Chocolate Bliss

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge starts today and is anything goes with the option of buttons and bows. There is some wonderful inspiration from the other design team members, so if you get chance, please pop over and take a look. Why not enter the challenge..there is a wonderful prize of a £10 voucher to spend in the online store of our sponsers Scribble and Scrap. To enter a card it must feature a gruffie, house mouse or happy hopper..but if you're like me..you just adore them anyway.

For my card, I used a decoupage image of two little house mice who have been munching on a box of chocolates.I mounted the decoupage onto some purple mirri..which happened to be a certain purple that reminds me of a certain chocolate make..lol. I added a yellow ribbon and some chocolate coloured buttons.

Well I have to say it's freezing here in the mountains today. All the cats are in and all cosied up with Reg.During the last week we have some horrible weather..the mists have been down, the wind has ragedand we have had rain by the bucket full. Everyone that has visited has looked as if they have been dipped in the river. The roads flooded in certain areas and as I lay in bed I could hear the slates banging on the roof. Today it's at least dry but as I said it's really cold. The weather man has said that it's going to get bad again soon. Just the weather to stop in and craft.

Jeff has spent the last few days in a cat pen due to the injuries that he received after a fight with Sprout. He hurt one of his back feet and could not put it down. I put him in a pen so that he could rest it..and today is his first day out..and he's making up for his quiet time. At the moment he's going round causing chaos and hoovering up any food he can find. Don't get me wrong..he had a tin a day to himself..so he can't be hungry..just greedy..lol. He keeps jumping up on my knee giving me lots of love..and goodness help you if you're on the computer..the delete button is working overtime as he types when he lands. The rest of my cats are still in love with the electric blanket and it's a hard job to get in bed round everyone else..lol.

Well the coffee is calling and I still have a pile of work to complete. I am hoping to get my first order of the year off on Monday.I am aiming to start a new order book but haven't had the time to start it due to the amount of orders that I received over the christmas season..I hope that this year proves to be a busy one. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Blue and Silver

Todays card make is a design team make for the great team over at Gruffies and Guests. The challenge for this month is blue and silver and of course you have to use a gruffie, happy hopper or a house mouse.This months challenge is sponsered by Shaz and the prize is some rubber stamps featuring of course the wonderful Gruffies and some decoupage sheets. A great prize..one I wouldn't mind winning myself but as I'm on the design team I can't enter..lol. But you could. Please pop over to the blog..there is a link on the sidebar..and join in the fun. The other members of the design team have made some fabulous creations if you need a little inspiration.

The card I have made today is from the Triple House Mouse cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen .I mounted the backing paper and the image onto some silver holographic card. I just loved this image of the mice with the bows on their heads..I embellished the card using my die cut snowflakes. Every year I add to my collection. Diecutting has really changed the way that I decorate my cards. What I find really good is that they don't add too much height which is just as well with the postage rates being so high.It's something that you have to bear in mind when wanting to use a normal stamp. The only other thing that I've added is some jewels, another thing which I always keep in my stash.

I'm sat by my window today and all I can hear is the loudest noise of birds.. I can't see them but by goodness I can hear them. They must be gathering before they leave for the winter. It's still cold here but not as bad as yesterday. It was a real fight last night trying to get into bed..the animals had claimed it as theirs..the electric blanket was to blame..lol. Even Reg had managed to climb up and get himself under the quilt. It seems that Nicademus and Obie have moved back home for the winter. Nicademus has taken over my wheelchair in between meals..lol. Obie is just walking round seeing howmany of the others she can upset. She really is a little madam..lol. I've always said that she doesn't like me..she loves Reg and Nicademus and really adored Henry. Ever since he arrived in the house she has looked at me as if I'm something bad under her paw..lol..mind you she does allow me to feed her and as long as I do that when I'm told she will put up with me.

How are your christmas preparations going on. I'm despairing of the whole thing at the moment..I've nearly finished my shopping for presents but am finding it really hard to be inspired. Normally I've spent ages trying to find something special for everyone but this year it feels as if my brain won't work. I need to spend a night and go through my lists and see where I am. I miss Henry..he was always such a help in deciding what to get people but I'll just have to do it all in his memory..I know he would want me to have a christmas. So I'll count my blessings and carry on.

