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. The theme is Anything Goes with the option of the seasons. I decided to make a Christmas card and used the wonderful Nature Trail from Hobby Art stamps. I love the way that you can make so many different types of cards, just using this one set. The other thing that I liked is that you could in fact use this set all year round..just depending on what colourways you picked to use.

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful team over at Di's Digis, and they have offered a great prize..for all details, please check out the Snowflakes Promise blog.

I have to laugh, whilst trying to type this blog..the cats have done something to the computer and the a button is deciding to play up and it's not until you try to type you realise what problems it can cause. Every two words it seems as if I have to check that the a has appeared.lol. It is Gannie who is to blame..he bounced in through the window and landed straight onto the laptop...and with that he bounced out again. He has been missing Nosey I can tell by all the noise he makes at me in the middle of the night..he cannot work out where his best friend has gone. He does seem to have made friends with a cat from cross the road called Ollie and no doubt they will be heading off into trouble together very soon. I have the awful feeling that it will all be Gannie's fault..even though I did watch Ollie leading the way into his own bathroom window with Gannie following..it was as if Ollie was saying come in here..the humans are all out..lol. Gannie has brought Ollie to the studio roof..I don't think that Ollie's owner won't be too happy with Ollie roughing it over here..lol. I don't know about us being from the wrong side of the tracks..it's more of a case of the roughside of the road. Yet again the cats were chased by a dog..there just seems to be no end to it. I will be getting well known for sounding like a fish wife, if I shout out of the window any more. There is supposed to be a new initiative starting where the police will deal with irresponsible dog owners..we shall have to see how it goes.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has arrived so if I'm lucky I may not have to make it. All the cats are outside in the sunshine. Gannie seems to have brought Ollie's toys home..I shall have to return them later..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

JB-Crafting Supplies.....Thinking Christmas

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. For this card and more, I have used this fantastic stamp set called the Nature Trail from Hobby Art, If you get the chance, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog..I have created 3 more different cards, using the same stamp set and some more using other stamp sets from Hobby Art. I know it can seem strange to be thinking about Christmas cards now but I need to work out which ones I'm going to make and that can take me a while..lol I just love the fact that this set has a rabbit and an owl included in it and actually this is a stamp set that you can use all year round..I can imagine doing rolling green hills and flower meadows..how lovely for a summer card. Now I've had that thought I'm just going to have to make a summer card using this set..lol.I have a notebook which holds my thoughts relating to cards that I want to make...I have to write the ideas down or else I forget. It must be an age thing..lol. I can even head to the fridge and forget what I've gone for.
All the cats have deserted me today in disgust. They're sulking because there are only biscuits left and they will have to wait until my friends arrive with the cat food. The fact that they all had a huge breakfast and have biscuits to keep them going is immaterial to them..lol  It looks like they are in for a treat tonight..my friend has just arrived and they have Kitekat for supper..their favourite..featuring Trout.So if nothing else I will have happy cats..lol Since they have watched the cat food arrive they have been in and out like yo-yos. It even makes the delivery men laugh when they deliver my shopping..all the cats line up and watch it arriving..he says it's as if they count it all come in. I wouldn't mind if they were starving but you should see all the round and plump tummies. And we won't even mention Jeffrey..I don't think he eats..just inhales..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I'm off to finish a couple of projects. I do hope that if you have time that you will pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog and take a look at all the other cards. And of course if you need any crafting goodies..just ask Julie. I will be back tomorrow with some more design team makes..so until then..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....For Sunshine

