31 days of Halloween.....Day 29

Today's page features this fabulous image from Delicious Doodles. I chose this image for day 29 of the 31 days challenge. I've figured out during the last 29 days that I have a little passion for collecting quotes to do with Halloween...lol. It's nice to have them altogether in one place. I coloured the image with my inktense pencils..I just loved the crows..they just make me smile. I often sit here in my window and watch the crows strutting their stuff along the lane. The cats don't know what to make of them...I think that it's the size of them. Jeffrey is terrorised by the magpies. When he was younger, he was attacked by two who pecked his head. Ever since then he only has to hear their noise and he's running back home like the devil is behind him. He then sits in the window shaking..bless him.

I thought that you might to see my latest photo of Colin. This is him curled up with two of his pets..Bertie and Roxie. He obviously can tell the warmest spot..on top of them...lol. You can tell, just in the couple of weeks he's been part of the family just how much his fur is growing..he's just turning in a little bundle of fluff...soon to become a bigger bundle of fluff. To my mind he's lay on top of Bertie because they're the same colour..lol. In my house the cats if they are in a certain mood they lie together in colour range...the black and whites, the blacks and the tabbies.

And finally for today I thought I would share this picture of a Halloween decoration that I made a few years ago but still get out every year. It s my glamorous witch from Jiggery Makery. I thought that it would be nice to share..with love to you all this coming Halloween

Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be getting down to some card making. I got thoroughly multi coloured yesterday with my brushos and inks. I was various shades of blue and green..and so did the cats. Simon in particular seemed to be foot first into everything..it's a really good job that he's not a white cat..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery...The witch rides out and 31 Days of Halloween..Day 14

Todays creation is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. And I thought it would also be perfect for the 31 Days challenge. Here as promised is the full version of the glamorous witch that I used part of last week. This week her legs are on show..lol. She is suspended on a piece of acetate so every time the wind catches her she flies around. As some of you know I have witches suspended from my parlour ceiling and as the wind is blowing they are all flying round..I have 6 witches up so far and 1 fairy..there are more waiting to go up but as Sparkle is only one handed at the moment..they will have to wait for their turn. It certainly causes a conversation when people come in to the parlour..lol. And then they notice all the skulls..but that's another story.
Today has been a very glittery day and Sparkle hasn't seen it yet. I was in the middle of moving the new drawers into place and sorting things out, when the lid flew off a small plastic box and before I knew it purple and silver glitter was exploding all around the room. I have to laugh because I'm covered and so is Simon. I have to say he looks fabulous with his silky black coat now sprinkled with purple and silver. I have brushed out as much as I could but it was ultra fine so he may have a certain sparkle for a few days..lol. As for me it's everywhere..stuck to my face and hands and all in my hair. Even the baby wipes don't seem to remove it..they just seem to be moving it round.
Well the coffee is calling and then it's back to the sorting. The boxes of paper are waiting. Do you ever have some paper that you just can't bring yourself to use..I have a couple of boxes that I must have had for about 6 years and the paper is just so beautiful..I've just stroked it. Well it's my mission the next year to use it. It seems only right that I should use it for myself in a scrapbook..if I'm so determined to hang on to it..scrapbooking seems the perfect way. That way I can still admire it but it will be out on display. Failing that I'll just have to wallpaper the bedroom with it..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween....Day7

I can't believe that it's day 7 already. Today's card is made using part of an image from the wonderful Jiggery Makery. I was so impressed that Adele at Jiggery Makery actually created a glamorous witch that I just had to include her. I have taken the same image and copied her three times and then just used the head and shoulders. I had such fun colouring them and giving them different tattoos and makeup. To me I was just thinking of a girls night out for Halloween. The actual image features the witch on a broomstick...she is due to make an appearance next week. The clip on the card is a fabulous hand that travelled from America to join in the Halloween celebrations over here.
Today's exciting news is a new member to my extended family. My friend Sunshine has added to her cat number ( who could blame her) and now has a new fur baby to join Trevor and Boris. Let me introduce you to Colin. He is a Maine Coone..so I expect he will grow into a huge fluffy beast..lol. He looks so adorable. He will share his home with the three dogs as well..Harvey, Roxie and Bertie.