 Well the coffee is calling and then I've got a pile of work to do.I hope that you have a great weekend.
So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Party Nights

Todays card is a design team make for the amazing team over at The Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog. The new challenge is Use bling and the challenge is sponsered by the lovely Jackie Western at Party Nights Creations. There is a wonderful prize which features paper pads, die cuts, gems and ribbons. Why not pop over using the link on the sidebar of this blog and have a go. If you need some inspiration there are some fantastic cards from the other members of the design team. My card features the wonderful Gruffies from the Joanna Sheen cdrom..Gruffies and Happy Hoppers. I mounted the image and the backing paper onto some blue glitter card. I then used some die cut baubles to decorate the card. I used glittery peeloffs to act as the bauble strings..I then decided to add more of the strings to look like streamers..I added some gems to add a little more twinkle.

It's a lovely day here in the mountains..the sun is shining but there is a definate nip in the air. I have decided that later this week I'm going to decorate the house for christmas..nt as I normally would do but perhaps a wreath on the door and  my owl tree in the parlour. My owl tree was something I made last year with Henry. Henry collected some twigs from outside and then we did the messy job of painting then white, then glittered them. We had a collection of owl decorations which we hung from the owl tree. We always laughed, wondering how long it would take the cats to wreck our creation but they never have. So I'm going to put the owl tree in a prime position for christmas to honour a precious memory. I think that I'm also going to make a bauble wreath for the door. Henry and I always loved the wreaths made of baubles but could never afford one so I've decided to make my own. My idea involves some gold and red baubles and a wire coat hanger. I will share a picture of it if it works out. That's the thing with my bright ideas..you never know if they're going to work. We shall see.

The cats are still loving the electric blanket. I'm sure that they think that it's been sent for them  and only them. The trouble that I have trying to get my legs down the bed around little furry bodies that don't want to move off the quilt is so funny. Sprout has begun to get on the bed right after their supper and stays there all night. Last night when I went to bed..he was super toasty and not moving for anyone or anything..lol Pinkie is still in and has a lot to say. I have put her in a cat pen during the day..mainly to build her up a bit after her adventures..and she seems to be loving all the attention. She comes out after I have dinner and stays out all night..well she's out of the pen but is on the bed of warmth..lol. She has been so funny since she came home..everyone who visits has to be told her tales of woe..she sits there looking them straight in the face..meowing at them and if they say anything to her..she looks to all the world as if she is listening and answering them. It's so hard trying to write this blog today as  Milky is determined to sit between me and the computer. So I'm getting neck strain trying to see the keys over her. I have tried to put her down 4 times and she just keeps coming back..lol. As many of you will know if you have cats..once they've decided on a course of action...there's no stopping them. The worst offenders for this have always been my Birman cats.. I used to have one called Jeremy and would just keep going..13 times I tried to get him to move and then I gave up. Another Birman  I had called Holly was exactly the same. You just have to laugh.

I hope that your own christmas preparations are going well and that you're not wearing yourself out. I have a friend who says that christmas wouldn't happen if it wasn't for the women in the family. That so many women wear themselves out making christmas magical for everyone else. I don't know how I feel about that statement but I do know that many christmas mornings saw me exhausted. So if you are doing all the organising and preparations..spare a thought for yourself. Give yourself some little treats and get to enjoy some of the festivities yourself

Well the coffee is calling and then I've got orders to sort out .I have some orders that have to go out in the next week or so..so more insert making this next weekend..lol. But I know that I'll feel virtuous at the end of it.So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Feeling Tired

I was looking through the cards that I had made over the past few months and came across this one. As most of you know the current challenge over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge Blog is Halloween or Halloween colours, featuring either a Gruffie or House Mouse. Well  I'd used this card for a previous challenge but as I skipped through my cards and saw this one I thought to myself that the colours were quite autumn/halloween. You never realise what you've made that might fit into a totally different challenge. Well now is the time to have a go. Why don't you pop over to the Gruffies and Guests and enterthe challenge. There has just been a half way reminder with some fabulous inspiration from the very talented design team B. I always find the other design team makes amazing..and quite often something a little bit different.

