know what to do. I will let you know what happens in the next week or so.
Well the coffee is calling and I've got some work to do. It's lasagna and salad for tea tonight. I cooked the meat sauce yesterday..so it's just a matter of assembly tonight. It was my favourite summer dinner last night..fish with new potatoes and salad. It won't be long before I'm in soup and casserole mode. This year has passed so quickly. I will be back later with another design team make..so until then BT willing of course..lol..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise...A Brand New Challenge

Todays cards are design team makes for the new team over at A Snowflakes Promise Challenge Blog. I'm so excited by being on this new team, I can hardly contain myself..lol. The challenges run fortnightly and are a great way to get ahead with your own christmas cards...why not enter the challenges and before you know it, you will have a stash of christmas cards all ready to go. We were lucky to have two wonderful sponsors for this challenge..Bugaboo Digi Stamps and Sassy Studio Designs. My first card above is made with a design from Bugaboo. I just loved this image of the lady in a cocktail glass. I have a number of friends that this would be the perfect card for..lol. I have coloured the image with my promarkers and have mounted it onto some red mirri. I have also added a corner embellishment.

My second card is a design from the Sassy Studio Designs. I again coloured the image with my promarkers. I mounted the image and the backing paper onto some green card. I just love the colouring and making the decision of what colours to use. I find it so relaxing and I have to say that my images are always better dressed than I ever am..lol. Mind you they always have the perfect figure to start with..something that I have never had. 

This image is called the candy cane elf and comes from the Sassy Studio Designs. I have to say that I'm so envious of her boots...just look at her heels..my friend Sunshine is the only person that I know would be ale to wear heels like this. Whenever I see her shoes, I always have a serious case of shoe envy..lol. The sun is trying very hard to see if it could possibly shine. It has rained on and off today but at the moment the sun is trying to peep through the clouds.The inquest is on Friday, so I won't be blogging then but I will be back on Saturday.I have my outfit ready and my hair has been dyed, all ready to go. I have dyed my hair in honour of Henry who always said that he wanted me to grow old disgracefully..lol. I have dyed it green but it seems to have gone green into dark blue but I have to say that I love it. After waiting so long to get the inquest over with..time seems to be flashing past. Before I know it,it will be all over and then I don't know what I'll be doing or thinking. Everything has been leading to this moment and I have just concentrated on getting to the inquest. I suppose after the event I will have got to the point where I must make decisions about the rest of my life...a life without Henry. We shall have to see. Well the coffee is calling and then I need to photograph a load of work..light willing and then I have a lot of colouring to do. At least it will keep me busy.I hope that you will pop over and take a look at The Snowflakes Promise Blog. The other members of the design team have created some wonderful makes..well worth a look. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.