The Crafting Musketeers...The Final Challenge

Here I am..the first post of 2017..and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for all your friendship and support during the last year. Things are changing here so fast that I think it's time to bring you all up to speed. I have so enjoyed being a part of many design teams over the past few years and I am quite upset to share that a lot of them are closing down. The Gruffies and Guests closed first and in the last few weeks Left of Center has posted it's final challenge. Today is the final challenge of The Crafting Musketeers. I have so enjoyed working with all these wonderful crafters and have found them all to be a never ending source of inspiration. I can only wish them all the best for the future. So all this has left me with the big question..what am I going to do now. When I began this blog I was a total novice and the whole journey has been a steep learning curve and I have to say that I've loved every moment. With this in mind,I've decided to continue on my journey and see where it takes me..and I hope that you will continue to share this journey with me. The next couple of weeks, I intend to formulate a plan forward..so please bear with me..but the crafting happiness will continue.
So to the final challenge for The Crafting Musketeers. The theme is Party time and will run for the month of January. I chose to make a new year card. If you get the chance, please consider entering a card..the final prize is fantastic. If you are interested, pop over to the Crafting Musketeers blog and check out all the details. The prize is one that I would love..but as a design team member, we're not allowed to..lol..so I hope that one of you will enter for a chance to win.
I can't believe that in 3 days I will be taking down the decorations. I had a lovely quiet Christmas and felt that I was touched by it's magic. A time to remember the happy times and to be thankful for the years that I got to share with Henry.I am so blessed for my friends who visited and helped make the time extra special. All the cats had a fabulous time..they are definitely rounder than normal..it was amazing the amount of treats that they received. I am having to hide the Dreamies though..too many sends them all loopie..lol. I was so impressed that they didn't tackle the tree..it remains a thing of beauty..for the first year ever. I was so used to having to wire it to a wall and to lie in bed listening to the ping and smash of the baubles hitting the floor..but not this year. At the moment most of the furry beasts are outside enjoying a dry day. I feel as if I should get some paint out..just to tease them but I have some work to do.
Well the coffee is calling and then I must try and get my head together. I have had a scrapbook ordered and as of this moment..not a clue where I'm going with it..lol. A couple of days thought and planning will hopefully get me there. So until next time..take care and happy crafting

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming month. The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes. We are so lucky this month to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at The Paper Shelter. A new company for me but such beautiful designs..why not pop over and take a look.

Here in the mountains it's quite cold..but at least it's dry. That means that most of the cats are outside making the most of it. They are all getting to accept now that the biggest cat flap in the world (the window..lol.) will be shut early and to get back in they all meow at the window. They are all in at night apart from Jeffrey who still insists in being out. I have a laugh with one of my friends who telephones me and asks about the weather. I have come to describe it by the cats on the bed. So last night was a 3 cat night..not as cold as it has been. Last week we had a 5 cat night..so you can tell how cold it was. He asked why I put up with them..he couldn't understand it..I replied that they're my family and anyway..they're like little hot water bottles that never go cold. It's really cosy all cuddled up. Ever since I was a very little girl, I've always had a couple of animals on my bed..why should it be any different now.
I think that I'm going through a little change. For the first time since Henry passed, I have decided to have a Christmas tree. I could just hear Henry..who loved the whole Christmas experience..wondering why I didn't have any decorations. So for the first time, I've felt like having a bit of a decorate. I couldn't cope with a traditional tree and getting out the family decorations..give me a few years..but have decided to go for a white tree. I have a collection of owls which I'm going to use. I actually bought some white tinsel..just one strand for the mantlepiece..and am going to get my crystals out and have a moment..maybe next weekend. I intend to enjoy the moment and play some carols. And then it will be goodness help me as Gannie and Simon have never seen a Christmas tree..so I can definitely expect some chaos. After all what would be Christmas without a bit of chaos..lol
How are you all getting on with your Christmas preparations. I'm still knee deep in glitter and as fast as I work through my list, the phone keeps ringing with people that need something. At this rate my Christmas cards will be arriving in May..lol
Well the coffee is calling and  then I'll get my head down and shake a little more glitter..lol. No doubt the cats will hear and will have to come in and help..lol. At this time of year they do have a tendency to twinkle as they move..lol. I think that glitter is just in the air at this house. I'll be back tomorrow with another design team make...so until then..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at the Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this month is Christmas Wishes..so I hope that you will pop over and join in the fun. There are some fabulous prizes to be won..for all the details of those, please check out the Crafting Musketeers blog. Our sponsor for this month is the great team over at Sunsational Stamps. I got to work with ths cute owl...I decided to do a little of a zentangle on him. The more I do zentangling..the more I want to do. It is one of the things that I find so relaxing..and as Sparkle often says..at least it keeps me quiet..lol

