31 Days of Halloween....Day 20

Today's image is another page out of my Halloween Book. To me this is a perfect image that makes me smile every time I look at it. If I had to have a representation of myself...this image from Bloobel would be perfect..so I just had to include it in the 31 Days Challenge. I'm thinking of working with this image again and creating a picture for my bathroom. This was definitely me last night..lol. I indulged in a long hot bath in preparation of my hospital visit...but I do have to say it was anything but peaceful. All the cats have to come into the bathroom to check that I'm ok..and they did. Gannie is fascinated by the bubbles and always plays until he finds my toes...I'm sure that one of these days he is going to end up in the bath with me..lol. Last night Milky arrived in the bathroom and headed off with the towel that I had put down to stand on. She managed to kick it into a ball shape and headed out of the door with it, the little madam.

I was up with the birds this morning and headed off to the hospital. I had my scan on my foot and bless them but what a waste of time. All the lady talked about was my scars and couldn't see what she was looking for. The fact that she seemed to be scanning in the wrong place didn't make any difference. But I have to say that I'm not going again..the pain in my foot is horrible and seems to be going up the bone in my leg. My friend that took me offered to take me shopping but all I wanted to do was to come home, take my tablets and get my leg up. And here I am. I'm just glad it's all over and done.
As I've been joining in with this challenge, I have been so inspired by the other creations made by the other crafters that have entered. I'm still trying to comment but BT are still playing up..they will let me the blogs..some days..but won't let me comment...I'm hoping to get round all the blogs in the next week. During this challenge I entered a competition on the blog of Susan R and was so lucky and actually won...I've never won anything before..so I was so chuffed. Well my prize arrived today and I was blown away with a huge envelope of treasures. A piece of Susan's Art is now on my mantlepiece and wow the goodies are amazing. Spiders, ribbons,papers, jewels and flowers..a treasure trove. I haven't stopped stroking yet..lol. This amazing gift has given me lots of ideas to include in my challenge next year. So thankyou Susan R for such a wonderful surprise win.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today. I'm looking forward to doing some peaceful colouring this afternoon whilst my pain killers do their work. All the cats have protested the fact that I left the house, filled their tummies with Mother is guilty as charged treats and have all left the building. Apart from Raven who is playing hot water bottle..bless her.
Well the coffee is definitely calling today and then it's colouring. I just love it. I use lots of different mediums..acrylic paints, H2Os, watercolour paints and pencils, alcohol pens..whatever I can lay my hands on actually. I think that this afternoon I'll be using my inktense pencils. I just love them..they start off looking very subdued but once you add the water the colours pop. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting

31 Days of Halloween....Day 19

Today I've decided to share another of my pages for the 31 days challenge. It's a page that I drew myself, so that I could use this quote from T.S.Elliot. I have always loved poetry and Elliot is one of my favourites. It was his poem 'The Wasteland', that I first found and just loved the way that he uses words and paints a picture with them. The quote that I found seemed perfect for Halloween..the thought of the unseen feet pressing on the lawn. I remember spending quite a lot of time with my friends sitting in the graveyard..perhaps it was a teenage thing. I think it was mostly because it was the one place that our relatives wouldn't think to look for us at..lol. The local vicar knew that we inhabited the Lytch Gates as our retreat..it had benches..but he never minded. In fact 2 of his own sons were often there as well. 
For my page, I began by painting the background with my H2Os because I wanted that shimmer that they provide...sadly it doesn't pick up quite as well on the photograph. I used purples,pinks and greens to try and give it a look of twilight. And then I just used a black pen to add the trees and the gravestones. I have never found grave yards scary..just a little sad.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today. All the cats are out apart from Raven and Nicademus. Rave is just a homebody. She always has been. She has always been allowed to go out but the furthest she seems to go is on the studio roof. The rest of the time she is either sat by me or on me...and most of the time she's lay on my legs..my personal leg heater,,lol. Nicademus is lay on his cushion. He is seeming to be rather stiff on his back legs today. I think that it's a mixture of his being an older cat, the colder weather arriving and still recovering from the dog attack the other day. But he's eating and drinking well and I think that he just needs a little cosy time.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'm off to do some more sorting. Now tomorrow I will be posting a little later than normal simply because I've got a very early hospital appointment.I have to admit to be dreading it. The one thing that I can't stand is my foot being touched in any way. Ever since my accident, many many years ago the bottom of my foot has been constantly hurting..I don't know what they think they can do now after all this time but I suppose that things will have developed and there may well be new ideas that they would like to try on my trotter..lol. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting
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Left of Center...New Challenge and 31 Days of Halloween...Day 16

