Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

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

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

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

JB Crafting Supplies.....Where a thought can take you

Todays creations are all design team makes for the wonderful JB-Crafting Supplies. Yesterday I decided to make a mixed media piece but got carried away and ended up making four finished projects and a large one which is till a work in progress. The first two makes today are 2 small canvasses that I had painted with my acrylics. I added three layered flowers and used a black peeloffs as stems. I finally stamped a different sentiment on both.

Now the two cards below came about totally by accident. I had painted my flowers using my H2Os, using another piece of paper to keep things tidy. When I had finished painting...I looked at the waste paper and loved the way in which the colours had mixed..so I decided to use it. I used one of my flower stamps and stamped the image onto the waste paper. I then cut them out and created two cards using these flowers.

The weather here in the mountains today is wonderful. Yesterday because it was raining I had a lot of cat help with my painting. Hence one of my armchairs is now covered with multi coloured paw prints..lol. I have to say it has created a wonderful pattern..I shall try and take a photo so that you can see..lol. Today because I'm not painting..all the cats are outside sunning themselves. Nosey is the only one that has remained and he is on the shelves, curled up asleep. The catnip biscuits that arrived in the house last week have had to be hidden in a draw...they even go berserk if they can smell the box..lol. I'm seriously thinking of planting some down the path next year..at least they could have their raptures outside. I do have some hidden in the cupboard downstairs as well, ready to put into some toys I have made..goodness help us all.
Well the coffee is calling and then it should be time to watch Joanna Sheen. It is so nice to see her back on the tv. It's an easy dinner tonight..Cornish Pasty and chips..with mushy peas.I just love them and haven't had them for an absolute age..so it will be a treat tonight. So..until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Gruffies and Guests...New Challenge

Here I am again..lol. These cards are design team makes for the fantastic team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is Summer..but of course you have the option of going Anything Goes. The only rule is that the card must feature either a Gruffie, a Happy Hopper or a House Mouse. All are created by the ever talented Ellen Jareckieand I just adore them, as I know many of you do too. This challenge has been sponsored by my fellow Gruffie Vicky and she will supply a lovely prize..all details of this are on the Gruffies and Guests Challenge blog.

Both of my cards are from the Gruffies and Happy Hoppers cdrom which has been created by Joanna Sheen. I have to admit to having a bit of a passion for the Happy Hoppers..lol..nothing makes me smile as much as a happy rabbit.

Well the coffee is calling..I decided to blog these cards whilst the kettle was boiling. So now I'm off for my caffeine hit and then I'll be back. I hope that you will pop over to the Gruffies blog and take a look at all the fabulous makes. And if you love the House Mouse images as much as I do..why not join in the fun and enter the challenge. So until after my caffeine hit..take care and happy crafting.

Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

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

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

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

Decoupage Delights....Pink, Girly and Vintage

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous Decoupage Delights. This card is a mixture of two of my favourite cdrom designers. The main image and the rose are from Decoupage Delights and the backing paper is from one of my Joanna Sheen cds. What I'm hoping to show here is that a lot of designs work together and in that way you are getting even more value from your cds.. I often look through my cds and make a note of different backing papers that would be useful in my day to day crafting. I've always said that having a library of cdroms is like having many shops available to you, no matter what the time. As I've used a Joanna Sheen cd for the backing paper, on many occasions I've used backing papers from Decoupage Delights in other work.
As most of you know, I adore.all  things vintage...and this card having roses, pearls, a large hat and butterflies just about ticks all my boxes. Really it shows just how diverse my crafting is..and I suppose that's why I never get bored. I love working on vintage but also love slightly risky designs. I love skulls, owls, cats and all things Day of the Dead..but that's just me. Most of my friends have come to accept all the differences and know that my cottage is surrounded with all the above..lol.
Today in the mountains, the weather really doesn't know what to do with itself. it has been thinking of raining all day but hasn't got round to it yet. The clouds are looking really dark but I'm hoping that they will pass over. All the cats are all settled on the studio roof...near enough to get back if it does start to rain. My cleaner has just been and done my stairs for me. he's such a lovely lad. I find it really weird that I've known him since he was a little boy and now he's a Father with little boys of his own..where has that time gone?
Well the coffee is calling and I'm going to be back later with another design team make. For some reason today I feel as if I need a caffeine hit. I'm only heading towards my third coffee of the day...even when I'm working, my coffee is to my right hand side..I really should have it on drip..lol. I can even remember having my very first sip of coffee when I was little and that was it..I was hooked. My grandmother was a coffee drinker, which back in the day was unusual..and she drank proper coffee. She was horrified to discover that a lot of her friends drank 'Camp' coffee..she used to say the only reason she bought this was because it helped make good coffee cake..lol. So with all this in thought..I'm off for a brew...so until later..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests.....New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the fabulous team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun and has the theme of Add a Number. This challenge will run for the next month and is a house mouse/gruffie/happy hopper challenge. Please read the rules before you enter your card as we have lots of people that enter but don't use a house mouse image and therefore are not eligible for the prize. And it is such a shame because I have seen some really beautiful cards that can't be accepted.

