Merry Christmas

Are you excited?..or you just worn out?...keep your chin up..it'll be worth it. I' m excited to see what Son makes of his presents. This will be the last blog that I'll make in 2013 ...what a wierd thought. I will be back on the blog on January 1st. 2014
I would like to thank you all for your support and kindness. Your lovely comments have cheered me every day and sharing my blogging journey with you all has been a joy. I'm still learning and looking forward to continuing my journey in the new year
I'd liketo wish you all a very merry christmas and a wonderful new year. I hope you have a really great time.
Well the coffee calls..so until next year..take care and happy crafting

Nearly There

Todays card is from Joanna Sheens Giordana Christmas cdrom. I love the animals on this card. Seeing the birds on this card makes me think of our magpie. We have a magpie that comes daily to the cat tree in the garden. He sits there quite happily, ignoring the cats as they pass him on their journey up the tree towards the biggest cat flap in the world (the parlour window).I don't know why the cats never bother him..I'm sure that one of my ladies Raven talks to him. I have seen her both on the studio roof and inside by the window making an almost barking noise at him. And Magpie calls back. I'd love to know what on earth they are saying to each other.
Today here in the mountains the weather is bitter...it hailed for a short while and I have to wonder whether we will be having a white christmas after all. I think sometimes the weather people really don't have a clue and no matter what they say..it's always it's own little climate in the mountains. We were blessed with visitors today and I have to say it really felt as if christmas had begun. All the presents are wrapped and under the tree, the cupboards are full and the magimix has decided to work again...all is well. Tomorrow my friends are picking up my vegetable order for me ( and some last minute bits that asda has decided that it can't possibly manage) and then that's it. Let the baking begin. Even though the main meals are well planned and don't change from one year to the next (I wouldn't dare) but every year I have a few days when I like to try some new little treats. Over the time between christmas and new year.. a few hours in the kitchen on my own is a joy. I put on some christmas music and enjoy every moment.
Well the coffee is calling..I'm thinking a milky one may well hit the spot today...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Christmas Fun

Todays card is from the Joanna Sheen Victorian Christmas triple cdrom. The image has been decoupaged and has some glitter added. I think that this is a cd that I will go back to time and time again come christmas time. I love the images and it works well alongside the other victorian images that I have. If I'm ever stuck for an idea, I just sit in front of my cd library and the ideas start flowing. I'm already trying to plan some cards for the design teams that I'm on. The great thing is that they are crafting based they are each very different. There is my jb-crafting supplies...I never know what I'm going to do until the parcel arrives and I love it. I get a month to work my way through whatever arrives and play with lots of different ideas. Then there will be the christmas fun challenge...doing what I love..as you can tell..christmas crafting all year long...I can't wait for that to begin. And finally the Gruffies and Friends..my chance to play with all my house mouse, gruffies and happy hoppers. Three teams...all very different and all things that I love. The New Year promises to be such fun. And all this because last year I decided that I wanted to share the cards that I make and started to blog. My blogging journey is still a joy, still a steep learning curve and still a great way to meet some fabulous crafters. I have been really lucky to meet other crafters who are as obsessed as I am and love to share what they know. So many have been so helpful and supportive especially at times when I was ready to hurl the computer through the window and give up. The biggest trial for me has always been the computer issues. I can make cards without most of the time breaking a sweat...but doing anything new on the computer can give me an immediate headache. But as usually is the case..good advice and patience..and you will get there. I never thought that I would get the hang of blogging..let alone linking or entering challenges. So if you are still thinking about doing it...and I know that many of you are...give it a go. Begin in the new year and as I've told you..if I can help in any way..then I will.
Well the coffee is calling..visitors are coming later..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Christmas Bunnies

Todays card is one of my favourite images from my favourite christmas cdrom of this year...'Hollypond Hill Christmas brought to us by Joanna Sheen. I have used this cdrom so much this year...there are so many classic images. I love the victorian feel to this image and of course I love the fact that it has rabbits on it. I really don't know where this thing for rabbits has arrived from. I only had one rabbit as a child. It was brought to our house by the famous footballer George Best. He was friends with my Grandmother and Grandfather and gave it to me as a present. I can't remember him very well but my one abiding memory of him is this present and him sitting in the parlour by the side of the range having a drink with my Grandfather. He always arrived with a bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky and I can see them now..sitting there having a drink while my Grandmother walked round getting them something to eat. George was very young at the time and must have been beginning to get famous. How strange ..thinking of that now..and how amazing that he got as famous as he did..it was in the 60's when he used to visit. I suppose in a way he was the Beckham of his day. But to me he was a friendly visitor who made us all laugh.
People are about to start arriving tomorrow for the festive season...these last couple of weeks seem to have gone by so quickly..excitement is definately gathering here. I can't wait to give Son his presents. He has no idea what to expect...isn't that the best way. I hope that your preparations are going well.
Well the coffee calls..I am a little tired today so caffeine is definately needed..lol. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