Today's picture is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. The whole idea for the use of this image came from my friend Sunshine. She said that she always thought that this image from Jiggery Makery should be stood in front of a window. So I have created one. I drew and painted the window with my Lyra watercolours. The scene through the window was created with some of my Hobby Art scene it stamps. I coloured the Jiggery Makery lady with my promarkers, and then cut her out and placed her in front of the window.
The sun is shining here in the mountains and all the cats are outside. Sparkle has just put up the new cottage sign..candy skull and orange flowers. I had to laugh..the cats are all asleep on the studio roof and they didn't even bat an eyelid while it was all going on..even though Sparkle attached the sign to the studio. I decided to honour Henry's memory with the candy skull and orange flowers..they are both things that he loved.
Sparkle has also put up two small shelves which I was given. One has a cherub holding up the shelf and the other has angel..they are both gold and so me..lol. I have had one by Henry's shelf..it has some of his favourite things on it and the other at the side of the window. I have put a crystal vase on one and an orange vase is going on the other. It will be nice to have some where to put some flowers and a place hopefully that the cats won't bother them. They are little terrors for carrying off my flowers..lol. Raven is the worst offender..flowers, straws and pencils are the love of her life and loves nothing better than carrying them around and playing with them. She is a terror for taking my tools out of the draw by the side of me and heading off with them.Two pokey tools and 2 pairs of small scissors are still missing..goodness only knows what she has done with them.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be papercutting for a new design. Tonight's dinner is already planned..chicken and mushroom pie with jacket potatoes. An easy dinner..I'll just put it in the oven and there we go. I'm getting excited with the thought of the Olympics which are due to start..so I'm aiming to get lots of work ready to begin ready for the weekend. It's the only time that I'm quiet..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies...It's all birds

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. The top two cards feature Daryl the quirky turkey brought to us crafters by the fantastic team over at Hobby Art. Both have been coloured with my promarkers. Every time I look at them, they make me smile. I would send either of these to my friends who are vegetarian..in fact I've already had orders using the one below..they loved the idea of a turkey with attitude. If you need anything for your crafting, please pop over to JB-Crafting Supplies and Julie will be able to source it for you..saying that she has lots of crafting goodies in stock.

My third card is also a stamp from Hobby Art. It's called Otto owl. I bought this stamp in memory of Henry and thought that I would make some Christmas cards with it,

The weather here in the mountains today is up and down..wet and dry. So the cats are in and out depending on the rain. At the moment the sun is trying to shine but goodness knows how long it will last. I'm sitting here feeling slightly sorry for myself. I feel as if I have a cartoon nose. It's throbbing and both my eyes are slightly swollen. The event that caused this was 2 and a half stone cat..named and shamed as Jeffrey..getting involved in an argument which resulted in him landing straight at my nose. The consequence was me having a nose bleed or should I say two. My nose was bleeding on the inside and he had managed to scratch the outside as well. I have had an headache ever since and still feel like I should have a cartoon nose..such does it throb..lol. Both my eyes are swollen and I look as if I have partied hard for quite a while. Ever since the accident happened, Jeffrey has been trying to make friends...I think that he's realised that he hurt me and keeps coming for a fuss. After the accident happened all the cats have been over to see me..lol..it was very busy in bed last night, with the tribe checking that I was getting enough fuss. So plans for the move round in the parlour have been changed until later on..by which time I will have all my tablets in my system and hopefully feel more like doing it.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some work to get on with. I will be back shortly with another design team make..so until then..take care and happy crafting

JB-Crafting Supplies....Birthday Tea Time

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. This card uses a stamp set from Hobby Art stamps. For all the details about this card, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog. I love creating cards like this because it always reminds me of being a child and all the tea parties that my Grandmother used to host. I can remember the lovely floral dresses of the ladies and the smell of their perfumes. The pretty china on the tables and all the dainty sandwiches and cakes. Now this was one of the few times that the ladies got the chance to dress up and get together. Most of the time they were farmers wives with their own duties on the farm and this was always a chance to catch up. The gentlemen were always together but usually outside discussing the stock. Two items on the table for the men was celery with it's bowl of salt and pickled cucumber. There was always a separate table for the men..usually in a different room where their discussions were helped along with a whisky. The food was of a more substantial variety large sandwichs made with homemade brawn, pressed tongue or a large cooked ham.On the mens table, alongside the celery and pickled cucumber there was nearly always a large bowl of picalilli. I can remember helping my Grandmother making the picalilli and the way it took my breath away with the vinegar and spices.
If there is anything you need or want crafting wise, please pop over and see what Julie at JB-Crafting Supplies has. And don't forget to take a look at all the fabulous material that she has available. If you scroll through the facebook page, you will see some of the projects that she has completed..they are fantastic.
The sun is shining here today in the mountains and all the cats have left home. No doubt they are all sunning themselves somewhere. The only one that is inside is Nosey. I think that he is having a growth spurt as he has spent quite a few days just sleeping and eating. At the moment he is fast asleep in a small box on the couch..if a small box arrives for me, I always put it for the cats. There is nothing that they like better than a good box..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some research to do on the internet for a friend. It involves memorial stones..so it should be fun. I love a mystery and will enjoy searching for answers. I'll let you know how it goes later. It's my favourite dinner tonight..fish, new potatoes and salad. I swear I could live on it. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies...The First Christmas Card

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. Before my friend Sunshine starts on at me..yes I know it's still June but all the craft channels have been featuring Christmas products and once I got the idea for this card into my head...I just had to make it to shut myself up..lol. The card features a stamp from Hobby Art and backgrounds created with my Lyra watercolours. For all details about this card please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies blog. As always..should you have any crafting needs or wants..please pop over to JB-Crafting Supplies and speak to Julie. I think that it's really important that we as crafters support local businesses..if we don't then there will be no local craft shops and the huge impersonal superstores that really don't care will win. I personally love being able to speak to Julie, knowing that she is both a crafter and sewing guru, makes asking questions so much easier. All too many times the huge chains have no interest apart from how much money they can make...and most of the people that work there just want to get the day over with and have no interest in crafting themselves.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today. All the cats are outside apart from Nosey who is asleep on the couch. Last night I could not stop laughing..I had the new carpet for the parlour arrive..all rolled up and the cats immediately thought that they had been bought a huge scratching post. My friend the PA put some cushions by it to try and stop them but all to no avail..lol. Milky flung herself at the roll of carpet and looked for all the world as if she had been splatted at it. Her front and back legs were all stretched out to the sides and she was trying her hardest to hang on as well as have a scratch. I just couldn't stop laughing. Finally she decided to sit on top of the roll and I left her to it. The cats are in for more fun in a couple of weeks when all the flooring for downstairs arrives. I won't know myself soon..with new carpet and lino downstairs and new carpet with underlay up in the parlour. I've told the cats they had better behave or they will find themselves wearing slippers..lol
Well the coffee is calling and I have a visitor coming later..I hope that they don't mind being surrounded by carpet and underlay..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Through the Window

Today's cards are both design team makes for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. These cards came into being because of my friend Sunshine. We were talking about how different people see something different looking at the same thing. She said she had always thought that this lady from Jiggery Makery was looking out of a window. And I thought to myself that I could make that happen...so I have. It took a lot of hunting through my stamps to find something suitable but it was all great fun.

I used a stamp from Flowersoft for the actual window and used stamps from Hobby Art to create the scenes. I am now looking through my other stamps to find some more different types of window. I have placed this wonderful Jiggery Makery lady to the side of the window..so she does look as if she is looking through it. I am having to type using one hand as Nosey has decided that he wants to sit under my chin and give me lots of love.I am being padded within an inch of my life..lol.
If you get the chance, please pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the fabulous ladies that are available. As you can see from today's cards..you can find a lady to make whatever style of card you want.
The weather is quite nice today...all the other cats are outside. Every so often there is a large thud..and that is all down to Simon. For some reason...only known to himself Simon has decided that he isn't coming onto the studio roof by means of the tree.as every other cat in the world does. He has decided that he would sooner go to the back of the house..get onto the roof and arrive on the studio roof by means of jumping off the house roof. The first time he did it I thought that it was a one off...but no..he now does it about twenty times a day...marked by a thud on the studio roof..lol. He is definitely one on his own.
Well the coffee is calling and I think I need a good dose of caffeine. I am working on some card ideas...I can drive myself crazy when I have an idea...I just need to make the original idea and see where it goes. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

JB- Crafting Supplies......The Funky Chickens

Here I am again with another design team make. This is for the wonderful company of JB-Crafting Supplies. I have been lucky enough to work with this wonderful stamp set from Hobby Art...The Funky Chickens. For this make I began by using a stamp from my stash and created the backing paper. I stamped the three cockerels from the stamp set using my memento inkpad and then coloured them with my promarkers. These cockerels really make me smile and I thought it would make a great boys out on the town card. Sometimes you need to make a card just to make someone smile and these chickens really fill that gap.
If you need or want any crafting supplies, please pop over to the JB-Crafting Supplies face book page and take a look. Julie the owner is so helpful and will no doubt find what you need. She also supplies an amazing variety of materials and knitting supplies. Well worth a look.
It has stopped raining here in the mountains and the heat has returned. All the cats have departed outside again, apart from Jeffrey, who is staying in because he's not too well. For the past few weeks, I have been driven crazy by people who don't put their dogs on a lead and are quite happy for their dogs to run off and chase my cats. At this time last year, I had 5 of my cats bitten by loose dogs and it seems to be starting again. Jeffrey has been bitten by a dog and has a poorly leg. So he is staying in to recover..bless him.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has just arrived..so I will be spoilt and not have to make my own. It always tastes better to me when I haven't had to make it..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies.....Country Chickens

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. They showcase this wonderful set of stamps from Hobby Art. The set is called Cockadoodledo .

What I really love about this set is the fact that you can also build a country side image as well as the cockerel, hen and chick. You also get the stamp that enables you to create the chicken wire..which will be so handy in lots of my mixed media work.The chicken wire stamp comes in two different sizes and is really easy to join..so you can make a fence as small or as large as you need. All the sentiments that I have used are also from a Hobby Art set. For both of these cards, I have used my watercolours...but you could use any of your colouring mediums. If you have any of the Hobby Art scenic sets..you could also use them to extend your countryside views. I stamped all the images using my Versafine inkpad..but if I was going to use my promarkers or copics, then I would always use my Memento inkpad.

I had great fun colouring the cockerel. He reminded me of a cockerel that my Grandmother had when I was a little girl. This particular cockerel seemed to me to be enormous and goodness me he had a bad temper. I can remember the fantastic colours that he had...most of all I can remember the sun shining on his tail feathers and the colours contained there. To try and describe it is just too hard but it was a cross between blue and green with all the colours between.I was always fascinated by the colours and always wanted to see him..but he wasn't impressed with little girls and would chase me the length of the yard.If you can imagine a chubby little girl in a flowery dress and wellies running for her life...that was me..lol

The skies are blue and the sun is shining here in the mountains today. I'm trying again to have the window open but I don't know how long it will be before the kittens try it on..lol. At the moment I have Pinkie sat on my legs and she is being a little madam..trying to hang on by a claw. I must look like a human colander some days.
The big news here is that the shelves in the parlour have now been done. Later on there will be a bolt put on the door so that it can even be locked and cat proof. I am so excited..I don't know what to do with myself. I have only been waiting for these shelves for 26 years. It just shows that it does really come to those that wait...lol .Later on I will be sorting everything that needs to go in there...I'm going to take my time..having waited for so long..I want to do it properly.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've a few pieces of work to finish. All that is going round my head is how I want the cupboard..lol. I'm feeling very spoilt today..Sparkle is cooking dinner tonight..so a very easy day for me. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....Garden Birds

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. I have been lucky enough to get to work with this fantastic set of stamps from Hobby Art. This is the garden birds set. For these cards, I stamped the images with my Versafine ink pad and then coloured the images with my Lyra watercolours. So many of my friends are into bird watching..either out and about or just at their own bird tables..so there's lots of scope for making cards for them.

One thing that I want to do is to use the same stamps but make the birds really funky and add a humorous quote...I will have to have a go. On these cards it is exactly the same bird..just coloured differently. On the stamp set itself there are three different birds as well as flowers, branches and leaves.If you should need any crafting supplies..please pop over to Julie at JB-Crafting Supplies..if she doesn't have it, she will source it for you.
The sun is shining here in the mountains and most of the cats are outside. The kittens of course aren't allowed out yet...I don't think the village is ready yet for the tabby terrorists..lol. My friend Sparkle was putting a piece of board up for me and had far more help than he really wanted. Nosey was really happy sorting through Sparkles screws and tools and Simon decided that he didn't want the piece of board where it was placed and proceeded to try and dig the carpet up from underneath. There is never a dull moment here.
Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has just put the kettle on. I am feeling rather spoilt..lol. I am going to be water colouring this afternoon..a vague landscape to go behind another picture.I'm quite enjoying working with the watercolours at the moment ..it seems ages since I have. I can now smell the coffee..so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