The challenge this month has been sponsored by fellow Gruffie Shaz and wow oh wow, just look at the prize to be won below. I feel quite jealous that I can't enter myself.

If you get the chance why not join us all on Facebook as well. It is great to see so many different makes and to share our love of all things House Mouse.

Well the coffee is calling and Sparkle has just arrived to make it..bless him. I shall be back later with another design team make. The weather here is still lovely and the house is so quiet with all the little furry beasts outside..lol. I can see them out of the window..all sunning themselves on the studio roof. So until later...take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests.....Hello Baby

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, sponsored by Gruffie team mate Silvia. The theme for this challenge is Hello Baby..so as you can guess any make for a new baby. As always though..you do have the option of going Anything Goes..the only rule being that it must feature a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper. Silvia has offered the wonderful prize below for the winner of the challenge.A great prize..I'm so jealous that I can't enter myself..lol

As always I would recommend popping over to the blog and taking a look at the wonderful creations made by the rest of the team. They are always a wonderful source of inspiration to me and a great group of ladies.And why not join the Gruffies and Guests facebook page. We just love seeing all your wonderful House Mouse creations.

For my make I decided to use one of my House Mouse stamps/ I loved this image of the baby mouse asleep under the flowers and thought it would make a sweet little baby card. I stamped the image using my versafine ink pad and coloured the image using my Lyra watercolour crayons. I stamped extra flowerheads and coloured them as well. I diecut the image into an oval and cut the flower heads out by hand. I layered 2 types of paper onto some pale lilac card. I edged the oval with a peeloff and added the flowerheads to the edge as well. I finally added the sentiment and a ribbon. I thought that if I made the card using lilac colouring, it could be for a girl or a boy..for those times when you don't know what is to be expected..it always a good colour way to have in hand..just in case.
So much it seems for the promised heat wave. Here I am in the mountains watching the rain fall. I;m sat here with my legs up, watching the athletics. All the cats are in and have all been shut out of the parlour. I decided that it won't hurt them for an hour and I can do some work with out the help of a cat paw..lol. I discovered that when Nosey wants my attention he will sit by me and tap me with his paw. And believe me he can be a very persistent tapper. Jeffrey is the only one in the parlour and that's just because he has bedded himself at the back of the shelves and can't be reached. I can hear him snoring though.
Well the coffee is calling and then I need to update my files with work for June and July. I've finished most of my work for May and am now thinking June and July...this year has just rushed by. I've taken some new pictures of the kittens which I will hopefully share with you next week. I hope that you all have a great weekend and I will be back next week. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests.....Tags, Tags, Tags