Christmas Cottage

Todays card is one I get asked for year after year. It is an image from a Joanna Sheen cdrom. There are many Joanna Sheen cdroms that are now retired but it is always worth while having a look on ebay or a similar site to see what is available. I have been lucky enough to collect the whole range that has been produced by Joanna and use them all over the year. I have mounted the image onto some mirror board and of course have glittered the image. This is an A5 card so you will able to judge that this is a large image. On the sheet that you print out, you also get 2 smaller images, which are ideal for 5x7 or A6 cards. So printing is very economical. There is something quite magical about these cottage images..the snow on the hedges and the trees all glittering.
Talking of glittering snow..we had glittering hail and snow here in the mountains today. The hail came down fast and furiously...senting cats back into the house at great speed. It was huge and within minutes the whole place was white. Since then we have had more hail, snow and rain. At the moment it is very slushy..but goodness knows what will happen if it freezes. Son has walked round the village today and delivered all the christmas cards and presents. When he returned he did look as if he had been dipped into a lake by a giant hand..lol. I have to say that he took it all with good grace...the festive season has crept in.
Well the coffee is calling and some presents that I ordered have finally arrived..so the next hour will be taken up fighting with the wrapping paer..lol It is a total joy wrapping presents in this house...there is always a cat who thinks that you only have got that roll of paper out to play with them. So begins a tug of war that I always lose to teeth and claws. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

An Early Christmas Present

First things first...I'm so very excited to tell you that I've accepted a position on the Gruffies and friends design team. I really can't believe that I've been so lucky. In celebration of this happy news I decided to share this little card with the adorable house mouse image. This image is from the triple house mouse cdrom by Joanna Sheen. I have mounted the image onto some holographic card and have just added some die cut snowflakes. Of course I just had to add a little glitter..lol. So the new year promises to be a very exciting year..I can't wait to share it with you.
What a day it has been today..we have already been sat in the dark. Yes, as happens quite often here in the mountains..the power went off. It is only at times like this, when you realise just how very dark the cottage is. Candles are on call but usually I only use them if the power goes off at night  because I really don't like the smell of singeing cat hair. No matter how many times over the years the cats have been in contact with candles...they still want to investigate. One of my old cats used to be intrigued by a certain lamp..and every day he would go over to it and stand and stare at it for a couple of minutes...and then he would lick it..lol.Every day he found the lamp to be hot and must of burnt his tongue but the very next day he would be back doing exactly the same thing. The cats today are mostly inside as the wind is blowing...so they have retired to the couch.
Well the coffee is calling...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.

Just like Jeff

Todays card is one that I have been requested to make numerous times over this festive season. I just love this image. The cd is Magical Christmas Moments brought to us by Creative Crafting World. The image is just so breathtaking that every time I make this card, I find myself just mounting the image onto some mirror board and adding some glitter. There really is something magical about this image..it has captured so well the expression on the cats face. It does look just like Jeff (the printer stopper) and I know that expression...it means I'm about to do something that you won't like..lol
I have to share some very exciting news today..I've been invited to join the design team over on the Christmas Fun Challenge blog. It is a new challenge blog which will go live in January. I'm very excited to be working with a group of fabulous crafters and so very happy to have been given this opportunity to work christmas all year round. As most of you know by now..I am a christmas nut..so this is perfect. Son was happy for me but also devastated..he said oh no I'll never be rid of the glitter..lol. If you have chance..please pop over and have a look...there is a link on the right hand side.
The weather here in the mountains is as wet and windy as yesterday. The cats had quite a day yesterday managing to stay upright. They didn't stop out for long. I saw Tankie tutu..one of my little black girls..get lifted by a gust of wind..after which she ran in and stayed on the couch. Son has just left to go to his carol concert..so I have planned an afternoon with a soppy christmas film with some crafting..my idea of a good time..lol.
So as always, the coffee calls. I hope that you are having a good day..despite the weather..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

The Christmas Farm

Todays card is a Sheena Douglass stamp. It reminds me of a lot of farm houses that I knew as a child and even some that I know now. I really loved using this stamp and it is a stamp that I feel I could use all year round, just depending what colours I used. In fact that's my plan in the new year...to use this stamp in a summer setting...so watch this space. I have just added some die cut snowflakes and a greeting.
I have spent the morning watching one of my all time favourite films. It is Scrooge...but the 1951 version starring Alistair Sims. It is a black and white version but I find it the most magical telling of the story. Some people would think that I've wasted the time..when I could be doing something more important...but to me it was important..it was a bit of christmas sentiment all for myself. And it helps me to feel festive...so it's all good. Please remember what I said yesterday...find a little time for yourself..after all..it's your christmas too.
The weather here is not in the least festive...the rain is sideways and the wind is howling. But here I am looking at the world from inside..and counting my blessings...I'm warm and cosy..my animals are within view ( and behaving for a change!) and my pain relief is working for a while. I couldn't ask for anything better.
Well the coffee calls..as it always does..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

Sitting with the Snowman

Todays card is from the charming Giordano Christmas cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. I have mounted the image onto some christmas red card and added a backing paper from my stash. I seem to collect papers like most ladies I know collect shoes. I have crafting friends who also love collecting papers and they often say for every paper that you love...you should have 3 pieces of it. One to use, one to keep and one to stroke..lol.I love the Giordano cdroms. The every day one and the christmas one have really lovely images of animals on both. They play a useful role in my crafting library.
I thought that I would never get to blog today..blogger didn't want to play and when it decided it would ..my computer played up. I shall have to look into one with a bigger memory in the new year. But I won't be telling Son. He has been telling me all year that I need a new one and I would hate to prove him right...lol. As much as I love him sometimes he has a really annoying habit of doing the I'm a man and I'm right. Sometimes I'm amazed that I managed my life at all without his imput...such is his teenage view on life....lol. The real trouble is that I can remember back to when I was a teenager..and I was so much worse..so perhaps I should just keep quiet.
Today is a miserable rainy day here in the mountains..we are back to living in Brigadoon...the mists are down and the rain is constantly hammering. Even the cats look depressed today. And now it's dark as well. I'm still hoping for a white christmas. Even a bit of frost would be pleasant today. I think I shall have to glitter something to lift my spirits...lol.
So the coffee is calling...wherever you are I hope you are having a good day..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Waiting for Christmas