I feel as if I've been working for ever today..lol..and a lot of it has been done in my chair. I got up early and moved some furniture..very slowly I have to admit and then the shopping delivery arrived. The cats were made up as it was their favourite delivery driver who brings them treats and stays to fuss them all. I put all the shopping away..playing fight it into the fridge. I always end up with a packet of tomatoes in my hand saying where are these going to go..lol And then I cam to pay some bills online. That has taken me longer than I can believe. I began at 11.30 and it has taken me until now..2.15, to pay 2 bills. All thanks to BT. I wouldn't have minded but I was trying to pay my phone bill..lol. The internet connection was on and off like a yoyo. I have to admit there was much shouting and I'm always tempted to throw the computer through the window. There is no point at all speaking to them..you might as well just bang your head on a brick wall. At least it's all done now and I can finally get down to work that I enjoy..some crafting.
All the cats are outside apart from Raven..who is as always sat on my legs. I think that my legs will be up for the rest of the day. My right knee is playing up..I don't know what has set it off..perhaps it's the weather. It is very bright here but very cold. The sky is blue and the birds are singing but you definitely need a vest..lol
Well the coffee is calling and after a little caffeine hit..I'll be back with another design team make. So until later..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge and 31 Days of Halloween..Day 2

Today's creation is a design team make for the wonderful team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming month. The theme for this month is boxes..so you have the choice of entering a decorated box or a card with the image of a box on it. My first box is a trick or treat box and forms part of my 31 days of Halloween Challenge.

At the Crafting Musketeers, we were lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at The Stamping Boutique. I so enjoyed working with both images..they have a wonderful selection of images available...why not pop over and take a look.

It has already been fun joining in with the 31 days of Halloween. Some recipients of the bowls of doom have been remembering and still can't work out what was in some. I will share some with you all in the coming weeks but will have to be careful not to reveal too much...after all there will be a new generation coming through who will need to enjoy the bowls of doom as well. I made this little trick or treat box thinking of the things that you could put in it. Perhaps it may have to have a huge spider in there and some chocolate pumpkins. I had a wonderful Halloween hair clip brought back for me from America.It was a gruesome hand and looks fab in your hair. My friends know me so well..lol.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today...and the bad language has been circulating round them..lol. Trying to get an internet connection continues to be a daily battle..lol. My friend tested the speed and I wasn't even half a meg..I was .175..nearly the worst that it's ever been but after 5 hours, I've managed to get on. You have to laugh, else the computer would be sailing out of the window. The cats are all happier today with the weather and have gone out to play. Every so often one will come in, have a few biscuits and then go back through the window. As I'm sat here the smell of Roast lamb is coming through the window and goodness me it smells good. I think that it's pasta tonight here.
Well the coffee is calling and then I have some painting to do. It's always best to try and do it without cat help..lol. My table is still bearing wonderful multi coloured pawprints from the last time..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Todays cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this months challenge is 'Back to School'..because I think that there are a lot of parents that need to celebrate this fact. I chose to make two cards..the first one is made from the Joanna Sheen Hollypond Hill cdrom and the second one is from the triple House Mouse cdrom, also from Joanna. I love the rabbit skipping along and as it says..not a care in the world..and I can remember feeling like that when I was little. I was always being told off at school for day dreaming and not paying attention..I have to admit..I was always dreaming..lol. I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers challenge and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team.

We are so lucky this month to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Crafty Ribbons. They have such an array of dreamy ribbons and so kindly supplied the design team with some wonderful ribbons to use. If you think ribbons, please pop over to the crafty ribbons website and I can guarantee that you will be spoilt for choice.

As I'm looking out of the window, the mountain is bathed in sunshine...a very rare sight I can tell you. The breeze is quite strong though but it doesn't seem to bother the cats. They are all stretched out on the studio roof..lol. I'm in the mood for hoovering I think..so I'd better go with the flow. I have to say that it's not very often that the mood comes upon me. It will certainly be easier with all the cats outside ...they create holy hell if they're inside...all complaining at me. Gannie in particular seems to tell me off..and he has a very loud voice..lol
Well the coffee is calling  and should I have it before or after. I think after and then I'll have something to look forward to. I also need to sort my work out for the weekend..I think that I may do some heat embossing..it's been a while and that urge has come upon me as well. So until tomorrow..I'm off to do what I've been pondering on. ..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers.....New Challenge

 Today's creations are all design team makes for the fabulous team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is 'Anything but a Card'. For all my makes I have created wall hangings. Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful team over at Sunsational Stamps. They provided the design team a set of images to work with and we all had great fun. I loved the bears and the variety of positions that they come in.

