Father Christmas

Todays card is from the Father Christmas cdrom by Crafters Companion. The image is from the toppers section of the cd and the backing paper is from one of the design sets.I have mounted both the topper and the backing paper onto some red card. The only other things that I have added are some glittered peeloffs and a glittered greeting. Well I had to get some glitter in somewhere..lol. This card comes under the banner of a quick card...there are times when we need one that we can make quickly for whatever reason and this would be mine. The topper is large enough to be a good focal point and this was made on an A5 card. The backing paper is one of my favourites on this cd and of course you can have it in any colour you want using the colourizer section. I have also used it on other cards in the red colour and it is equally as delightful.
It is so cold here in the mountains today. We must be around freezing because all the animals want to do is cuddle up on the couch. One of my boys Nicodemus suffers from stiffness in his back legs in the cold weather and has to have medication..he goes out every day but the amount of time he spends out gets less and less, the colder it gets.On the other end of the scale is one of my girls called Raven, she loves the cold weather especially the snow. I have always been convinced that she thinks she is a dog and if you saw her in the snow..you would too. She rolls around in it and throws it up in the air..it seems to be a demonstration of pure joy. People have asked me in the past why I like my animals as I do and it hard to explain the joy that they bring into my life. They make me laugh when I don't even think I could smile...they give so much love for so very little. Most of my cats were rescued from terrible conditions and they are so grateful just for being loved. To watch a scared and scarred cat finally believe in you and start to come out of their shell is a wonderful thing. I thank the heavens every day for them and the joy that they bring to my life.
Well the coffee is calling and card orders are still coming in. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Snow

Todays card is made using the alphabet from the Crafters Companion 'Father Christmas' cdrom. I first embossed the background paper with a snowflake design. I cut and mounted the word snow from the alphabet section onto a piece of blue card. I die cut lots of different snowflakes and added them. It is a really simple card but it twinkles in the light and the embossing gives it a lovely look.
Well it looks as if we are in for a wet and windy weekend, with a serious weather warning for Monday. Winter is definately on it's way. I have to admit loving the wind. There is something so vital about it. I always think that I'm a bit like a dog with their head out of the car window..lol..I love standing there feeling the power. When I was little, I used to love lying cosy in my bed, listening to the storm raging outside. I can even remember the feel of my candlewick bedspread under my fingers. I have to admit to pulling out the little pieces of thread from the bedspresd and making my own patterns. Perhaps that where my love of pattern came from. The other thing that I remember is getting a piece of paper and drawing a big squiggle on it and then colouring all the different sections in. And of course no section could touch another of the same colour. Many happy hours were spent colouring these tiny sections. And now I love Zentangle..it must be all linked. Many of my crafting friends can admit to loving certain papers that much that they can never use them...that they get a buzz just looking at them. Me too. I can also get carried away with material...the pattern of it. This is why I so love my cdroms. I can print a certain pattern out again and again and not have to worry that I will run out of it. There is a certain Joanna Sheen paper that has foxgloves and other wild flowers on it..and it makes me happy. With that in mind..I shall have to go back to work..so the kettle is going on ..I always need that caffeine in my system. I hope that the weather is kind to you this weekend and that you have a wonderful time..take care and happy crafting

Father Christmas

Todays card is a really simple but happy card made with the fabulous Father Christmas cdrom by Crafters Companion.The image is from the toppers section and the backing paper is from the design sets. All that I have done is mount the image onto some red card and add some glitter peeloffs around the edges. This is a really quick and easy card..and lets be honest we all get to the point nearer christmas when we need a card that we don't have to think alot about and gives the right amount of festive feeling. I looked at this card sat on the side while it was drying and thought that it was a really cheery card.
Here in Snowdonia it's a really grey day and getting cooler by the hour.You can definately feel that Autumn is here. The cold snap is bringing on the changing of the colours. Even though I can't go out, I can still feel part of the seasons. Autumn and Winter have always been my favourite seasons. I love the cold air and the dark evenings. I love the cosy feeling of winter evenings by the fire. The first frost where the whole vista looks as if it's been sprinkled with glitter. Autumn always reminds me of new shoes. When I was a little girl I always had new shoes for the beginning of the Autumn term at school. I can remember looking down at my shoes and seeing the shine. The days before they became scuffed from all the playtimes.
I hope that you are having a good weekend and that you find some me time. Wherever you are take care and happy crafting