For a change today, I decided to share a picture of my latest ATC. I am a member of a number of atc swops and really enjoy making them. For those of you that don't know..an atc is an artists trading card and features whatever artwork you would like to share. The only rule is that your atc is the size of a playing card. Most swops have a theme every month and for the one that I'm sending this one to is 'Let it Snow'. For the background I've used some acetate which I have coloured using alcohol markers and then blended using blending solution. For the little mouse and the lamp post I have used some of the wonderful stamps from Jayne Nestorenko. I have collected alot of her stamps because the images are so beautifully detailed and work so well. I have alot of messages from people who are having problems with stamping and I have to say that sometimes it is just the quality of the stamp. With all the stamps that I have bought from Jayne..I have never had a problem. For more inspiration you could visit her facebook page..Jayne Nestorenko's Inspiration and share in her wonderful world. I have stamped the images and coloured them using watercolour pencils..and then cut them out. I added these to the acetate front and then used some white acrylic paint to add the snowy effect. All I want to add is a let it snow greeting and then I will post it off.
I'm glad to say that my printer is now back and working. Thank goodness. We thought that it was fixed yesterday but it still refused to take the paper in. So it was a call to my wonderful computer man and hey presto. He had a good fiddle about with it and discovered the one cat biscuit that had buried itself really well down into the workings. Once that one had been removed..the printer heaved a sigh of relief and started to work properley again. So last night was spent catching up on all my printing..so now I have a long list of cards to finish in the hope that they can go off in the post. I've worked out that I have 2 more parcels to go off and then christmas orders are finished. As I've said next years list has already begun to develop so you may find me making christmas cards in July at this rate. I'm so happy with it though..I love to share what I've made and to be able to make people happy with what I make for them is one of my greatest joys.
Well the coffee calls..and so does the printer..so until tomorrow take care and happy crafting...and remember not to let your cat with his biscuits within 5 foot of your printer...lol.

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.

vixenvarg: The Door to Christmas

vixenvarg: The Door to Christmas: Sometimes I wish I could take a straight photograph...lol. Todays card is another from the tulip range from Docrafts. It is a lovely deco...

The Door to Christmas

Sometimes I wish I could take a straight photograph...lol. Todays card is another from the tulip range from Docrafts. It is a lovely decoupage to do and I love the detail that they bring into the image. I have just added the two heart wreaths to either side. The greeting and the backing paper were from the pack so if you didn't want to add anything else..you would still have a delightful card. It seems strange to me now to be coming to the end of my christmas cards..I can hardly remember a time when I wasn't making them..lol. But orders for new year birthdays are coming in..so I will have to shift gear.
Christmas preparations are coming along...I'm on parcel watch..they have been ordered and are coming in at different times. I wrapped everything that was here yesterday..so I'm feeling quietly festive. The parlour is done..the kitchen awaits the festive sort out. I like to organise the kitchen so that it's ready for the christmas cooking. My kenwood needs to sorted out and my magimix has to be prepared for the festive onslaught. I feel sure that I could cook christmas with my eyes shut. We have so many christmas food traditions that I no longer need a recipe book. I have to admit to an addiction which is not shared by anyone else in this house and that is bread sauce..I love it. Christmas wouldn't be christmas for me without it. Son hates it..to give him credit..every year he does try it, hoping that he'll like it..but every year he pulls the same face and leaves it for me..thank goodness
Well the coffee is calling and cards are calling to be made..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

vixenvarg: A Traditional Moment

vixenvarg: A Traditional Moment: Todays card is using a topper from my stash..a very traditional card but it looks quite twinkly as I've added a glitter peeloff round...

A Traditional Moment

Todays card is using a topper from my stash..a very traditional card but it looks quite twinkly as I've added a glitter peeloff round the edge. Peeloffs have come so far since I first began crafting. I mostly use them as borders and love all the colours and glitter encased ones you can get now. I'm hoping to add to my stash in the new year.
The computer has been having a moment today..it keeps freezing. But it seems to have gotton over itself now...just as well really as my computer man would have to give it a talking to...lol. If anything should be complaining it should be my little printer..since August it has worked it's little socks off. If it thought that it was going to get a rest now the christmas cards are nearly finished then it's wrong. I already have orders for birthday cards and cards in general for next year.
For todays crafting delight I'm intending to make some over the top tags. I have some ideas...so hopefully I can share them with you soon. It's so cold here with the wind blowing hard. It's raining off and on, so I'm expecting a group of wet cats anytime soon. Well the coffee is calling and so is the wrapping paper..I have still more to wrap..so until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

Christmas Dreams

 

Todays card is another from the 'Tulip' Docrafts decoupage range. This is really a lovely kit and the decoupage is so well worked out...there is real depth and all the little details make it something really special. All I have added is some snowflakes.This is an 8x8 card and as you can see it is a lovely size to make a focal point on a larger card.
Well it's rather chilly here in the mountains..the blanket is over my legs and I keep getting walked on by wet cats. Oh the joy of a wet paw on your arm..lol. I'm thinking of starting the wrapping of the presents today. Oh how I remember when Son was little and I had to wrap in secret. It usually found me on christmas Eve wrapping in the middle of the night. That's what happens when you live in a tiny cottage and most of the christmas presents are in friends houses round the village. But then it was always worth it...christmas morning and the joy on his face when Santa had been. His very first christmas morning was spent by candlelight. The power went off on christmas eve and stayed off until late christmas day. I have a picture of him in his tartan babygro opening his presents by candlelight and it is one of my favourite pictures. It was such a long time ago but the memory is as fresh as if it were yesterday. One of my favourite sayings is that we don't remember days we remember moments and it's so true. It's all the little things in life that we cherish, as those glimpses can get us through the rough times.
The coffee is calling and I have decided to revamp the christmas wreath for the front door so after the caffeine I shall be searching out some glittery reindeers I think. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Cosy for Christmas

Todays card is featuring an Andrea Jayne Illustration 'Tulip' decoupage brought to us by Docrafts. This is really a lovely set of 4 (x2) diecut decoupage. I have featured another of these sets earlier in the year and have to say that I love the amount of detail in every picture. The backing papers are included in the pack. I have just added an embellishment from my stash. Both these sets are available from jb crafting supplies.
One of the questions that I get asked a lot of times is what type of glue I use. Believe me I have spent many years trying out different types and now I think I have found my regular few. I have always thought that the glue should be the best that I can afford which will the job I want exactly.So here goes. I use pinflair glue gel for any 3D work and anything that is awkward to stick down. For flat gluing of large areas I use Collall All Purpose. And for glitter I use Art glitter glue...I also use this for sticking flat diecuts down and for gluing in my inserts. In in doubt about anything I will always go for the pinflair glue gel. Son always says that I should have shares as I go through so much. I don't use the tape runner type ever because I discovered that after a while a residue will seep through the paper. I found this out after I had used a tape runner to glue an insert in and found the card after 3 months and discovered how horrible the insert looked on the inside. Now alot of the cards I make are ordered to be a keepsake and I want to make sure that the card will look as good as it can, on the inside and the outside, years later not just in a few weeks or months. I would like to add that I tested many different tape runners and they all ended up showing through. Also I don't use a cheap paper for my inserts...the very least that I use is a 120g paper. I use a 160g or greater for printing onto. I hope this helps everyone that has been asking.
Just to let you know..most of the decorations are now up..only the stockings and tinsel to go. Mind you..that is only in the parlour. The stairs, landing and kitchen are still to be done. The wreath will be going on the door later..so all's well..lol. Jeff is loving every minute and already removed an owl from the owl tree and carried it round before leaving it nicely on my chair. And I have to add that lametta is finding it's way onto the floor. And yesterday as I was painting and glittering the branches for the owl tree, Milky decided to run her tail along the length of the branch, causing her tail to become white and glittered. I can tell you it took some serious time with a baby wipe to return her tail to it's original black..lol
Well the coffee is calling..I hope you have a great day...take care and happy crafting.

A Booful Christmas

Todays card is another of my Booful collection. The image is decoupaged and I have added it to the card front, which has been embossed with a snowflake design. The backing paper is from my stash and I have added a blue peeloff. I also added some diecut snowflakes from the All Occasion die range. This is a really quick and simple card but I'm pleased with the way that it's turned out. There is something really cute about Booful..he has such an endearing little face.
I'm having a really nice day crafting inside..outside it's blowing a gale and from where I sit at my window I have a lovely view of recycling bins heading down the lane. Many many little green bins are on the wind...they really are an added attraction to the village. The council have given their normal amount of thought to this situation. As a village we had a recycling area which had large bins and this worked wonderfully... so of course because it worked so well..the council had to change it. Now in a village where most houses are holidays homes usually occupied by non residents, all the houses have about 7 bins. And believe me the non residents don't care that much about recycling on their holidays..so now it seems our winter winds will be littered with flying bins.
The decorations are now out of their winter storage and are in the process of becoming a cats christmas paradise. In a minute I'm going to paint the branches for the owl tree. I will take a photo so I can share it with you. Jeff the kitten has seen his first piece of tinsel and his eyes went really wide and he obviously thought it to be a new excitement...so goodness only knows what the season will bring.
Well the coffee is calling and there are some branches that need to be painted and of course glittered. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

A Turkey Tail

For todays card I decided to share this card that I made for the design team over at jb-crafting supplies. This card is from 'The Rachelle Anne Miller Collection'. It is a double cd and they couldn't have any more on them if they'd used a shoehorn. It has toppers, envelopes, inserts, party bags and so much more. It contains cutting files to work with cutting machines as well as the JPGs so you can cut the same thing by hand. Also it has a stack of backing papers in different colour families. One of the reason that I highlighted this particular card was that this is an 8x8 topper. That in itself is a rare thing..having a topper in this size. A lot of cds have lots of smaller toppers but this cd has 8x8 toppers, inserts and envelopes. And also every topper has lots of different greetings available to match.
The decorations are still not up but today is the day...come hell or high water...or perhaps I should say despite the cats...they are going up. I have bought my son a large present for christmas and decided to wrap it last night. Well every time I unrolled the paper..Jeff the kitten was either underneath the roll or pulling, tugging or chewing it. It was a comedy show..everytime I went to grab the sellotape..the dog was sat on it...and Jeff continued to play until it was wrapped..lol.
As probably everyone else is doing..I'm trying to organise the shopping for over the festive season and what a job it is. I seem to find myself surrounded by lists and have been known to be muttering ground almonds at the funniest times. When I was thinking of christmas turkey I remembered a funny event and thought I would share it with you. Years ago I had just finished cooking the christmas dinner and was trying to put the turkey somewhere safe. It couldn't go in the oven because that was still hot...it couldn't go straight into the fridge because the turkey itself was too hot..so I thought I would put it in a cupboard until it had cooled. About an hour later, I went back to put it in the fridge..on opening the cupboard door to my utter surprise instead of looking at a turkey...I was looking at a very stuffed black and white cat. Somehow the cat (a rescued kitty called Toerag) had managed to get into the cupboard and had spent the hour eating the turkey, stuffing and sausagemeat. He resembled a zeppelin with legs and tail. I have to add that it was a couple of days before he came back to the food bowl. I seem to remember that he slept boxing day with a very contented look on his face. At the time it was quite a trauma but now it just makes me giggle. So whatever you do find somewhere safe for your turkey..lol.
Well I'm heading towards the decorations again...but coffee first. I hope you have a good day and that all your preparations are going well...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Booful and the Robin

Todays card is another Booful one. I used a backing paper from my stash and added a paper which I had embossed with snowflakes. I then added the christmas tree and the lovely Booful image. He really is a cute little figure. I din't know what I was going to do with him at first but I have to say I'm having lots of fun.
Yesterday was a lovely day for me ...I had some lovely comments and messages. I was so touched that you shared your christmas memories of your animals with me. I have often said that our animals bring so much pleasure and make us laugh despite ourselves. Yesterday the christmas preparations began and already cat chaos took over the house. They all had a need to help and everytime something moved there was a cat in the way. So we haven't been able to get as far along as we thought we would...but today is another day and we'll be trying again.For a reason known only to him ..the kitten Jeff has been carrying a candle holder round all morning. It is quite a heavy one that hold 3 candles and has pine boughs attached. Well this poor candle holder has been dragged around and up and down the stairs...it does seem to be the decoration of choice for this year..lol
Well the coffee is calling and I feel it's time to try the decoration thing again. I hope you have a really good day..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

Anniversary Cake

Todays card is from the Jane Shasky 'From the Heart of the Garden' by Joanna Sheen. This is a wonderful cd and one that I go back to time and time again. This card is an order for a silver wedding card The cdrom is a 2 disc collection featuring something for every season. There are some beautiful backing papers as well. I have mounted the image onto a die cut frame from the Tonic range. I had a lovely comment over on Vixenvarg Cards and Creations where the lady said that it had a very victorian feel to it. I hope that you all like it as well.
It's very cold here, with that cold snap to the air. Son had a really good time at the christmas celebration and parade yesterday and just to let you know his ice-cream of choice was chocolate, coffee and walnut. And he said it was very good. I have to say the thought of eating ice-cream at the moment goes through me. I think I'm more of a hot chocolate person myself..lol So all the weather predictions seem to be for a white christmas but who knows. My Grandmother always used to say..well it's too cold to snow. When I was little I always thought that it was the strangest thing to say...how could it be too cold...but now I know it's true. It always does seem to warm a little before a good snow. I love the snow..it always looks as if the world has been covered with a glittery blanket.
How are you doing with all your christmas preparations? I'm hoping to get ready to decorate tomorrow. I have looked around the parlour and am trying to decide where all my collections will go. The one thing that I really love is putting the decorations on the tree. The collection grows every year with us adding a new ornament every season. This years is a little cross eyed robin that Son brought back with him. Last year he bought a reindeer that had been cross stitched onto a red heart. These will become memories for the future. Son has an ornament from his first christmas..a teddy on a rocking horse and I have mine. My ornament is a little angel. Her net skirt has yellowed with the years but to me she remains as magical as she was when I was a little girl. I have a lantern that was my grandmothers...so when the tree is put up we can remember the family going back through the years.
I have a lot of happy crafting to do this afternoon...Son is off again to get festive, so the house will hopefully be quiet apart from the sound of me pinging jewels everywhere. So as the coffee calls..I hope that you have a lovely day and until tomorrow.. take care and happy crafting.