Today's page is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming week. The theme for this weeks challenge is Halloween..so it's the perfect place to share all your Halloween creations. It was that thought that made it also perfect to join in with the wonderful 31 days challenge. I just loved this image of the witch and her cat. It came from our fabulous sponsor...Sami Stamps. I painted the image using my inktense pencils. I just love the way that the lines in the image just flow/

The sky is a perfect blue today here in the mountains today but I have to say it's really cold. I'm sat here with my winter blanket on my legs and a cat on top..lol. Milky has decided that she is having the prime spot today and because of that Raven is in the middle of a good sulk.With Milky on my legs..it's like having a living hot water bottle..she is radiating a lot of heat..lol. All the others are outside..no doubt causing chaos. When I got up this morning, all the cats were standing around in the parlour demanding their breakfasts. You can always tell when it's a little colder...their food intake increases with the decrease in temperature...lol. One of the Tesco delivery men absolutely loves my tribe and when he knows that he's bringing my delivery, he always brings them a bag of treats..bless him. The only trouble with that is that the rest of the delivery men get looked at in disgust.
Well the coffee is calling and I hope that it perks me up a bit. I seem so tired today for whatever reason. I'm not normally like this..perhaps it's just that Sunday feeling..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...Day 15

Today's page is for the 31 days challenge and features one of my favourite things...black cats. I have always have had a thing for black cats..right back to when I was a child. My grandmother always had black cats and said that she had them because people didn't like them. I always thought that was strange and it wasn't until I was older and ran a cat rescue that I realised that she was right. No matter how many cats or kittens I had to rehome..it was always the black ones that took the longest. Now with my tribe.. 5 of mine are black. It makes me laugh that some people can't understand how I can tell them apart...but to me is easy..they are all so different. Jeffrey is huge, Pinky is bad tempered, Raven is my homebody, Tankie suffers with her allergies and Simon is the one that falls over a lot..lol. On the black cat page my favourite quote is the one about all cats being black in the dark. The main image is from Bugaboo and the cat shape actually looks like my Pinky. She has a slight oriental look. She made me laugh last night. The police came over the fact that Nosey had been killed and to update me on what was being done. Pinky sat behind me the whole time growling. I laughed and said she was playing guard cat and they laughed as well. One of them admitted to owning a cat...it was as if it was her guilty secret..lol and was laughing about the amount of food that was out to be eaten. When I told her just how much they got through she was a little shocked. I thought to myself you should see them when they're waiting for their dinner..lol.

The sky is bright blue and the sun is shining here in the mountains today. All the cats are outside and peace reigns..at least for a short time..lol. I'm working on some word stencils at the moment. I have seen a number on the television but didn't like the font or the way that you couldn't read the word very well...so I'm in process of making my own. It seems a lot of work to get it right..but I'm determined because I have an idea in mind and if I don't get made...it will just drive me crazy. I don't know how it works for you but when I've had an idea I've just got to go with it. I'm just grateful that my mojo is still working. I did think a few weeks ago that my mojo was leaving..I have no idea why..I felt as if I had no inspiration....but all is back on track now. Thank goodness.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be back to the stencils. It seems very quiet in the village today..the only thing that I can hear is the birdsong. I hope that you will take the time to take a look at all the other wonderful creations created by all the artists that have joined in the 31 days challenge. I am totally blown away by some of the creations..I really need to up my game next year. But I have to say that I'm so enjoying this challenge..I feel like a woman on a mission and I know Henry would have loved it. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

31 Days of Halloween...Day 11

Todays image is another page from the book I'm creating for the 31 days of Halloween Challenge. This image is another Rick St. Dennis image..I just love his designs. To me this is a hauntingly beautiful image and then you notice the horror contained. To my mind this is a Halloween story contained in a beautiful picture. The stories that your mind can create are endless and can be as traumatic as you allow. I thought that the quote that I've used was so perfect for this image. At first glance everything can seem fine and then you look harder and can be shocked by what you find. And sometimes life can be like that.

