The Vixen and the pine cone

Todays card is from the Giordano Christmas cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. It has been a number of years since Joanna released this cd and it's one I get out every christmas. There are so many different types of images ..it's hard to know where to start. I of course had to do the vixen..it's half of the name of my business. Henry and I decided that we would call the business Vixenvarg to represent the both of us. Vixen for me because I love foxes and everything country and varg for Henry. Varg is an old name for a wolf and Henry loved wolves and old legends. The wolf also features on our family crest. On the crest it is actually what they call a collared wolf..which fits so well because as a family we have always been surrounded by animals. And so Vixenvarg came into being. Now of course there is only me but I hope to keep the business going to honour Henrys memory. On the card above I just used the large image and some die cuts. The die cuts of the ivy leaves are from the signature die range from Joanna Sheen. The pine cone dies are from the Tattered Lace range. They are my favourite dies of a pine cone because of the amount of detail. As always I try to recommend dies that cut well every time and offer great value for money. I have in the past bought some really expensive die ranges and they have been nothing but trouble. If, when reading my blog see a die that yu like and I haven't mentioned from which range it comes from..just message me and I'll tell you. There are so many craft companies out there all competing for our money...and as a crafter always want the best value..and with dies we need to know that they are going to cut cleanly everytime. One thing that I have planned for next year is that once a week on the blog I'm going to feature a product or range that I love to use. Now I won't be getting anything from any company to do this..so you can rely on getting the truth. There are, as I've already said, so many companies competing for our money  so I thought why not share what I've found out over all my years of crafting. I think that it will be a fun thing to do and if it helps in any way then all the better.

It's certainly a cold one here in the mountains today. Two of my outside cats came in last night..so that proved it to me how the temperature had dropped. Nicademus and Oberon are my two tabbies and are a bit like Laurel and Hardy. They will not be separated. If they're out..they're together and if one comes in then the other is not far behind. Nicademus seems to have made himself comfy on top of the fridge freezer and had plenty to say while I was cooking dinner. He is half Bengal and is a big boy but very stubborn.He loves being an outside cat but come the first hard frosts..he knows it's better at home.And then there's Obie..she is the prima donna of the house. You will only get a fuss if she decides..otherwise she will spend most of the day looking down her nose at you..lol.

Well the coffee is calling and I've decided that I'm going to be using my watercolour pencils. I haven't used them for a while..I use my paints but the pencils have sat there for a while..so I thought..it's about time they had an airing.So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Floral Handbag

Well here I am back again..thank goodness. I was all ready to post yesterday and then I became so ill I had no option than to take to my bed...rather like a victorian maiden lounging on her chaise..but with me it was a case of a whinging ball of pain returning to her cave with her ever faithful hound. Yes I ended up in bed for the afternoon with Reg. I haven't been ill like that for a few months so it was a bit of a shock. I think it was just a case of everything getting a bit much for me..solicitors,coraners,social services,ex partners and missing Henry..it was just too much I think. But I'm glad to say I feel so much better today..I've evn managed to wash out the fridge and hoover the parlour. I have to add that before I can hoover the parlour I had to go round with a dustpan and brush..thanks to Reg and his memory foam fetish. I had thought that I had removed it all but he keeps finding more and spreading it round the floor...everywhere...lol

Todays card is shaped as a handbag. I made the bag using one of the glitter girls boards.I added flowers designed by Adele at Jiggery Makery. I coloured them using my copics. The foliage was made using a die from Tattered Lace. The bag is made so it opens so there is a good space to write your greeting.

The weather here today doesn't know what to do with itself. I took Reg out for a wheeland the sun was shining and it was pouring down. I got thoroughly wet and Reg enjoyed every minute of it. He doesn't mind the rain at all and skips along. The hardest thing is when he thinks that he should walk in front of me..directly in front of me and the chair. I end up kicking him up the bum at every step or rather..every turn of the wheel. Sometimes I think he thinks that he is a Husky and should be in charge..lol. At this very moment Reg and Jeff are in the dog basket in disgrace...while I was cleaning the fridge..they decided to help themselves to the dog treats..I returned to the parlour to find the two of them tucking in...and enjoying every minute. I'm also being helped to type this by Raven...she likes to sit on my chest while I am typing..which doesn't help because I can't see what I'm typing.