Driving Home For Christmas

Todays card is from the Gruffies and Happy Hoppers cd rom by Joanna Sheen. I love this image of the gruffies in the car with all the christmas presents piled high on the car roof. I have travelled many a distance with the presents taking up every spare inch of room. Children with presents under their feet, on their knees and a dog tucked in between. But there is always the feeling of expectation and happiness. Something magical in the air. This card has made me think of the Chris Rea song..Driving Home for Christmas...and now I can't get the song out of my head..lol. I have special friends that come to the village over the festive season and their visiting always adds to making the christmas season so special. It is a time for remembering times gone by and a time for sharing new ideas and dreams.
Next week I am looking forward to putting the christmas decorations up. It may take a while..we had planned to put them up this weekend but son is out getting festive. Today is the special weekend in Betws-y-Coed..the christmas lantern parade, the lights everywhere and all the shops staying open later. It has a great christmas feel and is enjoyed by everyone in the local areas. It is something that only started a few years ago but is now looked forward to by everyone. He has his christmas shopping planned and is looking forward to an ice-cream. It goes through me the thought of an ice-cream when the weather is below freezing but he loves it. I wonder what christmas flavour he will go for tonight. I will let you know..lol.
So this afternoon I will be crafting with christmas songs playing. No doubt there will be the sound of raised voices...me at the cats. They really don't like it when son has left the valley and will no doubt play revolving door with the biggest cat flap in the world. One of the cats called Tankie Tutu, I know will be back and to...she does prefer it when son and I are in the same room. On one occasion son went to a concert in the village hall and she went and sat outside the whole time, walking back up the hill with him when it was over. Bless her
Well the coffee is calling...I hope that you have a really good weekend..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*
Allsorts Challenge - Inspired by a christmas song or carol

Bear in the lilacs

Todays card is from the wonderful new Gruffies and Happy Hoppers cdrom by Joanna Sheen. I don't know why but this card has been so hard to photograph..this is about my 14th. attempt and this is about as good as it gets. The image shows a gruffie holding a lovely big bunch of lilacs. I have embellished with flowers, swirls, pearls, ribbon and a butterfly charm. The gruffie image is decoupaged. I don't think that the printer has switched off since this cd has arrived..lol.
I often talk about my blogging journey and I would just like to thank everyone who has been on this journey with me. I would also like to thank everyone that comments and contacts me. The hardest things for me have been learning all the computer stuff...and I admit to be really dumb with it. I seriously think that there is a small group of us out there who really have no understanding of this machine and no matter what, it scares us. I watch my son and from when he had his first computer has had no fear...he will continue to try things until he gets them right. I still tend to lose my nerve...I don't know what I think is going to happen but I will continue to battle on. My blogging has really helped with this..it's about learning how to do something and doing it again and again. When I entered my first ever challenge..I thought that I would have a nervous breakdown...it took 3 days and about a gallon of coffee...lol. Now I can enter a challenge and not need a lie down. So if you are out there and thinking of starting a blog..give it a go. I am more than happy to help..I admit to not knowing alot but you will have all the support I can give you.
My son is about to begin his own christmas countdown today. He has a weekend of christmas fairs and christmas parades to go to...and when it's all done he gets to come home and put the decorations up next week. We really are christmas nuts and have many collections that come out every year...santas, owls, tree decorations, snow globes..they all bring back many happy memories and are something really special to our family.
Well the coffee calls...I hope that you all have a great day...so until tomorrow ..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*

Rubys Rainbow - Flowers, Pearls and a charm

Mistletoe Kisses

Todays card is from the new Joanna Sheen cdron featuring the wonderful artwork of Ellen 'House Mouse' Jareckie. The cd is packed with images of the Gruffies and the Happy Hoppers. If you love house mouse for it's whimsical fun, then you will have to get this one. For my first card from the cd I chose this image of a Happy Hopper holding the mistletoe aloft for the cute little mice. I have mounted the image and the backing paper onto christmas red card and edged both with a glittered peeloff. I have embellished using some diecut mistletoe and poinsettia
I would like to wish everyone over the pond a Happy Thanksgiving. I have to admit to watching a lot of cooking shows and I love the ones that feature cooking for the holidays..and some of the best have been for Thanksgiving. Many of these recipes have ended up featured on my christmas table. Some of my favourites include a green bean casserole with a crunchy onion topping and creamed corn. If you ever try creamed corn..please don't use a tin of it..use fresh corn or a bag of frozen corn..and find a good recipe. To me it was a revelation. I usually serve the corn with beef or lamb. The other thing that I like about Thanksgiving is taking the time to give thanks for those people in our lives who are special to us and counting our blessings.
The coffee cup is empty and desperately needs to be filled. so I'll be smiling at my son any minute now...lol. So until tomorrow..have a great day..take care and happy crafting.

Winter Handbag

Todays card doesn't look like one but trust me it is..lol. I have made the handbag using a board from the Glitter Girls..from Keepsake Crafts. Even though the company is now owned by someone else.this boar is from a time when Kathy and Babs still owned and demonstrated the products. I have made the bag using a lilac pearlescent card and embellished it using diecuts and jewels. The large snowflake clips were made using a peeloff mounted onto the matching card and then cut out. I have also made a matching tag. Inside the bag is lined and decorated by stamping leaves and adding jewels. The bag is for and order.
I have shared my blogging journey with you all and am still loving every moment. Today I was delighted to have been picked to be a spotlight winner over on Rubys Rainbow challenge blog. It was such a surprise because there were some other wonderful cards. The world of challenge blogs has been a wonderful source of inspiration and I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful crafters who share my passion for cardmaking. I have won a badge for my blog which hopefully I will get on my blog as soon as I can work out the computer business. Still no matter what I do, I still find it hard to grasp what I have to do..but it's all a learning curve. When I began I had no idea how to even blog, then I had to learn how to get the photos up and then it was linking. I'm still working on the linking side of it. I can now enter challenges which is great but it still needs my instruction sheet and a large cup of coffee..lol.
Well speaking of coffee..the kettle is boiling. I hope that you are having a really good day...so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Raisin Boat Challenge - Christmas Creations