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, sponsored this month by Gruffie Vicky. The theme is Tags..so you can either use a tag on your card or do something similar to mine..which is a card made using 3 tag shapes. Of course, Gruffies and Guests is a House Mouse Challenge..so this means that your creation needs to use a Gruffie, Happy Hopper or of a House Mouse design. With all the wonderful artwork of Ellen Jareckie..it's not hard to find one to work with. I have to admit that I have a bit of a thing for the Happy Hoppers. I have used this wonderful image of the 3 rabbits sat on this rocking chair reading a book.I began by making the tag shape card and then added backing paper panels to each tag. I placed the image and the sentiment on the middle panel. On the outside panels, I made two matching panels..both featuring some stencilled leaves and then added some handmade flowers. I finally added some peeloffs and some ribbon to each tag.
The weather here in the mountains today is a little miserable. It's raining on and off and that means that the cats are in and out like yoyos. Apart I have to say from Milky. She has a bit of a thing for getting wet and likes nothing better than getting soaking wet and then coming in and shaking on me. As soon as she is dry..off she goes to do the same again. It's something she's done since she was young and obviously she intends to carry on..lol.
As I'm sat here I can hear the kittens causing chaos..as normal. The noise that they can create is unbelievable.I was hoping that they would all have a lie down after being fed but oh no..we're causing mayhem,
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be back with another design team make.I think that I've only got one new make in the pipeline. Because I was a little down this week, I concentrated on my makes and I think that I'm up to date until May..lol. I have to say that Milky has just started rushing around with the kittens...even more mayhem ensues..lol. So until later..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests.....New Challenge

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. This months challenge has been sponsored by fellow Gruffie Lesley. The theme is flowers, so you can use as many or as few flowers as you like. And of course, as always, you have the option of Anything Goes. The main rule for the challenge is that you must use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper design. But that's not hard...they're all beautiful. The hardest part for me is deciding which image to use...lol

I would like to take the time to thank everyone that joined in with the last challenge...A splash of Orange for Henry. It was so hard to pick my top three..there were all so beautiful. Henry would have loved them all..he loved Ellen's artwork and she was always a wonderful source of inspiration for him. The winner is always chosen by random org and that was Yvonne. And then I picked my top 3  who were Patty, Diane and Yvonne...congratulations ladies.
I hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the wonderful creations that the design team that have made..and why not join in the fun. Lesley has offered a wonderful prize of a stamp and some embellishments...I wish that I could enter myself...I so enjoyed making these cards.
It's very quiet here in the mountains today...and very cold. I have my feet up (I still wish I could give them away for a couple of weeks..lol) All the cats are quiet..probably recovering from their antics during the night. We haven't had any more snow..most has gone, although we still have some on the tops of the mountains. Some of my friends have had quite a bit and are planning to have some snow fun today. I can remember Henry and I making snow angels in the early hours one morning..it was one of those special moments that stays with you. It was so bright in the moonlight reflected over the snow and the laughter we shared will always stay with me.
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be down to work. I didn't manage to get as much done as I wanted to. So my aim is to finish the design team makes first and then some sewing. I'm hoping that I will get to do some sewing, although I have quite a bit of cutting to do first. We shall have to see. A lot always depends on just how much I get bothered by the tabby terrorists..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests...A Splash of Orange for Henry

Today's cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at Gruffies and Guests. For me this is a very special challenge. The theme for the next month is A Splash of Orange for Henry. I was lucky enough to be able to sponsor this challenge and chose to do this in Henry's memory. As most of you know Henry passed two years ago and most of you have followed my journey on coming to terms with this and my continuing to create cards in his Memory. Henry loved the fact that I made cards, blogged and tried to share my love of all things creative with as many people as I can. I have been blessed that I have made many new friends on this journey. Why orange you may ask..well when Henry passed, at his funeral everyone wore something orange to honour his life, and even now friends buy me orange things to remember him. I can't say that things have got easier..they've just become different.Everyday is still about learning to live with my loss and the fact that he has left such a hole in my life, but I have learnt that counting my blessings every day has helped. My cats have also helped..I have to keep it all together to make sure that they are cared for...and I have to say that on days when I don't think I can smile..they make me laugh.

