A Snowflakes Promise....Curious Cats

Todays card is a design team make for the great team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme is christmas or winter as always. We are so lucky to have been sponsored this challenge by the great team over at Sami Stamps

When I saw this image of the cats, there was no other choice for me...I loved it. As most of you cat owners will know..they like nothing better than a box to play in. I had a delivery the other day and the senders had filled all the space with torn paper. The cats were in heaven but the parlour looked as if it had been stirred with a stick..lol. I am still picking up scraps of paper days later..lol. In the middle of everything, I put all the spare cat blankets in to a box and the cats haven't let it alone since. Every time I happen to glance at this box...it has a different cat in it. Tankie and Nicademus seem to be taking it in turn. Goodness me, sometimes I'm a pratt..lol. I've been sat here for half an hour thinking just how much pain I have today and I've realised that I haven't took my pills..so I'm off to take them now....I've just taken them..it's now going to take another half an hour for them to work. I can't believe I did that..lol I did think that I was turning into a moaning minnie. And now to the kittens...the black and white one is now called the fiesty one. 3 of the kittens now have their eyes open and are all getting bigger every day. Flossie is being so good..it's so sweet to hear her talking to them. The black kitten is the loudest except when the little tabby gets stuck on his back...then he's like a turtle and can't get himself round..and then you should hear the row..lol Well the coffee is calling and hopefully once my tablets kick in, I'll feel like a new woman. Sparkle has just arrived so caffeine is getting nearer..lol. So I hope that you will think about entering this new challenge over at a Snowflakes Promise...I have been lucky enough to see a lot of your cards and know how good they are..well worth an entry. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center..The Purple Witch

Todays piece of work that I made for the wonderful design team over at the Left of Center.

We are lucky enough to have the fabulous Ikes Art sponsor us for this challenge. I just loved working with this piece of art. She has the name of Witch 2, if you wanted to pop over to the shop to see where I began.

Shop...http://www.ikesart.com/
I began this piece by painting the canvas in black acrylic and then, as the new challenge is called..'A Splash of Paint' I decided to splash bright coloured acrylics over the black.The image..witch 2...I decided I wanted to colour her outfit purple because of that saying..when I get older I will wear purple..and of course I do have a passion for blue hair...even though mine is green at the moment..lol. As most of you know, I collect sayings and have had this one for a while and thought it was fitting for the witch to be sharing the wisdom. After all most of us have the face that we show the world and let only a few we know see the person that we really are. Since losing Henry, I think that I have built a wall but at the same time feel as if people can like me or lump me..lol. I used to tell Henry..don't bother hating anyone..they either won't know or don't care. Either way it's only yourself that is hurting...and that ends up being another way for them to win. So hold your head up and carry on your way.
Well the coffee is calling and the sun is shining. All the cats have left the cottage and as far as I can see, they are all sunning themselves...lol.My social worker came yesterday and she must be being accepted by the cats..Nicademus took to her lap and I don't think he wanted her to leave...he really is a ladies man..lol As for Reginald..I think the heat had affected him..when the social worker arrived he stood at the top of the stairs and barked. Now if you knew Reg..guard dog he isn't...I said to her she will have to be firmer to him...or words to that effect..lol.After all. usually Reg is more feminine than most ladies I know. After his show of manliness yesterday afternoon..he had to have a long lie down to recover..lol. So I'm off to do some crafting..I hope that you all have a fabulous weekend..so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery..Georgia

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Jiggery Makery. Ever since I received this wonderful digi from Adele...the song lyrics have been going through my head..and I thought that the only way for it to stop was to use them on the card. The image has been coloured with my promarkers. I have printed the digi out in quite a large size to fit a 8x8 card. Over at Jiggery Makery there is a great valentine challenge, using one of the 4 valentine girls..why not pop over and take a look. And I have to say watch this space..there are some fabulous digis coming out soon. I can hardly wait to get to work on them.

 For some reason, I just love this image...I only wish that I had a figure like her. Saying that I would probably get into so much trouble if I had such a figure..it's probably safer this way.It's strange really..having bad legs..I can't even remember what it was like to have 2 legs with no scars.Just recently I found an old photo of a time when my legs were unscarred and I didn't even recognise them..lol. It's just a head space thing I think..my Gran always used to say that scars were just a map of the journey we have travelled...all I can say is that I've had a hell of a roadtrip..lol

It's still very cold here, but I'm nice and cosy..blanket on my legs and a cat on top of that. Raven is the equivalent of a never cooling hot water bottle..and she is really toasty I have to say. All the snow has disappeared except for the flat roof of my studio. I'm hoping to get in there in the next couple of months..once it's warmed up a bit. I can't wait to see what I've got that I've forgotten. I know that there is a large number of stamps in there..so you'll probably see lots of them come the summer. One thing that I'm going to do first is to create a dining room, in the downstairs parlour. I haven't touched there yet in my doing the house quest..but it's pecking my head at the moment.But again..I'll have to wait until it's a little warmer. My legs can object lots to cold weather and that just wears me out...so bring on a time when it's not below freezing.