Pixie's Crafty Workshp Challenge - Anything goes

Father Christmas

Todays card is from the Father Christmas cdrom by Crafters Companion. The image is from the toppers section of the cd and the backing paper is from one of the design sets.I have mounted both the topper and the backing paper onto some red card. The only other things that I have added are some glittered peeloffs and a glittered greeting. Well I had to get some glitter in somewhere..lol. This card comes under the banner of a quick card...there are times when we need one that we can make quickly for whatever reason and this would be mine. The topper is large enough to be a good focal point and this was made on an A5 card. The backing paper is one of my favourites on this cd and of course you can have it in any colour you want using the colourizer section. I have also used it on other cards in the red colour and it is equally as delightful.
It is so cold here in the mountains today. We must be around freezing because all the animals want to do is cuddle up on the couch. One of my boys Nicodemus suffers from stiffness in his back legs in the cold weather and has to have medication..he goes out every day but the amount of time he spends out gets less and less, the colder it gets.On the other end of the scale is one of my girls called Raven, she loves the cold weather especially the snow. I have always been convinced that she thinks she is a dog and if you saw her in the snow..you would too. She rolls around in it and throws it up in the air..it seems to be a demonstration of pure joy. People have asked me in the past why I like my animals as I do and it hard to explain the joy that they bring into my life. They make me laugh when I don't even think I could smile...they give so much love for so very little. Most of my cats were rescued from terrible conditions and they are so grateful just for being loved. To watch a scared and scarred cat finally believe in you and start to come out of their shell is a wonderful thing. I thank the heavens every day for them and the joy that they bring to my life.
Well the coffee is calling and card orders are still coming in. So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting.

Badgers in the bracken

Todays card is using an image that I've had in my stash for so long, I have no memory of where it came from. But I had an order for a christmas card with badgers on it..so it came into play. I have mounted the image onto some holographic card and just embellished it with some swirls and a poinsietta. I of course had to add a bit of sparkle.
More and more I get asked for badgers and foxes on cards. Customers from towns and cities are seeing these creatures more and more and often have funny stories to tell, so they like to feature them on their cards. Many of them also support many of the animal charities. Here in the mountains we are lucky (or not..depending how you think) to see wildlife on a regular basis. I can remember being lucky enough to see an albino badger walking down the lane..it was late one night and I have to say it really had an otherworldy appearance. When I first moved here there were wild goats living in the mountains behind the cottages. We used to get the occasional view of them.
I'm still working on inserts..two orders have now gone off with my post lady and a large order is due to go on Friday. I have a long list of orders to work on this week but at least the pressure is off with the christmas cards. I have been working on christmas cards since August and now I'm down to the last dozen. I've managed to make all my own cards as well..so I'm really pleased. As well I've already starting taking orders for next year.
Well the coffee is calling and the inserts are calling..so until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting

vixenvarg: Church Window

vixenvarg: 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 sn...

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

Silver Wedding Card

Todays card is an order for a silver wedding anniversary card. I have used the bookatrix board from the glitter girls. Even though it looks as if I have used a rainbow card, it's actually a rainbow holographic and that is how the camera caught the effect. In one light it looks plain silver. I have decoupaged some pansies from Joanna Sheens Heart of the garden cdrom. I also used the lattice part of Joanna Sheens garden trellis planter from her Signature die range. The bookmark is from the other side of the bookatrix board..I embossed and cut it twice and then sandwiched the two together with a piece of acetate in between.
Well the day has arrived when I have no other choice but to start the inserts for all my christmas cards. I have been putting it off for about a month and now I can no longer do that. I will be fine once I get a little routine going...and then my parlour will look like a production line..lol. How are your christmas cards going? I have a lot of messages from people that say that they make their own cards but feel as if the people that receive them don't appreciate them. I always say that even though I sell lots of cards, I still send my friends a handmade card. There will always be people who think that you are taking the cheap route by sending them a handmade card and all us crafters know that this isn't the case. I have friends who love my cards and know how much thought I have put into that card but these people equally would appreciate any thing I send them, handmade or not. I have come to the conclusion that it's just human nature and you really have to please yourself. I make cards because I enjoy it so much and I'm not changing the way that I am to please anyone. So if you suffer people that think badly of handmade cards..let them..send the card that you want to and maybe one day they will realise. Hold your head up high and be proud of what you do.
I'm heading for the coffee and then the insert saga will begin. I hope that you all have a great weekend..take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*
Delicious Doodles - No design paper