It will seem funny to some people but Sunshine and I spend more time discussing the animals than we ever do people..lol. I will post more pictures as he grows.
 The sun is still managing to shine here in the mountains. I'm trying to decide what to do for dinner..it may be fish pie. All the cats are outside..they keep popping in and out to snaffle a few biscuits and then leave. I don't know where this week has gone..I seem to have blinked and it's Friday. I'm getting there with the canvasses..yesterday I had just used some Modge podge to cover one of the canvasses and Sprout chose that moment to arrive. He landed right in the middle of the canvas and realised straight away that something was wrong. So now my canvas has pawprints all over it..added texture.Who knew that Sprout would become a mixed media artist..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then back to work. I'm trying to work on some patterns based on Klimt images..I hope that I manage to create what I want. I once gave a class based on pattern building using Klimt as the source and the ladies created some wonderful work. I actually found a piece I had made at the time and loved it...yet I'd forgotten all about it. Isn't it strange how we move from one idea to another and forget what we have done before. Inspiration can come from anywhere and I think that's why I love crafting so much. So until tomorrow..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.

Jiggery Makery.....A Dress for Every Event

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. I thought that I would share these three dresses with you, as they represent different type outfits made with the Jiggery Makery designs. If you get the chance, please pop over to the facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful designs, all drawn by the owner Adele. I just love playing about with all the designs of the dresses...it always takes me back to being a young girl playing fashion designer with my pens and papers. I remember that all my dresses had an over skirt and always had to have puff sleeves. In reality I loved puff sleeves and always wanted them on my dresses. I will have to try to find a photo of me in one of my dresses...if nothing else it will give you a good giggle..lol

The sun is shining here in the mountains today..so I have been deserted by all the furry ones..lol. I can see 4 of them stretched out on the studio roof. They were all in for breakfast and disappeared as soon as their tummies were full. Simon, as most of you know, has a problem with his vision...he has no peripheral vision so falls off things an awful lot.All the other cats run up the tree to reach the studio roof but this must have caused Simon problems. So now he runs round to the back of the cottage.up onto the roof and jumps down from the main roof of the house to the studio. All you hear is the thud of him landing on the studio roof..lol. This morning he caused absolute chaos in the parlour. He was trying to jump from my chair onto the table..he managed to take out 2 boxes and 2 pots that were full of pens..and still fell off. He doesn't half give me a right look..as if I'm to blame...lol. Nicademus has really taken to the cat tunnel and can be found there asleep most nights.I am tempted to buy them a scratching post..they have been using the banister for nearly 30 years now..each generation has had a go at it..it now looks like a piece of modern art..lol
Things have been happening here. My skip has arrived and is providing pure joy for the village. Before I had put anything in myself..two people asked if they could put two things in and I said yes..after all these same people have done the same for me over the years. Well no sooner had these two things gone in and there was another two people asking if they could have what had just gone in..lol. I've now managed to get some of my things in and on Monday I'll be putting my bedroom stuff in..a new bed for me...I can't wait. I've decided to do it on Monday because I have a huge amount of work to do..so I can enjoy doing that over the weekend and then get down to work on the bedroom. My cleaner is due later so I'm hoping that he will put some more stuff in for me. I'm also going to cut back one of my trees and provide myself with an arch of shade. The sign for the cottage is now finished so that will be going outside, alongside my new gargoyle. I have a huge green man on the front of the cottage..it was a present from a friend many years ago and is an actual cast from one in Bath. It is funny because it is often used as a clue in treasure hunting..lol. I get the strangest people standing in front of my cottage, clutching pieces of paper, getting very excited. It always makes me smile because they always comment on the cats that sit there watching them. I think that the gargoyle will fit in nicely..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then I should get down to some work. I'm hoping to do a feature for Decoupage Delights running all next week, alongside all my other design team makes..so please watch this space..lol. I've already decided what to do for dinner tonight. We are going to have steak pie with baby new potatoes and cabbage. I do adore cabbage in any form and always have done. I'm already feeling hungry just thinking about it..lol. I may also make some scones. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery.....The perfect dress