JBCrafting Supplies...New Home card

Todays card is a design team make for JB Crafting Supplies. I have used stamps from Hobby Art..Townhouse Scenic set. I first created a small circle and coloured the top half to be the sky. I then stamped the houses, coloured them and cut them out. I added them to the sky and then created the front gardens. I have also added a small black cat. I'm using this card to welcome a family to the row of cottages where I live. I felt that I should let them know that the cats in the area are probably mine..lol. I've said if they have any problems with them..just to let me know. The chances are that it will probably be Jeffrey..lol.
And talking of trouble..last night Jeffrey arrived in my bedroom with a little friend. He came into the bedroom talking at me..and no wonder..by his side was little Nosey..who had obviously got out of the pen and thought he would follow the big boy. Tonight the naughty pen is coming out of storage. I need to know that they are all safe and at least I can have a peaceful night..lol. I am currently trying to wean them and the strangest things are going on. Fiesty will have none of it. None of the others will eat the kitten food but are determined to eat their Mothers food. If I try them with kitten food they just won't have it. They all want big boy food..lol. At least I get a bit of peace when they have full tummies.
Well the coffee is calling and I've a long list of work to do. If the kittens let me..lol. I'm going to make a list of all I need to do and just get my head down and get on with it. I'll be back later with another design team make...BT willing of course. So until then..take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....Sheep in Sunshine

Todays card is a design team make for the great company of JB-Crafting Supplies. I should have done it  yesterday but BT were not playing . The card above has been made using the stamp set from Hobby Art featuring the sheep which I intend to use on my Christmas cards, but I can think of so many times that I could use this image. For this card, I began creating the background oval. I drew some grass and flowers and added a little sparkle. I coloured it with my copics. I stamped out the sheep, the hat and the sunglasses..they were also coloured with my copics. I then cut them all out and added them to the oval. I then mounted it onto some dark blue card along with some backing paper from my stash.
It's a strange day today. I had the nurse first thing for my bloods and then I had a delivery from Sainsburys. I have done a basket comparison with Tesco and very surprisingly Sainsburys came in a lot cheaper. So I ordered from there. The biggest difference was the cat food and as you can guess..I buy rather alot. I'm so lucky that I don't have fussy cats. I know so many people that do have and have heard so many tales of cats pulling faces when confronted with certain brands. I think my cats work on the theory that before they came here they had to search for food..so now it's given at regular points through the day..they'd better eat it..lol. I also think that competition helps...if they don't eat it..some one else might..lol Flossie seems to be growing bigger daily..I don't think that she will be that long until the big moment...bless her. Just keep your fingers crossed that it all goes well. I just worry what happened to her before she came here. She is so loving and desperate for fuss. Sometimes I wish that I had a good leg to kick people with. How dare they just dump her.
Well the coffee is calling...today seems to have gone on forever..it must just be one of those days..lol. It's fish, new potatoes and salad for dinner. One of my favourites. My menus will be changing as the weather gets colder. The slow cooker will be dusted off and back on again..my friends laugh how I play spot the meat..I throw every type of vegetable I can get my hands on in...and a very small amount of meat..lol. It makes it go so much further.  So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....The Christmas Sheep

Today's make is a design team make for the fabulous JB-Crafting Supplies. I just had to share these fabulous sheep, brought to us by Hobby Art. There is just something about the faces on these sheep. Living where I do..most of the sheep round here actually do look like this most of the time. I shall be playing with these stamps at the weekend, playing with different colourways and different looks. 
For this card, I first picked two papers from my stash and layered them both onto purple card. I then created an oval scene for the sheep to be in front of. For the sheep, I stamped them out with my memento ink pad and then coloured them with my copic pens. I finally cut them out and glued them to the front of the card. I of course just had to add some glitter..lol
The weather here in the mountains is glorious today...what a change. The sun is shining and all the cats have decided to go out. There is some serious sun bathing going on, on the studio roof. I also have some news. It has turned out that Flossie is expecting kittens. So I'm even more annoyed with the people that dumped her. She has already had a litter before she came here and now it turns out that they let her out without even bothering to get her doctored. She is doing well though and is in good health. When she has had these kittens and they have been weaned, I will be making sure that she is doctored. As I type she is curled up asleep and I can see her tummy moving to it's own tune. I have moved her to a larger pen, so she has plenty of room. I get so any with people..there was no need for them to get a cat if they didn't intend to do their best for her. She is so pretty and so affectionate...she didn't deserve to be treated like she has. I will keep you all updated.
Well the coffee is calling and I've lots of lovely work to do. I've already decided that it's chicken curry for dinner tonight. It's what a term as an easy dinner. I made a sponge pudding for pudding...an old fashioned syrup sponge. It was so nice. What's your favourite pudding? I have a really sweet tooth. My friend Sunshine makes the most delicious brownies...I'm lucky enough to be sent some occasionally.My friend Pretty also makes some wonderful makes at Christmas...I must remember to put my order in early..lol. As the caffeine is calling..take care and happy crafting.