 I painted all the bears with my Lyra watercolours and the girl below, I coloured with my promarkers.

 I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers blog and take a look at the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team. They never fail to inspire me.

Here in the mountains today, all you can say about the weather is that it's drizzling. Not really hard rain but enough to send the cats in and out.Sprout was determined to go to sleep on the studio roof and was not going to be bothered by the drizzle. He was covered in a fine coating of rain and even though I keep calling him..he would just move an ear but otherwise ignored me..lol. All the other cats are inside and trying to claim their favourite spots. Nicademus wasn't impressed when Sparkle arrived and wanted to sit on his chair. He has now taken himself onto the carpet..which no one will still not walk on..and has curled up. It seems that the carpet is ok to lie on..but not to walk on..lol. Raven is sulking because I'm on the computer and won't let her sit on my elbow..lol
Well the coffee is calling and I need a caffeine hit. I shall be back in a bit with another design team make. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at the Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge began yesterday and will run for the forthcoming month. The theme for this challenge is Babies and I have so enjoyed making these cards.

We are so lucky to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Crafty Ribbons and they were so kind to supply the team with a selection of their wonderful ribbons. The beautiful ribbon that is printed with the baby washing line is from their collection. The range that they supply is amazing and always worth a look.

For both my cards, I have used a retired cdrom from Joanna Sheen called Baby Love. You can sometimes find this cd on Ebay and it is always watching out for. I have had the cd since it was first released and sits in my library of crafting cdroms. If I need a baby card, I always go to this cd.
This is going to be a short blog today as I will have to be back later with another 2 design team makes. I had hoped to get them done yesterday but with everything that was going on and the intermittent internet, I had to leave it all until today. I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers Challenge blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations that have been made by the rest of the team.
Well the coffee is really needed today...so I'm off for a top up and will be back in a while. Until then..take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers.....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is Weddings. If you get the chance please pop over to the Crafting Musketeers blog and take a look at all the wonderful creations made by the rest of the team. They are a very inspiring bunch of crafters. The chapel image and the bride image are both from the fabulous Stamping Boutique. We are so lucky because they are our sponsors for this month. The design team worked with the same 3 images and all our cards are very different. To me that is the great thing about crafting..a group could all be given the same image and the creations would all be different.

For both of my makes, I decided to go a little gothy. One of my friends is getting married and she is a lot gothy but that it would be fun to make her a special card. The trouble is now I don't know which one to go with..lol. For the first card I created a background and then added the chapel and the bride, which Ihad coloured with my promarkers. The background was created using my Lyra watercolours.At the end, I added some flowersoft to give the illusion of flowerbeds and flowers climbing up the chapel. I love my flowersoft and don't think that I use it enough..I shall have to remedy that.

So if you get a chance pop over to the Stamping Boutique and take a look at all the wonderful digis that they have available.

The sun is shining here in the mountains today..the sky is blue as well as the air, after my trial with BT today. I was so angry I actually spoke to a lady in the Chairman's office. She rang my number to speak to a friend who has been having problems for over 2 years and just at that moment my internet had been off all morning..so I let rip. She must be thinking goodness me the people in that village!.. but I did point out that the service is so bad..a service that we are all paying for and getting fobbed off with excuses. Lets just see if anything happens now.
All the cats are outside, sunning themselves on the studio roof. I must tell you about last night. As I've told you before Simon is now Simon the Brave..the spider hunter. He growls at them and then eats them. Well last night in bed, I was reading my book and Simon came on the bed. Suddenly he looked over my shoulder and started growling. I was immediately frozen..knowing what that growl meant. I looked over my shoulder and saw a spider. It must have been a big one because I could see it with out my glasses on..but all was well..Simon the Brave dealt with it. He is now officially my hero. I'm seriously considering renting him out to my spider hating friends..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll have to get on with some work. I hope that the weather is being kind to you wherever you are. Peace is still reigning here with the sun shining down on the little furry bodies...lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers......New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Crafting Musketeers. We are so blessed that today is our 3rd. Birthday as a team and all want to thank everyone that has supported us and entered our challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the following month. The theme for this month is Summer..so it's a perfect excuse to focus on what you would really like summer to be. As I write this I'm wondering when we will be seeing some more snow..lol. no body would think it was May. We are so lucky to have been sponsored this month by the fantastic team over at Sunsational Stamps. They provided the team with the images to work with and I was lucky enough to be able to work with the pirate. I thought that it would make the perfect card for a little boy.

