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.