Here in the mountains today, the sun is shining and the sky is grey..you just wonder to yourself how long it will be until the rain comes.Even the postman asked today what was going on with the weather..he is so used to being dripping wet after a visit to the village..lol. I was teasing him that he needed the sunshine to last through the winter weather that is coming surely along. I have one friend who tends to visit every year and he has been visiting for over 20 and he is yet to visit in good weather..lol. He is convinced that all it does is rain here in these mountains. I tease him every time and tell him that it wouldn't be so green without it. He once said that it was a wonder that everyone that lived here didn't have webbed feet...and then I had to break it to him that actually I did have webbed feet..lol. Supposedly I inherited them from my Father..so I have always been a little strange..lol
All the cats apart from Raven are outside. She is settled on my legs and no doubt won't move until feed time. I was quite shocked this morning..I actually had a fuss off Twinkle. Now for those of you who don't know Twink..she is a little cat that was brought to me with brain damage. The vet advised that she should be put to sleep because he couldn't see anyone putting up with her..she will attack people or other animals with no reason other than she can see them. She even goes for me every morning when I feed her. She lives in a special cat duplex and is happy as long as she doesn't have to interact with anyone.She is also very ordered in her world..if she has the wrong blanket she will turn into a little ball of fury. When she was a kitten she had been shaken by a dog and had been fed the wrong food and was desperately dehydrated. I have to say that now she is a real beauty but goodness me the temper.This morning was one of those rare moments when she actually gave me some love..I think she had forgotten to be a wild creature and let me fuss her. It was a rare treat. For 4 years I have been bitten ,scratched or growled at...and that's just at food time..lol..so today made everything worth while.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'll be finishing some projects. I hope that you will pop over and see the other wonderful creations of those involved in the 31 days challenge..the amount of work that has gone into the projects is amazing. This is my first time in the challenge but I feel so inspired to up my game..people have always thought I was a little Halloween obsessed..goodness knows what will be come of me..lol So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafted.

SLS Lines...A little more inspiration

Today's creation is a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. I had bought myself a notebook to keep a track of my bills..a never ending task I have to say..lol. But  when I bought the notebook, I thought to myself that I could decorate it in such a way that it would make me smile every time I looked at it. So I did. I first covered the front with some black card and stencilled some red bubbles onto it. I added some chipboard letters to spell out bills..just in case I should forget the purpose of it.lol. I added some glitter string to the left hand side..because everything needs a little sparkle. I then finally added the amazing piece of art work from SLS..the voodoo king. I coloured the artwork with my promarkers, cut it out and then glued it onto the front. The last thing that I've got to do is to add some adhesive acetate to the front to give it a wipe clean surface..else in my case the artwork will become covered with paw prints..lol.

The sun is trying very hard to shine in between rain showers here in the mountains today. Jeffrey has just arrived in and landed on my lap..with a huge thump I have to say. He is such a big boy. All the others bar Raven are outside chasing leaves by the look of it. Raven has claimed a cushion right by the food table...that way she's not missing a thing.
I've had some very exciting post today. I had two design team parcels delivered and goodness me..the fun I'm going to have.I will be sharing the products with you very soon. I think that I'm most excited about the set of Brushos that has arrived. I have watched them being used on the television and was hoping to get some in the future when I could afford some. Well now I have a set and am aiming to have a play at the weekend..but only if I get my other work completed. This is going to be my diecutting weekend in readiness for Christmas crafting. I'm aiming to fill my boxes with poinsettias,leaves and snowflakes..ready for the season of serious crafting..lol. I would sooner spent 2 days die cutting and have it all ready rather than having to keep stopping and die cutting bit by bit.
Well the coffee is calling and then I'm going to read the instructions for the Brushos. I've decided that we are having chicken,potatoes,vegetables and mushroom sauce for dinner tonight, with sweet and sour tomorrow. I like to be organised in my head for the next few days..thoughts have to squeeze in there around poinsettias and holly leaves,,lol. I'll let you know how it all goes. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....New Challenge

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at A Snowflakes Promise. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. The theme is Anything Goes with the option of the seasons. I decided to make a Christmas card and used the wonderful Nature Trail from Hobby Art stamps. I love the way that you can make so many different types of cards, just using this one set. The other thing that I liked is that you could in fact use this set all year round..just depending on what colourways you picked to use.

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

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

SLS Lines....A Little Inspiration

Here I am again..with added caffeine..lol. This canvas is a design team make for the wonderful SLS Lines.I chose to work with this wonderful image of the fox shamen...quite appropriate after my previous blog.On SLS we all choose to do an inspiration post and this was my choice. It all began with a memory of walking down a lane when I was little. The trees formed a canopy over my head and the sunshine twinkled through the leaves. It was with this thought in mind that I painted the background of this canvas. I wanted to give the impression of the glow from the forest..so I painted the canvas with my H2Os, using a golden colour in the middle and a green around the edges. I also stencilled leaves over the top using my distress inks. The image itself, I coloured with a mixture of copics and promarkers. As you can see, I love to mix the use of my colouring mediums to get the effect that I want.I finally added the 'beads' which were made using my liquid pearls.

As I've been writing this post, my mind has drifted to how I choose what image to work with. I am always looking for different images that use foxes, owls and of course cats. Those animals seem to be my beginning thought. As I glance round the parlour I can see lots of owls and skulls and witches. In my bedroom...it's angels and rabbits..lol. Isn't it strange what we decide to collect. I think that my collections may well be stranger than most.
The cats are still enjoying the sunshine and haven't been back in yet. I have no doubt that come dinner time they will all appear ...all telling me how hungry they are..lol.I'm watching the triathlon on the tv as I'm writing this..I can't believe how they manage it..I can feel worn out just watching it..lol. A friend of mine has a daughter who has just began competing in triathlons..I can remember her as a baby..and now she is becoming an amazing athlete ..who knows..I my be watching her in a few years time.
Well the coffee is calling again and then I will have to do some more on a project that I'm working on.So until next time..take care and happy crafting. 

Left of Center......New Challenge

Todays canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the coming week. The theme for this week is Friendship. As always though, you always have the option of going LOC. For all details about that,please check over on the LOC blog.

The sponsor for this weeks challenge is thefantastic team over at SheepSki Designs. This is a new design range for me and I feel so happy to be able to work with one of their images. I hope that you will pop over to their page and take a look at their wonderful designs.

For my canvas, I chose to work with this lovely image of the dragon asleep in the flower. The theme is friendship and when I saw this image it gave me a warm feeling...something which a good friendship brings. I painted all the canvas with my H2Os because I wanted to have that shimmer of a twilight evening. I love the way that the dragon seems to be so happy asleep. Of course in a mythical world who is to say that the flowers don't speak and the dragon and the flower may be best friends. That moment of thought took me to all the books that I read as a child. I was a bit of a Beatrix Potter and Enid Blyton girl and often lost myself in animal and fairy worlds. I loved books that took me to places of magic and wonder.
As I'm writing this the cats are in and out. The wind and the rain have died down and the mountains are looking very green. I always say to people when they complain by the amount of rain that we have that if we didn't have alot how would there be so many shades of green. I love earlier in the year when the bluebells swath the mountain side with purple streaks. I honestly count my blessings for living in such a beautiful place. I've always been a country girl at heart. I can't believe that I actually live in a village..the places I lived as a child were remote..the nearest neighbours being a mile or so away. But the farm houses always seemed to be filled with people with friends and relations coming often and sometimes staying for weeks. And there were always animals..the house dogs and cats, as well as the working dogs and the barn cats. I'm finding it really strange without a dog..this is the first time in my life that I haven't had one. But I've made the decision that I'm going to get one eventually when I've finished the house. I've got lots to do this coming week..hopefully will get the bedroom finished..but goodness me it's been a job...I'm nearly there..on the home run I hope..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then I've got a project to do for tomorrow. I'm also working on some ATCs ready for an American swop. Yesterday I was searching for a certain stamp set, which I knew I had seen lately. Well I looked in all my stamps and couldn't find it..I spent a good hour searching and then I remembered that I'd put it by my chair. I had to laugh. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