The rest of the team over at Gruffies and Guests have been so supportive in difficult times and have for this months challenge produced some amazing cards. I do hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look. I can only hope that they realise just how much this challenge means to me and how much their work is appreciated.

I am offering a prize for this challenge..it will be a £10 voucher to spend at Joanna Sheen's shop. There is so much to choose from and seeing that it was Joanna that first showed me the delight of all things House Mouse..I thought that it would be appropriate.

I'm so excited today with the challenge beginning and also I'm looking forward to my friend Dotty coming over. All the animals will be getting excited...they love her and she always ends up being covered in cats..lol. At the moment all the kittens are fast asleep..but it won't last for long..lol. They caused absolute chaos during the night..all my earrings were hanging in a frame and now half have disappeared..all over the house no doubt. I was woken by the tinkling of the beads and 3 happy little kittens..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be waiting for my visitor. I hope that you all will have a wonderful weekend.So, until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Gruffies and Guests......New Challenge

Here I am with another design team make. This card is for the wonderful team over at Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, sponsored by Design team member Kym, who has offered a surprise prize for the challenge. As always your entry must be a Gruffie, Happy Hopper or a House Mouse design. You can choose to follow the theme or enter an anything goes entry.

The them for this month is the wonderful Bingo Board. For my card I have chosen to work diagonally, so on my card there are flowers, gems and a button. I found it great fun.

I do hope that you will pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fabulous makes that the other members of the design team have made. And I hope that you will join in the fun and enter a card of your own making.
In this house, the peace hasn't lasted very long..lol. The kittens are now wide awake and no doubt will be playing until teatime. Gannet is trying his hardest to type on the computer. Fiesty and Nosey are playing in their special box and Simon has taken himself into the cupboard. Jeffrey has got himself onto my legs and is now acting as the official foot warmer.
As I write, I'm munching away on some Jelly Babies and loving it.It seems that I only have them at Christmas and I have to say that it's probably just as well. It's as if they wave at me and I have to have one..lol. As I get older I'm finding that I enjoy fruit jellies much more than chocolate..strange I know..I can't even believe it..lol.I used to be a great fan of anything chocolate but I suppose tastes change.
Well the coffee is calling again and then it will be time to get some work done. I'm just in the mood to do some colouring. Dinner will be Roast Lamb again because there is enough left. So I'm thinking roast potatoes and carrots. I've already planned that tomorrow will be homemade sweet and sour chicken. I have found that I work better with a plan in place...and it seems to save money as well.
Oh and before I forget..why not join the Gruffies and Guests facebook page.

So until the next time...take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers....New Challenge

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

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

Gruffies and Guests.....Snowflakes and Sparkle

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at the Gruffies and Guests. A new challenge has just begun, using the theme of Snowflakes and Sparkle. It seems to me to be the perfect challenge for December. As always you must use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper design..but there are so many to choose from..it's not hard.Saying that though if you are anything like me..then you will find it hard just because I love them all..lol
We are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Petal Lu. One of my favourite places to get embellishments from. I hope that you will pop over and take a look at all their goodies.

What a night and day it has been. As I write the wind is raging round these mountains. All I could hear was tiles bouncing in the night and the lights were flashing off and on..it was like trying to sleep in a disco..lol. And to make matters even stranger at one point all the lights were off in the house and then the bedroom light came on..not enough to light the room fully but glowed orange. A really golden orange. It was all very strange. I also had all the kittens arrive on the bed. It always makes me laugh...the colder that it gets..the more arrive on the quilt. Last night I has Raven, Tankie, Jeffrey and Sprout as well as the four kittens..but there is always room for more..lol It makes me smile that I have a single bed and I'm a large lady but we always manage to fit. I laughed because when I used to have a king size bed I was still on the edge and now I'm in a single..I still only have the edge..lol
Well the coffee is calling and the wind is raging. I'm going to do some stamping later..if the kittens will give me a little peace. Wherever you are..just stay safe. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

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

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

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

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

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

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