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery.I just love this design of the lady Victoria. it gives you a fantastic opportunity to design the dress of your dreams. When I was a little girl, if you had given me 10 copies of this design..it would have kept me quiet for days..lol. I loved nothing better than designing fabrics and then colouring them in.When I drew gowns, I always gave them an over skirt as well..to me it was just a way to get an extra layer of colour. For the design above, I used my pens to colour the base of the dress and then created the details with glue and black glitter. I added a pearl to the bottom of the points. And of course she had to have a pair of white evening gloves. I can still remember my Grandmothers collection of evening glove. Some has ruching all the way to the elbow..they were fantastic. I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the fabulous designs that are available.
Yesterday was my day out and I have to say that I'm exhausted. I can't move very well at all today and I don't think that there is an inch of me that doesn't hurt. But I did it and I enjoyed it...so it was worth the bother. I first went for my xray and have to say that the staff at the hospital were fantastic..I did have to get in a slight Barbie pose for the xray but the staff were so kind, I'll get the results in a couple of weeks. Then I was taken to B and M. I was amazed with the size of the place. Surrounded by stuff and goodness me they had packed everything in. I was in shopping heaven..lol. I bought some treats for the cats and lots of stuff for the house..and it was so cheap. I have to say that I have bought a few things to alter which will hopefully end up as presents.
The cats are made up with their presents and have me laugh so much...it was worth the pennies. I first bought them a cat tunnel and today it has been as busy as the Mersey..lol. It makes a crackling noise when they walk along it and that seems to fascinate them. There is a hole in the middle which they pop their heads out of it. It looks so funny when you see a bottom and tail popping out of the end and a head popping out of the hole. It looks like one very strange cat when it's two..lol. I also bought them a laser pointer which ends up creating cat Olympics and some catnip biscuits. The funniest thing was the biscuits. I got one tiny biscuit out for Rave and goodness me she went into a rapture..she was rubbing her head on it for a good 5 minutes and then she was drooling...and that was before she ate it. Jeffrey was also in rapture and to see him playing on the bed made me giggle.
Finally on my mammoth day out, I went to Tesco. Now I know that doesn't sound very exciting..but I hadn't been in a supermarket for about 3 years. Because I do all my shopping online it makes a big difference to actually have a wheel round. My friend pushed the trolley and I just chose what I wanted..lol.By the time I got into the car, I was exhausted and am still feeling it today. Lots of goodies though to play with..both for the cats and myself..and the cupboard has been stocked with lots of things for the coming weeks.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will be getting dinner ready early because there is athletics on later. It's the Anniversary games and my friend the pa will be down there..watching it live. It should be a good night. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....... A Spanish Feel

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. For the card today, I decided to use the digi of the fabulous Pamela and have a play with the design on the skirt. As you will know, this week I have been playing with paper cutting and thought that I would have a go for her skirt. I copied the shape of her skirt and drew a pattern on it. I then cut out the pattern and coloured it black. I over lay the cut paper over a piece of red card. The top half of the digi, I coloured with my promarkers and then joined the two pieces together. I added a ribbon rose at her waist, alongside some jewels on the waist and some in her hair. I called it 'The Spanish Feel' because when I was a little girl I always thought that Spanish ladies always dressed in red and black..lol. I had been given a Spanish dancer who was in red and black and there was a tapestry picture of a flamenco dancer and she was also in red and black. So it just stayed in my mind. Thinking back, my mother had a picture called the red skirt..of another Spanish dancer. I still have the tapestry picture...it lives on the landing.
I do hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful digital designs, created by Adele, the owner. I just love the variety of pin ups that are available and all the different creations that you can make. There is a lady for anything that you want to convey on your cards.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I'm watching the athletics..one of my favourite things to do and I'm also surrounded by the cats who are sulking because it's raining..lol. The kitchen flooring is in process og going down..I won't know myself when it's all finished. The kittens keep going to the top of the stairs and looking at the builder laying the floor...goodness only knows what they are thinking. Gannie has made himself a nest on one of my shelves..and has moved my books to make himself space. Nosey favours lying on a box on the landing and Simon is always within arm distance of me..lol. Sprout is sat on the window sill..waiting for the rain to stop, Rave is of course on the wing of my chair sulking because I'm blogging and she can't sit on my lap.The only ones outside in the rain are Milky and Jeffrey. Milky just loves getting wet and enjoys shaking all over me when she come in. Jeffrey will moan for a long time when he does come in...but he will do that no matter what the weather..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I have a couple of cards to make. The only problem is I have no idea at the moment what to do. I'm hoping that my new bed will arrive next week..so no doubt I will have to paint the bedroom..might as well get it done. I'm hoping that I have enough paint to paint it a dark red. I'm hoping to do it dark red with gold highlights..a bit of glamour for my room..mind you if you can see anything other than the books you'll be lucky..lol. I'll be back later with another design team make...so until then...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery.....Pretty in Lilac

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. This lady is one of my favourites..just because she always looks as if she is control of her life and enjoying every moment. I love the ladies that Adele..the owner and artist at Jiggery Makery has a knack for creating fabulous ladies..that can be used in so many different ways. If you get the chance, please pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look.
Here in the mountains, the wind is blowing but the sun is shining. Earlier today the rain hammered down and all the cats sat at the window looking hard done to..but now they're all out, doing what they do...whatever that is..lol. Apart from Raven that is who is sat on my legs acting like a movable hot water bottle. I don't seem to have been much on this week..that's because this week has been hard going but hopefully I'm coming out of it now. Some changes are going to happen in my life and I've got some serious decisions to make..but I have faith that I can do it...and it will work out in the end. After all I just have to count my blessings..and with all the furry babies..I have a lot to be thankful for.
The old chapel at the end of the lane has gone up for auction and today has been an open day. I have to laugh when people first move here, seeing themselves living the rural idyll without doing any work..lol. They usually last 2 years and then have to move blaming the weather, the commute and the people. Personally I love being treated like the village idiot.after all what do I know I've only lived here for nearly 30 years. I've got used to no shops, no pub and a terrible internet service. You don't have any choice..you just have to get used to it. Personally I never want to live any where else and all the things that put people off living here are all the reasons that I love it. I have got used to be talked down to by new people..the worst thing that I've put up with was being patted on the head when I was out in my wheelchair..lol. I couldn't believe it..I was so shocked there was nothing I could say. I really felt like running her over in my chair..lol. But it doesn't help that when I go out, all the cats come with me. I don't have a say in it..they just follow. It does stop people in their tracks and the amount of times that cars stop and take pictures. Especially the Japanese tourists who are lost.
Well the coffee is calling and then I will have to go downstairs and put the gammon in the oven. Tonights dinner is going to be roast gammon with roast potatoes and redcurrant jelly. Tomorrow is going to be a busy time..I've got to blog three times for three different challenges..the caffeine will really be needed..lol. So until then..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.

Jiggery Makery....The Right Attitude

Here I am again. This card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. I just adore this lady..with just a few lines of her pen, Adele (the owner and artist), manages to covey certain attitudes. I love the attitude of this image..I can just imagine her saying I'm not listening to your drama and leaving..lol. Another thing that I think Adele manages to do is to give her images an empowering attitude. Positive images of women...which I think is something that we need out there. You can use the images to create whatever message you want to. I just adore them. It's always so hard to pick which image I want to work with..and I have to do it every week. My trouble is that I go to work with one and then an idea for another will pop up.
The clouds have moved over and I can now see blue skies. I'm feeling quite inspired today and have already made some stencils for mountains and clouds. I only have to look out of my window and that's all I can see. Well that and a group of unruly cats..lol. It was so funny when my cleaner was here...I shall have to call him Glitter..because he is the son of Sparkle..lol. He was putting some stuff into the studio for me and there was a line of cats, all with their heads hanging over the roof, watching his every move. Honestly they are just so nosey. Nosey himself acts like a dog and every time he hears the door open he runs to the top of the stairs to see who it is..lol. All he needs  to do now is to learn to bark. I used to have another cat called Jeremy..he was a rescued one eyed Birman and I'm convinced that he thought he was a dog. When the dogs ran barking to answer a knock on the door..he was there as well..admittedly he couldn't bark but he meowed pretty loudly. It was so funny. I'm still finding it really hard without a dog..but either one will turn up needing a home..or I shall give in and get one.I'm not going to do it myself until the house is finished. I have new kitchen flooring going down soon and a new carpet in the parlour. Well actually the parlour carpet is secondhand but as I see it..if it lasts for a couple of years then it's all good.
As always the coffee is calling again..so I'm off to have a brew and then it will be time to get down to some work. I'm thinking of making some backing papers with my inks...no doubt with lots of cat help. Every time I get my inks, paints or sprays out there will be a queue of cats milling around. Simon is one of the worst..there is nothing he likes better than putting a paw into a dish of wet paint. He has even been that fascinated by my watercolours that he has been known to lick them..lol. There is no accounting for taste. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery.....So Hot

And finally here I am for the last time today..lol..and then I will be off somewhere to get cooler. I have been trying very hard not to get the fan out but I am thinking that it is the only way forward. This card is a design team make for the fabulous Jiggery Makery and is one of the first that I made for them..ages ago. I was thinking of this card in bed last night..strange I know..but I do things like that..lol. For some reason it reminds me of a summer when I was little. I had a hula hoop..which I always adored but was terrible with. I don't think that I was ever built for a hoop and that summer I just proved my point. I spent hours and hours in the field trying to master the hoop..but I just got worse. But all in all it was still a fabulous summer. The sun seemed to shine that whole summer and every afternoon was spent in the river with my friend, floating on old  tractor tyre inner tubes.I can remember the cows in the field watching our every move and the sun shining through the trees. It takes me back to a time when I was happy and had only childish hopes for the future.Sometimes it is such a blessing to be able to float back in time and savour that moment. And all these thoughts came about because of a hula hoop on a card.
I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery face book page and take a look at all the wonderful images that are available. I'm thinking that I will use this lady with the hoop and make a scrapbook page, where I can write down the memories of that day. If I do, I will be sure to share it with you all.
Well the squash is calling..I must have drank about a gallon in the past few hours. I do keep exercising my toes but they are swelling again and really hurt..but they will no doubt be better if it cools down. I have now got my thumb support for my hand and goodness me it helped straight away. At least it means that I can paint, draw and write without my thumb trying to come out of joint..I'm so pleased. It's just another pain that I do without. So until tomorrow..keep cool if you can..and take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery...Ready to Party

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. For the card today, I have taken the digi image of Helen and dressed her differently for a change. The original image has her in a sailor outfit but I have always admired her figure and wondered what it would be like to put her in a dress...so I did. I just drew round her figure, keeping the bow at the top.I loved the fact she was saluting so I kept that but cut her hat off. I'm really pleased with the way that she turned out. As I'm sat here typing, Nosey has decided that it is the perfect time to lick my hand. So I'm sat here being groomed by a little tabby kitten..lol
I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery face book page and take a look at all the wonderful designs that are available. Adele the artist of the designs and owner of Jiggery Makery creates stunningly beautiful ladies that are perfect for most of your crafting designs. There is always a lady that can be used to say whatever you want.
The sun is shining here again and I'm still in shock. We are so used to the rain and wind here that by the time we get used to the sunshine..it's gone..lol All the cats are outside sunning themselves. I had to laugh yesterday..I had an email and the subject line read...Simon the Brave. I opened the email and there was a picture of my boy, perching on the edge of her shed..lol. He had taken himself over the road and down a back lane where he took himself to the top of her shed. We couldn't believe it because he is the worst at jumping..he must have felt empowered after his spider wars.
I can't believe just how quickly this week has gone. My cleaner has just been and my stairs now look beautiful..bless him. I had one thing that I wanted him to do as an extra and when he was here I totally forgot. What a fool I am. I'll have to wait until next week now.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time to go down and sort everything out for dinner. Tonight we are having sweet and sour chicken..home made.I feel hungry just thinking about it..lol. I shall be back tomorrow with some more design team makes..so until then..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Pretty in Pink

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. For today's make, I decided to work with the fabulous Penny. I just love the way that her skirt swings out..I would have been forever twirling if I had had a skirt like this when I was younger..lol..I can remember having a bit of a thing for that.I have coloured the image with my promarkers and just added her to a background paper matted onto some navy card.I decided to colour her skirt navy and cerise after seeing a very similar design on a television programme. If you get the chance why not pop over and take a look at all the Jiggery Makery ladies..you are bound to find one to suit whatever make you want to create. Also on the facebook page, you can see all the other makes..I always have a look for a little inspiration.
Well the sun is shining here in the mountains today and all the cats have left home yet again. When I got up this morning there wasn't one in the house. They came in one by one and said where is our breakfast. I filled the trays and it's been like a permanent buffet ever since. Simon in particular comes in, eats a mouthful and then leaves..and then repeats..again and again..lol. Nosey keeps popping in just to check in case anything has happened. Jeffrey seems to only come in at dusk..eating a whole tin and then leaving. It's so different in the winter months when everyone is curled up in their special places.
The bank holiday weekend is just about ready to begin and no doubt there will be power tools and loud music, dogs without leads and people wandering aimlessly talking about people that live here as if we can't hear. I've got my weekend planned though..I have a heap of work and am so excited about it all..lots of colouring and lots of mixed media..even involving a moonshine jug..watch this space..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and then the pens will be out. I feel as if I need a caffeine hit. I went to the doctors yesterday and now am to keep my right hand strapped. My thumb is having a bit of a moment and seems to kick out..and then it hurts like nothing else. And this is a real pain because I'm right handed..so every thing from holding a pen, paintbrush or working scissors can make me want to scream. So it looks like I'll be doing a bad Keith Lemon impression with my hand strapped. Just as I'm sitting here the sound of a power tool is echoing around the village..it's begun..lol. So anyway, I'll be back tomorrow..until then..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Summer Moments

Here I am again with another design team make. This is a creation for the Jiggery Makery design team and I've decided to use this in one of my scrapbooks..to highlight a page on Summer.I think that this lady is called Daphnie..I can't always be sure because I have so many of the fabulous Jiggery Makery ladies on the go, I can sometimes forget. I created a background beach scene for her and intend to put her on one side of the scrap book page. She has such an amazing figure and looks as isf she is having so much fun..I thought that she would be the perfect image for my Summer season page. I intend to work with the 4 seasons..so I can share the others with you when I've finished.
One of the things that I love about the Jiggery Makery ladies is the scope that you have when you work with them. You can always find the right one to work with...whatever you want to do. Whether it's a card, scrapbook project or a piece of home decor...you can always find a lady that is just right. Why not pop over to the facebook page and take a look at the variety of ladies and the different ways that you can use them.
I'm really enjoying blogging today because BT seem to be working ok. I'm getting it done now while there are no problems..lol. I'm hoping to get some inky crafting done over the weekend. I've managed to find my micas and sprays..so the cats had better watch out else they will all be shimmering...lol. I'd looked and looked for my micas and just couldn't find them..even when I had sorted most things out for the cupboard. And then yesterday I suddenly had a thought..under the shelves behind the sofa..and there they were..all neatly in their box, waving at me..lol. Isn't it strange when you're convinced you know where something is and it just isn't there..it drives me insane..lol. All is well now thank goodness and tomorrow I will be getting all inky and messy...I just can't wait..that's the sort of plan I like.
Well the coffee is calling again and my cleaner has just put the kettle on..so I'm off again into the caffeine zone. So until later...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Crinoline Lady

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. This card has been the subject of much middle of the night thinking..lol. It all began by the making of last weeks card featuring some parchment craft and looking at all the digis available from Adele at Jiggery Makery. It began taking me on a train of thought...and as you know heaven only knows where I'll end up..lol. When I saw the hat that the digi Ginger was wearing, it set me to thinking of all the times since the 1930s that a crinoline lady had featured on home decor. When I was growing up you saw her in her garden..on cushion covers, tray mats..all embroidered..you saw her painted on boxes and mirrors. It was an ever favourite image for lots of ladies. Well all this late night thinking drove me to create a crinoline lady of my own. I knew that I wanted to use the top half of Ginger and decided that the digi of Victoria had the right shaped dress. So I used both. I cut them down until I had the shape that I wanted and then I used a piece of tracing paper to draw a dress that covered as I wanted. I then transferred this dress image to some parchment, coloured the back with pastels and white spirit and then parched a pattern on to. Ginger was holding a watering can in one hand and a gardening fork in the other and I knew that I wanted to keep those features in..which I did. I added the parchment dress to the joined digi and I had my crinoline lady all ready to garden. I then thought to myself it's alright having my lady but she still needs a garden...so I painted her one. I used my Lyra watercolour crayons to create a landscape and added her to it.
The sun is shining here today in the mountains and all the cats are outside enjoying every minute of it. I decided yesterday to let the kittens out for the first time and spent the rest of the day in nervous terror. After all they are my babies. Gannie managed to go missing and most of village ended up looking for him. He hadn't returned by bedtime, so I left the window open for him. I had been in bed for about half an hour when I heard the noise of a kitten heading my way. It was Gannie..he came up to me and tapped me as much to say..here I am. He had some fuss..talking to me the whole time...no doubt telling me about his adventures in the big big world..lol. He then got himself comfortable and stayed with me for the rest of the evening. All the kittens are out today..at least today they keep popping in and out.
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got to finish the little girl card I've been working on. I shall share it with you next week. I hope that the weather is as lovely where ever you may be. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting. Oh and I forgot to tell you..Friday is normally an LOC day..but the challenge has now moved until a Saturday..so I'll be bringing that creation to you tomorrow.

Jiggery Makery......Remembering the Debs

Here I am again. I thought that I'd better blog now as BT are now in the village and goodness only knows just how long I'll be online. This time I am featuring this wonderful image from Adele over at Jiggery Makery. This card was inspired by a television programme that I watched the other evening. It showed the last original debs being presented to the Queen. Now my Mother was one of these. It was 1958 and being presented was the highlight of many a debs season. It had been planned for a long time and was all alot of people talked about for even longer. I have watched many different clips of the presentation and have not managed to spot my Mother yet. I do have the pictures of her dress and still have the tiara she wore in her hair..it was made out of pearls..very pretty. The dresses had to be white and a piece of the lace still remains. So with all this in mind..I chose to work with Victoria from the Jiggery Makery range of wonderful ladies.
To make the card, I began by tracing the dress outline onto some parchment. I drew the leaf pattern with a white pencil and then parched it from the back. It gave the look of the lace overdress that my Mother had. I then attached this parchment dress to the original and glittered along the lines and at the bodice. I decoupaged some duflex roses from my stash as they were often given to the debs. I added the white leaf sprays to create a border..adding some pinky red pearls to decorate.
Well yet again the coffee calls and then it will be time for my cleaner to arrive. He is going to be laughing at me today because I'm covered in glitter. No doubt he will get used to it over time..lol.I always used to smile over Reg being covered in glitter. I would be working on a lot of cards and he would come over for a fuss and before I knew it he would be shimmering..bless him. I still miss him and it feels so strange to be without a dog. This is the first time in my life that I haven't had one...I will get another eventually...I will let you know when I'm thinking about it. All the cats must miss him..they made such a fuss of him and always lay with him...now they all lie with me..lol. I'm off for a coffee...I'll be back tomorrow with another make...so until then...take care and happy crafting

Jiggery Makery....A Little Green Frou Frou

Today's card is a design team  make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. I was going to write the blog last night but as first thought..BT were doing a bank holiday special and I just couldn't get online. I had great fun with this Jiggery Makery lady..I just adore deciding on how the dress will be patterned. I coloured the image with my promarkers and used one of my tiny stamps to create a pattern.The way in which Adele from Jiggery Makery has drawn this wonderful lady gives to me the impression that you can almost see the stiffened petticoats underneath. I can almost hear the rustle of the netting. That puts me in mind of a term that is used a lot...frou frou. The word is used to some up an image of all things girly..including layers of lace or netting. In my reading I discovered that the word ..frou frou..was actually created by the author Thomas Hardy..and he created it as a way of describing the sound of ladies silk dresses as they walked past. I found that so wonderful. So to me this Jiggery Makery lady would definitely be a little frou frou.
I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery face book page and take a look at all the wonderful ladies. I'm sure that you will find one to suit whatever you want to make. For no other reason that you get to play at dress designer..that's enough for me..lol. And while you're there please take a look at all the other creations of the design team.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today. And the sound of a chainsaw echoes round them. I am sat here in my corner with the window open..just enjoying the moments when my neighbour stops chainsawing and stacks his wood..lol. In those quiet moments you can hear birdsong. It is so strange to think that we had snow the other day.
My friend is over in America and has been to see one of his favourite friends, that he always goes to see when he's over there. I thought that I would share the photo with you

Isn't he amazing? I just love peacocks and even love the noise that they make. In quiet places their noise can seem quite other worldly.
Well the coffee is calling and now my next door neighbour has started banging and hammering on the wall..my joy is never ending..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....Game,Set and Fabulous

Here I am again...with a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. All this sunshine has made me think of being outside when I was young. My friend and I were members of a tennis club..hard to remember a time when my legs worked properly..lol. I'm sure that the reason we joined was due to all the attractive young men that also went..but we always had a good time. All my memories of that time recall sunny days and chasing the ball about madly on a grass court.What a lifetime ago now. Anyways will those thoughts running through my head, I couldn't resist making this card. Not..I would like to add did I ever look that good in my tennis outfit but it was still fun..lol. Adele, the artist behind all the Jiggery Makery ladies has the knack of making all of them look gorgeous..and they are always a pleasure to work with.
For this make, I began by making a three fold tag card and backed each tag with some backing paper. In the middle I added the tennis star, eating her strawberries and cream..I could do with some of that..lol. The outside panels, I decorated with strawberries and flowers. I coloured the tennis star with my promarkers and finally added the sentiment. As far as this card is concerned, to me, it celebrates a good place in my life and provides lots of many happy memories.
As you can probably guess the sun is still shining here in the mountains. The cats are all stretched out on the studio roof and all the kittens are sulking because I won't let them out..lol. Soon enough they will be big enough and I will have to go through the trauma of letting them through the window into the wide world. And goodness help the village when the tabby terrorists are loose.
Well the coffee is calling again and then I'm going to get the water colours out. I will be sharing all the makes with you all very soon. I hope that you all have a fabulous weekend..I've a pile of work to do..thank goodness and will be back with you all on Monday. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery..................A little Sparkle