This card is the perfect one for me today. I have been up since early and quite like a cuddle with a blankie but there is just too much to do..lol. One of my friends, the PA, is forever on the go. I'm sure that she must have more hours in her day than the rest of the world..or perhaps she has just given up sleep..lol. Sometimes when she tells me what she has achieved in a day...it makes me feel exhausted just listening...lol. Well the majority of the painting is finished but what is left, I can see that it will take me all next week to do it, around all the cardmaking. It may be a case of make a card, paint a doorframe, make a card. Hopefully my new kitchen worktop will go up next week..oh the excitement of unpacking my kitchen machines. I can't wait to get to the point when I can get down to the arty bits. I may be glittering the stairs wall today..if my legs will let me..lol. I will have to see how they go on..at the moment the pain is too much and I've had to put them up. At least if I can't do anything else, I can at least make some cards..my list keeps growing.

Well the coffee is definitely calling..my caffeine levels are low. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Halloween is coming

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Todays card isa design team make for the wonderful team over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge Blog.It features this sweet image from The House Mouse Triple cdrom brought to us crafters by Joanna Sheen. The Challenge theme is Halloween or Halloween Colours and the wonderful sponser is Di's Digis and they given a $10 voucher as the prize. Why don't you pop over to the blog to take a look and enter the challenge.

The card is what the makers called a snowflake shape but as far as I'm concerned it's a funky shape and could be used at any time. I covered the card with the matching backing paper and then mounted both the image and the greeting onto some gold holographic. I then cut out some leaves from the backing paper and decoupaged them onto the card overlapping the image. I took a second picture so hopefully you can see the effect more clearly.

As I'm trying to type this Raven is sat on my chest, ticklin my nose with her tail. I'm having to type with one finger, she is so determined to be there. She is happily purring away as I'm getting a crick in my neck, trying to see over her..lol.I bet you're thinking why does this stupid woman just not move the cat. My answer to that is that as soon as I move her, she jumps back over the computer and it goes on and on..lol. She has been like this all week. I think she just needs 2 D rings and a handle and everyone would be happy. Despite what the weather man said...it's a lovely day here in the mountains. The rest of the cats are in and out of the window like yo-yos and even Reg is feeling perky.

Well the coffee calls..I know I'm a caffeine head but it my fuel of choice. I hope you have a great weekend. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Kissing Bough

Todays card is another I made for the new challenge that has just started over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge Blog. The theme was Fall or Anything goes.I chose to make this card featuring these two cute mice.I cut out some spare leaves from the backing paper to create the border. The image is from the House Mouse Triple cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen.I love the colours in this image and backing paper and think that they are perfect for Autumn. What is it about Autumn that makes me feel cosy? I've always loved this season but it always makes me think of new shoes..lol. Strange you may think but when I was little a new autumn term meant new shoes bought to see you hopefully through the winter. And you just weren't ready to let go of your sandals...and for some reason I can't remember but we always called them Jesus sandals. Can anyone remember why they were given this name?I've noticed the leaves starting to change..the colours are amazing..I once read about a lady who collected autumn leaves, dried them and then varnished them. She then used them to decorate her studio. I wonder if it would work..could you capture the colours and for how long..I may have to give it a try.

I had such great plans for yesterday and they didn't come to very much. It was one of those days when everything I tried just went wrong..lol. As it stands I have 2 cards nearly finished, I skull half painted, I baby hanging heart nearly finished, one painting half done and a pile of work still to be done. And today Ihave to do some work ready for posting on my JB Crafting Supplies design team. I'm hoping that it goes well today. I think it may be a case of getting my head down and just keeping on. First thing though is to find a poem that I was thinking of by Maya Angelou..it's been going round my head in bits..I need to find it. Wherever I get to tomorrow, I will photograph it to share all the chaos with you.