https://www.facebook.com/sunsationalstamps/?fref=ts As I look out of my window, all I can see is the sun shining and hear the sound of banging over powering the birdsong. I as so amused by different messages that I received from lots of you...it seems that I'm not the only one to suffer bank holiday weekend power tool madness..lol. We should form a support group for people who would like the chance to hear some other than a chainsaw, banging or thudding on a bank holiday..lol. I'm so relieved to actually have internet connection..last night, the whole of the top of the village was offline and this morning was exactly the same...who knows when it will go off again. I have started to growl every time I see a BT advert. The best service they say..the worst in the world I say. It has been officially acknowledged that we have the worst service in the whole of the U.K Even a BT customer service person said that they had never seen anything as low as we have.So I may be writing this now but who knows when I will be able to upload it...lol. Well the coffee is calling and then I've got two birthday cards to finish.The cupboard is now sorted and it's really easy to get to anything. But yesterday I had to laugh..I went in it to get my beads out for a project and remembered to lock the door. Well as soon as I turned away..pathetic noises began coming from the cupboard. Unbeknown to me Simon had jumped in and had got himself locked in there in the dark. lol. I don't think that he will be doing that again in a hurry. So until next time...take care and happy crafting..and I hope that you manage to have a few quiet moments.

The Crafting Musketeers....Spring is in the Air.

Here I am back again. This card is a design team make for the wonderful Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun, sponsored this month by the great team over at Crafty Sentiments. The theme for this month is Spring is in the Air. For my card..the image came from Crafty Sentiments and features this lovely little bear. The sentiment is as well from Crafty Sentiments. The more I look at this little bear, the more I think that he would make a beautiful belated birthday card. I coloured him with my promarkers , cut him out and added to an oval cut out. I mounted this onto a card which I had covered with this pink backing paper and finally added some lace paper along the bottom and the side.

I'm sipping my coffee as I sit here..but as always the cup is never big enough. There is still noise coming from the landing and stairs but I'm trying my hardest to ignore the crashing and banging. I'm waiting for a design team parcel and as always it's like Christmas when it arrives and then I get into a panic just hoping that I can do it justice...lol. Hoping too that I can keep it safe from the kittens..lol. My last parcel contained some ribbons to use in 3 different challenges during the year. I have only managed to use 1 set..the other 2 sets have got to be washed before they can be used..all thanks to Gannie who ran off with the whole bag and managed to spread them everywhere..there were many bad words said that morning..lol. Raven has now decided to sit on my left elbow which makes it rather hard to type. She is purring really loudly..so she obviously loves sitting in such an awkward position.
Well I've got to the end of my coffee..so I will be heading to the kettle again..lol. I hope that you will consider entering the Crafting Musketeers Challenge. Ignore the rain and jump into Spring. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers.....New Challenge

Todays cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the following month. The theme for this challenge is Use three ribbons. For my first card, I ran with an idea that begun with a team make for JB-Crafting Supplies. I began by stamping and colouring the flower heads. It was surprising to me just how hard it was to use three ribbons on one card..I looked at it as a challenge in itself. I used my first ribbon to ground the flowers and the other two, I used to create the border. For the card below, I used the image, which was a free gift on a magazine. I coloured her with my promarkers. The three ribbons on this card I used to form a base border. The trick that I found useful was to find three different ribbons that matched in some way.

We were so lucky this month to be sponsored by the fabulous team over at Crafty Ribbons. All the ribbons that I have used were supplied to the design team by Crafty Ribbons. I can't believe the variety that they sell. I find it so hard to pick which ones I love the most. If you need ribbons for your stash, I would recommend popping over and taking a look. On a personal note, they have a huge selection of gros grain ribbon...which is my favourite to work with..the bows hold so well.