Snowy Rooftops

Todays card is from a set of decoupage by Docrafts called Tulip Christmas. This set and many others are available from jb-crafting supplies. It is really a lovely set of decoupage (all diecut). In the set there are 8 decoupage images and matching backing papers. As far as value for money goes..I don't think that they could be beaten. I have been really enjoying doing this set..it's not the usual type of thing that I do but it has given me lots of ideas. You can of course just use what is in the set without using anything else and still produce great cards but you can also look at your own embellishments and add more to the card. Either way you'll end up with a great christmas card.
I've been having a lovely time this weekend with lots of crafting play and the company of good friends. All my friends know that I'll be crafting away as we chat. Henry keeps the brews coming and we put the world to rights. I've been playing with my new tonic dies and will be sharing the outcome this week.
The weather here is really windy despite the sun shining. All the cats are out playing. I think that they really like the feel of the wind in their fur. A couple of them are skipping round the studio roof. It's so funny to watch them playing tag in the wind. Here in Snowdonia you really feel the changing of the seasons. I can look out of my window and watch the colours changing. I really wouln't want to live anywhere else..I've been here for over 20 years and have to say I still get a buzz that I live in such a beautiful place. Many people come here and can't handle the isolation. It's as if they can't manage without a pub or a shop. It's as if they cannot entertain themselves. Some people cannot handle living in such a small community..village life is not for everyone. The fact that everyone knows you and your business is something that doesn't bother me and in times of difficulty the friends that I have made here have helped me alot. But some people don't like it and don't last very long. They seem to arrive thinking that they are going to live the rural idyll without any work. They resent the rain, moan about the sheep, lack of pavements and expect to be able to live a town life in the middle of nowhere. But as I've said they don't last long. One hard winter with snow, blocked roads and no electric for a while and you know that come February the for sale signs will be up.
Well  the glitter is calling..hope you have a really good day..take care and happy crafting

Christmas Celebration

Todays card is from the fabulous Father Christmas cdrom from Crafters Companion. I have done quite a few cards from this cd and people have loved them. So many people adore this film and to be able to craft using these iconic images is a wonderful thing. I have used a diecut christmas tree on which I painted with white acrylic and glittered. Even though it is a smaller image it still becomes the focal point on a 8x8 card.
I have been making christmas cards for weeks now and still have a number to go. The thing that I moan the most about is making the inserts. To me a card needs an insert and that they should be just as nice as the front, and this is something that gives me the ultimate headache. When people open one of my cards..I want them to think that I've put an equal amount of thought into the insert. My headache usually begins when I start to make the inserts. I know that I should make the insert when I finish the card..but I don't. I usually end up with a pile of 100 cards all needing inserts. And sometimes it can seem to be the job to end all. But then I tell myself to suck it up and get on with it. And lifes a lot like that..we all have to do things that we would rather not but when we've done it..all's well with the world.
So now I'm off to start making inserts and hopefully by bedtime..all will be well with the world. Wherever you are and whatever you have to do..take care and happy crafting

Ditzy days, cats and cards

Today card is an example of how not to take a photo for your blog..lol I was in the middle of removing my nail varnish and suddenley decided to take some photos. As you can see my thumb decided that it wanted to be immortalised in the shot. That's the case when you have too many things floating round your head and you've got a list in your head of things you want to do. So instead of hiding my stupidity..I thought that I'd share the fact that I'm just as ditzy as I sometimes sound!
But now to the card. It's made using the Father Christmas cdrom by Crafters Companion. It's a wonderful cd showing many of the iconic images from the film. For some reason I adore this back view of Santa. There is something magical about it and I have made many cards using this particular design. When we were children what would we have given to have had this view of Santa? For an embellishment I have used some die cut snowflakes. I have also added some jewels onto the snowflakes. And of course I just had to add some glitter onto Santas coat.
I'm still playing with my Grand Calibur and having a great time. I have been cutting more mats with the Tonic dies. And they are truly fabulous. Clean cuts every time...and when you're diecutting..that's what you want but don't always get. That's why on this blog I will always be honest..we only have a certain amount of money available for craft goodies and it's important to share what we find to be really good or as is sometimes the case..really bad.
One thing that I can really recommend is JB Crafting Supplies...for good service, quality and choice. If you ever need any craft goodies pop along and speak to Julie..there are links on here that will take you straight there..and have a look.
The cats are driving me slowly crazy today. Back and to out of the window and round and round the computer. Jeff..our youngest cat is chocolate crazy..if you have it, he can smell it at twenty paces and will hound you without mercy. Jeff is a black boy who is convinced that he is a panther. And by the size of his feet may well be growing that way. He loves all my lady cats and gets a smack most days from one of them. All my ladies are very opinionated girls. My ginger tom..called Icabod loves a dominant lady. The boss lady cat was an old girl called Pyewacket who sadly passed away last year and he was heartbroken. It has taken him a while..looking around all the house ladies and now his heart has settled on Twinkle. She is a black and white who arrived with brain damage and the temper to end everything. Well since she arrived  Twinkle has hated everyone but now she has given in  and now loves our Icabod. She would never let another animal touch her before, but now Iccy is allowed to wash her and lie with her. It's a very wonderful thing. And she slaps him every now and then...so he's also really happy..lol It takes all sorts.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing..take care and happy crafting.