Well the coffee is calling, so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Ginger and friends

Todays card has been made for the new challenge over at the Gruffies and Guests challenge blog. I'm lucky enough to be on the design group for this wonderful site..the other members of the design team are so very talented and a wonderful source of inspiration. The theme for this month is Anything goes with the option of Fall into fall. I chose this image from the House Mouse triple cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. Why don't you pop over and join in the fun. The wonderful sponsers for this month are Bearly Mine Designs and the prize is a £10 voucher. I so enjoyed making this card. I love the image of the cat asleep with his little mice friends, although in this house it's a little dog covered in cats..lol. I mounted the image and the backing paper onto some brown card. I then stamped and coloured some leaves. I coloured the leaves with my copics. I just love this leaf stamp and I have to say that it one of the very first stamps that I ever bought. It has certainly been worth every penny.

The weather hear today is undecided. It keeps drizzling and then the sun comes out. All the cats were trying to wake me this morning. They had all obviously had a chat and decided that breakfast should be early..lol Have you ever tried to go back to sleep with a little tribe of cats meowing and jumping on you?..it doesn't happen. So with no good grace I got up and discovered that everyone was there apart from Jeff. When he finally did come in, it was so funny..he just couldn't understand why and how everyone else was eating and he'd missed out. Not that he did miss out though..he has to have his own bowl with a whole tin of cat food to himself..after all he is a growing boy.

So what have you got planned for the weekend? I have a pile of work..so much in fact that I don't know where to begin. I have an idea to make a frame to hold my earrings, a couple of skulls in production and a gift for a new born..as well as about 14 cards..so it looks like a good weekend here..lol. I will be sharing all my efforts with you over the next couple of weeks.

Well the coffee is calling and work is shouting..lol. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Just Chilling

Todays card is from the wonderful cdrom Gruffies and Happy Hoppers from Joanna Sheen. I love this image of the Gruffie at his desk surrounded by coffee cups and pieces of paper..it reminds me of my working area. I thought this would be a good reminder to everyone of the challenge over at Gruffies and Guests. The theme for this month is boys, so this card would work over at the challenge too.I have used the backing paper that goes with the image on the cd.

It is so hot today I just don't know what to do with myself..lol. Reg is lay down on the cool bit of the floor and all the cats are stretched out on the studio roof. I had a lovely phonecall today from an old friend who I hadn't spoken to for a while. He had heard about Henry and wanted me to know that he was still around for me. It was really good to catch up..it amazes me that he is a teacher now and he teaches RE. He said that he is going to call over to Wales soon..it will be really good to catch up.

I have so much work on I've decided to have the weekend off before I begin. I'm intending to have a time just pottering around the house and to catch up with some friends that are coming over. I'm hoping that after a weekend off, I'll be raring to go come Monday.

Well the coffee is calling and I can feel the need for some chocolate. So until Monday..take care, have a great weekend and happy crafting

Just Hanging around

Hello everyone..what a weekend..it feels as if there has been a revolving door on the house..lol. But straight back to the crafting now..lots of orders to do and a head full of ideas, Todays card is another one that I made for the design team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has begun..so why no pop over and join in the fun. The wonderful sponsers for this month are Petal U and are offering a £10 lucky dip as a prize. For the card I've chosen an image from the House Mouse triple cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. I have decoupaged the image. The greeting is from my stash and says..just hangin...which made me smile..after all the theme is boys and all the boys that I have known spend a lot of time just hanging around.