So I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog and join in the fun. While you're there, take a look at the creations made by the other members of the design team..I always find them a wonderful source of inspiration. It's really cold here in the mountains today. All the cats are curled up and quiet..that doesn't last for long..lol. The kittens have all curled up with Reg. Bless him..he doesn't get the choice...they just love him. When I've finished blogging I'm off to the kitchen to sort out the frame mountain that has landed. As most of you will know, frames are so expensive and with stuff I make for the house, gifts and the like..it can really add up. Well I was lucky enough to be given about 100 frames..in all sizes from A5 upto A1 and beyond. I have got to sort them out..an artist I know is having some of the very large, some are being sold to raise money for Henry's memorial fund and some are staying for me to use. I can't believe just how lucky I was to be offered these frames..but today it's sort the piles out day..lol Well the coffee is now calling and I will be back after with another design team make. I've already decided to do fish, salad and boiled potatoes for dinner. I've also decided to make some sultana scones as well while I'm downstairs. It's all my friend Sunshine's fault..she had created the most delicious looking strawberry mousse cake..it made me so jealous and so hungry..lol. So until later..take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Todays cards are design team makes for the fabulous team at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme is Monochrome..not just black and white as I first thought but also includes shades of the same colour. So thinking of this I did my first card in shades of pink. My second card I made I stayed with black and white because I wanted to zentangle the cap.

We are so lucky this month to have 2 wonderful sponsors...The Stamping Boutique and Glitterbabe. It's worth spending a little time and browsing through the wonderful images that are available from both sources. I am lucky to be able to work with fabulous images, drawn by very talented people.

The weather here in the mountains today is quite calm..which seems to be a real blessing after the weather that we have had. Even so the cats have all settled down for naps...the peace is unbelievable. Yesterday I managed for the first time in ages to do some sewing. I haven't sewn for an age and was quite pleased that I haven't forgotten how to load a bobbin or  thread the machine. I am going to cut some patchwork out over the next few days to sew at the weekend. I have also cut out 2 cat toys..hopefully they will like them..I intend to fill them with catnip and then watch the fun...lol.
Well the coffee is calling and I have some work to do. I've already decided to do an easy dinner..we going to have chips with fresh baked sausage rolls. There is also gooseberry crumble left for pudding. We shall have a healthy dinner tomorrow..lots of vegetables to make up for tonights treat.The colouring pens and the caffeine are calling...so until next time..take care and happy crafting. 

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at the Crafting Musketeers. Anew challenge has just begun and will run for the month of January. The theme for this month is New Beginnings. I chose to work with this wonderful image from Joanna Sheen's Furry Friends cdrom.It features the fantastic photographs of the very talented Rachael Hale.I just adore this image of the cat in the hat and thought that it would be a perfect New Year card. And let us all hope that the new beginning of the year brings us all some good times.
We are lucky enough this month to have been sponsored by the fantastic company of Crafty Sentiments. I hope that you will pop over to their website and take a look at all the wonderful things that they have on offer.

I feel very lucky today that the weather is being a little kinder than normal. This morning I watched the mists rolling in over the mountains..but now they have all faded away as quickly as they arrived. The cats have dashed out to make the most of the dry weather..so for once at least it seems to be very peaceful in the work corner.
Well the coffee is calling..as ever and I will be back soon with another design team make. Wherever you are I hope that the weather is being kind to you..so until later...take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge..Use a Sentiment

Here are the two cards that I have made for a design team make for the great team over at the Crafting Musketeers. The theme for this month is to Use a Sentiment. For the card above I have made a card using this beautiful image from the Christmas Moments cdrom, which is available from Creative Crafting World. I of course had to add just a little glitter..lol. I used diecut snowflakes to create a border and added jewels to each.

For the card below, I have used one of my favourite chrismas images from the Christmas At Hollypond Hill cdrom brought to us crafters by Joanna Sheen.

To decorate this card, I have used diecut mistletoe, adding pearls to represent the berries. Both cards of course feature a sentiment. For all details of the challenge, please pop over to the Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog. There is some wonderful inspiration from the members of the team.

We are lucky enough this week to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Sassy Studio Designs. They are a fabulous source of images and inspiration.

Well I think that I deserve another cup of coffee now. I am so enjoying the fact that the kittens are asleep..lol. I now will have an hour of perfect peace...well providing the other cats behave. I had to go and have my eyes done yesterday at the doctors. They put drops of solution in my eyes to dilute the pupils and then photographed my eyes. It was fine but all night it seemed as if I was looking at the world without my glasses on..lol Very strange I have to say. But today all is fine and I'm playing catch up with my work. Have got a few to do tomorrow and then I should be up to date. So until then...take care and happy crafting.