Allsorts Challenge - Bring on the bling

Something Different

Todays card really is something different for me. It is a christmas card made up from overlapping cogs. The order was for something different for a cyclist. I made a basic christmas tree shape and covered the whole thing with overlapping cogs of various sizes. I had cut the cogs from holographic silver card and from plain silver mirror board. I have used the cog set from Robert Addams, All Occasion die range. To form the garlands across the tree I used the rope and chain dies from the same die range. One of the smaller cogs...I've used as a snowflake type decoration.
Today is very cold here in the mountains...we have had a lot of hail in the past few days but today at least the sky is a brilliant blue and it's dry...at least for a while. I remember watching the sky when I was little at the slightest mention of snow. I used to believe that Jack Frost visited every night to paint the windows. We didn't have central heating in the farmhouse ...nobody we knew did..and every night in the winter I was amazed that Jack Frost could visit us every night. The most fantastic patterns decorated the glass. Every bedroom had a fireplace but a fire was ever only lit if you were ill. I can remember lying in bed watching the flames dance and my grandmother sitting in a chair reading me a story. It was probably an Enid Blyton story..she was my favourite author and I collected her books. I could read myself, long before I went to school, so having a story read to me was a real treat. My other favourite books were the 'Anne of Green Gables' stories, the 'What Katy Did' stories and the 'Little House' books. As an adult I discovered a book called 'Clover', which continued the Katy stories with the story of her sister Clover. I never knew that this book existed and was so excited to read it. It took me back to my childhood and the joy in a new book. When I first started the book..just for an instant, I was back in bed as a little girl, snuggled under the eiderdown, hearing all the noises of the house coming from downstairs, feeling perfectly safe and happy. What a moment. I think as adults we can sometimes lose our joy in simple things, forget what it felt to feel secure and let the worries of everyday life can take over. We need to take a moment I think just to search for a moment of joy...whatever that may be.
I'm working on the silver wedding card which hopefully I can share with you tomorrow. So as usual the coffee calls..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.

Deer through the trees

Todays card is from the Squeezee Cards...Christmas Furry friends. I have used the single image, glittered it and added a backing paper from my stash. This is a great cd for people who love animals and wildlife..there is not a single image on this disc that I haven't used before and will no doubt be using again.
The weather today doesn't know what to do with itself...it's rained, snowed and hailed. The wind is roaring round the valley and leaves are flying past the window. The path is littered with leaves of gold, orange and every other colour of autumn. The cats are in and out of the biggest cat flap, determined to drive me insane whilst I try to write this. You can tell how cold it is getting here by the number of animals trying to sleep on my bed. I sometimes wake in the night thinking I must be ill only to discover that I have three cats lay on me. People say to me oh well they must really love you but I know better..yes they may love me but they are trying to find the warmest spot....and at night that's on me.
So are you ready for christmas? I'm not. I'm surrounded by lists of possible presents and lists of food that will be needed. I have friends coming all over the festive season and I do like to welcome them with a meal or at least something to nibble. As I've said before the mince pie tin needs to be bottomless and the sausage roll count can be enormous. I have to admit to loving preparation and cooking but have found it so hard not being able to stand for but a minute and motion being past me. So everything than be achieved has be done from a chair. My son bless him does all the lifting and we have worked out a good routine. I have always said that I could conquer the world if it was possible from a comfy chair...lol.
Well lots of work to do today and I'm looking forward to playing with some new ideas that have been floating round my head. Yes..I admit to being an odd crafter..I go to sleep at night thinking of new card ideas..but it makes me happy...lol. The coffee is calling...by the pint I think...so until tomorrow ( and yes every time I write that word.I'm still spelling it wrong!)..take care and happy crafting.

Cottage in the Snow

Todays card is from a Joanna Sheen cdrom. The image has been glittered and mounted onto some silver mirror board. I have just added a small embellishment of a poinsettia and some pine branches. This is one of the now famous cottage cards which have now left the premises. I am so glad that they are now in the hands of the customer..all safe and sound. And now I no longer have to guard them from the cats..lol
Well this morning I woke to see a white wonderland. It had been and still was snowing quite heavily. As we speak the sky is blue and the snow has all but gone, But for a small space of time, the world was white and changed beyond imagining. It's very cold and bright at the moment..so goodness only knows what will happen later. Remembering back to my childhood the cold weather makes me think of duffel coats and mittens on a string. For some reason my mittens had to be either red or green. They were the colours that I loved. I can remember my duffel coat and all the fights that I had with it to button it up. Coats were always bought with room to grow and when I first got my coat it nearly came to my ankles. The thing I remember the most was the weight of the thing. It was just so heavy. And the buttons were huge toggles that I recall struggling with, with either cold stiff hands or  mittened fingers. And once you had fought the battle getting it on, you were so warm and the coat was so stiff..your movements were really restricted. It was only years later when you were just about to grow out of it that it became easy enough to become a joy to wear. I always felt as if it needed breaking in...like a good strong pair of boots.
I have a great amount of excitement today as my parcel of goodies from jb-crafting supplies for whom I do work on the design team. I don't know what's in the parcel yet but I love surprises. I will share what I'll be doing for them with you tommorrow. I'm also working on a card for a silver wedding anniversary card..so you'll see that soon too. Lots and lots of work to do this week..I love it.
Time to go and sort some cards out now but as always I'll need a coffee first..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.

Celebrate..it's christmas..well nearly

What  a day..visitors and a computer that doesn't want to play. Today has been the day of the frozen computer..let's switch it off and start again..lol Everyone knows that I'm not very good with the technical things...so today has really tried every nerve that I have. It has taken half an hour to write this much..I know I can be rather slow but this..I think todays chat will be a short one..lol.
The card is from Joanna Sheens Triple House Mouse cdrom. There are just so many images on the 3 cds..you are really spoilt for choice. And happily for those of us who love this artwork..the hoppers and gruffies are due to arrive on their own cd come the end of the week. I will be one happy bunny...any guesses for what animal I adore?
Well my lovely computer man has just arrived so I'm off to pick his brain. This is probably my shortest blog and has taken the longest time..lets hope things improve by tomorrow. So until then...take care and happy crafting.

*challenges entered*
Joanna Sheen - Celebrate
Sparkles Forum Challenge - Animals
Rubys Rainbow - Pink and Blue