SLS LInes..............New Challenge

Here I am again with a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is Men vs Women..so that gives you lots of scope.I just loved this image and thought that she looked as if she would be a strong woman. I hope that you will pop over to the blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations made by the other members of the team

I haven't been round much this week because I've been a little down and needed some space to try and find myself again. I think that we all have times when we need to get our big girl pants on and get a grip. I'm hoping that a weekend of crafting will help get me  back on track. I'm still trying to get used to my new bed. Isn't it strange how something as a new bed can throw your sleep pattern out. My old bed had sunk on one side, so I was sleeping on a kilter and now that I'm back sleeping on the straight it feels as if I'm lying on a slope.How strange is that..lol. Even though the new bed is perfectly level I feel as if I'm sleeping on a slope and about to roll off. Gannie hasn't stopped complaining about the new bed..it seems as if we are a right pair. The couch has been over taken by furry bodies and it looks as if it has a really expensive fur throw on it..lol.
Well the coffee is calling again and then it's crafting all the way. I'm hoping to lose myself in a surge of stamping..and I have to say that I'm really looking forward to it. I hope that you all have a great weekend and that wherever you are that the weather is being kind to you. I will hopefully be back later with another design team make..BT willing of course. So until then..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center...........New Challenge

Todays canvas is a design team make for the wonderful Left of Center. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next week. The theme for this challenge is 'Hip to be Square'..hence I used a square canvas.

We have been so lucky for this week to have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Aurora Wings. I just love the images that are available here and always have such a hard time deciding which one to choose. I decided to work with amazing image of the lady and the owl for obvious reasons. Since I lost Henry, owls seem to play an important place in my heart. 

For my canvas, I began by painting the canvas with my H20s to create a night sky. The image itself I coloured using a mixture of my promarkers and my H20s. I finally embellished her mask with lots of pearls and jewels. The canvas is now living with the bathroom art wall.
The sun is shining here in the mountains today. It is quite windy though and Raven is having a right gallop around the studio roof. She absolutely adores the feel of the wind in her fur and runs round and round looking really happy. All the other cats are asleep or at least trying to, on the studio roof. I think that they are getting a bit fed up with being galloped over..lol.
I had a message last night from one of Henrys friends..it was so nice to hear from him. I have been so lucky that a lot of his friends keep in touch with me..I love hearing their news. Hopefully he will be coming to stop for a few days..he knows most of the cats but will have to meet the young boys..goodness help him..lol. Twinkle, the wild one, has a bit of a thing for him and it's so funny to see. Whereas she will bite anyone else near her..she always made a fuss of him. The last time he came, Jeffrey was still a young kitten..so he will also be in a shock when he sees him.
Well the coffee is calling and I've got a few projects on the go. I hope that you will pop over to the LOC blog and see all the other wonderful work created by other members of the team. Also, pop over to the Aurora Wings shop and take a look at all the fantastic art work. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

The Crafting Musketeers.....New Challenge

 Today's creations are all design team makes for the fabulous team over at The Crafting Musketeers. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is 'Anything but a Card'. For all my makes I have created wall hangings. Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful team over at Sunsational Stamps. They provided the design team a set of images to work with and we all had great fun. I loved the bears and the variety of positions that they come in.

 I painted all the bears with my Lyra watercolours and the girl below, I coloured with my promarkers.

 I hope that you will pop over to the Crafting Musketeers blog and take a look at the fabulous creations made by the rest of the team. They never fail to inspire me.