Even my daily wheel with Reg was hectic today. For the first time ever he shot off before I could get him on the lead. Hastily followed by my friend I have to add. Admittedly I had got stuck getting the wheelchair out of the door and ended up with the lead stuck in the wheel. Well Reg obviously was so desperate to get to the grass..he couldn't wait any longer..bless him. My friend said that he got to the grass and then waited for me to get there. It was harder than usual because there was a removal van and 2 large cars in the way..and 2 loose dogs .and 4 of my cats to get round. Everyone ended up laughing. When I finally got Reg onto the lead we had to go off roading as a large van then arrived on the road and decided that he needed all the road and both sides of the grass to get past me. I can tell you I was ready for a lie down myself by the time we got to turnaround tree.I was relieved to get home and have a drink. At the moment Reg is in his basket with Jeff for company and all the other cats are stretched out on the studio roof. Peace is all around today..now..lol

Well the coffee is calling and I've lots of crafting to do. I hope that you all had a great weekend. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Boys will be boys

Todays card is one that I've made for the design team over at Gruffies and Guests. As you all know by now I just love the work of Ellen Jareckie of House Mouse fame..so when I discovered the Gruffies and the Happy Hoppers cdrom  from Joanna Sheen..I was over the moon. And then I was lucky enough to get onto the design team for Gruffies and Guests...well I was over the moon. The theme for the challenge this month was boys...and when I saw this image of the happy hoppers jumping around it just reminded me Henry and his friends jumping around when they were younger...It did involve a broken couch I have to say...lol. So the challenge is up and running over at Gruffies and Guests..so why not pop over and join in the fun. Our sponsers for this month are the wonderful team from Petals U and they are offering a £10 Lucky dip prize for this months challenge.

The card image and th greeting are from the same sheet from the cd, the backing paper is from my stash, as is the boys will be boys tag.To bring a bit of contrast I've added some black peeloffs. I hope you like it.

When I took Reg for his wheel today, we were joined by 5 cats..it felt like old times. Sick bay has now been dismantled..thank goodness. There was a bit of a moment here last night though. My friend was coming over and as she came in the gateway she was bitten by a dog next door. Now I know that it wasn't these dogs that attacked my cats as the cats have lived by them all their lives and have the sense to stop away. But I do have to say that they have terrorized every visitor to my house for a long time. They hang over the fence and many a delivery driver has ended up by the shed in an effort to stay out of their way. My friend has had to go to the hospital today to have a tetanus and now has antibiotics to take. I hope that this make the owners think about how they are going to restrain them in the future. But you never know.

Well the coffee is calling..and I'm feeling a little tired today.. hopefully the caffeine will help. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

Under the brolley

Todays card is from the Gruffies and Happy Hoppers cdrom from Joanna Sheen. I thought that this would make a great get well soon card..'feeling under the weather'.The umbrella has been decoupaged and I have added some glossy  accents to the rain puddle and to all the raindrops. The backing paper is from the cd as well. This a 7x7 sized card but could have easily worked on an 8x8. I love the way in which you can pick up on the lilac colours in the edging.

I needed an umbrella today when wheeling Reg but didn't have a spare hand..lol. It was hammering down when I got up this morning and I was dreading taking him out but luckily when we did go out..it had eased a little. We still got wet but didn't look as if we have been dunked in a water butt. It was so funny watching the cats running under the raspberry bushes to get out of the rain. I had four today...Jeff, Rave , Milky and Pink. We had a bit of a sticky time when we met a large lorry..I had to go off roading for the first time..lol...and I have to say I'm not good on grass. I think Reg thought that I'd lost my mind.The lorry driver was kind enough to check that I was ok...I can't imagine what he would have done if I'd have been stuck. He may have needed to use his crane...that would have been a really good photo...lol.

I have been thinking more and more about doing some mixed media art over the past few days. I may have a play over the weekend. I used to do such a lot of different types of art..painting,combined with decoupage. I did a couple of canvasses for a company for their lobby and it seems an age since I had a play. Who knows what I will decide to do...I shall have to see if I can find my acrylics.

Well the coffee is calling so I'm off to have a hunt for my paints and then I'll have a caffeine hit and have a play. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

Recline and Relax

Todays card is another that I have made for the fantastic challenge over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge blog. This card is my second for the design team for this months challenge which has the theme of Summer. As most of you know I just love the Hoppers and so this card features a hopper relaxing in the heat.I mounted the image and the backing paper onto some holographic card. I created the border using holographic, to which I added some backing paper and some fish and duck which I cut from the backing paper. I then added some glitter glue to the border and a little on the water.I just love the way that the hoppers tummy is acting as a table for his cool drink.

I was lucky enough today to take Reg out in the sunshine. It was raining heavens hard when I woke up this morning and I thought that I would be getting rather damp. After all if I didn't take Reg out in the wet..he would never get out living here in the mountains..lol. But by the time I'd fed the cats, it was all clear outside. So instead of a wheel in the rain, we had a lovely wheel in the sun with a bit of a breeze. I have to admit to panic stations in the house this morning...Jeffrey was missing. I rang round everyone to ask if they'd seen him..so everyone checked their sheds and gardens..and he must have been somewhere he shouldn't be as he arrived home in a right temper..really put out...with only himself to blame. Since then he has remained in the dog basket..lol.

Well the coffee is calling..I hope you are having a great weekendand that the weather is being kind to you. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Giving thanks for summer

Todays card is one that I've made for the design team over at the Gruffies and Guests Challenge blog. The challenge starts today and the theme is Summer. There is a fantastic prize...a £15 voucher for use at the fabulous Scribble and Scrap shop. How exciting is that?! I do hope you will pop over for a look and why not have a go. As most of you know I just adore the Gruffies, Hoppers and House mouse images....for this challenge I have made 2 cards. This is the first..featuring the adorable house mice cooling down on some ice cubes. Tomorrows card will be featuring a hopper. The image comes from the fantastic House Mouse triple cd from Joanna Sheen.

For this card I mounted the image and the backing paper onto some wonderful holographic pink card.I made a border of the same card and then decoupaged some flowers cut from the backing paper onto it.I also mounted the greeting on the holographic and then added another of the decoupaged flowers. I just love the image of the mice trying to cool down on the ice cubes..how many times have I wished (being a lady of a certain age) that I could do the same...lol. I have spent many a hot day with an electric fan pointed straight at me. And I can say that trying to craft with a force 10 gale blowing is a little hard work

I'm happy to say that the weather here today has been fantastic...it was a joy to take Reg wheeling today. The only problem I had was that my gloves were still wet. They are leather and make such a difference when pushing myself but they take an absolute age to dry out. But all in all it was a lovely wheel today. We all had a spell at the turnaround tree...with Jeff stretched out as normal on the grass. The only thing that marred the trip was the amount of dog poo which needed to be picked up. I know I don't have to do it..after all you are only responsible for your own dog but there was so much..something had to be done. I know who is responsible...they are here on holiday and have a total disregard for everyone else. They let their dogs roam unattended It's just not fair on everyone else. No doubt I shall be having words sometime soon..But back to happy thoughts now..the sun is shining and an afternoon of crafting lies ahead.

Well the coffee is calling...I'm sure that I'm fuelled by caffeine..lol. I hope you have a wonderful weekend..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

A Hug to remember

Todays card is from The Gruffies and Happy Hopper cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. It features the fantastic artwork of Ellen Jareckie..the amazing artist who also draws the wonderful house mouse. I'm lucky enough to be on the design team for the Gruffies and guests challenge blog. If you love the gruffies, hoppers or house mouse...why not pop over and enter the challeng. This months challenge is sponsered by the fabulous My Creative Classroom. I just had to make this card because I love the image. Sometimes I need to send a card to someone who just needs a hug and this card would be perfect to tell them that they are being thought of. I have double mounted the image on burgundy card and then holographic card. I used the same colours on the border, just adding some diecut leaves and heart shaped jewels.

I'm quite surprised just how lovely the weather has turned out today. When I wheeled Reg today it was raining off and on and the wind was blowing. Just now as I look out of the window the sun is shining, the sky is a brilliant blue and all I can hear is birdsong. All the cats are stretched out on the studio roof and Reg for once has his basket to himself.I intend to spend the rest of the afternoon making cards.

The arrival of the post bought an excitement. It was my design team parcel from jb-crafting supplies. This month I'm going to be lucky enough to be working with the Halcyan Days cdrom by Crafters Companion. I'm so looking forward to having a play...so you can be sure that I will be sharing some cards from this with you very soon. I know that I'm so lucky to be on a number of design teams and I get to work with some amazing crafters. I spend my day surrounded by a fabulous amount of inspiration. If ever I feel as if I don't know what to do or what type of card to make,I only have to go and look at the challenge blogs and I'm ready to go again. They really are an amazing group of ladies who gave me immense support when I lost Henry.

Well the kettle is boiling and the coffee calls so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Patchwork Hopper and Gruffie

It seems an age since I last blogged..as most of you will know I've had a devastating time, losing my son who was only 17. Words will never be enough to describe the horror of it all but I have to believe that there is a greater plan that we know nothing of. During the last few months I have wondered what to do and I came to the conclusion that Henry would have said why haven't you made a card? He was always so proud of what I did..and so to honour him..I've decided to get back to doing what I loved. At first it's been like learning to walk again..I couldn't remember where anything was and everything that once came naturally was really hard work..but things can only get better.The amount of kindness and support that I have received from my friends in the crafting world has been amazing..thankyou all. So without further ado..here are my first cards.

I am lucky enough to be on the design team for Gruffies and Guests..which celebrates the art work of the amazing Ellen Jareckie, the creator of House Mouse. I have to admit to a bit of a thing for the Hoppers...I just adore rabbits. These cards are for the new challenge over on the Gruffies and Guests blog. The theme is Patchwork and must include a Gruffie,Hopper or House Mouse image. I hope that you will pop over to the blog and enter the challenge. This month the challenge is sponsered by the fabulous My Creative Classroom.I hope that you will come on over as there are some fabulous cards created by the very talented ladies on the design team. They are always a fantastic source of inspiration.

My first card features one of my favourite Hopper designs. The background paper was made using all the scraps left over from making other cards. I love making this kind of background because I can use up all the papers that are just too pretty to throw away. Now I have a box dedicated to all little bits of pretty and sometimes I will just play and make a background.I got the idea from a crazy patchwork throw that I made some years ago.

The second card features a gruffie and uses the fabulous patchwork dies from Joanna Sheen. It is another way to use up the scraps that as crafters we cannot bear to throw away. On the card it says You deserve a break and I'm sure that we all know people who work so hard that they really do need to take a bit of me time...and what nicer way to do it than cuddling down under a patchwork quilt.

Well, as always, as before, the coffee is calling and the cats are demanding some attention..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Happy New Year from the Gruffies

How excited am I? I have been twitching for a while now...waiting to bring you a card for my next new design team..Gruffies and friends. As most of you know by now I am a great fan of the artwork of Ellen Jareckie (House Mouse) and also love anything brought to us by Joanna Sheen. So to be a part of this design team really is a dream come true. This is my first card for the 'Anything Goes' challenge. One of my other loves is rabbits so I had to choose one of the happy hoppers for the card. It is from the wonderful Gruffies and friends cdrom by Joanna Sheen. On the cd there are some wonderful images and as with all Joanna cds, there are fabulous backing papers that you could use with any of your other cardmaking. I decided to turn the card into a new year card and had great fun planning how I would do it. The challenge blog has a different theme every month and gives you a great chance to play with all your gruffies and house mouse images, alongside of course the happy hoppers. I do hope that you will come and have a go. And for an added bonus there is a prize from our wonderful sponsers over at Crafty Ribbons.



Today here in the mountains, the rain is hammering down again..giving me the perfect excuse to craft away. I don't mind the rain as I don't go out but the damp can play havoc with the old bones..lol. I feel today as if I can only sit on one side ..I have a really big pain in one hip and so I feel as if I should sit on a slant..which would not help...but hey ho..these things are sent to try us. When I first became ill it was crafting that saved my sanity..I could lose myself in creating a card and for a small time at least..focus on that and not the pain. So crafting has become one of my blessings to count.
Well the coffee is calling and I have a set of orders to complete...so I had better get my working head on. I do hope that you will consider popping over to the Gruffies and friends challenge blog and have a go. There is a link on the right hand side that will take you there. Come over and see the work of the other ladies on the design team. They are all very talented crafters and are a wonderful source of inspiration. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.