Here I am again..I thought that I'd better do my blogging now before BT start to play up and do away with my internet..lol. This card is a design team make for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. As you know I just adore designing the dresses. For this dress I have coloured it with my promarkers and then with a slightly darker colour, Have stamped a small burst pattern over it. To every center of the bursts I have added a glittered spot. Finally I added a bow to the waist of the dress.I think it's because I have no need of a dress as beautiful as this..I'm more of a wellie and waterproof girl..lol..but I do enjoy dreaming about beautiful dresses. And working for Jiggery Makery allows me to jump into my daydreams. I hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful ladies. If you have an idea in mind, I'm sure that you will find a lady that you could use. Other members of the design team have created some wonderful projects..I always find them a wonderful source of inspiration. I am now sitting here with my stairs shining..they are now so clean. How long I wonder will this perfection last. I bet the first cat hair has already fallen..lol Such a nice young man as well..he's so quick at everything...I'd still be fighting with the hoover. But it's done now and will at least look sorted all weekend. I don't know what I'll be doing this weekend as no new work has yet arrived. I have a horrible feeling that it will all arrive in one go and I'll end up with a week of non stop colouring. I have some sewing to do..so if the paperwork doesn't arrive, I may be sewing all weekend. I have just been downstairs to put some tuna in the fridge and goodness me did I nearly get mugged. Word obviously got out that tuna was on it's way..there were flying bodies coming down the stairs and all sitting there looking pathetic..lol. And of course when I came back upstairs, they thought it was bound to be dinnertime. I am now surrounded by a group of sulking cats. If you could only see the little fat tummies you would be in no doubt of the lies that cats tell..lol Well the coffee is calling and I think I need a good caffeine hit. Sometimes there is just nothing better than that first mouthfull of the coffee nectar. I have come to believe over the years that I am literally fuelled by caffeine. A gentleman reader asked me the other day if I was actually a caffeine addict..I thought to myself, just ask my friends..they know the need to find coffee for me if I run out. I hope that you all have a fabulous weekend and lots of 'me' time..so until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery....The Butterfly Dress

Here I am again with another design team make. This card was made for the wonderful team over at Jiggery Makery. The inspiration for this card came from watching a music video. I never know what is going to inspire a card...sometimes it can be the strangest things..lol. Anyway, in this video the ladies dress disappeared into butterflies and I thought how beautiful it seemed. Then I was looking through the Jiggery Makery ladies and discovered Victoria. I always enjoy designing the dresses...didn't you enjoy doing this as a child...I did and enjoy working with the Jiggery Makery ladies for the same reasons. I coloured this dress with my promarkers and then stamped over the top with a tiny butterfly stamp. I stamped more at the bottom and decreased as I went up. I then added black dots amongst the butterflies. I then cut her out and added to the card. I have covered my card with some black card, matted with a purple patterned paper. On the right side of the card I added a piece of black lace and held it back to look like a curtain. Finally I added the sentiment. In the end it reminded me a bit of Gone with the Wind .I so enjoyed playing and creating this card. Looking at it now..I could even add some glitter..in fact I don't know how I didn't..lol
I do hope that you will pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look at all the wonderful designs. And I have to say the the other members of the team have created some wonderful pieces...sure to be a great source of inspiration.
So what are my plans for the weekend. I have been trying to finish a sign for the cottage for weeks. It's got to be about 70% finished. Every time I think..oh I'll do that..loads of other work has come in.As I said earlier I'm in the middle of water colouring some cards but then I think I may be up to date. On a Friday I like to make a list of all possible work and see how much I can get done. It may sound boring I know..but I love to swing from one sort of crafting to another and then back again. It's really no wonder that my parlour looks as if it has been stirred with a spoon..lol
Well once again the coffee calls. I hope that you all have a fabulous weekend and manage to get to do some of the things that you love. I will be back on Sunday with another design team make. So until then...take care and happy crafting.