Well the coffee is calling..and thank the stars..I have more coming later. I really need to keep my caffeine levels up. So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Pansies..version 1

Todays card is another one in the quest that I've set myself...to use the same image but different type of card. This card features an image from Joanna Sheens 'One Summers Day'cdrom. The strip border is using a piece of the matching backing paper. The butterflies are from the All Occasion die range. The pansies I made using flower petal shapes which I coloured with my copics.

It is so hot here that none of the animals know what to do with themselves. In sick bay, everyone is asleep in the heat. Milky is doing really well and should be out of sick bay at the weekend. Tank may well be in for a while yet..bless her.My black and white cat Sprout I haven't seen for a couple of days but that is normal for him. He will come home at the first sign of rain..lol. I have spent the last 24 hours sat in front of the fan..with being a woman of a certain age I'm hot on the inside as well as the outside. I have to say it's not a good look for me. Neither is the fact that I have come out in a heat rash and I have a skin condition which has also flaired up. In fact what doesn't hurt..itches and what doesn't itch is bright red. Not a good look...lol

I have had a lovely time though watching the commonwealth games. I watched the womens triathlon this morning and am now watching the mens. I always think to myself just how hard the triathlon must be..swimming, cycling and running. I can feel tired just watching them. I think that it must be so hard if you came in fourth...all that effort and no medal. Well Alistair Brownlee won with his brother Jonathan coming in second. What a pair they are. I watched the opening ceremony last night...it was so good to see the amount of para athletes that will be competing. When I'm watching the wheelchair races I always tell Reg that he should be grateful that I'm not that fast..lol. I do manage to give him a run but it's just too hot for even that at the moment.

Well the coffee is calling..and I do have some. One of my friends bought me some this morning...I don't think he can stand the whinging that I do when there is none in the house.I keep reminding myself to drink lots of water as well..all the animal bowls are checked every couple of hours..trying to help keep them all as cool as I can. Looking forward to watching more of the games this evening..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Birdcage Flowers

Todays card is from the cdrom One Summers Day by Joanna Sheen. I have been playing around and gave myself a challenge to take an image and make two different card designs. So this is the first..watch for the next coming later in the week. The main image and the two small detail pictures were on the sheet. The backing paper was also on the cd. The flowers and foliage were from my cutting die collection..which I coloured using my copic pens in toning colours. I just love these little leaf flourishes..they are made by Tattered Lace.

It is still so very hot here. I took Reg out for a wheel and we got really well baked. We sat in the shade and enjoyed the little breeze that drifted through the trees. I thought that I would let Tank try the walk..the first time since her injury but it was just too much. She was determined to try but hadn't got very far and had to lie down. So I picked her up and she continued the walk on my knee...bless her. She wasn't bothered at all by my wheeling and just sat there keeping her eye on everything. Jeff and Rave also came with us...Jeff was his usual meowing self..I'd love to know what he's saying as he complains his way down the road.

Well the coffee is calling but yet again we've run out. It just shows how stressed I was over the weekend..to run out so soon..lol. So it's tea until Tuesday. That is one of the things with living in the middle of nowhere and not driving. But I'll know for the next shopping to buy twice as much. I'm still learning to shop for one. There are lots of things that I no longer need but was so used to buying them in for Henry. I still haven't got my appetite back properly...some things I just can't face. I have to admit that the one thing that has got me through is egg custard tarts. They must be my main comfort food. Without even looking at the packet I could tell you who made them. My two favourites are Tesco and the Co-op. I think once my system has calmed down these supermarkets will be wondering why sales of egg custards have dropped so much...lol. Isn't it funny how we have a couple of things that we crave when having a bad time. At the moment I'm on a bit of a salad moment as well. I would never have got away with it if Henry was here..No more rabbit food mother! There is something comforting with all the peeling and chopping. A moment of calm. My life needs these moments...no matter what they are or how they come about. One joy that I did have today was the arrivel of the latest Lakeland catalogue. I have a passion for cooking utensils and strange ingredients..so I love the stuff from Lakeland. I have been buying from them for years..back to the days when all they sold were freezer bags and containers for use in home freezing. We're talking about the days when most people didn't have freezers...goodness how I'm ageing myself. But I shall be enjoying a cup of tea  whilst having a good flick through the catalogue. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

The Garden Lady

Todays card was an order for a very special lady who loves to garden .I came up with the idea to do a gatefold card and to put two hanging baskets on the front. The hanging basket dies are from the Signature die range from Joanna Sheen. The leaves are from the Tattered Lace die range and I made the tiny flowers using a pinflair punch. I really enjoyed making this card because you all know how much I just love fiddley jobs. I coloured the leaves using my copic markers.

I did a close up of one of the hanging basket so that you could see the detail of the hanging basket itself. There is nothing better than a good die that cuts cleanly every time and this was amazing..the detail on the chain just has to be seen to be believed.

On the inside of the card I have used an image from Joanna Sheens 'One Summers Day'. I also added some more flowers. I do hope that she likes it.

Well when I took Reg for a wheel, we had 4 of the cats with us...Jeff,Rave, Tank and Milky. It was really hot and they kept throwing themselves into the shade. But by the look of the sky, I don't think that the good weather is going to last long.The clouds are grey...so I'm expecting a lot of cats to arrive in a hurry..lol

I was thinking today about when I started this blog...it seemed a strange road to takebut I so wanted to share my cards. I have found some really good friends through the blog and have got to know some amazingly talented people. Living where I do..you really need a hobby..and I had the added complication of being disabled and housebound for a lot of the time. Crafting really saved my sanity and brought a great deal of joy to my life. Henry, bless him, was always proud of what I did..even though he hated the glitter..lol. I remember once he was taking the mickey out of me for using glitter and I ended up throwing a pot at him. Glitter was everywhere..the dogs, the cats and Henry were covered in purple glitter. We laughed and laughed. I am truly blessed with all my wonderful memories. I remember an old saying that my Gran used to say..God gave us a memory so that we could have roses in December..I really didn't know what she meant then but I do now. Even on our darker days we only have to remember happy times. I will continue to count my blessings...no matter how small.

Well as I said there is now an influx of wet cats. So as the coffee is calling I'd better give my caffeine level a boost. So until tomorrow..take careand happy crafting.

Sunday Tea

Todays card is a lovely image from One Summers Day by Joanna Sheen. The rose banner at the bottom is made using a die from Tattered Lace.I really love the whole lace, china and flowers look. I live in hope that one day my house will be a little like this. But I fear it will never be...there are too many cats sharing my space. I have the feeling that any white lace tablecloth will suffer from little black pawprints and the need to hide any cakes would rather spoil the look. Any flowers I have obviously need to be sniffed and if the chance appears they need to be removed from the vase and pulled around the house...lol

Today is the first day in a long while that I couldn't manage to wheel Reg. I had to ask my friend to walk him for me as my leg had swollen badly and needed to be put up. I had to laugh though..when I was trying to walk, I had the definate look of John Wayne...I was walking as if I had been riding a horse for a fortnight. Fingers crossed I'll be back to normal tomorrow. The weather here is lovely again..the cats are spread out on the studio roof enjoying every moment of it.There are some of the cats that haven't been home for a couple of days but I know what they're like...in weather like this they tend to find themselves somewhere cool during the day and during the cooler night they do their hunting. At the first sight of any rain, everyone will be home.

Well the coffee is calling and some die cutting is needed. So off I'll toddle...I hope that you are having a good weekend..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Thankyou Card

Todays card is a reworking of a thankyou card using this lovely image from One Summers Day by Joanna Sheen. So many times I have needed to send a thankyou card and this would be my favourite type. I love using purples and blues. The ivy flourish is from Joanna Sheens Signature Die range. I love the entire range...and I have admit to owning most of it!!...simply because they do what they say..they cut so easily and cleanly. So many dies that I have bought in the past are so hard to use..having to use lots of shims and the cut not being as clean as you would like. I now tend to stay with the ranges that I have found to be fantastic..the Signature range...Brittania range..All Occasion range..Tonic and finally the Tattered Lace range. It took me a long time to get into die cutting..I think it was the thought of adding another type to my crafting goodies...another thing to spend money on...but I'm so happy that I did. I only buy dies that I know will work with the type of crafting I do. Thank goodness for that...you could spend fortunes on all the different dies out there...I'm grateful that I have limited funds so I have to make every penny count and every die has to be able to earn it's space.

The weather is still lovely..even though it is a bit cooler..I love it like this...sunny but with a breeze. I wheeled Reg and had 5 cats with me today. The horse seems to have gone from the field...we all missed our extra friend today. I took Reg out earlier today so that I would be back in time to watch the athletics on the tv. It is my secret passion...I adore watching all the athletics...it is something I have done for years now. So a lovely afternoon ahead...crafting and athletics..a strange combination I know but it works for me.

Well the coffee calls..so I hope you have a wonderful day...take care and happy crafting

Anniversary Card

Todays card was an order for a 31st. wedding anniversary. I didn't know what the symbol was for this anniversary...so as always I went on a hunt and discovered that it was timepieces.So, with that in mind I decided to make the clock the main feature. I put the time to 3 o'clock...the time of their wedding. The flower and buds are made using the wonderful Floral Delights Anemone Die from Tonic. I cut the leaves, using the anemone pad and then painted the flowers using my Twinkling H2Os, because the lady who the card was for loved pink flowers. The shape of the card itself is made using the Bookatrix board from the Glitter Girls. I use this board so much as it makes such a great base for whatever you want to create.

Today in the mountains it is a beautiful day. I take my dog Reginald out attached to my wheelchair and he loves it. People that live round here are used to laughing at my entourage. There I am in my chair with Reg, followed by a stream of at least 6 cats. From the first trip the cats have decided that they don't want to miss out and whatever the weather, they trot along. Well today they had a shock...we have a special place where we turn around and if the weathers good we have a little break there. All the cats and Reg had lay down on the grass and the next thing was a horse decided to put his head over the fence. All the cats shot up to investigate..it was just so funny. I'm sure that my youngest cat Jeff was thinking wow that's a big cat!! Every day we manage to stop the cars..with most people finding our little group so funny. At the least it gives them something to smile about.

Well the coffee calls and there are cards waiting to be created...so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting

Christmas Tags

For today I'm sharing some more of my tags, as I had so many people asking about them and liking them. For just a little effort you can create a little something special. I always have little pieces of pretty papers and die cuts which I can use. Sometimes you have an offcut of a paper that you have printed out and you feel that it is too big a piece to throw away. Well now I don't. I have a box of offcuts that I keep for making things such as tags. Smaller pieces go into another box for my patchwork cards. Offcuts of mirror board and card go into another box for use with the die cutter. I have to say that a lot of my life is in plastic boxes...lol. As with most of my crafting friends, I look at ways to save money and to get the most out of what we have.

 The above tag is using a range of the die cut snowflakes, layered onto each other. The one below is using a very pretty piece of a backing paper to which I've added a diecut reindeer. If you would like to know where I got any of the dies from..then please feel free to get in touch and I'll be more than happy to let you know.

This morning was hectic..the large christmas order arrived...and of course the cats wanted to help. One of my ladies..Obie..has to be right there in the mix with any shopping order. I'm sure that she likes to make sure that the right amount of cat food has arrived. I feel that I can at least breathe today. The final christmas orders have left the house, the turkey and gammon are now in the freezer and my box of york fruits (essential to christmas pleasure) is in the cupboard. Yesterday morning I thought that I just had too much to do and was beginning to panic..but I had a coffee..worked out a plan..stuck to it and hey ho..it all got done. I sat down with Son last night and we worked out the diary for the next week and now I am perfectly calm. I admit to getting to a point before christmas when I think..well if it's not here now..we shall just get on without it. I hope that all your own preparations are going well and that you are managing to hang onto your sanity..yesterday I was a headless chicken...we all have days like that..and usually manage to have at least one each on the run up to christmas. All I can recommend is having a coffee (or tea), sit down and remember to breathe...lol.
I have just received some amazing news..am having a happy scream at the moment..lol...I shall share it tomorrow when I've calmed down. I'm definately off for a coffee now...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Christmas Tags

For a change today, I would share some ideas for tags  I have virtually come to the end of christmas cards and thought I would make some gift tags. I really enjoyed making them. I have used lots of different die cuts from my stash and odds of paper which I had kept.

When you look at the prices that they are charging in the shops..it makes so much sense to make your own. I hope that you like them.
As christmas approaches with great speed, I feel as if my head is full of lists and things that need to be done. Tomorrow is the day of the big shop arriving. All my vegetables are due on the Monday before christmas but tomorrow is the big day. It's when the baking stuff and all the pantry goods arrive. I have a feeling that by tomorrow night, I will be surrounded by packets of pasta, tins of beans and bags of flour. One of the things that I tend to do is stock up the cupboards at the same time as getting the christmas goods in. Here in the mountains, the weather in January and February can be at it's worst and I have been snowed in before..so I like to have extra goods in the cupboard and the ability to make bread if I need to. I tend to have a stock of longlife milk in the cupboards..well a woman can't be without her coffee..lol
So todays plans are a great long list of things that have to be done...one of these is to finally get all my cards ready for posting. I've spent so long doing cards, I was amazed to find out that I had to make some more just for myself. I have a lot of crafting friends that have got to this point and have ended up buying their own just because they'd run out of enthusiasm and time. I always tend to make my cards in two or threes of one design and then put them in a box..then I have a couple for orders and one for me.
Well the coffee calls ..I think I need one to give my hands time to catch up with my head..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

The Festive Cat

Todays card features another image from the Furry friends cdrom from Joanna Sheen. After all the problems with my printer and the cat biscuits, I thought that I should celebrate the cat to match yesterdays doggie one. Also this card features an embellishment made with a selection of my die cuts. As you know by now I love buying dies and seeing what I can do with them. I have recently bought a new selection in readiness for spring crafting and am really looking forward to having a play. I have planned to treat myself to a dedicated play with non christmas cards between christmas and new year.
One other decision I have made is that my last blog for the year will be on Monday 22nd December and I will be back on the 1st January 2014. I would like to thank everyone that has come along on my blogging journey with me. It now feels to me that it has always been part of my life for ever. I have been blessed with meeting some amazing crafters who have shared so much with me. And to all the animal lovers that have shared their stories of their animals..thankyou so much..it's so lovely to chat with other people who love their animals as much as I do. And thankyou for sharing all your animal disasters..it makes me feel so much better knowing that I'm not the only one..lol
Even though today it is still raining here in the mountains, it is by far a better day than yesterday. I'm looking forward to one of my friends coming this afternoon. Son has a carol concert to go to at the weekend..so it really feels as the festivities are warming up. I hope that all your preparations are going well and that you are not wearing yourself out. Over christmas it seems as if the ladies of the land can wear themselves out making sure everything is perfect for everyone else. I hope that you consider yourself in all your christmas planning. It's your christmas as well after all.
Well the coffee calls..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Jeff gets festive

Todays card is featuring an image from the Joanna Sheen cdrom 'Furry Friends'. I have mounted the image onto some red mirror board. The embellishment is made using different die cuts from my stash. This card is a favourite to make as most of my friends are animal lovers.
Yesterday was the printer disaster day and it's still not fixed. Jeff the kitten is in disgrace. Somehow he has managed to block up the printer with cat biscuits..I know that there is a certain flavour in the mixed bag that he really doesn't like but to put them down the back of the printer is just a step too far. At first we had no idea what the problem was..just that the printer wouldn't take the paper in properly and kept ending up in a paper jam. Eventually the printer had to be removed from it's shelf and then it was discovered that the unliked cat biscuits were sitting inside it. Pokey tools and tweezers had to be used and now hopefully today it will work. I have to say at one point yesterday I felt like throwing the printer out of the window and as for Jeff...well..just where is the doghouse?
Christmas preparations are still going on...I seem to be spending alot of time waiting on Royal Mail. Just where my parcel orders are...who knows? I haven't got to the point where I'm in a flap yet but it definately could arrive. One of the things that I love is choosing the presents for everyone..trying to find something that they would really like but wouldn't treat themselves to. So many ladies that I buy presents for are so focussed on their families that they rarely spoil themselves and it's nice for them to know that someone has given special thought to them.
Well the coffee is calling and the printer is going to be tested...minus Jeffs help I hope..so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

A Booful Christmas

Todays card is featuring the really cute Booful. I have been asked to make a collection of christmas cards featuring this cheeky chappie...so you will be seeing him on and off this week. The image is decoupaged. For the card I have layered some gingham paper onto some kraft card and added a border of ribbon. The corner I have embellished with some holly leaves and a couple of pine boughs. It really is a simple little card but there is something so endearing about Booful. I hope that you like it.
The excitement of christmas has arrived in the house and the decorations are on their way out of their boxes. First we have to move the furniture round..it may sound strange but we have to make way for the christmas tree and it's table. You see the tree has to be wired to the wall. Yes, I know that it sounds strange but if we don't wire it , then we will spend all christmas picking it up. The cats have a tendancy to climb it and play with the baubles. And our ginger cat..Icabod has to be watched all christmas..he loves to run off with the tinsel and lametta. Everyone that visits or is here over the festive season knows to be on Icabod watch...lol. Many years ago, when I had a real christmas tree, I can remember lying in bed listening to the sound of christmas baubles pinging onto the floor. Nothing could have prepared me for the devastation that awaited me in the morning. What greeted my sleepy eyes was a totally undecorated tree with 2 cats lying on it's branches. They obviously thought that they made better decorations. Every time I've tried to have a real tree the same thing has happened. So these days we have an artificial tree. And even that has to be wired to the wall!! To add to the chaos that reigns in the house ..this christmas we have a kitten..well he's 7 months old..called Jeff and this will be his first christmas. So no doubt christmas will have a bit of added sparkle...probably on the floor!
Well the kettle is boiling so I'm off for brew. I hope your preparations are going well...with or without cat chaos..lol...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*

Pixies Playground - Anything goes

Church Window

Todays card is made using a stamped image from Katy Sue Designs. I stamped the church window and cut out the window shape. I painted a snowy sky and added this behind the window frame. I stamped the candles and added them to the window sill. The foliage is made using the pinflair punch to make small leaves and added red jewels to look like berries. I then mounted the finished window onto an embossed background. All the painting was done using twinkling H2Os. I find something really peaceful about this card and it's useful to have such a card for friends who are more into the religious and traditional.
 I spent all of yesterday making inserts. Today will be spent decorating them and hopefully getting the cards bagged ready for posting. I managed to make over a 100 yesterday so only another 400 to go. But I've started, so now I'm feeling confident that with a little organisation I'll get there. It's very cold here in the mountains and the frosts have been quite hard. We are all on snow watch. There is nothing that I love more is being in the house warm and cosy when outside is freezing. All the cats have got themselves organised and by 7p.m. are all in and settling down. They all have their own favourite spaces and heavens help anyone who interferes with that.
Well the coffee is calling..I hope that you are keeping all warm and cosy. Time to get back to the inserts I think..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Church by the river

Todays card is from the Thomas Kinkade cdrom by Joanna Sheen. I have of course glittered the image and mounted it to some gold mirror boar. The backing paper is from my ever growing stash of christmas papers. The embellishments were made using the Sinature die range from Joanna Sheen and the Tattered Lace range. I have some customers who request church or religious images on their christmas cards and this is one that I chose for this year. There really is something magical and peaceful about this picture. I would be more than happy for this card to sit on my mantlepiece this christmas.
Christmas preparations are going on in this house..the postman arrived this morning with an armful of parcels and was laughing about the amount. It wouldn't have looked so bad if they had arrived in just one parcel..after all they were all from the same place...but no they all came in separate parcels. And we get nagged at by the local council about recycling..well now I have a huge amount of cardboard that will have to be all squashed to fit in the recycling bin. Why are companies not made to look at their packaging...surely it would be cheaper for them to use less. Sometimes the world makes no sense at all.
I really have to say just how much online shoppping has really changed my life. Since becoming housebound the internet has let me still have the fun of picking my presents without the stress of having to ask someone to do it for me or to try to go out and be in pain even before I start looking. It is the same with the grocery shopping..being able to do my shopping from my chair has really become a blessing. I have to admit that I do sometimes run out of something...usually potatoes. I think that the irish ancestors must be playing a part in this...we do seem to go through so many spuds....lol.
 Well the coffee is calling..I hope that your own preparations are going well. I have a long list of work today, so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

Christmas garlands

Todays card features the wonderful House Mouse designs from the triple cdrom by Joanna Sheen. This cd is one that I have found myself going back to time and time again. It has just so many images on it, I can always find one that is suitable for the occasion. The more I look through it, the more ideas that I get.
The main thing that I want to do today is to thank you all for the support and encouragement that you have all given me on this blogging journey of mine. Today we have passed the 2000 level. I really can't believe it. I looked back on the blog and on 18th October we hit 1000 and today 18th November we passed 2000. If ever I worried about doing this journey, I only have to think of sharing my cards with you and all the wonderful messages of support and it spurs me on. Yesterday when I was ready to launch the laptop through the window..this blog made me slow down and sort the problem out. I really think that my laptop knows when the lovely computer man is in the house and decides to behave well again. So today has been lovely..no problems and the coffee keeps coming thanks to my lovely son. All's well with the world...lol
Well according to all the weather reports we are due some snow. At the moment it's doing it's usual thing and just raining. Here in the mountains we are used to it. I have some friends who come to visit every year and after 15 years of visits they have yet to see the mountains in anything but rain and mist. I always tell them that it wouldn't be so green if it wasn't for the rain..lol. I have to say though the thought of snow excites me. Ever since being a child, watching the landscape change and become blanketed in white fills me with a sense of magic. I love looking out of my window and seeing the sparkle. I think it comes down to the fact that the world looks as if it's been glittered. I will let you know if the magic arrives.
So lots of cards to finish this week, to get them packed and posted. I have a special post lady who takes all my parcels to the post office for me and I'm sure that at this time of year I must drive her to distraction...lol. I will have to have a word with Santa to make sure that she gets something special. Mind you with the hours that she works as a pa for 2 different bosses and the miles that I'm sure she covers on foot (she wears me out just telling me what she does in a day), I'm sure that at this time of year she could do with extra hours to her day. I wonder if Santa could help with that. The coffee cup is on empty so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

The Hearth Cats

Todays card is from Ivory Cats by Joanna Sheen featuring the amazing artwork of Leslie Anne Ivory. As a cat lover, she is one of my all time favourite painters of cats. There is something about the way that she paints them, that manages to catch the small details, the poses and the moments that every cat owner recognises. I love this image of the cats in front of the fire..it makes me laugh because in this house, if the fire was lit you would be lucky to even get a glimpse of it! You can't even see the hearth rug for furry little bodies stretched out in the warmth.
The embellishments I have used on this card are a mixture of the Tattered Lace and Signature die ranges. When buying new dies I try to look at them and think about how much I would be able to use them. And how they will work with the ones that I already have. I have to do this because even though the cost of dies has come down so much over the past few years, they are still a purchase I have to think about. I have a limited amount to spend on my crafting and want to be sure that what I buy will work for me for a long time. It is the same with the ranges that I buy..if I have a problem with a certain die from a certain range, then it puts me off spending any more money with that company. So when I recommend a range here in my blog it will be because it cuts well, releases easily from the die and has great detail.
I hope that you have had a good weekend. The house has been very busy here in the mountains and I have to say that I'm enjoying a little peace. It's just as well it's quiet here, I have to sort all my craft stuff out..I have paper off-cuts, dies and embellishments everywhere. When I'm working it all gathers around me and I get to the stage where I can't move...well we are at this stage..lol. So coffee as always comes first and then to work. Until tommorrow...take care and happy crafting

Christmas Robins

Todays card is from the Joanna Sheens Vintage Christmas Cards cdrom. It is a fantastic cd with all types of christmas images. This image is from the birds section. I have glittered the image (of course!) and mounted it onto blue card. The backing paper is from another Joanna Sheen cd..the Thomas Kinkade project book. The embellishment was made using a collection of my diecuts. The poinsettia was made using the Brittania die. All the dies used in this arrangement are available from the Joanna Sheen online shop. There is a link on the side of this blog.
I hope that you all had a good night last night. I had some close friends round for the evening and had a lovely time. No wild partying just a brew and some bits to eat, but it was really nice to catch up. The animals thought of course that the food was only put there for them! Talking of food we are to have a real treat over the next few days..my friend has recently travelled to Scotland and returned with a whole host of wonderful Scottish treats. We have two breakfast packs which include the famous square sausage,black pudding and my favourite the fruit pudding. She also bought me some haggis, scottish snowballs, empire biscuits and some scottish plain bread. I love it all. The bread was a real revelation. It reminds me of the bread that I grew up with..bread with substance. Bread that you know you've eaten. Today most of the bread is fiddled with so much it has no substance and is just a doughy slice. This scottish bread actually has a crust and it is heavier that the bread we can get here. Admittedly you can buy better bread these days but you really have to pay a ridiculous price for it. Obviously in Scotland someone decided that they were not willing to have rubbish bread and somebody listened. It just shows that everything changes but not always for the best and we get very little say in it. I've noticed the food prices rising so much lately..the companies blame the weather. the crops and the cost of transport. But I notice that the prices never go down when these things have improve.
We have friends coming over the weekend and I have lots of crafting to do. I have to say that most of my friends know that I craft along as we're talking. So I'd better have my coffee and get on. Wherever you are I hope you have a great day...take care and happy crafting

Looking at the Mistletoe

Todays card is from the Magical Christmas Moments cdrom by Creative Crafting World. This cdrom is just filled with images that I will use for many christmas to come. This is a very simple card, the only embellishment I've added is a couple of diecut mistletoe stems. They were made using a die from the Tattered Lace 'winter floral' range. It's a wonder that the dies have not been worn out..the amount of times that they have been used on cards for this festive season. The backing paper that I've used is from the Crafters Companion 'Father Christmas' cdrom. It's been a favourite of mine this year.
It's funny how our likes change..I say this every year..you could give me the same image 5 years in a row and every year the card that I make would be different. What colours we use with an image, what embellishments we choose to use..they change depending on our mood or what we are into at the time. This is one of the reasons that my cdrom library is such a wonderful resource. I often look back at my early cdroms and come up with new ways to use the images.
Today is definately a crafting day..the wind is roaring and the rain is coming in sheets. The cats are in and refusing to go out. And I can't blame them. So I'm planning my crafting for the rest of the week..I have 4 birthays next week and they're all male. I love making male cards..finding something different. As you will know by now I don't do the fishing or football cards..unless of course they are really a big fan. So I hope that the weather is being kind to you..and wherever you are..take care and happy crafting

Flowers of the Season

Todays card is made with a topper from my stash (available from jb crafting supplies). The backing paper is from a Joanna Sheen cdrom. The topper image is decoupaged and the embellishment is made using the Tattered Lace die range. Around the edge I have used an enclosed glitter peeloff. To me it is a very traditional christmas image but it's what alot of people like to receive. I have mounted the backing paper onto some dark green card. I have to admit that when it comes to christmas..I'm a bit of a traditional girl. I have always preferred the red, green and gold colours. Even though alot of my friends are very contemporary, using purples, pinks and black, I still remain the same. I can't explain why..perhaps it's memories of my childhood.
Well there is a definate nip in the air today. The sky is quite grey and moody..and there is a cold snap to the air. The cats haven't travelled far..they are all sat on the studio roof with the wind ruffling their fur. It's as if they can smell the change in the weather..they sit with their noses in the air smelling the breeze.
Today I've got 20 christmas cards to decorate so I suppose it's a case of drink the coffee and get on with it. I hope you have a really good day and that the weather is kind to you..take care and happy crafting.