Here in the mountains today, all you can say about the weather is that it's drizzling. Not really hard rain but enough to send the cats in and out.Sprout was determined to go to sleep on the studio roof and was not going to be bothered by the drizzle. He was covered in a fine coating of rain and even though I keep calling him..he would just move an ear but otherwise ignored me..lol. All the other cats are inside and trying to claim their favourite spots. Nicademus wasn't impressed when Sparkle arrived and wanted to sit on his chair. He has now taken himself onto the carpet..which no one will still not walk on..and has curled up. It seems that the carpet is ok to lie on..but not to walk on..lol. Raven is sulking because I'm on the computer and won't let her sit on my elbow..lol
Well the coffee is calling and I need a caffeine hit. I shall be back in a bit with another design team make. So until then...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

SLS Lines...An Inspiration

Today's canvas is a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. Every month we are asked to create an inspirational post and this was mine. As you all know by now, I adore my cats..so there was always the chance that I would choose this wonderful image. The story behind this canvas is over on the SLS Lines blog..I hope that you will pop over and have a read. A new challenge is also due to begin tomorrow over at SLS..so I'll be sharing another make for that.

Is it hot enough for you? ..or like me being a woman of a certain age..are you beginning to melt..lol. I'm sat by my window hoping for a little breeze. All the cats apart from Nosey are out sunning themselves. He is back in his box on the couch. I am so excited..my new bed arrived yesterday and is currently in the kitchen, waiting to be taken upstairs. I just can't wait..a new mattress..I won't know myself. During the next week I'm going to remove the old bed and paint the bedroom. Just not in this heat. I was due to go to the hospital today but I'm going on Thursday now. With one of my conditions, I'm not supposed to go out in bright sunshine..so hopefully it will be a little less bright then. In some ways I'm not looking forward to the experience as my leg and foot hate to be fiddled with. So I'm expecting Friday to be overtaken by pain. But I shall keep my head up and take my pills and hope for the best. So lots of exciting things are happening. Half of my kitchen has the new lino down and the carpet for the non working end has also arrived. It's a dark red colour to match the walls and looks fab. I've also got new rugs for the hard traffic areas..or should that be high cat traffic areas..lol. Well the coffee is calling and then I've got some projects to finish. A breeze is blowing through the window and it's lovely. I think I may also have an iced lolly. I hope that wherever you are..that you are coping with and enjoying the heat. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

SLS Lines................New Challenge

Yet again, here I am. This creation is a design team make for the wonderful team over at SLS Lines. A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next month. The theme for this challenge is Anything But A Card. When I was thinking about what to make I came across this image of the Voodoo King. Well I didn't know much about him..so I ended up researching Baron Samedi..the king of Voodoo. I thought that it would be fun to use this image on a label..so I hunted for a bottle that would be suitable. My friend knowing I was looking for something different and he brought me a demi john and I thought it would be perfect. I began by covering the demi john with brown wrapping paper, painting it black and touching the edges with gilding wax. I then made some paper mache bones to hang from the bottle, alongside some feathers and beads.

I so enjoyed making this and it now sits on my bathroom windowsill. I have to say that the kittens think that it's a very large cat toy..lol, I don't know how long the feather decorations will last.
As I've said the new challenge will run for the next month. Please do pop over to the SLS blog and take a look at all the fabulous makes that the other members of the team have made. They are so amazingly inspirational. I hope that you will think of joining in with the challenge...I love to see all your makes.
The sun is still shining here in the mountains and the cats are all still outside. Milky is sat right by the window..just in case it starts to rain..she is determined that no one else will sit in her box..lol. I managed to do my baking..I made cherry scones and sausage rolls..so there is no guessing what my dinner is going to feature. My legs are now up and will be staying that way until bed time. I'm hoping to do some painting later, I also managed to sort all my inkpads out...I didn't realise just how many distress ones I have. So now they are all sorted into a basket and within easy reach. Since having the cupboard shelved in the parlour it has made so much difference. I have a lot of stuff put away but now have easy access when I need it and have stuff that I use most days next to my chair. It has saved me hours of sorting and searching. I have a small chest of drawers under the window but I'm hoping to get a larger one..perhaps both longer and taller..I shall have to keep my eye out..perhaps I should have a look in Ikea. That really is fatal though..I cannot just buy one thing..lol
Well the coffee is calling and then it will be time to have dinner. I hope that you all have a lovely evening and I will be back on Wednesday with some more makes. So until then...take care and happy crafting.