Well the coffee is calling, as always. I think that as a car needs petrol...I need caffeine. And I can smell it on the air because Sparkle has just brewed. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Just Chilling

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

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

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

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

Boofle with blankie

Todays card is my final Boofle for a while. I have to stop myself sometimes..when I'm enjoying making cards with a certain type of image I can get carried away..lol I adore this image of Boofle with his blankie. What a great card to send to someone who is feeling unwell or having a bad time. It's like sending a hug.The only decoration that I've added is some flowers which have the feeling of hessian.

The weather today doesn't know what to do with itself...when I took Reg for a wheel it kept trying to rain but has now decided to stop. The sky is looking rather grey so I don't know what will happen. I watched on the news the flash flooding, hail and lightening that has affected the lower half of the country...we have been so lucky here for once. I've been looking at the rowan tree in my garden and it is laden down with all the berries. Does that mean that we are in for a bad winter? The ducks that live in the village will be in my garden as soon as the berries drop...they love them. I have a soft spot for the ducks as Henry often had dealings with them and I used to tell him when they went past the house..Duck boy go and deal..we laughed as he rounded them up and got them toreturn to their field. Small memories can sometimes bring the greatest joy. We laughed so many times at really stupid things and that is one of the things that I miss the most.I miss his laughter and his wit. He would have loved this card featuring Boofle...he would have laughed over the blankie...Henry had his own blankie...it was a fleece with sheep on..he'd had it for years and even now it is in his corner of the couch..I haven't the heart to move it.

Well the coffee is calling...I can feel the need for an egg custard..lol. 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

For a friend

Todays card is another from the fabulous Halcyon Days from Crafters Companion. This card is using one of the sentiments that appear on the cd. Just a pretty card to let a friend know how much you appreciate them. The bunting is also one of the embellishments on the cd.

Sometimes I think that we don't let our friends know just how much they mean to us. When Henry passed it really brought  home to me just how much they mean to me. Without their support and kindnesses I doubt very much that I could have got through it all. And even now they are my bricks..not minding when I can't help crying, nagging me to eat and helping me to find something good in every day.They really are one of the true blessings in my life.

As everyone knows my other true blessings are my animals. As I took Reg for his wheel today..they made me laugh at every step.Rave and Tank kept throwing themselves in front of the chair. When I got to a flat space I took Reg for a gallop. I can get the chair to go quite fast and Reg loves it. He gallops alongside me and looks as if he is laughing all the way. It is with great abandon that he and Jeffrey fling themselves onto the grass by turnaround tree. As Reg and I were speeding along..all we could hear was Jeffrey running complaining to keep up. He was really loud in his complaint. It always makes me laugh that when we get home both Reg and Jeff run immediately to the treat jar. If I happen to go to the loo before seeing to them..I am followed into the bathroom by two moaning animals..lol. Jeffrey is not happy unless a gravy bone is forthcoming. Last night as I was having a bath, I was visited by one animal after another. They all looked at me as if I was mad. Reg likes nothing better than a lick of the bubbles..I can't imagine that it tastes very nice but each to their own..lol

Well the coffee is calling and yes I'm still appreciating every mouthful. I've lots of cards to make this weekend and tonight I have the excitement of athletics to watch. Wherever you are I hope that the weather has been kind to you..I'm still sat in front of my fan so there will be no glittering today..lol.So until tomorrow take care and happy crafting.

China and pearls

Todays card is another beautiful design from the One Summers Day cdrom by Joanna Sheen. I love this type of image featuring china and flowers. I would just love for my dresser to look like this but I think that the cats would have huge fun changing the look.I mounted the backing paper and the image onto some pink card. I also created the border using the same.I put two strips of white lace behind the border bar and then mounted some pearl swirls on the top. It is very much a lady card and I happen to know many that would love this card.

I find it strange but just lately I find my girly side fighting to come out. I have never really thought about it but just recently I have had to admit to myself that I love chintz, lace and pastel colours. I love looking at flowers in my parlour and have a thing for roses on my bed linen. Perhaps I should give in and let my floral side out. It's all very strange. When I was a little girl I was very girly until I discovered Donny Osmond and suddenly the dark side came out...lol..(I often wonder what a therapist would make of that!!!).Since my teenage years I have always loved black and have collected skulls and dragons. So now both sides will have to come together...lol. I still love to wear black as I find it doesn't clash with my hair...which at the moment is purple pink and orange  ( that must be my old punk side coming out and after all I always promised Henry that I would grow old disgracefully..lol). Such a mixture of things...I will let you know what happens over the next few weeks.

Today, as I was wheeling the dog,I was lucky enough to meet the dog warden. What a lovely chap. I explained that I kept the right hand side of the lane clear because even though we live in the middle of nowhere if the children are going out, I tell them to stand on the grass if a car comes. And lets be honest nobody wants to stand in dog do. I bag any, even if it's not from my dog. Just because I can't stand the mess. And I have to admit to having a go at anyone who doesn't pick it up. Perhaps I'm turning into an old nag as well..lol. Just by being friendly though I even scored some free bags as well.

Well the coffee is calling and the cats are making a dash in as it has just started to rain...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting